Digidesign has just updated Pro Tools to version 8.0cs2.

Changes :

- Fixed: Regions Are Inadvertently Deleted and Pro Tools Crashes When Opening Sessions Which Had Their Session Start Time Changed (Item #113177)
* After changing the session start time and maintaining time code, Pro Tools will delete additional playlists and crash with a kernel panic after saving and closing the session. You may see any of the following errors prior to the crash: "Could not complete the close session command because basic_string::_S_create" or "Bus error" in thread "Main Thread", at address 0x0."

- Fixed: Crash When Moving an Automated Plug-in from Inserts F-J to Inserts A-E (Item #113115)
* Moving (dragging) an automated plug-in from inserts F-J to inserts A-E while the automation lane for on ...

Cycling '74 has just updated its Max/MSP media development tools to version 5.0.6. For more information, please visit the link below :

McDSP has also announced the availability of the Emerald Pack 4.0, the Channel G Compact and Channel G Surround plug-ins.

Channel G Surround is a Compressor/Limiter optimized for 5.1 channels using 4 compressors sets – LR, C, LsRs, and LFE. These compressor sets can key from any combination of the LR, C, LsRs, and LFE channels. Individual compressor controls can be linked across various surround channels, and the LFE channel includes an optional low pass filter. Channel G Surround seamlessly integrates with the Digidesign D-Control and D-Command control surfaces.

Channel G Compact delivers the same sonic experience as Channel G with a smaller DSP footprint. It features calibration modes for music, post production, and models of the world's
most popular analog mixing desks. The user interface seamlessly integrates with the Digidesign D-Control and D-Command control surfaces, as well as the Venue D-Show and Profile live sound consoles.

Emerald Pack 4.0 includes Analog Channel, Channel G, Channel G Compact, Chrome Tone, CompressorBank, DE555, FilterBank, FutzBox, MC2000, ML4000, NF575, Revolver and Synthesizer One.

For more information, please visit the link below :

Soniccouture has released Balinese Gamelan for Kontakt in two new, smaller products. The original 24 GB set is now named Professional Edition, and is joined by Composers Edition and Compact Edition.

Composers Edition contains all the same instruments, the same number of velocity layers and alternate samples as the Professional Edition, but the samples are at 24bit 48KHz instead of 96Khz and are in Mono instead of Stereo. This reduces the size to 5.7GB of data, and comes on one DVD instead of 3. The full colour booklet is also included.

Compact Edition (Download Only) condenses the essential gamelan sound into 3 plug-and-play sets. This means that you get all the tuned instruments (reduced versions) - the big gongs, paired metallophones and the kettle gongs, combined and arranged across a chromatic keyboard, ready to play. This set still weighs in at 2 GB, and is ideal for anyone that wants the essence of gamelan without breaking the bank or the hard drive.

Until March 6th, all these sets are on special offer, with around 10% off each price.

Pricing :

- Professional Edition 24GB £199 / $279
- Composers Edition 6GB - £99 / $149
- Compact Edition 2GB - £49 / $79

Camel Audio has released a demo version of its virtual synth Alchemy.

This demo is completely fully functional for three weeks and comes with 40 presets and 100MB of samples to give you a taste of the 2GB of samples and over 300 presets in the full version. Alternatively, import your own WAV, AIFF or SFZ files into the additive, spectral and granular resynthesis engines. There are no annoying voices or silences, and presets and songs created with the demo can be loaded with the full version.

On top of that, Alchemy has been updated to version 1.08. This update includes many improvements and fixes including reduced CPU consumption, the ability to import files from external drives and improvements to the installer. The manual now includes a tips and tricks section, and is available to download as a PDF file so you can print it out or read it when you're offline. The Camel Audio forum has over 100 user presets to download and is a good place to get help as well as discuss improvements.

Available for both Mac (AU / VST) and PC (VST), Alchemy is priced at $249 / €199 / £179.