FabFilter has just announced the release of FabFilter Volcano 2, the successor of the Volcano filter effect plug-in. More filters and routings and practically unlimited modulation possibilities make FabFilter Volcano 2 much more powerful. Yet at the same time, the "revolutionary" new 'what-you-use-is-what-you-see' interface makes it also far easier to use.

Features :

- Four multi-mode filters, with panning, delay and more than 10 unique characteristics
- Ultra-flexible filter routing, including per-channel and mid/side modes
- New interface, using FabFilter's innovative 'what-you-use-is-what-you-see' concept
- Endless modulation options, with all the 16-step XLFOs, envelope generators, envelope followers and MIDI sources you will ever need
- Easy drag-and-drop modulation with 24-slot modulation matrix
- Large interactive filter display
- Modulation source signal visualization
- Stereo and mono plug-ins available
- Side chain input
- Highly improved MIDI Learn
- Almost 300 presets
- Unique per-component presets
- Undo, redo and A/B switch features
- Extensive help file with interactive help hints

Volcano 2 is available now in RTAS, VST, VST 3 and AU formats for Mac OS X and Windows at a price of €119 / $179 / £94. Bundles with FabFilter Volcano 2 and other FabFilter plug-ins are also available.

Note that existing Volcano users can upgrade to Volcano 2 for €39 / $59 / £29. All other FabFilter customers that own Timeless, Pro-C, Twin, Simplon or One can crossgrade to FabFilter Volcano 2 for €79 / $119 / £59. These upgrade and crossgrade offers last until July 31, 2008.

Last but not least, a fully fonctional 30-day trial version is also available.

Tellini has announced the release of Tablatures v1.7. Tablatures is the first and only Mac OS X editor for PowerTab tablatures. PowerTab is a well-known and widely adopted tablature editor for Windows systems and thousands of transcriptions in this format are available on the net.

Version 1.7 expands the configuration of the application with a couple of options requested by users.

Other general features of Tablatures include :

- Export tablatures in MIDI format for playback or use in other applications (e.g. GarageBand).
- Advanced playback of the tablature: follow the playback on screen, loop over selected parts, slow the tempo down for practice sessions.
- Create beautiful prints of the tablature.
- Share your music even with those members of your band that don't own a Mac: Tablatures and PowerTabEditor share the same file format.

Tablatures is available for a fee of €39. Registered users are free to upgrade to any 1.x version of the product. The trial version is available on the website.

Apple has just released the much-anticipated Mac OS X 10.5.3 major bugfix update, which is available via Software Update or as a standalone installer from Apple's Software Download site.

As usual this update is recommended for all Leopard user, and includes general operating system improvements that enhance the stability, compatibility, and security of your Mac.

AudioWarrior has just announced the release of the Studio Rhodes Plug-in. Basically this is a 24-bit stereo sample library of a vintage Rhodes piano powered by Steinberg HALion Player. Note that a Steinberg Key is required.

The Studio Rhodes Plug-in is available now in VST, AU and Standalone versions for both Mac OS X and Windows at a price of $49.

TC Electronic announces immediate shipping of Desktop Konnekt 6, an easy-to-use desktop FireWire audio interface with dedicated monitor control features including a tracking reverb, an ergonomic volume knob and a 3-mode high resolution meter for intuitive and instant control while recording. The IMPACT mic preamp and the true Hi-Z inputs should ensure top-notch sound quality recordings of vocals and guitar.

Desktop Konnekt 6 is available at a suggested retail price of €249.