Ableton has updated Live 7 and Suite 7 to v7.0.18.

Improvements since v7.0.16 :

• Controller surface support for the Novation LaunchPad controller.
• Controller surface support for the AKAI MPD-18, MPK-25, MPK-61 and MPK-88 controllers.
• Controller surface support for OpenLabs devices.
• Several improvements for the AKAI APC.
• Several bug fixes

JBL Professional announced delivery of the MSC1 Monitor System Controller.

The MSC1 Monitor System Controller includes essential "Monitor Strip" features found in large mixing consoles so you can take control of all monitoring functions from your place at the mix position. Since the acoustics of the room can play a big part in what you hear, the MSC1 includes JBL's RMC Room Mode Correction Technology to tune your monitor system to the room. The end-result is a calibrated reference environment in which your speakers work in harmony with your room to take the guesswork out of mixing.

Features :

• Master Volume Control
• A/B Speaker Select
• A/B/C input Source Select
• Subwoofer Output with Level Control and Selectable Cross Over Frequencies
• Adju ...

Apple has updated Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard to 10.6.2 fixing a number of bugs including a serious issue that could result in data loss when using a guest account, potentially wiping files. This update is recommended for all users running Mac OS X Snow Leopard.

FXpansion has announced the availability of demo versions of its suite of advanced synthesizer instruments, DCAM: Synth Squad.

The limitations of the demo are as follows :

• Can load only a reduced set of factory presets.
• Can SAVE but not LOAD user presets - you'll be able to load your saved patches if you purchase the full version.
• Cannot reload settings saved within DAW/host projects.
• Launches a web nag-screen when any DCAM: Synth Squad plugin is launched.
• Demo expires after 28 days.

Available for Windows and Mac OS X (Intel only).

On the heels of the release of their epic new Trilian Total Bass Module virtual instrument, Spectrasonics has announced the release of version 1.1 of Omnisphere Power Synth - featuring native 64-bit Windows support, core library integration with Trilian and more. The new v1.1 is also Mac and Windows 32-bit compatible. For users who have both virtual instruments, sounds from Trilian can now be opened inside Omnisphere - allowing deeper editing of the Trilian sounds, as well as the creation of layers and splits with both instruments' sounds in the same environment.

Omnisphere v1.1 New Features at a Glance :

• Trilian Library Integration - Support for loading Trilian factory soundsources, patches and multis in Omnisphere
• 64-bit native support on Windows
• Support for new STEAM Engine features introduced in Trilian, including:
Round Robin soundsources, Release layers, Multichannel soundsources, Legato articulation triggering
• Memory Management features:
'Lite Version' feature, sample thinning, training/purging for maximizing efficiency and faster loading/auditioning
• Various interface improvements - Soundsource Zoom page mixing, Edit page soundsource images, memory meter, etc.
• RTAS support for any number of processors in Pro Tools

Omnisphere has an MSRP of $499 US and €379 Euro. The v1.1 update is free for all registered users and is now available as a download from Spectrasonics website.