October 10 - 4:00pm EDT   Fractured Software has released the latest version of its MIDI software for the Mac, Rondo 2.8. The program features a vertical piano roll, which allows people to play along even if they are unable to read traditional sheet music. Improvements to v2.8 include an enhanced interface, help files, and the ability to specify an absolute rate for MIDI playback. [full story]

July 24 - 3:20pm EDT   Sequel has upgraded it music creation and performance software to version 2.0, adding numerous improvements. Sequel creates a virtual music studio on a user's desktop. It allows live remixing, with multi-track support and built-in music loops and instruments. Version 2 adds a controller mode for accessing the software with an external keyboard or hardware controller. It uses MIDI learn functions to communicate external commands to the software. [full story]

June 24 - 12:30am EDT   M-Audio on Monday unveiled the Fast Track Ultra 8R 8x8 MIDI USB 2.0 interface, offering users an MX Core DSP mixer, and eight Octane-powered preamps. The device can transmit audio at 24-bit/96kHz resolution across USB 2.0, giving users access to low-noise, high-gain pre-amplification for drum kits or ensembles. Fast Track Ultra 8R features +48V phantom power, signal/peak indicator lights, and a pull-out gain knob that activates a 20dB pad for high recording volumes. [full story]

April 2 - 11:50pm EDT   Ableton today unveiled Live 7 LE, a major update to its simplified music creation tool that adds many new features and enhancements. Ableton Live 7 LE adds studio-quality recording at up to 32-bits with 192 kHz quality, and supports 64 concurrent audio tracks, as well as unlimited MIDI tracks and powerful sequencers. The update also introduces 20 effects, including delays, filters, and others. Ableton Live 7 LE is available for $150 as a download, while the boxed version costs $200. [full story]

March 13 - 2:55pm EDT   algoriddim has announced a new version of its turntable-style digital audio player, djay, featuring new plug-and-play support for the VCI-100 and VCM-100 USB MIDI controllers by Vestax. This is the first opportunity to utilize a Mac OS X-native application to power these DJ controllers. djay integrates with the user's iTunes library and allows to mix an entire digital music collection with two realistic interactive turntables. In djay's Automix mode, music can be automatically mixed using DJ-style transitions. Users can perform live, record their mixes, and even send them over the Bonjour network to other connected djays in real-time. [full story]

March 12 - 6:30pm EDT   M-Audio today unveiled two new portable digital pianos, as well as a rack-mountable 8 x 8 audio MIDI interface. The Fast Track Ultra 8R features an MX Core DSP mixer and eight Octane-enabled preamps, and delivers connectivity through a single USB 2.0 connector. M-Audio advertises that the Ultra 8R low-noise, high-gain preamplification, and near-zero latency. M-Audio is selling the Fast Track Ultra 8R for $650, and will be available during the second quarter. [full story]

February 13 - 2:20pm EST   Nearly one year after its previous major release, Livid Instruments has introduced Union 2.5, an update to its all-in-one live VJ software mixing studio with hundreds of effects, live video inputs, audio aware effects, and complete MIDI integration. Livid's Union offers controls to create, mix, control, perform, and record cutting edge visuals in real-time. Version 2.5 brings audio aware effects, freeFrame support, multiple cue points, advanced Sound Trigger with filters, waveform display, BPM Synch with rate adjustment, a new Caption module, and four additional video layers. According to the company, Livid's video engine allows for instant manipulation and control of ... [full story]

January 28 - 10:35am EST   MOTU has unveiled the 828mk3, a cross-platform FireWire audio interface with on-board effects and mixing functionality. The 828mk3 features a 32-bit floating point DSP for digital mixing and effects processing, more I/O, 192kHz operation, and true hi-Z guitar inputs. The device also offers signal overload protection, digitally controlled analog input trims on all inputs, two banks of ADAT/TOSLink optical, and MIDI I/O. The 828mk3 will ship in February for $800. [full story]

January 24 - 4:40pm EST   Livid Instruments today introduced Ohm, its latest hardware instrument that serves as a real-time MIDI control surface designed to give digital audio and video performers an interface for performance and presentation. Ohm is a custom-built instrument for digital artists provides hands-on control, and is designed for performance with a bank of 36 buttons centrally located over a DJ style cross fader. The device includes eight faders with button triggers, 10 rotary knobs, 12 function buttons, and a BPM tap button. Ohm is priced at an introductory price of $800, and comes with a free fully functional copy of the new Livid Union 2.5 VJ software. [full story]

January 9 - 10:15am EST   Fractured Software has released the v2.7 update to Rondo, its MIDI playback software. The program specializes in displaying how a track is played, by overlaying a keyboard on top of a vertical piano roll that lights up keys as notes pass by. Elements of a piece can then be filtered out visually, so that only the portions a person is interested in playing themselves will be shown. People can play along using external sound modules or MIDI keyboards. [full story]

November 29 - 12:00pm EST   Ableton today released Ableton Live 7, several new add-on instruments, and Ableton Suite. Ableton Live 7 enhances the audio engine to improve fidelity with 64-bit mix summing, POW-r dithering, optimized sample-rate conversion, and more. A new compressor device integrates three compression models, one of which is based on a feedback design commonly found in the most most praised vintage compressors, according to Ableton. Ableton 7 is priced at $500, and new add-on instruments are available for $160 each. The Ableton Suite is priced at $800. [full story]

November 28 - 11:25am EST   Hardware and software maker M-Audio is preparing a new audio interface, the Fast Track Ultra. The unit is an 8x8 device with MIDI support, and connects to a Mac or PC via USB 2.0; six analog inputs and outputs are provided, along with a two-channel S/PDIF I/O. The Ultra can actually be used as a 16x8 device however, due in part to an eight-core DSP processor, which also minimizes latency and allows effects such as reverb. Four preamps boost the signal, and audio is streamed to a computer in 24 bits at 96kHz. [full story]