Cycling '74 has just announced the release of version 3.5.2 of Pluggo for Mac OS X. this update adds multi-channel input support for plugin (up to 16 channels) and includes multi-threaded Javascript. Pluggo is a collection of more than seventy-four audio plug-ins that work with Mac OS sequencers and audio applications. Effects categories include delays, filters, pitch effects, distortion, granulation, spectral effects, modulators, multi-channel effects, synthesizers, audio routing, reverb and dynamics, and visual display.

Native Instruments announces that Kontakt Experience is now available in stores. Kontakt Experience is the first instrument collection specifically designed for Kontakt 2. Kontakt Experience includes 128 new instruments that cover a wide range of musical styles and include lead synths, bass, vocal sounds, drum kits, pads, guitars, various construction kits, and much more.

Kontakt Experience ships on a single DVD and is exclusively for use with Kontakt 2. It costs $119 or 99 Euro.

Luxonix has updated Ravity(R) and Ravity(S) to VST and AU version 1.2. This version now works as a stand-alone application, is ready for Apple Logic (passes AUvalidation), adds Full-down Preset menu when Main LCD right-clicked, fixes several bugs. CPU performance was also improved.

This update is available as a free download.

After the beta version, here's the full updated version of Pro-Tools M-Powered. This release version 6.8r2 adds full Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger compatibility. Please note that there is currently no demo version of Pro Tools M-Powered for Mac OS 10.4 "Tiger". These downloads will not work as a demo version or update the previous demo version, and your prehaps need to update your M-Audio interface current driver.

More info and download in the MacMusic software section.

FireWire 800 drives with the Oxford 912 interface have been officially qualified by Digidesign for record and playback with the following systems on Mac OS 10.4: Pro Tools|HD and Pro Tools|HD Accel Systems (with Pro Tools 6.9.2 or higher), Pro Tools LE Systems (with Pro Tools 6.9.2 or higher) with Mac OS 10.4 "Tiger" only (not tested on Mac OS 10.3 and earlier). Please Note: Hard drives using the Oxford 912 interface have USB 2.0, FW400 and FW800 ports on them. Only the use of the FW800 port is supported on these drives with Pro Tools.

Xylio unveils FutureDecks Lite, a new DJ mixing software, featuring : a classic DJ setup with 2 decks, mixer and playlist, automatic mixing, one-click beat matching, seamless looping, automatic BPM counter, lots of effects, eqs, filters, vinyl simulation including scratch, pitch, reverse play, separate headphones output and song pre-listening and record your mixes.

A demo version is available in the MacMusic software section.

PreSonus announces a pretty nice rebate : Presonus is offering a free FireBox ($499.95 value) FireWire Recording System with purchase of an M80 - eight channel microphone preamplifier or DigiMax96k - eight channel microphone preamplifier w/ ADAT and digital output.

PreSonus is offering this rebate from August 1, 2005 through October 31, 2005.