Digidesign announces a Pro Tools LE Factory, and Factory Hardware Exchanges. Pro Tools LE system owners can now buy the Factory plugins bundle separately. Here's the detail of the two offers :

- mBox system : moogerfooger Analog Delay, JOEMEEK SC2 Compresso, JOEMEEK VC5 Meequalizer, Cosmonaut Voice and Maxim. mBox bundle costs USD 120

- Digi 002 Rack / Digi 002 system : Bomb Factory BF-3A , moogerfooger Ring Modulator, moogerfooger Analog Delay, SansAmp PSA-1 , Cosmonaut Voice, JOEMEEK SC2 Compressor , JOEMEEK VC5 Meequalizer , Tel-Ray Variable Delay, Voce Spin and Voce Chorus/Vibrato. Digi 002/002 Rack bundle costs USD 400.

Visit your dealer or our online DigiStore to get your LE Factory plug-ins while the offer lasts. (You'll need a valid system serial number if you purchase through the DigiStore.)

The beta version was available on may, now comes the full 1.0 version of Augustus Loop. Augustus Loop is a looping device software made by Expertsleepers. it essentially offers a very long delay effect rather than the ability to overdub and undo. The key features of Augustus Loop that make it more than just a big delay effect are: Really long maximum delay (3600 seconds - that's one hour), and Virtual tape : the delay simulates an old-style tape delay, meaning you can change the tape speed (i.e. pitch up and down).

This Audiounit plugin is the first non-freeware plug-in from Expert Sleepers... it costs USD 20.

Alpha by LinPlug is a VST synthesizer wich features a subtractive design with special attention being paid to recreate the warmth and feel typically found in early-1980s analog synthesizers.

The public beta for Alpha 2.2 will begin in the next few days. More info to come on LinPlug web site....

CDXtract is an easay-to-use browser for audio files. It comes now to version 4.2.0 with these new features : Kontakt import, Recycle import, new DropSound utility for playing Wav and Aif files and several improvements for SampleCell import, EXS24 import and export, Gig import, Halion export, Kontakt export and NN-XT export.

CDXTract 4.2.0 is a free update for registered users.

Originally debuted at Frankfort Musik Messe Native Instruments have just announced the world wide release of a range of new software instruments emulating the sounds of three classic keyboards. Sold individually or as a package the new series reproduces the classic sounds of B4 tone wheel organ, the infamous PRO-53 and the poptastic FM7. Aimed more or less squarely at the entry level home user each instrument comes with a versatile selection of presets with the limited control over the most useful parameters.

Available for download the individual instruments are 39 euros with the package of all three being a somewhat better deal at 79 euros.