Aalto, the innovative, fully patchable softsynth from Madrona Labs, is now at version 1.2. This update brings support for Windows 7 and Windows XP in addition to Mac OS X AU and VST. Aalto’s free-running complex oscillator and its lowpass gate module allow the creation of sounds that have been difficult or impossible to create with software until now. Aalto’s ingenious animated dials allow the user to both adjust and view signals in a way that is intuitive, fun and useful.

Apple® today announced that Mac OS® X Lion, the eighth major release of the world’s most advanced operating system with more than 250 new features and 3,000 new developer APIs, will be available to customers in July as a download from the Mac® App Store™ for $29.99. Some of the amazing features in Lion include: new Multi-Touch® gestures; system-wide support for full screen apps; Mission Control, an innovative view of everything running on your Mac; the Mac App Store, the best place to find and explore great software, built right into the OS; Launchpad, a new home for all your apps; and a completely redesigned Mail app.

Apple introduced iCloud®, a breakthrough set of free new cloud services that work seamlessly with applications on your iPhone®, iPad®, iPod touch®, Mac® or PC to automatically and wirelessly store your content in iCloud and automatically and wirelessly push it to all your devices. When anything changes on one of your devices, all of your devices are wirelessly updated almost instantly.

A game-changing collaboration between Germany-based mp3 creator Fraunhofer IIS, and pioneering plug-in designer/manufacturer Sonnox Ltd., has produced a revolutionary solution for improving the quality of online music.

Chris from Audio Damage let us know that his new plugin Panstation is now available for purchase. Panstation is, without question, the most sophisticated autopanner plug-in available. Audio Damage started with a loose model of the venerable Drawmer M500’s panning engine, then added the counting features from the Audio & Design PanScan (probably the most famous vintage autopanner, and the “secret weapon” of many well-known producers.)

PSP Audioware proudly present new version of their flagship mastering equalizer plug-in – PSP Neon! To overcome the most significant limitations of PSP Neon HR version 1 we decided to develop additional versions of the plug-in, creating the Neon Suite which covers both mastering and mixing applications. Version 2 of PSP Neon comes in three flavors: PSP Neon HR, PSP Neon STD, PSP Neon Mix.

Elysia have received quite some requests for presets ever since they have started to release their products as plugins. While discussing this at the Musikmesse 2011, sound designer and early elysia adopter Denis Goekdag kindly offered his support.