At the IBC 2010 Conference and Exhibition, Adobe announced the availability of Adobe Flash Media Server 4 software, its premier Windows- and Linux-based solution for streaming video and real-time communication. With this release, Adobe introduces three new versions: Flash Media Streaming Server 4 (for small- to medium-sized customers), Flash Media Interactive Server 4 (new IP multicast and live packaging with HTTP Dynamic Streaming for superior playback quality across the broadest range of platforms and devices) and Flash Media Enterprise Server 4 (large-scale video streaming and social applications), the first release to enable peer-assisted networking, with Real Time Media Flow Protocol (RTMFP), drastically reducing bandwidth usage. Adobe Flash Media Streaming Server 4 is offered at $995 US, and Flash Media Interactive Server 4 is priced at $4,500 US; Flash Media Enterprise Server 4 pricing can be quoted by contacting Adobe. Trial versions and development tools can be found on products' respective web pages (click links above). [source]

Native Instruments released five new plug-in products for music creation: the modal synthesizer REAKTOR PRISM, the studio reverb REFLEKTOR, the organ emulation VINTAGE ORGANS, the effect suite TRAKTOR'S 12 and the amp emulation RAMMFIRE. All products are based on the powerful technology of KONTAKT, REAKTOR and GUITAR RIG, and can be used both within the full versions and the free player versions of these instruments (more). The five new instruments and effects are now available, either individually (RAMMFIRE $59 US / 49 EUR, REAKTOR PRISM $79 US / 69 EUR, REFLEKTOR $119 US / 99 EUR, TRAKTOR'S 12 $79 US / 69 EUR, VINTAGE ORGANS $119 / 99 EUR) or as a part of the new KOMPLETE 7 bundle ($559 US / 499 EUR). [source]

Native Instruments introduced ABBEY ROAD 80s DRUMS, the third instrument developed together with the iconic British recording studios (read about Native Instruments ABBEY ROAD 70s DRUMS here). With two expertly engineered premium drum kits for use in the free KONTAKT PLAYER and the KONTAKT 4 sampler, ABBEY ROAD 80s DRUMS allows musicians and producers to recreate the defining drum sound of the 80s with the highest level of sonic fidelity and authenticity. The set contains two characteristic instruments that significantly contributed to the sound of the respective musical decade - a vintage Yamaha 9000, one of the most groundbreaking and most-recorded kits in music history, and a Slingerland Magnum Chrome with single-headed concert toms and a full set of Octobans, the melodically tuned tubular toms that were popular among drummers of that time. Both drum kits were set up and sampled in Abbey Road's Studio Two and Studio Three, taking full advantage of the acoustic properties of these famous recording rooms, as well as the revered Abbey Road's gear. ABBEY ROAD 80s DRUMS is available for purchase for an MSRP of $119 US / 99 EUR. [source]

Propellerhead Software released for sale worldwide the biggest overhaul to its Record - Reason music creation application family to date. These highly anticipated upgrades introduce new instruments, effects, sequencing, sounds, patches and more for composing, beatmaking, loop-mangling, vocal treatment, songwriting, remixing and music production. For more information on new features, watch the following video demos: Introducing Kong Drum Designer (Reason); Dr. REX octuples into Dr. Octo Rex Loop Player (Reason); New Neptune Pitch Adjuster and Voice Synth Device (Record); Block based pattern sequencing mode (Reason, Record); Expanded Factory Sound Bank with Signature patches (Reason); Live sampling (Reason)... All full versions and upgrades are available now (Propellerhead's online store), full versions of Reason are 305 EUR / $349 US; Record costs 279 EUR / $299 US, bundle of both is 405 EUR / $449 US. Record 1.5 Upgrade is offered free of charge, while Reason 5 Upgrade from any version is priced at 99 EUR / $129 US. Record for Reason Owners Sidegrade (includes Reason 5 upgrade) costs 149 EUR / $169 US. Updates and demo version are available here. [source]

German audio software developer updated its drums and percussion sampler BATTERY 3 for Audio Units, VST, and RTAS (under Pro Tools 7/8) hosts or stand-alone running on Windows and Mac OS X platforms. Version 3.1 adds the emulation of MPC60 and SP-1200 vintage drum machines; MIDI Learn function for all sliders and knobs which can be automated; and new loading behavior option (more). BATTERY 3.1 is a free update for all users of version 3; users of older version can upgrade for 99 EUR, while full versions cost 179 EUR. [source]

Adobe released several updates to its Acrobat Pro, Acrobat 3D, and Adobe Reader applications. The updates "address critical security vulnerabilities while providing more overall stability." New versions: Adobe Acrobat 9.3.4 Pro Extended f. Windows; Adobe Acrobat 3D 8.2.4 f. Windows; Adobe Reader 8.2.4 f. Windows; Adobe Reader 8.2.4 f. Mac OS X Intel; Adobe Reader 8.2.4 f. Mac OS X; Adobe Acrobat 8.2.4 Professional and Standard f. Windows; Adobe Acrobat 8.2.4 Professional f. Mac OS X; Adobe Reader 9.3.4 f. Windows; Adobe Reader MUI 9.3.4 f. Windows; Adobe Reader 9.3.4 f. Unix; Adobe Reader 9.3.4 f. Mac OS X Intel; Adobe Reader 9.3.4 f. Mac OS X; Adobe Acrobat 9.3.4 Pro f. Mac OS X. [source]

Griid is an advanced clip grid interface which allows you to control Ableton Live (running on your desktop or laptop) from your iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch. Using specially developed touch objects and simple gestures, Griid is designed with the performance experience in mind. Finely tuned for rapid navigation, you can enjoy the freedom of playing Live sets of any size with ease, combined with wireless operation, this means you can perform with Ableton Live without ever needing to look at the computer screen. Griid is available in three flavors: Griid Lite (free), Griid, and Griid Pro - read about version differences here. [source]

New update for Adobe's flagship DTP software InDesign provides key fixes in the areas of Documents, Export Graphics, Text, UI, PDF Export, and Architecture. For a full list of resolved issues, read the Adobe InDesign CS5 7.0.2 Release Notes. Downloads: InDesign CS5 7.0.2 for Windows; InDesign CS5 7.0.2 for Mac OS X; InCopy CS5 7.0.2 for Windows; InCopy CS5 7.0.2 for Mac OS X. [source]

Adobe released an update to its flagship vector illustration software Illustrator CS5. Version 15.0.1 fixes out of memory problems specific to Macs with RAM exceeding 4 GB, including failure of shortcut keys, rulers, or file open operations; Glyph Panel issues; crashes occurring at launch or quit; and various other problems. Visit following links for downloads of: Windows version; Mac OS X version. [source]

German audio software developer VirSyn Software Synthesizer introduced iVoxel, a vocoder application for iPhone, iPod and iPad. iVoxel is a combination of a voice optimized synthesizer and a vocoder with an unprecedented intelligibility. The vocoder part is based on the Matrix vocoder from VirSyn, the channel filters used by iVoxel are based on the Sennheiser Vocoder VSM201 resulting in a rich and fat analogue-like sound. For more information on features, watch the demo video on YouTube. iVoxel is available now on Apple Store. [source]