Today's Top Stories:

  Antares Introduces Next Generation Auto-Tune
When Antares first unveiled their original Auto-Tune software, it was quickly hailed as a "holy grail of recording" by Recording magazine and ultimately adopted worldwide, becoming the largest-selling audio plug-in of all time! Like all versions before it, Auto-Tune version 5 can correct intonation problems in vocals or solo instruments, in real time and without distortion or artifacts. Building on the great sound quality, transparent processing and ease of use that have always distinguished Auto-Tune, this new version adds even better pitch detection, a sleek new user interface, plus a host of new features and productivity enhancements that make it even easier to get the seamless, natural results Auto-Tune has always been known for. According to Antares, Auto-Tune 5 will be available in late October in both TDM and Native formats for Mac OS X (Universal Binaries) and Windows XP. Upgrades will be available for registered Auto-Tune users. If you purchased and registered a copy of Auto-Tune 4 (including the TDM Production Suite or AVOX AT) after September 15, 2006, you will be entitled to a free upgrade to Auto-Tune 5.

  Logic Pro and Logic Express Updates 7.2.3
Apple has announced the immediate availability of Logic Pro version 7.2.3, which addresses certain performance issues when Logic Pro 7 is used on Mac Pro and G5 Quad computers. Logic Pro 7.2.3 is optimized for PowerPC G4, G5 and Intel-based Macs with up to two dual-core processors and is recommended for all Mac Pro and G5 Quad users. An existing Logic Pro 7.2.1 or Logic Pro 7.2.2 installation is required for this update. System Requirements: Mac OS X 10.4.3 or later. Get the upgrade here. Likewise, Logic Express 7.2.3 addresses performance issues when used on Mac Pro and G5 Quad computers and is recommended for all Mac Pro and G5 Quad users. Logic Express 7.2.3 is optimized for PowerPC G4, G5 and Intel-based Macs with up to 2 dual-core processors. An existing Logic Express 7.2.1 or Logic Express 7.2.2 installation is required for this update. System requirements: Mac OS X 10.4.3 or later. That upgrade can be found here.

  New in Stock at Sweetwater

• Epiphone Les Paul Standard Plain Top - If you don't look at the headstock, you just might believe you're looking at a real Gibson Les Paul. But once you see the modest price tag, you'll realize that this must be one of the new Epiphone Les Paul Standard Plain-tops. This particular model in the sweet Honey Burst finish and the plain maple top, celebrates 1958, the first year Gibson began producing Les Pauls without the standard gold finish. The "flame-top" Les Pauls really did not appear until very late that first year. Two Alnico Classic humbuckers are onboard for authentic vintage tone, while the mahogany neck has the chunky, rounded profile originally seen in the '58 Les Pauls.
• Gibson Memphis ES-335 Lefty - There just aren't a whole lot of left-handed Gibsons being made these days, so when one arrives, it's big news. This is a special "lefty" version of the legendary semi-hollowbody ES-335 "dot neck," with maple top, back and sides in Transparent Brown finish with single-ply cream binding. This one has a mahogany neck with the 1960 slim taper profile, which many players believe is the fastest of all the Gibsons. It has the traditional rosewood fingerboard and pearloid dot inlays plus killer tone courtesy of two '57 Classic Humbuckers, which are essentially recreations of those early PAF (Patent Applied For) pickups.

  Guitar of the Day
Fender never seems to run out of ways to give the classic Stratocaster an interesting new look. This new American Deluxe Stratocaster is a case in point, combining a gorgeous amber stain with a jewel-like polyurethane finish over a select alder body (that has some awfully nice grain that almost looks like ash). This guitar is definitely built for speed, with its modern "C" shape maple neck and satin polyurethane finish. The 22-fret fingerboard is select rosewood, which delivers just a bit more warmth than the maple 'boards. For this beauty, Fender also chose a four-ply tortoiseshell pickguard - which is a stunning complement to the amber finish - plus aged plastic parts. It also features three of Fender's brand new Samarium Cobalt Noiseless single coil pickups and the versatile S-1 switching system for an endless array of both vintage and modern tones. The deluxe two-point synchronized tremolo has the new "pop-in" arm. Honestly, this instrument looks so classy, Fender could easily have given it a price tag much higher than it did. The catch? They don't build many, so if you find this Strat as appealing as we do, you'll want to call your Sweetwater Sales engineer immediately!