New Symphonic Features
Apogee has updated their Symphony PCI driver with two new features: VBus and Performance Tuning. VBus allows you to create up to 32 virtual buses that can route audio between applications by connecting CoreAudio outputs to CoreAudio inputs with zero latency. Two examples include routing audio from iTunes into Final Cut Pro, or submixing audio tracks with Logic Pro. Performance Tuning allows you to further reduce the latency of a Symphony system. (Symphony latency was already amazingly low, but now it !) The driver upgrade is free.

  Hipnotic
Cycling '74 has posted the free v1.1.1 update for their Hipno collection of more than 40 processing plug-ins and virtual instruments. The new version supports Audio Units, VST, and RTAS formats. This is a maintenance release that address numerous small problems.

  Kore Reaktion
Native Instruments has released version 5.1.2 of Reaktor, which adds Universal Binary support and enhances integration with the company's KORE platform. For Intel Mac users, the v5.1.2 update is free if you activated Reaktor after September 12, 2006 or if you own Komplete 4, otherwise it's $29. For PowerPC and PC users, the upgrade is free. Speaking of Kore, it's also been updated to v1.1. The new version adds support for the SingleSound format, new MultiSounds using Battery 3, Massive, Absynth 4, and FM8, and Prelisten, which makes it faster and easier to locate the sounds you want. In addition, Kore can now sync to external MIDI clock and the Kore software can now be used without the Kore hardware. This update is free for registered users.

  Guitar of the Day
The most common misconception players have about those impossible to find '58 Les Paul Standards is that they all had flame maple tops. In point of fact, most didn't. Sometimes the two pieces of maple used on the '58 tops didn't even match. Of course, this makes a wildly flamed '58 even rarer (and yes, even more outrageously expensive...if you can even find one). The earliest Les Pauls (from roughly 1952 to 1957) had gold painted tops, but with sales dipping, Gibson decided to produce this model in a more "traditional" sunburst finish. Now, Gibson's Custom, Art, Historic division and its select group of inspired artisans is carrying on the company's century-old tradition of creating exquisite, investment-quality instruments that represent the highest standards of imaginative design and masterful craftsmanship. These are the people behind the '58 Les Paul Standard "Plaintop" reissue. Finished in an authentic-looking Tobacco Sunburst color, this reissue has a relatively plain carved maple top with cream single-ply binding over a historically accurate, non-weight relieved solid mahogany body. The 1-piece mahogany neck has the big, original '58 rounded neck profile and long neck tenon, a bound 22-fret rosewood fingerboard, and accurate shape and color pearloid trapezoid position inlays. Vintage tulip tuners complete the picture. To deliver all the sound you'd expect from a '58 Les Paul, Gibson has installed two of its scorching hot BurstBucker pickups with authentic CTS pots and those distinctive "bumble bee" capacitors. The look is completed by using the original nickel hardware. Naturally, the '58 "plaintop" includes a plush-lined hardshell case, certificate of authenticity, and custom care kit.