MOTU Launches Digital Performer 11 and Redesigned UltraLite-mk5 USB-C Audio Interface

Following 18 months without any announcements, Mark of the Unicorn (MOTU) announced that it is now shipping Digital Performer version 11, a major upgrade to their flagship audio workstation software now including lots of improvements, support for macOS Big Sur, native compatibility with Apple silicon Macs and dozens of additional user-requested enhancements. And the Cambridge, MA-based company also announced a redesigned UltraLite-mk5 USB-C audio interface.

RME Audio, the German manufacturer of premium audio interfaces, has announced today that its interfaces are already compatible with the latest macOS Big Sur 11.0.1 which was released in November 2020. RME interfaces are now compatible with both Intel-based and the new M1 ARM-based Mac systems running the latest Apple OS. Since RME drivers are written in-house and not outsourced to third party developers, RME’s users are able to update their firmware immediately and continue working without interruption or delay.

Steinberg released the company's newest iteration of the Virtual Studio Technology (VST) Software Developer Kit (SDK), offering new capabilities to developers of host applications, audio plug-ins and virtual instruments. VST 3.7 introduces several enhancements of the SDK interface that allow new levels of integrations between VST 3 hosts and plug-ins, including the new VST 3 Project Generator, improved documentation as well as support for MIDI 2.0 and the development of plug-ins compatible with the new ARM-based Apple Silicon chips.

Intel revealed new details about Thunderbolt 4, the next generation of its universal cable connectivity solution. delivering increased minimum performance requirements, expanded capabilities, and USB4 specification compliance. This means that even though USB4 remains the good-enough universal solution for all consumer devices, Intel intends to ensure Thunderbolt will remain on its own path to offer the most powerful and reliable alternative for power users - professional users, corporate and media applications. And that enables Intel to sell hardware, while keeping control of at least the certification processes.