Coles, famed maker of boutique microphones used in studios large and small around the world, has introduced the Coles 4050 stereo ribbon microphone.

What makes the 4050 unique is the capsule mounting; the capsules can be adjusted at an angle to vary the degree of stereo spread, while the capsules can also be magnetically separated and used as two separate microphones. This allows total versatility in any situation.

No price as been announced, but availability is expected later this year.

This week, I'm researching for an article about software piracy in recording studios, and I'd love your feedback. Have you used pirated software (I'll admit it: I'm guilty of having done this in the past)? What's the biggest disadvantage you've found to using pirated software?

For me, I soon realized that using pirated software made getting support impossible, and pirated software wasn't eligible for current updates, which kept my creativity stalled. Since going completely legitimate, it's helped me stay more production with better access to functional tools.

So, your opinions, please? What was the turning point for you? And what advice would you give your fellow engineers on why using pirated software is so bad?

Blue Cat Audio has announced the release of a brand new version of Blue Cat's Freeware Pack, a free, high-quality audio plug-in suite. With RTAS support, 64-bit support under Windows and Snow Leopard, and several GUI and stability updates, Blue Cat's Freeware Pack is a promising suite of plugs with the perfect price: free!

Blue Cat's Freeware Pack is available for free download via the Blue Cat Audio website, and includes modulation effects, EQ, and a top-notch frequency analysis tool. The Freeware Pack is available now.

Presonus has announced the release of their long-awaited update to their StudioLive mixers: the StudioLive 24.4.2. Designed primarily as a dual-purpose mixer -- live sound alongside recording -- the StudioLive 24.4.2 offers high-caliber performance with a light pricetag.

The 24.4.2 offers 24 channels of input with high-headroom microphone preamps, analog outputs for both auxiliary and main outputs, and, most impressively, direct recording interface compatible with Logic, Nuendo, and more.

The 24.4.2 is a perfect solution for live sound mixing and live recording, with fully-recallable digital settings as well as seamless computer integration for recording and configuration.

The StudioLive 24.4.2 is available now.