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Zygoat Creative Technical Services has announced the immediate availability of Doggiebox 1.4, an update to their percussion sequencing software for Mac OS X. This long-awaited update is primarily a performance and compatibility release.

Zygoat Doggiebox is a versatile percussion sequencer (drum machine application) for Mac OS X. Using Doggiebox, users can create realistic-sounding drum tracks in moments, ranging from the style of a human drummer to imaginatively bizarre experimental pieces. Whether producing a demo without taking the time to set up real drums or just needing a click track for recording guitar, Doggiebox is the perfect tool to fill the gap. With Doggiebox, users can:

• Create and modify drum tracks of unlimited length and easily edit intricate rhythms using a flexible yet intuitive interface
• Define, arrange and re-use song sections (such as verses and choruses) by dragging and dropping in a scrolling list, for efficient song building
• Specify tempo and time signature changes, including compound time, over arbitrary bars in a song
• Create and use your own drum kits, including their actual sounds and icons, and change between different drum kits while working on a song
• Play songs through the speakers, to any MIDI-capable device or application, or export them to any of a dozen formats for use in other audio applications like GarageBand or ProTools

Included with the Doggiebox distribution is a full user's guide. Additional resources (including an online library of drum kits and song files) are available on the Doggiebox website. Users are encouraged to join the e-mail discussion list to connect with other users and stay updated on news and subsequent releases.

Version 1.4 update (February 22, 2008):

• Now compiled as a Universal Binary (runs natively on PowerPC and Intel Macs).
• Fixed stuttering playback issues under Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard).
• Behaviour of the "Insert Bar(s)" functions reversed for better usability.

Doggiebox is aimed at amateur and serious musicians, home recording and studio folk alike, and requires Mac OS 10.4 or newer. It's available for immediate online purchase at USD$39. Upgrades from a previous version are free for all registered users. An evaluation version is available for free download.

• Official website