NATIVE INSTRUMENTS has announced the upcoming release pf KONTAKT version 1.5. KONTAKT is a sampling app designed for DJ and musicians. The update will features numerous enhancements including a time stretch/pitch shift engine and a new Beat Machine. According to NATIVE INSTRUMENTS:

NIis flagship KONTAKT sampler will soon receive an extensive update to version 1.5.
KONTAKT 1.5 brings many new and improved features, Mac OS X compatibility, and new import formats.

Using an advanced peak-detection algorithm, KONTAKT 1.5is newly developed Beat Machine divides any percussive loop into individual hits. Drum loops can be effortlessly synced to the host sequencer without any loss in sound quality.

KONTAKT 1.5is time stretching and pitch shifting engine has been further developed and improved. The result is Time Machine II, which is available in addition to the original Time Machine from KONTAKT 1.2.

In addition to the MIDI automation in version 1.2, KONTAKT 1.5 now also supports VST automation. This allows for much more convenient integration with VST-compatible host sequencers.

Extended drag and drop functionality further enhances the workflow with KONTAKT. Drag and drop support is now no longer limited to the KONTAKT browser: files and instruments can also be dragged and loaded directly into KONTAKT from the desktop, from folders and from the finder or file explorer.

And more...

You can find more information about the KONTAKT update at the NATIVE INSTRUMENTS Web site. KONTAKT 1.5 will be available in late October.