Monkey Tools has updated Sound Grinder Pro, its batch processing tool, to version 2.0, which offers a set of new tools for audio asset management, editing and processing for Mac OS X 10.4 and higher.

Sound Grinder Pro 2.0 adds such new features and enhancements including dithering, spotting to ProTools and Logic Audio, metadata import via CSV, MP3 HD, a new customer feedback system and more. It now offers three types of word-reduction algorithms using POW'r dithering. Bit reductions are now more musical with an improved noise floor.

Drag-and-drop has been supported in Sound Grinder Pro for some time, but now users can spot files into Pro Tools and Logic Audio using simple contextual menu options. The spotting feature also includes the ability to sample rate convert prior to spotting for further session compatibility.

Also new to version 2.0 is support for the MP3 HD format. This new loss-less format provides another option for archiving and retention of audio detail, says Drayson Nowlan of Monkey Tools.

Users will also benefit from a new Background Asset Analysis to analyze assets in the background to auto-fill Peak and RMS metadata, support for Sonic Solutions files, additional metadata mappings, and more, he adds.

Users who purchased Sound Grinder Pro 1.0 or 1.1 on or after April 1, 2011, are eligible for a free upgrade. Users who purchased version 1.1 and earlier prior to April 1 may be eligible for upgrade pricing.

Upgrades can be purchased by first ensuring the customers current license is activated, then by downloading and running version 2.0 and finally by clicking "Upgrade." Pricing will be confirmed in the shopping cart.

For new users, Sound Grinder Pro 2.0 is immediately available for purchase from the Monkey Tools online store (http://www.monkey-tools.com/) with special pricing of US$299 until Aug. 24. After the promotion period Sound Grinder Pro returns to its retail price of $349.