Mac and Music News

Vigier Guitars presented a new prototype of a memory guitar. Vigier has already sold in the past memory guitars so it's not virgin territory for them.

The guitar is MIDI, settings can be modified during playing time with up to 128 program changes. The setting itself are passive, they do not change the sound of the pickups nor the guitar is a modeling device either.

The pickup parameters are playing on 17 pickup combinations, actual selection is indicated by 6 LEDs:

Switch 1: 3 positions for the neck pickup, OFF/Single-coil/Humbucker
Switch 2: 2 positions for the middle pickup, OFF/ON
Switch 3: 3 positions for the bridge pickup, OFF/Single-coil/Humbucker
Switch 4: 3 positions, STANDBY (all pickups OFF), Bridge pickup Humbucker alone/Sw1+Sw2+Sw3 Master

The controls can be modi ...

Tascam has released version 3.2.1 drivers (both OS9 and OSX - 10.2.3 and up) for their US-224 and US-428 interfaces. These are no longer considered beta.

US-428: http://www.tascam.com/products/us428/downloads.php

US-224: http://www.tascam.com/products/computer_recording/us224/downloads224.php

MODE 1.0 is a pack of OS X plugins and instruments. The collection features 3 instruments:

- BANG percussion module with sample playback, FM and analogue modeling, one voice only.
- MONO a monosynth mixing virtual analogue warmth in filter, and clarity as in an FM engine (so they say %)
- POLY well? a polysynth based on samples of the waveforms from classic instruments (analogue and digital). There is a polyphonic arpeggiator.
(where did they searched these names I wonder ;)

And 2 effects:

- SPIN a? well? state-variable filter/panning effect/rhythmic gating/distortion/delay, with bit reduction.
- WASH 6 recirculating delay lines interconnected (reminds me of some neuronal synthesis experiments I've heard of ;), btw, these effects seem yummy)

All these were developed by CreativeSynth Development and will be available thru Cycling'74 around Q3 for $295

Numerology Level 1, version 1.0 is now available for download at www.five12.com. Numerology is a modular sequencer for Mac OS X. It uses metaphors first established by analog sequencers in the 1970's, extended and augmented with a structured software environment designed for improvisation and experimentation.

Also new at the Five12 website is the first in a series of Numerology "Techniques" articles. The initial installment covers a bit of the motivation and history behind the development of Numerology, along with a description and examples of one of its key features: interval-based sequencing.

Numerology requires a Mac running OS X 10.2 or higher. For unrestricted access to all Numerology features, a full license can be had for $50. Purchases can be made online at the Five12 Web Store or through Numerology itself using an embedded purchasing wizard.

Berhinger announces a little tube preamp, using the ubiquitous 12AX7 (too many news with this one ;). The Ultragain MIC100 is due Q2 and integrates a low noise, low distortion preamp and a DI.

- preamp with discrete components
- phantom power
- 10 LED meter
- phase reverse option

Another member of the Mackie Control family announced: the C4. It's a dedicated plug-in and virtual instrument controler with 4 banks of 8 pots, 4 displays (so no bank switch to read values). Up to 32 parameters (must be the 4 X 8 pots figure) can be accessed instantly or it can be used to handle faders or pans on 32 channels. It can be used alone or as an expansion of a Mackie Control system/expanders.

Support of Digital Performer and Emagic Logic Audio, others to follow. Available in the USA in Q2, during Summer for the rest of the world. $1099

Mackie Designs announced the introduction of the new TAPCO 6306, 6-channel mixer. This is the first product in the new TAPCO by Mackie family.
The TAPCO 6306 features two low-noise mic preamps, two instrument inputs, a stereo aux return to monitor, two aux sends, 8-segment LED metering as well as separate phones and control room level controls.

Defective records VSThost is an app that allows plug-ins to be used stand alone, outside current VST hosts software like your sequencer. It allows also users of Digital Performer, Protools, Metro, to use VST/VSTi if the software you run supports OMS-IAC (OS 9) or iMIDI (OS X).

VSTHost allows one VSTi and 4 VST effects plug-ins simultaneously, AIFF file playback or real-time audio through the VSTs. Outpouts goes to Sound Manager/ASIO in OS 9, CoreAudio in OS X, or straight to an AIFF file.

Future support of DirectConnect and Rewire are planned, as long as more VSTi simultaneously.

Available for $35, upgrade for $10.

Ego Systems Inc has developped 3 new Firewire and a MIDI/SMPTE interfaces.

The QuataFire :
- 4 inputs included 2 fronted combo jack XLR (mic/line), phantom power, gain
- 4 outputs
- converters 24bit/192 khz
- phones with level
- 2 MIDI I/O
- S/PDIF I/O
- Firewire
- 1/3 rack case

The OctaFire (based on the WaMi rack) :
- 8 inputs including 4 fronted combo XLR/ jack, phantom power, gain
- 8 outputs
- converters 24bit/192 khz
- phones with level
- 4 MIDI I/O
- S/PDIF I/O
- Wordclock I/O
- 1 unit rack

The HexaFire :
- 16 inputs including 8 fronted combo jack/XLR, phantom power, gain
- 16 AES/EBU I/O by a D-25 connector
- phones with level
- converters 24bit/192 khz
- S/PDIF I/0
- Wordclock I/O
- VU Meter for each I/O
- 1 MIDI I/O
- 2 Firewire
- 2 units rack ...