Mac and Music News

It's ready to go: the second generation of ABSYNTH is now available worldwide. Sound designers, musicians and producers can look forward to working with this most advanced and multifaceted synthesizer, which breaks all boundaries with its sophisticated new features. There has never been a synthesizer with such a dynamic, flexible and impacting sonic spectrum. Sampling and granular sampling, revolutionary envelope functions, synchronization of rhythmic sounds to song tempo, Mac OS X support, new filters and oscillators, integrated libraries for fast sound creation and much more provide unparalleled creative freedom for sound designers.

Thanks to its rich and authentic sound the B4 organ has secured a place in studios and live performances the whole world over. Paul McCartney keyboarder Wix Wickens played the B4 organ on the most recent Paul McCartney Tour, wrapping up a string of international dates with a concert on Red Square in Moscow. NI had the chance to sit down for an interview with Wix and talk about his experiences with the B4. There's also news for Mac OS X and Pro Tools users: a brand-new update makes the B4 organ compatible with Mac OS X, as well as the Audio Units and RTAS plug-in interfaces. The paid update is available immediately as a direct download from the NI Online Shop. As a special offer you can also download the update together with the B4 Tonewheel Set Vintage Collection.

1000 Days Of Revolution is the third and final part in Mojo magazine's trilogy of Beatles special editions. Assembled and written by the world's leading Beatles experts it plots the story of the band's last years: from their adventures at the Maharishi's Indian retreat in 1968, the rise and fall of the Apple empire to their final recording sessions, complete with eyewitness reports and previously unseen photographs.

Essential reading for all Beatles lovers.
Price (inc p+p) : UK: £4.99 Europe, USA and ROW £5.99
(I read the edition translated in french and available in press shop in France Now ! It's great ! )

Edirol Corporation showed their new MIDI interfaces. The UM-1X and UM-1SX devices replace the popular UM-1E & UM-1S. They improve upon the original design by adding MIDI signal indicators and a selection switch to allow the user to choose between the Edirol Advanced driver and the OS standard MIDI driver.
The UM-1X offers a complete cable solution from the USB port of the computer to the MIDI device.
The UM-1SX offers a MIDI input & a MIDI output port to allow the user to connect his or her own MIDI cable of any length.
Prices: UM-1X $50, UM-1SX $45

Edirol Corporation showed the UA-3FX. The UA-3FX is the next step in the evolution of the UA-3D adding a number of impressive features including:
• Onboard DSP Effects (1. Mastering, 2. Listening, 3. Performance)
• Up to 24-bit/48kHz audio quality
• Support for both ASIO2.0/WDM and OS standard drivers
• Low latency, Direct Monitoring support

The UA-3FX includes RCA connections, S/PDIF connections, 1 guitar input, and a microphone input. The device is USB bus powered and offers the most cost-effective set of audio features in its price range. Price: $215

Edirol Corporation announced the UA-1X, a compact USB audio interface to replace the UA-1A. It offers RCA audio input & output as well as a combination port which offers both headphone out with volume control & S/PDIF Optical output.

The UA-1X includes signal indicators to show when audio signals are present and functions using the standard USB Audio driver included with your operating system. The UA-1X offers audio recording capability up to 16-bit/48kHz quality. This device has been expressly designed to offer superior audio quality to any desktop or laptop user. Price: $95

Edirol Corporation announced the new PCR-A30, a powerful USB bus-powered MIDI Keyboard & Audio Interface. The PCR-A30 includes all the power of the successful PCR-30 USB MIDI Keyboard Controller, but adds useful audio features such as:
• 2 x 1/4" Phone Input
• Stereo RCA Output
• 1/4 " TRS Headphone Out
• Direct Monitoring
• Optical S/PDIF Out
• 24-bit/96kHz
• Built-in Monitor Speakers
• ASIO & WDM support
• USB Bus-Powered

Price: $395

Edirol has now begun shipping the UA-1000, the world's first multi-port high speed USB (USB 2.0) audio recording interface. The UA-1000 delivers exceptional audio capabilities through 10 separate channels on a wide variety of connections, offering high quality microphone preamps using premium analog components. These include XLR/TRS combo jacks, Hi-Z guitar, SP/DIF, 8 channel ADAT, MIDI, as well as inserts for effect send/return.

• High-Speed USB 2.0 supports 480 Mbps transfer speed, allowing the UA-1000 to offer 10 In X 10
Out 24bit/96Khz full duplex performance via hassle-free USB connection.
• 4 x front-mounted XLR/TRS combo jacks, with Phantom power
• High quality microphone preamps using premium analog components
• S/PDIF (Optical/Coaxial), 8-channel ADAT, MIDI, Word Clock
• 4 x Inserts I/O for effects sends and returns
• ASIO 2.0 and WDM drivers
• Zero latency direct monitoring
• Striking blue 1U metal rackmount case

Edirol Corporation announced the PCR-80 keyboard, it offers 61 full-sized velocity sensitive keys. The PCR-80 can be powered over USB & offers 27 assignable controls which can control any MIDI message. This keyboard offers 16 onboard memory locations to store different control arrangements & also comes with a powerful software editor for creating your own control maps.

Features of the PCR-80 include:
• 34 controls of various types (knobs, sliders, buttons, wheel) of which 27 are fully assignable
• 8 rotary knobs, 8 sliders, 9 buttons, 2 pedal inputs
• High Quality key action and Velocity sensitivity
• Multi MIDI functions through note keys
• MIDI Interface (in/out), USB Interface
• USB Bus powered
• V-Link enabled
• Memory presets for Cubase, Digital Performer, Pro Tools LE, Sonar...
• General MIDI 2 and blank cut-out template for overlaying over controls
• Powerful software editor

Price: $395

Edirol Corporation has announced a free update, available online, for the Super Quartet & Hyper Canvas that bring additional features to these high quality software synthesizers.

New features include:
• Multi-output support
• MIDI Automation
• MIDI Learning
• Light Load Mode for better performance on older computers
• New preview phrases to hear the instrument musically before selecting it
• Load/Save user performances

The Super Quartet is a high quality software synth designed to accurately emulate real instruments. It is primarily designed to offer a rhythm section comprised of pianos, guitars, basses, & drum kits. The highly-playable samples are arranged for ease & excellent sound quality.

The Hyper Canvas is a high quality GM2 software synth designed to offer superior GM2 tones. It offers 256 instruments & 9 drum kits along with a large selection of user patches, conforms to the GM2 standard.