Mac and Music News

Someone must have been anxious to get Cubase SX 2.0, the latest upgrade to the only remaining cross-platform MIDI/audio workstation, because Steinberg's website was dead in the water yesterday. The site is back up today, and the news is official: Cubase SX 2.0 is shipping. Here's a look at what's new.

Virtual signal routing capabilities make up some of the most interesting improvements to Cubase. Under the hood, version 2.0 has "true multi-channel" surround capabilities throughout, so that the entire signal path can hold six channels, not only in audio tracks but sends and inserts, as well. "Full latency" compensation promises to finally resolve timing issues introduced by effects and instruments. FX return channels now provide full rturn channels for each send effect, automatically, wi ...

A 1.05 updater for The Grand has been released, adding OS X support to Steinberg's concert grand VSTi (previously only available for OS 9 and Windows). The Grand is more than just a sampled piano instrument: there are lots of editable parameters, too, for sound and playing style. Watch this space for a review. Download 1.05 Updater

Mackie should announce the production of an USB audio interface (24bits/96kHz). The name should be "XD-2". And this interface could be released before the end of 2003. The price should be close to 419 $.
AND a special pack (named "spike") should be bundled with the XD-2 including two bonus software : "Tracktion audio recording" and "Ableton Live Mackie".

Features expected :
- 2 micros preamps Mackie (preamp/micro/line/instrument)
- SPDIF I/O,
- MIDI I/O
- Monitor stereo output
- front jack input for earphone (with volume controller)

Is it a rumour ?...or Mackie really made a MBox....? ;-)

We had announced it 4 month ago ... Cantar X will be available on october 10 th. It will be introduced at the IBC in Amsterdam (stand 6108) from sept 12th to 18th 2003. Have a look on the link below...

Apple also updated its iMac line. New features include:
- Up to 1.25Ghz PowerPC G4
- Cinematic 3D graphics
- High-speed USB 2.0
- Up to 160 Go Hard drives
- Airport Extreme and Bluetooth ready

> the new iMacs

Apple just enhanced its iPod line, improving the hard drives capacities. The news models were updated to 10Go (lower price), 20Go and 40Go HDs.

I want one ! ;-)

> the all-new iPod

The X Lab has published Troubleshooting Mac OS X, a new e-book dedicated to preventing or resolving common problems with Mac OS X. The e-book format enables the reader to quickly find the solution to any of the numerous Mac OS X problems addressed in the 300+ pages of Troubleshooting Mac OS X. The book is extensively hyperlinked and cross-referenced, both within the book itself and to some of the best Mac OS X troubleshooting information on the Internet. Pricing begins at US$15.00 for a single-user license.

The Sound Guy announced the release of SFX Machine RT 1.02 for Macintosh, a real-time version of the award-winning SFX Machine audio effects plug-in. SFX Machine RT is available in Audio Unit format for Mac OS X, as well as VST format for Mac OS 8/9/X. The 1.02 update adds a Randomize button, optimized audio processing and other enhancements... SFX Machine RT comes with hundreds of presets, including conventional effects like choruses and flangers as well as a wide variety of unique effects. Many of the presets include a pitch tracker or envelope follower, allowing the effect to respond intelligently to the input signal. The plug-in also allows automated parameter control via a simple "MIDI Learn" interface.

According to our friends at SonicState, the brand new MPC 1000 from Akai should be launched on september 16th.

Recently Digidesign launched a new software bundle. Maybe to compete them, MidiMan also announced the release of the MixitPack. It includes the following software :
- Propellerhead Reason Adapted
- Ableton Delta Live
- ProSessions Sound and Loop Libraries.
- Arkaos VJ Lite (éditeur d'effets visuels live)

and as a bonus a small M-Audio Sonica—24-bit/96kHz USB interface is also included. Price of this bundle : $50 (& euros)

We are going to celebrate the MacMusic 6th birthday and also celebrate the MacMusic presence at the Paris Apple Expo (Stand F14 ! didn't you know?). Last year, 200 of us were at the party, there's no doubt that we'll be more this year.

The webmaster find out a place in Paris where it will be possible to meet each other and have a drink and exchange informations about midi connexion and firewire analogic guitars and so on...

On saturday sept 20th (after the end of the Apple expo) this event will take place near the Gare de Lyon (Paris 12ème) at "Taninna" (drink but also food possible...).

As admitance will be limited, you need to register ASAP using the following link. After this registration you'll have the ab ...

Since it became tedious to do a search in thousands pages of MacMusic, a new global search tool is now available (from the home page). This tool includes all the MacMusic search forms mixed in one convenient form. You will also find a Google powered search tool. Enjoy...

The Digidesign software bundle, officially named as "Music Production Enhancement Suite for Pro Tools" including
Reason Adapted, Live Digidesign Edition, SampleTank SE, AmpliTube LE, et T-RackS EQ, will be available for the Pro Tools owners registered before August 2003 and for a price of 99$.

You can purchase it through the Digidesign store, for the time being only in the U.S but Europe should come soon.