Mac and Music News

Now solely disbributed by MacMusic, The Wild Bits released Ask The DJ version 1.4. This new version includes a new track browser, works with Unicode (Japanese script support) and includes a French version.

Ask The DJ is a $29 shareware which analyses beats to perform truly seamless transitions between tracks. Like a real DJ, it matches beats and adapts tempos whenever needed so the music always flows, even when cross-fading between tracks with different bpms. Ask The DJ also cuts unrhythmical intros and outros, and levels volume. Better yet, all this is done automatically. You just need to click Play and dance. You can also export Ask The DJ's mix art to audio files, suitable for burning audio CDs. AskTheDJ produces perfect transitions, even when mixing tracks with different tempos.

Filter is a multi-format plug-in that gives you everything you need to harmonically sculpt your tracks with surgical precision or animate them with a limitless variety of tempo-synced timbral variations.

Filter starts with four true stereo multimode filters that provide all the warmth and smoothness you'd expect from a meticulous model of classic analog filters. Add four individual delay lines, flexible routing options, powerful modulation capabilities, full MIDI control, two programmable rhythm generators and the ability to lock every time-based parameter to Filter's master tempo or external MIDI clock, and you have a tool that will allow you to create tracks (or entire mixes) that pulse with life and character.

Filter will be available around mid October for Mac RTAS (OS 9 and OS X), Mac VST (OS 9 and OS X), and MAS (OS 9 and OS X).

• Pultec Bundle : The Pultec EQH-2 and Pultec MEQ-5 join Bomb Factory's Pultec EQP-1A in the new Pultec Bundle ($599/$399 MSRP). Existing owners of the Pultec EQP-1A may download the two new Pultecs at no charge.

• Fairchild Bundle : Bomb Factory's sweat-and-blood re-creation of the legendary Fairchild TM 670 joins Bomb Factory's Fairchild TM 660 replica in the new Fairchild TM Bundle ($599/$399 MSRP). Existing owners of the Fairchild 660 may download the Fairchild 670 at no charge.

• Slightly Rude Compressor : The Slightly Rude Compressor TM ($399/$249 MSRP) is Bomb Factory's first custom compressor design. Used conservatively, it sounds beautiful on vocals, drums, guitars and piano. Pushed hard, it's unique and aggressive. The stereo version is s ...

A new upgrade of pro Tools is available in the support-download section of the Digidesign web site.

Here are fixes included with Pro Tools LE 6.1.2 for Mac OS X :
- Potential crash on ProTools launch when another application uses Digidesign hardware and CoreAudio for sound output.
- CoreAudio Driver installation deactivates Digi001 MIDI input

Applied Acoustics Systems has released Audio Units versions of the Tassman 3 Sound Synthesis Studio and Lounge Lizard EP-2 Electric Piano.

The Tassman is a modular instrument and sound design environment based on physical modeling. Lounge Lizard EP-2 is a recreation of the classic electric piano sound.

The Audio Units version of Tassman 3 and Lounge Lizard EP-2 will be available as a free upgrade to all registered users from the Applied Acoustics Systems' website.

A 6.2 update (only for Pro Tools|HD and Pro Tools|HD Accel Power Mac G5 Systems) is available on the support/download section of the Digidesign web site.

The Pro Tools TDM 6.2 r2 provides support for Digidesign Pro Tools|HD cards on Apple Power Mac G5 computers.

This update should only be used by: Pro Tools|HD users who are running Pro Tools TDM 6.1 or Pro Tools TDM 6.2 and who are upgrading to an Apple Power Mac G5 (1.6GHz or 1.8GHz models) running Mac OS X 10.2.7.

The new Apple operating system (os 10.3 "Panther") can now be ordered on the Apple Store (Shipping 0ctober 24, 2003).

OS 10.3 "Panther" contains over 150 new features and provides significant enhancements to its modern, UNIX-based foundation. Panther includes iChat AV for personal video conferencing, Expose for instantly finding any window, and a new Finder for easy access to everything you need. It's like having an all-new Mac.

Panther is sold for $ 129,00 and Mac OS X Server v10.3 (10 client license) for $ 449,00.

Requirements for "Panther" are : Macintosh computer with PowerPC G3 (except beige G3) , G4, or G5 processor; built-in USB; and 128MB of physical RAM (Processor upgrade cards are not officially supported).

Digidesign just announced Remix Hotel, October 10-12, 2003 (4:00 pm – 9:00 pm Fri & Sat; 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm Sun) at SAE (School of Audio Engineering) Institute of Technology (Herald Square, 1293 Broadway, 9th Floor, New York City, NY). Remix Hotel will feature music production and performance targeting electronic and urban music producers, engineers, musicians and DJs. Attendees will be able to participate in product demos, workshops, celebrity presentations, electronic music performances, and general industry mingling