Mac and Music News

PolyFractus just released DR-Verb 1.3b, a high quality Reverb VST plug-in which emulates any room from small rooms to a "Hall" or "Church." This version adds a new reverb algorhithm and only supports Mac OS X.

Thanks to its large number of controls and to its EQ section, this reverb can also be used to produce strange ambiences or even FX sounds. DR-Verb is a US$40 shareware. The 1.3b update is free for registered users.

Requirements:
- Mac OS 10.x
- Any Macintosh software using Steinberg VST technology.

We've waited a long time for this: Cycling `74 announced at AES that Pluggo 3.1, a new version of its wildly popular audio plugin software, will support Mac OS X and Audio Units and should ship in mid-November. Pluggo has been a Mac favorite for a long time: it's Mac-only, it includes a completely unique collection of over 100(!) plugins from the bizarre to the indispensible, and as if 100+ plugins weren't enough, you can design your own audio plugins in Cycling `74's Max/MSP visual development environment. Write a plug-in once, and it'll work in RTAS, VST, and AU environments on OS X. The release of Pluggo for OS X will mean hundreds of new plug-ins will soon be appearing on OS X. It's a critical piece in the transition to OS X, and for many, many users, it will mean OS X audio has finally arrived.

Steinberg had a bevy of announcements regarding its Nuendo production system in New York last weekend. Nuendo 2.1 will be available this month at dealers worldwide, featuring new collaboration tools for multiple users to work via TCP/IP. ID (for Input Device) is a new control surface for Nuendo that's intended to feature a traditional "console" design. Lastly, Nuendo will now support the DTS encoder for digitally encoded surround sound in that format.

Nuendo's networking capabilities support (amazingly) the full range of editing tools from audio to MIDI to video. There's also data management over a server from Nuendo 2.0; under 2.1 you can combine separate projects via the network. Also new in the upgrade: Time Warp for creating complex tempo maps, plus Freeze functionality for VST inst ...

Traktor DJ Studio 2.5 features a redesigned time stretching engine allowing pitch-independent tempo changes of up to +/- 30%, or tempo-independent pitch shifting of up to six semitones, without audible artifacts. Also in the upgrade: an enhanced visual interface with a full-length track overview for each deck, OSC integration for sync across networks, 100% Final Scratch compatibility, seamless looping, user-defined screen setups, complete support for iTunes song fields, hot swap of external devices, and volume/tempo recognition on import. EUR/US$199, EUR/US$49 upgrade (download) or EUR/US$69 (boxed). Available immediately.

Radial is a fascinating Mac-only loop-based composition and performance tool, but its release earlier this year was largely overlooked since it lacked OS X support. That should change soon: Cycling `74 has announced Radial 1.1 with full Mac OS X support plus new file grouping and improved sync capabilities. Radial is "not simply another loop sequencer" says Cycling `74, but a performance tool uniquely optimized for live performance. Extras include a dozen Pluggo effects, a free library of loops, and now new plug-ins for live audio input, parameter automation, and reverb. Stay tuned for a review soon to see how Radial stacks up to Ableton Live for live performance. US$199 MSRP, expected to be available early November.

Formerly Windows-only, Guitar Shed is now available for Mac OS X, combining a number of cool features for guitarists into one US$15 program. The software includes a tuner, tablature organizer, chord library, jam machine with simple background beats, tab finder, and more, plus integrated iTunes search tab (Mac only!), editable alternate tunings plus included presets, a song jam for practicing with music on your computer including section looping and variable play-speed for practicing songs, and more. Free demo is available. Thanks to Larry Zonka for the tip.

Smart Playlists.com, a website which focuses on creating, sharing, and chatting about Apple's iTunes Smart Playlists, was launched a few days ago .

Smart Playlists.com is specifically designed for iTunes and iPod users, so they can tap into the many ingenious ways in which Smart Playlists can be used to keep your music fresh.

Learn to personalize your listening experience by creating sophisticated Smart Playlists based on powerful features like My Rating, Last Played, Keywords, and Total Play Count.

Smart Playlists.com was designed for users of Apple's iTunes 3.0 and up. For more information visit the website at http://smartplaylists.com

Native Instruments announced yesterday its newest addition to the product line. Komplete is all of NI's greatest apps including Reaktor Session, Kontat, Battery, Absynth 2, Vokator, Ni-Spektral Delay, FM7, B4 Organ and Pro-53.

NI KOMPLETE is available October 17th for 1499 Euro/Dollar from Authorized Dealers worldwide and directly through the NI Online Shop.

As announced when we were demoing the beta at AE2003 (hey! we were the first!) the green guys in Berlin released Live 3.0. It costs EUR/US$ 399 or:

Upgrades: From Live 1.x are EUR/US$ 99 for the download version and EUR/US$ 129 for the boxed version. From Live 2.x are EUR/US$ 69 for the download version and EUR/US$ 99 for the boxed version. Users that upgraded to Live 2.x after August 1, 2003 will receive the download Upgrade to Live 3 at a reduced price of EUR/US$ 30.

Free Upgrades: New users that Buy and Unlock Live 2.x on or after August 1, 2003 are eligible to receive a free download Upgrade to Live 3.

Note than unfortunately Live is still not optimized for G4-G5 but it's next on the tablets!

Universal Audio announced the coming availability of the V3.3 software for it's UAD-1 PCI card. Most important is that this version will bring OSX and Audio Units compatibility. Also pics from UA show the card working on G5s.

This new version will be available before the end of the year (Q4)

Note that V3.2 with the Dreamverb is available for free for registered users before the 23rd of October but it's still OS 9 compliant only. Later it won't be for free!

Emagic have released a plugin which allows Logic Platinum 6.0 (or higher) software to be controlled by the Tascam FW-1884 and fader extension FE-8. The plug-in can be downloaded from the following link:

Focusrite's brand new Liquid Channel transports classic front-end processing into the digital age, removing the need for endless patching and adding fluidity and reliability to the studio environment. Quite simply, The Liquid Channel is every mic-pre and compressor combination in history, inside a single 192kHz 2U device.

This is achieved through a unique two-part process. Firstly, the use of dynamic convolution techniques is applied, utilising lightning fast SHARC chips applying unique level-dependant impulse responses to every sample of audio. However, whilst this is more than sufficient to identically re-synthesise a compressor's sonic behaviour, in order to replicate precisely every subtle nuance, the pre-amplifier must physically match the way in which the classic unit interacts w ...

Unique Recording Software (URS) has digitally recreated the two most legendary musical equalizers known in the recording industry. These plugins works with TDM / RTAS  - HD Accel, HD, MIX and RTAS for Mac OSX and OS9.

The URS A Classic Console EQ (vintage Api EQ emulation) is a Class AB classic in every sense of the word. Each band offers 7 switchable filter frequencies spanning 4 to 5 octaves. The URS B is unlike any other equalizer you will ever use.

The URS N Classic Console EQ (vintage Neve EQ emulation) is very broad banded and musical. It is a must have tool for recording and sweetening drums and bass. It is smooth and silky and a little goes a long way.

Priced $499.99 each or $899.99 both together as the Classic Console EQ Bundle

Open Labs announced that they have created the OpenSynth NeKo 64 line of AMD Opteron processor-based ultra-high performance keyboards.

Starting with the OpenSynth NeKo (previously named eKo), Open Labs will now offer single and dual AMD Opteron processor-equipped models capable of addressing up to 8GB of RAM. The OpenSynth NeKo 64 is an all-in-one keyboard workstation and the first of its kind with AMD64 architecture, which allows musicians to run all existing 32-bit Microsoft Windows-based musical applications and plug-ins as well as 64-bit applications seamlessly.

Expected ship date for NeKo 64 is Q4, 2003. The NeKo 64 can be seen at the AES show in New York October 10-13, 2003 and is priced from $6,645.00

Would'nt they make one G5 based ? ;-)

Roland released the Version 1.50 operating update for the popular V-Synth synthesizer. Available at www.v-synth.com, the update offers a new sub-oscillator for analog modeled oscillators, new analog-modeling waveforms taken from the legendary D-50 synthesizer and a COSM filter model of the TB-303 Bass Line.

Octiv has just released the first audio plug-in ever available for Apple's iTunes player. The Volume Logic plug-in runs on Mac OS X and provides real-time digital remastering. It is available through a public beta program that runs until December 31, 2003. Free downloads are available on their site.

Octiv's Volume Logic plug-in improves the quality of the listening experience by digitally remastering audio in real-time with the same technology used by the pros in the music and broadcast business. Anything playing in iTunes including MP3s, AACs, Internet radio, or CDs will be digitally remastered for consistent volume level and spectral balance. Low levels are intelligently raised and loud signals are kept under control, all in real-time.

The Volume Logic plug-in incorporates a state ...

AES: MOTU is demonstrating MX4 ($295), a new virtual instrument plug-in for MOTU DP4 (MAS), Pro Tools (RTAS) and other Mac OS X audio hosts (Audio Units). MX4 features a unique, hybrid synthesis engine that combines several forms of synthesis, including subtractive, wavetable, frequency modulation (FM), amplitude modulation (AM) and analog emulation. MX4's flexible programming and advanced modulation architecture provide the intimacy of a vintage synth, the flexibility of a modular synth, and the innovation of a virtual synth.

As a plug-in, MX4 operates efficiently and provides unlimited voices, polyphony and instantiations (subject to the processing resources of the host computer). Playback is sample-accurate with supporting host applications, such as Digital Performer 4. MX4's 32-bit internal resolution provides wide dynamic range, and it supports all standard sample rates up to 192kHz. Users can work fast and intuitively in a single, efficiently organized window labeled with real-world values like semitones, decibels, etc. All settings are saved with host software projects for instant recall.

MX4's basic synthesis architecture provides 3 oscillators with modulatable waveform symmetry and hard sync, 2 variable topology multimode filters, 4 variable waveshape LFO's and 4 ADSHR envelopes.

MOTU unveiled the 896HD, a double rack-space, FireWire audio interface. The 896HD replaces the 896 at the same price and adds many new features, including more simultaneous outputs (22), 192kHz operation, 8-bus monitor mixing and stand-alone operation.

Like the original 896, the 896HD provides 8 channels of 24-bit analog I/O, 8 channels of ADAT optical digital I/O, 8 built-in mic pre-amps, 96kHz AES/EBU digital I/O with sample rate conversion, word clock sync, and sample-accurate ADAT SYNC. The analog inputs are on Neutrik Combo jacks and the outputs are on XLR jacks. The front panel provides three banks of 10-segment level meters, 8 trim knobs for the analog inputs, and 8 toggle switches for independent 48-volt phantom power for each analog input.

The 896HD adds two additional separate main outputs (on XLRs), plus separately accessed front-panel headphone output, providing 22 separate outputs. All analog inputs and outputs are equipped with latest-generation 192kHz converters. The AES/EBU and optical digital I/O sections support sample rates up to 96kHz. Like the original 896, the AES/EBU I/O provides sample rate conversion on both input and output.

MOTU announced that Digital Performer 4.1 fully supports Digidesign's Pro Tools HD Accel. DP 4.1, which is now available as a free update for registered DP4 users at www.motu.com, takes full advantage of Pro Tools HD Accel's increased maximum track and voice count. In addition, DP 4.1 users can run new Accel-compatible plug-ins such as Impact, Digidesign's new Console-style Mix Bus Compression Plug-in.

The VEMIA, the virtual auction for studio gear, analogue stuff, strange gizmos will be held from November 1 to November 15. For the ones who don't know it already it's a unique place to find rare items and sometimes great prices. The service is under the control of Peter Forrest of "A to Z of analogue Synthesizers" fame and as I've already used the VEMIA, it's top notch I can tell you.

Note that if the DHTML used in the pages makes your browser sick you can ask for it to be cancelled on your account.

Independent consultancy and publisher SYPHA, has announced an all-new edition of The DAW Buyers Guide that can be accessed, free of charge, at http://SYPHAonline.com.

The guide has undergone a complete update. Each of the more than 280 product entries has been renewed, and the search facilities have been improved.

Sonic Studio LLC announced the availability of their first major software revision since taking over the Sonic Studio workstation products from Sonic Solutions. Sonic Studio HD version 1.9 is the culmination of over a year of development effort to fundamentally stabilize the workstation while boosting performance and adding long awaited functionality.

Among the dozens of enhancements and additions to HD 1.9 are an entirely new mixing desk, revamped FFT tool, 16 channel I/O support on a single board system, and a dramatically improved and optimized DSP allocation system for desk events processing. This version also resolves numerous longstanding issues with stability, synchronization, and CD imaging and is available to all Sonic Studio HD owners at no charge (Hey Digidesign...).

Drums on Demand Vol. 1 is now available in REX2 format, making the song-based drum loop CD even more functional in for Mac Users in Cubase, Reason, Logic, Digital Performer and other audio programs that support REX2 files.

Created from studio recordings of contemporary songs, Drums On Demand includes nearly 900 royalty free loops and segments : 41 Song Sets, with each set including as many as 30 verse, chorus, fill, bridge, break, intro, ending and other loops. Loops and segments range from one to five bars in length. Simply find the master verse or chorus loop that fits your song and use the other loops and segments in the Song Set to quickly build a drum track that feels like a live session drummer playing a real song -- because that's exactly what it is. Plus, you can mix and match m ...