Mac and Music News

A fortnight after Mac OS 10.3 Panther has been officially released and the first users feedbacks being done, it is time for a rumour to start spreading again. It says (quite unprecisely though) that a Panther 10.3.1 update could be available via software update or via a download on Apple's website from the end of this week or maybe from next week on.

This update would solve bad handling of FireWire HD, screen problems on certain types of iMacs and first generation iBooks, as well as Airport card and trackpad problems on some machines.

So watch your "software update" carefully.

Digi-users should note that they shouldn't rush on this possible update in case the "Panther Pro Tools to come" is not compatible with 10.3.1...you would (again) be three weeks ahead.

Apogee Electronics Corporation announced that its portable, 2-channel analog mic-pre, Mini-MP is now available worldwide through authorized dealers, and distributors.

Mini-MP is the third addition to the Apogee Mini-Series line. Mini-MP at a glance: two-channel microphone preamplifier with phantom power, Low distortion pre-amps with 75dB of gain and Ultra-linear gain control.

The CS-80V by Arturia is the reproduction of the polyphonic synthesizer Yamaha CS-80. It was popularised in the late 70's and early 80's by artists and groups like Toto, Jean-Michel Jarre, Keith Emerson or Stevie Wonder.

The CS-80V offers all the features of the original synth, plus a new generation of features : a modulation matrix, a multitimbral mode and an arpeggiator.

CS-80V needs a minimum requirement of Mac G3 500 MHz, 128 MB of RAM, MacOS 9.1 or higher, Mac OS X 10.2 or higher and works on any sound card compatible with DirectX, ASIO, SoundManager or CoreAudio.

the CS-80V is available on Arturia web shop and Erturia dealers with a public retail price of $249/249 euros.

The new AES16 audio card from Lynx Studio Technology is now available. The AES16 Multichannel AES/EBU Interface is a half-size PCI card that provides 16 channels of 24 bit AES/ EBU digital audio at a 192 kHz sample rate. The AES16 is controlled by its own software application and is compatible with Windows and Macintosh operating systems.

Two models are currently available : the AES16-XLR (with XLR cables for a retail price of $795.00) and the AES16 (without cables for a retail price of $695.00).

PowerFX presents ProScore, two specially produced DVDs for use with Apples Soundtrack software. Each disc contains over 2200 pre-formatted Apple Loops that are organized into folders by category & genre. The material can be indexed & searched direct from the DVDs via Soundtracks Media Manager window which saves users valuable hard disk space. The titles are as follows:

DV Composer's Toolkit is a complete musical composition library with everything from urban & cinematic themes to Asian & Indian flavors. It features Soundtrack arrangements, ambiance textures, and hundreds of assorted instrument loops. This collection was created for scoring, audio vignettes, sound logos and general music composition.

Massive FX is designed to create authentic audio backdrops for film, video or docume ...

Taking advantage of the latest FireWire technology, the new IF-FW/DM adds 24 inputs and 24 outputs from a computer DAW to TASCAM's DM-24 Digital Mixer. For under $3,500*, a studio can add the DM-24 and IF-FW/DM to their DAW system, providing powerful mixing, automation and processing capabilities to virtually any computer recording system through a single FireWire connection.
he IF-FW/DM is an expansion card that follows the same design as the ADAT, AES/EBU, TDIF and analog expansion cards for the DM-24. Other features include:

* 24-channel input and 24-channel output when used with the DM-24
* 16-channel input and output when used at 88.1kHz or 96kHz sample rates with the DM-24
* Adds 8 inputs and 8 outputs when used with the TASCAM SX-1 or SX-1LE, up to two cards can be installed
...

OWC Mercury, FirewireDirect, LaCie updated their firmwares and made them available online in order to eradicate Panther's bugs that seems to make firewire HD datas vanished while installing. Here are the direct links:

OWC Mercury - FirewireDirect - Lacie

These companies seem to agree on the fact that their solutions work for their products only. True or not ? Apple is very discreet on this issue.

Emagic just released Logic Audio 6.3.1 and Logic Gold 6.3.1 avalaible on the Emagic website. The Logic 6.3.1 Updater/Installer installs the Space Designer and the demo presets (including impulse response files).

PowerFX have launched a new section of their website dedicated exclusively to users of Apple's Soundtrack & Final Cut Pro 4 software. The new section features custom "Apple Loops" Sample Packs which are pre-formatted for use with Soundtrack and are organized into different styles. Each Sample Pack contains various instrument parts that can be arranged & mixed as desired. There are also streaming demos which preview each collection. Also available in the Apple Zone are the ProScore sound effect & music composition libraries. The series consists of 2 separate DVDs each containing over 2200 "Apple Loops" and are available only from the PowerFX website via free, worldwide shipping.

Native Instruments has announced the new version 2.5 of Traktor DJ Studio. Traktor is a software solution for DJ mixing, live remixing and mix recording using tracks in MP3, MP4 (AAC), WAV, AIFF, and Audio CD format. The new version 2.5 available November 10th in stores and for US$199 on the NI Online Shop.

Ed: We'd reported this was coming; new in this version -- high quality time stretching engine with up to +/- 30% tempo and pitch shifting without audible artifacts; full-length, easier-to-read track display; new auto-gain to adjust perceived volume; optimized control surface and screen presets; OSC sync with other apps (even over a network!); plus Final Scratch Database support, automatic tempo recognition for folders, seamless looping, full ID3 and iTunes support, and lots more. This is a really big update for a "point-5". Enjoy! -PK