Mac and Music News

More details of Digidesign's products' compatibility with Mac OS 10.3 Panther are now available.

• Phase I (completed): Pro Tools|HD and Pro Tools|HD Accel on Power Mac G5 1.6 GHz, 1.8 GHz and Dual 2 GHz models running Mac OS X 10.2.7 and 10.2.8 only: Pro Tools 6.2.r2.1 Update required (download). Note that Unity MediaNetwork and AVoption|XL are not yet supported.

• Phase 2 (previously expected "mid-November", now expected November 21).
A new version of Pro Tools (6.2.2) LE & TDM will be available on free download or on a CD version on the Digistore. There is no pre-order before this date. This version supports ONLY:

- Digi 002, Digi 002 Rack and Mbox
- Power Mac G5 1.6 GHz, 1.8 GHz, and Dual 2.0 GHz models, iMac G4, PowerBook G4 and iBook G4 on Mac OS 10.3.1 only.

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SFX Machine RT 1.03, a real-time audio effects plug-in. is now available in VST format for Mac OS 8/9/X as well as Audio Unit format for Mac OS X. SFX Machine RT comes with hundreds of presets, including conventional effects like choruses and flangers, and this version 1.03 fixes a number of bugs.

SFX RT 1.03 costs 99 euros and a demo version is available here :

TritonX translated a new article about compression:
"Handling the compressor with confidence and dexterity, experiencing and comprehending all of its secrets, from soft knee to hard knee, from threshold to sidechain… this is the goal that we challenge you to through two educative and none-less entertaining episodes."

Our webmaster has just created a new useful feature in the software section: you now have the ability to rate and comment on software.

Give your opinion, rate the software, express yourself. It's a new way to add information on software.

Of course, for any technical queries, go to the Forum and create a thread.

Version 1.1.6 is now available for download at the M-Audio website. The site notes that there are still remaining AC3 issues that will be addressed in the next release

Digidesign announces that Amp Farm 2.3.1 for Pro Tools|HD Accel systems is now availble for download. Amp Farm v2.3.1 adds support for Pro Tools|HD Accel, Pro Tools|HD and Pro Tools|24 MIX. Amp Farm v2.3.1 supports Mac OS X.

Amp Farm 2.3.1 is free update for all Amp Farm owners with iLok authorized versions of Amp Farm. A version 2.1.1 is also available for Pro Tools systems on mac OS 9.

Folks who were concerned about the soldered in 128meg ram stick limiting their total ram in the new G4 iBooks now have one less thing to worry about. While still expensive (like the ram for the 12" pbook) the first G4 iBook 1gig so-dimm from Trans Intl. for $499 at leasts levels the playing field, allowing G4 iBook owners to upgrade to 1152meg rather than the 640meg max listed on the Apple website.

This plus the monitor spanning hack helps to make the G4 iBooks a competitive choice when compared to the 12" powerbook.

Propellerhead Software has invited existing users of ReCycle to sign up for beta-testing of their new version 2.1. It supports Mac OSX and Windows XP. It will work with 24-bit audio, as well.

"The Java Update delivers functional enhancements and improved stability for running Java applications and applets. It contains support for both Java 1.4.1 and Java 1.3.1. It is strongly recommended that all users install this update.", said Apple.

VirSyn announce TERA 2.0 , a modular software synthesizer based on different synthesis modules. This new version includes : Analog synthesis, Spectrum Synthesis, Formant, FM synthesis, Physical modeling, custom waveforms for all oscillators, and 16 modular synths (with up to  64 voices).

Tera 2 is compatible with Mac OS 9/OS X standalone / VST / AudioUnit and now ReWire 2 and RTAS. The price for TERA 2.0 will be 299.- EUR on November, 24 th. Note that all registered users with the original TERA CD 1.1 and 1.2 will get a downloadable upgrade for free.