Mac and Music News

A revolution is happening in the world of Plug-ins and Digidesign users. FXpansion, a young but talented UK-based company, previously released a VST to AU (AudioUnits) Adapter, which some macmusicians have found to be more stable than official AudioUnit versions of some VST plug-ins.

They are now back, with the 'VST to RTAS Adapter', a software converter that allows use of any of the hundreds of VST effects plugins and virtual instruments plugins (VSTi) available for OSX, directly in Protools 6. It supports all the VST2 standard features including sample accurate timing, parameter automation, automatic tempo synchronization, easy browsing of presets, and it even works with DSP cards like TC PowerCore or Mackie's UAD1.

The VST to RTAS Adapter converts any OSX VST plug-in (Carbon or Mach-O formats) into an RTAS plugin for Protools 6 (OSX). Mac OS9 VST plugins are not supported. The VST to RTAS Adapter is available via download at the FXpansion Online Shop for $99.

TC Electronic has just released a software update for its System 6000. System 6000 is a rack-mount audio processor consisting of a combination of hardware and software components, including DSPs and I/Os, along with effects for a variety of sound formats, from mono to 6.1 channels.

The new version 3.3 offers a variety of improvements, including new dynamics processing or enhancement for Skywalker collection, and is available now. This update is available now on download for registered users.

Smartelectronix offers a public beta 1.01b version of KT DrumTrigger, a VST plugin with custom editor that triggers MIDI notes based on the sound level of the incoming audio stream in different frequency bands. It allows you to "detect" occurrences of percussive sounds in an audio stream and send out a MIDI event whenever that happens.

KT DrumTrigger public beta is downloadable on VST Mac OS X version.

Opuslocus released LC Xmu. This software provides emulation of an Emagic/ Mackie Logic Control, for control and automation of Emagic's Logic Gold or Platinum software in Mac OS 9 or Mac OS X. A hardware controller's knobs, faders, buttons or keys can be mapped to the Logic Control's various functions, and Logic will behave exactly as if it has a real Logic Control connected.C Xmu provides a flexible way of using generic controllers with Logic, without spending hours building a custom Logic Environment.

LC Xmu costs 30.00 euros and a demo version is available.

Sonicstop annouces a special offer for Christmas. The Megapack 1 is a new 12 CD package today, featuring a large collection of loops and multisamples : Drum Necessities, Chameleon Drums, Chameleon Drums 2, Atomic Beats, Atomic Synths, Groundscapes 1, Groundscapes 2, Icebox, Table Manners, Remix Essentials, Hotbox 1, Hotbox 2 and Studio Drum Kits - "A" Multi-Pak.

Megapack Volume 1 can be purchased for a limited time through January
4th, 2004 for $349.99 as part of a holiday special offering significant
discounts. Megapack Volume 1 carries an MSRP of $411.75.

Elemental Audio Systems announces the availability of version 2.0 of its unlimited band EQ tool box, Eqium. This new version adds adds automation support, a completely redesigned user interface, and Digidesign Pro Tools RTAS compatibility for Mac OS X. This new version presents also a flexible mechanism for automating EQ changes through a host. Eqium is available on VST, RTAS and AudioUnit, and costs 129 euros.

A version 1.0.1 update of Amplitube Live from IK Multimedia is now available. This update makes Amplitube Live compatible with MacOS 10.3 Panther. The bug (crash at startup) on OS 10.2.8 is now fixed. Previous version of AmpliTube Live 1.0.0 was not able to work with some Audio Interfaces : Emagic USB models, MOTU all models, Digidesign Core audio drivers for all systems and iMic by Griffin Technology.

TC Electronics annouces that version 3.1 of Native Bundle is now available. Native Bundle includes a series of processing tools for VST and Apple's Audio Units and covers all your needs : equalization, dynamic processing (incl. de-essing), reverberation, limiting and maximizing, and now also filters and lo-fi effects, with the new Sonic Destructors, wich allows you to add textures to your "poor" files or to "vinylize" your tracks.

Native Bundle 3.1 costs 260 euros (excl. VAT), updates from Native Bundle 3.0 is available on free download, updates from Native Bundle, earlier versions costs 33 euros (excl.) and at last, upgrades from Native Reverb/Essentials costs 120 euros (excl).

Native Instruments has just posted a much needed free update for Battery. The details (from NI) are as follows:

Problems fixed:
- Interference between tracks in Logic
- High CPU load
- Crash while dragging
- Missing notes

Known issues:
- RTAS/OSX : After choosing a new kit in the open dialog the kit cannot be opened with the open button, without prior selection of a sample folder. Open kits using double click.
- BATTERY is likely to crash if you close the plug-in battery window while BATTERY is loading a kit.
- The OSX version of BATTERY will not load kits that contain umlauts or special characters (ascii table above 128).
- Sometimes there is a GUI offset in LOGIC.
- Under RTAS OSX it is not possible to enter values for controls manually by keyboard.

It remains to be seen whether this update will fix the GUI problems involving Battery and Digital Performer under OSX. Native Instruments also note that they expect more bug fixes to come in the next update but give no exact date.