Mac and Music News

The 10.3.2 Update delivers enhanced functionality and improved reliability for Mac OS X v10.3 "Panther" and is recommended for all users.

Key enhancements include:
- improved file sharing and directory services for mixed Mac and PC networks
- more robust printing to PostScript printers
- improved font management
- updated Mail and Address Book applications
- new ATI and NVIDIA graphics drivers
- FileVault, FireWire 800, WebDAV and USB Printing improvements
- previous standalone security updates

Laurent Colson releases MusicMath 2.21, now OSX compatible. Music Math is a freeware which converts music values (BPM, semi-tones, samples, ms, Hz, Timestretch %). You can calculate the time stretching to use on a sample if you change the tempo, or the number of semi-tone to transpose, the time stretching to apply if you transpose a sample and you don't want to change the duration, the delay in ms to synchronise with BPM. It also include a tap delay function and a BPM/sample converter.

Music-Math features 5 conversion functions:
- Tempo : computes the equivalent TimeStrecthing from the original and new tempos.
- Transpose: converts semi-tones to TimeStrecthing values
- Delay : convert tempo to musical duration (ms) or equivalent frequencies (Hz), ie for LFOs rates.
- Samples : convert samples duration (in samples) to tempo or tempo to sample duration.
- Tap : Tap the tempo

Gmedia Music annouces the impOSCar. This plug-in instrument is based on the original UK designed OSCar synthesiser, released in 1984 and which subsequently became a favourite instrument of Ultravox, S-express, Jean Michel Jarre and Underworld.

This plugin version adds new features such as polyphony, improved UserWave editing, enhanced filter modes, synchronised LFO and increased LFO waveforms, delay and chorus effects. Demo for the impOSCar for VST and Audio Unit on Mac OSX are available on download.

Elemental Audio Systems announced the release of version 1.2 of its audio analysis plug-in, Inspector. The new version adds Digidesign RTAS support, an enhanced user interface design, automation support, and new spectral display modes. Now, Digidesign Pro Tools users can use Inspector's alarms to be notified of adverse conditions in their audio.

Inspector is available as a FREE download and supports the RTAS, Audio Unit and VSTplug-in formats on Mac OS X.

Emagic just released an update version 6.3.3 of his main audio software Logic Platinum. This update fixes a compatibility issue with Digidesign Audio Engine (DAE 6.2.2) on Mac OS 10.3 Panther. The Update is free and available on download on Emagic web site.

At last, Emagic just released public beta of SoundDiver 3.1 for OSX and OS9 (Hey! OS9 was not dead according to Steve? ;) Note that the Xskey is required to try out the OSX version.

Download SoundDiver 3.1b for OS9
Download SoundDiver 3.1b for OSX

Digidesign announces a Chorus Digirack plugin update for Pro Tools TDM and LE 6.2.2 on Mac OS X Panther. The original Chorus free DigiRack plug-in included with Pro Tools TDM and LE 6.2.2 inadvertently had a time limit where the plug-in would expire on January 13, 2004. DigiRack plug-ins should not have any expiration date. This installer for Chorus 6.2.2cs1 replaces the previous version of the plug-in with a new version that has no expiration date.

The keyboardist Ragz Tuttle has created a new instrument that brings fresh methods of playing to musicians. His creation, the Ragzpol MIDI Controller, wraps a standard keyboard around a visually striking acrylic pole, using the music theory of the circle of fifths to arrange the keys in a unique spiral pattern.

The Ragzpol MIDI Controller spans three octaves, is polyphonic, and can be connected to any external MIDI keyboard or sound module.

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.