Apple left out standard MIDI file import from Garage Band, but a new app, Dent du MIDI, fills the gap. Current version is 0.1, and lets you drag-and-drop files to convert. Let us know if it's working for you -- hit the comments link.
This NAMM was undoubtedly the NAMM of Mac OS X. While there are certainly some Mac users who happily run along in OS 9, it's clear that OS X is the mainstream standard for the majority of music users and, thankfully, without the tradeoffs that OS X used to require. Native Instrument's entire product line now is on OS X, with full support for Core Audio, Core MIDI, and Audio Units, and the company has announced it will only support OS X in future versions (with ongoing customer support for its OS 9 products). One detail that has gone mostly unmentioned in the Mac press is that Native isn't just making this decision for Mac users: it's also going Windows XP-only on the PC side, where users face a confusing array of OS versions with widely varying support for music. So both platforms are havi ...
Abstract: There isn't much information available, since they don't even have an ETA yet, but the rumor is that it will be more affordable than other firewire interfaces. Basically, the specs look like a better done M-Audio 410. The determining factor will be the drivers (as usual). Ed: Well, quality seems an issue, too, and I prefer the fidelity of the M-Audio eqipment to Edirol, but read on!
Want proof that we're still digging our way out of NAMM news? We haven't had a chance to mention anything about Stylus Realtime Grove Module (RMX), previewed by Spectrasonic in Anaheim. This is a brand new virtual instrument plug-in to be released later this year, expanding on the company's Stylus virtual instrument and being developed by Spectrasonics new in-house software development team, and is the first product to use S.A.G.E. Sounds to me like an acronym for some evil congolomerate that Bond had to fight, but I'll go with them on this. The core of Stylus is a new core library of thousands of grooves and sounds, with a focus on real-time manipulation. There are lots of new genres, expanding on the original Stylus, plus hundreds of kits and customized groove libraries which can be save ...
Spectrasonics has used Winter NAMM 2004 to debut its new software technology called S.A.G.E. — "Spectrasonics Advanced Groove Engine." S.A.G.E. is an underlying core technology that allows extensive real-time control, creation and manipulation of grooves while retaining sound quality. Spectrasonics, previously known only for licensing its technology for other company's virtual instruments, is now stepping into the arena as a developer in its own right (though readers will likely recall the company's excellent Atmosphere plug-in). S.A.G.E. technology will be used in many new products from Spectrasonics in the future, starting with the new "Stylus RMX " vinyl groove virtual instrument being previewed at NAMM. Building on the company's previous Groove Control technology, S.A.G.E. will support that format as well as REX1, and REX2.
AudioFinder (US$49.95 shareware) now has 32 Bit Floating Point DSP Effects:
Normalize
Normalize -3db
Invert
Swap Channels
Fade In To Transport
Fade Out From Transport
Reverse
Reverse Mix
Mirror Forward/Backward
Mirror Backward/Forward
Phat (A totally new kind of distortion effect)
Change Pitch/Speed
Ed: Hallelujah. This was already a must-have utility. These additions make it the single most important utility on my hard drive. Bravo. Stay tuned for a full review with details for more. -PK
Worldlabel.com has released Label templates 1.0, a collection of free label templates for printing on the Mac OSX. The selection of templates includes CD, DVD, mailing, business CD cards and mini CD labels, address, shipping, media labeling and more. templates can be used in graphic programs such as Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Indesign, Quark Express, and several others. Design and print your own labels from your Mac.
Ed: Excellent stuff. Also a good resource for Mac users is the Avery template library for users of Avery brand labels, since many label makers leave Mac users out in the cold with PC-only design software. -PK
Tom Erbe has announced that a public beta version of SoundHack Spectral Shapers for Audio Units is now available. SSH is a collection of 4 plugins based on processes from the program SoundHack. This public beta version is fully functional for 30 days.
Ed: It's SoundHack Live! (And if you don't know what SoundHack is, check that out, too; it's free!) Yes, we're so completely bogged down in NAMM news that we missed this gem -- get ready for more late news coming. Check out MacMusic's exclusive interview with Tom Erbe
>> for more on this effort, and watch for a follow-up on that plus a review of the new shapers, coming soon. -PK
>>
Digidesign has announced that a new update of Massenburg DesignWorks (MDW) EQ plugin or Pro Tools|HD & Pro Tools|HD Accel Systems is now available in version 1.1. MDW EQ 1.1 adds compatibility for Pro Tools|HD Accel systems and fixes minor bugs. This update is a free download for for all existing MDW EQ owners. It uses the same iLok authorization that the previous version of MDW EQ used.
So, you've got your music -- now start your own radio station. We already mentioned this software several months ago; in the meantime it has received a coveted " Best of Show" at Macworld earlier this month. Nicecast Radio works nicely on OS X Panther, allowing you to broadcast music from your Mac in realtime. Your listeners can use iTunes, QuickTime or even Winamp. Best of all, you can play your improvisations, live recordings or even the content of a Logic session, Peak or Live. Nicecast is ideal to broadcast your ongoing work from one continent to the other, from Louisville to Paris. Check it out!
MidiPipe is freeware from Nico Wald. This utility can be useful in a music studio or on stage to modify MIDI messages in real-time. The new 0.7.4 version fixes bugs in "Keyboard" tool and optimizes MIDI message handling (lower latency). MidiPipe 0.7.4 beta is freely downloadable.
Ed: MidiPipe solves a lot of problems, from the simple to the more advanced. For example, you may have a USB MIDI keyboard without an octave transpose button: pop this in and convert it in software. Or try more advanced solutions, like micro-tuning your keyboard. -PK
SymbolicSound has announced the release of Kyma for Mac OS X, an advanced sound design environment allowing users to create their own sound design tools. This new version features a new editor, newly designed and zoomable icons, enhancements to the spectral analysis and synchronization tools and a 432 page users book.
The upgrade of this unique software costs EUR 175. New users will also need the Capybara sound engine which comes bundled with Kyma X. The full bundle costs EUR 3570.
The Mayhem VST plug-in suite by Audiodamage is a collection of four different effects designed to provide new tools for aggressive contemporary musical styles. Included in this package are Filterpod (a low-pass filter with LFO), Crush (the World's Most Dangerous Compressor...), MasterDestrukto (a plug-in featuring four different distortion algorithms for massive audio manipulation), and TimeFnk (a rhythmic delay). The Mayhem VST for OSX and OS9 will be available March 04 for EUR149.
Thanks to Russel Brower on the Modular List, we happened to learn that "Mac version is now being re-considered" (from a Clavia official at NAMM).
Now all of us close our eyes and wish :)
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This NAMM was undoubtedly the NAMM of Mac OS X. While there are certainly some Mac users who happily run along in OS 9, it's clear that OS X is the mainstream standard for the majority of music users and, thankfully, without the tradeoffs that OS X used to require. Native Instrument's entire product line now is on OS X, with full support for Core Audio, Core MIDI, and Audio Units, and the company has announced it will only support OS X in future versions (with ongoing customer support for its OS 9 products). One detail that has gone mostly unmentioned in the Mac press is that Native isn't just making this decision for Mac users: it's also going Windows XP-only on the PC side, where users face a confusing array of OS versions with widely varying support for music. So both platforms are havi ...
