Mac and Music News

The virtual synth Albino by LinPlug comes with a cutting-edge selection of presets designed by sound designer Rob Papen. Albino 2.0 is a VST and AU plug-in synthesizer for Mac and features a modular, extensible design with three oscillator modules, two filter modules, two envelope modules and eight effect modules. The synth is 32-note polyphonic (CPU-dependent) with up to four oscillators per voice.

Demo sounds are available on the LinPlug web site; the full version of Albino 2.0 costs US$199.

Native Instruments has just posted the 1.5.2 update of its sampler Kontakt. This new version features multiple dimension controllers, inverter modules for pan and phase and important enhancements and fixes, like Akai batch convert for entire CDs. This update is available as a free download for registered users of version 1.5 on the Native Instruments website.

PSP Nitro by PSP AudioWare is a multimode filter plugin (VST for Mac OS X; AU/RTAS for Mac OS X in development). It offers many filter types derived from analog prototypes in addition to other useful processing blocks such as phaser, bit-crusher/downsampler, waveshaper and interpolated delay blocks. These can be connected to each other using virtually any routing scheme.

A VST demo version for Mac OS X is available for download now; the full version will be released March 21 for MSRP US$149.

If you have Logic Audio with EXS24, this is your opportunity to experiment with microtuning (to the nearest cent).
These free files and associated samples can be downloaded from:
http://www.lucytune.com/midi_and_keyboard/pitch_bend.html

In 1971, at the NAMM Convention, Bob Moog introduced the Minimoog. 33 years later ARTURIA announces the release of Minimoog V, the recreation of what became the most popular synthesizer of all time.Offering all the features of the original, the Software version also brings polyphony, MIDI management, preset handling. And taking advantage of modern tools, additional functions are hidden beyond the control panels: a modulation matrix, a LFO, an arpeggiator, a chorus and a delay.

A few days after the availability of the demo version, The Minimoog V full version is now available for Mac OS 9 and OS X (Standalone, MAS, AU, TDM, RTAS) for a retail price of 199 €.

BIAS announces that Peak 4.1, the newest version of its flagship stereo audio editing tool, is now available for download. Back at NAMM in January, BIAS announced that the new release of Peak would bundle extra software: professional CD burning software Roxio Jam and SFX Machine LT, a limited edition of the popular multi-effects sound design plug-in. The update also fixes somes minor bugs and enhances Mac OS 10.3 Panther compatibility.

The Peak 4.1 update is a free download for registered users. clouvel also contributed to this story

Ever since AudioFinder added Normalize and other DSP utilities, users have been hammering us for a batch mode. Well, here it is: simply select as many files as you like with the Browser, choose your DSP utilities, and let it rip!

Ed: Brilliant. A major feature for "3.1.4"; sounds like 3.5 to me, but whatever you call it, sounds good to me. -PK

Almost all JK's pluggos are now OS X compatible. Install the free Pluggo runtime and plug it into any host (AU/RTAS/VST), and you can enjoy free limiters, meters, a drum machine, a loop slicer, tuner, pitch shifter, graphic EQ and auto wah. Ed: Let there be pluggos: go grab it! More of the glory of Cycling `74's superb Max/MSP development environment. -PK

A new updated version of the REX Shared Library for Mac OS X is available from developer Propellerheads. If you don't already own ReCycle 2.1, you'll need the updated Shared Library to use files created in ReCycle 2.1 files with Reason 2.5 and other DAWs (like Emagic Logic and MOTU Digital Performer, both of which support REX). This enables, of course, use of REX files from the Web and new sample libraries based on ReCycle 2.1. REX remains the most sophisticated major format for sharing loops for time-chopping, reordering, and independent pitch- and tempo-shifting.
The new version is free for download on the Propellerheads site.

MacMusic has been watching Rayverb since it was announced at NAMM. The standalone demo version became available February 17; now the full VST plugin version is shipping. Rayverb uses raytracing -- a process known for 3D graphical rendering -- to calculate the path of audio signal through a space. reverberation process. The software features settings for setting up this virtual space, by changing the location of the sound source, altering textures of the wall, or applying different acoustic settings, all in realtime.

The folks at MacCompanion have a contest: before April 30, write a 4-stanza score about the Mac, ideally with an accompanying MP3 file created in GarageBand or the like, and if the judges like it you could win some Mac loot. Details on their site below.

Steinberg has in the past offered a budget version of its flagship Cubase music production software, but hasn't kept pace with recent releases of Cubase SX -- until now. The company is now shipping newly-announced Cubase SE, with features borrowed from SX but customized for beginners and educational use at a lower price, EUR149 (even less for education). This version of Cubase SE shipped in Steinberg's Studio Case product but was unavailable as standalone.

The light version offers 48 audio tracks, unlimited MIDI tracks, 24-bit / 96 KHz audio, VST and ReWire 2 support. Nothing to sneeze at, and an excellent, competitive price, half of the budget version of Logic.

Plucked String by Synapse Audio is a physical modeling string VST plugin instrument. The type of sounds range from fuzzy, metallic guitar strings to smooth nylon strings. This new version 4.0 adds a fifth model - the "acoustic" model, which claims to be more lively and real sounding than any of the other models. A demo version is available; the full version costs USD 49.