Mac and Music News

Apple has released a 1.1 upgrade to its entry-level music creation software GarageBand. According to Apple, the release "addresses isolated performance and stability issues, allows per-track Echo settings similar to other effects, supports loop libraries in other disk locations, supports importing unprotected AAC audio files in addition to AIF and MP3 files, and addresses issues with ReWire support, moving GarageBand songs between different computers, Help support, fixing the timing of individual notes (as well as entire regions), and dragging entire tracks in the timeline."

ReWire improvements are welcome, but the ongoing lack of MIDI export remains a frustration. Let's keep our fingers crossed for 1.2. Update via Software Update or using the link below.

Sweet summer: warm weather, lazy days filled with electronic music, beach parties and dancing, and the chance to hunt down MacMusic's English editor in person to find out why he hasn't updated the news. Yes, that's right, summer is the chance for the MacMusic community here in the U.S. to meet up face-to-face. Coming up: Appearances at Macworld Boston, MacMusic New York, an East Coast Tour and a call for ideas for a MacMusic World Tour. Check it out:

Propellerhead Software is offering the ElectroMecanical ReFill CD bundled free with Reason 2.5 now. The ReFill contains Rhodes pianos, Wurlitzer pianos, a Hammond Model A organ, a Hohner Clavinet and a Hohner Planet for the NN-XT sampler. These are really high-quality samples, some of the better I have heard in this writer's opinion. The Refill contains variations on each of the instrument samples from slight adjustment to the extreme using the NN-XT parameters, as well as expected details like Leslie control via the mod wheel. Also, a number of demo songs and "cut-and-paste" setups are included in the Refill to get you started right away. For those users who already own Reason 2.5, the Props haven't forgot about you: the ReFill is available as a free download for registered users.

IPod owners, like Mac users, are obsessive about the little things: those fun accessories that make ownership just perfect. How else can you explain a party for iSkin, the form-fitting iPod case? Yes, that's right: New York Wednesday evening will be post to a swanky party celebrating (no joke) a case. The party at Fifth Avenue computer store DataVision will include numerous giveaways plus live music, and is followed by an invite-only after-party at P. Diddy's eatery/club Justins. Everyone from Urban Outfitters to Phat Farm's stable of airbrush artists are getting in on the action.

Can't go? Our friends at iPodLounge have a live video stream, and stay tuned to MacMusic for our own exclusive coverage. If you do go, look for MacMusic's English editor-in-chief, yours truly, as well as Macboy, creator of Mew & Zach, representing the MacMusic New York Beat. Ed: Sorry about those capitalized IPods; that is a bug in our page rendering engine. Darn you, Apple, with your lowercase letters! -PK

Ed: I try to post as few verbatim press releases as possible, but when a brilliant developer talks about his handiwork, I'll make an exception. -PK

U-he Zebra 1.5 is a major upgrade to its predecessor, Zebra AU. With version 1.5, Zebra has become a wireless modular synthesizer, offering vast possibilities to create sounds ranging from warm pads, phat basses, striking leads up to complex and wild movements that have been unheard of. Its innovative drag and drop circuit design interface makes it easy to build a countless range of different synthesizer layouts.

21 audio modules, i.e. 4 oscillators, 4 filters with 18 different filter types, 4 vca/pans and much more for each (!) voice and 3 built in effects (delay, reverb, chorus/flanger/phaser) offer great sonical resources. 19 modulation sources (including a pair of 16-step envelopes/step sequencers) that can modulate almost every parameter (out of more than 300) provide for huge means of expression and depth.

Camel Audio, makers of the additive synth Cameleon 5000, have launched a new website with new merchandise. The new site sells Camel Audio t-shirts, baseball tops, mugs, and mousemats, if you're looking to show some Camel loyalty out gigging. On a more practical level, over 250 free presets for registered users are available for download from the community section, from filmic dark ambiences to Juno leads. A new tutorials section features video walkthroughs and step-by-step instructions, and the site has added online support with FAQ and online services. The Camelon 5000 has gotten some rave reviews; check out the site and if your interest is picqued, try the free demo download.

PowerFX, a provider and digital distributor of loops, sound effects and music samples, released Miracle Beats, a sample CD and VST/AU instrument combination that includes LoopMorph technology. With more than 500 beats and a unique, integrated VST/AU instrument interface, Miracle Beats allows for complete creation, control and manipulation of beat loops.

You can download and work with a fully functioning Miracle Beats Free version that contains the first 19 loops of Miracle Beats

The Miracle Beats VST/AU Instrument can rearrange, split, morph and turn the 500 loops into an infinite number of possibilities within any VST host application.

LinPlug is releasing Cronox version 2.1 in Audio Unit format, this sampling synth is now available in VST and AU. This new version is listed at 59 Euros

At the NAB, SRS Labs announced the upcoming availability of the first professional SRS Circle Surround encoding software plug-in for Digidesign's Pro Tools workstations. SRS Circle Surround TDM Pro enables Pro Tools users to easily encode up to 6.1 channels of surround sound into stereo delivery formats for television, cable programming, music applications, and other media. Representing a substantial breakthrough over previous matrix encoding plug-ins, it is the only plug-in capable of encoding up to 6.1 channels while delivering accurately steered, full-bandwidth stereo surround channels with superior center channel dialog isolation. In addition to broadcasting and post production, this new surround encoding tool is well suited for production of 5.1 or 6.1 music content with delivery via ...