Mac and Music News

'Andy's OSX Music Software' has released an enhanced version of GRBand Assistant. It now includes the GB DrumLoops package. GRBand Assistant is a collection of software utilities designed to enhance the functionality of Apple's GarageBand product. There are three software titles in this suite:

Filipe Barroso has released MacTermen version 1.5 for Mac OS X. This monophonic sound generator allows the user to control the sound's color and tone by simply moving the mouse. Version 1.5 adds MIDI handling, for control of the main parameters (stereo image, vibrato speed, etc.) by the Mac's keyboard or an external MIDI keyboard.

MacTermen 1.5 is US$10 shareware; a fully-functional demo version is available for download.

The latest from Europe: while Apple is still negotiating licensing to open their iTunes Music Store for Europe, Virgin yesterday launched their Windows-only "Virgin Music Online Store." 300,000 songs would be available at 0,99 or 1,1 Euros/song. The site requires Windows and Microsoft's WMA format, so means little for us Mac users, but it's a blow for Apple as Cupertino tries to fight the onslaught of inferior stores running proprietary Microsoft audio technology. We'll keep you posted regarding a Windows-compatible store.

Clouvel and pesji contributed to this report from MacMusic's ubiquitous Paris Bureau. -PK

The Vanguard ReFX plugin (previously VST-only) is a synth featuring 13 filters including dual mode filters, delay and reverb settings, an arpeggiator and a trancegate to build rythmic loops (16-position), plus 3 LFOs and 2 ADSR envelopes. ReFX is now available in AudioUnit format (a free update for registered users). By the end of this year the entire Vanguard line should be available as AU.

Ed: ReFX is a very cool plugin in terms of the whopping amount of stuff they've built into a compact little package.

Word of warning: I've run a bit behind editing news translated from the French side so we're not quite as close to "breaking news" as possible - my apologies. Stay tuned for more news from the densely-packed beginning of May! -PK

MOTU has released updates for MOTU Audio System (MAS) and MAS AudioUnit (AU) support for Digital Performer 4.12, its flagship Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) software. This downloadable upgrade improve MAS and AU support, disk I/O performance on single- and dual-processor G5 Power Macs, compatibility with the Tascam 1884 Firewire audio interface in 18-channel mode, and compatibility with Native Instruments Reaktor (version 4.1 and higher).

This upgrade requires an authorized and installed copy of DP 4.12 on your Mac.

Ed: Just to clarify, DP 4.12, some will remember, was released in January. This installer updates the audio system support in DP. If you haven't upgraded to 4.12, you need to do that first. We've included a direct download link below. -PK

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.