Mac and Music News

The last Apple iTunes update, v 4.5, already added some new functions : printing CD covers, automatically converting WMA to AAC, Apple Lossless or new audio files browsing. The new version of Tunes, v 4.6 includes support for playing your music wirelessly using AirPort Express with AirTunes. It also includes a number of other minor enhancements.

iTunes 4.6 is available via "software update" on Mac OS X prefs panel.

Just a week after the release of Core Audio driver 6.5, Digidesign just posted a new 6.5.1 version of its multi client driver. Unfortunately the 6.5 version was not the good one, and a lot of users reported bugs. The new version fixes some bugs, in particular with audio routing in Logic.

The Digidesign Core Audio Driver 6.5.1 is a free (fortunately...) download.

SEQ541 is a MIDI pattern sequencer for OS X. The program is extremely flexible, all it requires is that you have an external MIDI device generating a clock and it will output notes in time to a pattern sequence you specify. Why is SEQ541 for you?

The author: "I wrote this program because I wanted a way to control my Roland SH-32 synthesizer (which does not have a built-in sequencer) in time with a Korg ER-1 Rhythm synthesizer (which does have a built-in sequencer). It works pretty damn well for this purpose, especially live, where I would rather be playing pre-programmed melodies and basslines and tweak the knobs in real-time."

If you have a MIDI synth with a built-in sequencer, you can use SEQ541 to visually edit sequences for the device, then play then back into the device while it's recording. If you're a software synth person, SEQ541 works really well for controlling software synths like Native Instruments Absynth or Waldorf A-1 in time with your external MIDI hardware.

SupaPhaser 3.0 is an update to the phaser VST plugin by Smart Electronix. This new version features a new user interface, enhanced stereo effect, and presets. Superphaser 3.0 is available for Mac OS 10 and a version 2.0 is also available for Mac OS 9.

SuperPhaser is a donationware.

Apple today unveiled its new Power Mac G5 desktop line with every model featuring dual 64-bit PowerPC G5 processors. The top model, featuring two 2.5 GHz processors, a front-side bus running at 1.25 GHz per processor, and advanced liquid cooling starts at $2,999. The entry model, featuring dual 1.8 GHz processors, starts at just $1,999.

The Power Mac G5 line offers leading-edge expansion with dual 1.5 Gbps serial ATA interfaces, the industry's fastest PCI-X interface technology and AGP 8X Pro graphics. The Power Mac G5 comes standard with either the NVIDIA GeForceFX 5200 Ultra or the ATI Radeon 9600 XT graphics card; the ATI Radeon 9800 XT high-performance graphics card is available as a build-to-order option.

All Power Mac G5 desktops include Gigabit Ethernet, FireWire 800 and FireWire 400 ports, three USB 2.0 ports, optical digital audio input and output, built-in support for 54 Mbps AirPort Extreme wireless networking and an optional Bluetooth module.

According to ThinkSecret.com, Apple have clearly decided bigger is better with a shake up to their range of TFT displays. The new displays should come in three variants, 20", 23" and a whopping 30". With resolutions being 1680 x 1050, 1920 x 1200 and 2560 x 1600 respectively. In what some might see as a bold move all the displays will exclusively use a digital visual interface (DVI). On the plus side dropping the Apple Display Connector (ADC) offers powerpook and more importantly Windows users a slightly cheaper way to invest, while on the down side it introduces the need for a somewhat hefty PSU. The 30" model gobbles down a rather lardy 150 watts and its rumoured this is one of the binding factors that forced apple ...

Guitar Rig is the Native Instruments guitar setup for studio, rehearsal space, and live performance. Guitar Rig software offers an arsenal of emulations including: 4 classic and modern guitar amplifiers, 14 cabinets, 5 microphones, and over 20 effects. All of these can be freely arranged in a virtual rack in any quantity and any order you desire. The included foot controller, Rig Kontrol, makes it possible to change any sound parameter without having to take your hands off the guitar. Guitar Rig will cost 499 USD/EUR

Announced for March, Glaresoft has finally released iDrum, a rhythmic sequencer for Mac OS X. The design of this virtual drum machine is based on a single axis: the simplicity of use. Useable as fully integrated plug-in for GarageBand, Soundtrack and Logic, Idrum is also available as a stand-alone version and is delivered with several hundreds of samples.

Idrum costs 49.95 USD and a demo version is available.

Enjoy your iTunes music library in virtually any room of your house. Share a single broadband Internet connection and USB printer without inconvenient and obtrusive cables. Create an instant wireless network on the go. Extend the range of your current wireless network. How many devices do you need to do all this? Just one: Presenting AirPort Express.

Featuring AirTunes for playing your iTunes music wirelessly on your home stereo or powered speakers, AirPort Express brings not only the Internet but your music to wherever in your home you like to enjoy them most — whether you use a Mac or Windows PC. Unmatched in its ease of use, it delivers data rates up to 54 megabits per second, fits in the palm of your hand so you can take it wherever you go — and it costs just $129.

Buy an Airport Express

New in the Pro session series distributed by M-Audio come 7 volume by Film composer and ex MMA (Midi manufacturer association) director Jeff Rona, called Liquid Cinema. Each volume contains loop in AIFF, WAV and REX2 for 49,95$. According to Rona, these are palettes of sounds for scoring TV or film. The 7 flavors are: Cinematic impact, Cinematic ambiance, Cinematic pulse,Tabla science, Late night sessions vol 1 and 2, Junkyard sessions. Unfortunately no audio demo is provided on the site, so you'll have to check out yourself before buying. That's what the real (reel) world is about.