Mac and Music News

MidiPipe is a Midi utility which allows you to modify in real time MIDI messages. This new version features : MF Player - plays up to 128 MIDI Files; handles Song Select, Start/Stop/Continue messages, added "Save" to the file menu , "MicroTuner" tool now uses channel 1 to 9 and 11 to 13 (skips channel 10 that some synths reserve for drum kit).

MidiPipe download is available in the brilliant MacMusic softwares section, skilfully managed by our friend June Bug.

SoundFont Synth is an Audio Unit component plug-in designed to make the synthesis of natural instruments using Sound Fonts, available to GarageBand and other Audio Unit hosts. This new version adds a check box to remove internal reverb.

SoundFont Synth is a 15$ shareware.

Creamware Audio announces its "Scope Home" pack at a special price : 555 euros !!! Scope Home is composed of a Luna sound card with an extension box. New features are : 10 analog inputs/outputs, 1 S/PDIF I/O, 1 Midi interface, Asio drivers, very low latency, a mixing desk, an effects bundle (reverb, filters,...), a modular synth with more than 80 presets and STS-4000 sampler, compatible with Akai and soundfont sample files.

All information regarding Scope Home are available on Creamware web site.

The MODE plug-ins set, built with Pluggo technology, includes five primary plugins: POLY (polyphonic synthesizer), MONO (synth with a dual 2-op FM engine), BANG (FM and analog percussion voices), SPIN (time-synchronized effects) and WASH (delay-based effects processor) as well as 18 plug-in "modules". This new version 1.1 is now compatible with Max/MSP 4.5.

Updates in VST/RTAS/AU are available in the MM softs section.

Cycling '74 today announced the release of MAX/MSP version 4.5, a major upgrade to its graphical programming environment for audio and media. New Features in Max/MSP include: Complete ReWire slave support with objects for retrieving and controlling all ReWire host information, Visualization tools for audio signals, including sonogram and spectrogram displays and a new VU-style meter with adjustable ballistics, Anti-aliased oscillators with a warm, analog sound, A preset management system with parameter morphing and file storage in human-readable XML, Sample-accurate audio signal step sequencing, New high-quality realtime pitch and frequency shifting objects based on intelligent audio signal analysis, Scalable anti-aliased 2-D and 3-D graphical user interface elements driven by JavaScript, ...

Edirol today announced the UA-25, a compact audio interface for mobile computer-based audio recording. The UA-25, packaged in a durable metal casing, is bus-powered and transports both audio and MIDI signals to and from the computer all through a single USB connection. It offers phantom power mic preamps on the TRS/XLR combo inputs for use with premium microphones; a Hi-Z switch to bring a guitar or bass in without the need for a direct box; Digital In to bring in DAT and Mini Disc, RCA, TRS Balanced, and Digital Output to send the signal to any audio destination. The UA-25 also offers balanced +4 dBu inputs & outputs.

Suggested retail price is $295 with availability in the 3rd quarter of 2004.

PG Music has released Version 12 of its Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh OS X. New features include an all new 32-bit PPC program engine, enhanced user interface, faster program operation, improved playback timing, improved support for CoreMIDI, QuickTime Music synthesizer and controller keyboards, plus odd time signature support, new count in types, increased maximum number of soloists, the ability to intelligently transform a 4/4 melody to a 3/4 time signature and much more.

Ban In A Box costs $88 (light version) and $250 (full version). Full update from version 11 costs $99 and full update from version 8 costs $109.

Edirol Corporation today announced the PCR-M1, the MIDI-only version of the PCR-1 compact USB Keyboard controller. The PCR-M1 is a 25-Key MIDI controller that measures just over one inch thick and weighs less than three pounds. With Edirol's S.L.I.M. technology, full-sized keys with a shorter travel distance provide a very comfortable playable action. The PCR-M1 has been designed specifically to meet the needs of traveling musicians, performers, and home studios alike with features such as three power options: directly from the USB port, from 4 AAA batteries or from an optional AC adapter.

Suggested retail price is $310 with availability in the 4th quarter of 2004.

Xavier besse was proposing since last year his editor under JAVA/GNU GPL but it couldn't work on macs. Our K5000 spaceships were orphans but… With some more work, the help of Jens Groh and the Plum Stone MIDI Project of Bob Lang, it's done. (LPM: A big personal thank you for all three of you)