Mac and Music News

Tascam released the VL-S21 monitoring system, designed for home recording and multimedia use, which bundles a pair of thin speakers (5 W) and a powered subwoofer (15 W). The speakers use NXT technology, which provide wider dispersion and more uniform frequency response.

This system costs $129.

Sample Manager, made by Audiophile Engineering, is a full-featured batch audio processor includind Change Gain, Fade, Trim, Reverse, Convert, Process with AudioUnit, and many others, with full support of Aiff, Wave and Sound Designer II audio files. This 1.4.2 update improves support for Waves plug-ins, adds speed improvements on "large" audio files, and fixes several bugs.

This shareware is available from the MacMusic Softwares section.

Metro is a fast-operating, easy-to-learn high-powered sequencer for the design of professional audio projects. It stands alone as a complete and integrated MIDI, audio and video production system. Sagan Technology has announced updates to v6.2.1.7 for Metro, Metro LX and Metro SE. These updates are free.

List of new features and bugfixes available from the MM softwares section.

Digidesign released MassivePack 3, a powerful plug-in bundle offering unprecedented savings on plug-ins. This pack bundles third party plugins : Echo Farm, Filterbank, H949 Harmonizer, MC2000, MDW High-Res Parametric EQ, Oxford OXF-R3 EQ, Slightly Rude Compressor, Smack, SoundBlender, Speed, and TL Space.

This bundle costs US$1,195, and the Pro version (bundle and one HD Accel card) costs $3,495. MassivePack 3 will be available on Sept. 30.

Audio Damage have released Ratshack Reverb, which is a detailed model of the Realistic Electronic Reverb that was actually an analog delay. The plug-in features all the quirks and features of this often-used but ill-named classic, including the ability to switch the inputs from line to mic, to get that great input distortion.

RatShack is available as a VST effect plug-in for OS X, and the RTAS version is coming soon. RatShack costs $29.99 USD.

LinPlug have updated the OS X version of CronoX to v2.1.1 . This new version of this sampling synth fixes compatibility problems with OS X 10.3.5, and fixes these bugs : possible lock when using parameter automation on dual-proc systems, crash when loading presets, redraw problem with file dialog and gator effect sync.

The full version of CronoX costs $59.

QuadFrohmage made by Ohmforce is a VST plugin for both Mac OS 9 and Mac OS X. It features four filters units, stereo processing, 30 filter modes, an advanced LFO module with 10 LFO types , an advanced XADSR module, 6 envelope followers, and 6 event generators. This new 1.2 version adds full stereo signal path and fixes two bugs : no more clicks when changing the filter type., and LFO phase control automation is fixed.

More info from the MM Softwares section.

Remember Don Buchla and his wonderfull and esoteric synths? (I see old timers giggling at the end of the room) After releasing last year additional modules for the 200 series 20 years after the end of the line, and the Pianobar system sold by Moog Music, Don found that, well, time was ripe for another 200 modular synth. Buhla and associates sell again a brand new 200e system with 13 modules (compatible with the old 200 models), including a MIDI interface, prices are $700 to $1900 per module if you want to expand a 200 synth, full systems start at $9450.

"Active MultiMedia" is SFX library that contains 500 high quality and custom-designed individual Sound Effects and Musical Effects (short musical patterns, cuts and fragments) specially created by professional sound engineers and musicians for use in different multimedia projects such as Flash and Web projects, computer Games and Programs, for Video, Radio, TV and Film production, Presentations etc.

Available as downloadable version (MP3 format - 192kbps). CD version coming soon.

The Audio Units version of Toontrack's DFH-Superior is now available as a free download from the Toontrack website for all registered users. This means that SUPERIOR will now work with Cubase, Logic, Metro, Nuendo, Digital Performer and more on Mac OSX. Pro Tools users are supported in Mac OSX through the Re-wire version. The Re-wire version is currently downloadable for free for all users and will be included with the next boxed edition of SUPERIOR.

For more information about Drumkit from Hell Superior visit DHF website.

Andy's OSX Music Software have released a new package for GarageBand users named 'GB Steptime'. GB Steptime is a Step Time Sequencer designed for users of GarageBand who wish to create midi note information for inclusion within a GarageBand project.

GB Steptime is shareware and costs US$15.00.

ModernBeats releases 'Vinyl Scratchez 1 - Kiks & Cymbalz' . Packed with over 900 genuine vinyl scratch sounds, this multi-format set set features live-recorded hiphop style scratches, chopped and arranged into user-friendly presets. Each preset has an average of 48 samples and gives the user complete control over creating totally original scratch sequences.

The soundset is sold as a multi-format product (EXS24, Kontakt, Battery, Reason's NN-XT, SF2, and .Wav.)and is available download for $29.95.

Chromatic Tuner is an easy, hands-free way to tune your instruments. Listens while you tune and visually guides you through the tuning process. This is an all-new rendition of Rustle Laidman's famous Chromatic Tuner, completely rewritten for Mac OS X.

This shareware costs $9.

ValveTone '62 is a vibe-laden plugin that pays tribute to the EQs of yesterday; it's all about silky sex appeal and incredible thick tone. Deceptively simple BASS and TREBLE controls provide boost and cut algorithms that are both complex and pleasing. The DRIVE control provides you with two completely unique EQ curves:"Toasty", which provides warm, velvet-smooth EQ curves, and "Smokin", which is more driven, colored and over-the-top.

You can download the demonstration version of ValveTone from the MM softwares section.