Mac and Music News

Chuck is developed by Ge Wang and Perry Cook at Princeton University. ChucK is an audio programming language for real-time synthesis, composition, and performance, which runs on commodity operating systems. ChucK presents a new time-based concurrent programming model, which supports multiple,simultaneous, dynamic control rates, and the ability to add, remove, and modify code, on-the-fly, while the program is running, without stopping or restarting. It offers composers, researchers, and performers a flexible programming tool for building and experimenting with complex audio synthesis programs, and real-time interactive control.

More details on the new 1.1.4.8 version and free download available from the MM softwares section.

Soundraft has announced a new range of mixing desks, the GB4 serie, with 5 models (12, 16, 24, 32 and 40 channels). The GB4 is designed for installations such as churches and performance venues, or for small touring sound systems. The GB4 console features : 8 aux send, 4 group send (paired), 4 mute groups, 7+4 output matrix, limiter on record output, GB30 mic pre-amp, 4 band EQ, all metal TRS jacks and Neutrik XLR and direct outputs an all mono input channels.

These new consoles will be available soon.

AudioFinder has been updated to version 3.3.8 and offers several new useful tools including Pitch Detection. AudioFinder can analze any audio file and guess the pitch in note and octave.

You're 20 only once. As part of Digidesign's 20th Anniversary celebration, DigiWorld returns to Digidesign Headquarters in Daly City, California, on Saturday, October 30, 2004. For one day only, Digidesign will open its doors to the public: Take a tour of their facilities, get in on free Intro to Pro Tools 101 classes, get your questions answered, sit in on whitepaper discussions, and see and hear all Digidesign products.

Because reservations are limited, you have to register on line to attend this event.

For over 30 years, Hidetomo Katsura and Rustle Laidma have combined their experience in programming. Their current project is an all-new rendition of Rustle Laidman's famous vintage instrument tuners, completely rewritten for Mac OS X. They announce 3 updates :

- VocalLab 2.0.3 (singing voice analysis) : added the octave up/down option and fixed the problem with MOTU 828mkII.
- LabMeter 5.0.2 (hands-free tuner) and WaveWindow 3.0.2 (oscilloscope) : fixed the problem with MOTU 828mkII.

A good opportunity to visit their web site

The Arpeggio Kit for Garage Band includes 300 MIDI Loops, 200 Software Instruments and 22 Garage Band Songs and offers a content expansion simulating a complexe arpeggiator. 300 MIDI Loops include arpeggios, chord grooves and step sequences. Files can be dragged directly from folder to Garage Band tracks. They can be used like as loops Software Instruments. 200 Software Instruments are prepared for using with MIDI Loops. They are mainly based on synth generators like Analog Pad, Analog Basic, Analog Swirl, Analog Mono, Digital Mono and Digital Poly. 22 Garage Band Songs show the way to work with MIDI Loops and Software Instruments using chord changes, transposings and modulations. Some Performance songs are combining several tracks with MIDI Loops and Software Instruments resulting an impressive hybrid sound.

Garage Band Arpeggio Kit costs 25 euros.

The RM IV by LinPlug is a flexible and easy-to-use drum machine that combines analog-style percussion synthesis with a fully featured, and intelligent percussion sampler. RM IV is available for Mac OSX (both VST and AU). This version features more than 2700 MIDI grooves, 100 new drum kits, output configuration can be changed on the fly with Live 4. RM IV is now compatible with Mac OSX 10.3.5.

This update costs $25 but anyone that purchased RM IV after August 1st will get it free.

Hercules announced the availability for end of september of Hercules DJ console Mac edition. This pack bundles the DJ console (a double mixing desk) by Hercules and a special version of Traktor DJ Studio.

This pack will cost 299.99 euros.

Rephrase by Leap Frog Audio is a phrase editing virtual instrument. Rephrase imports monophonic audio files and automatically splits them up into notes. Notes can be played back in-order, allowing changes to timing, pitch and volume of each note via MIDI. it also features modulation - vibrato and tremolo effects, a resonant filter and reverb.

Rephrase will cost $199 and the Mac version will ship early 2005.

Dont' dream, you can't win a Moog but a trip ! Moog Music is offering the chance to win a trip for two to Ashville for the Asheville Film Festval, which will feature the new Moog documentary movie. You will be also invited to tour the Moog Factory.

The contest closes on October 3rd, complete rules are available on the Moog web site.

We announced the audioUnit version of DHF Superior on 8th September. Now comes the 1.3 version which features : new Tama snares, new graphics, E-Drum support and save, sound preview and midi playback in construction window, new manual , project files and tutorial for Logic, Pro Tools, DP & Cubase and more.

Full features list and download available from the MM Softwares section.

There was a bug with 4.0.2 version of Live (posted yesterday) : multiple outs of plug-ins will not be available after loading a song. Live 4.0.3 is now online. It should fix the problem with multiple in/outs of plug-ins are not available after loading a song. You do not need to uninstall a previous Live version to install Live 4.0.3. You can install the new version in parallel.

More info available on the ableton web site.