Mac and Music News

Announced at Musikmesse, the Clavia Nord Modular G2X is now shipping. The Nord Modular G2X has the same functionality as the Nord Modular G2, but with additional features : five octave semi-weighted keyboard for more sensitive touch, voice expansion board with twice the processing power, two additional assignable modulation wheels, all modulation wheels with led for clear position indication and a goose neck high quality microphone easily connected onto top panel.

The Nord Modular G2X costs 2.850 euros.

The Pultec EQP-1A Equalizer TDM plug-in is a reproduction of the classic Pultec EQP-1A hardware equalizer. This plugin goes to version 1.3 for both Mac OS 9 and Mac OS X. It features : reduced plugin file sizes for faster downloads and less hard disk usage, and the multiple Pultec instance bypass issue is resolved.

This update is available as a free download from the MacMusic softwares section.

Bass Line by Audio Realism is now available in version 1.5. BassLine now works on Mac OS X (Panther) in both AudioUnit and VST formats. The new version of this bass synthesizer features : improved oscillator emulation, additional foldback distortion unit, skin interface, 70 included example patterns, copy/Paste pattern can now be done between instances and additional 303 type programming mode.

Bass Line 1.5 costs 95 euros.

After EasyJet and EasyHotel, Stelios - the EasyGroup leader - is taking on music on-line and wishes to launch before Christmas (in partnership with London Group Wippit) its music on-line service called EasyMusic.com. EasyMusic.com will consist of two sections, Copyleft which will feature music from unsigned artists, including music which can be downloaded for free, and Copyright which will offer current hits and back catalogue starting at 0.30 euros a track.

The New York Times wrote about it in an article last week : it looks as if retro style is fashionable in new technologies. In any case Verbatim seems to apply this principle to the letter since it proposes various packs of blank cds that look the same as the good old 45 r.p.m. records.

This is of some (little) comfort to those who feel nostalgic !

Native Instruments releases Electronic Instruments 2, a collection of eight new instruments for Reaktor 4 and Reaktor session. It contains three synthesizers, two drum machines and three highly versatile effect units. The collection offers a powerful toolkit specially designed for the Reaktor software.

Electronic Instruments 2 is available for a suggested retail price of $119 / 99 Euros from authorized dealers and in the NI Online Shop.

NotePad 2005 is here ! NotePad is the best free tool available for making simple scores, with a number of basic features borrowed from its sibling Finale. NotePad 2005 features engraver tuplets. Now you also can edit guitar and electric bass tablature.

Finale NotePad 2005 is a free download for Mac OS X.

Universal Audio today announced the release of the Cambridge EQ and the v1.3 TDM update for Digidesign TDM Systems. Cambridge is a high-end analog console-style which boasts five bands of switchable parametric or shelving EQ and two comprehensive high and low pass filters.

The update can be downloaded free to existing TDM customers, a 14-day fully functional demo is available, and the full version of Cambridge EQ TDM costs $495.

Nomad Factory have announced that their Blue Tubes Bundle and Rock Amp Legends plug-ins will be available as AudioUnits for OS X. The Blue Tubes Bundle recreates the warm sound qualities of classic analog hardware and Rock Amp Legends simulates various British and American Rock Amp Models.

These plugins will ba available as AudioUnit from October 1st, 2004.

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.