Mac and Music News

LinPlug have updated RM IV to v4.1.1 to improve the drag and drop feature in Logic. 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.

This update is free.

Rogue Amoeba (also making the cool AudioHijack software) just updated Nicecast to version 1.6.1, fixing several small bugs and adding the new Channel Tweaker plugin. This update also fixes issues with the Recent Tracks Log, updates the Instant Hijack component, and fixes problems with AAC archiving.

Nicecast is the easiest and cheapest way to broadcast music from OS X. Broadcast to the world, or just across your house. Nicecast can help you create your own internet radio station or allow you to listen to your iTunes Music Library from anywhere in the world!

A slight update has just been post on MOTU's web site that concerns the Reverse and Invert Phase plug-ins. Both upgrade in version 1.01. No information from MOTU about the improvements but DP4 version 4.12 must be installed to achieve the update.

The file's only 1.4 Mo and is available for download on the MOTU's site download page.

AppleInsider said that Apple began sending letters to its Emagic software distributors, informing them that their services would no longer be required. It seems that some former Emagic distributors claim that the Xskey used to protect Logic applications from piracy is now being abused by Apple to solicit customer information, in order to help "Apple to dominate and control the music industry", a former distributor said.

On the same time, Apple registered the word "proBand" for a trademark. Peharps the new name for Logic ??

We truly hoppe that this rumor is not true, and that Microsoft (sorry I meant Apple) wont replace the network of professionnals audio distributors. Till now Apple called iPods and their online music store, "the music market". This is not exactly what we (musicians or audio professionnal) care about...

Intuem, the Midi and audio sequencing software is now available as version 3.0. it features full ReWire support, a newly designed mixer windows and audio play-through. Intuem 3.0 can receive any combination of audio channels from a ReWire device, and can send MIDI to any defined bus on a ReWire device. It also feature control of playback speed, audio file preview, drag & drop from the finder, and more...

The upgrade costs $40 and the full version is $80. List of new features is available from the MacMusic softwares section.

TC Electronic one of the Mac DSP card provider will release in october a new compact firewire card. It will include a Power PC 266mHz and two DSP 150 mHz Motorola which would allow to use the plugins included in this machine. The twelve included plugins are : classic verb, mégareverb, chorus-delay, équalizer, compressor, limiter, processor for voices, amp simulator, the Powercore synth 01, the X3 Mastering and two new plugins "character" and "filtroid".

Price should be around 995 $

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.