Mac and Music News

Ozone is a mastering tools system running 64-bit DSP algorithms, complemented with enhanced visual meter displays, and integrated in a single interface This version 3.06 addresses an issue with the Logic 7 Audio Unit validator.

Ozone is available in MacMusic softwares section.

The popular iDrum application by Glaresoft has now been given an RTAS release, for use directly in ProTools. iDrum is a rhythmic sequencer for Mac OS X. The design of this virtual drum machine is based on a single axis: the simplicity of use.

The RTAS version can be downloaded by registered users from their iDrum account.

Audio Hijack is constantly growing and improving, and Rogue Amoeba has just released Audio Hijack 2.2. This new version adds several new features, including a new AIFF Sample Rate selector, a "Stop Recording After" setting, and two new post processing scripts to "Add To iPod" and "Encode To Wav". Several other features have also been added, and minor bugs have been fixed. Audio Hijack is the perfect tool to record any audio on your computer. With Audio Hijack, you can quickly and easily save audio from almost any application to an AIFF file. This file can then be burned to a CD, or played in any software audio player like iTunes or any hardware audio player like an iPod.

Audio Hijack 2.2 is immediately available for download and purchase. Users are encouraged to take it for a free test drive, then purchase it for just $16. Version 2.2 is a free update for all previously registered owners of Audio Hijack.

You can now download the last versions of the modularing soft for MAC on their website www.modularing.com (betatesters are needed). These downloads are light versions of the soft without presets, demos or samples. The MAC version won't save. There a few new elements to this soft but they are not implemented in the MAC version so far. Don't forget that it is a beta version that you can download and use to give feedback to its developer. You can find the MAC operation manual here : www.milprod.com.

PS (Clouvel) : Our friend albaron also looks for people that are ready to develop animations and presets for the soft, they would get free licences in return. He can also organise a public demo of the soft in Paris.

At AES, Motu unveiled the Motu Traveller, a new bus powered 24Bit 192kHz Firewire audio interface equipped with 4 Mic-Pre's (all with individual phantom power) and a total of 20 channels of I/O. The Traveler draws power directly from your computer via FireWire, with no AC or DC power required and can record at sample rates up to 192kHz. This new interface will feature: Compact size (14.75 x 9 inches), Powered by computer or battery, 20 channels with 4 mic inputs (individual 48V phantom power), Record up to 192kHz, 8-bus monitor mixer, Stand-alone operation, ADAT optical, AES/ EBU, S/PDIF digital I/O, Midi, Word clock, SMPTE & ADAT sync.

Now if we stand back a little from these specs, we can see that: the compact size which is praised in some comments to sit comfortably under a laptop (w ...

At it was the case for Pro Tools HD, Digidesign also posted an update to version cs1 for Pro Tools LE 6.7. Pro Tools LE 6.7cs1 update for all LE systems is now available for download and fixes : Option-Clicking on the Tempo Slider Would Cause a Crash (Item #55496).

This update is recommended for all Pro Tools LE 6.7 users.

Edirol has released Version 2.0.1 of Mac OS X drivers for 10 audio interfaces. These new drivers offer improved performance under high CPU loads as well as a further reduction in the already-minimal latency factors. In addition, Edirol has also added an uninstaller for easy removal.

Edirol audio devices with version 2.0.1 OS X drivers include the M-100FX 10 Channel Mixer with Integrated USB Audio Interface; PCR-1 S.L.I.M. 25-key USB MIDI Keyboard Controller and Audio Interface; PCR-A30 32-Key USB MIDI Keyboard Controller and Audio Interface; SD-90 USB Sound Module, FX Processor, and Audio Interface; UA-20 USB-Powered Audio & MIDI Interface; UA-25 USB-Powered Audio & MIDI Interface with Phantom Power and a built-in limiter; UA-3FX USB Audio Interface with Effects; UA-5 USB Audio Interface with Phantom Power; UA-700 USB Audio & MIDI Interface with Microphone & Guitar Amp Modeling; and the UR-80 USB Control Surface and Audio & MIDI Interface.

Steinberg has announced Virtual Bassist, an addition to its virtual player range of virtual musicians. Utilizing a huge array of samples and phrases in 25 styles, Virtual Bassist covers any possible music genres, giving lots of samples of rock, pop, reggae, metal and hip hop among others.

Available from 1st quarter 2005 as VST and Audio Units formats, Virtual Bassist also runs as a standalone mode and will cost $250.

Panic announced that the company has decided to officially retire Audion, its popular Mac MP3 player/encoder. The good news is that Audion is now free of charge but is no longer being actively developed, and is provided as-is without support.

Audion X 3.0.2 is available in MM softwares section.

Make Music just updated its music notation software Finale to version 2005a. This latest update now features a new System Spacing Options, repeat "Show On" settings in Document Options, human Playback improvements include enhanced Incorporate MIDI Data, batch processing FPA files is now possible with FinaleScript and many bugs fixed.

As usual this free update is available in MacMusic softwares section.

Digidesign just posted an update to version 6.7 for its Core Audio manager. This new driver features : fix for large TDM systems where the driver would timeout waiting for the Manager app to auto-launch and fixed a problem where older versions of Avid Xpress DV and Avid Xpress Pro would produce noise out of outputs 5-8.

Native Instruments announced that a demo version of Battery 2 is now available. Battery 2 takes drum sampling to the next level with a powerful new sampling engine, enhanced sound shaping and modulation capabilities, sophisticated
sample control and a revised user interface. The Battery 2 demo version comes with a selection of five drum kits, and is available now as a free download on the NI website.

Both demo and full versions are now available. For more information, please see www.ni-battery.com.