Mac and Music News

Rax is a virtual rack for live Audio units hosting. Granted Software updated it to version 1.2.2, and it now features : mixer channel Mute is now remote controllable, setting mixer channel volume to zero eliminates instrument load on CPU, MIDI notes are no longer buffered when a rack is deactivated or a channel is muted, and external sync is now passing through tempo data to all AudioUnits.

Fraunhofer IIS, Thomson and Agere Systems have announced the launching of MP3 "surround". Its caracteristics are roughly the following : high resolution support, the final file size will weigh half as much as a file normally zipped in this norm, format compatible with all existing MP3 players and softwares.

The player/encoder for Mac OS X will be available on December 17th.

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Native Instruments announced that the NI Komplete 2 bundle is now even more complete. Now every purchase of the bundle also includes the drum sampling sofware Battery 2 and the soft synth Absynth 3 at no extra cost.

Updates are not physically included in the NI Komplete 2 package, but will be delivered free of charge after the bundle has been authorized. NI Komplete 2 costs $1149 or 999 euros.

Digidesign has updated Pro Tools to version 6.7cs3 for both TDM and LE systems. This update fixes :

- It was not possible to trim MIDI notes across more than one track at a time, in Pro Tools LE and Pro Tools TDM.
- Using Auto Region Fade In/Out could cause a pop on region boundaries in Pro Tools TDM.

IK Multimedia announces that AmpliTube Live (now including AmpliTube LE) for MacOS X is now shipping. AmpliTube Live now includes the AmpliTube LE plug-in VST, Audio Units and RTAS formats, and features : 3 Amps, 3 EQs, 3 Cabinets, 4 classic effects (Wah, Reverb, Delay, and Overdrive), built-in Tuner, 128 presets (66 for LE version), MIDI foot controllable, and can play live or record on MacOS X.

AmpliTube Live costs $99.

Hartmann has released Neuron VS as VSTi for MacOS X. It comes with the same sound engine as the hardware Neuron keyboard. and, together with Nuke, the hardware controller box, Hartmann claims to have put a resynthesis system in the hands of the musician, that offers exactly the same sonic features as the hardware Neuron synth.

The Neuron VS costs US$999 or 706 euros.

Apple launched its iTunes Music Store in Canada, giving music fans in Canada the same innovative features and breakthrough price of $.99 CDN. The iTunes Music Store in Canada features over 700,000 songs. With the same personal use rights as in the US and Europe, the iTunes Music Store in Canada gives users the ability to play songs on up to five personal computers, burn a single song onto CDs an unlimited number of times, burn the same playlist up to seven times and listen to their music on an unlimited number of iPods.

Moog Music has announced a contest to give away the last Anniversary Edition Minimoog Voyager produced in 2004, the year of inventor Bob Moog's 50th anniversary in music. One lucky Moog fan will be selected on January 23rd at the 2005 NAMM show in Anaheim CA. The winner will have the opportunity to pick up their new Voyager at Moog's booth, number 6016 on the show floor, or have it shipped.

AudioEase updated again the AudioUnit version of Altiverb to version 4.2. because AudioUnit version 4.1.9 failed Logic 7's AU Validation. This is now fixed and the latency compensation scheme has been slightly modified to allow better CPU performance.

M-Audio announced Ozonic, a new FireWire audio interface and keyboard MIDI controler. The Ozonic includes audio and MIDI interfaces with a full-featured MIDI controller which features a 37-note, velocity-sensitive, synth-action keyboard with three zones and assignable aftertouch. It also includes a 4 x 4 analog audio interface working up to 24-bit/96kHz fidelity and includes XLR mic input with phantom power, 1/4" instrument input and stereo 1/4" TRS line ins. The Ozonic also feature two pairs of 1/4" outputs.

The Ozonic will ship in December 2004 and will cost $599.95.

Plogue have updated again Bidule to version 0.7001. This new update features : added speed parameter to Midi buffer, shown/not shown state is now remembered in the Palette, only clicking is needed to delete notes in the Step Sequencer and bugfixes.