Mac and Music News

Image/ine (or ImX), developed at Steim from 1997, in close collaboration with Steina, was the first piece of software that allowed users to manipulate uncompressed video in real time. Limited, at the time, to 320x240 pixels at some 10 frames per second, it nevertheless proved a point: artistic quality and stage guts made lack of frame rate and image quality of secondary interest; real time video manipulation could be done!

A 0.9 beta OS X version is vailable in the MacMusic softwares section.

ReFX has updated its Audio Units an d VST virtual synth Vanguard to v1.1.2 which fixes following bugs : knobs didn't redraw properly so a black border was showing, and releasing the sustain-pedal would kill ALL notes, even the held ones.

This bugfix release is available as free donwload.

When they ran as a headline "Mac mini, maxi success ?" a few days ago, our MacGeneration french colleagues probably answered our existential questions on the future of the Mac mini. Judging by the first weeks in the life of the Apple computer whose price is finally adapted to the market, there seems to be a Mac Mini effect that may be the same as the iPod effect. Indeed, though a "BYODKN" computer (Bring your own display, keyboard & mouse) might initially look complex as a first purchase, it actually had four main assets : the retailers, the switchers, the fans, and...the brokes.

As for the iPod, the manufacturers have displayed much imagination for long to propose accessories. As for the Mac Mini, if we can already plan future accessoiries "designed for Mac Mini" (keyboard, mouse,...), the industry seems to seize this little Mac that is both efficient and affordable not simply to produce accessories but rather to integratee it. We rapidly saw Cyndustries propose a "Cynthia Mac", a sort of modular synthetiser produced around the Mac Mini, and today we see the retailers propose complete configurations that are built in relation with the youngest one by Apple. For a few days, one of the biggest French retailers, Playback, has proposed a "playback mini" configuration composed of a Mac mini 1.42Ghz, a keyboard and an Apple mouse, a TFT 15 inches screen and a digital interface with softwares, that vary according to the three configurations that are under 1,400 € each. The interface is somewhat becoming the accessory, but it's more "pro" than an iPod case!

Convolution reverb TL Space by Trillium Lane Labs has just been updated to version 1.1, in both RTAS and TDM formats. The new version of TL Space features an integrated IR installer for installing new IR sets. In addition, TL Space 1.1 offers a new preferences screen and improved compatibility with large post production sessions and Avid Xpress systems.

Info and download in the MacMusic softwares section.

Native Instruments has updated Absynth to version 3.0.1. This software sampling instrument and synthesizer now features : many fixes, stability improvements, minor cosmetic enhancements, GUI update issues solved, undo waveform edit fixed, Control of sliders in the 3rd row fixed and several other minor bugfixes.

New audio and software crew, Plasq, unleashes Musolomo into the world. Musolomo is a new sampler instrument designed for live use. With Ultra streamlined sampling and playback work flow, you can sample, play and manipulate, all from your MIDI keyboard. Free yourself from the visual tie of the computer screen and mouse clicks. Key features : Sample, copy, and erase without the need to look at a computer screen, Peripheral vision feedback design, Record and play sync before and after play and record, DigiSkip technology, allowing time-jumping, Speedster technology for timestretching to host tempo, re-pitching, Autolooper allowing very easy on-the-fly loop making, Play through modes great for 'break-downs', and much more !

Musolomo is now available as a free OS X AudioUnit.

Tapco unveils two new direct injection boxes, to connect your guitar or bass direct to your mixer - without losing tone due to impedance mismatches, low levels, and 60-cycle hum. The DI-1A model can be powered via 48v phantom power from a mixer or internally via two 9-volt batteries. The DI-1P model features a filter for enhancing bass and guitar sounds. They both feature 1/4" input and thru connections with ground lift.

Reason 3.0 is coming ! Propellerheads announces that Reason 3.0 will start shipping by March 10. This major update focuses on live playing and this new version will take Reason from the studio realm to the stage. Reason 3 introduces a new module, the Combinator, which allows users to build elaborate chains of Reason devices-instruments, effects, pattern sequencer etc and save as a Combi patch. Additional new features include : Remote (instant out of the box integration with most major control surfaces), new soundbank, new browser, and MClass (a mastering suite comparable with any hard or software units).