Mac and Music News

M-Audio announces a new driver for the FireWire 410 interface, which now features :improved MIDI Sys-Ex Handling , fix and issue where Logic preferences would become corrupt, resolved an issue with audio monitoring in control panel, improved ASIO support for Logic and Cubase, improved Performance with Bias Peak, improved OMS Support, and improved external SPDIF lock with 96 KHz devices.

All drivers are available in the MM softwares section !

Patterns by Ron Miller is now updated to version 1.7. This release features : ddded a save as MIDI file, mainly to import the file into Sibelius for archiving, or to be converted into an AIFF file for use with Garage Band, by-passed the QT instrument name database so all instruments are displayed and added more harmonization options.

Patterns is available in the MacMusic softwares section.

The Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA) today announced that Apple will become a member of the consortium's Board of Directors. Apple has been a leader in driving consumer adoption of DVD authoring since January 2001, with the introduction of its SuperDrive, the industry's first high-volume CD and DVD-burning drive. The BDA was created to broaden support for Blu-ray Disc, the next generation optical disc for storing High Definition movies, photos and other digital content.

Propellerhead Software today announced the availability of version 3.0 of their music software system, Reason, at music and computer stores worldwide. The brand new sound bank, the Combinator device, the new inspiration-boosting sound browser and the new Remote technology turn Reason into a powerful workstation for both music production and live performance. Reason 3.0 now features :

- combinator : a sophisticated device that allows you to build elaborate chains of Reason units - instruments, effects, pattern sequencers, you name it - and save as Combi patches.
- MClass Mastering Suite : four separate pro level mastering units designed to add power, presence and an overall professional feel to your Reason mixes.
- new sound library
- enhanced browser
- new Remote protocol
- Line Mixer 6:2 : 6-channel stereo line mixer.
- Record automation on multiple tracks.
- Copy automation between lanes and tracks in the sequencer.
- New and improved Mute and Solo features in sequencer.
- Faster loading of samples. Sample playing devices now load five times faster.
- Improved sample playback timing and quality.

Reason 3 is now available for 449€ or $499.

Steinberg announces that its virtual sampler HALion is updated to version 3.1. HALion can load up to 128 instruments at once, 16 of which are simultaneously playable. That lets you assign sounds to 4 stereo, 4 mono and 5.1 surround outputs, giving you a total of 18 outputs.

Details and download of this update available in the MacMusic softwares section.

MacMusic is very proud to present you, in its article section, Dominique Bassal's study on "The Practice of Mastering in Electroacoustic Music". Today we propose you the first chapter of this article, that includes three in total, and that traces a history of mastering, from the vinyle record to the dvd.

Enjoy your reading !

Source Elements has announced the release of Source-Connect, the first Pro Tools plug-in capable of streaming audio directly from one Pro Tools system to another. Source-Connect enables audio connections between Pro Tools systems anywhere in the world, allowing direct-to-timeline recording with real-time, broadcast-quality audio using only T1, Cable, or DSL internet connections.

Source-Connect is available for download and is priced at $1,495. A demo version is also available.

Ableton have just released a bug fix update for Live 4.1.1. Beside several bug fixes and improvements Live 4.1.1 allows you to hide the Operator instrument from the instrument browser list. This new release also features : improved performance when often switched between Live and any VST/AU plug window and workaround for missing certain information in MOTU Mach5 Audio Unit Version 1.2, so it should work now.

Info and donwload in the MM softwares section.

Amazing Slow Downer is a real-time time-stretching & pitch utility. You can slow down the speed of the music - between -50% and 400% time-stretching without changing the pitch. This new release displays ID3 meta data in the track list, and is available in the MacMusic softwares section.

Due to an unforeseen technical problem with the installers GMedia announces that they are unable to release the Minimonsta today as previously announced. GMedia have rescheduled the release for 15th March 2005.

MidiSwing by Pascal Naidon is a MIDI file reader and editor. it shows the content of a midi file as a piano roll which you can edit. You can edit any existing midi file, or compose your own music from scratch.

This 0.2 beta version is available in the MM softwares section.

SoundOfAnImage 1.0 by Tim Omernick is a freeware which converts images into music. Sometimes the "music" even sounds like music, especially if you play images with a lot of structure and/or symmetry to them.

Download in the MacMusic softwares section.