Mac and Music News

MM reminds you that tonight, in the EEC countries, at two o'clock sharp, clocks move forward, because it's summer time, and remain so until Sunday 30 October.

Good night to all MacMusicians of the night and a bright morning to all the others !

WaveArts is now offering a boxed version of Power Suite, which contains : TrackPlug (all-in-one 10 band EQ/compressor/gate), MasterVerb (silky smooth reverb), WaveSurround (stereo spatial enhancement), MultiDynamics (up to 6 bands of dynamics processing) and FinalPlug (mastering limiter/volume maximizer).

From now until April 30th, you can buy Power Suite at a $100 discount from WaveArts website, for a total of $399.95. A free 30-day demo version is also available.

The S2 is an integrated synthesizer; all modules (sound sources, modifiers, modulators and controls) are linked together in the way to offer the greatest possible flexibility with creation and reproduction of sounds. The S2 is an analogue monophonic synthesizer. It can by used as a sound generator, an shaper/modifier for external sound sources and as a mix of them.

Crossfader is an "online community for the global electronic artist". Microsoft is building this web site with forums to "help you connect with people who share your love for creation, great music, technology and modern culture". The focus of this site is clearly on DJs and electronica.

And because it's Microsoft, Crossfader is still in beta form.

Toontrack announces that its virtual drums and percussions software DHF Superior is updated to version 1.4.1. This new release features automatic toms substitutionned volume controls, individual velocity controls, tools in construction page, revised documentation and much more.

SpinAudio Software has updated RoomVerb M2 VST and Audio Units to version 2.2, which now features : improved reverb engine that provides denser, more realistic reverberation and better stereo image spatialization, redesigned set of 250 factory presets, and other improvements and minor bug fixes.

This updated is available in our softwares section.

Audio Ease has updated Altiverb to v4.2.8. in order to fix a problem with initializing on a system with an incomplete set of IRs, in the Audio Units version. Altiverb is a sampled acoustics processor that offers realistic one-, two- and four-channel sampled acoustics of real halls, cathedrals, bathrooms — and virtually any acoustic environment.

NoNOISE by Sonic Studio is a noise reduction and audio restoration tool. This new 1.61 TDM version fixes : Manual DeClicker would not function properly when Type-E DeClicking files larger than 1 minute, and Manual DeClicker would freeze when trying to cancel processing or display a "Numerical Error" dialog.

This update is available in the MacMusic softwares section.

Steinberg has updated Nuendo to v3.0.2 build 622. Nuendo is a recording, editing and automated mixing tool for film score, post production, creating a musical masterpiece or surround sound design for a new video game, television show, or even a radio play.

This new release is a huge bugfix version.

Steinberg updated Cubase SX and Cubase SL to version 3.0.2 build 622. These new versions fix several bugs, and add two new features : status of the Play Order Track is now saved with the project, and aditional "Appearance" options are now available (including User Meters).

SonicBirth is now available as Preview version 3.0 , which adds new plugins ((Valve Warmer, DC Blocker and Funky repeater), a new element (Trigger) and fixes bugs. Due to requests from users this new version now allows redistribution of exported Audio Units plugins. They work in demo mode, or in normal mode for user who bought the full version ($99). SonicBirth is an Audio Units plugins designing application which allows you to build your own AudioUnit plug-ins.

A new "runtime" version is also available and costs $29.

Announced at NAMM, HALion Player is now available. Tailored to newcomers to virtual sampling, HALion Player works with VST, AU and any Rewire environment. It provides a way of playing any of the hundreds of commercially available HALion libraries as well as Wav / Aif / Rex / Rex2 / Zgr and LM4 instrument files. HALion Player includes the full HALion 3 sound library.

Please note that due to the acquisition of Steinberg by Yamaha Corporation, the Steinberg on-line store for products and upgrades is currently closed.

TC Electronic announces the immediate availability of the DB-4 Broadcast Audio Processor. DB-4 is designed for use within TV and radio stations and their regional centers, serves analog and digital transmission, OB and Linking with Realtime Loudness Control, Format Conversion, Five-Band Processing and advanced Limiting.

DB-4 is now shipping at 8500 euros (ex.VAT).

Yamaha announces SSD (SMAF Sound Decorator). SSD is a tool for converting SMF(.mid) to SMAF/MA-2, 3, 5 files(.mmf). Unlike ordinary converters, SSD allows users to switch voices easily and enhance songs to their liking. You can also download WSD (Wave Sound Decorator, a tool for converting Wave files(.wav/.aif) to SMAF/MA-2, 3, 5 files(.mmf).

Native Instruments announces details on the library of the upcoming Kontakt 2 software sampler. The Kontakt 2 library will include:

- a special version of the Vienna Symphonic Library (VSL). This special VSL orchestra includes 30 instruments and takes advantage of the KSP engine for sophisticated performance effects including "Monophonic Legato" and "Repetition".

- a multi-sampled Steinway D Grand Piano.

- an August Foerster Concert Piano.

- the "Elektrik Guitar", an extensively sampled electric guitar.

- the "Akkord Guitar", an instrument that draws on a library of
more than 3.500 acoustic guitar chord samples.

- a selection of church organs, including a massive cathedral organ sampled
in full 5.1 surround.

- a selection of electric pianos, including the Rhodes MK II.

Apple will be present at next month's National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Conference. Think Secret says "Almost certain at this point is that Apple will deliver new versions of DVD Studio Pro and Shake alongside the new version of Final Cut Pro, along with very likely an upgrade to Motion. Sources continue to point to at least one completely new pro video application, and rumblings have increased recently that a totally new pro audio application will debut as well".

A "HD Keynote adress" will take place (only by registration) on Sunday, April 17 at Las Vegas.

Buffer Synth 2 is a freeze plugin and a wave-table synthesizer. This new 1.0.3 release features : fixed a bug on OS X where some hosts would freeze when you try and open the editor, GUI code improvement, and fixed file dialog bug on Live.

Audio Damage has just released Ronin, a multi-effects VST plugin. Ronin features two delays, two multi-mode filters, two tube saturation stages, and two LFOs. Ronin is capable of tape-style delays, true analog chorus effects, and flanging in to the stratosphere, for everything from basic subtle synced delays to complete audio destruction.

Ronin multi-fx is available at $69, and manual and demo versions are available for download.

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