Sagan Technology announces a pre-release version of Metro v6.3, which features : improved Tiger compatibility, "Freeze" (wich converts soft-synth (or audio) tracks and all of their automation into a single audio track and groups the original tracks), updated Rhythm Explorer, management of chord progressions, and a lot more..

Upgrades from version 6.2 are free and upgrades from older versions cost US$29.99.

Lynx Studio Technology has announced that its OSX drivers have been tested and approved for use with the new Apple OSX Tiger operating system. The Lynx OSX Core Audio driver is used for the LynxTWO, Lynx L22, AES16 and Aurora models.

SpinAudio announces a new update of RoomVerb M2 2.2 Build 180, in order to optimize the code for G4 and G5 processors. This update features 64-bit internal filters precision, no cpu usage spikes on filters recalculation, improved DSP engine syncronization, DSP Code optimization (processing now runs up to 25% faster) and minor bug fixes. RoomVerb M2 is a SpinAudio reverb based on Virtual Room Acoustic modeling technique that allows to simulate various acoustic spaces from small bath rooms to huge open spaces using a single set of parameters.

Apple announces an update 3.0 for "Pro Application Support". This update is not available via "prefs panel" but only on Apple web site, for both Mac OS 10.3 and 10.4. This update improves general user interface reliability for Apple's professional applications. It is recommended for all users of: DVD Studio Pro, Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, Logic Express, Motion and Sountrack.

URS plugins has released version 1.0 of the URS FullTec 5 Band Program EQ for Audio Units and VST. The URS FullTec is a five band Program Equalizer featuring one band that digitally recreates the Pulteq EQP-1's low frequency shelving with simultaneous boost and attenuation, three bands of peak equalization that digitally recreates the  midrange boost and attenuation of the Pultec MEQ-5 and the high frequency  boost of the Pultec EQP-1a. 

FullTec costs $499.99 (TDM, RTAS, Audio Units, VST) or $249.99 (Native, RTAS, Audio Units, VST).

Our friend June Bug (Editor of MM Softwares section) puts an amazing new additive synthesis software instrument in its section. Harmonical 1.0 VST is a crazy instrument which uses spherical harmonics to modulate the vertices of a sphere. These vertices are then used to generate waveforms for a simplistic additive synthesis engine. Pretty high cpu usage due to the need to re-calculate 1024 vertices 100 times a second though.

Enjoy it in the MacMusic softwares section...

Ableton would like to announce that the latest version of Live (4.1.2) is compatible with Mac OS X 10.4 alias Tiger. Based on Ableton internal tests, they found everything working ok so far. But as an audio application Live also depends on the functionality of third party hard and software like audio & midi interfaces or effect instrument plug-ins.

Therefore Ableton would ask you to give them feedback about possible problems related to Mac OS X 10.4.

Heizenbox "the Granulizor" has been updated to version 2.2, which now features: Filter, Length, Modulator and Pitch synchronization, support for FXpansion VST to AU adapter (v.1.50) and default MIDI learn maps for Oxygen M-Audio keyboard.

IK Multimedia and Digidesign are teaming up once again to equip musicians with SampleTank. Registered Digidesign SampleTank 1 SE users can now update to SampleTank 2 SE for Free. SampleTank 2 SE is a major upgrade to the version of SampleTank that was included in Digidesign systems at purchase. SampleTank 2 SE has many of the functionalities of the full version of SampleTank 2 with the following limitations: plays only the included sounds and cannot import samples.

Apple has updated iTunes to version 4.8. This new version includes new Music Store features and support for transferring contacts and calendars from your computer to your iPod (requires Mac OS X version 10.4 on your computer)

Sibelius announces that all of Sibelius Software's products have been tested on Apple's latest operating system, Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger, and have been found to work without any serious problems. The applications Sibelius tested and found to have no problems include:

- Sibelius 3.1.x
- Kontakt Player Silver
- Kontakt Player Gold
- Sibelius 2.1.1
- G7 Kontakt Edition (v3.3)
- Sibelius Instruments
- Sibelius Compass
- Sibelius Notes
- Auralia

Note that if you have Adobe Reader 7 installed on Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger, Sibelius Starclass may give an error message about QuickTime when it tries to play sounds. If you encounter this problem, we suggest you download and install Adobe Reader 6.

Finalemusic announces they recently discovered a change from beta version of Tiger that causes the fonts to not appear initially in Finale. So after updating to 10.4, if you notice that fonts in Finale do not appear, follow these steps:

- Go to Macintosh HD/Library/Caches
- Delete com.apple.ATS (user will be prompted for an admin password)
- Restart
- Empty Trash

The com file will be regenerated and properly updated, and Finale should be fine.

NUSofting has released Peti Harmonium-Accordion plug-in for Mac OS X. Peti uses hybrid FM synthesis technology to emulate the sounds of the Harmonium, and it is capable of emulating a wide variety of reed organ variations, as well as timbres which resemble instruments from accordions to pipe organs. It also emulates various features of the Harmonium, including the noise of air in the bellows and chambers, and a 'musette' tremolo feature.

Peti (VST and Audio Units) costs $46.90 and a demo version is available.

It's new, and it's only for you ! For the very first time, MacMusic is proud to unveil its MacMusic widget. This widget for MacOS 10.4.x (Tiger) prints the latest news, software updates and articles published on MacMusic.org.

MacMusic Widget 1.0 is available for free from our software section.

Apple today launched four new iTunes Music Stores in Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland featuring songs from all four major music companies and over 1,000 independent record labels. The four new iTunes Music Stores offer the same features, and pricing that other iTunes online music services.

In conjunction with the iTunes Music Store launch in Switzerland, Apple and UBS today announced a promotion to give every Swiss citizen a free song on the iTunes Music Store.

They're shipping now ! The Guitar Combos series by Native Instruments consist of the Twang Combo, the AC Box Combo and the Plexi Combo. The Twang Combo is modelled after the Fender Twin Reverb and delivers a wide range of clean and crunch tones suitable for Pop, Jazz, Blues and Country styles. The AC Box Combo is modelled after the Vox AC-30 and delivers a wide range of clean and crunch sounds that lend itself to Pop, Rock, and Alternative styles. The Plexi Combo is modelled after the Marshall JMP50 and delivers a wide range of crunch and overdrive sounds, which makes it the first choice for various flavors of Rock, Metal and Psychedelic.

Guitar Combos is available for $79 for each combo. Furthermore, a bundle version with all three combos is available for $199.

ChromeTone by McDSP has been updated to version 1.3. Chrome Tone collection of effects includes distortion, compression, gating, chorus, flange, EQ, wah, tremolo, spring reverb and tape delay effect. This new version features three new pre-amps, eight new cabinet models and a unique and powerful multi-shape drive section that provides unprecedented control over the distortion tonality.

Info and download in the MacMusic softwares section.

Mac OS 10.4 Tiger is in shops, and prehaps in your computer. Is your audio interface compatible or not ? Some issue with your MIDI device ? MacMusic brings together here all news in connection with Tiger and music softwares and/or hardwares. Don't forget to post your comment or issue in the "comment section" of this news !! And if all woks fine, tell us !

Native Instruments announces that nearly all NI products are fully compatible with the new Apple Mac OS 10.4 operating system without the need to install any NI update. If you would like to upgrade to Mac OS 10.4, Native Instruments recommend choosing the installation type "Upgrade Mac OS X", which will not require new authorization of your Native Instruments products. But please read the following information carefully :

- TRAKTOR DJ Studio 2.6 and TRAKTOR FS 2 require an NI update, which is now available in NI Updates Manager.

- Finalscratch 1 and 1.5 were designed for use with Mac OS X Jaguar (10.2.8) and do not run on Mac OS X Tiger (10.4.x)!

- NI KOMPLETE 2: If you intend to install NI KOMPLETE 2 on Tiger, you first need to install a small update in order to authorize NI KOMPLETE 2. The patch is not needed if you have an existing NI KOMPLETE 2 installation and choose "Upgrade Mac OS X" when upgrading to OS 10.4.

Native Instruments and Waves announce a special limited-time crossgrade offer for their respective bundle customers. Starting today, owners of NI Komplete 2 can now take advantage of a 30% discount on the native version of the Waves Renaissance Maxx bundle (Waves Renaissance for NI is $420) or Gold bundle ($910), and owners of a Waves Gold, Platinum and Diamond bundle are eligible for an over 30% discount on NI Komplete 2 (so $999).

The Waves & Native Instruments Special Crossgrade Offer is valid until June 30th 2005.