Mac and Music News

LinPlug announces the release of the CronoX3 Sample Synthesizer. The third version of this sample-based synthesizer adds features like a modulateable filter type, and native 5.1 support, together with more than 550 new presets. The main features of the CronoX3 are:

- Free Filter with new, continuously adjustable, modulatable filter-type.
- Loop Sampler Generator with individually modulatable loop-points and start-point.
- Versatile architecture with 4 generator modules that are mixed into two filters.

Reaktor 5 by Native Instruments is now available. This major new version introduces the new "Reaktor Core Technology". The Reaktor Core layer offers up to 64 bit internal resolution, and now instruments in Reaktor 5 now also come with their own custom user interface, thanks to extensive new panel customizing options. All panel elements in the new version of Reaktor are completely "skinnable", which includes faders, knobs, buttons, and even meters. Reaktor 5 now offers powerful multi-stage envelopes similar to those in Absynth and FM7, and complete with tempo grid, slope control and looping functions; a large number of new modules for extended data storage, voice routing and MIDI functionality.

Reaktor 5 is available for 499 euros and upgrade for owners of Reaktor 4 is available for 149 euros.

The Sound Guy has announced the release of SFX Machine RT 1.05, an audio multi-effects plug-in for Mac. Version 1.05 increases the available delay time by a factor of four; it also fixes a bug which could cause incorrect delays at higher sample rates. Please note the SFX Machine Simulator which is an online Flash program which provides a fun way to try a simulated version of SFX Machine without having to download and install the demo.

Steinberg unveiled the latest version of Nuendo DAW at the 118th AES Convention in Barcelona, Spain. Presented under the banner "Nuendo: The Future Of Audio Post", Nuendo 3.1 adds support for HDTV Frame Rates, support for marker tracks, adds the ability to interface with Euphonix hardware utilizing the EuCon protocol, and a time base synchronizer with the integrated Nuendo DTS and Dolby Digital Encoder plug-ins.

The Nuendo 3.1 update will be available via download to current registered users at Steinberg web site from July 2005.

French broadcaster NRJ Group airs all of the programming on its new NRJ 12 TV channel in Dolby® Digital 5.1 surround sound. The channel offers a mix of music and entertainment shows. NRJ 12 is the first French channel to be aired with Dolby Digital 5.1 on terrestrial TV (and available free of charge to viewers across France). NRJ 12 is predominantly aimed at teenagers and young adults, with a strong emphasis on popular music and American sitcoms. NRJ plans to expand the content eventually, with dramas, magazine shows, talk shows, games, and reality TV.

TC Electronic announces that an update to version 2.0 of its Restauration Suite, which includes the new DeThump plug-in. With the new 2.0 update, Restoration Suite includes five real-time plug-ins: DeScratch, DeNoise, DeClick, DeCrackle, and now DeThump, which can be used with any VST, AU or RTAS compatible audio system. Restoration Suite 2.0 will be available in June 2005 at 1495 euros (ex. VAT) and the upgrade will be free of charge for existing users via the TC web site.

TC Electronic also announces that System 6000 stereo plug-ins will now be available for Pro Tools HD. With the System 6000 plug-ins from TC Electronic, some of the most sophisticated algorithms for mixing and mastering are finally made available to the Pro Tools platform. TC Electronic expects four new TDM plug-ins, MD3 (1295 euros), VSS3 (795 euros), DVR2 (595 euros) and NonLin2 (495 euros), to be available during the second half of 2005 (prices - ex. VAT - are preliminary).

TC unveils a new reverb, the DVR2 Digital Vintage Reverb, which is an emulation of a well preserved EMT250. The DVR2 (VST, AU or RTAS) will ship in June 2005 a 395 euros (ex.VAT).

At last, the PowerCore PCI mkII card - announced at MusikMesse Frankfort - is now shipping at 1140 euros (ex. VAT).

Hotwork Ltd announced the release of The Analogue Ripper 2.03, a major update to it's OSX software for recording and editing sound. The Analogue Ripper allows you to :

- Record sound from any analogue source (LPs, Cassettes, radio, VHS, etc.);
- Record sound at various speeds shortening your recording sessions;
- Find and save tracks easily from the recorded sound file with its Track Hunter feature;
- Schedule recordings to take place while you are away from your computer;
- Send your tracks to iTunes and encode them using any of iTunes' encoders.

Native Instruments announces that a User Library for Kontakt 2 users is now online. This convenient database allows registered users to freely exchange their own Kontakt 2 creations on the NI website - similiar to what users of Reaktor, Guitar Rig and Absynth have been enjoying for some time now. Users can share their scripts, license-free samples and impulse responses as well as instruments and effects.

The M-Audio iControl will start shipping in June at 179 euros. The iControl is a controler for GarageBand. USB powered, it packs transport controls, a jog wheel, 8 encoders assignable (control volume, pan, aux bus sends or effects), 7 mode assign buttons, 8 sets of buttons for Mute, Solo, and Record-enable… The icontrol include also a MIDI In for a keyboard.

Tinysoft has become tinytool ! A new name, and new updates for Outi 2 and Chachacha 1.6...Outi is a real-time loops player which allows you to record, loop, use VST plug-ins. It includes a cut-up feature, and is tempo-synchronised. Chachacha is a audio video live mixing tool which helps you mix four videos depending on the mix of their sounds.

Both are donationwares you will find on our site.

Applied Acoustics Systems announces String Studio VS 1.0., a new string modeling synthesizer for Mac OS X, available as a standalone application and supports VST, Audio Units and RTAS formats. At the core of String Studio lies a whole new cutting edge string model interacting with picks, bows, hammers, fingers, frets, dampers, and soundboards. With String Studio play stunning guitars, basses, harps, clavinets, bowed instruments, ethereal pads and wild textures. Check out the extensive preset library or use String Studio's innovative tools to craft earthy, organic timbres or other-worldly instruments simply not possible with other synthesizers.

String Studio is available at US$249.

The demo of Kontakt 2 is now availble as download on the Native Instruments web site. The demo version comes with a special demo library that contains nine instruments and showcases the new KSP and convolution features. Kontakt 2 is a powerful new sampling engine that offers virtually unlimited polyphony as well as 64-part multi-timbrality. Multiprocessor support delivers up to 100% performance increase on dual processors systems, while Altivec optimization gives a further performance boost on Macintosh computers equipped with G4 and G5 processors. This new version also features support for multi-channel formats ranging from 3.0 up to 16.0, including industry standards like 5.1 and 7.1, a new Kontakt Script Processor (KSP) a fully programmable processing engine that transforms and generates MIDI and control events on the basis of a versatile yet easy-to-learn script language, a new Ram purge function, and a new convolution effect unit.

Ableton has updated Live to v4.1.3. This new release fixes several bugs : problem with audio effects in MIDI track, bug in MIDI editor velocity selection, and potential crash with MIDI or Audio devices.

Propellerhead today announced the immediate availability of ElectroMechanical 2.0 ReFill, an expansion set of vintage keyboard instruments for exclusive use within Reason 3.0 software. ElectroMechanical 2.0 ReFill is a full set of sound patches and files of vintage keyboard classics such as the Fender Rhodes, Wurlitzer electric piano, Hammond organ and Hohner Clavinet & Pianet.

The ElectroMechanical 2.0 ReFill is a free download for all Reason 3.0 owners. It can also be ordered on a CD for $12,00.

It seems that a very serious bug occurs when using a PowerMac G5 single 1.8 Ghz with Mac OS 10.4 "Tiger". Only G5 single 1.8 Ghz, Rev B (end of 2004, product now on sale on the AppleStore), with ATI Radeon 9600 XT (or Nvidia 5200) graphic card, are affected. The bug consists on a freeze (no Kernel Panic) with softwares using full screen OpenGL (iPhoto, iTunes, Quicktime movies on Safari, and more).