Mac and Music News

Gemini introduces the iKEY, a compact portable USB recorder. This product can record an audio signal, then convert it to MP3 or WAV (without extra hardware and software) and can write it to a USB storage device in real-time. It features two RCA inputs. The iKEY will allow the user to record live music, live speeches/seminars, radio, karaoke, transfer a vinyl collection to MP3, or record music to an MP3 Player hard drive.

iKey is available at $229.99.

As we announced on August 10th, the new virtual synth "Blue" by Rob Papen is now available. Blue features FM Synthesis, Phase Distortion Synthesis, Wave Shaping Synthesis and Subtractive Synthesis, and contains six oscillators, two analogue style modelled stereo filters, ten LFOs, 32 step mono sequencer, nine envelopes AHDSFR type, and 16-voice polyphony. Blue is available in VST and Audio Units plug-in format.

Blue will be available August 26th and will cost $199. A demo version is coming soon.

Audio Ease announces an update to version 5.1 in Audio Units, RTAS and VST formats for its Altiverb reverb. This new release features : greatly improved stability, bugfixes in PT version, added load as aux functionality, added on/off switch for key trigger function of samples, fixed problems with SDII & Gain Correction, and IRI files can't be overwritten by Analyse IR.

This update is available as a free download.

DUY unveils its new MagicEQ TDM plugin for Mac OS X. MagicEQ is a mastering tool, based on a new equalization concept usin OFIR (Optimal Frequency Impulse Renderer) Technology. MagicEQ supports sampling rates up to 192 KHz.

DUY MagicEQ 1.0 Mac is available at €295.

Digidesign has posted two updated versions for Pro Tools TDM software. The 6.9.3cs1 version, and the 6.9.1cs2 version both fix : Key Command Sequence for Fine-Tuning Automation had changed, legacy Peripherals Attached to a 192 I/O or a 96 I/O (incorrect gain), Macine control and Core Audio problems, and ProControl fader could sometimes lose communication.

French composer Luc Ferrari is dead, monday August 22d, in Arezzo Italy. Luc Ferrari was born in 1929 in Paris. He studied with Arthur Honegger et Olivier Messiaen and at Darmstadt in Germany. As director of the Groupe de Recherche Musicale from 1959 to 1960, he worked closely with Pierre Schaeffer, who coined the term "musique concrète. Luc Ferrari also founded in 1981 "la muse en circuit" creation center.

Digidesign today announced the acquisition of Wizoo Sound Design, in Bremen, Germany. Wizoo is a developer of virtual instruments, sample libraries, and real-time effects such as Wizooverb, Latigo, and Darbuka. Currently released Wizoo-branded products will continue to be distributed worldwide through Digidesign's M-Audio business unit. All future products will be branded and distributed by Digidesign.

Amazing Slow Downer has been updated to version 2.7.8. This release willl save "real" aac/m4a files when running Tiger, adds support for CoreAudio files and miscellaneous Settings dialog with severall switches. Amazing Slow Downer is a time-stretching & real-time pitching application.

The new Rode NT6 is a compact condenser microphone, and is specifically designed for difficult mounting applications or discret placement. The capsule of the mic is connected to the main part of the mic by a 3-metre Kevlar fibre reinforced cable. The NT6 runs off standard 48V phantom power. The mic has a fixed cardioid pattern, a frequency range of 40Hz - 20kHz and a maximum SPL figure of 135dB. The NT6 is designed and manufactured by Rode in Sydney, Australia.

New Rode NT6 will be available in September at £229 ($414).

Digidesign has posted an update for Pro Tools LE to version 6.9.2 cs3 and version 6.9cs3. These updates both feature : fixed the key command sequence for fine-tuning automation breakpoints had changed (Item # 65387). The "fine-tune breakpoint" Command key functionality has now been restored to the pre-Pro Tools 6.9 behavior. The key command for "Write Level Constrained to Next Breakpoint" (new to 6.9) has been changed from "Command-click" to "Option-Shift-click." The key command for "Write Level Constrained to Previous Breakpoint" remains "Command-Option-click".

Thes updates are both available in MacMusic software section.

Focusrite, owner of Novation, announce that companies had been the victim of a major burglary, on August 15th morning. Missing stock - arround $250,000 - includes classic Reds, ISA and Platinum rack-mount units, Novation X-Station keyboards, and the new Saffire interface. Focusrite is offering a substantial reward for any information (you can contact Focusrite on 01494 836307 in England).

A list of the serial numbers for the stolen units is available on line.

McDSP will announce an upgrade program for those wishing to upgrade their LE plugin versions to full TDM/RTAS plugin versions for $300 - LE versions are $195 and RTAS/TDM versions are $495. McDSP LE plugins line includes FilterBank LE, CompressorBank LE and Chrome Tone LE.

This upgrade program will be available soon on McDSP web site, and recipients must provide a valid iLok account.

Flexatone has updated Athena CL to version 1.4.1. AthenaCL is a modular, object orientated, interactive command-line environment for music analysis and algorithmic composition. Scores are created in Csound as well as standard MIDI files. The software s open-source, cross-platform, and written in Python and XML. This new release adds new parameter objects, new Csound instruments, and several minor changes and bugfixes.

Bob Moog died August 21, 2005 at his home in Asheville, N.C. He was 71. Bob was diagnosed with brain cancer (glioblastoma multiforme or GBM) in late April 2005. He had received both radiation treatment and chemotherapy to help combat the disease. He is survived by his wife, Ileana, his five children, Laura Moog Lanier, Matthew Moog, Michelle Moog-Koussa, Renee Moog, and Miranda Richmond; and the mother of his children, Shirleigh Moog.

MacMusic pays all its sympathy and support to his family.