Mac and Music News

Korg introduces the Legacy Collection — Digital Edition, a plug-in suite containing two virtual Korg digital synthesis masterpieces: The M1 and WAVESTATION 1.5, plus the MDE-X multi-effects found in Korg's original Legacy Collection. Like the original, the new Digital Edition delivers classic Korg synthesizers reborn as software.

M1 Software Synthesizer
The sound engine of the M1 is available as an eight-part multitimbral virtual instrument, and has been updated with new features such as a resonant filter and dual Insert effects. In addition to offering the PCM, Program and Combination data of the M1 plus all of the data from the 19 optional PCM/Program cards, new drum sounds have been added for a massive total of over 2,700 vibrant presets.

Steinberg announces that Studio Case II is now shipping worldwide. This new pack includes new version of Cubase SE sequencer, and six entry-level versions of Steinberg VST instruments : Groove Agent, HALion, The Grand, Virtual Guitarist Electric Edition, D'cota and the new Virtual Bassist SE.

Studio Case II costs 279 euros.

MacMusic announced it on August 5th, and a few weeks later, Avox is now shipping. Avox Vocal Toolkit by Antares is an interesting new vocal processor. Antares has combined five vocal processing modules : THROAT Physical Modeling Vocal Designer, CHOIR Vocal Multiplier, PUNCH Vocal Impact Enhancer, DUO Vocal Modeling Auto-Doubler and SYBIL Variable Frequency De-Esser.

Avis is available in RTAS, VST and Audio Units versions for $599,00.

Apple has posted the new 5.0 version for iTunes. It features a streamlined look, and you can find stuff faster with the new Search Bar, control kids' access with Parental Controls and hear more of what you love with Smart Shuffle.

iTunes 5 is available via "software update" utility, or on the Apple web site.

What a news !! Apple announced, at last, the first mobile phone with iTunes support, the Motorola ROKR. This cell phone can store up to 100 songs (yes ONE HUNDRED songs !!!), and pauses music automatically when a call comes. The Apple RokR phone is available for $250.

What's more to say about this Apple special event...nothing.

Apple today introduced the iPod nano, a full-featured iPod that is thinner than a standard #2 pencil. The iPod nano features an ultra-portable, lightweight design with a color screen, Apple's Click Wheel and the ability to hold 1,000 songs or 25,000 photos, and works seamlessly with the iTunes Music Store.

At just $249 for the 4G and $199 for the 2GB iPod Nano, both models are available in a stunning white or black designs.

Digidesign unveils several details about the new MBox USB 2 :

- TRS inserts have been removed (place is used for the MIDI ports);
- Mic preamps are not Focusrite but technology used by Digidesign gives the preamp nearly 4 dBu of equivalent input noise (EIN) improvement over the original Mbox.
- the handle can be removed and switched to use the other piece included (Mbox 2 comes with two faceplates, which are easily swapped using the included hex wrench);
- the MBox 2 replaces the discontinued MBox 1.