Mac and Music News

Here's a good news about the new Digidesign MBox USB 2 : the Mbox 2 is a native Core Audio device, so it does not need the Core Audio Manager Application. So you can run Pro Tools LE and other CoreAudio applications simultaneously. The Mbox 2 will always work this way.

But please remember that the Original Mbox, Digi 002, and HD will never work this way and will always require the CoreAudio Manager...

Because AES will open today, IK Multimedia launches a new "super modeling" ad campain about AmpliTube 2. This release adds a completely redesigned interface and enhanced DSP engine, 5 separate modules, the ability to build your own custom Amp with more than 20,000 possible amp combinations, 21 stomp effects, 11 rack effects, 2 simultaneous guitar-rigs, more flexible routing, and advanced preset management.

It's also a pleasure to introduce you Natasha, the nice looking guitar girl on the official AmpliTube ad.

Apple sent Tuesday to media and industry members an invitation to a special event, which will take place at the California Theatre in San Jose on October 12 at 09:00 AM. The invitation simply reads: "One more thing...", a phrase used by iPod maker Steve Jobs to indicate a surprise product at keynote presentations. According to several sources, Apple may be preparing to introduce a new version - again - of its iPod with video capabilities, or/and more probably new PowerBook or PowerMac G5 systems.

M-Audio announces for the end of October the new Project Mix I/O, a FireWire audio interface and motorized mixing surface. This new product with a "Digi 002 face" will feature 8 powered micro/line inputs (1/4, XLR, peak led), 8 ADAT inputs and outputs, one S/PDIF in/out, one high level instrument input, 4 outputs (1/4), MIDI In/Out, 2 headphones outputs with level control, Word Clock In/Out, 8 motorized faders, 8 assignable encoders, 1 master fader, a Jog Wheel, LED screen, locators, support for Mackie Control-Logic Control-HUI protocols.

The M-Audio Project Mix I/O will be available at the end of October for 1199 euros.

Classik Studio Reverb is an upcoming suite of 4 hi-quality reverbs by IK Multimedia. CSR will offer a suite of 4 high quality reverbs, HALL, ROOM, AMBIENCE and INVERSE that are modeled after popular classic reverbs found in sought-after outboard gear.

All details on IK Multimedia web site.

IK Multimedia announces that SampleTank 2.1 will start shipping by the end of October 2005. New sound set will now come on 2 DVDs with expanded 6.5GB sound library in every instruments' category. SampleTank 2.1 offers more than 2,000 patches.

IK Multimedia unveils details of its first hardware product: AmpliTube StompIO, a new kind of USB foot controller designed to be fully integrated with the soon to be released version of AmpliTube 2, guitar and FX modeling plug-in. The combination of AmpliTube 2 software and the AmpliTube StompIO USB hardware controller represents a huge step forward in guitar amp modeling processors

Spectrasonics announces that its Stylus RMX has been updated to version 1.5. This new release adds 750 new patches and several new features including an "Help System" with a new Reference Guide, a Chaos Designer stutter-remix tool called "Buzz," browsing via genres/categories, a new version of the SAGE Converter with drag and drop batch conversion of REX file libraries and conversion support for additional Groove Control libraries, new MIDI Learn and hardware control capabilities.

This update is free for registered users, and a DVD update is also available for $15.

The Logic Pro 7.1.1 Update addresses isolated reliability issues. It also improves compatibility with Mac OS X version 10.4 (Tiger). The most significant areas addressed are:
- MP3 and AAC import in Mac OS X Tiger
- Use of Scandinavian keyboard layout in Mac OS X Tiger
- Delay compensation of QuickTime movies
- OMF, AAF and XML compatibility
- DAE/TDM: Bounces with the Wave recording file type
- AudioSuite plug-in compatibility
- Automation of Ultrabeat parameters, Sculpture parameters and two state buttons

FabFilter has updated its polyphonic-monophonic synthesizer One to version 3.0.3 VST and Audio Units, in order to fix a display problem in Logic (AU version only) and to improve graphics performance with some VST hosts. FabFilter Volcano is growing to version 1.12 VST-AU. This updated version fixes a small AU validation problem in Logic, and also improves graphics performance in some VST hosts.

MusicLab announces an update to version 2.0 of RealGuitar. This release, which will be available at the end of November, will feature a new pattern manager, allowing users to use the RG MIDI Pattern Library for creating guitar accompaniment parts. This release will also add several features to the solo mode.

You will receive a free upgrade to version 2.0 upon release, if you buy current RealGuitar 1.5 bundle ($199).