Mac and Music News

Announced on October 6, the new Project Mix I/O, a FireWire audio interface and motorized mixing surface, is now shipping. This new M-Audio product features 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. This interface is total compatible with Pro Tools M-Powered, Live, Logic, Cubase, Digital Performer and SONAR.

M-Audio Project Mix I/O ships at $1,299.95.

TC Electronic introduces two new PowerCore plug-ins, Fabrik R and Fabrik C, which feature user interface called MINT, Meta Intuitive Navigation Technology. MINTTM allows the user to respond intuitively to any audio material with just a few simple knobs. The first two MINT-flavored plug-ins are Fabrik R, a swiss-knife reverb tool with four high-quality TC reverbs, and Fabrik C, a high-resolution channel EQ, de-esser, and 3-band/full band compressor in one single plug-in.

Fabrik R and Fabrik C are expected to ship in December, 2005 at 299€ (ex. VAT).

Metric Halo announced that ChannelStrip (eq, compressor, etc.) version 2.1 for TDM and RTAS has been released simultaneously with Digidesign's release of Pro Tools 7. The new version of ChannelStrip is a compatibility update that now includes support for operation within Pro Tools 7 TDM, LE, and M Powered. Users should note that ChannelStrip version 2.0.3 f13 is not compatible with Pro Tools 7, and should update to the new version before or at the same time as running the Pro Tools 7 update to avoid any interruption in the operation of ChannelStrip. The 2.1 f02 update is compatible with previous versions of Pro Tools (6.x), and can be safely installed by any OS X based customer.

Registered users can visit the Metric Halo website to download an updater package.

Akaï announced the release of its new wind controler, EWI 4000S. This expressive musical instrument incorporates several improvements in the development of MIDI/Synth instrument capabilities. There are several improvements to the design as well, such as having a built-in sound module, direct MIDI IN and Out, and other updated operating functions. These features make playing the EWI4000S easier than any other electronic wind instrument.

The EWI4000S will be available at the end of January 2006 for 900 euros.

Registered users of Melodyne studio edition or cre8 are warmly invited to participate in the public beta test of Melodyne 3. Melodyne3 offers a new algorithm that allows any type of audio material to profit from Melodyne's unique editing functions and sound quality; in other words, Melodyne is no longer limited to the editing of melodies but can handle homophonic and polyphonic textures. Every registered owner of Version 2 or later of Melodyne cre8 or studio edition is entitled to participate in the public beta test of Melodyne 3.

The Melodyne 3 Public Beta will run without limitations until the end of November with your existing Melodyne serial number and is installed as a separate application.

The Audio Damage 907A Fixed Filter Bank plug-in is a faithful recreation of the Moog Modular Synthesizer's 907A module. This plug-in creates a variety of tonal effects by passing its input signal through eight band-pass filters, one low-pass filter and one high-pass filter. The 907A is a subtle effect, capable of adding rich luster to pads, and giving percussive and lead synth sounds a vocal quality. It is an excellent tool for the sound designer's palette, simple to use yet capable of complex and unique timbres.

The Audio Damage 907A Fixed Filter Bank (AU/VST) costs $29,00.

Several sources claim that Apple will announce the first Intel-based Macs at its January Macworld expo, because Intel is now shipping it dual-core "Yonah" processor. The "Yonah" chipset can be included in a mac Mini or in an iBook. Because it could cause performance disparities between the iBook and the PowerBook, sources say that PowerMac and PowerBook will be introduced late 2006 or early 2007, with use of Merom and Conroe processors. At last, other source says that new Powerbooks will be based on the current design, but will be considerably thinner. They also claim that they will be available first Quarter 2006. First will be the 15 inch, closely followed by the 17 inch.

Just wait...

The new Behringer FCA202 audio interface is now available. The FCA202 is a new low-cost and compact FireWire audio interface which includes two 1/4 inch connector inputs and outputs, 24-bit A/D and D/A converters offer 96 kHz sampling frequency, and volume-controlled headphones output. This new interface comes bundled with Ableton Live Lite 4 Behringer edition, Kristal and Audacity applications.

The FCA202 is now available in stores for $100.

Feel free to check out all the exciting event and exhibit opportunities at the upcoming Macworld Conference & Expo this coming January in San Francisco, a unique spectrum of Macintosh technology buyers come together to explore and learn about the latest Mac innovations and coolest products.

Macworld Conference & Expo 2006 will take place from 10 to 13 January '06.