Mac and Music News

Ableton just released a beta version of Live 5.2b3. This beta version natively supports new Intel-based Macs, adds full VST 2.4 support, and fixes several bugs. This beta version contains only a limited number of presets, samples, sets and lessons. You can unlock this beta version with your current Live 5 serial number, or with the beta serial number provided on the Ableton web site (3006-5523-B867-056F-28AE-4EC7) if you are not a Live 5 owner and want to try this beta on a new Intel-Mac.

Elemental audio today released an update to its Mac compatible RTAS, VST, and Audio Unit audio plug-in analysis suite, InspectorXL. The version 1.0.2 update adds numerous processing improvements, resolves several issues with the prior version, and includes interface enhancements to make InspectorXL easier on the eyes. Changes affect all six of InspectorXL's analysis modules (Spectrum Analyzer, Stereo Analyzer, Statistics, Multimeter, Vertical Level Meter, and Horizontal Level Meter) and Elemental Audio Systems highly recommends that all users move to this latest version.

The update is available for download free of charge to all current registered customers.

Apple Logic Pro 7.2 is now fully compatible with the Digidesign Pro Tools HD 7.1 systems using version 7.1 of DAE (Digidesign Audio Engine).version of DAE (Digidesign Audio Engine). All Logic features are supported, including ESB and EXS24TDM. Please note that although Logic Pro 7.2 is a universal version that runs natively on both Intel- and PowerPC-based Mac systems, Digidesign hardware and Pro Tools software are not yet compatible with Intel-based Mac systems.

The free Pro Tools 7.1cs4 update is now available on the Digidesign Web site.

Spectrasonics today announced support for its Stylus RMX Realtime Groove Module on Apple Computer's new Intel Macintosh platform. The new version of Stylus RMX supports all Mac OS X Universal Binary VST and Audio Unit hosts, including Logic Pro 7.2, Garageband 3, Ableton Live 5.2, and others. Stylus RMX is a groove-based virtual instrument plug-in that combines the power of Groove Control with Spectrasonics Advanced Groove Engine (S.A.G.E.) technology, giving users dramatic new control over groove production and performance.

Spectrasonics has opened a new Public Beta forum for registered Stylus RMX users to try out the new version and give feedback.

M-Audio announces that new Oxygen 49 and Oxygen 61 MIDI keyboards will ship soon worldwide. The Oxygen 61 model features 61-note velocity-sensitive keyboard, and the Oxygen 49 is a 49-note velocity-sensitive MIDI keyboard. Both models feature a total of 35 controllers—including 9 sliders, 8 knobs and 15 buttons— can easily map to any MIDI-assignable parameters in your hardware and software rig. While easy to program, the Oxygen's complete MIDI implementation will also allow you to go as deep as you want to go. Store 10 different setups in on-board non-volatile memory, plus manage an infinite number with our free Enigma software for Mac.

Oxygen 49 ships at $229,00 and the Oxygen 61 at $279,00.

Apple invited selected press members to a special event which will take place at Apple's company campus in Cupertino. Several sources report that Apple will unveil new Intel-based Macs (new iBook models and/or new MacBook models), and probably a new iPod with a larger display. Other sources report that Intel is beginning the production of a single core Solo processor, which could find its way into the iBook or Mac mini successors.

Just wait...

An update to the free Impromptu audio-visual environment has been released. Impromptu is an OSX programming environment for composers, sound artists, VJ's and graphic artists with an interest in live or interactive programming in the Scheme (Lisp) langauge. The new version includes a number of new features especially with regard to its graphic capabilities along with stability and performance enhancements.

Full liste of major additions 0.95 and download are available on the Impromptu web site.

Antares announces that Auto-Tune has been updated to version 4.3.9 for Mac OS X in TDM, RTAS, Audio Units, MAS, and VST formats. This new release adds optimizations for Pro Tools 7 (TDM and RTAS version) and fixes some minor bugs. Auto-Tune by Antares is a pitch correcting plug-in working in two modes : The Automatic Mode corrects the pitch of a vocal or solo instrument in real time, and the Graphical Mode displays the performance's detected pitch enveloppe and allows you to draw in the desired pitch using a variety of graphics tools.

Zygoat today announces the immediate availability of Doggiebox 1.3, an update
to its percussion sequencing software for Mac OS X. Version 1.3 introduces some significant features and improvements, including:

- velocity adjustment is now possible,
- a new floating inspector window provides control over time signature and tempo, default velocity, etc, new commands to insert and delete beats.
- changing time signature now preserves a bar's structure,
- zooming is now adjustable for individual bars, and is persistent,
- Playback tempo is now adjustable in real time according to inbound,
- Many other bug fixes and usability enhnacements.

Doggiebox is available at $39. Updates from previous versions are free for all current users and a free evaluation version is available for download.

ReNOVAtor, previously released for PC–based DAWs, is now available for Mac users of Pro Tools' AudioSuite platform. reNOVAtor is a high resolution processor. It can remove unwanted disturbances without audibly affecting the original program, even if the impairment overlaps desired material. reNOVAtor works when all other conventional audio tools and editing tricks fail.

The Mac OS version of reNOVAtor for Pro Tools AudioSuite is available now for 2490 euros...