Mac and Music News

Quantum FX has been updated to version 2.0.3, in order to fix a VST/AU memory leak. Quantum FX is a software modular effects system that enables musicians and sound engineers to design, build and modify plug-in effects and audio tools. The system is supplied with over 50 professional quality ready-to-use effects and audio tools, with more available from the Quantum FX online effects library.

Speakerphone is a speaker simulator plug-in, powered by Altiverb. A bad GSM connection on a busy sidewalk, a bullhorn with feedback and a helicopter overhead, or a 1952 rockabilly guitar amp in a recording studio live room: Speakerphone gives you authentic speakers of any size together with their natural environments. Speakerphone combines a wealth of effects including a convolution engine that uses actual samples of hundreds of original speakers, a radio receiver tuning dial, record player scratch and static generator, GSM cell phone data compression, distortion, tremolo, delay, a variety of EQ and dynamics and more...

Speakerphone be soon available for Mac OS X in VST, AU, RTAS, MAS and AudioSuite formats.

The new AES Paris Website is live! You can now access the full AES Convention Calendar, registration area, and full program of technical sessions and exhibits which will take place for the first time in the Paris Expo which is the leading French exhibition center and the fourth biggest complex in Europe.

120 AES Convention will take place from May 20 to May 23 in Paris.

SoundToys announced that the SoundToys Native Effects bundle for Mac OS X is now shipping. This bundle contains six plug-ins together into a single package :

- EchoBoy : with 30 echo/delay emulations;
- FilterFreak : analog sounding single or dual resonant filter;
- PhaseMistress : emulations of classic and modern phase shifters;
- Tremolator : classic tremolo emulations, dynamic control and Rhythm ;
- Crystallizer : retro pitch-shifting, reverse granular echo;
- SPEED (AudioSuite only) : high quality tempo/time control and pitch-shifting.

This bundle for Pro Tools LE OS X ships at $495 (Audio Units version to follow).

IDrum is now available as version 1.5. Since version 1.1, iDrum works for both new MacIntel and PowerPC Macs. iDrum is now manufactured by Izotope. IDrum is a drum machine that turns any Macintosh computer into a slamming beatbox ready to lay down your grooves, your way. From ambient downtempo to bangin' hip hop to frenetic drum and bass, iDrum has got your back (beat).

iDrum is a shareware available in the MacMusic software section.

The third Circuit Bending Festival will be held in New York, USA from the 19th to the 23rd of April. This is a unique occasion to ear live performances, participate to workshops on how to bend both for adults and kids (some are to pre-register to attend), and envision installations.

Performances $5, $7, $10 or free…Worshops from free and up to $60 (cost of materials). Bent is held 15 Nassau Street 10005 New York.

M-Audio brings support for Apple's new Intel-based Mac computers to the company's complete line of FireWire- and USB-compatible peripherals. M-Audio has posted official drivers for Fast Track USB, Fast Track Pro, MobilePre USB, JamLab, Transit USB, Audiophile USB, FireWire Solo, FireWire Audiophile, FireWire 410, FireWire 1814, ProjectMix I/O, Ozonic, M-Audio Ozone, Oxygen 8, MIDISPORT 2x2, MIDISPORT 1x1, MIDISPORT 4x4, MIDISPORT 2x4 and MIDISPORT 8x8/s.

Alphakanal updates its Automat to version 0.4 in order to adds a new chorus code, phasor and allpass filter. Automat is a substrative synthesizer faturing subtractive synthesis, 3 antialiased oscilators, filters and amplifier, 2 ADSR's for filter and amplifier and 6 modulators with tempo sync.

Automat is a freeware available in the MacMusic software section.