Mac and Music News

Metro has been updated to version 6.3.5.2 and Metro SE and LX to version 6.3.5.2. Metro is a fast-operating, easy-to-learn sequencer for the design of professional audio projects. It stands alone as a complete and integrated MIDI, audio and video production system. Metro's audio system supports up to 64 audio tracks. Each track can have its own effect chain. Eight aux busses are also supported. Each with their own chain. Chains can be made up of VST effects and/or AudioUnits (OS X only). VST 2.0 is completely supported. All effects can be automated. Real-time editing is encouraged.

These updated versions are available in our software section.

The Audio Unit version of Ambient Keys 1.5 for Mac OS X was released in March and now the release of version 1.5 for VST hosts on Mac OS X is available. Ambient Keys is a synthesizer, which plays an extensive set of ambient waveforms, processing these using a filter, envelopes, an LFO, an ensemble, delays and an effect section which features 133 different effect modes, including crossfading effects and layered effects. Current release is for PowerPC Macs only. Next release will be a universal binary, tested on Intel.

Price is $99, including the three soundpacks.

Because of public demand, here's a news item about Garageband : Apple announced an update for Garageband to version 3.0.2. This update addresses issues with video handling, podcast exporting, and importing QuickTime markers. It also addresses a number of other minor issues.

Garageband is a software to perform, record, and create music.

Digidesign has officially qualified Mac OS X 10.4.6 for PPC with all of the following systems:

- Pro Tools HD 7.0/7.1
- Pro Tools LE 7.0/7.1
- Pro Tools M-Powered 7.0/7.1

This qualification is only for PowerPC models.Intel-based Macs are currently not supported with any version of Pro Tools. Digidesign currently anticipates that we will release versions of Pro Tools LE 7 and Pro Tools M-Powered 7 software that are compatible with Intel-based Apple computers in May 2006.

Massenburg Designworks EQ 2.0 has been replaced with new installers for Mac. The plug-ins (MDWEQ5B and MDWEQ3B0) remain at version 2.0.0, with the following changes included in the new installer:

- A fix for distortion problems experienced by some users with the 3-band EQ.
- Installer now correctly moves the original MDW EQ (version 1.x) to the "Plug-Ins (Unused)" folder if version 1.x was previously installed.

The Audio Unit and RTAS versions of Wave Arts version 5 plug-ins will now run on the new Intel powered Mac computers. The 5.10 update also includes some bug fixes which apply to all Mac and PC plug-in formats. The update version 5 plug-ins include: TrackPlug, MultiDynamics, MasterVerb, FinalPlug and Panorama.

The update for existing customers is free and Wave Arts plug-ins are available for Mac OS X as AU, VST, MAS, and RTAS formats.

Sony will release a new MD : MZ-RH1 with Mac support via a new software available next summer (april in Japan and June in Europe). Mini : 8,7 x 8,7 x 1,7 cm, Light : 106 grammes, 1 OLED monitor, 1 audio input, USB 2 support, wired Remote control
battery autonomy : 19 h, and a new bass enhanced amplifier.

Approximative price : 343 $.

Apple today unveiled its new MacBook Pro notebook computer featuring a 2.16 GHz Intel Core Duo processor and an all new system architecture that delivers up to five times the performance of the PowerBook G4. The new 17-inch MacBook Pro 17-inch MacBook Pro will begin shipping next week for a suggested retail price of $2,799. It includes:

- 17-inch widescreen 1680 x 1050 LCD display with 300 cd/m2 brightness;
- 2.16 GHz Intel Core Duo processor;
- 1GB of 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM, expandable to 2GB;
- 120GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 5400 rpm, with Sudden Motion Sensor;
- a slot-load 8x SuperDrive(TM) with double-layer support (DVD+R DL / DVD+/-RW / CD-RW) optical drive;
- PCI Express-based ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 with 256MB GDDR3 memory;
- DVI-out port for external display (VGA-out adapter included,
- Composite/S-Video out;
- built-in Dual Link support for driving Apple 30-inch Cinema HD Display;
- built-in iSight video camera;
- Gigabit Ethernet port;
- built-in AirPort Extreme wireless networking and Bluetooth 2.0+EDR;
- ExpressCard/34 expansion card slot;
- three USB 2.0 ports, one FireWire 800 port, and one FireWire 400 port;
- one audio line in and one audio line out port, each supporting both optical digital and analog;
- Scrolling TrackPad and illuminated keyboard with ambient light sensor;
- the infrared Apple Remote;
- 68 watt hour lithium polymer battery; and
- 85 watt Apple MagSafe Power Adapter.

Expert sleepers announces the Universal Binary version of Crossfade Loop Synth Audio Units for both Intel-based and PowerPC-based Macs. Crossfade Loop Synth is a simple sample playback synth plug-in. It plays samples in the classic sampler manner - by simply altering the playback speed according to the desired note. No fancy timestretching or pitchshifting is applied.

This shareware is available in our siftware section.

MacMusic proudly announces a new article about speakers and monitoring, written by our friend Bruce Dunet. You'll know all about what are good monitors, closed cabinet versus bass–reflex, woofer mass, dynamic and more...Bruce Dunet is active in the Proaudio market for many years as sound engineer, responsible for the Sales and marketing of many of the top manufacturer's products.

Enjoy your reading.