Mac and Music News

CL3 was showing at the AES the Gemincore, a small but exceptional amplification module. About the size of a big matchbox, this circuit in Class D is both powerful (250W in 4 Ohms, 150W in 8 Ohms, 1000W peak, 97% efficiency, NO heatsink!) and of exceptional qualities in both the noise and distorsion department. The electronics can be bought in kit form, for a 2 ways expandable to 4 amplifier, or for OEM integration in active monitors (expect other studio monitors featuring these later ;) We could hear the result of the tight PWM at work thru passive and active ASA monitors with both truthful and pleasing details (but neutral still), stereo image, depth, transients… I've found out some details in some Björk songs I've never heard before.

CL3: Kit: amplifier module 237€, Powering unit, 120€
Stereo Gemincore amplifier 2500€
ASA range starts from the active Baby at 2600€ per pair up to the passive Grand Monitor Pro

FLExible Audio shown on the Audioaddict booth at the AES it's brand new Monday microphone in prototype state, as usual for FLEA handcrafted. It is a low cost mic with a F7 (read M7) capsule just like the "bottle" models Fester, Morticia and Lurch, a Siemens tube, a big output transformer. It'll be followed by the Tuesday with a more sensitive K67 capsule not to mention the other days of the WEEK after. I could try the FLEA 12 (replica of the C12) on a the brand new Little Labs preamp rack it was really sweet on my voice (bass-baryton).

Price TBA, Monday and Tuesday availability later this year.

ATD2 presented at the AES the just finished prototypes of the coming FAR XM 8.D. It is a midfield 3 way active monitor precursor of the forthcoming new XM range. Each monitor features 2 sets of AES/EBU inputs and outputs, D/A converters at 24 bits/96 kHz, DSP running at 24 bits/48 kHz with a 10 bands EQ, delay, filters… Each way has a amplificator of respectively 120 Wms, 40 Wms and 40 Wms. Even with the monitors still in prototype state and uncalibrated the depth and the stereo image is already impressive.

8 series 1800€ per monitor, available in june.

Native Instruments releases an update to version 5.1.1 for its Reaktor. This update features :

- Fixed multichannel AU compatibility with Logic 7.2
- Fixed cross-platform plugin streaming bug
- Fixed a plugin streaming bug occuring when controls are controlling other controls in an ensemble
- Fixed Protools TDM Mac bug (ensembles containing core cells causing Protools error messages)

You can download this update in our software section.

Sagan announced a pre-release version of Metro 6.3.5.4. Thise release adds a new slider in the jukebox window, adds a new plug-in option 'configure to stereo output', and Play Quantize has been implemented for MIDI soft synths. This version also fixes some bugs (Intel-Mac plug-ins errors, program name banks problems, better .ins file support and others). Metro is a fast-operating, easy-to-learn high-powered sequencer for the design of professional audio projects. It stands alone as a complete and integrated MIDI, audio and video production system.

Here are some pictures of the latest AES show, including some beautiful consoles.

Apple announces an update to version 7.2.1 for Logic Express. This new updated of Logic Express 7.2.1 is a maintenance release that addresses isolated reliability and compatibility issues in the following areas:

- Intel Macs: ReWire and ReCycle support
- Standard MIDI file export
- Compatibility with GarageBand 3 projects and Logic 7.1 songs
- Direct playback of MP3 files.

This update is free and is of course available as a download in the MacMusic software section. Please also note that owners of Logic Express 7 can crossgrade to Logic Express 7.2 Universal Binary version for $29.

Universal Audio announces its two new UAD-1e Express PAK and UAD-1e Expert PAK, PCI Express DSP Cards & Powered Plug-Ins.

- The UAD-1e Express PAK will cost $499 (with a plugin voucher of $100)

- Expert PAK will cost $999 (with a plugin voucher of $750)

These two cards will ship Quarter 3 of 2006, with a 15 free plug-in suite, including vintage equalizers & compressors, mastering tools, lush reverbs, guitar FX, and officially licensed classic hardware emulations from Roland and Neve.

IK Multimedia announces that its Ampeg SVX plugin is now shipping worldwide. This Bass Amp modeling plugin includes over 20 Ampeg bass amps, such as SVT Classic, the SVT 5 PRO, the BA500 or the B15R, and of course effects designed for bass : Chorus, Delay, Flanger, Phaser, Octaver, Wah, Auto Filter, Distortion, Graphic EQ and Compressor.

Ampeg SVX plugin costs $399/€329.

A demo version of Renoise 1.5.2 Universal Binary version for Both Intel and PowerPC Macs is now available. Renoise is the next generation of music tracker software, combining studio quality sound and virtually infinite expandability with a clear and concise interface putting every parameter and option literally at your fingertips!

This demo version needs OS X 10.3.9 or higher.

Vienna Symphonic Library has updated its Vienna Instruments to version 1.0.6. This release adds core and graphic improvements, and is available as VST version for Mac OS X. Vienna Instruments include solo strings, chamber strings, orchestral strings I, orchestral strings II, harps, woodwinds I, woodwinds II, brass I , brass II and percussion.

Details on the Vienna Symphonic Library web site.