Mac and Music News

Kenton unveils a couple of prototype controllers intended for use with Ableton Live or similar software. Neither unit has a final name at the moment and are temporarily being called AB Mini and AB DJ.

- The AB Mini communicates via USB, has 9 endless rotary encoders, 9 push buttons and a joystick. It is USB powered for convenience. The 9 encoder knobs can also be pushed to select MIDI channels to operate on - allowing up to 9 channels of operation. The joystick can send X and Y co-ordinates on the currently selected channel, and could be used for pitchbend and/or modulation control. The whole unit is finished in brushed aluminium with matching knobs and is the same width as a 12" powerbook.

- The AB DJ (our photo), as its temporary name suggests, is aimed at the DJ market. Again this controller is mainly aimed at Ableton Live and Tractor users. The unit has three channel strips and a master section. Each channel strip has a Master Volume with six rotary knobs below that. Beneath that again are 6 buttons which illuminate when active, intended for mutes, AB selection and headphone monitor. Beneath that are two pads which can be used for firing off samples. The whole unit is finished in brushed aluminium, and has USB and MIDI ports.

Price and availability to be announced, but if you have suggestions for better names or for improvements to the designs, please fell free to contact Kenton.

Apple just announced a new version 6.0.5 for iTunes and several firmware updates for iPods :

- iTunes 6.0.5 allows you to preview, buy, and download music videos, short films, and hit TV programs on the iTunes Music Store, and sync your music and purchased videos with iPod to enjoy on the go, and allows you to sync your Nike + iPod workout data.

- iPod firmware update 1.1.2 : bugfix
- iPod Nano firmware update 1.2 : bugfix and adds sync and support for Nike + Ipod
- iPod Shuffle firmware update 1.1.4 : bugfix and adds volume limit. (iTunes 6.0.5 or later required to set a maximum volume limit for iPod Shuffle)

BoomBuzzSoftware announces an huge update to Groovetool. It adds velocity and note length functionality, as well as an extended note grid. Groovetool allows quick, simple, and intuitive way to create quantize templates, which can drag directly from groovetool's interface to most software sequencers that support creation of groove templates from midi files- Logic, DP, ProTools, and Cubase to name a few.

The previous release of groovetool is now available for free, under the new name of q-tool. Price is still $7.00 for Groovetool up to 1.2. Put some life into those boring old pattern-based sequences!

Apple announces an update to version 7.1.2 for QuickTime. This new 7.1.2 update addresses an issue previewing iDVD projects. This 50 Mb update is recommended for all QuickTime 7 users, and is available via the Softawre Update Utility or on the Apple Web site.

This year, the Apple Expo '06 will take place from 12 to 16 September in Paris at Paris-Expo, Hall 5, Portes de Versailles. As usual, you can register online and you will then be sent an ebadge by email which needs to be presented onsite to receive your entrance pass.

Several websites report that Steve Jobs will not be at the Paris Apple Expo in September, but only at his WWDC keynote on August 7th.

XO Wave version 0.18.0 Beta is available today . XO Wave is a (DAW) Digital Audio Workstation which specializes in multi-track recording, CD mastering, and audio for video work. It runs on Mac OS X and Linux and is available in both a free version for both platforms and, for $75 US, a Pro version for the Mac, which includes additional features. New features of XO Wave include Audio Unit support, CD Text, ISRC and MCN/UPC burning support, support for session and per-file metadata, improvements to the edit window and ruler, as well as improved playback modes.

Yellow Tools announces an update to version 1.1 for Independence. This update adds several improvements such as a new Pro Groove Extension, arpeggiator, Step Sequencer, host & MIDI Automation, classic alternate mode, solo view, project preferences menu and some bufixes. Independence is asampler, virtual instrument, workstation, ...Enabled by the fusion of innovative virtual instrument technology with state-of-the-art sampler architecture, this sophisticated creativity tool meets the demands of music producers, film composers, sound designers, songwriters, and remixers.

This new version is available for free for all Independence 1 registered users.

Sound Studio has been updated to version 3.0.4 in order to fix an issue when importing/saving 24-bit audio files, and to fix an audio distortion problem with the graphic EQ under MacIntel computers. Sound Studio is a digital audio editing and recording app built for Mac OS. It allows you to take full advantage of your Mac's built-in sound recording and playback capabilities, to digitize your collection of vinyl and tapes, to do live recording of audio, to edit new and pre-existing digital audio, and to save your audio in several file formats.

The Mac OS 10.4.7 Update is available and is recommended for all users and includes general operating system fixes, as well as specific fixes for the following applications and technologies. It includes fixes for:

- sharing using AFP, SMB/CIFS, NFS and FTP file sharing protocols
- reliable access to Open Directory, LDAP and Active Directory services
- login and authentication in a variety of network environments
- file access and byte range locking with AFP file sharing
- network access when using proxy server automatic configuration files
- connecting to Cisco VPN servers using IP/Sec and NAT
- AirPort and Bluetooth wireless connectivity
- RAW camera support, including updated ATI and NVIDIA graphics drivers
- usability of Dashboard and widgets
- searching iWork '06 and Microsoft Office documents with Spotlight
- saving Word documents automatically when using a network home directory
- viewing of QuickTime streaming media behind a firewall
- audio playback in QuickTime, iTunes, Final Cut Pro, and Soundtrack Pro applications
- ensuring icons are spaced correctly when viewed on desktop, and more...

Previously available only through Digidesign training partner schools, Digidesign's Pro Tools 101 Official Courseware — the textbook for the first course of the Digidesign Training and Education Program — is now available directly through the online DigiStore, major book and music retailers, and Digidesign training partner schools. This is the first Pro Tools educational book authored by Digidesign that is available through other sources in addition to Digidesign training partner schools. Use it to study Pro Tools basics on your own or as a first step toward formal Pro Tools Certification through a Digidesign training partner school. This book is the only stand-alone offering that is part of the path to Pro Tools Operator Certification.

FXpansion announces the release of the demo version 1.5.45 of BFD. This ultra high quality disk streaming drum module features multichannel-recorded acoustic drum hit multisamples from a selection of classic kits, plus some rarities. Blend direct, overhead and room mics freely. Also includes our powerful Groove Librarian, a new and interactive way to compose drum grooves.

BFD is available in VST, Audio Units and standalone formats.