Mac and Music News

Auto-Tune, the professional solution for pitch correction from Antares, will soon be available in version 5.

Key new Auto-Tune 5 features include:

* Improved pitch detection algorithm.
* A sleek new interface.
* Consolidated Pitch Tracking control.
* Humanize function.
* Realtime natural vibrato adjustment.
* Larger Pitch Edit Display.
* Sync to host transport (host dependent).
* Selectable Clock Source.
* Realtime pitch tracking display.
* Full-time correction mode (host dependent).
* Multiple simultaneous Graphical Mode instances (host dependent).
* Editing functions no longer modal.
* Enhanced Envelope Display functionality.
* Realtime graphical vibrato depth adjustment.
* Dedicated Snap To Note button.
* Dedicated Clear All Data function.
* Compat ...

Though this is still an unofficial information we can find webpages entirely devoted to a new FireWire audio/midi interface from MOTU on their official website... This newcomer is called the 8pre and provides 16 inputs with 8 mic preamps and 12 outputs including separate phone and main outs.

For more details see the

Digidesign released Pro Tools HD 7.2cs1 for PPC-based Mac only.

This update is recommended for all Pro Tools HD 7.2 users and will not work without Pro Tools HD 7.2 for Pro Tools|HD or Pro Tools|HD Accel systems on Mac OS X 10.4 ("Tiger"), already installed.

More details on Digidesign Website.

Here's an other great news from Ableton as they just announced the availability of "Sampler", an advanced sound-design and sound-sculpting instrument available as a demo version within Ableton Live 6. In addition to providing perfect host integration, Sampler offers fresh sound-design possibilities through its unique processing and modulation options. Sampler's interface is familiar to the Live user, which results in a painless learning curve and maximum fun inside the program."

To learn more about Sampler, take the interactive tour at :

Well here is a hot news! Our friends from Ableton has just informed us that the long awaited Live 6 is available as from today! Live 6 is surely their most versatile and powerful version to date. With significant workflow improvements, Live continues to feel good as the functionality grows.

What's New?

• Quicktime video support
• The Essential Instrument Collection
• Instrument and Effect Racks (Dynamic Tube, Saturator, EQ Eight, etc.)
• Multicore and Multiprocessor support
• Deep Freeze
• New Project Management Tools
• And much more...

Live 6 is available for $599 (549 EUR). Upgrade pricing details can be found on the Ableton web site.

Apple released today the 10.4.8 update for PPC or Intel Mac, if you need networks to work, or are on a deadline, wait a little for feedback before upgrading:
"The 10.4.8 Update is recommended for all users and includes general operating system fixes, as well as specific fixes for the following applications and technologies:

- connecting to wireless networks using the EAP-FAST protocol
- Apple USB modem reliability
- using OpenType fonts in Microsoft Word
- compatibility with 3rd party USB hubs
- scanner performance
- RAW camera support
- printing documents with Asian language names
- performance of the Translation widget
- broadband network performance
- security updates

For detailed information on this Update, please visit this website: http://www.info.apple.com/kbnum/n304200"

FXpansion updates VST to RTAS adapter to 2.0, adding Universal Binary code, Pro Tools 7 optimizing, and VST 2.3 compatibility. Note that the 2.0 version is only for Pro Tools 7 users, PT 6 users should keep the 1.0.6 VST to RTAS adapter. The update price from version 1.x is $49 or 37.5 euros.

VST to AU adapter goes the 2.0 road too, with Universal Binary, a plug-in manager to select and rename the plug-ins to wrap and better stability and performances. The update price from version 1.x is $49 or 37.5 euros too.

And the surprise: to celebrate its brand new website, FXpansion offers to all its registered users Orca their new virtual instrument, an experimental monophonic virtual synth modeled from analogue synths and components.

Do you really know about Net communities that are 9 years old and growing? Have a guess… Hey, it's MacMusic! We turn 9 today! So, we'd like to thank you all for being here, working in the shadows, standing by us for 9 looong years, or just registered yesterday, to the wikimen, for that you know (or not) you share here, for your humor, for being cool, for being angry sometimes, to the pros, and the newbies alike, to the power users, to all our partners past, present and future, you rock! And, of course, to the Macs!

Celebration aside, there's still a lot of work being done right now under the hood to enhance the MacMusic experience and ensure we will be around in 9 other years along with the future growth and broader interests for all musicians. And if you have never ask a thing in the forums or use the software tracker just to name them, have a go, everybody's welcome!

And just in case you wonder, next year, yes, there will be Champagne and a real birthday cake with candles… ;)

Soundcraft has launched the compact MPM Series of multipurpose mixers. Designed for live sound, recording, houses of worship, multi-speaker installations and other applications, the MPM is available in two standard frame sizes offering either 12 (MPM12/2) or 20 (MPM20/2) mono inputs, with each model featuring two additional stereo input strips.

Our friends from Macplus.net (article in French) analyzed that Avid was under stress. Since the announcement of the coming Pro Tools compatibility with the Mac Pro, the sales of non optimized versions have fallen. "But the fall has been way more serious than foreseen and the catch up by the universal version since its release has not compensated the losses. With sales comprising usually 33% of the sales turnover, the audio branch of Avid has sent the company in a turmoil the stock market has sanctioned. The shares have dropped yesterday of 14% that is a loss of $6.28 to $37.59."