Mac and Music News

Please let me introduce you to Reactable, a research project from Universitat Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona. It's a translucent table with a camera and a projector underneath. The camera scans the positions of various blocks, which can be twisted and linked. Several simultaneous performers share complete control over the instrument by moving physical artefacts on the table surface and constructing different audio topologies in a kind of tangible modular synthesizer or graspable flow-controlled programming language... The sounds - as implemented - are quite "experimental" but the design of the hardware is just incredible ! Just have a look at their web site and let me know !

MODARTT has released two new add-ons for use with Pianoteq: a Conrad Graf (1826) and a Johann Schantz (1790), two pianoforte built in Vienna. They complement the two other pianoforte already available: a Donat Schöffstoss (1812) and a Johann Evangelist Schmidt (1790). These four pianoforte represent the important period of piano music around 1800, and are located in Kremsegg Schloss museum, Kremsmünster, Austria, and Handelhaus museum, Halle, Germany. These add-ons are offered for free for use with Pianoteq. They are created in the frame of the non profit cultural project KIViR (Keyboard Instrument Virtual Restoration) which concerns historic keyboard instruments museums.
On a long-term basis, MODARTT aims to build an important collection of digital copies of historic instruments from all parts of the world, serving as maintainable testimony of the past.

ReFuse Software has announced Lowender, a subharmonic synthesizer, reminiscent of classic analog dual-band bass enhancer circuits. While taking classic subharmonic generator circuitry as its core, the Lowender expands on the concept in several ways :

- First, it offers switchable frequency ranges, so that the low end frequencies generated can be selected to fit the program material. In addition to the "Classic" frequency range (generating subharmonics from 24-56 Hz), there are also ranges suitable for the lowest octaves of guitar and bass.

- Second, the generated subharmonics pass through a gate tailored for low frequencies, which is useful for cleaning up unwanted bass rumble (e.g. from between kick drum hits in a drum loop).

- Third, the Lowender passes the bass material thro ...

Dreamtek, Apple Solution Experts for Audio are holding a free event for music producers, artists and anyone involved in music, on Tuesday 28th November at the Strongroom bar in London EC2A, part of the Strongroom Studios. The event starts at 3pm and finishes at 7pm.

Headline guest producers Future Cut and Mike Pelanconi, who produced the number one Lily Allen 'Smile' track, who will be showing visitors just how they put the track together, using the NEW Powerful Mac Pro and Logic Pro software. See how the project evolved, from original sample material to how it was reworked and audio editing methods that were used. Future Cut explains the vocal tracks and special methods used to create the song, how they used Logics internal software instruments, mixing methods and automation.

Sonic ...

Antares has announced the availability of Universal Binary versions of AVOX - The Antares Vocal Toolkit. The new versions are free updates to current owners of the AVOX suite of vocal processing plug-ins as well as owners of individual AVOX plug-ins. They may be downloaded from the Antares website. The Universal Binary versions of AVOX are available for Mac RTAS, VST and Audio Units.

D16 group has announced Drumazon, a virtual drum synthesizer emulating the well-known classic drum machine. Drumazon is scheduled for release on December 15th, 2006 priced at €149, although it can be pre-ordered for €119 until then. It will be available as a VST instrument for Windows and Mac OS X (Universal Binary). Audio demos are already available.
For more detail see their web site.

M-Audio has announced shipment of the new MidAir wireless USB MIDI system and MidAir 37 wireless keyboard controller. Combined with the MidAir 25 keyboard controller, these new additions round out a complete family of wireless products.
The MidAir wireless MIDI transmitter and receiver system allows users to wirelessly transmit data from any device that outputs MIDI—keyboards, drum machines, electronic drums and more. Users can simply plug the battery-powered transmitter into the MIDI Out port on their controller of choice and connect the receiver to the MIDI In port on the device they would like to control. The MidAir receiver also includes a USB port and functions as a class-compliant 1 x 1 MIDI interface for connecting to a computer.
The MidAir 37 allows users to take control of any ...

Nomad Factory and DontCrac[k] proudly announces the launch of an incredible Group Buy offer that will allow customers to "group" and purchase any of five professional plugin bundles at up to 60% discount during a limited period of time. The idea is very simple : The more signups, the greater the discount...

Nomad Factory here want's to celebrate the launch of their new Blue Tubes Bundle V3 that they decided to make available in DontCrack's very hot Group Buy offer.

IK Multimedia has released version 2.2.1 of SampleTank, providing compatibility with Intel-Macs. SampleTank 2 L and XL users may download this software update for free on the IK Web site.

Additional enhancements in SampleTank 2.2.1 include:

* Mac OS X (standalone version) improved MIDI compatibility.
* MIDI Program Changes reliability improved.
* Dramatically improved load time speed when loading instruments.
* Improved search function reliability.
* Pro Tools 7 native support.
* Improved Audio Units multi-channel support.
* Fixed minor OS X installer issues.
* Fixed Audio Units BPM sync.

AudioRealism has announced Bass Line 2 and the most important feature is .... the sound :

* The bass is improved for less muddiness.
* The filter has been improved to incorporate subtle nonlinear effects for additional squelch.
* The distortion unit has been improved with less aliasing.
* The controls have been calibrated to better match the response of the original.

There are also several new features:

* Pattern analyzer with Audio detection
(it can create patterns using audio files as a source)
* Improved filter emulation
The filter has been improved so as to include the nonlinear behavior of the original
* Accent ducking
* Pattern library
* Two new 3D skins included

Other improved features:

* MIDI Learn function now displays all mapped CCs.
* Load m ...

M-Audio has announced its new NRV10 analog mixer with an integrated FireWire interface. Designed as a nerve center for computer-based recording and performance, the NRV10 boasts a professional-quality 8 x 2 analog mixer with a built-in 10 x 10 24-bit/96kHz FireWire digital audio interface. The NRV10 provides easy analog mixer control over direct feeds from multiple computer-based tracks, while elements like live vocals can run through the same processing used in the original studio tracks. The NRV10 also has built-in digital effects to enhance tracks without the hassle of modifying files. The unit also features a built-in effects section with 16 effects, including reverbs, delays, rotary speaker, flanger, chorus, tremolo, etc..., and in addition to the onboard effects, the included NRV10 i ...

The Ardour project is happy to be able to announce the involvement and support of Solid State Logic (SSL), one of the most respected and trusted names in the field of audio technology. SSL has chosen to support Ardour's development and to promote the idea of its broader adoption within the audio technology industry.
For more information see the Ardour Project web site.

Digidesign has announced the new Mbox® 2 Mini, an ultra-compact, USB-powered Pro Tools LE system that packs professional features into a robust, easy-to-use audio workstation. Powered by industry-standard Pro Tools LE software, the Mbox 2 Mini ships with a powerful set of creation tools for composing, recording, and mixing music and audio. Mbox 2 Mini includes some of the same tools used by many audio professionals including DigiRack plug-ins, Bomb Factory® plug-ins, the Xpand! sample-playback/synthesis workstation, and the Pro Tools Ignition Pack, which features an extensive collection of creation tools from Ableton, Propellerhead Software, IK Multimedia, Broadjam.com, and more.

Mbox 2 Mini Features

* Professional sound quality (up to 24-bit/48 kHz)
* Two simultaneous analog inpu ...