Mac and Music News

Roland Corporation US is proud to announce they are now offering the vintage Roland CR-78 sound set for a limited time, exclusive for MV users. One of Roland's first COMPURHYTHM drum machines, the CR-78 featured 34 different preset rhythms and unique analog drum sounds that are second to none. This MV-8000 download package joins the TR-808 sound set and the TR-527 sound set, which are also available for free on their web site.

MOTU has just updated Digital Performer to version 5.1.1. This maintenance release includes numerous program enhancements and optimizations. The 5.11 update also includes hundreds of new presets for DP5's six included virtual instrument plug-ins. Of course this is a free update for all DP 5.x owners.

Best Service is now shipping Chris Hein - Guitars which is a Kontakt Player 2 based virtual guitar library offering thousands of samples, many articulations and dynamics all in one preset per instrument. It includes 40,000 samples and 18 GB of sample content.

Main Features:

* Kontakt player 2 included.
* ~40,000 Samples, 18 GB content.
* 3,000 - 6,000 samples per instrument.
* Over 30 articulations in one preset.
* Up to 13 velocities.
* 70 intelligent MIDI controllers.

Instruments:

* E-Guitar Clean
* E-Guitar Blues
* E-Guitar Chorus
* Jazz Guitar Plectrum
* Jazz Guitar Finger
* Steel Guitar Plectrum
* Nylon Guitar Finger
* Banjo
* Mandolin

Chris Hein - Guitars has an MSRP of €399 / $499 and is available for Windows and Mac OS X in VST, AU, DX, RTAS and stand-alone formats. Videos and audio demos are available on this web site :

After the recent announcement of BassLine Pro 2, AudioRealism now announces Drum Machine, a new plug-in for Windows and Mac OS X that contains two modeled vintage drum machines with additional features such as a Pattern controlled filter and a distortion unit.

Features:

* Two realtime switchable drum machine models, 11 sounds for Model A and 8 for Model B.
* Internal 32 step sequencer with global accent per step, four pre-scale selections per pattern.
* Various pattern transformation functions.
* Full MIDI CC with learning function.
* MIDI Output.
* Rebirth pattern import.
* Two MIDI modes (Pattern and Note).
* Integrated distortion unit.
* Pattern controlled filter (PCF).
* Sample accurate sync to host.

Drum Machine is expected to be released in Q1 2007 for Mac OS X in Audio Units format with pricing to be announced. ABL and ABL Pro registered users will receive a cross-grade offer.

Universal Audio have launched two major worldwide fall promotions for UA's Hardware and Software products. The Universal Rack Rebate offers up to $200 cash back from UA on hardware purchases through UA's worldwide dealer network. The Holiday Season plug-in sale offers discounts of up to 50% on the UAD plug-in collection at UA's online store. Both promotions are limited-time and will run until December 31st 2006.

Universal Rack Rebate Details:

* $50 Cash back for: LA-3A, SOLO.110, SOLO/610
* $100 Cash back for: 1176LN, 2-610, LA-610
* $150 Cash back for: Dual LA-3A, 2-1176, 6176
* $200 Cash back for: LA-2A, 2192

For more information see this web page :

Steinberg has made Pre-Release version of HALion available for download for registered users. While preliminary testing carried out with this version indicates that it is stable and reliable, it has not gone through Steinberg's full QA testing cycle. Therefore, this pre-release version is not officially supported.

Improvements:

* Keyboard: visualisation of used Key Ranges (Megatrigg).
* Instantiation of HALion has been improved regarding the loading time.

Fixes:

* Mapping Chromatic of imported samples failed when activating "Use included Root Keys".
* Send FXs were not correctly load in projects and in banks (fxb).
* Crash could occur when loading a program (fxp) where velocity crossfade were used.
* Crash could occur when loading a bank (fxb) which uses FX and a diff ...

QuikQuak has just updated its reverb and acoustic room simulator RaySpace to version 2.5. New features include a new super-smooth diffusion engine, 90 categorized presets (including production settings), stereo impulse export options and Rename, Load and Save single FX presets.

SAC (Senior Audio Consultant) Pro Audio is now shipping their new PUMP 6a and 8a Direct Field Monitor Speakers in the US and Canadian markets through their distributor, Kaysound Imports.
The PUMP Series monitors are built with a thick 25mm faceplate and solid, rear ported speaker cabinets for powerful low frequency response and durability. The PUMP Series offers a choice of a 6" or 8" mineral-filled polypropylene cone with a high temperature voice coil and damped rubber surrounds coupled with high-efficiency ferrofluid-cooled natural soft dome tweeters with a dedicated filter for an exceptionally clean sound. Two high signal-to-noise ratio amplifiers (dedicated woofer and tweeter) with a fourth order electronic crossover circuit provides a smooth frequency response and SPLs up to 91 dB. T ...

Roxio has updated Toast 7 Titanium to version 7.1.2.

features :

* Resolves issues relating to saving projects on Intel Mac.
* Resolves crashes encoding MPEG video files.
* Includes Deja Vu backup scheduler v3.2.3 which addresses 2 minor security issues.

Sonoma Wire Works announces a free downloadable demo of RiffWorks Standard that may be used to join the RiffRumble V contest that will end on November 30th. It has most of the same features as RiffWorks Standard - intuituve recording interface, 7 effects, REX Player and more! Saving is enabled, so the songs you create with the demo will work when you buy RiffWorks Standard.

Digitalmusician.net has released Digital Musician Messenger (DMM), and updated Digital Musician Link (DML) to v1.6. The new plug-in makes handling sessions easier for all users and gives ProTools and Logic users access to the community's recording functions. DMM, as does the DML, creates a direct audio/video and chat connection between two sequencers such as Logic and Pro Tools. In contrast to the DML, the DMM is specially designed to work on the master channel insert. Besides the possibility of a video conference with the production partner, remote recording sessions can be simply supervised. Thus, it is possible for producers to coach their artists during a recording session without undue cost and time loss at any time and any place in the world. Using the Send File feature, uncompressed ...

SM Pro Audio is now shipping their new ADDA 192-S, a two-channel, 24-bit, 192-kHz AD/DA converter. Two high quality combo connectors are provided on the front panel for easy connectivity of mic or line level sources. The mic inputs feature preamps with switchable 48V phantom power and -20dB PAD. High-quality internal analog circuitry ensures optimum analog performance, while digital connectivity is provided in the form of both optical and coaxial S/PDIF I/O. The unit is designed to operate from internal or external sync (via S/PDIF). The built in headphone amp and analog/digital rotary mix controls allow the ADDA 192-S to be monitored effectively in any situation. The master XLR and headphone output signal can be specifically tailored to provide a controlled mix level of both the analog and digital inputs.

The ADDA 192-S is now available for $499.

WaveMachine Labs has updated Drumagog to v4.08b.

Changes:

* Keyboard problems in Pro Tools 7 fixed (spacebar issue).
* Fixed issue with Drumagog not showing up in Pro Tools XP.
* Fixed graphics issues with Logic and DP.
* Further improvements to the auto align algorithms.
* Various other improvements.

A download for the new AmpliTube 2.1 is now available, providing compatibility for IK Users with Mac Intel Core Duo Systems. AmpliTube 2 users may download this software update for free and will no longer require a USB iKey or dongle for authorization. Simply follow the instructions for the software-based authorization system to easily install AmpliTube 2.1.
In addition to Mac Intel compatibility, there are several enhancements that have been implemented into AmpliTube 2.1, such as Pro Tools 7 native support and improved CPU efficiency. Also available in the update is the standalone version of AmpliTube 2.1 which includes SpeedTrainer , an audio player with pitch and speed controls that make it perfect for learning any of your favorite songs. Slow tempos of guitar solos wihtout changing t ...