Mac and Music News

Muse Research and Sounds Online (a division of East West), have announced two new special bundle configurations that combine the Receptor hardware plug-in player with virtual instrument software from East West. The first bundle consists of a Receptor Rev. C with 2GB of RAM and a 160GB drive pre-installed with Colossus, Symphonic Choirs, EWQLSO GOLD Orchestra, and the Boesendorfer 290 piano for $2,999 (retail value of $5,382). The other bundle consists of FOUR Receptor PRO models; each with 2GB of RAM and 400GB hard drives pre-installed with EWQLSO Platinum XP, as well as Symphonic Choirs and Boesendorfer 290 for a special bundle price of $10,999 (retail value of $17,180).

Both of these special bundle configurations are available until the end of December 2006 only through Sounds Online's web site.

Responding to the massive popularity of the Little Phatty Tribute Edition, Moog Music has announced a production model and will unveil the new synth at Winter NAMM. The Little Phatty Stage Edition has the same features and analogue circuits, designed by Moog founder and inventor, Bob Moog, and also boasts improved software and a unique auto calibration feature.
The Little Phatty Stage Edition will begin shipping in February 2007.

XO Wave is a new DAW coming to MacOS and Linux, aimed at the mastering/video professional with a -logical- focus on CD mastering and audio for video.

* Red Book CD Mastering and CD burning.
* Video Support: syncing to and encoding in any QuickTime video format: music, audio for video, podcasting, vodcasting. iPod format supported.
* Multi-Track Recording and editing
* Real-Time Cross Fades.
* Unlimited Effects, Tracks, Undos.
* Built-In Effects and Audio Units: including a compressor, reverb, and EQ. Automation is available on most effects' built-in parameters and on all AU parameters that support it.
* Edit while XO Wave works.
* Edit Softening: removes pops and ticks occuring at edit points.
* Double-Precision Math: at least 64-bit double-precision math calculations.
* Intuitive, Non-destructive Interface.
* Versioning

XO Wave is free, upgrade to the pro version costs $85 to access Quicktime exports, AU, Full speed CD burning, 64 bits engine.

Solid State Logic has released Duende v1.5 which is now available for Windows and Intel-Macs in addition to the already available PPC-Mac version.
For more detail visit their web site.

VirSyn has released a time-limited, but fully functional demo version of CANTOR 2. It is limited to 20 hours of usage / 30 days and includes more than a dozen demo projects, including the one used to make VirSyn's audio demos. A short tutorial is available to help you to explore the land of vocal synthesis.

NOTE: The demo version of CANTOR 2 requires a Syncrosoft key/dongle. You can use the Syncrosoft dongle which comes with some of the products from Steinberg, Arturia, Korg, etc. or you can purchase one.

Avlex Corporation has announced that the Superlux D112/C Harmonica Microphone is now shipping. The D112/C is a dynamic microphone expressly designed for use by harmonica players which offers a wide frequency response, fits comfortably in one's hand, and is easy to hold while performing.

The Superlux D112/C Harmonica Microphone carries a MSRP of $150. It is available now.

TC Electronic has set up a PowerCore Express upgrade program which offers either a cash refund or a plug-in refund for customers with older PCI-based PowerCores wanting to purchase a new PCI Express card.

Depending on which card you're upgrading from, this form qualifies for either of the following cash refunds:

• $100 for an Element card (serialnumber starting with 701)
• $150 for a PCI card (serialnumber starting with 700)
• $200 for a PCI mkII card (serialnumber starting with 703)


This form qualifies for either of the following rebates for optional plug-ins:

• $250 for an Element card (serialnumber starting with 701)
• $300 for a PCI card (serialnumber starting with 700)
• $350 for a PCI mkII card (serialnumber starting with 703)

This upgrade offer expires on June 30th 2007. For more info visit TC Electronic's web site.

Expert Sleepers has released the second beta version of Meringue v2.0, a delay effect which can run alternately forwards and backwards.

Changes:

* Fixes crash bug when using host sync and long delay times.

Waldorf has updated the Waldorf Edition to v1.2.4, this update is strongly recommended for all users of the new Waldorf Edition package published by Waldorf. It addresses several issues that only occur in some hosts. It also contains the sound banks of the PPG Wave 2.V in the format of v1.2.2 and higher, because some hosts have difficulties loading banks in the old format into the new version of the PPG Wave 2.V.

Note: This update only works with the Waldorf Edition published by Waldorf. The update does not work with and is not needed for the legacy Waldorf Edition published by Steinberg. Customers of Steinberg's Waldorf Edition can upgrade to the new Waldorf Edition. Contact your local distributor for details.