Mac and Music News

EASTWEST (www.soundsonline.com), introduced six new virtual instrument collections including "Fab Four", an accurate and comprehensive collection of instruments that was used by the Beatles to record their music (a must have collection!). Also introduced is Quantum Leap Gypsy, Quantum Leap Ministry of Rock, Quantum Leap Pianos, Quantum Leap SD2, Quantum Leap Voices of Passion.

All EastWest Quantum leap virtual instruments now use proprietary sample engine, called "PLAY" leaving Kontakt players behind. PLAY's 64-bit support allows the user to load many more instruments and voices, limited only by the host system's RAM. The advanced storage and streaming technology used in PLAY's high-quality resampling engine enables samples to be played back at 24 or 16-bit sample rate.

Bassists are often asking for plug-in dedicated to their instrument. Primo Media released bassPath Audio Unit Plug-In that provides effects processing path for bass guitar or synth bass. BassPath includes distortion/overdrive, limiter, speaker cabinet emulator, Three band variable EQ, Chorus, and Delay. Custom user settings are supported, along with four factory settings.

Requirements: Mac OS X and Audio Units host application such as Garage Band (3.0 or later recommended) , Sound Studio 3, Rax, Logic (7.2 or later), AU Lab, Audio Unit Hosting, and others.

Not necessary to be left handed ! IK Multimedia announces AmpliTube® 2 Jimi Hendrix Edition, a "virtual and authentic" software recreation of the complete guitar amp and effects rig of Jimi Hendrix.

AmpliTube 2 Jimi Hendrix Edition Features :

· 5 modules including tuner, stomp pedal board, amp head, cabinet+mic and rack effects on 2 series parallel
· 9 Vintage Stomp Effects models
· 4 Vintage Amp models
· 7 Vintage Cabinet models
· 5 Microphone models
· 4 Rack Effects models
· Available as a VST, RTAS, AU plug-in (as well as a standalone application) for Mac OS X and Windows

AmpliTube 2 Jimi Hendrix Edition will be available within the first quarter of 2007 with an approximative price $249/€199 (tax excluded). Note that AmpliTube 2 users will be able to upgrade to the Jimi Hendrix edition at a special reduced of $199/€169 (tax excluded). And the wind cries Mary...

Dynaudio Acoustics has announced the new BM 6A mk II and BM 12A active monitors which are based on the famous BM 5A. The BM 6A Mk II is a two-way full analog active nearfield monitor with a 6.9" woofer and 1.1" soft dome tweeter while the BM 12A is a two-way full analog active nearfield monitor with an 8" neodymium magnet woofer and 1.1" soft dome neodymium tweeter.

The BM 6A MKII retails at EUR 680 each excl. VAT. The BM 12A retails at EUR 900 each excl. VAT. For more information, please visit Dynaudio's web site.

Apogee has announced Symphony Mobile audio interface for Macbook Pro. It uses an Express Card to connect your Macbook Pro directly to X-Symphony equipped Rosetta or X-series converters. This allows a maximum of 32 tracks in and out at up to 192kHz, with latency as low as 1.6ms (at 96kHz), when using two AD16Xs and two DA16X converters. Like the PCI-based Symphony cards, Symphony Mobile comes with Maestro, a software package that allows you to adjust input and output routings to and from Core Audio applications without the need for physical patching. Also included is Vbus, which enables signals from different Core Audio applications to be routed to each other.

Symphony Mobile systems will be available in March 2007, and the most basic package, a 2-in, 2-out system based on a Rosetta 200 complete with X-Symphony option card, will cost... $2790... without the Macbook of course !

Rob Papen has announced Predator, a new virtual synthesizer that combines "inspiring presets" and "first-class features" with a user interface designed so that almost all controls are visible on screen, making it "fun and easy-to-use". Predator includes powerful features such as Preset Morphing, Intelligent Preset Variation, MIDI and Synth Controllable FX, Unison Detune, Chord Memory and a versatile Arpeggiator. It also includes PredatorFX, allowing you to use the filters, modulations, effects and vocoder as an FX plug-in within your music host.

Predator is expected to be released in February 2007 for Mac OS X (UB) in VST (2.4), AU and RTAS plug-in formats with an MSRP of $149.

Lexicon unveils the new MX300 and the MX500 Stereo Reverb Effects Processors at the Winter Namm 2007.
The MX300 is a single rack-space, 2-in, 2-out unit, it combines an intuitive front-panel design with Lexicon's "Hardware Plug-In" technology, an USB connection and VST/AU interface for use with software recording platforms. The MX500 features 4-in, 4-out, an audio streaming firewire technology and VST/AU interface for use with software recording platforms. The MX500 also offers 4 channel surround algorithms.

The MX300 will be available at an estimated street price of $399.95. The MX500 at an estimated street price of $499.95. For more info, visit Lexicon web site.

Devine Machine Software has announced that the long-awaited Krishna Synth will finally be released this Spring and will be available for Mac OS X in VST, AU, RTAS and Stand-alone formats. Pricing is not yet available but a feature list and a video are available here.

Tascam has announced FireOne, a FireWire audio interface with shortcut keys and a weighted jog wheel developed with Frontier Design Group.

Features :

- 2-in / 2-out FireWire Audio Interface, bus powered or with the included power supply
- Up to 192kHz/24-bit audio resolution
- Two XLR mic inputs with phantom power and pad
- 1/4″ high impedance input for recording guitar direct
- Two 1/4″ stereo headphone outputs with separate level control
- Control surface: weighted, backlit jog wheel, transport controls, eight DAW shortcut keys
- Stereo LED meter
- Footswitch input, MIDI in/out

The FireOne is scheduled to ship in March with a street price of $299 and will include Cubase LE or Ableton Live Lite.