Mac and Music News

SonicBirth, the Mac OS X Audio Unit / VST designing application that allows users to build their own Audio Unit / VST plugins, either by working with existing circuits or by creating circuits completely from scratch, has been updated to version v1.2.0 and released as freeware and open-source (GPL) (available on SourceForge).

Focusrite will unveil a new OS for their Liquid Mix at Musik Messe 2007 that delivers a number of improvements over the original software.
The new software features an EQ side-chain on the compressor, providing an additional one-band EQ to be fed into the side-chain of any classic compressor emulation. Combined with the existing 'Listen' feature, this provides the ideal solution for high quality de-essing and more creative compression. It also ensures that the Hardware follows the Software GUI functionality in every way and delivers improved stability on both PC and Mac, making Liquid Mix rock-solid, even when operating with all 32 instances simultaneously. On top of that Liquid Mix v2.0 offers variable buffer size as well as supporting large DAW buffer sizes, helping to ensure lower lat ...

Toontrack has updated Superior to v1.6.0. The main purpose for this update is compatibility with Intel based Apple Macs and VST 2.4 compliant hosts. Superior 1.6.0 also includes a number of bug fixes and introduces new features in relation to Cymbal management and default handling.

For more information, please visit their web site.

Puremagnetik has released Microdrum, a unique groove sequencing pack for Ableton Live 6.

Features :

- 5 Unique Drum Kit Banks for Ableton Live 6
- Over 50 Preset Groovetracks
- 30 Percussion Menus for Ableton's Impulse
- Over 230 24-bit Samples
- Easy Drum Editing and Sequencing with Extensive Ableton Macro Controls
- Quickstart lesson files

For more information, please visit their web site.

KeyToSound, a software instrument technology developer and manufacturer, today announced NEXSYN, a "revolutionary hybrid instrument" which combines sample based key-map playback with an advanced synthesizer engine. NEXSYN is the first software instrument of its kind to offer NetNotes, a preset sharing technology that enables users to upload, audition and download presets directly from its interface in your favorite host sequencer. On top of that, an exclusive 4GB sample library was crafted by Big Fish Audio specifically for NEXSYN.

NEXSYN will be available in AU, VST, RTAS formats and as a stand alone instrument for Mac OS X in February 2007 (?!) for a suggested retail price of $339.

Wave Arts has updated all plug-ins in the Power Suite to v5.30.

Changes :

- Fixed problem automating VST parameters that involve latency change (playback issues).
- Implemented a new thread synchronization mechanism so that performance issues (graphics updating, slow responsiveness in particular circumstances) are avoided.
- MultiDynamics latency now properly reported.
- TrackPlug EQ display correctly reflects bypass state.
- Fixed crash problem with Wave Editor (Mac).
- FinalPlug adds denormalization protection.
- Fixed permissions problems on both Mac and Windows where accounts in user mode had problems accessing the user preset files or graphics resources.

Moog has announced a major operating software enhancement for Tribute owners.

New features in the operating software include :

- Modulation bus enhancement includes new sources for noise and sample & hold
- Front Panel control knobs are assignable to any internal or external control destination (e.g. assign the Modulation knob to Filter Resonance)
- EGR Reset—resets the envelope at every new note creating a new, uniquely Moog, expressive response
- Auto-Tune holds the Little Phatty to concert pitch or a user selectable setting. Auto-Tune can be enabled automatically at power-up and accurately tunes the instrument in seconds
- Auto-Calibration—should your Little Phatty ever fall completely out of tune, the auto-calibration function re-calibrates your Phatty without internal a ...

Frontier Design Group is now shipping the new AlphaTrack controller which combines a set of intuitive tactile controls in an attractive package that fits easily on your desktop for DAW mixing and editing. AlphaTrack has a 100mm, touch-sensitive, motorized fader (10-bit resolution), three touch-sensitive encoders, touch-sensitive jog and shuttle strip, and of course transport controls, a set of user-definable buttons* and a footswitch jack for easy punch-in recording. AlphaTrack supports a lot of applications including ProTools, SONAR, Reason, Cubase SX/SL, Digital Performer, Nuendo, Apple's Final Cut Pro and Soundtrack Pro.

AlphaTrack (MSRP $249) works on Mac OS X (including Intel Macs), and connects to the computer using just a single USB cable. For more information, please visit their web site.