Mac and Music News

PSP Audioware has just released v1.1.0 of its full band, dual-stage limiter plug-in PSP Xenon. This update offers new features and some bug fixes. Of course this update is free of charge for all registered users.

PSP Xenon will soon be available through the DontCrac[k] web store and be elligible to DontCrac[k]'s "Buy More, Pay Less" offers.

More information about this update here :

Last year SPL has launched the RackPack modular system and started with two different preamps and the Transient Designer as the first modules. This year the RackPack is extended with six new modules, so that studio and live engineers can choose from a wide variety of processors to configure individual RackPacks.

New modules :

1. Full Ranger – Graphic EQ with passive coil filters for the whole frequency spectrum
2. Bass Ranger - Graphic EQ with passive coil filters for the bass range
3. Vox Ranger - Graphic EQ with passive coil filters for the vocal range
4. TwinTube – Combined saturation and presence tube effects
5. DeEsser – Works with phase cancellation instead of traditional compression
6. DynaMaxx – set & forget compressor, updated for the RackPack-Version

For more information about each module please visit the link below :

First shown at this year Winter NAMM, Allen & Heath has just announced that the ZED-24 small format, USB-equipped mixers for live performance, recording, and production is now shipping and widely available.

More information available here.

CharterOak Acoustic Devices gears up to release three new products at the 2008 AES Show in Amsterdam. Due to be on display for the first time is the SCL-1, M900-T, and the Small Studio Collection.

The SCL-1 Solid State Compressor/Limiter employs all discreet electronics and is capable of providing a constant output level regardless of input level or frequency, without the familiar pumping inherent in most compressor/limiters. The unit delivers extremely fast attack times without overcompensation, and a release characteristic, which is a function of dynamic range and average program level. It will begin shipping in June of 2008.

The M900-T employs the same cardioid, hyper-cardioid, and omni capsules used with popular M900 Transformerless Small Diaphragm Condenser. However, the M900-T combines these capsules with a vacuum tube head amplifier and custom output transformer.

The CharterOak Small Studio Collection is the total microphone solution for small recording studios with a tight budget. Consisting of a critics favorite, the SA538 Large Diaphragm Condenser, the E700 Solid State condenser and a sequentially numbered matched pair of M900s, start up and well established studios will benefit from this full spectrum selection of microphones and will be able to tackle any recording situation from vocals to orchestra to loud electric guitars. This collection is all you need and is delivered in a solid locking flight case with all of the necessary accessories and CharterOak's Lifetime Warranty.

Do you remember this funny soft made by AQ Interactive for Nintendo DS ? Korg DS-10 was planned to be released only in Japan. Well, guess what, I've got a good news for you found on the DS-10 blog :

"Hi there! my name is Tomi from AQI Inc.and I'll be in charge of this product for international territories. For those of you out there wondering the release of DS-10 other than Japan, well, here's a good news. YES, we will release DS-10 worlwide and currently we're making an adjustment with each territory. So please be patient. Your support means a lot to us and we'll keep you all with the latest update of the international release as soon as possible."

SPL has announced a new recording channel and compact analog processing rack : the Frontliner.

This new channel strip combines Preamp, De-Esser, Compressor, EQ and Tube Output for a fully featured recording channel. But often the particular stages would also be a great addition to an engineers mixing tools arsenal – and that is why SPL has spent dedicated I/Os to each section of this unit.

Each stage can be used separately and for example be routed via a patchbay to insert the whole toolbox into a studio environment. The Frontliner features a hybrid, Class A preamp design with discrete solid state stage and a tube section with switchable drive settings.

Availability of the Frontliner is scheduled for October 2008.

Line 6 has announced the expansion of its online presence with the launch of its localized French and German websites.

"We strive to set the standard for websites by providing in-depth video, audio and interactive demos that enable musicians to explore and understand the depth and functionality of our products," stated Erik Tarkiainen, vice president, marketing communications, Line 6, Inc. "With the launch of our French and German sites, we are pleased to be able to deliver this experience to an even greater number of musicians around the world."

Roxio has released Toast 9 Titanium which is a major upgrade of this famous software.

Toast 9 allows consumers to record high-definition content from high-definition (HD) camcorders and favorite HD programming from TiVo DVRs and Elgato's EyeTV devices to Blu-ray Disc (BD). Users also have the option to burn HD video and slide shows on standard DVDs. For on-the-go entertainment, Toast 9 introduces Roxio Streamer. Streamer allows users to stream video content stored on their home Mac to a Wi-Fi connected iPhone or iPod Touch or any Internet connected Mac or PC.

Toast 9 offers the ability to capture streaming audio for recording Internet radio. It also allows captured music tracks to be automatically tagged with song titles, artist or other related information.

Toast 9 Titanium is available now for $99.99. The High Definition/Blu-ray Disc (HD/BD) plug-in, which is needed to author BD video is sold separately for $19.99 and is available free for those who purchase Toast 9 online from Roxio web site through April 13, 2008.

EKS unveils Otus, a 2-in-1 DJ controller. The virtual audio technology enables the use of multichannel soundcard inside Otus with different DJ software. This makes it possible for a DJ to play two audio channels simultaneously with just one controller.

Otus is equipped with a big, configurable 7.5" jog wheel and new features for effects control, including touchpad and two motion sensors. It also brings you an innovative switch key which enables the DJ to flexibly use two layers of controls. To add more show into the mix, the effect controls are placed to make performing more visual. With the advanced MIDI support and MIDI mappers it will be easy to configure Otus with just about any software application imaginable, be it audio, video or something else altogether.

Otus is expected to be released on June 2008 with a price around €700.

Musicrow has released Modular Dreams, a collection of 200 high-quality presets for the Arturia Moog Modular V.

Modular Dreams presents modular synthesis at its best, while it makes a full use of all the features that Arturia Moog Modular V has to offer (And it has a lot !). The classic moog tones are there, but you might be surprised by how innovative and up to date "grandpa" moog can sound ;-)


Modular Dreams is now available for EUR29/USD39. Note that a demo bank with 20 free presets is also available for instant download.

AnaMod presents the ATS-1 Analog Tape Simulator, the first product that uses the AnaMod process for modeling complex analog circuitry entirely in the analog domain.

Specially developed analog building blocks are 'coded' to emulate the behavior of a complex analog system. Unlike digital plug-ins or processor-based outboard gear, there is no latency, and no A/D or D/A conversions to compromise the sound. The result is a faithful recreation of the original response, without using the original analog hardware.

All of the important features of a two-track analog tape machine are found in the ATS-1, including speed selection, bias, LF record and HF Repro EQ, and the option of adding tape hiss, if desired. The reference 'record' level, as indicated on the illuminated VU meters, can be adjusted from 0 to +12 dBu in 3 dB increments.

The ATS-1 accurately models the behavior of specific tape machines and tape formulations, and allows the user to select from up to four machine and tape types. Optional machine and tape types are available on easy-to-install SIMM cards. Standard tape formulation cards shipped with the ATS-1 are the GP9 and 456. Standard machine cards are the A800 and M79.

The ATS-1 is available at a suggested price of $2995 / €2750.

Algorithmix has announced two new VST 3 plug-ins - K-Stereo and LP SplitComp.

K-Stereo is based on a patented psychoacoustical process that extracts the ambience inherent in ordinary recordings and is capable of spreading it around the soundstage as well as enlarging its depth and width without adding any artificial reverberation. K-Stereo does not have a sound of its own - it fills in what's been missing. It is also capable to make a natural mono to stereo conversion.

LP SplitComp is a high-resolution linear-phase mastering split compressor featuring parallel mode, linear-phase split filters, adjustable soft knee, intelligent auto-release, and parameterized soft clipper. It is compatible to the newly released VST 3.0 and thus multichannel compliant.

Pricing and release dates are not yet available.

ProjectSAM has announced Symphobia, a new orchestral libraries.

Featuring all-new orchestral recordings of strings, brass and woodwinds, Symphobia gives you out-of-the-box, big, playable symphonic ensembles and cinematic effects. The library delivers extremely fast results and endless inspiration with the deadline-driven, modern day composer in mind. Full string ensemble in numerous articulations, tutti orchestra sustains, staccatos and rips, aggressive violin section glissandi, horrific brass clusters and woodwind textures. These are just a few examples of what Symphobia has to offer. The new "must-have" for any film, TV or game composer ? Listen to the music demos to find out...

Symphobia will ship in July 2008 and will be released with the Mac OS X / Windows Native Instruments Kontakt 2 Player. Pricing TBA.

Based on the technology already proven with Octopus, genoQs Machines is excited to announce NEMO, their new MIDI sequencer.

NEMO is a highend machine, continuing their tradition of realtime everything MIDI instruments. With the interaction and function model of Octopus being adapted to a new interface, NEMO's particular strength lies in its compact, portable format.

NEMO will be available starting July 1st, 2008 for a price of €1399. Further details will be available on their web site in the coming days.

SPL unveils a brand new product : Phonitor. The name already implies the key feature: SPL announces that with the Phonitor headphones now become a full alternative to monitoring speakers. To allow for control of sound impressions comparable to speakers in a room, the Phonitor offers new parameters such as Crossfeed, Speaker Angle and Center Level.

Based upon SPL's unique 120 V technology which was initially developed for their mastering product series, the Phonitor aims at high-end users to fulfill highest demands in sound quality. It is SPL's flagship of a new sort of headphone amps they call Headphone Monitoring Amplifiers. The company plans to launch further units in standard technology soon, e. g. a RackPack module.

Availability of the Phonitor is scheduled for May 2008.

Mackie today unveils its new U.Series production mixers with the U.420 and the U.420d. Designed for the needs of todays musicians, DJs and producers, Mackie U.Series provides flexible connections and an intuitive, centralized user interface to ease workflow and maximize creativity.

Each model features a micro-master section with otherwise full-size qualities such as a prominent master volume knob and high resolution metering. Mic or stereo line channel strips with 3-band active EQ, a built-in DI box and RIAA phono preamps allow you to plug-in, and turn up for live sound and recording via integrated stereo Firewire I/O. Ingenious "loop-thru" routing enables you to mix and record analog and DAW playback with a couple of simple moves. Each offers a stereo aux send, headphone out with pre-main level control and self-monoing outputs.

The U.420 4-channel high-headroom stereo line mixer offers 3-band "full-kill" active EQ on each channel, a built-in DI box and a Mackie designed RIAA phono preamp. The U.420d is loaded with 2 premium Mackie mic channels with 30mm faders, and features 3-band active EQ with mid-sweep, while 2 high-headroom stereo line input channels include 2 Mackie designed RIAA phono preamps, 3-band active EQ, a full headphone cue system and a 30mm crossfader.

Both units will be available in the U.S. and Canada in April 2008 and internationally in May 2008. The U.420 will be €249 and the U.420d will be €299.