Mac and Music News

Brainworx has updated its mastering plug-in bx_digital to version 1.1.0 which provides AU compatibility.

bx_digital is a digital mastering processor that provides you with a mastering class 5-band equalizer, De-Esser, Mono-Maker and intelligent Bass- and Presence-Shifters. bx_digital works in up to 3 modes including a sophisticated M/S mastering mode.

bx_digital is available for both Mac and PC in TDM, RTAS, VST, SCOPE and AU formats.

Prominy has released SC Electric guitar, a new Kontakt Player based electric guitar sound library instrument featuring the sound of a Fender Stratocaster. According to Prominy, SC Electric Guitar enables you to compose and create natural guitar tracks that imitate real guitar playing.

Features :

- Over 64 gigabytes - approximately 123,000 samples.
- Real-time playability - SC SPM (Super Performance Multi).
- All five pick-up positions can be reproduced.
- Real chords - extensive number of the 'real' pre-recorded chord samples.
- Auto Stroke Detection.
- Feedback.
- Assignable Key Switch.
- Double-Tracking.
- The lower note samples (low C - low D#) are included.
- Direct signals from the guitar.
- Perfect sampled sounds of all fret positions on every string.
- Picking noises are recorded in multiple forms on all frets and strings.

SC Electric Guitar is available for Windows and Mac OS X in VST, AU, DX, RTAS and stand-alone formats via the included Kontakt 2 Player, it costs $399.

Alesis announced the immediate availability of their SR-18 drum machine with integrated FX engine, battery operation and cutting-edge percussion sounds.

Features :

- Large, 32MB sound set with percussion bank and bass synth
- Built-in Effects - Reverb, EQ and Compression
- Battery Power for maximum portability
- Pattern Play Mode enables different patterns to be triggered from the pads directly
- Mute/Solo Function for parts - Drums, Bass and Percussion and per pad within a bank

The Alesis SR-18 is available now with an MSRP of $399.

Physical Music has announced that Audio Unit versions of TimeFreezer are now available (both instrument and effect). Since it was in beta in January a few minor bugs have been fixed. It is now included with the existing VST-Mac version at no extra cost.

Also, the manual has been translated into French and German.

Eiosis has just announced the E²Transienter, a new plug-in designed to bring a unique, simple and powerful approach to transient processing.

The E²Transienter is based on a patented architecture and parameter combination, which allows detecting and processing transients independently. You can quickly get a wide range of settings, from simple attack enhancement, to complex mix adjustments thanks to the advanced parameters. The numerous included presets let you easily and immediately get the settings suited to your needs. You can then adjust the parameters to get exactly the sound you are searching for.

Features :

- Separate attack detection and attack processing
- Precise and reactive, level independent attack detection
- Sidechain filter with Low Cut and High Cut filters, or a Bandpass filter
- Numerous presets for easy and efficient instant use

The E²Transienter will be available in May 2008 in the Eiosis online shop, in TDM/AU/RTAS formats for Mac (Pace iLok required) and VST/RTAS/AU formats for Mac and PC (Syncrosoft eLicenser required). Pricing has not yet been announced.

Native Instruments has announced an upcoming KORE 2 workshop tour for US and Canada. On 11 dates in different cities, NI product specialists will demonstrate the unique musical workflow of KORE 2, and how to efficiently integrate its versatile functionality in different studio and stage setups.

Workshop topics include: Introduction to KORE 2, efficient usage of the KoreSound database, sound design and preset morphing, host automation and plugin management, as well as live use as a performance instrument. The workshop will be interactive, and specific interests from the audience will be incorporated.

Attendance is free of charge, no prior registration required.

KORE 2 workshop tour dates :

Already available as a VST plug for Windows, NuGen Audio has finally released Visualizer for Mac OS X. Visualizer is an audio analysis plug-in which gives you all the tools you need to understand, compare and investigate your audio.

Features :

- Multiple metering meters (Peak/RMS/K12/K14/K20 etc.)
- FFT Spectrum Analysis
- Stereo Spectrum Analysis
- Stereo Spectrogram
- Vector Scope
- Stereoscope
- Stereo Bias meter
- Correlation Meter
- Intelligent window optimisation
- Frequency zoom and scroll
- dB Zoom and scroll
- Peak hold control
- Colour selection
- A/B snapshot

Priced at $89 Visualizer is available now for Mac OS X in VST format. Note that a demo version is also available.