Mac and Music News

Prosoniq has announced that it has released the OrangeVocoder 10th Anniversary Mac OS X AudioUnit Edition.

This new version offers 8 sound modes, 32 voices and over 60 presets. Prosoniq's newly developed proprietary MR filterbank algorithms combined with high-precision digital state-of-the-art modelling of analogue circuitry allow an even more impressive variety of vocoder effects without compromising intelligibility.

OrangeVocoder 10th Anniversary AudioUnit Edition can be purchased for €169. Crossgrades from previous RTAS and VST versions are available for €29. A demo version is available.

Today we are pleased to publisha new article about Speakerphone, the impulse-response based speaker emulator from AudioEase.

"If you are in post for film, video, broadcast, or even a musician looking for a creative tool to put your audio in specific situations, Speakerphone should be at the top of your list of purchases."

For a limited time only, Waves and Ableton are pleased to bring you a special bundle : Waves Gold Native and Ableton Live 7, together as a single low-priced package. Note that this software package includes the full version of Ableton Live 7, not Ableton Live LE, and upgrades to Ableton Suite are available.

The Waves Gold Native and Ableton Live 7 combination package will be available May 2008 with a U.S. MSRP of $1500. (Offer available in U.S., Austria, and Switzerland only).

IK Multimedia has announced that AmpliTube X-GEAR has been made available as a free download for all AmpliTube 2 Live users and StealthPlug users.

AmpliTube X-GEAR is an expandable guitar amp and effects modeling software system, available as a plug-in and standalone for Windows / Mac OS X. It allows you to mix and match all the gear models from all current and future "Powered by AmpliTube" products in a single host interface, providing seamless control over every parameter directly from StompIO, or any generic MIDI controller.

Eligible users are able to download X-GEAR for free from their IK user area. X-GEAR is also available to purchase as a download for €74.99/$99.99 (excluding taxes) in the IK Multimedia online store.

Brauner has announced that both the Phanthera and the Phantom Classic microphones are now available in a package that is much more budget friendly. Phanthera and Phantom Classic are now being offered in a basic edition that comes with elementary accessory equipment only, thus reducing the cost while still providing these two extraordinary FET microphones as the heart of each package. The basic-editions can be upgraded at any time to the full versions with an optional upgrade kit.

For more information, please visit Brauner's fully revised website.

Apple has just released Logic Pro 8.0.2. This update addresses specific customer and compatibility issues of Logic Pro 8.0 and WaveBurner 1.5 and is recommended for all Logic Studio users.

Note that if you are using Logic Node you will need to update your Logic Node application on connected computers as well. After running this updater you will find an updated Logic Node installer called Logic Node 8.0.2.dmg in your Utilities folder.

AKG unveils the brand new C 214, a recording microphone designed as a cost-effective alternative to the high-end C 414 family.

Features :

- AKG's Legendary 1" Edge-Terminated Large Diaphragm Sound'
- Outstanding Dynamic Range (up to 156 dB SPL, Ultra-Low Noise)
- Roadworthy Design
- Integrated Suspension to reduce mechanical Noise
- Switchable 20 dB Attenuation Pad and Low Cut Switch
- Rugged double mesh Grill for high RF immunity but unaffected Acoustics
- All-metal Die-cast body with shock- and scratch-resistant Finish
- Spider-type Shock Mount included
- Metal Carrying Case included
- Designed, Engineered and Build in Vienna, Austria

The C 214 will be available at a list price of €629 (street price is about €460).

Universal Audio has announced the 1176AE Anniversary Edition, celebrating a decade since UA refounding by Bill Putnam Junior to revive the classic UA products made famous by his father, Bill Putnam in the 1960s.

The 1176AE combines the best of the A "Bluestripe" and E revisions while adding the lower 2 to 1 compression ratio found on the 176. A new "Slo" attack mode gives the 1176AE the potential for both classic and uniquely individual compression effects.

Features :

- Unique rev.A/E "hot-rod-mod" features, cosmetics and sonic signature
- Program dependency of legendary "Bluestripe" Rev.A 1176
- Vintage UA 176 compression ratio array - 2:1, 4:1, 8:1 with 20:1 for limiting
- Expanded range of "multi-button" compression and classic "all-button" mode
- "Slo" 15ms Attack setting adds increased versatility for new uses
- Hand-built in the USA, Limited-Edition of only 500 units worldwide

The 1176AE will have an MSRP of US$2999, an estimated street price of US$2499, and will ship as a 500 limited-edition product beginning in June 2008.

M-Audio has announced the release of a new FireWire driver for Mac OS X Leopard 10.5.2. This driver update is available immediately for the following devices :

- FireWire 1814
- FireWire 410
- FireWire Audiophile
- FireWire Solo
- NRV10
- Ozonic

Please note that this driver does not support ProjectMix I/O or ProFire Lightbridge.

Oldschool is a collection of patches for Zebra2, the fabulous virtual synth from U-he. Today Oldskool has been updated, it now features 512 "playable and lush sounding" patches designed by Michael Kastrup that cover decades of synthesizer and keyboard history.

Oldskool is available as a download at a special price of $59 instead of $69 until June 15th.

Sonalksis has announced the release of version 2.04 of the "Essentials Mk2" plug-in suite which includes SV-315 Mk2, SV-517Mk2 and SV-719 plug-ins.

Changes :

- All Essentials Mk2 :

. Ported to Digidesign Audiosuite format.
. Improved cross-platform session handling.
. Support display of Unicode characters in names.
. Mousewheel handling for plugins via hook added for all hosts.
. Mousewheel functionality added for text boxes.
. Mousewheel sensitivity improved.
. Mousewheel/Drag interaction handling improved.
. Non "Velocity Sensitive" mode now works with Wacom tablets.
. GUI "Off switch" (plug-in bypass) switches off all LEDS.
. Stop signal LED from locking "on" when bypassed.

- RTAS :

. Sample rate problem fixed.
. Shelf bug fixed.
. Added Alt+Ctr ...

Everything happens ! Stillwell Audio has finally released Mac OS X Universal Binary VST and AU versions of all its beautiful plug-ins. It includes :

- 1973
- Bad Buss Mojo
- Event Horizon
- Major Tom
- Transient Monster
- Verbiage
- Vide-EQ

For more information, please visit

Camel Audio's presets for Absynth and Massive have been updated to KORE 2 format including full attributes, thanks to the efforts of Stephan Wey. This update makes finding the presets you require even easier.

In addition, owners of the Biolabs Massive soundset can now download an extra free bank of over 50 presets created by Biomechanoid, Antonio Blanca and Tim Conrardy. The bank features pads, leads, basses and atmospheres - all produced to the exacting standards of these leading sound designers.

For a limited time you can buy any of the preset packs for Absynth or Massive at a reduced price of just $59 / €49 / £39.

KORE users will also be pleased to hear that all the CamelPhat and CamelSpace factory preset banks are now available in KORE 2 format, together with template KORE presets.