Mac and Music News

VirSyn has just updated its Multiband Filter plug-in Bark to version 1.0.1.

Bark takes the approach to match the reception characteristic of the final destination of all sound: the ear. The ear behaves as if it contains a bank of filters, each filter passing frequencies within the critical band. Two tones separated by more than a critical bandwidth are received by the ear independently. For this reason Bark contains a filter bank with 27 bandpass filters matching the critical bandwidth.

In fact, the human ear have also its own built in compression system which are based on the critical bands. Consequently Bark incorporates an independent compression algorithm for each of it's 27 bands.

Unfortunately a very important feature of BARK got lost in the last stages of the release. The Linear phase behaviour, which is important for BARK's sound transparency, was broken. With Version 1.0.1 Linear phase is now guaranteed for all filter settings.

Bark is available in VST, AU and RTAS versions for Mac OS X, VST and RTAS for Windows. From now till June 30st, 2008 you can buy Bark for €99.- instead of €169.- Of Course, the update is free for all registered users. Last but not least, a full functional/time limited demo version is also available (a Syncrosoft Dongle is needed).

The Audix Micros Series, the world's smallest condenser microphones with integrated preamp and detachable cable now include a new member : the M1255.

With a stylishly machined brass housing and modular threaded capsule, the M1255 is designed to handle a wide variety of live, studio and fixed install applications. Features include a smooth frequency response of 80 Hz - 20 kHz, 12 mm gold vapor diaphragm, a selection of 4 capsules, and complete immunity from RF caused by cell phones and GSM devices.

The M1255 is available from authorized Audix dealers in a matte black finish at a suggested retail price of $419 or a white finish at a suggested retail price of $439. Supplied accessories include a 25' cable, hanging mic clip, mic stand adapter, external windscreen and a pouch.

Voxengo has just released Sound Delay, a free auxiliary multi-channel signal delaying plug-in.

In Sound Delay, you may specify delay time in both milliseconds and samples, with a high level of precision. This plug-in - being technical - provides a basic signal delaying function only, without signal feedback or modulation capabilities. It also features internal mid/side encoding and decoding, and allows you to delay mid and side channels independently.

Features :

- Sample-accurate delaying
- Millisecond-accurate delaying
- Up to 3 seconds overall delay
- Multi-channel processing
- Internal channel routing
- Channel grouping
- Mid/side processing
- Preset manager
- Undo/redo history
- A/B comparisons
- Contextual hint messages

Sound Delay plug-in replaces both Audio Delay and Sample Delay plug-ins previously available from Voxengo.

Sound Delay is available now in VST and AU formats for Mac OS X and Windows.

Fielding DSP has just released Reviver, a new versatile, high-quality harmonic distortion plug-in.

Reviver creates harmonic distortion, whose sound is often connected to vintage gear. It does not emulate analog equipment, but instead gives the user full control of overtone generation and volume. Despite this high level of controllability, Reviver's user interface is intuitive and provides the desired result after just a few mouse clicks.

Features :

- add second order harmonics to your sound in a precise way
- control the exact amount of third-order harmonics to give your sound that extra "punch"
- serial mode : in this mode Reviver first adds second order harmonics to the signal before adding third order harmonics. The result is a different harmonic content and stronger saturation.
- anti-alias filter
- low CPU usage

Reviver is available now at an introductory price of $149 (instead of $199) as an AudioUnit effect for Mac OS X. Note that a fully-functional demo version is alos available.

SPL has just announced the release of 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 SPL Phonitor is available now at a suggested price of €1599.

AudioWarrior has released the Studio Acoustic 12-String Guitar Plugin.

The 12 String Acoustic Guitar is a special featured virtual rhythm guitar that can be manually strummed, or, will Auto-Strum in any key and any tempo with a wide variety of songwriting chords that can be used to build complete rhythm guitar tracks via AudioWarrior's exclusive iStrum MIDI Patterns and AudioWarrior's Pat Pending G-Mapped chords.

Studio Acoustic 12-String Guitar Plugin is available now for Mac OS X and Windows in VST, AU and Standalone versions for a fee of $49.

VOX unveils JamVOX, an integrated monitor and software system that extracts the guitar from any MP3 and plugs you into the mix of your favorite bands.

JamVOX gives guitarists instant access to dozens of legendary amps and effects all in one easy to use "drag and drop" software interface. Revolutionary Guitar XTracktion (GXT) technology lets you remove the guitar part of your favorite song with the push of a button. Best of all, you can then take the lead yourself with instant rock star tone! Alternatively, you can extract or isolate the guitar part, slow down the tempo, and practice any style of music without changing the pitch.

Features :

- Revolutionary new GXT (Guitar XTracktion) function lets you cancel or extract the guitar part of an existing song.
- 19 famous guitar amps and 54 effect units ranging from vintage to modern are provided as software.
- Easy-to-use "drag and drop" interface enables guitarists to create their "dream guitar rig" without any advanced knowledge of amps or effects. Sound famous fast!
- A music player feature with convenient functions for jam sessions or practice.
- Import music files to jam along with from your favorite CDs, music library or MP3 player.
- A dedicated USB monitor speaker is included, and there's no need for complex wiring or specialized knowledge of computer music.
- Two guitar play-along CDs containing 28 famous rock classics.

Pricing and avaibility TBA.

Waves has just released the Jack Joseph Puig Collection which includes the following plug-ins :

- PuigChild 670, an emulation of the famous Fairchild 670 compressor/limiter
- PuigTec EQP-1A, an emulation of the legendary Pultec EQP-1A
- PuigTec MEQ-5, another emulation of a Pultec EQ

The Jack Joseph Puig Collection supports TDM, RTAS, VST and AU plug-in formats on Windows and Mac OS X. The native versions cost $800 whilst the TDM version is $1600. The collection is also available in Waves Mercury - Mercury owners covered by Waves Update Plan can download their copy today. All purchases and upgrades include one full year of Waves Update Plan coverage.

For more information, please visit the link below :

Mackie unveils 3 new powered mixers : the PPM608, PPM1008 and PPM1012.

Ultra-light and completely self-contained, every PPM mixer features two ridiculously robust power amps for Mains and Monitors (500W + 500W in the PPM608; 800W + 800W in the PPM1008/1012). With up to 1600 watts of system power, these mixers provide all the raw power that you need.

Features Highlights :

- Dual powerful internal class-D Fast Recovery power amps
- Premium Mackie preamplifiers
- Mackie 3-band EQ straight from VLZ3 line
- Individual channel inserts
- Dedicated in-line compressors bring simple but sweet dynamics to our PPM mixers
- Dual graphic EQs with tight, constant-Q filters
- High-resolution 12-segment LED metering with super-quick response time
- 32-bit RMFX+ processor featuring 24 "Gig Ready", useable reverbs, choruses, and tap delay for live applications

For more information, please visit their website.

Audioloop is a new online community dedicated to computer based music production. They're building a growing archive of samples, midi's, tips, tutorials plus lots more. But Audioloop is about music - not just a place to download cool stuff.

To celebrate the launch of Audioloop they teamed up with Steinberg to bring you the first Audioloop remix competition.

The track to remix is 'Reason' by Ian van Dahl. Your entry must be based on the track, but don't play copy cat - you're advised to move away from the original arrangement. Be original, the files in the remix pack are merely for guidance. The style is entirely up to you, but since Audioloop is an electronic music orientated website - a dance track with an commercial edge would be the best shot.

The competition ends Sunday 13th July. The winner will receive a free copy of Steinberg Cubase 4, a free Audioloop VIP Membership and maximum promotion of the tune.

Edirol announced a new version of its UA-25 24bit/96kHz USB audio interface. The UA-25EX succeeds the UA-25, and adds pro-grade microphone preamps, a newly developed analog compressor/limiter, and ground-lift functionality for studio and stage.

Features :

- High-resolution 24-bit/96kHz performance with newly developed mic preamps and analog compressor/limiter
- USB bus powered, low-noise, wide-range power supply
- Two mic preamps and XLR/TRS combo jacks with 48V phantom power, Hi-Z port for guitar-direct connection, S/PDIF optical I/O, MIDI in/out
- Ground lift for studio and live stage use
- Bundled with Production Plus Pack from Cakewalk By Roland

The UA-25EX is Mac/PC cross-platform compatible. It supports WDM, ASIO 2.0, and Mac OS X Core formats. For more information, please visit their web site.