Mac and Music News

Audio-Technica launches the AT2035 Cardioid Condenser Microphone and the AT2050 Multi-Pattern Condenser Microphone at this Summer NAMM Show. These new large-diaphragm side-address mics join the acclaimed AT2020, AT2010, AT2041SP and AT2020 USB as members of Audio-Technica's expanding 20 Series.

The AT2035 Cardioid Condenser Microphone and the AT2050 Multi-Pattern Condenser Microphone will be available August 2008 with pricing as follows:

AT2035 $249.00 U.S. MSRP
AT2050 $369.00 U.S. MSRP

For more information, visit their web site.

Based on the technology already proven with Octopus, genoQs Machines has released 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.

Features :

- 90+ Tactile switches and 9 endless encoders for interactive access
- 93 LEDs (tri-color) used to display both numeric and quantitative data
- 64 pages (i.e. "patterns")
- 4 tracks per page, 16 steps each
- 4 concurrent pages, i.e. 16 concurrent tracks
- Page tracks freely chain-able to structures of up to 64 steps
- Per track velocity, pitch, length and start factors, MIDI channel and CC
- Individual clock multiplier/divisor per track
- Individual and editable runtime directions per track
- Polyphonic steps, of up to 7 notes (chords or multi-trigger)
- Track self modulation, via step events
- Cross modulation of tracks (via the Effector)
- MIDI note and CC recording and playback per track
- 32 MIDI channels via 2 dedicated MIDI ports

Nemo is available now for a fee of €1399.

Toontrack has just announced the release of its long awaited Superior Drummer 2.0.

Superior Drummer 2.0 has been re-developed for optimized use with e-drums with more effective use of sample layers and much improved loading times. It includes custom MIDI played by Nir Z accessed through the all new customized MIDI engine and arranger EZplayer pro, it also features stand alone capacity through Toontrack solo. From premium UK based software developer Sonalksis Superior Drummer 2.0 has been fitted with 5-band EQ, high and low pass filter, compressor, gate and transient designer filters.

The new interface is reminiscent of EZdrummer with its simple handling and lay out but gives its user layer upon layer of in depth features to create the "ultimate drum track".

Superior Drummer 2.0 is available now in VST, AU and RTAS formats for Mac OS X and Windows at a retail price of $349 / €249. Note that upgrade and crossgrade offers are also available. This first release contains the Superior Drummer 2.0 sampler engine and Vol.1 of the "New York Studio Legacy Series". Vol.1 contains extensive recordings from Avatar Studios in New York.

The second release, Vol.2 of the "New York Studio Legacy Series", is planned for Q1 2009 and will complement these recordings with sessions from the legendary Hit Factory and Allaire studios in New York city and upstate New York.

Yamaha today releases a new operating system (Version 1.10) for their Motif XS line of music workstations, adding new functionality and features and bringing more flexibility and creativity to their users.

New features :

- Support for USB ASCII keyboards.
- Saving of user name for network computers.
- Copy punch In and Punch Out from Locations 1 and 2.
- Holding notes while changing track or part in Song/Pattern mode

Yamaha has also released a new Voice and Multi-Part editor with enhanced Drum Kit and Utility features.

IK Multimedia has just announced the release of the Total Guitar and Bass Gear Bundle, a bundle of plug-ins which includes the entire "Powered by AmpliTube" range.

Features :

- AmpliTube® 2, Ampeg® SVX, AmpliTube Jimi Hendrix , AmpliTube Metal and AmpliTube X-GEAR
- Over 150 analog models of classic guitar & bass gear
- 5 separate modules: tuner, configurable Stomp pedal board, Amp head, Cabinet + Mic, and Rack Effects
- 51 stomps, 26 amps, 33 cabinets, 11 mics and 23 rack effects on 2 rigs in a single interface
- Standalone and VST/AU/RTAS plug-in for all popular DAWs
- Includes SpeedTrainer for playing along with your favorite recordings
- Control your rig via StompIO or traditional MIDI controller and X-GEAR
- Mac OS X (including Leopard) and XP/Vista compatible

For a li ...

Native Instruments has just released Urban Arsenal, the latest entry in the Kore Soundpack range. Created in collaboration with established urban music producers and sound designers, Urban Arsenal provides a "versatile assortment of professional hip-hop grooves, drum kits and instrument sounds" for use in KORE 2 and the free KORE PLAYER software instrument.

Urban Arsenal is available for download purchase in the NI Online Shop for a suggested retail price of $119 / 99 EUR.

Steinberg lowers the prices of Cubase 4 and WaveLab 6 as of July 1st, 2008 to €599.00 (SRP). The pricing for several upgrades has also been reduced. Customers who have recently purchased Cubase 4 at the old recommended retail price may request a voucher for a special rebate on a future purchase in the Steinberg Online Shop.

Puremagnetik has released Metalsphere, a sound design toolox of intense soundscapes, suspenseful textures and horrific environments.

Conveniently packaged into 2 multisampled menus of the most nightmarish proportions, Metalsphere contains a huge array of sonic possibilities. With up to four individual distorted and layered sound sources, users can easily tailor their individual textures and signal levels. Sound designers, film composers and producers alike can each find something in this colorful palette of amiences.

System Requirements:
Requires Aleton Live 7, Logic 8 or Kontakt 3
'500 MB of physical RAM
1 GigaByte (GB) of free hard disk space

Overloud has updated its high-quality reverb plug-in Breverb to version 1.5.

Changes :

- New set of dynamic, level driven, parameters.
- Standalone version both for Mac OS X and Windows.
- New additional presets.
- Improved automation on the 6 sliders.
- Improved stability of RTAS Mac.

Of course this update is free for all registered users.

Steinberg has just announced the release of Sequel 2, a new version of its entry-level music studio designed for newcomers to music production. This version introduces new features, including a hardware Controller Learn mode, Track Freeze, a virtual keyboard, Track Icons and many more.

Sequel 2 is available now for both Mac OS X and Windows at a retail price of €99. Updates from the previous version are available exclusively from Steinberg's online store for €29.00.

Apple has released Mac OS X 10.5.4 which is available via Software Update or as a standalone installer from Apple's Software Download site.

As usual this update is recommended for all Leopard user, and includes general operating system improvements that enhance the stability, compatibility, and security of your Mac.

Created by Omer Yosha, the AirPiano is an innovative musical interface which allows playing and controlling software instruments simply by moving hands in the air.

Above the AirPiano is a virtual matrix of keys and faders, each assigned with MIDI messages and ready to be triggered. The length of a triggered note is equivalent to the time a hand is placed on the corresponding virtual key. This is also confirmed by LED feedback. The AirPiano Software allows easy setup, loading/saving presets and transposing notes.

The AirPiano is still in its prototype phase and its concept of a virtual matrix might eventually be used for other applications and purposes. The AirPiano concept is filled as a Provisional U.S. Patent Application (Number: 60/989,986).

Specifications: Polyphonic, MIDI protocol, Up to 24 keys / 8 faders, USB connectivity

Note that video examples are available by following the link below :