Week of April 24, 2005 Friday, April 29 2005 | dmac Pizza Synth released from NUSofting NUSofting has released Pizza Synth, an "experimental" VST instrument for Windows. Features: Pizza controls: Tomato. Cheese. Onion. Banana. Beer ADSR. Shape. Fire. Salt. Option menu: PitchDetune: On or Off. PickSalt: Sparse or Spots. Volume: High, Normal or Low. MIDI Learn. 32 presets. Pizza Synth costs US$5 and demo MP3s are available. More @ nusofting. Thursday, April 28 2005 | dmac New Hammerfall DSP Multiface II from RME Front Panel (Rendering) Rear Panel (Rendering) RME new Multiface II stays 100% compatible with the current model's firmware and driver, offering the same set of features, settings, and the same low-latency, zero-CPU-load performance, but while making some improvements of course. Some significant changes were made to the electrical circuitry, where several features of the Fireface have been incorporated: Hi-power headphone output with volume knob and 119 dBA SNR Analog input stages with improved CMRR, lower THD and increased S/N ratio by almost 10 dB Analog output stages with significantly lower THD The now synchronized and more effective internal switching power supply has been taken from RME's OctaMic. The reference level of the analog inputs and outputs can now be changed with two separate switches on the front panel, and no longer requires changing an internal jumper setting. The ADAT Sync interface (D-sub) on the back of the unit has been removed, since it is hardly being used any more. The added space allowed the analog TRS jacks to be spaced further apart, so that even eight Neutrik jacks now fit side by side. Additionally, the cable hook used on other RME products, used to secure power and audio cables, has been added. The new enclosure has the same design and depth as the one of the RME ADI-2. This allows for a more generous board layout, improving technical specifications and facilitating production. The price of the Multiface remains unchanged. Delivery of the Multiface II is expected summer of 2005. For more information, visit their web site at rme-audio.com. Tuesday, April 26 2005 | dmac Apple releases GarageBand v2.0.1 Apple has released version 2.0.1 of GarageBand. This update addresses issues with duplicating tracks, playhead snapping to grid, joining software instrument regions on adjacent tracks, making precise adjustments to volume and pan settings, and converting Software Instrument Apple Loops based on drum sounds into Real Instrument Apple Loops. It also addresses an issue where recorded Real Instrument regions may not properly adjust to changes in the project key. More @ apple.com/downloads. Tuesday, April 26 2005 | dmac SoundToys Now Shipping EchoBoy TDM Plug-In SoundToys Inc. (formerly Wave Mechanics) announced the availability of EchoBoy TDM, an echo/delay plug-in for Pro Tools systems and the latest toy in the SoundsToys line of plug-ins for Digidesign's Pro Tools systems. Analog emulation lets EchoBoy TDM recreate the sound of a wide array of echo and delay devices, past and present. EchoBoy's new Advanced Analog Mode and selectable 'Echo Styles' allow users to change the entire sonic signature from pristine digital delay, to high quality tape echo, to lo-fi analog delay pedals, and classic echo boxes. "Designing EchoBoy has been one of our most challenging design projects. Echo effects are so useful and have such a long history, that almost everyone has an opinion - and they're all different! We spent months talking to users, scouring eBay and vintage gear dealers, listening to and analyzing all sorts of echo effects. In the end, we built something that we just love to play with ourselves, and we hope our users will feel the same way," comments Ken Bogdanowicz, SoundToys' founder and CEO. Featuring intricate rhythm capabilities thanks to SoundToys' new True Groove rhythm technology, EchoBoy TDM lets users change the rhythm of their delays to allow the echo to swing and jam along with the mix. EchoBoy TDM includes adjustable swing/shuffle and accent for a truly musical echo sound. Users can tweak the feel control from 'rushin' to 'draggin' so the echo hits right where it sounds best. MIDI tempo locking also lets users lock to the session tempo with the flip of a switch. EchoBoy TDM is loaded with over 300 professionally crafted presets and a host of other features including single, dual, ping-pong and rhythm modes, dynamics control, 3-band EQ with decay shaping, stereo imaging control, advanced analog mode and true TDM (not HTDM) support on Pro Tools HD and HD Accel systems. Pricing and Availability For a limited time only (until May 23rd), EchoBoy TDM will be available for only $295.00 US, compared to a regular MSRP $495.00. A free 14 day, production-ready trial version is also available for download. EchoBoy TDM works in Digidesign's TDM, RTAS and AudioSuite plug-in formats and supports Pro Tools HD, LE and HD Accel. For more information, visit their web site at soundtoys.com.