Week of September 7, 2003 Saturday, September 13 2003 | dmac Mackie release USB audio hardware interface Mackie have announced the imending release of their new USB audio hardware interface and intergrated software package, known as Spike. Spike consists of the XD-2 USB 24-bit 96kHz Audio/MIDI Interface with clean, high-headroom Mackie mic preamps and onboard SHARC dynamics processing; incredibly easy-to-use Tracktion multitrack audio recording software with unlimited track count and VST plug-in support; Ableton Live Mackie loop-based sequencing software for live performance; and the Nomad Factory Blue Tubes Warmer Phaser plug-in. Saturday, September 13 2003 | dmac Emagic Announces Space Designer Reverb Plug-In Emagic introduces Space Designer, a premium reverb plug-in for Logic 6, the latest member of Emagic's range of Studio Tools and Software Instruments for the the Logic System. Space Designer features a real-time convolution process using reverberation samples - impulse responses (IR) - to produce reverbs as if you were recording in the actual rooms or halls. The possibility to create and edit custom convolution reverbs sets Space Designer apart. In addition to sampled reverbs, Space Designer is equipped with a synthesis engine for creating custom impulse responses. The reverb can be further shaped using Space Designer's parameter set that features specially designed envelopes for volume, filter and density. Space Designer ships with more than 1,000 impulse responses and synthesized settings, including real rooms and halls, as well as legendary classic and contemporary reverb units. Space Designer requires Logic Platinum, Logic Gold and Logic Audio 6.3 or higher. It is due to ship in October 2003. Please contact your local distributor for more information, local prices and availability. For more information, visit their web site at www.emagic.de. Friday, September 12 2003 | dmac Soundart Upgrades Australis Virtual Analog Synth for Chameleon Australis version 1.21 analog synthesis emulation soundskin, and the first soundskih offered for the Chameleon platform, is now ready for download. With Australis, the Chameleon becomes a synthesiser for creating everything from pads and leads to percussion and wild sound effects. It now boasts even more flexible modulation, enhanced FX and a host of new industry standard goodies. Some of the new features found in Australis v1.21 include: Expanded multiwave oscillators with a list of complex waveforms, and phase initialization option per oscillator. Adjustable balance between filters when in parallel mode. Expanded LFOs functionality with adjustable fade in, and phase initialization. Square waveform with variable pulsewidth. Unison mode, with configurable detune and pan spread amount, to make the sound fatter. Individual phaser FX available per part (with 3 and 6 peaks mode). Expanded arpeggiator with new modes and capabilities. Tempo Sync (external, internal, auto) for time based parameters (Speed in LFOs, Chorus and Phaser, DelayTime in Delay, and note length in arpeggiator). Audio input for running external sounds sources through the effects mixer. Parameters assignable to external controllers, including support for sustain and expression pedals. Greatly enhanced user interface. Australis 1.21 is available now as a free download for Chameleon users on the Soundart web site. The Chameleon houses in a 1U rack the same powerful Motorola DSP processing power as found in many top-name brands of audio hardware, along with 2x24bit I/O A/D D/A converters and MIDI I/O. Low-level Soundart code allows it to effectively function as a "blank canvas" for talented developers to use how they please. End-users load soundskins like Australis via MIDI and the Chameleon instantly becomes a completely different tool. For more information, visit their web site at www.soundart-hot.com. Thursday, September 11 2003 | dmac New .Wav Sample CD from Electronisounds: Beat Suite "Beat Suite," is the 27th .wav format sample CD from Electronisounds. It delivers over 500 all-new beats to your workstation. This disc features drumloops only, and no drum sounds. CD Contents: Clean Beatz Folder - 57MB, 43 files DnB Beatz Folder - 31MB, 31 files Downtempo Beatz Folder - 123MB, 84 files Electro Beatz Folder - 140MB, 121 files Ruff Cut Beatz Folder - 39MB, 35 files Tech Beatz Folder - 199MB, 158 files Bonus Beatz + Midi's Folder - 58MB, 103 files The CD-ROM can be purchased online for $19.99 (this price included their ususal free worldwide shipping as well). Demos are also available for preview. For more information, visit their web site at www.electronisounds.com. Wednesday, September 10 2003 | dmac Version 3 of Live Audio Sequencer Announced Ableton has announced the upcoming release of Live 3, a new upgrade of their sequencing instrument for Mac OS 9, Mac OS X, and Windows. Live 3 is scheduled for release in October of this year and will be available for public beta testing from www.ableton.com right now. Live 3 is an integrated audio sequencing tool that gives users control "inside" of the sample. Live 3 now offers sound designers and musicians a whole new world in which they can easily and flexibly animate their samples. In Live 3, changes in volume, pitch, pan, effects controls and more can be drawn onto any section of a sample as clip envelopes. Clip envelopes add dynamic musical expression to previously static samples. Live 3 allows the user to create infinite variations from just one sample in real-time -- anything from subtle corrections to entirely new and exciting sounds. For more information, visit their web site at www.ableton.com. Wednesday, September 10 2003 | dmac SFX Machine RT 1.02 for Mac and Windows Released The Sound Guy has released version 1.02 of SFX Machine RT 1.02, a real-time version of the SFX Machine audio effects plug-in. SFX Machine RT is available in VST format for Mac OS 8/9/X and Windows, as well as Audio Unit format for Mac OS X. The 1.02 update adds a Randomize button, which automatically randomizes the position of each of the non-volume sliders. This makes it easy to get an idea of the range of possibilities contained within each preset. The new version also includes optimized audio processing and other enhancements. SFX Machine RT comes with hundreds of presets, including conventional effects like choruses and flangers as well as a wide variety of unique effects. Many of the presets include a pitch tracker or envelope follower, allowing the effect to respond intelligently to the input signal. The plug-in also allows automated parameter control via a simple "MIDI Learn" interface. For more information, visit their web site at sfxmachine.com. Tuesday, September 9 2003 | dmac ComboSister for MAC OSX DASHsignature's first attempt on the MAC platform, ComboSister for MAC OSX. Soon for OS9 too. Check the DEMO version here. More info about ComboSister here. PC users can also UPGRADE for a lower FEE to the MAC OSX version. Tuesday, September 9 2003 | dmac FM7 now does OS X and RTAS for Mac and PC! NATIVE INSTRUMENTS is excited to announce the FM7 1.1.1 update, which brings the legendary FM synthesizer to Mac OS X and Pro Tools users on OS X and Windows XP. The FM7 1.1.1 fully supports OS X's modern technologies and interfaces, including AudioUnits, RTAS, VST, and standalone operation with CoreMIDI and CoreAudio. Windows XP-based RTAS musicians can also play the FM7 directly in their Pro Tools sessions with the included PC RTAS plug-in. The FM7 1.1.1 update is immediately available to all registered users as a $29 direct download. The acclaimed "FM7 Sounds Vol.1" preset collection, which adds 256 additional presets to the FM7, is downloadable in a special package together with the update for $59. For users who would prefer to receive the 1.1.1 update on CD, NATIVE INSTRUMENTS offers a 1.1.1 update CD for $49. Bundled with the "FM7 Sounds Vol.1" preset collection, the CD update costs $79. For more info please go to www.ni-fm7.com. Tuesday, September 9 2003 | dmac REAKTOR 4 demo out! NATIVE INSTRUMENTS release a demo version of REAKTOR 4 for Mac and PC. The REAKTOR 4 demo can be got here. Tuesday, September 9 2003 | dmac Plugin updates Steinberg The Grand v1.05 (Mac) released. discoDSP Discovery 2.0 released. Sunday, September 7 2003 | dmac Cakewalk unveiled Sonar 3 Cakewalk have unveiled Sonar 3, which will be available in Producer ($719) and Studio ($479) editions. An overview of the differences between the two can be found here. Essentially the Producer edition will included an enhanced mixing console, a "professional sample library" and more bundled plugins (VSampler3, Ultrafunk Sonitus, Lexicon Pantheon). Sonar 3 is scheduled to begin shipping in the second week of October. Sonar 3 includes over 100 new features and enhancements including: Completely redesigned User Interface. Cutting edge mixing environment. Dynamic Console view. Universal Bus Architecture. Support for VST effects & instruments through included Cakewalk VST Adapter. Advanced MIDI routing & synth layering. Confidence recording of audio, MIDI, and automation. Track Inspector - optional vertical patch point and meter in Track view. Patch effects, trim audio, and roll out loops without disrupting the audio stream. MIDI Groove Clips. Multi-port MTC and MIDI sync transmission. Full control over colour schemes with multiple presets.  More @ Sonar.