Music Software News

A personal selection of the latest music software news, regarding innovation and practical progress in music production with computers.


March 2006 - Music Software News

Vienna Instruments - release
They did it again! After producing probably the best orchestra library, the "Vienna symphonic library" , they also cranked out the best software sampler we've seen so far just to be able to play that library in all it's variations. It seems like this will set a new standard, not only in sound but also in playability of virtual orchestras.

Logic Pro as "Universal" - release
Apple works hard to make their audio software a "Universal" which means compatible to the new Intel Macs. At the Musikmesse Frankfurt I have seen Logic running on one of the new Intel power books and boy, that was fast. A full blown mix with lots of plug-ins and instruments playing while the CPU load was still moderate.

DMM Sienzo reads chords from Audio files - release
A very useful software has been presented at Frankfurter Musikmesse that analyses audio files (wav or mp3) and gives you the chords or guitar tabs. You can then add the lyrics and save it as a file. While it doesn't work completely flawless it is still good enough to be very helpful.

Fujitsu 200Gb Laptop drives - announcement
Fujitsu is developing 200GB 2.5-inch hard drives. The shipping date should be the third quarter of 2006. They will use a SATA connection, fast enough for multimedia applications. Currently, the largest laptop drives contain 160GB.

Reason 3.0.5 - Beta test
Reason 3.0.5 works as "Universal". But if you know the Propellerheads, you also know that they never release a software without making it as bug-free as possible. So you can apply here as a Beta tester.

Novation ReMOTE SL for Ableton Live  - release
Novation has released a new driver for their beautiful and very handy hardware controller ReMOTE SL. Now it fully supports Ableton Live and is a great tool for Live performances.

Digidesign Music Production Toolkit - release
Enhancement for Pro Tools LE and M-powered systems. Includes a new synthesizer, convolution reverb, professional compressor/limiter, Sound Replacer, noise reduction, 48 stereo tracks up to 96 kHz, multitrack version of Beat Detective and the ability to export mixes as mp3 files.

BIAS PEAK supports Intel Macs - announcement
One of the best sound editors on the Mac platform Bias Peak supports the new Intel Macs. BIAS will be demonstrating its Universal applications on the newly available Intel-based iMac computer in its Frankfurt Musikmesse booth located in Hall 5.1 at Booth 63. The updates should be available in second quarter 2006.

Digital Performer 5 - announcement
The new version should be released at first quarter 2006 and include six instruments including three subtractive synthesis synths, one FM synth, a sampler and a twelve part drum module. It will support track folders for audio and MIDI, new editing tools, a better audio editor and many improvements for film and video scoring.

Logic Pro 7.2  - upgrade
A paid upgrade that makes Logic run on Power PC Macs and the new Macs with Intel processors. 32 audio instrument channel support, AAC playback, three new GarageBand 3 plug-ins, better ReWire and hardware controller support, new sound effects library, software support for the new Apogee Ensemble audio interface, support for the Serato Time& Pitch plug-in.

KORE - announcement
Native instruments announces a total solution for virtual instruments. A sophisticated hardware controller combined with a software that is host for virtual instruments and effects of all kind and a plug-in for sequencers, a universal sound library for all plug-ins. That means you can control all your instruments and effects with the same controller and one big sound library. Great idea! More at the Frankfurter Musikmesse end of march.