Apple today announced Final Cut Pro X, a new version of the world’s most popular Pro video editing software which completely reinvents video editing with a Magnetic Timeline that lets you edit on a flexible, trackless canvas; Content Auto-Analysis that categorizes your content upon import by shot type, media and people; and background rendering that allows you to work without interruption. Built on a modern 64-bit architecture, Final Cut Pro X is available from the Mac App Store for $299.99.

“Final Cut Pro X is the biggest advance in Pro video editing since the original Final Cut Pro,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. “We have shown it to many of the world’s best Pro editors, and their jaws have dropped.”

“I’m blown away by what Apple has done with Final Cut Pro,” said Angus Wall, Academy Award-winning film editor. “Final Cut Pro X is incredibly modern and fast, but most importantly it lets you focus on telling your story in the most creative way, while it actively manages all of the technical details.”

At the heart of Final Cut Pro X is the Magnetic Timeline, a trackless approach to editing your footage that lets you add and arrange clips wherever you want them, while other clips instantly slide out of the way. You can use Clip Connections to link primary story clips to other elements like titles and sound effects, so they stay in perfect sync when you move them. You can even combine related story elements into a Compound Clip that can be edited as a single clip. The groundbreaking new Auditions feature lets you swap between a collection of clips to instantly compare alternate takes.

Content Auto-Analysis scans your media on import and tags your content with useful information. Final Cut Pro X then uses that information to dynamically organize your clips into Smart Collections, so you can easily find the clips you want by close up, medium and wide shots as well as media type and the number of people in the shot. You can also tag parts of clips with Range-based keywords to add custom search criteria to your media.

Completely rebuilt from the ground up, Final Cut Pro X is a 64-bit app that takes full advantage of the latest Mac hardware and software so you never have to wait for the next edit, even if you’re working with 4K video. Final Cut Pro X uses multi-threaded processing and the GPU on your graphics card for blazing fast background rendering and superb real-time playback performance. Additionally, a ColorSync-managed color pipeline ensures color consistency from import to output.

Final Cut Pro X also includes powerful tools for audio editing and color correction, and is complemented by two companion apps, Motion 5 for professional motion graphics and Compressor 4 for advanced media encoding, available separately from the Mac App Store.

Key audio features:

• Support for audio samples up to 192kHz
• Real-time Mac OS X Audio Units and Logic plug-in effects included
• Support for 64-bit third-party Audio Units plug-ins
• Match Audio for smoothing out EQ from different microphones
• 10- or 31-parameter EQ built into each audio clip
• VU meters that expand as needed
• Individual audio channel control for enable/disable and configuration
• Audio enhancements for volume normalization, background noise removal, and hum removal for both 50Hz and 60Hz
• Audio waveform display in viewer and timeline
• Adjust audio filters in real time during playback
• 5.1 surround monitoring and keyframe control for panning
• Preset animations for 5.1 surround panning such as Back to Front, Rotate, Create Space, and more

Final Cut Pro X requires OS X 10.6.7 and a 64-bit processor. It is available today for $299.99 from the Mac App Store. Motion 5 and Compressor 4 are available today for $49.99 each from the Mac App Store.

www.apple.com/finalcutpro

Discuss Final Cut Pro X on our Audio Video forum.

Harrison Consoles today released Mixbus 2.0, a new version of their full-featured Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) with “True Analog Mixing”, a combination of Harrison’s world-renowned sound and features in a knob-per-function interface. Mixbus provides a solution for engineers and mixers who need a recorder, editor and mixing system with world-class sound and features.

In October of 2009, Harrison launched a product that changed the industry expectations of what a DAW could and should be. Mixbus is a progressive workstation that combines open-source development with Harrison’s 30-year heritage of building world-class mixing systems. Mixbus provides an integrated “analog-style” mixer along with a world-class editor in a very cost-effective package. Version 2.0 represents a dramatic leap forward for mixing and editing in the box.

“Harrison has always prided ourselves on our customer service and our ability to listen to customer needs. Many users wanted Mixbus to act even more like a standalone console and tape machine, with the immediacy that normally only occurs with a piece of hardware. Other customers loved the Mixbus mixer, but needed advanced editing that “felt” like their previous workstation. Luckily these are not incompatible visions, and we were able to meet both of these expectations. It is a real pleasure to take comments from users and then actually implement the things they want in an elegant fashion.” – Ben Loftis, Mixbus Product Manager

“Because Mixbus is based on an open-source framework, it draws back the curtains on our development process. We’ve been compiling our users’ comments and incorporating those ideas into Mixbus; sometimes we incorporate code changes that were sent directly from users. Through this process, we’ve added dozens of features and fixes that were requested by mixers in every genre. Guided by our customers, we’ve refined the operation of Mixbus to make it faster, easier, more stable, more creative and more FUN to use.”

The new version incorporates more of the mixing features that made Mixbus special. Mixbus now includes 8 stereo mixbuses, on-screen plugin effect controls, and more flexible mixer layout options. By bringing some previously-hidden controls to the mixer surface, Mixbus feels even more like a dedicated mixing console. Version 2.0 also includes a wide range of editing features that will make it more comfortable for editors using other pro audio software. New features such as “Smart” and “Ripple” editing modes will be familiar to professional editors. And dramatic improvements to editing, crossfades, and automation were made that combine the best-in-class features of other workstations into the Mixbus workflow.

Mixbus Features:

• Straightforward “knob per function” mixer layout based on Harrison’s renowned 32-series and MR-series music consoles.
• Precision DSP algorithms for EQ, Filter, Compression, Analog Tape Saturation, and Summing based on Harrison’s world-renowned large format analog and digital mixing consoles.
• Unlimited stereo or mono input channels (based on available CPU power) featuring High-pass Filter, EQ, Compression, and 8 Mix Bus sends on every channel.
• 8 Stereo Mix Buses (can be used for groups or auxes) featuring Tone controls, Compression, Sidechaining, and Analog Tape Saturation.
• Stereo Master Bus that features Tone controls, Analog Tape Saturation, K-meter, Stereo Correlation Meter, and Limiting to help you make polished mixes.
• Plugin delay compensation to support effects such as parallel compression.
• Comprehensive “at-a-glance” metering with peak, peak hold, and compressor gain reduction visible on every track and bus.
• Extensive DAW features via the Ardour Digital Audio Workstation.
• Supports AudioUnit plugins and any CoreAudio interface. (Mac OS X)
• Supports LADSPA plugins and any JACK-capable interface. (Linux)

On the Mac, Mixbus 2.0 requires OS X 10.4.11 or later, a PowerPC or Intel processor with 2 or more cores, a 3-button mouse with scrollwheel and 100 MB of available hard disk space. A minimum of 1 GB RAM is recommended.

Mixbus 2.0 is available via direct download from Harrison Consoles for $219. Existing Mixbus customers should watch their email for a special upgrade offer of $99.00.

http://mixbus.harrisonconsoles.com/

Discuss Mixbus 2.0 on our Applications forum.

Steinberg today is proud to announce the release of Cubase 6 and Cubase Artist 6, two new versions of the highly acclaimed Cubase music production system for recording, editing, mixing and producing music to the highest standards. Encompassing refinements and new capabilities, such as extended composing features available in VST Expression 2, phase-accurate multitrack drum editing, plus a wealth of effects and instruments, Cubase 6 and Cubase Artist 6 are available today.

“The sixth version marks a significant release for Cubase,” comments Helge Vogt, Steinberg’s product marketing manager for Cubase. “With over 25 years of experience in creating the very best in music creation software, we at Steinberg are elated to unveil the latest incarnation of Cubase at this leviathan event early in the year. By funneling our entire engineering expertise into Cubase 6 to give our customers better production solutions than ever before, we’ve been able to solidify the position of Cubase as the world’s most popular music production system today. It looks better, feels better and works easier than ever before — Cubase is simply the perfect go-to audio workstation for all styles of music,” Vogt continues.

Cubase 6 offers enhanced workflow features within the Project window. The newly introduced Track Edit Groups option refines the work with multitrack recordings, allowing related events on multiple tracks to be grouped and edited simultaneously, while the new Lane Track offers convenient multitake comping for selecting and consolidating audio parts to form the perfect take. The redesigned transient and automatic tempo detection, phase-accurate audio quantization and drum replacement functions incorporated in Cubase 6 help to smooth out any glitches in live- recorded drum tracks. The Key Editor has further been enhanced with an Inspector panel and the groundbreaking Note Expression feature for creating and editing multiple controller values on a single-note level. Also included is the new Dynamics Lane, which allows real-time listening of dynamic changes while automatically in sync with dynamic notations from the Score Editor.

Cubase 6 - click to zoom

“With the concurrent release of VST 3.5, we’re taking VST to the next level, introducing a revolutionary new approach to controlling musical articulations note by note. It’s called Note Expression and is part of VST Expression 2 which radically simplifies work with large orchestral libraries for symphonic or film scoring. There’s also our virtual guitar amplifier and effects suite, VST Amp Rack, ready to infuse guitar tracks with the right tone in both Cubase and Cubase Artist. So many quality effects, virtual instruments and cool content right out of the box permit Cubase to scale beautifully between the needs of bedroom music producers and chart-topping studio professionals,” remarks product marketing coordinator Carlos Mendoza Rohde on the new features.

Both Cubase 6 and Cubase Artist 6 feature the VST Amp Rack plug-in, which comes with seven amp models, sixteen stomp boxes, six speaker cabinets and two microphone types. A great benefit is added by the HALion Sonic SE virtual instrument, which comes with more than 900 production-ready sounds in Cubase and 550 sounds in Cubase Artist, and the second edition of LoopMash, now boasting more than 20 MIDI- controllable live and slice-based effects. The significantly redesigned graphical user interface minimizes eye strain, which is customizable in its intensity, brightness and tone color settings. Both new Cubase versions offer 64-bit support for Mac operating systems, enabling a performance boost for using more tracks and bigger sample libraries. A few of the enhancements that round out Cubase 6 and Cubase Artist 6 are global project compatibility between Cubase 6 derivates, the new time- stretching algorithms and more than two hours of in-depth video tutorials in high- definition quality.

On the Mac, Cubase 6 requires OS X 10.6 or later (native 32-bit and 64-bit versions included), an Intel dual core CPU, 2 GB RAM, a USB port for USB-eLicenser (license management), and an Internet connection for license activation.

Cubase 6 and Cubase Artist 6 are now shipping and will be available at dealers and in the Steinberg Online Shop for $499 / €599 / £508 and $249 / €299 / £253, respectively.

http://www.steinberg.net/en/products/cubase1/cubase6_start.html

Discuss Cubase 6 on our Cubase forum.

Five12 Inc. has announced the release of Numerology 3, a music sequencing and audio plugin environment for Mac OS X which uses an innovative approach to electronic music composition based on modular step sequencing. Special introductory pricing is available through the beginning of January 2011.

With version 3, Numerology now comes in two flavors: a Standard Edition for anyone that wants an economical step sequencing addition to their studio, and a Pro version with advanced features for users looking to make Numerology a cornerstone of their compositional workflow. Another major addition is an AudioUnit version of Numerology that allows users of supported hosts to add advanced step sequencing to their DAW-based workflow. The Numerology AU is the first Audio Unit plugin to offer sample-accurate MIDI scheduling and built-in latency control.

Other highlights of Numerology 3 include new generative sequencing options, a completely revised user interface, a preset playlist, a humanize function, Audio and MIDI recording for every part, and several new and updated modules. These features expand and complement the capabilities provided by Numerology’s extensive list of sequencing and signal processing modules. With version 3, Numerology’s library of modules now numbers more than 50, not including hosted Audio Units.

The Generate and Evolve features in Numerology 3 allow users to explore new compositional territory by using generative algorithms both to create new patters, and to make transformations to existing patterns. The Generate feature includes 18 algorithms for generating new patterns, and is setup to allow users to easily control the musical context in which the pattern is generated. Evolve goes a step further by allowing users to program specific algorithmic changes to a sequence. These changes can be triggered directly, or setup to automatically repeat for regularized pattern modulation.

Features specific to the Pro version of Numerology include multi-output support for hosted AudioUnits, monophonic audio routing support, OSC support, custom scale quantization, and several new modules specifically oriented for building advanced sequencer setups. Included in that set are gate generator and clock offset modules, a CV To Audio module for driving an analog synthesizer directly from Numerology (with a DC-capable audio interface), and a pair of operator modules supporting a total of 61 functions.

Both the Pro and SE versions of Numerology 3 come with much improved synthesis options for the built-in sample-based SampleSynth and DrumKit modules. These modules now include a multi-mode filter, 2 AHDSR envelopes, a beat-synchronized LFO and a modulation matrix. Complementing these additions are a new set of built-in audio effects, including tempo-synchronized delays, multi-mode filtering, and a ring modulator.

Two new features in Numerology 3 greatly expand user options for storing and sharing presets and patterns, the Stack Library and Module Presets. The Stack Library is a new centralized location for storing part-oriented sequencing and synthesis setups. The Numerology 3 download comes with a library of stacks that include a variety of demo tracks, examples and core sequencing templates. In addition, the new module preset function in Numerology 3 allows users to easily store and load settings for any module. This feature is particularly handy for keeping track of sequencer patterns as well as building preset libraries for the SampleSynth and DrumKit modules.

Last, but not least, Numerology 3 now comes with 222 pages of detailed documentation in PDF format.

Numerology 3 requires a Mac running OS X 10.4.11 or later, 2GB of RAM, and a screen resolution of 1024×768 or higher. For MIDI-only use, a CPU speed of 1 GHz or more is adequate, but for AU hosting and audio synthesis, an Intel dual-core processor is recommended. Numerology AU requires a Mac with an Intel CPU running OS X 10.5.8 or later, and is currently only supported for Ableton Live (version 8), Apple Logic (versions 8 or 9) and MOTU Digital Performer (version 6 or 7). More hosts will be added soon.

Numerology 3 SE, Numerology 3 Pro and upgrades from versions 1 and 2 are are currently available for purchase from the Five12 website: Numerology 3 SE: $129, Numerology 3 Pro: $199, Numerology 3 SE Upgrade: $40, Numerology 3 Pro Upgrade: $80.

Introductory pricing for all products through January 9, 2011: Numerology 3 SE: $119, Numerology 3 Pro: $184, Numerology 3 SE Upgrade: $34, Numerology 3 Pro Upgrade: $65.

www.five12.com

Discuss Numerology 3 on our Applications forum.

Avid today introduced Pro Tools | HD Native, enabling a growing market of music and post-production professionals to tackle demanding audio projects using the full capabilities of Pro Tools HD software running entirely on computer CPU host-processing power.

Taking advantage of the rapid advancement in the performance of computer processors, this newest member of the Pro Tools family couples the cutting-edge software features, premium sound quality and broad compatibility of Pro Tools | HD systems, with a highly efficient native audio driver. This combination offers customers outstanding performance without the additional dedicated processing hardware included in larger Pro Tools | HD DSP-assisted systems.

The Pro Tools | HD Native system offers customers a completely integrated professional hardware and software solution featuring a new Pro Tools | HD Native PCIe card and running Pro Tools HD software—delivering a new level of price-performance and simplified, open workflows for recording, editing and mixing. Providing the best audio quality, Pro Tools | HD Native uses Pro Tools HD Series interfaces for up to 64 channels of premium audio conversion and I/O.

Support for SYNC HD enables accurate synchronization to picture for post-production workflows. For integrated monitoring and tactile control, the system integrates with Avid ICON and C|24 work surfaces, and features lossless session and project interchange with other Pro Tools and Avid video editing systems for simplified collaboration.

Additional features include:

• Third-party DAW support—Opens up workflows by giving customers the flexibility to work on their DAW of choice with support for Core Audio and ASIO drivers, enabling broad compatibility with third-party audio applications, such as Apple Logic, Steinberg Cubase, and others, while also offering Avid-advantaged integration with our own solutions.
• Integrated low latency mixer—Allows customers to focus on recording high quality audio with near-zero latency, rather than the distraction of managing a separate low latency mixer. The Pro Tools | HD Native PCIe card enables customers to easily establish a low latency monitor path directly in the Pro Tools system with the push of a button for set and forget direct monitoring while tracking.
• Pro Tools HD Series Interface support—Offers customers the ability to achieve premium audio conversion with up to 192 tracks of audio, and up to 64 channels of I/O using HD I/O, HD OMNI and HD MADI. Customers can create flexible configurations that support a variety of analog and open digital formats for seamless integration into any audio environment. Giving customers an even broader selection of I/O, the system is also compatible with legacy Avid Pro Tools HD interfaces.
• Broad compatibility—Provides customers the flexibility to use their platform of choice with the highest performance and stability available on a native platform, supporting both Windows 7 and Mac Snow Leopard 10.6 or higher.

The Pro Tools | HD Native system will be available worldwide November 5 starting at $3,495. Pro Tools | HD Native will also be available bundled with Pro Tools HD OMNI I/O starting at $5,995. For regions outside of the U.S., please see your local retailer for pricing.

www.avid.com/products/Pro-Tools-HD-Native

Discuss Pro Tools | HD Native on our Pro Tools forum.

Steinberg has launched Nuendo 5, a new state-of-the-art production environment tailored to top-flight studios in post production, live recording and audio production. The wealth of new features includes an ADR toolset, new sound design features such as the unique Clip Packages system, new plug-ins as well as a range of mixing, routing and automation enhancements.

“This is a landmark release for Nuendo, introducing extremely valuable new functionality to what is probably the premiere native production platform for post, live and audio production,” comments Timo Wildenhain, Steinberg’s Product Marketing Manager for Nuendo. “These days, efficiency, stability and speed in everyday tasks are absolutely critical, as is the ability to adapt software to changing needs and situations. These goals are exactly what Nuendo 5 has been designed to achieve, and have contributed to the overwhelmingly enthusiastic feedback from the first shows on the Nuendo 5 World Tour, which has been amazing so far,” Wildenhain adds.

Among the new features presented in Nuendo 5 is a new ADR toolset engineered for audio post, providing new capabilities for spotting including advanced take- and marker handling, EDL import, a new video engine and much more. Clip Packages have been designed specifically for sound editors as a new way of organizing and handling audio as clusters of files across multiple tracks that can be archived, previewed and retrieved almost instantly using the upgraded Nuendo 5 MediaBay.

Enhanced mixing features in Nuendo 5 include further developments on the industry-leading Nuendo automation system as well as direct routing with multiple destinations. A new plug-in set with the next-generation Surround Panner and a surround bus Patch Editor further add to the advanced feature set for surround that have been the hallmark of the Nuendo audio engine since its inception. Numerous other additions in Nuendo 5 include a waveform display in the Nuendo mixer, improved compatibility with Pro Tools audio files and automated Batch Export functions.

Nuendo 5 also integrates seamlessly with Steinberg’s Nuendo SyncStation synchronizer hardware, providing sample-accurate sync in almost any situation requiring rock-solid sync to almost any modern sync standard. Nuendo 5 also features complete support for a range of controller devices such as Euphonix, WK Audio and the Smart AV Tango.

Supporting OS X 10.5.8 and 10.6 or later on Intel Macs, Nuendo 5 will be available from authorized Steinberg dealers in June for €1799.00 / £1531.00 MSRP.

www.steinberg.net/en/products/audiopostproduction_product/nuendo5.html

Discuss Nuendo 5 in our Cubase & Nuendo forum.

Ohm Force today announced Ohm Studio, a standalone real-time collaborative music making application (DAW/sequencer) in addition to a web based collaboration platform and a music driven online “Cohmunity.” Ohm Studio will allow musicians to work with friends while sharing the same tools at the same time, as if they were together in the studio.

With Ohm Studio, it will be possible to set up a productive workspace to make music together and with ease. No more big file transfers, no more endless setup incompatibilities. Collaborators will be able to communicate with each other thanks to the built-in chat system which makes it simple to share any thought, instruction or comment.

When searching for partners, you will now be able to draw from a worldwide pool of musicians. The Ohm Studio Cohmunity will allow users to discover collaborative projects and find new people with whom to make music, searching by style, mood, skill, city, country and more. You may discover that the drummer or the singer you have always been looking for is only a few clicks away.

Ohm Studio will also be an elegant tool to showcase your own work and skills, in order to be discovered and/or be invited into groups or sessions. Could it be that you have just the right profile those Brazilian guys need for their funky nu-soul project?

For those who have a traditional “local” band/project, made up of people from the same town who actually enjoy meeting and playing together, Ohm Studio will be a great way of expanding workflow, as the creation process will no longer be limited by the 2 hours they’re actually able to share the same physical place. Those great ideas which always seem to manifest the second one gets back from the studio will not be lost anymore. And the work will continue, even if Peter’s garage is not available for the next few weeks.

The Cohmunity is the place where all Ohm Studio users will gather to find partners to make music with, view others profiles, create groups with others, share ideas on the forums or post projects mixdowns. Mixdowns can be posted on the group’s profile, as demos. In short, the Cohmunity will be a one stop place for collaborative work. It will be possible to access the Ohm Studio Cohmunity features from the application itself or from any web browser.

Pricing has not yet been announced. Ohm Studio should be available as beta testing wraps up by the end of 2010. You can request a spot in the limited beta via the link below.

www.ohmstudio.com

Discuss Ohm Studio in our Applications forum.

Avid today unveiled version 6 of Sibelius First. This powerful, yet easy to use music notation and composition program is designed for aspiring composers and songwriters who may be more comfortable with guitar and keyboard than the intricacies of sheet music editing.

Sibelius First is the fast and easy way to create great-looking scores using Sibelius’s acclaimed notation technology – ready to print, share, perform and post online.

New features include:

• Automatic collision avoidance: score elements move into their perfect position automatically
• Great-sounding playback out of the box, or use any VST/AU virtual instrument or effect
• Add chord symbols and guitar fretboard diagrams simply by playing the chord on your MIDI keyboard or guitar
• Easily add lyrics, titles, other text and graphics
• Turn guitar tab into notation, and back again
• Scan in printed sheet music or open PDF files to transpose, edit and print
• Parts automatically update when you change your score
• ReWire support
• Share and sell your scores worldwide on SibeliusMusic.com

The Mac version of Sibelius First requires OS X 10.4.11, OS X 10.5.8, OS X 10.6 or later, 512 MB RAM, 500 MB hard disk space, and a DVD-ROM drive. Avid also recommends a MIDI keyboard or MIDI guitar, TWAIN-compatible scanner, printer, and an Internet connection.

Sibelius First is available at retailers and via direct download from Avid for $129. A 30-day demo is available. Upgrade information and pricing was not available at press time.

www.sibelius.com/products/sibelius_first

Discuss Sibelius First in our Sibelius forum.

Just in time for a new decade, Renoise gets an upgrade from executive suite to penthouse with a panoramic view. The Renoise Pattern Matrix, both a bird’s eye view and a song editor, is the missing link that pushes Renoise’s unique approach to music composition to the next level. It’s the perfect companion to the “eyes on the details” appearance and capabilities of the Pattern Editor.

Renoise is a complete music production environment for Windows, Macintosh, and Linux. It features full ReWire support, FX and instrument VST/AU plug-in support, automatic plug-in delay compensation, multi-core load balancing, MIDI I/O, audio recording, flexible audio output, graphical & numerical parameter automation, modular parameter routing, and much more.

In Renoise 2.5 meta-devices (FX units that receive and transform parameters and other non-audio data) are now interconnectable across tracks. This opens the door to more modular approaches, like linking LFOs or key/audio signals all throughout your mix. Two new meta-devices round-up this “do anything” experience, giving the sound artist the freedom to connect and modulate all parameters with all others.

That’s just the beginning. Vastly improved MIDI mapping, automated rendering of plugin instruments to samples, a native guitar & bass amp simulator FX, performance optimizations, GUI improvements and much more…

Renoise 2.5 Sneak Preview (click to zoom)

Beta versions are exclusive to registered users. The first public 2.5 versions will be Release Candidates. The final version is expected to be released at the beginning of next year.

The price of Renoise will change from €49 to €59 when the final version is released – This price is for a multi-platform license. That means that a single license is valid for Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux. To ease the transition, everyone that buys Renoise 2.5 before the final version will get Renoise for the old price of €49. This covers upgrades up until and including version 3.5.

www.renoise.com/about/what-s-new-2-5

Discuss Renoise in our Applications forum.

Harrison, the manufacturer of world-class analog and digital consoles, is proud to announce Mixbus: A virtual “analog console” integrated into a full-featured Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) based on the Ardour open-source workstation project.

Mixbus “True Analog Mixing” provides critical mixing functions in a knob-per-function interface. “True Analog Mixing” is based on Harrison’s renowned 32-Series and MR-Series console designs, plus Harrison’s proprietary digital mixing technology. Mixbus enables you to record, edit, and mix a musical performance in-the-box while getting a sound that harkens back to the golden age of album recordings.

Traditional DAW mixers were designed by companies with no pedigree in music mixing, and they suffer from well-known flaws. Harrison eliminated these flaws in Mixbus by completely replacing the DAW’s internal mixing engine and applying proprietary True Analog processing.

Harrison consoles are known for their great-sounding EQ, filters, dynamics, and bus summing on every track. Now Mixbus offers every engineer a real Harrison music console “in the box”. With a logical knob-per-function interface, the user works with the fluidity of a traditional analog recording studio while retaining the convenience of a DAW. Mixbus enables the user to record, edit, and mix a musical performance “in the box” but get a sound that harkens back to the golden age of album recordings.

Mixbus Features:

• Straightforward “knob per function” mixer layout based on Harrison’s renowned 32-series and MR-series music consoles.
• Precision DSP algorithms for EQ, Filter, Compression, Analog Tape Saturation, and Summing based on Harrison’s world-renowned large format analog and digital mixing consoles.
• Unlimited stereo or mono input channels (based on available CPU power) featuring High-pass Filter, EQ, Compression, and 4 Mix Bus sends on every channel.
• 4 Stereo Mix Buses (can be used for groups or auxes) featuring Tone controls, Compression, Sidechaining, and Analog Tape Saturation.
• Stereo Master Bus that features Tone controls, Analog Tape Saturation, K-meter, and Limiting to help you make polished mixes.
• Plugin delay compensation to support effects such as parallel compression.
• Comprehensive “at-a-glance” metering with peak, peak hold, and compressor gain reduction visible on every track and bus.
• Extensive DAW features via the Ardour Digital Audio Workstation.
• Supports AudioUnit plugins and any CoreAudio interface.

Mixbus requires a dual-processor (or more) Intel or PowerPC Mac running OS X 10.4 or 10.5, a 3-button mouse with scroll wheel, and 100 MB available hard disk space. A minimum 1 GB of RAM is recommended. Mac OS X 10.6 support is coming soon.

An introductory price of $79.99 is available direct from Harrison.

www.harrisonconsoles.com

Discuss Mixbus in our Applications forum.

MOTU has released Digital Performer 7. This update delivers a fresh suite of classic guitar pedal emulations, a guitar amp emulator modeled after classics from Fender and Marshall, a physical modeling speaker cabinet emulator with mixable mic positions (close, near and far), and inline EQ & Dynamics in the Mixing Board.

Digital Performer 7 also offers workflow enhancements like a consolidated V-Racks display alongside your sequence in the Mixing Board, Channel Strip and Info Bar mixer controls that follow the track you’re working on, realtime crossfades, Wave64 support for recording files larger than 4GB, range automation modes, lead-sheet creation with inline lyrics and chord symbol tools, freely resizable Counter window, Marker Counter, and more.

For beginners and experts alike, Digital Performer 7 delivers advanced features in an intuitive, streamlined design, and provides industry-leading support for Mac OS X Core Audio and Core MIDI services. Built from the ground up for Mac users, Digital Performer 7 takes full advantage of the latest advances in Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard’s multi-threading and multi-processor operation, sample-accurate MIDI Time Stamping, Core MIDI patch list support, Audio Units plug-ins and virtual instruments, support for multiple Core Audio interface drivers and more. Whether you’re completing a surround sound DVD, or you just want to write a song and burn a CD or MP3 file, Digital Performer 7 gets you there quickly with elegance and ease.

Digital Performer 7 requires Mac OS X v10.4.7 or later (including Mac OS X v10.6), a PowerPC G4 1 GHz or faster CPU (including PPC G5 CPUs and all Intel processor Macs), 1 GB RAM, a display with minimum 1024 x 768 resolution, and a CD-ROM drive for installation and authorization. MOTU recommends a multi-processor, multi-core PowerMac G5 or Intel processor Mac, 2 GB RAM or more, and a minimum 1280 x 1024 resolution display.

You can purchase Digital Performer 7 direct from MOTU online. Upgrades from previous versions of Digital Performer are $195, while upgrades from Performer are $295. Upgrades from a competing DAW, including MOTU’s own AudioDesk, are $395.

www.motu.com/products/software/dp/

Discuss Digital Performer 7 in our Digital Performer forum.

Apple today unveiled the next version of Logic Studio with major upgrades to Logic Pro and MainStage and more than 200 new features that simplify complex tasks. Logic Pro 9 features a new set of Flex Time tools that allow Logic users to manipulate the timing and tempo of audio quickly and easily. New Amp Designer and Pedalboard plug-ins provide realistic virtual guitar amps and stompbox effects to create amazing custom guitar rigs.

Flex Time is a new collection of tools that allow musicians to quickly manipulate the timing and tempo of recorded audio, including vocals and instruments, to create tighter performances. Using the Flex Tool, individual beats in a waveform can be moved effortlessly with a mouse click, without the need for tedious slicing and editing. Audio Quantize can instantly fix or adjust the timing of an entire performance by aligning notes and beats to a musical grid with a single menu selection. Varispeed provides the ability to slow down and then speed up an entire multi-track production to help record challenging parts. Flex Time also enables recorded tracks to be moved between different Logic projects and matched together, even if they were performed at different tempos. All Flex Time edits are performed non destructively and in real time, even when using the highest quality settings.

The new Amp Designer and Pedalboard plug-ins give guitar players incredible new recording and sound design capabilities. Amp Designer recreates 25 legendary vintage and modern amp heads in beautiful detail with matching controls and 25 paired speaker cabinets that emulate the sound and feel of a guitar running through a real tube amplifier. Guitar players can create their own custom rig by mixing and matching amps, cabinets, reverbs and EQs, and can choose from three different microphone types that can be positioned in 3D space to capture the ideal guitar tone. Pedalboard adds an assortment of 30 guitar stompbox pedals that can be arranged in any order to produce a wide variety of lush, creative effects including overdrive, distortion, fuzz, delay, chorus, flange, phaser, tremolo, treble boost, wah and more.

MainStage 2 lets musicians use all the instruments and effects from Logic Studio to turn their Mac into the ultimate live performance rig. The new Playback plug-in provides musicians with a backing band, allowing them to perform with pre-recorded audio, like drums, sound effects and other accompaniments that can be triggered to play while they are performing live. The new Loopback plug-in allows musicians to record, layer and jam along with their own performance so a single musician can lay down a rhythm and then play a lead over it.

Logic Studio also includes the new Soundtrack Pro 3 and Compressor 3.5 for encoding in a variety of formats. Soundtrack Pro 3 adds powerful new audio editing tools including Voice Level Match which extracts volume information from the vocal content of one clip and applies it to another without altering any other audio content, so editors can easily correct mismatched voice levels. An enhanced File Editor includes new tools to make sophisticated edits and fine tune volume adjustments by targeting specific frequencies such as the rustle of a paper or the bump of a desk without affecting dialogue. The new Advanced Time Stretch feature stretches and compresses audio with incredible precision using three Apple-designed algorithms or other algorithms available as third party plug-ins. Soundtrack Pro and Compressor are also available as part of the new Final Cut Studio, allowing Final Cut and Logic users to collaborate and share files.

Logic Studio is now available at Apple.com, Apple’s retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers for a suggested retail price of $499 and existing users of Logic Studio and Logic Pro can upgrade for a suggested retail price of $199. Full system requirements and more information on Logic Studio can be found at www.apple.com/logicstudio.

Logic Express, a streamlined and even more affordable version of Logic for GarageBand users who want more power and control, will ship in August for a suggested retail price of $199.