CSOUNDS MACCSOUND

A new development environment for Csound is availablefor Mac OS 9 and OS X. MacCsound (freeware) provides a front end forcontrolling Csound instruments and signal processing. According to MattIngalls, its developer, MacCsound combines the original Unix program'spower and flexibility with the user-friendly look and feel of a typicalMacintosh application.

With MacCsound, you can build a GUI for any Csound creation. Thegraphics editor lets you design and modify control and display objects,and the text editor offers opcode syntax highlighting andformatting.

MacCsound can play back 32-bit multichannel AIFF-, AIFC-, WAV-, andSDII-format audio files with user-programmed effects plug-ins. Mac OS Xfeatures include support for Core Audio and CoreMIDI. Csounds; Web http://csounds.com/matt/MacCsound; e-mail matt@sonomatics.com.

APPLE COMPUTER POWER MAC G5

Apple Computer has introduced its next generation ofdesktop machines, the Power Mac G5. The G5 comes in three models: 1.6GHz with an 800 MHz front-side bus ($1,999), 1.8 GHz with a 900 MHz bus($2,399), and dual 2 GHz with a 1 GHz bus ($2,999). All contain the newPowerPC G5 processor, developed by IBM and featuring true 64-bitarchitecture — a first for personal computers. The G5'shigh-bandwidth CPU, in combination with high-speed 128-bit memory, ATAcontrollers that support 150 Mbps throughput, and a bus speed that'salmost six times as fast as the G4's, results in a computer that'sconsiderably faster than previous models. (According to Apple, thatmakes it the fastest desktop computer on the market.)

The G5 has an anodized aluminum enclosure that maximizes airflowwhile minimizing noise. Apple claims that it's twice as quiet as anydesktop G4, making it ideal for studio use. It's also the first Mac toship with both digital and analog audio I/O, featuring 48 kHz, 24-bitA/D/A converters and optical S/PDIF connectors.

The 1.6 GHz model comes standard with 256 MB of DDR333 RAM(expandable to 4 GB), an 80 GB hard drive, and three PCI slots. The twoother models come with 512 MB of DDR400 RAM (expandable to 8 GB), a 160GB hard drive, and three high-speed PCI-X slots. All three G5s includea SuperDrive DVD-R/CD-RW optical drive and 512K of Level 2 cache. AppleComputer; tel. (408) 996-1010; Web www.apple.com.

ROLAND MV-8000

The MV-8000 Production Studio ($2,695) packs a lot offeatures into a luggable desktop device. The MV-8000 combines sampling,sequencing, effects, and CD burning in an instrument that's suited toboth studio and onstage use. You can program beats and trigger audiophrases with its 16 large pads, which respond to Aftertouch andVelocity, and edit performance data using an icon-based user interface.The MV-8000's sequencer offers 16 mono audio tracks and 128 MIDItracks, as well as the ability to synchronize audio to tempo. Ratherthan recording directly to its internal 40 GB hard disk, the MV-8000records to RAM (the standard 128 MB is expandable to 512 MB) first andthen saves the audio data to the drive.

The sampler can load a variety of file formats, including Akai MPC2000/4000 from CD-ROMs or floppy disks. It also reads Roland S-700,WAV, and AIFF files, and you can import audio directly from audio CDs.It even reads Acid files and calculates the bars and tempo.

The MV-8000's user-sampling features include a pair of phono inputsfor sampling directly from a turntable. Four effects processors deliver24-bit reverb, chorus and delay, and COSM-based multi-effects. Onboardmastering tools are available for use before burning a CD or exportinga stereo WAV file to your computer. Roland Corporation U.S.; tel. (323)890-3700; Web www.rolandus.com.

KORG ELECTRIBE MX

The most recent addition to Korg's popular series ofdesktop electronic music machines is the Electribe MX ($850), the mostsophisticated member of the Electribe family and the first with backlitLCDs. Korg calls the Electribe MX's most surprising feature ValveForce:it comprises two vacuum tubes located at the output stage to impartanalog distortion without an external preamp.

The Electribe MX also introduces Korg's Multi Modeling Technology(MMT), which combines analog modeling and waveshaping with PCM sounds.The synthesis architecture provides 16 oscillator algorithms, aresonant multimode filter, and three stereo effects processors. Themultitimbral Electribe MX plays five synth parts, nine drum parts, andtwo accent parts simultaneously. The MX can also process external audioand sync to any rhythmic source. Ample front-panel controls facilitatereal-time editing, and you can enter performance data using a sliderand ribbon controller.

The sequencer in the Electribe MX stores 192 factory patterns and256 user patterns, each containing synth program data and note data.The device supports real-time and step recording, and you can assign 16patterns to the step buttons to trigger playback in real time, as wellas record and edit knob movements in as many as 24 Motion Sequences foreach pattern. You also can chain patterns together to create as many as64 songs, each with a maximum length of 128 steps. The Electribe MX cansave pattern and song data on SmartMedia cards. Korg USA, Inc.; tel.(516) 333-9100; Web www.korg.com.

DIGITECH VX400

One of DigiTech's most recent contributions to musictechnology is the Vx400 Modeling Floor Processor ($399), a unique vocalpedalboard that doubles as a computer audio interface. The Vx400 is afull-featured vocal-effects processor with three footswitches and anexpression pedal, and it provides four channels of analog audio I/O,24-bit A/D/A converters, and a USB port for computer connectivity.Onboard memory stores 40 factory presets and 40 user presets. Itsmic-modeling presets emulate 16 different microphones, and vocalcharacter presets range from Overdrive and Grunge to Monster andChipmunk. In addition to compression and 3-band EQ, the V×400'seffects include chorus, vibrato, pitch shift, delay, and reverb.

The V×400 has a ¼-inch guitar input, two ¼-inch lineinputs, and an XLR input with a mic preamp. The outputs include two¼-inch jacks, two balanced XLR jacks, and an ⅛-inch stereoheadphone jack. The USB port provides two-way data transfer forrecording audio and for controlling DAW functions such as record,playback, and track arming. The USB also offers access to an onboarddrum machine that plays more than 30 patterns. Pro Tracks (Win), amultitrack recording application developed in collaboration withCakewalk, is included. DigiTech; tel. (801) 566-8800; e-mail customer@digitech.com; Web www.digitech.com.

E-MU PX-7 COMMAND STATION

The newest in E-mu's series of Command Stations is thePX-7, which focuses on drum and percussion sounds. The PX-7 is a hybriddrum machine that combines a pattern-based 16-track sequencer with a128-note synthesizer. You can record by real-time, step, or grid-noteentry using the PX-7's 13 Velocity-sensitive pads, 16 programmableknobs, a data dial, and a touch strip. The PX-7 records and plays back32 internal MIDI channels and 32 external MIDI channels. The unit'smixdown feature enables you to condense as many as 16 MIDI channelsinto one as many times as you need to.

To help get your creative juices flowing, 90 groove sequencessupplement 512 ROM Presets and 512 RAM Presets. The PX-7 has four SIMMsockets, one of which contains a newly developed sound ROM thatprovides 32 MB of acoustic and electronic drum and percussion samples.Like the other Command Stations, the PX-7 is expandable by means ofadditional sound ROMs that range from Beat Garden to AdvancedOrchestra. The PX-7 also has a 20-bit S/PDIF output, 50 filter types,512 song locations, and a maximum of 32 synchronized arpeggiators.

The PX-7 includes version 2.0 of the Command Station operatingsystem, which offers enhanced sequencing and performance capabilities.E-mu Systems; tel. (831) 438-1921; e-mail info@emu.com; Web www.emu.com.

EVENT ELECTRONICS STUDIO PRECISION 8

The Studio Precision 8 is Event Electronics' flagshipmonitor speaker and the first of four new models. It comes in twoversions: the passive PSP8 ($799 per pair) and the biamplified ASP8($1,499 per pair). The Studio Precision 8 provides deeper, moreaccurate bass response than its predecessors, thanks to a new 8-inchwoofer and dual linear-flow bass ports. A new 1-inch tweeter increasesstereo imaging in comparison to Event's previous designs. According tothe manufacturer, the high frequencies do not require any correctiveEQ, and the tweeter's broad radiation pattern increases the size of thesweet spot. The high- and low-frequency drivers both contain neodymiummagnets, offering the advantages of lower distortion, higher output,and less weight.

Rated at 200W for the low end and 80W for the high end, the activeASP8 contains the most powerful amplifier available from Event. The ampis based on a torroidal transformer for decreased electrical andmechanical noise. Controls include continuously variable low and hightrim knobs, continuously variable input sensitivity, and an 80 Hzhighpass filter switch. Inputs are balanced XLR and ¼-inch jacks.Event Electronics; tel. (805) 566-7777; e-mail info@event1.com; Webwww.event1.com orwww.eventelectronics.com.

LINPLUG RM IV VSTI DRUM MACHINE

Thelatest plug-in from LinPlug Virtual Instruments is RM IV (Mac/Win,$149), a drum machine that combines analog percussion synthesis withsampling. RM IV is the successor to RM III, and it comes bundled withmore than 170 drum kits ranging from synthesized electronic drums tomultisampled studio kits (including around 2,500 samples). RM IVprovides 18 Velocity-sensitive pads for triggering 11 Audio GeneratorModules. Its modular design provides ten percussion synthesisalgorithms that produce sounds that span the decades. The samplermodule automatically turns off unused modules to conserve computerresources. It supports multisamples with Velocity layers andcrossfades, with audio resolution as high as 32 bits.

RM IV offers the same AHDSR-controlled multimode filter used inLinPlug's synth plug-ins. Innovative features include an efficientlydesigned edit window that minimizes mouse clicks, a compressor tailoredfor percussion sounds, and a six-by-six modulation matrix. LinPlug saysthat RM IV can open LM-4, CM-505, RM2, and RM III kits, as well as AIFFand WAV samples.

Unlike most LinPlug products, RM IV is available only on CD-ROM, andthe price includes free worldwide shipping. For the Mac, RM IV requiresOS X and at least a G3/400 MHz. For the PC, you'll need a minimumPentium/400 MHz and Windows 95. Both platforms require a VST hostapplication, 1 GB of disk space, and at least 16 MB of available RAM(though the largest kits require 512 MB). LinPlug Virtual Instruments,GmbH; e-mail support@linplug.com; Web www.linplug.com.

MUSICXPC PROFESSIONAL

Musicians who desire a computer built especially formusic applications have a new alternative — the MusicXPRProfessional (Win, $1,599), the first product from Canadianmanufacturer MusicXPC. Designed for audio production, the Professionalis a modified version of the Shuttle XPC computer, powered by a 2.8 GHzPentium 4 with a 533 MHz front-side bus and 512 MB of DDR333 RAM(expandable to 2 GB). The MusicXPC is lighter and quieter than mostdesktop computers, thanks to a small form factor, an aluminum chassis,and a heat-pipe cooling system that minimizes the need for fans.

MusicXPC optimized the Professional for musicians by developing acustomized BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) and by turning off WindowsXP services that are unnecessary for audio applications. The computer'sI/O includes optical S/PDIF, an ⅛-inch mic input, an ⅛-inchheadphone output, 100 Mbps Ethernet, four USB ports, and three FireWireports. Among its other standard features are 80 GB and 120 GB ATA133hard drives, a 48×40×8 DVD/CD-RW combo drive, and one PCIslot. The MusicXPC also ships with a full-size keyboard and an opticalmouse. Windows XP is preinstalled. The MusicXPC Professional isavailable exclusively at music retailers. MusicXPC; tel. (416)646-0900; e-mail neil@musicxpc.com; Web www.musicxpc.com.