The Garageband Studio

A new toy to play with: Edirol PCR-M50

I love my new USB Midi controller! The PCR-M50 has 49 full-size keys, begging the question why they call it the M50, and a whole bunch of knobs and faders. The knobs are more than decent (though not the endless rotary knobs that I prefer), but what I really like is the keybed. These are great very playable keys that don't feel cheap at all. There are 12 different velocity curves to pick from. While this is definitely a synth action keyboard, it is easy to pull of some  convincing piano sounds as well. I'm still working on a full review, but this is a controller I would definitely recommend.

So how are these universal plugins coming along?

While the switch to Intel is great performance-wise, one of the problems is that lots of software needs to be developed as a universal binary. Software like GarageBand and Ableton Live is already universal, but you also need your plugins to be a universal binary. And where would we be without plugins?!? It is encouraging to see that many high profile companies are hard at work at providing UB's of their software ASAP. This article at the Apple Developer Connection gives a good look at how some of these companies are dealing with the transition, and the problems they encounter. Here are the main issues:

1. It is urgent to get started and bring your universal product to market ASAP. It takes some planning. Your QA effort will go up. But having a universal version can demonstrate your commitment to the Mac and differentiate you from the competition.
2. The gain in general product performance that comes with running on the Intel processor is significant. Many applications immediately benefit. Customers are made very happy quickly.
3. More speed means you may be able to consider new features that were previously not feasible.
4. If your are compiling on the Intel-based Macs, your own productivity goes up as well, even if you have previously been using CodeWarrior.
5. If you are using CodeWarrior, you need to bite the bullet and change over to Xcode ASAP.
6. The transition from CodeWarrior to Xcode can be relatively easy, or it can be more time consuming, depending on things like how youre projects are set up.
7. Addressing the endian issue is a chore rather than a major engineering problem.

I certainly hope we'll see more universal plugins soon. In the meantime keep a close eye on Create Digital Music's Mactel watch.

[Via: CDM]

Free Apple Loops, Part 7

The good folks of iZotope, who make the fabulous iDrum plugin, have put out a free expansion for their XRB  iDrum drumkit and  loops collection. The good news is that XRB Free does not only feature 16 drumkits, but also 74 beats that are also rendered as Apple Loops. So you don't even need iDrum (it is a very nice drum machine thoug, you might want to pick it up). Nice!

For more free loops see: Free Apple Loops, compiled.

Apple Loops becoming big business?

I know it has been quiet around here, I've been trying to revive this blog so I will start to post more in the future. I found this article on the Apple Loops economy from German Magazine PC Welt quite interesting. It argues that:

The release of Apple Computer Inc.'s GarageBand brought the art of music creation to the masses. The consumer-friendly application also opened up business opportunities for new and long-time music loop creators looking to expand their business.

It gives good insight into the business and how these loops are made. Interesting stuff. Besides pointing out free loops, I'm also looking into reviewing commercial loop packages.