Native Instruments announces that all new NI products as well as the existing catalogue will be outfitted with the RTAS interface.

NI is currently working intensely on equipping the entire product line with RTAS support. All new products coming out in 2003 will support the RTAS interface (Windows, Mac OS 9 and Mac OS X), while support for the existing products will be implemented in future updates of the products.

RTAS will soon be the new standard for integration of NI products into ProTools and completely replace DirectConnect. With RTAS support the integration of NI software synthesizers, samplers and effects into ProTools systems reaches a new level of quality. Soon all NI products will offer ProTools users complete automation, total recall, and remote control of all plug-in control elements via Digidesign hardware controllers.

A schedule for upcoming RTAS support, as well as further information, can be found on:

The Digidesign Core Audio driver allows your third-party applications supporting the Apple Core Audio standard to utilize your Pro Tools system for audio input and output.
This initial version of the Core Audio driver requires some embedded Pro Tools components. As such, it is a requirement that Pro Tools 6.0.1 must be installed for correct Core Audio driver operation. A stand-alone version is annonced for the coming weeks. Beware, the Digidesign Core Audio driver can only work with one application at a time, and is not able to support playback of system sounds.

Cycling'74, the editor of Pluggo jitter and Max-msp has just released RadiaL, a software for realtime loops' treatment, optimized for playing live, composing, designing...
RadiaL is based on loop channels represented by circular displays, each with its own performable multi-filter and pitch shifting/time scaling. Almost every aspect of the system can be configured for live performance, studio recording, or sound exploration, controlled from a variety of sources (control surfaces, MIDI, keyboard or mouse). RadiaL features complete multi-channel audio I/O support, audio and effects routing, and support for VST plug-ins.

Do you know the software Overture for score edition ? This respected program issued on Mac since 1994. Distributed by Opcode and later bought by Cakewalk, it's now independent thanks to his creator who his now distributing through his own software company: Geniesoft.

Good news: after being in touch with their marketing service, I can assure you that Overture and it's light version, Score Writer will become compatible with Mac OSX before the beginning of summer 2003.

Easy to handle, simple and efficient that's the main characteristics of theses updates. In the meantimee you can take a look on their website and download the OS9 demos.

Apple seems to have found the noise bug of the bi-proc fans which were issued in august 2002. The exchange program of the fans started end of february and valid up to end of june 2003. The fans just start to be shipped by Apple.

If the noise is really reduced, it seems that theses macs are the last ones able to boot under OS9 for musicians.

To be seen, or mostly to be heard!