Abstract: There isn't much information available, since they don't even have an ETA yet, but the rumor is that it will be more affordable than other firewire interfaces. Basically, the specs look like a better done M-Audio 410. The determining factor will be the drivers (as usual). Ed: Well, quality seems an issue, too, and I prefer the fidelity of the M-Audio eqipment to Edirol, but read on!

Want proof that we're still digging our way out of NAMM news? We haven't had a chance to mention anything about Stylus Realtime Grove Module (RMX), previewed by Spectrasonic in Anaheim. This is a brand new virtual instrument plug-in to be released later this year, expanding on the company's Stylus virtual instrument and being developed by Spectrasonics new in-house software development team, and is the first product to use S.A.G.E. Sounds to me like an acronym for some evil congolomerate that Bond had to fight, but I'll go with them on this. The core of Stylus is a new core library of thousands of grooves and sounds, with a focus on real-time manipulation. There are lots of new genres, expanding on the original Stylus, plus hundreds of kits and customized groove libraries which can be save ...

Spectrasonics has used Winter NAMM 2004 to debut its new software technology called S.A.G.E. — "Spectrasonics Advanced Groove Engine." S.A.G.E. is an underlying core technology that allows extensive real-time control, creation and manipulation of grooves while retaining sound quality. Spectrasonics, previously known only for licensing its technology for other company's virtual instruments, is now stepping into the arena as a developer in its own right (though readers will likely recall the company's excellent Atmosphere plug-in). S.A.G.E. technology will be used in many new products from Spectrasonics in the future, starting with the new "Stylus RMX " vinyl groove virtual instrument being previewed at NAMM. Building on the company's previous Groove Control technology, S.A.G.E. will support that format as well as REX1, and REX2.

AudioFinder (US$49.95 shareware) now has 32 Bit Floating Point DSP Effects:

Normalize
Normalize -3db
Invert
Swap Channels
Fade In To Transport
Fade Out From Transport
Reverse
Reverse Mix
Mirror Forward/Backward
Mirror Backward/Forward
Phat (A totally new kind of distortion effect)
Change Pitch/Speed

Ed: Hallelujah. This was already a must-have utility. These additions make it the single most important utility on my hard drive. Bravo. Stay tuned for a full review with details for more. -PK

Worldlabel.com has released Label templates 1.0, a collection of free label templates for printing on the Mac OSX. The selection of templates includes CD, DVD, mailing, business CD cards and mini CD labels, address, shipping, media labeling and more. templates can be used in graphic programs such as Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Indesign, Quark Express, and several others. Design and print your own labels from your Mac.

Ed: Excellent stuff. Also a good resource for Mac users is the Avery template library for users of Avery brand labels, since many label makers leave Mac users out in the cold with PC-only design software. -PK