There it is, it's midnight sharp and I know that you steadily enter the New Year that is showing up. Wether you are alone, with the family,with your darling, at work for some of you, ill for some others, with your friends or in front of your favourite Mac, I do wish you all, each one of our 45,607 members, our visitors, each one of our chatters on the forum, whether amateur, professional, discreet or super talkative, in the name of our dearest webmaster "Soif" and of the whole team of MacMusic a perfect, excellent and explosive New Year. In seven years' time, MacMusic has become a great community in which bonds - and not only virtual ones - have grown and often, behind loudmouths and sulks, true friendships and strong camaraderies that made it possible to save the site two years ago now. We have kept to the bet and won. With that spirit in mind, I announce you today that MacMusic has some (happy) surprises in store for the year to come, and I personally wish you all the best for the Year 2005.

Since I have decided to drink a glass of champagne in the honour of each of our members (that is 45,607..), you easily understand that you will see yours truly and the news only tomorrow January 2nd to celebrate the Epiphany, of course!

Digital Doctor has released showcontrolpro v2.1 software for MacOSX, which allows control of live audio mixes via MIDI. Mix parameters and outboard FX are controlled using MIDI program changes to recall snapshots and patches in digital desks (Yamaha 02R, Digico D5) and FX (Yamaha SPX 990, TC D-2) that are capable of receiving MIDI program change data. The OSX version allows remote control of the showcontrolpro software from the programmable buttons on the 01v96, 02R96 and PM1D, allowing even more ease of use for the engineer. Other improvements in version 2.1 include improved MIDI diagnostics, and improved performance for low device-count set-ups.

See screenshots and download at showcontrolpro web site.

Symbolic Composer by MRAC Publishing is one of the most advanced and largest music composition language available with over 1000 music algorithms. A new version, v5.2, is available and includes several enhancements compared to the previous 5.1 version. These cover new randomization system and new MRACSystem functions based on developments of Janusz Podrazik's composition 'Kritiken Nostalgia' For String Quartet.

Words run short when it comes to describe the horror in Asia these last few days, and so does money. In order to face the humanitarian needs and to avoid dramatic sanitary consequences that could be even worse than the catastrophe itself, the humanitarian and international organisations have called for donations . MacMusic gives you a list, which is not exhaustive of course, of the main organisations which are currently joining forces to cope with this catastrophe.

UNHCR
Unicef
International Red Cross

An updated installer for Pro Tools LE 6.5cs5 for Mac OS X only has been posted for download on December 28. Any users that have previously installed the Pro Tools LE 6.7cs5 for Mac OS X update that was posted last week should install this newer version instead. This installer correctly installs the following components : DigiIO.kext (v6.7cs5), DigiDal.kext (v6.7cs5), DAE (v6.7cs4) and Pro Tools LE 6.7 (v6.7cs3).

More info and download on Digidesign web site.