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.

Spectacular is a spectral audio composition environment. it allows for non-linear spectral manipulations with spectral interleaving, sequencing, envelopes, inserts, and rhythmic objects. this is extremely idiosyncratic software for composing with spectral data. at first glance it is very difficult to use, but with the help of the tutorials odd sonic patterns will begin to emerge.

Spectacular 0.001 is available in the MacMusic softwares section.

Ohm Force has released a new version for Symptohm Melohman, the Performer Edition, available for MacOS 8, 9, and OS X as VST, AU and RTAS plug-ins. Melohman Performer Edition is the low-cost version of the virtual synth Symptohm. A new funky skin is also available for the full version and a sound content update too.

Melhoman Performer Edition costs 49 euros and a demo version is available.

Expert Sleepers has released a beta version of Augustus Loop v1.2, an emulation of a tape-based delay effect, with some extra features to facilitate its use as a looping device. This beta release features : MIDI output ports now uniquely named, added option to disable MIDI output ports, added option for MIDI receive channel, added display of current loop length (when sync'd) and while using 'tap record', added saturation shape control and CPU efficiency improvements.