I had a chance to fastly test the latest Mac OSX 10.4 aka Tiger. Apple introduced some really cool features that was emerging in panther and seems now mature in Tiger. One of these features is MIDI networking! On previous OSX versions, we could view a basic network device in AudioMidiSetup. But does it ever really worked? On tiger, there is a full network configuration window allowing to create Network sessions, connecting multiple computers together to build a shared MIDI network.

I did not got a chance to test is yet, because the bad news is that it seems that my beloved StealthPort (a nice serial-port adapter from GeeThree allowing to use serial MIDI interfaces) is no longer available in Tiger. The current installer refuse to install the driver. Geethree, any plans for Tiger? Please keep us informed.

Back to Midi Network... Here is what the AppleHelp page says about sending MIDI device information over a network:

VirSyn Software announces Cube 2, the successor of the spectral morphing resynthesizer Cube. In Cube 2, every sound can be decomposed in a sine spectrum representing the harmonic and inharmonic partials and a residual noise spectrum for the noise components. The spatial character of a sound can be represented by a pan spectrum. The temporal evolution of these three spectra is a very convenient way to describe every sound. Cube 2 now features :

- Improved Spectral analyzer with selectable algorithms optimized for different sound types
- 600 ready to use presets
- Graphical editor for direct manipulation of the spectral and spatial structure of the sound.
- Improved morphing algorithm
- Residual noise generator
- Volume envelope now independent from the Morph envelopes
- Switch off morph envelopes for manual morph control
- Modulation range for morph modulation added
- New modulation sources "Breath" and "Expression"
- Editor for MIDI assignment of user interface controllers
- Legato mode for monophonic sounds
- Reset function for source edits and resynth sources.

Cube 2 for Mac OS X costs 279 euros.

McDSP launches LE versions of three plugins : FilterBank, CompressorBank, and Chrome Tone will be available as RTAS and Audiosuite formats, and will work in the same way of the full versions. FilterBank, CompressorBank, and Chrome Le versions will be available on May 9th.

These plugins will cost $195 each.

Alphakanal announces an update for its substrative synthesizer Automat to version 0.1.6. which adds stereo-delay settings, adds new random preset generation types (Random, Shuffle, Evolution) and fixes : pitch wheel error, filter stability problem and adds minor GUI changes.

EchoBoy TDM, made by SoundToys (formerly Wave Mechanics) is an echo/delay plugin for Pro Tools systems and the latest tool in the SoundsToys line of plug-ins for Digidesign's Pro Tools systems. EchoBoy TDM is loaded with over 300 presets and features dual, ping-pong and rhythm modes, dynamics control, 3-band EQ, stereo imaging control, advanced analog mode and true TDM (not HTDM) support on Pro Tools HD and HD Accel systems. EchoBoy TDM works in Digidesign's TDM, RTAS and AudioSuite plug-in formats and supports Pro Tools HD, LE and HD Accel.

EchoBoy costs $495, and for a limited time (until May 23rd), EchoBoy TDM will be available for $295. A 14-day demo version is also available.