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MOTU Snow Leopard Compatibility

dawsoftware — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 02:29:40 +0000

According to MOTU, they have “worked closely with Apple to ensure a smooth transition for your MOTU products when you make the move to Snow Leopard.” In most cases, current versions of MOTU software have already been made forward-compatible with Snow Leopard – and, of course, that includes the forthcoming Digital Performer 7. MOTU promises that the now-available and soon-to-be-available software and driver updates include support for Mac OS X’s latest advances in multi-threading and multi-processor operation.

The software specifics:
All currently shipping versions of MOTU software products are compatible with Mac OS X v10.6 Snow Leopard, except for Ethno Instrument (with a promise that it will be compatible soon). Here’s a complete list of the minimum versions required for Mac OS X v10.6.

MOTU reminds you to update your Pace extensions, if you own an iLok, before upgrading.

Hardware drivers:
Device drivers are now available for Mac OS X v10.6 Snow Leopard for all MOTU FireWire/USB2 audio interfaces, FireWire video interfaces, PCI-424 audio interfaces, and USB MIDI interfaces. You need to be using one or more of the following driver updates:

FireWire/USB2 Audio 1.4.23
FireWire Video 1.1.2 (Final Cut Pro testing reveals no problems, but the software itself has not yet been approved)
PCI-424 Audio 1.2.2
USB MIDI 1.4.23

Update all Mac hardware and software updates here.

Steinberg Snow Leopard Compatibility

dawsoftware — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 02:18:16 +0000

Steinberg has announced their Snow Leopard/Windows 7 compatibility plan, but it would seem to leave Cubase and Nuendo users dangling for some time after other DAW apps have moved on. Here’s their September 1 statement: “Steinberg has outlined its plans to ensure compatibility for its current product and technology palette to Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard and Windows 7. A three-phase development and testing plan has been implemented to ensure compatibility with the new operating system versions.

“In Phase One, the current development phase, Steinberg is testing all current products on both Windows 7 and OS X 10.6. Phase Two will see any development work resulting from compatibility testing during Phase One. This stage will also see the certification of some products straight away, should all stringent testing be passed satisfactorily. Phase Three will see testing and release of any compatibility updates developed during Phase Two, and certification of the rest of the product range not already certified in Phase Two.

“The ongoing process is slated to span several months; further information on the progress of individual products is to be made available on the forums at cubase.net and nuendo.com as the implementation plan progresses.”

Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard Support for Pro Tools

dawsoftware — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 02:26:55 +0000

Many DAW software and hardware makers seem to have taken on a Stepford-like tone in their Snow Leopard announcements. They’re “pleased” that OS X 10.6. has been released, and they’re “working closely with Apple” to get up to speed. Read on:

“Avid/Digidesign is pleased to hear that Apple has released Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard. At this time, we’re working closely with Apple to bring Snow Leopard support to the entire Pro Tools line and extended product families, and ask that all Mac users please wait to upgrade until we officially announce Snow Leopard support. Stay tuned…”

Don’t Miss this SOS

admin — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 01:54:06 +0000

If you haven’t already noticed, most of the recording/electronic music/keyboard/etc. magazines have withered away during the economic, uh, drought. Advertisers are abandoning, or cutting back on, print media, which leaves publishers with a starvation budget that’s reflected in a noticeable dropoff in editorial content. So we see recycled articles, content that’s traded back and forth between sister publications, and attempts to steer readers to websites.

But Sound on Sound has stuck to its guns, offering loads of practical information, how-to guides, dissections of classic tracks, and more, all wrapped up in a good-natured Brit-speak package. The current issue includes technique-rich articles on Cubase, Digital Performer, Logic, Pro Tools, and SONAR – which by themselves are worth the hefty $60 USD subscription – plus regular features like Studio SOS (the editors actually visit readers’ home studios and help whip them into shape!), Mix Rescue (equally informative treatment of readers’ tracks), and a pile of other good stuff. In my day job I see all the trade publications; SOS is the one I take home to read and re-read.

Roland Connects Online

admin — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 01:48:32 +0000

One notable no-show at this year’s Summer NAMM in Nashville was Roland. Normally they fill a space the size of a good-sized house with a feast of new products and a cacophony of product demos (somebody please – release Johnny Rabb from his drum cage!). But that doesn’t mean that there’s no new gear to talk about. The just-released JUNO-Di, a scaled-down, battery-powered version of the JUNO-D, is now shipping. So is the Boss FRV-1, a stompbox that mimics the sound of a Fender spring reverb. But wait, there’s more – on September 1, Roland will roll out 10 new products in a first-time online media event. The program is called Roland Connect, and it will include information on all of the new products. Other than hinting that the launch will include “a professional stage instrument” and “desktop home-studio gear,” Roland’s not talking. The site features a downloadable desktop gadget to remind you to check out the web launch, as well as custom Roland Connect wallpaper for your computer.