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| 09-30-07 / 01:21 PM : SonicCouture Hang drum (cjed) |
 SonicCouture presented Hang drum, a 2,4 Gb library (Kontakt 2 player, 1000 24 bits samples, 21 velocity levels) from this swiss percussion instrument created in 2000. Audio demos are available. It is priced 49 pounds (download). |
| 1 comment |
| 09-30-07 / 01:14 PM : Propellerheads Reason 4 videos (cjed) |
| Propellerheads provides videos of Reason 4 new components : Thor synth, RPG-8 arpeggiator, ReGroove mixer, new sequencer. |
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| 09-29-07 / 03:51 PM : AF : Kontakt 3 review (cjed) |
| Audiofanzine provides a detailed review of Kontakt3. The new improved samples library (33Go) is well done, however changes in the user interface still can't fix the feeling ok thickness in some cases. Audio formats import is still somewhat buggy, but a new automatic mapping mode is included for old samples libraries. Rhythmic audio patterns editing is made easier thanks to a new slice mode. |
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| 09-29-07 / 01:39 PM : Corel Painter Essentials 4 (cjed) |
 Corel presented Painter Essentials 4, a light version of Painter that has been entirerly revamped (new interface, new brushes, optimized for Intel mac). It also bring a new auto painting mode, that allows from a photo to obtain a corresponding painted rendering (see demonstration videos). Many tutorials (video and printed) are included. A demo version (works 60 days) is downloadable, and the software is priced very low (99,99$), at direct download or box. |
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| 09-27-07 / 10:52 PM : Common Arp (cjed) |
 This balade is based upon a piano theme (Complete Piano), a guitar part (Kontakt 2), an organ (Colossus, also for drums), and finally a bass and effect (XV) : XV_CommonArp |
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| 09-27-07 / 09:28 PM : Apple : quote stock record (cjed) |
| As Apple stock quote can't stop growing these days (at a strongly rate), close to 155$, we can expect new records with yet new products to come. |
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| 09-26-07 / 10:39 PM : Image Line PoiZone (cjed) |
 PoiZone is a soustractive virtual synth : 2 oscillators, noise generator, ring modulator, 16 voices, unison, arpeggiator, 2 ADSR, 3 filters. It is priced 79$ (VSTi 2.4 and AU). An audio sample and a demo are available. |
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| 09-26-07 / 10:29 PM : Kotf : release date in october (cjed) |
| Knights of the Force will finally be out october, following the discovering of bugs in multiplayer mode (the single player mode is fine). The lead designer is working hard on the levels 15 hours per day, that gives hints on the polished level of the mod ! |
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| 09-24-07 / 11:29 PM : Steinberg Nuendo 4 (cjed) |
 Steinberg presented Nuendo 4, the new version of its music production solution. Videos are available here. However at 1799 euros, we can have doubts about its sucess on mac platform, as Apple's Logic Studio suite is now priced 479 euros, and offers at least the same features. |
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| 09-24-07 / 11:17 PM : Halo 3 available : video, review (cjed) |
 Halo 3 is finally out (xbox version only for now) and Gamespot provides yet a full review.We can also watch a long video (12 mn) there and a shorter one. UPDATE: a new very long HD video (60mn) is also available here. About Forge mode, that allows to alter/add objects in Halo 3 levels (but not the level design), it is a reminding of old Forge editor for Bungie's Marathon (only compatible with OS9). We can download a new level builder for OSX, named Pfhorge (source code here), however it doesn't manage visual texturing (see Anvil application for OS9). |
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| 09-24-07 / 11:04 PM : The Star Wars Holiday Special (cjed) |
| A little reminding of a very little known Starwars TV show, that was out in 78 for holidays : The Star Wars Holiday Special. We can read a DVD review there, and video samples at dailymotion and youtube. |
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| 09-24-07 / 10:51 PM : Leopard and old G4s / Mac Nano (cjed) |
| Macnn reported that Leopard will require a 867 Mhz G4, whereas Tiger could run on old G3s. On another hand Macosrumors announces the eol of mac mini, and the upcoming Mac Nano, 25 percent smaller (no more larger than an optical drive), and Macbook Nano. I would like to have both :) |
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| 09-23-07 / 08:01 PM : Katie Melua : Pictures (cjed) |
 A new Katie Melua's album (third), Pictures, is announced, october, first. Some videos are available, as audio excerpts. It seems less good that previous ones, however it has to be confirmed.Meanwhile we can watch a new original concert DVD, Concert under the sea.s |
| 2 comment |
| 09-23-07 / 03:04 PM : Macnn : review of ipod Touch (cjed) |
| Macnn provides a detailed review of the ipod Touch. That is here. |
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| 09-23-07 / 03:02 PM : Leopard build 9A559 : final candidate soon (cjed) |
 Mac Rumors gives details on the last Leopard build seaded, 9A559. There is two minor remaining bugs listed, so the final candidate version should appear soon. This version also includes some slight changes in user interface. |
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| 09-20-07 / 10:41 PM : OpenOffice.org soon in Cocoa (cjed) |
 OpenOffice.org mac is being ported from Carbon to Cocoa. We can see the last progress here, and the full details on the wiki. A first public version will be released soon. |
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| 09-19-07 / 10:56 PM : Office 2008 demoed (cjed) |
| Microsoft presents on its site the new features of Office 2008 mac, that should ship during the first part of 2008. That is here. |
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| 09-19-07 / 08:21 PM : Wednesday Pour la Science à l'Hôtel de Ville (vincent) |
| No traduction yet, please switch to french mode. |
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| 09-18-07 / 10:05 PM : Fable The Lost Chapters : preview (cjed) |
| IMG provides a preview of Fable: The Lost Chapters from Lionhead Studios (ported by Feral Interactive). The game may not require huge resources, however hardware vertex shaders may be necessary to achieve acceptable performance on G4. |
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| 09-17-07 / 10:56 PM : Sonic Implants Symphonic Harp (cjed) |
 SONiVox presented Sonic Implants Symphonic Harp for Kontakt. The many Gb library is priced 259$ and audio demos are available. |
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| 09-17-07 / 10:48 PM : Interview : Peter Molyneux (cjed) |
 The site computer and videogames provides an interview of Peter Molyneux, creator of Populous, Theme Park, Syndicate, and later B&W 1 and 2 and Fable the Lost Chapters at Lionhead. He gives details about games realization conditions, and Lionhead buy (by Microsoft). |
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| 09-15-07 / 10:47 PM : Vir2 Instruments : Syntax (cjed) |
 Vir2 Instruments presented Syntax, a plugin based on Kontakt 2 Player that provides 2000 synth patches (Arp Attacks, Atmospheres, Basses, Distortions, FX and Hits, Leads, Pads, Phat and Filtered, SyntOrchestra, Textures). The whole fits on 3,6 Gb 24 bits samples. Effects (ScatFX and StepFX) allow to introduce rhythmic patterns to sounds (tempo synchronizable gate) and to alter pitch (step modulator) to simulate an arpeggiator.Stunning audio demos and video are available. It is priced 199,95$. |
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| 09-14-07 / 11:31 PM : Radeon 9800 Pro AGP 2x/4x for G4 (cjed) |
| ATI is producing again the Radeon 9800 Pro AGP 2x/4x Mac Edition, the most powerful graphic card available for all G4 (from Sawtooth to MDD). This version onboards 128 Mb memory instead 256 Mb, but it is said to give the same performance level. The card can be buyed here, and is sold 235$. |
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| 09-14-07 / 11:26 PM : Penumbra: Black Plague (cjed) |
| Frictional Games announced the sequel to Penumbra: Overture, named Penumbra: Black Plague (second and final episode). It should ship in the first quarter of 2008. |
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| 09-14-07 / 11:15 PM : Nisus Writer Express 3 (cjed) |
 A new version of Nisus Writer Express (3.0) is available (45$). It brings text wrapping around images, a better search&replace, a glossary, etc. A demo version can be downloaded. |
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| 09-13-07 / 10:55 PM : Enemy Territory: Quake Wars : trailer (cjed) |
 Gametrailers presented a new trailer of Enemy Territory: Quake Wars, the new Id Software game. The atmosphere and graphics seem very well done. |
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| 09-13-07 / 10:51 PM : GL Golf 2.0.5 (cjed) |
| A new version of GL Golf, the 2.0.5, is available at macgamefiles. It notably brings new water texture and animated reflections |
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| 09-13-07 / 10:45 PM : NI Kontakt 3 (cjed) |
| Native Instruments presented Kontakt 3. It brings a larger 33 Go samples library (15 Go in Kontakt 2), a more powerful samples editor, 18 new effects. It is sold 449$ (149$ for update from Kontakt 2). |
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| 09-13-07 / 10:27 PM : Logic Studio 8 / Logic Express 8 (cjed) |
 Apple presented Logic Studio 8 and Logic Express 8. The former (software suite including Logic Pro 8, Soundtrack Pro 2, Studio Instruments, Studio Effects, Studio Sound Library - 40 Go -, Utilities) is sold 479$, that is less than a half Logic Pro 7 price. Logic Express 8 price is down to 199$. Logic Pro 8 doesn't require anymore an XsKey USB dongle, and as Logic Pro 7 it can read Logic Express projects.Mainly Logic interface have been revamped (Single Window), it brings Multi Take recording, new plugins, effects and sounds, and a new MainStage component that reminds Ableton Live concepts. QuickTime demonstration videos are available. We can also look at the Logic Pro 8 manual here. |
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| 09-11-07 / 11:15 PM : Arturia Analog Factory 2.0 (cjed) |
| Arturia provides a 2.0 update to Analog Factory that brings, among bugs fixes, new presets and compatibility with Cubase 4. |
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| 09-11-07 / 11:09 PM : EVE Online soon on mac through Cider (cjed) |
| IMG announced that the multiplayer game EVE Online will be ported on Mac thanks to Transgaming's Cider. |
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| 09-09-07 / 08:17 PM : Google Earth sim / Street View (cjed) |
| The latest version of Google Earth provides an hidden fly simulator. We can get the keys settings (easy to remember) here. On a 1,25 Ghz G4 with Radeon 9000 Pro the framerate is somewhat choppy, (more than in Fly game), however details are impressing, even if depth isn't well reproduced compared with dedicated sims (feature complex elevation model). Google also provides Street View, that allows to explore american cities. |
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| 09-07-07 / 11:09 PM : Unreal Tournament 3 due in two months (cjed) |
| A new site on Unreal Tournament 3 provides the last trailers and informations. The game is due this year, November.s |
| 2 comment |
| 09-07-07 / 10:33 PM : Penguins Arena (cjed) |
 Penguins Arena is a new shareware game (19,95$) where penguins fight together, and even offers a multiplayer game mode (through LAN or internet). It is resources friendly (1 Ghz processor, 256 Mb ram, 32 Mb video card) and a demo can be downloaded here (for OSX and Windows).s |
| 2 comment |
| 09-07-07 / 10:27 PM : iPhone buyers before price drop : 100$ credit (cjed) |
| Macnn reported that Apple offers a 100$ credit to buyers of iPhone before the 200$ price drop. |
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| 09-06-07 / 11:08 PM : All about Myst game (cjed) |
 Myst Masterpiece shipped as an enhanced version of Myst in 1996 on PC and 2000 on mac. In fact it might be an enhancement (color depth, audio resolution) of the PC original version of Myst, that shipped later than the mac version (the PC porting was made by Broderbound). However this PC version is told to have been worse than the original mac version : clipped musics, some ambient sounds removed, sounds do not gradually change volume depending on the position, animations/transitions are less smooth, image quality isn't as good.Finally the Masterpiece edition could be even worse as the added color depth makes more evident the lack of details in computed pictures (few polygones, as the rendering was made on Mac IIfx), in fact the original 8 bits dithering allowed on the mac version to smooth the images. I remember that the files used indexed colors (that is a different setup per image), and only used one hundred indexes over the 256 available. "A brief history: Myst was originally created by Cyan Inc. on Macintosh systems using Macintosh programming tools. It masterfully exploited the Mac multimedia capabilities of 1993, squeezing the highest possible quality out of 8-bit sound (akin to a good AM radio) and 256-color video. It was later adapted for Windows -- not by Cyan but by Broderbund, who gave their best shot at porting the program but ran into technical limitations: The full-length soundtrack songs were cut short, the scene-to-scene transitions became rougher, the sound effects lost some atmospheric subtlety, and the images weren't quite as good as on the Mac. When Mattel (then the owner of what-had-been-Broderbund, in the middle of a dizzying series of corporate buyouts) created the Masterpiece Edition for Windows, they based it on the previous Windows version. They used almost none of the master full-length songs and sounds available from Cyan. Nonetheless, Myst Masterpiece for Windows *is* much better than the "original" Myst for Windows, because it has clearer graphics, smoother animation, and the online help system. Myst Masterpiece for the Mac is a straightforward transfer of Myst Masterpiece for Windows -- a port of an update of a port. The end product does have more-detailed pictures than the original Mac version, using full 24-bit color images. Ironically, these often look *worse* than the original's 8-bit images! In technical terms: Because they didn't have high-end graphics workstations when they created Myst, Cyan had to render the scenes from simplified, relatively low-resolution 3D models -- fewer polygons and lower-resolution texture images. To fit all the pictures on one CD, they downsampled the 24-bit master renderings to 8-bit dithered images, and the dithering added just enough noise to mask the lack of design detail (with the approximate effect of photographic film grain, not at all offensive to the eye). Conversely, the 24-bit images show every little technical and artistic shortcut in stark detail, giving many scenes a pronouncedly less realistic appearance. Even if you do prefer the greater picture detail, nothing else about this version is an improvement. Some players may appreciate the added help system; in my opinion, it gives away hints too easily. But Mattel STILL didn't go back to the audio source material: The songs are the same clipped Windows versions, so you don't get the whole musical experience. (Until I played Myst Masterpiece for the Mac, I never realized what the PC users had been missing all these years! The songs truly lose their character when cut so short. It's a shocking difference.) The soundtrack audio was cleaned up to remove noise, but it became muffled in the process. And a particularly effective subtlety of the original -- sounds are quiet at a distance and grow gradually louder as you approach the source -- is gone: Now the music or sound effect just comes on full blast, as if someone suddenly cranked up the dial. The wind on Myst Island, for instance, sounds as if it's always about to knock you over, even when you're standing inside a building. I've played this and the original side-by-side, and I can't believe they call this one the "Masterpiece." The original still looks and sounds superior." |
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| 09-06-07 / 10:31 PM : TimeDrawer : a Time Machine for Tiger (cjed) |
| TimeDrawer is a Time Machine like application available for Tiger. It allows to compare editions of a same file (any type supported by Spotlight), and to switch to a previous one. A demonstration video is available here. |
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| 09-06-07 / 10:22 PM : Details on iPhone price drop (cjed) |
| Steve Jobs gives some explanations on what allowed Apple to drop iPhone price by 200$. We can also watch again the special event's keynote.s |
| 2 comment |
| 09-05-07 / 11:36 PM : Arturia Jupiter-8V review (cjed) |
| The site futurmusic provides a review of the virtual instrument Jupiter-8V from Arturia. |
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| 09-05-07 / 11:22 PM : Ipod touch : touchscreen and wifi (cjed) |
 Apple indeed presented the iPod touch, an iPhone without phone features, at only 299$ (same price as for the first ipod introduction). It onboards 8 Gb of flash memory and allows to buy music on the ITMS thanks to its Wifi connection. New ipods nano have been presented also during the special event (149$ for the 4 Gb model, 199$ for the 8 Gb one). Finally iphone price dropped 200$ less, the 8 Gb model is now 399$ from 599$ (the 4 Gb model has been cancelled) !s |
| 2 comment |
| 09-04-07 / 10:28 PM : Modartt Pianoteq : new presets (cjed) |
| Modartt provides three new piano presets for Pianoteq : a Sébastien Erard model (grand piano 1922), a Carl Bechstein (grand piano 1896) and a François Etienne Blanche (Château de Thoiry harpsichord - 1733). |
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| 09-04-07 / 09:59 PM : Touchscreen wifi ipod & iphone nano tomorrow ? (cjed) |
| The Washingtonpost confirms the rumor of the presentation tomorrow during the Special Event of a new wifi touchscreen ipod and iphone nano. |
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| 09-03-07 / 11:21 PM : AF : Toontrack EZdrummer review (cjed) |
 Audiofanzine provides a very long (and detailed) review of Toontrack EZdrummer (159 euros). This drums virtual instrument only uses 1 Gb of samples library and offers a stunning sound. Extension kits are available (79 or 89 euros), among them one derived from the famous DFH (Drumkit From Hell). |
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| 09-03-07 / 11:12 PM : Digital pianos vs samples libraries (cjed) |
| In a detailed article, William Coakley site gives some explanation on difference of playability between polished digital pianos sounds and huge samples libraries.s |
| 2 comment |
| 09-03-07 / 11:04 PM : Mac browsers comparison (cjed) |
| The site configmac provides a performance comparison of mac browers. |
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| 09-02-07 / 06:57 PM : Hunters of Dune (cjed) |
 The first volume of Before Dune, Hunters of Dune, is announced in France september, 25. The second volume, Sandworms of Dune will be out next year (it is yet available in english). |
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| 09-02-07 / 06:25 PM : Macs benchmarks list (cjed) |
| Primatelabs site provides a list of mac benchmarks (from G3 to new released B&W imacs), made using Geekbench. This one only measures raw performance (processor and memory), graphic cards (and HD) don't appear in results. A 1,25 Ghz MDD G4 is up to three times more powerful than an older 400 Mhz AGP G4, while the new 20' imac (2,4 Ghz Core 2 Duo B&W) is 4,5 times more powerful than the MDD, for the same entry price (about 1450$), and it includes the screen. |
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| 09-01-07 / 01:20 PM : IMG : Penumbra: Overture preview (cjed) |
 InsideMacGames provides a preview of Penumbra: Overture, an adventure game that uses a 3D engine (with physics engine). It is the first episode of a serie of 3 games (19,19$ each). |
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| 09-01-07 / 01:02 PM : New 20' imac review (cjed) |
| Macgeneration provides a review of the new 20' imac, and comparative performances with old imac models and Mac Book. |
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| 09-01-07 / 12:41 PM : Flip4Mac update (cjed) |
 A new version of Flip4Mac is available. This QuickTime extension allows to manage Windows Media formats (up to version 9). |
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