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11-30-09 / 10:27 PM : Arturia ARP2006 V 2.0 (cjed)
A 2.0 version of Arturia ARP2006 V is available. It uses less CPU resources and provides a better compatibility with AU and ProTools. It now requires a Syncrosoft USB key.
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11-26-09 / 10:40 PM : YellowTools Independence Download Instruments (cjed)
YellowTools provides separate parts from its samples libraries at download (22 available for now), whose sizes range from 200 Mb to 1,7Gb, and prices from 19 to 39$ (except the Symphonic Orchestra part - 4,13 Gb -, that is priced 99$).
We can listen audio demos in the original libraries sections. Moreover, Independence Pro, priced 399 euros (70 Gb of samples), is probably more interesting for the whole, as it contains drums, percussion, acoustic and electric guitars, acoustic and electric basses, pianos, organs, pop brasses, saxophones, synthesizers, an entire symphonic orchestra, the FULL sound libraries of Candy, Culture and Majestic, and many, many more instruments. We can also find Independence Basic, that includes less samples (12 Gb), and is priced 199 euros.

Activating of Independence Download Instruments is made through software (contrary to Independence Pro, that requires the Yellow tools USB Authorization Key). For all orders of the Download Instruments with a total amount of more than 100 euros we get for free (this special offer ends on December, 31, 2009) Independence Pro 2.5 Software Suite, that contains the player, the live version, and effects plugins (initially priced 149 euros). This suite is included with Independence Pro and Independence Basic.

We can also download for free Independence Free 2.5, that contains the player (full version, and no time limit) and 2,5Gb of samples from Independence Pro library. The player (universal binay) can even import third party VST plugins, and then be used as a host for TC Electronic M30 Reverb plugin (as only its VST version works on PPC macs) !
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11-26-09 / 10:30 PM : NI Synthsgiving : special prices (cjed)
Native Instruments provides special prices (50 to 75% save) from 27 to 30 November, on the following products (available each for 99$) : Reaktor 5, Absynth 5, Massive, FM8. These are download versions only.
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11-25-09 / 11:49 PM : iMac : details on external display mode (cjed)
Apple provides details on the new 27' imac's external display mode : the imac must be on (its system is up), and we can switch between the normal use (imac) and external mode (another device that uses the imac screen) through a shortcut.
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11-24-09 / 11:21 PM : Reverbs : convolution/algorithms/hybrid (cjed)
At Gearslutz forums about TC Electronic M30 plugin, we can find interesting (and complex) details about reverberation effects. To sum up, convolution-based reverbs are well suited for reproducing early reflections, however they do not achieve convincing feeling for later periods (lack of modulation - not random because "recorded" reverb). Algorithms-based reverbs provide more various and musical trails (on a perceptive side - not on the realism one). Then it is close to difference between synthesis (dynamic, living) and samples (accurate but less musical). Most evolved reverbs (as Lexicon ones) use both solutions.

We can bypass a convolution reverb at around 200 ms and merge it with a conventional one (with an initial delay of the same duration). As the convolution part is now shorter, it requires far more less resources (depends from the duration), while the algorithm-based part uses constant resources (whatever the duration).
We can find many recent algorithm-based software reverbs, as Eos from Audio Damage (49$). It provides 3 algorithms (Plate 1 - mono in, stereo out -, Plate 2 - true stereo -, and Superhall - true stereo), and also work on G4 due to low resources requirement ! Audio examples are provided.

The incredibly long modulated hall sounds of Eno-style ambience are where Eos thrives, something that is made of unobtanium with convolution 'verbs. Quite simply, an impulse response can not do what Eos does.
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11-22-09 / 01:49 AM : CP2JavaWS 1.0 final : protocol check (cjed)
The final version (1.0) of CP2JavaWS is available :

Added support for service protocol (CP class with methods signatures) specifying when retrieving a proxy, in order to allow :
- arguments type check
- nil arguments values (the expected type can then be retrieved from the protocol - required for Java reflect)
- generic methods arguments (CPObject in CP, Object in Java)

Renamed HabiltationService/Filter to AuthorizationService/Filter.

Bug fix in CP2JavaWSJSONPConnection (synch. with latest code since addition of URL class).

MasterDetailView now uses alternating row color for table view, and background for detail view .

Note : documentation has been moved to MediaWiki :
http://sourceforge.net/apps/mediawiki/cp2javaws/index.php?title=Main_Page
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11-20-09 / 11:02 PM : Kontakt 4 review (cjed)
Audiofanzine provides a full review of Kontakt 4.
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11-20-09 / 11:01 PM : Enigmo 2/Beneath a Steel Sky : discounts (cjed)
This Friday we can find at the AppStore discounts for Enigmo 2 (0,99$ instead of 2,99) and Beneath a Steel Sky (0,99$ instead of 4,99).
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11-19-09 / 12:02 AM : iPhone : Fayju Ball free (cjed)
Fayju Ball game for iPhone is available free for a day at the AppStore.
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11-17-09 / 11:35 PM : iPhone : Ravensword available ! (cjed)
Ravensword is finally available at the AppStore (6,99$), a few time after its new submission (now uses an updated version of the Unity framework, that doesn't use anymore private APIs). First reviews are very positive (best graphics, close to WoW and even landscapes that remind Oblivion). However customization aspects (weapons, character) are somewhat limited, and characters animations are not the best.
We can watch videos here, there, and also here.
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11-16-09 / 11:55 PM : First Atlas beta's screencast (cjed)
A first screencast of Atlas beta is available here : payment calculator from chapter 2 of Cocoa Design Patterns (Cib-based project, laying out an interface and binding outlets/actions to working code).
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11-16-09 / 11:51 PM : CodeWeavers : CodeWeavers 8.1 beta (cjed)
CodeWeavers provides a beta of CodeWeavers, that notably brings support for Left 2 Dead 2 game (will be released tomorrow).
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11-16-09 / 11:45 PM : New Core i7 imac bench (cjed)
Benchs of new Core i7 imac (compared with Core i5 and Core2 Duo imacs, and MacPro) are available. It is as fast as a MacPro quad.
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11-16-09 / 11:36 PM : NI Sonic Fiction Kore pack (cjed)
Native Instruments announced Sonic Fiction, a Kore Player sound library that features 100 instruments (1 Gb) : Pads & Strings, Soundscapes, Sound Effects, Synths, Mallets, Bells & Keys, Percussion. Audio demos are available, as well as a video. It is priced 79$.
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11-16-09 / 11:16 PM : 3000th news : TC Electronic M30 Reverb free ! (cjed)
Here his the 3000th news of the site, that opened in January 20005, and evolved (look, menus, features) up to a stable state (actual look from mid-2006, and Ajax feature in January 2007).

To celebrate this, here is a link to the TC Electronic M30 Reverb plugin (AU and VST), that is downloadable for free for 72 hours. This is a fully functionnal version, without any time limitation. We can read details here. Algorithms are derived from the M40 (found on hardware processors). That is then the best complement to Logic Express 9 !s
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11-16-09 / 01:29 AM : Cappuccino : Atlas beta launched (cjed)
The Atlas beta program just opened ! That is here for registration (20$ through Paypal or credit card - will be deducted from the final price).
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11-16-09 / 01:20 AM : Cappuccino and spriting (cjed)
Back from JS Conf (Berlin), the 280North staff published an article about the new advanced spriting feature in Cappuccino (available in the jake branch, and in the upcoming 0.8 version. See also the CP2JavaWS demo that uses it). This solution doesn't require any code change, and also works with older IE 6 and 7 (as all other Cappuccino features).
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11-15-09 / 01:23 AM : CP2JavaWS 0.92 available : Jake/spriting (cjed)
A new version (0.92) of CP2JavaWS is available. It puts the project in synch. with most recent branchs (tested with latest jake branch) :

- CP2JavaWSURLConnection updated from CPURLConnection changes due to new URL class
- CP2JavaWSURLConnectionAuthDelegate updated due to new URL class (now uses its facilities methods)

The demo on AppEngine has also been updated (uses the jake branch, and so the spriting feature that allows a faster download).

Note : there is still a bug in core CPTableView : a wrong transient value is displayed shortly in first visible row's first column, after calling reloadData and before the datasource's methods get called (it then happens after sortDescriptors:didChange ends).
It happens both in Firefox and Safari (but for the later it doesn't show as it draws the cells values much more faster - can however be tracked when adding a breakpoint).

The documentation pages for the project at sourceforge are being migrated to the new MediaWiki app (DocMan has been deprecated recently by Sourceforge).
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11-14-09 / 01:10 AM : Steinberg The Grand 3 (cjed)
Steinberg announced The Grand 3. Besides famous pianos (C7, 290 Imperial, Steinway D) it provides a CP80 and a Nordiska Pianofabriken. The whole weights 32 Gb (up to 20 velocity levels). A G5 mac and USB Steinberg Key are required. Audio demos are available, and the software is priced 349 euros.
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11-14-09 / 01:02 AM : Youtube 1080p / ClickToFlash (cjed)
Youtube announced they are adding 1080p videos besides the existing HD (720p). In order to enhance playing performance of H264 videos embedded in a Flash object (or simply disable these), we can use ClickToFlash (forwards the decoding to the QuickTime plugin).
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11-14-09 / 12:52 AM : Core i5 iMac : first benchs (cjed)
First benchs of iMac Core i5 are available at macnn (and Apple stock is now above 200$). As explained before, Apple should add an entry-level MacPro to prevent pro users to look forward to the new iMac (the Core i7 is even faster, up to 25% more powerful than the Core i5, notably thanks to Hyperthreading).
Moreover the MacPro aren't really expandable : very limited (and expensive) graphics card upgrades (leads to flash PC cards, however mac frmwares were used to be of different size), no processor upgrades. Finally the new imacs are said to remain very quiet.
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11-11-09 / 12:20 AM : Omnisphere : 1.1 update (cjed)
Spectrasonics announces a 1.1 update to Omnisphere (in fact 1.1.3c), that brings support for 64 bits (on Windows only). There is only two 64 bits AU hosts on OSX, AULab and Vienna Ensemble Pro.
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11-10-09 / 11:54 PM : NI separate pianos / Kontakt Player 4 (cjed)
Native Instruments now provides the 4 pianos from Akoustik Piano separately (79$ each, and about 3 Gb each). The whole can be purchased for 189$.
We can also download Kontakt Player 4.
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11-09-09 / 10:23 PM : Kurzweil PC3LE6 : answer to M50 (cjed)
Kurzweil announced the PC3LE6 (due this December), the expected answer to Korg M50. Then the PC3LE6 (whose originally planned name was PC361 LE) onboards the same audio engine (from the PC3) than the PC361 (including VA oscillators), the same number of presets (about 800, including String Section, KB3), effects (10 inserts against 16 on the le PC361, and no mastering effects), the sequencer, the arpeggiator. Only polyphony is reduced (64 voices - 128 on the PC361), and the PC3LE6 doesn't provide expansion slots (2 on the PC361). However it features 8 pads (for drums) and semi-weighted keyboard (piano keys - synth keys on the PC361).
Finally it is priced 1495$ (2395$ for the PC361). Audio demos are available.s
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11-06-09 / 11:09 PM : Zero-G : Nostalgia through download (cjed)
Zero-G Nostalgia isn't anymore provided with Intakt, but with Kontakt patchs instead, in 3 parts (downloads) : Pack 1 (US Classics, Euro Classics, and Japanese Classics), Pack 2 (Playback Keyboards, Organs, Electro-Mechanicals, Digital ROMpler Synths, and Vintage Samplers) and Pack 3 (Cheap n Cheezy, Obscure Synths, Drum Synths, Classic Beatboxes, Obscure Beatboxes, Sci-Fi, Atmosferics, String Synths, and Basses). Each one is priced 64.99$ (179.99$ the whole).
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11-06-09 / 10:56 PM : Zero-G Dark Skies-Cinematic Ambiences (cjed)
Zero-G presents Dark Skies - Cinematic Ambiences , a 4,3 Gb samples library (ambiences, soundscapes, drones and FX) that includes 1027 patchs for Kontakt and EXS24. Audio demos are provided. It is priced 149.95$.
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11-06-09 / 10:45 PM : Legacy of time on DVD / remastered (cjed)
A remastered version (on DVD) of Legacy of Time (Journeyman Project 3) is available. All VR scenes, videos and animations have been computed again with twice the original resolution. Moreover it works on PowerPC (and on Intel through Rosetta), under OSX 10.3.9 at least. It is priced 14,99$, and checkout is made through paypal system (either using a Paypal account, or using a credit card). Shipping fees are about 4$ for Europe.

In the same manner we would be pleased to get a remastered version of Riven (and also Exile).
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11-06-09 / 09:48 PM : Winter Games return (cjed)
A new version of the famous Winter Games (1985) is under way. We can choose between retro mode or modern mode, despite the later's graphics not being really ways better (however it wasn't the main interesting point of the original game).
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11-06-09 / 08:21 PM : WebKit : Web Inspector new features (cjed)
An article about new features of WebKit's Web Inspector is available. There is to note that most features aren't really usefull when developping in Cappuccino, and setting a breakpoint using the Web Inspector doesn't seem possible in ObjJ source code (as it is converted at runtime in js), I've then always used the debugger; instruction instead. Moreover I didn't find the stop on exception option in Safari 4's debugger (is said to be present in WebKit - and is also available in Firebug).
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11-03-09 / 11:47 PM : Asphalt 5 available (cjed)
Asphalt 5 is available at the AppStore (6,99$). There are many tracks (12 locations, various environmental conditions, shortcuts), and it provides multiplayer game over Wifi.
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11-02-09 / 11:11 PM : Ngmoco Eliminate FPS available (cjed)
The multiplayer (and free !) FPS from Ngmoco (Rolando's editor), Eliminate, is now available at most AppStore. The character can evolve by buying add-ons (from in-game - was a key feature from iPhone OS 3.0). The game can use 3G network if Wifi isn't available.
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11-02-09 / 11:00 PM : iTunes 9.0.2 update (cjed)
A 9.0.2 update to iTunes is available. It brings back the per column navigation view (browser). As listed elements can reach many thousands for a category, this view has probably been optimized before being available again (may use an asynchronous buffered read, as does the Direct2CP mode CP2JavaWS). That is here for details.
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11-02-09 / 10:55 PM : EastWest Silk review (cjed)
Audiofanzine provides a full review of EastWest/Quantum Leap Silk. Audio examples are included.
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11-02-09 / 10:53 PM : VMWare Fusion 3 review (cjed)
Macnn provides a review of VMWare Fusion 3. Performances are great, except for recent games, despite support for DirectX9 and shaders (up to 30 times less fps than in BootCamp). Parallels (version 4 available, and version 5 soon) is probably better in that aera (there is also to consider the rendering quality, that can differ fom game to game between the two virtualizers).
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