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Cycling ’74 Releases Max, MSP & Jitter for Mac OS X, Demos Windows Version

January 7, 2003 by Leave a Comment

At the Winter NAMM Show in Anaheim earlier this month, Cycling ’74 announced the release of OS X versions of its popular interactive graphical programming environment Max; the MSP collection of audio signal processing objects for Max; and the Jitter extensions for video, 3d graphics, and matrix-based data processing.

Also at NAMM, Cycling ’74 demonstrated Windows versions of Max, MSP and Jitter for the first time.

The Max program family has been the premiere environment for the development of interactive media and live performance applications for over a decade. Until now, though, it has only available on the Macintosh platform.

The new versions of MAX/MSP take advantage of Mac OS X’s Core Audio and Core MIDI, which make the use of multiple I/O audio interfaces straightforward and renders OMS and ASIO unnecessary.

“We are excited about having MAX/MSP and Jitter leverage the advanced technologies within Apple’s super-modern operating system, Mac OS X,” commented Cycling ’74 CEO, David Zicarelli.

“Mac OS X features Core Audio, Audio Units, Quartz, Java, QuickTime 6, symmetric multiprocessing, and hardware support that provides opportunities for further evolution of MAX/MSP and Jitter that was not possible in OS 9.”

Building applications with Max is fun and interactive. It lets you work at a level of detail that is unmatched by other software synthesis or video/3D graphics manipulation applications. You build programs (called “patches”) by connecting graphical objects together. Some objects perform calculations and others make up the user interface of your program. The moment you connect two objects, the program is working. If it doesn’t work the way you want, just try something else.

MSP adds a large set of objects that you connect together to make audio patches where signals flow from one object to the next, and the Jitter collection of objects lets you create video or 3D graphics patches or work with any matrix-based data.

The main goals of Max are to let you control anything with anything and to explore cross-media applications by prototyping and constructing custom interactive media applications and interfaces. It lets you schedule events with millisecond accuracy, create complex mappings for incoming data, and run a large number of operations in parallel.

The Windows versions of the software will allow for cross-platform development of applications. Max/MSP/Jitter patches developed on one platform will open seamlessly on the other, and use consistent abstractions for all types of media protocols and interfaces, including MIDI, digital audio soundfiles and interfaces, digital video, and 3D graphics.

The Windows version supports PCs running Windows XP with audio devices supported by WAV, DirectSound, or ASIO. Max/MSP hosts ReWire devices and VST plug-ins and supports all major audio file formats. Features are essentially identical between the Windows XP version and Mac OS X versions.

Users will be able to develop their own Max, MSP, or Jitter external objects written in C, and distribute their work to others using the free MaxMSP runtime application. Support for developing VST plug-ins on Windows will be available shortly after the initial Windows release.

Pricing and Availability

New versions of Max, MSP, and Jitter for Mac OS X will be available by the end of January. Max has a suggested retail price of $295 (US), Max/MSP has a suggested retail price of $495 (US), and Max/MSP/Jitter has a suggested retail prices of $850 (US). OS X versions of all three software packages are available to users of Max/MSP 4.0 and Jitter 1.0 and higher as free updates.

The Windows versions of Max, MSP and Jitter will be available in the second quarter of 2003, pricing identical to the Mac versions. Low-cost upgrades (cross-grades) will be available for Mac users.

Cycling ’74 Web Site

More Cycling ’74 at NAMM

More Winter NAMM Coverage

Filed Under: Pro Audio

Unique Software for Audio Searching and Editing Available at FindSounds.com

January 7, 2003 by Leave a Comment

AUDIO INDUSTRY NEWS     Grass Valley, CA, January 7, 2003
Unique Software for Audio Searching and Editing Available at FindSounds.com

Comparisonics Corporation has announced a packaged version of its ground-breaking sound search and retrieval software.

FindSounds Palette is an audio player, recorder, editor, database, search engine, and Web browser, all in a single software package. It is easy to use and well suited for anyone needing to search for, organize, and edit sound effects and musical instrument samples. Intended users include electronic musicians, sound designers, multimedia and Web developers, filmmakers, videographers, teachers, and students.

FindSounds Palette provides access to more than 1,000,000 sound effects and musical instrument samples on the Web and gives users the ability to organize and search audio files stored on their hard drive. Sounds can be searched using any combination of their attributes including file name, description, category, genre, source, copyright, format, file size, number of channels, resolution, sample rate, duration, key, and tempo. In addition, for any example sound, a Comparisonics “sounds-like” search can automatically find similar sounds on the Web or on the user’s hard drive.

FindSounds Palette utilizes the Comparisonics colored waveform display to represent the sounds retrieved by a search. This display helps users to “see” the sounds they are editing. Similar sounds are represented by similar colors, and changes in sound are indicated by changes in color.

The example below is a representation of the sounds made by a cat (orange), a fly (lavender), and a rooster (red). More examples can be seen at http://www.comparisonics.com/gallery.html.

Hollywood sound designers know well that useful and interesting sounds can be obtained by changing the playback speed of an audio recording. FindSounds Palette makes it easy to change speed, and is the first sound-retrieval system able to search the sounds of multiple speeds. By searching each audio file at 25 different speeds, a collection of 10,000 audio files becomes a searchable database of 250,000 sounds!

FindSounds Palette is available for Microsoft Windows XP, 2000, Me, 98, 95, and NT. A limited version FindSounds Palette 1000 that can handle up to 1,000 locally-indexed sounds costs $50 (US). The full FindSounds Palette 10000 supporting up to 10,000 local audio files costs $150 (US). More information about the product, including a free 15-day trial and special introductory Web-download pricing, is available at the FindSounds.com Web site.

Comparisonics Corporation is the world leader in sound-retrieval technology. FindSounds.com is the company’s Web search engine for sound effects and musical instrument samples. This award-winning search engine is like Google and AltaVista, but with a focus on sounds. Each month it processes more than 1,000,000 sound searches for more than 100,000 unique visitors.

Comparisonics Web Site

FindSounds Search Engine

Filed Under: Tech

Delphi Will Demonstrate High-Tech Car Entertainment Options at CES

January 7, 2003 by Leave a Comment

Delphi Corp. will demonstrate cutting-edge mobile car sound entertainment technology in several showcase vehicles at the 2003 International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. The demos include Delphi’s Premium Audio System with DVD-Audio (DVD-A) playback; and a rear-seat entertainment system with DVD video and XM Satellite Radio.

Delphi is one of the first companies to demonstrate the high-quality digital audio of an internal DVD-A playback system for the vehicle. The Delphi DVD-Audio system was developed specifically for the automotive environment. It enhances the standard 44.1 KHz, two-channel mode CD format to a 96 KHz, six-channel mode.

The high-resolution reproduction of DVD-Audio provides greater sound field control, and enhanced musical or sound clarity.

The system also includes a 14-channel amplifier and a powerful subwoofer with rich, extended bandwidth.

“DVD-A is the future of audio reproduction,” says Dr. Robert Schumacher, business line executive for Delphi Delco Electronics Systems wireless products. “Delphi understands consumer expectations from the most casual listener to the most sophisticated audiophile. With our DVD-A designed for the vehicle, and its realistic sound reproduction, we are able to help satisfy the expectations of all types of listeners.”

According to Dr. Schumacher, DVD-A is expected to revolutionize album recording with the capability to include several versions of an album on the disc. Optional versions may include a super high-end surround sound version as well as video clips.

In another demonstration vehicle, Delphi is showing how integration can bring more choice to car occupants. Delphi’s rear-seat entertainment system with DVD-video playback integrated into the radio unit, and a low profile, factory-installed seven-inch display in the vehicle’s headliner, means space-saving styling, simpler production and cost savings. This vehicle also includes an XM satellite radio with the receiver integrated into the radio unit, eliminating the need for a separate receiver box.

The Delphi Fuba Reception Systems and TV tuner on this vehicle bring access to television programming, too. The reception system provides the on-screen menu driven by the TV tuner and a vehicle-specific independent audio and video diversity antenna system. Using up to four separate antennas, the multi-antenna diversity system evaluates and selects the strongest TV transmission signal to help provide and maintain the highest quality reception possible in a moving vehicle. The signal is directed to the remote TV tuner that works with the rear-seat display system.

With all these entertainment options in one vehicle, rear-seat passengers can use wireless headphones and a remote control to enjoy a DVD movie or TV programming while other occupants can experience XM’s 101 channels of satellite radio programming.

Filed Under: Car

OAC Group Acquires Atlantic Technology

January 6, 2003 by Leave a Comment

Peter Tribeman, the president of Atlantic Technology International, one of the nation’s most respected manufacturers of home loudspeaker systems, announced the company’s acquisition here today by The OAC Group, a strategic management and consulting firm headed by Oscar A. Ciornei, principal and founder. Atlantic Technology is located in Norwood, MA, and the OAC Group is based in Portsmouth, NH.

“This acquisition presents an incredible opportunity for the expansion of Atlantic Technology into new technologies and product categories,” said Mr. Tribeman. “The OAC team and Atlantic Technology staff will combine forces to accelerate this process, and our loyal dealers will soon have access to resources that are sure to expand their business.”

Since its founding in 1989, Atlantic Technology has been organized as a closely held corporation, with Avi Shapira as Chairman, and Mr. Tribeman as President. Under the new organization, Mr. Ciornei will assume the position of CEO and Mr. Tribeman will become Chairman of the Board.

“Atlantic Technology is a company I have admired for many years,” said Mr. Ciornei. “It has a pristine reputation for quality and superb engineering, but most of all for the high value of its products. Peter Tribeman and his group have done an exceptional job at bringing the brand and its technology to the market. The OAC Group’s intention is to diversify this great name and capitalize on the ‘Technology’ name by introducing products in the audio/video connectivity category. The OAC staff, along with our consultants, is eager to integrate our ideas with Atlantic Technology’s talented team.”

From the start, Atlantic Technology has been one of the most highly regarded companies in the home theater industry. Specializing in complete high performance multi-channel speaker systems and home theater electronics components, all Atlantic Technology speaker systems are designed and engineered as integrated multichannel ensembles, and hand assembled at the company’s Norwood, MA facility. These systems are tailored and tuned to provide a seamless and startlingly realistic soundstage for multichannel music and home theater.

The OAC Group is a consortium of management and strategy consultants who help companies in the audio/video business to conceive and implement corporate strategy, and provide the key elements needed for their long-term growth. The OAC team of consultants, engineers, marketing professionals, and management advisors, provide services in the areas of product development, marketing, manufacturing, management, and operations, all geared to maximizing their clients’ market share and company value.

The OAC Group is led by Oscar Ciornei, a thirty-year veteran and recognized leader in the consumer electronics industry. He has consulted with dozens of companies and has sat on a number of boards. Ciornei was most recently responsible for building Russound from a fledgling company to one of the industry leaders in the home audio/video connectivity business. “We try to move people to a place where it makes sense to act,” said Ciornei, …Change does not have to be regimented or pedantic… this can only be accomplished through easily understood actions and senior management support.”

Atlantic Technology Web Site

Filed Under: Biz

Accuphase Will Debut Premiere Home Theater Components at CES

January 6, 2003 by Leave a Comment

Since 1952, Accuphase has been designing and manufacturing some of the finest consumer electronics on the planet. Known for its high-end stereo gear, the Japanese audio manufacturer has watched and waited as multichannel and home theater has become an exploding category dominated by mass-market producers.

However, Accuphase engineers and designers have not been wasting time! At the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas (Jan. 9-14), Accuphase will launch its new VX 700 A/V control center ($19,500 US), alongside the CX-260 preamp ($7,500 US), and the PX-600 6-channel power amp ($10,000 US).

With the new multichannel product line, Accuphase aims to offer the finest home theater combination available to audiophiles.

Each component was designed from the ground up for multi-channel systems with audio and video performance parameters without compromise. Accuphase’s extensive experience in the realm of pure audio is in evidence in all aspects of these outstanding components.

“The amazingly realistic soundstage and dynamic scale that can be created go far beyond the limitations of conventional home theater systems,” according to the company’s PR.

Accuphase Web Site

Axiss Distribution Web Site (U.S. Distributor)

Filed Under: Home Theater
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