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

Swiss networked-audio specialist manufacturer Barix has announced U.S. availability of Exstreamer, an Ethernet network MP3 player that allows users to enjoy MP3 files and digital audio on their home stereo and entertainment systems.

Exstreamer is now available online through Barix’s U.S. Master distributor, Grid Connect, selling for $149 (US). At has been available direct from Barix in Europe for several months.

The Mac- and PC-compatible Exstreamer distributes high-quality audio throughout the home from PCs, the Internet and digital audio servers. The device can be controlled from anywhere on the network using a standard Web browser.

With open, well-documented software interfaces, the device is easily integrated with additional consumer, commercial and professional audio applications.

In February 2003, Barix also will introduce Exstreamer Wireless in the U.S. The $249 (US) device, already shipping in Europe, streams digital audio and MP3 files throughout the home via wireless 802.11B networks.

“The Exstreamer product line is the most cost-effective, user-friendly and innovative way to manage and enjoy digital audio via any home or commercial network,” said Barix founder and CEO, Johannes Rietschel. “This represents the next generation of digital audio products that provide perfect sound and universal connectivity.”

“Exstreamer and Extreamer Wireless provide our partners and customers the solution to the challenge of connecting audio devices affordably and with best quality to common network infrastructure, whether for consumer, professional audio or commerial applications”, Mr. Richtel claims.

“The Exstreamer can be used for home audio applications, enabling you to listen to your favorite songs on your home stereo or even in the bathtub. In commercial, retail and security markets, the Exstreamer can provide music-on-hold, background music, security announcements and also be used in a variety of other networked audio applications “, he adds.

Barix Web Site

Grid Connect Web Site

M-Audio today announced Sonica Theater, the easy-to-use, portable audio card for desktops or laptops. Sonica Theater provides ultra-immersive 7.1 surround sound output, crystal-clear audio quality, and high-resolution 24-bit/96kHz audio playback and recording. Sonica Theater is the ultimate audio upgrade for any desktop, or for the laptop on the go. It plays DVDs and music in surround sound, makes games more realistic, and can be used to record or mix music. 7.1 surround sound output and high-resolution 24-bit/96kHz fidelity insure that audio is experienced the way that it was meant to be.

Designed by M-Audio—one of the biggest names in the professional music industry—Sonica Theater packs advanced technology into a small, light, bus-powered, external package that’s simple to connect and use. Installation of Sonica Theater is as simple as plugging in a single USB cable. Advanced features like speaker setup software and professional bass management insure that speakers are connected properly and configured for optimum performance and audio quality.

“Sonica Theater is the ultimate surround sound upgrade for laptop users or anyone else who wants the simplicity and flexibility of Sonica Theater’s USB installation,” said Jason Ivan, Director of Product Marketing for M-Audio’s Consumer Audio Division. “The combination of 7.1 surround sound, pristine audio quality, and up to 24-bit/96kHz recording and playback make Sonica Theater the perfect audio upgrade for almost any application.”

With its high signal-to-noise ratio of 101dB, Sonica Theater provides extremely clean audio with little noise. From whisper-quiet audio to room-shaking volumes, audio is clear and clean. The product’s exceptionally low distortion (THD) rating also insures that audio will sound the way it was meant to.

Sonica Theater features Dolby Digital EX decoding with the included WinDVD 4 DVD player, allowing analog output of true multi-channel audio and turning the computer into a home theater component. Sonica Theater also features Dolby Digital and DTS passthrough on its digital output. Sonica Theater supports other multi-channel formats, such as Microsoft’s Windows Media Audio 9 Professional and SRS Labs’ Circle Surround II™, allowing the user to play streaming multi-channel audio off the Internet. Full support for Microsoft Windows Media Audio 9 Professional is a first for a laptop-compatible sound card. With Windows Media Audio 9, Sonica delivers high-quality, discrete multi-channel audio over the Internet today. With Windows Media Audio 9 Professional and Sonica Theater, desktop or laptop users can enjoy incredibly high-quality, high-resolution surround sound streamed live or on demand from the Internet. Sonica Theater’s support for surround sound up to 7.1 and laptop compatibility make it a great way to experience high-quality Windows Media Audio 9 Professional content at lower data rates than other formats. Whether playing back video files in surround sound, or today’s latest music released in stereo or surround Windows Media 9 format, Sonica Theater provides you the most immersive and portable surround solution around.

Built-in SRS Circle Surround II technology instantly transforms CDs or MP3s into incredibly lifelike surround sound. It dynamically separates instruments, vocals, and even crowd noises for an experience that has to be heard to be believed. “Sonica Theater is the first consumer USB audio card to offer the same high-quality Circle Surround II technology found in many home theater receivers around the world” said Ted Franceschi, Executive Vice President, Marketing and Sales. “SRS Labs is excited to partner with M-Audio in providing laptop and desktop users the ultimate surround sound experience over a computer.” Those without a 5.1 or 7.1 speaker system can still enjoy stunning results from Sonica Theater, thanks to built-in SRS TruSurround XT™ technology.

This powerful virtual surround sound process delivers the multi-channel audio experience over standard stereo speakers or even headphones. TruSurround XT enables two-channel listening that brings home what the filmmakers intended to be heard, even if additional speakers are not present.

Sonica Theater includes over $200 of high-quality bundled software with full versions of Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3, MixMan Studio, Vjay Lite, and the Dolby Digital EX version of WinDVD 4. Also included are award-winning music creation programs with over 100 sounds and loops as well as a free sampler CD of music from M-Powered artists who use M-Audio products.

Sonica Theater is due to ship in January 2003, and will be distributed in major retail stores throughout North America, and will soon be available in Japan and Europe. Estimated street price is $99.99.

M-Audio Web Site

Blaupunkt will introduce a new line of ultra-thin coaxial car stereo speakers at the CES 2003 show in Las Vegas next month.

The new loudspeakers use proprietary technology to achieve a dramatic 1-inch reduction in mounting depth compared to conventional speakers of similar performance capabilities. The Blaupunkt ODx652 will be the first model in the company’s new ‘Thin Line’ series of loudspeakers, and one of five Blaupunkt products to receive the Innovations 2003 Design and Engineering Showcase award at the 2003 Consumer Electronics Show.

Blaupunkt’s Thin Line speakers are designed for mounting in shallow door panels, kick panels, and other locations that will not accommodate the much greater mounting depth of conventional coaxial speakers.

These speakers are also significantly lighter than conventional coaxials, with the 6-1/2-inch ODx652 full-range speaker weighing less than 1 pound. Blaupunkt’s engineers eliminated the large ferrite magnet assembly that is conventionally mounted at the rear of the speaker basket, and replaced it with a lightweight high-power neodymium magnet. This magnet is mounted within the voice coil assembly, providing the same driver power, but at a much lower premium of space and weight.

At less than 1/2 the mass of conventional speakers, the Blaupunkt ODx652 thin coaxials are an ideal solution for ‘tuner car’ enthusiasts, where every ounce matters. A Thin Line system can save over 10 pounds of weight in a standard four speaker coaxial system. These speakers are also perfect for mounting applications where excess weight can stress and damage trim or paneling.

The ODx652 thin coaxial speaker will be available in March at a suggested retail price of $169.95. Other models in this line will be announced at that time.

Blaupunkt USA Web Site

Consumer Electronics Association – CES 2003 Web Site

Acacia Research Corporation announced today, that its Acacia Technologies Group has licensed its Digital Media Transmission (DMT) Technology to Radio Free Virgin, a leading digital broadcast company. Acacia’s DMT Technology is a patented process for the transmission and receipt of digital audio and digital video content.

Radio Free Virgin is a privately held company funded by Richard Branson, which provides CD-quality streaming audio via the Internet through over 40 genre-based music channels. Listeners receive Radio Free Virgin’s streaming audio content via the Internet by downloading a media player.

About Acacia Technologies

The Acacia Technologies group is the part of Acacia Research Corporation that focuses on media technology, a business that licenses its V-chip technology to television manufacturers, and owns pioneering Digital Media Transmission (“DMT”) technology. DMT technology covers the transmission and receipt of digital audio and digital video content, commonly known as audio on-demand, video on-demand, and audio/video streaming, and is supported by 5 U.S. and 17 international patents.