Doggiebox drum machine software reaches 2.0, adds live drums
updated 09:25 pm EDT, Tue August 23, 2011
Now accepts drum input using keyboard or MIDI
Zygoat has updated its Doggiebox percussion sequencing software for Mac to version 2.0, a major update that features improvements to all parts of the app, including song editing, playback, the drum kit editor, and a new live recording mode allowing users to add beats using the keyboard or a MIDI device. The software now requires Mac OS X 10.5 or later, and now features automatic software updating along with the usual array of bug fixes.
Improvements have been made to song editing and playback, which now features playhead control, drag-and-drop control and new contextual menus throughout the app. Navigation and editing controls are now in a floating tool palette, and arbitrary sample rates and bit depths can now be selected when exporting files. It's also now possible to export a separate mix for each instrument group in the drum kit. The new version also sports better and more automated drum kit reconciliation when switching kits in a song.
The drum kit editor has been re-designed, including new support for sound files of any sample rate and bit depth, and kits can now feature any number of instrument groups. Drum kit components are now shown in column view, and undo and re-do are now supported for all actions -- along with multi-row selection for copy-and-paste or drag-and-drop use. Songs and drum kits saved with Doggiebox v2 are backward-compatible with version 1.3.
Exported MIDI files will now include time signature changes along with song name and notes, and the developers have completely rewritten the User's Guide. Files that were left open on last quit are now automatically re-opened (this feature is separate from a similar ability inherent in Lion). Zooming also now behaves more conventionally, and the Export command now exports the whole song, with an option to save only a selection now in its own command.
Doggiebox 2.0 is a free upgrade to users who purchased it after Dec. 31st, 2009. The program normally costs $39. A free trial version is also available.
