Apple has begun shipping Logic Express 9, an entry-level variant of the full-featured Logic Studio 9 software for musicians. Logic Express is fully compatible with GarageBand projects, allowing an easy transition to the more advanced software. The Express edition integrates most of Pro 9's capabilities, but with a limited package of plug-ins and samples.
iZotope has released an update to its Logic Pro and Soundtrack Pro plug-in, Radius. The latest version boasts support of Logic 9 and Soundtrack Pro 3, and adds pitch coherence controls to the interface. The plug-in enables users to adjust the timing and pitch of audio material, while still preserving the sound quality of an original recording.
In parallel with upgraded Final Cut and Logic suites, Apple has released a v5.0 update for ProKit. The software provides an underlying framework for Apple's professional-level programs, including not just Final Cut and Logic but all related apps, such as Motion and Soundtrack. The Aperture photo workflow tool is also impacted.
In parallel with the launch of the new Final Cut Studio, Apple has also released a new Logic Studio, bundling Logic Pro 9, MainStage 2 and Soundtrack Pro 3. Logic Pro has been enhanced with a new Flex Time feature, which attempts to simplify the arrangement of timing and tempo. The Amp Designer and Pedalboard tools meanwhile allow for the assembly of custom guitar rigs, using 25 amps, 25 cabinets and 30 stompbox pedals.
KB Covers has introduced its KB Keyboards, a new line of application keyboards based on Apple’s aluminum designs. The series displays shortcut keys for Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, Pro Tools and Media Composer. A special Midnight Keyboard utilizes black keys, and is meant to resemble the new MacBook and MacBook Pro keyboards. With the exception of the Midnight model, each keyboard combines icons and colors to help users find shortcuts.
Apple is indeed on the verge of releasing a new version of Final Cut Studio, new sources are said to corroborate. Although some sources have suggested than an updated Final Cut Studio suite could be announced on March 24th, people "familiar with the company's plans" are said to indicate that Apple is timing a release around the National Association of Broadcasters expo, scheduled for late April. Apple and some other major companies are not attending NAB, but the event is known for bringing major video-related product unveilings.
Northern Irish rock band Snow Patrol is collaborating with Apple on an app for iPhones and iPods, reports say. Music Week writes that the app will be released in advance of the band's fifth studio album, and will work as a sort of interactive booklet, containing videos, artwork, photos and lyrics. The band's label, Fiction Records, will use the app as a promotional tool.
British rock act Radiohead has taken a different approach with its latest single, the band has announced. Rather than commission a series of professional remixes for "Nude," any musician can now buy the song's underlying elements on iTunes (link), and remix them into a new track. Available "stems" include the voice, bass, guitar, drum, and string/FX layers; while shoppers have to buy before April 8th to get free GarageBand project files, the layers can be edited using many other programs, such as Logic.
In brief: Google updates its Mac widgets, MacNN reviews iRemember 2.2, macProVideo teaches upgrades and color correction, and Custom Solutions slips subliminal messages into Macs. Mac users who regularly rely on Google's Gmail, Blogger or Search History widgets were recently asked to upgrade the software; the company now explains that it was informed of vulnerabilities by Thomas Roessler, of the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) standards group. In particular, the Gmail widget would previously write tags in a subject header without checking, allowing malicious users to execute JavaScript that could assume control of a computer. Newer versions of the Gmail and Blogger widgets can be found here, while the Search History widget is located separately.
Gameloft on Monday announced that Brain Challenge, a game designed to stimulate and enhance brain activity, is now available on the iTunes Store. The company says the games serves as an easy solution for keeping the brain alert, offering different levels to choose from based on a player’s abilities and needs along with a simple scoring system to evaluate the level of brain activity. The title features 20 different games designed to train certain areas of brain activity based on five categories of exercises: Memory, Visual, Logic, Math and Focus. At the end of each test, players receive marks based on accuracy and speed and a diagram summarizes their performance in each category so that players can monitor the progress of their brain training daily.
