As well as M, Cycling 74 offer the unique Pluggo plug‑in package, of which version 2.0.6 has just been released.
It's a challenge to take over this regular column from Martin Russ, who has spent six years at the Apple Notes helm. But column‑writing in SOS isn't new to me: some of you may remember me from Atari Notes back in '94 and '95, and from other music magazines over the years.
It might be worth briefly describing my own setup, which is based around a 400MHz G4 running MacOS 9. This, despite what you may have heard, has been almost bulletproof for the past two months. I also use a dedicated Internet server (an old 8500 with a G3 processor upgrade) and recently bought a G3 Powerbook for mobile work and demonstrations. This partners up nicely with a Midiman Midisport 2x2 interface running through OMS. Finally, there's a 5200 all‑in‑one which is useful for compatibility purposes. With my Macs I use a Yamaha 03D digital mixer, Steinberg's Cubase VST with a Sonorus StudI/O soundcard, and an Akai S3000XL sampler.
I'll do my best to help with Mac questions, including non‑music ones. How do you defrag a Mac hard disk — and do you need to? Should virtual memory be turned on or off? How do you handle serial ports on a G3 or G4? Questions like these will be answered in the coming months.
MacOS X
The return of M, 2000‑style.
Much has already been written about the soon‑to‑be‑released MacOS X. Many respected journalists have wrung their hands, metaphorically speaking, in disgust. As with many of you, I've seen some startling changes in the Mac's operating system over the years. Anyone remember System 6 and its single‑application nature? How many people actually used MultiFinder? System 7 opened up a new world of working — you could actually run Word and MacPaint at the same time!
MacOS X's user interface is non‑standard by Apple's own rules, but how important is this? Many people already use third‑party user interface enhancers rather than rely on the basic Finder. Personally, I swear by the various Action Utilities: Files, GoMac and Menus. Many of you will use window enhancers like Kaleidoscope, application docks such as DragThing or DragStrip, and folder utilities like Default Folder. MacOS X will make us re‑examine the way we work but will bring numerous improvements. I'll look at these in future months.
Improve your studio's administration with Studio System 2.1 (see 'Downloads' box on page 254)
New Version Of QuickTime
Apple's developers have also found time to produce a new version of QuickTime. Of the five main improvements in QuickTime 4.1, the key one to Mac music users is the improvement to the QuickTime Musical Instruments. Licensed from Roland Corporation, there's now a complete General MIDI sound set which also includes expanded GS capabilities. Other new features include support for variable‑bit‑rate (VBR) MP3 files, AppleScript support for QuickTime Player, improved streaming for corporate clients, and multiple movie playback support.
QuickTime 4.1 requires a Power Mac running MacOS version 7.5.5 or higher, Open Transport version 1.2 or higher, and at least 16Mb RAM.
New Macs
Apple have also been busy on the hardware side, and have launched three new iBooks, all with 64Mb of RAM and a 6Gb hard drive as standard. The iBook Special Edition features a faster 366MHz PowerPC G3 processor and comes in a graphite‑coloured case. There are also two new Powerbooks, each featuring PowerPC G3 processors running at speeds of 400MHz or 500MHz, 1Mb of Level 2 backside cache and 100MHz system buss, two 400Mbps built‑in FireWire ports, high‑performance Ultra ATA/66 internal hard drives of up to 18Gb, a DVD‑ROM drive, two USB ports; built‑in 10/100Base‑T Ethernet, 56kbps modem and MacOS 9. Real powerhouses!
The Power Mac G4 as it was originally intended has also finally been released. The available configurations are as follows: 400/450/500MHz with 64/128/256Mb of memory and 10/20/27Gb hard drives respectively, 1Mb Level 2 backside cache, DVD‑ROM drive, FireWire and USB ports, 10/100Base‑T Ethernet, and a built‑in 56kbps modem. The 450/500MHz models also include a built‑in Zip drive.
OMS
I would like to close this first column with a look at the current situation regarding OMS. From a less than auspicious start as the Opcode MIDI System in 1991, the Open Music System has become the standard for Apple MIDI management. Without it, most MIDI users would not have been able to enjoy such easy access to MIDI interfaces, soundcards and instruments. Many of you will be aware that Opcode is now part of Gibson Musical Instruments and that the continued development of OMS is unclear. To be quite blunt, having the future of a major system component in doubt is an unhealthy situation. The good news is that Doug Wyatt, formerly of Opcode and one of the main engineers responsible for OMS and the Opcode Acadia audio engine, has accepted a position at Apple in the Core Audio Group. His duties will include developing OS‑level MIDI support. And about time too...
Downloadable Goodies
Remember M, that quirky music creation program from Intelligent Music in the late '80s? M was quite different from any other music software when it first appeared, with a powerful implementation of the idea of interactive composition where you shape the music as you hear it unfold. Version 2.5 (www.cycling74.com/products/m.html) has improved stability and adds compatibility with OMS and QuickTime Musical Instruments.
Those into sound creation will be interested to hear that Amadeus II (www.unige.ch/math/folks/hairer/m...) has been updated to version 2.2. Allowing you to process, generate and analyse sounds, the latest version includes a 'fading' external filter, faster filtering and background‑noise suppression, a new 'Selection' menu and alterable playback pitch.
Do you run a studio? Having problems with the admin side? Then take a look at Studio System 2.1 (hyperarchive.lcs.mit.edu/HyperArchive/Archive/app/bus/studio‑system‑21.hqx). This consists of a number of related modules holding specific information, any of which can be accessed from a central main menu. Its point‑and‑click interface is simple to use and you can access all information from within one application — communication and accounting software, archive, address, inventory database, studio calculator, appointment keeper, label and tracksheet printer and more. However, you'll need a copy of Claris FileMaker Pro database to use it.
Still using Eudora Light for email, or want to change from Outlook Express or Netscape Communicator? You can now get Eudora Pro 4.3 (www.eudora.com) for free! This has extensive filtering, multiple email accounts and multiple signatures. It can send/receive email simultaneously and in the background, and permits HTML and graphics viewing within the body of a message — a good, professional email program. The only price you pay for this $50 program is to put up with an unobtrusive static advert in a small on‑screen square.
Finally, there are a number of updates now available for various established programs:
- PG Music Band In A Box 8.0b — necessary for Styles Disk 16 (Blues).
- BIAS Deck 2.63 — various bug fixes including MacOS 9 support.
- Emagic Logic Audio Platinum 4.1.4.
- Emagic Logic Audio Silver 4.1.3.
- Emagic Logic Audio Bronze 4.1.3.
- Cycling 74 Pluggo 2.0.6.
Martin Russ: Crystal Gazing
A warm welcome to Vic Lennard — I can assure everyone that Apple Notes will be well served in his very capable hands! Since I'm bowing out, it seems appropriate to leave you with some thoughts on the subject of the future and changeovers. As I write, there are a number of rumours circulating about just what will succeed the current G4 Macintoshes. The link between Motorola and Apple has been a strong and close one, from the first Macintosh with its 68000 processor, through a series of increasingly powerful chips to the final 68040 of Quadra fame, and across the huge jump to the PowerPC line of processors. Despite having to make major changes to their system and application software, Apple successfully solved one of the most difficult of compatibility problems — a changeover to a completely different series of processors — with very few problems.
If there's one thing that Apple have always been renowned for, it's their constant striving to think differently. Don't forget just how radically different the Macintosh was when it was first introduced, or the horror that greeted the news that the iMac didn't have a floppy disk drive! But accompanying this insanely great company has been a history of innovation and support. For instance, the loss of built‑in SCSI on the blue and white G3s meant that those who actually needed SCSI went out and bought a faster SCSI card, which might have been better for music use right from the start. The same applies to serial ports, where Apple's switch to USB has focused people's minds on making the right use of an adequate number of ports, instead of trying to juggle everything with a legacy‑named 'printer' and 'modem' port.
Apple has changed too. The last few years have seen a company hitting highs and lows, and the return of founder Steve Jobs, whose rejuvenation and re‑inspiration have been marvellous to watch. But this is a leaner, fitter Apple, making a much reduced range of products, and an Apple that has attracted a large number of completely new users. I know of people who would never have considered buying a computer, but who have acquired an iMac because it is more like an 'Internet Appliance' than a computer. And perhaps this is where the future lies: computers as tools for doing things, rather than an end unto themselves, and maybe a less fanatical user‑base that is more fluid in its allegiances.
Your new guide through these changes has an interesting challenge, and I wish him every success. Thanks also to all my readers over the years. I've enjoyed every minute of it! Over to you, Vic... Martin Russ