Ofir Gal brings news of a crop of software releases, from audio to graphics, which could enhance your Atari working environment...
A month has gone by since I got my first look at the Falcon MkX (see last month's column for my initial reactions) and I now have some hands‑on experience of this new machine, which I hope to share with you in next month's column. I've actually spent the last few days producing various radio jingles for my band using Cubase Audio with the MkX.
In the meantime, I'm pleased to report this month that quite a few new products and upgrades have appeared on the scene, most notably Wave Master, a new product from SoundPool.
Falcon Audio News
Wave Master is a new audio editor for the Falcon that can be used as a desk accessory alongside Cubase Audio and other direct‑to‑disk applications. Wave Master can load and save AIFF, WAV, AVR and DVSM audio files, as well as importing sound directly from audio CDs. Its main use is for destructively editing audio files down to single‑sample accuracy. Using a RAM buffer, all changes can be undone until you close the editor window, at which point the edited file is written back to disk. The program can also record audio directly, and it supports the various hardware options, like the FDI and FA8.
Memory permitting, two tracks can be edited together in Wave Master. Functions include normalise, fades, reverse play, sample rate conversion, and standard cut, copy and paste. The program features automatic zero crossing and also has various controls to allow accurate 'groove' editing. If you run it with Cubase Audio, all you need to do is close the Wave Master editor window and you can immediately audition the resulting edits in Cubase. Wave Master costs £129 from System Solutions (0181 693 3355).
CD Recorder Pro 2 for the TT and Falcon is also now available. It features a much improved interface, supporting drag‑and‑drop and on‑line help. The program can write CDs in a variety of formats, including ISO 9660, Atari, and DOS, as well as mixed‑mode and audio CDs. CD Recorder Pro even offers a backup to CD facility, utilising its multi‑session capabilities. When used in conjunction with Audio Master, CD Recorder can produce audio CD masters. The program understands AIFF, WAV and AVR files, and burns Red Book‑compatible audio discs. You can also audition the files directly from hard disk before burning the CD.
CD Recorder has a built‑in PQ data editor which allows you to set pre‑emphasis and copy‑protection status, adjust break time between tracks, and more. The program supports all Yamaha and Philips‑compatible CD writers up to x4 speed, and it costs £229 from System Solutions (contact number as above).
Altered Images
Positive Image is a new bit‑map image manipulation program for the Atari range. It works with any image type up to greyscale and true colour (24‑bit) images and therefore operates best on a TT or Falcon, but can still be used on a basic ST. The program claims full compatibility with all Atari machines and screen modes, and has GDOS/NVDI support for fonts and printing. In addition, Positive Image runs with any graphics card and works with MagiC. When running on the Falcon, the program uses the DSP to accelerate functions such as resizing, rotating, and some filters. It accepts a variety of file formats, including TIFF, JPEG, XIMG and TGA. The program enables accurate editing of images, allowing you to edit the RGB channels separately, and uses anti‑aliasing when resizing images. An enhanced GEM interface features non‑modal dialogue boxes, so you can access the menu bar at all times. Positive Image manages its own virtual memory, allowing you to edit large image files under tight memory conditions. Most frequently‑used functions are available from a toolbar.
The program permits adjustment of image brightness, contrast, saturation, gamma and more. Standard filters, such as 'unsharp', 'mask' and 'blur' are pre‑installed, as are full 8‑bit masking facilities. The software is available for an introductory price of £65 from Floppyshop (01224 586208).
Emulation Update
A few days after submitting my column for the June issue, I received news of a new version of MagiC for the PC. The developers of the original MagiC and MagiCMac are about to release MagiCPC in the UK. Like the Mac version, MagiCPC is a complete operating system that runs alongside Windows 95, allowing you to run Atari programs on a PC. The Atari version of Cubase, like many older programs, does not run, but compatibility with programs like Calamus and Papyrus is reportedly good. The minimum recommended system is a Pentium 100, with 16Mb of RAM, running Windows 95. A UK release date is yet to be set.