Logic
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Logic Pro and Logic Express updated
Apple has released updates for Logic Pro 9, its flagship digital audio workstation and MIDI sequencer application and Logic Express, its lighter counterpart. Both the Logic Pro 9.1.3 update (193.1 MB) and the Logic Express 9.1.3 update (139.68 MB) improve general stability and compatibility and addresses issues including: Resolves problems related to the support of Hyper-Threading Improved compatibility with 6 and 12-core Mac Pro systems Support for iOS control surface apps that utilize the OSC protocol REX files now supported in 64-bit mode Improved compatibility with select Audio Unit plug-ins Both updates require Mac OS X 10.5.8 or later and are recommended for all users of Logic Pro 9 and Logic Express 9 respectively. Further details on the Logic Pro update can be found here, and on the Logic Express update here.
Apple updates Logic Pro, Express
Apple has updated Logic Pro and Logic Express, its digital audio workstation and MIDI sequencer software applications. The Logic Pro 9.1.1 update weighs in at 192MB and addresses compatibility and numerous fixes including: - Improved stability of the 32-Bit Audio Unit Bridge - Compatibility with Novation"s Automap feature in 64-bit mode. - Compatibility with Euphonix Eucon protocol in 64-bit mode. The Logic Express 9.1.1 update weighs in at 139MB and addresses compatibility and numerous fixes including: - Support for 64-bit native mode - Compatibility with 64-bit Audio Unit plug-ins - File names with over 32 characters are now supported - Samples are now mapped correctly when using the "Contiguous Zones" option in the EXS editor Both Pro and Express require Mac OS X 10.5.7 or later for 32-bit mode or Mac OS X 10.6.2 or later for 64-bit mode.
Logic Pro 9.0.2 is out and ready for updating
Apple has just released an update to Logic Pro, revving it to version 9.0.2. This update provides numerous fixes and enhancements, as well as addressing several issues. These fixes include: Flex Markers can align & snap to MIDI notes Performing a punch-in recording with Replace Mode now behaves correctly The I/O plug-in adds an option for latency measurement TDM plug-ins now behave as expected. (Only affects users with Pro Tools HD audio hardware.) It's 183MB, and is available through Software Update or the listing on the Apple Support Downloads page. This update is available for all users of Logic Studio 9.0 and later, which was released this July.
Logic Wireless' Logic Bolt makes luminous appearance at CES
Logic Wireless, a new startup has jumped right into the CES mobile fray with this, the mini projecting Logic Bolt. Logic Wireless assumed all rights to this device from ChinaKing -- which we saw early in the summer of 2008 -- and have tuned it up and have it here at the show. Featuring a quad-band GSM chipset, 3 megapixel camera, Bluetooth, projected display size of 36 to 64 inches, and a rated talk time of 2 to 3 hours. Video can apparently blast on for two hours or more using content on the phone or VGA input from other devices. Logic Wireless aims to ship a dual-mode GSM / CDMA set with live video conferencing, four times brighter projector, and Windows Mobile supplanting the current Java OS sometime in the future. For a suggested $100 on-contract price or $600 off, we're thinking if they can make this happen, we're definitely going to be picking one up.[Via Gearlog]
TouchOSC and Logic: look mom, no cables!
The App Store is somewhat deluged with music-related applications. While I find many of the instruments to be novelties, the iPhone-based remote controls available for various Digital Audio Workstations have really caught my attention. I've been playing around with the various musical remote controllers available for a while now. When the various iTouchMidi controllers were released, I got pretty excited. Problematically, I'm a fan of Logic Pro, and these intriguing but mostly Logic-incompatible controllers weren't up to snuff for my personal needs. It was a few weeks before I discovered the available OpenSound Control (OSC) apps in the App Store. I've played with the lineup of controllers such as OSCemote and Mrmr (iTunes link), and both of those are a lot of fun with a good amount of potential. One stood out for me, though, and TouchOSC has officially become part of my home studio setup. TouchOSC provides an array of control screens consisting of faders, rotary controls, buttons, toggles, XY pads, multi-faders/toggles and LEDs in various configurations. It communicates wirelessly with software and hardware which can receive and send the OSC protocol. I thought I'd offer a quick rundown of the steps I used to get from TouchOSC to Logic. I'm sure the same methods can be applied to other software, with a little variation. An overview of the controller configurations in TouchOSC can be found in the gallery below. Read on for the lowdown. %Gallery-36766%
Logic Express Update 8.0.2
In addition to the other updates released today, Apple has also released an update to Logic Express 8. Software update gives us the following information about the update: Logic Express 8.0.2 addresses specific customer and compatibility issues of Logic Express 8.0. This update is recommended for all Logic Express 8.0 users.You can download this update by opening Software Update (Apple menu > Software update) or by downloading the installer package from the Apple Support downloads website.
Logic Pro 8.0.2 is available
Attention Logic Studio users. Apple has released version 8.0.2 of Logic Pro. According to Apple, this update "...addresses specific customer and compatibility issues of Logic Pro 8.0. It includes Wavebuner 1.5.2 and Impulse Response Utility 1.0.2, which address issues for Waveburner 1.5 and Impulse Response Utility 1.0 respectively."Version 8 of Logic Studio and Express became available in September of last year. If you think that rate of updates is slow, take heart. Apple recently re-affirmed their commitment to the pro applications, most notably Final Cut Server.As usual, we ask you to report any issues you experience after installing this update.Thanks to everyone who sent this in!
Matchstick puzzling hits Europe next year
Ignoring the fundamental silliness of paying $20 or more for a game that can be played with a fifty cent box of matches, we're actually quite looking forward to Matchstick Puzzles by DS. Which is a good thing, really, as publisher Mercury Games has just confirmed that its puzzler is on its way to Europe next February, for a wallet-pleasing budget price of £19.99 / €24.99.No news on a U.S. version just yet, though a European release bodes well for those who bought a DS to rearrange little pieces of virtual wood. There's a video of the game in action past the jump, and the first English language screens in the gallery below.%Gallery-11690%
Professor Layton travels through time for trilogy wrap-up
While we wait (im)patiently for the first of the Professor Layton trilogy, the third and final installment was just announced in Japan. Professor Layton and the Final Time Travel, which has no firm release date yet, will be set in a dark, futuristic London, and will feature time traveling. With a title like that, who'd have thought?Any Layton addicts out there might also be pleased to learn that the franchise is going to expand into other media. Guess those games must be good -- but those of us who aren't importing will have to wait until next year to find out.[Via Bilingual Gamer]
MainStage 1.0.1
Hey, Logic Studio users: there is an update for the newest member of that suite, MainStage. MainStage 1.0.1 which includes, to quote Apple: Improved stability Fixes for minor usability issues Added options for saving parameter values when switching patches Apple recommends that update for all MainStage users.
Apple releases Pro Application Support 4.0
Apple has released a Pro Application Support 4.0 update that "improves general user interface reliability for Apple's professional applications." Basically, if you use any of the Final Cut Suite apps, Aperture, Final Cut Express HD or Logic products, you'll probably see this in Software Update. Strangely, as with previous Pro Application Support updates, there isn't a whole lot of extra information as to what this update fixes, or what bugs and quirks it squashes; it's just 6 MB of UI update goodness, I guess.[via MacDailyNews]
Matchstick puzzles headed to the DS
Do you ever catch yourself thinking, "Gee, the only thing missing on the DS is matchstick puzzles! Wouldn't it be nice if I didn't have to carry around all these matchsticks?" No? Well, if you were that guy (or girl), then this could be the best day ever. But even if the idea of shifting matchsticks (without using any actual matches) doesn't thrill you to the core, odds are that you'll find this at least oddly interesting. While we wonder just how many matchstick puzzles there are -- and we're sure they all fit within this one DS game -- this could certainly be worth checking out as a rental at least. If nothing else, simple puzzles are pretty good for pick-up-and-play, and matchstick puzzles always seem to go well with alcoholic beverages. Matchibo Puzzle DS is due for the end of the month in Japan, and we're actually half-hoping this one makes it across the ocean, just to see.
Apple Modest Mouse video contest
This is a pretty nifty video competition from Apple and the band "Modest Mouse". The later wants a video for their new song "Missed the Boat," so they have placed online 12 videos of the band performing the song in front of a green screen with different angles and camera shots. They are inviting people to download these videos and edit them together into a music video (you can use your own footage as well). Once you're done with your masterpiece (all rights to which you forfeit), upload it back to Apple for judging. The contest ends May 22, 2007.Obviously this is a publicity stunt designed to promote Final Cut Studio and Logic, but it's a pretty darn cool publicity stunt. The contest page with the videos is live, so all of you wanna-be video directors get started!Thanks, Chris!
Already, screens from the Professor Layton sequel
They don't believe in wasting time over there at Level-5. The first game was just released in Japan, and not only do we have a sequel in the works for Professor Layton, but we're already seeing more images from the game. Yes, more -- we already saw a few when the sequel was announced!We expect Professor Layton and Pandora's Box to have a firm release date by next week, and to be on shelves the week after. Okay, not really, but the sarcasm may not be too far off the mark. Check out a few of the pics after the jump. They're from scans, so may not be the best quality, but certainly good enough to see that the visuals are still uniquely gorgeous.
Microfluidic computer runs on bubbles, deals in chemical analysis
Flipping over to alternate energy sources isn't just the rage in vehicles, as we've seen steam-powered and string-powered computers already, and now we're witnessing an oddity that's actually energized by bubbles. The "microfluidic" computer performs calculations by squeezing bubbles through tiny channels etched into a chip, and although it runs around 1,000 times slower than you're average desktop today and takes up quite a bit more room, no AC outlet is required to churn out chemical analysis. Manu Prakash and Neil Gershenfeld of the MIT Center for Bits and Atoms created the devices by "etching channels about one micron wide into silicon, and then using nitrogen bubbles contained in water to represent bits of information flowing through these channels." The computer utilizes Boolean logic functions to carry out its work, and the researchers are already envisioning it carrying bubbles of molecules or individual cells to "conduct diagnostics or detect pathogens." We'll admit, a bubble-powered PC ain't too shabby, but even proponents fessed up that such a snail isn't putting modern day machine vendors out of business anytime soon.
Caltech scientists build DNA logic circuits that run in a test tube
We've seen DNA logic before (remember the MAYA-II, the DNA computer that could play tic-tac-toe?), but a new variety at Caltech has created a set of circuits that can work in salt water, possibly paving the way for cell-based computers. The researchers created a small series of circuits and included gates to perform all the binary logic functions: AND, OR, and NOT. Each gate, a set of DNA strands, receives DNA molecules as input and spits out different ones as output. They've succeeded in building 12 gates in a cascade five layers deep -- pretty simple compared to your average microchip, but nonetheless pretty impressive. Ok Caltech, we'll let your computer partner up with MAYA-II and we'll take 'em both on in a game of competitive Sudoku, how's that?
Professor Layton and Mysterious Town
RPG developer Level 5 is working on an intriguing new title that will hit Japan in February -- Professor Layton and Mysterious Town, a puzzle game. Puzzle game on the DS, you say? That's nothing new. Well, perhaps not, but what's different here (besides the style) is that they game is being co-developed by Akira Tago, the Chiba University professor behind a series of logic puzzle books. It'll be interesting to see what sort of impact that has not only on the puzzles themselves, but on the story. We're obviously big fans of game developers in general (it kinda goes with the fanboy-ism), but it's always nice to see other creative minds working in conjunction with game devs.
Apple quietly responds to whining (of MacBook Pros)
Rickard Almqvist at MacInTouch is reporting that Apple has apparently (and finally) produced a tweaked version of the MacBook Pro logic board in response to everyone's whining - MacBook Pro whining, that is. Rickard received a letter from Apple detailing the new board and stating that it was brand new, "only a few days old". Also of note is the need for new installation DVDs that contain 10.4.6, not the 10.4.5 discs the machine originally came with. And just for all you skeptics out there, Rickard has also posted a picture of Apple's letter on his blog, so you can let your "that was Microsoft Worded" and "Photoshopped!" naysaying fly.Here's hoping MacBook Pros everywhere can finally stop whining. The one question I have is: are you going to be sending your MBP in for the new board? Or is iTunes usually blaring loud enough for you to still wonder what all this 'whine' talk is about?[via MacDailyNews]Thanks Miguel
Analyzing JT's rhetoric: assassins vs. gamers
Jack Thompson has made headlines again after convincing the police to seize games from a suspect who shot a delivery man in the face (you can read the details at GamePolitics). The new quote that is making its rounds on gaming blogs is widely regarded as one his craziest yet: "Nobody shoots anybody in the face unless you're a hit man or a video gamer." Before we attack Mr. Thompson, let us see exactly what that means (WARNING: Dry logical analysis ahead)."Unless" can be a tricky word, logically. It is defined as "except on the condition that." The sentence now reads "Nobody shoots anybody in the face except on the condition that you're a hit man or a gamer." Therefore, if man X is to shoot someone in the face, he either falls in the category of (a) a hit man or (b) a gamer. While he may believe so, the quotation does not make either of the following assertions: A gamer is equal, in some regard, to a hit man. While person X, who has shot somebody in the face, must fall into one of the two categories (or both; it is not mutually exclusive), it does not say that "All gamers are assassins" or "All assassins are gamers." All gamers can (or will) shoot someone in the face. This would follow an implication that "If X is a gamer, then X will shoot someone in the face." However, such a statement is not found in Thompson's comment. Although neither of those proposals are explictily stated in his latest wacky quote, the fallacy lies in not taking into account outside influences: cops can also shoot people in the face and not fall into either category (gamers or hit men). Ergo, finding one example of a face-shooter who neither plays games nor earns money killing will nullify his statement. Q.E.D.[Thanks to everyone who tipped us!]
