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Cubase SX 1.5.1
Steinberg
http://www.steinberg.de
Reviewed in March 2003
http://www.macworld.com/2003/03/reviews/cubasesx1
Cubase SX is a substantial bug fix away from being a solid contender for your digital-audio–production dollars. When a more stable version ships, people with earlier Cubase iterations should upgrade in a hurry
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Deck 3.5.1
Berkley Integrated Audio Software
http://www.bias-inc.com
Reviewed in February 2003
http://www.macworld.com/2003/02/reviews/musdeck
Deck 3.5 is a fine choice for musicians who want a reasonably priced application for audio recording and production. Those who want to work with higher resolutions or need to create MIDI tracks will have to look to other programs.
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DS-330
Olympus
http://www.olympusamerica.com
Reviewed in October 2002
http://www.macworld.com/2002/10/reviews/olympus
Though this digital-audio recorder has limitations, you can stop cataloging cassettes and start transferring audio files to your Mac with ease. It’s an excellent choice for taking voice notes and light dictation.
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iListen 1.5
MacSpeech
http://www.macspeech.com
Reviewed in January 2003
http://www.macworld.com/2003/01/reviews/ilisten
iListen is still a work in progress. Although IBM’s ViaVoice has its own flaws, it’s a better choice for most. The primary benefit of iListen is its ability to transcribe recorded dictation.
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Live 1.5
Ableton
http://www.ableton.com
Reviewed in August 2002
http://www.macworld.com/2002/08/reviews/live
This sample sequencer is an easy-to-use performance tool that’s equally at home in the studio and on the stage. Musicians and DJs looking for a new groove should give it a try.
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Logic Platinum 5.3
Emagic
http://www.emagicusa.com
Reviewed in January 2003
http://www.macworld.com/2003/01/reviews/logicplatinum5
Logic Platinum 5.3 offers a comprehensive set of tools for digital-audio production, and is the first professional digital-audio–production application to work in OS X.
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Mbox
Digidesign
http://www.digidesign.com
Reviewed in August 2002
http://www.macworld.com/2002/08/reviews/mbox
This USB-based Mbox analog-to-digital converter is a very nice way to start your digital-recording career; it provides portability and easy-to-use software at a decent price.
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MP3 Rage 5.4
Chaotic Software
http://www.chaoticsoftware.com
Reviewed in April 2003
MP3 Rage is the Swiss Army Knife of MP3 utilities. It helps you look up and fix improper ID3 tag data, rename files based on that data, look up lyrics and album covers, find duplicates, create a catalog file, and even convert MP3 files to other audio formats.
Note: Demo on this disc is version 5.5.
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Peak 3
Berkley Integrated Audio Software
http://www.bias-inc.com
Reviewed in July 2002
http://www.macworld.com/2002/07/reviews/peak3
This audio-editing program is fast and powerful, but it’s hampered by a cumbersome interface.
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Plex
Steinberg
http://www.steinberg.de
Reviewed in February 2003
http://www.macworld.com/2003/02/reviews/plexplugin
If you love the sound of a trumpet combined with an electric guitar, and you want the notes to decrescendo like a gong, look to Plex, which can create this in a snap. The VST plug-in isn’t an essential item, but it’s a decent luxury.
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Pluggo 3.0
Cycling 74
http://www.cycling74.com
Reviewed in September 2002
http://www.macworld.com/2002/09/reviews/inbrief
For an affordable package of audio plug-ins compatible with a host of formats, look no further. Pluggo offers tremendous bang for the buck, with 80 audio plug-ins and 20 virtual instruments.
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Pro Tools Free 5.0
Digidesign
http://www.digidesign.com
Reviewed in July 2002
This excellent audio application lets you edit and mix your audio, but runs only in OS 9.
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Reason 2.0
Propellerhead Software
http://www.propellerheads.se
Reviewed in November 2002
http://www.macworld.com/2002/11/reviews/reason2
Version 2.0 provides a good opportunity for musicians—from studio professionals to enthusiasts—to become better acquainted with a great music-sampling and -synthesis program. It may be just what you need if you’re finally ready to retire your hardware-based system
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SliMP3
Slim Devices
http://www.slimdevices.com
Reviewed in April 2003
The SliMP3 can read MP3 files from an OS X Mac (or Unix computer or PC) via an Ethernet network and play them through a stereo. It integrates elegantly with other audiovisual equipment, and sets up easily.
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SmartSound Movie Maestro
Sonic Desktop Software
http://www.smartsound.com
Reviewed in December 2002
http://www.macworld.com/2002/12/reviews/maestro
SmartSound Movie Maestro does what it promises: it creates professional-sounding scores for your videos and requires little effort on your part.
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Sonica
M-Audio
http://www.m-audio.com
Reviewed in January 2003
http://www.macworld.com/2003/01/reviews/maudiosonica
Sonica’s digital output greatly improves the sound quality you can get from your Mac, even in higher-end setups.
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Sound Studio 2.0
Felt Tip Software
http://www.felttip.com
Reviewed in July 2002
Sound Studio 2 is an effective two-channel audio editor, has an intuitive user interface, and provides a healthy set of effects and filters.
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Spark ME
TC Works
http://www.tcworks.de
Reviewed in July 2002
This free introduction to the Spark line of audio applications allows direct recording and provides the ability to import and manipulate any QuickTime-compatible audio file.
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Spark XL 2.5
TC Works
http://www.tcworks.de
Reviewed in October 2002
http://www.macworld.com/2002/10/reviews/spark
Elegantly designed and responsive, Spark XL 2.5 and Spark 2.5 (a version without all the plug-ins) have claimed the top spot among Mac audio editors. If you’re on a tight budget, there’s the Spark LE family and the free Spark ME.
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StreamCatcher
Bombich Software
http://www.bombich.com
Reviewed in July 2002
StreamCatcher helps you record streaming audio to your hard drive, and it integrates well with iTunes.
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Toast with Jam 5
Roxio
http://www.roxio.com
Reviewed in June 2002
http://www.macworld.com/2002/06/reviews/toast
Jam is an easy-to-use program fit for novices, hobbyists, and audio professionals, and it offers audio-mastering features that other apps lack. Coupled with the full version of Toast Titanium, it lets you burn in every CD, DVD, or VCD format. But the burning process is more time-consuming than in previous versions.
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