Apple unveiled the next generation of dual-CPU G5 PowerMacs today. Features include:
- Three speeds/configurations: dual 2.0GHz, dual 2.3GHz, and dual 2.7GHz
- 64-bit processing power and bandwidth
- dual-independent frontside buses operating at up to 1.35GHz speeds
- RAM capacity up to 8GB
- up to 250GB SATA hard drive stock
- three PCI or PCI-X slots (depending on model)
- Gigabit Ethernet
- Two FireWire 400 and one 800 ports
- Three USB 2.0 ports
- Analog audio in and out
- Optical S/PDIF audio in and out
- ATI Radeon 9600 or 9650 graphics card (depending on model)
- OS X 10.4 (Tiger)
- 16x SuperDrive with support for double-layer (DVD+R DL) discs for 8.5GB capacity
Apple has also announced price-drops on 20″ and 23″ Cinema Displays.
New in stock at Sweetwater
From the Vienna Symphonic Library come Opus 2 and Opus Bundle; Opus 2 introduces new articulations such as fast string runs and muted brass, and new instruments such as marimba, vibraphone, and waterphone. Opus Bundle combines Opus 1 and 2 into one specially priced bundle.
Also in stock is Native Instruments Electronic Instruments 2 XT, an exclusive collection of REAKTOR instruments that can run standalone or as plug-ins. Eight instruments are included.
LE McDSP
McDSP has announced RTAS/AudioSuite versions of FilterBank, CompressorBank, and Chrome Tone. The new LE versions are compatible with Mac OS X and Windows XP.
Rock The Cure
Gibson Guitars has donated 50 SG guitars to an auction benefitting Breast Cancer Research. The guitars were decorated and signed by celebrities such as Jeff Beck, Andres Agassi, Tony Iommi (Black Sabbath), Tea Leoni and David Duchovney, Joe Perry (Aerosmith), Kiefer Sutherland, Carmen Electra, David Carradine, and others. The auction will take place at the Hard Rock Cafe Los Angeles on May 3rd.
Apogee X-FireWire Updates
In conjunction with the release of OS X 10.3.9, Apogee has released elements that provide complete functionality for X-FireWire-equipped interfaces, including Firemix (zero-latency mixer), X-FireWire Firmware (96kHz support on all interfaces, 192kHz support for Rosetta 200), Apogee FireWire Updater, and X-FireWire revised User Guide. Download everything here.