Binary Interface

March 2008

Welcome to the March edition of the Binary Interface newsletter, providing news and updates on what's new in our corner of the world of music technology. As always, we welcome any comments, suggestions or contributions.

Executive Summary:
This issue we have a host of new software and hardware products and upcoming events to tell you about: Sibelius have released a new O-Generator title called World Music, and Auralia 3.5 and Musition 3.5 are now available; Roland have the new CD2e CD and SD card recorder, and have announced the MT90U, a USB version of the old MT90S. The Cairns Music Conference is on again in July, so hold the 13th and 14th in your diary for a tropical escape. Don't forget your entries for the Loop 2 the Max composing competition before April. Avid Audio have announced big plans for leveraging their Sibelius, M-Audio and Digidesign product lines. The Axon Ax50 USB is a new contender in the MIDI guitar market bundled with the Godin guitar. Casio have released the CTK-810, a new piano-style 61-note portable keyboard with USB interface. If you need further PD training on your favourite music software or hardware, why not enrol in one of our upcoming Courses and Workshops in our on-going Professional Development Series.

O-Generator World Music Released

O-Generator World Music is the newest and most enticing way to learn World Music African and Latin Styles. The O-Generator World Music package combines two fantastic programs, Learn World Music and Play World Rhythms.

In the Learn program students learn about specific styles from Africa and Latin America. There are step-by-step audio lessons, a Create section, lesson quiz and pre-written African and Latin tunes.

The Play program allows students to play percussion along with the software. Students learn to play a wide variety of Latin and African rhythms.

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Auralia and Musition Version 3.5

Rising Software have announced the availability of Auralia 3.5 and Musition 3.5, comprising significant updates to version 3 of these popular Australian-authored ear-training and theory applications. The new features emphasise student feedback, administration, and record keeping. You can now select a specific syllabus from the drop-down menu, and there are three new syllabi included: Trinity Guildhall, Western Australia (WACE) and Queensland (QCA) with more coming soon. This feature will be a real time-saver for teachers and students, as it will automatically disable non-curriculum topics from the progressive drills and tests. For more details on all the new features, go to this link on Binary Designs website:
www.binarydesigns.com.au/bdstore/auralia35.html
The version 3.5 updates for both programs will be available as a FREE download from the Rising Software website for existing version 3 users. A quick-link from the Binary Designs website will be added as soon as Version 3.5 becomes available.

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Sibelius License Server 5.1

Sibelius Software are now supplying their License Server version 5.1 with all new network installations of Sibelius. It represents a major update to their License Server system, enabling schools and universities to easily move Sibelius music software licenses around their networked computers to offer greater access for students.
A new, non-technical user-interface enables music teachers and assistants – not just ICT coordinators – to easily assign and reassign ‘floating’ (concurrent) licenses to specific computers in ICT labs or computer-equipped classrooms. A Free upgrade is available to existing Sibelius 5 network users. Contact Binary Designs for details.

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Roland CD2e

Roland have released the CD2e, a direct to SD or CD audio recorder. Smaller and lighter than its predecessor CD2, the CD2e has added features like Key Change, which can alter the key of any track from +5 to -6 semitones, and redesigned the control layout for easier use.

If you're unsure of how to perform a function, the Easy Guide System guides you on-screen step by step through the most common procedures. You can record directly to CD, or to SD card, then transfer your track to CD later, perhaps after adding . In-built stereo speakers and stereo microphones make this an all-in-one solution for on-the-spot recording and music practise. It also comes with a handy remote control. For more information and specifications, click here

RRP: $1295 (inc GST) available: Now

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Roland MT90U

Roland have also announced an update to another favourite - the new MT90U music player swaps the old floppy drive of the MT90 for a USB port, and now has the ability to playback and manipulate mp3 and wav files as well as traditional MIDI music files.

RRP: $795 (inc GST) available: May 2008

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Cairns Music Conference 2008

This year's Cairns Music Conference will be held on 13th and 14th July at Cairns State High School. With a theme of 'Music for the Millenial Generation' it will be a great opportunity to explore new ideas, participate in some great workshops, network with other teachers, and take a break in the warmth of the tropics. More information will be available shortly from the conference website, where you can also register your interest:
www.cairnsmusicconference.com.au

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Loop 2 the Max

It's time for teachers to get their students focused if they wish to enter Loop 2 the Max for 2008. Our loop-based music composition competition is open to all school students aged 18 years and under. So get your kids composing right away, and make sure you have their entries in by 4th April 2008. There are 2 sections: 13 years and under, and 14-18 years (as at 1st January 2008).

All students have to do is compose a piece of music in any style using any of the Sony Creative Software titles: Super Duper Music Looper, Jam Trax, Acid Music Studio, or Acid Pro. Then via their teacher or school, send their compositions to us to be eligible for some great prizes from Intelliware and Binary Designs. For competition details and to download entry forms, follow this link:

www.binarydesigns.com.au/l2m/loop2max.html

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A Revolution in Music Creation

The recent combining of three leading music technology companies (Sibelius, M-Audio and Digidesign) under the one umbrella known as the Avid Audio Group has led to synergies in development and benefits for the user, particularly in the education sector. Avid's new slogan 'A Revolution in Music Creation' was unveiled at NAMM in the USA in January, and we saw it again at the recent EnTech conference in Sydney in February. The strategy includes new multi-seat pricing of hardware for education, similar to the now-familiar multi-seat software licensing. A number of products have been announced in this category, including the new Keyrig 49 and KeyStudio 49i controller keyboards from M-Audio, as well as the Digidesign Mbox2 series Pro Tools systems. Contact Binary Designs for more information.

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Axon MIDI Guitar Bundle

For many years, guitarists have been the 'poor-relation' when it came to MIDI applications - only keyboard players could easily take advantage of MIDI sequencing and scoring programs. There is now an affordable bundle that allows guitar players who want to compose or arrange their work using industry-standard notation and sequencing software.

The Axon AX-50 is a USB MIDI controller interface for guitars equipped with hex pickups, using the Roland GK standard. The interface has been bundled with a Godin Freeway SA MIDI-equipped guitar and a sound-set from Native Instruments to give users a complete composing and performance package. So finally I can plug my guitar into Sibelius or Finale or Sonar, and get useful real-time MIDI note entry, recording either to Tab or standard music notation. This is a great way for school music departments to get their guitar-playing masses tuned in to music notation and sequencing.

Click here for more information.

RRP: $1599 (inc GST) available: Now

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Casio CTK-810 keyboard

The Casio CTK-810 is a new 61-note portable keyboard with piano-style keys and a heavier piano-like feel suitable for studio and classroom use. It features touch response, 515 sounds, 120 rhythms, 100 songs in the song book, inbuilt lessons, and a record function. The CTK-810 is also a General MIDI Keyboard that you can connect to your computer via USB (Windows Only - Mac driver available soon).

RRP: $299 (inc GST) available: Now

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Professional Development Courses
Upcoming courses March/April 2008:

These workshops form part of our Binary Designs Basics series for
Vocational Education Training:

Vital
  Effective
    Today

Date	Course	Comment/Cost	Time
Sat 15th March	Portable Quality Recording without a computer	See how easy it is to produce CD-quality recordings using the Superscope player/recorder, Roland CD2e, and R09 hand-held recorder Hands-on $45	2:00pm-3:30pm Includes a/tea, workbook, & your CD
Sat 15th March	Presenting the Finale Family: PrintMusic, Finale, SmartMusic	Integrate your music notation, rehearsal, and recording tasks with this software suite BYO Instrument $45	4:00pm-5:30pm Includes a/tea, workbook, & your CD
Sat 29th March	Sibelius 5 Basics 101	You'll be creating professional scores in minutes with this powerful yet easy to use notation package. Hands-on $45	2:00pm-3:30pm Includes a/tea, workbook, & your CD
Sat 29th March	Using Sibelius to create teacher resources	Find out how to create worksheets, audio CD's and webpages using Sibelius' built-in tools Hands-on $45	4:00pm-5:30pm Includes a/tea, workbook, & your CD
Sat 5th April	Maximise creativity with Band in a Box	Create backing tracks, lead sheets and more with this awesome musical toolkit Hands-on $45	2:00pm-3:30pm Includes a/tea, workbook, & your CD
Sat 5th April	Notation & sequencing with MIDI Guitar!	Now you can easily create your scores and sequences via guitar input Hands-on $45	4:00pm-5:30pm Includes a/tea, workbook, & your CD

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