Binary Interface

May 2008

Welcome to the May 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 cover new software and hardware products and several upcoming events.
• Sibelius have announced their Composer Awards for 2008, a composition competition with amazing prizes open to the young and not-so-young. • The pace is quickening for the Cairns Music Conference in July, so register now if you haven't already done so. • Acoustica Mixcraft 4 is the latest version of an audio loop and remix software that's created a lot of interest here in a short space of time. Guest contributor Peter Varley has written an article on the new version for us. • The Rode University website is now in full swing providing free training in microphone selection and techniques. • Roland's new R09HR digital recorder and MT90U MIDI and audio file player are now in stock and proving a big hit with teachers.• Casio have released new models in their portable keyboard and digital piano range - the Privia PX-720 is one that's ideal for music teaching. • Dr Robert Keane has released the first DVD of a two-part course on Piano Improvisation called 'Making It Up'• 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.

Sibelius Composer Awards 2008

Sibelius have announced details for their upcoming Composer Awards 2008 composition competition.

This year Sibelius have added a new Emerging Composer category, for composers 30 years and under, in addition to the Secondary and Tertiary Student sections. The task again is to compose a work for the contemporary group 'Ensemble Offspring' who will perform the finalists' works at a concert at the Sydney Conservatorium in October. For more details go to www.sibelius.com/auscomposerawards

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Cairns Music Conference 2008

Registrations for the Cairns Music Conference 2008 - Music for the Millenial Generation are filling fast, so now is the time to register for this ideal professional development opportunity in July. Why not stay a few more days and give yourself a tropical treat this winter with a post-conference break?
Log on to the conference website to learn more here: www.cairnsmusicconference.com.au

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Acoustica Mixcraft 4

contributed by Peter Varley of AusMIDI

Mixcraft 4. Software should be easy to use.

Have you ever wished for something like Garage Band to be available for Windows computers?

Here comes the next revolution in music creation for Windows computers – yes, on all platforms from 98 through to Vista!

Revolutionary?

Q. What’s revolutionary about a Multi-track audio and midi recording program for Windows that includes lots of custom loop libraries, is compatible with Acid and Garage Band loops, has a set of GM virtual instruments, sampled grand pianos, Hammond B-3 emulator, MiniMoog, 18 High quality effects, mix down to MP3 or WAV, burn to CD of your mix with one click, and much more?

A. The things which are revolutionary about Mixcraft 4 for Windows users are:

• The ease of use and learning. And
• The low price / great value for money.

NSW Dept Education and Training recently bought 1,000 licenses of Mixcraft 4 because of its educational value and ease of use and learning for all.

With Mixcraft 4 it is easy to add the beats and riffs from the sample libraries, or record and loop your own. Then its easy to record with the supplied virtual instruments if you want, and then record some vocal or real guitar tracks – wherever the creative urge leads you. With a couple of clicks you could then save your creation as an MP3 and post it for others to hear, or burn to CD.

Mixcraft 4 Wins Keyboard Magazine’s Key Buy Award Oakhurst, CA (PRWeb) April 21st, 2008 – Acoustica’s Mixcraft 4 recording studio software has been honoured with Keyboard Magazine’s coveted Key Buy award.

In the May 2008 issue of Keyboard Magazine, Craig Anderton, Keyboard’s Editor at Large, offers a detailed and thorough review of Mixcraft 4. Calling Mixcraft 4 “extremely cost-effective, easy to learn, with an obvious interface,” Anderton proceeds to test, in detail, Mixcraft’s remixing capabilities, virtual instruments, MIDI sequencing, loop library, and included audio effects.

To learn more – visit this link to our website
www.binarydesigns.com.au/bdstore/ACA-MC.html

Education Pricing per user (inc GST) Mixcraft 4 Single User $89.95 Mixcraft 4 5-24 seats $54.00 Mixcraft 4 25-49 seats $42.00 Mixcraft 4 50-99 seats $32.00 Mixcraft 4 100-499 seats $24.00 Mixcraft 4 500-999 seats $20.00 Mixcraft 4 1000+ seats $16.00

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Røde University Website

Røde Microphones have created an on-line course for anyone who wants to know more about microphones and their correct usage. It's called the Rode University and comprises a free series of tutorial videos for you to work through to gain more understanding of using the right microphone for different recording applications. For more information, and to enrol, go to:

www.rodeuniversity.com

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Sibelius V 5.2 Update

Sibelius are now shipping the latest version 5.2 software. All existing version 5 users can upgrade to this latest version for free. This update includes several enhancements in the areas of instrument changes, mixer, and plug-ins, as well as improvements to performance and playback, printing, scanning and graphic export. For a full list and to download the update go to:

www.sibelius.com/helpcenter/updates/sib5_2_0.html

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Roland MT90U and R09HR

Roland's new MT90U music player is now available. The new unit can play all your existing MIDI files as well as mp3 and wav files. A convenient USB port lets you connect a thumb drive for your file storage and playback. You can also connect an external USB floppy disk drive to the USB Host port to gain direct access to your old disk-based MIDI library. Mention this newsletter to receive a Free 8Gb USB drive.

RRP: $795 (inc GST) available: NOW    Order here

The new version R09HR hand-held audio recorder is also now available, and was a big hit at the recent Kodály Autumn Seminar which Len attended in Melbourne earlier this month. Mention this newsletter to receive a Free 2Gb SD card.


RRP: $695 (inc GST) available: NOW    Order here

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Casio PX720 digital piano

The Casio PX-720 is a new digital piano with 88 touch-sensitive keys and hammer action providing a real piano feeling in a small space. Packaged with an AMEB approved, 3-pedal, fixed pedal board it also includes an in-built retractable keyboard cover. Ideal for lessons, the 'duet' setting allows teachers and pupils to play parallel to each other. The PX-720 can even be divided into two keyboard areas which can be transposed individually.

Other Features:

• 11 Tones
• 20 rhythms
• 128-note polyphony
• metronome
• real-time recorder (1 song, 2 tracks)
• 60 songs
• MIDI: 16 channel multi-timbre receive

RRP: $1299 (inc GST) available: NOW    Order here

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Making It Up - Freestyle Piano Improvisation DVD

After many requests, Robert Keane has finally put his highly successful Piano Improvisation Workshops onto 2 DVD's. In this, the first, students learn how to make Freestyle Improvisations using random notes and contrasts - overcoming the fears of knowing what finger to use or what notes to play in what rhythms, and all this is achieved in an easy, fun and dynamic way. This resource should prove invaluable for students of the ANZCA Modern Piano Syllabus, where improvisation forms part of the examination requirements. DVD #1 is available now, and DVD #2 will be released shortly.

RRP: $35 (inc GST) available: NOW   Order here

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Professional Development Courses
Upcoming courses June/July 2008:

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

Vital
  Effective
    Today

Date	Course	Comment/Cost	Time
Sat 14th June	Portable Quality Recording without a computer	See how easy it is to produce CD-quality recordings using the Superscope player/recorder, Roland CD2e, and R09HR hand-held recorder Hands-on $45	2:00pm-3:30pm Includes a/tea, workbook, & your CD
Sat 14th June	Creating Music with Loop-based Software	We compare FLStudio, Acid and Mixcraft for creating beats, backing tracks, remixes and more Hands-on $45	4:00pm-5:30pm Includes a/tea, workbook, & your CD
Sat 28th June	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 28th June	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 July	SmartMusic complete practice system	Intelligent Accompanist software with extensive repertoire for all instruments BYO Instrument $45	2:00pm-3:30pm Includes a/tea, workbook, & your CD
Sat 5th July	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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