Binary Interface

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

There have been new releases of both Finale and Sibelius notation software over the last few months, so in this issue we summarise the cost of upgrading and current special deals available.

In addition, we review the new version of Auralia, the premier ear-training software. There's also a new easy-to-use guitar tab and notation editor called Guitar Pro. With the growing surge in the use of Soft Synths for realistic playback of MIDI files, Garritan have made available versions of their Personal Orchestra library for Finale & Sibelius, and are about to release their long-awaited 'Jazz and Big Band' library.

Sony have now released 'Jam Trax' based on the highly popular 'Super Duper Music Looper' music loop composing program.

MakeMusic have released PrintMusic 2006, an entry-level notation program with some great high-end features.

We also discuss the age-old problem of getting enough funding for your school music program and some possible new sources.

Finally, we provide information on Binary Designs on-site training service and scheduled Courses, Workshops and Free Clinics in the on-going Binary Designs Training Series.

Ear Training

Auralia Version 3

This latest version of Auralia for Windows adds a number of new features, including a new user interface and the use of the Sibelius font for displaying notation. You can now enter notes using a keypad layout, similar that used in Sibelius. All topics now support custom levels, and Auralia can also be configured to support multiple syllabi. A separate level structure can be created in each topic for any particular syllabus.

Need to improve your ear? Develop your aural skills with Auralia so that you can play better, play back or write down music you hear, better understand the music you are listening to, improve your tuning and further develop your sight reading abilities. For guitarists, there's even an on-screen fretboard in some topics to enter your answers

The new exercises are great to have - especially some of the new jazz drills and the modulation. The pitch recognition feature has also been improved, making it a worthwhile upgrade.

For teachers, the new flexibility offered by the customisation options and the multiple syllabi will be very useful. Multiple voicings in the chord editor and the new scale editor will also be useful for educators who prefer to create their own custom exercises. The testing module has been enhanced, allowing different groups of students to take the same test, or individuals to take a test multiple times. Reporting enhancements provide a more intuitive interface and more output options.

For school IT departments, the new Client-Server database will appeal to them, delivering stability and performance, and simplifying installation and administration on large networks.
The new version is currently only available for Windows, though a Mac upgrade is planned, as is a new version of its companion program, Musition, due for release in 2006.

New: Any student (primary, secondary or tertiary) can now purchase their own personal copy of Auralia for only $99 (requires Student ID).

Click the underlned links in the table below for more product information.

Prices (inc GST)	Retail	Education	Student
Single User	$249	$199	$99
Upgrade from v2.1	$119	$99	$59

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Upgrade Offers

Sibelius Products

With the recent release of Sibelius version 4, Sibelius Australia are offering incentives to upgrade and expand for both new and existing Sibelius users.
Below is a summary of the offers currently available for Sibelius products if you order by 15th December:

• For the school who currently owns at least 1 but fewer than 5 copies of Sibelius -
  Order a minimum of a 5-user multi-seat licence and your school will receive a 6-seat licence of Sibelius 4 for the normal price of 5 ($1995) In addition, you will receive a free copy of Sibelius Instruments, the musical instrument encyclopedia, valued at $149.
  
• For the school new to Sibelius -
  Order a minimum 5-user multi-seat licence, and you can either:
  • Receive a free copy of Sibelius Instruments (valued at $149) or
  • Save 50% on any multi-seat licence of Sibelius Instruments (minimum 5-seat licence normally $695, you pay just $347).
  
  
• For the school with at least 5-user Auralia -
  Upgrade your Auralia site-licence or 5-user lab-pack to the new Auralia 3 (Windows only) and save 50% off any Sibelius Instruments single or multi-seat licence.
  

Here are the education prices for single copies of the new Finale 2006. For multi-user pricing and more details, see our website: www.binarydesigns.com.au/fin2006.html

* includes secondary & tertiary students, teachers, schools, institutions and churches

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Visit the Guitar Pro page on our website for more information.

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Garritan Products

Garritan Sample Libraries
Gary Garritan is renowned for producing great sample libraries, with his 'Garritan Personal Orchestra' or GPO the best-known. Now his products are being included with some of the latest version notation programs, notably Finale 2006, which includes the 'Garritan Personal Orchestra - Finale Edition'.
Not to be outdone, Sibelius have now announced the release of 'GPO Sibelius Edition' as an add-on to their notation software. Garritan also have a generic 'GPO Notation Edition' for other packages.
The company has also announced the (imminent) release of their long-awaited 'Jazz and Big Band Collection', featuring trumpets, trombones, saxophones, rhythm section and more... The samples we have heard are really quite impressive, so keep checking our website for availability in Australia.
All Garritan products use the Kontakt Player engine for sample playback, and the full versions include a MIDI VST host application 'GPO Studio' for use with any program that doesn't yet support full soft-synth integration - this also allows capture-to-audio to easily produce high quality wave files of your compositions.

Pricing: Garritan Personal Orchestra $399
GPO Finale Upgrade to full version $279
GPO Sibelius Version $339 (Pre-order your copy now! due end Nov)
Special discounts apply for customers purchasing GPO as an addon to Sibelius purchase or upgrade (call for details)
Garritan Jazz and Big Band $399 (Pre-order your copy now!)

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Jam Trax

Sony Jam Trax


Sony have released Jam Trax, a loop-based music construction program based on their popular Super Duper Music Looper. While SDML is targeted at the 3-12 year olds, Jam Trax is definitely for their older brothers and sisters, with its heavier sample loops being ideal for those wishing to pen their next grunge hit.

Pricing: Jam Trax RRP: $49
School/Teacher/Student: $39
Licence 5+: $29 per user

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PrintMusic 2006

PrintMusic Notation Software


MakeMusic have released PrintMusic 2006, a major upgrade to their entry-level notation package in the Finale family. Some of the major new features which have been incorporated from Finale include: Built-in Soft-synth allowing save to audio file, Band-in-a-Box auto-harmonising, drum grooves, guitar and bass tablature, engraver tuplets, textured manuscript paper, and much more...

Pricing: PrintMusic 2006 $139
Upgrade from earlier version: $49
Lab 5-pack: $349

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Queensland Music Teacher of the Year

4MBS Classic FM have again launched the Queensland Music Teacher of the year competition. Binary Designs are proud sponsors of this event. To vote for your favourite music teacher, just login to the 4MBS website and cast your vote. The teacher who receives the most votes from their students will receive a fabulous holiday at the Kingfisher Bay Resort on Fraser Island. Last year's winner, Mary MacDonald-Raymond (pictured centre), was present at last week's launch, as was the Minister for Education, the Honourable Rod Welford and our own Karen Henderson. Check the 4MBS website www.4mbsclassicfm.com.au/music_teach.htm for more detailsl

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Loop 2 the Max Results

After a long wait, we finally have the results of the inaugural Loop 2 the Max loop-based composition competition! Congratulations to all the students and schools who submitted entries - you gave the judges a very challenging task, but now the winners have been announced. Check our website for the results in all divisions. Our special thanks to our international judge Heidi Habeger, International Sales Manager of Sony Media Software USA, and co-sponsor Intelliware Australia.

Next year we hope to make the competition even bigger, so keep on composing!
See www.binarydesigns.com.au/loop2max2005.html for details.

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How to Get Funding

It has always been difficult to move into new technology when funding budgets have been so stringent. But do they have to be? Why is it that some schools seem to have so much more than others? Many teachers now realise that to get what they need takes creativity and perseverence. The Federal Government has announced the availability of a large bucket of money for any Australian school (state or private) who can justify a real need which will enhance educational outcomes.
The first round of funding has just been finalised, with several of our local state primary schools announced in federal parliament last week being successful in gaining funding for many diverse projects. These ranged from new furniture, air conditioning, to whole new computer labs. In the State Schools sector alone, for funding requests under $50,000, over $4.8 million was granted for music projects in the first round! We suggest you speak to your local Federal Member about this initiative, and look to your colleagues who have made successful submissions, as there are still further rounds of funding available over the next 3 years.
Another source which has proven successful for some schools is Gaming Grants. These are applied for through the Gaming Commission, and represent a percentage of state taxes on gambling that must be returned to the community.
We are happy to assist anyone wishing to apply for funding in the area of music technology. Several of our clients have previously been successful in gaining much-needed funding in this way.

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On-Site Training

Did you know that Binary Designs are able to provide on-site custom training on virtually any music software you have at your school or studio?
Many of our clients appreciate the convenience of being able to have us come to their workplace and present training in a more relaxed one-on-one or small group situation, at a time that suits them in their busy schedule. Why not call us to discuss your needs, we'd be most happy to oblige.

Phone us on (07) 3822 4884 or email midi@binarydesigns.com.au

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Professional Development Courses
Upcoming courses November 2005 to January 2006:

Part of our Binary Designs Basics series for
Vocational Education Training:

Vital
  Effective
    Today

Date	Course	Comment/Cost	Time
Sat 26th November	Fostering creativity with loop-based composing tools	Using range of software suitable for all ages Hands-on $80	1:30pm-5:00pm Includes a/tea, free software pack, & discount offers
Sat 3rd December	Painless Vocal Extraction	FREE Clinic with Digital Dr Len	11:30am-12:30pm BYO vocal CD's (option to stay for follow-on workshop)
Sat 3rd December	Burn Baby Burn - Reloaded	Make your own Music CD's Basic mixing & mastering Hands-on $80	1:30pm-5:00pm Includes a/tea, free software pack, & discount offers
Wed 11th-Fri 13th Jan	3-day Intensive Teacher PD Course	Resources, Composing, Performing & Recording $510	9:00am-3:00pm daily Includes m/tea, lunch & workbook
Sat 14th Jan	Follow-up to Intensive PD Course	Plan & create a documentary resource of your course experience $150	9:00am-3:00pm Includes m/tea, lunch & CD
Mon 16th Jan	Sibelius 4 Basics	Hands-on Workshop $80	9:30am-12:30pm Includes m/tea & workbook
Mon 16th Jan	Sibelius 4 Beyond Basics	Hands-on Workshop $80	1:30pm-4:30pm Includes a/tea & workbook