Pro Audio, Music & Mac Blog

PreSonus has announced improved Digital Performer support for their FaderPort USB Automation and Transport Controller.

The FaderPort’s single fader writes automation for single and group channel volume, pan and mute. FaderPort’s 100mm long throw fader features 1024-step resolution.

Available since November this year the FaderPort is currently compatible with Pro Tools, Cubase, Nuendo, Logic Pro, Sonar and now Digital Performer.

The Digital Performer support download for the FaderPort is available now at the PreSonus downloads page.

Here’s the rundown on the FaderPort’s features:

High-quality Alps fader

Touch sensitive, 100mm long throw motorized fader

Dual-servo drive belt motor design for fast and smooth operation

Write single or group channel volume automation

Write pan and mute automation

1024 steps of resolution

Complete recording transport control

Pan control, mute, solo, record enable

Quick window selection (edit, mix, transport)

Rugged metal top plate

Rugged military-grade push buttons

Footswitch jack for hands free punch in/out

Compatible with all major recording software including Pro Tools, Cubase, Nuendo, Logic, Sonar and Digital Performer

Mac and Windows compatible

The audio software geniuses at AudioEase (Altiverb, VSTWrapper, BarbaBatch) have been working on the mother of all (why didn’t Apple think of this) audio file auditioning utilities for the Mac. They had been calling this tool SoundAbout and it provides a really cool, fluid method for previewing and audtioning audio and sound files of all types: samples, song files, mixes, tracks, whatever… It’s totally cool.

Check out the AudioEase SoundAbout preview movie

But what really caught my eye was this:

We are looking for a new name. If you come up with a good one please drop it in the subject line of an email, and if we choose it you get a free copy, an early beta as soon as we have it, and a mention in the about box.

Sweet… Think up the new name and become an instant DAW-MAC legend…

By now, you must have heard that Michael Dell has booted his company’s CEO and is taking the reigns back over himself. Given the great sucking chest wound the outgoing chief executive leaves behind, it’s probably a good idea.

The sweet poetic irony of this, however, is that Dell was such a collossal cock in the press about Steve Jobs and Apple Computer just a few short years ago. His smug prediction was that Apple would fall apart and be bought up by somebody in short order.

Now, Dell finds himself in the unenviable position of not only eating an enormous plate of crow about Apple’s fortunes in the ensuing years, but having to live up to the inevitable parallels the business world will draw between his return to Dell versus Steve Jobs’ return to Apple. Good luck with that, buddy…

Photo copyright Associated Press