The much heralded new Mac OS update was released on Friday - you may have noticed the Apple PR machinery whirring faster. The new OS boasts over 100 new features and enhancements to make workflow and integration more of a delight. However as with all significant upgrades, make sure you check that all your essential applications are up to scratch before taking the leap and do, do, do make a system backup before you leap.
About Tiger's improvements for audio:
64-bit audio file support
Tiger improves on the robust audio capabilities of Panther by adding 64-bit
audio file support, which effectively removes the 2GB limit on the size of
an audio file. This allows a single audio file to contain up to a thousand
tracks of PCM or compressed audio in a single file of indeterminate size.
Device Aggregation
Mac OS X Tiger now allows you to use multiple audio devices together to
increase the number of input and output channels. You can combine devices of
like sampling rate together, whether via FireWire, PCI or built-in, into a
single aggregated device. Set up is easy via Audio MIDI Setup and your new
"virtual" device will automatically show up in all applications on the
system.
We've had a flurry of compatibility statements since Tiger was unleashed, here's the lot so far:
BIAS
Current versions of SoundSoap and SoundSoap Pro are Compatible with Mac OS 10.4 - Free Updates Available In May for Tiger-Ready Peak and Deck
www.bias-inc.comMOTU
Tiger compatible versions of MOTU products are now shipping. In some cases, users may need to download
the latest driver package or software update. Complete information
about making the transition to Tiger with MOTU products can be found
here:
http://www.motu.com/newsitems/atnewsitem.2005-04-27.9629827615Edirol
Eleven new drivers have been released to ensure support for Mac OS X 10.4
Tiger. This includes the complete complement of Edirol's current USB audio
and audio+MIDI devices, as well as some legacy devices.
Edirol's current OS X MIDI drivers require no update to function fully on
Tiger allowing USB MIDI Keyboards, USB MIDI Interfaces, Sound Modules, and
Hardware Synthesizers (23 models in all) to function with previously
compiled drivers.
The latest Edirol drivers are located here:
www.edirol.com/support/drivers.htmlKorg
If you want to use KORG Legacy Collection with Mac OS X 10.4, you should update to
v1.1.4 by applying to updater.
You can download the update files from the "Downloads for Registered Users" page