Finally the entire M-Audio product range works with Leopard. Actually the drivers for Firewire products are still 'beta', but at least you get basic functionality. If you have not done it yet check m-audio.com for the latest drivers.

M-Audio's parent company, Digidesign, is slowly getting there. A new version of Pro Tools HD (7.4.1) is now certified for Leopard 10.5.1 only, with LE and M-Powered system to follow eventually. Be sure to read carefully all the limitations on this page before you upgrade your system to Leopard.

There has been a lot of talk on internet recently about the problems with Firewire chips installed on the latest generation of intel-Macs (all the silver iMacs, MacPros and laptops). Apparently Apple found a way to save a few pennies by changing the supplier for the Firewire chip mounted on all their models, and as a result some audio interfaces stopped working.

Rme and Motu interfaces are particularly suffering, read more about workarounds and solutions in this post from one of RME's engineers here.

In other news the new MacBookPro ad MacBook have just come out. They look the same but have a new generation of Intel processors (you know the usual faster and better stuff), improved graphic cards, bigger drives, and the MacBookPro features that fancy multi-touch trackpad, with support for all the gestures that you have seen on the iPhone, iPod-Touch and MacBookAir. We do not know if they suffer from the Firewire problem described above.

In a Radiohead-like move, Goldfrapp have put their entire new CD on myspace for anyone to play over and over again. It's a great move, and we hope it will set a trend for the future. As it happens, it's a departure from the electro-pop of the last two albums, and if you are in to chilled-out sounds we think it is nothing short of a little masterpiece. But why take our word for it? Have a listen for yourself at myspace/goldfrapp and buy it if you like it.

The Ableton 7 launch party has been a success, with many of you attending the workshop (thanks) and some lucky ones taking home more than a happy memory.

We would also like to extend our thanks to M-Audio and Ableton for being our partners in this event. Once again some companies are better than others when it comes down to caring for their customers, and we appreciate it.

Congratulations to the winners:

Warren Cockin, (Ableton Live 7 Suite)

Jonas Eriksson, (Propellerheads Reason 4)

Martin Polivajev, (M-Audio Fast Track Pro audio interface)

Rob Masters, (M-Audio Sound Check microphone)

Lucia Sykorova, (professional laptop bag from M-Audio)

...and also to Jim Bell, Flavio di Fraia, Jeremy Biggs, Rhian Jones for winning a 'LSS signature' 2Gb memory stick each, and exclusive gadgets from Ableton.

A Flash-based TR909, fully programmable and sounding great. Inspiring and almost as much fun as the real thing.

http://lab.andre-michelle.com/fl-909

The Art & Science of Mixing is Back!

One year has passed since our last mixing masterclass and if you missed it at the time here is your chance to get precious knowledge directly from a top mixing engineer. Admission is only £80 per person, as usual we have limited places and you are advised to book as early as possible. More details...

We are working on a series of short courses for the summer that will range from advanced training on Logic Studio (including Soundtrack Pro, MainStage, Wave Burner etc) to practical recording of vocals, guitars, and drums. What's more, some of this training will take place in one of London's busiest recording studios, with teaching provided by the resident engineers. More information about these events on the next issue of the newsletter, but if you are dying to know more feel free to pop in and ask us directly.

The new format for the weekend courses is proving very popular.
Classes start at 11 and terminate at 5pm and at just £300 this is the best value for money we have ever seen.

Here is a list of what’s available now and in the coming months:

Creating Music with Reason 4
Advanced Reason 4
Ableton Live level one
Ableton Live level two
Pro Tools 701 (coming in May)

We have a limited number of rather cool LSS-branded USB Memory Sticks.

The capacity is a generous 2Gb and they are perfect to move files between computers, being compatible with both Mac and PCs.

They also come with a keyring attached so it's easier to carry them always with you.

How much? £15,99 plus delivery.

To get yours come to the LSS or email.

If you need to spice up your sample collection, online specialists Loopmasters should be able to provide you with what you’re looking for – and plenty more besides. LSS students get 20% off CDs from the Loopmasters library. Just go to www.loopmasters.com and add the code LOOPMOB2020 when ordering.