2012-07-11

Sitting in front of the computer for too long?

The Chiropractors’ Association of Australia has developed the Sit Right Widget as a simple tool to prompt computer users to take more regular breaks. The default setting is to prompt for a break every hour, although users can change these settings for 20 minute or 40 minute intervals should this assist with meeting advice from your healthcare professional.
It is free to download, and is available for Windows (Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7) and Mac OS X (Lion/10.7.x only).

download here

2012-06-06

How to install Logic 9 and Final Cut Pro 7 on OSX Lion

With a clean install of Lion on your new Mac it is now almost impossible to use your original install disks to do a clean install of Logic 9 and FCP7.  Below I have some of the work arounds that will allow you to overcome this very frustrating process. Although not being a complete install of every disk, at least you can get the applications working.

For Apple FCP7 and DVD Studio use the following terminal commands:

FCP7
sudo installer -package /Volumes/Final\ Cut\ Studio\ Install/Installer/FinalCutStudio.mpkg -target /


DVD studio Pro/ Compressor etc
sudo installer -package /Volumes/DVD\ Studio\ Pro\ Content/Installer/DVDStudioProContent.mpkg -target /

For Logic 9, download the update from:
http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1014

This will install the Logic Application. You do not need a previous version of the software as it installs a fresh new one.

With all of the application you will then enter your details and serial numbers on the first launch of the applications. I hope I have saved you some time! The downside of these methods is that I could not get the media disks to install properly. I tried disc images and hard drive installs but with no luck. You may be best to get the content from a friends hard drive and just re-target it after copying.

2012-04-27

Free Avid AAX Plugin for PT10

Get a free AAX plug-in

Experience AAX for yourself—get Softube’s Saturation Knob plug-in free and add some analog warmth to your tracks.

2012-04-26

Dolby Atmos: A Revolutionary approach to film sound


After much anticipation, Dolby have come public on their new cinema sound format. Dolby® Atmos™ delivers audiences a more natural and realistic soundfield, transporting them into the story with a lifelike sensory experience. Developed with input from professionals throughout the movie industry, Dolby Atmos represents a dynamic shift in audio, reinventing the traditional surround sound methodology and offering a complete platform for sound now and well into the future.

Technology Highlights

  • Integrates easily into existing audio postproduction workflows
  • Supports up to 128 simultaneous and lossless audio streams
  • Allows for up to 64 discrete speaker feeds
  • Expands the creative palette with overhead speakers
  • Adds side surrounds closer to the screen for improved transitions
  • Works across a wide array of speaker configurations and auditorium shapes and sizes
  • Simplifies distribution with a single DCP inventory

2012-03-16

Motion JPEG removed from OS X Lion

As many people in audio post have worked with the Motion JPEG A compression format for images, please beware that this codec is no longer part of Quicktime in OS X Lion. The codec works up until OS X 10.6.x only

Motion JPEG A was a great codec as it allowed for low picture sizes with relatively good image quality and almost zero system lag when working with ProTools.

MPEG Streamlip will still play the Motion JPEG files however these will need ot be converted to be compatible with Quicktime and for use in ProTools

2012-01-21

TotalFinder brings tabs to you Mac finder

If you have fallen in love with tabbed web browsers, you may have wondered why the people at Apple  haven't adopted this for their technology and workflow as core to their OS.  The good news however, is that one solo guy (Antonin) who operates as BinaryAge has seen this as a fundamental feature for any finder workflow. Antonin as a result has created TotalFinder. TotalFinder runs as a Finder plugin and enables the tabbed browsing of your finder windows. As a workflow solution, this is amazing as it allows the user to have multiple finder windows open - perfect for auditioning sounds, copying files and general house keeping. You can also run in 'Dual Mode' which allows you to run not 1, but 2 x tabbed window sets side by side! And if you use Lion and don't like Terminal, it allows you to view ALL system files (in Lion these are now hidden by default).

Some of the key features include:

·      Tabbed Browsing

o   Add tabs on top of Finder. The same tabs as seen in Google Chrome.

·      Dual Mode

o   Display two Finder windows side-by-side in dual mode.

·      Folders on Top

o   Don't make me think. Folders should always go first in list view.

·      Show System Files

o   Show me all files on the disk. I'm not afraid to see the cruft.

·      Visor

o   Convenient system-wide Finder always one key-press away.

·      Cut & Paste

o   Use keyboard shortcuts to move files around. Faster than drag & drop. 

TotalFinder is compatible with both Snow Leopard and Lion and is available as a 14 day trial and is priced at only $18US. Well worth it!  And if you have 2 other friends who would like this, you can get 3 licenses for only $36. Maybe a great birthday gift for someone??? I have been using TotalFinder for a few weeks now and there is no way I will be going without it again.

2012 MPSE Nominees anounced


Best Sound Editing: Sound Effects, Foley, Dialogue and ADR in an Animation Feature Film
The Adventures of Tintin
Cars 2
Kung Fu Panda 2
Puss in Boots
Rango
Rio
The Smurfs
Best Sound Editing: Sound Effects, Foley, Dialogue, ADR and Music in a Feature Documentary
Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's Journey
Cave of the Forgotten Dreams
George Harrison: Living in the Material World
Lemmy
Pearl Jam Twenty
Best Sound Editing: Sound Effects, Foley, Dialogue and ADR in a Feature Foreign Language Film
1920. The World's Most Important Battle
Circumstance
The Flowers of War
In the Land of Blood and Honey
Sarah's Key
The Skin I Live In
Tropa de Elite 2 (Elite Squad 2: The Enemy Within)
Best Sound Editing: Music in a Feature Film
Drive
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Hop
Hugo
Priest
Super 8
Transformers: Dark of the Moon
The Tree of Life
Best Sound Editing: Music in a Musical Feature Film
Footloose
The Muppets
Perfect Age of Rock 'n' Roll
Pina
Best Sound Editing: Dialogue and ADR in a Feature Film
Abduction
The Help
Moneyball
Quarantine II: Terminal
Rise of the Planet of the Apes
Super 8
War Horse
The Way
Best Sound Editing: Sound Effects and Foley in a Feature Film
Drive
Fast Five
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol
Rise of the Planet of the Apes
Super 8
Transformers: Dark of the Moon
War Horse
Best Sound Editing: Sound Effects, Foley, Dialogue and ADR Animation in Television
Fanboy and Chum Chum "A Very Brrr-y Icemas"
Futurama "Law & Oracle"
Ice Age: A Mammoth Christmas
Kick Buttowski: Suburban Daredevil "Truth or Daredevil"
Kung Fu Panda: The Legends of Awesomeness "Sight for Sore Eyes"
Lego Star Wars: The Padawan Menace
The Penguins of Madagascar "The Return of the Revenge of Dr. Blowhole"
Phineas and Ferb "Across the 2nd Dimension"
Best Sound Editing: Long Form Documentary
Gettysburg
Harlistas: An American Journey
Koran By Heart
Best Sound Editing: Long Form Music in Television
The 12 Dates of Christmas
Alphas "Pilot"
Avalon High
Magic Beyond Words - The JK Rowling Story
Terra Nova "Occupation/Resistance"
Best Sound Editing: Long Form Dialogue and ADR in Television
Big Love "Where Men and Mountains Meet"
Cinema Verite
Homeland "Marine One"
Terra Nova "Occupation/Resistance"
The Walking Dead "What Lies Ahead"
Best Sound Editing: Long Form Sound Effects and Foley in Television
Cinema Verite
Homeland "Marine One"
Red Faction: Origins
Terra Nova "Occupation/Resistance"
The Walking Dead "What Lies Ahead"
Best Sound Editing: Short Form Documentary
Above The Ashes
Man Made "Bugatti Super Car"
Tim Tebow: Everything In Between
Best Sound Editing: Short Form Music in Television
Camelot "110 - Reckoning"
CSI: Miami "Crowned"
Damages "Failure is Lonely"
Fringe "The Day We Died"
Justified "Brother's Keeper"
Raising Hope "Prodigy"
Revenge "Pilot"
Best Sound Editing: Short Form Musical in Television
Glee "The First Time"
Grey's Anatomy "The Song Beneath the Song"
The Playboy Club "Pilot"
Best Sound Editing: Short Form Dialogue and ADR in Television
The Big C "A Little Death"
Game of Thrones "Cripples, Bastards and Broken Things"
Hell on Wheels "Bread and Circuses
Leverage "The Van Gogh Job"
Person of Interest "Witness"
Smallville "Dominion"
Sons of Anarchy "To Be, Part 2"
The Walking Dead "Save the Last One"
Best Sound Editing: Short Form Sound Effects and Foley in Television
The Borgias "Death, On A Pale Horse"
Breaking Bad "Faceoff"
Fringe "The Day We Died"
Game of Thrones "Winter is Coming"
Homeland "Pilot"
House M.D. "Bombshells"
Rizzoli & Isles "Can I Get a Witness?"
Smallville "Dominion"
Best Sound Editing: Computer Episodic Entertainment
Aim High
Dagedar
Polly Pocket
Warehouse 13 "Of Monsters & Men"
When You Find Me
Best Sound Editing: Computer Interactive Entertainment
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3
Diablo III Cinematics - Black SoulStone "Doom" and Intro "End of Days"
Gears of War 3
Need for Speed "The Run"
Skylanders Spyro's Adventure Cinematics
Best Sound Editing: Direct to Video - Animation
Dragon: Gift of the Night Fury
Kung Fu Panda 2: Secrets of the Masters
Megamind: The Button of Doom
Quest for Zhu
The Smurfs: A Christmas Carol
Beethoven's Christmas Adventure
Love
Street Kings 2: Motor City
Rocky Mountain Express
Tornado Alley
Wildest Weather in the Solar System
Alma
Inferno
The Maiden and the Princess
The Pride of Wade Ellison
The Secret Numbers