Doggiebox: New Beta Release
Zygoat has recently released a new beta version of their drum machine application, Doggiebox. Ben Kennedy developer of Doggiebox made the announcement some days ago through the Zygoat Doggiebox discussion list.
Changes in this build (1F2) since version 1.3.1 (1E15):
- Now a Universal Binary (will run natively on Intel-based Macs).
- Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger) is now required.
- The framework for loading and saving sound file on disk has been replaced with entirely new code.
Known issues:
- Sound playback is inconsistent under Mac OS 10.5 (Leopard).
- Exporting to some file types (e.g. MP3) does not work properly.
Areas for testing:
Make backup copies of your song and drum kit files before re-saving them with this version of Doggiebox, particularly if running on an Intel-based Mac. With this in mind, test to make sure that files you create with this build still open and work properly in Doggiebox 1.3.1. Also verify sound file importing and exporting and note any problems with compatibility of output files or the user interface.
This Beta version of Doggiebox is only available to registered users. If you would like to subscribe to Doggiebox’s mailing list, you can do so either via this web-based form or by sending an empty message to doggiebox-subscribe@lists.zygoat.ca.
Other comments:
The move to Univeral Binary has meant increasing the minimum supported Mac OS version from 10.3 (Panther) to 10.4 (Tiger). This is a side effect of portability; put simply, the routines that Doggiebox has used since 1.0 for handling sound files (a library called libsndfile by Erik de Castro Lopo) is hard to build for both PowerPC and Intel without involving two physically different computers. Fortunately, starting in 10.4, the Mac OS has provided similar sound-file services. Thus the decision has been made to retire libsndfile in favour of the OS-provided code. Aside from the Universal Binary build, this is the new major change in this build.
The playback problems under Leopard still persist for the moment, but this issues
will be addressed soon.
Feed Your Doggiebox
I had heard about Doggiebox some months ago from a friend, 
and at the time I had the intention of finding more about it, but after a couple of days, I forgot to do so. Until a week ago…
Doggiebox is a drum machine application for Mac OS X that lets you create and manipulate percussion-based songs. What I really like about it is that all sounds are fully customizable. This means that you can create or record your own kits. For example, you can record your friend’s drumset (or your own if you have one) and create a kit with each of those sounds in Doggiebox. You can even create kits of “non-instrument” sounds (for example kits created with your voice, your kitchen pots, etc.). There are three things that make Doggiebox to me a very successful drum machine application. One (in no particular order), it’s only $39 dollars. Two, its ease of use. I was able to create a simple beat after minutes of installation. And three, you can create drum parts that sound pretty real.
This last thing is done by having different versions of the same instrument or variants within a kit:
“Some instruments in a drum kit can be played in several ways, or have their characteristics altered by the drummer, in order to produce different sounds. For example, a hi-hat can be played open or closed; a ride cymbal may be hit on the edge, or on the bell, or stricken like a crash; a snare drum might be hit with a rimshot. Such distinct sounds associated with the same instrument are referred to as variants.”
And by being able to change drum velocity:
“To give texture and realism to your percussion it is usually desirable to perform hits at different volume levels, as a human player would do in real life. Fortunately this is easy to control on a sound-by-sound basis.”
Doggiebox is a MAC only application. Songs of unlimited length can be edited in any number of tempos and time signatures. When you feel the drum part is ready, you can export it to one of a dozen file formats including AIFF and WAV, for use in other audio programs, or play back in realtime to a MIDI device. I’ve had Doggiebox for a week, so I’m sure I’m missing other features (so feel free to comment about your experience with it, good or bad). I still believe there is nothing like having a good drummer available to record your songs. Unfortunately and for various reasons, this is not always possible. Feed your Doggiebox when you can’t get one.
[audio:doggiebag.mp3]
(I called that one “Doggie Bag”, a short beat I created with Doggiebox so you can get an idea of what you can do. I used GarageBand afterwards to add a little reverb and a bit of echo).
Music Composition Directory
We are very excited to introduce Composersnewpencil’s music composition link directory. 
If you are a composer, songwriter, etc., please feel free to submit your site(s) or your favorite music composition related website(s). Our intention is to build a targeted and quality content directory. All links will be personally reviewed for consideration. The main categories include: classical composition, electronic art music, film scoring, jazz composition & arranging, songwriting, experimental pop & rock, music technology and finally stores & products. Subcategories include: composer and artist sites, resources, communities and organizations among others. New categories can also be suggested.
The directory is brand new, so some categories do not contain links yet. All feedback is welcome.
Create Digital Music Giveaway
The guys at Create Digital Music (a great blog and community site on digital music making) are having a big giveaway with over US$4,000 of hardware and software. All you have to do is fill out an online form with your information for a chance to win (unfortunately only US residents are eligible to win, but international folks can also enter to get other stuff as well).
These are some of the things they are giving away:
- Akai MPC500 mobile music workstation
- Ableton Live 6 music production software
- Alesis ControlPad drum pad controller
- Glyph GT 050Q 250GB eSATA/USB/FW400/FW800 hard drive
- Moog Music Moogerfooger FreqBox VCO effects box
- Native Instruments Absynth 4 soft synth
- Native Instruments Elektrik Piano soft synth
- Numark Total Control DJ control surface
- PreSonus FaderPort
Sounds great right? The contest ends Monday, June 11, 11:59 P.M. NYC (US-Eastern) time. Enter here. Check out and bookmark their site while you are there, “Create Digital Music” provides great information on digital technology.