All existing M-Audio device drivers for 10.6.4 are now qualified for use on OS X 10.6.5. Please visit http://www.m-audio.com/drivers to download the latest driver for your device.

Pro Tools 9, Pro Tools M-Powered 8.0.4, and Torq 1.5.3 are also qualified for use with 10.6.5. Users encountering any problems should refer to the standard FAQ's and troubleshooting guides available on the Knowledge Base.

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Now with 180 interfaces listed, the Pro Tools 9 Hardware checker is the ideal place to check to see what interfaces are working with Pro Tools 9, it also lists issues.

Check it out here

The winner of the monster gear prize draw is Marcel Roy from Drummondville, Canada.

He gets his hands on:

• M-Audio Axiom Pro 25 Keyboard Controller
• Pro Tools Instrument Expansion Pack
• Mellowmuse Vintage Series Bundle 
• AIR User Blog Vintage Library

Marcel says 'For me , the arrival of Protools 8  had  a big impact  to my recording productivity and creativity . I quickly saw a lot of possibilities ( thanks to the Air Users Blog ) but at the same time,   I realized   the endless frontier of this very powerfull sofware.  And now with this huge software bundle I just won and the portablity of the M-Audio controller, I will be able to bring  all these high quality and very inspiring sounds with me. 2011 should see some good thing out of this.'

Well done Marcel. If you missed out this time then don't worry more prize draws coming soon!

Find out how to create those rich sounds used in beats by top producers like Dr Dre using Pro Tools and the factory included instruments.

• Watch it here

The response to our last live chat during the Pro Tools 9 launch was brilliant, at one point over 500 people were part of the discussion. Even better Max Gutnik joined us from Avid to answer questions.

The great news is that Avid have agreed to have Max join us for a special NAMM 2011 exclusive live web chat, for blog members only.

If you want to be part of this opportunity to ask Avid a question, then please sign up here. If you have a specific question then please include this on the form and we will then try and collate questions of a similar theme together and give users a better chance of getting the answer they need.

Exact date and time will be confirmed shortly.

Some more nice vintage synth sounds to add to your collection.

Today a huge string patch from the JV80, a monster synth in its day.

• MP3 Demo
• Get the sound here

Looking back over 2010, a lot has happened with Avid audio, so here's our top 5 hits and misses and why.

The rational of our ranking means the most impressive hit is number 1 in the 'Hits' list and the least impressive miss is at number 1 in the 'Misses' list.

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Stiff over at ProTooler Blog has posted some helpful tips for Pro Toolers.

Aimed primarily at newcomers I think they will be of help to even the most seasoned users.

More here

The gang over at whosampled.com have compiled what they call 'the 10 most sampled breakbeats of all time'. They have classified over 20,000 tracks containing backbeats and samples and this seems to be the results of analysis from their own database.

Anyway, it's good fun and the guys are doing a great job for those interested in backbeats.

See the list here

Allen Rowand Metric Halo Field Operative has posted a couple of really helpful videos showing how to use
Metric Halo with Pro Tools 9.

In their own words;

We've posted some videos on using MIO Console and ConsoleConnect with Pro Tools: 
Part 1
Part 2

There's also a technote that covers some additional technical issues here.

Just in case you've still got a Christmas hit inside you, then over the next few days we thought we would give away some Season inspired sounds.

This is the second set and today it's Sleigh Bells - enjoy! 

• Get it here

Eq Mag have a cool little article on tracking drums with an Mbox.

With only two mic inputs, the Avid Mbox, like other 2-channel interfaces, presents a challenge when it comes to tracking drums. However, with a little experimentation and an open mind, it’s not difficult to get a solid drum sound with only two transducers, a decent room, and some compression. Sure, you could pre-mix several mics to a stereo pair using a mixer. But there a number of options when you want to keep things simple. more here

2010 has been a busy year on the blog, we recently passed over 2 million hits and a couple of months ago 1 million visitors. This was partly fuelled by the Avid Audio renaissance, in 2010 we saw the final arrival of the long awaited Pro Tools Instrument Expansion Pack, a new Mbox interface line, Pro Tools HD Native and of course Pro Tools 9. This and many other stories continued to keep the community talking, sharing and supporting one another.

I have always said that the blog is a labour of love and driven by my passion for community - so thank you to all of those who have been loyal supporters of the AIR Users Blog community.

A special thanks to the brilliant team of translators around the world who bring the blog in several native languages - all done for free as a labour love.

So Season's Greetings to each one of you and a very Happy and Prosperous New Year.

Russ

A monster Christmas Prize Draw for Blog members, the chance to win all below:

• M-Audio Axiom Pro 25 Keyboard Controller
• Pro Tools Instrument Expansion Pack
• Mellowmuse Vintage Series Bundle 
• AIR User Blog Vintage Library

Combined MAP over $1200.00 - Thanks to Avid and Mellowmuse.

To win simply tell us what sound is listed at postion number 276 in our FREE Structure patch library list

Closing date 23:00GMT 24/12/10

A new tease web page and video has been posted on the M-Audio web site for a new product.

Not much is given just a moody picture and a video from the band The Crystal Method.

Head over to enter a competition and try to find out more.

Aphex the company who in the 1980's put the sib into sibilance, are releasing a whole host of new products at the 2011 Winter Namm.

At the Aphex booth #5696, the company will take the wraps off the newly redesigned flagship Model 204 Aural Exciter and Optical Big Bottom, as well as the revamped Model 230 Channel Strip. Also on demo will be a brand new series of the popular Aphex line of  instrument pedals, including the Xciter and Punch Factory.

More here

Antares have confirmed that the TDM format is still alive and well and have released their latest version of Auto-Tune in the TDM format.

In their own words 'We have released Auto-Tune 7 TDM for Pro Tools HD for Mac and PC. Upgrades are available to registered users of all previous versions of Auto-Tune.'

More info here

Just in case you've still got a Christmas hit inside you, then over the next few days we thought we would give away some Season inspired sounds.

Today it's Christmas Bells - enjoy! 

• Get it here

Music Radar have awarded M-Audio Axiom 49 MIDI Controller Keyboard Of The Year.

In their words 'M-Audio knows the business of manufacturing MIDI controller hardware better than just about anyone else, and the 2010 refresh of the company’s Axiom range was an extremely successful one. The semi-weighted keys are great to play; you get faders, knobs and trigger pads; and the DirectLink technology automatically maps controls to those in your DAW. All of which makes the Axiom a great upgrade option or first time all-in-one controller.'

We are not surprised you know how much we love M-Audio keyboards. Who knows what 2011 could bring? Our guess is things can only get better!

M-Audio