Positive Grid and Apple Join Forces On Mastering AAC Files

Working alongside Apple engineers, San Diego-based Positive Grid announced that its Final Touch Audio Post Production System for iPad is now available with the new AAC format preview, the world’s first on iPad. With this new update, Final Touch adds real-time auditioning through the Apple AAC encoder, which provides accurate level metering and preparation for Mastered for iTunes process on a Mac.
 
The AAC format - or Advanced Audio Coding MPEG-4 - delivers better sound quality than MP3 (MPEG-1 Layer 3) at similar bit rates and is the default or standard audio format for YouTube, iPhone, iPod, iPad, Nintendo DSi, Nintendo 3DS, iTunes, DivX Plus Web Player and PlayStation 3, among many other applications.

Final Touch combines seven essential mastering tools into one integrated system: Pre and Post Linear Phase EQ modules, a Dynamics module with a highly flexible stereo/mid-side multiband compressor/limiter, Stereo Imaging, Reverb, and a Maximizer with Comprehensive Dithering and noise-shaping options. The final mix can be exported and shared via email, Dropbox, iTunes and SoundCloud.

The new Final Touch update includes the new AAC preview feature, an increased 256kbps bitrate in AAC format exporting, and overall performance improvements. Positive Grid says it will continue working with Apple engineers to release the right tools to export any mastered track using “Mastered for iTunes” directly from Final Touch.

Final Touch with new AAC preview feature retails for $19.99 and is immediately available for download at the iTunes App Store. The app requires an iPad 2 or newer to operate.

Since 2008, Positive Grid has designed and developed a core technology base and is currently expanding it to various applications including the BIAS and JamUp guitar multi-effects app and interface.
www.positivegrid.com