Timbaland Special Edition MiKo(tm) Portable Keyboard Workcenter

Price: $3,889

Open Labs has announced the release of the Timbaland-designed MiKo Keyboard Workcenter, an update on the company's already massive all-in-one digital production station that combines a dual-core 64-bit processor with 4 gigs of RAM and runs a Proteus X2 environment with over 7000 simulated instruments. The key addition here is Timbaland's own mountain of selections, dubbed the "Ensoniq Urban Legends Sound Library" (available only on this unit), and it includes emulations of a Mini Moog, Juno 60, ARP 2600, Mellotron Mark II, and Hammond B3, to name a few. A 37-key weighed keyboard, full QWERTY keyboard, 15-inch touch-sensitive monitor, 2-button trackpad, Penny and Giles crossfader, and a 5-fader control module fill out this bomb shelter-ready unit. An Arctic White chassis ties it all together. The onboard computer runs Windows XP-compatible software.

www.openlabs.com

Behringer EUROLIVE S1020 PA Speaker

Price: $99.99

This new speaker from Behringer is designed with versatility in mind. Features for this 240-Watt 2-way system include a 10-inch long-excursion driver and dual electro-dynamic drivers for high frequencies and powerful bass. They come with overload-protection circuitry to keep the HF driver safe at extreme signal levels, steel grills and an integral tripod and stand adaptor. The oval speakers are built with "elliptical wave guide design," which is supposed to ensure the widest field of sound-dispersion possible, meaning you won't have to stand directly in front of the cabinet in order to hear correctly.

Gadow Guitars Monterey

Price: $2,695

Gadow Guitars recently announced the addition of their first three-single-coil classic guitar, the Monterey, to their line of handcrafted guitars. The Monterey comes standard with a solid alder body, 1 11/16" real bone nut, a 251/2" scale length neck and hand-wound Lindy Fralin pickups. The body is designed to optimize balance, playability and comfort with a thinner, vintage neck, and the tight joining of the neck to the body is designed to give a unique, resonant quality to the acoustic sound. Choices for customization include alder or swamp ash for the body, a variety of fingerboard woods, Fralin or Lollar pickups, multiple neck inlay choices and a variety of finishing options, including translucent, burst, solid or glitter. Each guitar is tested and signed personally by Ryan Gadow to ensure quality.

www.gadowguitars.com

Moog Little Phatty Stage Edition

Price: $1,375

New from Moog comes the Little Phatty Stage Edition, which has the same features and sound engine as the previous Tribute Edition, but boasts improved software and a simpler, more accessible interface. The Little Phatty allows musicians to control a 100 percent analog signal path with Real Analog Control, two ultra stable Voltage Controlled Oscillators and one Voltage Controlled Filter. The synth also comes equipped with CV inputs, KB gate and a full MIDI controller. The updated software includes auto calibration and an auto tuner that makes sure the instrument is always tuned perfectly, whether you're in a cool, air conditioned studio or under hot stage lighting. The new edition also includes features like an asymmetric pitch wheel, arbitrary pot mapping, and twenty-one assignable MIDI controllers.

www.moogmusic.com

AKG C5 and D5 Wireless Vocal Mics

Prices unavailable at press time

AKG recently announced its release of two new high-performance vocal microphones, the C5 and D5, which are wireless upgrades and work in conjunction with AKG's WMS 4000 wireless system. The new models have two interchangeable microphone heads for the HT 4000 handheld unit and offer both a dent-resistant steel elastic wire mesh cap to protect the capsule element and a shock absorber system to cut down on handling noise. The D5 also offers Laminate Varimotion diaphragm technology, which is designed to create a controlled frequency response and a high level of gain before feedback. With up to 1,200 selectable frequencies, the wireless system also boasts the SR 4000 diversity receiver, the HT 4000 handheld transmitter and the PT 4000 bodypack transmitter. Fully compatible with HiQnet, the WMS 4000 wireless system includes a backlit display, silent mode, battery life indicator, rehearsal functions, environment scan and auto setup frequency search.

www.akg.com

Yamaha STAGEPAS 500 Portable PA System

Price: $1,249

Yamaha recently released the Stagepas 500 portable PA system. The Stagepas 500 was developed according to the suggestions of dealers and end users after the success of the Stagepas 300. With two 2-way loudspeakers and a 10-channel stereo powered mixer, the 500-watt 10-input portable Stagepas 500 is ideal for small venues, like schools or churches, or for solo performers and small musical ensembles. The mixer boasts mic/line switches, balanced 1/4-inch jacks, balanced XLR connectors, 2-band channel EQ and switchable 24-bit digital reverb. The first two channels have a Compressor/Limiter switch that is used to control dynamics. The high-impact molded speaker enclosures include convenient 35mm pole sockets that make for easy stand mounting and cabling that can easily be stored in the panel of the other speaker. Additional accessories include a YBSP500 rolling carrying case and a BMS10A mic stand adapter for the STAGEPAS 500 mixer.

www.yamaha.com

JBL Professional PRX500

Price unavailable at press time

JBL Professional recently announced its release of the new PRX500 Series loudspeakers. The new, patented, lightweight JBL Differential Drive transducers and enclosures make the PRX500 the lightest portable loudspeaker of its class. The PRX500 series offers five models: the PRX512MP, a 12-inch, two-way multipurpose speaker system; the PRX515P, a 15-inch, two-way trapezoidal speaker system; the PRX535P, a 15-inch, three-way trapezoidal speaker system; the PRX55P, a dual, 15-inch, two-way trapezoidal speaker system and the PRX518S, an 18-inch subwoofer system with a 500-watt amp. Multiple system configurations are available for customers, and each loudspeaker is equipped with Crown Class D amplifiers. All models in the 500 Series come complete with mic and line level input capability, level control and two selectable EQ contours.

www.jblpro.com

Zaolla Silverline The Artist Instrument Cable

Price: $38 - $183

Zaolla Silverline, a California-based cable technology manufacturer, has announced the release of its The Artist instrument cable. Designed for professional studios and musicians, the Artist, like all Zaolla Silverline products, is built around a solid-silver conductor to improve conductivity and signal transmission. The cable also features a copper ancillary conductor, boosting low-level analog audio signals and creating a unique hybrid configuration. The Artists incorporates Clear Connect Technology, which eliminates the characteristically weak solder joint by crimping the brass tip of the plug directly to the conductor of the cable. The cable is available in lengths ranging from a 6-inch pedal effect coupler to a 20-foot straight-to-straight or straight-to-right-angle.

www.zaolla.com

Hosa Technology Cue 5 Monitoring System

Price: $899

Hosa Technology has released the next piece of gadgetry in their digital connectivity solutions line-up, the Cue 5. The Cue 5 is an affordable, all-digital monitoring system designed for the home recording engineer. By utilizing Hosa's revolutionary Binary Drive, the system extends the all-digital signal path to include the onboard speaker amplification. The system is bundled with software to adjust the system for optimal sound in any space, and is designed for both PCs and Macs. The Binary Drive delivers 30w per channel to a pair of 2-way studio monitors. The system also features both coaxial and optical digital inputs, but is also equipped with an analog input for those who still use an analog system. The Cue 5 starts at $899 per pair.

www.hosatech.com

Carvin AC120S Power Conditioner/Switcher

Carvin has announced the release of the AC120S. The new Carvin AC120 features front panel LED status indicators for each of the 10 grounded power outlets and a button underneath each LED to enable/disable that particular outlet. The AC120S also offers All and SEQuence buttons, adjacent to the Time button. The All button allows users to enable/disable all active outlets (shown by lit LED indicators), and the SEQuence button allows users to enable/disable the power on sequence capability. With the power on sequence is disabled, the AC120S functions as a conventional AC power strip. Additional features include front panel AC volt meter and LED pull-out lamps to increase visibility of equipment racks in low light conditions.

www.carvin.com

Tascam MP-VT1 mp3 Music and Vocal Trainer

Price unavailable at press time

Tascam recently released a host of new mp3 and CD trainers, among which is the MP-VT1 mp3 music and vocal trainer. Capable of storing up to 240 songs, the USB-compatible unit has a battery life of 9 hours and is no larger than a stomp box. With the trainer's Variable Speed Audition feature, users can slow down the song's speed without changing the pitch to make learning certain sections much easier. The pitch, however, can also be adjusted into a different key to meet the user's range. The MP-VT1 is also able to loop sections to assist with retention. The mic input allows users to sing along with multi-effects, and the song's vocals can even be canceled out entirely for practice purposes. Additional features include a tuner, metronome, built-in reverb and echo, LCD display, and a 1/8-inch headphone output.

www.tascam.com