MXL 990 USB Stereo Condenser Microphone

Price: $199.95

MXL Microphones, the professional audio division of El Segundo, CA based Marshall electronics, has released it's newest addition to an already impressive range of products: the MXL 990 USB Stereo Condenser Microphone. The MXL 990 USB has electronics based on the MXL 990 - the world's best selling studio condenser microphone - and features plug-and-play capabilities on both Windows and Macintosh operating systems. The microphone also has no need for an external preamp and can be used on a standard USB port. The microphone is ideal for location recording, and can capture a wide range of musical performances. With a maximum sound pressure level rating of 137 dB, the MXL 990 USB is excellent for capturing loud instruments such as horns or electric guitar, but also has a range wide enough to capture vocals with stunning realism.

www.mxlmics.com

TC Electronic - Nova Series Guitar Pedals

Price unavailable at press time

TC Electronic, a company with a history as a guitar pedal innovator, is now shipping its most recent line of pedals: the Nova series. The first two products in the line are the ND-1 Nova Delay and the NR-1 Nova Reverb. The ND-1 borrows technology from TC's delay processor, the TC 2290, but also adds some new features as well. The ND-1 incorporates 6 different delay types - delay line, dynamic, reverse, ping-pong, pan and slap back - and as such allows the artist a variety of options to create a unique sound. The NR-1 also borrows from past models, but puts a fresh foot forward - literally. The NR-1 features two reverb selections selectable via two footswitches: manual, which represents the current positions of the knobs, and preset, which is a stored sound.

www.tcelectronic.com

Peavey Electronics VB-2 Amp

Price: $1099.99

Peavey Electronics, the music equipment giant, has released the VB-2 Bass Amp. The VB-2 is part of the Tour Series of amps and features an all-tube preamp and power sections as well as an active EQ with multi-frequency mid adjustment. Peavey, who has been making amps since 1957, is known for the stunning performance of its products, and the VB-2 is no exception. With six EL34 tubes delivering an electrifying 225 watts of power, the VB-2 provides stomach-rumbling bass and punchy delivery. By manipulating the clean and overdrive gain controls on the Clean and Crunch channels, the amp can provide sounds ranging from the dirty grunge of rock to the crisp thump of reggae with the click of a footswitch. With several other professional-grade features and functions, the VB-2 is the perfect amp for the artist looking to upgrade.

www.peavey.com

Line 6 TonePort GX

Price: $69.99

New from Line 6 comes the TonePort GX, a new, compact USB audio recording device. TonePort GX connects to any computer with a USB capable, allowing users to record almost anywhere. The free GearBox software offers control over 70 guitar amp models, 28 bass amp models and a number of mic tones as well as over 90 stomp box, studio and rack effects. ToneDirect monitoring provides fully processed audio in real time during recording and works to eliminate the latency caused by less updated operating systems. Additionally, ToneDirect allows artists to hear the instrument or vocals the way they are intended to sound on the recording, while recording is in progress, instead of being forced to record without hearing the amp models, effects or reverb.

www.line6.com

SoundField DSF-1 Sound System

Price unavailable at press time

Ideal for recording live electronic or image-critical music events, SoundField's DSF-1 digital studio system delivers high-resolution sound through a wide scope of formats. Consisting of a single microphone and a pre-amp-processor, its user-friendly technology eliminates phase error issues associated with multi-microphone systems. The DSF-1 utilizes sample output rates of 48/96/192 Hz, as well as CD mastering criterion of 44.1/ 88.2k / 176.4 kHz, with options of mono, stereo, 5.1, 6.1 and 7.1 and B format. Other features include word clock input and output, microphone pick-up pattern alteration, pre-amp angle/width adjustment, and microphone inversion or rotation. The sound system is compatible with all standard DAWs for post-production adjustment.

Sennheiser 800 Series

$1299

Sennheiser Electronic Corporation recently launched a new series of condenser microphones, MKH 8000 High Performance. The three models - the cardioid MKH 8040, the super-cardioid MKH 8050, and the omni-directional MKH 8020 - combines a variety of application-specific accessories with compact structure. Each consists of two separate components, the microphone head and XLR module, that allow for simple detachment and re-attachment. With high sensitivity to the most delicate of sounds, frequency response ranges anywhere between 10 kHz to 60 kHz for the MKH 8020, and 30 kHz to 50 kHz for the MKH 8040 and MKH 8050. Each of the three pick-up patterns allows for clear separation between instruments. The 800 Series design features a symmetrical push-pull transducer, increasing capsule output while decreasing unnecessary distortion. Accessories include extension tubes, shock mounts, floor stands, remote cables, and other fixtures.

Roland Edirol M-16DX Digital Mixer

Price unavailable at press time

The latest release from Roland's Edirol division, the M-16DX, is a 16-channel digital mixer that allows for detailed, high resolution recording and mixing. Its USB 2.0 audio-interface for allows for top-notch multi-track computer recording with a 24 bit / 96 kHz processing engine. The convenient two-piece design, involving a mix controller and I/O module, provides a variety of connection and processing tools. With extensive digital and analog connectivity, its DSP effects processor includes powerful built-in features, such as a power compressor, vocal enhancers, multi-format reverb, and mastering tools. The high-contrast LCD and 3-band EQ controls with dual settings enable precise tone and effect shaping. In addition, each channel strip comes with Low-Cut Filter, Pan, Aux 1&2, Select, Solo/Mute, and level controls. The M-16DX fully supports all major Mac OS and Windows operating systems.

Akai MPC500

$699

Akai's portable, all-in-one music production center, the MPC500 is the latest in

Akai's long line of sequence and sampling hardware standards. The MPC allows musicians to create, sample, and perform in any location. With battery or AC power options, the device's trademark features are its pattern-based 48-track sequencer, boosting 16 MIDI channels, and 32-voice Stereo Digital Sampler with 129MB RAM. Though compressed in design, the 500 features the same button layout as its predecessors and maintains the classic feel and sound associated with MPC instruments. 12 MPC style pads enable sound assignment with assorted levels and tuning. The MPC500 comes fully equipped with studio-quality synthesis and mastering effects. For .wav, .mid, and MPC sequence files, data backup and transfer is made possible through the USB port. Other built-in production tools include FX, Mic/Line level inputs, and a Q-Link slider.