Focusrite announced another Firewire Saffire interface. The Saffire Pro 26i/o features:

- 24-bit/192kHz operation
- High pass filters on every channel
- 2 super channels, variable impedance and insert points
- Green series preamps
- 8 analog outputs
- 2 SPDIF
- 16 ADAT, 48kHz
- 2 headphones output with individual level
- MIDI in, out.
- Talkback feature for sessions thru software
- 1U rack with detachable ears.

[edit LPM] Price 500 GBP, $1000, available in march with universal binary drivers.
Also:
- Separated headphone buses
- Word clock In and Out
- Front panel Level, Dim and Mute controls assignable to all outputs
- Analogue I/O: 8 In via 8 x XLR (mic - rear) or 8 balanced TRS Jack (line), 8 Out on balanced TRS Jack

From the company that made "groovebox" a household name comes an addition to the famous Roland MC family: the MC-808. The sleek, silver powerstation features eight motorized faders on its surface — a groovebox first!

The MC-808 shares two key attributes with the flagship MC-909: The same sampling and sequencing features that made the MC-909 so famous are built into the MC-808, making it a serious tool for sampling, editing, track building, and mixing. Performers are in for an extra treat with the MC-808, however, as is the world's first groovebox with motorized faders. No matter what pattern is called up, the faders will snap to the proper position. As a result, the parameter values and position of the faders always correspond, allowing the performer to see the values instantly and make changes directly. No more unexpected jumps in values when a fader is grabbed in mid-performance. It's always in the right position.

Akai announced its new impersonation of MIDI wind controller the EWI4000S. It's much more than the previous models as it's now an analogue modeled synth (built in), so it sports MIDI in and out ports. But it's not everything, there's some effect processing too: reverb, delay, and chorus, another first in wind controllers. And for the complete image, there's a dedicated software for editing sounds which are stored in the EWI4000S synth.

Line 6 will launch in spring its ToneCore range of modular stompboxes. They are based on the actual models, but you can plug modules into the StompDock (available in mono or stereo). So it's swapping time when you want to change your sound but not break the bank of the guitar heroes. As the original ToneCore, it's still modeling,and it runs from batteries or AC adapters. Now, when will we have the relevant guitar rigg?

Modules: Uber Metal, Dr. Distorto, Otto Filter, Crunchtone $41.99 each ; Space Chorus, Tap Tremolo, Constrictor, Liqua-Flange, Roto-Machine $55.99 each ; Echo Park, Verbzilla $99.99 each.
ToneDock mono $99.99, stereo $112.99

Behringer has a thing for keyboards this year as they announce two digital Pianos the EG1040 and EG2040. They are in wood looking case, black or dark rosewood, feature a 88-note, weighted hammer-action keyboard and 14 sounds (Grand Piano, EPiano, organ, harpsichord, strings…) for 64 voices of polyphony. Add to this effect (reverb, modulation and brillance) before the 80W of stereo amplification. The EG2040 has a sliding key cover.

Price and availability TBA.