RME presents the Fireface UC which is basically a Fireface 400 with USB interface.

Based on a newly developed RME Hammerfall core, the Fireface UC (USB Compact) uses the USB 2.0 high-speed bus and provides ultra-low latencies even with multiple channels. The smallest buffer offered under Windows Vista has 48 samples, under Mac OS X 14 samples.

The optimization for Windows and Mac OS X is partly based on a double firmware within the unit, realizing an optimized functionality and operation according to the currently active OS. Under Mac OS X the unit's MIDI ports are even class compliant, the Operating System therefore automatically uses its included MIDI driver.

Features:

- 18 inputs / 18 outputs
- 8 x analog I/O
- 1 x ADAT I/O or 1 x SPDIF I/O (optical)
- 1 x SPDIF I/O (coaxial)
- 2 x MIDI I/O
- Sample rates up to 192 kHz on all I/Os
- Two digitally controlled Mic Preamps in high-end quality
- Two balanced universal inputs for line and instrument signals
- SteadyClock for maximum jitter suppression and clock refresh
- Enhanced stand-alone operation with rotary encoder and front panel operation
- 54 Level Meter Peak/RMS, hardware-calculated
- TotalMix: 648-channel mixer with 42-bit internal resolution

The Fireface UC will be available in June 2009.

* Minimal latencies are not guaranteed as they depend on the specific computer and application.

Thermionic Culture unveils the Little Bustard, their second valve summing mixer which has been designed to complement the Fat Bustard valve summing mixer by increasing the number of inputs channels. The new 19" 2u Little Bustard can also be used independently by itself as a stand alone mixer.

Features include 16 input channels arranged as 6x stereo pairs with fixed gain at unity level with on/off switches, 4x mono inputs with mute switches and pan pots which can be defeated by another switch adding an extra 6dB of gain. The master output section has independent left & right 31 position output indented pots with a gain range from –17dB to +2dB.

The valve stages use a pair of ECC83/12AX7 on the gain stage, and a pair of PC86's for the output stage. The master section will also have a simple output level indicator. To create a monster-summing mixer, The Little Bustard's outputs can be plugged into the Fat Bustard's AUX inputs increasing the number of channels to 28.

Kong Audio rolls out ChineeGuanZi - the Pipe of Tristesse - to the world.

Characterized by the triste tone, GuanZi (literally means Pipe) is a one-of-a-kind double-reed instrument from China. Originated in Central Asia, like many other existing Chinese instruments, GuanZi was embraced dearly and became an integral part of Chinese instruments ever since the great Tang Dynasty (7th -10th centuries).

GuanZi was once one of the standard instruments of court music. It was also used in military and festival events, as well as monumental, burial ceremonies. It is, sometimes, considered to be too distinctive to be a team instrument though, hence resulted its slightly being overlooked today.

The combination of pitch-envelopes with keyswitching in the patch programming makes ChineeGuanZi a much lively and expressive instrument to play with. ChineeGuanZi (in G) contains legato, tremolo, and various other playing techniques. The note range is from D4 to D6.

ChineeGuanZi is now available for $60.

QuikQuak announces the upcoming release of version 2.0 of its freebie UpStereo plug-in.

Changes :

- Completely 3D user-interface:
- Retains usability of traditional 2D design.
- Movable camera and light - alter the mood of the plug-in.
- Lays the foundation for future 3D interfaces with the potential for zoomable, multi-side plug-ins, and realistic 3D copies of hardware devices.

UpStereo v2.0 is currently available as a public beta for Windows in VST format, Mac versions will follow.

To celebrate its 11th anniversary, Thermionic Culture has announced the Culture Vulture Anniversary Limited Edition. The Anniversay model will be based on the companies current standard Culture Vulture but it has far more radical possibilities, in particular for guitar and bass applications. The production will be limited to 80 units and will have the front panel finished in Thermionic red instead of black.

MULLARD & PHILPS VALVES
The valves selected for the anniversary edition are Mullard and Philips NV, who owned 50% of Mullard.