Akai unveils the MPK 25, the latest addition to its MPK series of keyboard controllers with MPC pads. Its smaller, more portable size makes the MPK25 the perfect travel companion.

Features :

- 25-key, semi-weighted keyboard with aftertouch
- 12 MPC pads
- Q-Link controls
- MPC technology
- arpeggiator with six different modes
- USB class compliant which means it does not require custom drivers to work with Mac or PC computers and will work with all MIDI recording
- comes with Ableton Live Lite Akai Edition software

The MPK25 offers extensive assignable controls through its Q-Link section. The MPK25 gives players 32 parameters of hands-on control through 12 virtual knobs and four virtual buttons, each of which can access two different banks of assignment via a bank-change control.

The MPK25 will be available in Q2 at an MSRP of $399.99 and an estimated street price of $299.99.

Auralex Acoustics takes its newest Room Analysis Plus program to the next level by offering its Room Analysis service in a retail package. The in-store kit is a complete, user-friendly program providing all the tools necessary to acoustically analyze any room. The kit includes a Behringer ECM8000 omni-directional measurement microphone, a USB drive featuring swept sine signals, as well as a complete instructional guide.

The In-Store Room Analysis kit is available for $299.99 through Auralex's established network of dealers.

Note that Auralex Acoustics' Lead Acoustical Engineer Gavin Haverstick will host several Room Analysis Plus overview demonstrations at NAMM (Hall A, Booth 6794) as soon as tomorrow.

Radial Engineering Ltd. is pleased to announce the new LB series of API compatible Lunchbox modules. We already told you about the Radial JDV-LB Class-A direct box and the Radial PHZ-LB phase adjustment tool last month, so today let's talk about the Radial JDX-LB Head and Cabinet direct box.

The Radial JDX-LB is a combination loudspeaker cabinet emulator and direct box. Following the popular Radial JDX Reactor, the LB version is designed to connect between a guitar amplifier head and speaker cabinet to capture both the sound from the head plus the back-electromagnetic impulse from the loudspeaker via a reactive load. The signal is then processed via a proprietary filter that emulates the sound of a typical 4x12 guitar cabinet. To further enhance functionality in the studio, the JDX-LB features a high gain setting for 300W amplifiers and a low frequency extender for bass. The JDX-LB may also be used as a speaker cabinet emulator by feeding the instrument or a preamp directly into the circuit.

Pricing :

- Radial JDV-LB Class-A direct box : $349
- Radial PHZ-LB phase adjustment tool : $299
- Radial JDX-LB Head and Cabinet direct box : $299

For a limited time only, Abbey Road Plug-ins is offering the chance to own all three of their plug-ins in one low-price bundle. Containing the Brilliance Pack, TG Mastering Pack and TG12413 Limiter, the bundle costs $500 (Native) or $750 (TDM) – amounting to respective savings of $419 and $869 off the usual combined price !

This is a unique offer which ends on Monday, January 26th 2009 at 9am GMT and is open to both new and existing customers.

The bundle is available now and only through :

Insert Piz has released Mr. Alias 2, its new free virtual synth which is now open source and cross-platform.

Mr. Alias 2 uses non-bandlimited oscillators which can be transposed near to and beyond the Nyquist frequency, causing most of their spectra to be aliased back into audible non-harmonic frequencies. The sound can then be further processed by a number of crude "effects."

Though it is based on the same concept as the original, Mr. Alias 2 is completely rewritten for cross-platform compatibility, and has a number of significant improvements.

Some highlights :

- 2 oscillators.
- 18 waveforms.
- Full stereo processing.
- 6 filter types including a formant filter.
- Filter envelope.
- External audio processing.
- Patch randomizer button.
- Highly configurable MIDI control with MIDI learn.
- MIDI-controllable patch morphing.
- Drag & drop preset and MIDI map loading.
- Resizable GUI.

Mr. Alias 2 is available now for free as a VSTi for both Windows and Mac OS X, an AU version is also available for Mac users.