Roland has also announced shipment of the new ARX-01 and ARX-02 expansion boards for the Fantom-G series. Each ARX board is a synth with its own processor, graphics, and DSP, powered by Roland's proprietary SuperNATURAL sound technology for "organic, emotional expression".

The ARX-01 is dedicated to drum sounds. Once each drum is crafted, you can further refine it with the built-in compressor/EQ, reverb, powerful multi-effects, and an onboard mixer for adjusting the volume and pan position.

The ARX-02 turns your Fantom G workstation into an electric piano. You can change the position of the pickup, and choose from five amp models with dynamic control. Volume and tone change smoothly and realistically, based on the strength of the keyboard performance.

For more information, please visit their web site.

Roland is pleased to announce the release of v1.10 system upgrade for the Fantom-G series workstations, adding powerful multi-sampling capability, a new "Favorite Play" screen, a BPM calculator function for samples, and new enhancements to Single, Live and Song modes.

To download Fantom-G6/G7/G8 System Upgrade v1.10, please follow the link below :

Solid State Logic is very proud to announce that the Matrix mixing console is now shipping.

Designed to be at the heart of your every day creative process, Matrix is built to meticulous SSL hardware standards, to withstand even the most intensive studio use. Fully equipped to partner your monitors, workstations and outboard gear, Matrix lets you shape your project studio around the way you work.

Key Features :

- 16 Mono Line channels with two separate inputs per strip
- 32 x 16 x 16 insert router for up to 16 external processing devices
- Stereo Aux Send and 4 Mono Sends per channel
- 'Input to Cue Stereo' doubles mixdown channel count
- 'In Line' DAW monitoring with 'SuperCue' headphone mode
- Dual Stereo Mix Busses with summing Inserts and reassign
- 4 Stereo Returns with full stereo mix bus routing
- Stereo digital I/O (S/PDIF, AES/EBU) with SSL converter technology
- Stereo monitoring with independent Main and Mini monitor outputs
- 3 External Monitor inputs with source summing
- iJack front panel Monitor input
- Artist Monitor output with independent EQ and monitor source selection
- 16 motorised faders with multiple layer DAW control
- General purpose MIDI controller mode
- Additional motorised 'Focus' fader for simultaneous DAW/Console control
- Programmable function keys for keyboard key strokes/macros
- New DAW-based MIDI Fader automation
- Ethernet MIDI connectivity and PC/MAC Browser Interface

SSL will be supporting U.S. dealers with a series of Matrix events through the month of July. Product specialists will be visiting local pro-audio stores with a full demo system of Matrix and SSL's other analogue and digital products.

For additional information on pro audio dealer tour dates and seminars, please go to the Solid State Logic website.

HowAudio presents a new bundle which offers 12 Hours of Pro Tools training in 2 DVDs. Whether you are new to ProTools, a casual user or a working professional, "ProTools LE: Essential Training" & "What's New In Pro Tools 7.4" will help make learning easy.

The ProTools LE: Essential Training DVD offers insight into all the ins and outs of Digidesign's industry-standard audio production software. In addition, this nearly 10-hour DVD is full of tips and tricks from engineer Jeff Dykhouse that will increase your efficiency and reduce your workflow. Additionally, you'll get What's New In ProTools 7.4, featuring expert training on the time-manipulation tool called Elastic Time or Elastic Audio as it's sometimes referred to.

The ProTools Training Bundle is available now for $63.92.

RØDE unveils the Procaster, a professional, broadcast quality dynamic microphone, specifically designed to offer no-compromise performance for voice applications in broadcast environments.

Featuring a tight polar pattern and with a retro inspired design, the Procaster combines a traditional aesthetic with advanced technology to create a broadcast workhorse perfect for every application where a great sounding, rugged microphone with superior ambient noise rejection is demanded.

The Procaster is fully compatible with the RODE PSA1 studio arm and PSM1 shock mount, for professional microphone mounting.

Features :

- -Broadcast quality sound
- High output dynamic capsule
- Balanced, low impedance output
- Internal shock mounting of capsule for low handling noise
- Internal pop-filter to reduce plosives
- Robust, all metal construction
- Designed and manufactured in Australia
- Ten year warranty