Alesis unveiled two new podcasting kits. The "USB kit" contains the Alesis MultiMix 8 USB mixer (2 channels) and the "FireWire kit" contains the Alesis MultiMix 8 FireWire mixer (8 channels). Both kits feature a dynamic microphone, a desktop stand, a mic cable, headphones, Steinberg's Cubase LE and a comprehensive podcasting application.

Price/availability : TBA

Announced at last NAMM, the Line 6 LowDown amplifiers is a powerful range of enhanced amps for bass guitars. it features fast and resourceful amplification (1x12,150W with Tilt Back monitor design; 1x15 w/horn, 175W and 1x15 w/horn, 300W) with Line 6 quality models: 5 Bass Amp (Clean, R&B, Rock, Brit and Grind), 5 Essential Bass Effects (Synth, Compressor, Envelope Filter, Octaver, and Chorus), a Deep switch for "supreme fatness", XLR out with Bass pod modelling, 4 channel memories, headphone out, audio in on 1/8" for cd/mp3 jamming, built-in tuner, Foot Switch Jack for FBV Express or FBV Shortboard.

Shipping now. LowDown LD150 $399.99, LowDown LD175 $499.99, LowDown LD300 Pro $599.99. As a side note, Line 6 updates for free the Vetta I and II software to 2.5 with better models, better tuner stability, tap tempo sync to MIDI clock, additional footswitch assignments…

SM Pro Audio presents at the Musikmesse a festival of new products available now, prices are TBA:
The EP84: 8 independent microphone preamplifiers based on the PR8E circuitry in a 2U rack.
The OC8E: 8 optical compressors (soft-knee design) with individual compression ratio, Class A transformer-less high voltage signal path and individual attack and release controls, Bypass, Output level control per channel; tri-state LED indicator and Output (bluuuue) VU level indicator in a 2 U rack.
The TC01 and TC02: single (desktop unit) and dual channel (1U rack) tube microphone preamp/DI and optical compressor with (bluuuuue) Vu meter.
The VU8: multi-channel passive (bluuuue) VU meter and headphone monitor.
The M-Patch 2: new version of the M-Patch passive volume control/switch box.

At Frankfurt, Sonicbytes announces Phrazor, a rack/sequencer new plugin. Phrazor has 64 Tracks, each providing up to 8 Plugin-Slots. You can see Phrazor as a Rack for all your software Synthesizers. The Basic usage is combining instruments and effects in order to simplify everyday's work. In Phrazor the term Track is used instead of Rack because a Track contains Mixer-States, Programs and optional Clips and Playlist information. Tracks can easily be used in any host, since the file format is independent. But also Projects, Slots, Grooves and Clips can be reused at any time.

The final release is scheduled for April/May '06.

Metric Halo announced that the Universal Binary version of ChannelStrip AU is now shipping. Version 2.2 of ChannelStrip AU is supported for operation with systems running Mac OS X 10.4.3 or later, and Audio Unit compliant host applications. Version 2.2 is available at all Metric Halo authorized dealers, and upgrades are available from the Metric Halo website at www.mhlabs.com.