At NAMM '04, M-Audio annouced a new FireWire audio interface, the FireWire 18/14, featuring 2 FireWire ports, a 24 bit/192 kHz AD/DA converter, 2 Neutrik phantom powered mic inputs, 6 line inputs and 4 line outputs. The FireWire 18/14 will manage 18 inputs channels (8 analog inputs, 8 ADAT and 2 S/PDIF) and 14 output channels (4 analog outputs, 8 ADAT and 2 S/PDIF).

The M-Audio FireWire 18/14 audio interface will be available in March '04 for EUR/US$700.

Crackle... hiss... rumble... click... pop... hum... When it comes to audio, it can be a filthy mess out there. So Bias announce SoundSoap Pro, a new high-end audio restoration solution for Mac OS X as a companion to its existing SoundSoap, featuring multiband noise reduction; click, crackle & hum removal; plus noise gate - all integrated into a single RTAS, AU or VST plug-in.

SoundSoap Pro will be available Q1 2004 for a retail price of EUR599.

Mackie has just announced 9 new products :
- 3 new Onyx mixing consoles 1220 (12 inputs) , 1620 (16 inputs), 1640 (16 inputs + 4 bus), with ability to add the OnyxFW option (to get a firewire audio interface)
- a new 8 inputs audio interface with lot of outputs
- the new TT24 , a live mixing desk
- The dBx console
- Big Knob, a useful switcher
- Traction, a new sequencer

Tascam has announced several new products at NAMM including:

- 2488 : a 24 bit, 24 tracks, 36 channel Portastudio with CD-Writer and USB2.0 interface.

- US-2400 : a DAW controller interface with 25 100mm motorized faders, 24 rotating encoders, joystick for surround, HUI emulation....

- 2 news DJ-oriented double CD-Players with a new option, an add-on for your turntable to use it as a controller for the two new CD player.

Just enough informations to give you a good reason to read the rest...

Behringer has announced the B-CONTROL FADER BCF2000, a fader-based USB control surface for MIDI hardware or software, and the ROTARY BCR2000, with rotary controls.

The BFC-2000 has eight 100 mm programmable faders, 8 programmable encoders, MIDI 1 In/2 Out/1 Thru (read carefully the manual about these, it doesn't seem to be a full fledged MIDI interface, and the Thru eats a MIDI Out). 4 virtual groups and 20 buttons also assignable to MIDI, syssex, MMC, transport functions are possible.

The similar ROTARY BCR2000 features 24 rotary controlers, plus the same buttons and 8 top rotary encoders.

Unfortunately the editing software is PC only but profiles will be available shortly, both units are supported under OSX and should work with all MIDI software. Announced compatibility is for Cubase and Logic, check the Behringer site for more.

All products are due second quarter of 2004
BCF2000: $249.99, BCR2000: $189.99