CME announced its "WIDI X-8" system. This full duplex wireless system for MIDI and USB communication comes with two identical MIDI/USB boxes featuring :

- built-in USB MIDI interface
- Bi-directional MIDI communication (MIDI in/out)
- Up to 64 pairs can be operating at the same time via 64 channels
- Three operating modes (USB/RF, MIDI/RF, USB/MIDI)
- OS X class-compliant for plug-and-play.

The WIDI X-8 will be available in August 2006 and wiil cost $249.99.

Solid State Logic announced Duende, its first entry in the DAW world. Duende is a DSP platform in a rack format, enabling you to have the SSL sound quality directly in your favorite audio software. It connects to your computer via Firewire 400 and the plug-ins are in AU, VST and RTAS so all DAWs are concerned. Each unit handles 32 channels at 96 KHz, and 2 can be daisy chained. Duende will be available in april for about EUR 1600.

Ever dreamed of a SSL?

Behringer has announced at Musikmesse the iAXE393, a 22-fret USB guitar for Mac. It comes with a vintage vibrato bridge, and a stereo headphone output with dedicated level control, The iAXE comes with loads of virtual amps and stomp boxes powered and multi-track recording and editing software. The iAXE393USB is bus-powered and can be plugged directly into the computer.

Behringer USB Guitar will ship 2nd Quarter 2006.

Behringer announces at Musikmesse that two new digital piano are now shipping wordwide. The Eurogrand EG8080-BK features a hand-polished wood cabinet with black lacquer finish and 80-Watt speakers, and the Eurogrand EG540-BK features a wood grain cabinet with black finish and 40-Watt speakers. They both come with an 88-note, weighted hammer-action keyboard and three pedals – Damper, Sostenuto and Soft.

Price : TBA.

CME the new kid on the block in the controller keyboard block, will release in July its VX series of red featured full keyboards. This 4 models range share:

- USB Audio/MIDI interface
- 4 MIDI out, 1 MIDI in
- 2 mic/line input, 2 line output
- 2 headphone outputs
- 2 pedal connectors
- Expandable
- 64 programmable controllers, including 9 motorized 60 mm faders, a ribbon, 12 pads, 8 pots; 8 encoders, switches…
- transport controls
- breath controller input (Yamaha BC3 compatible)
- Initial and after touch, velocity sensitive keyboard
- multi scale support for any scaling system (including non occidental)


VX5 (49 keys), $899.99, VX6 (61 keys) $999.99, VX7 (76 keys) $1199.99 US, VX8 (88 keys) $1299.99.