Neumann announced the return of the K49 large diaphragm capsule with the TLM 49. Used in the M49 and U47, it will certainly raise some interest… here it is set as to optimise its use for vocal performance, with a slight boost around 2 kHz and the capsule is protected only by a large mesh not interfering with sound. The circuit inside is low noise and tranformerless, it is also suspended to further prevent transmitted rumble. The TLM49 stands up to 114 dB of pression and provide 102 dB of dynamics.

The EA 3 shockmount is included. Available in April/May 2006, list price $1699

Fostex has planned to change their PM series monitor. The PM series MKII comprise now the:
- PM-2 MkII 200mm woofer / UFLC soft dome 25mm tweeter, 240 W
- PM-1 MkII 160mm woofer / UFLC soft dome 25mm tweeter, 120 W
- PM0.5 MkII 130mm woofer / UFLC soft dome 20mm tweeter, 70 W
- PM0.4 100mm woofer / UFLC soft Dome Tweeter 16mm 18 W (desktop/portable use)
- PM0.5-Sub MkII 200 woofer, 110 W
Models are bi-amplified, have "high-gloss" fronts to look classy (bring the polish!). The PM-2 mkII has separate HF gain control, overall volume control and a 0dB/-3dB/+3dB switch for the LF unit.

Price and availability TBA

From Frankfurt at Musikmesse, Presonus launches its new INSPIRE 1394 audio mobile interface. This expandable FireWire Recording Interface (24-bit/96k) is software controlled and features four analog inputs (two custom-designed PreSonus microphone preamplifiers with +48V phantom power and two instrument Hi-Z inputs), two analog outputs. Software's controls include : input gain, phantom power, limiter (off/on), preamp boost (off/on), sample rate, headphone volume, main output volume as well as zero latency input mixing with playback mixing. Four INSPIRE 1394's can be connected together for up to sixteen simultaneous inputs of 24-bit/96k recording.

INSPIRE 1394 is compatible with ASIO and Core Audio.

Da Fact (Digital Access Factory) is introducing its ground breaking controller. this strange beast is definitely not any-like others. It doesn't play notes even! You play over the MIDI itself: each "key" is pression sensitive and can be freely controller assigned. The DaFact can also turn on itself, another control. And guess what it does when you move it around in space? (up, down, left, right…) it sends controls too! How does it communicate? it receives and sends MIDI other USB or HF and it runs on batteries filled when needed by the USB connection.

Price and availability TBA

FXpansion announces Universal Binary versions for BFD and Guru at Frankfurt Musikmesse. These new Intel-based Mac compatible versions will be released second Quarter 2006. These updates will be free updates for registered users. Guru is a beatbox, it's architecture is perfect for anything from straight-up breaks and stomping floor-fillers to complex polyrhythmic, multi-layered grooves.