FLExible Audio shown on the Audioaddict booth at the AES it's brand new Monday microphone in prototype state, as usual for FLEA handcrafted. It is a low cost mic with a F7 (read M7) capsule just like the "bottle" models Fester, Morticia and Lurch, a Siemens tube, a big output transformer. It'll be followed by the Tuesday with a more sensitive K67 capsule not to mention the other days of the WEEK after. I could try the FLEA 12 (replica of the C12) on a the brand new Little Labs preamp rack it was really sweet on my voice (bass-baryton).

Price TBA, Monday and Tuesday availability later this year.

ATD2 presented at the AES the just finished prototypes of the coming FAR XM 8.D. It is a midfield 3 way active monitor precursor of the forthcoming new XM range. Each monitor features 2 sets of AES/EBU inputs and outputs, D/A converters at 24 bits/96 kHz, DSP running at 24 bits/48 kHz with a 10 bands EQ, delay, filters… Each way has a amplificator of respectively 120 Wms, 40 Wms and 40 Wms. Even with the monitors still in prototype state and uncalibrated the depth and the stereo image is already impressive.

8 series 1800€ per monitor, available in june.

Native Instruments releases an update to version 5.1.1 for its Reaktor. This update features :

- Fixed multichannel AU compatibility with Logic 7.2
- Fixed cross-platform plugin streaming bug
- Fixed a plugin streaming bug occuring when controls are controlling other controls in an ensemble
- Fixed Protools TDM Mac bug (ensembles containing core cells causing Protools error messages)

You can download this update in our software section.

Sagan announced a pre-release version of Metro 6.3.5.4. Thise release adds a new slider in the jukebox window, adds a new plug-in option 'configure to stereo output', and Play Quantize has been implemented for MIDI soft synths. This version also fixes some bugs (Intel-Mac plug-ins errors, program name banks problems, better .ins file support and others). Metro is a fast-operating, easy-to-learn high-powered sequencer for the design of professional audio projects. It stands alone as a complete and integrated MIDI, audio and video production system.

Here are some pictures of the latest AES show, including some beautiful consoles.