Creamware will release in the next weeks the Klangbox series, a bunch of 1 U rack of DSPs using the ASB engine. Playable thru MIDI or USB, the available units will be the MINIMAX, PRO-12, PRODYSSEY and B4000. The units work also as dedicated expansions for the ASB units Creamware released earlier, which in turn can be used to control the racks. The sound edition can be made by MIDI controllers or from a computer based graphical interface on Mac and PC too. All the Klangboxes share the same characteristics: 1U rack, MIDI I/O/T, MIDI thru USB, 12 voices (save the B4000, wich is fully polyphonic), stereo I/O, stereo effects (Delay, Chorus, Flanger).

Shipping soon for about 450 euros each.

The Rob Papen BLUE goes RTAS with the release of the 1.6 update. It is a free update with a native RTAS version for Mac. But also new features are added like a "free-running" option for each oscillator, an 8x Oversampling option, a "bypass" function inside the Arpeggiator, Sequencer and the FX section. It all comes together with 6 new preset banks for various styles of music productions.

Blue 1.6 is of course IntelMac compatible.

AudioSkin is a new cable organizer. The AudioSkin collects loose cables and 'zippers' them into one snake with a simple twist of the wrist. But that's not all: you can partially pull out individual cables to any length for connecting to miscellaneous inputs—while keeping the snake intact. AudioSkin is quick and easy to use and re-use. AudioSkin can easily be cut to any length, or combine multiple AudioSkins together to accomodate longer cables. Cables are organized in seconds and are easily removed in one motion - one at a time or all at the same time.

AudioSkin easily holds up to (8) guitar, microphone or monitor cables, and up to (24) Hosa cables. 5 ft. in length; 25 millimeter diameter. MSRP $16.99. (USA)

Mutools announces the release of the preliminary version 4 of Luna unlimited and Luna Free, with new features : support for VST MIDI Plugins, Audio Input Monitoring, Insert Effects can now be bypassed, Improved workflow and Bug fixes. LUNA is an alternative, ultra-light virtual music studio, designed to compose & perform music of different styles and flavors.

Luna is also now available as Universal Binary version.

Akai just released the latest of his MPC, the numbered 500. As its name suggest, this is an entry level MPC, from the likes of the MPC 1000 and 2500 with which it is data compatible as other Akai products. With a small footprint (266x175x44mm) and 1.34 kg, running on wall-wart or batteries, its comprehensive surface has the MPC trademark as usual : 12 velocity and pressure sensitive pads plus an on board 48 tracks sequencer and a 44.1 kHz sound engine. The internal memory is of 16 MB, Compact Flash cards from 32 MB to 2 GB can be used as additional memory. MIDI i/o and USB (Mac and PC) ports complet the box along with the stereo i/o and headphones socket.

The MPC 500 is available now for $1129.