Rupert Neve Designs has announced the 5088 console which incorporates custom-designed input and output transformers and is expandable in 16-channel sections (allowing for 32, 48, 64 or more channels). All input channels offer bus/line/tape input selections, transformer-coupled direct outputs, eight mix busses and eight auxiliary sends, and 100mm faders. The monitor/master section includes four stereo effects returns, switchable selection of three control room monitor outputs, six monitor sources, AFL/PFL solo modes, as well as talkback and oscillator functions, and 100mm stereo master faders.
For more information see the Rupert Neve Designs website.

Universal Audio has partnered with original Euphonix founders Scott and Rob to design a new line of DAW "expansion & enhancement" products under the Desktop Console System (DCS) family brand. The first two products in the DCS series (the Remote Pre & Monitor Master) combine a base station with a DCS-Link connected remote that puts every control within direct proximity to the user in a convenient remote format.

Key Features Of DCS Remote Preamp (Dual Pre & Cue Mixer):

- Dual Mono Or Stereo transimpedance Mic Pre/DI
- Mid-Side (MS) Recording with decoded monitoring
- Headphone amp with 3x Cue mix, Reverb & EQ
- Digitally controlled analog signal path via DCS-Link
- Remote up to 300′ from base station via CAT-5 cable

Key Features Of DCS Monitor Master (Speaker & Cue Contro ...

Developed by the Digidesign Advanced Instrument Research (A.I.R.) group, Velvet is a new RTAS instrument plug-in that delivers highly realistic emulations of your favorite electric pianos—from classic to modern—to your Pro Tools system. Velvet accurately emulates the nuances of the original instruments, both in sound quality and playing feel, and is based on four legendary electric pianos—the Fender Rhodes Suitcase, Fender Rhodes MK I and MK II Stage Pianos, and Wurlitzer A200.
Velvet will be available soon for $249 US MSRP.

For more information, visit Digidesign's website.

The latest version of the USB 2.0 Mac OS X Universal Binary drivers for the UA-101 and the UA-1000 audio interfaces are currently available for download on Edirol website.

Native Instruments has announced Guitar Rig 2 Software Edition, a software-only version of its digital guitar studio based on the upcoming 2.2 version of the Guitar Rig software, which will offer three additional components and will also include support for Intel-based Macintosh computers. This version offers the full functionality of the software without any limitations, with only the Rig Kontrol pedal remaining exclusive to the standard Guitar Rig 2 package.
Guitar Rig 2 Software Edition will be available in November 2006 for a suggested retail price of $339 / €299 from authorized dealers and in the NI Online Shop.