TerraTec Producer has announced the AXON AX 50 USB, a guitar-to-MIDI-controller based on the AXON AX 100 MK II. The AXON AX 50 USB offers a USB port with four additional virtual MIDI ports. With its 32-bit RISC processor, the guitar-to-MIDI controller translates the vibrations from each string that you strike or strum and sends information about the pitch, dynamics, and tone duration to the connected MIDI sound generator. The MIDI sound generator allows you to transform the sound of your connected instrument to the sound of another instrument. The controller also comes with 128 multitimbral sounds based on Native Instruments' Kontakt Player.

Priced at $549 the AXON AX 50 USB will be available soon after NAMM 2007.

Some of you already know Hot Hand, the effects system from Source Audio that allows musicians to use hand motions to control key functions such as Speed and Depth in tandem with the company's proprietary motion-controlled Hot Hand Wah Filters and Phaser/Flanger effects consoles. The "Total Hot Hand" system available at this year's Winter NAMM offers an optional wireless solution with a lightweight motion sensor and plug-in RF transmitter, and powerful motion-controlled Wah Filters and Phaser/Flanger effects consoles.
Compatible with all Hot Hand systems, the Hot Hand Wireless Adapter can be used in addition to the wired sensor and consists of a wireless motion sensor ring unit and a small receiver that plugs directly into the back of the Hot Hand effects console in the Sensor In port. The ...

In cooperation with Chicken System, Yellow Tools has released the free Independence Convertor application for Mac OS X (Universal Binary) and Windows XP. This free utility for registered Independence owners converts Akai S-1000/3000 CDs and SoundFonts into Independence format.

Chicken Systems also offers a special Translator Independence Edition for $49.95. This can convert practically every sample format into Independence compatible format.

All registered Translator PRO users can download a free update on the Chicken Systems website that includes the Independence format translation.

Tone2 has announced BiFilter2, a stereo filter module offering dual multi-mode filters with 47 filter types, 8 additional distortion types, FM, AM, waveshaping and lo-fi effects. A high precision display shows the frequency response of the filter in realtime.

Features:

* 47 filter types.
* 8 distortion types.
* FM, AM, Waveshaping, bit crushing, resampling, comb filtering, vocal filtering, equalizing, reverberation.
* High precision, real time frequency response display.
* Smooth and click-free knob movements.
* "High-end quality" filter algorithms, anti-aliasing, oversampling.
* True stereo architecture, works in all sample rates.
* Easy-to-use interface.
* 100 presets.
* MIDI and automation support.

BiFilter2 costs $49 / €39 and is already available as a VST effect plug-in for Windows... but Mac OS X VST and Audio Unit versions are expected soon !

Vestax has quietly unveiled the VCI-100, a new USB DJ controller. The VCI-100 has two special jog wheels that contain sensor and control technology utilized in their turntables. The VCI-100 also features a variable curve generator that controls the crossfader curve from the hardware with the track faders.

Main features :

- jog wheel "constructed with a high-resolution pulse sensor; touch sensor and acrylic platter mechanism". Have to actually try that out to know what that feels like. Jog wheels have built-in "sensor LED."
- hardware-adjustable crossfader controls
- USB MIDI connection, bus-powered
- 90 assignable parameters
- plug and play (class-compliant)
- Bundled with Traktor LE

No pricing or availablity has been announced. For more details see Vestax web site.