Universal Audio updates the software of its UAD DSP family to 4.6. The new version includes a 14 days demo of the Helios type 69 EQ. the update is free, the Helios type 69 EQ is $199 usually but…

As all UAD plug ins are 20% until tonight 3/31… it's $159.20.

SPL will release in may 2007 the SPL Transducer, an analog speaker- and miking-simulator. In 2U and 3 big knobs, this rack, developed with the company Tonhunter (guitar amp specialists). It is a real time simulator, offering 200W of amplification, its advantages:

- Sound qualities and real time response for the guitar player – in contrast to digital simulations with latencies in processing
- Independence from volume levels during performances or recording sessions
- Independence from room acoustics in recordings
- Greater sonic flexibility in comparison to fixed box/microphone gear
- Provides for a live signal in recording quality without crosstalk from miking
- Great space and weight reduction in transport
- Time-saving setup and simplified experimentation with sound variations
- No phasing problems with track doubling thanks to latency free design
- Hearing protection from in-ear monitoring in any kind of session, whether studio, live or private

Price TBA

FLAME a small german company known for very special projects and weird MIDI controllers came to the Musikmesse with a talking synth the FLAME MIDI Talking Synth. Build around 2 US SpeakJet chips, it is a powerful 8 bit speech synthesizer along analogue chirps and buzzes. There is 72 speech elements, 43 sound effects, and 12 DTM touch tones available. It is not totally MIDI controlled but can be, due to its basic structure. You can play preset words or just let it wobble around or even use the switches, joysticks, pots as a MIDI controller.

Price and availability unknown.

KRK launches a new range of 3 studio active monitors. Inspired and derived from the Exposé E8B, the company flagship, they have a completely new enclosure, proprietary transceivers (silk dome and a new, stiffer yellow cone) and ABS foam filling inside. The VXT Series features tamper resistant switch covers to protect against others changing your personal settings, integrated Omni Mount support for easy wall or corner mounting, ground lift, defeatable limiter and auto mute controls, and high and low frequency adjust switches on the VXT6 and VXT8.

Available from late may on for (per piece):
- VXT8 (37Hz - 22kHz +/-1.5dB, 60/120W): $799,
- VXT6 (49Hz - 22kHz +/-1.5dB, 30/60W): $599,
- VXT4 (56Hz - 22kHz +/- 2dB, 15/30W): $399

Roland will release in June 2007 the SonicCell, another avatar of the Phantom Line in tabletop form. It is both a sound module, expandable with SRX expansion boards and a USB audio interface:

- 128-voice sound module
- USB audio interface
- SMF and audio data (WAV, AIFF, MP3) playback
- Plays MIDI files
- USB port can host USB memory sticks
- 2 SRX slots
- PC/Mac Editor

Price TBA