PreSonus adds to its firewire interface line with the Firestudio Lightpipe. The FireStudio is the next-gen Firepod :

- 26x26 24-bit/96k interface,
- 8 XMAX class A discrete preamps,
- 16 channels of ADAT i/o,
- 8 analogue line inputs,
- 2 instruments inputs,
- S/PDIF,
- MIDI i/o,
- 2 headphones outputs,
- 36x36x18 (ooch) zero latency DSP mixer/router.

The interface use the new DICE II firewire chipset for 25 channels of 24 bit i/o. It feature too a new low jitter management JetPLL. Up to 3 FireStudio can be used at the same time. A 2GB ProPak of software, plug-ins etc. is bundled with the interface and you can even use the Monitor Station Remote thru ethernet for hands on remote.

Available in may 2007 for $899.95

Behringer adds to its Truth Monitor line up with the new B3031A and B3030A active monitors. These beasts have this time ribbon tweeters instead of the classical dome flavour, and kevlar woofers. Common characteristics for both monitors:
- linear frequency response
- 2" velocity ribbon transducer
- Magnetic shielding
- Active crossover network with 4th order Linkwitz-Riley filters
- Adjustable response
- Separately controlled limiter for low and high-frequency overload protection
- "matched pairs" with individual frequency diagrams
- Servo-balanced inputs with XLR and ¼" TRS connectors
- Available Q3 2007

B3030A, 439€:
- 75 and 35-Watt power amplifiers
- Long-throw 6 ¾" woofer Kevlar cone

B3031A, 511€:
- 150 and 75-Watt power amplifiers
- Long-throw 8 ¾" woofer Kevlar cone
- Automatic standby mode (defeatable)

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.