KRK systems has announced ERGO, a digital room analysis and correction system. Compatible with all recording and monitoring systems, ERGO (Enhanced Room Geometry Optimization) aims to improve any studio mixing space by correcting for 'real world' acoustic problems.

In developing ERGO, KRK teamed up with the acoustics experts at Lyngdorf Audio and integrated their patented "Room Perfect" 3D room analysis and correction algorithms to provide the best room correction solution available. The technology analyzes and compensates for undesirable room acoustics which can negatively impact audio mixdowns. The unit connects to a computer via Firewire when it is performing its room analysis, but since all correction processing resides in ERGO, no overhead is needed from the computer audio system. This means that ERGO can function in pure analog systems since it can work as a stand-alone room correction/speaker control unit after room analysis is complete.

In addition to room correction, ERGO also acts as a speaker switcher and master volume control and creates a seamless full range monitors-plus-sub system with subwoofer integration. It is also a 4-in, 6-out Firewire audio interface that easily interfaces with PC and Mac hardware and audio software, ERGO provides high-quality audio through its use of 120dB SNR digital-to-analog converters and phase-accurate signal processing. KRK further incorporates Firewire and S/PDIF input for digital connections to DAWs such as Pro Tools and other systems. A high quality analog volume control and headphone output are also provided in the system.

ERGO will be available on April 2008 at a retail price of $799.

ChocolateAudio has announced Imperial Drum BFD2 expansion library for Fxpansion's BFD2.

Features :

- Sampled at 88.2, released at 44.1.
- Edited from scratch for BFD2 release.
- Dry signal path while recording makes for an excellent use of BFD2 mixing and routing features.
- Some drums feature alternate mics (requires updated BFD2).
- 51 DW, Ludwig and Paiste and other brand drums.
- 13 different stick types, 3 beater types for Kicks.
- Mid-sized Room for maximum mixing flexibility.

The Imperial Drums BFD2 expansion will be available on February 2008 with price to be announced. Note that a crossgrade option will be available to current Imperial Drums and Imperial Drums XL users.

The long awaited Snapper from Audio Ease will be released this coming Wednesday !

Snapper is fully compatible within the Mac OS finder and appears when an audio file is selected indepedently of its audio format mp3, aif, mono or stereo even the dolby 5.1. It includes a wave vizualisation as well as the playback of the files but it's only the tip of the iceberg because it allows you to edit the audio files like a selection and drag& drop. The mp3 conversion is also done in a simple click. On top of that Snapper also works in the context of iTunes and let you export the files directly to Pro tools cursor !

Snapper will be available for Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger) or higher at a price of €59 ($79).

Gibson Guitar and TC Group have announced that they are planning to merge. The announcement was made at the NAMM 2008 show in Anaheim, California by both Gibson Guitar Chairman and CEO Henry Juszkiewicz and CEO of TC Group, Anders Fauerskov.
The announcement marks a preliminary agreement between the two companies.
Under the terms of the new merger, Anders Fauerskov will remain based in Europe, and serve as Chief Operating Officer of the new combined Gibson Guitar Corp. The two companies expect to finalize the deal by the end of February 2008.

This is quite a surprise, and we don't have much information about this merge, but stay tuned, as we'll tell you more about this as soon as we have.

We hope that it'll lead to a real synergy. Some of us are still waiting for news from Opcode or Oberheim...

Yamaha unveils the Pocketrak 2G, a light and compact pocket recorder featuring 2GB of built-in memory, long battery life, easy USB file transfer, and Steinberg Cubase AI DAW software.

The Pocketrak 2G features 2 tracks of CD quality recording in PCM, MP3 and Windows Media (WMA) formats, a rechargeable AAA nickel-hydrogen battery capable of providing 19 hours of MP3 recording to it's 2GB of internal memory, an on-board speaker and a headphone jack. Included in the box is the Pocketrak 2G, a USB extension cable, stereo earphones, a leather carrying case and stand adapter, as well as Cubase AI, an "Advanced Integration" version of Steinberg's legendary digital audio workstation software specially built to seamlessly integrate with Yamaha hardware.

The Pocketrak 2G will be available in April, 2008 and will retail for $449.