Another co-operation between Steinberg and Yamaha have resulted in two FireWire Interfaces, the MR816 CSX and MR816 X Advanced Integration FireWire audio interfaces.

Both units feature unprecedented integration into Cubase, and offer a full range of audio I/O options and onboard DSP with the renowned REV-X reverb. MR816 CSX also offers the acclaimed Sweet Sport Morphing Channel Strip plug-in, with both DSP effects available as a VST3 plug-in in Cubase.

Features :

- True Integrated Monitoring: no latency, DSP-powered FX* and full Cubase Control Room support including independent Studio mixes
- Complete Cubase user interface integration throughout: direct access from Cubase with no additional software mixing or external windows required
- 8 discrete Class A analog 'D-Pre' mic preamps with combination XLR and TRS analog inputs with advanced new inverted Darlington circuits and switchable phantom power per channel, as well as digital ADAT and S/PDIF I/O
- Quick connect: Next-generation of plug and play with instant routing of inputs to Cubase channels from the hardware with the push of a button
- DSP power for Cubase*: Up to 8 simultaneous onboard DSP-powered Sweet Spot Morphing Channel Strip with compressor, EQ as well as REV-X reverb – available within Cubase during mixing

*Sweet Spot Morphing Channel Strip available in MR816 CSX only

Those new units will support Mac OS X, Windows XP and Windows Vista, and will ship in Q3 2008.

RME presents the new MADIface, the world's first portable MADI solution for Laptops, providing 128 channels of audio with up to 192 kHz.

Consisting of the HDSPe ExpressCard MADI and a small breakout box, the MADIface offers full MADI power: 64 channels input and 64 channels output, up to 192 kHz sample rate, in MADI embedded MIDI transmission, complete TotalMix that is even remote controllable and has all features of the 'bigger' HDSPe MADI, as well as lowest latency and CPU-load. To make the usage as comfortable as possible, the power for the breakout box is provided directly by the ExpressCard, so no external power supply is required.

The MADIface is fully compatible to all devices with MADI interface. While many MADI-based devices require an additional word clock or AES line, the MADIface uses SteadyClock to extract the reference clock at lowest jitter directly from the MADI signal, making long-distance connections even more convenient. Although not available at the MADIface itself, word clock input and output are thus available when using another RME MADI device.

Included software: DIGICheck for Windows: Spectral Analyser, professional level meter for 2, 8, or 64 channels, Vector Audio Scope, Global record, various other audio analysis tools.

Drivers: Windows 2000/XP/Vista/64 (full ASIO multi-client operation of WDM, GSIF 2.0 and ASIO 2.0), Mac OS X Intel (Core Audio and Core MIDI).

Musik Messe 2008 sees the launch of the Focusrite's fourth Liquid solution, Liquid Mix 16. Combining the same pool of classic EQ and Compressor emulations with a control surface, Liquid Mix 16 brings the sound of the priceless and the historically significant, within reach of even the most modest studio owner.

Each of the sixteen mono channels (or eight stereo channels) provides Compressor and EQ emulations selectable from forty Compressors and twenty EQs. As with Liquid Mix, a hybrid seven-band 'super EQ' is available in every instance, built out of separate classic EQ sections. Each channel appears as a separate VST/AU/RTAS effect within the sequencer and will work within all major sequencers, including Pro Tools. Liquid Mix 16 launches with Liquid Mix v2.2 software, ensuring compatib ...

M-Audio unveils the Fast Track Ultra 8R, an 8x8 USB 2.0 audio/MIDI interface with 8 preamps and MX Core DSP.

Features :

- high-speed USB 2.0 interface - simultaneous 16 x 8* 24-bit/96kHz audio
- MX Core DSP technology - flexible channel routing, monitor sub-mixing, and effects processing
- 8 preamps with M-Audio Octane technology
- two completely independent headphone outputs
- compatible with Mac and PC > works with most audio production software

*when playing back 8 software return streams

M-Audio Fast Track Ultra 8R will be available at an MSRP of $629.95.

TC Electronic announces Tap Factory, a hybrid delay/reverb plug-in for PowerCore that combines multi-tap delay effects with early reflection reverb effects.

Tap Factory is designed primarily for the user who is looking for delay effects beyond the usual vintage style which will help him create a unique sound that is all his own. The combination of delay effects and reverb effects generates an unusual set of parameters such as the 3-band parametric EQ with a diffuser capable of simulating the change in sound that occurs when a tap hits a metal or wooden wall.
Tap Factory's extremely intuitive and clean user interface allows you to make individual parameter settings for each of its 24 taps within seconds.
Note that Tap Factory includes a bonus LE version that enables the user to run multiple instances per DSP on current PowerCore systems, and supports discontinued PowerCore hardware.

Main Features :

- Multi-tap delay with 24 taps
- Early reflection reverb
- Tap tempo/rhythm tap
- 3-band filter with diffusion
- Intuitive user interface for single tap/group tap editing
- more than 150 adjustable parameters
- Includes Tap Factory LE, supporting first generation hardware

Tap Factory will ship end of March 2008 at a suggested retail price of €299.