ESI unveils the UGM96, a new portable audio interface. The UGM96 offers an ultra mobile guitar and microphone to USB interface that allows you to connect two guitars (via the Hi-Z instrument inputs) or one guitar and one microphone simultaneously to your PC or Mac.

Features :

- 2 x analog input and 2 analog output channels
- 2 independent mono Hi-Z inputs
- one Hi-Z input switchable to microphone input with preamp
- 2 headphone output
- one headphone output can work as line output
- fully USB bus powered
- drivers for Windows Vista/XP with ASIO support with low latency
- Core Audio support under Mac OS X 10.4 and higher
- dimensions: around 7 cm x 6 cm

The UGM96 is available now at an estimated price of $75/€59 (excl. VAT).

As McDSP's 10 Year Anniversary and the year of 2008 come to an end, McDSP offers a one-time only special on the HD and Native Emerald Pack Bundles, including upgrades. Emerald Pack HD will be offered for $2495 and the Native bundle will be offered for $1345.

Emerald Pack bundle includes Analog Channel, Channel G, Chrome Tone, CompressorBank, DE555, FilterBank, FutzBox, NF575, MC2000, ML4000, Revolver and Synthesizer One.

The McDSP HD line supports TDM, RTAS and AudioSuite formats and the Native line supports RTAS and Audiosuite formats. The HD and Native bundle operate on Pro Tools HD, LE and M-Powered. Special available only via electronic delivery.

This offer ends December 31, 2008.

Note that McDSP's Winter Special Bundle offer is still available until the end of the month.

To celebrate the birth of their own inhouse TDM-team, Brainworx is releasing a free control listening tool bx_solo. The new 1.0.2 installer includes TDM - RTAS - VST - & AU and is available for MAC and PC.

Note that Brainworx has also announced that all bx-tools will soon be available in TDM format (bx_control TDM is scheduled for Dec 8). Fair upgrades from Native to TDM will be available for all customers and all plugins.

Smart Loops has released MIDI Drum Loops Vol. 4, an all-new collection of real-feel, live drum grooves. Volume 4 includes 100 unique drum grooves and fills, inspired by artists including Stevie Ray Vaughan, and rock drumming legends Jeff Porcaro, Bernard Purdie and John Bonham. These loops are great for blues, country, jazz, shuffle-rock, and other musical styles.

Compatible with GM note mappings, loops are provided in three formats: Standard MIDI File Type 0, Standard MIDI File Type 1, and MIDI Groove Clip (for Session Drummer 2). All drum grooves are un-quantized to retain the live feel of each performance.

MIDI Drum Loops Vol. 4 is available now for $19.

FabFilter has just just launched a holiday sale : until December 31, there is a 25% discount on all FabFilter bundles. So if you don't already know their plug-ins such as FabFilter Timeless (God I love this delay !), well maybe it's time for you to discover something great !