Vicoustic has announced a new lightweight version of its popular Flexi Screen. Specially designed for vocal recording in untreated rooms, or venues that lack sufficient acoustic control, Flexi Screen Lite provides a portable, easy to assemble, semicircular microphone surround whose polyurethane structure is designed to give maximum absorption efficiency.

The unit has a dual functionality, absorbing the singer's energy on the inside to give a less ambient sound, while at the same time, partially absorbing scattered room reflections on the outside. Flexi Screen Lite's acoustic foam has optimum density and thickness, using a series of air cavities both to reinforce the absorption effect and add structural support to the joint mechanism.

Flexi Screen Lite can be used with a range of microphones and can be adjusted either vertically or horizontally. The unit itself can be assembled in less than 15 seconds, making it ideal for location-based recording venues, project studios and classrooms.

Flexi Screen Lite is available now and has an MSRP of €59.

Metric Halo just updates the software for their audio cards ULN-2 and 2882. This new version 5.1 is free and includes interesting features :

- EUCON protocol support
- Mackie Universal Pro control surface support
- Addition of 2 new plugins (Transient Contrôl and RIAA decoding filter) for the owners of a license +DSP
- Several bugs fixed

Visit their website for more informations :

ESI unveils the KeyControl 25 XL, a compact 25-key keyboard.

KeyControl 25 XL offers numerous controllers: it has a pitch bend and modulation wheel, 4 knobs, a fader and various buttons. The 4 knobs can even be assigned twice, just switch between the two banks by pushing a button. Of course all controllers work in real time.

Features :

- 3 digit LED-display
- 25 note full size velocity-sensitive semi-weighted keys
- USB connection to PC or Mac
- MIDI output connector
- sustain pedal connector
- 2 datawheels, 1 fader
- 4 knobs in 2 switchable assignment groups
- USB powered or via optional external power suply
- Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows 2003, Mac OS X and Linux compatible

The KeyControl 25 XL is priced at £50. Note that it comes with free Toontrack EXLite software which, once registered, can be upgraded to the full version for just £59.00 (usual EZdrummer price £99.00).

Here's some fresh news about the joint venture between SE Electronics and Mr Rupert Neve. We've got a picture of their first product, a ribbon mic called RNR1, and a price... £1880 including VAT.

Now we just have to wait for a release date...

The EKS Otus, a strange DJ controller, is finally available through the EKS webshop.

Otus is equipped with a big, configurable 7.5" jog wheel and new features for effects control, including touchpad and two motion sensors. It also brings you an innovative switch key which enables the DJ to flexibly use two layers of controls. To add more show into the mix, the effect controls are placed to make performing more visual. With the advanced MIDI support and MIDI mappers it seems easy to configure Otus with just about any software application imaginable, be it audio, video or something else altogether.

The Otus is available now for €649 (excl. VAT).