MOTU has introduced the Traveler-mk3, a mobile Firewire audio interface for Mac and Windows personal computers that provides eight channels of pristine 192kHz analog recording and playback combined with twenty channels of digital I/O in ADAT optical, AES/EBU and S/PDIF formats.

Engineered for portable recording situations with either desktop or laptop computers, the Traveler-mk3 draws power from its Firewire connection to the computer. For extended remote sessions, the Traveler can be powered by an industry-standard field battery pack. As a complete audio recording system with 28 inputs and 30 outputs operating simultaneously, including four XLR/TRS "combo" style mic inputs equipped with high-quality preamps, the Traveler-mk3 inherits many features from the previous Traveler interface and adds many additional significant new features, including V-Limit signal overload protection, true hi-Z guitar inputs, a 32-bit floating point DSP for on-board effects and mixing, two banks of configurable optical I/O and much more.

The Traveler-mk3 is expected to ship Q1 of 2009 at the same price as the original Traveler. For more information, please follow the link below :

MixVibes presents its PRODUCER Sampler Contest, a contest to elect the best 1 minute video performance on MixVibes PRODUCER. Contestants will be given 2 exclusive breakbeats from DJ Troubl's latest Dub a Breaks in high quality mp3 and a pack of royalty free scratch samples to perform with MixVibes PRODUCER. The participation is free and open to DJs and Producers of all levels of experience.

1st place: 1 DVS PRODUCER + 1 U46MK2 sound interface + 1 Korg PadKontrol
2nd place: 1 DVS PRODUCER
3rd place: 1 DVS PACK MK2

To enter the contest, follow the link below :

SPL software / Sound Performance Lab from Germany is happy to announce the EQ Ranger Series Vol.1 to be the first Analog Code plugins released in TDM format (Mac & PC).

They will be on sale very very soon, but you can already load your iLoks and try the public betas now.

Please follow this link to get the 14 days TDM trials :

British hardware manufacturers DAV Electronics have released the Broadhurst Gardens No. 501 (BG501) which is a microphone amplifier with DI Input in the API 500 Series format. The features of this microphone amplifier consist of low noise and low distortion. It offers switched gain controls for high accuracy level setting (4 dB steps), D.I. Input (high impedance), level indication, 26dB pads (switchable), phase reversal and 48v phantom supply (switchable).

The BG501 is available at a price of £399 (excl. VAT).

The Vienna Symphonic Library team has released a sequel to their successful solo strings collection. The new Vienna Instruments Collection Solo Strings II, featuring the muted solo instruments, violin, viola, cello, and double bass, is now available from Vienna's worldwide network of distributors and dealers.

This new collection offers 46 GB of all-new articulations of the four solo string instruments. Solo Strings II contains many of the playing techniques that the first collection includes, but played "con sordino" (with mutes). It includes articulations such as muted short and long notes, crescendo and diminuendo variations, as well as Interval Performances such as legato, portamento, and trills. Furthermore, additional Legato Performances with very long notes have been recorded for use in slower parts. Thus, every single pitch and velocity is available in 24 variations.

Like all Vienna Instruments collections, Solo Strings II is a sample-based virtual instrument that ships in the formats VST (OS X, Win XP/Vista), RTAS (OS X) as well as AU (OS X) and also works stand-alone. Registered users are eligible to download the free mixing and host software Vienna Ensemble 2.

Pricing
Standard Library: $475, less Holiday Discount through January 15, 2009 $380 Extended Library: $355, less Holiday Discount through January 15, 2009 $284 Full Library: $830, less Holiday Discount through January 15, 2009 $664