CEntrance has announced a new hardware product : the DACport USB Headphone Amplifier, featuring a reference-quality audio signal path.

DACport is an audiophile-quality, stereo 24-bit / 96kHz Digital-to-Analog converter (DAC) with exceptional jitter management, resulting in extreme clarity and revealing musical detail. Its professional 1/4" output offers the highest quality headphone connection, while the unit also comes with an adaptor for 1/4" to mini 1/8" stereo for other headphone connections. Featuring CEntrance-designed AdaptiWave USB technology and innovative JitterGuard clock management system to offer the highest quality analog audio along with super-clean dual power supplies and an audiophile headphone amplifier, the DACport redefines the category of portable headphone amplifiers.

DACport is compatible with any Windows, Mac or Linux computer and draws power straight from the USB jack. The DACport connects to the computer without special software drivers - offering driverless USB performance up to 24-bit / 96kHz, plug 'n play operation, analog volume knob, and Class A headphone amp, DACport packs a lot of features into its anodized aluminum tube, setting new standards in portability, convenience and sound quality.

DACport ships with a handy belt clip, 6 foot USB cable, and a velvet carrying pouch. Available now directly from CEntrance for $500.

Togu Audio Line has updated its free virtual synth TAL-Elek7ro to version 2.50.

Changes:

• Improved audio quality, especially for frequencies> 10000Hz.
• 4x oversampled filter - previous version was 2x oversampled.
• Increased self resonance volume.

Puremagnetik has announced the release of a new Micorpak called PM Grand. This is a multi-sampled Yamaha Conservatory Grand Piano that includes a library of advanced instruments and looped clips in various styles.

PM Grand contains a collection of 9 advanced instruments and 50 looped clips optimized for Ableton Live, Native Instruments Kontakt and Apple Logic. The included instruments contain multi-sampled programs with release and sustain tones, a "lite" version with a much smaller footprint, a reverse piano, an infinite sustained piano and several electrified tones.

Recording Specifications :

• Piano Type: Yamaha C3 6'1" Conservatory Grand
• Microphones: Combination of a close pair of Neumann KM 84s in an XY configuration, along with a spaced pair of Earthworks omnidi ...

Next week at the Winter NAMM Show 2010, Telefunken Elektroakustik will present the AR-51, a brand new large diaphragm tube condenser microphone which is the latest addition to Telefunken's affordably priced R-F-T line of tube mics.

The AR-51 features the same circuit design used in the classic Telefunken ELA M 251E, but employs new cost-efficient manufacturing methods to meet the desired price point without going cheap on parts.

According to the manufacturer, this mic is ideal for recording acoustic and electric guitars, piano, percussion, and male and female vocals, as well as for drum overheads and close miked drums.

Pricing and availability TBA.

After the successful release of the mPressor plug-in in the native formats, the TDM version is now available, too ! Elysia are starting sales with a 25% discount on the full TDM license and the upgrade from an already purchased native license to TDM.

This means that until 31 January 2010 you can buy TDM at the regular price of the native version or upgrade at the reduced introductory price.