Klark Teknik has launched the DN530 Creative Quad Gate, one of two new products in a brand new series. The DN530 provides four easy to use gates in a compact 1U format.

The DN530 boasts "Transient Accenting", a new creative feature providing an easy way to enhance the attack envelope beyond merely opening the gate. This can provide up to 12dB of additional transient energy and its primary application is to provide additional impact on drums and percussion instruments, although it can be used to enhance the impact of acoustic stringed instruments such as guitar and piano as well as other instruments. Uniquely, Transient Accenting allows the operator to control precisely the amount of enhancement added to each channel, and can be applied independently of the gating function.

Features :

- Quad channel gate
- Unique progressively controllable accent level that emphasises the initial transient of a signal to increase dynamic power
- Exponential gate attack to reduce signal loss at the start of sounds while remaining sonically transparent – no clicks
- Reverse exponential gate release to blend seamlessly with the natural decay of the programme
- Extremely low noise and distortion levels
- Advanced band pass side chain filter to increase trigger source discrimination
- Rotary controls for all envelope characteristics and variable range
- External key inputs and ducking facilities
- Easily identifiable bypass, solo and other major switches
- Roadworthy 1U chassis
- Balanced inputs and outputs
- Auto switching power supply

Pricing and availability TBA.

Eowave unveils the Persephone markII. The major improvement with the second version of this ribbon analogue synth is definitely the ribbon duophony. With this new Eowave ribbon and a new synthesis architecture, this is possible to play different sounds simulteaneously, to modulate one sound source with another while playing !

The Persephone markII will be available in June 2009 with price TBA.

Shure today announced the acquisition of Crowley and Tripp Ribbon Microphones from Soundwave Research Laboratories of Ashland, Massachusetts. Under a definitive agreement, Shure now owns all intellectual property, microphone process equipment, product designs, and other important assets related to the Crowley and Tripp line. Shure will manufacture ribbon microphones in its Wheeling, Illinois, facility using the revolutionary, patented Roswellite shape-memory acoustic ribbon material developed by Soundwave Research.

"Ribbon microphones have always been prized for their warm sound quality, but older designs are delicate, which has limited their applications," said Scott Sullivan, Shure's Senior Director of Global Product Management. "With the acquisition of the Crowley and Tripp product l ...

RNDigital Labs has just released Uniquel-izer 2. The new version of this EQ plug-in features a completely redesigned GUI and two new integrated audio spectrum analyzers : a FFT Spectrum Analyzer and a Spectrogram, borrowed from RNDigital Labs Inspector XL analysis plug-in.

Uniquel-izer 2 is available now for Mac OS X and Windows in VST, Audio Unit and RTAS plug-in formats for $249 and in TDM format for $299. Current owners of Uniquel-izer will be able to download Uniquel-izer 2 at no additional charge.

AKG unveils the Rhythm Pack, a new Live/Tour Sound Package of microphones for drums. The Rhythm Pack contains 1x D 112, 2x C 430 for overheads and 3x D 40 for toms and snare, all in a protective aluminium carrying case.

Pricing and availability TBA.