SPL is the first manufacturer to open their proprietary modular system for API 500 compatible modules.

"Our focus with the RackPack system has always been the modular idea, not a proprietary platform. It was great to find out that API is just as open-minded as we are to offer new choices for our customers." says SPL's CEO Hermann Gier.

The new SPL RACKPACK 500 frame offers eight module slots to host four SPL and four API 500 modules. Available in May.

Steinberg is proud to announce the return of The Grand with a third version. The Grand 3 is what Steinberg believes to be the epitome of virtual piano software.

The Grand 3 recreates the expressiveness, playability and sound of three of the world's finest and most famous grand pianos: Yamaha C7, Bösendorfer 290 Imperial and Steinway D. Additionally, the classical Yamaha CP80 Electric Grand as well as the charismatic vintage upright piano model by Nordiska Pianofabriken have been included to round out the palette of piano greatness.

Key features at a glance :

- Five top-flight piano models in one VST instrument
- Astoundingly authentic piano sound that comes courtesy of three of the world's finest, most expensive concert grand pianos
- Full-length sustain samples, no loops, with every key sampled individually at varying velocities
- Unrivaled dynamic response
- Amazingly authentic sustain pedal resonance, damper and hammer emulations, velocity adapts individually to suit your touch, style of play and keyboard's response
- Powerful options for tweaking tone and variable room simulations

The Grand 3 will be available in Q3 of 2009.

Unity Audio introduces 'The Rock', a new monitor which aims to set no less than a "new standard of monitoring".

Product specification :

- FRONT BAFFLE & CABINET – BY STUDIO DESIGNER KEVIN VAN GREEN. To add density, mass and rigidity to the design, the front baffle is manufactured from Corian® and then bonded to a plywood baffle. Closed cabinet design for a more accurate smoother, deeper bass response made from top grade 12mm, 9 ply Baltic Birch rather than cheaper commonly used MDF. An ingenious bracing system has also been designed to stop cabinet flexing.

- Superior Folded Ribbon Tweeter
A new folded ribbon tweeter has been designed which features

This Musikmesse is set to be Sonnox's biggest show ever, with no fewer than 10 shows a day from four different presenters. As well as mainstage shows from Fab Dupont, Robbie Bronnimann, Nils Hahmann, and Josep Maria Sola, there will be iMac stations for general public use, and plenty of Sonnox staff to ask questions and get one on one Oxford Plugins demos.

Visitors who come to the demos will have a chance to win a Sonnox Elite Collection worth around €1000, which will be presented at 17:30h each day. Also, with Sonnox's special Musikmesse promotion, purchase and register any Oxford Plugins Bundle (2 or more plug-ins) between April 1st and April 17th 2009 and receive a free Oxford Limiter with your order !

Come and see Sonnox at Booth B66, Hall 5.1 from April 1st – 4th, to find out more details.

Akai announces the MPD18 portable pad controller.

The MPD18 is the smallest-sized model in Akai's line of MPD MIDI-over-USB pad controllers. The heart of the MPD18 is its bank of 16 velocity and pressure-sensitive genuine MPC pads, an Akai Professional exclusive. Users can access three different banks of sounds from the pads for a total of 48 sounds at once. The MPD18 also borrows the MPC series' assignable Q-Link controllers, enabling users to control nearly any parameters in their software in real time on an assignable Q-Link fader and an assignable Q-Link button.

Users will find the MPD18 to be convenient, sending MIDI information over its plug-and-play USB interface for use with Mac or PC without installing any drivers. The USB connection also powers the MPD18 so musicians can use the controller with no power supply. The MPD18 can control nearly any MIDI software, as well as MIDI hardware, such as synths, sound modules, samplers, sequencers, drum machines and more.

The MPD18 will be available from musical instrument and professional audio retailers Q3, 2009.