Part of the Allen & Heath's ZED range of USB-equipped mixers for live performance, recording and production, the new additions are simple, ultra compact mixers built to a professional standard, which will suit a wide range of applications including solo artists, bands, schools, houses of worship and conference facilities.

ZED-10 and ZED-10FX feature two innovative ultra high impedance discrete Class A FET (Field Effect Transistor) inputs, which allow an instrument to be plugged directly into the mixer, emulating the valve/tube input circuitry commonly found on instrument combos or amplifiers. There is also a 26dB gain boost switch, which caters for instruments with very low output pickups.

The ZED-10 can also manage up to four microphones and two stereo sources with MP3 player compat ...

Peavey Electronics and Muse Research and Development proudly introduce the new, portable, flexible MuseBox Musical Instrument and Effects Box. The MuseBox uses virtual instruments and effects technology in a brand-new way, so players of all types can easily take cutting-edge software-based synths, sounds and effects to rehearsals, gigs, to the practice room, or to the studio. The MuseBox's compact 2U half-rack design is ultimately portable, incredibly versatile, and built for the road.

Representing the first product of a collaborative union between Peavey and Muse Research, the MuseBox utilizes technology derived from its big brother, the Muse Research RECEPTOR Hardware Plug-in Player.

The key to the MuseBox is its custom MuseMachine software environment that takes computer technolog ...

Akai Professional worked in partnership with software developer Ableton to create the APC20, the second control surface created by Akai Professional for performance with Ableton Live software. Like the APC40, adding the APC20 transforms the user's experience from one of constructing tracks with a keyboard and mouse to composing and performing with a seamless, fully integrated hardware/software musical system.

The APC20 retains many of the APC40's most popular features and capabilities, while shrinking the physical footprint and adding interesting new capabilities. The smaller size enables musicians to perform in less space and makes setting up multiple controllers and devices easier. Power users can use the APC20 in conjunction with an APC40 to expand their track and clip controls.

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A new year has just begun and the entire Audio World is already working around the clock to unveil a great bunch of exciting new product.

This is NAMM time my friends and 2010 promises to be top-notch !

Stay tuned from now 'til next sunday as the whole 440Network Team is on the starting blocks to get you informed about the latest news in this "Winter NAMM Special Report", and in our Daily News Section.

So, as Sgt Pepper said, hope you will enjoy the Show !!

Avid today introduced Sibelius Student, a notation and composition software platform specifically designed for students in grades three through 12.

Based on the same popular software used by industry professionals, Sibelius Student offers a tightly packaged set of features designed to help students complete music theory assignments, compose pieces for real ensembles, score music to video and increase literacy in music notation, while providing teachers with specific features for classroom use and management.

New Features in Sibelius Student :

• Magnetic Layout – Snaps score elements into position automatically, avoiding the need for time-consuming manual positioning and editing.
• On-screen Keyboard window – Enables young musicians to use the computer keyboard to compose, developing their familiarity with music notation via an easy-to-use interface modeled after a piano's keyboard.
• Versions and Comments - Saves multiple versions of a score within the same file and enables the addition of Post-It style sticky notes to saved versions, allowing development to be tracked over time and changes to be easily recalled.
• Export audio files - Empowers students to share scores as audio files by using the high quality virtual General MIDI sound module to convert compositions into audio, enabling easy sharing and collaboration.
• Virtual instruments and effects support – Supports the use VST or Audio Unit virtual instruments or effects, providing for greater control and coloration of playback sounds.