Universal Audio today announced the creation of the UAD-2 Solo/Laptop, a compact ExpressCard version of their successful UAD-2 Solo DSP Accelerator card. The new Solo/Laptop DSP card brings Universal Audio's world-class analog emulations–authenticated by Neve®, Roland®, SPL®, Moog®, and more–to laptop DAW users. The UAD-2 Solo/Laptop enables large, professional mixes on laptop DAWs without the need for cabling or power supply. It includes studio staples like UA's 1176SE Compressor/Limiter, Pultec EQP-1A Equalizer, RealVerb Pro Room Modeler, and CS-1 Channel Strip, and offers access to the entire Powered Plug-In library.

The UAD-2 Solo/Laptop supports VST, AU and RTAS plug in formats on both MAC and PC. The UAD-2 Solo/Laptop will available at UA dealers worldwide in early Q2 at a MAP price of $499.

Tomorrow will begin the first big event of the year for all Pro Audio enthusiasts ! 2009 will certainly see the release of a lot of great stuff and this Winter NAMM '09 will unveil a lot of them for sure.

Stay tuned from now 'til next sunday as the whole 440Network Team is on the starting blocks to get you informed about the latest musical products from around the world, those you'll maybe use tomorrow...

NAMM 2009 Videos on 440tv !

Apogee Electronics is pleased to announce the release of new Duet software and User's Guide, now available on the Apogee website. The following updates and changes have been made based on feedback from the sizable community of Duet users :

- The automatic Maestro launch feature (as described on page 22 of the new User's Guide) is now disabled by default. Please note that to automatically recall Maestro mixer settings, the automatic launch feature must be enabled.
- Intermittent automatic launch and Pop-up issues have been resolved.
- The User's Guide has been completely revised with more comprehensive Maestro information and up-to-date instructions for configuring Duet with a wide array of Core Audio-compatible software.

Duet Software Update
Duet Users Guide

With a sleek new look on the outside, and an arsenal of Kurzweil's latest cutting edge chip technology under its hood, the 61-note PC361 delivers 128 voices of incredible sound quality along with a host of powerful, easy to use features. The PC361 is Kurzweil's ultimate performance controller keyboard, with an enormous collection of stunning sounds combined with comprehensive real-time controller functions.

In addition to our renowned Triple Strike Grand Piano, the PC361 features hundreds of new sounds; basses, drums, guitars, and synths suited for every style and taste, along with a collection of flawless vintage keyboard emulations, KB3 Mode and over 250 orchestral and string section programs.

The PC361's new Dynamic V.A.S.T. architecture is a huge step forward in synthesis, the fr ...

Akai unveils the MPK 25, the latest addition to its MPK series of keyboard controllers with MPC pads. Its smaller, more portable size makes the MPK25 the perfect travel companion.

Features :

- 25-key, semi-weighted keyboard with aftertouch
- 12 MPC pads
- Q-Link controls
- MPC technology
- arpeggiator with six different modes
- USB class compliant which means it does not require custom drivers to work with Mac or PC computers and will work with all MIDI recording
- comes with Ableton Live Lite Akai Edition software

The MPK25 offers extensive assignable controls through its Q-Link section. The MPK25 gives players 32 parameters of hands-on control through 12 virtual knobs and four virtual buttons, each of which can access two different banks of assignment via a bank-change control.

The MPK25 will be available in Q2 at an MSRP of $399.99 and an estimated street price of $299.99.