Today's Top Stories:

  Native Instruments Releases KONTAKT Retro Machines
The latest addition to the KORE SOUNDPACK library is KONTAKT Retro Machines, which is based on material found in the KONTAKT 3 factory library. It includes 11 analog synths, five digital synths, and six classic drum machines, all captured in ultra high-definition sound quality and maximized for the powerful capabilities of the Native Instruments KORE 2/KORE player platforms. Each of the instrument sets offers eight distinct variations, all organized in a concise manner that includes optional percussive, pad, solo/lead, and arpeggiated flavors. Where appropriate, true "vintage synth" operation is achieved through such performance features as adjustable glide, unison, polyphonic portamento, various tuning modes, and much more.

  New in Stock at Sweetwater

• Samson EXL250 Expedition Express - Ideal for singer-songwriters, small bands, mobile DJs, schools, houses of worship, and corporate A/V needs, the EXL250 comes with everything you need for a complete speech presentation or music performance. Its integrated 4-channel mixer has outstanding effects built-in for crafting exactly the right sound, plus an iPod dock that's great for playing music before or between events. You'll also find traveling with this complete PA a breeze, since everything can be packed into a single rolling unit for easy transport. It even includes an R21 dynamic microphone and two 125-watt speakers. The system operates on AC power, but can be used anywhere without an outlet via an optional rechargeable battery!
  
  
• Soundcraft GigRac 1000st - "The Box that Rocks" has the same cool styling as the GigRac 600, but is a more powerful 1,000-watt full stereo version, featuring expanded 3-band EQ on the inputs, two 7-band graphic equalizers, and 10 studio-quality preset digital effects. At 5U, the 1000st is slightly taller than its brothers, but it's just as easy to set up your own PA, needing just speakers and cables to complete a customized system that delivers awesome power and performance. Everything you need is provided, in a stylish and professional package that comes in a robust case that protects your GigRac on the move, stores your cables, and allows you to still carry it over your shoulder.
  
  
• AKG K 240 MK II - These dynamic, around-ear, semi-open headphones provide incredible sound and comfort, and they're ideal for studio monitoring. These headphones feature both leatherette and velvet earpads and a self-adjusting headband for a truly great fit and maximum comfort. The AKG K 240 MK II includes a detachable 10' straight cable and a 16' coiled cable. They offer a frequency range from 15Hz to 25kHz, giving you highly accurate monitoring with the added functionality of single-ear use. If you want efficient, dynamic listening, you'll appreciate the great sound you get from the K 240 MK II.
  

  Guitar of the Day
Today's Guitar of the Day, the Gretsch G6118T 125th Anniversary Limited Edition, celebrates a significant Gretsch milestone! It was way back in 1883 that a German immigrant named Frederich Gretsch set up a modest shop on Middleton Street in Brooklyn for building banjos, tambourines, and drum sets. Sadly, Frederich Gretsch passed away at just 39 years of age during a trip to his native country. Suddenly, his oldest son, 15-year-old Fred Gretsch, Sr. found himself at the helm of a fairly successful company! As it turned out, besides being a tireless worker, he had quite a bit of business savvy. Within just five years he had retooled and expanded the old shop to accommodate the building of mandolins, as well as importing a wide array of musical instruments and accessories. By 1916, the company had expanded its warehouse and factory, which now occupied a 10-story building at 60 Broadway in New York. Eventually, the company began building an amazingly wide array of acoustic and electric guitars, and by the mid-1960s, Gretsch employed over 150 people, now under the leadership of Fred Gretsch, Jr.

The single-cutaway Model 6118, best known as the "Anniversary Guitar," was introduced in 1958, 75 years after Gretsch first opened its doors. Today the Model G6118 is being offered in limited numbers. Like the 1958 version, this one has an ultra-rare 2-tone finish, with a Jaguar Tan top and Metallic Gold back and sides. As befits its lofty status, the 6118 gets a vintage-style nitrocellulose lacquer finish. The laminated, arched 2.5-inch deep maple body benefits greatly from the brand new "ML" bracing, which actually synchronizes the vibrations of the 16-inch wide top and back for a spacious quality to the overall sound, which is captured perfectly by a pair of TV Jones PowerTron pickups in the neck and bridge positions. The 21-fret neck is constructed of three pieces of maple with a tapered heel and comes standard with a genuine ebony fingerboard and real mother-of-pearl "neo-classical" thumbnail position inlays. For perfect intonation, this beauty comes with a pinned Adjusto-Matic bridge with a rosewood base. Naturally, it just wouldn't be a Gretsch without the "Gretsch by Bigsby" B6C nickel-plated vibrato tailpiece. Finally, a chrome-plated "Anniversary (1883-2008)" plate is affixed to the headstock. The Anniversary Model ships in a deluxe hardshell case with free FedEx shipping right to your door!