Today's Top Stories:

  Saffire Goes Pro
Looking for a pro-quality 26-in/26-out FireWire interface? Focusrite has announced the Saffire Pro 26 I/O, a new "bigger brother" to their popular Saffire audio interface, with the same preamps, 24-bit/192kHz A-D/D-A conversion and software control features. The 1U rackmounting Saffire Pro 26 I/O can handle up to 26 inputs and 26 outputs. There are eight analog inputs with Focusrite preamps, eight analog outputs, and a further 18 channels of digital I/O (stereo S/PDIF plus 16 channels of ADAT), plus MIDI I/O. Two of the analog inputs include insert points and variable input impedance. The Saffire Pro 26 I/O can be bus-powered or be powered via an external AC adapter. It comes bundled with a set of Focusrite compression, reverb, amp modeling, and EQ plug-ins (in VST and Audio Units formats) and the Saffire Control Pro software. Release is expected to be in April.

  Sony "Rolls a 6" with Vegas
Sony Vegas 6 for PCs integrates video editing, video compositing, audio editing, and advanced encoding tools into one application. Now, as promised, Sony has released version 6.0d of the application that adds so many features and enhancements (and yes, some bug fixes) that we can only give you a partial list.

• Support for VR-mode DVD Handycam camcorder discs improved - each chapter is now imported as a separate file.
• MainConcept AVC/AAC codec has been added - use to import and render H.264 video (including support for HD frame sizes).
• Video quality has been improved for the Sony AVC/AAC encoder and rendering templates have been refined.
• High-definition Windows Media Video rendering templates now use the Windows Media Audio 9 codec for improved device compatibility.
• Fixed problem that could cause glitches when reading AVI files with MP3-encoded audio.
• A display issue with Waves GTR plug-ins has been fixed.
• Fixed bug that could cause Vegas to hang in some low-memory situations.
• Various improvements have been made to the Media Manager.
• Issues with certain VST plug-ins that related to presets and settings have been fixed.

  New in Stock At Sweetwater

• M-Audio Black Box Pedal Board - This rugged, affordable metal controller for the M-Audio Black Box contains an expression pedal and two momentary footswitches, plus a cable snake that breaks out into three 1/4" connectors. The switches can be used to control tap tempo, select presets and drum beats and turn on/off the tuner, effects, amp, and delay. The expression pedal can control amp drive or effects speed, frequency, depth, wet/dry mix, and much more.
• Music Accessories - This is a new line for us that includes a variety of essential studio enhancers: USB-powered LED lights, locking rack drawers, a 4-fan rack panel, and more. Here are the newest arrivals:

  Guitar Of The Day
The Paul Reed Smith McCarty model was originally introduced in 1994 as a tribute to Ted McCarty, who ran Gibson Guitars during the "golden years" from 1950 to 1966 and was directly involved with the development of such landmark instruments as the Les Paul and SG series, the ES-335, the Flying V, and many others. While at first glance the McCarty may appear to be a variation on the popular Custom Series instruments, there are some interesting features that make it one of the best-selling - and most respected - guitars in the PRS line. Smith himself recounts how guitarist David Grissom called to request a guitar that would duplicate the tone Duane Allman achieved on the Allman Brothers' Live at the Fillmore East album. As usual, Smith took to the task like a duck to water. Everything starts with a thicker mahogany body, a thinner headstock, lighter vintage-style tuners, and most critically, specially voiced McCarty humbucking pickups with a rich, complex midrange and slightly rolled-off highs. While the Custom models have a 5-position rotary pickup selector, the McCarty went back to the classic 3-way toggle switch, but with the extra benefit of coil tapping. Lift up on the tone control and you essentially get two singlecoil pickups. Of course, it wouldn't be a PRS without a 2-piece, carved "Michigan maple" top, however Smith originally specified somewhat less flashy flame or figuring, which was actually more in keeping with the original Les Paul maple tops. The 22-fret mahogany neck has a wide-fat carve with a rosewood fingerboard along with pearl and abalone "moon" inlays rather than the trademark PRS "birds." The company even came up with a special finish that they called "McCarty Sunburst." Today, the pickup switching is so popular, that it's available on both the Custom and Singlecut models.