Today's Top Stories:

  Cakewalk Rapture
Cakewalk's powerful virtual synthesizer has been updated to version 1.1, and now offers even broader support along with standalone operation!

• Rapture is now fully Windows Vista-compliant, in all Vista editions.
• Rapture will now install the 64-bit VSTi in 64-bit Windows versions (XP, Vista), for use in compatible 64-bit VST hosts (such as SONAR).
• Rapture can now be loaded in both PowerPC- and Intel-equipped (Universal Binary) Macs in Audio Units (AU), VSTi, and RTAS formats. The VSTi format has been updated to version 2.4, and supports composite and non-composite windows in OS X hosts.
• Rapture can now be used as a standalone instrument thanks to the included Microhost (Windows x86: VST/ASIO, Windows x64: VST x64/ASIO, OS X PPC: Audio Units/CoreMIDI/CoreAudio, OSX Intel: Audio Units/ CoreMIDI/ CoreAudio).
• The Pro Tools RTAS version of Rapture has been updated to version 7.3 (Fully compatible with Pro Tools 7.3 on Windows and OS X).

  IK Multimedia Classik Studio Reverb
IK has released version 1.1 of Classik Studio Reverb, a free update for registered CSR owners that provides compatibility with Mac Intel Systems (Universal Binary) and no longer requires a USB iKey or dongle. In addition, CSR 1.1 is now fully Pro Tools 7-compliant and compatible with VST 2.4 hosts such as Cubase 4 and Live 6. A new free demo of CSR 1.1 is available. It's fully functional for a grace period of ten days and does not require a USB iKey or dongle.

  Edirol R-09
R-09 System Update Version 1.20R-09 makes this the first stereo HDSC-compliant recorder, meaning it can take SD cards of any size. Up to 32GB when available, though currently 8GB cards are the largest capacity cards available. HDSC specs are high definition, meaning more than 2GB, which was the original SD spec. Also, it makes the USB 2 transfers noticeably faster. Insider tip: The R-09 also has a new battery-saver mode that allows you to disable the bright red LED when you are recording.

  New In Stock At Sweetwater

• JBL PRX518S - A compact, high-performance, self-powered (1,000 watts peak) subwoofer system. It comprised a 2044E 460mm (18") VGC (Vented Gap Cooled) woofer driven by a Crown International Class-D digital power amplifier. This is the perfect complement to the PRX500 full-range systems. The addition of a polarity reverse options further enables system optimization. A propriety DSP chip is at the core of a fully featured input section, providing user-selectable crossover functionality, polarity optimization, protection, dynamic limiting, and discrete component optimization.
• A Designs P-1 Card - The P-1 preamp module is based on the company's popular Pacifica preamp, and delivers exceptional sound quality with the classic vibe of the great Quad Eight vintage preamps. Featuring a DI, 48V phantom power, 20dB pad, phase buttons, and a gain control, the P-1 excels at adding just the right touch of "color" to the input signal, and flatters any microphone. If you want to add a touch of vintage tone to your console, or just want to improve your studio's tonal capability, plug in one of these and you'll be smiling ear-to-ear!
• A Designs R52 - The A Designs R52 two-slot frame is designed for A Designs 500 Series modules. It includes an internal power supply, power status indicator LEDs, a stereo link switch, and XLR in/out. Use it with the P-1 preamp module above!
• Ampeg SVT-CL - Since 1969, the legendary all-tube Ampeg SVT has set the standard for bass amplification. The SVT-CL is arguably one of the most popular bass heads ever, delivering a thunderous 300 watts of unsurpassed quality, reliability, and tonal flexibility. The harmonically rich sound and performance of the original Ampeg SVT are redefined in the SVT Classic. Although other companies have tried to duplicate its performance, no one can touch the SVT.
• Line 6 Variax / POD XT Live Recording Package - This bundle from Line 6 gives you astonishing sound-making possibilities! It starts with a Variax 300 guitar, which comes complete with models of more than 25 great guitars in one instrument, including classic single-coil and humbucker guitars, hollow and semi-hollow jazz guitars, acoustic 6- and 12-string, Dobro, sitar, banjo, and more. Then it adds a PODxt Live, an uncomplicated, gig-ready tone machine that's portable and adaptable to a wide range of real-world stage and recording environments. Complete with a handpicked collection of over 80 stompbox and studio effects models.

  Guitar of the Day
For vintage guitar lovers, today's Guitar of the Day will probably be one of the hottest products of the entire year! In fact, it's not just a guitar, but a whole "plug-in and play" setup that includes a Relic 1955 Telecaster, a matching Relic lacquered case, and even a Relic lacquered tweed Pro Junior amp to play it through! This combination is the brainchild of Chris Fleming of Fender's Custom Shop. He thought it would be totally cool to create an exact replica of the setup he learned to play on, and it's pretty inpired thinking! In fact, it's Chris's Master Design Limited Edition Run and in all, only 100 will be built, with just 50 to be sold in the U.S. If you want to feel like you just stepped into a time machine and brought back a real treasure, this may well be as close as you'll ever get! Just like his own personal '55 Telecaster, Chris gave this one an aged White Blonde finish over a side seam lightweight ash body with a 1-piece rift-cut maple neck with a 7.25-inch radius, vintage frets, a 1-ply white pickguard, and modern wiring (his only concession to the 21st century). Now, people don't get to be Fender Custom Shop Master Builders without incredible devotion to their craft. Which is why Chris decided he would custom-design his own pickups! This guarantees that the sounds Chris remembers from his original '55 Tele are produced by this limited edition recreation. While the tweed lacquered Pro Jr. amp isn't loud enough to fill a massive hall, it does accurately reproduce the sound of this '55 Tele and has plenty of volume for studio work, practicing, or just irritating the neighbors (not that you'd do that, of course). Naturally a 1950s Fender has to come in a historically accurate tweed case. And finally, this Custom Shop package comes with the best case candy around, including a Limited Edition Certificate of Authenticity, a Master Design case, a special commemorative book and DVD, plus a Custom Shop Limited Edition decal you're going to want to display proudly. A word of advice: Don't hesitate! We have one in stock right now and it's not going to last, so call your Sweetwater Sales Engineer immediately!