Today's Top Stories:

  BIAS Ships Universal Version of Peak Pro
According to BIAS, there's a new Universal version of the critically acclaimed Peak Pro audio editing software for Mac OS X version 10.4 "Tiger" on both Power PC and Intel-based Macs. BIAS' DSP processes are among the best and fastest in the industry, and this new Universal version of Peak, dubbed v5.2, delivers significant performance increases when combined with the blazing speed of the Core Duo processor in Intel-based Macs - up to a whopping 130% in some cases. Peak Pro 5 users will also appreciate the fact that a USB key will no longer be required in order to operate, thus freeing up USB ports for other peripherals. Peak Pro 5 and Peak LE 5 customers may download the update to version 5.2 directly from the BIAS website at no charge. Free trial versions of Peak Pro 5.2 and Peak LE 5.2 are also available for download at the Web site.

  New London Symphony Sound Kits for NOTION
VirtuosoWorks has announced five additional Sound Kits for its NOTION music composition and performance software. These new sample sets were recorded in Studio One at the legendary Abbey Road Studios using London Symphony Orchestra players. An Expanded Strings sound kit includes violin, viola, cello, and bass sections, played in several articulations, such as tremolo, con sordino, and con sordino whole-step trill. The Expanded Percussion sound kit offers new sounds played by Neil Percy, principal percussionist of the LSO and includes castanets, cowbells, power toms, ratchet, Roto-toms, shakers, sleigh bells, and more. The Expanded Brass sound kit includes trumpet, trombone, euphonium, and others, each with a full range of dynamics and articulations including legato, staccato, accent, trills, and flutter-tongue, while the Expanded Woodwinds sound kit features brand new instruments like contrabassoon and Eb piccolo clarinet. Finally a Harpsichord sound kit features a stunning 1972 Robert Goble & Son instrument. Expanded Sound Kits will be priced at $29 to $69.

  TC-Helicon Announces New VoiceDoubler Software
TC-Helicon has unveiled its latest VoiceDoubler Software version 1.2, with awesome new factory presets developed using feedback from recognized live and studio engineers. These include three In-Ear Monitoring presets that use micro pitch and time shifts to put the singer's voice in a stereo field, thus helping to eliminate unpleasant cranial resonance. The software also includes improved emulations of classic doubling presets, while Editable control and portamento has been added for the effect gate, which further humanizes the pitch curve of all overdub voices. According to TC-Helicon, these improvements, along with special attention paid to presets, allow for more human effects as well as more exacting replications of popular doubling and detuned sounds. The software update is available for free download from the VoiceDoubler Web page.

  New In Stock At Sweetwater

• Dean Markley ProMag Grand - The humbucker version of Dean Markley's ProMag acoustic soundhole pickup is the result of a special patented coil configuration. The Grand has the same rich sound as the Dean Markley ProMag Plus single-coil pickup, and up to 15 times less hum than any other soundhole pickup on the market. With a real maple wood housing and an ebony grand piano finish with the Dean Markley signature emblazoned in gold, the Grand looks great, but it's the pristine sound that will please musicians who have to deal with noisy audio environments as a result of proximity to computers and monitors, as well as fluorescent light fixtures.
• Alesis TransActive 50 - Here's the perfect solution for musicians requiring practice or stage amplification, or vocalists needing a compact PA setup for intimate club work. This multipurpose amplifier/mixer/speaker incorporates a 5-inch low-frequency driver and a one-inch tweeter, delivers a clean 50 watts of power, includes two input channels, one aux input, and a rich selection of internal digital effects. The Transactive 50 also provides a mic stand mount on the underside of the enclosure that facilitates pole-mount usage, or it can be wall-mounted for use as an installed PA cabinet.
• Genelec 7060B - This active subwoofer is a perfect addition to multi-channel surround sound rigs, as well as traditional stereo systems. With its ultra-low 19Hz cut-off frequency, high sound pressure output capability, and versatile bass management system, the 7060B can be adapted to all low-frequency monitoring situations. The onboard amplifier contains active crossover filters, driver overload protection circuits, and the beefy power amplifiers. The built-in bass management unit has six signal input and output channels, summed signal output connectors, and an LFE input equipped with a selectable 85/120Hz lowpass filter and a 0/+10dB LFE sensitivity switch. The Genelec 7060B complements a pair of 8030A or 8040A monitors for stereo use or up to five 8030A monitors for 5.1 surround applications in spaces up to 3,000 cubic feet.

  Guitar Of The Day
Just arrived in our gigantic warehouse is the Epiphone Elitist Byrdland, which features the same body style as the prestigious Gibson L-5, considered by many to be the ultimate jazz guitar of all time. But it's most like the original Gibson Byrdland, in that it has a shorter scale length and a thinner neck, which facilitates faster runs and extended chord reaches. Lift the Elitist Byrdland gently from its plush-lined hardshell case and you'll swear you're holding a guitar that costs thousands more than this beauty's price tag. Designed for the professional, this jazz box is a fitting tribute to Epiphone's 125-year history of instrument building experience and expertise with the finest materials. Of course, any guitar is only as good as the wood used in its construction and every piece of wood used in the Elitist Byrdland line is hand-selected, then slowly, painstakingly dried to perfection in custom kilns until it's at the ideal moisture content. The Elitist Byrdland has a solid spruce top (which jazz players prefer for its warmth and resonance) and AAA-grade flame maple back and sides (which causes almost everyone to drool). All Elitist necks are cut from one piece of wood for optimum strength, stability, and tonal response, then carefully fitted to the body using a hand-glued, dovetail neck joint. The Elitist Byrdland has a 22-fret, 5-piece maple and rosewood set neck with an ebony fingerboard. What's more, all Elitist instruments are equipped with custom-wound, "Made in the USA" Gibson pickups with vintage, braided, shielded wire and full wax potting for authentic vintage look and sound with virtually no noise. The Epiphone Elitist Byrdland also features the finest 24K gold hardware and precision Grover tuners with Imperial buttons. Two in stock at this moment, but they won't be here for long!