Today's Top Stories:

  Cakewalk Announces Free Expansion Packs
Cakewalk has just announced that Expansion Packs are available now as free downloads to registered owners of Rapture and Dimension Pro synthesizers for Mac and PC. Both Expansion Packs are in response to the overwhelming success of the new Cakewalk Instruments line, as well as direct requests from end users. Rapture Expansion Pack Features:

• 350 new programs and more than 110MB of new samples and wavetables.
• New programs are included that expand the factory sound set with new basses, drums, keys, leads, film textures and sound effects, organs, pads, sequences, sweeps, and analog sounds.
• Includes new wavetables and multisamples including analog synthesizers, vintage analog and vinyl drums, FM textures, and sound landscapes created with Rapture itself.

• 350 new programs and over 120MB of new samples and wavetables.
• New programs further expand the factory sound set with new digital and FM sounds, electric pianos, guitars, orchestral sounds, organs, real and synth basses, clusters and harmonies, splits and layers, sweeps, analog sounds, pads, Twisted Waveguide patches, and world sounds
• Includes a superb new emulation of the legendary Hammond B3 organ, including all drawbar levels, percussion level, keyclick, the rotary speaker, drive, and cabinet simulator.
• The pack also includes new wavetables, multisamples, and cabinet/speaker simulations.

  New In Stock At Sweetwater

• E-mu Xboard 61 - Wow, the affordable MIDI keyboard controller wars are really heating up and that's great news for us musicians, because yesterday's controllers were super-heavy and expensive. This new 61-note USB controller from E-mu has full-size, velocity- and aftertouch-sensitive keys, 16 programmable real-time controllers, Xboard Control editing software, and E-mu's new Proteus X LE Desktop Sound Module with over 1,000 sounds, all for $249.99. All E-mu controllers run on either USB, battery, or direct AC power.
• Peavey VSX 48 - This USB-equipped loudspeaker management system features 48kHz sample rate, 24-bit, 256x over-sampled Delta-Sigma A/D and D/A processing, a high-resolution GUI, upgradeable software, and functionality for use in single- or multi-zone applications in a single 1U rack space! With the VSX 48, any combination of input to output is user configurable to match your system needs plus all symmetrical and asymmetrical crossover configurations are user selectable.
• AKG K 701 - We all know that AKG builds some of the finest mics on the planet, but did you know their expertise extends to their complete line of headphones? The new K 701s deliver true audiophile quality audio via revolutionary, flat-wire, voice coil technology with the patented AKG Varimotion ultra-precision 2-layer diaphragm. The self-adjusting, genuine leather headband and specially shaped 3-D Form ear pads make critical mixing a breeze. Each K 701 is individually tested and numbered.
• Allen & Heath Xone:3D - The Allen & Heath name signifies stellar audio quality and superb functionality. Now the company has put their expertise to work on this high-performance DJ mixer/multi-channel USB audio interface/MIDI control surface. ItÕs a complete workstation solution with all the tools and features today's DJs need, including a built-in automatic beat detector, four stereo channels, EQ and VCF filters.

  Guitar Of The Day
While most guitar manufacturers are busy building advanced designs, they all know this single truth: There's nothing that makes a guitar player feel more comfortable than the knowledge that they're playing an instrument that's stood the test of time. This Gibson SG Custom Reissue comes to us via the company's Custom, Art and Historic division, and includes a number of high-end features that show why the SG was so hugely popular in the 1960s and well into the '70s. By now, most of you know that the SG replaced the Les Paul in the Gibson line in 1961 Ð in fact, early examples (upon which this reissue is based) came complete with a "Les Paul Custom" nameplate on the truss-rod cover and between the neck and the neck pickup. Most SGs shipped with the popular cherry red finish over the sleek mahogany body with beautifully beveled edges, but a few were built in either classic white or black. This one's white and the contrast with the gold hardware and ebony fingerboard with real pearl block inlays is stunning! What really sets this beauty apart is that it's one of the few Gibson guitars with three pickups. And not just any pickups! This baby is equipped with three '57 Classic humbuckers - essentially reissues of Gibson's famed PAF (Patent Applied For) pickups, which some say are the best the company ever produced. But the SG wasn't just about good looks and a smoldering tone. No sir, this guitar came with one of the fastest necks Gibson (or anyone) else ever built. What's more, the unique body design allows easy access right up to the highest frets. But there's one additional item that also sets this SG apart from most other Gibsons, and that's the unique, engraved Maestro Vibrola tailpiece. This truly is an astonishing recreation of one of Gibson's most iconic instruments. Comes with certificate of authenticity and a Custom Shop hardshell case.