Today's Top Stories:

  24" Core 2 Duo iMac!
We all knew it was only a matter of time before new Macs showed up based on the Intel Core 2 Duo processor. Now, with the unveiling of a 24-inch iMac, the Apple line of Intel-based Macintosh computers have begun to make the move to the new processor. The new iMac joins the 17- and 20-inch models, and has a stunning 24-inch widescreen display, and is up to 50% faster than any previous iMac model. It also features a Firewire 800 port and like all the new iMacs, includes a built-in iSight video camera for video conferencing right out-of-the-box, Apple's Front Row media experience and iLife '06, the next generation of Apple's digital lifestyle applications. You've got to love that 24" screen! Plenty of room for all your DAW's windows and plug-in windows!

  A Vacuum Tube Ribbon Mic? Royer Says "Yes!"
They said it could never be done, so naturally, someone did it. Royer Labs has introduced the latest addition to its R-Series microphone line, the R-122V, which is the first commercially available vacuum tube ribbon microphone ever designed. It's a surprisingly compact, bi-directional mic with a flat frequency response and, just like its predecessors, has the ability to withstand high SPL levels, making it well suited for applications previously considered totally off-limits to ribbon microphones. By incorporating vacuum tube electronics into the same basic transducer system used in the popular R-121 and R-122 ribbon mics, the R-122V provides an output of -37dB, which is about 13dB hotter than an R-121.

  New In Stock At Sweetwater

• Clavia Nord Stage Compact - The Stage Compact features three sound sections: Organ, Piano, and Synth. The Organ section includes simulations of electromechanical organs like the classic B3 tonewheel, then adds Vox and Farfisa models. The Piano section starts with a Yamaha C7 grand, then adds an upright piano, Clavinet D6, Wurlitzer 200A, Rhodes Mark 1, and the custom Electric Grand model G. A versatile, full-featured subtractive synthesizer is built-in, and many of the onboard effects are modeled from classic analog stomp boxes. An amplifier emulation unit delivers the sounds of a Twin Reverb, Jazz Chorus, or even a Rotary Speaker. All this plus 73 semi-weighted "waterfall" keys makes for a monster live performance keyboard!

  Guitar Of The Day
Tobias has a reputation for building some of the finest bass guitars on the planet. While it's true there are Tobias basses with hefty price tags, there are also models priced within reach of every serious bass player, like the Killer B 4-String. The Killer B 4-String is a "straight-ahead" model, yet it has all the power and tone-shaping capabilities of the Tobias high-end models. It has a bolt-on neck and a swamp ash body, which has a natural finish that shows off the grain beutifully. A pair of Bartolini "Curve-Top" pickups are loaded in the bridge and middle positions, which is where bass pickups sound best. These are connected to a premium Bartolini preamp with master volume (with push/pull Slap Tone), pan pot, and bass, midrange, and treble controls. The MultiLam Asym neck is maple with purple heart or bubinga stringers (depending upon availability) and a 24-fret pau ferro fingerboard. All hardware is black chrome and yes, the Killer B comes standard with a deluxe black hardshell case. If you're ready to step up to a Tobias, this is a great choice at a surprisingly reasonable price that includes free shipping!