Today's Top Stories:

  Catch the Express
With a whole new generation of Power Macs headed our way, Digidesign is already one step ahead of the game! In fact, Digi has been working very closely with Apple Computers to ensure total compatibility of their hot new PCIe-enabled Pro Tools|HD systems all the way up to the Power Mac G5 Quad, with its lightning-fast twin dual-core processors and modern PCI Express architecture. Digidesign announced that PCI Express (PCIe) versions of their industry standard Pro Tools|HD core systems would soon be shipping, offering the same stellar performance on PCIe-equipped computers as exists today with PCI and PCI-X systems.

  Worth Waiting For
If you've been patiently waiting for the Frontier Design Group Tranzport backorders to catch up before you ordered yours, stop waiting! We have this amazing wireless remote controller in stock and ready to ship! Instead of being stuck in front of your Mac- or Windows-based DAW, you can take Tranzport with you anywhere in your studio. Lay down a piano track, then move effortlessly to guitar. TranzPort is compatible right out of the box with most popular software. Unlike infrared remotes, you don't need line-of-sight between the TranzPort and your computer, because it uses high frequency radio waves to send and receive control data.

  Cool Web Site
If you don't know the difference between a Pipa, Liuqin, Yangqin, Ruan, Yueqin, Guzheng, Guqin or a Sanxian, well, you're not alone. The Chinese believe that all music comes from a harmony between man, heaven, and the earth. Thus, nature has provided man with all the materials needed to build musical instruments: Silk, bamboo, wood, skins, stone, metal, gourd, and clay. This informative website describes all the traditional Chinese musical instruments, so the next time someone asks you to call up a Guzheng preset, you'll be all set.

  New In Stock At Sweetwater

• Hartke PiggyBack - The Piggyback is a 60-watt, two channel guitar amplifier with a sealed back GH60 cabinet with four specially designed 8-inch, high output drivers. The combo-sized solid-state amp delivers punchy, well-articulated clean tones, but when you want to rock, just overdrive the built-in tube preamp for classic tube distortion tones that just ooze attitude. There's onboard spring reverb plus an effects loop in case you want to use some of your outboard gear. Other features include a CD input, headphone jack, and rear-panel footswitch jack.
• Apple iPod 30 - The new Apple iPod not only plays music, it can also play video on the 2.5-inch TFT color display (which is actually larger than the displays on most digital cameras). Even though it's about 45% smaller than the original iPod, you get up to 20 hours of battery life. The 30GB internal hard drive allows you to store up to 25,000 photos or play back ad-free episodes of your favorite TV shows - just download them from Apple's iTunes Music Store. You can even purchase your favorite music videos.
• Radial JDV Mk3 - This is arguably the most advanced direct box made today. With 100% feed-forward class-A circuit topography and 30-volt internal rail voltage for maximum headroom, the JDV combines exceptional sonic quality with unmatched dynamic response for the most natural, uncolored sound possible. The JDV also introduces a concept of "Zones" with a choice of two inputs, four instrument amplifier outputs, and a unity-gain transformerless output, so it will handle almost any input signal. There's also a 15dB pad positioned right at the output to avoid overloading your mixing console. What's more, the JDV's 14-gauge steel construction makes it virtually indestructible.

  Guitar Of The Day
The Fender Custom Shop Limited Release 1958 Stratocaster is almost impossible to get, yet we have two in stock! These are master-built versions of one of the most famous, most collectible Strats. Every single feature of the original has been faithfully replicated, including what was then a new color for Fender: the 3-color sunburst. The custom-designed single coil pickups deliver all the spank and sparkle you'd expect from a Strat, plus the middle pickup is reverse-wound, so you get fatter, humbucking sounds with the 5-way switch in positions two and four. But the real magic happens when Fender's master craftsmen give it the Closet Classic treatment. This makes the guitar look and feel like a real 1958 Strat that was purchased new, played several times a year, and then carefully stored in a hall closet or under a bed. An instant collector's item, complete with Limited Edition certificate