Today's Top Stories:

  Updates and Upgrades
Native Instruments has announced the release of TRAKTOR 3.3, a free update for its groundbreaking DJ software. This new version includes a significant number of improvements that maximize the usability, performance, and reliability of TRAKTOR 3. It also delivers seamless integration with TRAKTOR SCRATCH, Native Instruments' next-generation digital DJ system, extending its versatility and flexibility to form an extremely powerful DJ tool that combines advanced performance features with precise turntable and CD control. TRAKTOR 3.3 also delivers numerous enhancements over the previous version, including an extensively redesigned user interface, a reworked effects section, extended MIDI sync options, improved Beatport integration, enhanced iTunes and iPod support, compatibility with Windows Vista and Mac OS X 10.5 "Leopard" and a revised user manual. The 3.3 update for Windows and Mac OS X is now available as a free download for all registered users of TRAKTOR 3 on the NI website. Steinberg Media Technologies has announced a crossgrade special for customers who have purchased hardware products that included the company's Cubase LE or select Yamaha hardware products that include Cubase AI4. For a limited time, these customers can purchase a fully functioning crossgrade version of Cubase 4 or Cubase Studio 4 and save up to 50% off. To take advantage of this special offer, customers must simply provide proof of purchase of the hardware that contains Cubase LE or Cubase AI4. Customers may also visit Steinberg to register their copy of Cubase LE, print out the page displaying their name and registration, then bring or send the form to a Steinberg dealer, such as Sweetwater. The crossgrade is a fully functional retail version of Cubase 4 or Cubase Studio 4 with an independent license. This special discounted crossgrade is retroactive to July 1, 2007 and runs through December 31, 2007. Naturally, your Sweetwater Sales Engineer can help, so give them a call now!

  New in Stock at Sweetwater

• electro-harmonix Holy Grail Plus - Just when you though the popular E-H reverb pedal couldn't get any more divine, along comes this improved unit with even more cool features, such as Room reverb and a multi-function control. The Holy Grail Plus puts you in complete control of your reverb time, damping, and modulation speed. Packed into a compact, rugged housing, the Holy Grail Plus delivers celestial spring, hall, and room reverb at a Sweetwater price of just $144.97, which includes free shipping right to your door!
• electro-harmonix Holy Stain - For under $100, the Holy Stain pedal lets you combine reverb, pitch shifting, and tremolo with analog Drive and Fuzz effects for an interactive stew of monumental sonic proportions. Controls for all these effects are very interactive, so you know you'll be getting something new out of it pretty much every time you use it. As with all E-H products, this pedal is solidly constructed and uses only the finest top-notch components. Enter a whole new world of effects possibilities when you step on the Holy Stain pedal and tweak the sound to your heart's content!
• electro-harmonix Stereo Memory Man with Hazarai - The Stereo Memory Man with Hazarai (which means roughly, "all the bells and whistles") packs a ton of modern capabilities into the Memory Man chassis, including multi-tap delay, reverse echo, and a loop function with up to 30 seconds of loop time. The Stereo Memory Man with Hazarai also gives you tap tempo, vintage tape echo filtering, and the convenience of eight programmable presets, all in one sturdy metal enclosure. Plus, it's all in true stereo! If you're looking for that Memory Man vibe with all the bells and whistles, check out the Stereo Memory Man with Hazarai!
• electro-harmonix Octave Multiplexer - This monster octave pedal lets you get majorly deep bass tones an octave below the notes you're playing into the pedal. There are two separate filters onboard the Octave Multiplexer that let you tailor the sub-octave signal to get just the tone you're looking for. Of course, you don't have to limit this unit to bass or guitar, since running keyboards or even vocals through this pedal gives you subterranean punch for just about any application you like. And rugged metal construction means the Octave Multiplexer is built to last!
• electro-harmonix Q-Tron+ - This envelope follower pedal starts with a great design and then takes it even further! In addition to the original Q-Tron's great features and sound, the Q-Tron+ gives you an effects loop that lets you put an additional effect between the Q-Tron+'s preamp and filter section without changing the envelope drive. An Attack Response switch has also been added, allowing you to choose between the classic fast response of the original Q-Tron and a slower, smoother attack. If you're looking for something ultra-cool and ultra-funky, the Q-Tron+ fits the bill!

  Guitar of the Day
One look and it's easy to see the lineage of Gibson's Acoustic CJ-165, which clearly evolved from the company's iconic "Super Jumbo" SJ-200, but with a slightly smaller body profile that's perfect for both fingerstyle and flat picking. But although the body is a scaled-down SJ-200 design with its unique narrow waist, it retains most of the features that have made Gibson acoustics some of the most sought-after in the industry, including select tone woods and superb playability. The design begins with a premium Sitka spruce top with 1930s-style wide scalloped x-bracing for a clear, precise, well-articulated tone. The back and sides are crafted from select Indian rosewood, and the entire body is bound, with 4-ply binding on top and single-ply binding on the back. The traditional-style bridge is crafted from solid ebony with mother-of-pearl dot inlays and white bridge pins. A real abalone soundhole rosette adds just the right touch of color and class. The neck is constructed of solid tropical mahogany with a very playable vintage-style "soft V" profile, a fully bound ebony fingerboard with real mother-of-pearl split parallelogram position inlays and a 24-3/4" scale. This particular CJ-165 has an Antique Natural finish and the classic looks are nicely complemented by the specially designed active electronics with a body-mounted volume control. As with any Gibson guitar of this quality, it comes standard with a plush-lined premium hardshell case. The CJ-165 proves once and for all that you don't need a big guitar to deliver a big sound!