Synthogy Ivory Gets the Universal treatment
If you own one of the awesome new Intel-based Macs and have a copy of Synthogy's very cool Ivory Virtual Grand, you're going to be very happy with this news: There's a Universal Binary update now available. Version 1.6 of Ivory also includes new preset browsers and sample-accurate rendering. Synthology had already released Universal versions of the Audio Units plug-in and the standalone version of Ivory this past August.

  Antares Updates the AVOX
Antares has released new Intel Mac-compatible versions of its hugely popular AVOX software. Version 1.1 includes VST, AU, and RTAS formats for Mac OS X. Best of all, these Universal Binary upgrades are free for all current registered owners of the AVOX suite of vocal processing plug-ins as well as owners of individual AVOX plug-ins, which include AVOX, AVOX AT, and AVOX AT TDM. These updates may be downloaded from the Antares website.

  New In Stock At Sweetwater

• Yamaha GO46 FireWire Interface - The GO46 FireWire audio/MIDI interface allows users to stream high-quality 24-bit/192kHz digital audio and MIDI directly into their computers. Want a rugged and portable interface that can go anywhere you go? Just connect the GO46 to a laptop and you're set. The GO46 includes combo mic/line terminals (for both XLR and phone jack) on the front panel, while phantom power is also available and independently switchable for each input channel. The unit has premium mic preamps and inputs plus FireWire connectivity and its pro-level quality makes the GO46 perfect for any type of recording, allowing you to capture the full details and nuances of the original source Ð from the breathiness of a vocal to clarity and glossy overtones of an acoustic guitar performance.
• Korg KAOSS Pad KP3 - Sure the KAOSS Pad has found favor with electronica producers and DJs, but now guitarists and other musicians have hooked into — and have been completely hooked by — the Korg KAOSS Pad. Bands like Radiohead and Korn have integrated it into their music, and with the introduction of the latest version, the KP3 now features effects derived from Korg's amazing RADIAS, so it's easier than ever to integrate its effects morphing and sampling capabilities into your performance. By simply touching, tapping, or sliding your finger over the touchpad, you can control multiple effects parameters and manipulate samples in real time, on stage or in the studio.
• McDSP ML4000 - Here's a high-resolution limiter designed for music, mastering, post, and live sound, in single- and multi-band configurations. Right from the start, McDSP's mission has been to create the best audio signal processing software ever. Now it's focusing its efforts as a Digidesign Development Partner, specializing in plug-Ins designed to emulate vintage and modern pro-audio equipment. Now you can integrate McDSP mastering quality compression and limiting into your Pro Tools HD System. The ML4000 includes the ML1 single-band configuration mastering limiter with a brick wall design coupled with multiple stages of limiting for superior peak detection. The ML4 multi-band configuration has a 4-band Gate, expander, and compressor fed into the same algorithm found in the ML1.

  Guitar Of The Day
As most guitarists know, the basic Stratocaster has pretty much remained unchanged since its introduction in 1954. There's a good reason for that: You really can't improve on what's essentially been perfect right from the start. Sure, you can get Strats with different pickups and in all sorts of colors, but it's still a Strat. But when we saw the new Fender Strat-O-Sonic, we were floored. If a Strat married a PRS McCarty, this is probably what their kids would look like! Seriously, before you read any further, go take a look at the photos and see if you don't agree. It has the classic Strat shape, but instead of an alder or ash body, it has a Hondouran mahogany body with five internal tone chambers. These help keep the weight down while still delivering the beefy sound you can only get by using mahogany. Where Strats have traditionally had three single-coil pickups (with some variations along those lines), this guitar has a pair of coverless Fender humbucking pickups that are wound to deliver a really hot signal. Also gone is the Strat pickguard, which is replaced with a 3-ply black pickguard that's reminiscent of a Les Paul Special. The trademark blonde maple neck is still there, with a modern "C" shape and satin polyurethane finish, but with a rosewood fingerboard. The Strat-O-Sonic has what Fender has dubbed a "Tech-Tonic" fixed bridge with six adjustable saddles. Another surprise is the scale length, which is 24.75 inches rather than the "Strat standard" 25.5 inches. Finally, the Strat-O-Sonic has the larger headstock most often seen on 1970s Strats, but here it has a black finish. Taken all-in-all, this is a smart move by a very smart company. It gives Strat lovers access to sounds more commonly associated with other brands, but with that distinctive Fender vibe. Brilliant!