MEYLAN, France — Based on the much-acclaimed Analog Factory 2.0, a software instrument offering 3500 legendary synthesizer sounds, Analog Factory Experience includes a high quality 32-key, custom-made, MIDI keyboard. Musicians just need to plug in the keyboard via USB and launch the software. From there they can put their mouse away, everything is easily controllable from the keyboard.

ST. HELENA, Calif. — Dave Smith Instruments (DSI) announced on Auguest 31st that the newly designed Prophet ‘08 is now shipping to authorized dealers, and is available direct from DSI. In addition to the standard Prophet ‘08 features, the Special Edition includes red lighted wheels, exotic leopardwood end panels, and a special commemorative overlay signed by Dave.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Native Instruments announces the availability of the Receptor “KOMPLETE Inside” edition from Muse Research Inc. The versatile Receptor rack-format plugin host system offers musicians and producers an alternative way of running software instruments and effects without using a standard computer. The KOMPLETE 4 bundle includes 12 acclaimed software instruments and effects which have become a mainstay in all areas of modern music production.

GEAR: This month, at the Winter NAMM, Roland announced its newest high-end keyboard offering which takes its well conceived, but not widely embraced, V-Synth platform and blows it up to a new level, with a far more powerful iteration of their Elastic Audio Synthesis Engine. It’s called the V-Synth GT, and it’s my next keyboard.

GEAR: Yamaha Corporation of America expands on their top line of synthesizer workstations with the new Motif XS, featuring new sounds and new creative tools in a redesigned, intuitive user interface. The Motif XS includes new Xpanded Articulation sounds featuring 355 MB of wave ROM to inspire creativity.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — A year ago, Arturia changed their logo and added the tag line “Hardware and Software.” Many people then wondered what it would mean effectively. Well the answer is unveiled today at the NAMM show in Los Angeles: Origin, Arturia’s first Hardware synthesizer, is introduced on booth 7013.

GEAR REVIEW: Gleaming, smooth, player-friendly and finely-crafted guitars are a labor of love for Pat Wilkins, but that’s not how he makes his living. Instead, he’s the master of something that is on every guitar: the finish.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — RED Microphones announced today that they will begin to widen distribution of their products, making them available to brick and mortar retailers as well as other online music and pro audio dealers. This change in distribution strategy is a result of the acquisition of VintageMicrophone.com by California-based equity firm SEMA Capital Group, Inc.