Akai made a nice splash at NAMM with their MPC5000, but they also revealed a new MPC-like controller, the MPD32. The MPD32 is a velocity-sensitive pad controller for musicians and DJs. Akai claims that the sixteen velocity and pressure-sensitive MPC pads provide the industry’s finest feel and expression. Four selectable pad banks for a total of 64 playable...

Probably not wanting to take away anything from the MacBook Air debut at MacWorld, Apple has decided to unleash the long overdue refresh of the MacBook Pro line in the next few weeks. The new Pros will most likely get the new Penryn-based Core 2 Duo mobile process from Intel due to their lower power requirements and 6MB Level 2 cache, and the new multi-touch...

Is TerraFirma, the newly crowned owner of EMI in talks to buy the remaining assets of the Chrysalis Group? One look at Chrysalis stock price would indicate that there’s something brewing behind the scenes — it rose 10% in off hours trading after unconfirmed reports emerged about a bid for the music company. What remains of Chrysalis has been on the...

We’ve never been too impressed with Hercules, since their MIDI DJ controllers are more like toys then pro gear — cheaply produced with some of the worst ergonomics in the industry. However, the concern is trying to rectify that image by releasing an upgraded model dubbed the Rmx, which integrates a 4 IN / 4 OUT soundcard and a new chassis. Will it...

Rampant counterfeiting by unscrupulous Chinese manufacturers has been plaguing the electronics, car, motorcycle and musical instrument industries for years. Shure has been a target of counterfeit merchandise since the outer design of many their top selling microphones can be easily duplicated. Unsatisfied with the efforts by the Chinese government to combat the...