Nobody owns the budget audio and MIDI interface gear like M-Audio, but apparently Roland thinks that they need a little competition. Thus Roland is getting a jump-start on the Back-To-School push by expanding their Cakewalk-branded gear line with four new offerings.

First up is the new UA-4FX, a compact and portable 24-bit/96 kHz USB audio interface featuring Roland’s COSM preamp emulation technology and effects. The UA-4FX provides mobile recording, built-in effects, and a compact package making it acceptable for guitarists, singer/songwriters, or any musician on the go.

Features:
» 24-bit/96 kHz Record and playback
» Phantom powered XLR Input for use with condenser mics
» 1/4″ Hi-Z input
» COSM Tube Mic Preamp Simulator
» 14 Onboard Advanced FX: Amp Simulator, Chorus, Delay, Reverb, Enhancer, more
» MIDI in/out ports for MIDI recording, playback, control, and sequencing
» USB bus powered; no AC adaptor required
» 1/8″ Electret input for condenser microphones
» 1/4” input for dynamic microphones
» Optical S/PDIF I/O for direct connection of digital audio devices
» Low-latency drivers for responsive multitrack recording:
WDM (Windows) / ASIO 2.0 (Windows) / Core Audio (Mac OS X)
» Fast and stable MIDI transmission using proprietary FPT advanced driver technology
» 5 segment stereo LED Meters for mixing and checking levels
» Dolby Digital & DTS 5.1 channel surround sound through S/PDIF output (Windows only)

Cakewalk UA-25EX

The UA-25EX is a 2×2 24-bit/96 kHz USB Audio Interface for Mac and PC. The UA-25EX is equally suited in the project studio or as a mobile solution on the road for quality audio recording and music production.

Features:
» USB Bus powered, no AC required
» 24-bit/96 kHz recording
» 2 Neutrik XLR/TRS combo jacks that can accept XLR or 1/4″ inputs
» Professional-grade mic preamps with +48V phantom power
» One input with Hi-Z option for better sound when recording high impendence instruments like electric guitar and bass
» Built in compressor/limiter
» Optical I/O
» MIDI I/O with proprietary Fast Processing Technology (FPT)
» Headphone output
» Direct-box function for noise-free live use
» Ground Lift—eliminates hum
» Low latency drivers for Mac or PC (WDM, Core Audio, ASIO 2.0)
» Vista support includes both 32 and 64-bit
» Claimed Zero latency direct monitoring
» Cakewalk Production Plus Pack: SONAR LE and Dimension LE (Windows)

Cakewalk UA-101

The Cakewalk UA-101 is a USB 10×10 USB Audio Interface for Mac and PC that provides up to 24-bit/192 kHz audio quality. The UA-101 contains multiple I/O options, mic preamps with +48V phantom power, built-in analog limiter, and low latency direct monitoring.

Features:
» Record and monitor 6 channels simultaneously at 24-bit/192kHz or all 10 channels simultaneously at 24-bit/96 kHz
» I/O:
— Pair of Neutrik XLR-TRS combo inputs with Hi-Z option for electric guitar/bass
— (6) 1/4″ TRS balanced inputs
— (10) 1/4″ TRS balanced outputs
— S/PDIF Optical I/O with Digital Sync Indicator
» Headphone out
» MIDI I/O
» Two mic preamps with independent sensitivity control and +48V phantom power
» Built-in analog limiter with indicator
» Integrated low-noise, wide-range power supply provides for +4 or -10 dBu selectable balanced inputs with PAD switches
» Supports digital clock slave
» 5-LED level indicator on the front panel
» Low-Latency, direct monitoring
» Low latency drivers (WDM, Core Audio, ASIO 2.0) for Mac or PC
» Vista support includes both 32 and 64-bit
» Software-controlled internal mixer and patch bay
» Metal construction in a half rack body
» Cakewalk Production Plus Pack: SONAR LE, and Dimension LE (Windows)

MA-7A Stereo Micro Monitors

Features:
» Pair of 7 watt-per-channel powered desktop monitors
» Wooden cabinets
» Full-range 90 mm (3-9/16″) woofers, with bass-reflex cabinet enclosure
» Bass Enhancer DSP
» Front and rear Stereo 1/8″ line-in, plus RCA (L/R) inputs
— Connect two different sources, such as your computer and I-Pod at the same time
» 1/8″ headphone jack
» Volume, bass, and treble controls
» Sub woofer output for extended low frequencies
» Magnetically-shielded
» Available in black and blue/natural finishes

MA-15D Digital Stereo Micro Monitors

Features:
» Pair of 15 watt-per-channel powered desktop monitors
» Wooden cabinets
» 100 mm (4″) woofers and 50 mm (2″) tweeters with 2-way bass reflex enclosure
» 24-bit/192 kHz, optical and coaxial S/PDIF inputs
» 2 analog inputs: 1/8″ Line-in and RCA (L/R)
» Bass Enhancer DSP
» Independent bass, treble, and volume 1 & 2 controls
» 1/4″ headphone jack
» Sub woofer output for extended low frequencies
» Magnetically-shielded
» Available in black and blue/natural finishes

The Cakewalk by Roland interfaces and monitors will be available sometime in September. No pricing has been announced. More information on the new Cakewalk by Roland Interfaces.

MixVibes has released CROSS Pack an integrated digital DJ solution. Cross includes the U46MK2 audio interface, control vinyl and CDs, as well as DJ software.

MixVibes CROSS Pack claims to offer good sound quality, low latency and stable multiplatform DJ software. One of MixVibes CROSS Pack’s main innovations is a new high definition timecode, primarily developed for control CDs, featuring a very high frequency – 3000 Hz – and compact design, capable of detecting a new playback position in less than 5 ms. Rock solid operation is guaranteed by 16-bit control, and high quality software master tempo was designed to keep the reliability of the decks’ master tempo. The result is pristine sound quality, great response, genuine scratch sound and ultra-accurate Hot Cue control, as demoed in this video.

MixVibes CROSS Pack is available now for $449. The software only version of MixVibes CROSS costs $199. More information on MixVibes Cross.

Death By Audio, a guitar-pedal shop located in Brooklyn, New York, has unveiled a new pedal that may be attractive to synthesists and electronic percussionists. The Robot is an 8-bit, lo-fi scorcher that the company describes as: “The Robot is a low fidelity 8 bit pitch transposer with absolutely no feelings what-so-ever. It is completely synthetic and transforms any input into a spuree of resynthesized robot jargon.” Sounds good to us!

The Robot is quite simple with only a few controls to crush any sound you throw at it. There is a volume knob, a four mode selector switch, and a control knob on the pedal. The four modes of the pedal include: normal 8-bit synthesis fuzz, down, up, and arpeggiation. The fuzz setting produces a “freaked-out trashy fuzz sound” where turning the control knob counter-clockwise bends down the normal pitch of the instrument. The up and down settings produce mangled sounds with lower and higher pitches where the control knob bends pitch and messes up the fidelity even further. The arpeggiation setting transforms the Robot into beautifully sequenced robotalk where the control knob adjusts the speed from slow riffs to speedboat sputtering. This is not a polite overdrive pedal; it is an unwieldy noise machine.

The hand-built Robot works with 9 volt batteries or an AC adaptor and has a lifetime warranty.

Death By Audio’s Robot is not exactly cheap, coming in at a whopping $320, but each unit is put together “with love” and you really can’t put a price on that… More information on the Death By Audio Robot.

Apogee has announced GiO, a guitar interface for Apple’s new Logic Studio 9, MainStage 2 and GarageBand ‘09. Combining effects control, recording functions and sound quality, GiO delivers total access to incredible sounding guitar amps and effects in a single foot controller and interface.

Features:
» Unbalanced 1/4” high impedance instrument input
» 1/4″ MIDI Expression pedal input
» Line-level, 1/4″ stereo output for headphones, powered monitors or an instrument amplifier
» A/D and D/A conversion @ 44.1/48kHz, 24-bit
» 5 Stompbox buttons, dynamically color coded to match software effects
» 5 Transport control buttons, dynamically lit when engaged
» 2 Previous/Next preset selection buttons
» Control built into Apple’s GarageBand ‘09, Logic Pro 9, and MainStage 2 software

Designed to work with the new Logic Studio 9 and MainStage 2, GiO allows guitar players to control recording functions, preset changes and plug-ins like Amp Designer and Pedalboard, along with new Playback and Loopback features in MainStage. With GarageBand 09, GiO is truly plug-and-play and lets users quickly connect their guitar, select and control built-in Amps and stompboxes, and record. With GiO, you can audition effects presets in GarageBand, Logic and MainStage, and turn effects on and off while playing or recording… all without touching your keyboard.

GiO frees you from key-command recording allowing you to concentrate on your performance and not the space bar. The five transport buttons on GiO let you record, play, stop and quickly navigate thru your track without taking your hands off the neck of your guitar. Previous and Next preset select buttons let you quickly audition and toggle between guitar amps and effects presets in Logic and GarageBand and the patch lists in MainStage.

GiO’s 1/4” instrument input features Apogee’s instrument preamp and converters. Hear and record your guitar’s true tone straight into Apple’s music software without compromise. GiO is optimized for all pickup configurations from the most basic single coil to sophisticated active electronics setups.

GiO’s Expression control pedal input allows access to traditional effects like wah-wah, and volume. Also, control effects parameters like the length of a delay or the speed of a tremolo. (Expression Control Pedal not included)

GiO is fully powered by the USB connection to your Mac eliminating the need for an external power source. Simply plug into an available USB port on any Mac and you’re ready to go.

Hear your guitar and recording like never before. Connect your headphones, powered monitors or instrument amplifier to Apogee converters via GiO’s 1/4” stereo output and listen to your guitar and mix with incredible clarity and dimension.

Apogee’s GiO will be available sometime in September 2009 – no pricing has been announced. More information on the Apogee GiO.

Tired of your unwieldy wall warts getting disconnected to your power strip? Well, Furman, the power conditioner company, has debuted the Pluglock-PFP, a 5-outlet, circuit-breaker protected outlet strip with built-in locking security arms.

Secure clamping design “locks” your transformers and conventional plugs in place, ensuring you never get disconnected from your power source. Adjustable clamps accommodate transformers and plugs from 0.4″ to 2.1″ above outlet. The sturdy, all steel construction and heavy-duty 5 foot (14 AWG) three conductor cord provide durability.

Features:
» Wall Wart Spacing for Bulky Transformers
» Clamps Securely Lock Wall Warts in Place
» Clamps Secure Regular Plugs As Well
» Mounts Safely Out of Sight in Rear of Rack
» Heavy Duty 5 Foot, 14 AWG Cord
» Circuit-breaker Protected
» Rated 15 Amps
» All Steel Construction

The Furman Pluglock-PFP costs $49 and is available now. More information on the Furman Pluglock-PFP.

Shure has announced three new headphone models, the SRH840, SRH440, and SRH240.

Shure claims the SRH840, SRH440, and SRH240 each have a unique sound signature, and offer home recordists, performing artists, and studio engineers premium sound quality for a variety of uses – from active listening to critical monitoring.

SRH840 Professional Monitoring Headphones – Optimized for studio recording and critical listening, the SRH840 features reference-quality frequency response, rich bass, clear mid-range, and extended highs. The model’s ergonomic fit and collapsible construction offer added comfort and portability.

SRH440 Professional Studio Headphones – Tuned to deliver accurate audio reproduction, the SRH440 is optimized for professional audio equipment, including DJ mixers, mixing consoles, and headphone amplifiers. The adjustable headband and collapsible construction make the SRH440 ideal for recording and monitoring.

SRH240 Professional Quality Headphones – Calibrated for connection to consumer listening devices and professional equipment such as mixing consoles, the SRH240 reproduces full bass with detailed highs.

The Shure SRH840 costs $250; SRH440 is $125; and the SRH240 will set you back $75. More information on the new Shure headphones.

Native Instruments has premiered the AUDIO 2 DJ, a small USB audio interface for DJs. Delivering the exact same audio quality and performance as the AUDIO 8 DJ and AUDIO 4 DJ interfaces, the AUDIO 2 DJ offers users of TRAKTOR and other DJ software a unique new balance of quality, size and price.

With a footprint no larger than a deck of cards, the bus-powered AUDIO 2 DJ literally fits in a pocket. At the same time, it can accommodate most club systems due to its 24bit/96kHz Cirrus Logic converters and its special high-power output amplifiers capable of delivering a +9.7dBu audio signal. Robust low-latency drivers for Windows and Mac OS X enable the responsiveness that DJs need for tight mixing.

The dual stereo outputs of the AUDIO 2 DJ provide the necessary connectivity to route two decks separately into an external DJ mixer, or to output independent master and cue signals when mixing in software. Two included RCA break-out cables make set-up fast and convenient, making AUDIO 2 DJ the ideal audio interface for travelling DJs who don’t want to compromise on performance and quality.

Native Instruments’ AUDIO 2 DJ will be available in September 2009 for of $119 / €99. More information on the Native Instruments AUDIO 2 DJ.