ST. PAUL, MN, May 13, 2008 – McNally Smith College of Music recently mastered a compilation CD of bands who participated in the second annual High School Rocks Battle of the Bands contest as part of its sponsorship and support for the rock stars of tomorrow. A crew of McNally Smith’s instructors teamed with five of their students to record the entire concert using Digidesign Pro Tools for the CD, which features one song performed by each band. more…

Yamaha Corporation of America has updated their famed 01V96V2 and 02R96V2 Digital Mixing Consoles. While there is no change in the retail price, the new 01V96VCM and 02R96VCM models retain the powerful V2 features and add a host of powerful VCM effects pre-installed.

Previously available as “add-on” effect packages for top-line digital consoles, Yamaha’s highly regarded VCM Channel Strip processors and REV-X reverb are now standard features on the 01V96VCM. These extraordinary effects are based on innovative Virtual Circuitry Modeling technology that actually models the original analog circuitry — right down to the last resistor and capacitor. VCM effects are capable of capturing subtleties that simple digital simulations cannot even approach, going beyond simple simulation and delivering the truly musical performance that makes classic analog gear invaluable even in today’s digital production environment.

The new 02R96VCM is the 02R96 Version 2 plus a formidable array of state-of-the-art processing technologies that provide all-new production power with no need to patch in external processors. Included are extraordinary recreations of classic compression and EQ units from the 70’s, simulations of several legendary analog open-reel tape decks, a complete suite of unmatched REV-X reverb effects, a high-quality surround post-production package, and even a selection of vintage stomp boxes.

The new 01V96VCM and 02R96VCM models are currently available at Yamaha dealers. Customers who purchased an 01V96V2 or 02R96V2 from January 1, 2008 are eligible to receive a free update CD. For more information, visit www.yamaha.com or call Yamaha customer support at 714-522-9000.

Hollywood, CA, May 8, 2008 – Dane Leon, guitarist for the Hollywood- based hip hop/rock band, downRising, is entrusting all the hard drive back-ups for its new self-titled album to Avastor’s HDX-800 triple interface drives.

The group, which has performed at top LA venues such as House of Blues and The Key Club on the Sunset strip, has had the honor of having one of its songs selected for the Gardener of Eden soundtrack, which was produced by Leonardo DiCaprio.

downRising’s album was recorded at Sunset Sound in Hollywood and tracked on Digidesign Pro Tools HD at 24-bit 96K resolution. With demanding storage requirements, Leon, co-owner of Recording Data Service (RDS), one of Avastor’s major LA dealers, knew that Avastor’s HDX-800 would outlast other consumer drives that had failed while tracking audio in the past.

“At RDS we supply the pro-audio community of Los Angeles with storage and recording media,” says Leon. “Our clients, who consist of the music industry’s top engineers and producers, insist on using Avastor drives for their build, quality and reliability and therefore, using Avastor for my album made total sense.”

The high data rate of the HDX-800 –with dual Firewire 800 ports-helps maximize editing and recording performance, making it the ideal external storage solution, for music professionals using MAC and PC based digital workstations.

The drives are individually speed tested and can exceed 60MB/s transfer rates due to the Oxford 924 chipset, 7200 RPM drives with up to 32MB of cache and efficient internal AC power supply.

Avastor offers one of the most comprehensive lines of external hard disk products, including over 20 configurations of drive interfaces and capacities for virtually every audio and video application.

For further information, please visit, www.avastor.com, www.downrisingmusic.com and www.recordingdataservice.com

About Avastor

Headquartered in Peachtree City, GA, Avastor was founded in 2005 to bring full-featured digital storage devices, with the highest quality and performance, to the professional audio and video marketplace. The company’s flagship product, the HDX hard disk drive system, is produced in the USA with a mandate for superior build quality and 100% quality testing, aimed directly at the demands of professional audio and video applications.

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SANTA CRUZ, CA May 8, 2008— The Santa Cruz Guitar Company, a leading handmade acoustic guitar manufacturer, is introducing its newest model, the “Otis Taylor OT signature acoustic,” coined after famed blues musician Otis Taylor. This represents the latest in Santa Cruz Guitar Company’s catalogue to feature Elixir® Strings, pioneer of long-life strings. more…

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RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL—When AR Studios was looking to upgrade Studio A, their search ended with a 48-channel, Solid State Logic Duality console – the first in South America.

Studio owner Andre Rafael, a respected singer/songwriter and long-time SSL user, enthuses about his new purchase, “You can always trust SSL’s products; the sound is wonderful. We have been booked solid since the room opened and I haven’t even had the chance to use it for my own projects yet!” more…

Kansas City, MO – May 2008 … Avlex Corporation, the name audio professionals turn to for the finest wireless technology, microphones, and portable PA systems, is pleased to introduce the new Superlux D108A Dynamic Vocal Microphone. Ideally suited for performing musicians and vocalists, the new D108A delivers superior performance characteristics combined with world-class build quality. The result is a vocal microphone performers can count on for outstanding sound characteristics that can also withstand the rigors of the road. more…

HOLLYWOOD — Hip Hop and R&B producers can now add some fresh beats to their tracks with Zero-G’s Urban Ammunition. With the help of EASTWEST (www.soundsonline.com), exclusive U.S. distributor of Zero-G products, users will be livin’ large with construction kits from the professionals. more…

San Diego, CA - May 2008… Carvin, the name musicians everywhere look to for high quality guitars, basses, instrument amplifiers, recording equipment, and sound reinforcement (SR) products, proudly introduces the LSX Series loudspeaker systems. Designed to address a wide range of SR applications–from portable PA systems for mobile DJ‘s and performing musicians through large venue sound systems–Carvin‘s new LSx loudspeakers are the product of state-of-the-art design and engineering expertise, with the end result being world-class features and performance paired with exceptional value. more…

HOLLYWOOD — In response to user feedback, EASTWEST, the industry leader in soundware development and distribution, announces RTAS? support for Mac and PC versions of all PLAY products. Current PLAY-powered collections can be upgraded to include RTAS support through a free update posted on the company‘s website (http://www.soundsonline.com/updates.php). The software updates (PLAY v1.0.056) are available for both Mac and PC platforms in both standalone and plug-in versions, with PC updates being offered for both 32-bit and 64-bit operating systems. more…