HOLLYWOOD — EASTWEST is celebrating 20 years as one of the industry‘s leading soundware developer and distributors and is offering its users the opportunity to purchase select virtual instruments at greatly reduced rates.

From March 24 through April 30 users visiting the EASTWEST website www.soundsonline.com will be able to automatically purchase one product and receive a collection of equal or lesser value for free - no promotional code necessary. There is also no limit on the amount of virtual instruments that can be purchased where a user receives one free. Virtual instruments eligible for this discount are some of the most popular the company has to offer. They include:

FAB FOUR: A faithfully executed, incredibly accurate comprehensive collection of the same kind of musical instruments and recording equipment the Beatles used to record their music.

GYPSY: A virtual instrument of intimate European sounds with unprecedented detail.

MINISTRY OF ROCK: A huge virtual instrument of rock drums, basses and guitars that provides a true all-in-one solution for rock productions.

VOICES OF PASSION: An assortment of ethereal, passionate, flowing, mysterious, wailing and whispering alto and soprano voices of female vocalists from Wales, Syria, India, Bulgaria and America.

COLOSSUS: A massive 32 Gigabyte virtual instrument that covers all of the basic musical genres. Some of the sounds offered here include drums, guitars, pianos/electric pianos, organs, brass, orchestral, choirs, keyboards/mallet instruments, ethnic instruments, New Age ensembles, stormdrones, synth basses, synth leads, and synth pads.

SYMPHONIC CHOIRS: With Symphonic Choirs users can control the words, language and key of a world-class symphonic choir from their keyboard controller. In addition, this is the first 24-bit choir virtual instrument to include three simultaneous stereo mic setups (close, stage and hall), so users can mix any combination of mic positions.

QUANTUM LEAP RA: One of the largest and most detailed virtual instrument of ethnic instruments from six areas of the world: Africa, Americas and Australia; Europe, Far East, Middle East and the Turkish Empire; and India. Every instrument and ensemble was sampled extensively so that the character of each instrument is preserved.

PLATINUM ORCHESTRA BUNDLE (EW/QL Symphonic Orchestra Platinum and Platinum PRO XP) and GOLD ORCHESTRA BUNDLE (EW/QL Symphonic Orchestra Gold and Gold PRO XP): Recorded in a 125 million dollar concert hall by Grammy winning classical recording engineer Prof. Keith O. Johnson, these virtual instruments eclipse all others with the highest level of fidelity and realism. Beyond the orchestra’s phenomenal recording quality is its ability to breathe life into the virtual world, creating a real space and filling it with sound.

PLATINUM PRO XP and GOLD PRO XP: Platinum PRO XP and Gold PRO XP double the size of the original award-winning Symphonic Orchestra Platinum and Gold versions.

SILVER ORCHESTRA: The most cost-effective, high-quality virtual orchestra. The collection includes all sections of the orchestra plus solo instruments, organs, choirs, and an incredible Steinway Grand piano.

STORMDRUM: A massive 6 Gigabyte collection of loops and multi-samples from three world-class percussionists. The content is classic film score stuff: big fat booming drums, smaller ethnic hand percussion, enough metallic hits to make a steelworker feel at home, and a range of acoustic kits.

PERCUSSIVE ADVENTURES 2: The sequel to the multi-award winning Percussive Adventures. Designed for film, TV, game and music composers, Percussive Adventures 2 goes further than PA1 with lengthy and evolving rhythmic terrains. All samples are edited into loop segments, alternate mixes and completely isolated layers.

HARDCORE BASS XP: The only Electric Bass virtual instrument that delivers (with the included XPansion) an authentic set of electric basses suitable for most genres, from Jazz to Hip Hop, R&B to Pop, Dance to Hard Rock. Included in the collection are seven different highly sought-after electric basses at different pick-up and amp settings with over 6 Gigabytes of multisamples.

ADRENALINE: Adrenaline is a distinctive cross section of all current musical styles with only one common theme - the ability to inject vital energy into anything it touches. It features pumping raw multi-track construction kits of dark, heavy, violent moments injected with raging melodies.

STORMBREAKZ: Features two of the six loop categories included in Stormdrum - Big Beats (mid tempo with a bad attitude) and Fastbreaks (fast, furious and frequently wicked). It also includes loops from the Film Tech category of Stormdrum and multi-sampled electronic drum kits and tech hits, created by processing live drum sounds.

PERCUSSIVE ADVENTURES 2 LE: A collection of all the loops featured in Percussive Adventures 2.

EASTWEST/PMI Bösendorfer 290: A pristine piano library that finally captures all of the beauty of this piano. Up to 16 velocity layers, true release samples, true repedalling and two different microphone positions (close and ambient) for ultimate ambience control.

“Throughout our 20 years developing the latest in sampling technology, one element of EASTWEST‘s virtual instrument has remained consistent — our sonic quality,” says EASTWEST Founder Doug Rogers. “With this unique opportunity, our customers will be able to use and enjoy the high quality virtual instruments and samples we have been providing for the past two decades at an unmatched cost.”

McNally Smith College of Music is supporting the rock-stars of tomorrow by sponsoring the second annual High School Rocks Battle of the Bands on Sunday, April 20th, 2008. As part of its involvement with the competition, McNally Smith is sending a crew of its leading instructors along with five of its students to record the entire concert through use of Digidesign ProTools, which will result in a compilation CD that will feature one song performed by each band. A group of McNally Smith College of Music students will also participate in the event and will be among those featured on the compilation CD as they take to the stage and perform under the mixing of Eddie Mapp, FOH engineer for the popular rock group Evanescence. more…

Burbank, CA… Royer Labs ribbon microphones are widely recognized for their strengths in the recording studio side of the business and they are also finding their way onto more and more equipment rosters with touring acts. Such is the case with the rock band Matchbox Twenty and their FOH (front of house) Sound Engineer Jim Ebdon. For their current Exile in America tour, which includes engagements at the Nokia Theatre in Dallas, Madison Square Garden in New York City, Broomfield Events Center in Denver, and Staples Center in Los Angeles, the band is using Royer R-121 ribbon microphones extensively. more…

Los Angeles, CA (April 3, 2008) - Transom Capital Group announced today that it has completed the acquisition of Blue Microphones, a leading provider of high-end microphones for the professional audio and consumer markets. Since its inception in 1995, Blue has grown to become a top brand in the industry through its unmatched sonic quality and a unique design aesthetic. Skipper Wise and Martins Saulespurens, the founders of Blue, will retain an ownership interest in the Company and continue building the world‘s best microphones following the closing of the transaction.

Russ Roenick, Managing Director at Transom Capital, said that executives from Transom Capital and Blue have already been working together to develop a strategic plan for the Company and that Blue will be moving quickly to execute against key opportunities in the coming months.

“This transaction presents an excellent opportunity to work with the team at Blue to achieve the next stage of growth for the Company,” Mr. Roenick said. “Blue has the top brand in the space and relationships with major retailers and artists based on its history of design, innovation, and great products. The Company has several extremely compelling growth opportunities.”

“We chose Transom as our acquisition partner because they provide the operational expertise that will allow us to create value while continuing to focus on what we do best - making microphones with the best look and sound in the world,” said Skipper Wise, President and Co-founder of Blue. “From our first meeting they demonstrated that they really understand our business and were willing to roll-up their sleeves to help us grow the Company.

Ken Firtel, Managing Director at Transom Capital, said that the Blue transaction was an excellent example of Transom Capital‘s business model in practice.

“Blue is a Southern California, middle market company that can benefit from our ability to partner with management teams and improve operational efficiency through hands-on involvement with the company,” Mr. Firtel said. “Transom Capital will be getting operationally involved with Blue to add value at all levels of the organization and enable the company to achieve its potential.”

Details of the transaction were not disclosed.

About Transom Capital

Transom Capital Group is a Los Angeles private equity firm focusing on investments in the consumer, industrial, and media spaces. Transom‘s value creation model is differentiated from other firms based on its high level of operational involvement with its portfolio companies. For more information, please visit www.transomcap.com.

About Blue Microphones

Blue Microphones is a leading manufacturer of high-end microphones for the professional audio and consumer markets. Blue has an award-winning line of studio microphones and accessories and is recognized as one of the top brands in the industry. Recently, Blue has launched a new line of products targeted at the consumer mass market, including a USB-connected microphone called the Snowball and a smaller, portable version called the Snowflake. For more information, please visit www.bluemic.com.

CA Guitars, a premier builder of carbon fiber acoustic guitars, is going mobile with the introduction of its new Cargo model; a travel-sized extra-small-body acoustic guitar. Like all of the models in the CA catalogue, the Cargo will be outfitted with Elixir® Strings, pioneer of long-life strings. more…

LAS VEGAS, NV, APRIL 1, 2008–Clear-Com® Communication Systems is taking another step in the evolution of its unique CellCom10® digital wireless system with the newly enhanced CellCom10 Version 1.5.7. The popular wireless intercommunication system, which is being showcased at this year‘s NAB 2008 (Booth C5908), has been receiving rave reviews in beta testing. The new version brings broad connectivity and mobility to enable users to have beltpack-to-beltpack conversations or small group conferences, linking them via the Basestation to Party-line and Digital Matrix systems.

CellCom10 is a digital wireless intercom system that offers license free communication. The system is based upon a cellular architecture that can allow up to 10 beltpacks to roam seamlessly between remote active antennas.

The new CellCom10 version 1.5.7 adds new extra features and functionality including vibration alerts. This allows the user to be alerted when the headset has been removed from the ear. Other new features such as the remote battery monitoring and remote microphone kill offer greater control and information at the Basestation. Improved configuration software allows for individual labeling of the user‘s beltpacks and the creation of communication routes and conference groups. This makes configuring the beltpacks easier for on-the-fly operations and enhances connectivity with Party-line.

“In broadcast operations, the ability to have fast, clear, reliable mobile communications is key to keeping a production running smoothly. CellCom10 Version 1.5.7 is designed with that in mind,” says Jake Dodson, Clear-Com Vice President of Product Management. “The new Version 1.5.7 has not only improved connectivity with our existing systems, but its enhanced features meet the unique and rigorous demands of an ever-changing broadcast environment where nothing can be left to chance.”

The CellCom10 system is centered on a highly programmable 1RU Basestation from which an operator can control and oversee all communications for up to 10 durable, digital wireless beltpacks. The system can be controlled from both the bright front-panel fluorescent display on the Basestation or remotely by an Ethernet connected PC running the configuration software.

The Basestation links wirelessly to the beltpacks via the remote active antennae that enable users to roam free throughout the broadcast facility while maintaining consistent communication without loss of signal. All transmission takes place in the license-free 1.9 GHz frequency band, which helps eliminate interference with other wireless products such as PCs, talent microphones, IFB and in-ear monitors.

A key feature of the system is that each wireless beltpack and wired intercom connection on the rear of the Basestation has its own full-duplex port. The voice communication from each port is sampled, mixed and re-routed throughout the system as desired. As each wireless beltpack has its own timeslot, it can be individually addressed by the Basestation–allowing multiple combinations of beltpack-to-beltpack and small-group conversations to happen simultaneously.

Note: CellCom® and FreeSpeak® are different brands representing the same digital wireless intercom system (with minor technical differences). Due to trademark limitations, CellCom10 and CellCom50 are only available in the USA and Canada; FreeSpeak10 and FreeSpeak50 are available in all other countries.

ABOUT CLEAR-COM

Clear-Com® is the global leader of professional communication solutions for broadcast, live performance, military, government and commercial markets. For more than 40 years, Clear-Com‘s signature products such as Encore Party-line, Eclipse Digital Matrix, CellCom®/FreeSpeak® Digital Wireless and IP Communications systems have revolutionized broadcast stations, production trucks, houses of worship and performance venues. Recognizing Clear-Com for its history of intercom innovation, production teams around the world achieve ubiquitous communication with products to promote easy interoperability and global connectivity. More information can be found at www.clearcom.com.

ABOUT THE VITEC GROUP PLC

The Vitec Group plc is acknowledged as a global leader in the supply of equipment and services to the broadcasting, entertainment and photographic industries and has established a reputation for technical excellence and superior engineering along with an astute business strategy which has seen it grow by acquisition. Innovation is a cornerstone of the Group‘s activities and the organization is committed to a policy of continuous product development. With revenues (2007) of £274m and over 2200 employees world-wide, its products are distributed in almost 100 countries, through a strong, fully-resourced distribution network or direct to the end user or corporate customer. More information can be found at www.vitecgroup.com.

LAS VEGAS, NV–Solid State Logic, the world‘s leading manufacturer of analogue and digital audio consoles and provider of creative tools for film, audio, video and broadcast professionals, is pleased to showcase the C200 HD Digital Production Console with an enhanced feature set, along with its entire C Series product portfolio at NAB 2008, April 14-17, at the Las Vegas Convention Center (booth #N4031). Of particular interest to broadcast clients is the remote I/O capabilities that are ideal for live broadcast applications. more…

LAS VEGAS, NV–Solid State Logic, the world‘s leading manufacturer of analog and digital audio consoles and provider of creative tools for film, audio, video and broadcast professionals, will showcase the Gravity Media Production Management System at NAB 2008, April 14-17, at the Las Vegas Convention Center (booth #N4031). This next generation of collaborative production editing and media management is ready for prime time offering superior speed while addressing multiple formats. more…

March 31, 2008 - The RapcoHorizon Company, a whole owned subsidiary of VTG Holdings Inc., announced today that they have signed a definitive sale agreement as of February 29th, 2008, with RHC management, in conjunction with Midwest Mezzanine Funds, and Busch O‘Donnell Capitol Partners, both equity investment groups, for the sale of the company‘s stock and assets. The terms of the agreement were not disclosed. VTG Holdings Inc., stock and all assets have transferred to the newly formed RHC Holding Corporation. The RapcoHorizon Company, www.rapcohorizon.com, is a market leader in audio, video and data cable manufacturing for the audio retail, A/V installation, Home Theater, and Datacom markets. RHC Holding Corp. provides interconnectivity products with revenues exceeding $65 million annually. more…

NEW YORK CITY - “Late Show with David Letterman” on CBS will soon be the proud owner of a Solid State Logic C296 Digital Production Console, representing the largest C200 Series console in the world. The new console, which will handle all of the music production requirements for the show, will be installed in the legendary Ed Sullivan Theater this summer, replacing the SSL analog SL 4000 G Series console that has served the show for 15 years. more…