Winter NAMM 2009 sees the launch of Focusrite's latest addition to its Saffire range and, for the first time, the integration of Liquid pre-amp technology with Saffire Pro audio interfacing.

Liquid Saffire 56 is Focusrite's new flagship 2U multi-channel firewire audio interface.
Two of Liquid Saffire 56's eight pre-amps utilise the third generation of Focusrite's Liquid Pre-amp, each providing a choice of ten different pre-amp emulations. These include emulations based on the Neve 1073, Pultec MB-1, Telefunken V72 and seven more. A harmonics dial on each Liquid pre-amp allows the user to compensate for variance in vintage originals of the same model, or to creatively add levels of 2nd, 3rd and 5th Harmonic distortion to shape the pre-amps performance.

Each channel features independent phantom power and a high pass filter, switchable from the front panel, with the two instrument channels also featuring -9dB pads for additional headroom. Front panel 5-LED metering for all inputs, including ADAT and S/PDIF, offers accurate viewing of all levels. Liquid Saffire 56 also comes bundled with the Focusrite plug-in suite.

The new Liquid Saffire will be available worldwide in the first quarter of 2009 from a selection of pro audio retailers worldwide. Contact your local distributor for further details.

Akai Professional unveils the APC40, a control surface developed specifically for Ableton Live software.

Key Features :

- Designed in partnership with Ableton
- Unique clip matrix with multicolor lighting displays current clip status
- No mapping required for use with Ableton Live
- Exclusive bidirectional communication between the APC40 and Ableton Live
- Professional feel with rugged, metal chassis and premium controls
- Comes with Akai APC40 edition of Ableton Live Lite, free upgrade patch for full versions of Live
- USB plug-and-play connection for Mac and PC
- Premium controller with rugged, metal chassis
Pricing & availability have not yet been announced.

Just over a year has passed since the introduction of Speakerphone, Audio Ease's end-all speaker simulator that comes with ambience sounds, reverbs, and many dsp modules to tweak the most lifelike sounding scenarios that involve speakers.

Speakerphone has quickly become a standard in many thousands of post production and music studios. Upstairs tv sets while cooking in the kitchen is going on, street megaphones with helicopters and sirens approaching, rockabilly guitar at the stage of a prom, a call from the K2 summit to base camp with wind crushing the microphone, all from a single plug-in.

Speakerphone version 2, previewed at NAMM, features many newly sampled guitar amp cabinets, antique phones, toys, answering machines and megaphones. Added is a microphone simulation module that hosts microphones ranging from Royers to toy mics.

Among the new modules in Speakerphone 2 is one that's called 'coverup'. Coverup can place any sound inside tin cans, cardboard boxes, under blankets or in the closed trunk of a car. Come listen and be amazed in the Audio Ease booth 6508.

Release date and pricing are yet to be announced.

Universal Audio today also announced the addition of Manley Labs and Antares Audio to Universal Audio's growing list of premium plug-in partners.

Universal Audio will have access to EveAnna Manley's arsenal of coveted analog studio and mastering designs from which highly tempting plug-in additions will be created that further diversify the UAD DSP Platform.

The partnership with Antares marks the first collaboration for Universal Audio with a 3rd party software technology developer. User demand influenced the move, as well as Universal Audio's recognition of Antares' worldwide reputation as the industry leader in innovative vocal processing technology. Universal Audio's customer base made their voices heard in emails, calls and surveys that Antares was squarely their top-pick for user-requested 3rd party developers.

Novation unveils Automap 3 Pro, the latest incarnation of its intelligent software system that enables Novation's MIDI controllers to flawlessly handle your plug-ins.

For the first time, Automap 3 Pro supports multiple hardware devices. This enables any of Novation's hardware controllers to be stacked within the Automap server. Multiple Novation controllers can then work side by side to access separate parameters on different plug-ins simultaneously. This benefits both performing musicians and studio-producers, all of whom need immediate access to multiple plug-ins at the touch of a button.

Another key new feature is the ability to drag and drop parameters between controls, making re-assignment incredibly simple. Equally exciting is 'Autoview', which when activated, automatically displays Automap 3 PRO on-screen as soon as a hardware control is touched, and then hides the GUI after release.

Automap 3 Pro also includes all of the features of Automap Universal 2.0. It allows hardware controllers to interact with plug-in instruments and effects. Opening up any Automappable plug-in instantly maps parameters to physical controls on Novation's SL- and Nocturn controllers. These can be re-assigned using an ultra-quick 'learn' mode, which simply involves clicking the on-screen parameter and touching the desired hardware controller.

When booted up, Automap 3 Pro features an all-new start-up screen, which includes an automatic software updater, access to online tutorials and support, and DAW-specific set-up guides. Multiple Device and Plug-in management tasks can also be accessed directly from this screen, ensuring quick and convenient maintenance of multiple clients and hardware units in even the most complex set-up. Automap 3 Pro also now has integrated HUI control, allowing hardware mixer control for all HUI compatible DAW's directly from Automap Pro 3.

Automap 3 Pro is available to all existing Automap users for £19.99/$29.95. A reduced-feature Automap 3 Standard is also available as a free download from their website, and will include a few of Automap 3 Pro's features, but will not support multiple devices.

Universal Audio today announced the creation of the UAD-2 Solo/Laptop, a compact ExpressCard version of their successful UAD-2 Solo DSP Accelerator card. The new Solo/Laptop DSP card brings Universal Audio's world-class analog emulations–authenticated by Neve®, Roland®, SPL®, Moog®, and more–to laptop DAW users. The UAD-2 Solo/Laptop enables large, professional mixes on laptop DAWs without the need for cabling or power supply. It includes studio staples like UA's 1176SE Compressor/Limiter, Pultec EQP-1A Equalizer, RealVerb Pro Room Modeler, and CS-1 Channel Strip, and offers access to the entire Powered Plug-In library.

The UAD-2 Solo/Laptop supports VST, AU and RTAS plug in formats on both MAC and PC. The UAD-2 Solo/Laptop will available at UA dealers worldwide in early Q2 at a MAP price of $499.