On the EM side, the first day of show has been pretty intense, but in a good way. There were plenty of interesting announcements for guitarists. This morning, Roland/Boss and Fender unveiled the fruits of their recent collaboration: two Boss stomp boxes in the new Legend Series (one modeling a '59 Fender Bassman and the other modeling a '65 Deluxe Reverb) and the VG Stratocaster. Fender's VG Stratocaster puts Roland modeling technology into an American-made Strat. You don't need special cables or an external power supply: just plug the instrument into your amp using a standard 1/4-inch cable and you're ready to rock. You get over 35 different Fender guitar sounds (including Telecaster, baritone guitar, acoustic guitar, humbucking pickups, open tunings, and the ability to impose a 12-string sound onto any of these). Or, just turn off the DSP section and use the natural Strat sound.

Moments ago, IK Multimedia announced the AmpliTube Jimi Hendrix Edition. Included are nine models of stomp boxes that Hendrix used, as well as four Jimi-related amps and cabinets. The company will offer the software on its own as well as bundled with its new StealthPlug guitar-to-USB interface cable. And if you haven't already heard, the Rhodes is back -- yes, the real Rhodes, tines and all. The delicious sound of the '70s is now available in passive and active versions, as well as a MIDI version with USB connectivity. And they're lighter than they used to be. Sign me up! -- Gino Robair

Remix of course, is not just for DJs, but DJs have a lot to look at from this year's Winter NAMM. It seems everyone is jumping on the software DJing bandwagon, and they all want you to use their stuff. Particularly, Numark showed it's Total Control USB controller for DJ software. While optimized for Numark's Cue software and also for Native Instruments Traktor (it includes "lite" versions of both, it will work with any software with MIDI learn. It has a $249 MAP and is scheduled for April.

The new M-Audio Torq Xponent is a $749 full-blown controller for Torq (and any other MIDI-compatible software). It comes with a full version of Torq and a includes a four-channel audio interface. The control surface encompasses a full mixer, two large jog wheels and many dedicated buttons for Torq's sampler, VST effects and more. Perhaps the most clever feature is a touchpad that doubles as both a mouse and an x/y controller for effects.

FOCUSRITE SAFFIRE PRO 10 I/O
The Saffire PRO 10 i/o delivers higher performance specifications than any other interface in its class. Featuring the highly acclaimed Saffire plug-in suite -- comprising EQ, compression, amp simulation and reverb in both VST and Audio Units formats -- along with Focusrite's high-performance 24-bit digital converters, the Saffire PRO is the only choice for tracking and monitoring multiple channels of high-quality audio to and from the DAW. NAMM booth #6474. www.focusrite.com

McDSP ML4000 LIMITER
Available in single and multiband configurations, the ML4000 limiter plug-infeatures a multiple-stage brickwall limiter with continuous knee control. The multiband version has a 4-band gate, expander and compressor fed into the same limiter algorithm found in the single band. NAMM both #6526. www.mcdsp.com

PEAVEY DISTRO
This exclusive, high-current power transport system makes delivering energy to multi-amplifier sound reinforcement systems as easy as inserting a plug into a socket. Distro is a 2-rackspace unit that provides up to 100 amps at 120 volts from a NEMA 14-50 plug. By dividing the current into six 15/20-amp services, each with a heavy-duty Edison socket and magnetic circuit breaker, the Distro lets users permanently wire their amplifiers and outboard gear while providing plenty of power to run backline and front of house. MSRP: $ 599.99. NAMM booth #5740. www.peavey.com

UNIVERSAL AUDIO UAD-XPANDER
Universal Audio announced the UAD-Xpander, an ExpressCard DSP system for laptops. The UAD-Xpander will be offered in three versions: the UAD-Xpander Xpress (estimated street price $999 including a UAD$500 voucher), the UAD-Xpander Xpert (est. street $1,399, including a UAD $1000 voucher) and the UAD-Xpander Xtreme (est. street price $2,199 with all UAD plug-ins to v4.5 -- a near-$3,000 value). All UAD-Xpanders are expected to ship Q1 2007. NAMM booth #7003. www.uaudio.com

JONATHAN KNOWS MUSIC
Well, I'm here to gig tonight for your party! While I'm here, though, I plan to say hi to my endorsers, catch up with some people I don't get to see a lot. I also want to check out any new guitars, mics and recording gear. My brother Daniel and I are finishing up my first record. Should be out by the end of March on Perspective Records.--Jonathan Clark

ROLAND FOR GUITARISTS
This morning I attended a press conference that announced the fruits of a collaboration between Roland/Boss and Fender Musical Instruments. Three products stood out as outstanding. Two are Boss pedals that capture the sound and the fury of a couple of Fender's most enduring amplifiers, the '59 Bassman and the '65 Deluxe Reverb. They have the typical form factor of other Boss boxes, and the knobs are identical to the controls you'd find on the real Fender amps.--Geary Yelton

OPEN LABS UPDATES IT WORKSTATIONS TO GENERATION 3
Just checked the Open Labs booth, where they're showing the brand new Gen 3 NeKo and MiKo keyboard workstations. Among the many enhancements, the biggie was the use of Intel CoreDuo2 processors. The NeKo SE ($3,999) stashes a 2.1 GHz processor inside, while the Neko LX ($5,999) and NeKo 76 ($7,399) have 2.4 GHz processors.--Markkus Rovito

WELL, HERE WE ARE AGAIN
I've only been on the floor for 30 minutes and I've already seen something I thought I'd never see at NAMM. $12,500 studio monitors! The company is AAD by Phil Jones and the speakers are the 7001's. Mix reviewer David Rideau heard them at CES in Las Vegas and loved them so we ventured down to the E Hall to check them out. Phil promises me Mix will get a pair for review so keep your eyes on the mag.--Kevin Becka

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