Buzz Audio Elixir
Buzz Audio announces the release of the Elixir microphone and instrument preamp. The Elixir is designed to fit into the API 500 Series rack format and features a transformerless mic input using Buzz Audio's proprietary Class-A amplifier technology coupled with a Swedish Lundahl output transformer, which adds a subtle amount of low-frequency color. MORE

Roger Nichols DAW Plug-In Series
Five new DAW plug-ins from Roger Nichols Digital (RND) will be demonstrated at the Summer NAMM show in Austin (booth #419): the Dynam-izer ($249) dynamics plug-in, Uniquel-izer ($249) EQ, Frequal-izer ($249) mastering EQ, Finis ($249) peak limiter, Inspector XL ($299) analysis tool and Inspector (free) analysis tool. The plug-ins are available in RTAS, VST and Audio Units formats for Mac and RTAS and VST formats for Windows. MORE

Auralex Acoustics 24-Piece AudioTile Set
Auralex Acoustics announces the availability of AudioTile in a new 24-piece set ($159). AudioTile panels, designed by Russ Berger for Auralex, absorb echoes and other undesirable reflections though a wide range of frequencies. The new 24-piece set includes detailed step-by-step instructions on how to build seven designs that effectively treat one 8x10-foot wall or ceiling. MORE

McDSP ML4000 Mastering Limiter
McDSP introduces the ML4000 ($495) mastering limiter plug-in, a high-resolution limiter designed for music, mastering, post-production and live sound, and is available in single and multi-band configurations. MORE

VirtuosoWorks Sound Kits
VirtuosoWorks has released five Sound Kits (ranging from $29 to $69) that add extra sounds and techniques to the standard orchestra that ships with Notion software. These new samples were recorded at Abbey Road Studios in Studio One using London Symphony Orchestra players, and include strings, percussion, brass, woodwinds and harpsichord. MORE

BIAS Peak Pro 5.2 Now Shipping
BIAS Inc. has begun shipping Peak Pro 5.2, the Universal Binary version of Peak Pro audio editing software for Mac OS 10.4 on both PowerPCs and Intel-based Macs. MORE

Jupiter Studios Relocates
Jupiter Studios in St. Louis has relocated from its former downtown location on Washington Avenue to a newly renovated 4,500-square-foot facility at 3323 Locust St. MORE

615 Music Hires Shauna Krikorian
Randy Wachtler, president and CEO of 615 Music (Nashville) announced that the company has named Shauna Krikorian (pictured) to the newly created post of music director, Los Angeles. Krikorian will represent 615 Music and its services to new clients based along the West Coast. She will also seek new business from production and post-production companies in need of music for their film, television, commercial, promotional, videogame, Internet or multimedia projects. MORE

Pyramind Supports TowerPod Independent Music Initiative
Pyramind: The Institute for Advanced Digital Audio Training (San Francisco) is supporting Tower Records' new podcasting service, TowerPod, by housing the company's production studios on school premises and staffing the podcasting production team with Pyramind's current students and alumni. MORE

The Indie Gathering Film Festival will showcase independent filmmakers in Independence, Ohio, on August 4, 5 and 6, 2006. The festival offers seminars, panel discussions, film screenings, networking parties and more. Information is available at http://theindiegathering.com.

Gen Con LLC will present two interactive Video Games Live concerts featuring music from the biggest video games of all time on Friday, August 11 and Saturday, August 12, at 8 p.m. at the Hilbert Circle Theatre in Indianapolis, Ind. These special performances will be presented in conjunction with the Gen Con Indy Convention that will be held in Indianapolis from August 10 through 13 at the Indianapolis Convention Center. Ticket prices range from $22 to $62 each and can be purchased online at www.indianapolissymphony.org/season/production.aspx?performanceid=1133&src=t. For more information, go to www.indianapolissymphony.org/hilbert/, www.gencon.com/2006/indy/ and www.videogameslive.com.

The Bandwidth Conference for music and technology professionals will take place August 18 and 19, 2006, in San Francisco at the Regency Center, featuring discussion panels, guest speakers and networking opportunities. Topics include marketing, fan behavior, trends and future forecasts, and an examination of the ways that people discover, purchase, interact with and are exposed to music. The deadline for the early registration rate of $145 is July 15 and is available at www.bandwidthconference.com. A companion event, The Bandwidth Shindig, will offer the general public an opportunity to explore music and technology through live events and an expo on August 19. For more information, visit www.bandwidthshindig.com.

The 22nd Annual Technical Excellence and Creativity (TEC) Awards will be held on Saturday, October 7 (the second night of the 121st AES Convention) at the Hilton San Francisco. For more information, visit www.mixfoundation.org.

Music China will take place at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre October 18 through 21, 2006. It will feature more than 800 manufacturers and suppliers of MI products from 17 countries and regions in five exhibit halls. Advanced visitor registration and travel information is available at www.messefrankfurt.com.hk/en/5Music/MC/musicchina.asp/.

The San Francisco Exploratorium will unveil Listen: Making Sense of Sound, which will open October 21, 2006, and run through December 31, 2007. The 5,000-square-foot exhibition features more than 55 interactive exhibits, 40 of which are brand new. This exhibition invites visitors to experience the nature of sound, the ways in which humans perceive sound and how humans listen. For a detailed overview of the exhibition, go to www.exploratorium.edu/pr/documents/06-7Listen.html.