"I'm excited to be working closely with Intel to bring artists, producers and engineers together with breakthroughs such as the new Intel(R) Core micro-architecture that is revolutionizing content creation today," says Kaplan. "Intel platforms are the definitive end-to-end story for music and film, from creation through delivery to enjoyment."

Visit Intel at AES at booth #814.

ALLEN & HEATH GL2800M MONITOR CONSOLE
The GL3800M analog monitor desk offers up to 16 monitor mixes, has built-in mic splitting and a comprehensive, dual-output engineer's wedge/IEM monitoring system. AES booth #318, www.allen-heath.com

MANLEY TNT
Here's a twist -- two different and discrepant mic preamps in one box for two different colors. One channel is the same mic pre found in SLAM!, with tubes and transformers. The second preamp is a fresh "no tubes" design inspired by old British console preamps. AES booth #1302, www.manleylabs.com

MOJAVE AUDIO MA-200
Having made custom condenser mics for top recording pros since 1985, David Royer's expertise is available to everyone with the MA-200 large-diaphragm tube mic. AES booth #1332, www.mojaveaudio.com

NHT PRO M-60 XD
This integrated DSP-corrected/powered near/mid-field recording/mastering monitor features a two-way design with 6.5-inch magnesium cone woofer and 1-inch aluminum dome tweeter. AES booth #1416, www.nhtpro.com

RUPERT NEVE DESIGNS 5088 MIXING CONSOLE
Designed by Mr. Rupert Neve from the ground up, incorporating his custom input and output transformers, and all-discrete circuitry, the new 5088 modular console is a powerful, expandable production desk with the sweet musical performance of Neve's classic consoles. AES booth #1306, www.rupertneve.com

UNIVERSAL AUDIO UAD-1E EXPERT PAK
Combining world-class audio plug-ins with potent DSP power, UAD-1e is compatible with the high-speed PCI Express (PCIe) bus used in the latest Apple desktop Macs and PC motherboards. AES booth #334, www.uaudio.com

NOW LIVE! AES Survival Guide
Coming Soon! The Complete Mix AES portal, with

• The annual AES New Products Guide
• Daily podcast sponsored by Sennheiser
• Video blogs, or as we call them, Tech Minutes
• Daily blogs from the show floor
• Nightly news reports mailed to your inbox

THIS WEEK'S SPOTLIGHT: MUSIC, MUSIC, MUSIC
Roots Utopia
For six years running, wealthy financier Warren Hellman has bankrolled the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival on five stages at the Speedway Meadow in Golden Gate Park. This year's lineup includes Emmylou Harris, Earl Scruggs, Ricky Skaggs, Iris Dement, Steve Earle and Elvis Costello. Did we mention this is free? Oct. 6-8.

Opera for the Masses
The San Francisco Opera offers a free live outdoor video simulcast of Verdi's Rigoletto on Friday, October 6, at 8 p.m. Dress warm, pack your opera glasses (yes, there are supertitles) and head down to Civic Center Plaza. Click HERE for more

CLUB PICKS
Blues for Everyone
Biscuits and Blues serves up live music and hearty soul food seven nights a week in a classy nightclub environment. John Lee Hooker's Boom Boom Room, a "sultry downhome juke joint" across town in the Fillmore, also showcases both national and local acts every night, from blues to soul to funk. On the can't-pry-my-feet-off-the-sticky-floor end of the spectrum, a tiny bar called The Saloon -- which also holds the title of San Francisco's oldest bar -- shakes up North Beach nightly.

Smokin' Latin Jazz
The name says it all: The Cigar Bar & Grill is a hip after-hours hang in the Financial District's Jackson Square at the corner of Montgomery and Pacific, offering pool tables and an outdoor patio where patrons can kick it and light up a stogie while enjoying a cocktail. Inside, instead of smoke, there's fire -- courtesy of the Bay Area's hottest jazz and Latin jazz combos who appear Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.