Virtual instrument and plug-in developer Rob Papen Soundware are rewarding their supporters by announcing the availability of RP-AMOD — an effects plug-in exclusively available for free to anyone who has a Rob Papen plug-in.

‘The Sound of Abbey Road Studios’ is the latest instalment in a series of public events taking place in April and May, hosted by Brian Kehew and Kevin Ryan, authors of Recording the Beatles, and featuring special guest former Abbey Road Studios Engineer Ken Scott.

Roland have finally done what fans have been pleading for for decades: recreate their classic triumvirate of TR808, TR909 and TB303. Well, sort of…

Awards also presented to David Bowie, Nile Rodgers, Mark 'Spike' Stent, Trevor Horn, Rick Rubin and many more. Highlights of the night included a set by Trevor Horn's band Producers, with Seal making an appearance.

We caught up with founder of Cathedral Pipes Microphones and all-round good guy Chuck Dickinson, who tells us the story of how he started making microphones and sheds some light on his range of mics.

Behringer's recently announced X18 has the feature set that the, never-released, iX16 should have had from the start. With 18 inputs, 12 buses, a built-in wireless adaptor and wireless tablet control (via an iPad or other tablet device) the X18 will certainly be worth a look when it becomes available. 

Here's more info from Behringer.

Sonodyne are offering a new hardware bundle for smaller studios and music professionals on the go. The bundle comprises a pair of SRP 350 desktop monitors, a six-inch subwoofer and a DAC.

During the Winter NAMM show, Hall E of the Anaheim Conference Centre plays host to a range of newcomers. This year, we caught up with founder of Cathedral Pipes Microphones and all-round good guy, Chuck Dickinson. 

Chuck tells us the story of how he started making microphones and sheds some light on his range of mics.

Korg's decision to revive the MS20 in the form of the MS20 mini at the 2013 NAMM show was welcomed by synth lovers across the globe. Finally, the classic had returned, and it even had MIDI on USB and 5-pin DIN. But for some, its smaller keyboard and minijack patch leads didn't quite hit the spot in the way that the original did.