Apple Power Mac G4

The Power Mac G4 is quite simply the fastest machine ever designed to run audio applications.

The G4 chip incorporates a new execution unit named the Velocity Engine™—the heart of a supercomputer miniaturized onto a sliver of silicon. This is a vector processing unit that supports 162 new instructions. These special instructions allow programs to exploit the processor's ability to perform operations on multiple numbers simultaneously. This can be particularly useful for music and audio applications, when streams of audio data are being mixed for example, as more numbers can be computed in each clock cycle.

In a selected set of Intel's own tests published on their web site where the Velocity Engine comes into play, the 500MHz G4 chip was 2.94 times as fast as the 600MHz Pentium III processor.

Apogee Rosetta

The Apogee Rosetta AD is a 24-bit analog to digital converter with all the most common digital interfaces included. The Rosetta AD features analog inputs operating at pro or consumer levels, balanced or unbalanced. The highest quality Apogee 24-bit conversion, at 44.1 and 48 kHz sample rates (standard version) or 44.1/96 kHz (high-density version), feeds two AES/EBU outputs so you can feed two machines at once. In addition, ADAT, TDIF, and S/PDIF coax/optical interfaces are all built-in.

Apogee's renowned Soft Limit¨ technology allows you to record at the maximum level without overs, while our new high-resolution UV22HR¨ process allows you to generate flawless 16- and 20-bit masters retaining as much of the original 24-bit resolution as possible. Apogee's exacting analog and digital design assures top audio performance without compromise, including excellent stereo imaging and transparent sound.

CM Automation Motor Mix

Motor Mix stands alone as the only DAW mixer control surface to offer 8 bank switchable Motorized faders at an unbelievably low price. It also features 8 rotary pots, a rotary encoder, 68 switches and a 40 by 2 LCD. Motor Mix is THE hands-on control surface to provide complete tactile control for a variety of audio needs.

Motor Mix allows the user to enter fader moves and mutes into the DAW to control levels, mutes and plug in parameters in real-time with real controls instead of 'mousing' commands one-at-a-time on the computer screen. By using the bank select switches and the LCD, Motor Mix can control systems with an unlimited number of channels and many plug-ins in each channel. Motorized faders are the controls of choice used by professionals all over the world on the most expensive consoles. And Motor Mix brings them to you at a price anyone can afford!

• Get more info! Read our review here.

Swissonic AD 24

The Swissonic AD24 is a high performance 24 bit 8-channel A/D converter capable of operating at both 44,1 and 48 kHz sample rates, with choice of internal and external clock. State-of-the-art technology and extreme simplicity of operation, combined with a competitive price make the AD24 obvious choice for all digital audio applications. The AD24 is compatible with a wide range of ADAT optical equipment like PC/Macintosh soundcards, consoles, tape decks, F/X units and more.

The AD24 features high quality 8 channel AD converter with 24 bit resolution, fully balanced high CMR analog XLR inputs, very low noise and distortion, true 24 bit 7'th order delta-sigma ADCs with 64x oversampling, internal or external synchronization, and a 24 bit ADAT optical output.