C64 SID synth for your USB port

Hardsid.com, makers of hardware solutions based on the legendary C64's SID synth chip, has released their latest and probably most advanced product, HardSID 4U. The unit is a desktop hardware synth modul, which can hold up to 4 pieces of the SID chip, and you can command them via USB. A sophisticated VSTi plugin interface provides a clean and natural interface for handling the presets and the program parameters - it goes fay beyond the original SID's capabilities. With sophisticated software driver solutions, the VSTi performs more envelope generators, four LFOs, an 8x8 modulation matrix, and most significally, it can accept an audio signal (sampled at 8kHz) on its virtual input and you can modulate any parameter of the SID with this. If you preorder HardSID 4U your cost is 249 euro (existing users of their previous products pay 199 euro) - these prices does not include any SID chip, you have to go after them yourselves (you will find them on eBay, flea markets etc). An advanced version called Studio Edition is also available which has strictly separated digital and analog circuitry plus additional noise filtering - you have to pay 349 euro for the better audio quality.

Vestax has a solution

Vestax was thinking about a compact DJ solution: the result is here, called VCM-100. It can be used as on the picture, and functions as an audio interface and a MIDI controller in one. It has four analog inputs (with 18 bit resolution), and four analog outs (20 bit), and you can adjust a total of 60 different MIDI controller in the same time with its tricky switches. It runs on USB power, and made of metal fully. Price is still a secret, check the product page to learn more.