Yamaha will be exhibiting some exciting new products at the Frankfurt fair this year, not least of which is the SPX90 stereo digital effects processor. This is capable of producing reverb, gated reverb, delay, pre-delay, modulation, auto panning, vibrato, pitch change, noise gate, compression and parametric EQ effects and can act as a sampler. It is also equipped with MIDI and is programmable, enabling you to store up to 60 effects programmes. Perhaps the greatest attraction of this unit, though is the price, which will apparently be around the £599 mark.

Also new from Yamaha is a multitrack cassette recorder originally called the CMX1, but renamed the MT1X. It is capable of simultaneous recording on all four channels and features DBX noise reduction. One track of the recorder can be used to record a sync track with which to trigger MIDI drum machines and sequencers and special circuit design minimises the risk of code corruption. Aux sends and a punch in/out facility are also featured. The unit will become available in March, and the retail price is expected to be about £449. Further information is obtainable from Yamaha Kemble Music (UK) Ltd, (Contact Details)

TAC are also amongst the companies with something new to show at Frankfurt. A new model in their 24-channel Matchless series of mixing desks is due to be released, and its new features include monitor muting, PFL and EQ to monitor switching and a 36-channel option. Also new from TAC is the TX10 modular crossover system. Housed in a 19" rack, this unit accommodates up to ten modules, each processing a different frequency band. All the current TAC consoles will also be on display. Further information can be obtained from Total Audio Concepts Ltd, (Contact Details).

AHB will also be at the Frankfurt Musik Messe, where they will be displaying their CMC and System 8 mixing desks along with their SR Series of sound reinforcement consoles and the Impulse One drum computer. Further information from Allen & Heath Brenell Ltd, (Contact Details).

Two new input modules for the Soundcraft 200B desk have been developed so that the original mixer may be expanded to incorporate extra channels. This has lead in turn to the withdrawal from production of the Series 400B console as similar facilities can now be offered by an expanded Series 200B at a much lower price. Soundcraft also tell us that an exciting product will be unveiled at the AES convention in Montreux, but not, of course the nature of this marvel. Further information is available from Soundcraft Electronics Ltd, (Contact Details).

Another new mixer has just been announced from RSD Studiomaster; the 12M console. Although this is a 24:12 mixer, it may be expanded to 32 input channels. Each channel has 4-band EQ, 20dB pad, phase reverse, 48 volt phantom powering, two assignable pre/post-fade aux sends and a high Q infinitely variable notch filter. Also, each of the 12 outputs features parametric EQ. Further information is obtainable from Recording Studio Design Ltd, (Contact Details).

Ampex have introduced a digital audio cassette for PCM converters. They claim that the 467 cassette tape generates no errors that a PCM U-matic converter cannot conceal. More information is available from Ampex magnetic tape Division, (Contact Details).

Two new products have been announced by Audio Logic. The X324 crossover can be used as a 3-way stereo or 4-way mono device to provide precise frequency splitting. All six outputs feature phase inversion and both the inputs and outputs are balanced. Also new from Audio Logic is the MT66 2-channel compressor/limiter. This features a compression ratio ranging from 1 to 1, to infinity to 1. Balanced and unbalanced inputs and outputs are available along with side chain inputs and outputs. There is also a Link switch to join the two compressors for stereo operation. The crossover retails for £363.81 and the compressor/limiter for £289.00. Both prices include VAT. Further information is available from Sound Technology, (Contact Details).

New from Toa Electronics are two headset microphones, the HY1 and HY2. Both incorporate a mute button that enables the wearer to speak without being picked up by the microphone. Also available for both models are interchangeable capsules for male vocal, female vocal and intercommunications uses. Headphone monitoring is also included for mic output and line input signals.

Another new model from Toa is the K4 condenser mic (designed for use on digital recordings) and the KY cardioid condenser mic, together with the K series of condenser mics and the J series of dynamic cardioid mics. Further information is available from Toa Electronics, (Contact Details).

Harman Audio have just become exclusive distributors for Rauch Power Audio products. A new range of products, the DVT 500 Series will be released at the Frankfurt Musik Messe this year. Further information is available from Harman (Audio) UK, (Contact Details).

Britannia Row Equipment Ltd have appointed Professional Audio Ltd as the main UK dealers for Electrospace products, Westlake products and FM Acoustics products. Further information is obtainable from Britannia Row, (Contact Details).

Atari are offering a special price for their 520ST 16-bit personal computer. One 520ST plus a 500K disk drive and 12" monitor will now cost £499 (plus VAT). The same system with a 14" colour monitor will cost £699 (plus VAT). The internal sound capabilities of the 520ST include three sound channels and a noise generator. Control over wave shaping, enveloping, frequency and volume is available and it can be linked to a synthesiser via a MIDI interface. Further information may be obtained from Atari Corporation (UK) Ltd, (Contact Details).

Bruel & Kjaer have released a new measuring device that can determine how intelligible a broadcast human voice will be in a given environment. The 3361 RASTI (Rapid Access of the Speech Transmission Index) comprises a transmitter and a receiver. Reduction in the modulation of a signal representative of the human voice is measured. These are caused by a combination of background noise and reverberation in the surrounding area. This is then represented by a number between 0 and 1 on the RASTI index. Further information on the RASTI system is available from Bruel & Kjaer (UK) Ltd, (Contact Details).

A new addition to the Quark range of MIDI links has just been introduced and will be on display at Frankfurt on the Fairlight stand. Designated the LRM-2, this device enables MIDI signals to be transmitted over distances of up to 200 metres (instead of the previous maximum of 15 metres using 5-pin DIN leads). Two units may be connected together using standard screened cable and XLR connectors. The LRM-2 costs £239 including VAT, and further details can be obtained from Quark Ltd, (Contact Details).

Denon are updating their DRM33 and DRM44 cassette decks. The new models, dubbed the DRM33X and DRM44X now feature Dolby HX noise reduction, a modified head block, LC-OFC cabling and a minutes and seconds counter. The DRM44X also has improved auto-bias circuitry. RRP are £289.95 and £349.95 respectively. Further information is available from Hayden Laboratories Ltd, (Contact Details).

Good Earth Studios officially re-opened last month after being redecorated and having some of the equipment updated. The new mixing desk is a 48-track SSL, which is now used with two Otari MTR90s, synced with a BTX Shadow. For further information on the services offered by Good Earth, contact Michelle Cornell, Good Earth Productions Ltd, (Contact Details).

The studio equipment hire company Hilton Sound are now offering two new additions to their range of available studio gear; a Quad 8 Westar Mixer and a Mitsubishi X-850 mastering machine. Further information may be obtained from Hilton Sound Ltd, (Contact Details).

Of interest to home recordists on a tight budget might be Permac Electronics, a new company specialising in the manufacture of studio accessories. They sell a large range of both passive and active DI boxes and a range of in-line modules, including a stereo headphone amplifier and constant current sources from phantom power supplies. Further information can be obtained from Permac Electronics, (Contact Details).