Shure have just introduced three new microphones into their condenser mic range. The 16L-LC represents the top of their Prologue range, and is a low impedance, unidirectional, battery powered electret microphone designed primarily for home recording use, although it's applications are by no means exclusively confined to this area; it may also be used for miking up instruments or for stage work. The internal power is a 1.5 volt battery, so no phantom powering is required. The retail price not yet known exactly, but will be under £70.

The new SM94 microphone was designed with instrument miking and recording applications in mind. It's frequency response is generally flatter than that of the new SM96, which has a slight presence rise and a smooth low end roll-off, which should suit vocalists more than the SM94. Both mics have cardioid polar patterns. Another feature of these microphones is a shock-protective mounting system that is intended to protect the mic from handling noise and stand thumps. Powering is very flexible, and both microphones may be powered internally by a 1.5 volt 'AA' battery, or by most types of phantom power sources, from 12 volts to 48. The SM96 is equipped with an inbuilt 3-stage pop filter to provide pop and noise protection, and a windshield is available for the SM94, which would be useful if the mic is being used for vocals. Again, the RRP has not yet been announced, but it is expected to be under £200.

Shure have also announced the release of a miniature condenser mic designed for instrument and amplifier miking. The SM98 has a low noise, low distortion pre-amp, allowing to be used for miking up drums and it has a cardioid polar pattern. A swivel adapter is included with the SM98, that allows it to be used with all standard mic stands. Miking apparatus for drums is being developed at the moment for the SM98. The preamp is powered by two nine volt batteries or a simplex phantom power source. The frequency response features a switchable low end roll-off to compensate for the proximity effect. The RRP of the SM98 is £291.60 exclusive of VAT. For further information, please contact HW International, (Contact Details).

Three new pairs of stereo headphones have been announced as additions to the Memorex range. The PRO1010 and PRO1020 both have 27mm dynamic drive units, an impedance of 32 ohms, a sensitivity of 93dB per 1mW, an input power of 40W and a frequency response of 20Hz to 22kHz. Both also have adjustable headbands and are equipped with a 3.5mm jack plug. A 6.4mm jack plug adapter is also supplied. The main difference between the two types of headphones is that whereas the PRO1010s incorporate a ferrite magnet, the PRO1020s' magnets are samarium cobalt.

The new PRO120 headphones have 13mm diameter ferrite magnet drive units with 16 micron polyester film diaphragms. Impedance is 32 ohms, sensitivity 73dB per 1mW and maximum input 50W. These are lightweight headphones whose earpieces fit directly into the ear. They, like the PRO1010 and PRO1020 models are equipped with a 3.5mm stereo jack plug. Further details may be obtained from Memtek Products, (Contact Details).

A new multitrack noise reduction system has just come out from Dolby. The XP series incorporates up to 24 channels of Dolby A. One module contains all the circuitry required for one channel and the complete unit comprises 24 modules. Features include level controls for mixing down from and punching in on tapes from other studios, electronically buffered bypass of individual channels, discrete FET switching and LED metering. Further information on the XP series is available from Tony Spath or Peter Seagger, Dolby Laboratories Incorporated, (Contact Details).

Audio Systems Components have just announced the availability of a SMPTE centre-track timecode kit to fit new or existing Revox PR99 Mk2 or Otari MX5050 series 14" 2-track tape recorders. It will automatically identify and adapt to any internationally recognised timecode standards; 24 frame, 25 frame, 25 frame EBU, 30 frame NTSC or 30 frame NTSC with drop frame. The entire kit, ready fitted and aligned is expected to sell at about £1200 excluding VAT.

Dave Caulfield, previously with Casio Electronics' musical instruments division has now been appointed Sales and Marketing director for Akai. One of the results of this new appointment has been the reduction in price of the S612 sampler and the AX80 synthesiser. The S612 will now retail at £749 and the Quick Disk £199, and the AX80 can now be bought for £799.

Akai have also brought out three MIDI-controlled rack mounting effects units. The ME10D is a digital delay with a maximum delay time of 1000mS and can raise or lower delay signals by one octave as well as adjusting their dynamics. The ME15F is a dynamics controller that can be used for fading effects without deterioration in the sound. Lastly, the ME20A is a sequencer/arpeggiator with which you can play arpeggios from the chords that have previously been input from a MIDI keyboard. The ME20A can also be used as a step time sequencer. Features include a dynamic control, staccato and rests. More information on the Akai musical instrument range can be obtained from Dave Caulfield, Akai (UK) Ltd, (Contact Details).

Dod Electronics have just brought out several effects pedals primarily designed for guitarists. The PDS1000 digital delay pedal features infinite repeat and up to a second's delay. The PDS2000 digital sampling pedal offers two seconds of sampling capability and can be triggered externally. Also available is the PDS1550 programmable distortion pedal that is capable of providing up to 40mS of delay and features two different types of distortion that have their own gain and level controls. There is also the FX45 reverb pedal.