Focusrite has introduced Scarlett, a do-almost-everything plug-in package compatible with RTAS and VST plug-in suites.

Scarlett features top-quality compression, gating, reverb, and EQ in a single package. Designed as an affordable step up from included plug-ins, Scarlett is available at most music retailers starting immediately.

Scarlett is priced at $99.

This is one of the coolest things I've seen in a while!

Tommy Lee, the legendary Motley Crue drummer, is recording a new album, and giving recording engineers and musicians around the country the opportunity to add their touch.

On Tommy Lee's The Public Record website, you can download raw tracks to remix and jam alongside. Record yourself adding whatever you want, and Tommy and his producer will consider it for possible inclusion in the album.

This marks one of the first times fans have been allowed to literally "be the band".

Are you planning on submitting? I'd love to hear your story!

Wow -- this has to be one of my favorite products I've seen in a while!

WaveMachine labs, makers of the famous Drumagog drum replacement and sampling software, have released iGOG, a fantastic drum sampler for the iPhone.

iGOG delivers stunningly realistic samples in one of two ways: either via the on-screen drum pads (which are velocity- and touch-sensitive, an industry first for iPhone), or, my favorite method, via Trigger Mode with the iPhone's built-in microphone.

Using Trigger Mode, you can sequence -- including a click-track -- entire drum recordings by tapping any available surface near your iPhone. And suprisingly, it sounds great!

I'll be getting hands-on with a copy of iGOG this week. Stay tuned for a full review!

At this past week's AES convention in New York, some exciting introductions from some top microphone manufacturers.

Audio-Technica, a leader in value-priced, high-performance microphones, has released the AT4047MP and the AT4050ST microphones. The first is a multi-pattern, large-diaphragm condenser with a wide frequency response. The AT4050ST is a stereo version of the AT4050, offering both cardioid and figure-8 elements for a mid-side recording setup.

Audio-Technica also has released the AT4080, a spectacular sounding ribbon microphone designed primarily for vocal and orchestral recording.