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.

This weekend, the 127th AES convention opened in New York City, bringing together the best products for the recording & live sound industries along with special sessions geared towards every level of professional.

This week, we'll be running a special feature with the highlights of this year's AES show. We'll be showing off some of the best gear direct from the show floor -- but to get it, you'll have to be subscribed to the About.com Home Recording Newsletter.

If you're not signed up for the newsletter, join today!

I was recently working with a fellow engineer -- a top-notch mixer whom I share a lot of work -- and he mentioned that his "tone" was very similar to mine: Heil microphones through QSC speakers. Talking to him, it was obvious that I was, too, felt like that was my "tone" -- and when not mixing with those tools, I feel a little shorted.

So, what's your "tone", on stage or in the studio? What are the tools you can't live without when mixing, and what makes your "signature sound"?

I'd love to hear from you!

This week marked a year since I first started using a set of Sennheiser E904 drum microphones. As a fan of the Sennheiser MD421, I was really surprised to find that they sounded nearly identical -- with a very big price difference!

Check out my review of the Sennheiser E904. They're great mics with a great price, and offer phenomenal performance on drums, percussion, and horns.

Digidesign has announced the release of the Eleven Rack, a revolutionary new tool for working guitarists seeking perfect tone through digital amp modeling on the stage or in the studio, as well as a simple yet powerful Pro Tools interface.

Eleven gives guitarists unparalelled flexibility on stage and in the studio. According to Digidesign, Eleven Rack utilizes a unique tone cloning design and one-of-a-kind, custom-designed True-Z input to re-create the experience of playing through a full guitar rig. This incredibly useful combination is is achieved by combining studio-standard Pro Tools software with a DSP-accelerated high-resolution interface. Eleven Rack can be used in stand-alone mode -- straight into a PA via the on-board DI. Eleven Rack also has a digital I/O and XLR microphone input.

Eleven Rack is available now with a street price of around $900.

Blue Microphones, a leading innovator in microphone technology and design, has launched enCORE, a new series of live sound microphones. The enCORE 100, 200, and 300 models are designed and priced for any live application where studio-quality sound reproduction is a priority.

All three models will be available in October, with varying features; the low-end model will retail for $99, and the high-end for $199.

Audio-Technica has announced the debut of the AT4050ST stereo condenser microphone.

The AT4050ST is a side-address, stereo microphone with independent cardioid and figure-eight elements. This allows the engineer to select how wide of a stereo signal they want via the microphone's internal mid-side matrix, handy for recording in difficult surroundings.

The AT4050ST will be available in November with an MSRP of $1625.