SAN FRANCISCO - At AES, Salt Lake City, UT-based Lexicon Pro introduced Omega Studio, a desktop recording studio that packages a hardware I/O interface and mixer with a software DAW application. Omega is an 8x4x2 USB I/O mixer. Lexicon is packaging the new release with Steinberg's Cubase LE multitrack, a PC- and Mac OS X-based recording software tool. Also included is a VST version of Pantheon, Lexicon's (www.lexiconpro.com) reverb plug-in. When combined with a PC or Mac, the collection comes together to create a 24-bit, 48-track recording suite containing all the modules needed to track, edit and mix audio.

Unlike standard computer I/O boxes based on a patch bay concept, the Omega Studio is built around a mixer paradigm. An eight-input, four-bus, two-output USB I/O mixer with inserts, instrument input, MIDI I/O and complete metering and monitoring functions gives the user the freedom to record and mix without re-patching or the need for any additional hardware.

Omega Studio is currently available from authorized Lexicon dealers at a price of $299.