XLR8R

It was not a dark and stormy night, in fact it was Friday morning and the sun was just starting to show itself after a week of foggy hell in San Francisco. So what better time to go indoors and hang out with a bunch of ponytail-sporting music geeks? Ken Taylor, Managing Editor of XLR8R, and myself steeped ourselves in gear lust at the annual Moscone Center AES (Audio Engineering Society) show, and, wow, did we have fun! Here are the pics to prove it.

Ken Taylor is XLR8R's "man on the scene" when it comes to music-making gear.

We were impressed with the power and versatility of Cakewalk's Sonar 6, seen here in one color scheme.

And with an adjustment of the Photoshop-esque controls, here's the same thing with another palette.

Either this is the most expensive iPod out there, or it's one of Korg's new 1-Bit recording devices, which records sound in mega-high quality.

M-Audio is giving you everything you need to start your own podcast with their Podcast Factory, except the hot chick on the box. But no worries, that new podcast of yours will definitely score the babes!

Recalling his previous experience as a gameshow host on Canada's Name That Mountie, Ken quizzes M-Audio's Amanda Whiting.

Cycling 74's Lemur touchscreen controller can sculpt sound and video...

and also act as a controller for Ableton Live!

Ken refused to pose for a photo with this giant transformer around his neck. What gives, Ken?

Everyone was jocking Ultrasone, and for good reason. Their iCan headphones feature the great sound and comfortable fit that Ultrasone is known for.

Apparently there's nothing warmer-sounding than mastering to analog tape. Because of recent high demand, RMG now stocks massive reels of half- to two-inch tape.

Two geeks enter, one geek leaves.

Not the newest USB controller from M-Audio.

Mmmm, dangling speakers.

Ahhh, rotating speakers.