It appears that network changes in Mac OS 10.5.7 could adversely impact some hardware, specifically the Euphonix EuCon line of controllers. Here is information sent to customers today – thanks to reader Oliver Lucas for spotting this.

Please note that the new Mac OS update released yesterday, Version 10.5.7, breaks support for the feature in EuControl that automatically detects what control surfaces are attached to your network.

Euphonix is working on a fix – please DO NOT update your Mac OS until we release a software update that addresses the issue, as your MC Mix/MC Control will not be seen by your Mac.

For those users who have already updated to Version 10.5.7, you can roll back your Mac OS to the previous version if you are using Time Machine.

Update: this is now fixed.

There are no other apparent audio issues with 10.5.7 that I can see. (Visualists may be pleased about some NVIDIA driver improvements.)

Trade shows are a funny thing, in that you tend to learn about stuff you can’t have yet – and that there’s a sudden, overwhelming load of new press releases. So, let’s try to keep things navigable with a walk through some of the most significant stuff coming out at the massive Messe trade show in Frankfurt, Germany this week.

I can’t say this was a mind-blowing week by any stretch – I’ve been perfectly happy to stay here in New York, thanks. (Germany, may I ask, why is that you don’t hold events in Berlin?) But there is some news, so let’s have a look:

Dark Energy is a standalone analog synth from Doepfer. For those of us who have looked enviously at big Doepfer racks, but couldn’t afford / find space for / lift them, this is huge news. It’s a monophonic, standalone synth with USB and MIDI (and, naturally, control voltage), weighing just over a kilogram. Once you get beyond the MIDI interface, everything is analog. VCO (triangle-based, FM, PWM control), VCF (24 dB low pass) with external audio input, VCA, LFO1 and LFO2, ADSR. It’s basically a standalone version of the A-111-5 module. As such, it’s a bit limited compared to what’s out there, but there’s still a lot you can do with it, and at EUR400 it’s a Doepfer you can more easily afford.

Dark Energy Product Page

I actually wish they hadn’t used the vintage-style look, because I like the distinctive, Cyberman-silver look of the Doepfer racks. (Maybe a Light Energy version for those who agree?) But that doesn’t make your credit card any less safe from this drool-inducing monster.

An anonymous readers tips us off on new control surfaces from Euphonix, a maker usually known for products at the higher end of the market. Whether this was an intentional post or not (it looks like you can pre-order the product), it’s definitely something new, and could mean you get a little Euphonix love in your home studio in the "affordable by mortals" territory.

We’ll be reporting from NAMM, so I’ll be sure to drop by Euphonix and see if we can see these up close and personal.

Reader X writes:

Doing some searching for studio control surfaces at Sweetwater.com turned up the following two product listings — which oddly enough aren’t anywhere on Euphonix’s web site, nor have they even been announced yet, to my knowledge – there’s been no news or blogging about them whatsoever. Could this be an accidental leak? If anything, they seem to represent a real breakthrough in price-performance and they look pretty slick…

Euphonix MC Control — a slim-profile control surface with 4 moving faders and a dynamic touchscreen display, plus hardware jog/shuttle wheel, list $1999, retailing for $1499, or roughly 1/10th of their flagship MC Pro DAW controller. (!)

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/MCcontrol/

Euphonix MC Mix — a $999 surface with 8 moving faders and parameter-editing displays; I presume this could be used in conjunction with the MC Control much like a Mackie Expander, etc.

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/MCmix/

Both of them use the EuCon protocol so I guess you’d need compatible software (logic pro over logic express, for instance).

Those links are live as I write this. Looks like potentially good stuff, and at a price that starts to be competitive with products like Mackie Control.