This year at Winter NAMM, SM Pro Audio releases the IN5E. It's a single rack space mixer / audio interface for hard disk recording systems. It offers all the connectivity, monitoring and hardware fixtures you need for PC or Mac computer recording systems.

Channeling the steam of the original IN5, the IN5E adds SM Pro Audio's E-series of mic preamps as well as a USB audio interface I/O module and the TST3 Cat5 mic / line input extender connector. Other features include:

• Three E-series Microphone Pre-amplifiers with phantom power
• Turntable, CD or phono input with switchable RIAA EQ and level controls
• Two stereo line inputs
• Three insert points
• Two headphone monitoring amplifiers
• TST3 Cat5 mic/line input extender
• USB audio interface I/O module (PC and MAC)
• 24-bit / 48khz AD/DA converter

The IN5E also allows you to switch and route each channel to a monitor, recording output pair or USB port. "Direct Recording Mode" lets the user monitor their choice of only certain inputs to cut down on latency.

The TST3 connection ensures that the IN5E is compatible with the Violet Audio TST3 mic / line input extender unit. It's a wall mountable audio input connector plate that takes three mic / line combo connectors and sends the signal to the interface via Cat5 cable.

Finally, and let me remind you that this is a buyer's market, it settles down in an external housing, shielded from ragtag electrical interference. All ins and outs utilize very robust connections.