The microKEY features 37 velocity-sensing mini keys, using the same Natural Touch keybed found on the Korg microKORG XL Analog Modeling Synthesizer/Vocoder and microSTATION Music Workstation. This keybed has been designed with careful attention to the touch and feel. The proportions of the black keys and white “waterfall” keys have been adjusted for optimal playability, and the key touch makes it easy to play chords, glissandos, and rapid-fire phrases. The microKEY accurately conveys the dynamics of your performance to any software package.

Already present in our Gearjunkies lab in beta edition but now widely available through the iTunes App store is touchAble. A controller app for Ableton Live. touchAble will be discussed more in one of the coming parts of our iPad and music app series.

Wacom today announces the launch of the second generation of nextbeat – an interface device aimed at professional DJs, that provides a new way of creating and performing music. nextbeat MK2 will be available in the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Benelux, Switzerland, Austria, Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic, Finland, Romania, UAE and Lebanon from September,10.

After several successful events in the USA and Portugal earlier this year, the Ableton & Novation Live Beats series is to tour Europe this September, with 14 events across eight countries. The Live Beats events are designed so that attendees of all skill levels can discover more about using Ableton Live and Novation hardware. Demonstrator Thavius Beck will mainly focus on the hands-on music-making potential of Live & Launchpad, but will also be showing off other Novation hardware and demonstrating how Automap can be used to take your Ableton Live sessions to the next level.