Akai presents the MPX16, an advanced sample player with onboard sound recording. The portable MPX16 plays and records .WAV samples using SD cards for powerful, reliable performance in live and studio situations. Like the popular MPX8, samples are triggered internally from the highly responsive MPC-style pads or an external MIDI device via USB-MIDI and 3.5mm (1/4-inch) MIDI inputs.
M-Audio presents the new Oxygen controller series at the MusikMesse this year. Created for musicians and producers, they introduce a host of controls, an intuitive layout, and a cuttingedge software suite for making music. Available in 25-, 49- or 61-key models, the Oxygen series combines a velocity-sensitive keybed with a series of 8 trigger pads. Used for launching audio clips, triggering percussion sounds and more, the pads also provide velocity-sensitive response and illuminated feedback. Control capabilities expand with 8 assignable knobs – perfect for adjusting plugin parameters and mixing tasks.
At the MusikMesse Alesis will be showing the new CORE Series of 24-bit USB Audio Interfaces providing complete, fully integrated recording solutions CORE Series interfaces offer a full range of recording solutions including XLR+1/4″ combo inputs, Mic/Line or Guitar level switching, headphone outputs with level controls for efficient monitoring, and each model ships with a Cubase® 7 LE.
Only a couple of months ago, at the NAMM, Allen & Heath introduced their new Xone:23 DJ mixer as the follow up of the Xone:22. However, this week at the MusikMesse they are presenting the 23’s little sister, the Xone:23C. This is also a 2 channel mixer, featuring the same pro features as the Xone:23, with the addition of a 4 stereo channel internal soundcard, X:LINK to connect compatible Xone products, and ships with a copy of Mixvibes Cross LE software.
Lemur, the professional iOS controller app that doesn’t cut any corners, has evolved. Now easier to use than ever, more customisable and with more out-of-the-box functionality. Any software or hardware that receives MIDI or OSC can be controlled by Lemur. Control DJ software, live electronic music performance software, studio production software (DAWs), VJ software, visual synthesis software, stage lighting and more. Lemur 5.0 introduces major new features, including Canvas and Sequencer objects. The update is available now on iTunes, free for existing users and new low price for new users.
Next to the MKII version of the Akai APC40 controller, Akai are introducing two more new Ableton Live controllers with the APC Key 25 and APC mini. All three APC models will be presented at this weeks MusikMesse (2014).
Waves/Abbey Road Reel ADT is the first plugin to successfully emulate Abbey Road Studios’ pioneering process of Artificial Double Tracking. The effect that would become an integral part of Abbey Road’s signature sound was initially created at the famed studios in the 1960s to meet the needs of some very special clients: The Beatles.
Nektar announce the release of the Impact LX25 and Impact LX61 budget USB MIDI controller keyboards, featuring the unique and musician friendly direct integration with most DAWs, Nektar Keyboards are famous for.
Repetitive, warm bliss is what exits the mix buss when Matt Karmil operates his gear. The way he uses and abuses both old and new technology has garnered a lot of attention, and has recently resulted in the release of the magnificient 12″ A Lot To Share – a true testament to the gardener principle: things covered in dirt tend to grow.
After Cubase, Reason and Bitwig (coming 26th of March), Nektar, the manufacturer of DAW integration controller keyboards, have now announced the immediate release of a powerful integration of Apple Logic X with the advanced workflow of the Panorama range of products including Panorama P1, Panorama P4 and Panorama P6.
Below are some of the new releases we have encountered this week on the Loops and Samples front. Just like the quality of the audio software we use these days the quality of the content we use (loops and samples) equally matches the high standards of this software. Below is this weeks selection.
Madrona Labs have announced the new Kaivo plugin, which is a semi-modular software synthesizer that combines two powerful ways of making sound: granular synthesis and physical modeling. Both Mac and Windows versions are fully 32- and 64-bit compatible.
It wasn’t really a secret, as we all knew that it was coming, but Rob Papen has now officially announced the soon arrival of the version 2 of his software synth Blue. This highly anticipated synth will be shipping on the 10th of March.
Computer Orchestra is a crowdsourcing platform that allows users to create and conduct their own orchestra. They can choose to upload their own music or download samples to integrate into their formation. With a simple interface, they assign the chosen samples to each post. They can also arrange detection zones, that allow them to order the “musicians” to play, using various gestures. Once their orchestra is configured, they can direct it with the movements of their body.