Keith McMillen Instruments has announced the shipping of its QuNexus Smart Sensor Keyboard Controller to customers around the world.
The QuNexus is a playable, portable, and powerful keyboard controller.
Featuring huge performance capabilities in a tiny footprint, QuNexus gives unprecedented expressive control with KMI’s patented Smart Sensor technology that transmits pressure, tilt, polyphonic aftertouch, and velocity. QuNexus unites four generations of synthesis–CV, MIDI, USB, and OSC–for maximum flexibility.
“QuNexus is the most important evolution in keyboards since the Erard Escapement was introduced to pianos in 1821,” said KMI founder, Keith McMillen. “QuNexus gives keyboardists forms of expression that were only available to string and horn players. Although playful in appearance, it performs and feels like a serious instrument.”
QuNexus re-imagines the portable MIDI keyboard with 25 vividly illuminated, Smart Sensor keys that are uniquely interactive and fun to play. QuNexus is designed to talk to analog synthesizers with Control Voltage (CV), USB, 5-pin MIDI hardware, and networked OSC applications.
“We are very excited about the arrival of QuNexus,” said John Grabowski, Senior Director of Merchandising at Sweetwater Sound. “Its innovative design and unique capabilities have already translated into strong pre-order demand.”
QuNexus features
25 Smart Sensor keys detect velocity, pressure, and tilt.
Polyphonic pitch bend and aftertouch.
2 CV/Gate inputs; Gate and 3 CV Outputs (16-bit).
Pitch bend pad.
Octave up/down buttons provide a 7 octave range.
USB powered, receives power directly from iOS device or Mac/PC.
Class compliant for iOS, Android, Mac OS, Windows and Linux, no drivers required.
Portable: 3.3″ (84 mm) x 12.8″ (325 mm) x 0.43″ (11 mm), 0.76 lb (345 g).
The QuNexus is now available to purchase for $149 USD.
Sonoma Wire Works has announced that its GuitarJack 2 USB studio quality audio interface for desktop and mobile is now available to pre-order.
GuitarJack 2 USB portable audio I/O connects mics and instruments to your PC, Mac, and select mobile devices through a Micro USB connection.
Featuring a 1/4 inch instrument input, 1/8 inch stereo mic/line input, and 1/8 inch stereo headphone/line output with increased drive for headphones, GuitarJack 2 USB contains the same pristine sounding 24-bit AD/DA converter as the acclaimed GuitarJack Model 2.
GuitarJack 2 USB features
Studio quality sound from a 24-bit A/D and D/A converter with analog front end and digital circuitry designed by renowned audio designer, Joe Bryan, famous for his work on the UA 2192.
1/8 inch (3.5 mm) stereo mic/line input – (no phantom power is provided).
1/8 inch (3.5 mm) stereo headphone/line output with increased drive for headphones provides incredible sound quality.
Micro USB connector.
Sleek and rugged aluminum shell with a brushed finish.
Device powered for ultimate portability – requires no batteries or power adapter.
Input Modes:
Instrument (1/4 inch) – mono Hi-Z.
Mic/Line (1/8 inch) – mono or stereo.
The GuitarJack 2 USB is available to pre-order for the introductory price of $129 USD ((U.S. shipping only, $199 USD MSRP). It is estimated to ship in June 2013. GuitarJack 2 USB is estimated to be available from select dealers worldwide in June 2013.
Korg has announced Kross, a mobile synthesizer keyboard with impressive features.
With the KROSS, the sounds and songs that you’ve created at home and the system that you use every day can go with you onto the stage or into the street! Featuring rich sounds that exceed its class, yet remaining highly portable, the KROSS is designed for practical usability.
There’s a convenient mic input and a built-in audio recorder, and it can run on 6 x AA batteries. It’s a distinctive new standard in music workstations, with specs and style that set it apart from all others.
Kross features
Stylish and distinctive red and black two-tone color design.
The lightweight body is only 4.3 kg/9.5 lbs (61-key model) or 12.4 kg/27.3 lbs (88-key model), and can be powered by 6x AA batteries.
Piano, electric piano, and drum sounds that exceed its class.
A wide variety of sounds that utilize twice as much PCM memory as previous instruments, and meet the needs of a broad range of musical styles.
Sound Selector makes it easy to find the sound you’re looking for.
Favorites function lets you register 64 selected sounds or audio songs for one-touch access – a great feature for live performances.
Pro-quality EDS-i sound engine built-in, with a total of seven effects available for simultaneous use.
External input jacks allow a mic or external audio source to be directly connected..
Quick Layer/Split function for on-the-fly versatility.
Stereo audio recorder allows you to record and overdub your performances and vocals.
Step sequencer inherited from the Electribe, a 16-track MIDI sequencer, a drum track, and an arpeggiator.
Connects to your computer via USB for plug-in integration with your favorite DAW.
The Korg Kross will be available in August 2013, priced at $699 USD (61-key) and $999 USD (88-key).
Nord has announced it will introduce 5 new Nord products at the Musikmesse in Frankfurt.
The Nord Drum 2 percussion synth + Nord Pad multi-pad controller surface.
The new Nord Lead 4 and Nord Lead 4R is 4-part multi-timbral synthesizer with innovative new performance features, advanced layering and synchronization possibilities, new filter types and on-board effects. Read more about the Nord Lead 4 and listen to the sound demos at our mini-site: www.nordlead4.com!
The Nord Drum 2 is a 6-channel Modeling Percussion Synthesizer that combines the playability of real percussion with unique and powerful sound creation possibilities! New features included Resonance modeling, FM-synthesis, distortion effects, stereo outputs with panning and CC-control. We’re also releasing the Nord Pad, a responsive, compact multi-pad designed to be the perfect companion to the Nord Drum 2 with an elegant single cable ethernet connector. The Nord Pad is available as an optional accessory.
The new Nord Piano 2 HP combines all the features from our Nord Piano 2 HA88 with the amazingly lightweight 73-key Hammer Action Portable keyboard (11 kg/ 24.25 lbs). For general information see the existing Nord Piano 2 product page.
IK Multimedia has announced it is now shipping the iLine Mobile Music Cable Kit, a collection of 6 high-quality cables, also available separately, designed to give users of smartphones, tablets, MP3 players and laptops the tools they need to handle any mobile-audio cabling situation.
The iLine cables are perfect for use with IK accessories like iRig, the most popular guitar and bass input adapter of all time; iRig HD, the new high-definition digital interface, and iRig MIX, the ultra-portable DJ mixer that’s small enough to hold in one hand.
iLine Mobile Music Cable Kit
6 high-quality cables:
Mono Output Adapter
Input Output Extension
Stereo Aux
Headphone Splitter
RCA Output Adapter
Mono Output Splitter
24K gold-plated connectors for maximum connectivity in all environments.
High-purity copper conductors for the best-quality signal transfer.
Low-capacitance insulation to preserve transients.
High-density shielding to guard against EMI.
Carrying case included.
Made in Italy.
Compatible with smartphones, tablets, laptops, desktops and most high-end audio equipment.
Limited Lifetime Warranty.
Cables can be purchased individually.
Free interactive companion app, iLine Cable Kit for iPhone/iPad/iPod touch and for Android.
The iLine Mobile Music Cable Kit is available to purchase for 49.99 EUR. Individual cables are sold starting at 11.99 EUR. The iLine Cable Kit App is a free download.
Steinberg has announced the release of the CMC Six-Pack, a new bundle deal comprising the award-winning CMC line-up of USB controllers.
“The CMC Six-Pack is the most flexible controller setup ever made for Cubase: it’s a touch-based mixer; it’s a handy pad controller; it’s a transport control you won’t want to miss after the first try,” comments Stefan Schreiber, product marketing manager at Steinberg.
The CMC Six-Pack is made up of all six controllers designed to offer users a modular controller experience. Arranging the units in a way that best suits the personal needs when using Cubase makes the CMC series a very customizable hardware control system. Each of the six slim-sized USB controllers provides tactile control over Cubase features.
CMC Six-Pack features
Six unique micro controllers designed to take control of dedicated Cubase areas — faster and more convenient than with any other solution.
Modular system: combine multiple units to form an eminently powerful Cubase control station that exactly fits your needs; joint plate included for quick and easy connection.
Fully mirrored Cubase functionality: intuitive operation due to the adoption of the Cubase color scheme and icons.
Perfect ergonomics guarantee a unique level of handling quality — created to make your recording and live performance workflow more musical than ever.
Brings innovative technologies to your fingertips: illuminated, high-resolution touch controls and rotary encoders for detailed visual feedback.
Portable and compact: small enough to fit in your pocket, on a master keyboard or wherever desired
User-assignable functions for even more flexibility and tweaking options.
USB-powered: no additional power supply required.
Cross-platform compatible: OS X and Windows support.
Cubase AI download version included to start recording your music straight away.
The CMC Six-Pack is available from selected resellers and through the Steinberg Online Shop as long as stocks last, with a suggested retail price of 299 EUR including German VAT.
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