Results for portable

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.

More information: Steinberg / CMC Six-Pack

IK Multimedia has announced the iRig BlueBoard, the first Bluetooth MIDI pedalboard for iPhone, iPad and Mac.

Winner of the iLounge “Best in Show” at the recent CES, iRig® BlueBoard, a groundbreaking new Bluetooth MIDI pedalboard for iPhone, iPad and Mac, which gives you: the guitarists, bassists and keyboard players hands-free control of mobile and Mac music apps.

iRig BlueBoard is a great addition to any mobile or studio rig for live performance and recording. You can use it to extend control of your preferred music apps by switching presets, changing sounds or modifying effects parameters – all hands-free. You don’t have to put down your instrument, and can remain focused on your performance.

Any music app or software that is MIDI compatible (the standard communication protocol for musical instruments) – such as IK’s AmpliTube, VocaLive, SampleTank, iGrand – or any other Core-MIDI-compatible app like Apple GarageBand, can be operated wirelessly with iRig BlueBoard.

This ultra-portable unit uses Bluetooth 4.0 technology to transmit the actions of its four onboard, backlit footswitches and its two optional external pedals to the mobile device or Mac. Then using the included iRig BlueBoard app and software, the Bluetooth signals are converted into MIDI messages and routed internally to the music app that’s running on the device.

Because it’s wireless, iRig BlueBoard lets you setup onstage without being tethered to your mobile device. The unit’s range is 10 meters (over 32 feet), giving musicians a great deal of mobility to roam the stage that would be impossible with a wired unit. Because the footswitches are backlit, they’re easy to see in all lighting conditions, even on a dark stage. Additionally, the fact that iRig uses wireless Bluetooth leaves all the wired ports of the device free, so they can be used simultaneously by interfaces or controllers that feature the 30-pin or Lightning connector, like IK’s iRig HD, iRig MIDI or iRig Keyboard, and adapters or microphones that use the device mini-jack such as iRig or iRig MIC.

iRig BlueBoard features

• Bluetooth MIDI pedalboard (10m/32.8′ range).
• 4 backlit switches for sending program, bank and other MIDI messages.
• 2 1/4″ inputs for optional expression pedals or switches that can used for sending continuous controller or on/off messages.
• BlueBoard iOS app runs in background on mobile device or Mac, and translates Bluetooth messages to MIDI.
• Runs on standard AAA batteries.
• Small enough to fit in a laptop bag.

iRig BlueBoard is priced at $99.99 USD / 79.99 EUR MSRP (excl. tax), and will be available in the second quarter of 2013.

More information: IK Multimedia / iRig BlueBoard

Apogee Electronics has introduced the completely redesigned ONE, a 2 IN x 2 OUT USB audio interface and microphone.

The all new ONE is the first studio quality audio interface and microphone that makes a direct digital connection to Apple’s iPad (iPhone, iPod touch) and Mac.

ONE features Apogee’s Maestro control software, iOS device charging, optional battery power for portable recording with iPad and professional sound quality. ONE is the all-in-one solution that makes it easy for musicians, songwriters, recording engineers, film makers, audiophiles, and anyone else to enjoy professional sound quality on iPad and Mac.

The new ONE will be available March 2013, priced at $349 USD.

Apogee has also introduced Duet for iPad and Mac, a 2 input, 4 output USB audio interface.

The new Duet is the first professional stereo audio interface that makes a direct digital connection to Apple’s iPad (iPhone, iPod touch) and Mac. Duet features Apogee’s Maestro control software, iOS device charging, MIDI connectivity and professional sound quality. Duet is the ideal personal studio interface for stereo music recording, mixing and audiophile-quality listening on iPad and Mac.

The new Duet will be available February 2013, priced at $595 USD.

Furthermore, Apogee has announced iPad compatibility for the Quartet 4 input, 8 output USB audio interface.

Quartet is the first professional multi-channel audio interface that makes a direct digital connection to Apple’s iPad (iPhone, iPod touch) and Mac. Quartet for iPad and Mac features Apogee’s Maestro control software, iOS device charging, MIDI connectivity, advanced monitor control and professional sound quality. Quartet is the ideal studio control center for multi-channel music recording and mixing on iPad and Mac.

The Quartet will be available February 2013, priced at $1295 USD.

More information: Apogee Electronics

Arturia has announced the launch of MiniLab, a USB bus-powered powerhouse, featuring 25 velocity-sensitive mini-keys alongside brand-new pitch and modulation touch-strip controls for maximising musical expression in a highly-portable package.

16 multifunction encoders — more than those found on any available comparably-sized USB/MIDI controller — ensure everything is at hand to program or perform, wherever life may take or lead you. And if that’s not enough to keep users entertained, two banks of brightly backlit performance pads can be easily assigned as pads, MIDI CC buttons, or program change switches for even speedier interactions with whatever device MiniLab is connected to (via its cleverly-recessed USB bus-power port and sustain pedal input).

Of course, music is where the heart is, and at the heart of MiniLab is the benevolently bundled Analog Lab software solution. With over 5,000 legendary classic keyboard and synth sounds carefully chosen from the Mini V, Modular V, CS-80 V, ARP2600 V, Jupiter-8V, Prophet 5, Prophet VS, Oberheim SEM V, and Wurlitzer V range of Analog Classic software instruments, Analog Lab offers speedy and simple editing with the most essential parameters for personalising presets available onscreen and for tweaking using the MiniLab controls. Notably, those TAE® (True Analog Emulation) synthesis-powered sounds are not sample-based, but are actually running the full synth engine behind the scenes, so offer unparalleled flexibility.

Yet there’s more: owners of those individual Analog Classics or the all-encompassing V Collection 3.0 bundle can open an Analog Lab sound, edit it in the original software instrument, then add it to their Analog Lab library, thereby taking their sound and workflow to a higher state of musical interactivity. Speaking of which, MiniLab is also compatible with Apple iPad and iPhone products (using a camera connection kit).

So, whatever way users choose to use it, musical life on the move’s just got a whole lot sweeter thanks to MiniLab, the world’s premier mobile keyboard solution!

MiniLab features

• 25 note velocity sensitive mini keyboard.
• 16 encoders.
• 16 pads (two banks of 8 pads/buttons).
• Pitchbend/Modulation touch strip.
• Footswitch input.
• Recessed full sized USB jack.
• Bus powered, Class compliant.
• Works with iPAD (camera connection kit required).
• Comes with Analog Lab software.
• 5000 sounds from the best synths and keyboards.

MiniLab will be available to purchase from the Arturia online store or any dealer for 99 EUR / $129 USD from mid-March 2013.

More information: Arturia / MiniLab

Arturia has announced the NAMM 2013 launch of SparkLE Creative Drum Machine, its newest hybrid beat production centre combining intuitive hardware hands-on control with software strength and integration.

Quite simply, SPARK Creative Drum Machine revolutionised hands-on beat-making by cleverly combining TAE® (True Analog Emulation) synthesis, sample playback (with multiple layering modes and post-processing), and physical modelling technologies with the intuitive workflow of a hardware drum machine upon its June 2011 launch; today, SparkLE Creative Drum Machine joins its bigger brother to take this concept to the masses in an all-new, ultra-portable package at a takeaway price point that’s tough to beat (€249.00 EURO/$299.00 USD).

The solidly-constructed, super-slimline SparkLE Creative Drum Machine hardware measures a mere 1.6cm in depth and comes complete with a handy neoprene slipcase to take your beats to the streets with that ‘real instrument feel’ so many other controllers clearly lack. With it comes direct access to all the features needed to create patterns, write automation, and perform live.

SparkLE Creative Drum Machine serves up classic ‘TR-style’ workflow via its brightly backlit step sequencer buttons, while a musical platter of bangin’ beats can quite literally be banged out using its eight velocity- and pressure-sensitive backlit pads. Stunning live performances are a breeze thanks to the advanced Looper and beat-slicing functions, while beats can be transformed on the fly with the touch-sensitive FX pad that features eight filter modes (including the famed Oberheim SEM V filter featured in Arturia’s acclaimed Oberheim SEM V soft synth namesake) and seven Slicer modes.
Three assignable encoders ease writing automation and realtime sound control. More musical still, TUNE mode permits playing sounds chromatically across those 16 step sequencer buttons or eight pads — try having the kick drum follow the bass root note for truly trouser-flapping lows, play a synth bass/lead sound, or transform percussion sounds into pitched instruments… it’s all there for the hands-on taking!

Software-wise, SparkLE Creative Drum Machine makes use of the same full-featured Spark Engine software shipping with the original SPARK Creative Drum Machine. It includes an awesome library of over 1,500 instruments and 100 kits, providing top-notch, professional sounds covering a variety of dancefloor-friendly genres and stylings, ever-expandable with Arturia add-ons (like the Hip Hop Essentials and DubStep Essentials Expansion Packs).

Priced to go, there has never been a better time than now to add a little sparkle to your rhythmic creativity with SparkLE Creative Drum Machine!

SparkLE features

• Full featured Spark Software.
• 3 synthesis engines: Virtual analog, Physical Modeling, Sample playback.
• Works Standalone & as a plug-in (VST, VST3, AU, RTAS).
• Backlit velocity and pressure sensitive Pads.
• Touch sensitive FX pad.
• Mode selector – Bank, Pattern, Seq, Tune.
• Bus powered, class compliant USB input.
• User assignable encoders.
• Advanced Looper Divide/Move function.
• Classic ‘TR style’ programming.
• Real-time programming from the pads.
• Protective travel sleeve.
• Small, Portable, Solid construction.
• MIDI mode for use as a controller with any software.

SparkLE Creative Drum Machine will be available to purchase from the Arturia online store or any dealer for 249 EUR / $299 USD from mid-March 2013.

More information: Arturia / SparkLE

IK Multimedia has announced iLoud, the first portable stereo speakers designed for musicians.

IK leveraged its 16 years of pro-audio engineering expertise, and its experience as the leading developer of mobile music creation apps and accessories, to design battery-operated speakers that combine superior power, pristine frequency response and amazing low end in an ultra-portable form factor that make them the perfect alternative to studio speakers for music creation and composition on the go.

The iLoud line consists of two models, iLoud and iLoud MINI, both of which provide musicians with sonic accuracy that’s on par with professional studio monitors, making it possible, for the first time, to compose, record, and mix from a mobile speaker system.

The iLoud model offers a blasting 40W RMS of power, and it’s little brother, iLoud MINI, a robust 12W RMS.

iLoud features

• Portable audio monitoring system designed for iOS and mobile devices.
• High-quality, 40W total power.
• 2-way system, with time alignment.
• Stereo monitoring in a single unit.
• Four Class-D Amplifiers, bi-amped system – 2 x 3” neodymium woofers, 2 x 3/4” neodymium tweeters.
• High-quality and accurate sound. Perfect for music or media-creation portable monitoring and reference.
• DSP processing for perfectly optimized and true-to-life sound representation.
• Frequency response: from 60 Hz to 20 kHz.
• Exceptional low-frequency accuracy.
• Resonance-free tuned bass-reflex enclosure.
• Optimally tilted for proper acoustical response.
• Fully portable: small footprint and high-performance built-in rechargeable battery.
• Bluetooth for wireless streaming, compatible with A2DP profile.
• Auto Standby.
• Includes iRig circuit to connect your guitar, bass or other instruments, including dynamic microphones, to your iOS applications.

iLoud MINI features

• Portable compact stereo speaker for mobile devices.
• Battery Powered – Rechargeable high performance Li-Ion battery with smart management feature and auto standby.
• 2 W RMS power – Class-D power amplifiers.
• 2 x 3″ neodymium high efficiency full range speakers.
• 2 x Passive radiators on the back.
• 1/8″ stereo line input.
• Bluetooth compatible with A2DP protocol.
• DSP controlled.
• Superior low frequency articulation for the size.
• Rechargeable via MICRO USB socket.
• 190 x 120 x 60 mm (7.48 x 4.72 x 2.36 inches) external dimensions.

iLoud will be priced $299.99 USD / 239.99 EUR and iLoud MINI $199.99 USD / €159.99 EUR (excl. taxes) and they will be available in the second quarter of 2013.

More information: IK Multimedia