Results for USB

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

iConnectivity has announced its iConnectMIDI1 and iConnectMIDI2+ MIDI interfaces.

iConnectMIDI1 is a 1 in 1 out USB or iOS 16 channel MIDI interface to connect a MIDI compatible controller, keyboard, synthesizer, or drum machine to a Mac, PC, or iOS computing device. iConnectMIDI1 is bus powered and is plug and play compatible with Windows and Mac computers as well as iOS devices.

iConnectMIDI1 features

• 1 In & 1 Out Set of MIDI DIN Ports.
• PC and Mac MIDI Connectivity.
• iOS MIDI Connectivity.
• USB MIDI Class Compliant.
• USB Bus Powered.
• Supports 16 Channels of MIDI I/O.
• Plug and Play – No Drivers Needed.

iConnectMIDI2+ is a 2×2,10 port multi-host MIDI interface that features iConnectivity’s unique multi-hosting and audio pass-through technology.

Being a multi-host interface, iConnectMIDI2+ allows for up to 2 computing devices to share the same interface as well as access and share MIDI resources over its 2 pairs of MIDI DINs and its 8 additional user configurable ports. This enables workflow such as, sending midi from a controller or synthesizer to DAW and an iOS device simultaneously, setting up redundancy in a live MIDI environment, sending MIDI from multiple computing devices to one another, and more.

As a part of its multi-hosting capabilities iConnectMIDI2+ also features audio pass-through. This technology enables 2 computing devices (Mac, PC, iOS) to not only pass MIDI data but also act as an audio interface between them, seamlessly bridging each computing device into each other’s audio and MIDI environments.

In addition to its expanded connectivity iConnectMIDI2+ includes iConnectivity’s Port Manager software for Mac, PC, and iOS allows the user complete control over how MIDI is routed, remapped and filtered to and from all devices connected to it.

iConnectMIDI2+ features

• 2 In & 2 Out Pairs of MIDI DIN Connectivity.
• Multi-Host Capability – Connect 2 Computing Devices Simultaneously.
• Supports MAC, PC, and iOS Computing Devices.
• Audio Pass-Through From One Computing Device To Another.
• Integrated MIDI Manager With Snapshot Preset Storage – For MIDI Thru, MIDI Merge, Filtering, and Advanced Routing Control.
• USB MIDI Class Compliant .
• USB Bus Powered.
• Supports 10 Ports of 16 Channels of MIDI I/O Per Port.
• Plug and Play – No Drivers Needed.
• Charge iOS Devices via Optional Adapter.
• The features of iConnectMIDI2+ are patent pending.

iConnectMIDI1 will be available for purchase in Late Q1 or Early Q2 2013 with an expected MSRP of $79.99 USD ($59.99 USD street) and the release date of iConnectMIDI2+ is TBD with an expected MSRP of $89.99 USD ($69.99 USD street).

More information: iConnectivity

Akai Professional has announced the release of MPC Studio, a slimline MPC for portable music production.

Akai’s MPC Studio offers the most streamlined MPC experience yet.

Following on the heels of MPC Renaissance, which became available in stores in September and sold out immediately, MPC Studio is Akai Professional’s most streamlined MPC experience yet. At less than one inch thin with low-profile controls and a brushed aluminum body, MPC Studio is made to move, merging real MPC pads, iconic MPC workflow, and the same MPC Software used by MPC Renaissance to give producers a fully integrated portable music-making solution.

“Since MPC Renaissance hit stores, we’ve already updated, expanded, and enhanced the MPC Software three times—we’re committed to making it one of the most advanced and powerful DAWs available,” said Dan Gill, Akai Professional Product Manager. “The bonus of The Bank and other free MPC Expansions make MPC Studio and MPC Renaissance instantly powerful production instruments right out of the box.”

In addition to MPC Software, with purchase of MPC Studio, customers will get The Bank—a 7-gigabyte 300-instrument virtual workstation exploding with all the essential sounds of modern production, including basses, leads, effects, keyboards, and more—plus The 809, an MPC Expansion full of classic and punchy analog drums.

MPC Studio features

• Now with MPC Software version 1.3.
• Fuses MPC production capability with your Mac or PC.
• 16 MPC pads, 4 touch-sensitive Q-Link knobs.
• Brushed aluminum body less than 1” thin.
• USB-powered with low-profile controls.
• MPC Note Repeat and MPC Swing.
• Includes MPC Software, The Bank and 1 MPC Expansion.

MPC Studio is now available from music instrument retailers with an MSRP of $999 USD and an estimated street price of $599 USD. All three of Akai Professional’s new MPCs will be on display at Booth 6700 at the 2013 NAMM show, January 24-27 in Anaheim, California.

More information: Akai Professional / MPC Studio

Numark has announced the Mixtrack Pro II, an enhanced and updated version of Mixtrack Pro, the world’s best-selling DJ controller.

Mixtrack Pro II 2-Channel DJ Controller with Audio I/O.

Mixtrack Pro II features a new streamlined design and a new expanded layout of professional controls, including 16 backlit multifunction drum pads and illuminated touchactivated platters. Hot cues, looping, and effects controls are all onboard, along with a built-in professional DJ audio interface. Building upon Numark’s longstanding partnership with Serato®, Mixtrack Pro II comes with Serato DJ Intro. DJs can also easily use Mixtrack Pro II with most popular DJ software, and it also comes pre-mapped for an optional upgrade to Serato DJ, the latest state-of-the-art professional software from Serato. Serato DJ includes a wide range of all-new features and capabilities, including stunning new effects powered by iZotope®, ultra-flexible and intuitive MIDI mapping, and the ability to set and trigger up to eight cue points.

“When we first released Mixtrack Pro, there was nothing else like it—it set the bar and gave DJs and aspiring DJs everywhere truly professional capabilities,” said Chris Roman, Numark Product Manager. “Mixtrack Pro II is the next step of that evolution—the bar just got even higher.”

Mixtrack Pro II features

• Illuminated, capacitive touch-activated platters.
• 16 backlit rubber drum pads, 16 dedicated effects controls.
• Complete mixer section with crossfader and 3-band EQ.
• Audio interface built in, Serato DJ Intro software included.
• USB-powered and class-compliant.

Numark will exhibit Mixtrack Pro II at Booth 6700 at the 2013 NAMM show, January 24-27 in Anaheim, California. Numark will also be showing Mixtrack II, an all-new version of Mixtrack, which shares all of the same professional updates received by Mixtrack Pro II.

Mixtrack Pro II will be available in stores in January 2013 with an estimated street price of $299 USD.

More information: Numark

Akai Professional has announced MPC Pro Headphones, MPC Headphones, and MPC Earbuds, premium personal audio devices each designed for professional music production with Akai Professional’s newest line of MPCs.

Akai Professional’s new MPC headphones and earbuds are designed to match each new MPC in design, quality, and purpose. Each is designed to empower producers with the ability to hear their tracks and hone their craft with unmatched clarity and precision. In addition, MPC headphones and earbuds provide an exceptional experience for simply listening on the go to a personal music library.

MPC Pro Headphones feature powerful 50mm drivers and an over-the-ear design for premium isolation and comfort in the studio, while MPC Headphones come with precise 40mm drivers and an on-the-ear design ideal for portability and music production on the move. Both feature Akai Professional’s unmatched expertise in tuning and frequency response, as well as fully adjustable headbands, pivoting ear cups, and gunmetal aluminum and steel construction for a solid, comfortable fit. Overstuffed leather cushioning on the headbands and ear cups provides a luxurious listening experience for even the most demanding studio sessions. An audio cable with 1/8-inch connector and 1/4-inch adapter is included for music production, and a communication cable with a built-in microphone is also included for use with mobile phones.

“Headphones are a huge part of the production process,” said Dan Gill, Akai Professional Product Manager. “With the MPC headphones and earbuds, we’re simply doing what we’ve always done—delivering the tools musicians need to get fully immersed in their craft.”

MPC Pro Headphones / MPC Headphones features

• Iconic Akai Pro build quality, tuning, and frequency response.
• Powerful 50mm/40mm drivers with neodymium magnets.
• Gunmetal aluminum and steel construction.
• On-ear design with overstuffed leather cushioning.
• Audio cable with 1/4″ adapter included.
• Communication cable with built-in microphone included.

Featuring lightweight soft-touch ear clips with aluminum trim and volume control, MPC Earbuds are flexible, powerful, and designed for the active producer.

They’re engineered to be multi-purpose with the ability to connect wirelessly via Bluetooth® to any compatible music player for casual cable-free listening, or to connect via the included professional audio cable for latency-free performance during music production. The built-in lithium-ion battery recharges easily via USB (cable included). MPC Earbuds deliver Akai Professional’s superior tuning and frequency response for any track via precise 13mm drivers.

Producers can go wired or wireless by connecting or disconnecting the included 1/8-inch cable from the Akai Professional medallion that is located on the cable between the earbuds. The medallion also includes a built-in mic for using MPC Earbuds with a mobile phone.

MPC Earbuds features

• Iconic Akai Pro build quality, tuning, and frequency response.
• Lightweight ear clips with aluminum trim and volume control.
• Built-in lithium-ion battery recharges easily via USB.
• Bluetooth wireless technology for cable-free listening.
• Cable with 1/8” connector for latency-free listening and music production.
• Medallion with built-in mic and 1/8” input.
• Precise 13mm drivers with neodymium magnets.

Akai Professional will display the new MPC headphones and earbuds at Booth 6700 at the 2013 NAMM show, January 24-27 in Anaheim, California.

More information: Akai Professional

Numark has introduced Orbit, a first-of-its-kind wireless handheld DJ performance controller.

Numark’s Orbit is the next step in the evolution of the performing DJ. Made to be held in the hands, strapped to your body using its built-in clip, or placed on the table, Orbit packs an unheard-of amount of control into an ergonomic game-controller-on-steroids design, which has every inch, inside and out, tailor-made for live performance. Orbit can be used wired via the included USB cable, which also charges it, or wireless using 2.4 GHz ultra-low-latency connectivity. Orbit features 4 selectable banks of 16 backlit pads, 8 on each side, for adding and blending effects, launching hot cues and samples, and more. Located in the center of Orbit are 4 bank selection buttons, 4 virtual knobs, and a large aluminum-faced touchsensitive control wheel, which controls the selected virtual knob for instantly tweaking effects and filters.

“If you want to be a serious DJ these days, you need the guts and the gear to get out on the stage and perform,” said Chris Roman, Numark Product Manager. “Orbit embraces that reality to its core, empowering DJs with performance capabilities that will need to be seen and experienced to be believed. It’s intuitive, operating like an extension of the DJ—not to mention it’s the most fun you’ll ever have on stage.”

Orbit’s live-performance design extends even to the inside of the device, where it has an embedded 2-axis accelerometer, which can be assigned to 2 different parameters per bank and activated instantly via 2 shoulder buttons. All of Orbit’s controls are fully mappable, so DJs will be able to customize their settings for effects control, transport control, volume control, or any other MIDI parameter.

Orbit features

• 2.4 GHz ultra-low-latency wireless performance control.
• 16 backlit pads, 4 selectable banks, 16 virtual knobs per bank.
• Internal two-axis accelerometer with shoulder trigger controls.
• Use handheld, strapped to belt or body, or hung around neck.
• Illuminated aluminum-faced control wheel.
• Rechargeable lithium-ion battery.

Numark will demonstrate Orbit for the first time at Booth 6700 at the 2013 NAMM show, January 24-27 in Anaheim, California.

More information: Numark