NAMM 2006 Winter Show: E-MU Systems announced its new Xboard 61 USB/MIDI Controller for PC and Mac operating systems, featuring 61 full-size keys with aftertouch, 16 programmable real-time control knobs, 16 new patch select/program change buttons, Xboard Control editing software, and a full version of E-MU’s Proteus X Version 1.5 Desktop Sound Module with over 2GB of sounds, including a new custom bank of E-MU’s finest performance keyboard sounds.

The Xboard Control software provides an intuitive desktop interface that lets you create custom templates for hardware and software instruments.

The Xboard 61 also allows you to set discrete MIDI channels for each knob and offer unrivalled real-time control and performance features, including Snap Shot that lets you send multiple program changes and controller values by pressing a single button, and Latch Mode that enables you to define a section of the keyboard as on/off triggers — perfect for drum loops.

The Xboard 61 is designed for studio and stage (USB, battery, or AC power) and will ship in Spring 2006.

More information is available at the E-Mu site.