Steinberg has introduced the CI2 Advanced Integration USB Studio, which combines an audio interface and control surface with Cubase AI 5 for a complete production solution.

CI2 costs €229.00/£191.00 and will ship to Steinberg resellers worldwide from the end of September 2009.

Description:

CI2 features many workflow features designed to make the entire hardware and software system very easy to use. The AI Knob controller becomes a sound browser with a single push, and is integrated into browser windows in Cubase to find the right instrument sound or loop more quickly by scrolling through and (de)selecting entries in the sound browser windows. Interactive Recording mode uses the optionally available footswitch for hands-free recording, ideal for guitarists and vocalists recording their own performances. The Project Assistant is a new Cubase AI 5 feature that offers a large range of templates for many production tasks and genres, allowing for setup of new projects in seconds. Highlighting ease-of-use and intuitiveness as one of the major design goals for CI2, Schreiber comments: “These features have one purpose: to simplify recording and production, reflecting the uncompromising focus on supporting newcomers to digital music production.”

The included Cubase AI 5 is a streamlined version of Steinberg’s highly successful Cubase 5, with audio technology found in countless professional production environments worldwide. Cubase AI 5 offers up to 48 audio tracks, 64 MIDI tracks, a range of audio and MIDI plug-ins including a new version of the AmpSimulator plug-in for guitarists, virtual instruments, editing features, comprehensive automation and much more. As with all Cubase and Steinberg hardware products, CI2 supports both Windows and Mac OS X.