Akai SynthStation49 Now Available

Akai announced today, via Twitter, that its SynthStation49 iPad MIDI dock, originally introduced at the 2011 NAMM Show, is now available:

Here’s the official intro video for the SynthStation49:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iS9JVsQHScU

Features:

  • Portable, velocity-sensitive keyboard with pitch and modulation wheels
  • Works with the original iPad, iPad 2 and iPad (3rd generation)
  • Nine velocity-sensitive MPC-style drum pads which light when triggered
  • Dedicated transport control buttons including Play, Pause and Record
  • Play MIDI keyboard and drum pad performances into an iPad via CoreMIDI or AkaiConnect apps
  • Built-in, adjustable dock charges your iPad while positioning the screen at the perfect angle
  • USB port for connecting to a Mac or PC, receiving power and controlling MIDI music software
  • Professional ¼” stereo outputs with volume control to connect mixers, speakers and recording equipment
  • Headphone output to practice and compose in private

Street price on the SynthStation49 is about $270.

via PalmSounds

15 thoughts on “Akai SynthStation49 Now Available

  1. My only problem with this is that there isn’t any normal MIDI out to connect to hardware. I know you can get a converter for the usb out but that’s not cool. I want to use the iPad as a sequencer brain for hardware and the synthstation as a master keyboard. Oooh well.

  2. I agree. It’s a bit puzzling that they have these features on the I/O Dock and not this keyboard.

    Get an I/O Dock and generic keyboard and you are done.

  3. also where are the knobs and or sliders_? can get Akai MPK25 with all that and proper midi IO or MAX49 which even has Cv and gate out then all you need is a generic stand !

    1. I think the point is you use the touch screen for knobs and sliders…
      With a product like this its all about the price- If they get ity out £100 then they sell a ton to kids with iPADs who were not in to audio before, it isnt aimed at those of us with DAWS and Midi set ups.

    2. Agreed! As nice as the iPad touch screens are, they are nowhere near as efficient to perform with as being able to grab a knob. I would have rather seen 8 knobs vs. 9 pads. Guess I’ll still just use my $6.00 camera connector, and Alesis QX49 which has multiple knobs, sliders, and pads.

  4. I didn’t know that Akai made a keyboard with CV and gate outputs. Now if it only came in another color than Whore Thong Red…

  5. Keep in mind that this was announced well over 18 months ago, and took FOREVER to street. Have a look at the thread in the Akai forums here –

    http://community.akaipro.com/akai_professional/topics/when_is_the_synthstation_49_gonna_be_released?utm_content=reply_link&utm_medium=email&utm_source=reply_notification#reply_9497973

    I think that until I actually see one in a store, and have the chance to walk up, plug my iPad in and check out how it works with all the various apps I have, I’m not even going to consider buying it, even at the cheap $249 price tag.

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