M-Audio has announced a redesigned Oxygen series of USB MIDI keyboard controllers.

Available in 25-, 49- and 61-key models, the Oxygen keyboards feature full-size velocity-sensitive keys along with sliders, knobs and buttons for tweaking and performing with software instruments.

With DirectLink, these same controls instantly map to a DAW’s mixer, pan, and transport functions, providing real time control with a variety of DAWs including Pro Tools, Cubase, Reason, Live, Logic and Garageband.

The Oxygen 25, 49, and 61 are currently shipping and carry an MSRP of $149.95/€87, $189.95/€107, and $249.95/€141 respectively.

Studiologic is shipping its new Numa Nero keyboard controller, handmade in Italy and featuring Fatar’s 88-note Grand Touch progressively-graded grand hammer-action key bed.

According to Studiologic, the Numa Nero features “the most inspiring grand piano action ever offered in a digital controller.”

Description:

The TP400 key mechanism is the last creation of Fatar founder and master instrument designer Lino Ragni, who passed away at the beginning of 2007. The action features taller white keys for a throw distance that exactly mimics a full concert grand. The double dipped, ‘full-body’ solid black keys (in contrast to the hollow black keys found on almost all other digital pianos) have a balance point and tactile surface that is a pleasure to play. The 88-note graded hammer action (heavier in the lower end of the keyboard to progressively lighter at the upper end) blends response and momentum.

A brand new feature exclusive to the Numa Nero is the “YOU-PLAY” system, which allows unprecedented control of the velocity response of the keyboard. According to Studiologic, real-time sensing of a user’s actual playing dynamics allows for the most advanced, customizable velocity response system ever developed.

Users can design and save over 20 personalized dynamic curve settings in addition to the preset curves installed at the factory. Black and white keys can be assigned separately for total control, and the organ option allows keys to trigger much earlier in the keypress, allowing for rapid organ style playing without the need to fully engage the hammer action.

Up to four keyboard zones can be created, all with independent velocity curves, MIDI, program, pedal, and control settings. Two pedal inputs and an illuminated side wheel are fully assignable to any type of control response.

The casing is comprised of a one-piece, semi-translucent ABS molded plastic with polished aluminum top. An aluminum back piece slides out to support another keyboard, sound module, or laptop, without the need for another stand.

2009 Summer NAMM Show: Akai has announced the MPK61, the fourth model in the company’s line of keyboard/MPC performance controllers.

Description:

The MPK61 is a keyboard performance MIDI controller that expands the popular MPK line.

Each MPK controller combines a piano-style keybed with a bank of genuine Akai Professional MPC pads, assignable Q-Link controllers and some of the technologies from the icon MPC. The MPK61 offers a mix of 61 semi-weighted keys with aftertouch, 16 MPC pads with velocity and pressure sensitivity, 72 assignable Q-Link, MPC Note Repeat, MPC Swing and an arpeggiator.

The MPK61’s size is ideal for performers who need a larger range than the original 49-key MPK49 offers, but also prefer the lighter weight and associated portability of a semi-weighted keyboard. The MPK61 retains the key split features from the MPK88, enabling the performer to divide the keyboard into two zones for performing with two different programs at once.

Like its 25, 49 and fully weighted 88-key siblings — the MPK25, MPK49 and MPK88, respectively, the MPK61 empowers musicians to create and manipulate melodic, harmonic and rhythmic content and manipulate quickly with its arpeggiator, MPC Swing and MPC Note Repeat technologies.

The MPK61 comes with Ableton Live Lite Akai Edition software, one of the most popular and powerful performance and production programs worldwide. Ableton Live Lite enables musicians to spontaneously compose, record, remix, improvise, and edit musical ideas in a seamless audio/MIDI environment.

The MPK61 is a MIDI controller that sends MIDI values over USB for plug-and-play performance with Mac and PC. Because they are MIDI compliant, the MPK series works with virtually all MIDI recording, sequencing, and performance software for musical performers from keyboard players to producers to DJs and VJs.

The MPK61 performance keyboard controller will be available from professional audio and musical instrument retailers Q3, 2009.

NAMM 2009 **NEW**Novation Nocturn w/ Ableton Live

via agiprodj:

DJ Ty hooks up with Ollie in the Novation booth. Ollie demos the new Novation Nocturn MIDI controller with Ableton Live.

2009 NAMM Show update: CME released firmware version 2.0 for their VX and UF line of MIDI controllers.

Version 2.0 firmware adds a Pro Tools mode to the U-CTRL function, improved MIDI routing and optimized keyboard sensitivity.

Users can download V2.0 firmware from CME website free of charge.

CME’s VX and UF series keyboard controllers have gained popularity among live and studio musicians on the strength of rock- solid design and innovative features. A solid, all-aluminum chassis make these units extremely durable and sizes from 49 velocity- sensitive semi-weighted keys to 88 professional graded hammer action weighted keys make them ideal for studio, stage, or mobile use.

The VX series keyboard controllers are designed to work with DAWs as a control surface and audio interface, as well function as a fully blown synthesizer via expansion cards. Numerous controls such as motorized faders, knobs, trigger pads, as well as control templates for popular recording software allow users to control their studio from one central unit. Version 2.0 firmware adds a host of new functionality such as more preset parameters, refined MIDI routing, improved velocity layers, loop play in automation mode, and much more.

The CME New UF Series features a redesigned front panel providing more convenient control with many new shortcut functions and the addition of CME’s U-CTRL functions. New MIDI features include a built-in USB plug-and-play interface and a built-in full duplex wireless MIDI interface with error detection and 262-foot range.

2009 NAMM Show: Akai has announced the MPK 25, the latest addition to its MPK series of keyboard controllers with MPC pads.

Features:

• 25-key, semi-weighted keyboard with aftertouch
• 12 MPC pads
• Q-Link controls
• MPC technology
• Arpeggiator with six different modes
• USB class compliant which means it does not require custom drivers to work with Mac or PC computers and will work with all MIDI recording
• Comes with Ableton Live Lite Akai Edition software

The MPK25 offers extensive assignable controls through its Q-Link section. The MPK25 gives players 32 parameters of hands-on control through 12 virtual knobs and four virtual buttons, each of which can access two different banks of assignment via a bank-change control.

The MPK25 will be available in Q2 at an MSRP of $399.99 and an estimated street price of $299.99.

KeyStudio 49i
Driver version 1.7.2-4 offers several bug fixes and performance enhancements, as well as support for Mac OS X 10.5.4. The update is available immediately for PPC-based and Intel-based Mac computers running OS X 10.5.4 and 10.4.11.

Please note: Although KeyStudio 49i will function as a class-compliant device, driver installation provides advanced functionality such as multi-client operation, low-latency audio and compatibility with Pro Tools M-Powered 7.4.

MobilePre USB
The latest MobilePre USB Windows driver now officially supports Windows XP SP3 and Windows Vista 32-bit SP1.

Visit the driver download page

The Ergodex DX1 Input System was built with gamers in mind – it looks like it could be great music, too.

I’d be interested in trying this out, but there’s no mention of Mac support.

If you’ve got one of these, let me know what you think in the comments!

Here are the details:

Description:

All you do is stick the keys where you want and then tell the DX1 what you want each key to do. It can be one command, it can be a string of commands – you now have the freedom to configure your ideal keyboard.

The 25 included buttons stick to the Tray in any configuration. And, if you change your mind or mess up, they are removable and moveable – just twist off and restick. The Tray is clear, so you can make your own backgrounds. Maybe you’ll label your buttons, maybe you’ll slide in artwork – the choice is yours. And the two permanent little buttons let you bring up the DX1 control panel and assign/record macros on the fly. That’s right: you can be in-game, realize you need a new key, stick it down, assign it a command or macro, and keep playing.

The DX1 works with any program and can remember a different set of macros for each program you use. You could stick down the keys and without changing anything other than the program you are using, they would serve as a pallet of commands in Photoshop, a squadron of macros for your favorite RTS, and your perfect arsenal for your fraggiest FPS.

Ergodex DX1 Input System

• Includes: a Pad, a removable Tray, 25 numbered Keys with a storage tray, preprinted key labels, an installation CD, and a Quick Start Guide.
• System Requirements:
  • Windows XP / 2000 (with Service Pack 3 or later) – US Version
  • 350 MHZ Pentium III PC (or equivalent)
  • 128 MB RAM
  • 50 MB of free hard drive space
  • Powered USB Port (1.1 or 2.0)
  • US English Keyboard
  • Mouse
• Pad Dimensions: 10” X 8”
• Manufacturer Warranty: 1 year (limited)

At the Winter NAMM Show, the MIDI keyboard controllers introduced were uniformly more powerful and more affordable than ever.

Edirol introduced the PCR-300/-500/-800 line, which all offer more controls than previous models, including an array of sliders and even a DJ-style crossfader.

The new keyboards provide a wider dynamic range under the player’s fingertips, while new aftertouch sensors allow the keyboardist to play more expressively. Smooth key action, keys shaped for comfortable glissando playing, silent operation, and stable key mounting all contribute to the enhanced playability of these keyboards.

The new PCR series has all the existing controls of the previous range, but adds exciting new features, such as velocity pads — perfect for playing drums and triggering sampler phrases. These precision pads can operate as buttons or velocity pads, and the handy LED indicators identify if they are velocity or fixed-velocity.

The new Crossfader allows you to control two parameters at the same time, and can work as a DAW software control for zooming screen views, as well as for synthesizer filters and DJ gestures. The new longer-throw sliders can control eight track faders and one master fader, or function as organ drawbars.

Dynamic Mapping allows the PCR to automatically assign its physical controls to the most important parameters in the current window of the software being used. Fifteen user memories are provided for storing your favorite setups. When using software that’s not compatible with Dynamic Mapping, you can manually configure the Control Map settings from the PCR itself or the included PCR Editor Software (Mac or Win).

Novation has announced that the Xiosynth 49 is now shipping.

The XioSynth features 200 hard-hitting onboard patches, utilising a new optional filter distortion to produce an even greater range of sounds than on previous synths; from the distinctive clean British sound to the filthiest and grittiest of sonic characters. Furthermore, 60 of the onboard sounds come from internationally acclaimed artists and producers from a variety of musical genres, namely James Zabiela, Ferry Corsten, Rennie Pilgrem, Roots Manuva, Shimon and Skeewiff. As such, every one of the patches on the XioSynth is eminently and instantly usable for creating synthesized music of any kind.

Also included is a brand new patch programming facility called ‘X-Gator’. This is a 32-step sequencer where varying levels of each step can be set to create interesting rhythmic patterns, without having to rely on an external sequencer. Of course, the X-Gator, like all effects and the arpeggiator, will synchronise automatically to incoming MIDI clock so that composing and performing along to a track become a breeze.

In addition to quality synthesizing, the XioSynth provides everything else required to produce and perform music with a computer, through its comprehensive audio/MIDI interfacing and MIDI controlling ability. One USB cable is all that’s needed to turn your computer into a complete workstation for recording, controlling and synthesizing. However, for those keen to escape the confines of the studio, XioSynth works just as comfortably as a standalone instrument, even powering off AA batteries for complete portability.

Sixteen onboard memory slots for MIDI Templates are pre-programmed to work with popular software straight out the box and, since the device is class compliant (no drivers for Win XP or Mac OSX), you truly can just plug and play. Additionally, the XioSynth boasts a new hybrid mode that allows simultaneous synthesizing and MIDI controlling, making it the most flexible device on the market and a worthy tool for the widest range of applications.

The audio interfacing spec includes the ability to record a microphone with phantom power, as well as simultaneously stream the onboard synth audio directly to the sequencer via the USB cable. Although the device is class compliant (no drivers are necessary), there are drivers provided that minimise the latency and make XioSynth more stable with certain software platforms.

As with the ReMOTE SL (Novation’s revolutionary Automap MIDI controller), an accompanying DVD offers a series of video tutorials, which succinctly explain the operational basics and main features. These offer blessed relief from written manuals and are a quick and easy way to get started with XioSynth.

The Xboard Control software provides an intuitive desktop interface that lets you effortlessly create custom templates for all of your favorite 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 priced at $249.99 and now available at authorized E-MU Dealers.

More information is available at the E-MU site.

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.

Because of the extended range of today’s soft-synths, many notes are beyond the range of most USB keyboards. Instead of wasting all of those potential notes, K-Tar has created advanced keyboard technology to help bring Extended Range Keyboarding (ERK) into electronic music.

“It’s like a regular keyboard, except it has more keys” notes K-Tar’s US VP Ben Dover. “If this goes over well, we have plans for a 112-key version.”

Electronica artists are snapping up the K-Tar 100 because of its massive bass range. According to DJ Fools, “The bass extension on this bad boy is wicked! It lets me go waaaay down for the bass, so I can get notes a lot lower than I could before. It gives me the edge over other electronica artists.”

DJ April F was one the first K-Tar 100 users. “I couldn’t let DJ Fools smack down the rest of us, so I had to drop for the K-Tar 100. It is a little more difficult to move around because of its size, but when you blow out your first sub-woofer, you know you’re onto something kick-ass!”

Not for Tiny People

The keyboard hasn’t won any fans among short or tiny musicians, because of the 100’s extra size and weight. Rap artist Small E Biggs notes “I’m down with that, but it’s just too big for me! I’m waiting for the mini-key version to come out.”

No official ship date has been set yet.