Open Labs has announced that it is now offering Digidesign Pro Tools on their NeKo, MiKo, and DBeat instruments.

Description:

The option to have Pro Tools software fully installed, integrated and supported by Open Labs engineers provides producers and musicians with industry-leading studio recording software running seamlessly on Open Labs gear.

You can produce a track in Pro Tools right out of the box!Now, you may choose to purchase Pro Tools LE 8 with an Mbox 2 Mini, Mbox 2 or a 003 Rack at the time an Open Labs Gen 5 product is purchased.

Eligible Open Labs products include NeKo XXL, NeKo LX5, MiKo LXD, NeKo EX5, MiKo EC5, DBeat and DBeatPRO.

Pro Tools M-Powered software is available with the purchase of the Open Labs NeKo XXL, which includes M-Powered hardware natively with no need for additional hardware or audio interface.

All Open Labs instruments come with either Platinum or Gold Support Services , which include technical support for Pro Tools hardware and software, allowing you to receive all your technical support from one source — Open Labs.

via OpenLabsInc

FunkyBeat gets busy with the NeKo LX5 and takes you on a ride to make a funky beat.

via MakeItFunkyProds

Musikmesse 2009: In this official video, Open Labs‘ Sean Anderson gives a brief overview of the MiKo LXD keyboard workstation.

Musikmesse 2009: Open Labs co-founder Victor Wong visits The Crystal Method at their studio in LA, and shows them DBeat, which was released at this year’s Frankfurt Musikmesse.

They talk analog synths, partying in Austin, virtual synths and, of course, Open Labs’ new DBeat workstation.

via OpenLabsInc

This video takes a look at some of the (very) basics of getting started with the Open Labs NeKo.

via MakeItFunkyProds:

This video explains how to:

1. Turn on your NeKo / Miko studio.

2. Connect your external VGA monitor.

3. Play the Open Labs vsti’s in your software.

(BONUS: How to exit the Open Labs Shell.)

ArcAttack explains some of the secrets of making music with Tesla coils.

via OpenLabsInc:

Austin, Texas’ own ArcAttack invited Open Labs to their studio to show how they control lightening and tune it to pitch using a Tesla coil and a complex MIDI system.

ArcAttack will be performing in Austin on March 18-20 at the Texas RockFest outdoor stage, and will be using an Open Labs MiKo to power their performance.

The PCKEY is a new keyboard workstation that looks to be inspired by the Open Labs NeKo.

Details here, but in Italian.

If you’ve used the PCKEY, leave a comment with your thoughts.

Open Labs Bump MP Overview

via OpenLabsInc:

Open Labs Research and Development employees Chris Brown and Mike Zawodniak give a brief overview of the GEN5 Bump MP panel. Bump MP is a feature that is exclusive to Open Labs GEN5 gear, and brings MPC-like functions to the Open Labs instrument line.

BumpMP and Guru Overview

via OpenLabsInc:

Open Labs employee Ed Ablan gives a brief overview of the many features of BumpMP, Guru and Reaper inside an Open Labs NeKo LX5.

BumpMP is an Open Labs exclusive drum pad module that brings MPC-like functions to Open Labs products.

In this video, Ablan shows the ease and integration of BumpMP, Guru, and Reaper.

This is an overview of the fifth generation of Open Labs NeKo and MiKo hardware and software.

via audiofanzinetv

2009 Winter NAMM Show: Open Labs introduced updated to its MiKo and NeKo - lines of keyboard workstations.

The company’s new Gen5 series of NeKo and MiKo keyboard production stations incorporate several new features:

Bump MP, a 17-pad drum module controller with a custom GURU software sequencer from Fxpansion, brings MPC-like functionality to the NeKo and MiKo. Included with Bump MP is the first in the Master’s Series sound library, exclusive to Open Labs. Featuring the latest sounds from renowned platinum producer Denaun Porter (a.k.a. Mr. Porter), Bump MP allows the user to create compelling beats utilizing the most relevant sounds today.

Mix/Edit, an entirely new controller consisting of 8 faders, 1 master fader, 8 encoders, 8 lighted buttons and a LCD display, is optimized for use with popular software applications such as Ableton Live, as well as serving as a Multichannel mixer and 32 parameter controller, providing total control over any virtual instrument or effect.

Riff is a new virtual instrument (VST) host written from the ground up by Open Labs. Riff’s main graphical interface consists of a grid of cells, which can be easily programmed to trigger a single sound preset or a song. In the world of Riff, the concept of a song within a cell allows the user to literally program a sequence of sound presets needed for a particular song.

Other advanced features of Riff includes: Live Controls, which allows the user to create any number of virtual controls in real-time that can be mapped to various effects and other parameters. Advanced intelligence allows any number of virtual controllers to control any number of other virtual controllers to provide automation for virtual instruments and effects.

The Gen5 models, equipped with the new Bump MP, Mix/Edit controller and Riff are as follows:

MiKo LXD (Gen5) — 37-key portable keyboard workcenter is encased in an all new Black Onyx chassis. The MiKo LXD has at its core, an Intel Core2 Quad 2.5GHz processor, 4GB of RAM, 1 terabyte of hard drive (with one open bay), 4 ins / 6 outs (with 2 preamps with Phantom power) audio I/O, DVD burner, FireWire, USB 2.0 and an external connector for a secondary monitor.

On the surface, the MiKo LXD has a 15″ LCD touch screen, DJ controller, Bump MP, Mix/Edit controller and a track pad with buttons. Rounding out the product is an external, compact, blue back-lit QWERTY keyboard. A comprehensive suite of software including Riff, Mimik, Reaper, Guru, Dimension LE, Windows XP Home and over 25,000 sound presets installed including True Pianos, Sylenth, Digital Sound Factory Proteus 2000, Mophatt, and Virtuoso, Wusik Station and Denaun Porter Master Series sound library, making the MiKo LXD ready for action right out of the box. A complete list of software and plug-ins can be found at: www.openlabs.com. The MiKo LXD is priced at $4,599 (MAP) and will start shipping the end of January 2009.

NeKo LX5 (Gen5) — 61-key keyboard production station is the big brother to the MiKo LXD and is designed for use by keyboard players, as well as producers and live performing artists. Also encased in the new Black Onyx chassis, it has at its core the same Intel Core2 Quad 2.5GHz processor and 4GB of RAM, but with an upgraded hard drive system that is 2 terabytes in size. Like its little brother, the NeKo LX5 has a 4 ins / 6 outs (with 2 preamps with Phantom power) audio I/O, DVD burner, FireWire, USB 2.0 and an external connector for a secondary monitor.

The NeKo LX5 has a 15″ LCD touch screen, DJ controller, Bump MP, Mix/Edit controller and a track pad with buttons. Rounding out the product is an external, compact, blue back-lit QWERTY keyboard. An upgraded and comprehensive suite of software including Riff, Mimik, Reaper, Guru, Dimension LE, Windows XP Home, and over 25,000 sound presets installed including True Pianos, Sylenth, Digital Sound Factory Proteus 2000, MoPhatt, Virtuoso, Wusik Station and Denaun Porter Master Series sound library. The NeKo LX5 is priced at $5,499 (MAP) and will start shipping the end of January 2009.

The NeKo XXL has a Intel Core2 Quad 2.8GHz processor, 4GB of RAM, 4 terabytes of hard drive storage, as well as an assortment of USB 2.0 and FireWire ports. An external video connector is also provided for use with a secondary video monitor.

The NeKo XXL provides control via its 15″ color LCD touch screen and 4 controller modules including the new Alpha II controller, Bump MP, Mix/Edit controller, and built QWERTY controller. A track pad and mouse buttons are also provided.

NeKo XXL supersedes its predecessor in its audio capabilities as well. The M-Audio Delta 10/10 audio I/O has now been further refined by Open Labs and now includes 10 ins / 10 outs with two high quality preamps with Phantom power. This new audio section provides superior performance, while maintaining out of the box compatibility with Pro Tools M-Powered software, with no need for additional hardware or audio interface.

The NeKo XXL is priced at: $6,899 (MAP) and will start shipping during the first quarter 2009.

An upgraded and comprehensive suite of software including Riff, Mimik, Reaper, Guru, Dimension LE, and Windows XP Home. In addition a full version of Ableton Live 7, the winner of the 2009 Electronic Musicians Editor’s Choice Award for Digital Audio Sequencer, is included for a comprehensive live and studio product.

25,000 sound presets are installed including True Pianos, Sylenth, Digital Sound Factory Proteus 2000, Wusik Station and the Denaun Porter Master Series sound library.

Upgrade options for previous generations of NeKo and MiKo production stations will be announced late second quarter 2009.

“KARMA is a fantastic technology and has had a great tradition in the music world,” said Victor Wong, Chairman and Co-Founder, Open Labs. “We anticipate that the integration of KARMA into our platform will create an entirely new breed of KARMA, offering users more power and creativity than ever before. It’s an entirely new world.”

KARMA Developer Stephen Kay said, “I’m very excited about putting KARMA into the Open Labs products and fully integrating it with the various Gen5 controller panels. Open Labs is creating cutting edge products which are a perfect match for KARMA. I look forward to providing Open Labs customers with the most interactive software and environment for generating and creating interactive grooves, and helping to forge the future of electronic music production.”

Gallo & T-Rev show how they make a club beat on the Open Labs Neko.

King Beezy makes a beat with the Open Labs Timbaland Special Edition Neko.

It seems like there are tons of hip-hop producers working with the NeKo – any readers using the NeKo for other genres?

Open Labs put together this nice introduction to the NEKO keyboard workstation. 

If you get the chance, check these out in person. They combine the best of PCs with a custom keyboard rig. 

Details at the OL site.

Open Labs invites you to participate in the first annual Beats ‘N Treats Music Festival.

Open Labs will be hosting a two-day music event titled Beats ‘N Treats Music Festival on October 24-25, 2008, in Austin, TX.

The two day event will feature live bands and a beat competition called the “Gold Rush Beat Competition,” in which the winner will receive an Open Labs NeKo LUX encased in a 24-karat gold chassis. The instrument is worth over $24,000, and is Open Labs’ most expensive instrument to date.

The competition will be held on the outside stage of the Mohawk for both days, with running times of 5 pm to 2 am on Friday, and 2 pm to 2 am on Saturday. Local Austin MCs will be the masters of ceremonies. The inside stage will feature live bands and DJs throughout the event.

The entire event will be filmed with multiple hi-definition cameras, and broadcast live from www.openlabs.com. Open Labs is currently marketing and advertising worldwide for the Beats ‘N Treats Music Festival, and over 2,000 attendees are expected, not including on-line viewers.

The gold NeKo is personally owned by Open Labs co-founder and chairman, Victor Wong, and only 24 of the gold NeKo’s will ever be made by Open Labs. Wong claims that he is giving away his personal gold NeKo as a token of appreciation to the musician community for Open Labs’ success, and as a celebration for Open Labs’ five year anniversary.

“We know that there is a huge urban music scene here in Austin, and we’d like to give it some more recognition, as well as help foster its growth,” said Wong. “Everyone at Open Labs is very pleased with the amount of success our company has received in the last five years, this is our way of giving back to the community, who have been the fuel to Open Labs’ fire.”

The Beats ‘N Treats Music Festival will have two stages during both days: an outside stage to host the beat competition, and an inside stage that will feature live music. The band list for the inside stage tentatively includes Recorder, DJ Veedub, Rattletree Marimba, CTRL, Fiction, The Beautiful Supermachines, CockVanDyke, Academicos Da Opera, Aciable, the Ginsu Wives, The Mercers, Androids of Ex-Lovers, Salero, Shriner Threat, El Paso Heist, Hot Pentacostals, Blackolicus, Salesman and more. The rooftop of the Mohawk will feature product demonstrations of Open Labs gear, Q&A’s with certified Open Labs employees, artist demonstrations, and the gold NeKo itself will be on display.

There is a $10 registration fee for beat makers wanting to compete during the Gold Rush Beat Competition, please visit the Open Labs website for details on registration payment. All proceeds from the registration fee will be donated to charity. The registration period will start on September 15, 2008 at noon, and will end on October 15, 2008 at midnight. The registrant number is limited to 200, and is on a first come, first serve basis. Open Labs will cut off the registration period if it reaches 200 before October 15, 2008 and will announce the preemptive cut-off date at www.openlabs.com.

“We’ve also had a lot of public interest in the gold NeKo since we’ve had it on our website and Youtube videos,” said Wong. “I know there are some stellar beat makers out there who deserve this machine, but can’t afford it. Now is their chance to own a 24-karat gold NeKo, our best and most expensive machine, using nothing but their talent.”

Open Labs product developer Matthew Presley demonstrates how to use the new iPhone application BeatMaker in conjunction with NeKo TSE.

The highlight is the way Presley integrates BeatMaker with the NeKo.

Open Labs product developer Matthew Presley demos the Timbaland NEKO TSE.

Open Labs has introduced a companion to the Timbaland Special Edition MiKo.

The Timbaland Special Edition NeKo, an all-in-one production studio powered by Windows XP, is capable of running virtually any Windows XP compatible software including a variety of DAW software, virtual instruments (VSTi), virtual effects (VST) and other music applications.

“Timbaland wanted the ability to work on his music from home on a larger unit and still be able to travel easily with his MiKo. This was a fantastic way for Timbaland to achieve this by utilizing gear with matching specs and software,” said Victor Wong, Founder and Chairman of Open Labs. “By introducing this model we are able to provide the features that most people are looking for, while reducing the price over $1,000 from the NeKo LX model.”

Details:

The Gen4 models are now equipped with Intel Core2Quad™ processors. With the edition of Translator, specially written for Open Labs by Chicken Systems, users can convert and manage many different file types within the Open Labs environment.

“We have been long fans of the Open Labs concept and are excited to be included in their software bundles,” said Garth Hjelte, President of Chicken Systems. “We feel that an Open Labs computer production station is the ultimate solution for the gigging musician who wants to integrate their studio work into their live touring needs. Not only that, an Open Labs production station can be the primary hub of a productive studio environment. Translator™ fits well into that scheme, since it allows complete flexibility in providing software instruments into any configuration the Open Labs user may elect to work with.”

The Timbaland Special Edition NeKo features E-MU™’s new Proteus X2 Streaming Sound Module V2.5 with over 10,148 instruments, including the new Ensoniq™ Urban Legends™ Sound Library that contains the sounds from Ensoniq’s ASR™/EPS™/MR™/ASR-X™/ZR™ instruments. These sounds were specifically requested by Timbaland, and are only available in the Timbaland Special Edition units, an Open Labs exclusive.

- E-MU™ Proteus™ 2000
- E-MU™ Mo’Phatt™
- E-MU™ Modular System™
- Ensoniq™ EPS™ /EPS 16+™
- Ensoniq ASR 10™
- Ensoniq ASR-X™
- Ensoniq ZR76™
- Ensoniq MR61™
- ARP™ 2600™
- ARP™ Axxe™
- Roland™ JD800™
- Roland™ Jupiter 8™
- Roland™ JX-8P™
- Roland™ TB-303 Bass Line™
- Roland™ Juno 60™
- Moog™ Memorymoog™
- Mini™ Moog™
- Moog™ Taurus Pedals™
- Sequential Circuits™ Prophet 10™
- Sequential Circuits™ Prophet 600™
- Elka™ Rhapsody™
- Mellotron™ Mark II™
- Korg™ MS20™
- Solina™
- Oberheim™ OB™ & X™
- Hammond™ B3™
- Rhodes™ Electric Piano™
- Hohner™ Clavinet™
- Yamaha™ CP-70™
- Wurlitzer™ Electric Piano™

“Having it all right there is great. It’s like your disc cases, your turntables, it’s everything that you would need. All right there at your fingertips.” said Timbaland.

The Timbaland Special Edition NeKo will start shipping the second quarter of 2008. The estimated street price is: $4,799.

“We have had great success using the world-wide web and wanted to give back to the virtual community by allowing them unprecedented access to our products, staff and artists,” said Victor Wong, Founder and Chairman of Open Labs. “Our goal is to provide a more personal experience for our users.”

They announced a new version of the NeKo with the help of a variety of artists:

Morris Hayes (Keyboardist for Prince and the Power Generation), Polow Da Don (Producer for Ludacris, Fergie, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Alisha Keys, Gwen Stefani and Janet Jackson), Jimmy Nichols (Keyboardist and Music Director for Faith Hill and Reba M), Richard Devine (Composer for companies such as Native Instruments, Nike and Touchstone Pictures), The Heavy Weights (Producers for NeYo, Corbin Bleu, Christina Milian, and Rihanna), Scott Spock (Producer for Avril Lavigne, Britney Spears and Hilary Duff), Dave Schulz (Keyboardist for Goo Goo Dolls, Fuel, and Bo Diddley), George “Fat Man” Sanger (Sound Designer for video games such as The 7th Guest, Star Trek and Wing Commander), Mickaël (Recording Artist with Baby Bash and Lil Jon on the recent hit song “Cyclone”), and possibly even some elusive A-list artists.

Open Labs was one of several companies, including Apple, that blew off the NAMM show this year. It’s too early to tell if this will be the shape of things to come, but NAMM had better take notice of the trend and give companies a reason to come to NAMM vs releasing the products on YouTube.

The V4 sound library for the NeKo LX in particular, features E-MU’s new Proteus X2 Streaming Sound Module V2.5 with over 5,500 instruments including the following:

• E-MU Proteus 2000
• E-MU Mo’Phatt
• E-MU Modular System
• ARP 2600
• ARP Axxe
• Roland JD800
• Roland Jupiter 8
• Roland JX-8P
• Roland TB-303 Bass Line
• Roland Juno 60
• Moog Memorymoog
• Mini Moog
• Moog Taurus Pedals
• Sequential Circuits Prophet 10
• Sequential Circuits Prophet 600
• Elka Rhapsody
• Mellotron Mark II
• Korg MS20
• Solina
• Oberheim OB & X
• Hammond B3
• Rhodes Electric Piano
• Hohner Clavinet
• Yamaha CP-70
• Wurlitzer Electric Piano

The 25GB NeKo LX V4 sound library features 22,784 high quality presets.

The street price for the bundled software and sound libraries is $3,003, which includes $487 worth of Open Labs Special Edition plugins, optimized by the software developers for use with the NeKo LX.

Similar upgrades are available for other products from Open Labs including: NeKo SE, MiKo SE, MiKo LX and the new Timbaland Special Edition MiKo.

“Given the fact that we have by far the most powerful processors as well as the ability to install up to 4 terabytes of storage in the NeKo LX currently,” said President of Open Labs, Victor Wong, “we are able to do things that are simply not possible with any other keyboard workstation, but then the NeKo LX is really a replacement for an entire studio and not just a part of one.”

“E-MU is excited to provide the core instrument of Open Labs’ powerful NeKo and MiKo keyboard production stations,” said E-MU Senior Product Manager, Ichi Nagai. “The quality and performance of these systems really allows users to get the most out of Proteus X2, both live and in the studio.”

A detailed listing of the NeKo LX V4 sound library and software applications are as follows:

Software: Microsoft Windows XP Home, Open Labs Custom GUI (Graphic User Interface), Open Labs mFusion, Open Labs Karsyn, Open Labs MimiK, E-MU Proteus X2 Streaming Sound Module V2.5

PREMIUM Factory Sound Library V4: 22,784 presets (over 25GB of sounds) from over 60 virtual instruments including: E-MU’s Mo’Phatt X, Vintage X Pro Vol.1-3, Virtuoso X, Old World Instruments and the full X2 Production Library (with the 1024 original presets of the Proteus 2000), Truepianos, WusikStation V4, Extra Wusik Sound Libraries (Wusik Sound Magazine 1-13, HQ Strings, Choirs, GM), Purity, Sylenth 1, VB3 OL SE, Mr. Ray22, Mr. Ray73, Mr. Tramp, Organized Trio V3, Realguitar V2.1 OL SE, Discovery V2.10 OL SE, Vertigo V2.6 OL SE, HighLife V1.4, WIVI Trial Edt., Suburban Guitarist, Lollapalooza Lite OL SE, BB303i V2, Synth 1, Addictive Drums Demo, Ticky Clav, Delay Lama, Crystal V2.4, Sun RA, String Theory v1.5, Texture V1.2, Rez V2.0, Motion V2.8, Plugsound Free, Mini Dizi, Mini Erhu, EPiano Module, Rhodes Module, Bass Module, Rock, SFZ Player Free, Bass Line, UltraSonique V1.1, Syncoder 32-2, Spook Keys, Super Spook Keys, Cubix V1.0.1, Minimal V1.5, Optik v1.4, Pandemonium V2.0, X-Fortuna, Lazer Blade Free, Protoplasm 21 Free, STS-25 Free, Ph0ne, Rogue, MicroSynt, Artphase V1.5, Mr. Alias V1.02, Blood Bucket V1, Monolisa V1.12, String Synth, PhadiZ, Accordion

The upgraded models are scheduled to ship August 15, 2007. Open Labs will not be increasing the prices to any of their keyboard production stations. Prices are as follows:

NeKo LX 76: $7,399
NeKo LX 61: $5,999
NeKo SE: $3,999
MiKo LX: $3,499
MiKo SE: $2,999