Alesis QX61 Advanced MIDI Controller Keyboard unveiled

Alesis has unveiled a bigger brother to the QX49 launched last year.

The QX61 is an advanced five-octave MIDI controller keyboard capable of controlling a wide number of parameters on an attached module, keyboard or PC running compatible software.

As well as the 61 touch sensitive keys there are four pads, six buttons, eight control knobs and eight sliders, all fully customisable, plus pitch bend and modulation wheels and octave buttons. It’s possible to send program change messages from the keys and to split the keyboard across different MIDI channels.

The QX61 is supplied with Ableton Live Lite Alesis Edition software for performing, recording, and sequencing music.

Alesis QX61 Key Features

• 61-key touch-sensitive keyboard
• Control virtually any Mac, PC, or iOS* music software
• Velocity-sensitive keys with modulation and pitch-bend wheels
• Eight faders perfect for adjusting volume or synth parameters
• Four drum pads for triggering samples, loops and sequencing drums
• Eight knobs ideal for adjusting pan position or any other parameter
• Six assignable buttons for triggering software controls
• USB-MIDI and traditional MIDI for use with Mac and PC, as well as MIDI hardware
• Includes Ableton Live Lite Alesis Edition software
• Bus powered via USB: no power cable needed

Pricing and availability to be confirmed.

Alesis QX25 Advanced MIDI Controller Keyboard unveiled

Alesis has unveiled a smaller brother to the QX49 launched last year.

The QX25 is an advanced MIDI controller keyboard capable of controlling a wide number of parameters on an attached module, keyboard or PC running compatible software.

As well as the 25 touch sensitive keys there are four pads and eight control knobs, all fully customisable, plus pitch bend and modulation wheels and octave buttons. It’s possible to send program change messages from the keys and to split the keyboard across different MIDI channels.

The QX25 is supplied with Ableton Live Lite Alesis Edition software for performing, recording, and sequencing music.

Alesis QX25 Key Features

• 25-key touch-sensitive keyboard
• Control virtually any Mac, PC, or iOS* music software
• Velocity-sensitive keys with modulation and pitch-bend wheels
• High-quality fader perfect for adjusting volume or synth parameters
• Four drum pads for triggering samples, loops and sequencing drums
• Eight knobs ideal for adjusting pan position or any other parameter
• Six assignable buttons for triggering software controls
• USB-MIDI and traditional MIDI for use with Mac and PC, as well as MIDI hardware
• Includes Ableton Live Lite Alesis Edition software
• Bus powered via USB: no power cable needed

Alesis QX25 Specifications

• Class Compliant USB 1.0 and 5-pin jack Midi Output
• Powered via USB or 5V DC Power Adapter

Pricing and availability to be confirmed.

Alesis Q61 USB/MIDI Keyboard Controller unveiled

Alesis has launched the Q61, a five-octave MIDI/USB controller keyboard capable of sending the basic MIDI control messages most musicians need. This makes it an ideal keyboard for those wanting to control other keyboards, sound modules and virtual instruments on a PC or Mac.

It doesn’t have all the bells, whistles and knobs of some of Alesis’s other controller keyboards but it does feature 61 touch sensitive keys, pitch and modulation wheels, an assignable data slider, octave buttons, sustain pedal input, and the ability to use the keys to send MIDI program change messages instead of note data.

Alesis Q61 Key Features

• 61-key keyboard controller for use with virtually any music software or MIDI device
• Velocity sensitive keys for expressive, musical performance
• USB MIDI and traditional MIDI for use with Mac, PC, and iOS devices* as well as MIDI hardware
• Pitch and Modulation wheels for increased musical expression
• Backlit Octave Up and Down buttons enable expanded musical range
• Assignable volume/data-entry slider enables you to control your most-used parameter
• Sustain pedal input for complete performance (pedal sold separately)
• Includes Ableton Live Lite Alesis Edition for recording, sequencing, and performing
• Bus powered via USB: no power cable needed

Alesis Q61 Specifications

• MIDI Outputs: one 5-pin jack
• USB: One slave connector (MIDI over USB)
• Power: USB bus powered; Optional Power Adapter: 9V DC 500mA, Pin Positive, 5.5mm outer diameter (sold separately)

Exact pricing and availability is to be confirmed.

Roland intros PK-6 dynamic MIDI pedal [NAMM12]

Roland has updated its impressive MIDI foot pedal with the introduction of the PK-6 dynamic MIDI pedal.

Looking much like the pedals found on an organ, this versatile piece of kit allows the keyboard player/pianist great creativity and flexibility by controlling MIDI with the feet.

Compatible with most MIDI devices and including a MIDI merge facility, it allows players to send a variety of MIDI signals which can then be used for playing baselines, harmonies, or sending control messages.

The 13 pedals, spanning a chromatic octave, are velocity sensitive so will send appropriate data depending on how firmly they are depressed.

There are four selectable performance modes: Mono, Poly, Drums and MIDI controller. Although Roland doesn’t explain these in the press release, we can assume that “mono” is for sending single MIDI note on/off messages on a single channel, “poly” will allow multiple notes to be sent at once (possibly on different channels), “drums” will map to a GM (General MIDI) Drum Map, while MIDI controller will allow alternative control messages to be assigned to each pedal.

When sending notes, the pedals can be transposed over a nine octave range. As well as the MIDI ports there’s also a PK Out port for use with existing Roland instruments that utilise it. It runs on batteries, and presumably (hopefully) can also be mains powered.

Exact pricing and availability to be confirmed, but we expect it to retail at around the $500 mark.

Nektar tease with Panorama: dedicated Reason 6 controller

If Reason 6 is your music recording software of choice but you’re left wanting when it comes to physical controllers, you may want to keep an eye on a new company called Nektar.

Forget any generic hardware controllers. Nektar have created a dedicated keyboard controller specifically for Reason 6, and it looks pretty cool.

Panorama uses a communication protocol custom designed for Reason 6 which means that every control is within easy reach straight from the keyboard.

The gear hasn’t yet been released but there are already two sections of information on how Panorama works, including a closer look at the mixer controls and the channel strip control.

As soon as we find out more about release date and price we’ll let you know. What do you think so far?

Airpiano: play and control in mid air

Thereminesque and yet distinct in its own right, the airpiano is an exciting looking instrument which allows both discrete and continuous control of MIDI/OSC events and controllers.

Interfacing with dedicated software which can then be used to control and record to any other audio or sequencing software, the airpiano allows the musician to control things, without having to look at an external display, simply by holding, raising, lowering, sweeping and moving their hands over the instrument.

Although the sounds and effects produceable by the airpiano could be achieved with touch-based instruments, the team behind it believe there’s something cool, even magical, about the way the airpiano works.

When you consider its use as a live performance tool, rather than simply a way to get notes and other data into a sequencer, the idea should become clear. Certainly for some styles of music and performance, there’s something quite alluring about seeing the performer directly controlling their live sound through moving their hands in the space about them.

Case in point, take a look at this music video from Jo Hamilton, the first musician to get a prototype:

Jo Hamilton – Alive, Alive from Poseidon on Vimeo.

Here she demonstrates how the airpiano works:

A New Instrument – how it works from Poseidon on Vimeo.

The airpiano can be ordered for €1,099 (€1,149 international).

Hardware specifications are as follows:

• 8 infrared proximity sensors create up to 24 virtual keys and 8 virtual faders
• 40 LEDs provide easy orientation and visual feedback
• 1 momentary button allows switching between presets directly from the device
• 1/4″ connector for using an expression pedal or a foot switch
• Power 9Vdc
• USB 2.0
• Dimensions: 960 x 160 x 26 mm ; Weight: 2.8 kg

Software (Mac or PC) specifcations:

• Create and save arrangement presets
• Assign keys and faders with MIDI messages (OSC messages are sent automatically)
• Assign keys with preset-load messages (allows loading presets directly from the device)
• Set momentary button functionality
• Set pedal / foot switch functionality (MIDI CC , Global Velocity or Preset Loader)

airpiano web site

Alesis QX49 USB/MIDI keyboard controller announced

Pre-order the Alesis QX49 at zZounds and get $100 off.

Bit late off the mark on this one. In January, Alesis announced its latest controller keyboard. The QX49 USB/MIDI keyboard offers four octaves (49 keys) of controller goodness.

It’s got most everything you could want from this kind of controller keyboard: velocity sensitive keys, drum pads, rotary knobs, long-throw faders, snappy buttons, pitch and modulation wheels and footswitch input.

It powers via USB so there’s no additional wiring or power socket needs. The controls are fully assignable so it should work with most of the music production and sequencing software available for Mac and PC, or indeed any piece of MIDI hardware you connect it to.

It has a MIDI out port plus a MIDI thru, routing on any data sent from a connected computer. It will ship with a copy of Ableton Live Lite Alesis Edition.

Exact availability is to be confirmed though it’s likely to be in the second quarter of this year. It should have a retail price of around $259.

Pre-order the Alesis QX49 at zZounds and get $100 off.

Korg nanoSERIES2 trio of slim USB MIDI controllers revealed [NAMM11]

Korg has shown off three space-saving, feature rich USB MIDI controllers designed to fit right in with your laptop or desktop computer keyboard.

The slim design of the nanoSERIES2 controllers means that precious desktop space isn’t wasted, and the three variants mean there should be a solution for everyone (or, simply buy all three).

First up is nanoKEY2, a slim unit comprising of a 25 key velocity-sensitive keyboard, and ideal for entering music notes either in real or step time.

The nanoPAD2 is ideal for entering drum parts, as it features 16 responsive pads and an X-Y touchpad.

The nanoKONTROL2 includes a range of knobs, faders and switches, making it great for controlling music production software.

Here’s more information on all three units:

nanoKEY2

• Low-profile, 25-key USB-MIDI keyboard, ideal for use with laptop and netbook computers
• Advanced-design keybed offers improved accuracy and velocity-sensitive keys.
• Sustain button – ideal for entering piano parts!

Accurate, responsive, and great-feeling keybed

The nanoKEY2 features an advanced and up-to-date design. By combining the great-feeling “touch” that Korg has developed for its professional MIDI keyboards and the low-profile “thinness” of recent computer keyboard innovations, the nanoKEY2 provides a superior keyboard response for its class and size. It’s designed with ample key width and plenty of space between the keys, reducing the chances of a wrong note. The touch and velocity response have been carefully tuned, as only a manufacturer with Korg’s track record and know-how can, ensuring that your expressive performance will be conveyed accurately to your software.

Control buttons provide simple yet versatile control

The Octave Shift buttons – borrowed from Korg’s MIDI controllers – allow the overall pitch to be shifted four levels, either UP or DOWN, in octave increments. When used in conjunction with the Key Transpose feature, the nanoKEY2 can access the entire range of the notes in the MIDI spectrum. For enhanced performances, the nanoKEY2 also provides Pitch Bend buttons, a Modulation button, and a Sustain button; one that’s indispensible for piano or electric piano performance. For each of these buttons, the on/off switching speed can be specified over four levels (using Korg Kontrol Editor), ensuring smooth changes that are appropriate for your performance.

Korg Kontrol Editor software

The nanoKEY2 works with the “Korg Kontrol Editor” software – available free on the Korg website. Load it into your computer, and use it to make detailed customized settings. Choose from a total of four velocity settings: three velocity curves or fixed velocity; specify the control change messages transmitted by the modulation button and the sustain button.

USB power for an uncluttered setup

Just connect a single USB cable from your computer to the nanoKEY2, and you’ve got a quick and portable music production system. Power and USB-MIDI data travels down the same wire for a clean, efficient workspace.

nanoPAD2

• Low-profile pad controller – excellent for playing or entering drum data
• Sixteen solid, responsive, and velocity-sensitive trigger pads
• Control multiple MIDI parameters via the X-Y Touchpad

Sixteen pads in a compact body

Like all nanoSERIES2 controllers, the nanoPAD2 had to be compact, lightweight and sized to work well with any laptop or desktop computer. In addition, the nanoPAD2 also had to pack in 16 great-feeling and dynamic-sensing pads – as well as leaving room for the X-Y touchpad! The Korg nanoPAD2 does all this and more. In fact, there are four banks of pad assignments, providing a total of 64 pads setups.

Dynamic trigger pads capture all your performance nuances

The sixteen velocity-sensitive pads provide excellent response to your fingertips, and also realistically convey the playing feel to your sequencer or DAW software, ensuring that your drum parts will be full of life. By switching between the four scenes, you can experience 64 different pad assignments.

Create musical phrases using the X-Y touchpad, Touch Scale, and Gate Arp features
The X-Y pad can be used to control multiple synthesizer parameters. In addition, the new “Touch Scale” function lets you intuitively play phrases on the X-Y touchpad, just as on the Kaossilator. You can choose from sixteen different scales, and specify the root key and note range to ensure that your performance stays within your song. The “Gate Arp” function, borrowed from the Kaossilator Pro, transmits note data based on tempo; Tap tempo and tempo sync are supported. Combined with the Touch Scale, the Gate Arp allows you to play tempo-synchronized phrases and rhythms simply by stroking the X-Y pad or playing the pads.

Korg Kontrol Editor software

The nanoPAD2 works with the “Korg Kontrol Editor” software – available free on the Korg website. Load it into your computer, and use it to make detailed customized settings. Choose from a total of four velocity settings: three velocity curves or fixed velocity. You can also specify note numbers, create user scales for the Touch Scale function, assign chords, assign control change messages, and save your settings.

USB power for an uncluttered setup

Just connect a single USB cable from your computer to the nanoPAD2, and you’ve got a quick and portable music production system. Power and USB-MIDI data travels down the same wire for a clean, efficient workspace.

nanoKONTROL2

• Low-profile, multi-function control surface
• New track select and marker advance parameters
• Supports numerous software titles including major DAW programs

Convenient, compact control surface, with easy setup for immediate use

In a body proportioned to fit perfectly in front of your laptop computer, the nanoKONTROL2 provides eight channels of the controllers you need to control your music software. The nanoKONTROL2 also features a dedicated transport control section. The buttons have been carefully selected to be useful with your software, ensuring simple and intuitive control. Many software titles – including major DAW programs – are supported, dramatically reducing the need to make complicated connection settings.

Complete control for your DAW or software synthesizer

A knob, fader, and three switches are provided for each of the eight channels, respectively assigned to pan, volume, and solo/mute/record. This arrangement is a real convenience when recording automation for multiple channels. There’s also a marker button, making it easy to assign marks at important points in your song for more efficient recording and song production. When using a software synthesizer, you can assign parameters to the desired controllers for easy control. For example you could use the faders to control the ADSR of an envelope generator, and use the knobs to control the filter’s cutoff frequency and resonance, etc.

Korg Kontrol Editor software

The nanoKONTROL2 works with the “Korg Kontrol Editor” software – available free on the Korg website. Load it into your computer, and use it to make detailed customized settings. For example, the minimum and maximum values for each control change message can be specified.

USB power for an uncluttered setup

Just connect a single USB cable from your computer to the nanoKONTROL2, and you’ve got a quick and portable music production system. Power and USB-MIDI data travels down the same wire for a clean, efficient workspace.

Specifications

nanoKEY2 Specifications

Controllers:

• Keyboard: 25-key with velocity and 4 velocity curves
• Pitch up/down buttons
• Octave Shift up/down buttons with -4 to +4 octave range
• Modulation button
• Sustain button

Corresponding Software:
Host applications corresponding to MIDI input

Connections:
mini-USB

Power:
USB bus power

Power Consumption:
USB bus power: less than 100 mA

Dimensions:

• Size (W x D x H): 325 x 83 x 13 mm/ 12.80 x 3.27 x 0.51 inches
• Weight: 244 g/ 0.54 lbs.
• Accessories: USB cable

nanoPAD2 Specifications

Controllers:

• 16 trigger pads with velocity and 4 velocity curves
• X-Y pad
• HOLD button
• GATE ARP button
• TOUCH SCALE button
• KEY/RANGE button
• SCALE/ARP button
• SCENE button

Memory:
4 user scene memories

Corresponding Software:
Host applications corresponding to MIDI input

Connections:
mini-USB

Power:
USB bus power

Power Consumption:
USB bus power: less than 100 mA

Dimensions:

• Size (W x D x H): 325 x 83 x 16 mm/ 12.80 x 3.27 x 0.63 inches
• Weight: 285 g/ 0.63 lbs.
• Accessories: USB cable

nanoKONTROL2 Specifications

Controllers:

• 8 knobs
• 8 sliders
• 24 buttons
• Transport buttons: REW/FF/STOP/PLAY/REC
• CYCLE button
• MARKER button
• TRACK button

Corresponding Software:
Avid Pro Tools/Apple Logic, GarageBand/MOTU Digital Performer/Steinberg Cubase/Ableton Live/Cakewalk SONOR
Software that can be controlled by control change message

Connections:
mini-USB

Power:
USB bus power

Power Consumption:
USB bus power: less than 100 mA

Dimensions:

• Size (W x D x H): 325 x 83 x 30 mm/ 12.80 x 3.27 x 1.18 inches
• Weight: 293 g/ 0.65 lbs.
• Accessories: USB cable

System Requirements:

Macintosh:

• Supported OS: Mac OS X 10.4 or later
• Supported Computer: Apple Macintosh with USB port, satisfying the operating requirements of Mac OS X or Apple Macintosh with PowerPC supported

Windows:

• Supported OS: Microsoft Windows XP SP3 (32bit), Microsoft Windows Vista SP2 (32bit, 64bit), Microsoft Windows7 (32bit, 64bit)
• Supported Computer: Computer with USB port, satisfying the operating requirements of Windows XP/ Vista/7 (Intel USB chipset recommended)

Denon DJ unveils DN-MC6000 full mixer/four deck MIDI controller

Buy the Denon DN-MC6000 Digital Mixer/Controller on Amazon.com | Amazon UK

No sooner do you report on one DJ solution then another comes along. This is the Denon DN-MC6000 mixer and MIDI controller, featuring its own built-in sound card and a host of features to play with.

This top-of-the-line model boasts a solid steel chassis construction and quality sound, real-time channel matrix operation, slim tabletop design (also rack mountable) and 2in/2out audio interface.

Denon DN-MC6000 Key Features

• New, 3-way powerful audio/video-assignable cross fader (Audio, Audio/Video, Video)
• Newly designed, high-resolution 105-mm touch-sensitive jog wheel
• Smooth 100-mm long pitch slider with high 14-bit resolution
• Eight (4 + 4) hot cue/sampler buttons with dual bank selector key
• Auto loop button with Beat Jump (loop cut)
• Manual loop In/Out buttons
• Large-size Cue & PLAY buttons
• EFX controls, EFX keys and Parameter knobs
• Multiple GUI controls – Mixer, Video, Scratch, Sampler, REC, etc.
• Powerful Shift key – used for various dual-button operations
• Search keys, to advance around within a file
• Denon’s legacy “Pitch Bend” keys
• Vinyl and Pitch Bend Jog modes
• SYNC key for beat matching between decks
• Key Lock on/off button with LED confirmation
• Matrix Input Assignment selector knob
• Selectable PFL input gain and program meters
• Independent CUE system (all channels)
• Split Cue function with Cue/Master pan knob
• 45-mm Channel and Cross Faders
• Independent Channel A-B Thru switch (cross fader)
• Cross Fader contour adjustment
• Master Output stereo/mono switch
• Booth Output with Source Selector and level control
• Mic 3-band EQ (High-Mid-Low) for mics 1 and 2
• Mic Ducking and built-in Echo Effect for mics 1 and 2
• MIDI-mappable control surface (faders, knobs and buttons) for other DJ applications

Inputs include two RCA/Phono lines, one XLR Mic/quarter-inch one quarter-inch TRS Mic jack, and two RCA AUX inputs.

Outputs include balanced master XLR, unbalanced master RCA, quarter-inch TRS booth/send out, RCA record out, and stereo headphone out.

The DN-MC6000 also has a USB Audio in/out selectable routing switch and a Kensington lock security feature. The unit measures 18.1″ x 2″ x 10″ without rack ears. Power input is AC 100V – 240V, 50/60 Hz, and output is DC 12V, 3A.

AC adaptor power supply and 1.5-meter USB cable are included, and the unit also features a green, energy-saving ECO standby mode.

Available in the US this Fall with a RRP of $949.99 but available for less.

Denon DJ

Buy the Denon DN-MC6000 Digital Mixer/Controller on Amazon.com | Amazon UK

Novation intros Dicer: Cue point and looping control for the digital DJ

I hold my hands up because this isn’t strictly “synth”, but to be honest DJing is a secret passion of mine (I didn’t say I was good) and I see a lot of crossover between synth and DJing anyway. So here goes.

Novation has just introduced its Dicer solution for DJs. Developed with Serato Scratch Live, Dicer is a palm-sized bit of hardware that sits on the side of turntables, CDJs, mixer or laptop so it’s instantly available in a convenient location when you need it.

The Dicer site describes it:

Plug Dicer in, slot it on your turntable/CDJ, and you can instantly set cue points and use them to trigger ‘Hot Cues’. Or, flip Dicer into ‘Auto-Loop’ or ‘Loop Roll’ modes, to trigger loops, or ‘roll’ sections of the track to create climaxes, drops and glitchy breaks. Each ‘mode’ illuminates Dicer’s pads a different colour, so you can instantly see what mode the pads in, even in dark clubs and venues.

Dicer’s buttons can also ‘learn’ other software functions. So, you can assign different FX to the pads, or trigger samples over the top of your mix, or even browse tracks in your iTunes library!

Dicer was designed by Novation in collaboration with Ean Golden – DJ and curator of DJ Tech Tools. Ean came up with the concept of a controller that fits on the turntable, and his contribution has been crucial in helping Novation design and develop Dicer.

Good to see Novation continuing to launch innovative products.

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