New from Akai

Akai have been busy bees over the last few months and have presented a slew of new gear at Winter NAMM today. Besides a shed load of guitar FX pedals, all of which look the business, two particular bits of kit grabbed my attention.

First up, the SynthStation49, an MPK like controller with iPad dock built in that allows you to fully utilise the iPad as a musical instrument. Whilst I’m no iPad fan, I can see this being very successful and certainly sweetens the musical proposition of Steve Jobs latest digital trinket…. (can you imagine this running the Fairlight iPad app?? 😉 )

Create the tracks of tomorrow, today.

SynthStation49 is the most advanced, intuitive music controller designed specifically for use with the iPad and the first true iPad performance tool for musicians. Working seamlessly with Akai Professional’s heralded SynthStation software, SynthStation49 provides unparalleled music creation capabilities, including direct in-app MIDI recording from its velocity-sensitive keyboard, nine MPC-style drum pads and array of transport controls. In addition to its integration with the SynthStation app, SynthStation49 is also completely iOS CoreMIDI compatible, making it instantly compatible with dozens of music apps already in the App Store and hundreds more on the way.

Dock, power and position the iPad perfectly using the adjustable-angled cradle, or establish commanding control over your favorite computer software using SynthStation49‘s USB/MIDI port. Professional ¼” outputs and extreme portability ensure you’ll be able to take your sequences straight to the stage at a moments notice.

SynthStation49 is the only full-featured, professional keyboard controller allowing direct MIDI performance recording onto an iPad. Bridging Akai Professional’s popular MPK controllers with the previously released SynthStation25, SynthStation49 provides immense software control with forty-nine, full-size velocity-sensitive keys, nine backlit MPC-style drum pads and full transport buttons. An adjustable-angled dock for iPad allows the user to easily slide their tablet into the SynthStation49’s cradle and position the screen to their preference.

SynthStation49’s keyboard, pitch/modulation wheels and sustain pedal input provide great feel and the essential controls for musicians and producers to compose, record and perform. The nine drum pads of SynthStation49 give users immediate, intuitive beat-creation capabilities over the 50 classic and modern kits available within the SynthStation software. Program, Sequence, Song select and Transport buttons also provide quick navigation to the SynthStation App’s most used components for a seamless, efficient workflow.

SynthStation49 also contains a stereo pair of professional ¼” TRS outputs with volume knob for easy connecting to other pro audio equipment on stage or in the studio. A headphone output also lets users practice and compose in private. The SynthStation49’s USB port can be connected directly to a Mac or PC computer to receive power in addition to transmitting MIDI to and from music software – a great way to turn the SynthStation App or other CoreMIDI compatible App into a sound module. You can even use SynthStation49 as a traditional USB MIDI controller with your computer – no iPad required!

AkaiConnect SDK allows third-party developers to take advantage of all the professional controls and capabilities of Akai Pro’s SynthStation49 keyboard controller and incorporate support for those controls within their iPad applications. Software developers interested in creating programs compatible with SynthStation49 can submit an application now at SynthStationApp.com.

Pending certification from Apple.
iPhone and iPod touch are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.

Next up is the gorgeously retro looking EIE I/O (geddit??)….

Audio/MIDI Interface with USB Hub.

All your music gear in perfect harmony.
The EIE I/O is a tabletop USB audio interface perfectly tailored for your project and portable studio setups. This four-in, four-out (4×4) device enables you on Mac and PC-based systems to record up to 24-bit resolution into virtually any DAW, recording or performance software. The EIE I/O also houses three convenient USB inputs, in addition to its main USB port, enabling you to connect controllers, hard drives or any other peripheral when native ports on a computer may be limited. The compact recording interface contains high-quality components including nickel-plated input jacks, analog-style VU meters and a rugged aluminum casing for a powerful, professional, portable audio solution.

Each channel of the EIE I/O has a XLR-¼” combo jack, dedicated sturdy, gain-pots and Mic/Line/Guitar switches. The EIE I/O features four discrete-design preamplifiers with 48V phantom power for use with virtually any microphone. Individual ¼” Nickel-plated jacks found on the back of EIE I/O provide you with channel inserts for processing audio signals externally. You can monitor sessions on multiple sets of studio monitors using the four ¼” balanced outputs, which are also Nickel-plated. Both pairs of outputs can be monitored visually with the high-quality, analog VU meters providing classic features with modern style. For remote tracking and alternative playback, the EIE I/O has a 1/4” TRS headphone output. High quality analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog converters ensure that every detail of your session or performance gets captured and played back faithfully.

The EIE I/O sends and receives four audio channels on a single USB cable for simple, universal interface to a computer. The three additional USB ports allow EIE I/O to function as a hub as well, bridging other MIDI controllers and hard-drives to the computer. The USB interface is class compliant for plug-and-play operation with Mac OS X and Windows XP, Vista and 7. The EIE I/O features traditional MIDI In and Out jacks for playing and controlling software with keyboard and pad controllers, workstations, and other MIDI-compatible instruments.

Yet again, Akai hit upon some very cool and clever ideas. I truly hope these do very well indeed.