ALESIS FUSION WORKSTATION UPDATE
The free Version 1.20 for Alesis’ Fusion 6HD/8HD keyboard workstations expands the sound palette with new downloadable sounds and greater compatibility with commercially available samples. Also new is the RP lowpass filter from Alesis’ popular Ion synth and three formant filters, along with up to four sample oscillator layers per program. Included Fusion Converter software lets users convert various sample formats to Fusion format. Supported formats include .WAV, .AIFF and Akai programs for S1000/S3000/S5000 (samples and program data), as well as soundfonts. NAMM booth: #6864.
401/658-5760
www.alesis.com
ALTERNATE MODE MALLETKAT PRO 6
Alternate Mode is proud to announce its 20-year anniversary of the malletKAT Pro. Introducting “Anniversary Version 6,” our newest software update for all malletKAT Pros and malletKAT Expresses. Our continued support for the “war on obsolence” offers the malletKAT as perhaps the oldest MIDI controller still in production. New features include dead stroking, multiple loop toggling, note-to-PC and many more. Price: $2,249.
877/933-6237
www.alternatemode.com
E-MU SYSTEMS XBOARD 61
The new Xboard™ 61 USB/MIDI controller for PC and Mac operating systems features 61 premium full-size keys with aftertouch, 16 programmable real-time control knobs, 16 new patch-select/program-change buttons, Xboard Control editing software and a full version of E-mu’s Proteus X V. 1.5 desktop sound module with more than 2 GB of sounds, including a new custom bank of E-mu’s finest performance keyboard sounds. The Xboard 61 is perfect for studio and stage (USB, battery or AC power), and will ship April 2006. NAMM booth: #6940.
831/438-1921
www.emu.com
FUTURE RETRO 30E MODULAR EXPANDER
The 30E expander can be used to increase the sonic possibilities of all our existing products, other analog modular systems or be used to process external sounds. Features include a wide-range VCO, multimode filter, unique ADSR-type envelope and VCA section. NAMM booth: #1787.
785/827-9278
www.future-retro.com
KORG TR SERIES MUSIC WORKSTATIONS
The new Korg 61, 76 and 88-key TR Music Workstations deliver high-quality sounds, classic Korg sequencing, and up-to-date storage and computer connectivity at a cost-effective price. The company’s abundant 64 MB of sounds include an all-new stereo, velocity-switched piano and many other acoustic instruments. High-capacity SD cards provide quick and easy storage of sounds, songs and sample data. USB MIDI functionality offers easy connection to computer-based DAW systems. Sampling can be added as an option. Priced from $1,600. NAMM booth: #6440.
631/390-6500
www.korg.com
MUSE RESEARCH RECEPTOR UPDATE
Receptor is the ultimate synth/sampler/sound module combining the convenience and ease-of-use of dedicated hardware with the power and flexibility of software. Now with its fifth release of system software, Receptor is also a powerful studio system accelerator thanks to UniWire technology. UniWire lets you run your VST plug-ins on Receptor, letting them appear as if they were running inside your computer, freeing precious CPU cycles to run your DAW application. Price: $1,599. NAMM booth: #1109.
650/326-5400
www.museresearch.com
NOVATION REMOTE SL25
Combining a MIDI keyboard with a software control surface is the Novation Music ReMote SL25, a compact controller powered by USB, batteries or an external power supply. In addition to 25 aftertouch- and velocity-sensitive keys and eight velocity-sensitive trigger pads, the SL25 has 56 assignable controls: 32 buttons, eight knobs, eight sliders and eight rotary encoders. Two bright displays show 16 assigned parameter names and values simultaneously. The keyboard has an assignable X/Y touchpad and a joystick for pitch bend and modulation, and the control surface provides sequencer transport buttons. Price: $499. NAMM booth: #6474.
Dist. by American Music & sound
800/431-3129
www.novationmusic.com
OPEN LABS NEKO 64 GEN2/NEKO LE GEN2
Open Labs offers its next generation of keyboard workstations: the NeKo 64 Gen2 ($5,995) and the “light” version, NeKo LE Gen2 ($2,295). Gen2 stashes a powerful 2GHz Athlon dual-core 64-bit processor under the hood, which runs Windows XP. Other new performance features include the RunSilent and PowerRush technologies. RunSilent maintains quiet operation and lowers operation temperatures by dynamically controlling CPU and fan speeds. PowerRush increases CPU clock speed on the fly to boost system performance as needed by heavier loads. The workstations both include a new sound library of hundreds of effects and more than 5,000 presets, and are available in 61- or 76-key versions. NAMM booth: #5804.
www.openlabs.com
SYNTHAX GUITAR-TO-MIDI CONTROLLER
Features extremely fast tracking due to impulse early recognition system; compatibility with electric and acoustic guitars and electric basses; and is compatible with 13-pin MIDI pickup systems. Includes soundboard with more than 500 high-quality sounds and editor software for Mac OS X and Windows 2000 and XP. Price: $699. NAMM booth: #7000.
330/259-0308
www.synthax.com
YAMAHA MO6 AND MO8
Based on technology developed for the Motif ES are two new Yamaha keyboards: the 61-key synth-action MO6 ($1,499) and the 88-key hammer-action MO8 ($1,999). Both are 16-part multitimbral workstations with 64-note polyphony, 512 timbres, 64 drum kits, onboard song and pattern sequencing, and extensive effects. Performance mode combines as many as four timbres in layers or splits. The arpeggiator supplies more than 1,700 sequenced phrases that interact with your keyboard performance. Both provide templates for working in tandem with computer software, offering remote control of DAW functions such as track-arming, mixing and transport commands. NAMM booth: #100 in Marriott.
www.yamaha.com
