Engadget

Akai releases MPC Fly for iPad, waits 'til you get the pun (video)

James Trew — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 19:59:00 EST

We already knew Akai was refreshing its legendary MPC range, but the newest member to the family -- the Fly -- has to be about the cutest. It kinda looks, initially, like a knock-off MPC novelty case, until you realize those pads are real, and that software on screen is legit. The case-and-device approach seems a smart idea, so it feels like one unit -- it even juices your slate when you charge its built-in battery. The trade-off is an extra two pounds of weight, and almost an inch of thickness. Somewhat lighter is the app which rocks effects, a sound library, sampling, supports WIST (Wireless Sync-Start Technology) and works on any iPad -- but you'll need a second-gen tab to use the hardware. Before you bemoan that this is some sort of cash-in, the whole idea is that you can lay down ideas on the (ahem) Fly, and pick them up later back in the studio. If you want to see more, drop some bass over the break for a video.

Continue reading Akai releases MPC Fly for iPad, waits 'til you get the pun (video)

Akai releases MPC Fly for iPad, waits 'til you get the pun (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 19 Jan 2012 19:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Akai makes intentions clear with MPC Renaissance (video)

James Trew — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 08:31:00 EST

While the majority of technology execs are packing their cases for Vegas, for some it's all about Anaheim. Akai is clearly ramping up its NAMM campaign, outing the latest in its legendary MPC series: the Renaissance. While the new boy is no dumb controller -- it packs a full audio interface, USB hub and lots of I/O -- for the first time the MPC gets dedicated external software. Sound familiar? Well yes, it's no doubt a direct response to the popular Maschine hardware / software combo from Native Instruments, but Akai isn't just playing catch-up here. The new hardware includes a "vintage" mode that recreates some of that legendary MPC3000/60 crunch, and the standalone software comes with a massive sound library, instant VST mapping (so you can work with all your third-party synths) as well as the option to run in VST / AU / RTAS mode itself. If you're worried about the possible implications of a "tethered" MPC, take a peek at the promo video over the jump, which should soon allay your fears.

Continue reading Akai makes intentions clear with MPC Renaissance (video)

Akai makes intentions clear with MPC Renaissance (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 06 Jan 2012 08:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Akai's iPad-docking SynthStation 49 and updated app: eyes-on at NAMM 2011

Trent Wolbe — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 16:38:00 EST

Remember when everything had an iPhone dock? The coming dock revolution will be just like that, but a lot more massive. Akai is showing off a non-functioning version of its SynthStation 49-key MIDI controller at NAMM this weekend, and it's pretty much the same idea as the smaller iPhone-docking Synthstation25. That said, here you've got nine velocity-sensitive MPC pads, a separate transport section, and 1/4-inch outs. And an adjustable iPad dock, which is a funny thing to see on a keyboard. Software-wise, this younger-bigger bro in the family will also support CoreMIDI -- and an updated version of Akai's SynthStation iOS app for the bigger screen, using the added real estate to allow finer, more direct control over the sound, along with a new recording section and simultaneous drum / synth sequencing. Not a bad piece of kit for the pad-centric musician in your life -- look for it to splash down this June for $199. Check below the break for video of the unit and a runthrough of the new software.

Gallery: Akai SynthStation49

Continue reading Akai's iPad-docking SynthStation 49 and updated app: eyes-on at NAMM 2011

Akai's iPad-docking SynthStation 49 and updated app: eyes-on at NAMM 2011 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 14 Jan 2011 16:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Synth pioneer Roger Linn shows us his new analog drum machine, Tempest (video)

Trent Wolbe — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 16:16:00 EST

We were wandering around the crowded, noisy halls of this year's NAMM show when a particularly freaked-out drum pattern struck our eardrums. We followed the sound and encountered a gray-haired, bespectacled gentleman tapping and tweaking knobs so professionally that we couldn't help checking out his name tag. Imagine our delight when we saw it was no less than Roger Linn, designer of the Linndrum and Akai's MPC60. If you're not familiar with those terms, no matter: let's just say that Dr. Dre and any other producer who's banged out a synthetic beat on a box owes this guy their entire career. Mr. Linn has partnered with Dave Smith Instruments to create the Tempest, a 16-pad beauty with enough knobs, buttons, and sequencing muscle to keep you inspired for endless hours in the studio. And the sound on this thing! It does include digital samples like a traditional MPC, but where it really shines is in the analog synthesis and effects department. It takes a lot for a drum machine to feel unique and valuable these days -- especially at the $2000 they'll be asking for it in June -- but the Tempest, from our brief time with it, sounds like it'll be well worth the investment for serious producers. Video of Mr. Linn's demo after the break.

Gallery: Tempest analog drum machine by Roger Linn

Continue reading Synth pioneer Roger Linn shows us his new analog drum machine, Tempest (video)

Synth pioneer Roger Linn shows us his new analog drum machine, Tempest (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 14 Jan 2011 16:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Akai SynthStation49 dock / giant keyboard combo is less portable than its predecessor

Laura June — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 12:41:00 EST

You may or may not be familiar with Akai's previous iPad dock / keyboard combo, the SynthStation. The thing is, the original SynthStation's keyboard was miniature, and the dock was designed for the iPhone -- presumably so that it was simultaneously portable. Well, the new Akai SynthStation49 adds a full keyboard, though it obviously loses that portability. Regardless, the SynthStation49 packs nine MPC-style pads, dedicated pitch and mod wheels, and transport controls. The internal audio boasts 1/4-inch outputs, and the hardware is MIDI supporting, so you can use the keyboard as a MIDI input device. This one is currently awaiting certification from Apple, so we can't say when it'll be released, nor do we have pricing. Hit up the source link for more details.

Akai SynthStation49 dock / giant keyboard combo is less portable than its predecessor originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 13 Jan 2011 12:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

The iPhone gets third party apps for third party hardware, but the proprietary SDKs make the future sad

Paul Miller — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 16:40:00 EST

Leave it to Apple to make the process of building software to work with new third party iPhone hardware sound like some Kafkaesque nightmare. Here's the basic gist of it: Apple, just like always, has to approve any third party hardware that plugs into one of its iOS devices over the 30-pin dock connector. What's new is that before only the first party manufacturer could build software that works with that hardware, but now Apple is allowing that manufacturer to act as a gatekeeper for third party apps that would interoperate with its hardware. That means exciting times for app developers that are raring to mix with the likes of Line 6's MIDI Mobilizer (pictured) and AKAI's SynthStation 25, but it's also a far cry from the land of computers where anybody can build a plug-and-play USB MIDI device, and anybody can build software that speaks to it. It also means juggling proprietary SDKs, NDAs, and other agreements, which could become very difficult for developers if or when the hardware availability balloons. Hopefully we can get something more elegant before it comes to that. Hit up the source link for an in-depth discussion of this issue.

The iPhone gets third party apps for third party hardware, but the proprietary SDKs make the future sad originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 Aug 2010 16:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Scratch: The Ultimate DJ hands-on

Tim Stevens — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 02:59:00 EST

For the past few years E3 has been a tale of two guitar games. In a lot of ways it still is, with the Guitar Hero and Rock Band clans still battling it out for plastic instrument supremacy, but this year two turntable games are also vying for your attention. DJ Hero has far more brand recognition on the box, but Scratch: the Ultimate DJ has the better hardware, and we got our hands on it.

Gallery: Scratch: The Ultimate DJ

Continue reading Scratch: The Ultimate DJ hands-on

Filed under: Gaming

Scratch: The Ultimate DJ hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 04 Jun 2009 02:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

NAMM Show 2009 round-up highlights: keytars and more!

Laura June — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 21:04:00 EST

The big NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) show is going on through this Sunday in Anaheim, California, so we thought we'd bring you a few of the highlights debuting there. Among the beauties on offer is Native Instruments' Maschine Groove Production Studio, a hard / software combo loaded with 5GB of samples, 16 illuminated pads for making beats and patterns, two high resolution displays, and eight rotary encoders. The Stealth Pedal maraudes as a wah, but acts as an assignable expression pedal, with a double footswitch and the option to add a third pedal via USB, with a 24-bit USB audio interface and software. The Akai APC40 is a MIDI control surface designed in conjunction with Ableton to work out of the box with Live on a PC or Mac. Last (but surely not least) Roland's resurrected the AX-7 with the updated and delicious AX-Synth "shoulder keyboard" AKA keytar. This bad boy's got 49 keys, 7 LEDs, tons of control options, and a 128-voice polyphonic sound engine which is editable with included software. Check the gallery of each glorious item -- and yes, we know that Edgar Winter's not playing an actual keytar in the video (it's just a giant keyboard strapped to his insane body), but seriously, who cares?

Gallery: NAMM Gallery

Read - Maschine Groove Production Studio
Read - The NAMM Show
Read - Stealth Pedal
Read - Akai APC40
Read - Roland AX-Synth

Continue reading NAMM Show 2009 round-up highlights: keytars and more!

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets, Wearables

NAMM Show 2009 round-up highlights: keytars and more! originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 16 Jan 2009 21:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Akai's EWI USB wind instrument now shipping, to reveal your inner Kenny G.

Tim Stevens — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 10:54:00 EST

We've certainly seen no shortage USB-friendly MIDI devices lately, whether they be instruments or hacks, but it's been a long, long time since one caught our eye that brought your breath into the equation. Akai's latest, the EWI (that's "eee-whee" if you can dig it) USB is now shipping for $499, enabling you to simulate anything from a flute to a trumpet at a price about $200 less than the company's other electronic wind instruments. It even comes with a complete software recording suite, meaning getting this EWI installed should be easier than playing a chromatic scale on a slide flute. Mastering the sweet, soulful strains of "Silhouette," however, might be a little more complicated.

Update: Rollins wrote in to let us know these things are going for just $299 online. Those "Sentimental" fantasies just got that much more accessible!

[Via musicradar.com]

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

Akai's EWI USB wind instrument now shipping, to reveal your inner Kenny G. originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 14 Nov 2008 10:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Akai L8 LCD TVs include DVD player, 3-in-1 card reader

Darren Murph — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 03:05:00 EST

Good hearin' from ya Akai -- for a ~~minute~~ few months there, we assumed you were just passed out cold or something. Straight from Australia, the outfit has revealed the L8 family of LCD TVs: the 19-inch L819DDVD, 22-inch L822DDVD and 42-inch L842DDFD. The latter unit gets a full-blown 1080p panel, while the other two provide a 1,440 x 900 and 1,680 x 1,050 resolution, respectively. Each set comes stocked with a built-in HD digital tuner along with HDMI / S-Video / composite / VGA inputs; the smaller two even include an integrated DVD player and a 3-in-1 card reader, though apparently the big boy is too sophisticated for those toys. Grab 'em now if you're Down Under for $599.95, $699.96 and $1,699.95 in order of mention.

Filed under: Displays, Players, Others, LCD

Akai L8 LCD TVs include DVD player, 3-in-1 card reader originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 19 Sep 2008 03:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

AKAI / Memorex to ship 1080p rear-projection LCoS HDTVs this summer

Darren Murph — Wed, 10 Jan 2007 10:58:00 EST

Considering how well RPTVs (well, HDTVs in general, actually) have been selling lately, it's no surprise to see two more low-end manufacturers looking to grab their own piece of the pie. MicroDisplay Corporation announced at CES that bottom-end stalwarts AKAI and Memorex will both start shipping 1080p-capable rear-projection sets this summer. The TVs will be based on MicroDisplay's "proprietary single-chip 1080p LCoS digital projection imaging technology," dubbed Liquid Fidelity, which supposedly maintains a crisp, "home theater-like" picture while eliminating two of the three chips "required by other LCoS technologies." No hard details were shared about any of the units, but it was noted that we'll see sizes ranging from 52- to 62-inches, and each set will be "customized with a variety of options." So if you'll still be hunting for a 1080p set this summer, and don't mind the low-end quality for the rock bottom price, these AKAI / Memorex units should fit the bill quite nicely.

Filed under: Displays, Others, LCoS

AKAI / Memorex to ship 1080p rear-projection LCoS HDTVs this summer originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 10 Jan 2007 10:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Akai MPC-1000 drum machine drops a beat, plays Pong

Darren Murph — Thu, 28 Dec 2006 18:28:00 EST

Cram any sort of retro game onto a machine clearly not designed to play it and you'll probably color us impressed, and just as the off the wall Doom installations, MIDI hacks, and Wolfenstein ports have gone down, Japan's own JJ has struck a cord with vintage folk everywhere with his latest tweak. Reportedly, the hacker / entertainer re-wrote the actual operating system for a $999 Akai MPC-1000 drum machine, added a few features from the more expensive MPC-2500, and got the MIDI all setup precisely like he wanted -- all to play a little musical Pong. Aside from the snazzy custom loading screen, the game itself looks to work fairly well, and also triggers samples of your choice to loop in the background while gaming. The good news is that the Pong upgrade will only set you back $30, but the bad news is that would require you to actually already own the Akai machine, and just in case your wallet can't handle anymore abuse whatsoever after this past Monday, just click on through for a (gratis) YouTube demonstration.

[Via Joystiq]

Continue reading Akai MPC-1000 drum machine drops a beat, plays Pong

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets, Gaming, Portable Audio

Akai MPC-1000 drum machine drops a beat, plays Pong originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 28 Dec 2006 18:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Music Thing: Akai's portable MPC-500

Tom Whitwell — Fri, 22 Sep 2006 19:30:00 EST

Sometimes, vapourware turns out to be real. There have been rumors, complete with stupid photoshop images, that a portable, pocket-sized sampler/drum machine called the MPC-500 was about to be launched by Akai for at least two years. Last week, after a few leaked photos appeared, it was finally announced: a little black box running on 6 AA batteries, with 12 pads, 16mb of memory and a two-line LCD display beamed straight out of a 1985 pocket calculator. Is it the greatest piece of pocketable audio kit since the Walkman iPod, or just an overpriced toy for DJ wannabes? Keep reading for the full scoop...

Continue reading Music Thing: Akai's portable MPC-500

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets, Portable Audio

Music Thing: Akai's portable MPC-500 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Sep 2006 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments