Hasta La Gadget!

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.

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 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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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.

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 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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This week’s apps include a newsreader that lets you view actual print newspapers and a Motocross game that’s both fun and extremely challenging.

Originally posted at The Download Blog

Less than 3 years after its celebrated opening, despite pointed punditry and some certain growing pains, Apple’s App Store is about to claim 10 billion App downloads. To celebrate, as they did with iTunes reaching 10 billion downloads, Apple is giving away a $10,000 iTunes gift card to the person that purchases the 10 billionth download.

Originally posted at iPad Atlas

No! NO! My sign has changed! According to some made up crap by a bunch of people who deal in made up crap, I’m now a Sagittarius, because of planetary movement. Unfortunately for those who care, this means absolutely zero. More »