Welcome to the January edition of the Akai Professional e-newsletter. This month we are at the biggest music-gear trade show with big news to start the new year! We have new gear, a fresh review of the APC40 and a spotlight on rock legend and APC40 user, Pete Townshend.
- AKAI PRO AT WINTER NAMM
- INTRODUCING THE APC20
- INTRODUCING SynthStation
- INTRODUCING THE MPD26
- TAPE OP MAGAZINE REVIEWS THE APC40
- APC40 EUROPEAN VIDEO CONTEST ENTRIES
- PETE TOWNSHEND
The Winter NAMM show is the place to be for the latest music-gear industry news. Of course, Akai Pro is there with new products and lots of news of our own. Check out our NAMM show page for the latest updates direct from the show floor.
Akai Professional worked in partnership with software developer Ableton to create the APC20, the second Akai controller specifically made for Ableton Live performance. Like the APC40, using the APC20 transforms your experience from one of constructing tracks with a keyboard and mouse to composing and performing with a seamless, fully integrated hardware/software musical system. The APC20 is perfect for compact setups and multi-controller configurations alike. Read on at the APC20 page.
SYNTH STATION is the first iPhone/iPod touch app from Akai Professional. This virtual production studio gives you three virtual-analog synths with three oscillators each and 50 drum kits with a sequencer. You can create exactly the tones you like and then use the filters, oscillators, and arpeggiator to shape, texture, and add rhythm to your sounds – just like a physical synthesizer. SYNTH STATION has effects with easy-to-use controls and an on-screen keyboard, plus it’s seamlessly compatible with the iPK25 docking keyboard controller.
The newest member of the MPD family is the MPD26. It's not just a controller; it contains a handful of the key MPC technologies that have made the MPC the unquestioned standard in professional beat production, including MPC Note Repeat, MPC Swing, and an arpeggiator. MPD26's blend of intuitive MPC controls and technologies meshes with USB connectivity to bring the feel of classic beat making to the world of computer music production. See all the details about it here.
TAPE OP MAGAZINE REVIEWS APC40
TapeOp Magazine got their hands on the APC40 and said, "Using the APC40 is a joy; it's actually quite inspiring...as if you're actually playing an instrument." Read the whole review here.
APC40 EUROPEAN VIDEO CONTEST ENTRIES
When we set up a contest in Europe to see what people are doing with their APC40s, we were very impressed with the results. See the videos here, and we will announce the winner next month!
ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: PETE TOWNSHEND
Few rock stars can truly claim to be legends of rock. The Who's Pete Townshend is the genuine article and he absolutely loves his APC40 and says, "I'm hooked!" He's our featured artist this month.
Do you have a question for our team? Have a topic you would like to see us cover? Your comments, feedback, and suggestions are welcome. Contact us!
Akai Professional, LLC
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Cumberland, RI 02864
USA
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