Line 6 throws more MIDI love at iDevices, intros Mobile Keys keyboard controllers

Line 6 hasn't been a stranger to uniting musician's iDevices and MIDI controllers with its MIDI-Mobilizers, but now it's unleashing a duo of keyboard-style controllers of its own here at CES. Its Mobile Keys can connect straight to your iPhone's 30-pin port, and even over USB if you feel like recording some loops straight from your computer. The controller features velocity sensitive keys, two 1/4-inch jacks for sustain pedals and the like, and it'll interface with any apps that support CoreMIDI. Thankfully, the controllers are bus-powered, so you won't need batteries -- we'd imagine, however, that the convenience might be at the expense of your iDevice's normal run-time. If you're recording bug is piqued, you'll be able to pick it up with either 25 or 49 keys in the "early 2012, respectively priced at $150 and $200. Full details in the press release after the break.

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Line 6 Unveils Mobile Keys™ Premium Keyboard Controller for iPad - iPhone - Mac -
PC

Available in 25- and 49-key models, each with full-size keys, iOS and USB connectivity, and compatibility with iPhone®, iPad®, and iPod touch®.

Las Vegas, Nevada, January 10, 2012 – Line 6 (booth 6819), a pioneering company in the music technology field, is proud to announce the release of Mobile Keys 25 and Mobile Keys 49, a pair of new, lightweight, ultraportable keyboards designed to control iOS music apps that do double duty as USB MIDI controllers for Mac® and Windows® computers. Both models have full-size keys and solid keyboard action. The keys are velocity sensitive, allowing them to accurately interpret the nuances and subtleties of a keyboardist's playing. Both Mobile Keys models are compatible with any iOS app that supports the CoreMIDI standard for input, including Apple GarageBand® and numerous drum machines, synthesizers, and virtual instruments.

"With Mobile Keys 25 and 49, not only do you have two extremely portable options for playing and recording on the go with your iPhone and iPad music apps," says Line 6 co-founder and digital audio innovator Marcus Ryle, "but you can move seamlessly between your iOS music apps and your Mac or PC, as well."

The keyboards require no additional hardware to function-they plug right into an iOS device's dock connector. They're bus powered, so they need no external power supply or batteries. The two keyboards are equipped with pitch bend and modulation wheels for additional sonic control, and they also have a pair of 1/4-inch TRS jacks for plugging in sustain and expression pedals. Both keyboards also have USB jacks and are USB class-compliant, allowing seamless connection with Mac and Windows desktop and laptop computers. Suggested retail price for Mobile Keys 25 is $149.99, and Mobile Keys 49 is $199.99, and both are shipping early 2012.

Line 6's innovative products have been at the cutting edge of digital audio development for musicians since the company pioneered the digital modeling guitar amplifier in 1996. Before they formed Line 6 in the mid-'90s, Ryle and co-founder Michel Doidic were responsible for developing the software for the Alesis® ADAT®, the digital multitrack recorder that revolutionized the recording industry. Today, Line 6 produces a wide variety of hardware and software products including POD® multi-effect processors, POD Farm® software plug-ins, Spider® guitar amps, a range of professional digital wireless instrument and microphone systems, the Mobile In™ digital guitar interface for iOS devices with Mobile POD app, and the MIDI Mobilizer™ II MIDI interface for iOS devices.

Mobile Keys 25 and Mobile Keys 49 are compatible with iPod touch (3rd and 4th generation), iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, iPad 2 and iPad, as well as Mac and PC computers.

Apple, iPod touch, iPhone, iPad, Mac and GarageBand are trademarks of Apple Inc, registered in the U.S. and other countries. Apple is not responsible for the operation of this device or its compliance with safety and regulatory standards. Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and other countries. Alesis and ADAT are registered trademarks of Alesis, L.P. Line 6, POD, POD Farm, and Spider are trademarks of Line 6, Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. Mobile Keys, MIDI Mobil