iRigKeys
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The iRig Keys I/O makes it easy to streamline your studio
Whether you're demo-ing a song for your band or recording a masterpiece to share on Soundcloud, you'll likely need a couple of things to connect to your computer. If you're planning on having any real instruments or vocals, you'll need some sort of audio interface to turn your analog sounds into digital ones. I have an M-Audio MobilePre USB for that task, which runs about $180 on Amazon. In addition, you probably want to have a MIDI controller, to "play" all those sounds you don't have real instruments for. These can typically cost $250-$500 or so, depending on features. At $300, IK Multimedia's iRig Keys I/O 49 comes in at the lower end of this bracket.
IK Multimedia announces iRig KEYS portable keyboard for iOS devices, ships this fall for $94
If you prefer a set of keys to power your mobile recording sessions instead of a guitar adapter of some sort, you're in luck. The folks at IK Multimedia have just revealed the iRig KEYS portable keyboard peripheral for iOS devices and both Mac and Windows PCs. Packing 37 velocity-sensitive mini keys, the add-on touts a three full-octave range, modulation / pitch bend wheels, an input for a sustain / expression pedal and an assortment of controls for customizing your sound just so. Should you feel inclined, this iRig offering connects via USB to a computer for an "in-studio," desktop tracking experience. The unit is Core MIDI compliant and sports plug-and-play functionality alongside the outfit's SampleTank family of apps. Said software can function on its own on the PC side or as a plug-in for more robust offerings like GarageBand, Pro Tools, Cubase, Sonar and the like. Itchin' to snag one? You'll have to wait until sometime this fall, but when it arrives, the KEYS will set you back €74.99 ($94). %Gallery-163876%
