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Zivix PUC gets MIDI instruments talking wirelessly to iOS and PCs (video)
Zivix promised wireless freedom to iOS-loving guitarists when it unveiled the JamStik; today, it's extending that liberty to a much wider range of musicians. Its just-announced PUC peripheral connects most any MIDI instrument to iOS devices, Macs and Windows PCs through a direct WiFi link. The device works with many CoreMIDI-capable apps, and it takes power through either a micro-USB source or a pair of AA batteries. Zivix plans to sell the PUC for $129 in December, although you'll get a price break if you reserve early -- the company is running a crowdfunding campaign that lets early adopters pay between $69 to $99 for a regular model.
Jamstik portable MIDI guitar lets you play and learn on the iPad wirelessly
We heard from our friends over at TechCrunch (thanks, John Biggs!) that a company called Zivix has been showing off a cool little MIDI guitar at CES, so here it is! Dubbed the Jamstik, this digital instrument serves the same purpose as the already-available You Rock, except this one comes with real guitar strings, works wirelessly over WiFi, features a lower latency (under 10ms instead of about 20ms, according to Zivix's lab test), and it also has a shorter neck plus a much smaller body for the sake of portability -- even for some casual plucking on the plane. The Jamstik also supports string bending thanks to the way it detects finger movement on the neck -- the rows of infrared lights and sensors under the strings make the magic happen. Of course, you'd need a PC or an iOS device (with CoreMIDI-compatible apps like GarageBand and Animoog) to get the audio, and for the latter, Zivix will be offering three apps: JamTutor guitar teaching suite, JamHero game (very much like Guitar Hero and Rock Band) and Jam Live music remixer. We had a go using a wired prototype Jamstik, and apart from the slight delay between our strumming and the audio output (which will be further fine-tuned before going retail), we had a lot of fun with it. Check out the demo videos after the break, and expect to see the Jamstik hit the market this summer for somewhere around $249 to $299.
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%
iConnectMIDI provides for all your MIDI requirements, including iOS
For musicians who use MIDI, it can be difficult and frustrating to get all your MIDI gear to talk to each other, especially all at the same time. Usually you hit some kind of snag, like your USB port not providing enough power to your MIDI device. Or older MIDI gear with 5-pin DIN MIDI connectors won't talk to your computer or newer MIDI gear, which only uses USB. Additionally, more and more people are using MIDI on their iPads and iPhones to make music, taking advantage of the huge amount of CoreMIDI compatible apps out there. For the average user, it can be difficult just to connect a MIDI keyboard up to an iPhone, let alone any additional MIDI gear. And if you're the kind of musician that has MIDI instruments and devices scattered all around your work space, then you know what it is to need a MIDI interface. Previosuly, TUAW has coverd some other solutions, but the guys at iConnectivity have come up with a one size fits all solution: the iConnectMIDI -- a MIDI interface handling up to 12 MIDI connections. In a small, but sturdy package, the iConnecMIDI has 2 miniUSB ports for iOS or desktop computer (Mac or PC) input, a powered (up to 500mA), standard USB port that can be connected to a hub supporting 8 devices, and 2 MIDI DIN ports for older gear. That's someting I've not seen on other MIDI interfaces! Alongside a whole list of fantastic features (super fast -- no effective latency, multi-platform compatibility, no computer required), iConnectMIDI can be programmed to route and filter your MIDI data just how you want it. For example, get your iPad to talk to just one connected keyboard or all connected instruments. Or, as iConnectivity explains, "filter out all pitch bend data going out of ports 3 and 7... [or set] all data from three keyboard controllers go to one connected synthesizer." I got a chance to use the iConnect MIDI for myself, and although my setup is not very complicated, it was great to be able to hook everything up together and see it work seamlessly. And not to worry about power (except for my iPad)! At US$199.99 (with a promotional introductory price of $179), the iConnectMIDI is not for the light MIDI user. But considering its cutting edge feature set and tidy, sturdy footprint, if you're using the ever expanding range of iOS MIDI apps alongside your traditional MIDI gear, the iConnectMIDI needs to be at the center of your MIDI world.
Ion's Drum Master and Drum Apprentice help you embrace your inner Travis Barker
Looking to add some back beats to your iPad-only band? Ion is looking help you achieve quasi-Questlove status with the Drum Master -- and we caught a glimpse at CES. The full-size kit for your Apple tablet affords you the ability to capture tracks with GarageBand while playing nice with other Core MIDI apps. Is the idea of larger set too daunting? Snag the Drum Apprentice for your iOS slate or handheld. Connecting via a free app, you'll learn all the basics and be well on your way to rock star status.
Ion Piano Apprentice plays nice with your iPad, lights up your life
It's not enough anymore to simply cram a single-octave keyboard into the bottom of a Nintendo DS, effective piano instruction requires at least twice as many keys -- and an iPad. The Ion Piano Apprentice (when coupled with a compatible iDevice and companion app) offers aspiring Tchaikovskys octave-selectable free play, lessons on reading sheet music, and even a view of award-winning piano instructor Scott Houston's handsome hands. If those mitts are too distracting for you, just follow along with the light-up keys, you'll be fine. This mini keyboard / iPad dock will land this fall to the tune of $100 -- -- it's either that, a real instructor, or a pair of haptic robot gloves. Your choice, really. Hit the PR after the break for a peek at Mr. Houston's official nickname, if you're into that sort of thing.
MIDI Mobilizer II stores your musical stylings, plays nice with CoreMIDI apps
Much music making progress has been made since we first saw Line 6's MIDI Mobilizer -- namely, Apple put MIDI APIs in iOS and iPads started slinging super funky synthesized songs on the regular. In order to embrace the Cupertino-curated CoreMIDI standard, Line 6 has unveiled the MIDI Mobilizer II dongle. It looks like the original and uses the same MIDI Memo Recorder app to store and dispense your sonic musings, but this $70 piece of kit only works with the 3rd and 4th gen iPod touch, the iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4, and the iPad and iPad 2. Most importantly, the MIDI Mobilizer is compatible with GarageBand and all the latest CoreMIDI apps the kids are crazy about. Still not sold on the device's ability to help you make a dope digital ditty? Peep the PR and video after the break to learn more.
iDJ Live gives your iPad two turntables, microphone not included
Looking to get a more realistic feel from your Djay iOS app? Yeah, we suspected as much, and now Numark's giving you the ability to boost your street cred while spinnin' tracks in the club... or, you know, your mum's living room. The company's new iDJ Live accessory does its darndest to transform your iOS device (iPhone and iPod compatible, despite being obviously tailored for iPad) into a more legit deejay set-up. With George Strait / MC Hammer mash-ups just waiting to happen, the device guides you into the musical unknown with two "turntables," a mixer (with crossfader), an iPad stand and connection capabilities for use with an external sound system. Already sold? She's yours for a cool Benjamin, and if you'd rather use your existing stash of CoreMIDI-enabled DJ apps, be our guest.
The iPad and MIDI hardware working together, here's how.
Create Digital Music has put together an interesting video detailing the various ways that you can connect MIDI gear (synthesizers / keyboards) to your iPad. MIDI (musical instrument digital interface) is the standard means by which musical information is communicated between MIDI capable hardware and software. As Create Digital Music puts it, "... [MIDI] doesn't transmit sound, but it does transmit information like pitch, note events, knob twists, button presses, and clock and transport information." Using various MIDI-compatible apps on your iPad, and the Apple Camera Connection Kit or the Line 6 Midi Mobilizer, it's actually pretty straight forward getting MIDI gear (from today, dating all the way back to the 1980s) to work with your iPad. Since Apple introduced Core MIDI into iOS 4.2 and above, it's easier than ever to get your iPad working with MIDI devices -- and that's what the video after the break demonstrates. If you've found some interesting music apps for your iPad, but you're struggling to integrate them with your music-setup (or even just use a MIDI keyboard with your iPad) then the video after the break is for you. [Via Engadget]
Akai's iPad-docking SynthStation 49 and updated app: eyes-on at NAMM 2011
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-114447%
iOS 4.2 CoreMIDI apps begin to arrive on the App Store
When we got word a few weeks ago that Apple was introducing CoreMIDI into iOS 4.2, our minds began to ponder the new possibilities it would present. Since the release of iOS 4.2, however, with all the buzz surrounding the latest iOS software update, we forgot all about CoreMIDI. And that's because we hadn't seen any apps on the App Store taking advantage of it, until now. Apple has now begun to approve apps for the App Store that take advantage of the CoreMIDI API. Interestingly enough, one of the first apps to take advantage of CoreMIDI isn't a music app at all. It's Luminair for iPad -- a DMX-compatible lighting console app for your theatrical or concert lighting rig -- and it takes advantage of the CoreMIDI API via Apple's USB Camera Connection Kit for iPad or over WiFi. Most importantly, this is now achieved without the need for specialized third-party hardware, like the Line 6 MIDI Mobilizer. We're looking forward to seeing what other apps pop up on the App Store that take advantage of this exciting development. If you've noticed anything on the App Store, or if you see anything in the coming days, let us know in the comments below. For now, check out Luminair using the CoreMIDI API by clicking on the read button. [via iLounge]
