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PUC interface connects iOS, MIDI devices wirelessly [Updated]
The PUC MIDI interface (US$129.99) connects MIDI devices (keyboards, drum machines/pads, DJ controller, floor pedal, etc) to iOS devices (or Macs) wirelessly. This is fantastic news, because the joy of the iPad and iPhone is that they're wireless, multi-function devices. Connecting wires makes them stationary and often singular in purpose, which is more often than not a nuisance. Hardware The PUC looks like, well.. You guessed it. A puck. It's round, plastic, black and fits in the palm of your hand. On the top is a single power button and a light indicator shaped like Apple's symbol for wireless connectivity. The underside has a removable cap, which exposes a compartment for two AA batteries (included). On the front side is a standard MIDI port connector (cable included, too). The backside has a micro-USB input for auxiliary power. The top and bottom of the PUC are covered in a shiny, glossy plastic, while the sides are covered in a lighter colored, rubber-like material. It's a good looking design, with a pleasant feel to it. With the two AA batteries inserted, the PUC feels weighty and solid, just like a real puck! Functionality The PUC is really easy to use. Connect the MIDI cable to the PUC input and the other end to the output of a MIDI device -- I used a M-Audio Axiom 49 MIDI keyboard. To turn on the PUC, press the power button on the device after making sure you've inserted the AA batteries or you're connected to a power source via the micro-USB port. You'll see the power button light up in green as well as the wireless connectivity symbol flashing green. This means the PUC is waiting to be connected. On your iOS device, download the free PUC Connect app (iOS App Store link). Once downloaded, connect your iOS device's wireless network to the PUC's network and open the app to complete the connection. The flashing green on the wireless indicator turns solid, indicating that you're connected. From there, I launched GarageBand and started playing through the various MIDI keybaords, synths and drums without a hitch. A nice touch is that whenever a signal is being sent from the MIDI device through the PUC to the iPad, the solid green lighting on the PUC flashes red. Conclusion Not having wires connected between my MIDI device and iPad was a great experience. Too often I've felt the process of using my iPad as part of a music setup -- requiring wires trailing all over the place between devices -- cumbersome and frustrating. Thanks to the PUC, the process was a pleasure. I could move my iPad around, get someone else to tweak a sound setting, or even just pick it up and walk away without worrying about cables or disrupting the setup. That's exactly why the PUC is awesome, because any scenario where you don't have to use a cable is a good one - especially when it comes to the creative process in a portable context. The PUC is available for pre-order now and will ship in mid-June. Update: Regarding latency, during my test there were a couple moments where I did wonder if I could hear a slight latency between triggering a sound on the MIDI controller and that sound registering on the iPad. I got in touch with Zivix, makers of the PUC, to ask them about latency. They said, "The Zivix team has noticed a negligible latency between the PUC and an iOS device registering a MIDI signal, and one that doesn't affect the overall performance or experience by using the PUC." I do agree with Zivix. While there may be a slight latency, in most applications I can't foresee it being a problem. It's worth noting that the MIDI controller simply triggers the audio that's stored on the iOS device (or Mac). That audio is not traveling through the PUC, just the MIDI signal that triggers it.
M-Audio and Digidesign team up for $99 Pro Tools, hardware bundles
It's probably safe to assume that most of the Grammy Award-winning readers of Engadget (hi, Evanescence!) already have expansive -- and expensive -- recording studios in their Bel Aire mansions. For the rest of us, however, the fruits of Avid's acquisition of M-Audio is beginning to pay off in the form of inexpensive Pro Tools bundles that see the digital audio workstation paired with entry-level recording gear. Right now, we have three Pro Tools Essentials packages for you, including: the Pro Tools Vocal Studio USB condenser mic (includes a stand and a case for $99), the Pro Tools Recording Studio comes with a Fast Track 2-in / 2-out USB audio interface with mic / line / instrument inputs ($129), and finally Pro Tools KeyStudio 49-key MIDI keyboard (bundled with M-Audio USB Micro soundcard for $99). Of course, for prices this low you can't expect the full-blown ProTools treatment, but even the streamlined version here should be sufficient for most would-be Johnny Marrs: 5 GB of instruments and loops, 60 virtual instrument sounds, and the usual reverb / chorus / delay / flanger / phaser / compression / EQ effects. To be released mid-September, but in the meantime check out the hardware in the gallery below. %Gallery-72553%
Maingear intros Remix workstation for the creative professional
We tell ya, Maingear doesn't get a lot of play amongst the big timers like Dell and HP, but it sure knows how to crank out machines that are just different enough to be worth examining. Enter the Remix workstation, a desktop designed for creative professionals who dabble in graphic design, video production and pro audio. As expected, there's plenty of horsepower under the hood including a Core i7 CPU, Quadro FX / CX GPU options, up to 12GB of DDR3 RAM, RAID 0 HDD configurations, gobs of ports and an advanced liquid cooling system to keep the fans from making too much racket. The "handbuilt in America" machine starts at $1,999, though you can easily push that figure above the four grand mark with just a few tweaks. Full release is after the break.
M-Audio rolls out MicroTrack II digital audio recorder
M-Audio sure took their time churning out a follow-up to its original MicroTrack digital audio recorder, but it looks like the company has finally put the finishing touches on the long-awaited (for some) successor, with the MicroTrack II now making its debut. As before, this one records onto CompactFlash cards, and will give you two-channel, 24-bit/96KHz audio recording in your choice of WAV or MP3 formats. New this time around, however, is an extended input gain range, an analog input limiter and, perhaps most importantly, seamless recording of files larger than 2GB in size. If that's enough to convince you to upgrade, you should be able to grab this one shortly (if not already) for a list price of $400, which includes an electret t-shaped microphone, editing software, a carrying case, and some other goodies.[Via Electronista]
M-Audio offers up triple-driver IE-40 earbuds
Those scouting a fancy new set of earbuds will be delighted to hear that M-Audio's latest are shipping now, and on paper, they certainly look swell. The IE-40s sport a triple-armature driver design for separate high-, mid- and low-frequency reproduction, an integrated passive crossover network, 26dB isolation from outside noise, a dark chrome motif and a dual-bore design that reportedly "delivers highs and lows via separate canals." You'll also get a swank carrying case, an extension cable, a full set of tips and a 1/8-inch to 1/4-inch adapter. 'Course, you'll be laying down a cool $499.95 to take these home, but we never said quality came cheap.[Via DigitalMediaThoughts]
M-Audio introduces the Session Music Producer USB mic
M-Audio, known in the pro and semi-pro recording world as being... well, semi-pro, has just introduced a new product to its lineup which will make recording your American Idol demo reel way, way easier. Enter the Session Music Producer, a misleadingly named device which is essentially a USB, powered vocal mic with a built-in headphone jack, allowing you to monitor yourself in realtime without any delays normally experienced by using a separate headphone output. The mic comes with M-Audio's "Session" recording / production software for PCs (think GarageBand for Windows), which lets you build simple sequences and offers a 2GB loop library to get you started on a career in music. Take our advice though: get a good lawyer before you sign anything. No word on when the Session Music Producer hits stores, but it will run you $99.95 when it does.
M-AUDIO busts out Torq MixLab Digital DJ System
If you'd like to dip your toes into the DJ waters without dropping a couple Gs on a bunch of equipment you can't even figure out how to work, you might want to look into M-AUDIO's new $99 Torq MixLab. The digital DJ setup ties in with M-AUDIO's (included) Torq LE software, which allows you mix between MP3, AIFF, WAV, WMA, Apple Lossless and AAC files on your computer. Beat matching can be automatically performed by the software, and the control board can mess with speed, pitch, EQ and a trio of effects. We got a chance to see the unit in action on Tuesday, and while most things were taking place in software, the controls were quite responsive, and everything seemed quite intuitive. Keep on reading for a few action shots.
