[NAMM] Akai iPK25+SynthStation

Akai Pro unveiled the iPK25 and SynthStation at the 2010 Winter NAMM Show in Anaheim, CA, January 14–17.

The iPK25 and SynthStation are designed to “transform a musician’s iPhone or iPod Touch into a portable music production studio for mobile music creation.”

The app gives musicians three synthesizers for creating and modifying sonic textures used for melodies, chords and bass lines.

SynthStation users can create and save sequences and complete songs. The app contains three different three-oscillator synths, and drum kits, which musicians can sequence and mix right in the SynthStation. For creating melodic and accompaniment parts, the SynthStation contains an arpeggiator with preset patterns, built-in effects and filters and an XY control interface for expressive control of key parameters.

The SynthStation features an on-screen keyboard for use on the go. It is also designed for use with its companion keyboard, the iPK25. This 25-key MIDI keyboard features a built-in dock for the iPhone or iPod Touch. It gives users two octaves of velocity-sensitive, synth-action keys, pitch and modulation wheels, and physical buttons for the most commonly used controls including octave up and down and sound-bank selections. The iPK25 also features a stereo pair of RCA line outputs and a headphone output for connection to recording and sound reinforcement systems. The iPK25 also has a USB/MIDI output for use as a controller for other MIDI software on Mac or PC and MIDI hardware devices.

Pricing & Availability
The iPK25 will be available from pro audio and musical instrument retailers in March 2010.

It has a U.S. Retail Price of $299.00 and an estimated street price of $99.00. The SynthStation app will be available from the iTunes App Store in January 2010.

For more information, visit www.akaipro.com.