This video, via AkaiProVideo, offers an introduction and overview of the Akai Pro SynthStation49.
SynthStation49 Features:
- Nine velocity-sensitive MPC-style drum pads which light when triggered.
- Dedicated transport control buttons including Play, Pause and Record.
- Play MIDI keyboard and drum pad performances into an iPad via CoreMIDI or AkaiConnect apps.
- Built-in, adjustable dock charges your iPad while positioning the screen at the perfect angle.
- USB port for connecting to a Mac or PC, receiving power and controlling MIDI music software.
- Professional ¼” stereo outputs with volume control to connect mixers, speakers and recording equipment.
- Headphone output to practice and compose in private.
- Portable, velocity-sensitive keyboard with pitch and modulation wheels.
The SynthStation49 is expected to retail for about $270 and be available later this summer.
This video just describes hooking up the iPad. It doesn’t cover any music-making on the keyboard workstation itself.
But it looks interesting. And I’m guessing this is the wave of the future. Cool docks for the iPad. Why doesn’t Apple make an iPad doc that lets the iPad function as a screen to a Mac Mini and a keyboard?
Is the new version of this app out yet?
The stand sounds nice and plasticky..
Where’s Alex Juno when we need him?
no encoders or sliders 🙁
Thats a great overview of a product that some of us have been waiting for almost a year! I wonder if they made it compatible with all apps that accept midi yet? Their app for the synth station 25 is cool, and I do like my 25, but it was unfortunate when I found that I couldn’t run animoog unless I used midi bridge. I really want this, but after an iOS update rendered my synth station 25 useless for a couple of months, I’ll wait to see how it works first.
i like the idea of this, but I’m uneasy about this being obsoleted when Apple intros a new iPad.
If Apple changes the size of the iPad a little or changes the connector, are Synthstation49 users going to be hosed?
yay another thing to let people make music with iPad, the still mediocre music creation computer.
This has been on my radar for over a year and half … and I agree about the iPad changes. It really should have came out earlier.
Secondly, I think a 61-key version would be better.