Artesia Pro has introduced Xjam, a portable USB MIDI pad controller that’s plug-and-play with all major operating systems, including macOS, iOS, Windows, Android, Linux and Chrome OS.
The Xjam features 6 endless encoders, 16 pads and 48 configurations, in a solid aluminum chassis.
Features:
- Ultra-Slim Design with Anodized Aluminum Body
- Only 6/10” Thick & 1.3lbs! It Goes Where You Go
- On-Stage Expression Amplified by Pressure-sensitive Pads
- “After-touch” Feature Adds New Levels of Control
- Package Includes Mac, PC and iOS Software
- 1-year subscription to Pro Tools Artist
Its “ultra-sensitive” pads, with polyphonic aftertouch also send MIDI CC, MIDI Program Change or MMC messages. There are 6 high-quality endless encoders on board, which can be used in a variety of ways. In addition to controlling MIDI CC messages, the encoders can be assigned to send pitch, MIDI program change messages or even aftertouch messages.
The Xjam comes with a powerful editor software so you can adapt the controller to you needs. There is also a TRS-MIDI Out socket for controlling external gear.
Pricing and Availability
The Artesia Xjam MIDI Performance Controller is available now via Amazon for $139.99 USD.
I’m still trying to get my head around how “On-Stage Expression (is) Amplified by Pressure-sensitive Pads”. Seriously, what does this even mean?
I means that you will enthrall and amaze your audience by standing on stage with your head down, rocking back and forth while rhythmically whacking rubber buttons.
My guess, since we’re talking about the company formerly known as CME, it’s a complicated way of saying it has polyphonic aftertouch.
Add battery and BLE and you have yourself a sale.
I love my XKeys, so this might be a useful addition for a finger drummer like me. I’m not an Ableton maven, so clips interest me less than simply having several mega-kits ready to go. I’ll watch for reviews, but it looks like a fun, usable stocking stuffer.
I believe “On-Stage Expression (is) Amplified by Pressure-sensitive Pads” means “Our pads are not just plastic bricks, so more Stuff™ happens when you mash them.” 😛
For what it is and what it does I really like my XKeys as well. I guess I didn’t realize that CME was now rebranding as Artesia Pro. I originally purchased the CME keyboard for use as a small footprint keyboard with polyphonic aftertouch. For a while, it served its purpose well. I replaced it with a Hydrasynth Explorer that had much better polytouch, and, of course, the Hydrasynth synth engine. I still pull the CME out, sometimes, when I need some polyphonic aftertouch control when I’m using the K2700 as the master keyboard. Now that I realize who Artesia Pro is, I might just pick one of these controllers up. For the price, it’s not like it could possibly be a purchase I would someday regret.
I have it and it plays very nice. The pads are VERY sensitive (in comparison to my other pad controllers). Similar to Ableton Push 2.
How many times are we going to get a new controller that doesn’t have 8 knobs on it for ableton macros? Ridiculous.
It’s the first time I listen this brand. Artesia have an agreement with ESI, because, when I see this controller I think that is a clumsy copy of ESI Xjam. I’m looking the web of Artesia and I see a keyboard of 25 keys, but I can’t find information about it. Please somebody knows something that: https://artesia-pro.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Keys-Kingdoms.jpg
Look for the keyboard under the brand CME, which is what Artesia Pro used to be named (according to somebody who responded here). If I had to guess, because of the almost identical appearance, I would say that ESI licenced the CME technology, or are some subsidiary of CME, given that CME was in the MIDI controller business since, at least, back to the 1990s. Over the years, CME has introduced many innovative products, inexpensive keyboards with polyphonic aftertouch being one of their more recent successes.
Good morning,
I use the controller with Ableton Live to play with EZDrummer.
I would like to try connecting the device to the Roland TD9 module via midi cable. However, despite having performed the configuration on both devices, if I press the controller buttons from the Roland sound module, no sound is generated. Where am I wrong? Thanks for the replies.