M-Audio, a part of Avid Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVID) today introduced a new series of USB MIDI keyboard controllers designed for professional musicians. The Axiom Pro family builds on M-Audio’s acclaimed line of USB MIDI keyboards by adding a number of enhancements that provide musicians with a more responsive playing experience as well as deeper tactile control to mimic the feel of playing a real piano.
Available in 25-, 49- and 61-key models, the Axiom Pro series offers easy software integration to digital audio workstations (DAW) including Pro Tools®, Cubase, Logic and Reason – as a result of M-Audio’s HyperControlâ„¢ technology, which automatically maps keyboard controls to commonly accessed parameters in software instruments and DAWs. The constant two-way link with the host DAW means that the Axiom Pro series keyboards are always in sync with the software’s active parameters. The intuitive graphic LCD constantly updates the current values, to ensure seamless editing and prevents parameter jumps—even when plug-ins are closed. Users can also easily toggle between Mixer and Instrument control modes, making the music creation process much more seamless.
Axiom Pro series keyboard controllers are also the first to combine MIDI control with ASCII keystrokes, allowing users to assign any button to send QWERTY key commands like cut/paste or undo directly to the host software. The controllers offer M-Audio’s premium TruTouch semi-weighted keyboard action for a more tactile and responsive playing experience. They are also equipped with eight velocity-sensitive trigger pads with M-Audio’s exclusive Trigger Finger technology for triggering loops and samples.
“The Axiom Pro series will equip our customers with an entirely new level of performance and flexibility by allowing them to control a whole session directly from their Axiom Pro keyboard,” stated Tex Schenkkan, Vice President and General Manager, Audio at Avid. “We’ve received numerous requests from our user community for a more full-featured version of the Axiom keyboard controllers for professional applications and today’s announcement delivers just that.”
Pricing and Availability
The Axiom Pro 49 is currently shipping and carries a USMSRP of $599.95. The Axiom Pro 61 is expected to ship in the first quarter of 2009 and will carry a USMSRP of $699.95. Pricing and availability for the Axiom Pro 25 will be announced at a later date. All three Axiom Pro models are currently on display at the NAMM convention in booth 6700.
###
About M-Audio
M-Audio, a part of Avid Technology, Inc., is a leading provider of innovative tools for today’s computer musicians and audio professionals. Now celebrating its 20th anniversary, the company was founded with the goal of democratizing music production by making powerful, easy-to-use technology accessible to a broad creative community. The company’s award-winning and comprehensive product line includes PCI-, FireWire- and USB-based audio interfaces; USB/MIDI keyboard controllers and digital pianos; microphones, preamps and reference monitors; and DJ tools. M-Audio has received numerous industry accolades, including Music Trades’ “Company of the Year” and “Fastest Growing Company” distinctions. For more information, visit www.m-audio.com.
About Avid Technology, Inc.
Avid is a worldwide leader in tools for film, video, audio and broadcast professionals – as well as for home audio and video enthusiasts. Avid professional and consumer brands include Avid, Digidesign®, M-Audio®, Pinnacle Systems®, Sibelius® and Sundance Digital®. The vast majority of primetime television shows, feature films, commercials and chart-topping music hits are made using one or more Avid products. Whether used by seasoned professionals or beginning students, Avid’s products and services enable customers to work more efficiently, productively and creatively. Avid received an Oscar® statuette representing the 1998 Scientific and Technical Award for the concept, design, and engineering of the Avid® Film Composer® system for motion picture editing. For more information about the company’s Oscar, Grammy® and Emmy® award-winning products and services, visit www.avid.com, del.icio.us, Flickr, twitter and YouTube; connect with Avid on Facebook or subscribe to Avid Industry Buzz.
# # #
© 2009 Avid Technology, Inc. All rights reserved. Product features, specifications, system requirements and availability are subject to change without notice. All prices are MSRP for U.S. and Canada only and are subject to change without notice. Avid, Axiom, Digidesign, Film Composer, HyperControl, M-Audio, KeyStudio, Pinnacle Systems, Sibelius, Sundance and TruTouch are trademarks or registered trademarks of Avid Technology, Inc. or its subsidiaries in the United States and/or other countries and are not affiliated with, or sponsored or endorsed by the owners of the Steinway name. Emmy is a registered trademark of ATAS/NATAS. Oscar is a trademark and service mark of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Grammy is a trademark of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Contact:Kyle Ritland Avid Technology, Inc. (650) 731-6688 Kyle_Ritland@digidesign.com
A&G’s New Third Space Studios Fills A Community Gap
A&G's (Allen & Gerritsen) new Third Space Studios is not just a full-service production offering for the creative agency. It's filling a gap in the community by making a complete video and production facility (live-action studio, production extension, editorial & motion, and audio services for podcasting, voice-over and online audio) available to all. Larger organizations like Blue Cross Blue Shield Massachusetts and Meet Boston, individuals like creators and collaborators, and nonprofits like the Boston Symphony Orchestra and The Wonderfund are already accessing both the space and the affordable creative and production support that comes with it. The Wonderfund has even tapped the studio for an entire brand relaunch. The studio is an extension of A&G’s Third Space, a new concept the agency opened in Boston and Philadelphia last year to give employees, clients, creators, and even startup incubators (Boston currently has two) a place to gather, dream, and innovate in comfortable surroundings. Located inside its Boston location (125 High Street), Third Space Studios is available to the Tishman Speyer building’s tenants who can use its ZO building app to request studio services ranging from studio rentals to co-creation to full-service production. Other businesses nationwide can request services through the studio website. Albolene, Certain Dri, and ThermaCare are examples of national clients that have utilized... Read More