Products of Interest

Native Instruments Audio Kontrol 1 Audio Interface and MIDI Controller

The Audio Kontrol 1 from Native Instruments is both an audio interface and a MIDI controller. The unit has a sturdy aluminum casing and is USB-powered for portability (see Figure 1). High-quality Cirrus Logic analog-to-digital (A/D)/digital-to-analog (D/A) converters provide sampling rates of 192 kHz/24 bits and a signal-to-noise ratio of 103 dB (A-weighted). Two balanced inputs are available on the front panel. The first of these is a switchable line/microphone with phantom power supply. The other input is switchable between a line and Hi-Z input for recording instruments. Individual gain controls for the inputs are also located on the front panel. Four balanced outputs on 1/4-in. jack connections and MIDI input/output ports are located on the rear panel. Two stereo-level controls are available for the audio outputs. A headphone output with A/B switching and separate level control is easily accessible on the front panel. Direct monitoring is also possible through front panel controls. The top panel of the interface provides activity LEDs for inputs, output, and monitoring, with a clip display feature.

Figure 1.

Native Instruments Audio Kontrol 1 audio interface and MIDI controller.

In addition to functioning as an audio interface, the Kontrol 1 includes three buttons and a control knob on the top panel for use as a controller. Mapping software is included for custom assignment of key commands and MIDI messages for use with audio and media applications. The control knob incorporates over 500 steps per revolution and a modifier mode can be used with the buttons to allow mapping of two functions to each. Default configurations for use with Logic, Nuendo, Cubase, Digital Performer, GarageBand, Final Cut Pro, iTunes, Windows Media Player, and other popular applications are included.

The interface is packaged with Traktor 3 LE, a DJ application, and Xpress Keyboards, a vintage synthesizer emulator (B4, PRO-53, and FM7 instruments). The dimensions of the unit are 52 × 150 × 123 mm and it weighs 400 g. A Macintosh computer running a version of Mac OSX 10.4 with a G4 1.4-GHz processor and 512 MB RAM is required. The interface is also Windows XP–compatible with similar specifications and is ASIO, Core Audio, and DirectSound compliant.

The Audio Kontrol 1 is listed for US$ 299. Contact: Native Instruments, Schlesische Straße 28-30, D-10997 Berlin, Germany; telephone (+49) 306-110-350; fax (+49) 306-110-352-600; info@native-instruments.de; Web www.native-instruments.com/. International and US customers should contact: Native Instruments USA, 5631 A Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles, California 90028, USA; telephone 1-866-556-6487 (USA only) or (+1) 323-467-5260 (outside the USA); fax 1-866-556-6490 (USA only) or (+1) 323-372-3676 (outside the USA); electronic mail sales@native-instruments.com; Web www.native-instruments.com/.

Alesis Trigger I/O Percussion Interface

The Alesis Trigger I/O is a percussion interface designed to allow percussion control of software and hardware sound modules (see Figure 2). Electronic drum pads and acoustic drum triggers can be converted by the interface into MIDI messages for further use. A MIDI out and USB port are provided for connecting with MIDI devices or computers (Macintosh or Windows platforms). Ten trigger inputs allow single or dual zone triggers to be connected. The settings are customizable for sensitivity, MIDI channel, note numbers, velocity curve, threshold, re-trigger time, and pad type. Twenty presets can be saved. A footswitch input is included for selecting between drum kits, and a hi-hat input can control an on/off function. Mounting holes are provided for use with a drum stand mount. The interface ships with a copy of FXPansions's BFD Lite, a software percussion application with acoustic and electronic drum libraries for use in standalone or plug-in formats.

Trigger I/O is listed for US$ 249. Contact: Alesis, 200 Scenic View Drive, Cumberland, Rhode Island 02864, USA; telephone (+1) 401-658-5760; fax (+1) 401-658-3640; electronic...