Akai announces the MPK61, the fourth model in the company's line of keyboard/MPC performance controllers. The MPK61 will make its debut at Akai Professional's booth, number 400, at the Summer NAMM Show held at the Nashville Convention Center, July 17 — 19.

The MPK61 is a keyboard performance MIDI controller that expands the popular MPK line. Each MPK controller combines a piano-style keybed with a bank of genuine Akai Professional MPC pads, assignable Q-Link controllers and some of the technologies from the icon MPC. Producers, performers and DJs will appreciate the MPK61's mix of 61 semi-weighted keys with aftertouch, 16 MPC pads with velocity and pressure sensitivity, 72 assignable Q-Link, MPC Note Repeat, MPC Swing and an arpeggiator. The MPK61's size is ideal for performers who need ...

With an engineering/mixing career spanning almost three decades, Chris Lord-Alge has worked alongside such artists as Green Day, U2, Tina Turner, James Brown, Nickelback, Rod Stewart, Santana, Steve Winwood, Celine Dion and many others. At the heart of his sound is a command of compression that gives each and every track he mixes its radio-ready punch. During the development process of CLA Classic Compressors, Lord-Alge worked closely with the Waves R&D team, resulting in impeccable models of four compressors considered true classics by audio engineers the world over.

CLA Classic Compressors consist of four plug-ins: the CLA-2A, the CLA-3A, the CLA-76 Blacky and the CLA-76 Bluey. These classic models grant users access to the same tools that Lord-Alge has used to help define hard-hitting rock and pop over the last several decades.

Steinberg is pleased to announce that the new multilingual Knowledge Base is now available to all registered MySteinberg users. Providing answers to frequently asked questions, effective problem-solving tips and other really useful information, the Knowledge Base currently contains all articles in English and German. Spanish, French, Italian and Dutch articles will be added over time to offer the information you're looking for in your own language.

MOTU has updated its beat production machine BPM to version 1.04, offering improvements, optimizations and refinements in the following areas :

Sequencer :
• Default velocity in the step sequencer.
• Entering and dragging notes in the piano roll sequencer when Snap To Grid is enabled.
• Deleting notes with Delete key in the piano roll sequencer.

Scene :
• Pasting shallow copied scene.
• Toggling Live mode.

Browser :
• Loading saved performance file containing audio files loaded via the browser.

This update is free for all registered users.

Universal Audio today announced the addition of Trident Audio Developments to its roster of premium plug-in partners. The "Trident" name, by way of parent company PMI Audio Group, is famous not only as the now-legendary UK studio that produced a litany of classic recordings, but also as the manufacturer that spawned incredible console designs including the universally loved A-Range desk.

"It's well-understood by the audio production community throughout the world that Universal Audio is an unstoppable force in the circuit emulation business," said PMI President Alan Hyatt. "Their good faith to involve the olders of the original designs and trademarks shows respect to the IP owners and creative contributors such as Trident designer Malcolm Toft. We couldn't be happier to partner with a company so dedicated to getting every last detail right."

Universal Audio's President Matt Ward commented, "Universal Audio has always had a huge respect for the classic Trident designs, and of course Trident's sonic contribution to some of the best records ever made. We're very pleased to add Trident to the UAD product line, and I'm certain that our more than 30,000 users will agree."

"Trident's indelible impact on the sound of record making is nearly impossible to gauge. The consoles made available to Trident's staff, and the studios fortunate enough to acquire them, were legendary in both sound and reliability. Every record made on a Trident was uniquely and quite positively altered by the sonic imprint of its distinctive tone," said UA's Plug-In Product Manager Will Shanks. "It is exciting to offer this same tone on the UAD Powered Plug-In Platform."