Studio stalwarts Akai have introduced two new Bluetooth wireless controllers designed for untethered performance and mobile production, in the shape of the LPD8 Wireless and the LPK25 Wireless.
The former features eight backlit, velocity-sensitive drum pads which can either send note or program changes, six user interface buttons and eight assignable pots for delivering a range of performance options and control. There’s also a newly added ‘Full Level’ button — a useful feature employed on the company’s MPC and MPD range — which guarantees pad performances are loud, clear and at an equal velocity, when consistent volume is a must. In addition, the LPD8 Wireless sports a Note Repeat button, which will be a welcome addition for the dance music performer who loves creating build-ups before a drop. Control is also afforded over Swing and Time Division parameters.
The LPK25 Wireless, meanwhile, is a portable 25-key Bluetooth MIDI keyboard that allows players to control their plug-in instruments from anywhere in the room. This lightweight controller is centred around a 25-note mini-keybed with octave-up and octave-down buttons that ensure players have quick access to the note range they want. An arpeggiator mode with tap tempo button can turn chords into exciting and complex musical phrases, and a sustain pedal input allows additional control over every chord, riff and run.
Both of the new controllers have four programmable memory banks, and manage to eliminate the chances of tripping over cables by being battery-powered and by supporting Bluetooth MIDI on iOS and Mac OS X. That said, both of the new controllers can also be connected to a Mac or PC (and powered) via USB. Operation in this scenario is fully plug-and-play with no drivers to worry about. Both devices come with editing software for Mac and PC as well, making it possible to change controller assignments and more.
The LPK25 and LPD8 will be available imminently and each will cost £69.99/£99.99.
