Tag Archives: IK Multimedia

NAMM 2023: IK AXE I/O ONE

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It would be easy for a keyboard player to blow off the IK Multimedia AXE I/O ONE. It is so obviously pitched at guitar and bass players.

Not so fast. Where else can you get a 1-in/3-out USB audio interface — with MIDI — for $130 USD?

IK Multimedia AXE I/O ONE

If you’re an iPad-toting keyboard player who needs MIDI IN and stereo audio out, the AXE I/O ONE has it covered. That’s 5-pin MIDI, by the way. The AXE I/O ONE has two expression/switch pedal inputs. Many MIDI controllers do not have an expression pedal input, so the AXE I/O ONE could fill that gap. The control panel application assigns MIDI channel, CC#, minimum and maximum data values. [MacOS and Windows only.]

The main audio input is a Neutrik jack backed by a Class-A mic preamp. You can go clean as well as down and dirty. Should be possible to post-process keyboard audio through an IK effect chain. Audio conversion up to 24-bit/192 kHz is supported. Unfortunately, you can’t hit the AXE I/O ONE with a stereo signal (mono input only).

AXE I/O ONE is USB-C bus powered. The box is 5.1″ x 5.7″ x 2″ (13cm x 14.5cm x 5.2cm) and weighs only 0.8 pound (0.37kg). Software includes AXE Control Panel, Amplitube 5 SE, and TONEX SE. Available today.

If you need to replace your aging Korg Plug-Key or Alesis Control Hub, the AXE I/O ONE is worthy of consideration as long as you can live within its limitations. An IOS control panel app would just about make this perfect for keys at $130.

The Arturia MiniFuse 2 provides similar features for $149 USD. The MiniFuse 2 does stereo input and also has a USB-A hub port. That means you can connect a MIDI controller to your iPad (or computer) through the hub port. Unfortunately, the hub port can source only 250mA of current. Still, a viable alternative.

Copyright © 2023 Paul J. Drongowski

NAMM 2018: Spin me ’round

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Aside from the teased iRig Stomp I/O, IK Multimedia are offering the official Leslie® collections for AmpliTube and T-RackS. What makes it “official,” I suppose is the co-branding with Hammond USA and Suzuki Music Corporation of Japan. You get 5 amp and 6 cabinet simulators with can be used in AmpliTube and T-RackS. [This capitalization is annoying.]

The AmpliTube and T-RackS Leslie collection are $99.99 USD each (pre-order price). Get ’em both for $149.99 USD (pre-order price).

Will we finally see the Teenage Engineering PO-33 KO Pocket Operator ($89 USD) and the PO-35 Speak Pocket Operator ($89 USD)? [Yes! See the update below.] Will we see the Yamaha VKB-100 Vocaloid keyboard? A Half-Monty to replace the MOXF? Montage enthusiasts may be disappointed to learn that “flagship digital workstation” in the recent Yamaha NAMM press release refers to the Genos. Don’t forget about the new PSR-S775 and PSR-S975 arranger workstations.

In case you missed it, the street price (MAP) for the Studiologic Numa Compact 2x is $699.95 USD.

Pipes is an upcoming Kickstarter project for a stand-alone, sample playin’ hardware module. It is the latest product from Synesthesia Corp. Synesthesia will be showing off their work at NAMM 2018. It’s in the prototype stage.

That’s a seven inch touch screen in the mock-up image. [Click image to enlarge.] Small it’s not.

Update: The Teenage Engineering metal series

Teenage Engineering updated their site after Winter NAMM 2018 opened. The PO-35 Speak Pocket Operator and the PO-33 K.O! are part of the new metal series The third member of the series is the PO-32 Tonic drum synthesizer and sequencer ($89 USD)..

The PO-35 Speak ($89 USD) has a built-in microphone which lets you sample your voice or whatever (up to 120 seconds of sampling time). Once sampled, you can apply effects, transpose and so forth to mangle the sound.

The PO-33 K.O! ($89) is a micro-sampler. It also has a built-in microphone. Sampling time is 40 seconds. Seems like the main difference is that the PO-33 is melodic while the PO-35 is vocal. What does that really mean anyway? Just sample away and make beats!

Copyright © 2018 Paul J. Drongowski

All’s well …

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… that ends well.

Staying in the literary groove, this is a tale of two batteries. And two manufacturers who stood behind their products.

I was hunting in the deep reaches of my gear closet looking for a TS mono to XLR cable when I came across my old You Rock Guitar (gen 1). I hit the power switch and got an audio burp as the batteries gave out their last. Fortunately, I have a pack of Duracell Quantum AA batteries nearby.

Whoops, what’s this white crud? As most folks know, the Duracell Quantum is sold as a premium alkaline battery. So, I was quite surprised to find a leaker in the pack.

If it was an el-cheapo battery, I might have just tossed the leaking battery and moved on. However, these are Quantums! My first action was to check the state of the Quantum batteries installed in the PSR-E443. Sigh of relief — no leakage. My second action as to note the expiration date (December 2023) and the lot number stamped on the side of the batteries and to call Duracell.

The Duracell rep was quite helpful. In addition to the lot number, I needed to find a number that is printed faintly on the plastic blister pack. The rep recommended discarding the remaining unused batteries. (Seems like good advice.) Duracell is sending a coupon for new batteries. A tip of my hat for their customer service.

The second battery-related incident played out over two weeks (understandably so). I had purchased an IK Multimedia iRig BlueTurn pedal to flip pages in forScore. Although I’m still learning to dance on a new set of buttons — that’s on me — the BlueTurn works like a charm.

One day, I grab the BlueTurn and “Hey, what’s this white crud leaking from the battery compartment?” Yep, at least one of the alkaline AAA batteries is leaking.

I previously had registered the BlueTurn with IK Multimedia and I contacted their customer support via e-mail. I sent a picture of the leaking batteries in the compartment and proof of purchase. IK Multimedia owned up to the problem and sent a return authorization (RA) number. The only down-side is that IK Multimedia does not pay for return shipping. However, I really like the BlueTurn and ship it by UPS.

About one week later, there’s a new BlueTurn on the doorstep. Here’s a special shout-out to Ryan in their customer support department!

The BlueTurn episode shows how a manufacturer (IK Multimedia) is at the mercy of their suppliers. To their credit, IK Multimedia stood up, especially since the leak occurred just six weeks after purchase.

The AAA batteries are marked “Dist by G.I. NY, Made in China.” At this point, I would be all set to bash cheap batteries from China except that the Duracell Quantum AA batteries were “Made in U.S.A.” Beware of knee jerk reactions!

If there is a lesson to be learned, it’s never fully trust battery integrity. If you’re not using a device, then remove the batteries. Finally, be sure to register your products. You never know…

Thanks, again, to Duracell and IK Multimedia.