The big thing for the last few years at NAMM has been the ever growing selection of iPad style portable recording tools, and this year proves no exception.
Leading the charge is Alesis with a selection of new products to keep you rocking out whereever you may find yourself.
For the Guitarist: The Alesis AmpDock
The Alesis AmpDock
What they say:
“The Alesis AmpDock harnesses the massive processing power of iPad, allowing you to unleash your ultimate guitar tone. Building upon the design and technology of the widely acclaimed Alesis iO Dock, the Alesis AmpDock is the world’s first device for guitarists that enables tonal shaping through iPad’s processor. The Alesis AmpDock fully encloses your iPad or iPad 2 in a rugged and portable device made especially for guitarists and bassists. Whether you’re in the studio or on the stage, the Alesis AmpDock helps you create “the sound in your head” with real controls and professional inputs and outputs that work with virtually any app, as well as your amp and pedal setup.
The Alesis AmpDock houses your iPad or iPad 2 in a durable enclosure that features a locking door to fully integrate your iPad and protect it on all sides. The Alesis AmpDock’s professional inputs and outputs include a 1/4″ high-impedance guitar input and an XLR-1/4″ combo input for connecting a microphone, a second guitar or another instrument. The Alesis AmpDock also includes 1/4″ outputs with Guitar/Mic and Ground Lift switches, so you can connect to your guitar amp or go straight into a PA. For use with software MIDI applications on your Mac or PC, the Alesis AmpDock also includes a USB MIDI port. A headphone output with volume control is also onboard, so you can practice and experiment with your apps at any time, day or night.
The Alesis AmpDock also comes with a rugged pedalboard controller, which enables you to control volume and other continuous controls, bypass, program changes, and other parameters. You can use the AmpDock with or without its pedalboard controller, and MIDI connections enable you to use the AmpDock with other pedal controllers and MIDI hardware.”
What we say:
An interesting entry into the portable amp sim market offering iPad based emulation with foot pedal controls. We’ve seen both pad based simulations and stomp pedal based solutions done before on the laptop but not integrated to this level so the Alesis AmpDock should certainly be an interesting prospect for the gig playing axe man.
The Alesis AmpDock Key Features:
- The first professional guitar processor to use your iPad or iPad 2 for signal processing
- Works with GarageBand, AmpliTube, JamUp, and virtually any audio or CoreMIDI app
- Includes a rugged pedalboard controller with program, effect, bypass, volume and continuous controls
- Guitar Input 1 and switchable Mic/Line/Guitar Input 2; professional outputs, and MIDI jacks
- Kickstand allows for stable positioning on top of guitar amps
- Hinged door completely encloses and secures your iPad
- Mountable to a mic stand using the Alesis Module Mount (sold separately)
- 1/4″ high-impedance guitar input and combo input for microphone, second guitar, or another instrument
- 1/4″ outputs with Guitar/Line impedance switch
- Stereo auxiliary outputs for connection to external effects
- Two assignable endless knobs to control parameters in compatible apps
- Analog Input 1, Input 2, Main, and Headphone volume controls
- MIDI input and outputs and USB MIDI jack for use with other controllers and MIDI software or hardware
The Alesis AmpDock Hompage
For the Drummer: The Alesis DMDock
The DMDock
The DMDock Rear
What they say:
The drum module you’ve always wanted.
The Alesis DMDock harnesses the power of your iPad to give you an unlimited selection of sounds, a massive touchscreen for hands-on visual control, and wireless connectivity. This first-of-its-kind drum module builds upon the widely acclaimed design of the Alesis iO Dock, harnessing the tremendous processing power of your iPad or iPad 2 to give you a fully integrated, stage-ready module with a wide array of professional trigger inputs and audio outputs.
What we say:
The Alesis DMDock offers a new perspective on an old concept which we think will appeal to a lot of drummers if the final product proves to be nice and responsive. Looking forward to getting our hands on this one!
The DMDock Key Features:
- The only drum module for iPad and iPad 2
- Works with virtually any app including GarageBand
- 13 individual 1/4″ TRS trigger inputs for connecting drum and cymbal pads and other triggers
- Works with dual-zone drum and cymbal pads, continuous hi-hats, three-zone rides, and multiple chokeable cymbals
- Hinged door completely encloses and secures your iPad
- Mounts to any stand or rack using the Alesis Module Mount (sold separately)
- 1/4″ Headphone jack with volume control
- 1/8″ Mix Input for mixing in external audio sources
- Balanced 1/4″ stereo main outputs for connecting to an amp or PA
- MIDI input and output for connecting to external MIDI hardware
- USB MIDI port for use with MIDI software applications or your Mac or PC
- Powers and charges iPad using universal wall power supply
- Assignable footswitch input for program changes, start/stop sequences or metronome
More info from the Alesis DMDock Homepage
For the Synth Player: The Alesis Vortex Keytar
The Vortex Keytar
What they say:
It’s time to experience outrageous, unprecedented keytar performance with the Alesis Vortex Keytar. The Alesis Vortex Keytar eliminates the barrier between you and your audience by giving you the freedom to move around the stage and take the lead. With an extensive layout of touch-sensitive keys and velocity-sensitive pads on its pearlescent white body, and radical pitch and modulation controls on its neck, the Alesis Vortex Keytar empowers you to rule the stage.
The Alesis Vortex is the first keytar to include a MIDI-assignable accelerometer. Now, you can get out from behind your keyboard stand and be just as visual as guitarists and singers with an instrument that will respond to your motion. You’ll be able to create incredible volume swells, amazing pitch bends, vibratos, filter cutoffs and more by tilting the Alesis Vortex’s neck in the heat of the moment during live performances.
What we say:
That late 80’s icon is reborn with a twist. The accelerometer we reckon could be used for all sorts of midi abuse with a bit of tweaking and could end up being a lot of fun on stage.
The Alesis Vortex Keytar Key Features:
- Dynamic, shoulder-worn performance keyboard with attention-grabbing looks
- The first USB keytar controller—works with all of your software instruments & synths on Mac, PC, & iOS* devices
- USB and traditional MIDI jacks for use with virtually any synth, sound module, or other MIDI hardware or software
- Embedded, MIDI-assignable accelerometer for performance parameter control by tilting the neck
- Thumb-controlled volume slider, sustain button and pitch-bend wheel on neck
- Finger-controlled MIDI-assignable touchstrip, sustain, and octave-control buttons on neck
- 37 velocity-sensitive keys with aftertouch for compact, yet complete melodic range
- Eight velocity-sensitive drum pads/sample triggers enable you to create beats or trigger clips
- Large transport & patch-select controls for instant access
- Includes strap; standard guitar strap pegs are compatible with virtually any strap
- Bus powered when USB-connected to Mac or PC; battery compartment for use with MIDI modules and iOS devices
The Alesis Vortex Keytar Homepage