Here’s Arturia MicroLab, a small and portable MIDI 25-key controller targeted to anyone looking for something with either a small footprint or just being able to bring your controller wherever you go.

Besides the 25 velocity sensitive keys it got smart features like a small dent around the rubberised casing where you can safely store the usb cable when not in use, chord mode and touch strips for pitch bend and modulation.

Read more about the MicroLab at Arturia.com ($89)

Envision Sound has started a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign to make Strata a reality. They call this controller a control system more than just another MIDI controller since it has two parts: the MIDI controller (with plenty of pads and knobs) and the nativeKONTROL scripting which handles the midi data between the controller and Ableton Live.

Envision Sound asserts that Strata’s unique approach improves the fluidity and possibilities of music creation and performance in ways otherwise not currently available.

The Kickstarter campaign is set to start at October 1st.

Read more on envision-sound.tech

Serato has changed the name of their flagship DJ software, going from simply Serato DJ to Serato DJ Pro.

So, basically, Serato DJ Pro is a free update if you already got a Serato DJ license – all supported hardware will still work and so will your existing expansion packs. What’s new is that they reset the trial period, so if you tried it before and want to have a go again you’re all set to do so, added 64-bit support (better performance and no limit on library size) AND they’ve added a new mode called Practice Mode (ta-daaa!).

Read the whole post “Serato Updates DJ Pro, No Need For Hardware”

Native Instruments‘ latest addition to the Maschine family is dubbed Maschine Jam.

The main things that differs the Jam from their previous Maschine hardware controllers (Mikro/Standard/Studio) is the multicolored 8×8 click-pad matrix and the eight dual-touch strips designed to help you control scenes, groups and patterns, play around, step sequence and mix/match clips live. It’s primarily built to be used with Native Instruments’ own Maschine software but it comes bundled with Ableton Live templates as well.

According to NI themselves the Jam is aimed at people that want to get going quickly: sequencing, improvising and jamming to build up a track, prepare an arrangement or create a live performance.

Besides the controller and Maschine software you get 29GB of sounds, Native Instruments’ Perform FX (designed for the Jam but will work with other Maschine controllers) as well as Komplete 11 Select which in itself contains 11 instruments and effects (including their classic Massive synth).

The “Lock” feature seems pretty cool – basically you lock the current setup and sounds in a sandbox allowing you to tweak and test everything however you want, whenever you want to go back to the original sounds you just unlock it. Also, personally I’ve grown to like hardware controllers with touch strips instead of classic knobs – especially when controlling effects like you probably will with the Jam (just let it go to instantly remove an effect can be really handy).

Read more @ native-instruments.com (€399 / USD$423)

Watch the Maschine Jam in action here:

Solid State Logic just released a new version of their award-winning DAW controller, the Nucleus 2.

While this thing will set you back a whopping €4,249 (about USD$4,500) you get a sturdy ethernet connected DAW controller with built-in audio interface, metal chassi, studio monitoring hub, touch-sensitive motorised faders, SD-card storage, high quality jog wheel, 3-port USB hub, visual feedback via self-illuminating buttons/LEDs/level metering, second set of outputs to make it easier to compare mixes on different speakers and well.. a whole lot more.

Read more @ SolidStateLogic.com (€4,249)

Watch the Nucleus 2 in action here:

Akai announced that they’ve updated their highly portable controllers LPD8 and LPK25 to wireless versions.

The LPD8 Wireless still sports eight pads and knobs but now comes with a full-level function that removes the velocity sensitivity if so wanted. The LPK25 Wireless keyboard now looks a little bit sturdier than before but comes with a sustain pedal input. For those of you who didn’t like the previous brown/orange-ish color scheme (me included) both of ’em now only use red/black too.

Both the LPD8 and LPK25 will be Mac, iOS and Windows friendly through USB and Bluetooth and will start shipping in December for £70 each (~USD$78)

Read more: Akai.com: LPD8 Wireless
Read more: Akai.com: LPK25 Wireless

Arturia has updated their MiniLab to MiniLab Mk II, an affortable, portable two-actave controller featuring 25 slim and velocity sensitive keys, eight RGB backlit pads, 16 rotary knobs and a whole lot of software to go along with it. The upgrade from the previous version is focused on an improvement of the internal components, the controller knobs, the keybed and the outer casing.

The responsive touchstrip mod wheel and pitch bend are now located above the keys instead of left of it (which saves some space) and you have dedicated buttons for octave  shifting.

As for software you get Ableton Live Lite for the production needs, Analog Lab Lite (vintage keyboards) for electronic sounds as well as UVI Grand Piano Model D which emulates a Steinway Model D piano. Owners of the MiniLab Mk II gets exclusive deals on upgrading to the bigger software packages too (like Analog Lab 2 and V Collection 5).

The MiniLab Mk II is currently priced at USD$119 (€99).

See the demo here:

Read more @ Arturia.com