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

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