Open Labs has announced that in 2009 it will "concentrate on creating innovative products, providing superior service and seeking to expand the company's scope to provide the best possible solutions and services for its users".
The company's new "Gen5" series of NeKo and MiKo keyboard production stations, which are based on the NeKo 64, incorporates new features that are most sought after by today's artists, producers, and engineers.
Bump MP, a 17-pad drum module controller with a custom GURU software sequencer from Fxpansion, brings MPC-like functionality to the NeKo and MiKo. Seamlessly integrated, the combination provides extraordinary flexibility and usability in a single, coherent instrument with "never before seen" technologies like One-Touch-Beat-Making. Included with Bump MP, is the first in the Master's Series sound library, exclusive to Open Labs. Featuring the latest sounds from renowned platinum producer Denaun Porter (a.k.a. Mr. Porter), Bump MP allows the user to create compelling beats utilizing the most relevant sounds today.
Mix/Edit, an entirely new controller consisting of 8 faders, 1 master fader, 8 encoders, 8 lighted buttons and a LCD display, is optimized for use with popular software applications such as Ableton Live, as well as serving as a Multichannel mixer and 32 parameter controller, providing total control over any virtual instrument or effect.
Riff, an entirely new virtual instrument (VST) host written from the ground up by Open Labs, encompasses over six years of live performance experience gathered from major touring acts such as: Morris Hayes (Prince), Jessie Carmichael (Maroon 5), Jonathan Davis (Korn), Rickey Pageot (Madonna), and many others.
Riff's innovative main graphical interface consists of a grid of cells, which can be easily programmed to trigger a single sound preset or a song. In the world of Riff, the concept of a song within a cell allows the user to literally program a sequence of sound presets needed for a particular song, thereby offering unparalleled ease in live play and creating multiple set lists for a single or even multiple performances.
Other advanced features of Riff includes: Live Controls, which allows the user to create any number of virtual controls in real-time that can be mapped to various effects and other parameters. Advanced intelligence allows any number of virtual controllers to control any number of other virtual controllers to provide automation for virtual instruments and effects.
The Gen5 models, equipped with the new Bump MP, Mix/Edit controller and Riff are as follows:
MiKo LXD (Gen5)
37-key portable keyboard workcenter, designed for today's producers and artists on the go, is encased in an all new Black Onyx chassis. The MiKo LXD has at its core, an Intel Core2 Quad 2.5GHz processor, 4GB of RAM, 1 terabyte of hard drive (with one open bay), 4 ins / 6 outs (with 2 preamps with Phantom power) audio I/O, DVD burner, FireWire, USB 2.0 and an external connector for a secondary monitor.
On the surface, the MiKo LXD has a 15" LCD touch screen, DJ controller, Bump MP, Mix/Edit controller and a track pad with buttons. Rounding out the product is an external, compact, blue back-lit QWERTY keyboard. A comprehensive suite of software including Riff, Mimik, Reaper, Guru, Dimension LE, Windows XP Home and over 25,000 sound presets installed including True Pianos, Sylenth, Digital Sound Factory Proteus 2000, Mophatt, and Virtuoso, Wusik Station and Denaun Porter Master Series sound library, making the MiKo LXD ready for action right out of the box. A complete list of software and plug-ins can be found at: www.openlabs.com. The MiKo LXD is priced at $4,599 (MAP) and will start shipping the end of January 2009.
NeKo LX5 (Gen5)
61-key keyboard production station is the big brother to the MiKo LXD and is designed for use by keyboard players, as well as producers and live performing artists. Also encased in the new Black Onyx chassis, it has at its core the same Intel Core2 Quad 2.5GHz processor and 4GB of RAM, but with an upgraded hard drive system that is 2 terabytes in size. Like its little brother, the NeKo LX5 has a 4 ins / 6 outs (with 2 preamps with Phantom power) audio I/O, DVD burner, FireWire, USB 2.0 and an external connector for a secondary monitor.
The NeKo LX5 has a 15" LCD touch screen, DJ controller, Bump MP, Mix/Edit controller and a track pad with buttons. Rounding out the product is an external, compact, blue back-lit QWERTY keyboard. An upgraded and comprehensive suite of software including Riff, Mimik, Reaper, Guru, Dimension LE, Windows XP Home, and over 25,000 sound presets installed including True Pianos, Sylenth, Digital Sound Factory Proteus 2000, MoPhatt, Virtuoso, Wusik Station and Denaun Porter Master Series sound library. The NeKo LX5 is priced at $5,499 (MAP) and will start shipping the end of January 2009.
NeKo XXL (Gen5)
61-key keyboard production station represents the long awaited return of Open Labs' flagship keyboard production station and is a dramatic leap forward from the previous NeKo LX models.
Also dressed in the new Gen5 Black Onyx chassis, the NeKo XXL has a powerful Intel Core2 Quad 2.8GHz processor, 4GB of RAM, 4 terabytes of hard drive storage, as well as an assortment of USB 2.0 and FireWire ports. An external video connector is also provided for use with a secondary video monitor.
The NeKo XXL provides maximum control via its 15" color LCD touch screen and 4 controller modules including the new Alpha II controller, Bump MP, Mix/Edit controller, and built QWERTY controller. A track pad and mouse buttons are also provided.
NeKo XXL supersedes its predecessor in its audio capabilities as well. The M-Audio Delta 10/10 audio I/O has now been further refined by Open Labs and now included 10 ins / 10 outs with two high quality preamps with Phantom power. This new audio section provides superior performance, while maintaining out of the box compatibility with Pro Tools M-Powered software, with no need for additional hardware or audio interface. The NeKo XXL is priced at: $6,899 (MAP) and will start shipping during the first quarter 2009.
An upgraded and comprehensive suite of software including Riff, Mimik, Reaper, Guru, Dimension LE, and Windows XP Home. In addition a full version of Ableton Live 7, the winner of the 2009 Electronic Musicians Editor's Choice Award for Digital Audio Sequencer, is included for a comprehensive live and studio product.
25,000 sound presets are installed including True Pianos, Sylenth, Digital Sound Factory Proteus 2000, Wusik Station and the Denaun Porter Master Series sound library.
Upgrade options for previous generations of NeKo and MiKo production stations will be announced late second quarter 2009.
Live demonstrations of Open Labs' KARMA technology, the new Gen5 models, artist performances and additional surprises can be seen at the Winter NAMM show 2009 in Anaheim, CA (Booth #5900) and on the Open Labs live broadcast airing January 15-18, 2009 at www.openlabs.com.
