MusicRadar

Access's Virus TI2: looks good, sounds even better.

View in gallery

Having burned so brightly for four days, the 2009 Winter NAMM show has now faded into history.

For those of you suffering withdrawal symptoms – or those who simply can't be bothered to trawl through the huge amount of news we've posted on MusicRadar's NAMM 2009 blog – here are the hi-tech hardware highlights.

1. Akai APC40
Various companies have been trying to produce The Perfect Live Controller for a while now, but Akai's effort is the first (though probably not the last) to feature Ableton branding. Offering bidirectional communication with the company's kick-ass DAW, this fine-looking device comes pre-mapped to work with the software. Check out Computer Music's hands-on test and see the APC40 in action in an official Ableton video.

2. Native Instruments Maschine
Last year, the rumour was that NI was working on a dedicated controller for its Battery software, but what it's actually done is re-invented the groovebox for the 21^st century. The hardware is simply a controller (there's no audio or DSP onboard), but combined with the supplied software and a laptop it becomes a fast and fun groove-based sequencer and sampler. Read Future Music's first look and check out the Maschine in video.

3. Roland AX-Synth
Guess what? Roland has only gone and brought back the ruddy keytar! This much-derided instrument seems set for a renaissance in 2009, and the AX-Synth will be the model that every self-respecting electro fashionista wants to wear. Featuring its own sound set (256 tones are accessible from eight bank buttons) and a 49-note keyboard, the device can also be used as a MIDI controller. Future Music has already given it the once over.