Mobile music making apps developer IK Multimedia has announced the expansion of its iRig Keys line with two new products for mobile musicians: iRig Keys Pro and iRig Keys with Lightning connector, compact MIDI keyboard controllers with 37 velocity-sensitive Keys.
The iRig Keys Pro comes with Lightning-connector, 30-pin and USB cables. These allow musicians to connect all iRig Keys to any iPhone, iPad, iPod touch and Mac/PC model, and provide MIDI control and performance features for Core MIDI apps of all types, such as IK’s own SampleTank, iGrand Piano and iLectric piano apps, and its range of Mac/PC virtual instruments.
iRig Keys Pro also has powerful programming features that are useful during live performance and in the studio. Players can program iRig Keys Pro with different set-ups and store them in one of the 4 “Set” banks. When iRig Keys Pro is in Edit mode, the user can set the MIDI transmit channel, velocity (touch) response, assign Control Change numbers to the Volume/Data knob, send custom Program Change messages, transpose the keyboard in semi-tones and more.
iRig Keys Pro also sports an expansion jack for adding a sustain pedal (not included) for a realistic piano feel, or an expression pedal that sends MIDI continuous controller data that can control parameters such as volume, rotary speaker speed, tremolo and vibrato speed and more, on the connected app or software instrument.
iRig Keys with Lightning connector is IK’s new version of the ultra popular iRig Keys portable mini keyboard and now comes with a Lightning-connector cable for connecting iRig Keys to the newest Apple devices, including the new iPad, iPad mini and iPhone 5 series. It shares the same features of iRig Keys Pro but with a more compact build so it only takes up minimal space on a desktop and can easily fit in a backpack or a carry-on bag.
iRig Keys Pro is priced at $150, with the Lightning-only iRig Keys retailing for $130. Both models are available now from music and electronics retailers worldwide.
