New Gear Alert: KeyStep Pro by Arturia, Softube Console 1 x Ableton, Blackstar IRs from Celestion & More

Arturia announces availability of the KeyStep Pro.

With MIDI control and sequencing functionality, Arturia welcomes the KeyStep Pro to their growing Step family.

KeyStep Pro is the newest, and most hotly anticipated member of the Arturia Step family, giving keyboard players incredible sequencing and performance power in a compact, versatile controller.

KeyStep Pro is a 37-key MIDI controller and multi-channel polyphonic sequencer all in one. It will allow musicians to take full control of their modular rigs, outboard synths, and software studio all at the same time. The 4 independent polyphonic sequencer tracks give you full control over your instruments, and Track 1 can also function as a 16-part integrated drum sequencer. It’s incredibly intuitive, has unparalleled connectivity, and promises to make even complex performances a breeze.

If you prefer keys to pads, you’ll love KeyStep Pro. It sports a great-feeling 3-octave keyboard with velocity sensitivity and aftertouch. Letting you fully articulate your musical ideas, this expressive little sequencer truly puts your whole music-making ecosystem at your fingertips. Arturia’s designers studied the way musicians actually used their Step controllers, and created KeyStep Pro to remove the barriers between you and the music you want to create.

Check out an introductory video to KeyStep Pro here.

KeyStep Pro is available now, priced at $449.

Softube announces full Console 1 compatibility with Ableton Live.

Softube’s Console 1 now features full Ableton Live integration.

Full compatibility between Ableton Live and Softube’s Console 1 ecosystem is now available, allowing Live users to take advantage of all the hands-on capabilities that both Console 1 and Console 1 Fader offer in the studio or on the stage.

Control of volume, pan, solo, and mute in Live is just the start. Sending to return tracks for reverb, adding drive to distort a loop, filtering sounds while launching scenes, and grouping tracks with layer mode takes your creative potential to a new level.

Those using Ableton Push to create or perform will love the addition of faders to their workflow for the first time. Flexibility is key—it is your music, so you decide what setup is best for you. Console 1 and Console 1 Fader can work on their own in Ableton Live or be used together. And those mixing larger sets can even add more than one Console 1 Fader for an additional 10 faders.

To help Ableton Live users get started, Softube created, in collaboration with Ableton, a series of educational videos showing how to incorporate Console 1 Fader into their workflow—check them out here.

Celestion introduces the Blackstar Cabinet Impulse Responses.

The signature sound of Blackstar amps is now more accessible than ever, thanks to Celestion.

The Blackstar Cabinet IRs are the newest additions to Celestion’s Backline Heroes range of impulse responses. The new IRs feature fifteen of Blackstar’s legendary cabinets loaded with classic Celestion speakers.

Each Blackstar Cabinet impulse response has been accurately recorded using the same studio-quality microphones (Royer R-121, Shure SM57, and Sennheiser MD421) in the same six adjustable positions as the core range of Celestion IRs—as well as an extra rear position for the open back cabinets. This offers 18 tone options for each cabinet, plus Celestion’s usual additional mic mix options.

Each Blackstar cabinet impulse response has also been recorded using a Neumann TLM 107 room mic (in Left, Right and Stereo) for you to mix in and achieve your desired tone. In addition to the 5 different cabinet types included, the Blackstar collection also offers some of Celestion’s most-loved speakers: the Vintage 30, Seventy 80, G12T-75, and V-Type.

The Blackstar Cabinet IRs are available for audition and download at CelestionPlus. For further information on the available models, along with pricing, click here.

Klevgrand releases Ting, a percussion virtual instrument.

Klevgrand has creatively compiled a library of household percussion sounds in the new Ting virtual instrument.

Ting is a new audio plugin that utilizes sounds originating from things laying around at home. It is intended to be a creative tool and a substitute for ordinary drum and percussion instruments. Altogether ~500 individual samples are used to make the instrument; each sound is carefully multi-sampled and processed with the common goal to be musically playable.

In addition to the sounds, there is an EQ, room simulator, reverb, and compressor on offer in Ting. Available samples include (but are not limited to): silverware, a sofa, toy drum, a pair of car keys, and much, much more.

Check out an introductory video to Ting here.

Ting supports most Mac/Windows DAWs, as well as iPad (AUv3). The AU/VST/AAX version is available at an introductory promo price of $14.99 until April 30th (reg. $19.99); the iOS (iPad/AUv3 only) version is currently priced at $4.99 (40% off introductory promo price until April 30th).

Please note: When you buy products through links on this page, we may earn an affiliate commission.