IK Multimedia

is, of course, a matter of taste, though, and
others will no doubt love the futuristic vibe.
The Data knob doubles as a menu navigation
and selection rotary, and the Volume control for
the audio interface, the latter switchable to any
MIDI CC. The other four knobs shift between two
banks (14 and 58), enabling delivery of up to
eight MIDI CCs. They’re touch-sensitive, too, and
separate MIDI CCs are assignable to touch input
and rotation.
Editing is only moderately iddly. The Data
knob is used to step though menus, a range of
numbered keys are pressed for data entry and
cancellation, and a three-digit numeric LED
provides the requisite visuals. Plenty of
customisation is possible, including
reassignment of the touchstrips to output MIDI
CCs; setting individual pads to output MIDI
notes, CCs or Program Change messages;
adjustment of velocity sensitivity for pads
and keys; and keyboard transposition. Up to
99 user presets can be stored alongside the
four factory setups, giving live performers
more than enough memory slots to cover
their needs.
The complete package?
On the whole, the iRig Keys I/O is a great
success, but there are a few areas where it falls
short. Most notably, with only one mono input, it
doesn’t exactly add up to a comprehensive
recording solution – it should be enough for
singer-songwriters and guitarists, but it’s never
going to be a main audio interface for serious
production purposes. Also, as mentioned, we’re
not into the mini-DIN connector at all; and while
we appreciate the need to substitute pitch and
IK Multimedia
iRig Keys I/O 49 €360
Verdict
For MIDI control and audio I/O in one
Mac, PC and iOS compatibility
Impressive bundled software
Tablet stand included
Against Just a single mono input
Entry-level keyboard
Mini-DIN connector is irritating
A solid production setup, combining
MIDI control and audio interfacing
with a knockout software bundle
8/10
Alternatively
Akai MPK249
NA » NA » £350
No audio interface functionality,
but a much more capable MIDI
controller keyboard
Novation Impulse 49
179 » 8/10 » £235
This lexible MIDI keyboard
integrates tightly with Live,
Logic, Pro Tools and more
In terms of VFM, the iRig Keys I/O is a
pretty good deal on its own, but IK have
sweetened the pot big time by
throwing in €750 worth of software.
The package kicks of with Live Lite
and Studio One Prime – cut-down
versions of Ableton and PreSonus’
acclaimed DAWs that give the
newcomer to computer music
everything they need to get started.
Much more exciting than those,
however – and of more relevance to
those who already have the DAW side
of things covered – are IK’s own
contributions. For starters, you get
Miroslav Philharmonik 2 CE (€180), a
10GB orchestral ROMpler featuring
over 700 instruments, edited,
processed and mixed in an easy-to-use
interface. Then there’s Syntronik Pro-V
(€60), a sample-based emulation of the
Sequential Circuits Prophet-5 and
Prophet-10 synths.
The headlines, though, are TRackS
Deluxe and SampleTank 3 (€420). The
irst includes nine modules from IK’s
superb mixing and mastering suite,
and SampleTank 3 (8/10,
210) is a
jaw-droppingly massive (33GB)
ROMpler, packed with over 4000
multisampled acoustic, electric and
electronic instruments of all kinds,
endless efects, powerful pitchshifting
and timestretching, and much more.
Soft sell
SampleTank 3 is
worth more than
the iRig Keys I/O
on its own!
“Rather than take up
valuable space with
regular pitch and mod
wheels, IK have opted
for short touchstrips”
The audio I/O is handled
round the back. You get
two line and one headphone
out, and just one input
mod wheels with touchstrips as a space-saving
measure, we still prefer the mechanical ‘real
thing’ when it comes to performance.
In summary, the iRig Keys I/O 49 is an entry-
level MIDI controller keyboard attached to a
decent but channel-limited audio interface, and
including a very tidy collection of software. It’s
small enough to ind a space on even the most
hectic of studio desks, equipped to handle basic
recording duties and general purpose MIDI
control on stage and in the studio, and
comparatively good value, particularly if the
excellent bundled software appeals.
Web www.ikmultimedia.com
March 2018 / COMPUTER MUSIC / 95
ik multimedia irig keys i/o 49 / reviews <
CMU253.rev_irigkeys.indd 95 1/9/18 5:21 PM