Alesis is trying to stand out from the market by pointing to the synth-action keys, velocity-sensitive pads and comprehensive software bundle when asking you to consider its V Series II.
There are 25-, 49- and 61-note models in the range, all of which offer eight pads with full level and note repeat controls, four assignable knobs, pitchbend and mod wheels, octave buttons and a 1/4-inch sustain pedal input. You also get an arpeggiator with six different modes, plus tap tempo, time division, gate and swing controls.
The software bundle is built around MPC Beats, the free-to-download pad-based DAW from Akai, and is bulked out with seven MPC Beats Expansion packs
Available now, the Alesis V25 MKII, V49 MKII and V61 MKII cost £80, £100 and £130 respectively. Find out more on the Alesis website.
Alesis has introduced the Prestige Series digital pianos, with advanced features and at an affordable price – the Prestige, Prestige Artist. Both feature 88 keys, multiple voices and built-in speakers.
Alesis claims that the Prestige Series pianos feature “the most advanced and versatile sound library ever created for a digital piano,” which is quite some statement. The standard model contains 16 voices, while the pricier Artist edition has 30.
Both pianos have a graded hammer-action keyboard with adjustable touch response. Sounds can be layered – two at once or split across the keyboard, and in Lesson mode, the keyboard is divided into two sections with the same pitch and voice. Alongside the grand piano voices, you get electric pianos, strings, organs and synths, all of which are said to have been carefully multisampled.
Polyphony on the standard Prestige is 128 notes, while the Prestige Artist model is 256 notes. Both pianos have a 50W (2x25W) micro-array speaker system that promises plenty of volume and clarity.
Other features in both pianos include a reverb with five selectable types, a record mode so that you can hear your performances back, and a built-in metronome. Both Prestige models also include 60 free interactive lessons from Melodics, three months of Skoove Premium and two months of TakeLessons | Live. Connectivity includes stereo 1/4-inch outputs, 1/4-inch and 1/8-inch headphone outputs and USB-MIDI.
Further enhancements for the Prestige Artist piano include an OLED display and the inclusion of a piano-style sustain pedal while the standard Prestige piano comes with a standard sustain pedal. Both models are also bundled with a music rest and power adapter.
Following the success of the Alesis QX49 which was released early 2011, Alesis announced the QX series has been expanded to include both a QX25 and QX6, at the 2012 NAMM Show. The Alesis QX25 Advanced MIDI Keyboard Controller features a 25-key version with velocity-sensitive keys, Pitch and Modulation wheels, 4 backlit drum pads, 8 knobs, 6 assignable buttons for triggering software controls, fader for volume or synth parameter controls, USB/MIDI connection, and includes Ableton Live Lite Alesis Edition software.
The Alesis QX25’s traditional interface and MIDI enables the controller to connect to a computer running Mac OS and Windows, mobile devices with iOS or hardware interface with MIDI. The pads enable user to trigger samples, loops and sequencing drums. The keyboard can also be split into sections to control multiple instruments at once. The Alesis QX25 comes with a customized version of Ableton Live – a fresh and easy way to create music. With a 25-note keyboard, the Alesis QX25 is ultra-portable, which makes the keyboard great for performing and recording with software instruments and samplers, and sequencing music right out of the box. The portable keyboard is powered from the bus USB.
The compact Alesis QX25 is an excellent companion for producers and musicians who require performance on a budget!
