WORLD OF MUSIC ; PORTABLE KEYBOARD - Latest Portable Music Keyboards, Synthesizers and Music News

Audient has announced the releases of iD48, a flagship 8-channel 24×32 out USB-C audio interface the well-regarded British brand is calling the “ultimate Audient interface”, previewing at this year’s NAMM show. If you’re at NAMM, stop by the KORG booth #6903 in Hall C between 23-25 January 2025.

Designed for producers, engineers and musicians alike, iD48 is said to be versatile enough for both home studios and professional set-ups.

Audient says iD48 builds on the core features that distinguish the iD range – “astonishing” audio performance and an intuitive user experience – while delivering enough I/O to “handle any session”. iD48 is an 8-channel interface with the option to utilize a total of 24 ins and 32 outs digitally via ADAT or S/PDIF.

The 24-bit/96kHz rackmount interface is equipped with eight of the same low-noise, low-distortion Audient Console Mic preamps found across the iD range, featuring the very same circuitry as Audient’s high-end ASP8024-HE recording console and delivering 68dB gain. 32-bit ESS DAC converters offer an ample 126.5dB of dynamic range for impressive detail and clarity, while two discrete JFET instrument inputs will make guitarists’ lives easier.

Newly introduced with the iD48, Audient’s Switchable Analogue Insert technology is another convenient addition. This allows you to route audio from either the mic preamps or DAW outputs to outboard gear via the iD48’s eight balanced inserts – accessible via a Dsub connection – letting you track and mix using external hardware without physically re-patching cables.

In addition to its capabilities as an interface, the iD48 doubles as a monitor controller thanks to main and alt speaker outputs, dual headphone outputs with independent volume control, and dedicated talkback functionality. The iD Mixer software allows users to configure low-latency monitoring setups, create stereo cue mixes, and save custom layout presets.

Features:

• 8 x Class-A Audient Console Mic Preamps
• Class Leading AD/DA Converters
• 2 x Discrete JFET Instrument Inputs
• Main and Alt Speaker Outputs
• 2 x Independent Dual Headphone Outputs
• 2 x ADAT Inputs & Outputs
• 8 Switchable Balanced Inserts/Line Outputs
• Ultra-low Latency DSP Mixer
• Audio Loop-back
• 2 x User Defined Function Keys
• Dedicated Dim and Cut Controls
• +48V, Pad, and HPF Controls
• USB 3.0 Compliant
• 24bit/96kHz
• Word Clock Input & Output
• All-Metal Design
• Free Software + Plugins

Available from 3 March 2025, Audient iD48 is priced at $999/€899/£799.

Find out more on Audient website.

We first got word of Korg’s new turntable range a year ago, when the company announced the Handytraxx Play back at NAMM 2024, although it’s been listed as ‘coming soon’ on the company’s site ever since. Now, ahead of NAMM ‘25, the Handytraxx Play has reemerged – and it’s brought a full range of Handytraxx turntables with it.

Inspired by the iconic Vestax Handy Trax, Handytraxx Play is a portable turntable aimed at both DJs and vinyl enthusiasts. The original Handy Trax was released in “the late ’90s” and proved popular in the ‘portablism’ space, filled with people who scratch and DJ using easily transportable gear. Korg’s updated take has been created in collaboration with former Vestax president, Toshihide Nakama, who sadly demised in 2023 before the project could be completed.

The portability factor here lies in the fact that the Play can run either via AC power or AA batteries and features a 2.5w built-in speaker which Korg claims “delivers impressive sound with rich bass and clear playback, whether you’re connected to external speakers or not.”

The Handytraxx Play also comes equipped with some interesting performance tools. There’s a multimode filter with three filter types, plus a delay effect with its own fader for control. There’s also an audio looper onboard for live looping.

The Handytraxx Play features a belt drive motor with digital rotation correction for better stability. The turntable can be customised to use ceramic and MM cartridges, and it’s also possible to replace the crossfader and reorientate the device for left-handed use.

The Play launches alongside three other Handytraxx units – the Handytraxx Tube, Handytraxx Tube J and Handytraxx 1bit.

The Handytraxx Tube is aimed at audiophiles. According to Korg, “each component has been meticulously crafted to prioritise sound quality, including an aluminium die-cast platter for precise and stable rotation, a balanced tone arm featuring an MM cartridge”.

It also adds a Nutube vacuum tube to the design, which Korg claims “not only enriches the audio with warm harmonics, but also adds a lifelike depth and clarity to every record”. It also features adjustable bass and treble controls.

The Tube comes equipped with JICO J44A 7 cartridges. It also features a stereo speaker as well as digital conversion capabilities allowing users to digitise their record collection.

The Handytraxx Tube J, meanwhile, is a special edition variation on the Tube produced in collaboration with Japanese stylus brand JICO. Along with all the features of the Handytraxx Tube, the Tube J also comes equipped with JICO’s top-end Clipper cartridges.

Finally, the Handytraxx 1bit ups the audiophile factor further with 5.6 MHz, 1-bit (DSD) format recording, delivering 5.6 million samples per second for what Korg calls ‘unparalleled sound quality’. According to the press release, “whether you’re digitising a priceless vinyl library or enjoying casual playback, the Handytraxx 1bit is the perfect solution for every vinyl enthusiast.”

Prices start at £359 for the Handytraxx Play, rising to £699 for the Handytraxx Tube. The Handytraxx 1bit is priced at £919. Finally, the limited edition Handytraxx Tube J is £1099. Head to the Korg site for more.

Now, the third version of Scaler Music/Plugin Boutique’s theory-treasure trove Scaler is set to get us out of even more creative ruts. Its wider feature set promises to provide more intuitive assistance for those searching for songwriting and music theory support

Scaler 3 is no marginal update. The whole UI has been fully re-built from the ground-up, yet also retains many familiarities with Scaler 2 so existing users shouldn’t feel daunted. Also with this third version comes the ability to launch the whole thing as an entirely standalone program.

The UI is divided into the three main pages: Browse, Create and Arrange.

The Browse page is where users can discover chord progressions, sequences and scales and try variations of their own. The Create page is the natural second port of call, wherein users can assemble new musical forms from this diverse raw material. Next, the Arrange page is where users can get their ideas structured into solid song forms.

The Arrange page now features a multi-lane timeline view (familiar to all DAW users) however in the Scaler 3 universe, the lanes are dedicated to core components, such as chords, melody, bass and phrases. All of which are in-sync with the main chord track.

Scaler 3 brings a couple of further pages into play, Explore and Colors. Explore allows users to navigate a wide range of chords that corellate to a specific scale. These are helpfully categorised by genre, and feel.

The Colors page gives a wider view of every chord voicing and their numerous harmonic alternatives in one view, providing substitution options and alternative chordal voicings to diversify your arrangement

Scaler’s internal organisation of its core components has been fully refined for this release, grouping Scaler 2’s Phrases, Performances, Melodies and Basslines under the ‘Motions’ monicker. Each of which is now tagged according to mood. A range of which have been designed by a group of professional musicians.

Further additions to Scaler 3 include deeper note editing and harmonic modifiers, enhanced categorisation and a wider array of compositional elements to incorporate into your developing arrangement.

Scaler 3 will launch in March. If you’ve yet to take the plunge and are curious to explore what Scaler has to offer, then you can purchase Scaler 2 now for £49 and receive Scaler 3 absolutely free upon its release. Upgrade pricing will be announced in March 2025.

An iOS version is set to be launched later in the year (Q2, according to Scaler Music’s website). More info on Scaler 3 is set to be dropped in the run-up to its launch, so make sure you keep checking the official website for the latest.