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Meet the next-gen RMX-IGNITE effector, made to show DJs’ individuality and spark creativity. Remix tracks freely and deliver a live experience that fuses sound and movement.

AlphaTheta has introduced a new DJ-focused effects processor and performance sampler, the RMX-Ignite.

The RMX range was originally established under the Pioneer DJ name in the 2012, with the launch of the RMX-1000. That unit – which was later joined by a smaller sibling, the RMX-500 – proved popular with both DJs and producers for its ability to quickly apply rhythmic and modulated effects to incoming audio.

In more recent years, both models have gained popularity among hardware live performers and ‘DAWless’ musicians, as a means to access software-style effects processing without the need to run through a computer.

Now the RMX range has been relaunched under the AlphaTheta brand. The RMX-Ignite significantly redesigns the format, and represents something of a step up in terms of both capabilities and price point.

In the words of AlphaTheta: “More than a decade after the launch of the RMX-1000 – the model released in 2012 that’s still highly respected by top DJs worldwide – this completely renewed effector combines dynamic sound-shaping control with advanced effects to enable new levels of live performance.”

The Ignite is broadly divided into three sections. To the right hand side of its interface are two effects sections, each of which are split into low, mid and high frequency bands.

The upper section is labelled ‘Lever FX’, so called because its effects are engaged by flipping three chunky paddles. This section can make use of six effect types, labelled Echo, Reverb, Juggle, Reverse, Solo and Stretch, each of which can be refined using a sub parameter knob.

These effects are applied differently depending on the direction the user pushes each level. When pulled downwards, the effects are only applied while the level is held in position and disengage as soon as the user lets go. By pushing a lever upwards, the user can latch an effect so that it’s held until manually disengaged.

The lower section of the effects is labelled Isolate FX. These are engaged using a trio of bi-directional knobs that function much like the Color knobs found on DJM mixers, which let users sweep through effects to adjust the amount or character.

The effects offered by the Isolate section are Tape Echo, Reverb, Drive, Filter, Ducker, and Rhythm. Again, a sub parameter control lets users adjust the character of each.

The third main section of the RMX-Ignite is its sampler, which sits to the left of the control interface. Here users have access to four sample pads, each of which is capable of playing four samples simultaneously. The sample section has a Sample Roll function that triggers samples at rhythmic intervals at different timing intervals. These intervals can be combined to create more complex rolls and patterns.

The sampler has an overdub feature that lets users capture simple single-bar loops. Samples can also be processed using a dedicated Sampler Color FX processor, with Echo, Space, Filter, Pitch, Decay and Swing modes.

The RMX-Ignite comes loaded with a factory library featuring vintage drum machine sounds. Users can easily load their own sample collections via USB or Pro DJ Link, and make use of a dedicated RMX-Ignite Sample Manager application.

The Ignite’s final major feature is its Release Echo function, controlled by a large pad to the right of the interface. This is designed to smoothly reset effects and samples back to the original dry audio, while applying an echo tail to smoothly transition out of any effects.

This works in two ways – dry, which smoothly transitions back into the unprocessed audio, and mute, which mutes all incoming audio while the Release button is pressed in order to create a more dramatic transition.

The RMX-Ignite can process audio via classic analogue connections, with stereo TS jacks for both input and output. The unit can also be hooked up digitally to AlphaTheta’s DJM-V10 and DJM-A9 mixers, by connecting a single USB cable to the mixers’ Multi I/O terminal that will function as a single digital send/return.

The Ignite supports Pro DJ Link for BPM and beatgrid sync to other DJ gear. It’s also possible to load samples directly from USB drives or SD cards plugged into players connected via Pro DJ Link.

AlphaTheta is also touting the jump in audio quality compared to previous RMX units, with Ignite offering 96 kHz/64-bit DSP processing, along with 32-bit A/D and D/A converters from ESS Technology on the input and output.

The RMX-Ignite is out now, priced at £1,039/€1,199 including VAT or $1,199 excluding tax. Visit the AlphaTheta site for more.

Fender has announced the launch of Fender Studio, a “connected music ecosystem” that comprises both software and hardware, launching several new products while bringing a number of existing PreSonus products under the Fender Studio name.

The headline here is that Fender is rebranding PreSonus Studio One Pro as Fender Studio Pro 8 and relaunching the DAW with new native amp and effects plugins, a revamped interface and much more.

Fender Studio Pro 8 keeps the essence of PreSonus’ well-established DAW intact while integrating a variety of new features and enhancements. The new Fender Mustang Guitar and Rumble Bass plugins offer guitarists an extensive selection of 39 guitar amps and 18 bass amps alongside 125 modelled effects pedals.

The DAW’s interface has been given a significant refresh, with a new Arrangement Overview providing a complete bird’s-eye view of every session and allowing users to navigate arrangements with zoom, pan and highlight tools. This is joined by Channel Overview, a view that combines key parameters of a mixer channel in a single horizontal interface.

Studio Pro 8’s new reverb effect, Studio Verb, combines a broad range of rooms, chambers, halls and spaces with an intuitive spectral display. The Impact drum sampler and Sample One sampler plugins have also been updated with new fade-in/out controls, slicing tools, tempo options and a new modulation matrix.

Alongside this, Studio Pro 8 features Chord Assistant, an intelligent songwriting tool that offers chord recommendations based on existing progressions, while a new AI-powered conversion tool transforms audio files into editable MIDI notes for creative rearrangement.

In addition to the Studio Pro launch, Fender has announced that PreSonus’ Quantum HD and AudioBox Go audio interface lines will also be rebranded under the Fender Studio banner, bringing the existing PreSonus designs into Fender’s newly-launched ecosystem with a few minor tweaks, such as new Fender-designed instrument inputs.

Alongside the rebranded interfaces, Fender has also announced the launch of Fender Motion, a MIDI controller designed to integrate tightly with Fender Studio Pro that’s compatible with any DAW.

Two models have been unveiled, Motion 16 and Motion 32, both of which feature RGB polyphonic FATAR® pads, illuminated encoders and touch strips, along with timeline navigation and session controls. Fender 32 has 32 pads arranged in a keyboard-style layout with a larger screen, while Fender 16 is a more affordable option with a 4×4 grid of pads.

Additionally, Fender has also unveiled an update to Fender Studio, its free entry-level recording app launched back in May last year, that introduces seamless cross-platform compatibility between Fender Studio and Fender Studio Pro.

“For more than a decade, Studio One Pro has set the standard for modern music production,” said Max Gutnik, Chief Product Officer at FMIC in a press release.

“Its balance of power, creativity and ease of use has inspired countless artists and shaped how music is made today. With Fender Studio Pro, we are taking those celebrated features and enhancing them with a modernized interface, Fender’s award-winning amp and effects models and new intuitive workflows and capabilities that make creating music faster, more inspiring and more connected than ever.”

Fender Studio Pro is available now and priced at $199.99/£169.99 for a perpetual license, or $19.99/£19.99 for a monthly subscription. Upgrade options are available for existing users.

Fender Motion 16 is priced at $269.99/£279 and Fender Motion 32 is priced at $329.99/£369, and both will be available in Spring 2026.

Find out more on Fender website.

As recording technology has become cheaper and more accessible, the line between guitarists and producers has become increasingly blurred. With its new Effects Interface Hardware Plugin, Electro-Harmonix is aiming to make bridging that gap easier than ever.

The Electro-Harmonix Effects Interface Hardware Plugin® is a first-of-its-kind piece of equipment purpose-built for making use of pedals and other physical guitar equipment with your DAW easy and seamless.

Additionally, the Effects Interface breaks your favorite plugins out of your computer for use in your full guitar rig. No need for special converters or direct boxes, the Effects Interface handles your signal and delivers it with care between your hardware and software via a simple USB-C connection

This can be done in one of two ways. In its Hardware Plugin mode, the Effects Interface acts as an external effect loop, routed via its associate plugin that sits in a DAW’s insert chain.

Alternatively, in Pedalboard mode the Effects Interface can be used to incorporate software effects into a hardware chain. Here audio is sent into a DAW through the input plugin, processed using any software effects, and then sent back out to an amp or pedalboard.

The inputs and outputs are designed to operate at pedalboard-friendly levels, allowing audio to travel to and from a chain of effects pedals without the need for additional converters or DI boxes.

According to EHX, “Effects Interface handles your signal and delivers it with care between your hardware and software via a simple USB-C connection.”

In either mode, the device’s foot switch can be used to bypass the effect like a traditional stompbox.

The Effects Interface has stereo inputs and outputs, but can also operate in dual-mono mode, allowing users to set up two different effects routings simultaneously.

The level of its inputs and outputs can be controlled via both the hardware and software UI. The device also has a headphone output with its own volume control allowing for direct monitoring.

As well as being used as part of a stompbox effects chain, the Effects Interface can also function as a traditional audio interface for recording and monitoring via its ins and outs.

While the device is primarily aimed at guitarists, it’s not hard to imagine how it might also appeal to synthesists and bedroom producers looking for an easy way to take sounds out-of-the-box for a little hardware processing.

The Effects Interface Hardware Plugin operates in 3 distinct modes:

• Hardware Plugin Mode: Send tracks/signal from your DAW through you pedals/hardware just like you were using a plugin.
• Pedalboard Mode: Run your instrument into your DAW, through your plugins, and back out to your signal chain, effectively turning your plugins into a pedal.
• Audio Interface Mode: use the Effects Interface as a traditional 2-in/2-out USB audio interface

The Electro-Harmonix Effects Interface is out now, with a US street price of $359. Visit the EHX site for more information.