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Steinberg has announced today that its hardware products are being rebranded as Yamaha brand.

Undertaken as part of a restructuring of both companies’ product development systems, the rebrand will see Steinberg shifting its focus away from hardware and exclusively towards software development and sales.

A German manufacturer and software developer founded in 1984, Steinberg was acquired by Yamaha in 2005. Since then, the companies have jointly developed and released a number of products, including Steinberg-branded audio interfaces such as the IXO series, launched in 2024.

As part of the transition, Steinberg’s IXO12, IXO22, UR22C, and UR44C interfaces have been relaunched under the Yamaha brand as the UR12MK3, UR22MK3, URX22C and URX44C, respectively. All other Steinberg audio interfaces will be gradually phased out, but both companies will continue to provide customers with product support “for the foreseeable future”.

Steinberg’s exclusive focus on software development and sales will “allow both companies to focus on their respective expertise”, according to a statement from the company. Steinberg and Yamaha will continue to “work closely together”, providing users with a “refined, integrated product experience which unites software and hardware”.

Steinberg is the brand behind popular music software such as Cubase, its well-established DAW, and Nuendo, an audiovisual post-production suite. The company is also responsible for Dorico, a leading music notation program, and a catalogue of VST plugins that includes the HALion sampler and Groove Agent drum machine.

“This transition is a very positive evolution for the product line,” says Steinberg’s Managing Director Clyde Sendke. “By moving our range of audio interfaces to Yamaha, we are ensuring that they receive a dedicated focus and allow both companies to play to their core strengths.”

“It will ensure there is greater clarity for both our customers and the industry regarding the respective product lines. Steinberg’s reputation for groundbreaking audio software is second to none, and it makes absolute sense for this to be given our exclusive attention.”

Steinberg’s rebrand is an unexpected move, especially considering that the company was acquired over two decades ago and has continued to operate with a generous degree of independence since then.

Steinberg brand is most closely associated with software titles such as Cubase, its flagship DAW. Whether this too will ultimately be folded into the Yamaha brand remains to be seen.

Read the full statement on Steinberg website.

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The Xone:K3 brings RGB backlighting, improved hardware and USB-C to its portable performance-oriented MIDI controller.

Allen & Heath has announced the release Xone:K3, a new and fully customizable/professional MIDI controller for DJs, producers and live performers.

The K3 is a step up from its predecessor, Xone:K2, introducing a handful of notable upgrades. K3 replaces K2’s single-colour LEDs with RGB backlit buttons and encoders for clear visual feedback during performances, usefully indicating which layer you’ve selected and helping you navigate custom mappings.

USB-C connectivity with bus power thankfully replaces the K2’s dated USB-B connection, and K3’s build quality has been enhanced with a diecast metal chassis and nutted pots designed to improve durability. The controller now supports star-topology USB setups, meaning that multiple K3s can now be linked up to the computer and recognized independently.

K3’s layout is much the same as the K2, with 52 physical controls across three fully independent user layers. With 30 buttons, 12 rotary pots, six endless push-button encoders and four 60mm faders, K3 allows for up to 174 assignable MIDI parameters per map. There’s a decent amount of control here for such a slim and portable device.

Allen & Heath’s free Xone Controller Editor app can be used to design MIDI setups, select RGB feedback colours, customize layers, and save or share mappings. K3 offers full compatibility with mappings for K1 and K2, so if you’re own the previous generation and want to upgrade, you won’t have any issues.

Along with the USB-C port, Xone:K3 offers X:Link connectivity, making it possible to hook up to other Xone controllers and mixers via Ethernet cable.

“The Xone:K3 updates the K2 for the modern performance environment,” says Xone Product Specialist Al Crombie. “We’ve expanded the control options, improved the ergonomics, added RGB feedback, strengthened the build with a diecast chassis, and created truly flexible connectivity. The K3 is at home in the booth, studio or on stage, and integrates with both DJ and production workflows.”

Features:

• 52 physical controls:
  • 30 buttons (CC/Note)
  • 12 rotary pots (CC)
  • 6 endless encoders (CC) with push-button (CC/Note)
  • 4 x 60mm faders (CC)
• 3 user-defined layers with latching options
  • Up to 174 assignable controls per map
• Free Xone Controller Editor app for mapping, storage and sharing
• Assign MIDI commands per control, per layer
• RGB LED feedback on buttons and encoder push-switches
• USB-C + X:Link connectivity:
  • X:Link: Connect to Xone:96, PX5, 43C, 23C, K2, and DB mixers
  • USB-C: Star topology support for multiple devices
  • USB-C: Bus powered
• Diecast metal chassis with nutted pots and tactile switches
• Class-compliant USB MIDI: works with macOS, Windows, iOS, Android

Allen & Heath Xone:K3 is available now priced at £195/$249/€228.

Find out more on Allen & Heath website.

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It’s almost six years since Native Instruments last launched an official mixing controller for its DJ software Traktor.

The past 18 months have seen a renewed DJ focus from NI though, with the launch of updated versions of the company’s X1 and Z1 controller devices followed by version 4 of Traktor Pro late last year.

Now Native Instruments has announced the launch of Traktor MX2, a next-generation 2-channel DJ controller built for DJs at every level. MX2 combines a streamlined layout with powerful performance tools and a high-quality, built-in audio interface. MX2 puts everything the user needs at their fingertips, including the full version of Traktor Pro 4 software and a two-month Beatport Streaming trial for new customers.

The MX2 is undeniably visually striking, thanks to its assorted light-up pads and colour-coded under-lighting. The colour of the pads themselves is fully customisable, allowing users to shape the look and functionality of the MX2. That under-lighting can be used to indicate when a track is about to finish or when a loop is active.

The layout of the MX2 is quite similar to that of NI’s previous S2, though with some updated functionality. Each deck has a touch sensitive jogwheel with both jog and turntable modes, allowing them to be used for scanning through tracks, nudging timing or scratching.

Below each jogwheel is a bank of eight performance pads. These can function as hot cues, but also be used to step sequence using Traktor’s Pattern Player. The pads can also be used in Flux Loop mode in order to perform quick loops without losing the timing of the playing track.

The pads are also designed to control Traktor’s stem separation functionality, which was added with Traktor Pro 4. This allows tracks to be broken into drum, vocal, bass and instrument stems, which can then be muted and mixed individually.

The MX2 also offers hands-on control over Traktor’s performance effects. Its central Mixer FX section lets users introduce one-knob macro style controls. The pair of Deck FX units, meanwhile, allow users to combine effect modules from Traktor’s range of 40 processor types.

A creative performance toolbox. Traktor MX2 gives DJs everything they need to express themselves and stand out with sound, rhythm, and effects:

• Mixer FX made simple – Instantly create drops, buildups, and transitions with a single dial. Nine one-knob effects, from filters to reverbs and delays, let you build tension and release with ease.
• Deck FX for deeper shaping – Take tracks into new territory with more than 40 studio-grade effects. Layer, stretch, or transform sounds in real time across two assignable FX units.
• 16 RGB performance pads – Four versatile pad modes unlock new creative possibilities:
  • Hotcues – Jump to peak moments, skip breakdowns, or trigger drops with a single press.
  • Flux Loops – Add energy with stuttered loops that stay in sync and return seamlessly to the flow.
  • Pattern Player – Turn the pads into a step sequencer to program hi-hats, snares, or percussion on the fly.
  • Stems – Split tracks into vocals, drums, bass, and instruments to remix live and create unexpected blends.

Light up your mixes. Even in the darkest booth, Traktor MX2 keeps you connected to your performance.

• The illuminated bottom shell warns you when a track is running out or looping, so you’re always one step ahead.
• Customizable pad colors let you personalize your setup to match your flow and stand out on stage.
• Two touch-sensitive jog wheels provide precision control for nudging, scratching, and scrolling; with both Turntable and Jog modes.

Sound great anywhere. Wherever you play, from house parties to underground clubs, MX2 delivers high-fidelity 24-bit/96kHz audio through its built-in interface. Powered by iZotope’s Ozone Maximizer in Traktor Pro 4, your mixes stay punchy, polished, and distortion-free.

According to Native Instruments: “MX2 combines a streamlined layout with powerful performance tools and a high-quality built-in audio interface. Whether you’re just starting out or looking for a portable setup that’s club-ready, MX2 puts everything you need at your fingertips, including the full version of Traktor Pro 4 software.”

Beatport Streaming included. Traktor MX2 comes free with a two-month Beatport Streaming subscription for new customers, so you can start DJing in seconds without building a downloaded library. Choose from millions of club-ready tracks, all ready to mix, with curated playlists and charts to spark inspiration.

Native Instruments’s  Traktor MX2 is available worldwide, and retails for € 399 (MSRP) / US $449 (MSRP) / £ 349 (MSRP). Get all the details at Native Instruments site.

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