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Ahead of the 2023 NAMM Show, IK Multimedia has announced that they will be introducing their Total Studio 4 MAX and entire completely revamped software line. The 2023 NAMM show being held next week April 13-15 in Anaheim, CA.

First up, leading the change we have Total Studio 4 Max, IK Multimedia biggest all-in-one software bundle yet. Designed to cover every stage of the music creation process this contains a whopping 170 products, 640GB worth of sounds and 500 effects. Additions to version 4 include Tonex Max, Modo Bass 2, Modo Drum 1.5, AmpliTube MESA/Boogie, 12 new SampleTank libraries, 12 new Syntronik synths, and 2 new T-RackS modules: The Farm Stone Room and Joe Chiccarelli Vocal Strip.

Next we have AmpliTube 5 Max v2, features all 18 brand/artist collections for more amps, cabs and effects. Users now have 435 gear models to work with and 6,000 presets (available via ToneNET). Additions include AmpliTube MESA/Boogie 2 and all four virtual X-GEAR Pedals.

And T-RackS 5 MAX v2 price is dropping, as well, with 15 new processors coming along for the ride. There are now 53 mixing and mastering plugins, including all the latest T-RackS releases: The Farm Stone Room, Joe Chiccarelli Vocal Strip, Comprexxor, Sunset Sound Studio Reverb, T-RackS Leslie, all 4 models of the TASCAM Tape Collection and FAME Studio Reverb.

Lastly, it’s a similar story in SampleTank 4 Max v2. This includes all 28 SampleTank libraries (these were sold separately up until now), all 34 synths from Syntronik 2 Max, SampleTron 2 and the full version of Miroslav Philharmonik 2. These titles sit alongside the still-included SampleTank 4 factory content, all the legacy SampleTank 2 and 3 factory content and all the legacy SampleTank 3 libraries. That all adds up to 600GB of sounds and over 18,000 instruments in all.

IK Multimedia also says that it’s lowered its pricing across the board. Total Studio 4 Max starts at $/€300 for eligible customers, while AmpliTube 5 Max v2, T-RackS 5 Max v2 and SampleTank 4 Max v2 all start at $/€200 for eligible customers.

The upgrade process for returning customers has also been simplified, with a single upgrade-for-all policy. Regardless of the IK product purchased, all registered IK users will now have access to any software product at upgrade pricing. To be eligible, the registration of any paid product, be it software, hardware or even just an app, is the only requirement. Similarly, any registered owner of another IK MAX product is eligible for IK’s MAXgrade price on the new Total Studio 4 MAX. All the new Max bundles are available now on the IK Multimedia online store
Total Studio 4 MAX – 30 new products added
More affordable prices with more accessible upgrades
IK Releases 4 New MAX Bundles

At the 2023 NAMM Show – being held April 13-15 in Anaheim, CA – The MIDI Association will be celebrating the 40th anniversary of MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) with MIDI@40.

MIDI debuted at the 1983 Winter NAMM Show, held Jan 21-23, where synth pioneer Dave Smith demonstrated it by connecting a Sequential Circuits 600 and a Roland Jupiter 6. The MIDI Specification was published in Aug 1983.

As part of the MIDI@40 celebration, the MIDI Zone in the front of Hall A of the Anaheim Convention Center will features a wide range of products and innovations using MIDI. In total, 30 companies will be displaying the latest in MIDI technology. The MIDI Association will also be demonstrating MIDI 2.0, the most important upgrade to MIDI since its debut at The NAMM Show in 1983.

“MIDI@40 not only showcases all of the amazing MIDI products that have impacted music over the past 40 years but also looks forward to the future with MIDI 2.0 products that will continue to shape the way music is made for decades to come,” notes Athan Billias, President of the MIDI Association.

On Friday, April 14, from 4:00 – 5:00 p.m., A3E: Advanced Audio Applications Exchange will present MIDI 2.0: What Developers Need to Know About Free Tools for Developing MIDI 2.0 Products and Apps. The panel discussion will feature members of the MIDI 2.0 working group, including Pete Brown, Florian Bomers, Mike Kent, and Torrey Walker, as they discuss recent changes to the core MIDI 2.0 specifications and the MIDI 2.0 API on Apple, Google, Linux, and Microsoft operating systems. They’ll also explain the tools that The MIDI Association is providing to all developers to help make MIDI 2.0 devices easier.

Immediately following the session, attendees can delve into MIDI 2.0: What Musicians Need to Know About MIDI 2.0. The panel session, featuring Athan Billias, Craig Anderton, Brett Porter of Art and Logic, Michael Cain of Ekwe and artist Moldover, will introduce the new MIDI 2.0 products at The NAMM Show and provide an overview of what new MIDI specifications will mean to musicians, including MPE.

The MIDI 40th Anniversary Celebration, being held 3:15-5pm on Sat, April 15th, will feature performance by Resonant Alien, Mike Garson, Ellis Hall, Mark Isham, Myron McKinley, Jordan Rudess and others.

At Saturday’s anniversary celebration, lifetime achievement awards will also be presented to (or posthumously honor) music industry innovators who created the modern music production environment of synths, drum machines, and sequencers, including Bob Moog, Don Buchla, Ikutaro Kakehashi, Tsutomu Katoh, Roger Linn, Tom Oberheim, Alan Pearlman, Dave Rossum, and Dave Smith.

See the MIDI website for more information.