If you're in the US or Canada and were thinking about getting an Akai SynthStation25 then now's a good time. Akai are currently offering a $20 rebate on hardware bought between the 4th and 30th of June using this form.
Considering how cheap they can be had, this is a pretty stellar deal. I wonder if this means there is a chance of a hardware refresh/coremidi version or product?
The coremidi issue is something I had carefully considered before getting one of these units. I got one, anyway, as the price is really attractive.
This coremidi thing on the SS25 is actually something I would like to suggest to Ashley as a discussion topic. I believe a software solution could be implemented, something like an app running in background translating SS25 proprietary data to coremidi. It seems to me that iConnectMidi are doing something similar, as I found sometime ago on their website that there's an app that should be installed on iPhone/iPod touch to provide coremidi compatibility.
In summary, it could be possible to create an app that translates SS25 to coremidi apps running on the same device.
Considering I already have the hardware solution handy, I would love to have an app to translate SS25 to coremidi. Anything that increases the adoption rate is a win-win, right?
well, yes. There's one more advantage to the SS25: it is the only small keyboard that I know with pitch and modulation wheels. Well, there's also the Korg with 37 keys, but it is $99. Even if you don't have an iPhone/iPod touch the SS25 is highly appealing to the laptop musician. Amazon US has it at $57 with free shipping. Subtract the $20 mail-in rebate and there's nothing to beat it as a laptop keyboard.
Not many people realize this, but the SynthStation25 IS CoreMIDI compatible, through its USB port, a powered USB hub, and the camera connection kit.
The SS25 works with PCs/Macs as a USB Midi keyboard through its USB port. If you hook it up to a powered USB hub and then to your iPad with camera connection kit, you have a CoreMIDI compatible keyboard. This is as opposed to attempting to connect your iPad to the SS25 dock connector, which will only work with SS25 enabled apps.
I have to commend Akai on that little bit of ingenuity on their part. Well done!
Take into account that the keys are touch sensitive, it's a no-brainer.
@anon above The solution you mention is good for iPads, but I think the coremidi issue discussed here is for iPod/iPhone apps. For iPads there's also a good solution in the form of Synthstation49, which IS coremidi compatible, at least according to Akai.
I believe the point here is how to make the SS25 and apps running on an iPhone/Ipod talk through coremidi
@kidBaltan The idea is to communicate the SS25 with any app using coremidi. At the moment, only a few apps support the SS25. With the SS25 implementing coremidi, any coremidi-enabled app could support it. So you could still be away of your computer and use the SS25 with your ipod and coremidi apps.
Oke I think I get it, that way dev's dont have to make a different addition to their app for every piece of hardware that could maybe also work for the midi mobilizer then?
Can anyone confirm that a purchase through Amazon qualifies for the rebate ? I noticed that Amazon fulfills orders through a third party and didn't know if this clashed in any way with the rebate form's "authorized dealer" language.
A silly question question, perhaps, but I was curious as to whether or not anyone knew for sure.
12 comments:
Considering how cheap they can be had, this is a pretty stellar deal. I wonder if this means there is a chance of a hardware refresh/coremidi version or product?
The coremidi issue is something I had carefully considered before getting one of these units. I got one, anyway, as the price is really attractive.
This coremidi thing on the SS25 is actually something I would like to suggest to Ashley as a discussion topic. I believe a software solution could be implemented, something like an app running in background translating SS25 proprietary data to coremidi. It seems to me that iConnectMidi are doing something similar, as I found sometime ago on their website that there's an app that should be installed on iPhone/iPod touch to provide coremidi compatibility.
In summary, it could be possible to create an app that translates SS25 to coremidi apps running on the same device.
Any thoughts?
Considering I already have the hardware solution handy, I would love to have an app to translate SS25 to coremidi. Anything that increases the adoption rate is a win-win, right?
well, yes. There's one more advantage to the SS25: it is the only small keyboard that I know with pitch and modulation wheels. Well, there's also the Korg with 37 keys, but it is $99. Even if you don't have an iPhone/iPod touch the SS25 is highly appealing to the laptop musician. Amazon US has it at $57 with free shipping. Subtract the $20 mail-in rebate and there's nothing to beat it as a laptop keyboard.
This is a great deal.
Not many people realize this, but the SynthStation25 IS CoreMIDI compatible, through its USB port, a powered USB hub, and the camera connection kit.
The SS25 works with PCs/Macs as a USB Midi keyboard through its USB port. If you hook it up to a powered USB hub and then to your iPad with camera connection kit, you have a CoreMIDI compatible keyboard. This is as opposed to attempting to connect your iPad to the SS25 dock connector, which will only work with SS25 enabled apps.
I have to commend Akai on that little bit of ingenuity on their part. Well done!
Take into account that the keys are touch sensitive, it's a no-brainer.
I bought one on eBay today for £50 :)
@anon above
The solution you mention is good for iPads, but I think the coremidi issue discussed here is for iPod/iPhone apps. For iPads there's also a good solution in the form of Synthstation49, which IS coremidi compatible, at least according to Akai.
I believe the point here is how to make the SS25 and apps running on an iPhone/Ipod talk through coremidi
Still not excited about coremidi since I bought an ipod for using when I dont have access to my computer,
or am I missing something?
@kidBaltan
The idea is to communicate the SS25 with any app using coremidi. At the moment, only a few apps support the SS25. With the SS25 implementing coremidi, any coremidi-enabled app could support it. So you could still be away of your computer and use the SS25 with your ipod and coremidi apps.
Oke I think I get it,
that way dev's dont have to make a different addition to their app for every piece of hardware
that could maybe also work for the midi mobilizer then?
Can anyone confirm that a purchase through Amazon qualifies for the rebate ? I noticed that Amazon fulfills orders through a third party and didn't know if this clashed in any way with the rebate form's "authorized dealer" language.
A silly question question, perhaps, but I was curious as to whether or not anyone knew for sure.
you can call audiomidi or whoever is the amazon seller and confirm that
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