What is a Keyboard Production Station? Keyboard production stations can be loosely defined as keyboard workstations that are connected to a computer, which is needed to provide additional processing power and features. While keyboard workstations are suited for live performance and sketching out ideas for a song, keyboard production stations, with built-in high-power computer cores, allow users to go from composition to recording to mixing and finally mastering of songs that are ready for radio or direct Internet distribution.
World's Most Powerful: StudioBLADEs (Gen2) are powered by high-performance computer cores utilizing Intel® Xeon® server platform processors that are perfect for today's demanding musicians and the virtual instruments and software application they use. Options include dual 6-core processors totaling 12-cores. Since the processors are capable of hyper-threading, they create 24 virtual computer cores
of pure processing awesomeness for your favorite DAW or VST host software to use. The Windows 7 Professional (64-bit) operating system is preconfigured for music production and can run virtually any software application or plug-in. Capable of running over 3,000 plug-ins at once, sequencing thousands of tracks simultaneously, and storing millions of sound presets, the StudioBLADE (Gen2) is by far the highest performance keyboard available today. Now you're probably sitting there thinking you'll never need to run 3,000 tracks at once, but that's only part of the story. As you use more processor and RAM intensive plugins like IVORY, OMNISPHERE and others, the more powerful the processor combined with more RAM allows you to run more plug-ins like those. In all other keyboard production stations...even ones with i7 processors, you can usually only run a few of these plugins at once before the system bogs down. With the StudioBLADE, you can run dozens of them and it won't even hiccup.
Why server processors? Traditional keyboard production stations utilize consumer grade processors such as the Intel Core i3, i5, and i7, which are essentially lower performance derivatives of Xeon processors. Xeon processors outperform these consumer-grade versions because multiple processors can be used and they are able to access more RAM memory. In addition, since servers are mission-critical and cannot fail, only the best processors are reserved for the server platform from Intel, thus making the Xeons the cream of the crop. In addition, product cycles are getting shorter and shorter on the consumer side, so obsolescence is only a few months away in many instances. However, server platforms are often supported for decades because business will invest hundreds of millions of dollars into computer server farms based on continual support commitments from companies like Intel. By using server processors and motherboards, the StudioBLADE will stay supported and state-of-the-art for years.
Your Very Own Supercomputer: Many of today's most powerful supercomputers utilize the same Xeon series processors as the StudioBLADE (Gen2). FINALLY!...You can really work without limits!
The Most RAM: The StudioBLADE (Gen2) has a total of twelve (12) RAM memory slots, each capable of handling 16GB modules, totaling an unbelievable 192GB of RAM. Each processor has six (6) dedicated slots equipped with triple-channel capabilities making data access faster than virtually any other computer-based music production system. By providing ample RAM to the system, you can run more VSTs and samples than ever before. Take for example plugins like IVORY and OMNISPHERE where each sound can be gigabytes in size. Without the vast amount of RAM the StudioBLADE can offer, you’re simply going to run into a brick wall and have your system slow down or even stop working the way you want it to at some point. The StudioBLADE is robust enough to handle anything you can throw at it. No other keyboard workstation or production station can match its performance...period.
The MotherBoard Matters: The StudioBLADE (Gen2) uses a proprietary motherboard specifically designed to meet or exceed standards for mission-critical, server platform use. Its unique shape helps to maintain the compact form factor of the StudioBLADE, allowing it to remain the most compact 61-key and 88-key musical keyboard available today. Designed for easy access, the motherboard never needs to be removed for upgrades. Panels located on the bottom of the chassis allow the user to access specific areas to add new processors, RAM or hard drives. With the extended life-cycle of server platform components and the well-defined upgrade path for the StudioBLADE (Gen2), it's conceivable you will never need to change out your motherboard, thereby saving lots of time, tons of money, and loads of frustration.
The Goldilocks Principle: At Music Computing, we believe in providing our customers with what they need, when they need it. This means you can start with the base configuration for the StudioBLADE with a single processor, one (1) memory module and one (1) hard drive, and add more as you need it. That's the magic about the new StudioBLADE (Gen2), it's the right size tool for your needs the day you purchase it, and it will stay the perfect tool for you for many years to come.
More Keys: StudioBLADEs are available in 61-key and an 88-key versions, perfect for live or studio use. The keys are velocity-sensitive, semi-weighted action, and are professional in feel and ultra-roadworthy. Pitch and Mod wheels as well as octave up and down buttons with indicators are also included.
See More Clearly: StudioBLADEs are equipped with a built-in telescoping and tiling 10.1" touch screen that adjusts to your desired viewing angle, making it extremely ergonomic to use. StudioBLADEs also provide two (2) additional external video ports so the user can run up to three (3) monitors simultaneously in cloned or extended desktop mode.
Controls with Feedback: Built into each StudioBLADE are Music Computing's ControlDAW™ midi controller and GeoMIDI™ midi mapping software. ControlDaw presents the user with four (4) banks of eight (8) plus one (1) master channel strips each with three (3) mappable encoders with LED indicator light rings, one (1) knobs for panning, solo and mute buttons and a high-quality fader. An 8X8 grid of lighted pads (64 total) is also provided that can be used as drum trigger pads, a Monome (with appropriate software) or as a trigger pad for sequences, etc. Controls for note-repeat enabled software and transport buttons are included as well as real-time feedback between the controllers and software making ControlDAW the ultimate midi controller for music production. Included with each StudioBLADE is a high-quality wireless QWERTY (computer) keyboard and mouse. The optional computer keyboard stand (shown in main images above) allows for great ergonomics in any size work space.
Hear the Difference: The standard configuration for StudioBLADEs include a 24bit-48 kHz audio I/O with two (2) combo XLR & ¼" mic/instrument 48V phantom power inputs, two (2) balanced outputs and a stereo headphone jack. The optional upgrade gives you a 24bit-96 kHz audio I/O with two (2) combo XLR & ¼" mic/instrument 48V phantom power inputs, six (6) ¼" balanced inputs (line-level), two balanced outputs and a stereo headphone jack. StudioBLADEs also offer Firewire ports in the event outboard audio I/O or other Firewire devices are needed.
Play That Sample: Music Computing's TriggerGrid™, included with each ControlDAW, is a sample player that allows the user to trigger sampled sounds via controllers such as the ControlDAW or ControlPLAY™. Unlimited number of banks each containing sixty four (64) samples can be loaded and played. Per pad controls included: Frequency, Attack and Release, Gain, Pan and Reverse. Per pad wave editor allows for simple drag to trim/truncate samples. 16 – audio outs for use in a DAW. File formats include: wave and mp3. Save feature allows all 64 pads to be saved as a kit. Unlimited number of kits can be saved that can be instantly loaded for playback. Simple drag and drop interface to populate pads.
MIDI map presets: Music Computing's GeoMIDI™ MIDI mapping software provides an interface for changing the MIDI assignments of the ControlDAW and ControlPlay's buttons, knobs, and sliders. Each slider or knob can send out a variety of combinations of control or pitch-bend data. An unlimited number of MIDI map presets can be created, saved and loaded for use.
Thousands of Sounds Included...Add Millions More: SonicSource™ by Music Computing is a virtual synth (VSTi) equipped with three sample-playing layers, two multi-effect racks, and a library of multi-sampled instruments. The sample playing layers allow blending of waveforms and instruments into a wall of sound or alternatively, the use of the three multi-timbral layers as a workstation. These layers can then be further processed through SonicSource's powerful multi-effect racks. Over 8GB of modern and vintage sounds such as those produced by legendary electric keyboards including the Rhodes electric pianos, Hammond and Vox organs, Hohner clavinets, and Moog synthesizers are present as well as effects like tape based delay lines, rotating speaker cabinets, guitar distortion pedals, wah wah, phasing, and flanging are included. Additional sound libraries will be made available from Music Computing in the near future.
All Your Sounds Together: Since the StudioBLADE is capable of running virtually any Windows 7 music software or plug-in, you can install any number of third-party auto-sampling software to "clone" sounds from other keyboard workstations, synthesizers, sound modules or even virtual instruments. Imagine having all your favorite sounds at your finger tips plus more. That's the power of the StudioBLADE.
Complete DAW: Included with each StudioBLADE is Studio One Pro from Presonus. This powerful digital audio workstation (DAW) software enables you to compose, record, edit and master your music with ease to produce professional quality songs. Included are both the 32-bit and 64-bit versions and an additional 10GB of sounds plus the following list of software!
• Native Effects™ 32-bit effects library with 20 dynamics processors, reverbs, modulations effects, amp simulators, etc.
• Ampire- Amplifier-Modeling
• Analog Delay tape-delay emulation
• Auto Filter - Envelope Filter
• Beat Delay - Tempo-Synchronized Delay
• Binaural Pan - Stereo Panning Effect
• Channel Strip - Dynamics Processing and Equalizer
• Chorus- Mono/Stereo Chorus
• Compressor- Mono/Stereo Variable Compressor
• Expander- mono/stereo expander
• Flanger- Stereo/Mono Flanger
• Gate- noise gate, now with MIDI trigger
• Level Meter - sizable peak/rms meter
• Limiter- Mono/Stereo Limiter
• Mixtool- Phase and MS Utility
• MixVerb- Mono/Stereo Reverb
• Phase Meter phase-correlation analysis
• Phaser- mono/stereo phaser
• ProEQ - 7-band parametric EQ
• Red Light Distortion - distortion processor
• Room Reverb - stereo/mono room reverb
• Scope- full featured oscilloscope with sidechain input
• Spectrum Meter - frequency analyzer
• Tricomp- 3-band compressor
• Tuner- instrument tuner
• X-Trem- mono/stereo tremolo
• Four virtual instruments
• Impact™ Sample Trigger Drum Instrument with 32 drum kits by Ueberschall™
o Now with multi-velocity layer capability
• Presence™Sample Player Virtual Instrument with 200 sampled instruments by Digital SoundFactory™
o Now with multi-FX section and up to 96 voices
o NewSynth Session Soundset adds over 150 new instruments
• Sample One™ Sampler Virtual Instrument
o New design with high-quality filter and switchable filter types, and now up to 96voices
• Mojito™ Analog-Modeling Subtractive Synthesizer
• Native Instruments™ Kore™ Player with 150 instruments
• Native Instruments™ Guitar Rig LE
• Toontrack™ EZ Drummer Lite
• Nearly 1,400 drum loops (1.4 GB!) by Bandmate™ Loops
• Free jambalaya recipe!
Compact and Light: Traditional production stations are big and heavy, by using the latest technologies and manufacturing processes, StudioBLADE keyboard production stations are arguably the most compact and lightest available. The 61-key version is only 40" in length and weighs approximately 42lbs, making it portable enough to go just about anywhere.
Ground-Breaking Price: In the past, keyboard production stations or keyboard workstations outfitted with external computers were relatively expensive, leaving the average person to only dream about owning one. Well-equipped StudioBLADEs start at only $3,999, making them an affordable tool virtually any musician can afford.
Built in Austin, Texas: Music Computing has created a partnership with a manufacturing company in Austin, Texas and has full access to virtually all equipment needed to produce its products on site and on demand. Our shopbots, pick and place machines, brake presses, and design computers are all standing at attention, ready to build the Music Computing instrument of your dreams, allowing us to custom configure and ship products out usually within a few weeks after the order has been placed.
Got Questions or Need Support? Music Computing is operated by avid musicians and technology geeks who are passionate about music and their work. This is a standing requirement for being part of the company, which means there will always be answers and help when you need it.
Ready to Order? Our online store is available 24/7 for you to place your order. You can configure the products exactly the way you want them and get it shipped out usually within a few weeks after you place the order. You can also call and talk to any of our friendly sales associates or contact a company referral member near you.
StudioBLADE (Gen2) 61
Keybed:
Number of keys: 61
Type of keys: Semi-weighted action
CPU:
Processor Type: Xeon Server Platform
Processor Options: 2-Core (2.0GHz) / 4-core (2.13GHz) / 6-core (2.4GHz)
Number of Processors: Single or Dual
RAM Memory:
Number of Slots: 6 per Processor (12 Total)
Type of RAM: Registered ECC
Size of RAM: 4GB / 8GB / 16GB
Maximum Amount of RAM: 192GB
Drives:
HD Bay 1: 500GB (7200RPM) Standard. Upgradeable to 1TB / 2TB / 3TB (7200RPM)
HD Bay 2: Optional 500GB (7200RPM) Standard. Upgradeable to 1TB / 2TB / 3TB (7200RPM)
Optical Drive: DVD / CD Burner (Built-in)
Audio Interface Options:
1.) Presonus Audiobox USB: Inputs - 2 XLR or (1/4") TRS (balanced or unbalanced) combo inputs /w +48v phantom power and gain control: Outputs - 2 (1/4") balanced TRS output + 1 stereo (1/4") headphone, MIDI (in/out) +1 direct keyboard MIDI out, Sample Rate (24bit 48KHz)
2.) Presonus Firestudio Mobile: Inputs - 2 XLR or (1/4") TRS (balanced or unbalanced) combo inputs /w +48v phantom power and gain control plus 6 balanced line level (1/4"): Outputs - 2 balanced (1/4") TRS, S/PDIF (in/out), MIDI (in/out) +1 direct keyboard MIDI out, Sample Rate (24bit 96KHz)
Controllers:
ControlDAW: 8 plus 1 channels each with 3 encoders (with push select - mappable), 1 knob (pan or remappable), 2 buttons (solo/mute or remappable), 1 fader (mappable); 16x16 grid of trigger pads (64 total, mappable), transport controls, Master control comprised of 1 encoder (with push-select) & 1 select button, and 4 bank select buttons
Pitch and mod: 2 x wheels
Octave: up/down buttons with lighted position indicators
Sustain: 1/4" jack (pedal sold separately)
Keyboard and Mouse: Wireless Keyboard (QWERTY) and Mouse
Video:
TouchScreen: Built-in 10.1" touchscreen (1024 x 576) resolution.
External Monitor Support: One DVI and One HDMI for dual display support in clone or extended desktop mode.
Software:
Music Computing software: SonicSource (VSTi with thousands of sounds and effects), GeoMIDI (controller mapping software), and TriggerGrid (sample trigger player for trigger pads)
Third party software: Studio One Pro (Full Version) Digital Audio Workstation (DAW)
Operating Systems:
Microsoft: Windows 7 Professional (64-bit)
Connectivity:
USB: Two USB 2.0 Port (can use optional USB hub for additional ports - not included)
FireWire: One Internal Firewire 400 Port + 2 External Firewire 400 Port
MIDI: IN / OUT/ OUT
Ethernet: 1000BASE-T
Construction material: Anodized aluminum
Size: 40"(L) x 18"(D) x 6"(H)
Weight: approx 36 lbs
Designed and Assembled in Austin, Texas
StudioBLADE (Gen2) 88
Keybed:
Number of keys: 88
Type of keys: Semi-weighted action
CPU:
Processor Type: Xeon Server Platform
Processor Options: 2-Core (2.0GHz) / 4-core (2.13GHz) / 6-core (2.4GHz)
Number of Processors: Single or Dual
RAM Memory:
Number of Slots: 6 per Processor (12 Total)
Type of RAM: Registered ECC
Size of RAM: 4GB / 8GB / 16GB
Maximum Amount of RAM: 192GB
Drives:
HD Bay 1: 500GB (7200RPM) Standard. Upgradeable to 1TB / 2TB / 3TB (7200RPM)
HD Bay 2: Optional 500GB (7200RPM) Standard. Upgradeable to 1TB / 2TB / 3TB (7200RPM)
Optical Drive: DVD / CD Burner (Built-in)
Audio Interface Options:
1.) Presonus Audiobox USB: Inputs - 2 XLR or (1/4") TRS (balanced or unbalanced) combo inputs /w +48v phantom power and gain control: Outputs - 2 (1/4") balanced TRS output + 1 stereo (1/4") headphone, MIDI (in/out) +1 direct keyboard MIDI out, Sample Rate (24bit 48KHz)
2.) Presonus Firestudio Mobile: Inputs - 2 XLR or (1/4") TRS (balanced or unbalanced) combo inputs /w +48v phantom power and gain control plus 6 balanced line level (1/4"): Outputs - 2 balanced (1/4") TRS, S/PDIF (in/out), MIDI (in/out) +1 direct keyboard MIDI out, Sample Rate (24bit 96KHz)
Controllers:
ControlDAW: 8 plus 1 channels each with 3 encoders (with push select - mappable), 1 knob (pan or remappable), 2 buttons (solo/mute or remappable), 1 fader (mappable); 16x16 grid of trigger pads (64 total, mappable), transport controls, Master control comprised of 1 encoder (with push-select) & 1 select button, and 4 bank select buttons
Pitch and mod: 2 x wheels
Octave: up/down buttons with lighted position indicators
Sustain: 1/4" jack (pedal sold separately)
Video:
TouchScreen: Built-in 10.1" touchscreen (1024 x 576) resolution.
External Monitor Support: One DVI and One HDMI for dual display support in clone or extended desktop mode.
Software:
Music Computing software: SonicSource (VSTi with thousands of sounds and effects), GeoMIDI (controller mapping software), and TriggerGrid (sample trigger player for trigger pads)
Third party software: Studio One Pro (Full Version) Digital Audio Workstation (DAW)
Operating Systems:
Microsoft: Windows 7 Professional (64-bit)
Connectivity:
USB: Two USB 2.0 Port (can use optional USB hub for additional ports - not included)
FireWire: One Internal Firewire 400 Port + 2 External Firewire 400 Port
MIDI: IN / OUT/ OUT
Ethernet: 1000BASE-T
Construction material: Anodized aluminum
Size: 50"(L) x 18"(D) x 6"(H)
Weight: approx 40 lbs
Designed and Assembled in Austin, Texas
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