Figure and Take
Price: FREE
In case you're unfamiliar with this software pair, Figure is an app for making beats on the go and Take is a vocal recording app. Both apps have been around for a while and were originally developed by Propellerhead, the company behind the Reason digital audio workstation (DAW), before being spun-off into a separate company. Well, Propellerhead has now reacquired the apps and is re-launching them.
The company has promised better integration with Reason so users of that platform can make music on the go and then import tracks into Reason to continue working on them back in the studio.
propellerheads.com
SE 25 and SE 49
Price: SE 25 – $50 (£38); SE 49 – $70 (£53)
A welcome addition to Nektar's line of MIDI controllers are these two entry-level keyboards. Both contain touch-sensitive keyboards which, according to Nektar, have excellent velocity curves for natural keyboard playing, and both are powered by USB with a range of buttons for additional DAW integration.
The buttons can be assigned to either control MIDI parameters (octave up/down, sustain and so on) or can be assigned to manipulate the transport controls in your DAW. The SE 49 additionally includes pitch bend and modulation wheels and an assignable fader. If the UK prices match the US prices, then these could easily be my recommendation for all school music departments.
The perfect starting point for aspiring MIDI players
iRig Micro Amp
Price: $149.99 (£114)
Adding to its excellent line of interfaces for electric guitars, modelling software and audio interfaces, IK Multimedia has branched out and designed an amplifier. A 15-watt amp (7.5-watt if using batteries), the iRig Micro Amp contains a guitar input, auxiliary input to connect a phone or an MP3 player, and a headphone output for silent practise.
The amp also contains a USB connection to allow the amp to access several of IK's excellent amp models for a wider range of sounds. With an excellent range of connectivity and sounds this could be a great amplifier for department practice rooms.
Small but perfectly formed
