Transformative Business Knowledge and Fresh Inspiration Await at The 2018 NAMM Show

-NAMM U and TEC Tracks Sessions join the suite of professional development opportunities that await the crossroads of the industry-

CARLSBAD, Calif. – November 15, 2017 – As the global crossroads of the music products, pro audio and event technology industries prepare to descend on The 2017 NAMM Show a suite of professional development opportunities, transformative business know-how and fresh strategies await professionals. For NAMM members looking to re-energize their business, the Show’s NAMM U program will offer the opportunity to connect with top thought leaders and sessions designed to engage, inform and inspire with best practices in the industry today; and at TEC Tracks, a series of sessions designed for emerging sound, studio and stage professionals will deliver innovative ideas in recording, live sound, event tech and music business. Before the show officially opens on Wednesday, January 24, retail business owners, managers, sales personnel, marketers and accountants can rev up their retail and financial know-how at Retail Boot Camp (RBC). Now in its sixth year, RBC at The NAMM Show will offer attendees two tracks to enhance their know-how: Sales, Marketing and Websites or Financial Management. Each track is designed to impart practical, easy-to-implement ideas and business strategies designed to impact the bottom line. Presenters include New York Times best-selling author and customer service expert Shep Hyken; digital marketing pioneer Larry Bailin; and financial experts Alan Friedman and Daniel Jobe of Friedman, Kannenberg & Co. Learn more and register here: namm.org/RBC The 2018 NAMM Show will officially open each day with a NAMM U Breakfast Session, and on Thursday morning with the annual favorite, “Breakfast of Champions”: an up-close look at the people changing the music products industry, their trials and successes, and the importance of risk in business, led by NAMM President and CEO Joe Lamond. On Friday, the show welcomes digital marketing visionary Mitch Joel as he espouses “Disrupting Disruption: Future-Proofing the Music Industry,” a look at the shifts in business models and culture. Saturday welcomes Marcus Sheridan, international marketing expert known as “The Sales Lion” as he shares transformative strategies to meet the dramatic shift in the way consumers reach purchasing decisions in “The Digital Consumer: How Buyers Have Changed and What to Do About It.” On Sunday, “Best in Show,” led by Upbeat Daily and Music Inc. publisher Frank Alkyer, features a panel of retail owners and professionals who will present their product picks from the exhibit floor. Following each Breakfast Session, the future-focused strategies continue at the NAMM Idea Center. Located in the lobby of the Anaheim Convention Center, NAMM U will offer nearly 50 sessions of thought-provoking ideas, tips, and tricks proving successful in retail today, and strategies designed to enhance the future course of retail business. A variety of industry peers and subject experts will cover a range of topics, including next-generation website design; social media optimization; mastering YouTube and building a loyal audience; opportunities and tactics to increase online sales; and driving traffic with in-store events, among others. For emerging pro audio professionals, TEC Tracks brings more than 70 sessions featuring top names and hot topics each day of The NAMM Show. Kicking off Thursday, TEC welcomes keynote speaker and legendary Beatles engineer Geoff Emerick, as he shares his firsthand account of what made the Beatles’ sound so influential—the techniques and breakthroughs he, George Martin and the band developed that helped to shape the course of rock ’n’ roll history. On Friday, “How to Make a Hit Record” explores the necessary elements of a hit song with top producers, songwriters and industry leaders, including Bob Clearmountain, Tony Brown and Bob Lefsetz. Saturday welcomes record producer Michael Beinhorn, who will analyze his production techniques on Soundgarden’s “Black Hole Sun,” and Avid CEO Louis Hernandez Jr. keynotes on the “Future of Content Development and Distribution.” Sessions continue on Sunday, with an emphasis on music business topics, including music contracts and licensing, plus a unique experience called the "Silent Jam" where the audience, via wireless headphones, will compare the different monitor mixes for the musicians performing onstage. NAMM U and TEC Tracks are just two programs from the suite of professional education opportunities at The 2018 NAMM Show, which also includes A3E’s The Future of Audio program; Audinate’s Dante Certification Training; AES@NAMM: Pro Sound Symposium Live and Studio, curated by the Audio Engineering Society; Music Education Days, GenNext career development and the Nonprofit Institute from The NAMM Foundation; and event technology sessions, curated by ESTA (Entertainment Services and Technology Association), The Pro Production Sessions presented by Front of House and Projection Lights & Staging News magazines, and Lighting&SoundAmerica/PLASA. These educational sessions will take place at the NAMM U Education Center at the Hilton Anaheim, located next door to the Anaheim Convention Center, and are open to NAMM members. Additional education schedules will be released shortly. NAMM U Education schedules are available in Word format for editorial use. Please visit: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/usuf6m999d4txvk/AACg4JASsm3KXY4h7IPTHKQ5a?dl=0 For additional information or to register for a badge to attend, please visit NAMM.org

IK Multimedia releases iRig Keys I/O 25 & 49 keyboard controllers with integrated high-resolution recording interface

November 16, 2017 - IK Multimedia is proud to announce that iRig Keys I/O, the revolutionary keyboard controller range featuring a built-in audio interface, is now shipping worldwide. iRig Keys I/O is much more than just a simple controller, it is a true studio centerpiece providing users with a flexible way to complete their music productions from start to end using a single piece of equipment that is unmatched for speed and simplicity of use. iRig Keys I/O comes with either 25 or 49 full-size keys offering a synth-action keybed and integrates a professional, high-definition 96kHz/24-bit audio interface with a high-performance Class A preamp allowing users to record their instruments and microphones (including condenser mics requiring 48V phantom power) via its convenient combo 1/4"/XLR input. Plus, it provides all the creative controls expected from a premium keyboard controller such as velocity sensitive, multicolored pads, programmable touch-sensitive sliders, buttons and assignable knobs.

Built-in professional audio interface for studio quality sound
iRig Keys I/O is the only keyboard controller range currently available on the market to feature an integrated professional 96kHz/24-bit audio interface. The intelligent, elegant layout makes it possible to keep all cabling to a minimum and makes setting up as fast and easy as just plug and play. The combo input sports a high-quality Class A preamp and accepts both 1/4" and XLR sources including dynamic and condenser microphones (with 48V phantom power), line instruments, guitars and basses. When used live, the 1/4" balanced stereo output can be used to run the signal directly to a PA or mixer. All of this makes iRig Keys I/O the ideal creative tool for studio or live use, in any situation, providing a solution that is more convenient and affordable than having to purchase a controller and audio interface separately.

Full control at the touch of a finger
iRig Keys I/O represents a huge step forward and introduces the next generation of IK keyboards. Both models feature a fast synth-action keybed, a volume/data push knob, 4 touch-sensitive knobs in 2 banks (acting as 8 total controls) and 8 multicolored LED-lit velocity sensitive pads. There are also 2 fully programmable touch control strips, set by default as Pitch and Modulation controls and a complete touch sensitive transport and button section, for a true "hands-on" approach to controlling all the most important functions of a DAW or virtual instrument. All available controls exploit the latest-generation capacitive technology for ultra-fast action and immediate feedback, displaying the related parameter value at the touch of a finger for instant visual reference.

True plug-and-play
iRig Keys I/O is Apple certified MFi hardware (Made for iPhone and iPad) which means it works right out of the box with all iOS devices with a Lightning port, including the latest iPhone. The included Lightning cable allows for easy connection to iOS devices while the included USB cable connects to Mac and PC computers. iRig Keys I/O works seamlessly with the most popular Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs) like Logic Pro®, Ableton® Live™, GarageBand® and many others. 
The traveling producer's dream
iRig Keys I/O 25 & 49 are the smallest controllers with full-size keys on the market today and are 25% lighter than the nearest competitor. This is a great advantage when working on the road, in small studios or in any environment where space is at a premium. Their design makes them also ideal for the traveling musician/producer who demands utmost portability but without sacrificing performance. Furthermore, iRig Keys I/O can be powered via USB, using an optional external power supply (that simultaneously charges the connected iOS device) or with 4 AA batteries, for complete mobile music production. For added convenience there are travel bags, available separately, for carrying the 25 key and 49 key versions of iRig Keys I/O. For recording vocals on the go, iRig Keys I/O Mic (sold separately), is a gooseneck condenser microphone that plugs directly into the input jack eliminating the need for a stand.

Full suite of professional software included
With over $/€550 (in the 25-key version) and $/€750 (in the 49-key version) worth of IK's professional software and apps included, iRig Keys I/O provides users with everything they need to start, develop and complete their musical productions from A to Z, both inside a professional DAW or using recording software like GarageBand®. Included in both versions of iRig Keys I/O is Ableton® Live 9 Lite™ digital audio workstation, IK's SampleTank 3 sound and groove workstation, with over 43GB and 5000 inspiring sounds, T-RackS 4 Deluxe mix and mastering suite, with 9 powerful EQ and dynamics processors and the Pro-V vintage synthesizer, which is derived from Syntronik, IK's legendary synth powerhouse for Mac/PC. iPhone and iPad users will also receive the full version of SampleTank. Additionally, the 49-key version comes with Miroslav Philharmonik 2 CE orchestral workstation for Mac/PC and the mobile edition for iOS.

Pricing and availability
iRig Keys I/O is available from the IK Multimedia online store and IK authorized dealers worldwide for just $/€299.99* for the 49-key version and $/€199.99 for the 25-key version. In addition to the massive bundle of included software, iRig Keys I/O comes with 4 x AA batteries, Mini-DIN to USB and Mini-DIN to Lightning cables and a device stand for iPhone and iPad.

* All prices excluding taxes

For more information, please visit:
www.irigkeys.io

For a video of iRig Keys I/O, please visit:
www.irigkeys.io/video

High resolution images of iRig Keys I/O are available at:
www.irigkeys.io/images