UBD January 23, 2025
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Ibanez Grows AZ Line Ibanez is expanded its AZ series with a new line of instruments: the AZ Standards. Slotted between the AZ Essentials and AZ Premium lines in both price and perfor- mance, the AZ Standards offer a balance of features and affordability. Dyna-MIX switching system, locking tun- ers and a comfortable Super All-Access neck joint. Despite these high-end features, both AZ Standard models are affordably priced. Ibanez achieved this cost-effective design by simplifying certain specifica- tions, while preserving many features from
Kawai Wins Music Inc. Award Kawai has announced that its CA901 digital piano has received a Music Inc. magazine Product Excellence Award 2024, a testament to its craftsmanship. The CA901, a flagship model in Kawai’s Concert Artist series, combines advanced technology with traditional craftsman- ship. Its features include the Grand Feel III Wooden Key Action, SK-EX Rendering multi-channel piano sound engine, and premium audio processing technolo- gies. These innovations create an authen- tic playing experience, complemented by a sleek cabinet design and an intuitive 5-inch touchscreen interface. Designed for both professionals and hobbyists, the CA901 offers rich, immersive sound. Its Bluetooth connectivity and integration with Kawai’s PianoRemote and PiaBookPlayer apps pro- vide modern convenience. The annual Music Inc. Product Excellence Awards recognize products that went above and beyond in innovation and quality in 2024 and are voted on by music retailers. i Kawai (kawaius.com)
Hosa Has a New ‘SideKick’ Hosa Technology has announced the SideKick DIB-445 active direct box. The SideKick DIB-445 represents an afford- able solution for instrument signal rout- ing in professional live sound and stu- dio recording. The SideKick DIB-445 is ideal for con- verting the unbalanced high-impedance output of an instrument to balanced low impedance, allowing for longer cable runs without introducing noise and interfer- ence. Operating via +48V phantom power, the SideKick’s streamlined design features one unbalanced 0.25-inch input, one bal- anced 0.25-inch thru output and one bal- anced XLR output. It’s a superior compan- ion for guitar, bass, keyboards and other instruments with an unbalanced output. The unit does its job without adding or removing anything from the natural sound of the input source, and offers high head- room and low harmonic distortion. $ Hosa Technology (hosatech.com)
Fans of the AZ Premiums will recog- nize familiar elements like roasted maple necks, jumbo stainless-steel frets, the
the Premium line. $ Ibanez (ibanez.com)
Novation, Klevgrand Partner British controller and synthesizer man- ufacturer Novation and Swedish software innovators Klevgrand have announced a new strategic partnership that will benefit customers of both brands. Novation’s back catalog, as well as rich con- tent from fellow Focusrite Group brands Oberheim and Sequential. This will be avail- able to Launchkey MK4 users later in Q1. i Novation, Klevgrand (novationmusic.com; klevgrand.
Novation Launchkey MK4 customers already have access to three Klevgrand plugins — Luxe, ROverb and Slammer — and the two brands are working on new instru- ments that will bring original sounds, features and new levels of integration to Novation con- trollers. First will be a sample-based instru- ment that delivers synthesizer sounds from
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