Open Labs Announces Release of Open RiFF 2.0

From the Live Music Capital of the World, Austin, Texas, Open Labs, the recognized leader in innovative, computer-based Music Production Stations, is pleased to announce its first major software upgrade to its VST Live Host – Open RiFF 2.0.

This release of Riff 2.0 follows closely behind the launch of Open Labs’ newest Musical Production Stations, Gen6. As one of the three key elements of the Open Labs Musical Operating Environment, Open RiFF 2.0 offers all users increased functionality, ease of use and simplicity of work flow over the previous version, RiFF 1.3.

With Open RiFF 2.0, Open Labs users now have a familiar, search based sound browser which allows users to browse and audition sounds more easily. Using a singular search window, the thousands of sounds found in the Open Labs NeKo and MiKo lines can be identified by musical instrument, musical genre or familiar nicknames.

Along with this increased functionality, there has been a significant improvement in Midi control, which allows for ease of use in both live performance and with the stage control of instruments.

Nick O’ Toole, film composer and Tour Relations Director for Open Labs said, “Finally a VST host that allows Midi information to flow out to other devices. This kind of functionality has been a long-time coming for Production Stations. Being able to send and receive Midi information, including program change information and having control on a song-by-song, patch-by-patch basis is incredibly helpful for guys with complex systems on tour or in the studio. The artists have asked for this kind of functionality and Open Labs has delivered it.”

Open RiFF 2.0 also offers one-touch performance, which will allow Open Labs users to record Midi tracks in more of a simplistic manner. At the same time, the user does not need to have use an external mouse or keyboard to manipulate Open RiFF 2.0.

Open RiFF 2.0 will be included in all Gen6 Music Production Stations. For all 2010 A-Stock purchases, Open RiFF 2.0 will be available at no charge. For all 2010 B-Stock Purchases, Open RiFF 2.0 can be purchased for $29.99. For Open Labs users with Gen5 Music Production Stations, Open RiFF 2.0 can be purchased for $49.99. For any Open Labs users with Gen4 and older Production Stations, Open RiFF 2.0 can be purchased for $99. Detailed information about Open RiFF 2.0 is available at www.openlabs.com/openriff.

A live demonstration will be available on Open Labs’ live Ustream webcast, Thursday, June 10th, 2010 from 5:00pm-6:00pm, CST. The webcast can be viewed at http://www.ustream.tv/channel/openlabs.

Positive Press for Gen6!

Read what others think about the new Open Labs Gen6 products!
If you see press that isn’t on this list, please forward it to press AT openlabs.com.

http://musicindustrynewswire.com/2010/05/19/min3023_220826.php

http://www.gearslutz.com/board/new-product-alert/494562-open-labs-unveil-gen6-newest-line-products.html

http://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/75400

http://lawontherow.com/2010/05/19/music-biz-news-open-labs-announces-new/

http://www.hispasonic.com/noticias/open-labs-presenta-sexta-generacion-workstation-neko-miko-14804

http://www.sonicstate.com/news/2010/05/21/new-open-labs-production-stations/

http://news.hitsquad.com/OtherGear/Open_Labs_unveil_the_newest_line_of_products_Gen6

http://en.audiofanzine.com/misc-computer/open-labs/generation6/news/a.play,n.6793.html

http://rapbeatsonline.info/how-to-get-into-the-music-industry/open-labs-announces-new-gen6-and-q-series-pc-powered-keyboard-workstations/

http://massmediacontent.com/2010/05/19/MMC3388_220826.php

http://www.gearjunkies.com/news_info.php?news_id=5117&PHPSESSID=94f2fbf6ba57e909359acd4d26fe8685

http://www.samplepoolz.com/?q=aggregator&page=1

http://www.audiopronews.ro/2010/05/open-labs-unveil-the-newest-line-of-products-gen6/

http://futuremusic.com/blog/

http://audiobusters.com/news/station-de-travail-workstation/nouvelle-gamme-de-produits-chez-open-labs-la-gen6

http://delicious.com/OpenLabs

http://digg.com/music/Open_Labs_Unveil_Gen6_the_Newest_Line_of_Products

http://openlabs.ning.com/profiles/blogs/open-labs-unveil-gen6-the

http://www.stumbleupon.com/stumbler/OpenLabs/

http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=58022979&blogId=534610322

http://www.openlabs.com/blog/?p=1011

O-Live: Gen6 Product Launch Announcement Show!

If you missed it yesterday, here is the archive of the Gen6 product announcement show on O-Live. See Gen6 in all of it’s glory!

Watch below!

Videos: Check out the Gen6 Product Launch Video

The Gen6 lineup includes the Gen6 MiKo QC6, the Gen6 NeKo QX6, the Gen6 MiKo LXD and the Gen6 NeKo XXL. The entire new Gen6 product line offers more power, more sounds and is more affordable.

Check it out below!

PRESS RELEASE: Open Labs Unveil Gen6; the Newest Line of Products

Open Labs, a recognized leader in innovative Music Production Stations based in Austin, Texas, debuted their newest line of Production Stations today, Generation6. The Gen6 lineup includes the Gen6 MiKo QC6, the Gen6 NeKo QX6, the Gen6 MiKo LXD and the Gen6 NeKo XXL. The entire new Gen6 product line offers more power, more sounds and is more affordable.

All products in the Gen6 lineup feature processors from the 2010 Intel® CoreTM processor family and are based on Microsoft’s Windows 7 for true Open Platform Capability. The Q series lineup includes the MiKo QC6 and the NeKo QX6, which offer over 10,000 sounds, full DAW capabilities, a 15” touch screen interface, DVD/CD burning and internet capability and a 37 or 61 keyboard form factor.

The L series lineup, which are the pinnacle of Music Production Stations, include the MiKo LXD and the NeKo XXL. Both production stations offer over 15,000 sounds, full DAW capabilities, a 15” touch screen interface, DVD/CD burning and internet capability and a 37 or 61 keyboard form factor. The L series offers incredible control over production with the Alpha 2 controller, the bankable Mix Edit and the drum pad interface Bump MP. The NeKo XXL also raises the bar in audio by offering 24bit/192khz recording.

“We are very excited to be launching the most powerful Musical Production Stations we’ve ever produced,” said Victor Wong, Chairman and Co-Founder, Open Labs, “with our migration to Windows 7 we have spent months testing and retesting our proprietary software products as well as the most popular third party software and hardware products. We can assure our customers the same level of musical flexibility that they have grown to expect in our Production Stations and with our new offerings we can expand in ways which we have never been able to before now.

“Our software offerings will continue to flourish and our platforms will grow more robust with each release. This is a major transition for Open Labs and our ability to serve our customers and their musical aspirations,” said Wong.

The Q series Open Labs Music Production Stations come with Open Labs Gold Support Services which include: a one-hour “Get to Know Your Machine” session, two hours of technical training and warranty for parts and labor for one year. The L Series come with Open Labs Platinum Support Services which include the same level of Support Services as Gold Support in addition to seven hours of technical training.

The Gen6 MiKo QC6 is available for $3,799 USD and the Gen6 NeKo QX6 is available for $3,999 USD. The Gen6 MiKo LXD is available for $4,799 USD and the Gen6 NeKo XXL is available for $6,999 USD. All Open Labs production stations can be purchased directly through Open Labs at http://www.openlabs.com or through an authorized reseller listed on the Open Labs web site.

About Open Labs

Headquartered in Austin, Texas — at the crossroads of music and technology– Open Labs develops and markets cutting-edge studio and musical instrument technology. Since 2003, Open Labs has been the recognized leader in providing musicians and producers of all genres, with high-performance portable instruments that combine all the equipment found in a professional music studio with unsurpassed live performance capabilities. A-List artists currently using Open Labs products include: Timbaland, Jonathan Davis (Korn), Morris Hayes (Prince), Jesse Carmichael (Maroon 5) and Jimmy Nichols (Faith Hill) to name a few. For more information on Open Labs, please visit http://www.openlabs.com.

NEW Products: Check it Out! (PS: April Fools!)

We have been hinting for a while that we would be doing SOMETHING new in the next few weeks. Everyone has been trying to guess. New software? New NeKo? New big artist? Well, the time is finally here to unveil our newest products!

Check out the newest lineup to Open Labs, The MiKo XXS (retail $499) and the NeKo AX5 (retail $8,999).

Read more about each product below!

http://www.openlabs.com/nekoax5.html

http://www.openlabs.com/mikoxxs.html

Although neither product is currently available for order, call Sales to get more details on availability!

Press Release: Open Labs at Musikmesse!

Are you making the big trip to Frankfurt, Germany to check out Musikmesse?  Musikmesse is the world’s international fair for musical instruments, sheet music, music production and music business connections and has been the most important meeting place for the musical-instrument industry for over 25 years. The show starts today, March 24th and runs through March 27th.

“Open Labs is excited to be at Musik Messe this year to support our new International distributors”, said Victor Wong, Chairman and Co-Founder, Open Labs, “with increasing demand world-wide for our products, our International distributors will help us better serve our users”.

Although we won’t be releasing any new products at Musikmesse, we will be offering free domestic ground shipping on all orders placed during the Musikmesse time period and through the end of March 2010.  If you are attending the show, check us out at Hall 5.1 D99D!

Further information can be found at:
www.openlabs.com

About Open Labs

Headquartered in Austin, Texas — at the crossroads of music and technology– Open Labs develops and markets cutting-edge studio and musical instrument technology. Since 2003, Open Labs has been the recognized leader in providing musicians and producers of all genres, with high-performance portable instruments that combine all the equipment found in a professional music studio with unsurpassed live performance capabilities. A-List artists currently using Open Labs products include: Timbaland, Jonathan Davis (Korn), Morris Hayes (Prince), Jesse Carmichael (Maroon 5), and Jimmy Nichols (Faith Hill), to name a few. For more information on Open Labs, please visit www.openlabs.com.

Press Release: Fatboy Slim ‘Weapon Of Choice’ Remix Contest!

Open Labs, in collaboration with Skint Records and English DJ and record producer Norman Cook, better known as Fatboy Slim, are offering his ‘Weapon Of Choice’ track to be remixed by Beatport’s aspiring producers. ‘Weapon Of Choice’ saw success on both UK and US charts and its accompanying music video, directed by Spike Jonze and featuring Christopher Walken, received cult-like praise.

Now is your chance to put your spin on the infamous track, which incorporates samples from Sly & the Family Stone and lead vocals from P-Funk legend Bootsy Collins. The winning remix will be released on Fatboy Slim’s Skint Records as well as receive free music downloads from Beatport and Open Lab’s professional studio tool ‘DBeat’, a grand prize package worth over $4000.

The opportunity
Starting March 16th, 2010, Beatport users are able to download the remix parts of Fatboy Slim’s ‘Weapon Of Choice’, and then remix it, before uploading it to Beatportal for the voting round.

The prizes
The winners will be divided into 2 categories; 10 user voted (based on the highest number of spins) and 10 editor’s favorites (picked by Beatport’s internal music staff). From these 20 nominees, Skint Records will choose their favorite winning remix, to be released on their label. The winner will also receive a $200 Beatport gift card and Open Lab’s professional studio tool ‘DBeat’.

The stages
1. March 16th – April 5th: Download phase – The remix parts of ‘Weapon Of Choice’ for $3.99 USD.

2. March 23rd – April 5th: Upload/Submission phase – Upload your remix to Beatportal to www.beatportal.com/feed/item/fatboy-slim-weapon-of-choice-remix-contest/. During this phase the entries can be listened to, but not voted for.

3. April 6th – April 20th: Voting phase – The public votes for their favorite remixes by ‘spinning’ them.

After a period of deliberation, the winner will be announced on or around May 4th, 2010.

Good Luck!

Press Release: Open Labs Blog Goes Live

Open Labs Blog Goes Live
Austin, Texas – March 4, 2010

Open Labs, a recognized leader in innovative computer-enhanced musical instruments based in Austin, Texas, debuted its company blog today. The Open Labs blog includes news about the company from various sources throughout the World, as well as internal updates.

“We have some of the world’s most influential artists and producers using our gear everyday day. There are so many amazing things that they are doing and it’s often hard at times to share their news with everyone”. said Victor Wong, Chairman and Co-Founder, Open Labs. “The new Open Labs blog is a real time newsfeed that will allow vistiors to keep up with Open Labs and its artists on a very personal level.”

The blog should be the first stop on the internet for anyone looking for the latest news from and about Open Labs. The blog will include Corporate news, artist updates, product FYI, technical support help, information about O-Live and videos from various internet locations that will all be updated in real time throughout the day. There will also be contests, giveaways and sales promotions posted to the Open Labs blog first.

Further information can be found at:
www.openlabs.com/blog/

About Open Labs

Headquartered in Austin, Texas — at the crossroads of music and technology– Open Labs develops and markets cutting-edge studio and musical instrument technology. Since 2003, Open Labs has been the recognized leader in providing musicians and producers of all genres, with high-performance portable instruments that combine all the equipment found in a professional music studio with unsurpassed live performance capabilities. A-List artists currently using Open Labs products include: Timbaland, Jonathan Davis (Korn), Morris Hayes (Prince), Jesse Carmichael (Maroon 5), and Jimmy Nichols (Faith Hill), to name a few. For more information on Open Labs, please visit www.openlabs.com.

Press Release: Open Labs Unveils DBeat, Highly Anticipated Portable DJ Instrument

Open Labs Unveils DBeat, Highly Anticipated Portable DJ Instrument
Expected to Set DJ Market On Its Ear

(FRANKFURT, GERMANY; April 1, 2009): Open Labs, a recognized leader in innovative computer-enhanced musical instruments based in Austin, Texas, debuted their new DBeat instrument today at Musikmesse in Frankfurt, Germany. The DBeat marks the first product developed by Open Labs specifically for the DJ and electronic musician market by incorporating a broader range of sounds, powerful DJ hardware and industry leading software for unsurpassed live performance and studio capabilities.

Live demonstrations of the new DBeat instrument are available at Musikmesse in Frankfurt, Germany (Hall 5.1, Booth #D99B). Open Labs’ Chairman and Co-founder, Victor Wong will also participate in a DBeat product overview and Q&A session during a live 2-hour broadcast from Austin on www.OpenLabs.com airing at 4:00pm CDT on April 1, 2009.

“There is a growing multitude of DJs and electronic musicians that not only perform live but are also DJ producers, and this instrument blows the door open for that group.” said Victor Wong, Chairman and Co-founder of Open Labs.

The DBeat instrument was engineered for portability and power. Encased in an ultra-light aluminum chassis and weighing only 20lbs, the DBeat boasts more than 10,000 sounds with an additional 14GB of sounds that come with the included, full feature version of AbletonTM Live 7. Live DJ performance capability is taken to the next level with the inclusion of Open Labs’ edition of GURUTM and the proprietary virtual instrument host RiffTM – making DBeat the ultimate tool for using VSTi’s in a live setting.

DBeat comes loaded with a plethora of fully mappable real-time controllers, including Open Labs’ exclusive Bump MPTM drum pads, the Mix/Edit digital audio workstation panel, and comprehensive DJ controls including a cross-fader. DBeat puts “the feel” back in making music by including an integrated trackball, iPod-compatible cradle and 12-inch capacitive touch screen, which will be multi-touch capable with Windows 7 update.

The ability to directly connect USB turntables and the compatibility with virtually any software, including DeckadanceTM, Serato Scratch LiveTM, TraktorTM, Pro ToolsTM, ReasonTM and many more, make DBeat the ultimate DJ solution for studio, stage and club use.

The DBeat instrument ships complete with the following:

More than 10,000 high-quality sounds, plus an additional 14 GB included with the full-feature version of AbletonTM Live 7;

Open Labs’ proprietary virtual instrument host RiffTM – the ultimate tool for live performance using VSTi’s;

Bump MPTM 17-pad drum module controller paired with Open Labs’ edition of GURUTM that includes eight engines, note repeat, chromatic mode, transport and more, taking it far beyond the capabilities of an MPC;

Mix/Edit digital audio workstation controls include 8 plus 1 fully customizable faders, knobs and soft keys, and an additional 8 mappable knobs with a 2×20 LCD readout;

DJ panel with cross fader, 7 knobs, 2 encoders for pitch/BPM and 8 buttons all assignable to key parameters for live performance;

12-inch capacitive touch screen (multi-touch capable with Windows 7 update) with an integrated trackball and an iPod-compatible cradle

Comprehensive I/O capable of up to 24bit/96KHz audio with 4 in / 6 out including 2 phantom-powered mic-pres with DI’s, S/PDIF I/O and MIDI I/O;

Unlimited capability for running third party plug-ins, VSTi’s and applications, including DeckadanceTM, Serato Scratch LiveTM, TraktorTM, Pro ToolsTM, ReasonTM and many more;

Intel Core 2 Duo 3.0 GHz processor, 4 GB RAM, 320 GB hard drive, dual-layer DVD burner, and FireWire, USB and Ethernet ports for easy connectivity;

Portability perfect for DJs, music producers, and musicians on the go (26″L x 14″W x 5″H) and weighs approx. 20lbs;

Open Labs’ Edition of WindowsTM, specifically configured for music production; and

One year of Open Labs Gold Support Services which include: one-hour “Get to Know Your Machine” session, remote desktop support via Internet in addition to phone and email support, and full parts/labor warranty coverage.

The DBeat will be available for $3,999 USD ($3,499 for pre-orders) in June 2009, directly through Open Labs at www.openlabs.com or through an authorized reseller listed on the Web site. Full technical specifications for DBeat can be found at http://www.openlabs.com/DBeat-tech.html.

About Open Labs

Headquartered in Austin, Texas — at the crossroads of music and technology– Open Labs develops and markets cutting-edge studio and musical instrument technology. Since 2003, Open Labs has been the recognized leader in providing musicians and producers of all genres, with high-performance portable instruments that combine all the equipment found in a professional music studio with unsurpassed live performance capabilities. A-List artists currently using Open Labs products include: The Crystal Method, Timbaland, Jonathan Davis (Korn), Morris Hayes (Prince), Jesse Carmichael (Maroon 5), and Jimmy Nichols (Faith Hill), to name a few. For more information on Open Labs, please visit www.openlabs.com.