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Open Labs Announces Neko 64 64-Bit Dual Core Keyboard Production Stations (21/10/2005)

61-Key and 76-Key Versions of Award-Winning NeKo, the NeKo64 Gen2 and NeKo LET Gen2 Provide State-Of-The Art Processor Technologies; Lower Price

Open Labs, the leading designer and developer of computer-based music production solutions, today announced at the Audio Engineering Society (AES) conference the release of the industry's first AthlonT82; 64-bit dual-core keyboards, the NeKoT82;64 Gen2, a powerful new version of the award-winning NeKo line, and the NeKo LET Gen2. Boasting a 2.0 GHz Athlon dual-core 64-bit processor, the NeKo64 Gen2 maintains the NeKo64's legacy as the most powerful production stations available, by providing the latest generation of advanced processors, while substantially lowering the price.

Available now, the NeKo64 Gen 2 and NeKo LET Gen 2 offer a host of new features that enable performers and producers alike to leverage the NeKo for both live and studio applications, including:

* RunSilentT82; feature dynamically controls CPU speed and reduces temperature and fan speeds when ultra quiet operation in required

* PowerRushT82; technology intelligently detects system load and automatically boosts performance for the most demanding tasks by increasing CPU clock speed on the fly

* Serial ATA 3Gb/s support for next generation hard drives that doubles current bus bandwidth for high-speed data transfers

Featuring a new color scheme, the new NeKos will initially be available in 61-key and 76-key versions. Both models are shipping today; the NeKo64 Gen 2 will list for $5,995 and the NeKo LET Gen 2 will list for $2,295. Open Labs will demonstrate the NeKo64 Gen 2 and the NeKo LET Gen 2 at AES, in Booth #1169 at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York City.

"The NeKo64 Gen2 and the NeKo LET Gen2 leverage significant advancements in microprocessors, and herald the advent of the dual-core Athlon 64 in the music industry," said Victor Wong, CEO of Open Labs. "The new NeKos are the fastest keyboard production stations in the music industry. Open Labs has made a significant leap forward with the technology available in its products, and has been able to drop the NeKo64's price $4,000, ensuring a new class of performance and creativity for producers and musicians of all kinds."

The NeKo64 Gen 2 includes native DDR2 800 support, universal PCI-E slots, the new Karsyn version 1.5; the Open Labs GUI version 2.0, and a new software bundle. In addition to its Athlon 64 D dual-core 2.0 Ghz processor and Windows XP Professional (custom-tuned for music applications), the NeKo64 Gen 2 comes equipped with:

* 512 MB RAM (upgradeable to 8GB) * 80 GB 7200 rpm HD (with 3 additional 3.5" drive bays) * DVD-Combo Drive (upgradeable to a DVD burner) * 15R21; color LCD touchscreen * alpha module/linear module/rotary module/QWERTY module * 1010 audio I/O * Gigabit Ethernet/Firewire/USB 2.0 * MIDI in-out * SPDIF * Wordclock

The NeKo LET Gen2 features:

* 512 MB RAM (upgradeable to 8GB) * 80 GB 7200 rpm HD (with 3 additional 3.5" drive bays) * DVD-Combo Drive (upgradeable to a DVD burner) * 15R21; color LCD touchscreen * alpha module/linear module/rotary module/QWERTY module * High Performance Audio I/O including: 24-bit/192kHz (2) ins / (2) outs analog * (1) Coaxial S/PDIF (switchable to AES/EBU) * (1) Optical S/PDIF (switchable to AES/EBU)/USB 2.0 * Karsyn 1.5 * Open Labs GUI 2.0

The NeKo64 Gen 2 can add up to 2 terabytes of hard-drive (HD) storage, while the NeKo LET Gen 2 can add up to 1 terabyte of HD storage.

Both the NeKo64 Gen 2 and the NeKo LET Gen 2 are integrated with the recently-announced mFusionT82;, a breakthrough set of software technologies from Open Labs that allows users to control different musical keyboard devices and software packages through a single interface. Intelligent controls have been added to both the NeKo64 Gen 2 and the NeKo LET Gen 2 for most popular music applications, including Sonar, Cubase Nuendo, GigaStudio, and Reason. The NeKo64 Gen 2 and NeKo LET Gen 2 have added greater automation. The Alpha control has been remapped so that dedicated buttons launch applications that are most used, changing the display when a frequently used application is selected. All other controls are automatically mapped to that piece of software when this occurs, including the knobs, faders, buttons, and alpha control joystick, enabling a complete automated session.

The new NeKo Gen2 units also include a high-quality sound library that consists of more than 5,000 preset sounds and hundreds of effects right out of the box.

www.openlabs.com

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