Whether you want 25, 49, 61, or 88 keys, Alto Professional has a Live series keyboard controller to fit the bill. Recently acquired by Numark Industries (Numark, Akai, Alesis, MixMeister, ION Audio), Alto Professional introduced its Live series of stage-ready USB / MIDI keyboard controllers, which consist of Live 25, Live 49, Live 61, and Live 88 models.

The Live series is a line of MIDI keyboard controllers purpose-built for live performance, housed in rugged, aluminum casings for maximum durability. You can select 25-, 49-, 61-, and 88-key models to use individually, or in combination, to create the playing environment that's right for you. The Live 25, Live 49, and Live 61 each feature Velocity-sensitive, semi-weighted key action with pitch bend and modulation controls for expressive, musical performance. The Live 88 adds fully weighted action for a realistic piano feel.

Each controller in the Live series provides both traditional five-pin MIDI and USB-MIDI connections for use with a full complement of sound-generating devices, including software and hardware synthesizers, sound modules, samplers, and software plugins. The Live controllers also offer a single-cable USB connection, which supplies power and is class compliant, eliminating the need for software driver installation.

Live 25 / 49 / 61 features:

• MIDI Keyboard Performance Controller
• Velocity-sensitive keys
• PItch Bend and Modulation joystick
• Sustain input (Pedal optional)
• USB MIDI and Standard MIDI output
• Assignable slider to send out MIDI CC’s
• Durable sturdy construction, built for touring
• USB bus-powered, no AC adaptor required
• Split performance ability for playing two parts at once
• Octave Shift buttons for extended musical range

Live 88 features:

• 88-Key MIDI Keyboard Performance Controller
• 88 Semi-weighted, velocity-sensitive keys
• PItch Bend and Modulation
• Sustain input (Pedal optional)
• USB MIDI and Standard MIDI output
• Rotary wheel for quick MIDI data entry
• Durable sturdy construction, built for touring
• USB bus-powered, no AC adaptor required
• Split performance ability for playing two parts at once
• Octave shift buttons for extended key range

"Musicians performing on stage need rugged instruments," said Adam Cohen, Alto Professional's drector of marketing and business development. "[The] Live 25, Live 49, Live 61 and Live 88 are built to withstand punishing performance environments with full, accurate control."

The Live series keyboard controllers will be released sometime during the second quarter of 2011. For more details, visit altoprofessional.com.