Los Angeles, Calif.-based Music hardware maker M-Audio — now a part of Avid Technology Inc. — on Monday announced the release of iControl, a dedicated USB-based controller that helps musicians get the most out of Apple’s popular software GarageBand. iControl was first announced in April but is shipping now, and costs US$179.95.
iControl features play, stop, record, fast forward, rewind, rewind to start and project cycle on/off controls, along with a jog wheel to enable scrubbing. A master volume fader is also featured. The control surface lets users control eight tracks at a time, with control over solo, mute and record functions, and assignable controllers that let you control volume and pan. A bus-powered USB connector attaches the iControl to a Macintosh, and a 5-pin MIDI input can also interface with other instruments.
iControl works with GarageBand 2.0.1, and will work with Logic Express 7 and Logic Pro 7 in forthcoming updates, according to M-Audio.