Arturia Doubles Modes; Atari Retails $169
Summary
The current controller market exhibits a split focus: iterative workflow enhancements for professional tools versus high-fidelity emulation of legacy hardware. Arturia advanced its KeyStep mk2 MIDI controller, boosting generative sequencing capability by doubling arpeggiator modes to 16 and expanding save slots eightfold to 64, specifically targeting creative flow for modular synth and DAWless users 1. In sharp contrast, the gaming sector capitalizes on nostalgia with the Atari 2600 Plus Pac-Man Edition, priced at $169, which supports existing 2600 and 7800 cartridges via wireless CX40 Plus joysticks 2. Building on this theme of dedicated interfaces, the Sega Master System’s historical categorization within the third console generation also warrants attention 3. For market analysts, this bifurcation shows demand for both speed in modern creative input (Arturia’s Spice/Mutate features) and high-fidelity backward compatibility in retro gaming hardware (Atari’s cartridge support). The underlying technical specifications driving these distinct user experiences remain crucial across both domains [1, 2].
Key Moments
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Arturia increased arpeggiator modes to 16 and save slots to 64 (8x increase).
— Article [1] -
The Atari 2600 Plus Pac-Man Edition retails for $169 and supports 2600/7800 carts.
— Article [2] -
KeyStep mk2 integrates generative sequencing tools like Spice and Mutate to overcome creative blocks.
— Article [1] -
The retro console includes wireless CX40 Plus joysticks for nostalgic gameplay.
— Article [2] -
The Sega Master System belongs to the third console generation, alongside the Famicom.
— Article [3]