Mellotron for the iPhone – new version released
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PgettpBLYA&feature=player_embedded]
“Ellatron version 1.2 is now submitted to the App Store, and the big introductions with this version are –
* Chord Mode – 8 programmable chords
* Fat keys – much improved playability when in chord mode via the single-octave keyboard
* Save/restore of settings and modes
Big improvements on every release, 22 voices, and groovy 1960s goodness – Ellatron remains the one must-own synth for the iPhone.”
Cool detune demo
A short demo depicting the interaction of detuned vcos, and if you don´t know what is going on you can at least enjoy the nice ambient sounds coming out
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVX43FXCS-8&feature=player_embedded]
Covenant gossip
The name for Covenant’s upcoming album is now set: “Modern Ruin”.
There is still no exact date for the release, but it will be sometime during 2009, according to their homepage.
You can hear some demos on their MySpace.
Swamped by new synths?
Are you like me starting to feel a bit swamped by all these virtual synths? Every week a new synth is released and very few are mind-boggling to say the least, but I think this one might be on the right track since it has put focus on alias-free oscillators. Make sure to check it out and btw it’s free 
Togu Audio Line has just released TAL-Elek7ro, a new free virtual analog synth with some special features like oscillator hard-sync and frequency modulation. It features alias-free oscillators, newly developed fast envelopes and LFOs with a wide range from 0.1Hz up to 400 Hz. A free routable envelope with attack and decay is available too. This synth is useful for a wide range of sounds from percussion to deep bass sounds.
Features :
– 2 oscillators with hard-sync, PW and FM (saw, pulse, triangle, sine).
– 1 sub oscillator (saw, rectangle).
– 1 noise oscillator.
– 18dB or 12dB non linear analog modelled low pass resonance filter.
– Mono mode, including portamento.
– Poly mode, up to 6 voices (not CPU optimized for poly mode).
– 2 free routable LFOs (0.1Hz – 400Hz, sine, triangle, saw, rectangle, s&h, noise).
– Filter and amplifier ADSR-envelope.
– Free routable AD-envelope.
– Mod-wheel and Pitch-Wheel support.
– MIDI Learn for all pots.
– Velocity to filter contour intensity.
– Panic button.
– Tutorial and installation guide.
– Factory presets.
New freeware release from xoxos
xoxos Stoq – suited for synthesis of maracas and other shaker instruments
xoxos explains the model:
impulse is driven by ‘pitch’ which is a % for event per sample at oscillator pitch. tracking is implemented but architecture is geared towards percussion synthesis.
the event % is shaped with a ‘rise’ envelope that lowers the chance for events to immediately follow other events (ie. hysteresis, good for emulating ‘larger beans’). when rise is locked to pitch it can be shifted by +/- 2 octaves. ‘tail’ multiplies the % after the rise period to reduce longer gaps.
impulses are decay-stage enveloped and consist of either the envelope contour or enveloped noise, low pass filtered for dynamics performance, then routed to a bank for 5 bandpasses (# of bands can be reduced to save cpu).
Happy Easter everyone :-)
Can you do anything but love Felix's machines
Felix’s Machines are music making sculptures. They were constructed in his bedroom and exist to facilitate music by translating rhythmic audio structures into a three-dimensional visual show.
They function as musical instruments as well as kinetic sculptures. The Machines are a performance device, but can be well suited to act as an art installation, theatre accompaniment, or standalone sculpture.
The Machines invite an audience to share the experience of their creator. He aims to exploit the complexity found behind the workings of most digital music and present it as a more accessible equivalent. These Machines do not intend to match human potential. Instead they exist to test the advantages of mechanical instruments alone.
Check out the video below >>
[vimeo http://vimeo.com/3570989]
A really powerful delay
First, Waves took everything they learned when they modeled classic hardware for their SSL 4000 Collection, V-Series, and The API Collection. Then, they imagined a series of plug-ins that would blend the best of yesterday’s sound with today’s technology. Finally, they brought these elements together, and created the plug-ins that would realize their vision. The result is the new Waves Hybrid Line.
H-Delay
From real old school PCM42-style effects like filtering, flanging, and phasing, to slap-back echo, ping-pong delay, and tempo-sync with modulation, H-Delay delivers the goods, controlled by a super intuitive interface that lets you get right down to business.
Featuring :
– Up to 3500 ms delay time.
– Variable pitch delay time behavior.
– Analog character modes.
– Infinite feedback support.
– LFO-controlled pitch modulation.
– LoFi mode.
– Tap + BPM sync.
– Full MIDI support.
H-Comp
H-Comp is a brand new dynamics processor that combines the modeled behavior of transformers, tubes, and transistors, together with the power and precision that only a plug-in can provide.
Good news for iPod and iPhone lovers
audioMIDI.com and VirSyn have announced iSyn, a virtual music studio for the iPhone/iPod Touch.
iSyn features
- Touch keyboard for live playing.
- Eight drum pads- tap for live beats.
- Two synth and one drum grid sequencer track.
- Two fully-programmable three-oscillator virtual analog synths.
- 32 song projects, each with 32 independent patterns.
- Incredible modulation effects using tilt and X/Y touch screen.
- Eight sample-playback drum machines- including 808, 909, synth drums and classic 80’s drum machines.
- Effects generator with delay, chorus, flanger and phaser.
KEYBOARD PAGE
Pressing the “Live” button with track 1 or 2 selected lets you play the iSyn keyboard in real time. Transpose the keyboard range up and down with the arrows above the keyboard. Dragging your finger after notes are played lets you add slides and vibrato; dragging up and down adds mod parameters for extra expression!
DRUM PAD PAGE
Press the “Live” button while the “D” (drum)
track is selected and bang on the eight drum pads all day!
SEQUENCER GRID
Tap and drag to insert notes on the grid. The piano keyboard can be swiped up and down to transpose the note range.
PATTERN PAGE
Press the “Pattern” button to select from 32 user-programmable patterns. Each project contains its own separate set of 32 patterns. Use the “AUTO” button to automatically play patterns one after the other and create entire songs!
SOUND SELECT PAGE
Choose from 32 user-editable preset sounds.
PROJECT PAGE
Here you can choose a complete song to work on.
A “project” consists of sound settings for synth tracks 1 and 2,
drum track settings, effects setting and 32 patterns.
SYNTH EDIT PAGE
iSyn features two powerful virtual analog synthesizers with the same sound quality and editability of computer-based virtual instruments! Simply tap each “building block” to access in-depth editing parameters.
Interview with Karl Bartos
In March this year http://thequietus.com did a nice interview with Karl Bartos where he developes a bit on his Kraftwerk years.
http://thequietus.com/articles/01282-karl-bartos-interviewed-kraftwerk-and-the-birth-of-the-modern
NewOrderOnline did in 2007 an interview with Karl developing more on his current activities:
DATAMASKIN
