Free synthesiser application for the iPad
Retro Sound Studio (App Store link) is a free synthesiser application for the iPad that is aimed at creating retro electronic sounds reminiscent of 80?s arcade games.
It is intended to be used by game developers to create sounds for their games or by music producers as a sample source, particularly for producers working in dance music genres such as tech house and electro.
Saved sounds can be accessed by using iTunes.
Select the device, then go to the Apps tab and finally select Retro Sound Studio under File Sharing.
If you give Retro Sound Studio a try, leave comment and share you thoughts on it!
Visit: Retro Sound Studio
MIDI FX in Ableton – tutorial
Livid´s new code controller
Here is a quick preview of Livid Instruments code controller. It is a grid based encoder controller, where each encoder act’s a a button and knob. I am running Live here with the first knob in each row controlling the level for that column, and the effects for that column on the next 3 knobs. Each knobs also launches a different clip.
The only box combining samplers, mixing desk, sequencers and synthesizers
Rhizome
Easy to use like a groove machine, powerful like the latest computer technology, and empowered by the versatility of plugins. Today the Rhizome is the only box combining samplers, mixing desk, sequencers and synthesizers, totally opened and compatible with VSTs.
To arrange your songs, you don’t need to program by hand or to assemble by mouse anymore, this instrument permits to create it in real time by activate patterns from the pads. In case of mistake Rhizome got undo/ redo records function. To humanize and work the groove’s sequences, each track has exclusive functions such as non-destructive quantization, play speed alteration, groove FX, looping, cue points. Rhizome is a real station of musical creation VSTi and VSTfx compatible, which offers included several features : instruments, virtual effects, a complete mixing desk, AUDIO/ MIDI I/O and an amazing multimode sequencer. Rhizome The future is NOW.
Squarepusher is back on the stage
Following the release of a single on Ed Banger, Squarepusher (AKA Tom Jenkinson) has revealed that he’ll be releasing a new full length album, Shobaleader\One – d’Demonstrator, on his usual label Warp.
This will be available from from October 18, with the tracklisting still to be confirmed. No tracklisting or further details at this stage, though if the video trailer above is anything to go by, this isn’t going to be the moment that Squarepusher goes downtempo.
Mugician, the latest stuff to arrive for the iPad
We really seem to be swamped by iOS stuff these days 
This video captures a improvisation with Mugician, a free iPad app that’s designed for experienced guitarists., a free iPad app that’s designed for experienced guitarists., a free iPad app that’s designed for experienced guitarists., a free iPad app that’s designed for experienced guitarists.
It’s designed to offer cutting-edge features, but designer Rob Fielding warns that Mugician is also intended to be experimental:
You are on a ride with my free app experiments, but I’m not ignoring the bad feedback! I want people to go out and gig with Mugician so that when I have a future version, I have a loyal audience to sell new apps to.
I did have the crazy ambition to, for many purposes, replace the guitar as the internationally recognized voice of dissent. Creating a subversive instrument that causes people to begin to play microtonal music is a little ambitious at this point, but a well executed touch-screen guitar replacement is certainly not.
If you’re an iPad owner, check out Mugician and leave a comment with your thoughts on it!If you’re an iPad owner, check out Mugician and leave a comment with your thoughts on it!If you’re an iPad owner, check out Mugician and leave a comment with your thoughts on it!If you’re an iPad owner, check out Mugician and leave a comment with your thoughts on it!
Visit: Mugician in the App Store
The Vocalizer has now been released
I have reported on the Vocalizer before but now we have gotten some more info on it. If you have tried it already let us know what you think.
VOCALIZER is a completely new concept in modern music production that couples a new technology synthesis engine with an open input based architecture. VOCALIZER is one part effect plugin and one part virtual instrument. Vocalists, non-vocalists, & producers feed VOCALIZER any audio source, and it re-pitches, effects, and re-synthesizes the original source into a whole new sound.
Primarily designed for vocal use, vocalists will enjoy the vast options afforded by VOCALIZER to add previously unattainable dimensions to their voice. Inversely, non-vocalists will enjoy the opportunity to use their voices in musical ways that they previously thought impossible.
VOCALIZER also works well with other types of inputs. Drum & percussion tracks fed through VOCALIZER result in complex synth lines that perfectly sync to the original dry drum & percussion parts. Other input sounds afford a powerful and flexible new approach to sound design. VOCALIZER users can take any sound and use it as a shaping tool to be VOCALIZED.
The VOCALIZER marks the first release from SONiVOX’s NEMESYNTH Audio Research Group. Spearheaded by noted audio guru and scientist Jim Van Buskirk, pioneer inventor of the virtual instrument, modern computer driven sampling, and real-time low-latency convolution, SONiVOX’s NEMESYNTH Audio Research Group’s sole purpose is to discover, research, & develop revolutionary new enabling technologies for musicians everywhere.
VOCALIZER – Vocal Production Synthesizer is MAC & PC compatible and will work with most major DAW software as a VST, AU, and RTAS plugin.
VOCALIZER – Vocal Production Synthesizer is slated for a release date of October 1st 2010 with a MSRP of $149.99 and an estimated street price of $99.99
SONiVOX claims that VOCALIZER must be heard to be believed and invites all to checkout the VOCALIZER videos and mp3 examples at www.sonivoxmi.com
Introducing the Wave Machine
Providing the guitarist with a chance to enter the realms of the synthesizer, The Wave Machine is a multiple VCO for your guitar. Implementing similar wave shaping techniques to those used within vintage analog synthesizers, the guitarist (or bassist/keyboardist) is provided with three wave shapes, Saw, Triangle and Square.
In taking the pitch from your guitar’s pickups and moulding it into one of the three wave shapes, it is possible to create some unique guitar tones, especially when used in conjunction with other effects such as chorus, autowah and delay. The Saw wave produces a rich nasally sound, capable of mimicking brass tones whereas Triangle smooths your sound into something closer to that of flute and woodwind. Lastly Square wave gives your guitar that classic analog synth sound.
Five new instruments in NI Komplete7
The modal synthesizer Reaktor Prism, the studio reverb Reflektor, the organ emulation Vintage Organs, the effect suite Traktor’s 12 and the amp emulation Rammfire are based on the technology of Kontakt, Reaktor and Guitar Rig, and can be used both within the full versions and the free player versions of these instruments.
Reflektor ($119) is a high-performance reverb processor for use within Guitar Rig 4 and the new Guitar Rig 4 Player. Based on Native Instruments’ patent-pending Zero Latency Convolution, it combines the quality of impulse response technology with the efficiency and flexibility of algorithmic reverbs to generate both extremely realistic room ambiences and creative, highly original reverberation effects.
The new Vintage Organs ($119) instrument provides the electromagnetic organ sound of the ’60s and ’70s. Based on meticulous sampling with the advanced Kontakt engine, it re-creates three tonewheel organs and two distinctive transistor-based models complete with their authentic sound-shaping and effect facilities.
The performance effects suite Traktor’s 12 ($79) is derived from Native Instruments’ DJ software, and makes the effects arsenal of Traktor Pro available for use as a plug-in in any DAW or music sequencer. All 12 effects, including unique algorithms like the “Mulholland Drive,” “Reverse Grain” and “Beat Masher” are optimized for intuitive and expressive real-time sound manipulation.
The new Rammfire ($59) amp emulation was developed with one of Rammstein’s guitarists, Richard Z. Kruspe, and models the original recording chain that is behind the band’s guitar sound. It can be used both as an expansion to the amplifier arsenal in Guitar Rig 4 and as an individual product with the free Guitar Rig 4 Player.
The five new instruments and effects are now available for individual download purchase in the NI Online Shop, and are also included in the new KOMPLETE 7 bundle.
Overview of the featuresof the MPC Electronics Music Percussion Computer
This is a brief overview of the features and sounds of the MPC Electronics Music Percussion Computer. This is a fully Analog Drum Machine made in Cambrige in England in 1982 by MPC Electronics featuring a four pattern internal sequencer and plenty of interfacing methods for a machine of this age. For whatever reason this machine seemed to fade almost entirely into obscurity, however if you managed to find one in fully working order it would make a fine addition to any electronic studio.
It should be noted that this machine is not 100% working, the internal battery has leaked and damaged the external sync circuits meaning that it will only work as master clock and a few of the pots are broken. Most notably the snare tune and decay pots are gone resulting in the snare being a very short burst click sound where as on a full working unit it would probably sound closer to a 909 snare.
For the cheesy little demo track at the end of this video the instruments used are as follows.
Drums – MPC-1
Latin Percussion – Roland TR-727
Electronic Piano – Roland JX-3P
Bass – Oberheim DPX-1 (with Juno-60 bass patch sample)
Harpsichord – Akai S900 (with Juno-60 patch sample)
Organ – Roland Juno-60
Sequencer – Akai ASQ10
DATAMASKIN
