Alesis brings us the PercPad Electronic Percussion Instrument
Alesis announces PercPad, its first four-pad electronic percussion instrument.
The PercPad features four velocity-sensitive pads, kick input, internal sounds and compact size, designed for anyone wanting to incorporate electronic percussion into their setups.
“There’s never been an ultra-compact multi-pad instrument like the PercPad before,” Dan Radin, Product Manager, Alesis.
Drummers can mount the PercPad on a standard snare drum stand or mount it to stands and racks using the Module Mount, sold separately.
Users can easily tune and edit sounds, assigning them to any of the four pads or to the kick input. They can also expand their sound pallete using the PercPad’s MIDI output, enabling them to perform with the sounds from any MIDI sound module or software on Mac or PC. Drummers can also use the PercPad with virtually any switch or velocity-sensitive kick trigger or pad including Alesis’ DMPad and RealHead Kick Pads.
Teenage Engineering @ NAMM 2011 OP-1
Teenage Engineering announced at the 2011 NAMM Show that their OP-1 synthesizer is now available for order and they expect it to ship in about 8 weeks.
The video above features Teenage Engineering’s Jesper discussing the current state of the OP-1 synthesizer.
It’s priced at $ 799 / € 799. Details below.
Check it out and let us know what you think!
Teenage Engineering OP-1 Synthesizer Specifications:
Synthesizers
- Multiple Synthesizer Engines with exchangable Architecture.
- 8 dedicated instant sound select keys
Sound Engines
- Dr Wave – Raw 8-bit yupe sound engine
- FM – Easy to tweak FM synthesis engine
- Pulse – Square wave type engine
- String – Physical modeling with a twist
- Digital – Raw digital type of engine
- Phase – Phase distortion engine
- Cluster – Multiple Wave Cluster
- Feature additions of Engines will be available with software upgrades
Sample Engines
- Dedicated instant Synth Sampler with 6 seconds sampling time for each slot.
- Dedicated instant Drum Sampler with 12 seconds sampling time for each slot.With automated layout feature.
- Instant sampling with built-in Microphone or Line in
Envelopes
- Classic ADSR type of envelope
- Dynamic Envelope for Drum sounds.
- Future additions of Envelopes will be available with software upgrades
Effects
- Multiple Effects with exchangable Architecture.
- Delay – Classic delay type
- Phone – Hacked phone effect
- Punch – Adds punch to your sound
- Grid – Grid based echo
- Spring – Spring reverb type
- Future additions of Effects will be available with software upgrades
Tape Feature
- 4 individual tracks with instant Solo
- Instant variable Tape Speed
- 12 minutes recording time in Normal tape speed.
- Up to 48 minutes recording time in Low tape speed
- Loop function with movable region
- Tape tricks for Break Tape, Bits and Reverse.
- Memo 1 & 2 for instant memorizing Effects / EQ / Pan or Levels / Tape Speed
- Reverse Recording
- Classic Tape editing Features Lift / Split and Drop
- Lift tape recordings back into Sampler for endless sound design.
Motion Sensor
- 3 Axis Motion sensor (G-Force)
- Assignable to any synth, envelope, effect parameter or to pitch.
Built-in FM radio
- Sample direct from any radiostation
- Record direct to tape
HARDWARE
CPU
- 400 MHz Processor Core(800 MMACSS performance)
- 64 MB Low-Power SDRAM (12ns)
- 512 MB Nand Flash storage
- 24-bit 96kHz ADC/DAC
Battery
- Li-Ion 1800 mAh
- 16 hours active Battery Life
- 2 Years stand-by time
- Charge via USB port
I/O
- USB 2.0 high speed (OTG)
- 3.5 mm Line Input, Output
- Built-in microphone
- High output mini speaker 8 Ohm 1 Watt
- 3-axis accelerometer (G-force) sensor
- Worldwide FM band support (64-108 MHz)
Display
- Amoled display running in 60 fps
- 320 x 160 pixel resolution
- Color Depth: 16.7 M
- Contrast: 10000:1
- Viewing Angle: 170°
- Life Time: 30,000 hrs
- 2500mAh li-ion Polymer Battery
Mechanical
- Low profile keyboard module
- Scissor-switch ultra low profile design
- Expected lifespan of 10 million keystrokes per key
Encoders
- Industrial Grade Incremental Encoders
- Rotational life: Up to 1,000,000 revolutions
- Excellent indexing feel (remains consistent over life)
- Zinc diecast and fiber enforced high performance plastic
- Used in Avionics Operating temperature range: -40 to +85°C2.8
Body
- Advanced CNC:d one-piece Aluminum design.
- 2 X M6 Mounting holes for accessories.
- 2 X Cuts for strap accessory.
Color
- Light grey powder coated body and EDM textured keyboard
Dimensions
- L 282 mm, H 102 mm, D 13.5 mm
Packaging
The OP-1 comes shipped in a reusable environmental friendly package made out of Paperfoam material.
Emulator – Smithson Martin Inc. at NAMM 2011
A little of FUN from NAMM 2011 : )
Warping for Remixing | Ableton Live Tutorial
Ableton Certified Trainer and Dubspot Instructor Laura Escudé explains how to warp a song for remixing in Ableton Live 8. Using “Help I’m Alive” by Metric, Laura takes you step by step through the process of warping the stems of a song.
Some nice new KORG announcements from NAMM
Korg announces the nanoSERIES2, the next generation of slim-line USB-MIDI controllers. Compact and convenient, with serious functionality and features, nanoSERIES2 incorporates many user-requested enhancements and offers them up in the same ultra-slim casing as the original nanoSERIES. The size and color of the entire series nicely matches a laptop computer. Available in both white and black, the new units – the nanoKEY2, nanoPAD2 and nanoKONTROL2 – are an ideal choice in portable control for laptop musicians, DJs, remixers and anyone who wants to make music with their MacÆ or PC. All three units are also a perfect addition to Korg’s 37-note microKEY USB MIDI keyboard.
Korg announces the new Wavedrum Oriental Dynamic Percussion Synthesizer**, a limited edition version of Korg’s popular Wavedrum designed specifically for Middle Eastern music. The Wavedrum Oriental boasts a massive infusion of popular, unique and accurate percussion sounds, all playable from the Wavedrum’s dynamic rim and real drum head surface. Featuring more programs than the original Wavedrum, it offers new, specialized algorithms and samples designed for the percussionist seeking the very highest quality Middle Eastern percussion sounds. [**in this instance, “Oriental” denotes Middle Eastern rather than Far Eastern.
Over a decade ago, Korg changed the DJ/music scene with its first-generation Kaoss Pad, a touchpad-based effect controller. Since then, the popular X-Y touchpad has appeared in many Korg products. Now, Korg is taking effects control one step further with the new Kaoss Pad Quad, which employs new effects, functions and features that let users create their own combination of Kaoss effects with simultaneous control of up to four effects in real-time using a single fingertip on its touchpad. Any audio source can be processed: an MP3 player, a mixing board, an instrument or even vocals via the unit’s mic input.
Pandora Mini, created with both guitarists and bass players in mind.Here’s what Korg has to say about it…
Powered by Korg’s REMS (Resonant structure and Electronic circuit Modeling System), the Pandora Mini delivers 158 sophisticated effects, divided into seven categories:
- Pickup and Dynamic Models
- Amp Models
- Cabinet Models
- Modulation and Filter Effects
- Delays
- Reverbs
- Noise Reduction
Up to seven effects can be used simultaneously in a single Program. Packed with tone, there are 400 Programs available in the Pandora Mini: 200 Preset Programs and 200 User Program locations for storing new or customized sounds. Of the 200 Preset Programs, 115 are Song Presets; each one instantly captures the signature tone used by a legendary guitarist to create one of their classic hits. Four Memory buttons instantly call up the user’s favorite presets.
The Pandora Mini also contains 100 rhythm and metronome patterns that are well suited to tempo training, jamming and composing. The Tap button makes it easy to set the rhythm or delay tempo. The AUX input allows jamming along with an MP3 player, CD player, etc. The AUX pitch function varies the pitch of the audio input by ±1 octave, so it is easy to match the key of the song. An auto-tuner with muting is also built in.
Stutter Edit – Live Remixing
Stutter Edit is a unique playable effect designed by BT and developed by iZotope. Create entire tracks from just a short loop, or generate incredible live remixes just by using your MIDI keyboard and a host like Ableton Live. Stutter Edit is perfect for both the stage and studio.
Ladytron is back with a treat
Fans of Ladytron are in for a triple treat in 2011. The English dark-synthpop act will release a greatest hits collection, a new EP and their fifth studio album. The best-of album, “Ladytron 00-10”, will hit the shops in March and as the title suggests, it will consist of singles from their last four studio albums during that period. Among those will be their biggest US dance hit “Runaway” and “Destroy Everything You Touch”. This will be followed up by their as-yet untitled EP, out on 14 March, and will contain a selection of remixes of their latest single “Ace Of Hz”. You can download one of the tracks right here.
The new studio album will be the Liverpool quartet’s first since 2008’s “Velocifero”. Since its release, Ladytron have toured the world, while band members Mira Arroyo and Reuben Wu have played DJ sets in clubs all across the globe. They also turned their hand at writing for other artists, most notably Christina Aguilera, whose last album “Bionic” featured the Ladytron-penned song “Birds Of Prey”.
NAMM 2011: Korg Kaoss Quad Demonstration
“Dynamic Effects Processor
Create your own combination of Kaoss effects, and simultaneously control up to four effects using a single fingertip! Introducing the Kaoss Pad Quad; it’s Kaoss control evolved to a whole new level.
Kaoss Pad Quad Highlights
* Brilliant, colorful LED touchpad illuminations move in sync with your performance
* Control multiple effects in realtime using the intuitive Kaoss X-Y touchpad
* Create your own Kaoss combinations and use up to four effects at once
* Choose one of five effects from each of four effect groups; a total of 1,295 combinations!
* Freeze button holds the effect settings after you release your finger, for dazzling hands-free use
* Versatile and highly playable effects control, delivering unimaginable expression
* New Looper effects – Forward, Reverse and Slice – add new audio intensity
* Mix it up with new DJ emulation Vinyl Break and Ducking Compressor effects
* Auto BPM engine detection and Tap Tempo functions keep your Kaoss locked to the beat
Twelve years ago, the first-generation Kaoss Pad exploded onto the DJ/music scene with touchpad-based effect control. Since then, the overwhelming acceptance and popularity of the X-Y touchpad is evident in many Korg products – Kaoss Pad effects, the Kaossilator Series, our padKONTROL and nanoPAD controllers, even the exclusive M3 TouchView™ display – that are now standards in the scene. To this we add the Kaoss Pad Quad, with new effects, functions, and features that truly stand out from the crowd.
As suggested by the name “Quad”, this new Kaoss Pad lets you use up to four effects simultaneously. These effects can be sync’ed to the beat of your music, to freely transform your song in realtime. Any audio source can be processed; an MP3 player, a mixing board, an instrument, even vocals via the mic input! The expressive performance potential that arises from the Kaoss Pad Quad leaves other effect units in the dust, and rapidly approaches the realm of an “instrument”. The brilliant and colorful LED touchpad illumination adds a strong sense of individuality, further enhancing the Kaoss Pad Quad’s unique character.
The Kaoss Pad Quad will enthrall everyone. The intense user can engage in highly technical performances; the casual user can enjoy DJ-like fun. Either way, the audience will be equally captivated. The interest and depth emanating from this new instrument is sure to touch every listener.
Dazzling, illuminated touchpad control
The intuitive interface that has helped to make the Korg Kaoss Series so popular is alive and well on the Kaoss Pad Quad. As you tap, slide, or move your finger across the X-Y touchpad, the effect parameters will change, producing dramatic realtime changes in the sound. One big change to the touchpad is brilliant LEDs that light up in an intense variety of colors. The illumination changes depending on the state of the effects, the BPM setting, and on your movements while performing. The DJ booth or stage will be brilliantly illuminated, visually boosting the excitement level!
Use up to four effects simultaneously for unimaginable expression
Kaoss Pad Quad lets you simultaneously control up to four effects from the touchpad. Each of the four effect modules – Looper; Modulation; Filter; and Delay/Reverb – contains five options (plus a null, or off position), for a total of 1,295 combinations! Best of all, effects can be chosen directly from the front panel, a more intuitive and physical process than on previous Kaoss Pad models. Enjoy trying your own Kaoss combinations and discovering ways to radically morph the sound.
By rhythmically adding successive effects, or switching effects on and off as your song progresses, you can use the Kaoss Pad Quad to add variation and development to the structure of your song. In other words, even a simple beat can potentially be transformed into a killer tune that will whip the dance floor into a frenzy. In addition to being an enormous asset to the professional, the Kaoss Pad Quad is also great fun for the casual user. It is extremely straightforward and easy to use; just touch the pad to apply effects. Connect a portable audio player or any audio source, and begin enjoying hours of sound creation and manipulation. Once you get started, you’ll lose all track of time!
Freeze button offers hands-free effects!
For each of the four effect modules, there’s a Freeze button that memorizes the position at which you’re touching the touchpad, causing that effect to be held even after you release your finger. If you touch the touchpad again while Freeze is enabled, only the non-frozen effects will be controlled. You can achieve even higher levels of performance freedom by using the four Freeze buttons in conjunction with the effect type buttons.
Expand your performance with newly designed effects
In addition to more traditional effects, the Kaoss Pad Quad offers many new types of effects:
Multi-Mode Looper
Use the touchpad to loop part of your song; the number of beats is controlled by the location you touched. Three types of looping are provided; the standard Looper; the Rev Looper (Reverse Looper) which plays the looped phrase backward; and the Loop Slicer, which divides the phrase and lets you loop-play only a specific portion. You can switch between the different looper types by sliding your finger up and down the touchpad as the loop plays, producing radical new beats on a whim. Using these sophisticated loop tools makes it easy to ignite a frenzy on the dance floor.
Vinyl Break turntable effects
The first effect lets you slide your finger up and down on the touchpad to simulate the scratch sounds that can be produced on a turntable. Next, if you leave your finger on the touchpad without moving it, you can also create the effect of gradually slowing the playback speed to a stop, just as when you stop the rotation of a turntable. This realistic sound is highly usable as part of a DJ performance, allowing even a beginner to feel like an experienced DJ.
Ducking Comp transforms the playback
This creates the distinctive “ducking compressor” effects that have become a staple in music production. By boosting the sound level during off-beats of the kick drum, this effect can expressively transform your sound in very musical ways.
Stay in Sync!
The proprietary Auto BPM engine automatically detects the tempo/BPM (Beats Per Minute) of the song that’s playing or the audio source. Using this function allows BPM effects such as delay to remain in sync with the song. Tap Tempo is also provided; you can press the TAP button several times at the desired tempo to set the appropriate BPM value even for a song that does not have a strong rhythmic feel or whose BPM is difficult to detect. You can also use the BPM knob to make fine adjustments.”
Yazoo – Chinese Detective – Cover
Really nice cover of an old Yaz classic
Based on the live BBC recording – Sequenced using a BBC Master computer with UMI-3s sequencer
Tempest – an all new analog drum machine
Dave Smith Instruments Tempest. An all new analog drum machine. Awesome. If you listen carefully the demo goes from all the way from 606 to 909ish with some nice Simmons tom emulation and synth stabs. There are a lot of specs but does it matter? A lot of buttons and analog stuff. $2000. link
Summary of Features
•Each of the 6 analog voices has 2 analog oscillators plus 2 digital oscillators (with a large bank of included samples), Dave’s classic analog low-pass filter with audio-rate modulation, an additional high-pass filter, analog VCA with feedback, 5 envelopes, 2 LFOs, an extraordinary variety of analog modulation routings, and stunning sonic quality, warmth and punch. Although optimized for drum sounds, it excels at tuned sounds as well, and even doubles as a 6-voice analog synth. In addition to the 6 direct voice outputs, there are stereo mix outputs and phones outputs, plus 2 inputs for foot switches or expression pedals, MIDI in/out and USB.
•The performance-oriented operating system, 90 panel controls, and bright 256 x 64 OLED display work together to provide a tightly integrated, non-stop workflow: record a drumbeat in real-time, switch to another drumbeat and use the lit pads to record it using step programming, switch to another drumbeat and record tuned keyboard parts, use the 2 touch controllers to to record real-time note or beat-wide parameter animations, use the generous sound controls to edit any of the drum sounds, tweak the analog effects or drum mix, arrange beats in real time and record the live arrangement into a song, enter/exit Song mode and much more, all without ever stopping play.
•16 pressure- and velocity-sensitive lit pads are arranged in a 2×8 configuration, providing intuitive access to all your fingers and providing the ideal compromise between the popular 4×4 pad arrangement (popular for real time programming ) and 1×16 arrangement (popular for step programming) because Tempest does both. The pads can be used to play 32 drum sounds (2 banks), mute/unmute the 32 sounds on playback, play and arrange 16 beats in real time, play one sound at 16 tunings (in a variety of scales) or 16 velocities, or as 16 time steps for step programming. The ROLL button permits creating drum rolls or repeated groove patterns by varying pad pressure as the beat records, and doubles as a momemtary “stutter” effect when the pads are assigned to play beats. Use the Sustain button on tuned parts like a keyboard’s Sustain pedal, or to choke drum sounds or drumbeats when the pad is released.
•Two pressure- and position-sensitive Note FX slide controllers permit real-time recording of note or beat-wide sound parameter changes into the drumbeat as you play. For example, record simultaneous filter frequency, tuning, envelope decay and pan changes for each note, or control similar parameters affecting the entire beat.
•A variety of unique effects are provided while maintaining a pure analog signal path: 1) Stereo analog compressor and distortion circuits affect the stereo output mix, 2) beat-synced delay is achieved by generating additional delayed note events within the sequencer, and 3) a beat-synced “stutter” effect is created entirely within the sequencer by looping short portions of the drumbeat on demand.
•The degree of swing timing can be adjusted in real time during playback. Roger used his entire bag of tricks to make the swing sound very human and natural.
•Compact and portable: 15.4″ L x 9″ W x 2.5″ H
Price and specifications subject to change.
Information about Tempest is also available on rogerlinndesign.com.
DATAMASKIN
