Cubase 7.5 – First Look – Overview
We take a look at the new updates in Steinbergs Cubase 7.5
Cubase 7.5 adds new features that support musical creativity and enhance workflow: create alternative TrackVersions, keep focused at all times with the track visibility management system and explore the new sonic possibilities of Groove Agent SE 4, HALion Sonic SE 2, LoopMash FX, the REVelation reverb
Features:
- TrackVersions: For creating, renaming and managing parallel variations of tracks
- Track visibility: Shows only the tracks you want to see in the Project window
- Instrument (t)rack 2.0: Supports multi-outputs and multi-inputs, and merges instrument tracks with the Instrument Rack
- HALion Sonic SE 2: Giving you tons of fresh new sounds plus a totally new synth
- Groove Agent SE 4: With 30 new drum kits and smart user interface for creating beats and hits in no time
- New EDM construction kits: Adding flavor to your productions and giving you new song ideas
- LoopMash FX: For real-time modern-style breaks, tape-stops, stutters and more
- REVelation: Super-smooth and silky-sounding algorithmic reverb that brings back the memories of those old fancy hardware units
- Magneto 2: Adding warmth to your tracks
- VST Connect SE 2: Unique remote recording plug-in now with MIDI data transmission
- Transient navigation: Tab to transients on audio events in the Project window thanks to the new instant hitpoint navigation
SEQUENTIAL CIRCUITS PROPHET 600 DEMO
Short Demo of the vintage analog synthesizer Sequential circuits Prophet 600.
The first commercially available synth to implement MIDI!! It’s a fun synth. Its big brother is the legendary Prophet 5. The P600 is very affordable today and is a great buy. Models with the newest software will enjoy polyphonic MIDI implementation and up to 100 memory patches to store their own sounds! The sound of the Prophet 600 is brighter and harsher than that of a Juno 106 but still just as funky.
The P600 has two oscillators per voice with sawtooth, triangle and variable pulse waveforms. The oscillators can be individually tuned or synced together. Similar quality VCF and VCA sections from the Prophet 5 can be found here too! The P5’s Poly-Mod section has also been passed onto the P600. The P600 is extremely versatile and easy to use! Its best functions include the onboard arpeggiator, 2-track sequencer and poly-modulation. The P600 is great for creating analog effects, swells and drones. It has a cool glide effect and has very flexible modulation possibilities!
Native Instruments Maschine Mikro Overview and Demos
Take a look at Maschine Mikro’s latest cutting-edge tools and groove production workflow. More at http://www.native-instruments.com/en/…
Maschine Mikro is the compact groove production system combining software and hardware in perfect harmony. All the power and flexibility of MASCHINE’s pattern-based sequencer, high-performance sampler, exemplary drum synths, pro studio instruments and effects, and acclaimed sound library in a compact, budget-friendly package. The perfect entry into the world of Maschine.
No matter which MASCHINE hardware you own, the MASCHINE 2.0 software will boost your beatmaking. It’s a big update. The completely re-worked software offers a new audio engine, unlimited groups and effects sends, multicore support, Drum Synths, and much more. Your hardware. Faster workflow. Unprecedented power.
Robotik Vocoder – 800 samples of pure vocoder madness
Industrial Strength Records has launched Robotik Vocoder, a sample pack by producer 6Blocc.
Master producer 6Blocc fires off another round ammo with 800 samples of pure vocoder madness. This Industrial Strength vocal pack is a one-stop sound source for red-hot robotic vocoder effects.
6Blocc Robotik Vocoder comes collect with short, medium, and long vocal phrases. All phrases were processed through the legendary Roland Vocoder, the machine that gained fame through antics in Electro and early West Coast Hip-Hop. From classic lines (we couldn’t forget to drop the bass) to fresh new inventions of the vocal madmind, you’ll find the words to carry the energy of your next production through any twist and turn.
These 24-bit, 44.1 kHz WAV files are ready to lock and load without a hitch. Hear them rip in any EDM, Electro, Techno, Trap, Hip-Hop and House production. We left plenty of headroom so you can add your own effects without maxing out the capacity for sheer craziness.
6Blocc Robotik Vocoder features
- 802 Vocal Samples (24-bit), 500 MB content in total.
- Includes 51 Cities & Countries Vocal Samples, 71 Club Tools Vocals, 71 DnB Jungle Vocals, 32 DnB Jungle FX Vocals, 66 Dubstep Trap Vocals, 30 Dubstep Trap FX Vocals, 81 Electro Vocals, 28 Electro Fx Vocals, 93 Hardcore Techno Vocals, 37 Hardcore Techno FX Vocals, 127 House Funk Vocals, 81 House Funk FX Vocals, 33 Talking Synth Stabs.
The sample pack is available from Loopmasters for £19.95 GBP.
Jam session using four Digital Warrior step sequencers
Jam session using four Digital Warrior step sequencers.
A quick overview of my latest MIDI controller’s basic features.
Traktor performance using two Digital Warriors. The one on the right is running a step sequencer with drum samples, and on the left a melodic sequencer.
“built in 16 voice 32-step sequencer. 64 uneque patterns permanently stored on the device”
“traktor remix decks mapping for on the fly dynamic loops. optimized for ableton live drum racks”
“4 smooth potentiometers, 16 banked RGB button pads and 2 endless tri-color encoders”
“164 uniquely mapable elements for total control. customizable midi behavior”
Trinity – new line of inexpensive modular grooveboxes
Bastl Instruments has introduced Trinity, a new line of inexpensive modular grooveboxes.
Here’s what they have to say about the Trinity modules:
Trinity is a universal musical instrument and original sounding modular groovebox. It can function as any type of digital synthesizer, sequencer, controller, arpeggiator or almost anything that can be programmed into a micro-controller.
Trinity is designed to be connected and combined with other Trinities of different functions in a chain, so you can create your own music making environment. It is ready to communicate with the outer world via MIDI and different sync and CV methods using MIDI Bastl.
We have developed 4 different instruments for Trinity which work great together. They are sequencer, drum synthesizer, polyphonic synthesizer and monophonic FM synthesizer.
All Trinity instruments have the same starting price: 60 Euro for assembled instruments and 45 Euro for a DIY kit. And they’re open-source, DIY, hackable and repairable.
Features:
- simple interface which makes it playable musical instrument
- available assembled or as a soldering kit
- MIDI native (note,CC) , MIDI jack and almost endless sync possibilities by MIDI Bastl
- software reprogrammable by Arduino (breakout for standard FTDi USB)
- hardware expandable and hackable ? including breakouts for sensors or more buttons
- chain connectors to share power, audio and communication within more Trinity/Bastl instruments
- user memmory for storing presets and patterns (exportable, transferable)
- stylish lasercut replacable enclosure with instrument labels
- adjustable volume
- mono, 16385 hz, 14 bit ? double PWM sound generation
- TRS Jack 3.5mm audio output able to drive headphones
- powered from 9V battery or 9V positive polarity power supply (2.1 mm) or from the Trinity chain (use switch to select)
- running Mozzi library and Bastl library for Arduino
Vermona DRM 1 Mk3 // analog drum synthesizer
The DRM1 MKIII is an analogue drum synthesizer.
It offers eight instruments, each with seven knobs for forming the sound plus a panorama- and a volume-controller. The user interface is absolutely clear and intutitve – one knob, one function.
The instruments on the DRM1 MKII are as following:
- KICK
Mainly but not only for making big and fat kick drums. - DRUM1 and DRUM2
Very flexible instruments that can generate kick- and tom sounds a s well as bongos. Anything from zapp to bling and fantastic PIUU… - MULTI
Three oscillators can be detuned and gives you nice cowbell-like sounds. If you like submarines you can create a nice sonar ping. - SNARE
What can we say about that? Well, you get what you expect. - Hi Hat1 and Hi Hat2
That’s analogue (heavy- or soft-) metal. - CLAP
Classic analogue hand claps.
The instruments of the DRM1 MKIII can be triggered by MIDI (of course velocity-sensitive). There is also an optional trigger option avilable that connects the drum machine to your analogue step sequencer or whatever gives out gate voltage or switch trigger. Beside the main outputs each channel is equipped with an individual output that also can be used as an channel insert.
Background video description:
One of the best versatile analog drum expanders currently made. Awsome KICKS, jazzy SNARES, weird dubby FX, the beast electronic CLPAS I ever has and the right mixture of CAMBALS
Simmons SDS-8 // Electronic Drum Synthesizer
5 channel analog synthesizer with bassdrum, snare and 3 toms. Each channel features a unalterable factory sound and a variable user sound. It came at the same time with the SDS 7 as its cheaper alternative.
The SDS 8 comes with the same analog filters of its predecessor, the SDS 5. Every knob on the metal chassis is easliy accessable. If you are looking for the classic analog Simmons sound with access to all the nice filters forgoing luxury like user banks, midi or modularity, this is the right machine for you.
Specials: sequencer input, single outputs, stereo out
Background video description:
In fact this is a Simmons SDS-8 module that has two voices not workin (Hi Tom, Mid Tom) and this still knocking out every other synth drum I know that is in production!!
Waldorf Pulse 2 Analog Synth – Review
This three oscillator analog with 8 voice paraphonic operation, has slipped under the radar a little with some of the other big monosynth releases this year. I think it deserves a closer inspection.
New Duran Duran backstage photos book anno 1984
It’s almost 30 years since Duran Duran embarked upon their Sing Blue Silver world tour and Durannie-mania swept America. Screaming teenagers drowned out the sound of their instruments on stage, hotel front doors were blocked by hordes of fans and the media followed every move of the fab five. Only one camera was allowed into the inner sanctum, though. Denis O’Regan travelled with the band across the US and Japan as their official photographer, ensuring they had no privacy even in their dressing rooms. Which may have got up their noses at times – Simon Le Bon tried to throw Denis out of a hotel window in Fukuoka – but ended in a lasting friendship and a wonderful photographic record of an extraordinary time.
Last week, at a pop-up exhibition space just off Carnaby Street, Le Bon, John Taylor, Nick Rhodes and Roger Taylor joined Denis O’Regan to launch Careless Memories – a limited edition book of images. It’s a fascinating insight into the lives of Duran Duran – catching them backstage, in transit, on stage, gurning and twatting about like the young friends they were and also a reminder of the media frenzy around them. Photos of fans, limos and jetplanes. Permed girls in Trilby hats and JT in white shoes. So many white shoes.
The limited run of cloth-bound coffee table books will be retailing at £250 and upwards. For those of us with no room for a coffee table, the photos can be seen at the book’s website.
DATAMASKIN
