Toshiyuki Kishi performs on various KORG instruments
Enjoy
Virtual analog from Clavia – Nord Lead 4
After a couple of days of teasing – the new Nord Lead 4 has finally been fully revealed, and boy does it look promising 
We will of course take a closer look at it down at MusikMesse, stay tuned for more on this red beauty
Nord Lead 4 is a 4-part multi-timbral synthesizer sporting a brand new 2-oscillator virtual analog sound engine with 2x oversampling. In addition to the classic analog waveforms there’s a Wavetable mode with unique new Formant Wavetables. Frequency Modulation and Hard/Soft sync options are available for mutilating your sound further and the True Voice Unison mode can stack up to four oscillators per voice for really thick, beefy leads and pads.
The filter section boasts Low Pass (12/24dB), High Pass, and Band Pass filters and also stunning new simulations of two transistor and diode ladder filters capturing the squeaky, dirty character of the originals. A dedicated filter overdrive can distort your sound before it passes through the effect section.
The new Variation buttons let you override almost any parameter of the synthesizer, instantaneously. Ever wanted to change LFO speed, Modulation routings and reverb amount – all at once, in the middle of a sound? With the Nord Lead 4 you can! With 7 assignable variations per program Nord Lead 4 gives you creative freedom to warp and improvise your sound live, both rhythmically and sonically and thanks to the Master Clock Synchronization, it can be done in perfect sync to other layers or an external MIDI Clock.
All 4 slots have dedicated effect sections with delay, reverb, tube amp simulated overdrive, a Talk effect modeled after a vocal tract and a sample rate reducing Crush effect.
The Nord Lead 4 is also available as a Tabletop/Rack version, the Nord Lead 4R.
Key features
- 4-part multi-timbral with 4 separate outs.
- 2-Oscillator Virtual Analog Subtractive synthesis, with Frequency Modulation, Hard and Soft Sync and True Voice Unison.
- Morph and Variation performance controls.
- Wavetable synthesis, including unique Formant Wavetables.
- 12/24 dB Low-pass, High-pass, Band-pass filter section plus transistor and diode ladder filter simulations.
- 2 LFO/Arpeggiator sections and Mod Env section with flexible routing possibilities.
- LFO, Arpeggiator and Delay can be synchronized to the Master Clock (or external MIDI-Clock).
- Crush, Talk and Distortion, Reverb, Delay effects (available per slot)
- 2x oversampled sound engine.
- 49-key velocity sensitive keyboard (C-C) (Not Nord Lead 4R).
- USB MIDI.
Suggested Street Price:
Nord Lead 4: 1,849 euro, shipping May 2013. Nord Lead 4R: 1,649 euro, shipping August 2013
More info: www.nordlead4.com
Novation introduces Bass Station II
So, Novation follows the main trend of the past two year – the revival of analog synths, just like the MiniBrute, MS20 mini, Sub Phatty etc
Bass Station II is an analogue mono-synth based on the classic original Bass Station but re-worked for the 21st century. It has two filters, two oscillators plus a third sub-oscillator, patch save and a fully analogue effects section. Add a step sequencer, arpeggiator, full sized keys and a powerful modulation section and you have the makings of a synth that is built for bass, but capable of so much more.
Bass Station II marks Novation’s 21st birthday – find out more about Novation’s early synths and how the technology evolved over 20 years
Analogue synth: brand new version of the classic Bass Station
Bass Station II has a pure analogue audio signal path, reviving the spirit of the original Bass Station with an all-new design optimised for bass.
Two distinct analogue filters
A brand new “Acid” filter joins the “Classic” original Bass Station filter -(“Classic” switches between low, hi and band pass with 12 and 24dB slopes).
Load and save patches
Bass Station II ships with 64 factory patches and a further 64 user slots. Patch dump enables you to archive and swap sounds.
Pattern-based Step Sequencer and Arpeggiator
Bass Station II has an arpeggiator with a programmable step sequencer that enables you to store and call up patterns and quickly sketch-out ideas.
Dedicated Tweakable Controls
Analogue synth layout includes dedicated controls for all major parameters enabling instant hands-on control of the sound engine.
Two Oscillators plus an additional Sub Oscillator
Bass Station II has two sync-able, tune-able oscillators with four selectable waveforms, plus a third sub-oscillator for generating enormous bass sounds.
Analogue effects section
Bass Station II includes fully analogue distortion and filter-modulation effects and a separate filter overdrive to add an aggressive, crunchy sound-quality.
Analogue effects section Flexible modulation featuring 2 Envelopes and 2 LFOs
LFO waveforms include triangle, sawtooth, square and sample & hold. Two ADSR envelopes are available for filter, pitch and pulse width modulation.
MIDI I/O and USB connectivity
Bass Station II can be connected to your music software as well as your MIDI compatible hardware.
Players ‘synth-action’ keyboard with aftertouch
The keyboard mechanism is a two-octave (25 note) velocity sensitive synth-action keyboard with full-size keys and assignable aftertouch
New analog drum machine by MFB: Tanzbär
* Analog Drumcomputer with tight Step-Sequencer and 16 Instrument
* Controllable via Midi and CV/Gate
* Per Instrument indipendant Step lenght
* Programmable Accent and Pitch Bend
* 144 Patterns with A/B and Fills
* 3CV/2Gate channels
* Roll and Flam Recording
* Individual and global Swing Quantize
* Potis können per Step aufgezeichnet werden
* 12 separate and one stereo output
* Midi and Clock Synchronization, Midi Dump
* Microshift via Midi (planned update)
* Wood cheeks and Metall case
* Indicative price: 840,- Euro
Brand new video from OMD – Please Remain Seated
Please Remain Seated is the opening track from the new album English Electric, out now
iTunes: http://smarturl.it/EE-iTunes
CD: http://smarturl.it/EE-CD
CD Deluxe: http://smarturl.it/EE-CDX
LP: http://smarturl.it/EE-LP
Collectors’ Tin Boxset: http://smarturl.it/EE-Box
iTunes:
http://smarturl.it/iTunesEE
Animation by Henning M. Lederer
MusikMesse teasers from Novation, MFB and Dualo
Novation appears to have a bass synth in the making, teasers pics from thier Facebook site yesterday below:
Or perhaps a a two oscillator mono synth
MFB has introduced the Tanzbär Drumcomputer – a new analog drum machine.
Audio demo below:
MFB Drum Computer Session 2 by Yapacc on Mixcloud
And finally a new electronic instrument from Dualo:
Dualo, a start-up company etablished in 2011 by two musicians and engineers, has designed a musical instrument based on a innovative and intuitive keyboard: the du-touch ß.
This original key layout, which is closer to harmony, is an alternative to the layout encountered in a piano, and is called the dualo keyboard.The manner in which the keys have been laid out has been validated by several musicians, and is designed to provide an opportunity to learn, to read and to play music faster than traditional instruments.
In Decembre 2012, after two years of extensive research and development, Dualo has released a limited edition of his first instrument, dualo du-touch ß, already sold-out. Several famous artists decided to support our project, including Cyril Atef (-M-, Bumcello, …), Fixi (Java) and Khalid K.
In view of the enthusiastic reception for our instrument, Dualo is now launching a crowd-funding campaign on KissKissBankBank.com to finance the professional edition, which will be delivered from Decembre 2013.
Our first instrument, “dualo du-touch ß” is designed for amateurs and professionals.
- innovative : it’s the first instrument in the world which use a layout of keys based on the dualo principle
- compact, portable and featuring a wide tessitura : light, designed to come with you everywhere, 5 octaves for 29cm high
- standalone : battery-powered, built-in synthesizer, built-in multi- effect processor, built-in multitrack looper ; audio line out and amplified audio headphones out
- versatile : thanks to the built-in features which allows to play with a wide palette of sounds and to organize them in songs
- original and allowing a wide stage presence : fitted with gesture and movement sensors offering a new generation of musical gesture, a new feel and a new phrasing
- intuitive and instructive : thanks to the dualo principle and to the built-in help system : screen, light display
Teaser of U-he’s new DIVA
Here’s what they have to say about it:
New Diva modules arriving in June: Digital Osc, Uhbie-Filter and Arpeggiator/Sequencer. Here’s a preliminary screenshot
It’s got two oscillators. Each with 8 waveforms. Each waveforms has two “Control” parameters that can be modulated.
Most notably:
– TriangleMod: Does a foldback-distorted triangle wave combined with a symmetry-warp function
– SuperSaw: Does a sawtooth with 6 additional sawtooth mixed in, ad variable detune
– Feedback: Does a sawtooth with distorted feedback at variable (tuned) delay and gain
– Noise: Does noise with adjustable bandpass filtering and cutoff
– PWM: Does PWM with an invented-by-u-he pseudo-resonance control
– plus another sawtooth and triangle waveform
Both oscillators can interact by Ringmodulation, Sync and Crossmodulation.
ES-3 Reaktor 8-Bit LED Display
Using Native Instruments Reaktor to create an 8-bit LED display out of the Expert Sleepers ES-3 Eurorack module. In the first demo using the Malekko 8nu8r to sweep the CV. In the second demo using my ArdCore Pseudo-Random Shift Register sketch. The Reaktor macro is calibrated for the ArdCore which only goes from 0 to 5V. The 8nu8r goes past 7V, so that’s why the LEDs wrap around. This macro can be used as an ArdCore expander by using the ES-3’s outputs as triggers or gates.
Doepfer Dark Time – Islands in the ocean
Background video description:
Yesterday was E-day, always inspiring, you met people who are also involved in E-music which genarate new ideas.
This one pops up, just a combinated single 8 step and 4 step row off the Doepfer Dark Time. The 4 step row controls the Moog LP bass and the 8 step the Waldorf micro Q and at 2:36 the Roland Juno 106.
Additional sounds/solo’s came from the Korg DS 8/Lamda, Realistic Concertmate MG-1 and the Kawai K1r.
Used delay’s for the Moog two from the Yamaha E1005 and the Ibanez DM1000, for Waldorf the Alesis Midiverb (3 triplets) and the Ibanez DM1000.
For the Juno I use the Electrix. Mo-fx.
Halfway there are some variations in tone / octave settings (Berlin School style).
I hope your enjoy, and feel free to leave a comment/question
Use a good audio device to listen to it.
greetings Hans
“Skoulaman”
Strawberry Fields Forever Cover by Super Manetron & GarageBand for iPad
http://www.insideout.co.jp/apps/
The applications that we used…..
– Super Manetron (Mellotron Simulator for iPhone /iPad) as Flute, Brass, Cello
– GarageBand for iPad as Giutar, Bass
– Sitar Piano as Sitar
– iLectric as Piano
Personnel:
Koya Matsuo – Voice
Junichiro Yamasaki – iPad
Super Manetron is the Mellotron for iPhone and iPod touch. Genuine sound sampled from Mellotron M400S (serial number 761) manufactured in the 70’s.
The Mellotron is an vintage sampling keyboard by analog tapes. The Mellotron had a strong impact on rock music, becoming a trademark sound of the progressive rock bands.
You can see an internal mechanism (tape running animation) and can enjoy simulation of Mellotron with eyes and an ear.
Features:
– Core MIDI compatible
– 35Kyes of sampled sounds from Mellotron M400S serial number 761 manufactured in the 70’s.
– 8 sec PCM full sampling sounds each Key
– Scrollable Keyboard & dual Keyboards with switchable key width
– No loop sounds (real performance feeling)
– Pre-loaded with 7 instruments including Flute, 3violins (Strings), Cello, Oboe, 8-voice Choir, Vibes, Brass
– 7 instrument sounds can be set as the favorite position of A,B,C position on setting screen
– A+B, B+C mix sounds position
– The sound of motor and tape rewind mechanical noise
– Tape running animation
– Pitch control by accelerometer
– Built-in Reverb that simulates spring reverb
– Original sounds source are recorded by 96KHz/24 bits
– Compiled under the supervision of Fumitaka Anzai (Famous vintage keyboard player & collector of Japan)
DATAMASKIN
