More NAMM goodies: KingKORG, SPARKLE and Orbit
A demo of the brand new Korg KingKORG analogue modelling synthesizer.
Taking a look at the Numark Orbit – a wireless MIDI controller with an accelerometer, multi-couloured LED pads and a large rotary control.
Checking out the new mini drum machine and controller, SPARKLE. Plus FM get the low-down on the mini Arturia MINILAB controller and software bundle
New Casio Privia PX5S
New Casio Privia PX5S Synth powerhouse, piano and controller
From the press release:
The newly developed Privia Pro PX-5S is a genuine stage piano, advanced MIDI controller and performance workstation packed with functions that set it apart from other digital pianos. Equipped with Casio’s new proprietary sound source, “AiR” (Acoustic and intelligent Resonator), the PX-5S delivers acoustic piano sounds with unmatched realism and detail. The power of AiR is also applied to an all new set of authentic vintage electric piano sounds and clavinets that is paired by a powerful new effects engine giving the PX-5S an arsenal of both acoustic and electric piano sounds.
In addition the PX-5S features a large assortment of fully programmable sounds, including Hex Layer tones derived from the award winning XW-P1 synthesizer. Hex Layers can produce evocative synth sounds as well as complex acoustic and orchestral simulations.
The PX-5S is stage piano like no other. In a remarkable 24 pound package it is also a four-zone performance controller, complete with 4 assignable knobs, 6 assignable sliders, 2 pedal inputs, pitch and modulation wheels. Four independent and programmable arpeggiators allow the PX-5S to expand in to sonic territory by creating an array of animated textures. An 8 track phrase sequencer allows the performer to trigger sequences and riffs which can be triggered and transpose and on the fly, allowing for unheard of performances by a single musician.
“The Privia PX-5S is a new breed of stage piano,” said Schmidt. “Designed with a plethora of features ideal for any performing musician, the PX-5S is sure to raise the bar and caliber of stage pianos within the industry.”
Casio’s PX-5S even provides the ability to record a 44.1kHz .wav file directly to a USB thumb drive so that rehearsals, performances and moments of inspiration can be easily captured and shared.
The PX-5S can be purchased for an MSRP of $1,299 at select music dealers nationwide. For additional information regarding Casio’s Privia line of digital pianos, please visit www.CasioMusicGear.com
NAMM 2013: Moog Sub Phatty in-depth demo and preview
An exclusive in-room demo of the new Moog Sub Phatty. Hear the sounds, learn it’s features and get a deep insight in to all of the sonic possibilities of the new Moog, including driving drums through the brand new multi-drive filter.
Experimental Instruments – The Wheelharp Up Close
WNAMM13: Wheelharp Up Close Video From Antiquity Music
The Wheelharp is a groundbreaking keyboard musical instrument that gives the player the ability to orchestrate a full chromatic scale of sixty-one (61) actual bowed strings at one’s own fingertips, almost like having a real chamber string orchestra at hand.
With an exotic profile and stunning rosette appointments, the Wheelharp’s appearance is equally as breathtaking as its audible character. It is available in a Radial Model (curved keyboard) and a Linear Model (traditional straight keyboard), and in several ranges.
It utilizes a patent-pending action and bridge to translate the player’s subtle fingerings into a range of bowing intensities, and comes equipped with a damper system and electronic pickup system, allowing individuals to sculpt astonishingly beautiful and complex sounds. For musicians, composers, and studios that seek to create the natural sound of classical string instruments while avoiding the frequently sterile quality of digital string synthesizers and samples, or for those looking to foray into new sonic territory, the Wheelharp presents a truly exciting opportunity.
WNAMM13: Novation LaunchKey Video
Novation LaunchKey Video – iPad integration, app switching and more
Launchkey is a range of 25, 49 and 61 note keyboard controllers with up to 50 physical controls including 16 velocity-sensitive multi-colour launch pads that trigger and stop clips – and launch scenes – in Ableton Live. As well as enabling hands-on control of your DAW’s mixer, instruments and more, Launchkey is an integrated software/hardware instrument. The control surface has been designed to work tightly alongside two intuitive apps for iPad: the Launchkey app and the Launchpad app* – plus the powerful V-Station & Bass Station synth plug-ins for Mac and Windows.
Future Music get a demo of the new Novation Launchkey controller keyboard and the accompanying iOS apps.
Time machine: Sequential Circuits Pro-One
Vintage synthesizer demo track by RetroSound
“N°1”
all sounds: Sequential Circuits Pro-One Analog Synthesizer from the year 1981
drums: Roland TR-808 synced with the Pro-One Arpeggiator
recording: multi-track without midi
fx: a little bit delay and reverb
for me one of the best monophonic analog synths ever. perfect for basslines and fx sounds.
more info: http://www.retrosound.de
The Pro One was basically Sequential’s attempt at taking their legendary Prophet 5 poly-synth and packing it into a compact, inexpensive, monophonic analog synth! It has two VCOs, a great 4-pole lowpass filter, two ADSR envelopes (one for filter), and a compact three-octave keyboard. With a Pro-One, you can easily create punchy analog bass-lines and leads or quirky analog synth effects.
The Pro One is an extremely flexible synth with lots of modulation possibilities (ie: the filter, VCO B and LFO can modulate VCO A or B frequencies or pulse widths, or the VCF). There’s also an onboard sequencer, something common on many Sequential synths but not often found on other monosynths of the time. It is very basic, however, storing only two patterns and up to 40 notes max. Also, only pitch info is recorded (and in step time only); you can not assign a note duration to any notes. So it’s basically a short melodic sketch-pad…but useful. Also onboard is an arpeggiator which has UP and UP/DOWN patterns.
Analog synths reborn
Now when Moog and Korg have announced their new affordable all analog synthesizers with more or less vintage flavor I’m still avaiting someone to do a remake the ARP Odyssey and the ARP 2600.
Karl Bartos – “Atomium” (Official Music Video)
It is FINALLY here the new song and video from synth maestro Karl Bartos (ex-Kraftwerk) 
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The former member of Kraftwerk makes a future-world theme song for the Brussels building.
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The new Depeche Mode album – Delta Machine – coming this spring
The new single “Heaven” will be released next Friday. Now, the band have announced that the new Depeche Mode album, entitled “Delta Machine” will be released this Spring.
The album, recorded over the last year in Santa Barbara, California and New York City, was produced by Ben Hillier, who also was a part in producing the last two albums “Sounds of the Universe” and “Playing the Angel”, and mixed by Flood.
The album, called Delta Machine will see Depeche going all-out with the packaging and gizmos.
As well as the standard version, fans will be able to get a deluxe edition that features photos by long-time collaborator Anton Corbijn, as well as remixes of forthcoming single ‘Heaven’ by Matthew Dear, Owlle, Steps to Heaven and Blawan (oof). ‘Heaven’ will be premiered on Vevo next Friday, February 1st.
Speaking about the new record, Martin Gore said: “Writing this album was incredibly daunting as I wanted the sound of this collection to be very modern. I want people to feel good about listening to this record, to get some kind of peace. It’s just got something magical about it.”
Dave Gahan adds: “With this release we’ve completely shifted our idea of how to create an album. When we hit a wall where we realize the album is beginning to sound too normal, we’ll mess it up and really give it that organic Depeche Mode Sound. Delta Machine is no different, and I can’t wait for all of our fans to hear it.”
“Delta Machine” will be released through Columbia Records on March 26th, 2013.
In addition to the album announcement, Depeche Mode have also confirmed that the video for the first single “Heaven” will debut on VEVO next Friday, February 1st.
Tracklist:
01 – Welcome To My World
02 – Angel
03 – Heaven
04 – Secret To The End
05 – My Little Universe
06 – Slow
07 – Broken
08 – The Child Inside
09 – Soft Touch / Raw Nerve
10 – Should Be Higher
11 – Alone
12 – Soothe My Soul
13 – Goodbye
Arturia brings us the MiniLab controller
Arturia has announced the launch of MiniLab, a USB bus-powered powerhouse, featuring 25 velocity-sensitive mini-keys alongside brand-new pitch and modulation touch-strip controls for maximising musical expression in a highly-portable package, details from the press release below:
Music software and hardware company Arturia is proud to announce the NAMM 2013 launch of MiniLab, a stylishly compact and bijou Universal MIDI Controller that’s far from being short on features. MiniLab is a USB bus-powered powerhouse, featuring 25 velocity-sensitive mini-keys alongside brand-new pitch and modulation touch-strip controls for maximising musical expression in a highly-portable package.
16 multifunction encoders — more than those found on any available comparably-sized USB/MIDI controller — ensure everything is at hand to program or perform, wherever life may take or lead you. And if that’s not enough to keep users entertained, two banks of brightly backlit performance pads can be easily assigned as pads, MIDI CC buttons, or program change switches for even speedier interactions with whatever device MiniLab is connected to (via its cleverly-recessed USB bus-power port and sustain pedal input).
Of course, music is where the heart is, and at the heart of MiniLab is the benevolently bundled Analog Lab software solution. With over 5,000 legendary classic keyboard and synth sounds carefully chosen from the Mini V, Modular V, CS-80 V, ARP2600 V, Jupiter-8V, Prophet 5, Prophet VS, Oberheim SEM V, and Wurlitzer V range of Analog Classic software instruments, Analog Lab offers speedy and simple editing with the most essential parameters for personalising presets available onscreen and for tweaking using the MiniLab controls. Notably, those TAE® (True Analog Emulation) synthesis-powered sounds are not sample-based, but are actually running the full synth engine behind the scenes, so offer unparalleled flexibility.
Yet there’s more: owners of those individual Analog Classics or the all-encompassing V Collection 3.0 bundle can open an Analog Lab sound, edit it in the original software instrument, then add it to their Analog Lab library, thereby taking their sound and workflow to a higher state of musical interactivity. Speaking of which, MiniLab is also compatible with Apple iPad and iPhone products (using a camera connection kit).
So, whatever way users choose to use it, musical life on the move’s just got a whole lot sweeter thanks to MiniLab, the world’s premier mobile keyboard solution!
MiniLab will be available to purchase from the Arturia online store or any dealer for €99.00 EURO/$129.00 USD from mid-March 2013.
DATAMASKIN
