NAMM 2013: Numark Orbit – DJ Controller
Eric from Numark walks us through their brand new DJ controller The Orbit
Numark, the world’s leading manufacturer of DJ technology, introduces Orbit, a first-of-its-kind wireless handheld DJ performance controller. Numark will unveil Orbit at and around Booth 6700 at the 2013 NAMM show, January 24-27 in Anaheim, California.
Numark’s Orbit is the next step in the evolution of the performing DJ. Made to be held in the hands, strapped to your body using its built-in clip, or placed on the table, Orbit packs an unheard-of amount of control into an ergonomic game-controller-on-steroids design, which has every inch, inside and out, tailor-made for live performance. Orbit can be used wired via the included USB cable, which also charges it, or wireless using 2.4 GHz ultra-low-latency connectivity. Orbit features 4 selectable banks of 16 backlit pads, 8 on each side, for adding and blending effects, launching hot cues and samples, and more. Located in the center of Orbit are 4 bank selection buttons, 4 virtual knobs, and a large aluminum-faced touch- sensitive control wheel, which controls the selected virtual knob for instantly tweaking effects and filters.
“If you want to be a serious DJ these days, you need the guts and the gear to get out on the stage and perform,” said Chris Roman, Numark Product Manager. “Orbit embraces that reality to its core, empowering DJs with performance capabilities that will need to be seen and experienced to be believed. It’s intuitive, operating like an extension of the DJ—not to mention it’s the most fun you’ll ever have on stage.”
Orbit’s live-performance design extends even to the inside of the device, where it has an embedded 2-axis accelerometer, which can be assigned to 2 different parameters per bank and activated instantly via 2 shoulder buttons. All of Orbit’s controls are fully mappable, so DJs will be able to customize their settings for effects control, transport control, volume control, or any other MIDI parameter. Numark will demonstrate Orbit for the first time at Booth 6700 at the 2013 NAMM show.
Sub Phatty Demo With Huston Singletary
Sound and preset designer Huston Singletary describes the sound and architecture of the new sub Phatty as viscously rich and super intuitive. “This is on another level”.
Rumors were true – KORG will announce the KingKORG at NAMM 2013
There were rumors and they are true: Korg will announce a new synth at NAMM 2013: The KingKORG.
Korg.de has all the info, here is a translation by Google:
KingKORG is the standalone analog modeling synthesizer with a huge potential! KingKORG embodies the seamless continuation of the design philosophy of classic KORG analogsynths like the MS-20 and Mono / Poly, from which the Prophecy have originated Z1, MS2000, and RADIAS.
This fascinating new instrument has the unique characteristics typical synthesizer and an arsenal of practical controls for a perfect sound design. Despite its impressive technology and synth beginners become familiar with KingKORG quickly. On stage, he offers not only his great sound, but also literally, with its magnificent champagne-gold finish that emphasizes its royal name – KingKORG.
- Full featured analog modeling synth with 61 keys – optimized for live performance
- Powerful oscillators – understandable for beginners, fascinating for experts
- Modeling Filters for the reproduction of classical instruments
- 3 effect sections (each with 6 types of effects) to the perfect design of the sound
- Vacuum Tube Driver for brilliant overtones fat Distortion
- New panel layout for intuitive operation
- CV / GATE OUT jack mono tribe or to control a Korg MS-20 (mini)
- Free Librarian software for program management to download
Additional details:
KingKORG | synthesizer
The king of the analog modeling synth – a terrific live performance
KingKORG is de r independent analog modeling synthesizer with a huge potential! KingKORG embodies the seamless continuation of the design philosophy of classic KORG analogsynths like the MS-20 and Mono / Poly, from which the Prophecy have originated Z1, MS2000, and RADIAS. This fascinating new instrument has the unique characteristics typical synthesizer and an arsenal of practical controls for a perfect sound design. Despite its impressive technology and synth beginners become familiar with KingKORG quickly. On stage, he offers not only his great sound, but also literally, with its magnificent champagne-gold finish that emphasizes its royal name – KingKORG.
Highlights
Full featured analog modeling synth with 61 keys – optimized for live performance
Powerful oscillators – understandable for beginners, fascinating for experts
Modeling Filters for the reproduction of classical instruments
3 effect sections (each with 6 types of effects) to the perfect design of the sound
Vacuum Tube Driver for brilliant overtones fat Distortion
New panel layout for intuitive operation
CV / GATE OUT jack mono tribe or to control a Korg MS-20 (mini)
Free Librarian software for program management to download
“Powerful oscillators – understandable for beginners, fascinating for experts
In addition to a complex “3-oscillator x 2-timbre” technique to generate richer and more detailed sounds KingKORG features a newly developed XMT modeling sound engine. XMT (Xpanded Modeling Technology) is a proprietary Korg technology that allows easy operation in producing diverse sounds.
In conventional synthesizers, the individual oscillators while the sound creation only sequentially adjustable, the overall picture is hard to overlook. In contrast, offers KingKORG preset algorithms with various combinations of oscillators, which differ in type and number, and allow easy, fast creation of cool sounds.
The wide range of oscillator algorithms including not only the usual analogsynths sawtooth and square waves or noise generators, but also numerous PCM / DWGS algorithms that open up an entirely new field for a very custom sounds.
“Modeling Filters reproduce the sound of vintage instruments
Since the filter section on the characteristics of a synthesizer decides significantly, they found during the development of KingKORG special attention. The already large variety of analog modeling filter is significantly extended by the extremely flexible filtering of KingKORG.
In addition to the wide range of indispensable analog modeling filter types get realistic filter models to reproduce the analog monophonic lead and bass synths of the 70s, the New Wave typical polyphonic synths of the 80 and the filter of the classic Korg MS-20 analog synth.
Furthermore, can the setting of the filter resonance up to self increase – an existing analogsynths only real feature!”
“3 effect sections with 6 types of effect for a perfect make-up sound
KingKORG offers three effect sections with six types of effects: PRE FX with effects such as distortion and amp simulator FX MOD with classic effects such as phaser, chorus and tremolo, and REV / DELAY with spatial effects such as reverb and delay effects and different Plate. Each effect processor has it own dial to select the desired effect type. With the arranged underneath FX controls can precisely fine-tune the effect.”
“Vacuum Tube Driver for brilliant overtones fat Distortion
Based on decades of experience in analog technology, a fully developed KORG analog vacuum tube driver circuit as a mastering effect for KingKORG. It produces the entire range between warm sonority and intense overdrive.”
“Vocoding
The built-in vocoder uses the input of the Board held on microphone input for sound processing and brings the synth seems to speak.
His Formant Shift function causes dramatic sound modifications, while the Formant Hold function a vowel is “frozen”, which can then play with the keyboard.
Thanks KingKORGs Doppeltimbre architecture can combine the vocoder even with a different timbre and use it as additional sound or modulation source.
Virtual Patch function
With many classic synthesizers (such as the MS-20) could configure the signal flow with patch cables to physically connect one element to another. KingKORG forms this function by using an intuitive virtual patch system. Over six Virtual Patch assignments per timbre can be joint control signals such as EG, LFO, or virtual joystick movement with sound parameters like pitch or cutoff and modulate these creative.”
“Step Arpeggiator function
The Step Arpeggiator automatically generated from a sustained chord a tone sequence (arpeggio). You can choose among six Arpeggio and set duration, interval and on / off status of each Steps to arpeggios exactly to your own performance.
New panel layout for intuitive operation
The newly designed control panel is divided into logical blocks that direct the attention to the things that are for the processing of sounds important. Although KingKORG reflects the signal flow of a analogsynths in its construction, to its control panel is the most modern technology. For example, the oscillator section shows on its own display the name of the currently selected algorithm.
By turning the selector dial to appear adjacent to it are descriptive names, and by pressing the wheel to jump to the beginning of categories such as ANALOG or DWGS. The knobs are the most effective and most important parameters assigned to each oscillator and provide access to the unique features of an analog synthesizer sound design — by turning knob. Also for each of the three effects, a separate controller is available to easily experiment with different effect settings and test their effect on the sound. A self-luminous organic EL display (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) provides on dimly lit stages for excellent readability.”
“On the CV / GATE OUT jack allows an analog signal for controlling a mono tribe or KORG MS-20 output. With the included cable you can then eg play the mono tribe on KingKORG keyboard!
KORG Mini MS-20 additional information and specifications
Korg is celebrating their 50th company anniversary this year, the MS-20 turns 35. This suggest paying homage to this cult synth. And indeed, on NAMM 2013 Korg presents a “real”, fully analog MS-20, just as we know and love it.
Called Mini-MS-20, it is ca. 15% smaller than the original, and sports a MIDI In and a USB MIDI port. This isn’t using surplus Legacy cases as some have speculated (which were 20% smaller) but instead individually designed cases, equipped with a specifically developed keybed. The main PCB is more or less euqivalent to the original, including the components selected to be as close to the original as possible. It is not yet known which filter variant has been chosen, although it may be assumed that, just with the Monotron, it will be equivalent to the Korg35 chip, with slight modifications.
BTW, project management were the same engineers who did the originals. As a consequence, the instruments include the original manual, including patch sheets. You don’t have to be a seer to expect a golden future for the Mini MS-20. With a suggested price of 600 Euros, this will find many friends, and will make all those happy who couldn’t afford a ‘real’ MS-20 due to their exorbitant 2nd hand prices
The MS-20 is reborn! 1978 original circuits come to life
Presented in 1978, the MS-20 monophonic synthesizer, thanks to its rich, robust sound, his powerful, iconic analog filters and flexible patching options to be popular today. The typical sounds of the original MS-20, the Korg MS-20 synthesizer plug-in the Legacy Collection and the iMS-20 app for the iPad, now attracting more than 300,000 users.
Now the sounds of the MS-20, MS-20 are in the mini wakes to new life. The same engineers who developed the 1978 MS-20, today’s circuits reproduced faithfully and its physical size reduced to 86% of the original size, without changing the traditional and timeless look of the model or to waive details!
The MS-20 mini fascinated today with absolutely authentic analog synthesizer sounds of his ancestors.
Developer comments
The 50-year anniversary KORG we again engaged in an analogue synth and this effort to create flowing parameter settings that characterize analog synthesizer especially. The original specifications of the MS-20 should remain intact. The developed by us 35 years ago, analog circuits still deliver the same unbeatable, powerful sound, from the lowest bass to the extreme heights. To experience the depth of the MS-20 mini, you have to play it yourself!
Highlights
The MS-20 mini was realized by the engineers of the first MS-20 and used a complete reproduction of the original analog circuit
2VCO / 2VCA / 2VCF / 2EG / 1LFO structure
Self-oscillating high pass / low pass filter with a unique distortion
External signal processor (ESP)
Extremely flexible patching system
Reproduction of the MS20 at 86% of its physical size
Reproduces every detail of the original, down to the packaging, the manual in the original style, the template for the patch panels and patch cables
MIDI IN and USB port”
Update 3: some additional specs:
“Keyboard – control voltage output (exponential) (0 – +8 V)
Keyboard – trigger output (+5 V -> GND)
VCO-2-1 + VCO control voltage input (linear response) (0 – +8 V)
VCO-2 control voltage input (linear response) (0 – +8 V)
Second VCO:
VCO-1 + VCO-2 external frequency control input (OCT / V) (-5 V – +5 V)
Third VCF:
External signal input (max 3 Vp-p.)
External control input for the cutoff frequency of the high-pass filter (2oct / V) (-5 V – +5 V)
External control input for the cutoff frequency of the lowpass filter (2oct / V) (-5 V – +5 V)
4th VCO + VCF:
Total external modulation input (T.EXT) (-5 V – +5 V)
5th VCA:
External control input of the initial gain (0 – +5 V)
6th EC:
EC 1 envelope – Normal output (-5 V – 0 V)
EC 1 envelope – turned output (+5 V – 0 V)
EC EC 1 + 2 trigger input (-> GND)
EC 1 trigger input (-> GND)
EC 2 envelope – turned output (+5 V – 0 V)
7th MG:
Delta output (sawtooth positive – Triangle – Sawtooth inverted) (5 Vp-p)
Square-wave output (pulse width – rectangle – narrow pulse) (0 – +5 V)
8th Noise Generator:
Pink noise output (5 Vp-p)
White Noise output (5 Vp-p)
9th Sample and Hold:
Clock trigger input (-> GND)
Sample signal input (5 Vp-p max.)
S / H output (5 Vp-p max.)
10th Modulation VCA:
Control voltage input (0 – +5 V)
Signal input (-5 V – +5 V)
Signal output (-5 V – +5 V)
11th Game Help Manual:
Control Wheel-output (-5 V <-0 v=””> +5 V)
Non-locking switch output (-> GND)
Arturia Minibrute Oscillator Test
Background video description:
I just bought a MiniBrute. Being the synth geek that I am, I had to see the waveforms! I plugged in my new synth and began testing starting from the sub oscillator. This is a video of each oscillator being tested one by one.
The large draw for the MiniBrute lies within the fantastic oscillators. Each one offers an extra timber control to sculpt a unique sound with out even adding any more effects. This is what the waveforms look like with a clean signal.
Antidote Signature – new ReFill for the Antidote Rack Extension
Soundcells has announced Antidote Signature, a ReFill for the Antidote Rack Extension by Synapse Audio.
Antidote Signature for Reason 6.5 and up is based on the Antidote Rack Extension from Synapse Audio – a synthesizer that offers a powerful architecture to produce more than mere ‘bread and butter‘ sounds, combined with a clear and logical user interface. Thanks to its high quality oscillators and the zero-latency filter design – among some other great features -, the user can be sure always to get a very clear and powerful sound out of Antidote.
The Antidote Signature ReFill is an impressive proof of this, and it brings highly playable and great sounding patches to the user´s hand. It´s not genre-specific, so Wurlitzer-like pianos, modern screaming but also classic hardware-like leads, punching basses, warm & rich pads and surprising textures emphasize why this little gem should be part of everybody´s portfolio…
Antidote Signature features
- 70 Combinator patches.
- 100 Antidote patches: Atmos & Textures, Bass, Keys, Leads, Pads, Rhythmic, SFX.
- Well programmed mod matrix assignments.
- Well balanced volume settings & carefully assigned modwheel and combinator buttons and knobs.
The ReFill is available to purchase for 8.90 EUR (requires Synapse-Audio Antidote RE, not included).
Confirmed the KORG MS-20 is back – Mini MS-20
The news has just came in from winter NAMM 2013. Korg are officially reissuing in the MS-20 in a smaller, more compact size. It will be using mini-jacks (1/8″ instead of 1/4″) and have USB-MIDI as well as regular MIDI… all this while of course being fully analogue.
Price is a very reasonable €600 and will be shipping in late february 2013.
Let’s hope it sounds as good as the original!
Cubase iC Pro for iOS
Connecting deeper to Cubase than any other app, Cubase iC
Pro is the most advanced Cubase control app with a clear focus
on recording, making it your very personal recording assistant.
The project overview page and the mixer allow you to see your
project as you know it from Cubase, while the key command
page gives you a powerful tool to set up your most-used
keyboard shortcuts and macros. Up to four dedicated cue mixes
can be set up with Cubase iC Pro, giving musicians the
freedom to adjust their own mix with a phone or tablet. Cubase
iC Pro is Cubase’s perfect companion!
www.steinberg.net/cubaseicpro
New from Roland: V-Combo VR-09 Introduction
Travel-ready, affordable, and outfitted with top-level Roland sounds, the V-Combo VR-09 is the ideal all-in-one solution for performing keyboard players. Dedicated piano, organ, and synth sound engines—organized in three intuitive blocks on the front panel—provide all the essential tones you need, right under your fingertips. The powerful real-time controls give you maximum expression on stage, with nine sliders for tone shaping and a large array of knobs and buttons for tweaking the seven simultaneous effects and various parameters. Other great features include an onboard looper, a drum section stocked with a library of rhythms for practice and jamming, and more. With its versatile sound selection, inspiring operation, and smart user interface, the V-Combo VR-09 is a dream come true for gigging musicians
Professional keyboard with instant-access operation for performing musicians
Light and mobile; battery or AC power
Pro-quality acoustic and electric pianos, including grand piano with 88-note stereo multi-sampling
SuperNATURAL-powered Virtual Tone Wheel organ with nine harmonic bars, plus newly developed transistor-type ‘60s organ tone
Wide range of synth tones, from vintage classics to modern essentials
Seven simultaneous effects with dedicated real-time controls
Looper and built-in rhythm patterns; WAV/MP3/SMF song playback via optional USB memory
Free VR-09 Editor app available for iPad
Intuitive Operation for Expressive Stage Performance
The V-Combo VR-09 was designed from the ground up with the needs of live players in mind. An intuitive front-panel layout and clear LCD screen offers quick access to Roland’s top piano, organ, and synth sound engines, along with plenty of real-time controls for expressive tone manipulation. Seven simultaneous effects include rotary, delay, reverb, tone, overdrive, compressor, and customizable MFX, with dedicated knobs that tweak multiple parameters with a single twist for powerful sound shaping with minimal effort. The smart interface makes it simple to set up splits and layers on the fly, and to save all your keyboard settings in user memory locations for instant recall on stage.
Pro Acoustic and Electric Pianos
Piano is a cornerstone sound for live playing, and the V-Combo VR-09 is filled with a wide selection for covering all musical styles. The gorgeous acoustic grand piano features 88-note stereo multi-sampling, delivering pro-level tone that rivals Roland’s dedicated stage pianos. Many popular vintage E. Piano sounds are onboard as well, along with complimentary effects such as vintage phaser and tremolo. The compressor—accessible via a dedicated, easy-to-reach knob—transparently boosts the level of the piano sounds, ensuring that your playing always cuts through when performing in loud bands.
World-Class Organs
Roland’s renowned SuperNATURAL technology powers the V-Combo VR-09’s classic tonewheel organs, while nine harmonic bars provide authentic real-time performance control. A newly developed transistor-type organ is also included, offering the unique sound of combo instruments from the 1960s. The 61-note keyboard has an extremely fast response, perfect for essential organ techniques such as trill, sputter, glissando, and percussive hits. Rotary speaker and amp simulators reproduce the characteristics of vintage organ speaker cabinets and overdriven tube circuits with astounding realism, while a new “Twin Rotary” option delivers a deep, aggressive effect never before heard.
Vintage and Modern Synth Tones
The V-Combo VR-09 is packed with a ton of ready-to-play synthesizer sounds, from vintage analog classics like JUNO strings and ‘80s synth brass to textured, modern-era digital tones and beyond. Front-panel controllers allow you to tweak the synth tones intuitively in real time, including convenient ADR and cutoff/resonance adjustment with the harmonic bars in the ORGAN block. Onboard effects like “Bit Crash” provide the ability to create modern synth voices for current dance music, including dubstep
VR-09 Editor for iPad
The free VR-09 Editor app for iPad gives you powerful, intuitive control of the organ and synth sound engines via your tablet’s full-color touchscreen interface. Quickly edit organ sounds and customize vintage tonewheel characteristics such as leakage, click noise, and rotary speed, and easily access synth sounds to build custom tones and layers. After tweaking sounds at home, you can take your iPad to the gig and use the app for extra real-time control on stage. Convenient, cable-free communication between the V-Combo VR-09 and iPad is simple to set up with Roland Wireless Connect. Alternately, you can link up with a USB cable via Apple’s iPad Camera Connection Kit.
http://www.rolandconnect.com/product.php?p=vr-09
01. (00:00 – ) Overview
02. (01:33 – ) Piano Ballad
03. (02:09 – ) E.Piano with 80s Pop Music
04. (03:30 – ) Piano and Pad Split (Dual), Write Registration
05. (04:40 – ) Funky Groove with Clav
06. (05:48 – ) Dance Music with Tweaks
07. (07:02 – ) Dance Track by Looper
08. (08:53 – ) Rock Organ and Progressive Rock Organ
09. (10:47 – ) Jazz Organ
10. (11:48 – ) Transistor Organ with 60sPop Music
11. (12:28 – ) VR-09 Editor (Organ mode)
12. (13:14 – ) VR-09 Editor (Synth mode)
Performed by Keiki Uto, Japan
NAMM 2013: Sneak peek at the new SWAGG Kontakt library
More NAMM Updates coming –http://namm.soundsandgear.com
This is a sneak peak of a new kontakt workstation from VIP Loops (MVP Loops) and distributed through Big Fish Audio. It’s called SWAGG and it’s a new urban/pop workstation with a bunch of instruments and a custom interface.
I will be getting an exclusive interview with the creators as well as more footage this week at NAMM. It will be debuted at the Big Fish Audio booth.
DATAMASKIN
