AlphaSphere IndieGoGo Campaign
What is the AlphaSphere?
The AlphaSphere is a brand new musical instrument. Consisting of 48 tactile pads, it combines iconic design and smart materials to create an audio-visual experience that is truly unique. The pads are touch sensitive and can be infinitely programed to trigger electronic sounds. The AlphaSphere will bring modern music production and performance off the computer screen and back into the hands of the musician. Know the feeling when you suspect the DJ is just checking his emails? You can say goodbye to that…
* A hands on way of producing music
* Sounds triggered by malleable pads
* Varying pressure applied to pad can control a number of parameters – volume, pitch, oscillations etc.
* Apply your own sounds or samples using Open Sound Control
* Integrated LEDs for full visual effect
* Can be easily used as a synth, a step sequencer, or a MIDI controller as well as being an instrument in its own right
The Technology
The brain of the AlphaSphere is based on an XMOS processor. The processing power and multi-core architecture allows for ultimate responsiveness and the possibility to expand the signal processing done on board. The prototype connects to the outside world using Open Sound Control which can interface with MIDI. Though there are plans for internal voices and sample-sets, we will always keep the AlphaSphere programmable, so any sound you conceive can be uploaded and shared. The Firmware and Software for the AlphaSphere are based on open source software and the code will be publicly hosted and documented. We are looking to foster a community around developing for the AlphaSphere, and hope that developers and producers alike can create and share new systems and sounds for the instrument.
There is also a speaker within the AlphaSphere itself, taking full-advantage of the inbuilt acoustics of the spherical resonant chamber. To play electronic music with the AlphaSphere, feels like you are literally holding the sounds in your hand, morphing and shaping them as you please.
3D audio binaural plugin for DAWs
Longcat Audio Technologies has announced the Mac version of H3D VST, a 3D audio binaural plugin for Digital Audio Workstations. The Windows version, which was previously available, has been updated also.
H3D works within your DAW and lets you place and “animate” instruments in a virtual 3D space.
Features:
- 3D object-based mixing: use the 3D interface to visually place and animate sounds.
- Longcat Audio H3D technology: when listening on headphones, H3D allows panning sound in 3D all around the listener’s head.
- Unique HRTF processing: H3D uses Longcat own processed HRTF filters in order to achieve the best spatialization effects.
- H3D Reverb: immerse your tracks with H3D Reverb, a spatialized binaural reverberation.
- Automation: fully automate parameters and 3D animation of audio tracks.
- No tedious settings: Just insert H3D plugins and start moving sounds in 3D.
H3D is available now for 99€ (incl. EU VAT) via Longcat’s online shop.
Ear Machine has announced the release of EARs
Ear Machine has announced the release of EARs , an app that turns an iPhone or iPod touch into a powerful, easy-to-use hearing aid. With EARs, users can quickly manipulate the tone of the sounds around them by dragging a single dot around the screen.
Ear Machine has announced the release of EARs, an app that turns an iPhone or iPod touch into a powerful, easy-to-use hearing aid.
With EARs, users can quickly manipulate the tone of the sounds around them by dragging a single dot around the screen.
“Every listening situation is different, so it’s important to be able to customize the tone as you move from one environment to another,” said Andrew Sabin, Ear Machine owner and psychoacoustics researcher. “EARs provides a simple interface where users can quickly get the sound quality they are looking for, and then get back to listening.”
EARs picks up sounds in real time using the iPhone’s built-in microphone or an external microphone. The sounds are processed according to where the user has placed the dot, and then sent out via earphones. EARs can also help if the user has different hearing in their two ears by providing separate controls for the right and left ears.
In the United States, only about one-third of the people who could benefit from a hearing aid actually use one, and self-contained hearing aids can cost as much as $3,000. “We hope that EARs will provide a convenient and affordable way for people with hearing loss to improve their hearing,” said Joshua Cooper, co-creator of EARs. “Even if you have normal hearing, EARs can enhance your ability to listen in difficult environments such as noisy restaurants or bars.”
EARs is for available to purhcase from the iTunes App Store for $3.99 USD.
More information: Ear Machine / EARs
MIDI-controlled 8-bit digital synthesizer & lo-fi audio sampler
Introduction to the “deMIDulator”: my PIC-based MIDI-controlled 8-bit digital synthesizer and audio sampler. That’s a lot of hyphens!
Device generates several different sounds based on incoming MIDI Note On/Off, Pitch Wheel and Control Change messages. Default waveforms are Sine and Square. An audio sampling function is available to record custom waveform samples that can then be played-back similarly to Sine and Square waveforms (think Impulse Tracker or Scream Tracker or any other tracker from 1997). Audio input is switchable between on-board microphone and external 4-conductor headset jack.
Current Features:
* Simple interface
* Sine, Square and audio Sample playback waveforms
* Audio input switchable between on-board Mic and headset jack
* Up to 4 seconds of recorded audio @ 8bit x 3.937kHz
* Switchable mono / 4-note polyphony for all waveforms
* Pitch Wheel (glitch) support
* Sustain support
* Program Change support for switching waveform modes
* All MIDI notes implemented
* Volume and Output Filter Cutoff controls
* Powerful 150mW headphone amplifier can drive headphones or external speaker
* 4-conductor audio jack for use with iPhone compatible headsets (earbuds w/mic)
* Powered by 3 x AAA batteries, DC power jack or ICSP header
* Final firmware written completely in Assembly
* ICSP header for reprogramming PIC
* PCB includes unpopulated MIDI output jack for fun
Synthrtotek.com iPod iPad & IPhone Audio Interface
Synthrtotek.com iPod iPad & IPhone Audio Interface with Left & Right 1/4″ Stereo OUTS Fender Stat
This is out new audio interface for only $35.99 that outputs to discrete Left and Right 1/4 channels. Made in the USA. This demo is with the Moog Filtatron using a Fender Strat and Korg Kaoss Pad 2.
Audio-visual interpretation of ones life
Introspectre is a simplistic audio-visual interpretation of ones life, with all its ups and downs and unpredictable or uncotrolable events, where every dot represents a memory, a path or a choice that surcomes us each and every moment of our being, which ultimately defines us, and makes us who we are and will be. Deciding our fate exactly as it is from infinite possibilities which will eventually lead us to nothing more than one specific ending.
Video was intended to provoke a relaxed retrospective of ones memories and induce a peacefull state of mind.
soundtrack – depeche mode – playing the angel
Audiovisualizer synth
_www_ audiovisualizer synth app + iPad
Some clips of me playing around with _www_ on my iPad. Powerful and inspiring new audiovisualizer synth app for iOS by OKAHON.
You can download the operation manual: here. Kazuyuki has also posted 12 tutorial videos on his website: okahon.com/works/www.html. It’s available in the App store now for $1.99: App Store Link
AudioStage – Full-3D Sound Mixing With Virtual Sound Scenes
Introducing AudioStage LITE, a free edition of our 3D audio mixing technology AudioStage, now available for public download. Visit us on www.longcat-audio.com!The interface may be used with tactile screens or a mouse, and allows for a simple sound and space authoring.
Free audio effect VST for Windows
PresetExchange has released a collection of free audio effects VSTs for Windows:
i’ve put the next versions of the effects up in the effects section.
featured in this update are three new effects: reverb, quantizer and limiter.
new features include new knob graphics, caching of bitmaps (allowing better, bigger bitmaps) and some optimization.
the code for the vu meters has been improved – it will now catch peak values more accurately and an rms mode is available – although rms mode is not yet configurable on the gui.
the phaser has been improved – tuning is improved as well as other small changes. it should sound more “stable” now.
the compressor has had a “gain reduction” meter added.
If you give PresetExchange’s free audio effects a try, leave a comment with your thoughts!
via bedroomproducers
New fat DAW Controller and SuperAnalogue™ audio hub
Solid State Logic has announced Nucleus, a unique, high quality DAW Controller and SuperAnalogue™ audio hub for professional project studios.
Nucleus re-defines the professional project studio with a combination of advanced DAW control, transparent SuperAnalogue™ monitoring, high class analogue mic pres, pro quality USB audio interface and bundled SSL Duende plug-ins. There is no other product available which offers the professional producer/engineer all these elements, with benchmark audio performance and elegant ergonomics. Not only is it unique but Nucleus is also outstanding value; these elements bought separately would cost more and deliver a less elegant solution.
Nucleus is a compact desktop unit that creates a comfortable, efficient, hands on operating environment for DAW based Music and Film/TV Post production. It provides everything you need to record and monitor audio and to control your DAW quickly and efficiently without resorting to your mouse. Nucleus streamlines your workflow and helps you focus on your sound, not your screen.
Nucleus features
- Advanced DAW Controller
- HUI & MCU control; compatible with ProTools®, Logic®, Cubase/Nuendo® and all major DAW applications.
- Switch between 3 connected DAW’s with a single button press.
- Two banks of 8 channel controls plus centre section controls.
- Touch sensitive 100mm motorised faders.
- Digital Scribble Strips with assignable V-Pots and soft keys.
- Completely user customisable DAW & Key Command mapping.
- Large heavy duty transport buttons and high quality jog/shuttle wheel.
- Standard 1/4” Jack footswitch connection.
- Excellent visual feedback via self illuminating buttons, LED’s and DAW Level Metering.
- Remote Logictivity Browser for effortless configuration.
- SD card for non volatile project storage.
- Four USB sockets for use as a 4 port USB hub.
- Unique audio nerve centre for your project studio
- Benchmark SuperAnalogue™ quality output to separate +4dBu & -10dBV connections.
- High quality USB audio interface stereo record and playback path for your DAW.
- Two Combi XLR mic/line/instrument level inputs to audio interface and monitor outputs.
- Digital S/PDIF I/O to the AD/DA of the audio interface.
- Zero latency Rec monitoring with wet/dry control to balance input and DAW playback.
- SSL SuperAnalogue™ Mic Pre’s, identical to those used on SSL Duality and AWS consoles.
- Mic inputs have 80Hz High Pass Filters, Phase Reverse and Phantom Power.
- Insert send/return connections switched between inputs and DAW playback for mixdown.
- Additional ‘external’ SuperAnalogue™ input monitor path for another audio interface.
- Two headphone outputs and one iJack monitor input.
- The Duende Native Essentials Bundle
- Nucleus includes the Duende Native Essentials Bundle of VST/AU/RTAS plug-ins which includes; The SSL Channel EQ & Dynamics plug-in and the Stereo Bus Compressor plug-in.
Nucleus will be available from SSL Resellers Worldwide from Dec 2010 priced at £3000 GBP / 3599 EUR / $4999 USD (prices excl. VAT).
More information: Solid State Logic / Nucleus
DATAMASKIN
