NAMM: More pictures of Arturia’s new MiniBrute Hardware Synth
We had a teaser video of the new hardware synth from up earlier this week, now we have a name, some specs and lot’s of pictures to enjoy, below are some of the key features:
Voltage controlled oscillator
25 key keyboard with aftertouch
Steiner-Parker multi-mode filter
Innovative analog Ultrasaw , Metalizer , Brute Factor technology
14 faders and 29 knobs
Rich interface, CV , Gate , USB , MIDI
Advanced arpeggiator
Rugged metal housing
“MiniBrute is Arturia’s new analog synthesizer. With a pure analog signal path and several innovative features, it sets a new standard for what a hardware synthesizer should be. The pure analog, multi-wave oscillator combined with a huge sounding classic multi-mode filter, and wide range of modulation capabilities will bring new life into your recordings and stage performances. Add to that outstanding features like the Ultrasaw, Metalizer, Brute Factor™, Arpeggiator, LFO with sample & hold, full USB/MIDI/CV connectivity; all of which are housed in a rugged metal enclosure and it is almost too brutal to think about!” – Arturia
For more info: arturia.com
According to sources the analog design was made by on of the french SDIY specialist Yves Usson. [aka Yusynth]. The filter is also popular in the modular community include clones by various manufacturers and the new Steiner Synthasystem modular by Nyle Steiner himself.
More info as we get it 
The Dewanatron Novitiate – Introduction
Here is an introduction to the demonstration of the Dewanatron Novitiate- a one-of-a-kind instructional synthesizer designed by Dewanatron for the Bob Moog Foundation. The music you’ll hear in the video was created entirely with the Novitiate (except drums, of course).
Animoog versus the real thing
Here’s a good bass check up from one who I believe knows what he’s talking about when it comes to comparing real Moogs to softies:
Animoog Taurus bass impression, compared with “Taurus” presets from the Moog Little Phatty, and Arturia Minimoog V. $1 vs. $1300 vs. $200.
First thing I worked on with the Moog Animoog iPad app, was programming a passable Taurus-type bass sound(two saws, octave apart, detuned slightly). There is mojo coming from both the Little Phatty and Arturia Minimoog that I couldn’t capture, but I feel like this’ll do a pretty good job in a pinch.
To program the sound, this is what I found:
1. Build off of a static saw Timbre. “StaticFatSaw1″ is good. Putting a “Sine” wave, or “OctaveSaw” in the Timbre slot next to it gives some good variation moving around on the X/Y pad.
2. The key for me to getting the vibe in the right ballpark was forcing the synth into mono operation, and using the “Detune” control to separate the saw into two separate octaves. This can be accomplished in two ways I’ve found:
-(preferable) “Unison” set to “4″, “Detune” set to approximately “8″, and ONLY use the Left audio output from the iPad(I used the “tip” side only of a stereo 1/8″ TRS to dual mono 1/4″ TS cable, coming out of the headphone jack)
- “Unison” set to “2″, and “Detune” very slightly under “10″. This’ll sound alright coming out of the iPad speaker, but is less flexible, and would be difficult to perform with.
3. all Orbit, Path, Delay settings to “0″
4. approx. fiter settings: Drive “10″, Env. “0″, Freq “5.3″, Res. “1″ – maxing out the filter “Drive” seemed to be a key to getting the right amount of “spit” in the sound with the filter wide open.
5. approx. Thick settings: Crush “0″, Drive “2.5″
6. I zeroed out all Mods, except for one, that makes the poly-pressure open up the filter freq:
- Source off, amount “0″
- Control poly-pressure, amount “+33″
- Destination: filter-freq
7. Setting the KB scale to “Chromatic” with “Mono” and “Legato” makes the on screen keyboard act as I would expect. “Cor” at “10″, “Glide” around 45%.
All three Synths recorded straight into Steinberg MR816csx. Levels adjusted slightly, no additional post processing.
Ursa Major Space Station
The Space Station, or SST-282, was described as a “reverberation effect.” It could apparently get reverb times of up to 3.5 seconds. This may not seem like a particularly long time by modern standards, but it was a huge achievement given the architecture that was used. In the SST-282, the reverb effect was obtained by using a single delay line, with 15 output taps from the delay buffer summed and used for feedback, and an additional 8 taps used to monitor the delay line. Multitap delay lines such as this, where several taps are summed and used for feedback, can quickly reach a high reflection density. However, they are notoriously unstable, with the maximum feedback gain being allowed under conventional circumstances being equal to 1 divided by the number out output taps.
The heart of the new Space Station is a single 140MHz Motorola DSP chip programmed with faithful recreations of the original Space Station’s algorithms, some updated versions, plus the new Room reverb. The unique aspect, though, is that the unit is packaged in a slim panel with wooden side cheeks, which is designed to sit on a desk. It measures just 165 x 127 x 150mm (hwd) and weighs next to nothing, with a four-metre connecting cable which terminates in a pair of XLR connectors and a compact universal mains power supply. The latter accepts the usual IEC mains lead and operates on AC voltages from 90V to 260V, consuming less than one Watt of power.
Audio connections are provided only in digital form, with stereo AES input and output provided on flying XLR connectors. The SST206 is a stereo output device, like the original, but where it differs is that it accepts a stereo source where the original was a mono-input device. However, the stereo input is a convenient by-product of adopting the AES input format, and the stereo input is summed to mono to feed the delay/reverb processor. A dedicated Dry Level control allows a percentage of the stereo source signal to be passed through to the stereo outputs, if required.
The unit is optimised for use at a 48kHz sampling rate with 24-bit resolution. It will also operate happily at 44.1kHz and even 32kHz — although the control calibration will be inaccurate at these lower sample rates since the delay and decay times are related to the sampling rate. Similarly, it can also be used at 88.2kHz and 96kHz (but only with the SST Reverb and Echo programs), with proportionally shorter delay and decay times again.
Chroma Polaris Analog Synthesizer
“This is a song made entirely from a Chroma Polaris synthesizer (with a bit of FX during mixdown). Not the most thrilling video from a visual perspective (these are just some pics I had taken awhile back for an eBay auction), but uploaded mostly for an example of its sound.”
Hardware close up:
The Chroma Polaris was the second synthesizer made by Fender/Rhodes after they took over ARP, following their classic Rhodes Chroma. It has a classic analog ARP-like sound, kind-of tinny but also fat. Sounds can be layered up to 6 voices. It has typical analog synth controls including a cool ‘sweep’ knob for sweeping through the LFO or analog filter cutoff parameters. It also has a simple real-time sequencer and 132 memory patches.
There’s also a nice and colorful layout with sliders similar to Roland Juno synths, membrane push-buttons and a large velocity sensitive 61-note keyboard making the Chroma Polaris a very nice synth. Fully MIDI-equipped, the Polaris will transmit and receive all its edit controls through MIDI as well as the ability to play up to three patches at once. Unfortunately they are rare and usually hard to find.
Daniel Fisher on Novation UltraNova
A nice run through of the UltraNova filmed by Sweetwater
Brand new Nova-series synth engine based on Supernova II:
• Single part with up to 18 voices, 14 filter types, 36 wavetables, 5 effect slots
• Patch Browse enables you to browse 300 sounds by type & genre
Touch-sense controls enable totally new sound-shaping & performance:
• Trigger envelopes/LFOs/filters/FX by just touching the encoders
• Large rotary control instantly allows you fine control of any parameter
Totally gig-able with 37 full sized keys, a vocoder, and loads of controls:
• Voice optimized 12 band vocoder with gooseneck mic
• High quality key bed with aftertouch for expressive playing styles
Software plug-in editor and Patch Librarian for full visual editing:
• Plug-in editor allows you to view and edit in with software
• Software Patch Librarian a organise, store and share unlimited patches
Built-in 2 in 4 out USB audio interface and it can be bus powered:
• UltraNova can be used to stream audio to and from a host computer
• Stereo main (analogue & SPDIF) and aux outputs, and MIDI in/out/thru ports
Mini Formanth Challenger
Only at MusikMesse you may sometimes encounter a manufacturer of analog synthesizers focusing solely on buttons and knobs. The Challenger ‘a device with four oscillators, two filters, two way audio and panel-style recliner Minimoog. The price, once in the marketing of the series, should be very interesting. Appears to have been designed by Hans-Joachim Helmstedt and to be a boutique synthesizer now under development
Telemetry – (mini Vostok)
KEY FEATURES OF TELEMETRY
* Pure analogue voice circuitry.
* Patch points to allow more sound types, and to cross-patch with your modular synths
* Mini Pin Matrix patch panel to eliminate the use of some patch cables
* Plenty of modulation possibilities
* Rugged steel construction.
* MIDI In for software sequencer / keyboard control.”
The Blofeld black limited edition
Waldorf is releasing the Blofeld hardware synthesizer in black as a limited edition. Here’s how they are describing this beauty:
Deep in the subterranean Waldorf Laboratories, our scientists have finally discovered the finish that delivers the best sound. We almost had forgot about them when the resurfaced and proudly presented the result of their almost endless struggle to find the ideal material: Neither Mauve nor Lavender nor Ochre result in optimal sound, but a special electron absorbing coating in deep black.
The explanation is simple: as more absorbed electrons reach the inner digital and analog workings of Blofeld and casue each bit to be stronger pronounced, resulting in a very defined and detailled sound. This makes our new Black Blofeld sound even better than before. The new black Blofeld is produced 100% in German Schwarzarbeit and is available only on the black market.
More here http://www.waldorfmusic.de/.
Spectralis 2 virtual analog groove maker
Radikal Technologies are showing their hardware synths at NAMM 2011 with the return of the Spectrailis 2 virtual analog groove maker. Also on on show was the debut of the Accelerator synthesizer. Featuring 3 oscillators, 3 multi-mode filters, FM modulation, wave shaping, advance aftertouch and built in accelerometer that modulates the sounds when you move the keyboard.
Via SM
Contact us
If you want to get in contact with us:
Mail to:steelberryclones(at)
hotmail(dot)com
Synth/EBM
Electro/Skweee
8bit music
Stereoklang Music
Steelberry Clones by Stereoklang Produktion
Purchase the new Bears in Nippon album here
Purchase the Zoo System - Collision Upstairs album here
Purchase the Steelberry Clones - Back to the 50's album here
Steelberry Clones - Digít, 2009 on iTunes
Electronic music newsMusic software we use
New stuff
LISTEN TO THE NEW STEELBERRY CLONES SINGLES ON SOUNDCLOUD (click the images below)
LISTEN TO THE NEW ELECTRONICALLY YOURS ALBUM ON SPOTIFY (click the image below)
MUSIC FROM OUR READERS
Promote your electronic music at Stereoklang by Stereoklang Produktion
Send us your soundsSTEREOKLANG HOME
Loops and more
Recommended free SW stuff
Camel Audio – Alchemy Player
U-He – TyrellN6
U-He – Zebralette
Applied Acoustics Systems – Swatches
IK Media – AmpliTube 3 Free
Reaper DAW
Partners
Magazines
