Coming soon the Akai Pro MPK mini
The Akai Pro MPK mini is an ultra-compact mini-keyboard with an impressive array of buttons, knobs and pads to provide “hands-on” performance and production control no matter your location. MPK mini strikes the perfect balance between portability and comprehensive software control by melding together the complete control offered in the popular Akai Pro MPK family with the grab-and-go convenience of the LPK25 and LPD8. With a 25-note keyboard, 8 back-lit, MPC-style pads and 8 Q-Link knobs, the MPK mini is the ultimate portable controller to get your music moving.
The MPK mini keyboard is ideal for quickly entering notes and phrases into your computer. The velocity-sensitive keys allow you to accurately express dynamics, while accessing different pitch ranges is done instantly through dedicated Octave Up and Down buttons. Create sparkling, staccato leads and driving bass-lines in a variety of time denominations and patterns with MPK mini’s built-in Arpeggiator. A Tap-Tempo button gives you the ability to quickly adjust the Arpeggiator clock which is essential if you’re looking to stay in sync with a band. A Sustain button holds notes after releasing your hand from the keyboard allowing you the opportunity to easily pound pads and twist knobs, with no pedal required.
MPK mini’s 8 back-lit, velocity-sensitive pads are based on Akai Professional’s MPC line of iconic music production stations. Great for firing one-shot samples and sequencing drum patterns, you can use the pads to send note information, MIDI CCs, or even program changes. Pressing the Bank button will quickly toggle between 2 banks of pads giving you access to 16 pads in total. Additionally, the MPK mini has 8 assignable Q-Link knobs to control virtually any parameter in your software.
MPK mini works plug-and-play with Mac and PC and requires no software driver installation or wall power for operation. It has four memory banks for programming and recalling settings appropriate to your favorite software programs. The included software editor lets you quickly map MPK mini’s controls as well.
Your start into the modular world
The Modular Dock is the connection between the Mono Lancet and your modular system. It can be your start into the modular world as well as a great expansion for the modules you already have.
* audio output per VCO
* CV input for frequency- and pulsewidth-modulation with attenuator per VCO
* filter input
* CV input with attenuator for VCF and VCA
* CV/Gate output (1V/octave – use the Mono Lancet as MIDI-to-CV converter)
* 3U eurorack module, 22HP
* German retail price: EUR 160,00 inkl. 19% VAT
* available in October 2010″
http://www.vermona.com/
CLASP gets reward
CLASP was nominated for the upcoming 26th Annual Technical Excellence & Creativity Awards (TEC) by top industry pros – engineers, studio owners, producers and other leading industry figures – further underscoring the system’s growing reputation within the professional audio industry.
Commenting on their nomination, Endless Analog founder and CLASP inventor Chris Estes commented, “We’re very proud to be acknowledged for the CLASP by the top industry professionals. It is truly an honor to receive such accolades from our peers!”
CLASP is the world’s first and only pro audio hardware that lets you record on real analog tape with digital speed. CLASP provides sample accurate tape synchronization with zero latency analog monitoring while delivering a true Analog front end recording solution for Pro Tools. Already being used by top artists, producers and engineers worldwide, CLASP is re-inventing analog for the digital age. CLASP is employed by a diverse range of artists, engineers, producers and facilities, including Lenny Kravitz (at his new Bahamas-based Gregory Town Sound recording facility); Michael W. Smith; Denis Savage, engineer for Celine Dion; producers Nathan Chapman, Dave Cobb, Chuck Ainlay, John Fields and Tom “T-Bone” Edmunds; and studio facilities such as Clearwater, Florida’s Cleartrack Productions, Los Angeles, California’s Hemispheres Recording and Austria’s Prime Studios. Analog tape manufacturers recommended by Endless Analog for use with CLASP include ATR Magnetics and RMG International.
Playing the 8bit guitar
It sure don’t sound good but it is a funny experiment.
This a CV sequencer with an arduino microcontroller. It Sequences the pulse width of the guitar. The idea came from tracking (composing) in famitracker, LSDJ and Goattracker. When you compose for the NES or the Gameboy, there are tons of effects you can choose from to make square waves more complex and interesting sounding.
The Arduino code will be posted on this site in the next couple of days so, check it: http://animal-style.com
Inside the GAIA SH-01
GAIA SH-01 : This 37-key compact synthesizer brings serious sound, instant control, and ultimate flexibility to the synthesis experience. Combining a classic panel layout reminiscent of vintage Roland synthesizers with the latest in Roland’s analog-modeling technology, GAIA is perfect for any students, songwriters, session players, and live performers of all styles and skill levels.
The GAIA SH-01 is lightweight, compact, and great for musicians on the go. The 37-note keyboard is full-size for natural playing, and can be powered via AC or batteries. The GAIA SH-01 is able to create rich, massive sound with three virtual-analog sound engines, each with a dedicated oscillator, filter, amplifier, envelope, and LFO. With 64 polyphonic voices onboard, GAIA makes it possible to play massive sounds without experiencing note drop-out.
The instantly selectable multi-effects of the GAIA SH-01 allow for the layering of up to five simultaneous effects. Onboard effects include reverb, distortion, fuzz, bit crash, flanger, phaser, pitch shifter, low boost, delay with panning, and tempo sync that can be controlled in real-time with the built-in D Beam.
The GAIA SH-01 front panel features dedicated knobs and faders for a variety of parameters, with no hidden menus. GAIA is perfect for learning the signal flow of synthesis, or for creating a dynamic live performance. Along with the included Arpeggiator is the Phrase Recorder, allowing synthesists to record, play back, and play over their recorded phrases of notes or knob tweaks.
The GAIA SH-01’s EXT input allows for connection and playback of external audio sources such as an MP3 player. Incoming audio can be manipulated with three Center Cancel modes, which let you eliminate pre-recorded vocals, guitar, or bass. GAIA also includes USB ports for streaming audio, transmitting and receiving MIDI data, and storing patches and phrases to a memory stick.
Price: Suggested retail price of USD 799.00.
Visit: roland.com
Gakken SX-150
This video, via DINSync, demonstrates modifications to the Gakken SX-150 synthesizer – a cheap analog synth that can be easily hacked:
The Gakken SX-150, a stylophone styled analog that can be found on ebay for $40. The machine has to be assembled, but there’s no soldering involved. It’s just a matter of putting the PCB in the case and connecting the power line, pretty simple stuff really. It’s very much a gimmick but since it really is a true analog it’s fairly easy to modify it into something useful.
Details on the hacks at the DINSync site.
Inside the Mopho
Nick at Sonic State opens Dave Smith’s latest beast, the DSI Mopho Keyboard.
SS is going to do their usual run-down on the Mopho Keyboard, so if you’ve got specific questions you’d like to see them address, make sure you leave a comment at the SonicState site.
Sunday synth eye candy
Access Music has announced their latest “special edition” keyboard, “The WhiteOut Keyboard” limited edition, which will only be produced as 150 units with laser engraved serial number. If your favorite Virus Ti is the Polar edition, but you always wanted a “bigger” model, now you can get one (if you hurry).
According to the company, “White metal, wood and aluminum are the main ingredients for the WhiteOut’s signature look. Perform with a Virus TI WhiteOut and you can be assured that your presence on stage will not fade into the background.”
The technical specifications are identical to the Virus Ti Keyboard 2009, the color scheme of the housing does differ as you can see (see photo).
This is the second part of the Virus TI WhiteOut limited edition. The first part was a white Virus TI Desktop which we’ve released around Christmas. All units sold in a day.
In the U.S., dealers like Sweetwater, and NovaMusik are taking pre-orders, with a street price of $2999. Although the non-white “normal” models can sell below MAP pricing, you likely won’t get as much of a discount on the Whiteout edition unless you have an existing sales relationship with your music dealer.
I had a Ti Polar (first version) and sold it to buy the rack mount/desktop model. I have missed the Polar ever since. This new 61-key model is even cooler (no pun intended), since there is plenty of room on top for a PC keyboard, Korg pad and external knob controller, etc. Gorgeous!
More information and a complete PDF brochure can be downloaded from this page (in English): www.access-music.de/page/render/lang/en/p/136/do/Virus_TI_WhiteOut_Keyboard_Limited_Edition.html .
Vermona fires of the summer with thier new synth Mono Lancet
The East Germans known as vermona.com have some new hardware on the horizon. First a synthesizer called the Mono Lancet: 2x VCO (triangle, sawtooth, square / sawtooth, rectangle, noise), 24dB lowpass filter, ADSR, envelope generator (VCF, VCA, VCO), LFO (triangle, square, s/h), MIDI for 449 EURO. Next, the Kick Lancet based on the KICK channel of the DRM1 MKIII Waveshaper (sine -> square), FM, trigger inputs (switch, audio, gate), MIDI for 265 EURO. Doepfer Dark Energy and DSI Mopho you have some new friends.
The Accelerator, looking pretty darn good to me
Subtractive synth with 3 OSCs and two External inputs, multimode filters, arpeggiator and much more.
The Accelerator features the first motion tilt controller in a full size keyboard.
The Accelerator is perfectly prepared for your Live performances. A lot of synthesizers nowadays do not offer direct patch selection anymore. Instead of using direct access push buttons you have to dial in the desired patch and press enter. The Accelerator makes sound selection instantly available at your fingertips with dedicated patch select buttons. Furthermore, the unique program chain feature allows for programming a chain of programs that selects the correct patch automatically for you.
Another stunning new feature is the the built in 3D sensor. Movements of the keyboard are converted into Modulation data. This brilliant addition allows for controlling parameters like pitch, the filter frequency or modulation depths by lifting up or shaking the keyboard.Do you love step sequencers and arpeggiators? The Accelerator would not be a Radikal synthesizer if we did not integrate some sequencing goodies. You can enter some notes into the step sequencer, transpose the sequences with the left hand while performing a solo at the upper end of the split keyboard.
The powerful warm and crispy sound of this new synthesizer flagship will become the center of your keyboard setup. If you would like expand the Accelerator‘s sonic power even more you can get additional voices with our DSP expansion module. The DSP expansion does not only add extra polyphony to the Accelerator – you will also be able to use up to eight independent synthesizer sounds at a time with the integrated multimode feature.
DATAMASKIN
