Matrix 2 has been released
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VirSyn has announced the release of Matrix 2, a vocoder effect plug-in for Windows and Mac.
Inspired by the legendary VSM 201 Vocoder from Sennheiser we´ve spent MATRIX an additional Filter module modelling the analog Sound of the VSM.
Changes in Matrix 2
- New Filter type added inspired by the legendary VSM 201 Vocoder from Sennheiser.
- Internal Noise generator added.
- Redesigned graphical user interface.
- New factory presets added.
Matrix 2 is available to purchase as an effect plug-in for PC and Mac (VST/AU/RTAS) for the introductory price of 129 EUR until 30 April, 2010 (regular price 199 EUR).
More information: VirSyn / Matrix 2
MusikMesse: New synth from Roland
Although does not appear to be in the high-end user segment, LOL
Wonder how much the old SH 101 has been an inspiration, or not….
With its massive sound, hands-on ease, and affordable price, the GAIA SH-01 is a high-performance value with old-school charm. The triple-stacked engine puts potent virtual analog synthesis under your fingertips, yet the control panel is so fun, friendly, and inviting, even first-timers can create great sounds. The signal flow is simple to grasp, with logically arranged knobs, sliders, and buttons. Hands-on control and fat sound make this little powerhouse a joy for music students, songwriters, session players, and live performers of all styles and skill levels.
- Huge sound with three virtual analog engines onboard, each with a dedicated oscillator, filter, amplifier, envelope, and LFO
- Layer up to five simultaneous effects, including distortion, flanger, delay, reverb, low boost, and more
- 64-voice polyphony for massive sounds without note drop-out
- Fun, hands-on control panel that’s great for instant gratification, and for learning synthesis
- Lightweight, compact body with 37 full-size keys
- Runs on AC or battery power for portable convenience
- D Beam, arpeggiator, and Phrase Recorder onboard
- USB ports for saving user patches to USB flash drives, and for audio/MIDI connection to computers
The new microStation from KORG
Korg has announced the microSTATION, described as a Micro Synthesizer with Sequencer. Designed to satisfy the beginning musician or the accomplished keyboardist, the microSTATION offers portability, the sound of Korg’s EDS-i synth engine, effects, plus new and easy-to-use sequencing tools. Audition riffs make finding just the right sound a breeze.
Features:
- Lightweight, compact, and equipped with 61 mini-keys, the microSTATION travels easily and fits into any home, stage, or studio workspace.
- EDS-i (Enhanced Definition Synthesis-integrated) sound engine delivers high-quality sound in the tradition of KORG’s flagship synthesizers.
- Enjoy 480 ready-to-use sounds – including keyboard sounds, synth sounds, drums, leads, basses, etc. Tweak, edit, create and save up to 512 sound Programs.
- 256 dynamic Combinations place different sounds on different areas of the keyboard, or layer multiple sounds together for exciting performances – right out of the box.
- Find the right sound fast with eight quickly accessible categories; hundreds of Audition Riffs allow you to preview each sound.
- A full General MIDI level 2 compatible soundset allows commercial and pre-made MIDI files to be played perfectly and instantly.
- Designed for comfort and accuracy, the 61-key Natural Touch Mini Keyboard is highly expressive and supports serious playing.
- Whether performing or composing, the on-board sequencer can be anything from an extra set of hands or a powerful drum machine up to a full-blown MIDI production suite.
- Loop Recording, Grid Sequencing, Dual Arpeggiators, Template songs, and Auto Song Setup features make it easy for anyone to achieve professional results.
- SD/SDHC card slot for convenient storage or your custom sounds and songs.
- USB Type-B connector offers a direct MIDI connection to your computer.
- Includes both stand-alone and plug-in microSTATION software for detailed sound editing on your computer; plug-in software is VST, AU, and RTAS compatible.
Perform and compose anytime, anywhere
At a size and price usually reserved for performance synthesizers, the compact and portable microSTATION none the less features a 61-key Natural Touch mini keyboard, numerous effects, dual arpeggiators, and a 16-track sequencer to transform musical ideas into polished productions – wherever you are. New sequencer features such as Loop Recording and visual Grid Sequencing have been added to benefit the first-time user and to jump-start any type of music production. With so much power, the microSTATION is an ideal first keyboard, plus a welcome addition to any studio or keyboard rig.
EDS-i: The sound of KORG’s flagship synthesizers
The microSTATION features Korg’s new EDS-i (Enhanced Definition Synthesis – integrated) premium sound engine, derived from the EDS system found on KORG’s M3 XPanded and M50 professional synthesizers.
- OSCILLATORS: The oscillator section provides access to 49 MB* of high-quality PCM sources (sampled at 48 kHz) delivering a rich variety or sounds.
- FILTERS: Indispensable to sound creation is the filter section, offering two high-quality filters for each oscillator. The four filter types – low-pass, high-pass, band-pass, and band-reject – can be freely combined.
- MODULATION: Expansive modulation is also vital. The microSTATION inherits the EG (Envelope Generator), LFO, key tracking generator, AMS (Alternate Modulation System), and AMS mixer from the EDS sound engine, allowing full-fledged synthesis possibilities.
- EFFECTS: The effect section adds the final touch to the sound, allowing you to use up to five Insert effects, two Master effects, and one Total effect. In addition to delay and reverb, you can choose from modulation effects such as chorus, phaser, and flanger; dynamics effects such as compressor and limiter; and amp modeling powered by KORG’s proprietary “REMS” technology. The Effect Dynamic Modulation function (Dmod) lets you control effects in a wide variety of ways during performance.
* calculated as 16-bit linear data
Premium Programs and Combinations
From the moment you turn it on; the microSTATION is ready to deliver hundreds of ready-to-play sounds. In addition to the 480 Programs and 25 Drum kits, the microSTATION provides 256 Combinations, each of which combines up to sixteen programs as layers, splits, or velocity switched elements. Finding the right sound is easy. The Programs and Combinations are organized into eight sound categories. The audition switch plays a repeating riff (phrase) appropriate for the currently selected sound, letting you hear how the sound will be played in context. Every sound can be edited, tweaked, and re-written, and the microSTATION also has plenty of room for you to save your own Programs, Combinations, and Drum kits. For playing Standard MIDI files, there is also a full General MIDI level 2 compatible sound set.
61-key Natural Touch Mini-Keyboard delivers expressive playability
The microSTATION’s Natural Touch Mini-Keyboard has been acclaimed for its ease of playing. The proportion of the black keys and white keys has been adjusted so that chords are comfortable to play, and the feel is designed to allow rapid phrases to be performed with ease. The waterfall-style keys make glissandos easy to play, and also impart a sense of quality. The use of a mini-keyboard complete with 61 keys allows serious performance of piano and other styles that require – or benefit – from two-handed playing.
On-Board Sequencer transforms your musical ideas into finished songs
The built-in, high-performance 16-track MIDI sequencer provides a versatile array of capabilities such as template songs, loop recording, a grid sequence function, arpeggiator, and auto song setup to provide a powerful boost to your music productions. Many of these newly added features are designed to assist novice sequencer users to complete their musical ideas.
- Template songs: Template songs are a great way to begin. Each template song loads up the appropriate instruments and pre-routed effects to match a specific musical style. The arpeggiator settings deliver ready-to-use bass and drum tracks. Of course, any track can be changed, edited or rewritten.
- Loop recording: This function repeatedly records a specified range of measures. For example, you can loop a four-measure section and create a drum pattern by recording each of the drums and bass notes individually. Basic editing functions such as copying, erasing, and deleting measures are also provided. This method is similar to recording on a multi-track recorder.
- Visual Grid Sequencing: This is a unique method of entering notes in which the front panel function buttons and corresponding LEDs (01 – 16) to create rhythm patterns as on drum box or step sequencer. Rhythm instruments such as the bass drum, snare, hi-hat, and bass will sound at the timings indicated by the illuminated LEDs.
- Dual polyphonic arpeggiators: The arpeggiators provide five preset patterns and 640 user patterns, of which 512 are preloaded. In addition to standard arpeggiator patterns, Korg’s polyphonic arpeggiators can produce a variety of chord progressions or phrases based on the notes being played on the keyboard. This advanced arpeggiation system can be used to create drum patterns, bass phrases, guitar riffs and keyboard backing runs. In Combination or Sequencer modes, the microSTATION lets two arpeggio patterns run simultaneously. You can apply separate arpeggio patterns to a different programs, or use split or velocity to switch between arpeggio patterns, providing powerful performance possibilities.
- Auto song setup: Using this convenient function, a Program or Combination (with its arpeggiator settings) can easily be recorded to multiple tracks, creating the basic tracks of your song.
Easy operation; Massive control
The microSTATION’s knobs and controllers are located for easy use. Frequently used parameters can be assigned to the four realtime control knobs for convenient sound editing or for performing with the arpeggiator. With the External switch on, these four knobs can be used to control an external MIDI device. A joystick is provided for even more expressive potential.
Convenient, reliable SD/SDHC storage
The microSTATION provides an SD card slot, allowing you to save your Programs, Combinations, and song data directly onto an SD/SDHC card.
Stand-Alone + Plug-In Editing software
The bundled “microSTATION Editor” and “microSTATION Plug-In Editor” software lets you use your computer to edit the microSTATION’s Programs, Combinations, Drum kits, and Arpeggio patterns. The “microSTATION Editor” is a stand-alone program, while the “microSTATION Plug-In Editor” allows the microSTATION to be used as a VST, AU or RTAS plug-in instrument inside a DAW or other host application on your computer.
These editors allow more detailed sound editing than is possible from the microSTATION itself. You can also save sounds that you’ve created on the microSTATION.
New synth from XILS-Lab
XILS-Lab has told me that the polyKB is a recreation of a very rare, very powerful polyphonic synthesizer released in the 80’s by a french company. And in there own words:
The polyKB is a polyphonic substractive synthesizer based on two waveform morphing, aliasing free oscillators and a self oscilating 4 poles low pass filter.
The oscillators take a large part of the sound of this synthesizer but the filter recreating a standard analog chip of the 80’s with the help of of very complete modulation section allow the polyKB to create incredible and warm sounds, from georgous bass to slow evoluting pad, through agressive lead and thin cristal keyboards, without fogoten a wide range of special effects.
The modulation section of the polyKB acts like a matrix with five dedicated sources (LFO, ADSR,VCO,NOISE,VELOCITY) and five dedicated destinations (VCO 1 and 2 pitch, VCO 1 and 2 waveform,VCF frequency).
To increase the sound design possibilities, six menus have being added, two for the sources, four for the destination, with which a wide range of modules can be choosen
(Velocity, sequencer ouputs, LFO freq, Filter res, VCO levels, to name but a few)
The polyKB brings also a very powerful polyphonic sequencer.
The sequencer can record and play 8 voices independently as well as the pitch than the velocity. To control the sequence, a 2 to 128 steps clock system allows a wide range of rythms and patterns.
Of course the sequencer outputs can be assigned as a source of modulation, opening the sound posibilities endless.
The polyKB offers:
- two aliasing-free morphing oscillators: from triangle to pulse, through saw.
- One 4 poles low pass self oscillating filter
- two envelope generators (ADSR)
- two MIDI synced LFO
- One MIDI synced Sample and Hold
- One 128 steps polyphonic sequencer
- One arpeggiator
- Chorus and delay effects
- Mono/Unison/Poly playing mode with up to 16 voices of polyphony
- All parameters are MIDI controllable
EVM releases Ultrasonique v1.1 for free
UltraSonique is high quality synthersizer.
EVM UltraSonique Features:
- High quality Synthersizer,
- Wavesample Player
- Multi-Function Sequence Controller.
- Multi-F/X
and a whole lot more..
More video demos here.
New MOOG emulation
Xhun Audio has introduced LittleOne – a virtual emulation of the Moog Little Phatty analog synthesizer.
Description:
LittleOne emulates every component of the Little Phatty (oscillators, filter, envelopes, LFO …), preserving the original frequency responses and frequency ranges.
The result is an analog-sounding instrument – all in the digital domain. In addition to the Little Phatty synthesizer emulation, LittleOne encloses a full rack with a 16-step MIDI sequencer, a 16-step trancegate effect and two master effects slots.
Specs
- The Moog Little Phatty Physical Modeling emulation
- Two aliasing-free analog modeled oscillators with continuous selection mode ( like the original ) between Triangle, Saw, Square, Pulse
- A 4-Pole Low Pass filter modeled on the classic Moog Ladder, featuring the original frequency responses and overload control
- Two 4-Stage ( ADSR ) envelope generators
- Modulation LFO with the original waveforms and frequency ranges ( 0.2~500 Hz )
- Monophonic/polyphonic mode, pitch bend ranges and more – all accessible from LittleOne LED display
- 128 ready-to-use presets from classic analog to contemporary cutting-edge dance to psychoacoustic sounds and SFX
- XSQ16M, a build-in 16-step MIDI sequencer
- GATED!, a build-in 16-step trancegate effect
- Two master effects slots with the possibility to choose between delay, reverb, tube distortion, flanger, chorus
- Full MIDI CC#s mapping (according to the original Little Phatty CC#s specs)
String theory – new free VST from Ugo
String Theory is a flexible, delay based physical modeling synth which is capable of a wide range of plucked strings, atmospheric pads and ambiences, and unique hybrid synth sounds.
String Theory also offers dual phrase arpeggiators. Each arp has its own speed, gate, and octave controls; which allows for complex patterns.
Features:
- Physical Modeling Plucked Strings.
- Delay based Oscillators.
- Detune.
- Pitch LFO.
- Amp Envelope with 2 attacks.
- Tremolo.
- BP+BR Filter.
- LP Filter with envelope and LFO.
- HP Filter with envelope and LFO.
- Dual Metal Module.
- Dual Delay with MIDI sync and Pan.
- Dual Phrase Arpeggiator.
- MIDI CC support.
- 173 patches by: Ugo, Tim Conrardy, Matthew DeMeritt (Geeseaplenty), Mark Stolk (Mystahr).
The ultimate synthpicture
via Tara Busch: “The motherf*cking mother of all synth pics, complete w/ the best helmet ever.”
Introducing the Leploop compact analog synthesizer
Stromkult reports that the Leploop compact analog synthesizer + groovebox is now available for 599 Euro.
Just how tiny is the Leploop?
Check out this video to see the Leploop synthesizer in action:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCsc8UNF2P4&feature=player_embedded]
Facts:
- osc1 wave squ. and tri.
- osc2 wave saw.
- osc1 can modulate osc2
- 2 AD envelope
- 2 vca
- 1 lpf diode ladder filter with cutoff and res. cv control
- kick drum generator + distortion/overdrive
- noise generator
- 1 lfo
- 1 s/h
- 1 mixer
- 4 gate sequencer kick / S&H / env1 / env2
- 1 16 step capacitor sequencer, the S/H sample the lfo for imput the note in the seq.
- Different menu for clock div., step, groove, record, save and recall track.
- midi in
- cv in\out
606 and bliptronic – nice
Little improvised thing with the 606 and the bliptronic. You can run the trigger outputs on the 606 to the “link” input port on the 5000 to trigger it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJDZ31F2SF8&feature=player_embedded
Bliptronic Philosophy… in Regards to Music
In the world of the Bliptronic, creating a song revolves around an ever evolving 4-beat pattern. Each row of vertical buttons represents the notes in one octave. Push a button to turn on a note, push the button again to turn off a note. Push multiple buttons in one vertical row to make a chord. The Bliptronic plays whatever you have selected in sequence horizontally across the display. When it reaches the end of the pattern, it repeats. The genius comes as you modify the pattern by turning notes on and off while the pattern is still looping to create evolving electronic melodies.
DATAMASKIN
