ELK Music OS Eurorack Module Running Korg PolySix RE SuperBooth 2019

Published on May 21, 2019 Perfect Circuit

"We were able to hear how the ELK Music OS runs on this Eurorack Module at SuperBooth 2019. The Korg PolySix Reason Rack Extension version was running on this module. ELK Music OS is promising super low latency for modules and synths like this built into hardware enclosures or eurorack modules running VSTs or Rack Extensions."

7 Synths You Might Have Missed @ Superbooth 19

Published on May 17, 2019 BoBeats

BoBeats links:
►Patreon: http://bit.ly/bobeatspatreon
►Merch: http://merch.bobeats.tv
►Patches & samples http://bit.ly/storebobeats
►Music: http://bobeatsmusic.bandcamp.com
►Circuit Patches: http://bit.ly/bobeatsXisotoniks

Superbooth 2019 - Mind Music Labs ELK - Hardware VSTs

Published on May 17, 2019 sonicstate

"More from Mind Music Labs from ELK - which one this years NAMM New Technology Award from us.
ELK is a hardware DSP platform that allows manufacturers of software plug-ins and instruments to run their software on dedicated hardware with physical controls.
Based on the OS that allows code to be run on multi processor types with latency as low as 1ms"

Retrologue Hardware Synthesizer Sneak Preview At Superbooth 2019

Published on May 16, 2019 Synthtopia

"At Superbooth 2019, Steinberg & Mind Music Labs were showcasing their Retrologue hardware synth prototype at the Yamaha booth.

The Retrologue hardware synth is a product that demonstrates the capabilities of Mind Music Lab's new ELK Music OS, which makes it easy to port VSTs and Rack Extensions to standalone hardware.

We talked with Dom Sigalas, who demonstrated the Retrologue prototype and discussed some of the capabilities that ELK Music OS offers."

Superbooth 2019 - Mind music Labs 'ELK' - VSTs in hardware

Published on May 16, 2019 Hank Astral

"The ELK O.S could be about to shake up digital music making by putting the power of actual VSTs into hardware instruments and effects."

Mind Music Labs ELK OS Makes New Types Of Musical Instruments Possible

Published on May 14, 2019 Synthtopia

"At Superbooth 2019, Mind Music Labs gave us an in-depth look at their ELK Music OS and some of their prototype synth modules.

ELK OS is an operating system platform for musical instruments that is designed to streamline the development of custom audio hardware. It also is designed to make it easy to turn VSTs and Rack Extensions into high-performing audio devices."

Superbooth 2019: Software Synth Retrologue in Hardware Form?!

Published on May 13, 2019 sonicstate

"Cubase users will probably be familiar with software synth Retrologue - but in reverse of the familiar 'software modelling a hardware unit' paradigm, here is software expressed in physical form as a real 'knobs & metal & wooden end-cheeks' version. Interesting reality flip!
It's all possible due to the ELK MusicOS software platform from MIND Music Labs.
1 millisecond latency... the future's gonna be an interesting place ;-]"

Retrologue

Superbooth 2019: Mind Music Labs Steinberg Retrologue

Published on May 10, 2019 Future Music Magazine

Retrologue

Mind Music Labs - Retrologue powered by ELK - Superbooth 19

Published on May 9, 2019 AMAZONA Music Mag

Quack at :38.

Propellerhead RE Eurorack Module Powered by MIND Music Labs ELK MusicOS

Yesterday, we were introduced to the MIND Music Labs ‘Powered by ELK’ Retrologue 2 Desktop Synth. Pictured left in the rack you can also see a Propellerhead RE eurorack module powered by ELK MusicOS. Check out what appears to be a prototype desktop VST host unit in orange. The following is the MIND Music Labs press release for SUPERBOOTH 19:

STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN: Swedish startup MIND Music Labs lets loose by showcasing several super-cool applications of its award- winning ELK MusicOS — the world’s first ultra-low-latency music operating system developed specifically for audio applications, ushering in a new era where the power, flexibility, and selection of audio and music software can be run in real time on embedded hardware with full MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) support — at SUPERBOOTH19 in Berlin, May 9-11…

Further fulfilling its ambition of creating new ways to bridge the gap between musicians and technology, changing how to learn, create, record, and share music, MIND Music Labs will be demonstrating the potential and flexibility of its seminal ELK MusicOS by showcasing a number of hardware product prototypes based on existing VST (Virtual Instrument Technology) and RE (Rack Extension) releases from world-class developers at SUPERBOOTH19, Europe’s first and largest trade fair for electronic musical instruments.

First stop: media production products provider Steinberg’s stand on owner Yamaha’s booth (H310). Here the German giant continues its partnership with MIND Music Labs in making VST a standard for hardware by showcasing the co-developed ‘Powered by ELK’ Retrologue 2, a proof-of-concept prototype desktop synth running Retrologue 2, Steinberg’s VST Virtual Analog Synthesizer — successfully emulating the warmth and fatness of classic analog synthesizers — on hardware.

However, ELK MusicOS is not only VST compatible but also runs RE plug-ins from fellow Swedish company Propellerhead, creators of innovative and affordable music software. Supporting the Propellerhead partnership, MIND Music Labs will be showcasing a Eurorack format synth module running the RE-compatible Polysix for Reason — utilising Korg’s proprietary CMT (Component Modeling Technology) to precisely model the circuitry of an analog polysynth classic from 1982 — on booth (O504).

Other must-see SUPERBOOTH19 showcases scheduled to take place at MIND Music Labs’ location there include several contrasting conceptual collaborative projects with the likes of plug-in developer Stefano D’Angelo, former DSP engineer at Arturia; Italian music and audio software company Audio Modeling, creators of the SWAM (Synchronous Waves Acoustic Modeling) engine; HISE, an open source framework for sample-based instruments; and Igor Nembrini of Nembrini Audio, creator of some of the most revered guitar amp plug-ins under the Brainworx brand for Universal Audio's UAD (Universal Audio Digital) platform.

Concludes MIND Music Labs CEO Michele Benincaso: “The different hardware prototypes we will be showcasing at SUPERBOOTH19 are all great examples of what ELK MusicOS is capable of. With ELK MusicOS you add the feel of playing an actual physical instrument — without losing the benefits and qualities of desktop plug-ins. I am very excited to show everyone at SUPERBOOTH19 what we have been working on.”

MIND Music Labs ‘Powered by ELK’ Retrologue 2 Desktop Synth

Note the VST logo on the bottom left, to the right of the ELK logo. This is VST powered. Curious if it will be able to run different synth engines. Press release follows.

MIND Music Labs lets ‘Powered by ELK’ Retrologue 2 desktop synth prototype fly for Steinberg at SUPERBOOTH19

STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN: Mind Music Labs is proud to announce a continuation of its official partnership with music and media production products provider Steinberg — initially resulting in the German giant’s VST (Virtual Studio Technology) plug-in format natively supporting the integration of the Swedish startup’s ELK MusicOS, allowing VST- based plug-ins to run seamlessly in ‘Powered by ELK’ musical instruments and audio processors — by bringing a brand-new, co-developed desktop synth prototype with full MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) support to SUPERBOOTH19 in Berlin, May 9-11…

“Plug-ins and software synths have brought amazing power and flexibility to computer-based recording, but now musicians want to harness all that power without the computer; there are times when you want to twist real knobs, rather than wiggle a mouse.” So says MIND Music Labs CEO Michele Benincaso, before adding: “It’s really exciting to be empowering those users with ELK MusicOS.”

This sentiment is clearly shared by Florian Haack, Senior Marketing Manager at Steinberg: “We immediately saw the potential of ELK MusicOS, and that’s why we added it to the official VST SDK [Software Development Kit]. The development of the ‘Powered by ELK’ Retrologue 2 hardware prototype has further strengthened our belief that, with the help of ELK MusicOS, VST can become a standard for not only software, as it is today, but also for hardware.”

Having said that, then, the proof of the pudding is in the tasting. The proof-of-concept ‘Powered by ELK’ Retrologue 2 desktop synth prototype — running Steinberg’s Retrologue 2 VST Virtual Analog Synthesizer, successfully emulating the warmth and fatness of classic analog synthesizers — will be being showcased for all to see and hear on Steinberg-owner Yamaha’s booth (H310) at SUPERBOOTH19 in Berlin, May 9-11.

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NAMM 2019: Mind Music Labs ELK - Rack Extension Hardware

Published on Jan 27, 2019 sonicstate

See the Mind Music Labs label below for more.

Propellerhead Reason Hardware

via sonicstate

"Ernst Nathorst-Böös, CEO, Propellerhead, told us, 'Propellerhead is thrilled to partner with Mind Music Labs to help manufacturers build groundbreaking hardware products in the most cost-effective and scalable way. We believe that together, we can bridge the gap between music creation software and hardware, and help manufacturers bring the next generation of incredible synths and effects to market.'

Since its release in 2012, Propellerhead’s Rack Extension platform has emerged as a powerful audio plug-in format, with over 180 developers and more than 530 instruments and effects now available. Rack Extensions integrate seamlessly into the Reason rack, combining excellent sound, smooth workflow, and rock-solid stability with intuitive routing, automation, editing capability, and flexibility.

The Rack Extension format also gives developers unique benefits over other plug-in formats. Rack Extensions are compatible with desktop, mobile, and web platforms, and developers can easily reach customers through the Propellerhead Shop, which provides a direct distribution path to Reason’s large global network of users.
Mind’s ELK is a Music Operating System, which delivers the ultra-low latency performance of dedicated DSP chips on more powerful and cost effective ARMs and X86 processors. Now, hardware manufacturers can develop exciting new products by taking advantage of the huge library of Rack Extensions already available, ranging from synthesizers and sampled instruments to creative effects and boutique studio processors. ELK’s flexibility also allows users to upgrade their instruments and audio processors with new plugins, connect their devices to external controllers and much more.

Michele Benincaso, Founder, MIND Music Labs, had this to say, 'While a key value proposition of the ELK OS is support for all popular plugin formats, we are particularly excited about our close partnership with Propellerhead. The 'middleware' nature of their Rack Extension format means hundreds of titles from dozens of developers become instantly available to ELK customers.'"

Steinberg Adds Support for ELK

You might remember the ELK Music Operating System from this prevoius post. In a nutshell, "ELK allows manufacturers to move away from dedicated chips and use standard off-the-shelf CPUs, with significant improvements in terms of user experience, performance and scalability - combined with unprecedented time-to-market advantages and potential new post-sales revenues from software, content and services for their devices."

It also supported the ability to host JUCE and VsT 2.x and 3.x plugins. That integration, however, was implemented by ELK. With this announcement, Steinberg is hosting the integration.

I asked ELK how this differed from the prior announcement and my contact stated: "Before WE (ELK/MIND Music Labs) were the ones working on integrating VST support in ELK (i.e. making ELK "VST compatible") - potentially with the need of future reworks, patches, etc. and no guarantee of support to future VST evolutions.

Since today, it is Steinberg that by adding ELK-related elements to its standard ensures future-proof full compatibility between VST and ELK."

And: "This means ELK will be the first available embedded platform to officially support all plug-ins developed under VST 3 specifications, allowing manufacturers to offer their customers access to an enormous range of VST instruments and processors, and making it extremely easy for software developers to release VST-based software, sounds and effects on hardware musical instruments."

The following is the official press release on the announcement:

MIND MUSIC LABS AND STEINBERG ANNOUCE ELK INTEGRATION IN JUST RELEASED VST VERSION 3.6.11

With the release of version 3.6.11, Steinberg's Virtual Studio Technology plug-in format will natively support the integration of Mind Music Lab’s ELK operating system, allowing VST-based plug-ins to run seamlessly in ELK-powered musical instruments and audio processors.

October 23, 2018 – Stockholm, Sweden

Today MIND Music Labs announced that version 3.6.11 of Steinberg's VST (Virtual Studio Technology) natively supports ELK integration.

ELK, an OS designed specifically for use in embedded systems such as hardware musical instruments and audio processors, will be the first such platform to officially support all plug-ins developed under VST 3 specification. This will allow embedded hardware manufacturers who develop products with the ELK OS to offer their customers access to an enormous range of VST instruments and processors.

Essentially, ELK's integration with VST will make it extremely easy for software developers to release VST-based software, sounds and effects on Powered by ELK hardware musical instruments - the first of which, DVMark's Smart Multiamp, is scheduled for release in early 2019.


“We were very impressed by the performance and stability that the ELK Music Operating System has to offer. And this is the prominent reason that we decided for it to become the first platform for hardware musical instruments within the VST domain,” commented Yvan Grabit, senior developer and tech lead at Steinberg.

"It is an honor for us to be officially recognized as partners for embedded use by Steinberg. For the past 20 years, VST plug-ins have been the de-facto standards for desktop-produced music, and we are ready to help VST become the standard for smart musical instruments and audio processors as well." said Michele Benincaso, CEO of MIND Music Labs.

About MIND Music Labs:
MIND Music Labs develops music technologies that change the way musicians create, record and share music. Among the people who believed in MIND Music Labs are Jacob Key - former VP at Warner Music - Ludvig Linge - co-founder of The Astonishing Tribe, bought by Blackberry in 2010 - and Jordan Rudess - Dream Theater keyboardist and music tech entrepreneur.

About Steinberg:
Steinberg has been providing award-winning, technologically advanced music and media production products for musicians and producers of music, video and film since 1984. Today, Steinberg is one of the world's largest manufacturers of music and audio software and hardware, as well as license-management and copy-protection systems. The Steinberg range of products has long since found world renown in all aspects of modern digital audio processing.

ELK Music Operating System (aka "the Android of Musical Instruments") Coming to NAMM

Some news that might be interesting to the makers out there.

"ULTRA-LOW LATENCY OPERATING SYSTEM FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS TO BE PRESENTED AT NAMM 2018

The Music Operating System, named ELK, allows musicians to add unlimited sounds and features to their musical instruments and seamlessly share their performances online. It also allows manufacturers and developers to move away from system-specific chips and software.

January 24 – Anaheim, California

MIND Music Labs is presenting its ultra-low latency Music Operating System at NAMM 2018. ELK - this is the name of the technology - is an operating system for musical instruments, designed for optimal audio performance and seamless connectivity.

Musical Instruments Powered by ELK allow musicians to:

• Add new sounds and features to their instruments via online upgrades
• Easily connect their instruments to mobiles, computers and to the broader Internet
• Instantly share their performances online

ELK allows manufacturers to move away from dedicated chips and use standard off-the-shelf CPUs, with significant improvements in terms of user experience, performance and scalability - combined with unprecedented time-to-market advantages and potential new post-sales revenues from software, content and services for their devices.

ELK also allows software developers to easily release software, sounds and effects originally developed for computer environments on Powered by ELK musical instruments.

Key technical features:

• Ultra-low latency (1ms round-trip)
• Linux-based, using single Intel & ARM CPUs
• Support for JUCE and VsT 2.x and 3.x plugins
• Natively connected (USB, WiFi, BT, 4G)
• Full MIDI support

"ELK is the evolution musical instruments have been waiting for a long time, and is ready to disrupt the musical instruments world in the same way Android disrupted the mobile world ten years ago." is how Michele Benincaso, CEO of MIND Music Labs, announces ELK's release.

ELK’s capabilities will be demoed LIVE at NAMM in collaboration with industry leaders DVMark, MarkBass and Overloud (TH-U), the first brands that will support ELK in their new products.

About MIND Music Labs:
MIND Music Labs (http://www.mindmusiclabs.com) develops music technologies that change the way musicians create, record and share music. Founded in 2014, MIND has raised more than 1.000.000 Euros in investments from industry leaders in the music tech world. Among the people who believed in MIND Music Labs are Jacob Key - former VP at Warner Music - Ludvig Linge - co-founder of The Astonishing Tribe, bought byBlackberry in 2010 - and Jordan Rudess - Dream Theater keyboardist and music tech entrepreneur. MIND has been awarded as one of the most innovative music startups atMidem, Sónar Barcelona and San Francisco MusicTech Summit."