Gearfest UK 2023: Novation FLKey 49 - Control For FL Studio

video upload by sonicstate

"We spoke to Chris Calcutt from Novation at Gear Fest 2023, where he introduced the FL Key 49, an expansion of Novation's FL Key range. The FL Key 49 offers more keys and additional features compared to the previous models, addressing the demand for larger keyboard options.

It provides a comprehensive level of control over FL Studio, with dedicated hardware access to the channel rack, sequencer, and various functions. Chris demonstrated the seamless integration between the FL Key 49 and FL Studio, highlighting the advantages of hands-on control and the elimination of reliance on the mouse.

For more information:
https://novationmusic.com/"

Gearfest UK 2023: Void and Vista Strands

video upload by sonicstate

"We spoke to Tom from Void and Vista at Gear Fest 2023, where he introduced their Strands Kontakt instrument. Strands is a unique Kontact-based instrument that features 32 sound sources over two layers, blending real instrument articulations with effects-driven textures.

It has a full effects engine, dual filters with switchable modes, two LFOs with cross-modulation, voice stacking with detuning and width, a dedicated lo-fi section, and a three-stage effects chain.

Tom emphasized the character and atmospheric nature of Strands, highlighting its strengths in pads, atmospheres, textures, and bass sounds.

The library is designed to provide a variety of organic and unconventional sounds, utilizing close-mic techniques and a range of sound manipulation techniques. Strands is available for purchase directly from Void and Vista's website for £129, and the company has plans for future releases.

For more information:
https://voidandvista.com/"

Gearfest UK 2023: Korg's New Nautilus AT On Show

video upload by sonicstate

"We spoke to Luke Edwards from Korg UK at Gear Fest 2023, where he showed us the just released the Nautilus AT, an upgraded version of the Nautilus workstation with the addition of Aftertouch.

The Nautilus AT offers expressive control with assignable Aftertouch, allowing users to add extra nuance and variation to their playing.

Available in 88 and 61-key options, the Nautilus AT retains the nine engine architecture from the Kronos, including sampling, piano, electric piano, and legacy synth engines like the MS-20 and Poly-6.

The Nautilus AT serves as Korg's current flagship workstation."

Gearfest UK 2023: PWM Mantis Synth Is Coming Along

video upload by sonicstate

"We spoke to Paul and Ben from PWM at Gear Fest 2023, where they provided an update on their Mantis synthesizer. The Mantis project was initially started by Chris Huggett, and Ben has taken over the firmware development since Chris's passing. The Mantis is now in a working state and producing impressive sounds. Ben discussed the challenges of refining the code and turning the proof of concept into a fully functional product, addressing features like the multi-mode filter and ensuring compatibility for production. Paul mentioned that the firmware and sound patching would require a few more months of development before moving into mass production. The Mantis is expected to be available for purchase in October, just in time for the pre-Christmas rush."

GearFest UK 22: UAFX Pedals With Prophet 10

video upload by

"Embedded in a nice studio room in the Tileyard complex, UA had a low key setup showing a few of their choice items - including the the UAFX pedals - which we'd not seen before in the flesh.

Tom gave us a look and listen to the three FX processing pedals:

Golden - Reverb
Starlight - delay
Astra - modulation chorus

All three are true stereo with true bypass and have a pretty stylish look to them - priced at £349 each."

GearFest UK 2022 - Summit + Peak OS Updates With Calc

video upload by sonicstate

"Nice to see Chris Calcutt at the show and he was ready to show us the new OS for Peak and Summit which brings several new features for their Polysynths.

Features:

Stereo
New spread modes, panning per voice, and panning in the mod matrix give additional control and allows for sound design in the stereo field. Now you can create bigger, wider, and more intricately textured soundscapes.
Modulation and unpredictability
Create deeper and more experimental sounds with new mod destinations, noise as a mod source, and additional LFO 3 and 4 parameters. Animate Envelopes and Arpeggiator Chance open more creative performance possibilities.
Effects
New effects, including Chorus Modes, Flanger, and Phlanger add new tonalities. Additional effects modulation destinations open up more experimental sound design. A new Lo-Fi delay mode enables a more vintage style sound.
Bug Fixes
The firmware update v2.0 includes a number of bug fixes. The full details can be found in the release notes.

The Firmware can be installed via the Components utility.

https://novationmusic.com/en/components"

GearFest UK 22: TX-6 Gets Direct to Disc Recording and more

video upload by sonicstate

"Rarely has a product been more divisive than the Teenage Engineering TX-6 portable mixer. Except perhaps the OP-1 Field :-).

We know that the TX-6 - 12 channel portable mixer and interfaces is expensive. It is also highly desirable which kind of goes along with the whole TE thing - they do make lovely objects, but they are expensive - I guess we'll just have to get over that and buy them or not.

But I do confess I have a bit of GAS for the TX-6 - and TE have already started to update the firmware - as with the original OP-1 which they got a higher amount of life out of a relatively small DSP. The new TX-6 and OP-1 Field have bags of extra processing capacity ready to fill up with features.

The new TX-6 Firmware adds:

usb mass storage disk record/playback for 24-bit 48 kHz stereo wav files, including armed recording with automatic start on audio detect.
PO-sync output on aux and cue, with selectable 8th note for PO-sync and 16th note for modular systems.
external midi control of all TX–6 parameters, for complete remote control over midi.
extended midi support for synth mode to play the synth chromatically using midi notes from an external keyboard.
added 'scenes' to save and load all settings.
usb audio multiple sample rate support: 48 kHz and additionally 44.1 kHz, for compatibility with MPC live etc.
BLE midi clock in/out support with clock routing settings.
BLE host mode to connect peripherals like BLE midi keyboards.
switchable aux and cue outputs, to be able to utilize the higher output level of the aux jack if needed for high impedance headphones.
added balanced mono input mode in addition to the stereo / mono / split modes.
parameters keep their values until a knob is moved, making it easier to switch knob config without undesired behavior.
no snap back of the freeze FX parameter. click to reset instead.
smoother change of FX I send.
stability bugfix for usb midi host mode.
usb audio mode set on menu exit, instead of directly."

GearFest UK 2022 - Moog Mavis

video upload by sonicstate

"Source Distribution were showing their brands and we made a bee-line for the Moog Mavis - we have one but it arrived just before holidays - there will be a review forthcoming, but in the mean time Tom from Source, gave us a look at the new kit form (screw together really) synth from Moog.

Featuring a basic Oscillator into the ladder filter - MAVIS also has a wave folders (new for Moog) plus the LFO can be a second oscillator with full CV tracking. As well as a nicely thought out patchbay (we find out why its on the left), there's a decent amount of utility. And of course, its pretty reasonably priced for a Moog at £339"

GEARFEST UK Set for July 2nd

via @WeAreNovation

"Join us at GEARFEST!

We'll be at Gearfest at
@TileyardLondon
, July 2nd, 10am-6pm at the Vinyl Cafe.

Get hands on with your favourite pieces of gear plus enjoy panels, food, drink and live music!

Tickets via the link - http://eventbrite.co.uk/e/gearfest-uk-tickets-324837005227…

#WeAreNovation #Gearfest #Tileyard"
--- via the event page:

"Welcome to the UK’s leading music studio equipment exhibition, hosted by Sound On Sound magazine at Tileyard, London.
About this event

Tileyard and Sound On Sound are proud to host GearFest UK, a studio and electronic music equipment show to be held at Tileyard, with exhibitors, panel talks, and events.
See the latest and greatest from the world of synthesizers, drum machines, microphones, recording and DJ equipment, music software and studio gear.
Panel talks host some of the world’s best mix engineers, producers, record labels and management, and artists.
Hit the open bar area, grab a bite from one of the food stalls, and see some live music.
Ticket Prices:
£10 + Booking Fee
Under 16's go free when accompanied by at least one paying adult."

Be sure to see the events label below for additional events happening across the globe. Note I try to limit the label to one or two posts to prevent any single event from drowning out others. You can click on the event name label for additional posts for any given event. Also some events share the same name, ie. SYNTHFEST, so be sure to check for additional details to differentiate between them.