Nord Lead Anniversary Model presentation

YouTube via gearjunkies
"The moment Clavia unveiled the Limited Edition of their Nord Lead at this years MusikMesse. More at Gearjunkies.com."

And an image and some info via the Clavia Website:

"Nord Lead Anniversary Model Ltd. EditionClavia was founded 25 years ago by Hans Nordelius. The very first products from us involved digital audio and samples, technologies that were well and truly in its infancy back in 1983. 13 years ago Clavia launched the original Nord Lead, which made a huge impact on the synthesizer community and the MI business. The Nord Lead was Clavia's first keyboard instrument and was to lead the way, not only for the MI business but also for the direction of Clavia as a company. In order to commemorate this first 25th anniversary for Clavia, we have created the Nord Lead Anniversary Model Limited Edition. This collectible synthesizer will be made in a limited production run that will consist of only 299 units. The Nord Lead Anniversary Model Ltd. Edition shares the specifications with the Nord Lead 2x and will be easily recognizable with a custom printed front panel and the inverted color scheme on the keyboard. The individually numbered units will be delivered with a certificate of authenticity, signed by Mr Nordelius."

Akai at Messe 2008: Mike Hosker on MPC5000

YouTube via AkaiProVideo
"Mike Hosker performs on the new MPC5000 at Music Messe in Frankfurt Germany."

Musikmesse 12.3 Pics on Sequencer.de

click here for more.

Nintendo DS10
and
Roland Fantom G

MESSE08:Melodyne Blows Our Minds

More Melodyne. This time via Sonic State's Musikmesse coverage. If you haven't already, be sure to see this previous post on Melodyne.

Musikmesse: Emulator X3 Launched

via Sonic State

"E-MU has announced its new Emulator X3 Streaming Sampling Synthesizer, offering both 32-bit and native 64-bit applications, multi-processor and multi-threading support. E-MU say that xciting new features have been added to the extraordinary capabilities of this instrument. In addition, the E-MU hardware lock has been removed so that E-MU hardware is no longer required as a dongle.

Emulator X3 features E-MU’s Xstream™ streaming sound engine with up to 192kHz sampling and playback, an arsenal of automated sampling/beat analysis/editing tools and almost unlimited sound manipulation that builds on E-MU’s 35 years of synthesis experience.

Emulator X3 ships with:

* 32-bit Emulator X2 Application (Windows® XP/Vista)
* 64-bit Emulator X2 Application (Windows® x64/Vista)

New Features in Emulator X3:

* Xstream™
New improved and Vista compatible Xstream 24-bit/192kHz Streaming Engine—32-bit and native 64-bit applications optimized for Multi-core and Multi-threaded processors. Xstream intelligently balances the processing load across all available resources for exceptional performance.

* Region Xplode Beat Slicer
This great new feature translates recorded drum parts into MIDI files. The Xplode function generates new voices from the selected Region, then creates a MIDI file that maps the new regions to MIDI notes. Just import the Standard MIDI File into your favorite MIDI sequencer and have authentic drum grooves under your control.

* Tempo Map Export
TwistaLoop can now analyze and export the Tempo Map of a song. This indispensable tool allows you to synchronize a rhythm track to a performance that was recorded without a metronome. You sequencer will “groove” with you instead of marching to its own beat.

* Xtractor™
The Xtractor is a new audio manipulation tool that can cut or boost audio levels based on stereo position and frequency. If a song was mixed using stereo panning, this tool allows specific instruments or vocals to be removed, isolated, or pitch shifted. You can remove or isolate vocals, basses, or other instruments, process them and then return them to the mix if you like. The Xtractor is also a powerful analysis tool, since it visually displays the location of each instrument in a stereo mix.

* Translator Convertor
The Translator Emulator X Convertor, by Chicken Systems, enables you to convert many popular sampler formats into the Emulator X’s .exb file format. The bundled Translator Emulator X Convertor application can convert the following types of files:
o Akai S-1000/3000
o Akai MPC
o Emu EIII/ESi/Emax
o Tascam GigaStudio 1 + 2
o SoundFont
o Native Instruments Kontakt 1 + 2
o Steinberg HALion I and I

* Over 3.3 GB of sounds (over 2500 Presets) from E-MU’s premier sound library are included:

o X Producer : Four classic Emulator banks: Proteus X Composer, Hip Hop Producer, E-MU General MIDI, Saint Thomas Strings
o Studio Grand : A stunning 1.4 GB grand piano bank
o Beat Shop 1: Contains nine great drum kits with beats and grooves
o Xperience: Examples of TwistaLoop, morphing filters and more
o Xtreme Lead-1: An inspiring Techno/Industrial with clock-synchronization
o LoopMasters: Top quality, copyright-free samples from the masters of loops

Pricing and Availability:
Emulator X3 will ship in late March 2008 at an estimated street price of £349.99/ €499.99 (including VAT). US estimated street price is $499.99."
http://www.emu.com/

Musikmesse: New Yamaha MM8

"Power and control. Two elements that can make all the difference in your music, whether you compose, create or perform.

The MM8 and MM6 Music Synthesizers deliver all the musical power and creative control you need - and a whole lot more. Taking their sounds from the highly popular pro-level MOTIF series instruments, the MM8 and MM6 have an enormous variety of dynamic, authentic Voices to help you create and perform in virtually any style of music.

These powerful instruments also give you total control over your sound, letting you dynamically change sonic textures as you play with real-time tweakable knobs. Also built-in are special Patterns that provide full instrumental backing - drums, bass and chords - to accompany your live performance and song creation.

With its exceptional light weight and portability, the MM6 is the perfect choice for musicians on the go, while the full length 88-key keyboard of the MM8 delivers natural touch and expressive control over the complete piano range.

The MM8 feature:
• Super-high-quality sounds
• Tons of real-time control
• Dynamic music creation tools—including automatic Pattern and Arpeggiator generators
• Performance Memory for instantfull-panel setting changes
• Versatile song recording features —with eight normal tracks and one Pattern track
• Convenient, easy-to-use data storage solutions"

Link

Musikmesse: New Yamaha Motif Rack XS

"Inspiration can strike at any time, but there's no need to wait for it. The new MOTIF-RACK XS is packed full of inspiring sounds, exciting rhythms and expressive control that spur your creativity to new heights - any time, any place.

The compact MOTIF-RACK XS gives you an enormous selection of Voices based on the popular,professional-level MOTIF XS, studio-level effect processing,five real-time Control Knobs for tweaking 20 different parameters as you play,a wide-ranging library of convenient Multi-part presets,thousands of automatic Arpeggios at your fingertips, and seamless hardware/software integration.

Never before has such comprehensive control, music-making versatility andsheer sonic power been combined in such a small, easy-to-use package.This little powerhouse has all you need - effectively doing the workof several tone generators and processors.Simply hook it up to a laptop or a keyboard workstation and you've got an entire studio's worth ofsounds and effects at your fingertips - plus a whole world of inspiration you can tap into.

The MOTIF-RACK XS features:
• Wide range of dynamic and authentic Voices - total of 1,152 Voices and 65 Drum Kits
• Powerful Arpeggio function - simultaneous playback of four types, total 6,633 available
• Five real-time Control Knobs, for adjusting the sound as you perform or record
• Convenient, intuitive editing of all settings from computer with MOTIF-RACK XS Editor
• Full integration with the popular Cubase series audio/MIDI recording software"

Link

Musikmesse: Free Your VSTs with SM Pro Audio

"SM Pro Audio have three new products at the show – the V-Box, V-Rack, and V-Pedal are stand-alone VST plug-in compatible hardware units which the company describe as three of the funkiest standalone VST compatible products ever seen and designed to provide musicians, engineers, producers, and guitarists performance products they can rely on.

Based around the recently developed 'Powered by VFX'™ hardware platform, VST and VSTi plug-ins can be loaded directly into the V-Box, V-Pedal, or V-Rack which all offer VST/VSTi plug-in compatibility in stand-alone hardware units without the need for a standard PC/Mac computer.

Here’s how SM Pro Audio describe the three new V-products...

V-Box
The V-Box is a compact VST/VSTi hardware playback module built for performance keyboard players and DJ's. It is one little beast that can't be underestimated once loaded up with your favorite VST instrument and effect plugins. Take your plug-ins on the road or into the studio and access them live without a computer. Multiple plug-ins can be pre-loaded into bank/preset memories for immediate access. Combine VST and VSTi plug-ins into chains, splits, and layers to create extremely rich and unique sounds. Full external MIDI controller support allows users access to available loaded plug-in parameter controls such as virtual dials, switches, and faders. Infinitely adaptable and powerful, the V-Box is set to become a truly indispensable tool."

Full press release on Sonic State. You can find some other press releases on the SM Pro Audio website.

KORG DS-10 #001 - MS10 for the Nintendo DS

YouTube via aqi. This one via a number of readers: Julien, Stefan, Andrew and J.

More info including samples on the official Korg DS10 website.
"KORG DS-10

The KORG DS-10 is a music-creation software for the Nintendo DS that combines the superior interface of the Nintendo DS and the design concept of the famous MS-10 synthesizer.

The sound sources in the KORG DS-10 come from KORG - one of the world's top musical instrument producers - and no effort was spared in creating these ultra-high-quality sounds. The Nintendo DS's dual-screen touch panel is used to the fullest to provide a feel and operability that is unsurpassed, and combined with the sensory input mode at the touch-control screen, this unit can be appreciated by the complete novice as well as the seasoned professional.

In addition to the two analog synth simulators and drum module, a 6-track/16-step sequencer enables precise control and provides a wide range of musical possibilities. Several units can be connected and played together through a wireless link, and this and other features make the Nintendo DS and KORG DS-10 almost limitless in their application - they can take you places that no single synthesizer can.

The KORG DS-10 will introduce “stylus music” to the world at the International Musikmesse Frankfurt (Germany).

Sound sample
demo song01 (02:08) MP3 4.9MB
Description
- World's first music tool software created for the Nintendo DS
- Two patchable dual-oscillator analog synth simulators:
- Four-part drum machine that uses sounds created with the analog synth simulator
- Six-track (analog synth x 2, drum machine x 4) /16-step sequencer
- Delay, chorus, and flanger sound effects available from the mixing board
- Three note-entry modes: touch-control screen, keyboard screen, matrix screen
- Real-time sound control mode via touch-control screen
- Exchange sounds and songs and play multiple units simultaneously through a wireless communications link
Specifications
Specifications KORG　DS-10
Release date July 2008
Price 4,800 YEN (tax included)
Distributor AQ Interactive, Inc.
*FOR JAPAN ONLY"

MESSE08: We're On our Way

Some Musikmesse teasers via Sonic State:
"Just short vlog to let you know that we're on our way to the MESSE. The UK has gales but we're now holed up in our hotel just around the corner from the show, ready to hit the ground running.

Much, much more to come. Show starts 12th March.

video on the way up -I'm off to bed"

Musikmesse: Synthesizer-Welt First Shots

via sequencer.de

"Stand/Booth B66 not yet ready. but WED we are.."

For those not familiar with the Frankfurt Musikmesse, think NAMM for Europe, but only hosted once a year. As always, I'll be posting stuff as it comes in, so keep checking back.

Synthesizer-Welt at Frankfurt Musikmesse

Just a reminder for those fortunate enough to be attending this year's Musikmesse, do not miss Synthesizer-Welt (World) hosted by Synthesizer-Magazin.

Halle 5.1, Stand B66
March 12-15, 2008

Industrial Grade Digital Synthesizer for Linux

"Minicomputer is a standalone Linux softwaresynthesizer for creating experimental electronic sounds as its often used in but not limited to Industrial music, IDM, EBM, Glitch, sound design and minimal electronic. It is monophonic but can produce up to 8 different sounds at the same time. It uses Jack as realtime audio infrastructure and can be controlled via Midi. Minicomputer is free open source software distributed under GPL 3 written by Malte Steiner 2007/2008." Click here for more info including samples and manual. The software will be shown at the SYNTHESIZER-WORLD booth (hosted by Synthesizer-Magazin) at the Musikmesse.

Next Gen SCOPE

"Innovation "Made in Germany": Sonic Core is going to introduce its newest addition to the SCOPE product line at the MusikMesse show in Frankfurt (Hall 5.1, Stand D10). The SCOPE XITE-1 device combines DSP-based accelerated audio processors with a high-end audio interface. The external 19inch/1U rackmount unit is connected to a PC or Notebook via PCI-Express interface.

Using state-of-the-art SHARC signal processors allows for an increase of processing power by a factor of 10 compared to the older 14DSP SCOPE-Board.

A continuously developed low-latency technology allows the professional user to work with an agreeable, quasi-analog behaving audio platform. The flexible software environment includes a full range of plug-in audio devices: A selection of digital mixers, more than 50 audio effects, samplers and synthesizers in uncompromising sound quality. Additional compatible plug-ins developed by well-known third-party manufacturers continue to be available.

Planned to be released at the same time, the latest SCOPE software (Version 5) is intended to be available for Windows Vista, Windows XP and also Mac OS X.

# 10 x more DSP power than before
# External PCIe / ExpressCard for PC / MAC / Notebooks
# Compatible to the SCOPE Fusion Platform

Scheduled release
May 2008

Retail price
About 2698,- EUR excl. VAT (Introductory Price)"
That would be about 4,137.12 USD. LINK

Note: John Bowen teamed with SONIC CORE to produce the Solaris.

Musikmesse: Percussa to Demo New MIDI Bridge Software

"MARCH 6TH - MERE, BELGIUM — Percussa, a Belgium based electronic musical instruments company, will demo its AudioCubes hardware platform with Propellerheads Reason at the upcoming Musikmesse.

AudioCubes are a unique and visually intriguing performance tool that can be used as fully assignable MIDI controllers for music and multimedia as well as a standalone wireless digital/analog lo-fi sound generator and processor.

When used as a controller, the AudioCubes translate their physical positioning and proximity (including external surfaces) to Trigger and scalable Continuous Controller information, which can be routed via its Midi Bridge software to other applications such as as Ableton Live, Reason, softsynths, plug-in FX and physical MIDI devices. Through construct development programs such as Cycling 74's Max/MSP/Jitter these capabilities can be extended to the control of Lighting, Video, even electromechanical Installations, and open a world of research and education possibilities in which hands-on interaction with technology plays a key role.

Besides presenting an update to the MIDI Bridge application and manuals for AudioCubes, Percussa will demo improved compatibility with Propellerhead Software Reason 4 through a new remote codec, to be released as a free download for all AudioCubes users after the Musikmesse. Among the other improvements of its MIDI Bridge software are sensor scaling and inversion, and a preset system.

More than just an alternate controller, the AudioCubes inspire creative new approaches to your productions.

Availability: Software available as a free download from http://www.percussa.com/
Photos
Video"

genoQs at the Musikmesse

via genoQs Machines
"we are delighted to announce that we will be present at the Musikmesse in Frankfurt, on Friday and Saturday, the 14th and 15th of March, 2008.

Most of all, we would like to take this opportunity to meet you in person, should you plan to be there, present you Octopus in person, and possibly reveal to you the one or other secret..

We will be located in the "Synthesizer-Welt" area: Hall 5.1 / B66, and much looking forward for you to drop by. See you in Frankfurt next week!"

Check out AudioCubes at Musikmesse 2008

via Percussa
"I am Bert Schiettecatte, the founder of PERCUSSA, and the inventor of the AudioCubes, the first tangible interface in the world for live electronic music.
I would like to personally invite you to our booth at the upcoming Musikmesse in Frankfurt, and check out the latest developments of the AudioCubes, such as:
• improved compatbility with Propellerheads Reason
• the MIDI Bridge preset system
• improved MIDI continuous controller scaling, range setting and inversion
Our booth location: Hall 5.1, Stand D39. Stop by and say hello!
Also, don't forget to visit the AudioCubes forum where you can exchange experiences with other users of the AudioCubes and ask questions.
Warm regards from Europe,
Bert Schiettecatte
PERCUSSA"

Doepfer A-100 Monster Base Frame

via Doepfer, via ross.
On the occasion of the Musikmesse Frankfurt from March 12 to 15, 2008 we show the prototype of the A-100 Monster Base. It has the same width as the A-100 monster case and is planned as a base frame for these. But it can be used also without the monster case. It has a removeable top cover with handle for easy transportation.
The base frame has two rows for modules available: one with horizontal alignment and another 45 degrees inclined row. The useable width will be probably 160 HP (i.e. a bit less than the monster case because of the mechanical construction). Two A-100 power supplies (PSU2) and four bus boards are built in.

Release date: spring 2008, price: still to be calculated

Synthesizer-Welt on Frankfurt Musikmesse

via sequencer.de

If I am reading this right, synthesizer-magazin will be showing vintage synths at this year's Musikmesse. Should definitely be interesting.

MusoTalk 114-Namm Report 2008-Omnisphere-Euphonix MC

YouTube via musotalk
"weitere Informationen: www.musotalk.de Der neue Spectrasonics Megasynth Omnisphere kommt Ende des Jahres. Die Euphonix MC Control war einer der kleinen Hypes der Messe."