Softube launches Doepfer A-101-2 Vactrol LPG low pass gate module for Modular

"LINKÖPING, SWEDEN: high-end plug-in specialist Softube is proud to launch Doepfer A-101-2 Vactrol LPG — a plug- in version of Doepfer’s modernized take on the Buchla LPG (Low Pass Gate) concept, complete with clever and creative additions — as a new module for its perennially popular Modular software synth as of April 5...

Ever since its invention by Don Buchla, the LPG has been heralded for an ability to add a lifelike and organic response and textures to modular synth patches. With its A-101-2 Vactrol LPG, Eurorack instigator Doepfer took the concept a step further, adding a resonance filter for further sonic treatment. Today, thanks to Softube’s plug-in version for Modular, the module is available for any music creator that prefers working in the software realm.

As implied by name, Doepfer’s hardware LPG modules are based on vactrols — just like opto-compressors. The response time of these can vary wildly, which is all part of the LPG charm. Softube’s plug-in version of Doepfer’s design adds a Vact. switch, which was not part of the original hardware. This lets users switch between fast, medium, or slow (F/M/S) response times to cover the variation between individual analog units.

Doepfer’s A-101-2 Vactrol LPG hardware has been a longtime staple in the Eurorack world; now it’s a welcome addition to Softube’s Modular, the first truly expandable software modular system that looks, works, and sounds exactly like its hardware counterparts.

Doepfer A-101-2 Vactrol LPG is available now from Softube’s website and from authorized dealers around the world. The list price is $39, but it is available at an introductory price of $29 until April 30, 2017."

Arturia announces the KeyLab Essential Series

Published on Apr 5, 2017 ARTURIA

"Watch this video featuring LAAKE, an electronic musician from Paris, France. The track was recorded within Ableton Live Lite and all its synth sounds were created with Analog Lab 2 - both of which are included with KeyLab Essential."

"Arturia is thrilled to announce the imminent release of KeyLab Essential - an affordable, yet fully-featured range of universal MIDI controller keyboards.

Created with the budget-conscious musician in mind, KeyLab Essential provides everything they need to create and record music straight out of the box. The 49- and 61-note controllers are packed with intuitive performance controls, feature powerful DAW integration, and come with 3 incredible software titles.

KeyLab Essential features:
• 49 / 61-note velocity sensitive keyboard
• Pitch bend & modulation wheels
• Transposition by semitones & octaves
• MCU / HUI compliant for comprehensive DAW integration
• 8 RGB back-lit, multi-purpose performance pads
• 9 faders & rotary encoders
• DAW Command Center & transport section
• 1 DAW-assigned memory (mapping for knobs & faders to control panning and level of tracks)
• 1 Analog Lab-assigned memory (mapping for knobs & faders to control essential parameters in Arturia
instruments)
• 6 fully-customizable user memories
• “Chord play” mode
• Twin-line LCD screen
• Class-compliant USB, enabling use with iOS and Android devices
• Comprehensive music software bundle included
• Optional sustain pedal and DC power supply

Built to inspire, each model of KeyLab Essential includes the following software titles:

Analog Lab 2
A collection of over 5,000 keyboard presets taken from the award-winning V Collection, powered by Arturia’s exclusive TAE® technology. Featuring every type of sound you can imagine, from analog monosynths to lush pianos, organs to digital powerhouses and everything in between, and all accessible through an easy to navigate, tag-based browser.

Ableton Live Lite
An introduction to the world of Ableton Live, a high-powered software suite used by top producers, DJs, performers, and remixers all around the world. Live Lite lets you record your ideas, layer tracks, warp audio, and release your productions.

UVI Grand Piano Model D
Straight from the world’s greatest concert halls and recording studios. KeyLab Essential also includes UVI’s recreation of the Steinway Model D grand piano, sampled in exquisite detail, ready for you to play, and free of charge.

Combining a stylish, rugged MIDI keyboard, DAW controls, deep integration, and iconic music software, KeyLab Essential is set to become the go-to choice for producers and musicians who want maximum bang for their buck.
KeyLab Essential will begin shipping worldwide in June 2017.

The 49-key version will retail for 199 € / US$ 249 The 61-key version will retail for 249 € / US$ 299"

New Nord Stage 3 with Nord Lead A1 Synth Engine Introduced at the #Musikmesse

Introducing Nord Stage 3 at Musikmesse 2017

Published on Apr 4, 2017 NordKeyboards

"The Nord Stage 3 is the fifth generation of our successful Stage series continuing our vision of the ultimate instrument for the performing musician.

Our outstanding new flagship instrument features our latest award-winning technologies including the Nord Lead A1 Synth Engine with sample playback, our acclaimed Nord C2D organ, a greatly enhanced Piano Section and extensive hands-on Effects - all in one exceptional performance keyboard. #nordstage3 #iseenord"

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New Waldorf Quantum - 8 Voice Hybrid Poly Synth

MESSE 2017: Waldorf Quantum - 8 Voice Hybrid Poly Synth

Published on Apr 4, 2017 sonicstate

Update: a couple of renders in via Soviet Space Child.

Hybrid Digital/Analog 8 voice polysynth

Some specs from the video:

3 Oscilators featuring:
Wavetable - waldorf wavetables
Waveform - traditional analog waveforms
Partical - granular sampler
Resonator - resonator filter bank

Nave synthesizer with speech and spectrum functionality built in - waveform & spectrum will display on the screen like in the app.

All three oscillators are freely assignable. On the original Waldorf uWave & XT, you had two oscillators that shared an assignable wavetable. On the Waldorf Q and Blofeld you had three oscillators, two freely assignable wavetable oscillators (the Q had two sub oscillators for each), and a third oscillator with more standard waveshapes.

Two dual analog filters. Voice inserts, inserting into the digital voice, going out to the analog, and two OTA filters for each voice that goes back into the voice.

Another digital former - drive, bit crusher, digital filters, etc...

Six envelopes - three on the panel. Envelope curves.
Three Digital Effects
Multistage envelope, glide...
Six LFOs
Touch display
Two layers for multi-timbral
Arpeggiator
And more...

Filip Vandueren jamming on Patchblocks @ Musikmesse 2016

Published on Jun 21, 2016 Patchblocks

"Does what it says on the tin."

Andreas Schneider: "We should stop buying shit from China"

Published on May 11, 2016 Hispasonic

"Andreas Schneider, the mind behind Superbooth —the new trade show for synthesizers, based in Berlin—, talks about his reasons for leaving Musikmesse, an some other hot issues about the synth manufacturing sector."

PPG Modular testing (Musikmesse 2012)

Published on Apr 30, 2016 kovalmoog

"El amigo Carlos Pizarro probando un arqueológico PPG Modular (propiedad de Mathias Gurk, del canal "Known As KneToNatoR") en la Musikmesse 2012 de Frankfurt. A su derecha un prehistórico PPG1020.
Estos (y muchos otros) sintetizadores formaban parte del stand de la revista germana Synthesizer Magazin.
El dueño de la panza cervecera es Sergio Koval, y el de la cámara (no mucho mas delgado) es mi gran amigo Jordi Pascual.

My friend Carlos Pizarro testing an archaeological Modular PPG (owned by Mathias Gurk, of YT channel "Known As KneToNatoR") at Musikmesse 2012, Frankfurt. On its right side, a prehistoric PPG1020.
These (among others) synthesizers were part of the "Synthesizer Magazin" stand.
The owner of the beer belly is Sergio Koval, and the camera operator (btw, not more slim) is my friend Jordi Pascual."

A Quick EMS Vocoder Demo via the Melbourne Electronic Sound Studio in Melbourne Victoria, AU

The awesome awesome EMS Vocoder 2000. Use it now at MESS! #messltd #ems #vocoder pic.twitter.com/8gpBVCLMG7

— Mess Ltd. (@mess_ltd) April 29, 2016

Make sure to click the little speaker icon on the bottom right of the player for audio if you don't hear it.

via @mess_ltd

"The awesome awesome EMS Vocoder 2000. Use it now at MESS! #messltd #ems #vocoder"

Arturia MatrixBrute Awarded Best Synthesizer at Musikmesse

Arturia MatrixBrute DEMO @ Musikmesse 2016

Published on Apr 9, 2016 Bedroom Producers Blog

"Sébastien Rochard demonstrates the epic Arturia MatrixBrute synthesizer, expected for release later this year."

"MatrixBrute was just awarded 2016 Best Synthesizer by more than 100 dedicated special interest magazines at the Musikmesse International Press Award. And this is just the beginning, the most important award we aim to win is your satisfaction!"

MESSE 2016: Yamaha Montage More Demo Sounds

Published on Apr 11, 2016 sonicstate

"We talk to Bert Smørenburg and get a demo of the new Yamaha Montage super synth"

https://yamahasynth.com

Mellotron Digital and Analog | MUSIKMESSE 2016

Published on Apr 11, 2016 Ralph Baumgartl VLog

"Markus Resch of Mellotron.com is explaining the digital Mellotron keyboards and the Rack version, as well as the analog Mellotron which includes tapes from the original Mellotron production line."

Moog booth in the background.

Gerald Peter performing a dubstep track on the Seaboard RISE at Musikmesse 2016

Published on Apr 11, 2016 ROLI

"ROLI Product Specialist Demonstrator got the party started at Musikmesse 2016 with this dubstep performance on the Seaboard RISE."

Heen-Wah Wai performs with the Seaboard RISE and a Boss RC-505 at Musikmesse

Published on Apr 11, 2016 ROLI

"ROLI Product Specialist Demonstrator Heen-Wah Wai treated us to some music from his upcoming album Floating Spaces at ‎Musikmesse 2016. Watch him build this epic orchestral/dubstep track live using the SeaboardRISE and a BOSS RC-505 Loop Station."

Yamaha Montage MusikMesse 2016

Published on Apr 9, 2016 muzykujkropkacom

https://yamahasynth.com

MESSE 2016: MatrixBrute Sounds

Published on Apr 9, 2016 sonicstate

"MESSE 2016: MatrixBrute Sounds Sebastien made a couple of patches for us, during the trade show, you should cut them some slack as this is not an ideal place to create patches, sound levels in the hall are extremely high, but kudos to Sebastien for doing something for us."

MESSE 2016: ROLI Seaboard Rise and the New Lift Dimension

Published on Apr 9, 2016 sonicstate

"Now you get up to 5 dimensions of expressivity"

MESSE 2016: Mellotron Micro Prototype

Published on Apr 9, 2016 sonicstate

"A new baby sized Mellotron"

Schmidt Eightvoice Polyphonic Synthesizer | Musikmesse 2016

Published on Apr 9, 2016 Ralph Baumgartl VLog

"Stefan Schmidt is explaining what inspired him to develop the Schmidt Eightvoice Polyphonic Synthesizer and Axel Fischer is giving a quick demonstration of this incredible music instrument. Moreover Axel is providing some information about the price and the delivery time."

MESSE 2016: Massive DIY Formant Synth - Check it Out

Published on Apr 9, 2016 sonicstate

"A labour of love for the past 20 years."

MESSE 2016: Lab4Music Sapario - Advanced MIDI Router

Published on Apr 9, 2016 sonicstate

"Turns your keyboard into a MIDI powerhouse"

http://www.lab4music.it