Zaquencer 1.04 In depth look Published on Oct 22, 2015
"In depth explanation and tutorial of the new features of the Zaquencer update 1.04: Delays & Ratcheting.
Please also refer to the Zaquencer manual to reference the list of modes explained in this video."
"This update adds the following features:
- regular & inverse midi delay
- ratcheting with submodes glide up & glide down, mini arpeggiator
- 2-note-interval chords
If you already own the Zaquencer, you´ll find the download of the 1.04 full version in your account for free."
“A few years ago we ceased production of our popular Sync-Gen IILE unit because we felt it couldn’t really compete with the newer Sync-Gen IIPRO
As part of our cleanup and reset for 2016 we discovered enough cases, boards and accessories in the factory to build another twenty five brand new Sync-Gen IILE units.
These solid devices are identical to the Sync-Gen IIPRO in terms of timing precision, ease of use and they run the identical Sync-Gen II software as well of course. They have a single MIDI Clock and a single DIN-Sync output but these can be expanded easily if required.
They originally retailed for $495AUD. Our offer to include a MIDI Solutions Merge unit ($100AUD) at no extra charge to celebrate the clean up goes for these last twenty five Sync-Gen IILE units as well. Purchase links are on the website."
"Kenton makes room for more MIDI connections with well-thought-through THRU-25 box
LONDON, UK: MIDI utilities specialist Kenton is proud to announce availability of the THRU-25 — an appropriately-named new addition to its growing family of compact and sturdy MIDI utility boxes that effectively allows up to 25 MIDI devices to be connected to one MIDI output port and avoids all the usual problems associated with daisy-chaining multiple MIDI devices — as of September 29…
As implied by name, the THRU-25 boasts no fewer than 25 sequentially-numbered MIDI Thru ports, each with separate drive circuits for optimum performance, plus one opto-coupled MIDI IN (MIDI input) port — and all with an impressive latency of less than one microsecond! Active circuitry helps restore the quality of signals received at that MIDI input as they may have become degraded by losses incurred in the MIDI cable connecting the keyboard, computer, or other ‘master’ MIDI device to the THRU-25. In use, up to 25 ‘slave’ MIDI devices can be conveniently controlled by simply connecting them to those multiple MIDI Thru ports — one MIDI device per port.
Housed in a road-ready metal box attractively finished in brushed aluminium with black screen print measuring merely 300mm (W) x 54mm (D) x 35mm (H) and weighing in at a portable 460g (including the power supply), the THRU-25 is powered by a plug-top, switch-mode power supply (supplied with the unit as one of four types — Australia, EU, UK, or USA — appropriate to the delivery address). As such, there is no need for periodic battery changes to keep the unit up and running. Instead, the ACTIVE LED emits a steady green light to indicate when power is connected and no MIDI data is being received at the MIDI IN port; in turn, that green light flickers when MIDI data is being received — really helpful for trouble-shooting at a glance.
'The THRU-25 is a larger version of our popular THRU-5,' notes Kenton Director John K. Price. 'It is intended for use in recording studios and by users with a lot of MIDI equipment. I had received numerous requests over time for a unit larger than the THRU-5, so I made a prototype that I showed at The NAMM Show 2015 back in January. The unit attracted a lot of attention, so we have now put it into production.'
Proponents of high-count hardware MIDI rigs surely owe it to themselves and their devices to invest in a THRU-25 and avoid all those problems associated with daisy-chaining multiple MIDI devices once and for all — and all without breaking a sweat (or breaking the bank)!
The THRU-25 can be purchased from Kenton’s global network of retail partners or directly for £128.92 GBP (excluding tax and shipping) from here: http://www.kentonuk.com/thru25"
"A great way to view the wave forms from your modular synth.
In the pictures i posted are from my modular synth while a simple sequence was playing. Turned the FREQ and RES knobs to capture the different waveform displays.
Comes with dc adapter manual 1/4 patch cable (eurorack) and the scope.
You may want to build this into your modular setup for some great eye candy."
"Video showing the basic features of my touch keyboard, ribbon, and joystick controlled analog microtemporal programmer sequencer. It is a little complicated! Lots of Ken Stone CGS boards insides, with a hacked Arduino / Narbotic Midivox MIDI clock.
The microtemporal side (continuously variable note lengths) functions by comparing any analog waveform (a rising sawtooth for the easiest to understand) with 16 stacked, variable width (each knob in the bottom row) windowed comparators. The other useful custom feature is the four gated (i.e. "strobed") LM311 comparators that allow note by note muting across all four sequencer tracks. Really simple (just turn the knob to zero) to implement - probably has been done, but I haven't seen this before."
"LONDON, UK: MIDI utilities specialist Kenton is proud to announce availability of the D-SYNC bi-directional MIDI to DIN Sync convertor — an appropriately-named new addition to its growing family of compact and sturdy MIDI utility boxes that cleverly converts MIDI Clock to DIN Sync (sync24) and DIN Sync to MIDI Clock signals — as of August 27…
Appreciating the intrinsic value of this unassuming, yet useful little utility box — as attractively priced as it is — involves an appreciation of electronic musical instrument synchronisation; so, for the benefit of the uninitiated, here goes…
"STEP SEQUENCER
The row of potentiometers controls the pitch while the buttons toggle the steps on and off. Two additional controllers were added to manipulate the tempo and sequence length.
ABOUT MODI
Modi is a expandable controller bank system designed for AVR microcontroller platforms like Arduino and Teensy. There are four distinct module types available, each consisting of either 8 or 16 individually readable analog or digital controllers. Modi boards can be stacked to support up to 64 inputs making them ideal for MIDI/OSC projects.
Update: video accidentally posted too early. It will be uploaded with details will full details in time. A new post will go up to let you know.
Update2: new post here.
"8 Bit Mix Tape 'Berliner Schule' is sequencing Roland System100. 'Berliner Schule' is a 8 Step control voltage sequencer using an atiny84 microcontroller. For triggering the System 100 a trigger converter for the higher voltage of the System 100 is needed."
And a second video from Marc Dusseiller. Not sure what it's driving in this one.
Note there are a number of different firmwares including an 8BitMixtapeBeatSlicer and 8BitMixtapeDJ "experimental 8 bit mixtape with dual pwm out and digital crossfade". I created a new 8BitMixtape channel for these moving forward.
The Berliner Schule is a "modified 8step sequencer to run on attiny84, with LED driving and eeprom save"
"The J74 ISO Controllers package turns the popular Launchpad controllers into multi-template isomorphic controllers. By re-assigning notes to the pads and using colors to give essential and intuitive information about the harmonic characteristics, the layouts turn both controllers in easy to play instruments for harmony and melody.
Features
- 9 modes interchangeable isomorphic layouts
- 40+ musical scales applicable to the layouts
- Each layout can be transposed to any key root (+/- 64 semitones)
- Key back-light feedback and output velocity control
- Pitch bender
- Custom scale definition
- Circle of Fifths navigation
- Possibility to jump (toggle/momentary) between any two scales
Launchpad Pro Features:
- Support of Velocity
- Support of After-Touch
- Pitch Bend virtual wheel
- Modulation virtual wheel
- Program Changes control buttons"
"E-RM effectively solves studio and stage sync and timing troubles with multiclock multi-format sync box
BERLIN, GERMANY: professional audio synchronisation specialist E-RM Erfindungsbüro is proud to announce availability of multiclock — an ultra-reliable multi-channel, multi-format sync box that builds a musical bridge between DAWs and external (MIDI, DIN Sync/sync24, and analogue modular) musical gear like no other by converting clock signals for tight integration into digital production workflow without troublesome timing issues, as well as providing helpful and creative realtime shift and shuffle controls to independently compensate for sloppy slave machine delays and also add groove to each creative channel — as of August 12…
multiclock’s ‘mission impossible’ is to therefore act as a one-stop shop for creatively synchronising all kinds of musical equipment to a master DAW with the greatest of ease and, obviously, precision. Put simply, it is built to overcome all of the well-documented problems associated with achieving tight synchronisation of sequencers, drum machines, arpeggiators, and other external equipment with each other and also within the workflow of a DAW. Doing this is easier said than done from a technical standpoint, so how has E-RM Erfindungsbüro apparently achieved the impossible with something so small and simple to use, then?
The key to multiclock’s reliability and innovation is its ability to acquire a variety of sync signals from an Audio Sync track, as opposed to relying on a MIDI Clock signal. Synchronising multiclock to a master DAW relies on a sample-accurate audio clock stream, which, in turn, guarantees gloriously-tight clock signals to within ±1 sample of jitter — jitter being defined as the undesired deviation of a periodic signal from the ideal timing. To put that fanciful figure into its rightful context, consider that jitter here is as low as ±20 μs (microseconds) and that one microsecond is to one second as one second is to 11.574 days! Do the math. multiclock makes such superlative synchronisation possible by providing an audio INPUT (1/4-inch jack socket) to process a special sync track generated from the company’s downloadable multiclock AU/VST plug-in (for Mac OS X/Windows) namesake. Alternatively, another way of simply synchronising multiclock to a DAW is to load the special sync sample downloadable from the dedicated E-RM Erfindungsbüro webpage (http://www.e-rm.de/support/downloads.php). Whichever route discerning users choose to take, the result remains the same: seamless integration of all external devices with the host computer, courtesy of those celebrated clock signals. Simply said, this thing is tight to within a gnat’s whisker of perfection!
Perfect DAW synchronisation notwithstanding, when acting as a standalone master clock generator for hardware-only setups multiclock means business by coming into its own as a seriously creative tool. Tempo ranges between 30-300 BPM, while time signature settings can be changed from 3/8 to 32/8, so slave machines always start in sync with the downbeat of the next bar. But there’s more… multiclock can cleverly shift all four of its output clock channels — conveniently labelled as channel 01, channel 02, channel 03, and channel 04 — back and forth in realtime against each other and also relative to the master clock. Connectivity comes courtesy of four corresponding DIN sockets, fully configurable to transmit MIDI Clock (MIDI), DIN Sync/sync24 (DIN) or analogue clock (Analog) on each channel. channel 01 even comes complete with an additional 1/4-inch TRS output jack to provide an analogue LFO (LFO) with various waveforms and a 0-5V range, while modular synth connectivity is easily accomplished via any channel using an E-RM modular whip to convert DIN sockets to two mini jacks for clock and signal runs. Up to ±300 ms of Shift Range ensures easy compensation of sloppy slave machine delay and audio buffer latencies can be compensated for by setting a constant Offset calibration for each channel, conveniently leaving more than enough headroom to get into the groove, whether working with or without a DAW (since it is always necessary to compensate for the starting time lag of external equipment). Elsewhere, those shift and shuffle knobs can be configured to emit MIDI Control Change commands, should a user happen to have any unused clock channels available on their multiclock.
More to multiclock than might first meet the eye, surely? Says E-RM Erfindungsbüro CEO Maximilian Rest, “multiclock is not only a perfect synchronisation solution for live and studio applications, but you can also use it as an instrument in itself. If you get your hands on this machine, you can start playing with the phase of your sounds, effectively changing the timbre of layered tones or setting the groove between individual drum tracks.”
Time to get into the groove, then! To start shifting clocks and shuffling beats with multiclock — also available with an additional class-compliant USB MIDI module add-on to enable other MIDI commands to be sent from a DAW to external slave devices while still syncing to the sample-accurate audio clock stream — is a musical game-changing experience like no other. Why wait to hit that perfect beat?
multiclock is available to purchase for €449.00 EUR (Classic version) and €519.00 EUR (USB version) — including 19% VAT — via E-RM Erfindungsbüro’s expanding global network of retailers listed here: http://www.e-rm.de/shops/shops.php
First revealed back in June of 2013, we now have some additional details on the upcoming Arpeggio. Further below are three making-of videos featuring audio from the Arpeggio's built-in AVR synth engine.
Details:
"Introducing arpeggio. A new kind of electronic instrument with an interface so simple you can let your intuition take over. A design focused on seamless composition and performance which gives you the precise control to make any melody you want. Every detail of your sequence at your fingertips. No screens or menus. Arpeggio takes the notes you select and instantly plays them in a looping sequence. Tweak and save note sequences. These form the building blocks of melodic improvisation. String them together to create complex melodies. It’s a blank sketchpad for musical notes. There are no presets. You are the composer.
• Create, play, and save sequences instantly with live arpeggio sequencer.
• Up, up-down, down, down-up, sequence, & random arpeggiator modes.
• Access and chain together up to 512 user created arpeggio patterns.
• Internal 2-oscillator virtual analog monosynth.
• Note division sequencer (1/16th, 1/8th, 1/4 notes etc ).
• USB, 1/4” & 1/8” audio out, MIDI in, MIDI out, CV trigger out.
• MIDI & CV clock sync for syncing to external drum machines (master or slave)
• Control external hardware and software synths.
• High quality internal speaker.
• Takes batteries or power from an AC adapter. Make melodies anywhere!"
"Here is the 2nd Video teaser of machining for our prototype, accompanied by Arpeggio's AVR Synth Engine demo. We're cutting a block of aluminum for our button moulds."
"Here we're 3D printing our prototype for Arpeggio. An arpeggiator, sequencer, and synthesizer in one portable instrument. 3D printing has really helped us to perfect the look and feel of the case."
"Hello folks,
we are very excited to announce the opening of preorders for our brand new R24 Step Sequencer. As soon as we'll reach 50 preordered items, we'll start the production line. If you are interested in this very peculiar baby (analog CV/Gate and digital MIDI, syncable, three rows fully independent, a lot of functions expanded and deepened from the mighty A4/A8 internal step sequencer…), don't esitate and go Products/R24 sub page. Here'll, you'll find all infos and prices and specs. Let's move on to sequence…"
This update adds the “pendulum” direction mode and adds the ability to import/export your patterns and global settings as SysEx files.
This SysEx feature can e.g. be used for:
- backup of patterns/settings
- switching of global settings for different setups (live or studio)
- mirroring patterns to a second Zaquencer as a backup (for live)
- exchange of patterns with collaborators
For the SysEx feature the free & open source utility app Zaquencer Preset Manager has been created. So far this allows validating Zaquencer SysEx files after export with more functionality to come.
If you already own the Zaquencer, you´ll find the download of the 1.03 full version in your account for free.
The Demo and Manual have also been updated.
If you would like to obtain a license, please visit the ZAQ Audio Shop."
Introducing the Akai MPD2 Drum Pad Controllers Published on Jul 6, 2015 AkaiProVideo
"AKAI PROFESSIONAL ROCKS ELECTRONIC MUSIC MARKET WITH STUNNING NEW MPD SERIES MIDI PAD CONTROLLERS
Feature-packed units give artists unprecedented creative musical firepower with Thick Fat backlit MPC Pads, multiple controls and included software
Cumberland, RI USA (July 7, 2015) —Akai Professional, a leading manufacturer of keyboards, mixers and production equipment for performers and recording artists, today announced the introduction of their new MPD Series of pad controllers. These new controllers are a product of over six years of detailed customer research and user feedback. The result is the most capable and user-friendly line of pad controllers Akai Professional has developed to date.
All models feature new, ultra sensitive Thick Fat MPC pads creating an amazingly responsive user interaction. They also have an expanded control set to maximize the sounds and effects available to the user, iOS compatibility using the Camera Connection Kit and over $400 of free software (Big Bang Drums and Big Bang Cinema from Sonivox, Ableton Live Lite, and Software Preset Editor).
Building on the success of Akai Pro’s previous MPD18, MPD26 and MPD32, these new pad controllers introduce greatly enhanced control capability to support the artist’s creative efforts:
- The MPD218 has red light-up MPC pads and a greatly expanded control set of 6 knobs in 3 banks vs. one control on the previous MPD18 model.
- The MPD226 has an expanded control set of 4 knobs, 4 faders, 4 buttons in 3 banks for 36 total controls vs. 12 controls on the MPD26
- The MPD232 boasts an all-new 64-channel 32-step performance sequencer, which the MPD32 did not have.
In addition users enjoy intuitive control editing right from the front panel on the MPD226 and MPD232, and all three models can be programmed via the included easy-to-use Preset Editor, so musicians of any level can enhance their performance right away. This is one of the many things that distinguish the Akai Professional MPD218, 226 and 232 from everything else.
A recap of the new MPD Series features:
MPD218
• 16 Thick Fat backlit MPC Pads with Velocity and Aftertouch
• 48 assignable pads accessible via 3 banks
• 18 assignable 360-degree potentiometers accessible via 3 banks
• MPC Note Repeat and Full Level
• iOS compatible using the Camera Connection Kit (sold separately)
• 16 configurable presets
• Includes Ableton Live Lite
• USB powered, no AC adapter required
MPD226
• 16 Thick Fat RGB illuminated velocity- and pressure-sensitive MPC Pads
• 64 assignable pads accessible via 4 banks
• 4 assignable faders, 4 assignable Q-Link knobs, 4 assignable Q-Link buttons
• 36 assignable controls accessible via 3 banks
• Classic MPC Note Repeat, MPC Swing, 16 Level, Full Level and Tap Tempo
• 30 presets total, with configurations for most popular DAWs
• iOS compatible using the Camera Connection Kit (sold separately)
• MIDI In and Out jacks for controlling external gear
• Dedicated Transport controls
• Includes Ableton Live Lite
MPD232
• 64-part, 32-step sequencer to control pad events
• 16 Thick Fat RGB illuminated velocity- and pressure-sensitive MPC Pads
• 64 assignable pads accessible via 4 banks
• 8 assignable Q-Link faders, 8 assignable Q-Link knobs, 8 assignable Q-Link buttons
• 72 assignable controls accessible via 3 banks
• Classic MPC Note Repeat, MPC Swing, 16 Level, Full Level and Tap Tempo
• Dedicated transport controls
• iOS compatible using the Camera Connection Kit (sold separately)
• 30 presets total, with configurations for most popular DAWs
• Works with virtually any MIDI software or MIDI hardware
• MIDI In and Out jacks for controlling external gear
• Includes Ableton Live Lite
“The MPD218/226/232 family marks an important evolution in our pad controller series. Six years of research and customer feedback has led directly to some of the most capable pad controllers we’ve ever developed,” said Dan Gill, Product Manager for Akai Professional. “Our goal was to create controllers that respond quickly and intuitively to the player’s input, to make their playing experience the best it can be. We’re very excited about these new units.”
The Akai Professional MPD Series will be available in Summer 2015 at Akai Professional dealers and online directly from Akai Professional.
U.S. retail pricing is $199 for the MPD218, $299 for the MPD226 and $399 for the MPD232.
Playlist:
1. Arturia announces availability of BeatStep Pro
2. Sonar Traffic meets BeatStep Pro
3. BeatStep Pro connectitvity
4. BeatStep Pro Drum sequencer
5. BeatStep Pro melodic sequencers
6. How to use BeatStep Pro with Ableton Live
"Two independent melodic sequencers and a drum sequencer put thousands of on-the-spot ideas at your disposal.
With BeatStep Pro you are master of the performance, taking full control of virtual devices, analog and digital instruments, drum machines and iPad apps all at once. 16 Projects are instantly accessible, each of which contains 16 sequences per melodic sequencer and 16 patterns for the drum sequencer. That’s over 4000 possible combinations per Project!
Each melodic sequence can be up to 64 steps long with individual articulation of pitch, velocity and gate time per note. These are the most powerful step sequencers ever made. The drum sequencer has 16 separate tracks per sequence (one per pad). Record in real time from the pads or use the step buttons for that classic drum machine workflow."
See the dealers on the right for availability and price.
"The SQR sequencer is our entry in the modular world. This 4-channels desktop sequencer is very adaptable: you can use it with MIDI gears or modular rigs, you can play it like a classical 16-steps sequencer or go crazy and use the probabilistic approach on top of an innovative stage behavior sequencer, you can sequence on 4 monophonic channels or easily compose a 4 voices polyphonic exotic chord, you can sync it with MIDI or an external clock signal from your modular rig or use its internal clock, to name a few.
Apart from its powerful features, the greatest strength of the SQR is its ability to help you visualize what you are doing. Its big and easy-to-read led display can show you every variations in your sequence, from individual gate lengths to pitches and octaves, from individual slide lengths to chord names or step probabilities. Everything is clear and hands-on: you have direct access to all the essentials parameters and you can visualize everything instantly.
Very similar to the MTRX in design, the SQR is made from top quality components at each stage. From the beautiful enclosure to the Digital-To-Analog converter, each component has been choosen carefully to offer the best possible experience to the user. And we are very proud of the result!
First 50 units will be available by the end of August. The firsts 50 units will be selled at 499€ (incl. VAT), the next will be selled at 599€.
Shipping is 10€ for France, 30€ for Europe, 40€ for USA/Canada and 50€ for others countries.
Specifications
16-steps with individual control of pitch, octave, gate length, gate probability, slide length and stage behavior
4x CV/Gate channels with mono- or polyphonic control (chords)
16-stages behavior sequencer: for each stage you can either play it normally or skip it, stay blocked on it for up to 16 steps, create a tril (up to 8 notes per step) or jump to any other step of your choosing
selectable shapes for the slide between two notes (exponential, linear, ...)
selectable scale for pitches and chords
selectable CV offset per channel
for each channel: loop-in/loop-out, warp mode (forward, backward, ping-pong), step duration (1/32th to 2 bars)
3x sync modes: internal (with or without MIDI clocks out), external clock (for modular rigs) and MIDI
selectable clock divider for all sync modes, both for input and output clocks
