#NAMM 2024: Melbourne Instruments NINA

video upload by CatSynth TV

"We get a tour of NINA, a 12-voice polyphonic hybrid analog synth with motorized faders and a host of other features.

To find out more, please visit https://www.melbourneinstruments.com

'"NINA is the world’s first fully motorized analog synthesizer. Synth players have dreamt of this feature for decades, and now it’s finally available. Instantly recall your presets and layers, see exactly how the sound was created, or pick up from where you were last working.'"

Update: and one from Sonicstate:

NAMM 2024 - Melbourne Instruments - Nina Updates

video upload by sonicstate

"At NAMM 2024, we hooked up with Ian from Melbourne Instruments who introduced us to some updates recently bestowed upon on their synthesizer, Nina. Ian told us that they have added some fun features to the firmware, including scopes that display waveforms and an XY mode for visualizing stereo phase alignment. The biggest update, however, is the ability to modulate the morph between two sounds using the modulation matrix. Each of the 12 voices on the Nina can now individually control the morph through the modulation matrix, allowing for evolving and breathing sounds as you play.

Feedback for the Nina has been positive, with increasing popularity and favorable reviews. Melbourne Instruments has been listening to customer feedback and plans to release regular firmware updates, incorporating requested features.

Nina Price 3,599 USD"

John Bowen Solaris V2.0 Update Released

John Bowen

Above is a quick video from John Bowen on the new Phase Mod Oscillator posted back in March. You might remember mention of it in this post from February. The update is now available. Some details via the John Bowen Synth Design forum (pic via this previous post):


"I am very happy to announce the release of v2.0 Operating System for the Solaris!

I wanted to post a huge 'Thank You' to Jim Hewes, who has been laboring for almost 4 years on the Solaris OS. Jim has fixed more than 80 bugs, and added at least a dozen of features that I have requested. During this last year, not only did he completely re-work the entire SysEx code (replacing a bare-bones NRPN system) to allow for MIDI access to all of the now over 7300+ parameters (!), but has been working overtime to get a reasonable 4-part Multimode structure working. I think you will all agree what he has done is managed to save the Solaris from early abandonment to bring it forward as a still viable current instrument. What other hardware synth has been able to do that which came out 10 years ago?

I would also like to thank Hrast for coding the new Phase Mod oscillator type, and Sonic Core for providing the code for the CZ waveshape set. You can view Hrast's work under the name Hrastprogrammer and his wonderful software synth Transiztow: http://www.hrastprogrammer.com/hrastwerk/index.htm...

The biggest structural change is that each Multi Preset now is actually 4 layers deep, making it four times the size of a previous preset. All older presets will load as 4-part Multi Presets. Loading an older preset file automatically converts it into the new Multi Preset format. The new Multi Preset will populate Part 1 with all the parameters, including the Master FX, Output settings, Performance knob assignments, stored joystick position, SamplePool, arpeggiator settings, Assign switches, and BPM. As before, when the Preset LED is on, you are in Preset Mode. Touching any parameter knob will immediately jump out of Preset Mode and put the Solaris into Edit Mode. When in edit mode, the bottom line of the center display will display the current selected parameter, which now includes the part number as P1, P2, etc.

New Oscillator Type: PhaseMod (PhsMod)

In addition to all of the new Multimode features, a 7th Oscillator Type has been added. This features both “DX7-style FM” (otherwise known as Phase Modulation or PM) and Phase Distortion (PD, from the Casio family of CZ synths). The waveshapes provided are as follows: For PM – Sine, Morphing Saw (Morph1), Morphing Square (Morph2) For PD – CZSaw, CZSquare, CZPulse, CZSawPulse, CZReso1, CZReso2, and CZReso3.

For Phase Modulation, use PMod as the mod destination. For Phase Distortion, use the Shape knob and destination. (You can have both types of modulation going on, of course.) On the oscillator’s page 2, you will find Sync and Quant(ization) parameters. For the PhaseMod Type, the only sync value is Gate. For certain PM sounds, you need to ‘lock’ the start of the phase to make sure you have a consistent attack to the sound, or you don’t want to have phase cancellation with stacked oscillators. Gate works with the Phase setting, to restart the phase at a specific point for every note-on event.

Quantize reduces the bit resolution of the PhaseMod oscillator. The range is 0-31 (with 31 = 1 bit). Results are very subtle until you are in the 27-30 range.”

Endorphin.es Running Order V2 firmware update: ratchets, probability, Euclidean shift, live recording

Endorphin.es

"What is new in Firmware v2.0?

Release notes: v.2.0: 29.12.2020

Live recording: now you can record a new sequence by toggling the Track select switch to the side and the current sequence will continue playing until we enter the new sequence and switch back to the center.
Ratcheting and Probability in the Standard (a.k.a. Step Input) mode.
When in the record state: current’s track knob (Repeats I for Track I and Repeats II for Track II) sets the ratcheting amounts for current step (0 to 3).
Another track knob (Repeats II for Track I and Repeats I for Track II) sets the probablity of current step (1% to 100%).
Ratchet means that trigger fires per current step not once, but up to 3 times more (4 in total with original trigger).
If Repeats I/II knobs are not touched on enabling the record switch and entering the steps, then the probablity is always 100% and all the ratchets are off.
Once we move each of track’s knobs during the record state, we set ratchet and probability values for current step and if we don’t change the knobs – those values apply to the next steps. To remember probability / ratchet parameter in step mode, first set the parameter value and then press step button to lock the value to a current step and change the new one.
Offset and Probability in the Euclidean mode.
When in the record state: current’s track knob (Repeats I for Track I and Repeats II for Track II) sets the offset amount -8 steps in CCW to 0 to +8 steps in CW of the euclidean circle grid.
Another track’s knob (Repeats II for Track I and Repeats I for Track II) sets the probability 1% in CCW to 100% CW of triggers appearing.
Sync inputs even more improved. Sync latency reduced to 100 micro seconds. Once external clock is paused for longer than 1 second and then continues again, that acts as a sync on both inputs.
Bug fix: previously if Repeats knob was set to fully CCW, then the divider knob would not have any effect on the speed of the track with external clock applied."

Polyend Preset - Euclidean Sequencing (Open Source Firmware)

Polyend

"Polyend Preset firmware is now open source. This is the first example of a new user added functionality - the Euclidean Sequencing.

polyend.com/preset"

Polyend Tracker Firmware Update v1.3.0

Polyend

"Polyend is pushing the Tracker standalone workstation further forward with a welcomed functionality-boosting v1.3.0 firmware update.

This is a special one as it is also introducing onboard games, allowing users to take a breather from music-making and refill their creative juices.

Download at polyend.com/downloads, update your unit and explore the new possibilities. Get on the right track!

Firmware Release Highlights

New MIDI I/O functionalities:

- Per step MIDI Chords,
- MIDI Microtune step Fx,
- Performance mode is now controllable via MIDI input,
- Master mixer levels are now controllable via MIDI input,
- Tracker can now be configured to send 6 distinct MIDI CCs per MIDI channel,
- Added support for sending MIDI channel aftertouch and polyphonic aftertouch,
- MIDI instruments in Pattern mode can now be present without a note (specify which MIDI channel to send CC),
- MIDI delay compensation for external clock sources in Config,

Overall enhancements and workflow refinements:

- Tune step Fx,
- Track Arm Recording,
- Live Audio Line Input Monitoring is now available during song playback,
- Long Sample Importing,
- Lo-quality Importing (saves sample pool memory time),
- Delete unused samples,
- Timestretch Fx in Sample Editor,
- Bit depth available as step and Performance Fx's,
- Transpose octaves by turning the Jog-wheel with Shift in note editing,
- Enhanced Pattern Fill command: Euclidean fills, density setting in Random fills,
- Rewritten from scratch rendering mechanism,

New sound sculpting possibilities:

- 5-band master EQ,
- Bass booster,
- Stereo enhancer,
- Updated Limiter with gain reduction meter,
- Line Input can now be a Sidechain source for the Limiter,

Onboard games are now available to catch a breather from a hard day of music-making.

- Polyend Tracker v1.3.0 firmware update is required to run the games,
- Download the games, unzip and copy the "Games" folder directly to the SD card root directory,
- Games will be accessible from the Files screen.

Please save your active project before upgrading firmware.


Picture & sound by Isobutane"

Happy Nerding Stereo Filters

Happy Nerding

"Shapers category is updated with a pack of stereo filters: Low Pass Moog, Low Pass 4pole, Low Pass 2pole, High Pass 4 pole, High Pass 2 pole, Band Pass 4pole, Band Pass 2pole, Band Pass Width, Notch, DJ."

http://www.happynerding.com/

disting EX - Poly Wavetable

Playlist:
disting EX - Poly Wavetable, part 1: Introduction
disting EX - Poly Wavetable, part 2: Modulation
disting EX - Poly Wavetable, part 3: Miscellaneous
disting EX - Poly Wavetable, part 4: Effects
disting EX - Poly Wavetable, part 5: Scala
disting EX - Poly Wavetable, part 6: Chords and arpeggiation
disting EX - Poly Wavetable, part 7: Sound examples

LepLoop Lumanoise Updates & Pics

"Some improvement to our Lumanoise, discrete noise family.

⁃ New metal cutoff pot. on all models.
⁃ New V1, different filter version, crossfade volume pot.
⁃ New V2.2, different filter version, crossfade volume pots.
⁃ V3, add one high gain ext. audio in.
⁃ V5, add one high gain ext. audio in.
- New Mono Cassa model."

CLICK FOR MORE »

Squid Salmple - Filters - Firmware Update 147

ALM TV

"The Squid Salmple now includes an independent multimode filter per channel! In this video we show off the sounds of the four different filter types while building up a basic track that utilises filtering on drums, bass, and chords.

To update your Squid Salmple to FW147 visit: https://busycircuits.com/firmware/alm...

SECTION TIME STAMPS
0:00 Intro - Filter Pages
0:36 Manual Sweeps / Filter Types
1:27 Creating a Bass Voice (single cycle wave)
2:45 Adding Chords
3:14 Engaging Filter on Chords
3:50 Modulating Drum Filter with Random CV
4:30 Outro

Thanks for watching!"

Elektron Releases Octatrack 1.40 OS Update

Elektron

"It’s the Octatrack anniversary party! And this tasty OS Upgrade is the birthday cake. And boy are we delighted to hand a slice of awesome firmware out to everyone - MKI and MKII users - you’re all invited!

Octatrack 1.40 comes crammed with new features such as Parameter Randomization, Tempo Per Pattern, MIDI Trig Modes, Parameter Locking Multiple Trigs simultaneously, Trig Preview, additional performance improvements, and much more. In fact, you could say it’s kind of like your birthday too! Grattis!

More info at Elektronauts: https://bit.ly/2JGhTEI"

KORG Node by Sinevibes

Sinevibes

KORG Node by Sinevibes - Factory Presets


"Node is a four-operator FM synthesis engine for KORG prologue, minilogue xd & NTS-1. Designed and developed by Sinevibes. Product page: https://www.sinevibes.com/korgnode"

Waverazor Patch Demo - Version 2.5.2 Features

MOK

"This is a demonstration of several Waverazor sounds, showcasing features recently added in versions 2.5 and above. There are now Audio Input presets for easy slicing of external audio, a Step Generator module for sequencing, a Random Generator for organic modulation textures and chaos, and Tap Line filters for physical modeling."

Low Frequency Expander 2.0 by Yorick Tech

"Announcing the Low Frequency Expander 2.0, a major firmware upgrade, free to all users, available from December 2020.

The LFE is a standalone, hardware modulation expander that supports the OB-6 and Prophet 6, Korg Prologue, Nord Wave 2 and a generic ‘CC-Synth’: any midi device that can be controlled by midi CC messages. It uses midi to provide 3 complex global LFOs and a 6-stage envelope – which can also be configured as an 2 to 16-step modulation sequencer – to add considerably more complexity, movement and playability to these amazing synthesizers. It also acts as a 4-slot modulation matrix, allowing you to route velocity, key, aftertouch, mod wheel or CV in (optional) to about 50 destinations in the synth (80 with the Nord!)

Simply selecting a new patch on the synth makes the LFE automatically recall the same- numbered LFE patch from its memory, so the two have their patches locked together. You can select the next (or previous) patch in the same category, stepping through all of the Bass patches for example.

New in 2.0
Support for the Rev 4 Prophets 5 and 10, and Moog Voyager. CC-Synth and any two synths are included free; others are extra cost.

Internal midi clock for controlling the LFE and external devices.

The synth’s patch names can now be read and displayed by the LFE, so if you edit patches using for example Sound Tower, the LFE can get these directly form the synth even though the synth itself can’t display them.

Release Aftertouch (RAT) allows you to fix an aftertouch value just before releasing the last note and hold that value until the next note is played. This can be used in a similar way to release velocity, which is sadly only generated by a few keyboards. RAT lets you, for example, increase Release times or increase FX depth just by giving the keys a quick press before releasing them.
The LFE now supports Poly Chaining using any keyboard as master and any synth as slave. The LFE handles all of the note sharing so the attached keyboards simply remain in their normal mode.

You can limit the number of voices played, add a second Sub Voice like a sub oscillator but at any pitch, and can add a velocity offset to the sub voice, so that for example, a second voice a 5th higher comes in only when played with more velocity."

AKAI Professional MPC Live 2.9 Update – DrumSynth Plugin Demos

"We're proud to debut DrumSynth, a powerful plugin instrument for MPC and FORCE that allows you to build and create synthesized drum sounds. With a robust sound generation engine, extensive audio effects and more, DrumSynth is the revolutionary plugin to fuel your most creative drum and percussion sound designs. Discover DrumSynth today."

Playlist:
Force Academy DrumSynth | Creating Patterns
Force Academy DrumSynth | Creating a Song in the Arranger
Introducing DrumSynth for MPC and FORCE
DrumSynth | Using The Drum Models
DrumSynth | Making a HipHop Beat

User Demos:

AKAI Professional MPC Live 2.9 Update – AIR DrumSynth Plugin Demo (no talking)
Bonedo Synthesizers

Akai MPC DRUMSYNTH Review, Pros and Cons // 2.9 update explored (Force got this Drum Synth too)
loopop

Post update complete.

Noise Engineering's Desmodus Versio Goes Chameleon with Custom Firmware Support

You might remember when Noise Engineering's Desmodus Versio reverb module was announced back in August, there was this little included note: "Desmodus Versio isn’t just a reverb, though: it’s a DSP platform. Its firmware can be changed via USB, so it can be transformed into a completely different effect with new firmwares coming late 2020. Are you programming savvy? Open-source support will be released later this year."

Well, it looks like that time has arrived.

via Noise Engineering

"In August 2020, we released the Desmodus Versio, Noise Engineering’s reverb. Maybe you heard about it. We were pretty excited about a lot of things about it:

It’s a pretty kick-ass reverb.

It’s a DSP platform that users can update via USB, so we could create lots of alt firmwares for people (more on that soon. Very soon.).

It’s based on an open platform, so from the beginning, we knew we wanted to open it up so people could create their own firmwares too.

So we asked the software engineers at NE to help us less programming savvy folks talk about how this works.

First thing to note: writing custom firmware requires basic understanding of the C / C++ programming language. If you are not proficient in C / C++, there are plenty of resources or even other modular platforms to get started on!

Ok, onward.

UNDER THE HOOD - DAISY!

If you look at the back of your Versio module, you should see a mounted yellow board with a micro-USB port. This is the Daisy Seed, an embedded audio platform created by Electrosmith. It is the main processing unit on the Versio hardware, i.e., where programs are downloaded, or 'flashed.'

We opted for the Daisy platform for a lot of reasons, but the biggest was that it would be the best customer experience. At the time that the Daisy Seed became a contender for us, we had been developing, in parallel, a similar board (called George). Moving to the Daisy Seed board allowed us to speed development, decrease cost for our users, and take advantage of the large (and growing) community behind the Daisy ecosystem

Daisy is powerful and handles stereo in/stereo out with ease with up to 24-bit, 192 kHz audio processing, 64 MB SDRAM, and 8 MB of flash memory. Got an idea that you want in Eurorack? If any embedded processor can handle it, it’s probably this one."

Click here for additional details on Noise Engineering website.

The following is a demo by Cinematic Laboratory of the Ampla Versio, an 'all in one' VCA, VCFA, ADSR with chorus running on the Desmodus Versio.

The Bat Verb | Part 04 | Ampla Versio firmware | Desmodus Versio


Here is the full playlist:

The Bat Verb | Noise Engineering Desmodus Versio videos by Cinematic Laboratory
Cinematic Laboratory

https://www.noiseengineering.us/shop/desmodus-versio

Playlist:

1. The Bat Verb | Part 01 | Noise Engineering Desmodus Versio

I am always curious when Noise Engineering comes with something new and they never disappoint. I love reverbs. I am lucky to have the Erbe-Verb, Milky Way, Z-DSP, Clouds and ZVERB but I was pretty confident the Desmodus (Vampire Bat) Versio (Versatile) would add something new to my collection. And it did. This is just a first-patch so there will be a part 2 soon. Trust me, this video is only scratching the surface.

Note: I wrote that the DV doesn't have a High Pass filter but that's not true. It has a filter that is neutral at 12:00 and becomes high pass CW and low pass CCW. What I mean it doesn't have a filter that makes sure the very low frequencies (below 80Hz) aren't 'reverberated' (high pass) which can go totally out of control and drives the module above the digital 0dB brick wall. Digital distortion is not pretty and you should be aware of it before going live. I also need to add that it happened only once during the making of this video. Just remember that infinite reverb and ultra low frequencies can cause serious trouble that goes way beyond 'mud'.

2. The Bat Verb | Part 02 | Noise Engineering Desmodus Versio

Desmodus Versio is a reverb - with a built in delay and distortion - and lots of other cool ways to turn your room upside down and fold a cathedral. DV's first batch had a little bug (I totally missed it), but NE's been working around the clock to create a fix and roll out the 'flash your DV' website. This also shows us how easy it is to install new firmware or future applications (which are coming soon). I am not sure, but I think the code will be open source so we can write our own reverbs and FX. I'll definitely dive into that when more info is available.

3. The Bat Verb | Part 03 | Desmodus Versio + Lyra-8

I had this idea of running the Lyra-8 through the Desmodus Versio and see what would happen. Then I realized it helped me (a lot!) to tune the Lyra-8 while playing live. So this video showcases the 'beyond infinity' setting on the 'regenerate' knob, where the reverb trail just plays on forever - but you can still hear a bed of the notes you've played - and add more. It can get pretty magical.

4. The Bat Verb | Part 04 | Ampla Versio firmware | Desmodus Versio

Noise Engineering promised to bring new firmware / applications to the Desmodus Versio reverb. Because it's not a reverb, it's a platform. This means you can completely change the application inside the module. Today NE released Ampla Versio, an 'all in one' VCA, VCFA, ADSR with chorus. In stereo. And this one is a worthy addition to the 'never too many' VCA's.

5. The Bat Verb | Part 05 | Imitor Versio firmware

"Noise Engineering has just released a new firmware for the Desmodus Versio, the 'versatile imitator'. It's a twelve tap delay with tempo sync, delay timing skew, circular stereo panning, distortion, tralis that rise and fall, shimmer and harmonically related pitch shifting. POB has done an excellent walkthrough on all features (see link in video), so I'll just focus on how it sounds in various patches. the IV is also available as a dedicated module with its own faceplate, and faceplates can be ordered for your DV if you're planning on permanent use.

Please note the IV is a delay that's designed to be discovered so make sure to spend some time with it. I noticed it features a lot of sonic textures which are also found on some of the best delays around. So this one may be the droid you've been looking for in just 10 HP. Highly recommended!"

Gotharman's SpazeDrum Gets a Major Update

Gotharman's has released a massive update for SpazeDrum today featuring the following:

-4 Extra digital voices, for a total of 8 voices (4 analog and 4 digital)

-25 new filter types for a total of 41 different filter types!

-ReSampling function with number of bars and auto-chop added

-New metallic noise waveforms for Analog Percussion modulation

-New asymmetrical distortion effect
-Sample loop function added

-LFO’s one-time mode added

-Preset change confirm function added

-Song/Pattern mode change: Song button now has to be held for a couple of seconds

-EFX buffer clear between pattern changes, can now be switched off"

http://www.gotharman.dk

Vector Digital Hardware Synthesizer Version 2.2 Firmware Update

via Vector

"The Vector synthesizer has just received firmware upgrade version 2.2.

The release builds on the recent versions 2.0 and 2.1 which introduced the Corner Matrix for a much more versatile configuration and placement of LP, HP and BP filters, increased polyphony to 16 voices, extended the orbiter with a new ADSR shape with separate envelope controls and more.

Version 2.2 doubles the number of available user preset slots including new built-in presets. The Overtone Generators’ oversampling factor has been quadrupled giving a cleaner and more transparent spectrum and the Overtone Blend depth has been doubled. Furthermore, the ADSR Orbiter Warp now had its amplitude and frequency range increased for audio-rate movement.

Vector is a digital hardware synthesizer produced by a small team in Prague, Czech Republic. Introducing a novel synthesis method based around the Orbiter, a compact form-factor and a 7” touchscreen interface, it entered the European market in June 2019 and recently started shipping worldwide. Vector is constantly evolving based on the users’ feedback and the firmware upgrades are available to all existing customers."

See the Vector label below for more.

Polyend Tracker Firmware Update v1.2.0

Polyend

"v1.2.0 Firmware Release Highlights

Improved Master section:

- two new pages for controlling track volumes and send and dry mix volumes as well,
- send fx can be now configured to be pre-fader or post-fader,
- all volume values are now presented and internally calculated in dB,
- enhanced master limiter with Subtle & Hard sonic settings available,

Rebuild Song mode:

- you can now do new things without stopping the transport: continue a song that was looping on a pattern, and loop a pattern that was currently playing on the song. - on the Pattern editor screen, you can now also start and stop live recording without stopping the transport,
- green mode is now available to make mistakes during live performance less likely. It highlights the currently playing song position, and to change tempo you need to press and hold the Tempo button,

New sound sculpting possibilities:

- a new Overdrive effect is added to track FX and Instrument Parameters,
- a high fidelity modelling version with three flavors is available as an offline sample effect,
- the Sample Editor now features a 3-band EQ,

Better SD card support:

- folders with more than 100 files are now displayed (divided into subfolders),
- WAV samples with unsupported sample rates or bitrates are now automatically converted on load to 44.1kHz 16bit mono PCM samples,
- implemented Media Transfer Protocol support allows you to transfer files to your computer and back using the Tracker's USB connection,

Performance mode upgrades:

- now it always loops on the current pattern to avoid unpredictable results when tracks are switched,
- the transport bar shows custom Performance Icons to let you know the performance pattern is playing with your chosen effects,
- ten custom pattern play modes added to remix your patterns while playing,
- green mode is now available to make mistakes during live performance less likely,

Candy for vintage tracker fans:

- anti-aliasing can now be disabled to get the razor-sharp tone of classic trackers,
- pattern steps can now be displayed in hexadecimal format starting from 00,

There are plenty of smaller features, improvements, and bug fixes. For the full list, check out the changelog at polyend.com/downloads

Picture & sound by Pan Ra @ panra.bandcamp.com"

Classic FX V2.2 Update

Classic FX app - A bit more distortions
Igor Vasiliev

"In version 2.2 of the Classic FX app, a new LFO option was added to automate morphing and even more algorithms and presets that will give a completely new sound to any instrument or voice, from soft saturation and blurry environments to harsh and hard overdrives and lower bitrates. Details: https://motion-soundscape.blogspot.com

Classic FX application is a complete sound effects processor and a mono to stereo enhancer with equalizer, effects and reverb, based on specially designed high-quality processing algorithms and suitable for any kind of audio sources. Classic FX will add brightness and expand the sound space of any musical instruments, synthesizers, drums or voice."

P.S. Note the extra knobs on the front of the Polivoks desktop.

UVI Falcon | What's new in v2.1?

UVI

"Falcon 2 - Creative Hybrid Instrument
https://www.uvi.net/falcon.html

Introducing Falcon v2.1

Explore this massive update to our flagship hybrid instrument new effects, a new arp sequencer, 3 new probability-based scripts, 40 new wavetables, 100 new factory presets, UI and API improvements, and more... A free update for existing users.

Video Credits: Matt Vanacoro
______________
About UVI
UVI is a developer of software instruments, effects and soundware. We leverage leading-edge synthesis, DSP research and design to provide unique and expressive tools for musicians and audio professionals.

Our goal is to help you achieve the highest-quality sound possible with innovative and reliable solutions. You can hear our work around the world at live shows, on hit-records, in blockbuster films and AAA games."