Complete myTRACKS functional walk through

video upload by Blipblox Sound Lab

"Join Playtime Engineering developer Troy Sheets as he demonstrates all the key features of the Blipblox myTRACKS. The Blipblox myTRACKS Kickstarter runs from April 9 through May 9th 2024, exclusively at: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/..."

Randomwaves Introduces Drumboy & Synthgirl

video uploads by Randomwaves



"Unleash your creativity and explore the world of sound with Randomwaves. Our new handheld instruments, Drumboy and Synthgirl, put the power of music-making in the palm of your hand.

www.randomwaves.io"

Drumboy packs a powerful punch in a compact design. Featuring an ARM processor and intuitive controls, you can create dynamic beats and percussion patterns with ease.

10 Instrument Layers

Mix and match to build unique rhythmic textures

Parametric EQ

Sculp your sound with precision for perfect beats

2 Effect Channels

Add depth, texture, and character to your grooves

Reverb Engine

Create immersive and atmospheric soundscapes

---

Synthgirl is a powerful wavetable synthesizer that empowers you to craft a vast sonic palette. With 2 versatile oscillators, you can explore a world of evolving sounds and textures with just your fingertips.

2 Wavetable OSCs

Craft unique and evolving sonic creations

4 LFOs

Explore endless modulation possibilities

2 Effect Channels

Add depth, texture, and character to your sounds

Reverb Engine

Create immersive and atmospheric soundscapes

Introducing... The Swarm, By Artium Instruments

video upload by Artium Instruments

"Artium Instruments is thrilled to introduce its very first offering, The Swarm, a polyphonic desktop synthesizer."

via Artium on Kickstarter

At Artium Instruments, we approach our designs with the understanding that musicians cultivate intimate connections with the gear they employ to create their art. We firmly believe that instruments ought to possess not just functionality, but also personality, character, and a distinct identity that inspires its user. First and foremost, we've dedicated significant effort to ensuring that the synthesizer and onboard effects produce exceptional sound quality akin to professional studio-grade equipment. The Swarm features a SuperSaw oscillator with 8-note polyphony, curated onboard effects, and a full-featured arpeggiator.

At Artium Instruments we are committed to knob-for-knob functionality in our desktop synths. Every feature of The Swarm is directly mapped to a knob, button, switch, or jack, ensuring effortless control. There's no need for menu-diving or complicated button presses to access features; everything is conveniently accessible at your fingertips.

With over a decade of experience in the effects industry, we have carefully curated a selection of effects that complements the synth core. Unique to The Swarm is its capability to use the onboard effects with other equipment, allowing you to route external audio through the input jacks on the back.

We've invested considerable thought into crafting the overall feel of the instrument. From the layout of the knobs to the choice of colors, artwork, and weight of the enclosure, every detail has been considered. These details matter to us because we recognize that the connection a user forms with a piece of gear is nearly as crucial in the creative process as the sounds it produces. We hope you can feel the love and passion we've poured into every detail of The Swarm, from its sonic capabilities to its design aesthetics.

The Swarm is controlled by MIDI through a USB-C port. Most modern class-compliant MIDI controllers with USB functionality should plug in and work immediately with zero setup. Additionally, The Swarm provides power to your controller, streamlining your setup process. For older controllers that only have DIN connections, a USB to DIN converter can be used to ensure compatibility.

The Swarm features a SuperSaw oscillator with 8-note polyphony. This oscillator is composed of seven individual saw waves stacked on top of each other. The magic happens when you detune the waveforms by applying a frequency offset, resulting in one of the most massive synth sounds available.

The Swarm employs this SuperSaw oscillator through two distinct control modes: Polyphonic Mode and Arpeggiator Mode. In Polyphonic Mode, you can play up to eight notes simultaneously. Arpeggiator Mode offers a comprehensive monophonic arpeggiator, automatically sequencing held notes in a variety of patterns.

All onboard effects can be used with external equipment. Simply plug an external audio source into the rear input jacks, and The Swarm will seamlessly mix the external audio with its synth core, allowing for simultaneous processing of both signals.

By pressing the touchpad on the right, The Swarm records a 1000ms sample of the current audio. It then layers, and smears the sample, creating an infinite drone frozen in time—a perfect foundation for layering additional notes. The freeze effect facilitates overdubbing, and pressing the touchpad with the freeze knob at its minimum setting erases the memory, allowing you to capture a fresh sample.

The Swarm's delay is a digital delay with a subtle touch of warmth. The delay length synchronizes with the arpeggiator clock, which can be adjusted manually using the clock knob or via the tap tempo touchpad on the left. Additionally, the delay features a multiplier knob, offering a range of unique subdivisions that complement the synced arpeggiator, including quarter notes, dotted eighth notes, eighth notes, and triplets.

The reverb effect in The Swarm strives to enhance the natural body and ambience of the synth core without overshadowing it. Its stereo reverb algorithm is controlled by a single knob, which adjusts both the mix and decay simultaneously. This versatile control allows you to seamlessly transition from realistic room or hall effects to expansive cathedral-like soundscapes, offering a wide range of atmospheric possibilities.

The SuperSaw oscillator practically demands to be paired with a chorus effect. The Swarm employs a stereo 4-voice chorus effect alongside a gradually shifting LFO, aiming to craft dimensionality without becoming nauseating.

Introducing IOLabs Particles - Touchscreen Physics Simulator for Eurorack

video uploads by IOLabs

A new module from the makers of Flux. IOLabs Particles is currently live on Kickstarter here.

Video Playlist:
IOLabs Particles: Touchscreen Physics Simulator for Eurorack!
IOLabs Particles: Centered Gravity Quantize Demo
IOLabs Particles: Collision Physics Demo

"Live on Kickstarter from Jan 31st 2024!

Our new module offers the possibility to create music using our creative physics engine. Add particles, animated surfaces, portals, black holes and generate gates on collisions, CV output voltages & quantized melodies!

Each particle can have entirely unique physics parameters including acceleration, velocity, mass & gravity! All interact in your simulation to create collisions and XY positional data that can be mapped to generate musically useful gates, voltages & notes. Collisions for some particles may even be switched off so that they move freely around the screen without colliding with other simulation elements.

Multiple quantize zone maps can be used simultaneously to create chords and multiple particles may be mapped to the same output to allow transposition of melodies. CV outputs can be set to send a transposed voltage from another output for easy chord generation.

One particle can control all outputs or all particles (up to 50) can control one output, and anything in between. As with Flux, we have aimed to keep the module as flexible as possible. All simulations can be drawn from scratch using the touchscreen or simulations can also be crafted in fine detail by inputting exact values in the UI.

Multiple external and internal timed resets can be used simultaneously per particle to sync to external equipment or create repetition and complex rhythms as explored in the demo video.

Endless rhythmic and melodic possibilities await!

Please note - the module's hardware itself obeys the real world laws of physics as is in no danger of floating away from your case should you experiment with gravity values. It should however be held in place by mounting screws (just in case)."

CLICK FOR MORE »

"My First Modular" Open Source Eurorack System by Daniel Llermaly aka Oficina de Sonido

video upload by Oficina de Sonido



Currently on Kickstarter

Oficina de Sonido created by Daniel Llermaly is a project centred on designing music-making tools with Open source in mind. Based on Mexico City

My First Modular, your gateway to the Eurorack synths.

We know that Eurorack Synthesis (or Modular Synthesizers) can seem inaccessible due to its reputation for being expensive and complicated.

That's why we decided to design a modular system that is affordable without compromising on quality. My First Modular is a low cost eurorack modular system, with a precise selection of modules for beginners, versatile and with simple and colorful interfaces. As we are designers and musicians we have made an instrument with the basics to express your musical creativity.

This Opensource Synth design proposal aims to be the most accessible eurorack modular system that exists, where anyone with a little knowledge can use our templates and codes to produce their own modules and, like us, improve them and make them available to the whole community.

This crowdfunding project will allow us to finance the development and manufacturing of the first complete systems, therefore the current price is only for this campaign. Most likely in the future the price of the system and the modules may vary.

Key Features

Affordability: We have designed our Eurorack Module system to be the most affordable option for electronic music lovers. We believe everyone deserves the opportunity to experiment with electronic sounds without going broke.

Ease of Use: Our system is beginner-friendly, which means that even if you're new to Eurorack, you'll be able to start creating music right away. No advanced technical knowledge is required. We deliver the modules pre-built without the need for soldering.

Sound Quality: Despite its affordable price, we have not sacrificed quality. We have carefully selected modules and resources that guarantee a good sound and a satisfying musical experience.

Open Source: crowdfunding this project aims to design an opensource system supported by and released to the community.

Murobox N40

video upload by Christophe Duquesne

"Halloween style Murobox N40 music box demonstration with La Voile from La Voix du Luthier, an Eagan Matrix Module from Haken Audio and an Osmose from Expressive E
The N40 is an enhanced version of the N20, the main additional feature being a chromatic scale and internal pies microphone, both being huge improvements !

Murobox Kickstarter campaign page: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/...
Murobox website: https://murobox.com/en/
My review of the Murobox https://murobox.com/en/our-users/fren..."

New SONICWARE Lofi-12 XT | Lo-fi Groovebox Sampler - Advanced Model Comes to Kickstarter

video uploads by SONICWARE

"We are pleased to announce the launch of our new product, "Lofi-12 XT" on Kickstarter.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/...

The Lofi-12 XT is an advanced model of the Liven Lofi-12, newly developed based on hardware of the SmplTrek. The Lofi-12 XT inherits the retro sampling engine of the Liven Lofi-12 but is redesigned and redeveloped as an even more user-friendly and fun Lo-fi Groovebox Sampler.

Please support this project on Kickstarter.

Rewards:
Super Early Bird (Only 100 units): under $379 [save $120+]
Early Bird (The first 5 days): under $399 [save $100+]
Kickstarter Price (Special price): $429 [save $70+]

- Limited Retro Color -
Super Early Bird (Only 100 units): under $399 [save $160+]
Early Bird (The first 5 days): under $429 [save $130+]

For more Information:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/...
日本語の紹介：https://ja.sonicware.jp/pages/lofi12xt

*The USD prices are calculated as of October 23, 2023. The pledge amount displayed will change depending on the USD-JPY exchange rate."

Click the pics for full size shots.

CLICK FOR MORE »

Lambda Synthetics PolyPulse Now on Kickstarter

introduction video upload by Lambda Synthetics

"Lambda Synthetics today launches their Kickstarter campaign for the PolyPulse, the algorithmic performance workstation which combines the playfulness and performability of physical instruments with the precision and sonic detail of digital music production techniques into a single package!"

PolyPulse workflow overview

Ward Slager performing live with the PolyPulse


You might remember Lambda's PolyPulse from SUPERBOOTH23. They are now on Kickstarter seeking funding.

Details captured for the archives:

The PolyPulse is an algorithmic performance workstation which combines the playfulness and performability of physical instruments with the precision and sonic detail of digital music production techniques into a single package!

Its 5 tracks each have an algorithmic sequencer, a polyphonic sound engine of your choice, customizable audio effects chain and morphing touch pad. The algorithmic sequencer allows you to easily create long evolving rhythms and melodies. With the touchpads you can fluently morph between four presets per track to create expressive and dynamic changes in sound and texture.

The PolyPulse has four audio inputs which can be sampled, and has eight audio outputs allowing for various routings including individual outputs per track or spatialized multi-speaker setups. It can be synced using MIDI, sample accurate clock signals and it even talks Open Sound Control. MIDI can be used to control sequence synthesizers and CC messages morph sounds on your favorite synthesizer module!

Key features

The PolyPulse can already do a lot! In the following section we're outlining what the current firmware is capable of, but we hope to be adding features in the years to come! Algorithmic sequencer

With the PolyPulse you create rhythms using an algorithmic sequencer controlled by a set of parameters. This allows you to quickly create a variation on a groove by turning just a single knob. Melodies are created using 'note lists'. When a note is triggered by the sequencer, it picks a pitch from the note list and sends that to the sound engine. Due to the separation between rhythms and melodies you can mix and match to try out new combinations and to discover wonderful sequences.

Morphing and mixing

With the touchpads you can have expressive control over all sound engine and audio effects parameters. On each corner of a touchpad a sound can be stored. These sounds can be modified on-the-fly, or prepared beforehand and stored in the project.

Each track also has a dedicated volume knob and effects sends knob. The effects send can be routed internally, or you can send signal to your favorite external effects processor!

CLICK FOR MORE »

Kiviak Instruments' WoFi Comes to Kickstarter

You might rmember Kiviak Instruments' WoFi from previous posts here.

The have launched a Kickstarter campaign. Price of the WoFi on the Kickstarter Campaign: 599€ / 599$US

Public price of the WoFi post-campaign: 799€ / 799$US.

Press release follows:

"Say hello to WoFi

Kiviak Instruments is pleased to officially announce the release of Wofi, their first instrument ever, on October 17, 2023.

This date will begin a one-month Kickstarter campaign as a pre-order tool to scale the volume of production needed.

CLICK FOR MORE »

Fred's Lab Manatee Multitimbral MPE Synthesizer - Kickstarter

video upload by Fred's Lab

"Kickstarter presentation for the Manatee Synthesizer from Fred's Lab.

Manatee is a 16-voice 4-part desktop synthesizer based on a unique Spectral Synthesis engine and various Virtual Analog algorithms. It offers a wide range of characterful digital sounds in compact and sturdy steel case.

Link to crowdfunding campaign:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/...

For more information:
https://fredslab.net/en/manatee-modul..."

Additional Fred's Lab Manatee posts w/ demos

Swamp Flux The Biggest Foot: Nintendo Wii Balance Board to CV Eurorack Module

via Kickstarter

"The Biggest Foot converts wireless Bluetooth signals from the Nintendo Wii Balance Board into control voltages you can use in your Eurorack synthesizer.

The Biggest Foot can record and play back your motions at various speeds or be used live. Playback can be triggered manually or by a CV gate to the Reset input. The module is 10HP and working. Test units are being shown at Superbooth 23 and small synth meets in and around the Carolinas. It still has some bugs to work out, but they are minor enough that it's now time to ask 'would you buy this thing?'

I have spent almost a year researching and developing The Biggest Foot from concept to working prototype through generous Patreon support, but the sum of those donations is rather small compared to how much it costs to get a module manufactured at scale. Using Kickstarter, I'm hoping to launch not just a module, but a business too."

CLICK FOR MORE »

Desktop Conversion Kit for KORG wavestate / opsix / modwave

video upload by Daniel Gilbert

"Transform your Korg wavestate, opsix, or modwave into a sleek aluminum desktop synth.

Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/...

Tall Dog Electronics presents a user-installed kit to turn your Korg keyboard synthesizer into a beautiful desktop synth. We include all the parts and tools necessary to perform this conversion yourself. The process is also fully reversible, so you can return the unit to its original keyboard enclosure if needed.

Our enclosure reduces the footprint of your synth to roughly half its original height and depth by deleting the short keyboard and replacing the plastic case with a machined aluminum body."

CLICK FOR MORE »

New flight of harmony Facehugger Eurorack Module on Kickstarter

via Kickstarter

"Introducing the Facehugger:

An all-analog, addressable, non-linear, 8-stage, chainable, function generator and control module for eurorack modular synthesizer systems.

What the hell does that mean?

It outputs up to eight different control voltage levels (levels set by the LED sliders) in a sequence determined by a control signal. Depending on how you use it, it can be a:

Control Voltage (CV) Sequencer
Gate Sequencer
Arpeggio Generator
Envelope Generator
Burst Generator
Low Frequency Oscillator (LFO)
Some very basic uses:

Connect it to the CV input of an oscillator to change the pitch
Connect it to the CV input of a voltage-controlled amplifier (VCA) to change the amplitude of a signal.

The Facehugger is unclocked, using an internal ramp generator to control the cycling, or you can use any external 0-+5V waveform instead. The Sequence order is determined by amplitude and slope of the driving waveform: if it is linear, the stages will trigger linearly (in order), incrementing with a rising signal, and decrementing with a falling signal. With a non-linear drive signal (like a stepped, or staircase wave), the stages will trigger non-linearly based on the same parameters.

Multiple units can be chained together for longer patterns or for synchronizing to generate chords via a rear chaining header.

The rear Ramp out pin can be used as a synch oscillator, or even - when using an external drive waveform - as a separate, fully-controllable LFO with adjustable curvature.

The Facehugger also has a rear expansion header for a separate expander module that provides individual level out jacks, individual gate out jacks, a master Gate in jack, and a ramp out jack (see Expander Milestone below for details)."

Meet the Telmatronics Groovetube Tube Based Prototype Plasma Synthesizer

video uploads by Telmatronics

via Telmatronics Kickstarter

Make crazy sounds with fluorescent tubes, that you can control with a magnet

A project to create a plasma instrument About a year ago, we discovered a lot of fun could be had with a fluorescent tube and a magnet... Lit fluorescent tubes are filled with plasma - a low pressure electrified gas that can make oscillations at audible frequencies. With suitable control over the plasma in the tube, we found this instability could sound amazing... and could also be controlled with a magnet! (It is worth listening to the video with headphones, to hear details of the sound).

Playing with sound created in a glowing tube is tactile, surprising and absorbing, and we decided to develop a new kind of electronic instrument.

We are releasing this first-generation machine for people to try out a new way to make noise. It is a sort of proto-instrument - an experimental machine to be experimented with!

Having machines out in the world will help explore what is possible, as there is a lot of unexplored territory here - we don't have much audio equipment, and have tried a dozen or so tubes. By making these machines available now, we hope to not only fund further development but also let collective experimentation inform its direction.

There are pros and cons to using commercial tubes for this. The sound from different fluorescent tubes can vary considerably, so trying out a new tube is an inexpensive bit of fun. It is currently possible to find various types of suitable (T5, 9"/ 225 mm, 6 W) tubes potentially available, new and old stock. On the downside, these tubes are being phased out in the very near future (about 18 months in the UK), and they will become increasingly scarce as production declines - bad timing to find a new use for them! We will keep testing different tubes however, and secure adequate supplies of some good ones before they disappear. In the longer term our objective is to produce custom tubes, which will require further research and development.

We are offering this first on Kickstarter, as a good way to generate awareness of what we are doing and to generate funds to get the project going properly.

CLICK FOR MORE »

Open Source Critter & Guitari 201 Musical Synthesizer - Kickstarter!

video upload by

via Kickstarter

"We’re Critter & Guitari and we’re happy to announce our newest synthesizer: the 201! If you’re familiar with our other musical instruments such as the Pocket Piano, Organelle, Bolsa Bass, or Kaleidoloop, we hope you’ll see that the 201 fits right in with them: the 201 is fun, portable, and packed with a medley of musical magic!

The 201 is nearly pocket size, but don't let its small size fool you! Under the hood is some powerful circuitry that will allow you to explore your musical ideas quickly and easily. Let's take a look...

Sounds

At the heart of the 201 are six sound engines providing a wide range of sonic texture. Use the shift key to select an engine.

There is a little bit of everything: chiptune style waveforms, analog style filters, drum samples, realistic physical instrument models, and even a human vocal synthesizer.

Use the three center control knobs to further explore the sounds. Dial in the right amount of sustain, or adjust the tone. Or turn the 'surprise' knob if you are brave:

Patterns

Play directly on the keyboard or turn on one of the pattern generators. From simple octave arpeggiation to randomizing polyphonic patterns you will be inspired by the notes coming out of the 201! Use the first control knob to set the pattern's tempo.

The pattern generators also work great for creating drum beats using the drum samples!

Sequencer

If you like the way something sounds, recording it is just a button press away!

There is a handy metronome that you can play/record along with. When the sequence is playing back you can endlessly change the pattern and synth engine. When you get it just right, hit the save button. You can save 'unlimited' sequences (well... not really unlimited, but many thousands).

Connectable

The 201 wants to be friends with all your other gear! It works great with guitar effects pedals and amps.

With MIDI in and out you can control other synthesizers with the 201, or the other way around.

A USB-C connector lets you easily move files on and off the instrument.

Open Source

Critter & Guitari is committed to making musical electronics that are open platforms. Like our Organelle and EYESY instruments, the 201 is built entirely with Open Source software.

Inside, the 201 uses a combination of Pure Data and Faust musical programming environments. Users are invited to modify or create new sound engines!"

Anyma Omega - New Polyphonic Physical Modelling Keyboard and Desktop Synthesizers

From the makers of the Aodyo Anyma Phi.

Playlist
Anyma Omega - Polyphonic physical modelling synthesizer
Anyma Omega - Polyphonic demo
Anyma Omega - Multitimbral demo
Anyma Omega - Expressive demo
Anyma Omega - PolyMorph demo
Anyma Omega - Beatmaking demo

Emission live #272 - AODYO OMEGA, le poly à modélisation physique (ft. Deep Forest & Adrien Perinot)

video upload by



A few details and pics via their Kickstarter campaign follow.

"In December 2020, thanks to Kickstarter contributors, we achieved a successful campaign for Anyma Phi, the compact desktop monophonic physical modelling synthesizer. Six months later, we delivered it to our contributors.

Since then, we listened to the users feedback and worked on a more powerful and full featured instrument: Anyma Omega. Based on Anyma Phi synth engine, we designed Anyma Omega, a powerful hybrid polyphonic and multitimbral synthesizer. Its physical modelling synthesis engine allows to create new sound universes inspired from the real world, where objects collide, vibrate, and resonate.

Anyma Omega comes in two versions: desktop and keyboard, both including a large display and many controls, with unique sensitive wooden surfaces to feed resonators and enhance expression.

Whether you play live or compose music in the studio, design your own sounds or play presets, Anyma Omega will become a flexible and original addition to your setup.

PHYSICAL MODELLING

Anyma Omega blends the classic ingredients of electronic music with physical modelling technology, allowing it to simulate acoustic sound sources, such as strings or reeds, as well as resonating structures, like wood, glass, or metal.

POLYPHONY

16-notes polyphony with all the richness of Anyma's synthesis engine.

MULTITIMBRALITY

4 sound parts splitted, layered or even chained.

EXPRESSIVE PERFORMANCE

Proven Fatar® velocity sensitive semi-weighted synth action keybed with aftertouch for musical and expressive playing.

Numerous controls to enrich the performance and unique sensitive wooden surfaces (ribbon and touchpad) to feed resonators and enhance expression.

EASY EDITION

Easy access to 14 macro parameters controlling the main characteristics of patches.

Tweak every parameter of every module with the large display and controls, unleashing the power of a semi-modular synth at your fingertips.

Direct access to the various modules thanks to the interactive synthesis path diagram.

ALEAGEN

Create aleatory consistent patches, by pushing a single button, based on smart random algorithms.

POLYMORPH

Beyond polyphony, the exclusive PolyMorph feature can provide extra width, density and depth to the sound: fine-blend panspread, unison, expression and morphing for every single note.

TUNING AND MICROTUNING

With Anyma Omega you can use any scale or tuning to make your sound travel all around the world and the eras.

Explore our multiple microtuning presets. You can also load Scala (.scl) or Anamark (.tun) files in Anyma Omega by converting them to MIDI Tuning standard (MTS) format. In addition to importing and exporting tunings, there are several options that can be used to define and edit tunings directly on the instrument: reference tone adjustment, 12-tone octave scale, tuning table for each note and n-EDO scales.

CONNECTIVITY

With a lot of input and output ports, Anyma Omega easily connects to all the machines, synths and controllers. It is compatible with any standard MIDI controller, including our own electronic wind instrument: Sylphyo.

Plug external audio and use Anyma Omega as a powerful modular FX processor.

FREE EDITOR / LIBRARIAN

Free multi-platform editor/librarian inherited from and compatible with Anyma Phi's sound bank. Organize, archive and share your Anyma patches and performances.

Based on the Anyma Phi monophonic and monotimbral sound engine, Anyma Omega is polyphonic and multitimbral. Play up to 16 notes simultaneously and combine up to 4 sound parts (individual patches) in a performance. Route audio signal from one part to another to create monstous patches.

Anyma Omega Desktop provides an advanced user interface, making the use of an external editor quite unnecessary. We kept the macro parameters matrix of the Anyma Phi available, now available simultaneously thanks to the big TFT IPS color display and its 16 push encoders."

Intuitive Instruments Exquis Hexagonal Keyboard

video uploads by dualo by Intuitive Instruments

Playlist:
Exquis - The smartest way to create expressive music
Loïc, accordeonist and du-touch player, is testing Exquis
Knarf, synthfluencer at LesSondiers.com testing Exquis

Currently on Kickstarter

"Making music is all about finding the right notes and assembling them in rhythm. But whatever the instrument, device or software, it still takes time and effort to master theory and technique.

At Intuitive Instruments, we have figured out a smarter way to play and compose today’s music, that makes it intuitive and logical for anyone.


Explore, have fun, surprise yourself, find inspiration. Above all, composing music is about emotion. Exquis provides an intuitive way to lead you to the right path, still allowing you to play out of it. No need to think: just choose a scale and follow its illuminated path.

Thanks to our patented layout, making chords is easy; Exquis puts notes that sound well together right next to one another. You’ll be amazed how harmony falls under your fingers.

Your notes, your chords, your music

Beginner, amateur or professional musicians, we all want to shorten the time between an idea and its execution. Exquis gives you the fastest access to the rules of harmony, so you can improvise with or without any theoretical background.

Then, thanks to Exquis’s unique and spontaneous creative workflow, just pick a sound, play, record your own loops and create a full song in minutes!

Expressivity at your fingertips

There is no need to play lots of notes when you can bring them to life. Exquis’s expressive keys are designed to be mastered in minutes while offering a huge potential for expert gestures. Inspired by the finesse of acoustic instruments, Exquis keys are both firm enough to play percussion and short notes with precision, and soft enough to modulate long notes with sensibility.

Sculpt your music with emotion; hit, press, and bend the keys independently thanks to the MIDI Polyphonic Expression protocol (MPE).

And in addition, use the 4 clickable potentiometers and the touch slider to increase the possibilities of sound and music control: effects, note/beat repeat,...

The Exquis multi-platform app is the perfect companion for the keyboard, as well as an autonomous MIDI-compatible DAW. Compose entire songs within seconds thanks to a unique workflow we have been perfecting for 15 years, which is approved today by thousands of musicians worldwide for its spontaneity and efficiency.

The app and the controller work in symbiosis to provide an easy and chronological music production logic. From left to right, pilot the essential actions with simple gestures, directly on the keyboard and/or in the app:

Settings : prepare your song (tempo, scale, default quantization…)
Sounds : pick a sound plugin and preset to create a new “track”
Record : record “clips” and preset the recording behavior (start condition, length, overdub)
Tracks : just like a director in an orchestra, decide which clips to launch and stop in real time
Scenes : save and launch states of your song (e.g: intro, verse, chorus…)
Play/Stop : play/stop your song, and select another project"

We designed the Exquis’s workflow by taking into consideration two temporalities: you can both play live safely and take your time to create in your bubble. Most usual actions only require handling the keyboard, whereas advanced actions taking more time like programming (clip/scene duration, follow actions…) are to be made via the app.

The interface of the app is designed following the same logic, turning your device into a customizable heads-up display and an alternative interface to all your actions, especially if you play with another MIDI controller.

In order to allow musicians to create new rhythms and moods, the Exquis app natively includes exclusive functionalities never seen in a DAW before. For example, as we were inspired by the workshops of Jacob Collier, the app provides an easy way to play with tuplets: uncommon beat divisions such as 1/5 or 1/7, useful to create grooves with a drunk feel."

See the kickstarter campaign for additional details.

Allen Strange's Electronic Music Reprint Seeks Funding on Kickstarter

via Kickstarter

"Hello fans of Allen Strange and electronic music:

In June 2018, I was looking to buy a copy of Allen Strange's Electronic Music: System, Techniques and Controls, at a time when I was getting back into electronics and electronic music after an almost 30-year hiatus. I had vague recollections of a copy in the Electronic Music Studio at York University, where I made my first explorations into sound synthesis. The spine was gone and it was mostly a pile of papers stuffed into a folder. Finding that the only copies available were either poorly scanned PDFs, and used copies for sale online for hundreds of dollars, I was disheartened, to say the least. But I had a thought: what about finding the copyright holder and getting permission to reprint a few copies? It couldn't be that hard, right? I work at a university with lots of resources, so I should be able to figure out how to do it. AND, that way I'd be able to contribute something to the electronic music communities that I'd started to join, such as modwiggler.com, modulargrid.net, and other online forums, and who had been so welcoming, sharing all their collective knowledge and wisdom. These were places where I had heard about Allen Strange's Electronic Music: System, Techniques and Controls, in the first place.

I started a thread on Modwiggler to gauge interest. The interest was overwhelming, and motivating. After tracking down the original publisher, it took time to find out who currently owns the copyright. With the endless help and advice of librarians Ann Ludbrook and Sally Wilson at my school who specialize in e-publishing and copyright, we got to work. One of them tracked down Allen's partner Pat and helped ensure that the family once again held title to the work, and Pat agreed to let us give this whole Kickstarter a shot, and sent us her copy of Electronic Music: System, Techniques and Controls to disassemble and scan. Working with library staff and my research assistant Heidi Chan, we worked to get the book digitized, and ready for reproduction. One of the biggest challenges was to replace all the images of modules. That work fell to Heidi, who scoured the internet for people who still owned the original modules and synths used in the book, getting them to take new photographs for us to use. In some cases, the original designers of some of the modules no longer had them, but they helped us track down modules and acquire new images. With Pat's help, we have added a new introduction by Stephen C. Ruppenthal, as well as a few pages of testimonials from people who learned from and were inspired by Electronic Music: System, Techniques and Controls, from Suzanne Ciani and Todd Barton, to Dave Smith, Dave Rossum, Serge Tcherepnin, Dieter Doepfer and Tony Rolando. The book has a new cover, compliments of Allen and Pat's daughter Erin Strange, who did a wonderful job of creating a new design that carries the spirit of the original 1972 cover into this new edition. The text of book is faithful to the second edition of Allen Strange's Electronic Music: System, Techniques and Controls, published in 1983 by Wm. C. Brown Company.

Republishing Allen Strange's Electronic Music: System, Techniques and Controls, has been a four-year project since its inception. The goal, from the beginning, has been to bring this important work back into the hands of fans of the original, students and teachers of the history of electronic music, musicians and electronic music practitioners, and designers of electronic music systems. We have permission to make Allen's work available in print and electronic form from Pat Strange who holds the copyright, and Pat has been actively guiding our efforts through much of the project. At present, Allen Strange's Electronic Music: System, Techniques and Controls, will only be available through this Kickstarter.

In Pat's own words (from the preface): "Since it's first edition in 1972, Electronic Music: Systems, Techniques and Controls has been acknowledged as the definitive text on modular synthesis. In today’s musical community analogue techniques have made a resurgence among many musicians and composers. The idea of a republication has been in the works for many years and the timing of doing it now just made sense. I am very grateful to Jason Nolan, Ann Ludbrook and the team at Toronto Metropolitan University who saw the importance of this endeavor as well as taking on the task of bring this book back to life. I am so appreciative of their attention to preserving the quality of the book and respecting its content. I know that this project would have meant a lot to Allen, specifically in knowing that his techniques and teachings are continuing to influence the future of electronic music."

This is a non-profit project. Costs involved are royalties, production, logistics and shipping costs. Any residual funds will be donated to community music initiatives focusing on electronic music and electronic music learning. At present two organizations have agreed to receive funds, but we will identify more (in Europe next) depending on the amount of residual funds. These organizations are the Canadian Accessible Musical Instrument Network (http://camin.network) and the Willie Mae Rock Camp (https://www.williemaerockcamp.org).

Finally, I would like to thank Walker Farrell for the wonderful Kickstarter video.

Thank you to all supporters for being part of this project.

Jason Nolan"

Artisan Electronic Instruments Nucleus Kickstarter Promo

video upload by Mike @ Artisan

Soon On Kickstarter

$770 Eurorack
$880 Desktop

You can find additonal posts featuring the Nucleus here.

via Artisan Electronic Instruments

"Not Old, Not Borrowed, Not Blue...But New
In this day when it seems like so many are just resurrecting the past, we, at Artisan Electronic Instruments think art and technology have moved forward. And we want to bring something new into the world of synthesis. NUCLEUS is a unique and powerful monophonic Synthesizer that combines the sound design of East and West Coast ideas, blends Analog and Digital technologies, and packs a vast sound palette into an intuitive user aesthetic.

Don’t be fooled by its compact size. The NUCLEUS is anything but a classic remake or just a “more of the same” Synthesizer. There is a lot of sonic synthesis power hidden behind that 60hp panel, an extraordinary amount for such a small instrument.

A Beast Of Raw Sonic Power
Nucleus fills any harmonic space with its complex 3 Oscillator block. Its analog and digital circuits churn out some serious walls of sound. This little machine ROARS!

Oscillator 1 is based on an analog discrete Saw-core circuit providing those classic Saw, Triangle, and variable pulse/PWM waveforms. Tied into it is a modulate-able 4 stage wavefolder for awesome metallic tones. The Sub-Oscillator has its own variable filter producing smooth pounding sine waves or all the way through a rich square.

Oscillator 2 is also a fully discrete analog design with Saw, Variable Pulse/PWM, and PWM with Sub-Octave. But that’s just the start. It also has a selectable 2 or 3 stage Digital Ring Modulator. The DRM combines the waveforms of all three Oscillators for some amazing tones heard nowhere else. If that were not enough, Oscillator 2 can Hard-Sync to a separately controlled digital 4th oscillator. Wait, there's more, when not in Hard Sync, it can be Frequency Modulated by Oscillator 3 through a dedicated VCA controlling the FM depth in real-time.

Oscillator 3 is digital, why? To provide those unique sounds only found in the digital world. It still provides some clean anti-aliased standard shapes, like Sine and PWM but adds a few tricks, such as a variable slope Saw to Triangle wave, an adjustable width Swarm wave, and String tones using the Karplus-Strong physical model. There are ten slots for custom waveforms and a noise source. Oscillator 3 also has a bit-crusher/sample reducer effect to get into some dirty digital color.

And you can modulation just about anything! From pitch, wave-shape, and mix levels and the oscillator “special effects” of sub-shape, hard-sync frequency, FM depth, and bit crusher strength.

Character and More Character
There is so much to NUCLEUS before ever reaching the filter. But that bad boy does not want to be outdone. It is awesome in its own right. First off it offers a unique cascade multi-mode design. The filter runs in 2 pole Low Pass, Bandpass, and High Pass modes, as well as 4 pole versions of each. It’s the Dual-path Regeneration and 8-pole design that really give a unique character to the Bandpass modes, providing variable and modulate-able bandwidth and dual peak resonance. Since the filter can track over a wide range you can “play” these peaks and get a 5-oscillator sound or chord!

The filter has modulation inputs for cutoff, resonance, and filter shape. And after all that, the asymmetrical soft clipping circuits can bring in some much loved “dirt”. Just crank that Overdrive knob. Band Pass Close Up.jpg

Modulation Mania Until You Drop
With all this sonic power, the Artisan NUCLEUS Synthesizer controls it all with an deep and powerful modulation matrix. There are 50+ modulation sources and 30+ destinations that all available simultaneously. An impressive amount for such a compact mono synth. There are 4 six-stage Envelope Generators (delay, attack, hold, decay, sustain, release), with looping, linear, and expo shapes and time and sustain modulation. 3 LFOs provide 9 waveshapes, key-sync, delay, and rate modulation. 2 external CVs and 4 modulation paths from the keyboard to add more real-time modulation control. And now it gets wild. You can take those modulations sources and Add, Multiply, Average, Lag, Quantize, Switch, Sync knobs, contour, and route MIDI CC to create new modulation effects. A modulation engine that has far more on offer than a classic mono synth."

Instruments of Things SOMI-1 – The Sound of Me on Kickstarter

video upload by instruments of things

"SOMI-1 is now live on Kickstarter with 40% discount for the first 50 units!
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/instrumentsofthings/somi-1-turn-your-movements-into-sound"

"Make your movements audible and become music yourself with the SOMI-1 motion sensor wearables for sound control.

SOMI-1 is a highly precise sensor technology that measures movement and transforms it into sound in real-time. The Bluetooth® sensors can be worn as wearables on the wrists and ankles, turning the user into an instrument.

Create Sound Via Movement

8 different movement parameters per sensor
Easy usage, no need of musical or technical pre-knowledge
Smartphone app as sound source
Connectivity to music software & hardware as sound source
Hub with MIDI interface (USB & TRS)
Wireless via Bluetooth® 5
Up to 6 sensors simultaneously


Each SOMI-1 sensor provides eight different motion parameters that can be used independently to control or trigger sound. The sound can either be generated via the SOMI-1 smartphone app, which offers several different sound presets, or by any instrument or music software that is compatible with MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) – for example Ableton Live. The motion data of the SOMI-1 sensors is received wirelessly via Bluetooth® 5 by the SOMI-1 hub, that connects to your sound source via USB or TRS-MIDI. Up to six sensors can be used simultaneously with a single SOMI-1 hub to create incredible soundscapes and allow multiple artists to operate together."

You can find additional details at the SOMI-1 Kickstarter.