Misa Kitara Digital Guitar Midi Controller Virtual Synthesizer

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via this auction

"Misa Digital Kitara Digital Guitar Details

A very unique and powerful tool that brings the world of midi, in a familiar feel to guitarists, the Misa Digital Kitara Digital Guitar is an experimental new instrument, similar to an electric guitar in shape, but with an interface designed to easily and intuitively control digital audio. Most musicians today use some form of audio synthesis or sampling in their music. Virtually any type of sound can be created using these methods. Traditionally, digital piano keyboards have been the dominant instrument for controlling these sounds real-time in a musical setting. The Kitara is a new instrument that not only unites traditional guitar playing technique with digital sound, but allows digital guitarists to use playing techniques that are not possible or comfortable on a digital keyboard.

The Misa Kitara consists of three main components: a full fretboard, a multi-touch screen and an onboard polyphonic synthesizer with sounds and effects. The Kitara's neck has 24 frets, but instead of strings each fret contains buttons. You play notes by touching on the screen. The position and movement of your touch determine how the sound is generated and processed. You can apply a number of digital effects, including distortion, delay and modulation, and you can control these effects through the touch panel interface. You can save sounds as presets, and you can swap preset files online. You can assign one sound to all six strings, or assign different sounds to different strings. The Kitara can control compatible MIDI devices too. Everything is configurable. It runs Linux and is open source

Misa Digital Kitara Digital Guitar Features
8-inch multi-touch display
MIDI out
Audio out (1.25)
Headphone out (3.5mm)
Onboard multi-voice audio synthesizer with assignable effects blocks
6 pre-loaded effects
24 frets; 144 notes
Linux operating system"

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Misa Kitara Digital Guitar - Midi Guitar, Controller, Synthesizer

via this auction

"This listing is for a Misa Kitara, in original packaging with power adaptor, instrument cable, pdf manual, certificate, strap and USB cable. In mint condition, purchased new direct from Misa, and played for approx. 60 minutes total.

This is a great midi/digital guitar controller with built in sounds, and a touchscreen interface...

The Misa digital guitar is an experimental new instrument, similar to an electric guitar in shape, but with an interface designed to easily and intuitively control digital audio.

Most musicians today use some form of audio synthesis or sampling in their music. Virtually any type of sound can be created using these methods. Traditionally, digital piano keyboards have been the dominant instrument for controlling these sounds real-time in a musical setting.

At Misa, we provide a new instrument that not only unites traditional guitar playing technique with digital sound, but allows digital guitarists to use playing techniques that are not possible or comfortable on a digital keyboard..."

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Native Instruments Announces GUITAR RIG 4 PRO

"Berlin, September 1st, 2009 - Native Instruments today announced GUITAR RIG 4 PRO, the next generation of its acclaimed guitar studio. The fourth version raises the bar on sonic authenticity with advanced new speaker emulation technology, and further expands on nearly all aspects that sets GUITAR RIG apart as the most capable digital guitar solution.

To bring the acclaimed authenticity of GUITAR RIG to the next level, the new version introduces advanced cabinet and microphone modeling, providing an enhanced organic tone based on latency-free convolution technology. The advanced speaker emulation is also the basis for the versatile new "Control Room" module, developed in collaboration with leading German studio guitarist and recording expert Peter Weihe. This new module allows users to freely mix and match up to eight phase-aligned studio microphones for each cabinet, allowing an unlimited range of high-end studio recording tones.

To further expand its comprehensive arsenal of carefully modeled amplifiers, GUITAR RIG 4 PRO offers two additional tube amp models that include the hot-rodded "Hot Plex" and the energetic "Jump", both based on Native Instruments' sophisticated Dynamic Tube Response technology. The comprehensive arsenal of effects in GUITAR RIG is complemented with two new delay units and two new flavors of reverb, bringing the overall number of included effects to 48.

Musicians who use GUITAR RIG for live performance benefit from the new, dedicated master effects section, which enables popular stage configurations that can now include global equalizers as well as overlapping delays and reverbs. For recording purposes, GUITAR RIG 4 PRO also introduces true-stereo processing across the whole signal chain, which greatly accommodates the usage of the software as a universal effect unit for stereo signals.

To give guitarists easy access to the right tones for every musical context, GUITAR RIG 4 PRO introduces a completely overhauled preset browser with many usability optimizations. With a new layout, faster and more efficient search functions, flexible attributes, convenient sorting and full compatibility with the KoreSound(TM) format from Native Instruments' acclaimed KORE 2, even large collections of tones can be managed in an especially convenient way. To provide users with a versatile sonic arsenal right from the start, GUITAR RIG 4 PRO includes a pre-categorized and conveniently tagged arsenal of more than 250 ready-to-play guitar sounds for a wide range of musical styles.

Further improvements in GUITAR RIG 4 PRO include optimized sound quality for pitch-based effect modules, expanded host automation and controller assignment features, universal MIDI control functionality for the Rig Kontrol 3 pedal board, and more.

GUITAR RIG 4 PRO will be available in October 2009 in various versions to accommodate guitarists and producers of all categories. The GUITAR RIG 4 PRO software will be available for a suggested retail price of $199 / 179 EUR, and will also be part of the new KOMPLETE 6 bundle. Further versions of GUITAR RIG 4 include GUITAR RIG KONTROL with included foot controller/audio interface ($449 / 399 EUR), GUITAR RIG 4 ESSENTIAL as a more affordable software version with a reduced feature set ($99 / 89 EUR), GUITAR RIG SESSION which combines GUITAR RIG 4 ESSENTIAL with the SESSION I/O audio interface ($249 / 229 EUR), and GUITAR RIG MOBILE which now also includes the mid-range GUITAR RIG ESSENTIAL software ($119 / 99 EUR).

More information on GUITAR RIG 4 PRO including audio demos can be found at
www.native-instruments.com/guitarrig4.info

About Native Instruments:

Native Instruments is a leading manufacturer of software and hardware for computer-based music production and performance. The company's mission is to develop innovative, fully integrated solutions for all professions, styles and genres. The resulting products regularly push technological boundaries and open up new creative horizons for professionals and amateurs alike."

1981 Casio DG-1 Digital Guitar Synthesizer Drum Machine

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via this auction

"1981 Casio DG-1 Digital Guitar in excellent condition and in perfect working order. Produced for a single year, the DG-1 is Casio’s original Digital Guitar that launched a cult classic series of truly unique synthesizers. Looking like what would be RoboCop’s personal guitar, this digital axe features nylon strings and a rubber fingerboard pad that translates the intended notes through selected digital onboard Casio sound banks through a 1/8“ Line Out and built-in speaker.

The Tone bank includes 12 different selectable sounds, all with unique and arguably usable qualities. The Rhythm section features 12 different drum machine patterns with adjustable Tempo controls, and the drum machine can be played simultaneously as an accompaniment to the guitar output with a Start/Stop button and Synchro/Fill pad.

A Main Volume control and separate Rhythm Volume knob are located next to the Power switch, and the guitar runs on 6 AA batteries or a 9v power adapter (not included). The output is 1/8“ and will need a 1/4“ adapter to interface with standard instrument connections, while the built-in speaker works as it should. Cosmetically, there are light surface scuffs and scratches mostly relegated to the back of the plastic body and neck profile."

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NOT NAMM: Misa Digital Guitar Demo

YouTube via misadigital
"misa digital guitar running linux kernel 2.6.31.
very fun and mesmerizing to play.
sydney, australia.
http://www.misadigital.com"

http://www.misadigital.com/
"My design aim was for a minimalistic interface, with configurability at the sound module end, leaving the instrument itself simple and effective.

That being said, the Misa digital guitar software is open source, and powered by the Linux operating system. This means programmers have the flexibility to modify how it works, and even change the interface to provide specific functionality. This is important because collaboration from the users themselves, experimenting and innovating in their own ways, will further improve the instrument.

The Misa digital guitar is a MIDI controller. It must be plugged into a MIDI capable sound module. The sound of this instrument is limited only by what you connect to it."

ABSYNTH 5, GUITAR RIG 4 PRO, KONTAKT 4, and KOMPLETE 6 Now Available

"Berlin, October 1st, 2009 - Native Instruments today announced that ABSYNTH 5, GUITAR RIG 4 PRO, KONTAKT 4, and KOMPLETE 6 are now available in stores worldwide.

ABSYNTH 5 marks a new generation of the acclaimed semi-modular software synthesizer that is renowned for its unique evolving sounds and textures. The new version enhances the profound sonic capabilities of ABSYNTH with powerful additional synthesis and effects features as well as overall improved audio quality, and offers an ingenious new way to create complex sounds via "mutation" based on musical attributes.

ABSYNTH 5 is available in the NI Online Shop for a price of $199 / 179 EUR. An update for owners of previous versions of ABSYNTH can be purchased for $79 / 69 EUR.

More information on ABSYNTH 5 including audio demos can be found at
www.native-instruments.com/absynth5.info

With GUITAR RIG 4 PRO, Native Instruments raises the bar on sonic authenticity with new speaker emulation technology, and further expands on nearly all aspects that set GUITAR RIG apart as the most capable digital guitar solution. The advanced speaker emulation is also the basis for the versatile new "Control Room" module, which allows users to freely mix and match up to eight phase-aligned studio microphones for each cabinet, providing an unlimited range of high-end studio recording tones.

GUITAR RIG 4 PRO is available in various versions to accommodate guitarists and producers of all categories. The GUITAR RIG 4 PRO software is available for a suggested retail price of $199 / 179 EUR. Further versions of GUITAR RIG 4 include GUITAR RIG KONTROL with included foot controller/audio interface ($449 / 399 EUR), GUITAR RIG 4 ESSENTIAL as a more affordable software version with a reduced feature set ($99 / 89 EUR), GUITAR RIG SESSION which combines GUITAR RIG 4 ESSENTIAL with the SESSION I/O audio interface ($249 / 229 EUR), and GUITAR RIG MOBILE which now also includes the mid-range GUITAR RIG ESSENTIAL software ($119 / 99 EUR).

More information on GUITAR RIG 4 PRO including audio demos can be found at
www.native-instruments.com/guitarrig4.info

KONTAKT 4 is a new version of the industry-leading software sampler. Taking the unrivalled performance and versatility of KONTAKT for music production, live performance and sound design even further, the fourth generation adds powerful "Authentic Expression Technology," unique sample compression, an extended studio-grade sound library complete with a convenient new database system, and much more.

KONTAKT 4 is available for a suggested retail price of $399 / 379 EUR at authorized dealers and in the NI Online Shop. An update for owners of previous versions of KONTAKT can be purchased for $149 / 129 EUR.

More information on KONTAKT 4 including audio and video demos can be found at
www.native-instruments.com/kontakt4.info

KOMPLETE 6 is the latest version of Native Instruments' popular software bundle that has become a mainstay with professional musicians and producers. The new collection offers a veritable arsenal of acclaimed instruments and effects that cover all areas of modern music production. KOMPLETE 6 incorporates the latest ABSYNTH 5, KONTAKT 4 and GUITAR RIG 4 PRO versions, complemented by BATTERY 3, FM8, MASSIVE and REAKTOR 5. All included products offer comprehensive compatibility for current host software versions and operating systems.

KOMPLETE 6 is available for a suggested retail price of $559 / 499 EUR at authorized dealers and in the NI Online Shop. An update for owners of KOMPLETE 2/3/4/5 can be purchased for $169 / 149 EUR.

Furthermore, Native Instruments offers a special time-limited upgrade for owners of any version of KONTAKT or REAKTOR. These users can purchase KOMPLETE 6 at a special price of $339 / 299 EUR until December 31st 2009.

More information on KOMPLETE 6 can be found at
www.native-instruments.com/komplete6.info

About Native Instruments:

Native Instruments is a leading manufacturer of software and hardware for computer-based music production and performance. The company's mission is to develop innovative, fully integrated solutions for all professions, styles and genres. The resulting products regularly push technological boundaries and open up new creative horizons for professionals and amateurs alike."

MORE Misa Digital Guitar

YouTube via misadigital. follow-up to this post.
"misa digital guitar running linux kernel 2.6.31.

sydney, australia.

the misa digital guitar can connect to any MIDI compatible sound source. practically every modern synthesizer / sampler / etc is MIDI compatible - it is a standard that has existed for over 20 years. in this video i have connected the digital guitar to various synthesizers and samplers to show the diverse range of sounds and playing styles possible.

http://www.misadigital.com"

Vintage Roland JX-8P Analog Synthesizer w/ Original Box

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Winter NAMM '12 - Misa Digital Kitara Digital Guitar
Digital Guitar cover of Skrillex / Benassi - Cinema

via this auction

"The Misa Kitara is a digital MIDI controller and musical instrument developed in 2011 and discontinued in 2013. It allows for a guitar player to produce a synthesized sound using techniques and motions referential to guitar playing.

The Kitara was the first digital musical instrument to combine the use of touch buttons for strings and frets with an 8 inch multi-touch screen. The player controls sound effects and parameters through this display, as opposed to strumming strings like on a traditional guitar. The display allows for comprehensive control as well as a wide-variety of noise and effect production. The produced sound changes based on the position, number, and movement of fingers on this display.

The Kitara uses an internal wavetable synthesizer with effects to generate sounds by itself. The Kitara is powered by an open-sourced Linux based CPU, making it possible to reprogram the Kitara, modify existing sounds, and program new ones.

Watch the videos in this link to get a up close look at how it works."

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Roland Museum Germany Massive Synthesizer Selloff - Most Gear for Sale in a Single Auction

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This one in via Marko of Retrosound.de.

26.000,00 Euro gets it all.

via this auction

Someone needs to contact the Guiness Book of World Records. Longest list of gear for sale ever:

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Meet the Cyber G: Not a guitar, but a New Way to Play

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video upload by Cyber G Guitar

Spotted this one via this listing, some pics capture below. See this review on Reddit for notes on the MIDI support.

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BOSS Launches NEW GM-800 Guitar Synth & GK Series

BOSS GM-800 Guitar Synthesizer | Sound Examples by Alex Hutchings

video uploads by BOSSchannel

Press release follows:

Next-Generation Serial GK Digital Interface and Powerful New Guitar and Bass Synthesizer with the Roland ZEN-Core Sound Engine

Los Angeles, CA, July 20, 2023 — BOSS announces the new Serial GK system and the GM-800 Guitar Synthesizer, a powerful and versatile product that elevates guitar and bass synthesis into a new age of natural playability and boundless creative range. Driven by the newly developed Serial GK digital interface, the advanced ZEN-Core engine in the GM-800 unlocks any sound imaginable—from acoustic instruments to classic and modern synths—while high-performance DSP delivers tracking stability and expressive scope never before possible. Users can also expand the GM-800 experience with a growing selection of ZEN-Core content on Roland Cloud. In addition, BOSS has released a variety of complementary products for the GM-800 and Serial GK system, including GK-5 and GK-5B Divided Pickups for guitar and bass, BGK-15 and BGK-30 connection cables, and GKC-AD and GKC-DA GK Converters for interfacing with classic 13-pin GK products.

GM-800 Guitar Synthesizer
BOSS and its parent company Roland have been the worldwide leaders in guitar synthesizer innovation for nearly five decades, beginning with the revolutionary GR-500 system in 1977. Expanding and elevating the concepts behind many historic Roland GR products, the GM-800 provides guitar and bass players with cutting-edge creative tools and access to sounds typically only available with keyboard-based instruments.

The GM-800 is built around the expandable ZEN-Core Synthesis System, the sound source found in professional Roland products like the JUPITER-X and FANTOM keyboards and ZENOLOGY software synthesizer. ZEN-Core combines modern PCM synthesis and advanced modeling to provide an infinite playground for sonic discovery. With over 1200 Tones, GM-800 users can play everything from pianos, organs, and orchestral instruments to classic Roland synth sounds like the JUPITER-8, JUNO-106, and many others.

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Starr Labs Summer 2011 press release

"Ztar Models Z6S-XPA & Z7S-XPA, Z6S Ultra MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) Guitar Controllers, the Most Professional MIDI Guitar on the Market
[Starr Labs on eBay]
Guitarists can now control and interact with their modern studios and performance rigs in incredibly creative and accurate ways. The latest Ztar from Starr Labs brings guitarists complete control over synthesizers, samplers, drum machines, keyboards, computer audio software, and other modern music making technologies, in an easy, expressive, and intuitive way without the glitching and delay problems that affect other digital guitar systems.

San Diego, CA May 3, 2011 Harvey Starr, CEO Starr Labs, announces the arrival of the Z6S-XPA, Z7S-XPA, and Z6S Ultra, the flagship models in their line of professional MIDI guitars. Starr Labs Ztars allow guitarists and other musicians to control the vast sonic world of synthesizers, samplers, software and computers, creatively, accurately, and expressively. The XPA’s and Ultra expand on the base Ztar adding powerful new features and functions geared towards providing the professional musician with ultimate control of performance, and creativity of composition within todays tech laden music industry.

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Musikmesse: Cakewalk announces the SONAR V-Studio 100 portable music production studio

"Cakewalk® Announces SONAR V-Studio 100™

—Second product in the SONAR V-Studio line of integrated hardware and software from Cakewalk and Roland provides a compact, feature rich music production studio that enables musicians to create, record, produce, and perform music with or without a computer. SONAR V-Studio 100 integrates a USB 2.0 Audio Interface, DAW Controller, Digital Mixer, SD Recorder, and VS Production Pack for Mac & Windows—

Frankfurt, Germany, Musikmesse (Hall 5.1, Walkway B, Stand 56) (1 April, 2009) - Cakewalk, the world's leading developer of powerful and easy to use products for music creation and recording, announces the SONAR V-Studio 100 portable music production studio.

Essential tools for music production in one affordable package

SONAR V-Studio 100 elegantly combines the most essential tools needed by today's modern music producers and performing musicians in a compact and affordable package.

* High Speed USB 2.0 Audio Interface
* Universal DAW Controller
* Personal Digital Mixer
* SD WAV Recorder
* VS Production Pack suite of virtual instruments and effects (Mac/Win)
* SONAR VS digital audio workstation (Win)

Use SONAR V-Studio 100 with or without a computer

Customers can take control of their music productions by using the VS-100 as a 24-bit/96 kHz high speed USB 2.0 audio, MIDI interface and universal DAW controller. SONAR V-Studio 100 also includes the VS Production Pack, a powerful suite of high quality instruments and effects. The VS-100 hardware and VS Production Pack have been designed to enhance productions on both Mac and Windows in conjunction with popular DAW software including SONAR, Cubase, Logic, Ableton Live, and others. For PC customers just getting started with digital recording, SONAR V-Studio 100 includes the SONAR VS digital audio workstation.

When inspiration strikes, the VS-100 is the ideal tool to get ideas down fast, without the need to boot up a computer. In standalone mode, the VS-100 hardware functions as a personal digital mixer and SD Wave recorder. Customers can use the VS-100 to record and mix rehearsals and live gigs and can also use it to play backing tracks (even while recording). Customers can then simply transfer the stereo recordings to their favorite DAW software to use as the basis for new tracks or for further editing and sweetening, to upload to the Internet, and more.

Second product in the next generation SONAR V-Studio line

SONAR V-Studio 100 is the second product in the next generation V-Studio line of Cakewalk branded hardware and software solutions from Cakewalk and Roland. Following the release of the flagship SONAR V-Studio 700, two great music technology leaders have again combined the best in hardware and software engineering to address the varied needs of today's modern music producers and performing musicians.

SONAR V-Studio 100 Hardware Features

High Speed USB 2.0 Interface

SONAR V-Studio 100 is a high quality USB 2.0 audio and MIDI interface utilizing world-class Roland engineering design and component technology.

* 8 in + mix / 6 out, 24-bit/96 kHz quality
* 2 mic pre-amps w/phantom Power, hi-z guitar input; MIDI I/O
* ASIO, WDM, WASAPI, Core Audio support
* Compatible with DAWs such as SONAR, Logic, Live, Cubase, and Digital Performer

Universal DAW Controller

SONAR V-Studio 100 is a universal DAW controller that supports all popular digital recording software for Mac/PC via Mackie control protocol, including Logic, Live, Cubase, and Digital Performer. Additionally, V-Studio 100 provides extended control capabilities over SONAR through the implementation of Cakewalk's Active Controller Technology (ACT).

* 100 mm motorized, touch-sensitive fader
* 5 rotary encoders, 11 buttons and transport control
* Use with any DAW through Mackie Control protocol
* Advanced control of SONAR through Active Controller Technology

Personal Digital Mixer

SONAR V-Studio 100 is an ideal digital mixer for small groups or solo performers who need easy control of few instruments and vocals mics; DJs, MCs, and any electronic musician who needs to mix multiple sound sources. All users can enhance their live sound with the pro-quality on-board effects which offer easy routing and accessibility.

* Ideal for mixing small bands, solo musicians, DJs, home studios
* 8 inputs, 6 outputs plus headphones
* 4 types of reverb and 6 channels of EQ and Compression

Mobile SD Recorder Live Player

SONAR V-Studio 100 can capture that creative moment whenever inspiration strikes by providing high quality digital recording that can be used without being connected to computer. Record directly to the VS-100's SD-card to capture song ideas, rehearsals, or live performances. Create backing tracks on your DAW of choice and transfer them to the VS-100's SD-card for playback during live performance (even while recording). Likewise, recorded performances can be easily transferred from the VS-100's SD-card for additional editing, tracking, and sweetening.

* Record away from your computer
* 2 channel wave recording and playback
* Capture rehearsals and live performances
* Play and record along to backing tracks
* Built-in metronome
* Insert markers during record and playback
* Loop a region for practicing parts or jamming
* Easily transfer audio to and from any computer via USB

SONAR V-Studio 100 Software Features

VS-100 Production Pack (Win/Mac) suite of effects and instruments includes:

VX-64 Vocal Strip is a seven-stage processor designed specifically for shaping and sculpting incredible sounding vocal tracks. Each of the VX-64's stages have been fine-tuned to be vocal-specific, taking the work out of dialing in an entire chain of vocal processors. The VX-64 features a new Cakewalk technology that employs phase-coherent, multi-band saturation to avoid unwanted distortion; unique filtering to avoid harsh artifacts at extreme high and low frequencies; and an auto-leveling circuit that prevents the tube saturation from sounding too harsh when high gain transients are processed by it. VX-64 also employs a new de-essing algorithm designed with Cakewalk's LP64 linear phase effect filtering technology to remove sibilance without creating any frequency smearing.

Processing stages include:

* Input — simulates a tube pre amp
* De-esser — removes sibilance without smearing
* Compander — vocal compressor with an expander to reduce unwanted background noise
* Tube EQ — for adding character ranging from subtle warmth to intense heat to the vocal
* Doubler — advanced doubling effect providing the quality of actual re-tracking
* Delay — preset delays useful for vocal tracks with tempo sync
* Output — provide saturation control with a built in soft-clipping filter
* Order of processor stages is user definable with click & drag reordering

Channel Tools — provides easy and powerful control over individual placement of the left and right channels anywhere in the stereo field. Ideal for adjusting L/R channel placement, gain, pan/width, and phase; also provides a widening or narrowing effect to stereo recordings through adjustments to mid-side gain.

Boost 11 Peak Limiter — gives your tracks radio-ready punch through transparent peak limiting and volume maximization without additional coloring of the source material. Boost 11 employs a "look-ahead" limiter and PDR (Program Dependent Release) to provide professional results with a simple interface.

Native Instruments Guitar Rig 3 LE — built on the latest award-winning guitar amp modeler from Native Instruments; 3 amps and cabinets, 11 effects, tuner, metronome, and over 50 presets.

Dimension LE — a streamlined version of the acclaimed Dimension Pro instrument from Cakewalk. Dimension LE features over 400 sound programs, ranging from bass, organ, and electric piano samples to cutting-edge synth sounds, rhythmic grooves, and a special edition of Garritan Pocket Orchestra.

Rapture LE — is a special version of the award winning Rapture wavetable synthesizer. It includes over 200 programs and hundreds of oscillator shapes. Rapture LE is perfect for performing the modern synthesized sounds igniting today's pop, dance, and electronic music.

Cakewalk Studio Instruments — a collection of four virtual instruments that provide a fast and easy way to create backing tracks using a photo-realistic, interactive user interface. Instruments include a Drum Kit, Bass Guitar, Electric Piano, and String Section.

SONAR VS digital recording software (PC only) — a special entry level DAW based on the powerful SONAR 8 audio engine but offering a streamlined user interface.

Availability

SONAR V-Studio 100 will ship with the VS-100 hardware (Mac/Win), the VS Production Pack (Mac/Win) and SONAR VS (Win) software available in English, German, French, Spanish, and Italian; Online Help contained in all versions in English, German, French, Spanish, and Italian; printed documentation is in English.

SONAR V-Studio 100 will be available through select music and sound retailers throughout the world beginning in June 2009. For more information on SONAR V-Studio 100 please visit www.sonarvstudio.com . Local prices may vary, please check with your local Roland or Edirol distributor, or SONAR V-Studio 100 retailer for more details."

RARE BREAKAWAY VOCALIZER 1000 (ENSONIQ ESQ-1 voice chip) VOCAL SYNTHESIZER SN 004970

via this auction

"The Breakaway 1000 is a voice controlled music synthesizer. You hum, sing or speak into a microphone and it comes out as any synth sound you choose. It has 28 voices to choose from.

The best thing is that it is also an Analog-to-MIDI converter. You can plug a 1/4" jack into it (guitar, say) and use the MIDI OUT jack to trigger any other MIDI instrument from your guitar, voice, keyboard, or what-have-you!

The Breakaway also has 5-track digital recording capabilities with a memory of over 1000 notes, along with built-in drum machine and bass accompaniment.

It's notoriety has climbed in recent years as emerging electronic musicians clamored for a means to generate MIDI sounds using only their voice. It was discovered these Breakaway "toys" were actually quite capable instruments - able to track and playback to the nearest 32nd of a semitone. The on-board tone generator was co-developed by Ensoniq, a leader in music technology back then. The unit could also track the pitch of just about any sound-producing object and generate corresponding MIDI triggers. Even today, it is sought after by harmonica players as one of the best MIDI input devices available.

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Breakaway Vocalizer 1000 SN 006519

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction


"The Breakaway 1000 is a voice controlled music synthesizer. You hum into a microphone and it comes out as any synth sound you choose. It has 28 voices to choose from.

The best thing is that it is also an Analog-to-MIDI converter. You can plug a 1/4" jack into it (guitar, say) and use the MIDI OUT jack to trigger any other MIDI instrument from your guitar, voice, keyboard, or what-have-you!

The Breakaway also has 5-track digital recording capabilities with a memory of over 1000 notes, along with built-in drum machine and bass accompaniment.

Breakaway Vocalizer 1000 was released in 1988, (licensed to Breakaway by the Eltrex Corp.) and sold thru the Sharper Image Catalog, Montgomery Ward stores, and distributed by Tascam.

It's notoriety has climbed in recent years as emerging electronic musicians clamored for a means to generate MIDI sounds using only their voice. It was discovered these Breakaway "toys" were actually quite capable instruments - able to track and playback to the nearest 32nd of a semitone. The on-board tone generator was co-developed by Ensoniq, a leader in music technology back then. The unit could also track the pitch of just about any sound-producing object and generate corresponding MIDI triggers. Even today, it is sought after by harmonica players as one of the best MIDI input devices available.

Specifications:

Synthesis: Stereo, sampled waveforms.

Sound Tracks: 10 notes polyphonic and polytimbral.

Octaves: Over 7 octave range.

Instruments:

-28 preset lead instruments, built-in: piano, electric piano, piano strings, electric organ, electric guitar, fuzz guitar, electric bass guitar, slap bass guitar, flute, whistle, clarinet, harmonica, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, synthesizer brass, violin, cello, string bass, synthesizer strings, bells, marimba, steel drum, synthesizer drums, and four zany sounds; plus five drums: snare drum, bass drum, high hat, cymbal, tom.

Effects: Stereo chorus, stereo harmony, stereo echo, slide (continuous) control.

Voice Guide: Voice Guide, and Melody Guide (for song cartridges with known melodies).

SmartSongs Styles:

-12 Jam Pattern styles: rock 1, rock 2, rock 3, rock 4, soul 1, soul 2, latin 1, latin 2, jazz, blues, reggae, and country; each with different drum, bass and chord patterns.

SmartSongs Options:

-Variations: Each background has two "song" variations (verse and chorus), and two "rhythm" variations (bass or drum rhythm variations).

-levels of Accompaniment: 4 levels of accompaniment: Drums only / Drums and bass / Bass and chord / Full background SmartSong.

-Ending: Special pre-recorded finale to each SmartSong*

-Tempo: Tempo up and tempo down.

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Billy Cardine: Looking Forward, Looking Back & The Moog Lap Steel

Playlist:
Billy Cardine: Looking Forward, Looking Back
Improvisation for Moog Lap Steel, Synthesizers & Effects
Billy Cardine on the Moog Lap Steel & the MakeNoise René (previously posted)
The Moog Lap Steel (previously posted)
The Moog Lap Steel [2nd vid]

"Moog Lap Steel powers groundbreaking EP exploring uncharted expanses of Ameritronica

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (September, 2011) Mix cutting-edge electronic vibration control technology with an instrument born on a train track, put it in the hands of musical omnivore Billy Cardine and the result is music with one foot in the past, one foot in the future and both ears wide open. Refining a lifetime of musical influences and liberating them with a combination of string and studio wizardry, his new EP Looking Forward, Looking Back shines a light on a musical future true to its roots yet constantly growing and evolving.

To know where you’re going though, you have to know where you’ve been…

The story goes that the lap steel guitar was invented in the 1880s by seven-year-old Joseph Kekuku as he walked along a Hawaiian railroad and experimented with playing his guitar using a metal bolt he found. By the 1930s, Hawaiian music had become one of the first waves of American interest in exotic “world music” and the lap steel became the first stringed instrument to be electrified, predating Les Paul’s first electric guitar. Also in the ‘30s, the Sacred Steel tradition was born in African-American House of God churches, fueled by the low cost and highly expressive nature of this new instrument. From there it spread to many far-flung homes, including Indian classical music and American country and bluegrass, the genres in which it and its musical progeny, the dobro and pedal steel guitar are most closely associated.

Fast-forward to the present… While a spin across the radio dial today results in very little country music featuring the lap steel, the instrument has been embraced by a number of innovative players pushing musical boundaries, including U2 producer Daniel Lanois and Wilco guitarist Nels Cline.

The lap steel guitar itself is now even more suited to “boundary pushing” with the introduction of The Moog Lap Steel, an instrument that brings state-of-the-art control technology to the instrument born on a 19th century Hawaiian train track. It incorporates the same electronics that earned The Moog Guitar numerous industry accolades including Guitar Player Magazine's Reader's Choice Award, Electronic Musician Magazine's Editor's Choice Award, NAMM "Best In Show" honors, a “Best of What’s New Award” from Popular Science magazine and a Mix Foundation TEC Award.

Billy Cardine is an Americana/Bluegrass phenomenon who has performed everywhere from Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center to the Ryman Auditorium and Bonnaroo. He is a member of the renowned Americana band Acoustic Syndicate and leader of the new music ensemble The Billy Sea. He also studied in India and will perform at the 2011 Bangaluru International Arts Festival with chitravina master Ravikiran. Billy was instrumental in the development of the Moog Lap Steel and played an early prototype for its debut at Moogfest 2010.

“In one of those moments of wonderful synchronicity, I met Billy about the same time I finished the first Moog lap steel prototype which I had dubbed “The Monster” said Moog Music’s Chief Engineer, Cyril Lance. “Billy and I got together and the first music he made on this crude instrument was stunning. It was immediately clear that not only was Billy perfect for this instrument, but the instrument was perfect for Billy. This began an extremely rewarding collaboration that resulted in the current Moog Lap Steel.”

Combining the unique expressive qualities of the lap steel with the innovations of the Moog Guitar results in an instrument with unlimited sonic potential. Like the Moog Guitar, it is in not a guitar synthesizer, but features an onboard Moog filter (with control voltage input) that places it firmly in the Moog family tree and allows for some amazing creative connectivity with devices ranging from theremins to massive modular synthesizers.

"For me the Moog Lap Steel represents the invention I've worked on for so many years finally taking flight on its own.” said Moog Guitar inventor Paul Vo. “Cyril Lance had the inspiration that really drove this project home. He expertly placed the same vibration control technology that I developed for the Moog Guitar into this beautifully crafted instrument, co-designed by luthier Wes Lambe. I mostly just watched. Now Billy Cardine, virtuoso of the lap steel and dobro, brings it all together and takes it to heights of musical expression that completely amaze me. I am a very grateful spectator!"

“Looking Forward, Looking Back”, the historic first EP of music for the Moog Lap Steel, is the creation of a composer and player at the height of his powers in control of an instrument that extends those powers like no other innovation since it was first electrified.

The EP kicks off with the opening track “Moolodious” whose soaring melodies and pulsating beats sweep the listener along so thoroughly that it is easy to miss the technology behind the magic. While the Moog Lap Steel plays long anthemic notes that seem to defy the laws of physics, its big brother The Moog Guitar cranks out rhythms that, although created using advanced modular synthesis techniques (routing beat-synced control voltage signals from ProTools to The Moog Guitar’s onboard analog filter), are still very much the product of strings, a pick and a guitarist’s callused fingertips… in this case, the fingertips of Moog’s Cyril Lance.

“Jet Li”, the second track moves from Americana to Asiana. Inspired by the fluid movements of martial artist Jet Li, it starts with the low rumble of Moog Taurus Bass Pedals and a unique melody created with a two-handed phrasing technique impossible on an instrument without the precise sustaining abilities of The Moog Lap Steel. This may be the first recording in history in which a lap steel gets mistaken for an erhu.

The title track “Looking Forward, Looking Back” takes the Moog Lap Steel and Moog Guitar in a new direction. As it unfolds, the Lap Steel’s timbre is more reminiscent of a dobro while the Moog Guitar takes on a surreal, funky banjo-like role. When the long, sustained-note melody comes in, being played on the same instrument with the same strings creates a pleasing timbral cohesiveness.

“Stacks”, the most electronic of the tracks, showcases the instrument at play with its other Moog siblings. Built on an analog filtered drum beat, the Moog Lap Steel intertwines with the sounds of the Moog Guitar and Slim Phatty synthesizer while a Little Phatty synth generates a beat-synced control voltage making the Lap Steel’s filter dance in time with the rhythm. Meanwhile other keyboards and vocal processors fill out a soundscape proving that analog and digital can get along quite nicely.

The closing track, “The Curious Boo” was written on the original Moog prototype and combines sacred steel feel with an Indian approach to slide guitar phrasing. A Moog MF-102 ring modulator adds a unique metallic edge to these fluid lines.

The Roman god Janus, for whom the month January was named, is depicted as having two heads, one looking into the past and the other into the future, making him the archetype of beginnings, transitions and gateways (and New Year’s parties). When listening to “Looking Forward, Looking Back”, it’s hard not to hear the music in a similar light… as a harbinger of new beginnings, transitions and gateways… as a new voice… as “Ameritronica”. It’s also hard not to hear it as just damn good music.

Looking Forward, Looking Back is available from Indidog Records through bandcamp at:

http://billycardine.bandcamp.com/album/looking-forward-looking-back



Visit billycardine.com for more information."

Via Chris Stack of experimentalsynth.com

Introducing: GUITAR HIVE

video upload by The Crow Hill Company

"You have never heard a sample library like this before. Instant, Cure, Smiths, Cocteau, Lanois, Eno, Edge, Steve Reich vs Pat Metheny under your fingertips. An homage to great British guitar beds from shoe gaze to stinking student union bars in the north of England to the pristine layers of Reich’s Electric Counterpoint. Construct endless layers of interweaved guitar parts that become a highly controllable sonic weapon that goes from elegant to pure filth in no less than a turn of a dial.

Join the minds (and fingers) behind this; Christian Henson and Theo Le Derf on the beginning of your Hive journey. This is the gift we all wanted this Christmas."

Press release follows:


EDINBURGH, UK: The Crow Hill Company is proud to announce availability of FILTH - GUITAR HIVE — heading up its FILTH sub-range of products produced and recorded at the Annex in Edinburgh, Scotland, its self-styled safe house packed with vintage equipment, rarified instruments, synths, processing, and potential, with the main emphasis being on creating more experimental sample projects that think out of the box and are the very antithesis of virtual instruments; in this case, guitar performances on a limited-edition Fender Telecaster by Theo Le Derf, D.I. (Direct Injection) recorded via a pristine Thermionic Culture The Rooster Valve pre-amp with EQ & attitude and mixed through countless processors to give users control over the uncontrollable, ultimately providing what all at the music-making community tools-maker collectively yearn for in the process... utter filth — as of December 18…

Now knowing what FILTH - GUITAR HIVE is positioned as being, best to take a function-highlighting, whistle-stop tour of its clearly considered UI (User Interface) implemented to take that mission statement to the musical masses, filthy or otherwise. On the face of it, the front panel-dominating ‘Obutsu!’ is basically a ‘filth’ dial, allowing users to effortlessly transform their sound with three simultaneous signals — from tasteful and pure D.I. to a crunchy deluxe amplifier, all the way to overdriven feedback and tempo-synced tremolo; SHIMMER is a dual-direction granular pitch shift fed into a massive reverb chamber, creating a cascading, shimmering veil of tone; DRIVE is an unmistakably distorted, crunchy signal, modelled after a tube amp that has been utterly misused; ECHO is a tape-based, multi-tap echo/delay that syncs to the host tempo — an associated speed control determines what subdivision of the beat the repeats play at; and SPLOSH is a suitably reasonable decaying reverb for anyone’s roomy needs.

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Half Rack Synth Demos by Digithalis

Published on Sep 4, 2018 Digithalis

A few demos in via Digithalis. Yes, the Miditech Pianobox is not a half rack, consider it extra. :)

Playlist:

1. Korg 05R/W Synthesizer Sounds (Demo)
2. Kurzweil Micropiano Sounds (Demo)
3. Miditech Pianobox Mini Sounds

Additional details on each:

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UVI Introduces PX Guitar Syn based on the Roland GR-500

video upload by UVI

PX Guitar Syn - A modern take on the original guitar synth
https://www.uvi.net/px-guitar-syn

Discover an inspirational, modern take on an innovative yet obscure guitar and synthesizer combo from the late ‘70s. Including fully-editable vintage synthesizer and guitar tones in a dual-layer configuration, PX Guitar Syn will give you a featured and creative instrument brimming with charactered vibe.

00:00 - Intro / Gilmoured
00:08 - Counterpoint
00:20 - Hybrid Dist
00:30 - Cool Tour
00:39 - Vinny Pad
00:54 - Dreamy Finger 1
01:07 - Hand Made
01:18 - Dusty Strings
01:30 - Bass Seq"

Inspired by the innovative design of GS and GR-500, PX Guitar Syn delivers a versatile and easily editable instrument that's part guitar, part synthesizer, and all fun.

PX Guitar Syn gives you a robust and capable toolset for creating and editing patches. From the dual-layer architecture with ADSR amp envelopes, multimode filters with envelope, poly or mono modes with glide, pitch shifting and advanced stereo modes, and handy modwheel mappings, to LFO and step modulators, two feature-rich arpeggiators, and a generous selection of high-quality effects including 3-band EQ with sweepable crossover, drive, Thorus, ensemble, Phasor, digital delay, and Sparkverb..."

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ARP Avatar

via this auction
"The Arp Avatar is a synthesizer that lets the guitar player achieve a range of timbres and textures never before attainable on the electric guitar. The Avatar produces string, brass, reed and percussive instrument sounds, wind, rain, explosions, and other startling sound effects; stagerattling bass and super-synthesizer lead solos; plus dramatic combinations ofstraight or processed guitar with synthesizer. The sounds generated by the Avatar are controlled directly from your guitar and are responsive to a variety of playing techniques. At the heart of this process is the digital pitch extractor. The pitch extractor follows every nuance of the guitar signal, including finger bends, finger vibrato, hammer- downs and glissando. The pitch extraaor receives its signals from a specially-designed pickup which can be mounted on most solid-body electric guitars between the treble pickup and the bridge. This hexaphonic pickup transmits a completely separate signal for each string. The pickup connects to the main synthesizer console through a miniature connector. Each string is connected to its own low-noise preamplifier with adjustable gain so that each string can be perfectly balanced with the others. Each string also has its own fuzz circuit which permits clean fuzz. You can play a full chord without any string crossover, talk-back or distortion. The Avatar is also touch responsive. An envelope follower translates the strengh of the guitar signal into a control voltage that can be used to control dynamics. Adjustable trigger sensitivity allows the musician to set a minimum picking force necessary to trigger the synthesizer. When you play softly on the guitar, j ust the straight guitar sounds are produced. When the strings are picked harder, the synthesizer is activated and follows the pitch being played. LED status lights give you a visual representation of the trigger sensitivity. The control panel of the Avatar is human engineered in the Arp tradition. A logically arranged system of sliders and switches gives you quick access to every control function. Several other features add to the Avatar's performance flexibility. Mono performance and split-stereo studio outputs are available on the rear panel. In stereo, the E, A and D strings can be sent through one channel, while the G, B and E strings are sent through a second channel.

Systems interface jacks on the rear panel permit expansion of the Avatar with other Arp synthesizers. The Avatar also accepts a filter pedal, sustain switch and portamento switch, which allow foot control of various effects in live performance, including infinite sustain. Controls 1. VCO 1: Creates raw pitch. Sawtooth (brassy), square (hollow) and pulse (reedy) available. Pitch control sliders create variable vibrato and trill depth or sample/hold and envelope control. Pulse width controls create nasal, chorus or saxophone sounds. 2. VCO 2: Similar to VCO 1. Input for pedal-controlled preset intervals. Phase-sync switch slaves VCO 2 to VCO 1 for dramatic emphasis of harmonic series. Touch sensitive via envelope follower control. 3. LFO: Creates vibrato, trill, tremolo and repeat. Controls VCOs and VCF. Variable rate. 4. VCF: Adds, subtracts or emphasizes harmonics. Controllers include: pedal- controlled wah-wah; ADSR; sample/hold; LFO for tremolo; and envelope follower for touch responsive wah-wah. 5. HPF: Removes all low harmonics from sound to create thin textures. 6. ADSR, AR: Envelope generators that control articulation from percussive to lethargic. 7. S/H: Controls either VCOs or VCF for random patterns or rhythms. 8. Ring Modulator: Creates gongs, chimes or special ethereal effects. 9. Noise Generator: Used to create sounds of wind, surf, steam, bombs, trains, etc. 10. Guitar to VCF Switch: Processes guitar audio through VCF for polyphonic effects. 11. Portamento: Creates automatic glissando or- sliding sound between any Interval. Variable speed. 12. String Select Controls: Designates strings to "trigger" synthesizer; f.g., select low E only to control synthesizer snd play chords on remaining strings. 13. Trigger Sensitivity: Adjusts to each guitarist's playing style. 14. Hex Fuzz/Preamp Select Switch: Allows guitarist to choose clean sound with extended high frequency range or polyphonic "clean" fuzz."