"2021 marks 25 years since we loaded up GENERATOR on a low-cost PC and started work on our vision for the future of sound. So we're celebrating with a very special anniversary drop: six of our most popular hardware devices are now available in two bold new colorways."
Celebrating 25 Years of Native Instruments | Native Instruments
"Back in 1996, we launched GENERATOR, our first ever synthesizer – and also the
precursor to REAKTOR. Now, 25 years and countless other instruments later, we’ve
been digging through the archives to unearth a sonic time capsule of our most
iconic instruments from the past quarter-century.
The limited-edition TWENTY FIVE is a powerful, free instrument designed to let
future generations recombine and reimagine our sonic legacy into something
entirely new. As part of the KONTAKT Play Series, it comes mapped with intuitive
macro controls, powerful FX, and a built-in sequencer.
"Berlin, October 25 2021 – Native Instruments – the company behind groundbreaking music technology products like KONTAKT, MASCHINE, TRAKTOR, and the KOMPLETE portfolio of virtual instruments and effects – today kicks off its 25th anniversary celebrations. To mark the occasion, NI is releasing limited-edition Ultraviolet and Vapor Gray versions of six of its most popular instruments and controllers, alongside a new, free instrument, TWENTY FIVE.
The 25th Anniversary Collection reimagines iconic KOMPLETE, MASCHINE, and TRAKTOR hardware in a choice of either Vapor Gray or Ultraviolet colorways. The striking, monochromatic designs extend to every detail of these instruments and controllers, each of which have been hand-numbered and accented with reflective graphics commemorating NI’s anniversary. The full range encompasses MASCHINE+, MASCHINE Mk3, KOMPLETE KONTROL S49/S61, TRAKTOR KONTROL S4, and TRAKTOR KONTROL X1.
TWENTY FIVE is a new, free instrument for KONTAKT 6 and the free KONTAKT 6 PLAYER. It allows users to sculpt entirely new sounds from combinations of classic presets taken from 37 different instruments across NI’s history. From modern flagship synthesizers, to timeless KONTAKT pianos, and hidden gems from the REAKTOR and GENERATOR archives, TWENTY FIVE is a time capsule of NI’s contributions to digital music making over the past quarter century. As part of the KONTAKT Play Series, TWENTY FIVE comes mapped with intuitive macro controls, powerful FX, and a built-in sequencer.
Says Constantin Köhncke, Native Instruments CEO, “We’re extremely proud of what we have accomplished over the past 25 years. None of this would have been possible without the dedication, passion, and ingenuity of every member of the NI team, both past and present, and – most importantly – our community of creators who have used our products and innovations to create countless contributions to music culture. Their amazing output keeps us inspired every day, and will for the next 25 years.”
“Of course, we couldn’t have achieved what we have without the continued support of the creators who use our products on a daily basis.” adds NI’s Chief Product Officer & President Robert Linke. “TWENTY FIVE is a small token of our appreciation, and we hope this sonic time capsule will help inspire a new generation of creators as they define the sound of the next 25 years.”
Native Instruments is also holding a global producer challenge on its metapop platform, inviting artists to make a track with TWENTY FIVE. A range of NI prizes is up for grabs, with winning entries receiving limited-edition hardware alongside KOMPLETE 13 packages. The competition runs from October 25 to December 31."
"Syntronik™ - the legendary synth powerhouse for Mac/PC is now shipping
Cutting-edge virtual instrument delivers iconic synthesizers and string machines with unique synthesis engine and stunning sound quality, available as a collection or separate instruments
July 20, 2017 - IK Multimedia is proud to announce that Syntronik™, the legendary synth powerhouse for Mac® and PC, is now shipping worldwide.
Syntronik offers the definitive and best-sounding collection of vintage synthesizers in a virtual instrument to date. It provides unsurpassed quality and flexibility thanks to an entirely new combination of the most advanced sampling techniques with a unique hybrid sample and modeling synthesis engine, a large assortment of high-quality modeled effects and innovative instrument features.
Syntronik - a dream collection of synths
Syntronik includes a collection of 17 amazing instruments with over 2,000 soundscovering a wide selection from 38 of the most iconic to ultra-rare vintage synthesizers of all time:
"Discover the groundbreaking integration of Native Instruments with Akai Pro MPC hardware. This overview highlights how seamless workflows and expanded sound libraries redefine music creation for producers and performers alike.
Available today are three signature instruments — Analog Dreams, Cloud Supply, and Nacht — each crafted to inspire unique creative expressions. Additional instruments, including Homage and Sway, are set to launch later in February. Complementing these are five genre-specific Expansion sound packs: Faded Reels which is available now, with Lone Forest, Global Shake, Hazy Days, and Rare Vibrations to follow. All are expertly tailored for seamless integration with the MPC platform.
With this landmark collaboration, Akai Professional’s iconic MPC platform takes center stage, seamlessly integrating with Native Instruments’ creative tools to deliver an unprecedented toolkit for musicians, producers, and audio creators."
Zaytoven Creates on the Akai MPC with new Native Instruments Integration
Native Instruments expands partnerships to empower millions of music creators
Expansion of the NKS ecosystem connects Akai Professional, Novation, Nektar, Korg and M-Audio and ignites new creative possibilities for musicians and producers worldwide
Anaheim, CA – January 22, 2025: Native Instruments is making it easier than ever for music producers to explore new sounds on their favorite controllers by launching its Native Kontrol Standard (NKS) Hardware Partner Program, announced today at NAMM 2025. Industry leaders Akai Professional, Novation, Nektar, Korg, and M-Audio are adopting the NKS ecosystem to power seamless integration with Native Instruments software. This connects music makers to over 2,000 NKS-compatible instruments and effects from more than 250 brands.
“This expansion highlights the impact of collaboration,” says Simon Cross, Chief Product Officer at Native Instruments. “It marks an important milestone in our mission to provide musicians with an open, connected platform, making professional-grade tools, instruments, and technology more accessible to creators everywhere.”
Native Kontrol Standard: An inspiring experience for every music maker
"Native Instruments Releases Five New Instruments and Effects
Berlin, September 2nd, 2010 – Native Instruments has just released five products that further extend its versatile KOMPLETE Instruments and Effects range. The new products include the modal synthesizer REAKTOR PRISM, the studio reverb REFLEKTOR, the organ emulation VINTAGE ORGANS, the effect suite TRAKTOR'S 12 and the amp emulation RAMMFIRE. All products are based on the powerful technology of KONTAKT, REAKTOR and GUITAR RIG, and can be used both within the full versions and the free player versions of these instruments.
The unique REAKTOR PRISM synthesizer was designed by NI synthesis mastermind Stephan Schmitt, and utilizes the new modal synthesis capabilities of the latest REAKTOR 5.5 generation. It generates highly expressive tones and textures that range from powerful basses and leads to deep, organic soundscapes and intricate physical-modelling sounds.
REFLEKTOR is a high-performance reverb processor for use within GUITAR RIG 4 and the new GUITAR RIG 4 PLAYER. Based on Native Instruments' patent-pending Zero Latency Convolution, it combines the quality of impulse response technology with the efficiency and flexibility of algorithmic reverbs to generate both extremely realistic room ambiences and creative, highly original reverberation effects.
The new VINTAGE ORGANS instrument provides the charismatic electromagnetic organ sound of the 60s and 70s. Based on meticulous sampling in combination with the advanced KONTAKT engine, it recreates three iconic tonewheel organs and two distinctive transistor-based models complete with their authentic sound shaping and effect facilities.
The performance effects suite TRAKTOR'S 12 is derived from Native Instruments' leading DJ software, and makes the acclaimed effects arsenal of TRAKTOR PRO available for use as a plug-in in any DAW or music sequencer. All twelve effects, including unique algorithms like the "Mulholland Drive", "Reverse Grain" and "Beat Masher", are optimized for intuitive and expressive real-time sound manipulation.
The new RAMMFIRE amp emulation was developed in close collaboration with one of Rammstein's guitarists, Richard Z. Kruspe, and models the original recording chain that is behind the band's trademark guitar sound. It can be used both as an expansion to the amplifier arsenal in GUITAR RIG 4 and as an individual product in combination with the free GUITAR RIG 4 PLAYER.
The five new KOMPLETE Instruments and Effects are now available for individual download purchase in the NI Online Shop, and are also included in the new KOMPLETE 7 bundle.
YouTube via NativeInstruments "A visit to Abbey Road studios, and some first information about what to expect from the new partnership between the legendary recording facilities and Native Instruments."
Update:
"'Native Instruments and Abbey Road Announce Partnership
Berlin, December 10th, 2009 - Native Instruments today announced a close partnership with Abbey Road, the iconic British recording studios that have shaped the sound of popular music for over 75 years. Combining Native Instruments‘ industry-leading expertise in music software design with Abbey Road's unique engineering facilities, the two companies will create advanced software instruments of exceptional sonic quality and musical value, with the first product scheduled for release in early 2010.
As one of the most sophisticated recording and post production complexes in the world, Abbey Road’s equipment includes one of the largest microphones collections as well as a selection of famed analog outboard gear custom-built by EMI. Combined with the studio’s famous acoustics, and the expertise of Abbey Road’s engineers, the studios form an ideal environment for the production of sample-based software instruments of the highest quality.
With the award-winning KONTAKT sampler and its free KONTAKT PLAYER version, Native Instruments has established the most versatile and most widely adopted platform for sample-based instruments in the industry. Advanced features such as flexible scripting, sample morphing, and custom interface panels, which make KONTAKT the premier platform for the authentic emulation of acoustic instruments, will be used extensively in the products developed together with Abbey Road in the future.
'Both popular music culture and the recording arts are indebted to Abbey Road Studios in many ways", says Sascha Kubiak, Director of the Producer Division at Native Instruments. "We are excited about the challenge to develop software instruments that will put the Abbey Road sound into the hand of musicians and producers everywhere'.
'For over a decade, Native Instruments have been creating groundbreaking tools for artists to create and perform music", says Glyn Roberts, Head of Audio Products at Abbey Road. "We are looking forward to working closely with Native Instruments' developers to create exciting and innovative instruments for musicians of all genres'."
"Meet Traktor Pro 4. Traktor is the go-to software for hundreds of thousands of DJs at every level – from mixing with friends to headlining festivals.
The latest version brings stem separation, flexible beatgrids, iZotope Ozone mastering technology, and more. Plus, there are the Traktor staples like studio-grade effects, club-ready sound, and compatibility with the hardware that works for you."
Playlist:
Introducing Traktor Pro 4 | Native Instruments
What’s new in Traktor Pro 4 | Native Instruments
Introducing Ozone Maximizer in Traktor Pro 4 | Native Instruments
Introducing stem separation in Traktor Pro 4 | Native Instruments
Introducing Pattern Player in Traktor Pro 4 | Native Instruments
Introducing flexible beatgrids in Traktor Pro 4 | Native Instruments
Press release follows:
Berlin, July 17, 2024 – Native Instruments today announced Traktor Pro 4, the latest version of their flagship 4-deck DJ software. Building on the core features that made Traktor Pro the go-to software for hundreds of thousands of DJs around the world, the latest version brings next-generation creative tools including flexible beatgrids, high-quality stem separation, Ozone Maximizer, and Pattern Player. Wherever you are and whatever you’re playing, Traktor Pro 4 gives you the freedom and flexibility to mix your own way.
What’s new in Traktor Pro 4?
Stem Separation powered by AI and RX Transform the way you mix and remix with stem separation powered by AI and iZotope’s legendary RX technology. Precisely isolate and manipulate drums, bass, instruments, and vocals individually. With each stem waveform right in front of you, you can apply filters and effects with a high level of accuracy to get everything sounding just right.
Flexible Beatgrids Traktor Pro 4’s flexible beatgrids are ideal for moving between genres or mixing tracks with a changing tempo. With flexible beatgrids you can precisely follow each tempo change throughout a track, enabling highly accurate looping, beat jumps, beat effect layering, and beat alignment—all without impacting the audio quality.
Pattern Player Bring the sounds of iconic drum machines and leading producers to your sets. Pattern Player is packed with percussion kits including the signature drums of industry legends like Rebekah, Luke Slater, Len Faki, Chris Liebing, Dubfire, and many more.
Ozone Maximizer Take your sounds and sets to new heights while protecting the mix from clipping and distortion. Ozone Maximizer utilizes technology from iZotope’s award-winning Ozone mastering software. Its Intelligent Release Control allows you to finally boost the loudness of your sets without distortion.
Traktor Pro 4 features
Core functions Complete control over up to four decks in Track, Stem, and Remix Mode Highly reliable Sync to keep everything sounding on point [New] Advanced flexible beatgrids for precise effects, looping, navigation and mixing between tracks with changing tempo [New] Ozone Maximizer with iZotope’s award-winning technology to boost loudness while preserving transients and dynamics Mix recorder to record your sets A range of EQs and filters modeled on industry-standard mixers Key detection and shifting feature for harmonic mixing Smart Playlists for efficient library organization [New] Two free months of Beatport Streaming Advanced or Beatsource Streaming
"The collaboration sees Native’s iconic hardware meet the influential Swiss design agency’s fearless approach to design.
June 24, 2021 – Native Instruments and Dinamo today launched MASCHINE Dinamo, a limited-run MASCHINE MK3 as part of a new collaboration between the Berlin-based music company and Basel type foundry.
Limited to 750 pieces worldwide, the release sees the iconic MASCHINE MK3 tricked out in a silver and black screenprint with Dinamo’s Inktrap typeface on every surface – an homage to bold design and chunky aesthetics.
Inktrap fonts originally included notches designed to stop ink bleed in early printing. Dinamo’s rework lends the style contemporary utility by controlling light bleed on MASCHINE’s lazer-etched buttons.
The typeface wraps the edges of the unit in a double nod to 80s and 90s-era throw-up graffiti and marquee news tickers – both ubiquitous to the decades that spawned sample-based music making.
MASCHINE Dinamo is the latest in a series of limited-edition runs that earlier this year saw the KOMPLETE KONTROL M32 overhauled with a molten blue colorway in collaboration with Timbaland’s Beatclub.
The release marks the first time Native has opened the iconic MASCHINE line to a collaboration with a design studio.
MASCHINE Dinamo is out now and is available at the Native Instruments website. About Dinamo Dinamo is a one of the world's leading contemporary type foundries specializing in pushing the limits of bold design. They are known for their bespoke typefaces, software, research, and consultancy. Dinamo has worked for clients including Raf Simons and Nike, and operates via a network of satellite members across the globe. https://abcdinamo.com/news
About Maschine For over a decade, MASCHINE has been at the cutting edge of contemporary music creation. From pro studios to bedroom beat factories across the world, artists have been pushing the boundaries of genre and sound with its iconic 16 pads by their side.
About Native Instruments For more than 20 years, Native Instruments has been at the heart of musical innovation. We’ve created communities, pushed technological boundaries, and opened new creative horizons for amateurs and professionals alike. Today, driven by our mission to make music creation more inclusive and accessible, Native hardware, software, and digital services provide fully-integrated solutions for musicians, producers, and DJs of all genres and levels of experience."
Published on May 19, 2016 ARTURIA - Update: new video uploaded May 30, 2016
Update: Clarification: the NED Synclavier is not an emulation but a port of the original software:
"this is not an emulation - it is the real thing, the real mccoy. Cameron Jones himself ported the original Synclavier code to run on PC/MAC/VST etc.
- you have the choice of playing each patch either in the original 8-bit depth, or change it to 4-bit (!), 10-bit, 12-bit, 14-bit, 16-bit, 18-bit, 20-bit, 22-bit or 24-bit depth.
- resynthesis: not implemented in the current release but there may be plans to put it in a future release. However some of the original factory patches included (83 total) are resynthesis-based
- the partials/timbre frame functionality was vastly expanded"
Video description:
"The new V Collection 5 is a giant leap forward in our quest to create the greatest legendary keyboards collection ever, including 5 new softwares instruments: Piano V, Synclavier V, B-3 V, Stage-73 V, Farfisa V.
Special thanks to:
Altius Prod
Stéphane Schott (http://www.lyynkstudio.com/)
Studio Question de Son (http://www.questiondeson.com/)
Underground Records (http://www.undergroundrecords.fr/)
Garbage & Greg Kaplan (https://www.garbage.com/)"
Arturia announces the Synclavier V
Published on May 19, 2016 ARTURIA
Update:It's not clear if the Synclavier V supports sampling resynthesis (see above), although it does take the FM and additive synthesis with partials to a new level. For reference, you can find the history of features for the original Synclavier on Wikipedia here.
"Arturia announces the Synclavier V, the first recreation of the legendary digital synthesizer made in collaboration with Cameron Jones, the inventor of the original instrument.
The Synclavier V faithfully recreates the elite digital synthesizer/workstation that started it all, powering some of the biggest hits and film soundtracks of the early ‘80s with its unique rich, edgy sounds.
While the Synclavier V expertly brings this historic instrument to life, we’ve improved it dramatically by taking advantage of today’s processing power. We’ve also infused into it everything we’ve learned over 16 years of developing award-winning software synthesizers. The result is a thoroughly modern, cutting-edge instrument that stands alone among hardware and software synths alike.
Update: some details on the synth engine:
Timbres consist of up to 12 Partial Timbres
Much of the magic of the original Synclavier owed to the ability to build Timbres (presets) by creating and layering four completely different sounds or Partial Timbres to realize massive, complex sounds. With the Synclavier V, we’ve taken the number of Partial Timbres to 12, dramatically expanding the creative possibilities. Since each Partial Timbre is a complete sound, that means that you can stack many different sonic elements into electrifying Timbres resounding with rich complex textures brimming with subtleties.
Partial Timbres are each compete synth engines
Each of the 12 Partial Timbres has two digital oscillators that combine the principles of both additive and frequency modulation (FM) synthesis. Rather than using filters to subtract harmonics from simple oscillators, additive synthesis builds up complex sounds by selectively adding harmonics in this case. The Synclavier V goes way beyond that, combining these oscillators in an FM architecture where the carrier (main) oscillator is modulated by the second harmonic oscillator. The fusion of additive and FM technologies make for a stunningly diverse and unique universe of cinematic pads, epic leads, evolving bass lines and more.
Time Slices animate long passages
Time Slices allow you to specify up to 50 snapshots of the 12 Partial Timbres of additive and FM synthesis goodness, and animate through them over time. For each Time Slice, you can set the volume, pitch, FM modulation amount, and delay. The ability to set parameter crossfades of up to 30 seconds between Time Slices—over a total time of 5 minutes—makes it possible to create long evolving ambient pads and cinematic cues of incredible complexity.
Improvements make a great instrument even greater
We’ve made a lot more improvements beyond boosting the sound engine from four Partial Timbres to 12. Where the original modulation oscillator was only a sine wave, now you can also choose sawtooth, square, or triangle—or graphically build your own waves comprised of 24 phase-controllable harmonics. These enhancements allow you to create outrageous textures never possible before. Each Time Slice can now even have a separate FM modulator waveform. Variable bit depth between 4- and 24-bits, on-board effects, and a MIDI Learn feature are just some of the many examples of the new options available to you in Synclavier V.
With the Synclavier V, digital synthesis meets total creative and performance expression.
Sure, all synths have LFOs, but the vibrato section of the Synclavier V is exhaustive, giving you control over LFO attack, phase, quantizing, bias and more. Things get even more interesting when you apply the LFO to the FM harmonic oscillator that, in turn, modulates the carrier. Let that sink in for a minute!
Want to take your listeners on an animated journey? Add extra energy to your pads and soundscapes with the stereo modulation section. It actually takes the form of separate linkable tremolos for each channel, making for unique spatial animation effects that will have everybody’s heads spinning.
Imagine performing with expressive nuances never possible before. Press harder on the keyboard to change the amount of FM modulation. Ride the expression pedal to affect the frame speed of your Time Slices. Grab the mod wheel to rock the FM modulation ratio. These are just some examples of what’s possible when you use the modulation matrix to easily map any of your favorite MIDI controllers to dozens of sound engine parameters—discretely for each Partial Timbre."
Update: the official press release for the entire V Collection 5 [Note: The Analog Lab press release below was the first to go up. Apologies for the all the updates, but this is how it comes in, and posts here on MATRIXSYNTH are about capturing that]:
"Arturia advances industry-standard V Collection of virtual classic keyboards
GRENOBLE, FRANCE: music software and hardware developer Arturia is proud to announce availability of V Collection 5 — the latest incarnation of its impressive industry-standard collection of authentic-sounding virtual instruments, expanded and updated to include five all-new additions alongside new versions of ‘old favourites’ (plus Analog Lab 2) — as of May 19…
With no fewer than 17 virtual instruments that recreate hard-to-source synthesizers and classic keyboards, V Collection 5 represents really remarkable value on many musical levels. At an attractive monetary level, it’s a no-brainer! Bringing something special to the 21st Century performance and production table, five all-new authentic-sounding additions lead this latest V Collection charge.
B-3 V beautifully recreates the distinctive tones of the B-3 tonewheel organ, one of the most iconic and influential instruments of all time. It truly transcends time and place by bringing this still-sought-after sound to the computer-based music-making masses. Meanwhile, Farfisa V virtually puts players in the driving seat of the sound that drove the hits of several decades as a superb software simulation of the famous Farfisa Compact Deluxe organ. Pushing the physical boundaries of an acoustic piano, Piano V meticulously models the sound and behaviour of one of the most important instruments history has yet thrown up — albeit not as one but rather nine virtual instruments rolled into one! An authentic-sounding software simulation of the Seventies-vintage Stage and Sixties-vintage Suitcase 73-key electric pianos, Stage-73 V is the sound of the Sixties, the sound of the Seventies… the sound of today, the sound of tomorrow! Thanks to Arturia’s close collaboration with original Synclavier® software developer Cameron Jones, Synclavier V takes everything the trailblazing Synclavier® could do as the most powerful additive and FM synthesizer ever created and makes it more powerful!
Put it like this: thinking about all those thousands of new sounds and styles in V Collection 5 that are available at the touch of a (virtual) button beggars belief, but Arturia’s aim is true… to create the tools that lend a helping hand to today’s musicians, taking inspiration from the past to (re)invent the music of tomorrow. The 12 remaining virtual instruments in V Collection 5 — ARP 2600 V, CS-80V, JUP-8V, Matrix-12 V, Mini V, Modular V, Prophet V, and SEM V analogue synthesizers; Prophet VS digital synthesizer; Wurli V electric piano; VOX Continental V electronic organ; and Solina V string machine — do just that, too. All are updated with resizable (Retina/4K-compatible) GUIs that truly have to be seen to be believed! But digging deeper, Native Instruments’ new NKS® (NATIVE KONTROL STANDARD) — allowing advanced integration with third-party software instruments — naturally features across the board. As does AU, AAX, VST2, and VST3 compatibility, standalone operation, plus MIDI Learn (to easily map all parameters to a MIDI CC).
Continuing Arturia’s quest for absolute authenticity through TAE® (True Analog Emulation), physical modelling, and additional technologies, anyone prepared to dig deep into V Collection 5’s treasure trove of hard-to-source synth and classic keyboard recreations will be musically rewarded in kind. Conversely, Analog Lab 2 is a powerful yet painless way of accessing a broad selection of sounds from across V Collection 5 within a single application. As it supports Arturia’s many MIDI controller devices natively, it adapts to reflect their physical controls when they are connected… connect with V Collection 5, then, and accept Arturia’s helping hand to today’s musicians, taking inspiration from the past to (re)invent the music of tomorrow!"
The Analog Lab press release:
"Arturia advances Analog Lab composite virtual instrument to include V Collection 5 sound selection
GRENOBLE, FRANCE: music software and hardware developer Arturia is proud to announce availability of Analog Lab 2 — an all-new incarnation of its composite virtual instrument that gathers together a broad selection of sought-after sounds from its V Collection 5 software bundle — as of May 19...
Analog Lab 2 is a powerful yet painless way of accessing a sought-after selection of sounds from all 17 of Arturia’s authentic-sounding virtual instruments as a single application. Included are sounds from eight emulated analogue synthesizers (ARP 2600 V, CS-80V, JUP-8V, Matrix-12 V, Mini V, Modular V, Prophet V, and SEM V), two digital synthesizers (Prophet VS and Synclavier V), two electric pianos (Stage-73 V and Wurli V), an acoustic piano (Piano V), and three electronic organs (B-3 V, Farfisa V, and VOX Continental V). Those virtual instruments recreate hard-to-source hardware synthesizers and classic keyboards of the past and conveniently transport them to the present-day desktop.
Analog Lab 2 invites instant exploration as an AAX-, AU-, VST-, and VST3-compatible plug-in in any DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) or as a standalone version. Its redesigned, resizable (Retina/4K-compatible) GUI (Graphical User Interface) is as easy on the eye as it is to use. Studio View shows the original historic hardware, helpfully bringing up the best presets from each instrument in question. But there’s a whole lot more to Analog Lab 2 than good looks alone.
Accessing those sought-after sounds at the speed of sound is simple, thanks to a new preset browser. Browse presets by TYPES, BANKS, sonic CHARACTERISTICS, and INSTRUMENTS (crossing categories). Create PLAYLISTS. Or simply Search for presets by NAME. Needless to say, with 4,500-plus presets to choose from there’s always a sound to suit every mood, every ambiance, and every music style — sounds that transcend time and fashion.
For those wishing to dig deeper then the dual-instrument MULTI feature with independent MIDI settings panel for each instrument will make their musical day. Drag and drop splits and layers of those presets to take ownership of the sound. Sounds and Multis can be organised in the PLAYLISTS area for instant recall via program change messages, making Analog Lab 2 a best friend in the studio and a pillar of live performance.
Put simply, Analog Lab 2 is so much more than just a sound library. It’s a substantial sound design tool and an amazing live performance instrument integral to immeasurably improving everyday workflow. When connected to one of Arturia’s many MIDI (Musical Digital Instrument Interface) controller devices, Analog Lab 2 will automatically adapt to reflect their physical controls. Generic MIDI controllers of course can also be used with MIDI learn to easily map all parameters to a MIDI CC (Control Change).
Changing the sound of Analog Lab 2 is even easier thanks to two EFFECTS slots with pre/post fader switch per instrument. Included Bitcrusher, Chorus, Delay, Destroy, Dub Delay, Eq4, Flanger, Overdrive, Phaser, Pitchshift, Reverb, Roundpanner, and Vocal Filter effects ensure that Analog Lab 2 always sounds the way you want it to.
Take your sound and workflow to another level with Analog Lab 2, an easily-accessible environment at an easy-to- swallow price point. What’s not to like?"
Arturia B-3 V Tutorial
Published on May 19, 2016
"The B-3 V delivers the most authentic tonewheel organ and rotary speaker experience you’ll find anywhere, plus customizations that open up new creative opportunities."
"Arturia pulls out all the software stops to realistically recreate tonewheel organ combo classic
GRENOBLE, FRANCE: music software and hardware developer Arturia is proud to announce availability of B-3 V — an authentic-sounding software simulation of the classic B-3 tonewheel organ and Leslie rotary speaker combo — as of May 19...
B-3 V realistically recreates the special sound of the B-3 tonewheel organ. One of the most iconic and influential instruments of all time. One which has graced many of the greatest recordings of all time. Today Arturia brings this to its award-winning Analog Classics family of virtual instruments that recreate hard-to-source synthesizers and classic keyboards.
Keyboard players have made their mark in all forms of popular music with the B-3, back from its inception in the Fifties way past its discontinuation through to today. Procol Harum’s hit ‘A Whiter Shade Of Pale’ proved particularly memorable with a melancholic countermelody displaying an altogether softer side to the B-3. But raucousness remains the order of the day for the blues, jazz, and gospel genres with which it first found favour. After all, it had historically been aimed at churches as a more compact and affordable alternative to conventional pipe organs.
One saying springs to mind: Pulling out all the stops — to hold back nothing — is an allusion to organ stops being pulled out to turn on each set of sounds in a pipe organ. The B-3 effectively ‘emulates’ this with its drawbars. Doing this and a whole lot more is what B-3 V does best, thanks to Arturia pulling out all the software stops to make it happen!
Thirties-developed tonewheel technology originally made that special sound happen. An electronic current is created when rotating a metal tonewheel near an electromagnetic pickup and amplifying that signal. The B-3 has 91 of those tonewheels with each key connected to a fixed set of tonewheel outputs. Drawbar settings control how these are mixed together. The tube preamplifier subsequently shapes the sound a little further — filtering and distortion take hold here — while factoring the position of the expression pedal. This not only acts as a volume control but also affects the frequency response of the preamp which is connected to a speaker.
Speaking of which, B-3 V faithfully simulates the favoured Leslie tone cabinet, containing a power amplifier that drives a rotating horn and a stationary woofer firing into a rotating drum reflector. Spellbinding spatial and frequency-shifting effects above and beyond the sound-shaping effects of commonplace loudspeakers are all perfectly possible!
B-3 V brings this classic combo — complete with the inherent imperfections that made that tonewheel technology sound so unique — to the present-day desktop as an AAX-, AU-, VST-, and VST3-compatible plug-in in any DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) or as a standalone version. Visually, things couldn’t get clearer, thanks to the resizable (Retina/4K-compatible) GUI (Graphical User Interface) that’s as easy on the eye as it is to use.
Under the hood, things couldn’t be better with MIDI control of many parameters and insert slots for ANLALOG DELAY, CHORUS, FLANGER, OVERDRIVE, and PHASE effects, as well as ADVANCED SETTINGS for upper and lower manuals and rotary speaker behaviour. B-3 V boasts a built-in step sequencer, allowing anyone to easily set an amount of modulation for each step of the sequence! Naturally, Native Instruments’ new NKS® (NATIVE KONTROL STANDARD) allows advanced integration with B-3 V.
All of the benefits of the original iconic instrument are available to modern music-makers with B-3V, but without the heavyweight hassles. Where anyone chooses to take it musically is anyone’s guess, but bet your bottom dollar that special sound will be being heard for many more years to come... courtesy of B-3 V!"
Arturia Stage-73 V Tutorial
Published on May 19, 2016
"The Stage-73 gives you actual authentic modeling of both Stage and Suitcase versions of the most popular electric piano on the planet —completed with unparalleled control of virtual mechanics, a complement of effects pedals, and built-in classic amps."
Update: And the official press release for the new Farfisa-V:
"Arturia augments Analog Classics collection with faithful Farfisa Compact series software simulation
GRENOBLE, FRANCE: music software and hardware developer Arturia is proud to announce availability of Farfisa V — faithfully modelling the famous Farfisa Compact Deluxe electronic organ with additional features from its Duo Compact series sibling — as of May 19...
Arturia’s award-winning Analog Classics family of virtual instruments recreate hard-to-source synthesizers and classic keyboards. As a worthy addition, Farfisa V virtually puts players of today in the musical driving seat with a still-sought-after sound that drove the hits of several decades: Farfisa’s famous Compact Deluxe electronic organ, one of a series of iconic instruments manufactured in Italy between 1964-1968. A staple of Sixties-produced popular music, they made their musical mark with a wider-ranging sound than that of their main VOX Continental competitor. With more bass waveforms and an expanded percussion and vibrato section sales soared.
Speaking sonically, Farfisa Compacts are almost more top octave synth-like than organ-like, thanks to a rudimentary envelope that allows for attack and decay control that went way beyond the typical organ sound of its day. Little wonder, then, that they proved popular with musicians throughout the Sixties (‘Sam The Sham’ and The Pharaohs, Percy Sledge), Seventies (Jean-Michel Jarre, Kraftwerk), Eighties (B-52s, Blondie), and beyond. But unlike heavyweight Hammond tonewheel organs, transportation to performances was trouble-free. For the fortuitous Farfisa form factor included integrated legs that could be folded up and stored within the body of the instrument itself, surely sealing many purchasing deals!
Today, though, finding and maintaining an original Farfisa has become both difficult and costly. Farfisa V solves such problems by bringing all the benefits without any of the hassles to the present-day desktop! Developed using an original hardware organ for reference, it meticulously models the original circuits and sounds of the famous Farfisa Compact Deluxe. Features from its Duo Compact series sibling are also included alongside an authentic combo amp simulation. Standalone instrument operation on Mac OS X and Windows is a given for performance purposes. Plug-in support for all major formats inside any DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) with easy MIDI-learn functionality provides hands-on control of many of its parameters and automation support for considerable creative control. Naturally, Native Instruments’ new NKS® (NATIVE KONTROL STANDARD) — allowing advanced integration with third-party software instruments — is there for the taking.
As always, recreating an instrument in software provided an opportunity to add a number of more advanced features fit for the 21st Century. Cue the special USER WAVE position, allowing anyone to create an additive waveform. Why not use the ToneDraw feature to create a new waveshape based on the graphical look of the sliders? Having modelled the original built-in spring reverb, Arturia added other reverb IRs (Impulse Responses). Reorder the additional ANALOG DELAY, CHORUS, FLANGER, OVERDRIVE, and PHASER effects. Easily-accessible individual voice tuning, PARA (paraphonic) and POLY (polyphonic) modes, ATTACK and RELEASE envelopes for upper and lower keyboards, BASS WAVE (waveform selector), TONE control for bass section, TREMOLO SYNC, and REPEAT SYNC round out this all-new Analog Classic. Hearing is believing. So is seeing, thanks to the resizable (Retina/4K-compatible) GUI (Graphical User Interface) that’s as easy on the eye as it is to use.
Ultimately, then, whether you’re set on recreating a distinctive and powerful organ sound of the past or forging ahead with a new organ sound of the future, Farfisa V does it all. But best of all... legs no longer play a part in sealing this must-have musical deal!
Spitfire Audio collaboratively creates MERCURY library like no other by harnessing hotshot Hollywood instrument designer Chas Smith’s unearthly sounds for all
“Chas’ instruments have been a crucial part of all of my film scores, and although I’m a little sad that I will no longer have him all to myself, I am thrilled that he has finally succumbed to years of urging on my part and has at long last collaborated with Spitfire Audio.”
- GRAMMY® Award-nominated composer, keyboardist, record producer, and remixer Charlie Clouser (Saw, Wayward Pines, Nine Inch Nails), 2022
LONDON, UK: created in close collaboration with hotshot Hollywood instrument-builder Chas Smith, famed for transforming disused metal into Hollywood’s most menacing, most mysterious instruments for forty years (yet still sought after by blockbuster film composers needing to score the awe-inspiring, the mystical, the mechanical, and the alien), sound- specialising British music technology company Spitfire Audio is proud to announce availability of MERCURY — harnessing his unearthly sounds for all by sampling 14 of the hotshot Hollywood instrument-builder’s most celebrated acoustic instruments, then fusing, warping, and reinventing them in Solar, Spitfire Audio’s new eDNA-powered synthesiser, to deliver 600+ organic and synthesised textures, tones, and pads perfect for tweaking, twisting, and recombining to unleash the sinister, unshackle the industrial, and unveil the impossible worlds orbiting just beyond reach — as of August 25…
"Los Angeles, CA, November 28, 2012 — Roland is proud to announce JUPITER Synth Legends Volume 1, the first in a series of free sound libraries for the JUPITER-80 and JUPITER-50 synthesizers featuring a wealth of authentic vintage sounds from some of the most legendary and iconic instruments in Roland’s history.
The collection uses Roland’s powerful and flexible SuperNATURAL® synthesizer sound engine to capture the essence of historical Roland synths and showcases all-new Tones, Live Sets, Registrations, and arpeggio patterns. The Live Set architecture and multi-effects of the JUPITERs are fully maximized, giving players a huge selection of “dream” synth combinations comprised of the most legendary synths ever created.
JUPITER Synth Legends Volume 1, the initial release in the series, honors these seven legendary Roland instruments from the 1980s:
These classic synths each have between 10 and 20 iconic factory preset sounds that distinguish their character, and they’re all represented among 123 newly created single Tones for the JUPITER-80/-50. There are 512 new Live Sets also included that combine the historic synths together using layers and multi-effects processing. Many Live Sets feature single legacy Tones, enhanced with effects unavailable in the original instruments, and nearly 300 new arpeggio patterns are included that are perfect for a wide range of contemporary electronic music genres.
The inspiring sounds made by these classic instruments have helped shape modern music, and now players can access them all inside the JUPITER-80/-50. Future JUPITER Synth Legends volumes will feature the sounds from other sought-after analog classics and spotlight the three vintage LPF types available in the JUPITER-80/-50.
In honor of the release, Roland is hosting the Roland JUPITER #SynthLegends Giveaway. Synth fans in the U.S. can enter the contest for a chance to win a JUPITER-50 fully pre-loaded with all the sounds from the JUPITER Synth Legends Volume 1 sound collection. Synth fans are also being encouraged to join the conversation with @Roland_US on Twitter using the hashtag #synthlegends to share all-time favorite synthesizers and synth sounds."
"Step into a world of breathtaking orchestral strings with Cremona Quartet Ensemble. Uniting four iconic instruments, this tool streamlines string arrangements with Auto Divisi, real vibrato samples, and stunning realism – making stunning arrangements simpler than ever."
"Join product specialist Reuben Cornell as he explores the features of Cremona Quartet Ensemble in this in-depth walkthrough video. Discover how to use Auto Divisi, experience the extensive range of articulations and real vibrato samples, and see how the intuitive controls make creating stunning, lifelike string arrangements simple."
Berlin, March 18, 2025 – Native Instruments today announced the release of Maschine 3.1, a free update to the latest software version of the iconic groove-box platform for beat-making and sampling. Maschine 3.1 delivers the highly anticipated and community requested user chords feature, alongside fullscreen mode in the standalone app.
Custom User Chords
Maschine 3.1 introduces user chords, enabling users to create, save, and share their own banks of chord progressions. Custom chords make it easy to explore new harmonic structures and design progressions tailored to different genres.
Famed Instrument Designer Celebrates 40 Years Since Debut of Industry-Changing Poly Synth
San Francisco, CA—August 31, 2018—In a private event held in historic North Beach, San Francisco, Dave Smith and a group of music industry friends, insiders, and artists today celebrated the 40th anniversary of the creation of the Sequential Circuits Prophet-5—the world’s first fully-programmable polyphonic synthesizer. To mark the occasion, Smith announced that Dave Smith Instruments has rebranded itself as “Sequential”—re-embracing the name and legacy of Smith’s original, pioneering electronic instrument company.
Founded by Smith in 1974 as “Sequential Circuits,” the original incarnation of the company forever changed music technology with the advent of the Prophet-5, which broke new ground as not only the first polyphonic synthesizer to enable players to store and recall presets, but also as the first musical instrument with an embedded microprocessor.
The instrument debuted at the 1978 Winter NAMM show to a largely astonished audience of musicians and industry competitors such as ARP, Moog, and Oberheim, who comprised the bulk of a market almost exclusively made up of a very few pioneering American companies. The instrument featured 5 voices and a 5-octave keyboard with a case crafted out of figured koa wood. The enclosure housed a straightforward, knob-based interface/voice architecture that musicians could easily grasp: two hard-syncable oscillators with simultaneous triangle, sawtooth, and pulse waves, a robust 24 dB per-octave, resonant low-pass filter, individual 4-stage envelopes for filter and amplitude, and the innovative Poly Mod section that provided simple-yet-powerful modulation capabilities.
Manufactured from 1978 to 1984 with an initial price of $3995 (about $15,000 in today’s dollars) the Prophet-5 proved so successful that its sound not only defined popular music for years, but its design provided the blueprint for what a poly synth could be. Virtually every major artist of the period used the Prophet-5 on stage or in studio, while its iconic sound provided the backbone of countless songs.
Dave Smith described the early days of the Prophet-5: “The demand for the Prophet-5 was incredible. For the first several years we simply couldn’t keep up. Artists and their management would call our offices begging us to sell them whatever we had. It was a crazy time.” As analog synthesizers gradually gave way to cheaper digital instruments in the 1980s, Sequential eventually phased out the Prophet-5. The final unit to roll off the production line is still owned by Smith.
The company ceased operations in 1987 and its name (shortened to “Sequential” in the mid-1980s) and assets were acquired by Yamaha. Smith went on to consult for Yamaha and Korg, developing the Wavestation and other ground-breaking instruments.
When Yamaha returned the Sequential name to Smith in a gesture of goodwill in 2015, Smith and company created a successor to the original instrument in the form of the Sequential-branded Prophet-6, a 6-voice re-imagining of the Prophet-5 with an all-analog signal path and discrete VCOs and filters. Not surprisingly it has proved to be as popular with musicians as its legendary predecessor. In an era filled with digital emulations of vintage instruments, Smith says he’s not surprised: “To me, a hardware synth has a soul. It inspires you to interact with it in a musical way that I often find lacking in software instruments and many all-digital instruments. Judging from the enduring success of the Prophet-5 and Prophet-6 and their successors, a lot of people feel the same way. That’s very gratifying.”
Regarding returning to his roots, Smith had this to say: “It’s amazing that this month marks the 40th anniversary of the Prophet-5. It’s such a landmark achievement that I felt it was the right time to fully restore the Sequential brand and bring our journey full circle. The name change also reflects the fact that our instruments are the result of a team effort. It’s not just me, it’s the entire company.” He continued: “We have the same excitement and enthusiasm for making inspiring instruments as we did when the Prophet-5 was first created. Sequential is back. And we’re better than ever.”
We now know what this was. The following is the official press release followed by key features. Be sure to click on the images to the left for the full size shots.
"New DJ Live-Performance Instrument Features Filters Adapted from Prophet-6 Synth
San Francisco, CA—April 5, 2016—Dave Smith Instruments today announced that it has collaborated with Pioneer DJ, the market leader in DJ equipment and software, to provide analog filters for the company’s TORAIZ SP-16 sampler/sequencer. Boasting a 16-step sequencer, 16-voice polyphony, and 2GB of pre-loaded samples and loops, the new instrument allows DJs to trigger loops, one-shots, and electronic percussion live with its 16 multi-colored performance pads and other real-time controls.
Said Dave Smith: 'When Pioneer DJ approached us about collaborating on one of their products, we were very excited. Given their expertise and deep knowledge of the DJ market, we knew that it was bound to be interesting.' Added Smith: 'And when they asked us to adapt our filters from the Prophet-6, we immediately saw that it was going to be a great fit.'
The TORAIZ SP-16 features two discrete voltage-controlled filters developed by Dave Smith Instruments: a four-pole, resonant, low-pass inspired by the original 1970’s-era Sequential Circuits Prophet-5 filter, and a two-pole high-pass filter. 'The Prophet filters add real analog warmth to the TORAIZ SP-16. They also allow a lot of creative sound manipulation when you use the live-performance controls of the instrument,' explained Smith. 'DJs will put them to good use, I’m sure.'
The TORAIZ SP-16 features a 7-inch color touch screen for accessing its factory sound library and viewing sound and performance parameters. The 16-step sequencer can store up to 256 patterns. Sixteen sequence step buttons allow color coding of sounds. Patterns can be saved as “scenes” for instant recall in the studio or on stage. When the instrument is connected to a Pioneer DJ CDJ or XDJ DJ Deck using Pioneer DJ’s Pro DJ Link, the system synchronizes its loops and one-shots to the beat of a master deck. (Users will need to update the TORAIZ SP-16 to the latest firmware to use this feature.) MIDI clock support allows users to connect and synchronize other devices.
The TORAIZ SP-16 is manufactured and sold by Pioneer DJ Corporation. It will be available in summer of 2016. Price and specifications subject to change.
About Dave Smith Instruments LLC
Launched in 2002, Dave Smith Instruments LLC is helmed by legendary musical instrument designer and Grammy® award winner Dave Smith. Dave’s many accomplishments include the creation of the Prophet-5—the world’s first fully programmable polyphonic synthesizer—and his legacy as the primary driving force behind MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface). Dave Smith Instruments’ products are used by an ever-growing roster of well-known musicians and are available from music retailers worldwide. Instruments include the Prophet-6, Pro 2, Prophet 12, Prophet ‘08, Mopho x4, and the Tempest analog drum machine. Dave Smith Instruments is based in San Francisco, where the instruments are also manufactured. For more information, visit www.davesmithinstruments.com.
About Pioneer DJ
Pioneer DJ Corporation is a privately held company headquartered in Yokohama, Japan. Pioneer DJ Europe Ltd. and Pioneer DJ Americas, Inc. are subsidiaries responsible for sales and marketing in EMEA, the United States, Canada, and Latin America. For more than 20 years, Pioneer DJ has been a market leader in the design and production of innovative DJ equipment and software. The company works closely with DJs and clubs to deliver next generation products that inspire and shape the global dance music community. Its portfolio includes brands such as Pioneer Professional Audio and Pioneer DJ Radio as well as social platforms KUVO and DJsounds."
KEY FEATURES
1. Create up to 256 patterns using the 16-step sequencer
Drop sounds into the sequencer to create your own 16-step loops and use the six dials to modulate the sounds. The multicoloured buttons reflect the colours you’ve assigned each sound: for example, kick drums in red. You can save your patterns then play them back instantly in the booth or on stage.
2. 7-inch full-colour touch screen with detailed sample information
The large touch screen puts all the information you need in your line of sight. Quickly browse and load samples, and allocate colours to them for a visual guide. Or see real-time waveforms and full details of the sample’s characteristics, and use the dials underneath to manipulate a variety of parameters.
3. Multicoloured Performance Pads with Velocity Mode
The Performance Pads are taken from our DJ controllers to give you a truly tactile experience. Load up to 16 samples to the pads, then finger drum freely to layer sounds on-the-fly. The lights reflect the colours you’ve assigned to each sound, while Velocity Mode lets you control the volume of the sample with how hard you hit the pad.
4. 8GB of flash memory and real-time processing for non-stop music production
The TORAIZ SP-16 delivers 16-voice polyphony so you can play all 16 samples at once – even when you’re using time stretch or editing the sound using the touch screen amp envelope. The 8GB of flash memory means you’ve got plenty of space – and you can use it as a stand-alone unit, with no need for a laptop.
5. Analogue filters from Dave Smith Instruments' Prophet-6 synthesiser
We've collaborated with Dave Smith to add the analogue filters from his iconic Prophet-6 synthesiser to the TORAIZ SP-16. Use the dials to sculpt your sound – manipulating Drive, Cut Off and Resonance – and add true analogue warmth and presence.
6. Pro DJ Link and MIDI clock mean you’ll never miss a beat
Add the TORAIZ SP-16 to your CDJ or XDJ set-up using Pro DJ Link and the sampler will snap your one-shots and loops to the beat of the master deck. So you can layer multiple sounds over your tracks and they’ll always be in sync. It also has a MIDI clock so you can connect other devices via USB and stay in sync, and we’ll be adding connectivity with DAWs and synths at a later date.
7. Other features:
Use the touch strip to control various parameters
Comes with Loopmasters samples already on board
Input ports Phone x 2
Output ports Phone x 8, Headphones
Other ports USB, LAN, MIDI
Max external dimension 436.5 x 261.2 x 74.3 mm (W x D x H)
Weight 3.2 kg
"FORCE 3.1 delivers the most creative, feature-packed update to FORCE ever with new plugin instrument sounds, new insert effects, the AIR Vocal Suite, and for the first time to Akai Professional standalone devices, Disk Streaming."
"The ultimate standalone performance system is expanded with 3 new plugin instruments, 7 insert effects, the new AIR Vocal Suite, class-compliant audio interface support, Disk Streaming, and much more. Visit akaipro.com/force to discover FORCE Features Update 3.1."
Akai Force V3.1 First Look - Sonic Lab Presentation
AKAI PROFESSIONAL ANNOUNCES FORCE FEATURE UPDATE 3.1 WITH NEW INSTRUMENTS AND EFFECTS, DISK STREAMING, USB AUDIO INTERFACE SUPPORT, AND MORE
FORCE 3.1 Feature Update introduces 3 new synth plugin instruments, 7 new plugin insert effects including a Vocal Suite, Disk Streaming, Class Compliant USB Audio Interface Support, and many other major upgrades for new and existing Force users.
Ft Lauderdale, FL USA (October 19, 2021) — Akai Professional, a leading manufacturer of music equipment for performers and producers, is proud to announce FORCE 3.1, its latest and most substantial update to the FORCE standalone music production system. FORCE 3.1 introduces the next chapter of standalone performance with revolutionary features and functionality alongside inspiring new sounds and sound processing. Powered by the unrivaled tactical control and interface of FORCE standalone hardware, the FORCE 3.1 update will engage the modern music creator like never before.
New Instruments, Insert Effect Plugins, and AIR Vocal Suite From the beginning, FORCE set a new bar for what standalone hardware music production could be. The FORCE 3.1 update builds on that precedent with 3 new plugin instruments: AIR Solina, AIR Mellotron, and WayOutWare’s Odyssey. These new plugin instruments are faithful recreations of iconic synthesizer and keyboard instruments, now with powerful graphic interfaces for visually striking feedback and interaction. Mellotron and Solina feature the Flavor effect processing sections, enabling creative applications of additional texture and character to your sounds with Distortion, Noise, Flutter, and more.
FORCE 3.1 also introduces 7 new plugin insert effects for creative arranging and performance, as well as mixing and mastering. The versatile group of insert effects including Stutter, Half Speed, Granulator, Diffuser Delay, and Stereo Delay will quickly insert an inventive spark into your tracks for unique drops, edits, and transitions. Diode Clipper will add grit and distortion to any source while AIR Limiter will bring dynamic signal processing to your music for a punchy, finalized mix.
The creativity doesn’t stop there as the new AIR Vocal Suite delivers the power to create, record, and mix the perfect vocals right inside FORCE. The adaptive Vocal Tuner handles any tuning tasks from subtle pitch correction to the modern auto vocal tuned sound found in all genres of modern music. AIR Doubler adds depth and dimension to solo or group vocals with spectrum-filling width and presence. Finally, the AIR Harmonizer will transform any single voice into 4-part harmony instantly. Create full background vocal arrangements with ease and accuracy with built-in volume, pan, delay, and eq.
Now Streaming Superior Performance The essence of the standalone experience is hardware that responds immediately to the needs of your dynamic workflow. Users can now enjoy a more accessible and efficient workflow with the power of Disk Streaming from external storage devices. Disk Streaming enables better system resource allocation and performance for expanded creativity and performance. Record and playback longer audio tracks, perform an entire DJ set, or create larger keygroup programs all while enjoying faster project load times.
Major Workflow Enhancements, Engine Updates and Expandability With the power of Disk Streaming comes added expandability. With FORCE 3.1, instantly expand your hardware connectivity with Class Compliant USB Audio Interface Support. Route up to 32 audio inputs and outputs to-and-from FORCE, all via a single USB cable. Increase your input count to record more tracks directly to FORCE, or route audio into your favorite outboard gear.
Get more performance out of the drum and keygroup engines with the new portamento function for gliding notes and percussion, like 808 kick drums. Dial-in the perfect sample shape with dedicated pitch envelope. Smooth out your drum breaks and chops with Akai Sample Tail and access up to 10 drum pad effects including Ringmod, Bitcrush, Tubedrive, Lowpass, and more.
Force 3.1 also ads new functionality to Buses (Submixes/Returns/Masters) for more control and creativity. Now the Recording, Playback and Editing of automation follows the same workflow on buses as other tracks. Control submix and master tracks with the “Select,” “Rename,” and “Clips” functions as well as dialing in automation on the fly.
Finally, Force 3.1 expands MIDI integration with the ability to load and export MIDI files to and from FORCE. For even more MIDI integration, assign your FORCE parameters to your 3rd party MIDI controller for additional tactical control.
New FORCE 3.1 Features Include:
• 3 New plugin instruments Solina, Odyssey, and Mellotron • New AIR Vocal Insert Effect Suite with Automatic Vocal Tuning, AIR Doubler, and AIR Harmonizer Plugins • Disk Streaming: Audio files can now be streamed from disk • Class-Compliant Audio Interface Support • New MIDI file Compatibility enabling MIDI file loading • 7 New Insert Effects such as Half Speed, Diode Clipper and Stutter • Drum and Keygroup Engine Enhancements including Akai Pro Sample Tail, Dedicated Pitch Envelope, and Keygroup Portamento • 10 New Drum Pad Effects including Ringmod, Bitcrush, Decimator and more • New functionality to Buses (Submixes/Returns/Masters) including Automation • Automatic sample Key Detection
“Force Features Update 3.1 is not only a major upgrade for Force users, but it’s also a major evolution in standalone music production,” said Akai Professional, Senior Product Manager, Dan Gill. “Disk Streaming is a significant advancement to this product as well as standalone music production in general, because it opens up recording and playback possibilities without content limitations. Combine that with a Vocal Suite which includes an adaptive Vocal Tuner, and powerful new synths and insert effect plugins, and you have an inspirational modern music creation system for any genre.”
FORCE 3.1 will be available on October 19, 2021, as a free update for FORCE users.
For more information on FORCE 3.1, visit www.akaipro.com/force
"September 9, 2015, Berlin – Native Instruments today released REAKTOR 6 – the latest version of the acclaimed modular DSP environment at the core of the Native Instruments brand since its release as GENERATOR in 1996. Featuring best-in-class DSP and sound quality, REAKTOR 6 delivers major innovations for instrument builders as well as being the most approachable version of the software for anyone interested in deep sound experimentation. REAKTOR 6 also introduces a major development in Blocks, a set of diverse modules allowing users to create custom synths in the same way a modular synthesizer is patched. REAKTOR 6 now comes at a new, reduced price, making it the most cost effective entry into custom device building to date. REAKTOR 6 is available through the NI Online Shop for $199 / 199 € / ¥ 22,800 / £169 / $AU 279. Special update and educational pricing is also available.
"REAKTOR has represented the cutting edge of electronic sound for nearly two decades, so bringing such an iconic and mature software to the next level is an especially thrilling challenge", says Mate Galic, CTO and President of Native Instruments. "Now our development team cannot wait to see how the REAKTOR community will utilize the new features of version 6 for a new generation of ingenious and novel instrument designs".
Blocks is a new framework in REAKTOR 6, providing the speed and flexibility of modular synth patching combined with the benefits of working in the digital domain. REAKTOR 6 comes bundled with 30 Blocks in several categories, each with a specific purpose. Bento Box Blocks represent the core components of a modular synth setup. Boutique Blocks take inspiration from custom hardware that bring advanced sound shaping to the world of modular synthesis. Digilog Blocks create complex rhythms, process notes, and provide structure in patches. NI All-Star Blocks are single rack-style components of Native Instruments synths such as ROUNDS and MONARK. The world of Blocks will continue to grow as the vibrant REAKTOR community builds and shares new Blocks and Blocks patches – all available for free online at NI’s REAKTOR User Library.
REAKTOR 6 features new enhancements for the advanced builders creating their own synthesizers, effects, and audio devices. Three key additions extend REAKTOR’s workflow efficiency and sampling power at the Core level. Bundled wires are like multicore cables, making intra-level patching cleaner and more elegant. Scoped buses allow ‘wireless’ connectivity across multiple structure levels. The Table Framework feature allows flexible and efficient data sharing throughout REAKTOR, including from Primary to Core levels.
Online education provider Kadenze has developed a comprehensive new university-level course for the REAKTOR community. The course offers freely available content, giving users of all levels a way to expand their skillset when working in REAKTOR. Students will receive an in-depth look into various audio synthesis methods, including additive, subtractive, sampling, wavetable, physical modeling, and granular synthesis, as well as the various types of modulation synthesis. Users can get full accreditation for their studies at additional cost. The first course content will be available in time for the release of REAKTOR 6, with more to follow.
REAKTOR 6 is available now through the NI Online Shop for $199 / 199 € / ¥ 22,800 / £169 / $AU 279.
Owners of previous versions of REAKTOR and students enrolled in educational institutions can upgrade to REAKTOR 6 for $99 / 99 € / ¥ 11,800 / £89 / $AU 149.
"As technological developments advanced through the late 1970s & early 1980s, the polysynth enveloped the capabilities of the string machine family of instruments, seemingly consigning them to the 'where are they now' dustbin.
But in much the same way that we played a big part in the rediscovery of the mellotron sound, in 2007 we had a similar role in resurrecting the tones of a range of iconic string machines, including the Freeman String Symphonizer, Eminent 310 and Solina String Ensemble, and bringing them back into vogue with release of VSM. In 2014 the addition of the VSM Expansion Pack (now updated) further expanded the range of available instruments and tones helping establish VSM as the go-to instrument for this wonderful family of instruments.
While the likes of Sound On Sound magazine were singing the praises of VSM ("It sounds absolutely gorgeous.") we always felt it lacked one crucial component found on some of our favourite string machines - stereo playback.
Instruments such as the Solina String Ensemble and Roland's wonderful 505 offered stereo outputs allowing their sublime, moving ensemble textures to sit perfectly within a wide stereo field. This one feature set such instruments apart highlighting just how stunning these, now ancient, analogue machines could sound.
VSM Version 3.0 rectifies this by providing stereo playback of a range of previously unreleased, carefully crafted stereo sounds-sets, plus two new interfaces sizes in two designs, and an additional LFO destination.
And it is FREE to registered users of VSM.
Now in stereo!
Along with the existing library of 17 instruments and 66 sound-sets, VSM Version 3.0 comes with a huge (3.5GB ) supplementary library of predominately stereo sound-sets from the following instruments; the aforementioned Solina String Ensemble and Roland 505, Roland's Juno 106, Yamaha's CS-60 and CS-80 providing 34 new sound-sets.
Several of the new sound-sets have been processed through a range of vintage effects such as the Boss CE-1 Chorus Ensemble pedal, Roland's Dimension D and the sublime Ventris Dual Reverb.
In addition to the sound-sets, over 150 new Patches are included, many providing the ideal starting point for your own tweaking, while others show off VSM in all its stereophonic glory.
2 new interface designs, each in 2 sizes
VSM Version 3 features a completely redesigned user interface with Small and Medium sizes in both Tolex and Wood guises.
The Small version is 1230 x 610 pixels in size with the Medium being 1640 x 813."
"Berlin, October 25 2021 – Native Instruments – the company behind groundbreaking music technology products like KONTAKT, MASCHINE, TRAKTOR, and the KOMPLETE portfolio of virtual instruments and effects – today kicks off its 25th anniversary celebrations. To mark the occasion, NI is releasing limited-edition Ultraviolet and Vapor Gray versions of six of its most popular instruments and controllers, alongside a new, free instrument, TWENTY FIVE.
