Cinematic synth performance - Sequential Prophet 10 & Eventide DSP 4000 -

video upload by Rapid Flow

"Experience the breathtaking sound of a legendary instrument combined a massive reverb and characterful delay in this cinematic synth performance. The Sequential Prophet 10's warm analog polyphony meets the Eventide DSP 4000's legendary digital effects processing, as well as a ROLAND RSP-550 to create ethereal, atmospheric textures perfect for film scores and ambient compositions.

We sampled this synthesizer for Zensphere VSTi: https://www.rapidflow.shop/products/z...

🔊 IN THIS PERFORMANCE:
• Deep, evolving pads and textures
• Cinematic arpeggios and sequences
• Ambient soundscapes and atmospheres
• Analog warmth meets digital processing

🎛️ GEAR USED:
• Sequential Prophet 10 Analog Synthesizer
• Eventide DSP 4000 Digital Effects Processor
• Roland RSP-550 Multi Effect
• Moog EP-3 Expression Pedal
• APB Dynasonics H1020 Mixer
• Prism Sound Orpheus converters"

一年后，玉刻有了新琴（我也）

video upload by 合成少数派 Synthesis Minority

"Meng Qi on timelessgarden Horizon / Yukes on Soma Flux"

Also see:

New Horizon Synth Analog Ecosystem for Sound and Gesture

SUPERBOOTH 2024: Timeless Garden - Horizon Experimental Synth

via Timeless Garden

"Horizon celebrates a world of ambiguous dualities~~ harmony/chaos, smooth/stepped, intuitive/practiced, manual/automatic. Built around an invertible heirarchy of pinged-filter cores, and a resonant garden of delays and filters. A rapid and responsive playing surface, smoothly blurring between textures or precisely sculpting a spectral landscape. Honed musicians and freeform experimentalists alike will find their own personal expressions within.

At centre, two Mountains of pinged filters, cross-coupled with smooth and stepped frequency modulation. These pings flow into a resonant filterbank and stereo delays, guided and recirculated by Tide sliders. The filterbank follows the path of 5 Bird sliders, collecting resonances from a playful just-intoned scale generator. Between these worlds flow Currents controlled by the touch surface, capable of wrangling chaos into pure tones or latching into sequences for otherwise busy hands. As the Tides ebb and flow, sequence & delay times are modulated in rhythmic/harmonic steps transforming relationships and shifting priorities.

Sitting proudly at the centre of a performance, or nestled into a larger setup with Eurorack CV i/o. Process external sounds, or use global feedback for an added layer of unpredictability."

House & Techno Stabs - Soundset for Microwave 1 plugin | Sounddemo by Rapid Flow

video upload by WaldorfMusicChannel

"https://waldorfmusic.com/de/shop/#sou...
The soundset from Rapid Flow for the Microwave plugin is designed around House & Techno stabs or chords, which were a core use of the original Microwave synthesizer. It includes 15 classic wavetable chords and 15 advanced chords using a resonant wavetable for a more modern sound. The chords are layered in multis and can be easily customized. Additionally, individual sounds without chords are provided, allowing users to create their own chord stabs with ease and creativity.

Rapid Flow offers pre-mixed sample packs and a sophisticated production template, available at https://rapidflow.shop"

SUPERBOOTH 2024: Timeless Garden - Horizon Experimental Synth

video upload by sonicstate

"At Superbooth 2024, Sonic State got a sneak peek at the Horizon*, a new collaborative instrument by *Trent from Timeless Garden *and the developer of the Wing Pinger. The Horizon* features a resonator system built around the Wing Pinger device, with delays, a filter bank, and a touch sequencer/play surface to tie it all together. The unique design of the Horizon allows for exploration and inspiration, offering both melodic and experimental sound possibilities.

Trent demonstrated the capabilities of the Horizon, showcasing its ability to create strange and interesting sounds through feedback, FM modulation, and stepped modulation effects. The touch sequencer enables users to create melodies with variable step lengths and pitch quantization controlled by sliders. With analog signal processing and rich bucket brigade delay sound, the Horizon offers a unique sonic experience for musicians looking to push the boundaries of traditional synthesis. Stay tuned for the release of the Horizon in 2024, with an estimated price range between one and two thousand US dollars. For more information on the Horizon visit the link below:

https://timeless.garden/" Note the bottom of the page notes Meng Qi + Whimsical Raps.

Follow-up to this post.

"Horizon celebrates a world of ambiguous dualities~~ harmony/chaos, smooth/stepped, intuitive/practiced, manual/automatic. Built around an invertible heirarchy of pinged-filter cores, and a resonant garden of delays and filters. A rapid and responsive playing surface, smoothly blurring between textures or precisely sculpting a spectral landscape. Honed musicians and freeform experimentalists alike will find their own personal expressions within.

At centre, two Mountains of pinged filters, cross-coupled with smooth and stepped frequency modulation. These pings flow into a resonant filterbank and stereo delays, guided and recirculated by Tide sliders. The filterbank follows the path of 5 Bird sliders, collecting resonances from a playful just-intoned scale generator. Between these worlds flow Currents controlled by the touch surface, capable of wrangling chaos into pure tones or latching into sequences for otherwise busy hands. As the Tides ebb and flow, sequence & delay times are modulated in rhythmic/harmonic steps transforming relationships and shifting priorities.

Sitting proudly at the centre of a performance, or nestled into a larger setup with Eurorack CV i/o. Process external sounds, or use global feedback for an added layer of unpredictability."

Floating Knobs Cuisine 38HP 12 Track Eurorack Performance Sequencer

via Floating Knobs

Freshly served for tasty rhythms, juicy melodies and sparkling modulation. Cuisine is ready to spice up your system with intricate rhythmic arrangements, organic patterns and polyrhythms.

Showcasing 12 tracks, the Step Sequencer offers you abundant space for exploration and play. From advanced personalized scales to Euclidian rhythms, this instrument provides you with the essential tools for tailoring your personalized workflow.
​
12 track
Construct complex rhythms through 12 tracks freely assignable to control drum voices, musical notes or CV modulation. Store 12 tracks in one project.

complex rythms
Play with the flexibility of Cuisine's clocking. Tracks can be clocked independently or coupled together. You can also customize the way tracks interact with each other to create polyrhythms.

melody maker
Craft quickly interesting melodies and chord progressions with a personalized scale and transpose system.

euclid
Making interesting rhythms can be as easy as activating the Euclidian function. Manipulate these organic patterns by changing their size, offset and steps.

flow
Cuisine is designed to offer you seamless control with just one hand. This ensures rapid interaction and a fluid flow during improvisations in the studio or in live musical performances.

modular spirit
Cuisine is made to connect to your Eurorack modular setup. With Midi In and Out, many Gate outputs and CV's, you are ready to trigger, gate and modulate your system.

ready to-go
Coming in a standalone format that can be converted to Eurorack, Cuisine is versatile and portable, a powerful tool for delectable grooves.

CLICK FOR MORE »

Please welcome: 5 Moons by Critter & Guitari

video upload by Critter & Guitari

"https://critterandguitari.com/5-moons
5 Moons is a multi-track recorder! Write songs in loops or straight through like a tape recorder. Connect an instrument, record 5 tracks, then bounce down to start a new song with the bounce on the first track. 5 Moons is simple and immediate. You'll be making song after song after song..."

"5 Moons is a multitrack recorder. On one hand, it's a tool to record your creativity. Build up layers of tracks and enjoy crafting that perfect song or field recording.

On the other hand, it helps you create new sounds! Looping and bounce down functions open up new dimensions for your sound and fun ways for your tracks to interact with each other!

The unassuming wood enclosure draws you in, but hidden inside are high fidelity electronics designed for rich recordings. Its sleek user interface offers crisp control and ample room for sonic experimentation.

Easy Interface, Rapid Results

Get straight into recording - let your creativity flow.

5 Moons' simple interface is perfect for effortlessly building up many tracks.

The immediacy of 5 Moons means you'll be quickly experimenting and exploring the new ideas flying around your studio - watch out!

One Shot or Loop?

Create evolving jazz loops and/or a 3-chord pop song.

5 Moons is happy to acommodate recording a song with a beginning and end or a looping vibe - it's all in how you decide to play back your tracks. You'll probably do both!

Bounce with Me

Build up your song with more tracks.

At first glance, you might think 5 Moons 'only' has five tracks. But once you bounce down those five tracks to the first track of a new song, you'll have 4 more tracks to add to it!

Once those four new tracks have audio, bounce down again and you'll have another four new more tracks to play with! ...and on and on until your masterpiece is complete.

File Freedom

Disk Mode makes it easy to transfer files to your DAW.

The USB-C port is used for both power and data transfer. Connect to your computer and copy your recordings for posterity and/or additional editing.

You can also copy existing audio files onto 5 Moons. Use these files as the beginnings of new songs or use 5 Moons' interface as a way to reenvision and remix your prior tracks!"

Symbolic Sound Unveils “Pacamara Ristretto” Audio Processing Unit (APU)

Pacamara launch from Symbolic Sound on Vimeo.

Pacamara explainer from Symbolic Sound on Vimeo.

Press release follows:



September 6, 2022

Symbolic Sound Unveils “Pacamara Ristretto” Audio Processing Unit (APU)

2.5 times performance boost, 20% lower price, expanded connectivity, and inter-application audio

CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS — Symbolic Sound announces a new Audio Processing Unit (APU) representing a giant leap forward in performance, energy efficiency, and connectivity over previous generation APUs. At less than half the size, the new Pacamara “Ristretto” delivers, on average, a 2.5 times jump in performance, a 20% reduction in cost, cooler operating temperature, expanded connectivity options, and seamless inter-application routing of audio and MIDI to/from applications running on a host computer.

Performance
Pacamara Ristretto’s compute-cycles and memory are solely dedicated to sound computation, delivering unprecedented levels of performance capabilities to sound designers for film and games, live electronic music performers, sound artists, educators, researchers, and audio professionals who require the highest-quality real-time audio, responsive live interaction, and unbounded creative flexibility from their tools.

“The Pacamara Ristretto represents a radical transformation, not just because it’s Symbolic Sound’s most powerful external APU yet, but because of the ease with which it communicates with the rest of the world,” said Symbolic Sound’s president Carla Scaletti. “Audio, MIDI, and OSC streams can be freely routed between Kyma and other audio applications on your computer and audio devices in your studio, including across LANs and out onto the Internet, creating a combinatorial explosion of sound creation possibilities.”

According to game/film sound design consultant and Pacamara field tester, Alan M. Jackson, “It’s the latest, most powerful revision of the most important audio DSP environment of the last 30 years.”

Powered by Kyma
Audio professionals can leverage the full Kyma 7 accelerated sound design environment for rapid prototyping, testing, creative exploration, and refinement of production-quality sound synthesis and processing algorithms to run in real time on the Pacamara Ristretto.

Kyma, described as a “recombinant sound design environment,” gives sound designers access to extensive libraries of unique audio synthesis and processing modules, along with tools for creating limitless combinations of those algorithms. Galleries of automatically-generated signal flow graphs help speed development, spark the imagination and boost the creative flow — providing creators with the advanced models needed to solve sound design challenges for games, film, live music, data sonification, voice processing, multi-sensor controllers, and more.

Deep integration between hardware and software has always been central to the Symbolic Sound approach. Hardware design is continually informed by software development and vice versa. As a result, the Kyma 7 sound development environment is optimally tuned to take full advantage of the huge increases in processing and memory bandwidth made available by the new Pacamara APU.

Sound designer and musician Cristian Vogel describes the Kyma software environment as “the best for innovating, prototyping and designing innovative digital sound processes… frictionless for ideation and research. Then, reliable and consistent at the outcome stage.”

The Pacamara Ristretto is as comprehensive in its connectivity as it is diminutive in size. The back panel of the rugged, roadworthy enclosure includes:

• USB-C port for audio and MIDI transfer to/from host computer
• Two USB 2.0 ports for connecting audio interfaces and MIDI controllers
• 3.5 mm jack sockets for mic input and stereo headphone output
• RJ-45 network port to connect via a gigabit Ethernet cable to a host computer
• Wi-Fi antenna jack
• USB-C power input port

An APU does for Real-time Audio what a GPU does for Real-time Graphics
Audio professionals require high quality, low latency, reliable real-time audio synthesis and processing. That’s what an APU can deliver.

“The question is not whether a CPU is capable of real-time graphics generation and processing. Everyone understands the advantages of offloading real-time graphics computation onto one or more GPU(s) running in parallel with your main CPU. Not only does it free up memory and computing resources on your CPU, a GPU guarantees the highest-quality, glitch-free interactive real-time graphic performance. The same is true for audio!”

“With the Pacamara you have high quality, configurable algorithms running on dedicated, uncontended hardware,” explains Jackson, “The result is that it sounds great and it’s reliable.”

Soft Hardware
Unlike traditional audio hardware, which has a fixed functionality that never changes, the Pacamara Ristretto can adapt to the evolving needs of users. Regular, significant software updates ensure that Symbolic Sound APUs continue to gain features and functionality so that they actually improve with time.

Jackson adds, “there’s a subtle and important difference between hardware that is upgradeable… and hardware that DOES get upgraded continuously and significantly. Kyma is [Symbolic Sound’s] only product and [they’ve] been working on it, passionately, for decades. [They] have a proven history of constant and significant upgrades.”

What’s in a Name?
The name, Pacamara, comes from a hybrid coffee plant bred to produce larger beans on smaller trees planted closer together — evoking both the ‘recombinant sound’ design philosophy of Kyma and the smaller size, higher-yield of the Pacamara APUs. According to Scaletti, “Coffee aficionados know that a ristretto shot delivers twice the caffeine per milliliter as a standard shot of espresso. The Pacamara Ristretto is actually 2.5 times more powerful and less than half (44%) the volume of previous generations, meaning that the computational performance by volume has increased 5.7-fold.”

Summary
The Pacamara Ristretto is an APU, designed from the ground up for real-time sound synthesis and processing; it works in parallel with your main computer to deliver high-quality real-time audio signal computation, freeing up resources on the CPU for managing your overall studio workflow.

Audio professionals can leverage the full Kyma 7 accelerated sound design environment for rapid prototyping, testing, creative exploration, and refinement of production-quality sound synthesis and processing algorithms to run in real time on the Pacamara Ristretto.

The Pacamara Ristretto APU is the most recent development in a consistent flow of innovation from Symbolic Sound — from Capybara, to Capybara 33, Capybara 66, Capybara 320, Paca(rana) — the sixth generation Pacamara Ristretto APU is groundbreaking in terms of raw compute power, delivering a 2.5-fold leap forward in performance, connectivity, and dependability backed by extensive field testing in real world performance environments.

Pricing and Availability

The Pacamara Ristretto is available today at https://kyma.symbolicsound.com/order-now
Initial supplies are limited due to ongoing (and inexplicable) global electronic component shortages.

The price for a 4-processor Pacamara Ristretto is $3,818 (US)
An entry level, 2-processor system is available for $3,302 (US)

The Kyma 7 software for macOS or Windows is included with the APU.

Endlesss launches Endlesss Studio - Cross Device & Cross Collaboration Music Making Platform

"Get Endlesss Studio for MacOS https://bit.ly/GetEndlesssStudioYTM
Get Endlesss Mobile for iOS https://apple.co/3875Fxf

Endlesss is a lightning-fast collaborative looper and social network. Build tracks instantly across mobile, laptop and desktop, alone or together with others using your own gear or built-in instruments & effects.

In this video Tim Exile builds a track from scratch in 3 minutes, handing off between laptop, mobile and desktop devices."

Getting started videos:


Playlist:
Endlesss Basics in 5 Minutes
Endlesss is better with friends
Share Your Rifffs on and off Endlesss

And the press release:

Connected music-making platform Endlesss is launching Endlesss Studio, a MacOS app and VST / AU plugin which expands their award-winning lockdown-busting iOS app into the world of desktop digital audio workstations (DAWs) and hardware. The new MacOS app adds deep integration with all major DAWs such as Logic Pro, Ableton Live, FL Studio and more. VST and AU plugin versions, MIDI controller support and instant audio drag & drop to connect the rapid Endlesss workflow to the heart of the professional music creation environment.

Endlesss is a powerful cloud-connected multi-track looper with a large collection of performance instruments and FX. It keeps music makers in fast-moving idea development to provide a lightning-fast creative flow. Since its launch in spring 2020, the Endlesss iOS app has been used by a long list of notable creators including Grammy-winning singer/songwriter Imogen Heap, electronica giants Underworld, Kevin Drew from indie-rockers Broken Social Scene and US comedian Hannibal Buress.

Endlesss Studio comes with a broad collection of performance-optimised instruments designed to inspire creativity straight out of the box. It also includes 23 creative performance FX with instant recursive re-sampling capability. Sculpting complex and dynamic sounds in Endlesss Studio takes seconds, a process which otherwise involves hours of detailed automation and expensive plugins.

Endlesss Studio integrates seamlessly with the iOS app to enable instant handoff of the track-building flow between mobile and desktop, allowing multiple collaborators to contribute live from anywhere in the world with an instrument or their voice, hardware or software, on smart-phone or in a high-end studio.

“Studio is Endlesss’s next step in building a home for creative musical culture where creators of every skill level can connect, learn and build communities around creativity,” explains Tim Exile, musician and Endlesss CEO and founder. “As the lines between artist and fan erode, Endlesss is building an ecosystem where anyone can forge their own creative path. Whether that path leads to a tight-knit community of like-minded friends or rising to the top of the Billboard charts, Endlesss aims to put purpose and culture at the heart of music-making.”

Development of Endlesss Studio was funded by backers of their Kickstarter campaign which ran during the month of June this year. Endlesss raised £141k, becoming the 7th most-funded software campaign in the history of Kickstarter. The launch of Endlesss Studio comes months ahead of the timeline promised to their backer community, marking it as one of the few Kickstarter projects to be delivered ahead of schedule.

Endless Studio is available from today until 31st March 2021 at $99 / €99 / £79, a 50% introductory discount of the usual price of $199 / €199 / £159. A Windows version is under development and will be available in summer 2021."

TINRS Introduces New Fenix IV Modular Synthesizer

You might remember the interview with Synton's Felix Visser and This is not Rocket Science's Stijn Haring-Kuipers at Soundmit 2018 on the upcoming new Fenix system. Well, it is here. Update: Priced at 5000 Euros (would be ~ $5600 at todays rate plus any shipping and import fees) - see here on how to get one.

via This is Not Rocket Science

"All you need to play.

An intriguing set of modular building blocks

We think Fenixes are true synthesizer-instruments: they give you all the options you need to explore a very wide range of sonic possibilities. You can learn to play a Fenix quickly and you can still be developing your interaction with it in ten years’ time. The first Fenix was born and bred to satisfy one artist’ wishes for an all in-one system. Our Fenix IV is also born out of this desire with ourselves as the artists.

The density of Fenix I,II and III meant it provided loads of sound in one box. Before eurorack boomed, most modular synthesizers required half a wall of space. Fenix provided all your options in a relatively small container. When Fenix II was released, it packed the most punch for its size anywhere on the market. With Fenix IV we think we continue this tradition. We’ve extended the sounds by adding our best from the digital world. The intention is to provide a toolbox for you to make sound with, and not put too much of our flavour in the sounds themselves. Choices are made for maximum sonic variety. For example: we’ve upgraded the delay line from Fenix II with a musical element. In Fenix IV we are now providing a tuneable version so you can use it as a physical model of a string.

There is a flow to every Fenix. All the modules have the same direction for inputs and outputs: roughly left to right and top to bottom. This is the same in educational diagrams that talk about synthesizer structure. We managed to consistently apply this giant swipe from up left to down right across our Fenix too. You can distinguish types of signals on a Fenix by the colour coding – we’ve taken this helpful visual aid and extended it to giving the modules a coloured grouping that corresponds between the knobs and the jacks. Another feature of the Fenix family is the waterline that divides the knobs from the jacks. Keeping the knobs up top means your patching never gets in the way of your twiddling. This division also helps to maintain a sense of overview with lots of cables patched in.

We see the Fenix family as having a “Yes, and” mentality. The usual divide of tonal versus experimental or additive versus subtractive synthesis does not exist in a Fenix. You can have everything at the same time and you can have multiple TYPES of oscillators, filters, lfo’s, envelopes and effects to do your patching with. We have added the usual analog versus digital divide to this “Yes, and“ mentality. There is no need to choose, you can have it all.

All the modules in our Fenix IV – listed by colour grouping:

YELLOW – Oscillators and sound sources

Input
Interface to external sound sources – has an envelope tracker and a gate and trigger threshold.

CLICK FOR MORE »

KAHNCO Introduces a Modular Modular Eurorack Case

via KAHNCO

"Modular synthesis has long been a platform for deep sonic exploration that is free from the restrictions of fixed architecture signal flow found in traditional synthesizers. It's inherent freedom nurtures an environment of new ideas and innovation that continues to grow. The modular synthesizer market is populated by the most creative and innovative manufacturers in the musical instrument industry and the rapid evolution of new products has invigorated artistic experimentation from its patrons. This resource of creativity, from user and maker alike inspired the birth of Kahnco, the first fully modular eurorack case system.

The Kahnco modular case system allows you to design and assemble a case that suits your workflow and personal aesthetic. Building with HP segments ranging from 4HP to 34HP you can put together a case in any size, and can be added to at any time. You can start small and grow your system as you acquire new modules. You will never outgrow your investment in Kahnco.

Using the Knuckle Kits and Legs, you can build rows and angle them to a custom configuration of your design and when you want to try something new, go ahead and experiment with the same parts, the possibilities are unlimited.

The Kahnco system was designed and engineered by 50A Projects and manufactured by our sister company Ferra Designs Inc all proudly based in Brooklyn, NY."

CLICK FOR MORE »

Modal Electronics Introduces New Mini Three Octave 001 Synth, 002R Rack & 008 Black Analog Synth

Update: pics of the 002R rack & 008 added below.
Update2: 002 press release added below. 008 should follow soon. These are literally just coming in.
Update3: 008 specs added below.
Update4: additional preliminary US pricing from the distributor:
002R 12 voice retail $2995. shipping in 2 - 4 weeks
002R 8 voice retail $2595. shipping in 2 - 4 weeks
001 retail $1995. shipping in 30 - 60 days
008 retail $5495. shipping summer 2015
Update5: 008 press release added below.
Update6: more pics added.

CLICK FOR MORE »

First Look at the New Modulus Synthesizer Keyboard - Video, Press Release & Price

video upload by sonicstate

And the press release:

"Breakthrough modulus.002 takes British synth power polyphonically to world stage

BRISTOL, UK: breakthrough British electronic musical instruments manufacturer Modulus is proud to announce availability of modulus.002 — the first analogue/digital hybrid polysynth to have been designed, developed, and manufactured in the UK for four decades — as of July 10...

Even though the technology for mass-market synthesisers was patently pioneered in the UK in the leafy London suburb of Putney at the tail end of the Swinging Sixties, the last time that a polyphonic/multitimbral analogue synthesiser was designed, developed, and manufactured in the UK — actually within Wales — was way back in the late Eighties. It is with utmost pride, therefore, that Bristol-based Modulus has not only succeeded in bringing back that pioneering spirit to Blighty with the mighty modulus.002 but has admirably succeeded in doing so by creating an amazing modern-day musical instrument that truly represents one giant leap for ‘synthkind’ with a sizeable number of notable new features to its innovative name. No easy task in climatically cynical conditions during an era of increasingly shortened attention spans, synth-wise or otherwise. Been there, done that, bought the (Moog) T-shirt, some might cynically say!

Yet surely soothsaying is a better bet in this case? Why? Well, modulus.002 even sports some world firsts! So what makes modulus.002 tick, then, and what, exactly, is it that makes it so special in comparison to today’s commercial and ‘boutique’ offerings from other manufacturers, both bigger and smaller? Let’s look at some straightforward facts for starters...

As an analogue/digital hybrid keyboard synthesiser (using an aftertouch-enabled premium Fatar semi-weighted, five-octave key mechanism), modulus.002 provides 12 discrete voices of polyphony with full multitimbrality if so desired. As such, it features two NCOs (Numerically-Controlled Oscillators) per voice for exceedingly high resolution and stability with wide-reaching waveform selections, together with two sub-oscillators, individually (and uniquely) switchable from a traditional square wave to having the same waveform as the main NCO to effectively produce four oscillators per voice; a Modulus-designed 24dB/octave four- pole transistor ladder filter featuring some very unusual morphing or ‘polesweeping’ effects, enabling ear-opening transitions from 24dB/octave four-pole to 6dB/ octave one-pole filtering and anywhere in between; one LFO per voice as well as a global LFO; wide-ranging modulation options, all accessible directly via the front panel — no navigating convoluted and confusing menus; a pure analogue signal path from the oscillators right the way through to the combined XLR/TRS balanced/unbalanced outputs (with all 12 voices individually available for external processing via a dedicated D-Sub connector); two audio inputs enabling internal audio processing from the VCF onwards... and that’s only scratching the surface. Not literally, of course!

While all voice control parameters are accessible via a well-thought-through front panel that is both attractive and intuitive in use thanks to sticking to traditional synthesiser workflow, what lies beneath is really remarkable. Radically departing from the norm, modulus.002 is blessed with an unrivalled user interface based around a high-quality 4.3-inch screen with wide viewing angle. It is context sensitive, whereby the control parameter of any control knob touched by the user is immediately displayed onscreen. Synthesiser savants and audio aficionados will surely unite in their appreciation of the sonic depths that this well-specified speedy dream machine can deeply dive into!

Forget about an analogue renaissance here, however; let’s talk truly revolutionary design features for a moment. modulus.002 represents a unique approach to synthesiser design, taking traditional analogue circuitry combined with modern, reliable digital developments and marrying it all to a completely new control platform. Phenomenally, modulus.002 brings cloud functionality to a synthesiser for the first time! The Ethernet port means modulus.002 can be connected to a network to enable updates via the Internet — no more MIDI SysEx dumps to get you down in the dumps — and access to the modulus.cloud means user profile settings, sound patches, sequences, and other content can be easily replicated to a cloud-based server platform to enable rapid resynchronisation to another modulus.002, regardless of whether it is owned by the same user or a collaborator at a remote location. Let’s be honest here. We’re well into the 21st Century now, so why not provide modulus.002 users with data management features that are expected as the ‘norm’ in modern consumer technology devices, yet have hitherto eluded the electronic musician? Makes sound sense to the Modulus team, that’s for sure! And we’re sure it will make sound sense to modulus.002 users, too.

So what other notable modulus.002 features are worth making a song and dance about? An inbuilt MIDI-sync-able 16-track, 12-row, 32-step sequencer with 16 front panel-positioned step-time editing controls can give any hardware rivals already out there a serious run for their money. For sequences can not only be transposed dynamically while running but sophisticated so-called ‘mini arpeggiator sequences’ created using the arpeggiator’s Hold mode can be speedily saved as sequences for latter recall and editing using the sequencer. Moreover, modulus.002’s Animator allows any control to be sequenced, enabling complex filter transitions, waveform changes, and modulation matrix changes to be sequenced. Lest we forget, 12 ‘quick recall banks’ are accessible directly from dedicated front panel buttons. Build up set lists of presets, sequences, and animations, making modulus.002 a live performance partner par excellence.

Plain and simple? Far from it, it seems! So who better qualified, then, to explain the whys and wherefores of taking a truly thrilling synthesiser design from the drawing board to an equally enthralling production-ready product launch like this in under a year than company co-founder and principal designer Paul Maddox, a top-tier talent with proven production pedigree, best known within the synthesiser industry for his well-received MonoWave, a limited-run, 19-inch rack-mountable, MIDI- controllable monosynth inspired by Germany’s legendary PPG Wave series — arguably amongst the most coveted high-end synthesisers of the early Eighties — featuring two digital oscillators with 256 samples per waveshape and an analogue 24dB transistor ladder filter, as well as his more recently-released VacoLoco range of ‘pocket synth’ designs. Do tell. Why now? Why the big step up to the brave new world of modulus.002? Muses Maddox: “This came about because I’ve had a long-held dream to build a polysynth since I was knee high. I’ve nearly got there several times, but it was a golden opportunity in July last year when my business partner, Philip Taysom, and myself sat together and said, ‘Now is a good time to do it.’ Both Philip and myself are passionate about synthesisers, and we feel that the synthesiser market has been neglected for a long time in terms of high-end, pro — in quality and feel — instruments. I quite often equate this to a PRS guitar. There is nowhere in the synthesiser industry that I’m aware of where you can go and buy the equivalent of a PRS. That’s what we’re aiming at — top quality, top to bottom.”

So there you have it, folks. With top-quality components sourced and designed throughout its robust, road-ready construction coupled with upmarket design flourishes like leather-bound end cheeks — quite possibly another world first, modulus.002 is a fighting force to be musically reckoned with. British synth power is alive and kicking, and Modulus has just fired its impressive opening synth salvo that more than lives up to its Machines for Musicians tagline. It’s aim is true, so watch this space...

modulus.002 is available to purchase for £2,995.00 GBP (plus VAT). EU pricing — correct at time of writing — is €3,795.00 EUR (plus VAT). US pricing — correct at time of writing — is $5,200.00 USD (plus local sales tax). Contact California-based agent Geoff Farr (geoff@modulusmusic.co.uk) for all United States sales enquiries. All other enquiries relating to the rest of the world should contact info@modulusmusic.co.uk.
Feel free to visit www.modulus.me for more detailed modulus.002 information"

Update: Full specs & press pics:

modulus.002 provides twelve discrete voices of polyphony with full multi-timbrality if desired
Two oscillators per voice with two sub oscillators, which can be switched from being either traditional square wave to having the same waveform as the main oscillator – in effect making four oscillators per voice

Analogue / digital hybrid architecture uses NCOs for very high resolution, and very stable oscillators. Over 50 different waveforms, ranging from classic analogue sounds to more unique digital shapes
modulus designed 24db per octave four pole transistor ladder filter, with some very unusual morphing characteristics or ‘polesweeping’, enabling transition from four pole through bandpass to one pole 6db per octave, or anywhere in between

Two LFO’s, one per voice and one global

Extensive modulation options, all accessed directly from the front panel – no menu options!
modulus.002 features a range of sequencing options – a built in 16 Track, 12 row, 32 step sequencer with 16 dedicated step time editing knobs on the front panel and MIDI sync capabilities. Sequences can also be transposed dynamically while running

A very highly featured arpeggiator with a wide range of different modes, including modulus ‘hold’ mode, enabling arpeggiator-based sequences to be created

The modulus Animator, which enables any control parameter on the modulus.002 to be sequenced, enabling very complex filter transisitions, wave form changes and modulation matrix changes to be sequenced

Superb UI, a great departure from the norm of synthesisers, featuring a very high quality 4.3″ screen with wide viewing angle, display is context sensitive where the control parameters of any control knob that is touched by the user, is immediately displayed

Twelve ‘quick recall banks’ are accessible directly from the front panel, enabling performing musicians to get rid of their set sheets and build set lists of presets, sequences and animations, all quickly accessible from dedicated front panel buttons. Up to ten banks of quick recalls can be created, making live performance a doddle
VCF and VCA envelope generators

Four Key Modes – Poyphonic, Monophonic, Unison and Stack

Very high quality construction, uses a premium FATAR semi-weighted five octave key mechanism with aftertouch
All voice control parameters are accessible from a well designed and intuitive front panel, that follows a traditional synthesiser work flow

Pure analogue signal path with combined XLR/TRS sockets for balance / unbalanced outputs. Further, each of the twelve outputs can be brought out individually via a dedicated dsub socket

Two audio inputs enabling audio processing from the VCF onwards plus external MIDI in and out

XY joystick and Sustain and Expression pedal inputs for performance controls – any control parameter can be assigned to any joystick axis (X+, X-, Y+, Y-) by pressing the dedicated front panel selector button

Ethernet port to connect your modulus.002 to your network and enable updates via the internet (no more midi sysex dumps) and access to the Modulus cloud features

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ROLAND DEBUTS INTEGRA-7 EDITOR PLUG-IN FOR MAC

ROLAND DEBUTS INTEGRA-7 EDITOR PLUG-IN FOR MAC
Fast & Fluid Music Production Within Your DAW

Los Angeles, CA, May 22, 2013 — The INTEGRA-7 SuperNATURAL® Sound Module, Roland’s premier next-generation rack, now offers powerful music production capabilities within your Mac-based DAW when paired with the new INTEGRA-7 Editor Plug-in for Mac. Roland’s latest plug-in editor provides visual control of the INTEGRA-7 parameters, which include more than 6,000 highly expressive sounds (SuperNATURAL sounds, PCM sounds, and all 12 SRX expansion boards), independent SuperNATURAL acoustic, synth, and drum sounds, and much more. A VST instrument (VSTi) version and an Audio Units (AU) version are both available, seamlessly integrating the INTEGRA-7 into your Mac-based DAW for rapid workflow and instant recall.

The flagship INTEGRA-7 brings Roland’s farthest-reaching realm of creative power to keyboardists and composers, both live and in the studio, and the new editor plug-in gives an already powerful vehicle enhancements that allow for deeper and more streamlined access to creative flow and musical inspiration. With the development of SuperNATURAL sound and Behavior Modeling, Roland has blurred the boundary between acoustic and electronic instruments. Built upon these core technologies, the INTEGRA-7 gives musicians a goldmine of the latest SuperNATURAL sounds in a fast-access, fully stocked 16-part module. With the immense power of the INTEGRA-7, musicians can create amazingly realistic and detailed orchestral arrangements, immersive spatial sounds, and beyond.


The core of the INTEGRA-7 is its wealth of SuperNATURAL sounds with Behavior Modeling technology. SuperNATURAL not only mirrors the sounds of acoustic instruments, it also simulates the behavior of instruments when they’re played. With SuperNATURAL, sounds come to life under your fingers. Whether used in acoustic or electronic domains, the INTEGRA-7 puts a world of expressive sound in your hands. Go deep inside the programming engine and customize your own sounds, or let the INTEGRA-7 do it all for you. With so many great sounds onboard, and with the INTEGRA-7’s organic response to how you play your keyboard/controller, you’ll experience a new level of realism and effortless expression.

Roland’s new A-88 and A-49 MIDI Controller Keyboards are perfect partners for the INTEGRA-7. The SuperNATURAL mode button on the A-88/A-49 automatically assigns the INTEGRA-7’s most appropriate parameters to the mod lever, knobs, and D-BEAM for controlling the selected SuperNATURAL sound."