"Cumulus is a versatile sample-based instrument that offers extensive ways to manipulate and play back samples across its four independent tracks. It also features a live mode for processing incoming audio and a large modulation matrix for deep sound design and creative exploration."
Unleash Your Creativity with the CUMULUS LOOPSCAPER!
The Cumulus Loopsacaper is a powerful sample-based instrument designed to transform and playback your audio with unparalleled flexibility. At its core, Cumulus consists of four independent tracks, each equipped with its own playhead, allowing for diverse and intricate manipulation of samples. Beyond sample playback, Cumulus also boasts a versatile live mode that processes incoming audio in real-time, functioning like a dynamic effect pedal.
"Roland JP-8000/8080 | A Convergence of Sonic History and Future Innovation
Greetings, fellow sonic architects.
In the relentless pursuit of unparalleled sound, we often find ourselves drawn to the very essence of what makes a waveform resonate with unique character. It is within this spirit of exploration that we wish to share a recent development, an evolution in the very fabric of digital sound design.
Before we delve deeper into the intricacies, allow us to present the coordinates for this journey:
The Genesis of Texture: Reimagining Digital Warmth
For decades, the digital realm has strived to replicate the organic nuances of analog synthesis. Yet, a select few instruments from a pivotal era achieved a distinct warmth, a "softness" that modern software often struggles to emulate. This unique sonic signature, characterized by a rounded edge in its harmonic contours, defines a particular epoch of electronic music. It is a sound that transcends mere emulation, rooted in the very architecture of its digital modeling.
Consider the foundational elements of electronic music: the driving pulse, the atmospheric expanse, the melodic narrative. Each requires a specific textural quality to truly captivate. Our ongoing research and development in this domain have led to a significant refinement of a collection dedicated to these very principles. This material is meticulously curated for beatmakers operating within the intricate landscapes of Neo Trance, Future Garage, Wave, Hardwave, and Witch House, where the precise articulation of sound is paramount.
An Unveiling: Hyper Arpeggio and Beyond"
Our latest iteration, designated as version 3.5, introduces a novel element that pushes the boundaries of rhythmic and atmospheric integration: the Hyper Arpeggio. These are not merely sequences; they are high-velocity, BPM-agnostic drones, meticulously crafted to emphasize the distinct, almost liquid phrasing inherent to the original sound source. This particular characteristic, a unique "rounded edge" in its articulation, is a direct consequence of the original hardware's design, a feature that remains remarkably difficult to replicate with contemporary synthesis methods. It is a testament to the enduring legacy of instruments like the Roland JP-8000 and JP-8080, progenitors of the legendary Super Saw, whose influence continues to shape the sonic landscape.
"For the Project Area at Sónar+D (Barcelona, June 12th to 14th, 2025), we’re showing two physical installations: Synplant and Beatspace (for Microtonic).
Created in collaboration with Rumtiden Idea Lab (Håkan Lidbo, Max Björverud, and Platon Marko).
Who will come to see us?
0:00 Introduction to Microtonic
0:25 Patternarium Web Page
0:49 Beatspace for Microtonic
1:11 Beatspace Sonar Installation
1:39 Introduction to Synplant
2:21 Synplant Sonar Installation"
"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
"This particular Memorymoog (Serial #2074X) is what we term a ‘Standard’ model, so a first edition before MIDI and a Sequencer was added in production, so produced from 1981, which would date this particular example as around 42 to 44 years old.
"Ampla Legio was the result of our desire for a stereo gate to accommodate the growing number of stereo audio sources in the Eurorack format. With a multimode filter that can be gnarly or nice, a vactrol-inspired ASD envelope, and CV control over filter frequency and envelope timing, Ampla is a simple-yet-effective solution for organic dynamics control.
If you already own a Legio module, then you can swap to this firmware for free at our website: https://www.noiseengineering.us."
Press release, including the additional firmwares, follows:
"Noise Engineering announces three new firmwares for their popular platform modules: a formant filter, a cross-modulating oscillator, and a multimode-filter gate.
Los Angeles, CA — Noise Engineering, known for their flexible Eurorack synthesizer modules, plugins, and guitar pedals, has announced new options for each of their platform modules: Fala Versio, Toros Iteritas Alia, and Ampla Legio, all releasing this December. Now with10 Versio and 7 Legio and Alia firmwares, Noise Engineering is showing the depth and versatility of the platform concept. In short, if you own a NE platform module, you can go to the Noise Engineering website and swap the firmware to anything else on that platform via USB, as often as you like, free of charge. It’s like getting seven (or ten) modules for the price of one.
First up is Ampla Legio, a simple multimode-filter gate. Lowpass gates are a common tool in modular synthesis, and Ampla Legio brings a modern twist, with a stereo signal path and additional functionality. A vactrol-inspired attack/decay envelope with simple controls modulates the internal stereo VCA and filter, and a sustain phase allows the envelope generator to emulate the response of traditional vactrols. A resonant multimode filter replaces the traditional lowpass model, allowing for LP, BP, or HP response with adjustable squelch. The filter’s base frequency can be adjusted to change the timbre of the gate, and also tracks 1v/8va, allowing the filter to be modulated along with the input signal. Ampla Legio is available as a firmware now.
Coming December 17, 2024 is Fala Versio is a formant filter designed with musicality in mind. While many formant filters attempt to mimic vowel shapes and other traditional sounds, Fala is designed to take the process of formant filtering in a new, musical direction. Along with frequency and resonance controls, Fala features a clock-syncable stereo LFO, a wavefolder, and a post-filter saturator that can take the filter’s tone from beautiful to barbaric. Fala Versio will be available as a module but Versio owners can try it out immediately on release by going to the Noise Engineering Firmware Swap page.
Finally, on December 24, Noise Engineering will drop Toros Iteritas Alia. TIA takes complex three-operator phase-modulation synthesis and makes it simple and fun. Designed for ever-evolving sonic landscapes, Toros has three oscillators with CV-controllable frequency and level parameters. A massive range of timbres are hidden behind its simple interface, with three routing algorithms and a bonus fundamental oscillator output for even more patching capabilities. While Noise Engineering is known for its percussion voices, Toros breaks the mold, excelling at dark drones and ambient performances.
Ampla Legio is a firmware-only release that works on any Legio hardware and is available starting December 10, 2024. Fala Versio will be available as firmware or a paneled module on December 17, 2024. Toros Iteritas Alia will be available as firmware or a paneled module on December 24, 2024. Platform owners can try them out at launch, completely free, by changing the firmware at the Noise Engineering Firmware Swap page: https://noiseengineering.us/portal/firmware/
Just in time for the holidays (and holiday sales!), all three firmwares are available completely free to owners of each platform. Fala Versio and Toros Iteritas Alia available for purchase as complete modules, too.
Features • Three all-new firmwares for Noise Engineering’s popular platforms • Fala Versio brings a new take to formant filtering • Toros Iteritas Alia makes noisy-or-nice PM synthesis easy • Use Ampla Legio to control dynamics and timber of any stereo signal • Platform owners can swap to new firmwares 100% free
Availability and pricing: Fala Versio: Shipping from Noise Engineering and retailers starting December 17th, 2024; MSRP US$393 Toros Iteritas Alia: Shipping from Noise Engineering and retailers starting December 24th, 2024; MSRP US$385
"First play with the new SonicCharge weirdness. Oh, yes."
"Synplant takes a genetic twist on sound design by moving beyond traditional knob-twisting and dial-adjusting, emphasizing exploration and discovery. Here, your ears guide you through a forest of organic textures and evolving timbres.
Genopatch Technology
Genopatch crafts synth patches from audio recordings, using AI to find optimal synth settings based on your source sample. As the strands in the user interface sprout and grow, they generate patches that increasingly match the chosen audio.
Sometimes, you will get a perfect match; other times, something new and unexpected. This balance of precision and unpredictability makes Genopatch a unique tool for sound exploration.
Genopatch runs entirely on your local computer, requiring no internet connection.
Digging into the Genome
Whether you begin from a random seed, an existing patch, or a creation from Genopatch, Synplant offers many different ways to sculpt your sound. When you are ready to delve further into the core of your patch, you can crack open your sound seeds and modify their underlying genetic code.
The new intuitive DNA Editor in Synplant 2 offers a structured layout with graphical representations for settings like envelopes, oscillator types, and filters.
Performance Features
Synplant makes it easy to create organic, multi-faceted synth patches by letting you play variations of a sound using different MIDI notes and velocities. It also offers a layer mode for creating rich, multi-dimensional sounds. There are polyphonic and monophonic play modes with portamento, tempo sync and more, further contributing to deep and versatile synth patches that are a joy to play.
Making your own sounds in Synplant is easy as a breeze, but it also comes bundled with hundreds of well-designed patches, and more are available to download when you purchase."
"The Woovebox is a workstation/ groovebox that does more with less.
It aims to make music production simpler, cheaper and more portable by condensing a powerful music workstation/studio into a small pocket-sized device - all through aggressive hardware and software optimization.
Pocketable, powerful and economical
The Woovebox was designed for those who love creating tunes away from a desk or studio; whether it's on a couch, on a bus, in a coffee shop, or in bed. No space, no hassle, no cables. Just plug in your headphones and go!
And when you are ready, the Woovebox plays nice with DAW and other gear; physical MIDI and sync out, wireless MIDI in/out over Bluetooth, audio in, .WAV song and dry/wet stem export - it's all here.
Featuring a variety of synthesis algorithms, filters and effects, the optimized engine - quite literally - punches far above its weight; despite weighing only 68g/2.4oz/0.15lbs, the Woovebox offers deep sound design, real-time synthesis, sonic abilities and advanced features that are absent from grooveboxes many times its size and cost.
A fast workflow that inspires
The Woovebox workflow is a rethink of song building; it is fast, it fits a compact device, and it avoids "empty DAW project" paralysis. It was built to reduce friction and make the time from 0-to-head-bobbing to your own track as short as possible. You do not have to memorize endless obscure button combinations, and menu-diving is kept to a minimum.
The workflow centers on quickly setting up and filling out distinct building blocks, where each block quickly combines to create a whole that is more than the sum of its parts. Tempo, rhythm and chord info is re-used throughout the song, interface, playback options and even the synthesis engine. This is combined with conditional triggering and conditional modification of elements and tracks.
The results are complex, intricate compositions that sound refined, intentional and planned. If you wish, even just a single 16-step pattern for each of the 16 tracks, is entirely enough to make a complex song that keeps the listener's attention.
Built from scratch using close-to-the-metal programming
In hardware engineering, size restrictions mean power limitations. And power limitations mean DSP (Digital Signal Processing) limitations. Starting off as a personal challenge during the days of lockdowns by a veteran signal processing engineer, the Woovebox' DSP engine was built from scratch to be as "close to the metal" and optimized as possible.
It is a style of programming that focuses on extracting every last drop of raw performance from the hardware, at the cost of easy development. The hardware, firmware and DSP code were hand-crafted in assembly and optimized over the course of three years, to perfectly balance frugality with power, audio quality and features.
As a result, your Woovebox synthesizes full, complex tracks and effects in real-time, yet the small built-in battery still lasts 10h+ on one charge. In all aspects the Woovebox project embodies doing more with less."
"Sonic Charge has worked hard for about a decade. Now you know why! In an interesting talk with top developer Magnus Lidström at Sonic Charge, he's taking us through his brand new and upcoming Synplant 2, and all of the insane details that took him and his neural network so long to make."
Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 02:08 Planting seeds and dragging branches 03:11 The joy of sound 03:50 Manual DNA editor 06:13 100% Backwards compatibility 06:44 Next gen modulation 08:48 Play Modes and Modulation 09:53 Smart Sync feature 10:54 The Oscillators 12:59 The Filter 14:38 The New Reverb 17:53 Panning 18:18 Clipping adjust 19:20 Introducing Artificial Intelligence 20:43 Genopatch: From Sample to Synth Patch with AI 24:18 Developing and Training the AI 28:35 Challenging the AI 32:46 Randomising branches 33:50 Testing the AI on Microtonic (Teaser) 38:39 Microtonic still going strong 20 years later 39:42 Beatspace, Patternarium and AI 42:50 The PO-32 45:19 Developing and training neural nets 55:40 When will Synplant 2 be available?
"We are thrilled to present Synplant 2, anticipated for release in Q3 2023. This major upgrade introduces our revolutionary Genopatch technology for creating synth patches from samples. It also features a vastly improved synth engine, a new DNA editor, alternative ways to trigger branches, tempo synchronization, automatable genes, and much more.
Overview video followed by demos. The following is the description for the overview:
"A slow walkthrough of Parasite dynamics, showing off the quirks and extreme variability.
Very simple patching (sometimes none), and just showing the more unstable end of usage: Out 2, high Feedback, etc.
It is interesting to note that the Parasite Antifilter acts like a capacitor sometimes and stores energy. Many of the sounds it generates have a charging period before they show and then run on their own like an additional source. They'll keep running until the settings are changed, and have to re-charge before they appear again.
I was going to edit this, but we left it complete to show everything, even the dead zones.
Sources: Desktop Infernal Noise Machine for tone and LFO, IMP for other.
Notable points:
04:10
04:30
06:48
9:44
10:50
12:25
13:09 - Shows the development of various tones and rhythms over the next minute or so.
15:54 through17:15 - long-cycle rhythmic evolution & sporadic distortion."
What is the Parasite Antifilter?
Well, it started out as a VC parametric equalizer, but it sucked. Really bad. I decided to trash the idea and sent the original prototype to the Great Wizard for them to play with since we had been chatting about it. The subsequent findings were completely the opposite of what I found – not about the filter part though, that still sucked. It turns out the Parasite Antifilter is a ridiculously fun and useful drone source, drum generator (especially kicks, snares, and blocks), distortion and fuzz, absolute sonic wreckage device, coloring mixer, formant generator, and so on. We keep finding more uses for it each time it’s fired up.
Ostensibly, the Parasite Antifilter is a 2nd-order cascaded parametric equalizer. Out1 is from the first stage, Out2 is from the second stage. Both can be used simultaneously for a stereo-esque signal. The Feedback knob controls amount of output fed back to the input, and the Feedback toggle chooses if it’s from Out1 or Out2.
The 'Infest' switches are wholly serendipitous and defy explanation. Just know that they are there for good reason, which is readily apparent when you use them. Infest 1 affects the first stage, Infest 2 the second.
"Welcome to Flight's Famine Fun - IMP Edition!
Having used Famine to turn two sound effect modules into sound sources, it was time to see what new possibilities could be found by using Famine on a source module - the INM IMP.
This video is goes into more detail and exploration to show how much is hidden away inside a module that just takes a little torture and suffering to bring out. Come watch!
As with the others, this is the raw audio, with no processing."
What is Famine? Famine is a voltage-controlled power starvation module, a teasing taste of electronic death – with the ever-present threat of the real thing. Your system will squeal, stutter, fuzz, and shriek, in new ways as you torture it while discovering the sublime joys of Schadenfreude.
Famine is capable of handling 1.5A, enough for an entire busboard of modules.
All/Split: • In the All position, positive and negative rails track together using the All/+V knob and CV input and the -V knob and CV input are ignored. • In the Split position, positive and negative are separated and controlled from their respective knob and CV input.
Crush/Wrack: • In the Crush position, positive and negative mirror each other, i.e., +5V & -5V, +6V & -6V. • In the Wrack position, positive and negative track inversely, i.e., 0v & -10V, +1V & -9V, +8V & -2V, etc.
Starve/Feed: Starve position to starve, Feed position to bypass circuit entirely.
L.E.D.s The LEDs indicate the level of starvation and glow brightest at 0V output.
Notes:
• Most effective on analog systems. Since digital is based on the principle of either on or off, there’s not much to play with there. Systems with bootup periods are particularly annoying. • NO RELAYS, GAUGES, MOTORS, FANS, OR OTHER INDUCTIVE SYSTEMS (see below).
Disclaimer: Famine may destroy your system. Although commonly used, voltage starvation is a largely unstudied technique and the dangers it poses are not well known or understood, but are rumored to range from general malfunction to actual fire and catastrophic failure. Any use of this module is entirely at your own risk.
NOT RECOMMENDED with inductive or electromechanical systems. Inductive kickback has been known to be a danger to circuitry in AC power distribution systems. The currents in Eurorack are highly unlikely to cause damage, but it is a non-zero possibility.
"I started to work on my next album, and while working on my own custom presets for the M, i stumbled across these sounds, and i decided to do another short 'testing' video. Enjoy. FX are from the excellent reverb pedal "R1" from Walrus Audio. I added a few pictures from our family trip to the zoo, to keep everything fresh. The short drum sequence is from Sonic Charge Microtonic, my alltime favorite drumsynth."
San Francisco, CA—July 9, 2021—Sequential today announced a major enhancement to their acclaimed
Pro 3 multi-filter mono synth — patch morphing. Users can now morph between two different sounds using one of the synthesizer’s many real-time controllers such as its mod wheel, touch slider, or key pressure. This provides many new possibilities for real-time expression and dramatic timbral variation.
To use the new feature, users will need to upgrade to version 1.2 of the Pro 3 operating system, which is currently available in pre-release or “Beta” format on the Sequential User Forum. The OS upgrade is provided free of charge to Pro 3 owners.
“The Pro 3 is already the deepest, most versatile mono synth we’ve ever designed — and we keep making it even more awesome,” said Sequential founder Dave Smith: “Now patch morphing takes live performance to a whole other planet. The sonic territory that lives between two different patches is pretty vast, and with real time control of that, users will get to places they’ve never heard before.”
A hybrid instrument, the Pro 3 features three classic analog filters (Prophet-6, OB-6, and ladder) and three oscillators (two VCOs and one wavetable oscillator) along with a 16-track sequencer, and the ability to connect with modular synths through its four control voltage ins/outs. The feature set is rounded out with a multimode arpeggiator, three LFOs, four loopable ADSR+delay envelopes, dual digital effects (delays, reverbs, and various time-based effects), tuned feedback, analog distortion, and extensive modulation possibilities. The synth is also capable of 3-voice paraphonic operation.
Sequential is offering two versions of the Pro 3, the standard edition, and the Pro 3 SE, a special edition that puts the same synthesis power into a collector-worthy design with a tilt-up control panel and premium-grade walnut trim.
The Pro 3 standard edition has a US MAP of $1,599.
"K-teck's Kandi circular sequencer, a Euclidean rhythm and melody fun house. This track is sequencing a Make-Noise 0-Coast thru an Instruo Athru wave folder and then to an H9 Eventide Resonator . Percussion is another instance of KANDI but in percussion mode sequencing Sonic Charge's Microtonic drum synth.
K-teck makes some really nice MAX4LIVE tools, this one, KANDI was especially interesting as the interface was intriguing. Circular, not linear. It also allows locking in 4 notes so you can get percussion drum sounds
The track used 2 instances, 1 for melody, 1 for drums , enjoy"
Playlist:
Beast-Tek Transmuter Volca Drum Test
Beast-Tek Transmuter VS MC-101
Beast-Tek Transmuter VS ER-1
"Transmuter is a bi-directional 8 channel MIDI to gate/trigger AND gate/trigger to MIDI packed into a single 10hp module. Transmuter was designed to get your external gear working together with your Eurorack modular so that you can expand your creativity and sonic palette without having to move to a bigger rack. Unlike most other MIDI to CV converters, Transmuter does not have a 1V/octave output for pitch which may seem weird at first .. BUT this is because Transmuter was designed to get external gear jamming alongside your modular without a DAW, instead of providing external control of your modular by a DAW, sequencer or keyboard.
RC-808 Re-Create has a new home with some updates at https://rc-808.com. Click through for the new site. Note RC-808 Re-Create is from the original developers of the Roland TR-808 & x0x series. See this post for a pic of the "Analog Mafia" as they are known, along with some initial details on the project.
"At the moment we are busy developing the VST / AU plug-in versions on Win / Mac environments. We are a very small entity with very much limited workforce, centered around Tadao Kikumoto, the project leader of the vintage TR-808. The sheer amount of parameters derived from the vast 8 partial architecture makes it a tough challenge to realize automation on DAW. Yet still, we will bring the plug-in edition to you very soon.
Again, because we are interested only in distributing our own vision of what we actually wanted the original 808 to be, and as the token of our deepest gratitude to all of our great beautiful fans of the 808, we are providing this as free of charge, still even now, as it was from the beginning of this endeavor.
The 808 is only the beginning. Create your own sonic universe, and voyage across the gulf of sound space from here.
Thank you so much for your patience.
Stay safe, stay healthy, stay cool, and please please do take good care of yourself."
Sequential Adds User Wavetable Import to Pro 3 Multi-filter Mono Synth
San Francisco, CA—July 29, 2020—Sequential today announced a significant enhancement to their acclaimed
Pro 3 multi-filter mono synth — support for user-created wavetables. A hybrid instrument, the Pro 3 features two VCOs plus a third, digital oscillator with 32 permanent factory wavetables.
Sequential’s web-based utility Wavetable Generator allows users to convert up to 16 single-cycle waves into a Pro 3 compatible wavetable and load it into to any of the 32 user wavetable slots on the synth. This significantly expands the sound palette of the instrument. Custom wavetables are generated as SysEx files that can be archived and shared with other Pro 3 owners. To use the feature, users will need to upgrade to version 1.1 of the Pro 3 operating system, available on the Support page of Sequential’s website. Both the Wavetable Generator utility and OS upgrade are provided free of charge to Pro 3 owners.
“How do you make an awesome-sounding hybrid synth even better? By letting users import their own wavetables,” said Sequential founder Dave Smith: “It opens up a lot of new sonic territory for the Pro 3. We hope users get crazy with it.” Sequential chose to provide the utility as a web app for easy access and broad support. Added Smith: “We wanted to make getting custom waves into the Pro 3 as simple as possible. Ease of use is always a big priority on our synths.”
A hybrid instrument, the Pro 3 features three classic analog filters (Prophet-6, OB-6, and ladder) and three oscillators (two VCOs and one wavetable oscillator) along with a powerful new 16-track sequencer, and the ability to connect with modular synths through its four control voltage ins/outs. The feature set is rounded out with a multimode arpeggiator, three LFOs, four loopable ADSR+delay envelopes, dual digital effects (delays, reverbs, and various time-based effects), tuned feedback, analog distortion, and extensive modulation possibilities. The synth is also capable of 3-voice paraphonic operation.
The full-featured sequencer provides 16-track sequences of up to 64 steps, with ratcheting, variable gate and sequence lengths, multiple playback modes, and paraphonic operation. It also syncs to MIDI clock and external audio input, and inputs/outputs control voltages. In addition to notes, sequence tracks can control any parameter in the 32-slot, 171-destination modulation matrix.
Sequential is offering two versions of the Pro 3, the standard edition, and the Pro 3 SE, a special edition that puts the same synthesis power into a collector-worthy design with a tilt-up control panel and premium-grade walnut trim.
The Pro 3 standard edition has a US MAP of $1,599.
