NAMM: Clavia Announces The Nord Stage 2

"Nord Keyboards are proud to announce the Nord Stage 2 Series featuring our latest sound generation technology in the Piano, Organ and Synthesizer sections.
 [click the image for a larger shot]



0111 Nord Stage 2 panel

The Piano section includes String Resonance, Dynamic Pedal Noise, and a completely user-replaceable piano memory, twice the size of Nord Stage EX, compatible with the free of charge Nord v5 Piano library.

The Organ section features the tonewheel and transistor organ modeling of the C2 Organ together with a newly developed rotary speaker model.

The Synthesizer section includes an arpeggiator and the Nord sample playback functionality with a memory size storing 120 sounds from the Nord Sample Library including Mellotron and Chamberlin samples. In addition, Nord Stage 2 users can also create their own samples by mapping sound files in .wav format with the Nord sample editor. The genes of the Nord Wave brings analog-style and digital waveforms as well as FM synthesis.

Additional new features include MIDI over USB, monitor input, midi sync for the global master clock, and master clock sync for LFO, arpeggiator, and delay.

With the performing musician in mind the control panel gives immediate access to all key functions and instant visibility of all settings. Single function controls and dedicated selectors make for exceptional ease-of-use.

The Nord Stage 2 is handmade in Stockholm, Sweden by Clavia DMI and is scheduled to ship in February 2011."

Update: NAMM: Nord Stage 2 - New Pics and Info

"There is a new Nord Flagship instrument on the horizon."

"The Stage 2 is compatible with the huge and free Nord Sample Library. The powerful new synthesizer engine is built from the DNA of the famous Nord Wave. Capable of classic analogue synthesis, three operator FM synthesis and Wavetable synthesis.

The Nord Sample Library not only give Stage 2 owners access to the huge free library of world-class sounds, including the famous vintage Mellotron and Chamberlin samples, but thanks to the included Nord Sample Editor for Mac and PC, allows user-created samples to be loaded into the instrument and thus opening up a whole new creative world of sound.

It is over ten years since we made our first digital model of a tonewheel organ. The Stage 2's dedicated organ section now features our third generation B3 Organ model as found in the acclaimed Nord C2 and an improved Rotary model.

The rear panel with the USB connector that also carries MIDI information and the Monitor Input for playing along to your favorite music.

Here is the Piano section with the Acoustics controls, for the String Resonance, the Pedal Noise and the new Selectable Release feature. When Release is activated pianos use a slightly longer release, which is more suitable for legato playing. This important feature reflects adjusting the damper tension in an acoustic or an electromechanical instrument.

The Pedal Noise feature from the Nord Piano is available in the Nord Stage 2 if the optional Nord Triple Pedal is used.

The Piano section has a memory of 500 Megabytes. Each and every Piano sound in the instrument is replaceable with any piano sound from the Nord Piano Library.

The Synth section also features a new Arpeggiator that can be synchronized to the Stage 2 Master Clock for perfect timing with elements of the Stage 2 including the rate of effects and the delay time. The Master Clock tempo can be set numerically, ''tapped'' on the tap button or set by incoming MIDI Clock.

There are 400 Programs (recent change) in the Nord Stage 2 - These are organized in 4 Banks with 20 Pages, with 5 programs in each Page. There are 5 Live Memories that automatically saves all the settings. And a programmable Transpose.

The Effect section sports a new member: the Vibe. This is modelled from a desirable foot pedal and is a great addition to the Stage 2's sonic arsenal.

The production of the Nord Stage 2 will begin in February, 2011.

Every Stage 2 will be delivered with both the Nord Piano and the Nord Sample DVDs. These two expanding Libraries represents more than 6.5 Gigabytes of sounds at the moment. "

















via Sonic State

Update:

NAMM 2011 Nord Stage 2 Keyboard

YouTube via musicianews | January 15, 2011 |

"Chris from Nord demos the Nord Stage 2. Which uses modeling and synthesis. Grand Piano, Organ sounds and strings, and Nord Wave. Avail End of March. MAP 88 Note $4199"

MIDI Voice Controller for iPhone/iPod Touch

"Play synths by singing into your iPhone/iPod Touch!

Voice Control is a wireless MIDI controller that converts the pitch of your voice into signals for controlling MIDI devices networked to your computer.

HOW TO USE:
• Download a wireless MIDI interface such as DSMidiWifi (http://dsmi.tobw.net) and install on your computer.
• Launch Voice Control on your iPhone or iPod Touch.
• Connect your device’s MIDI stream to the synthesizers you want to control. For example, on a Mac use Audio MIDI Setup to connect your iPhone/iPod Touch to Garage Band or other MIDI units networked to your computer.
• Start singing. You can even harmonize with others on the same wireless network using two or more Voice Control apps.

FEATURES:
• Select your vocal range – from bass to soprano (center picker wheel)
• Shift the pitch of converted MIDI signals up or down (right picker wheel)
• Display the note you are currently singing (left picker wheel)
• Sliders let you change the input audio level and the amount of pitch “smoothing”
• Tap “Set Up” to switch to the “Control” screen
• Control the volume and expression in real time using the x-y control pad while you sing
• Rotate the device to pan the sound left to right"



iPad prices on eBay
iPod Touch on eBay

NAMM Updates

First up, details on the KORG KRONOS are in for those just coming to the site. Next, NAMM officially starts tomorrow but things are already trickling in. Be sure to see The NAMM List for updates. Now that we are past pre-NAMM speculation, all updates will be added to the bottom of the list, so you can go straight to them. Note that not all NAMM posts will get added to the list though, so be sure to check out the NAMM label often as well. Normal posts will be going up alongside NAMM posts, so use the label to filter everything else out when you just want NAMM coverage.

I'll be glued to the site posting everything that comes in all day long tomorrow, so check back often. If you have anything NAMM-related to send in you can find my contact info on the bottom of the site.

Winter Namm Show 2011 Beat Thang!!!

YouTube via BeatKangz | January 12, 2011 |

"Beat Thangz are on the Boat from China! Pre order now because this first 1,000 units is gonna go FAST!! Half are sold already! Dont miss your chance to be the first to get your hands on the baddest portable beat machine ever made!!!"

nonsynonymous (mfb kraftzwerg version)

"This was recorded entirely with the MFB Kraftzwerg, a small, cheap semi-modular analog synthesizer. All sounds heard are exclusively the kraftzwerg.

There is another version of this album made with [BLOK] Modular, a new software modular synthesizer for VST. The music is the same, but the recording is different.

There are 4 separate tracks in the album, as well as a fifth combination track. Each track is meant to flow between the next based on tempo, rhythm, key, and mood. The fifth track, nonsynonymous, is a mixed down version of this. I am fully aware that nobody will actually listen to this in its entirety, but it is there just in case."

via santahatandponcho in the comments of this post.

INSTANT DUBSTEP WOBBLE with Lazerbass in Reaktor 5.5 (Native Instruments Komplete 7)

YouTube via Torley | January 12, 2011 |

"http://www.native-instruments.com/en/... is a candy shoppe for sonic exquisantes who crave an extra helping of phat bass. Official blurb:

--

Lazerbass
The newest addition to the REAKTOR library is a monophonic synthesizer delivering a pure and direct sound without additional effects. The new additive synthesis module means Lazerbass can create a large number of timbres, themselves made up of multiple harmonic or non harmonic partials. The result is a sound of immense quality, equally at home creating spacey sci-fi sounds as full and punchy sub basses ideal for dubstep and other leading-edge electronic productions that need that signature 'wobble.'"

Sound Drawing Drawing Sound

Sound Drawing Drawing Sound from cv slime 800 on Vimeo.

"Experiments in making tangible evocations of visual-auditory synesthesia."
via Wikipedia on Synesthesia: "Synesthesia (also spelled synæsthesia or synaesthesia, plural synesthesiae or synaesthesiae), from the ancient Greek σύν (syn), "together," and αἴσθησις (aisthēsis), "sensation,"is a neurologically-based condition in which stimulation of one sensory or cognitive pathway leads to automatic, involuntary experiences in a second sensory or cognitive pathway.[1][2][3][4] People who report such experiences are known as synesthetes."

Any synesthetes out there?

Yamaha announces KARMA Motif Software for PC and Mac

"Yamaha and Karma-Lab announces the development and release of KARMA Motif Software for PC and Mac. This new entry in the renowned developer’s line of software applications brings the award-winning and patented KARMA algorithmic music technology to the Yamaha Motif XS and Yamaha Motif XF platforms.

“This exciting new collaboration brings the power of KARMA to a completely new user base using the great sounds and features of the Yamaha Motif series,” said KARMA developer Stephen Kay, who will demonstrate the software at NAMM.

“This will add a whole new dimension to the Motif experience.” KARMA Motif debuts the new KARMA 3.0 technology with a host of new features including eight-track design (six KARMA Modules and two Keyboard Layers) per Performance, per-track Volume and Mute stored in each of the 32 Scenes and the ability to individually adjust the mix of all parts in each Scene.

Users are also able to control Velocity Response Curves by individually tailoring the velocity response for the left hand keyboard, the right hand keyboard, the input to KARMA from the keyboard, and the 16 Chord Triggers (pads), without editing the Motif's programs or songs. A Fill/Stop Feature allows for the use of one or more modules as a melodic or drum fill with the ability to stop and start other modules automatically.

The Advanced Stutter Feature lets users retrigger the entire groove at different rhythmic resolutions, from machine-gun stutters to slow triplet hits. It also features a real-time Master Transpose function, Chord Triggers that can activate pre-programmed chords, hits, sound effects and even the Motif's arps. And, with the new KARMA software, all of the buttons and sliders on the Motif's interface (in Remote Mode) can be used to trigger the Chord Triggers and Fills, the Stutter feature, Scene changes, Scene mixes and real-time algorithmic variations.

KARMA Motif's Performances use the Motif's Song/Mixing mode, where each of the 64 songs is a complete KARMA algorithmic music groove with a left hand and right hand zone for controlling KARMA and soloing on top of it. The Motif's arps are also integrated in many performances as additional elements that can be added via the 16 Chord Triggers. While in Song Mode, players are just one step away from recording their KARMA-created musical performances into the Motif's sequencer, or the output can be routed to any DAW for external sequencing.

Furthermore, a KARMA Performance can call up any Motif Voice, Performance, Song, Pattern, or Master slot when loading, so that KARMA can be used in any of the Motif's modes.

“KARMA is one of the most innovative and interactive music software programs ever developed,” said Athan Billias, Director of Marketing at Yamaha’s Pro Audio & Combo division. “Combined with the incredible variety of Motif arps and unique features, like real-time Loop remix, KARMA and Motif combine to create one of the most powerful music production platforms available today.”

KARMA Motif Software for PC and Mac ($199) is scheduled to be available directly from Karma-Lab in April 2011"

via Gearjunkies

Squidfanny - ROBOT ECHO / DELAY unit.

YouTube via squidfanny | January 12, 2011 |
squidfanny on eBay
"Meet 'TITS', my vintage japanese robot toy from the 1980's.........................

I've installed a modified Echo / Delay circuit inside her and she loves it.

This machine is part of my rapidly growing robot orchestra. Additional Robots will be added as video responses soon."

Alesis AirSYNTH HAND SYNTH EFFECTS

via this auction

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