NAMM: KOMA Elektronik debuts the KOMMANDER!

"Infrared Motion X-Y Controller For Modular Synthesizers

Want to create the perfect filter sweep or manually trigger a gate or step through a sequencer? No more need to turn knobs or to patch up a lot of modules, the KOMMANDER makes it simple: just plug it into a CV input on your (modular) synthesizer, move your hand over the device and the weirdest sounds will come out.

The KOMMANDER is a handheld dual infrared X-Y motion controller that makes controlling your instruments intuitive and fun. The device measures the distance to your hand or any other surface and sends out corresponding CV signals between 0 and 8 volts. The closer you have your hand to the KOMMANDER, the higher the output voltage. This will allow you to create weird synth sounds, trigger a drum machine, control effect pedals or any other instrument that is capable of receiving CV signals.

Because of our innovative circuit design there is no interference from sunlight or stage light, so the musician can use it wherever she or he wants. Just plug the KOMMANDER into your Eurorack Modular System, Buchla, Moog, Roland or any other synthesizer and create.


Specifications:

2 IR sensors with optical crosstalk

2 mini jack outputs (one for each sensor)

Sensing range trimmer on the inside

0 - 8V CV output (prototype)

9V DC input (final version might run on 12V, Doepfer/Eurorack standard)

Availability and pricing:

The KOMMANDER will be available at http://www.koma-elektronik.com or at KOMA Elektronik Dealers worldwide from Q2 2012 for approximately 59.00 EUR / 75.00 USD (incl. VAT).

Technical specifications and pricing are still subject to change as this product is still under development."

No pics in the press release.

See the KOMA KOMMANDER teaser video here.

Update 11:04 AM: pic via sequencer.de

Update 1:17 PM PST: 2nd pic via KOMA Elektronik below:

NAMM: Two New Arturia MiniBrute Videos

Two new videos just added to the main post here.

NAMM: Full Details on Casio XW-P1 and XW-G1 Synthesizers

Added to the main post here. Scroll down to the pic on the left.

NAMM: Studiologic Sledge Synthesizer

"The Studiologic Sledge Synthesizer boosts the DSP heart of the latest Waldorf modelling technology, combined with an intuative user interface. Get right into your music instead of reading manuals and learning menu structures.

For many synthesizer enthusiasts, it is the particular interaction of the sound engine and user interface that makes a great instrument. A quick look at Sledge shows you the generous set of controls available to interact directly with the sound engine. When you touch the knobs and switches of the front panel, you will instantly be aware of the meticulous attention to detail our engineers have refined, during many decades building the best electronic keyboards.

You will experience the logical set-up of the synthesizer modules, mirroring the signal flow of a classic analogue synthesizer. But what really distinguishes any synthesizer is its sound. Fortunately, our friends at Waldorf Music have happily shared their experience and know-how on this crucial part of the Sledge Synthesizer.

So we implanted the DSP heart of the latest Waldorf modelling technology into Sledge. The result: enough power to put the foundations of your studio seriously at risk! And plenty of detail, to create the richest analogue pads you could ever want. Besides the classic analogue synthesizer waveforms, you will find a complete set of Wavetables, derived directly from the mother of all digital synthesizers, the PPG Wave.

The sum of three fat oscillators, plus a Noise generator, are fed into Sledge's powerful multimode filter with selectable 24 / 12 dB slope. The highly recognizable Waldorf filter algorithms enable a wide variety of sounds, from smooth to harsh, from fat to distinct, from pure HiFi to badass brutal. Ultra-fast, accurate envelope generators deliver ballsy punch. Two LFOs plus 1 extra Wheel-LFO are on board to offer huge, yet easy to understand, modulation capabilities. And two built-in Effect units deliver sophisticated synthesizer effects, such as Chorus, Phaser and Flanger, as well as a rich Reverb or an analogue style Delay.

And the best part – if you are familiar with the operation of a classic analogue synthesizer, you won’t have to spend any of your precious time reading the manual. There are no double or multiple functions on any of the knobs or pushbuttons. All synthesizer parameters are clearly and ergonomically arranged in front of your eyes and directly accessible under your fingertips. This makes sound design a blast, and takes you back to the pure user experience which you’ll soon realise you’ve been missing.

Specifications:
• 32 Pots
• 3 chicken head rotary switches (7 positions)
• 1 rotary encoder with push function
• 2 x 16 digits backlit LCD
• High Quality Pitch and Mod Wheel
• up to 256 Sounds
• fast and efficient sound selection via numeric keypad
• 2 fast LFOs per voice, each with adjustable Speed and Depth
• 1 extra modulation routing for Mod Wheel, with adjustable Speed and Depth
- Shape: Sawtooth, Rectangular, Triangle, Sine, Sample & Hold, Ramp
- Destination: Osc 1, Osc2, Ocs3, PWM / Wave / FM, Volume, Filter Cutoff
• Monophonic mode with single or multiple trigger
• 3 Oscillators per voice
- Range from 64' to 1' each
- Shapes: Sawtooth, Square, Triangle, Sine, Pulse (with Pulse Width Modulation)

CLICK FOR MORE »

NAMM: Arturi MINIBRUTE Video Now Live

For those that missed it before it was changed to private, the video is now live. You can find in it in the main post here.

NAMM: Waldorf Introduces the Pulse 2 Paraphonic Analog Synth

"Cutting edge and powerful lows in one compact box (available summer 2012)

Sometimes they do come back, and this time, it's with even more brute-strength power onboard. You are looking at a completely analog synthesizer that accurately delivers what synthesizer enthusiasts around the world truly crave. Pulse 2 is the reincarnation of it's legendary ancestor, the Waldorf Pulse, that dominated the electronic music of the 90s.

Three analog oscillators in combination with a true analog cascading filter is what Pulse and Pulse 2 have in common. But we didn't stop there. The filter circuits now also offer Highpass and Bandpass modes. We added analog Filter FM and Ring Modulation along with paraphonic modes that allow up to eight voice chords.

Like the Blofeld Synthesizer, the Pulse 2 is housed in a sturdy metal desktop case. Besides its large LCD display, 8 stainless steel knobs are available to surf through its clearly arrayed parameter matrix, set master volume and edit display accessible parameters.

Specifications
Analog Monophonic Synthesizer

3 analog oscillators + 1 noise generator
Pulse width modulation
Hard sync
Filter FM from Oscillator 3
Ring Modulation from Oscillator 3
XOR Osc Mode
8/4 Voice Paraphonic modes
Cascade Filter
24dB/12db Lowpass, 12db Highpass/Bandpass filter modes
Powerful Arpeggiator
8-slot Modulation Matrix
USB
MIDI
External analog signal input
Stereo line out
Headphone out
Backwards compatible with classic Pulse
128x64 character backlit LCD
8 stainless steel knobs
500 Sound Programs
Electron-absorbing black case

All specifications subject to change without notice"

Regarding Paraphonic via Wikipedia: "Paraphony is the property of an electronic musical instrument that can produce multiple notes or voices, but falls short of being truly polyphonic because the voices are not fully independent since they share at least one common element. For example, there might be just one single filter working on all voices collectively rather than the one filter per voice of truly polyphonic instruments; or there might be only one envelope generator."

NAMM: IK Multimedia announces iKlip Studio

"The studio desktop stand for iPad

iKlip Studio is an adjustable iPad desktop stand designed specifically for musicians. iKlip Studio holds the iPad firmly on studio desks or other surfaces when using a variety of music and other apps.

Apps like synthesizers, beat-pads and other controllers can be played energetically on the multi-touch screen with no risk of the device moving or sliding. Its flexible orientation allows it to tilt its position from a very low-profile angle – ideal for use with apps like mixers, controllers or synthesizers – to near-vertical positioning for use as a reader for scores or tablatures or to place the iPad behind music keyboard controllers.

iKlip Studio is made of lightweight, shock-resistant thermoplastic that is durable and solid to reliably support the iPad. Rubber foot-pads grip the desktop and prevent unwanted sliding. Its support tray also fits most cases for ultra-quick positioning of an iPad of any generation.

The device can be quickly rotated between its horizontal and vertical position to suit any app, and convenient openings in the housing allow accessibility to every port of the device for charging or connecting to external speakers with handy slots for keeping the cables neatly organized. A detachable bracket is also included to hold the iRig interface adapter in place and keep it from hanging from the iPad.

For maximum portability, iKlip Studio folds completely flat so it can be quickly inserted into any iPad bag and carried anywhere.

Like the other members of the iKlip family, iKlip Studio is designed and manufactured in Italy, and it’s the perfect add-on for every IK music creation app and accessory user.

Features:
Sturdy, durable, lightweight, shock-resistant thermoplastic construction holds your iPad securely without scratching or marring it
Rubber foot-pads grip the desktop and prevent unwanted sliding
Flexible orientation allows iKlip Studio to tilt its position from a very low-profile angle to near-vertical positioning
The device can be quickly rotated between its horizontal and vertical position
All controls, buttons, connectors and camera of the iOS device are accessible
Fast installation — can be mounted in seconds
Includes detachable iRig bracket for the AmpliTube range of apps or any other guitar effects app
Designed and manufactured in Italy

Compatibility: iPad 2, iPad"

Update 1/19/13:

iKlip Studio - The studio desktop stand for iPad

Uploaded by ikmultimedia on Jan 19, 2012

iPads on eBay

The San Francisco Tape Music Festival 2012

This one sent in via Brian Comnes.

This is a direct copy and paste from the mailer to preserve all links, so please excuse any formatting glitches on this one. 

January 20-22, 2012

ODC Theater

3153 17th

San Francisco

http://sfsound.org/tape/

8pm, $15 [$8 underemployed] each night

$35 festival pass

Box office: 415.863.9834 or buy tickets online

“Tape Capsule” -- The New York Times 

“Cinema for your ears.” -- SF Weekly     

“…literally surrounded by sound.” -- San Francisco Chronicle

CLICK FOR MORE »

JV Reactable - Casiopea

YouTube Uploaded by JVreactablelive on Jan 18, 2012

Reactable is available for iOS

iPads on eBay
iPod Touch on eBay

NAMM: Behringer Introduces Three Monster iPad Mixers

"Behringer Introduces Revolutionary iPad Mixers XENYX iX3242USB, iX2442USB and iX1642USB

Three Premium Small Format Mixers with iPad® Docking Station Expand the Renowned XENYX Series

January 18, 2012 Bothell, WA – Just in time for the 2012 NAMM Show, BEHRINGER unveils three small format premium mixers that directly interface with the ever-popular iPad. Drawing on the power of the most ubiquitous mobile digital device, the XENYX iX Series mixers are designed to handle live performance and provide state-of-the-art tools to create professional recordings. Users can also sync performances to video by utilizing the iPad‘s video out capability.

The new XENYX iX Series, which include the XENYX iX3242USB, iX2442USB and iX1642USB, feature a built-in iPad docking station designed to send signal to and from the iPad with a wide range of routing options.

The innovative feature set included in the new XENYX iX Series USB mixers makes it possible to record and mix on a professional level thanks to the built-in, stereo USB audio interface. Connect these mixers directly to a PC or Mac computer via a single USB cable to record any signal source connected to the mixer.

All iX mixers include the new dual-engine KLARK-TEKNIK FX processor with 32 editable, studio-grade presets such as reverb, chorus, flange, delay, pitch shifter and multi-effects. In addition to literally thousands of apps, the iX mixers use the iPad to control the new KLARK-TEKNIK FX Processor App, enhancing the mix by allowing the user deep control of EQ’s, compressors and reverbs and a full spectrum analyzer.

The iX series mixers also feature high performance XENYX mic pre amps, which represent a major step in the evolution of audio technology. Comparable to far more expensive, stand-alone mic preamps, XENYX preamps offer a staggering 130 dB of dynamic range, with a bandwidth that extends from below 10 Hz to 200 kHz for transparent, crystal-clear performance.

XENYX mixers’ 3-band channel EQ is based on the same circuitry used in British consoles that allows users to create signals with incredible warmth and detailed musical character. Additionally, “one-knob” compression is available on all mono channels. Dial in the perfect amount of compression for instruments and vocals, creating powerful mixes with punch and clarity.

'The new XENYX iX mixers demonstrate the innovation that stems from our massive investment in Research and Development,' says Mark Wilder, VP of Marketing Communications. 'These are the first of many more ground-breaking products to be announced at NAMM 2012.'"

Not technically synth, but curious what the integration might support.

Also see NAMM: VST Support Comes to the iPad with AURIA

iPads on eBay