Arturia Announces BeatStep Pro

Arturia presents BeatStep Pro, Pure Sequencing Powehouse

Published on Jan 22, 2015 Arturia Web

"Arturia’s musical heart beats bigger and better with world-class controller and step sequencer

GRENOBLE, FRANCE: music software and hardware developer Arturia is proud to launch BeatStep Pro — an all-new world-class controller and dynamic performance step sequencer — at The NAMM Show 2015, January 22-25 in Anaheim, California...

Having wowed crowds at last year’s Winter NAMM show with the introduction of its breakthrough BeatStep, a compact chameleon controller and step sequencer that’s as powerful as it is portable, this time Arturia is taking things several steps further forward by introducing its bigger brother, BeatStep Pro. As an all-new world-class controller and dynamic performance step sequencer that is unmatched in power and connectivity, BeatStep Pro has been designed to professionally perform — onstage or in the studio. Whether you’re working with MIDI-, USB-, CV/Gate-, or DIN Sync-equipped gear, BeatStep Pro helpfully has your back by covering all bases and more besides. Indeed, its CLOCK connections can work as a 1:1 clock with an external clock generator or DIN Sync, so you can be sure that anything and everything you’ve got connected will play happily in time together leaving you to focus your energies on creative performance.

Put simply, BeatStep Pro has been designed from the ground up to provide an amazing hands-on hardware sequencing experience with 16 touch-sensitive knobs for entering of pitch, gate, velocity amounts, and timing shifts per step. It includes two independent (colour-coded) monophonic step sequencers, each with dedicated displays to show the current playback position and bank length of the currently selected sequence. SEQUENCER 1 and SEQUENCER 2 have been greatly expanded with up to 64 steps per sequence, 16 sequences per project, and 16 projects, making BeatStep Pro one of the most impressive step sequencers ever made. Moreover, each sequencer has its own 1V/Oct CV (Control Voltage) and (10V) GATE outputs to connect to suitably-equipped analogue monosynths, such as Arturia’s award-winning MiniBrute or MicroBrute, together with a separate VELO (Velocity) output to allow for even more possibilities when working with a modular synth system setup.

An additional DRUM sequencer allows for 16 separate tracks of sequencing. Record in quantised realtime via the 16 pressure sensitive pads or use the 16 step buttons for a classic drum machine workflow. Speaking of which, when working in SEQ1 and SEQ2 mode those pads can control pitch transposition as well as accessing various musical scales — such as Chromatic, Major, Minor, Dorian, Mixolydian, Harm Minor, Blues, and also a User setting — while the DRUM sequencer itself also has eight DRUM GATES at its disposal (to send gate outputs from the corresponding pads for triggering external devices). Drums and sequences living in perfect harmony, see? Believe us, seeing is believing!
BeatStep Pro is also a controller, of course. Switching from PROJECT to CONTROL MODE means users can trigger clips in their favourite DAW (Digital Audio Workstation), play drum sounds from an external module, or adjust parameters in their favourite plug-in. Possibilities are (almost) endless, limited only by (lack of) imagination.

Indeed, the well-specified, super-slender BeatStep Pro is a highly-desirable design. One which goes well beyond any other step sequencer currently on the market, thanks to an added arsenal of performance effects such as a realtime ROLLER/LOOPER touch strip; PROBABILITY, RANDOMNESS, and SWING settings; plus other hands-on controls that are sure to make it a modern-day classic for tomorrow. To see one is to surely want one. Just as well, then, that it comes complete with a Kensington lock to ensure that it stays with its rightful owner!

BeatStep Pro will be shipping in Spring 2015 and available to buy directly from Arturia online or through the company’s global network of dealers and retailers for €249.00 EUR/$299.00 USD."

New Vermona '14 - Analog Keyboard Synthesizer

You might remember Vermona's teaser posted here in December.

Some new info is in via Amazona.de. It's in German, so here's a rough translation in Googlish:

"Vermona '14 - an unconventional name. Just before the Vermona team departed for NAMM, offered, quasi in passing, the opportunity to take a quick look at the new synthesizer. Here are the first impressions.

The analog synthesizer is a full-blown version of the Lancet module. The 3½-octave keyboard (44 keys) has a pleasant synth-action keyboard and the housing and the controls make a solid, reliable impression. The large panel promises a safe handling on stage.

structure
Vermona '14 is monophonic, a duophoner mode as it is presently just hip is not provided. The sound production have two identical VCOs with sine, sawtooth and square (PWM) and two sub oscillators, with a sinus, with a rectangle that can be mixed to the mixer. In the mixer, signals can override what appears roughly three LEDs. The VCO can be synchronized and also provide, if necessary on a fixed pitch. Noise and External In enhance the sound sources.

The filter is not a multi-mode, but only a low-pass, but corresponds to the most common applications.

The slope can be switched between 12, 18 and 24 dB. Also filter FM is possible. Two fast ADSR envelopes and LFO accept the modulation."

And of course click the pics to view editable parameters.  You'll find a few audio demos at Amazona.de here.

Introducing the New Dave Smith Instruments Sequential Prophet-6

Published on Jan 22, 2015 Dave Smith Instruments

Note the new Sequential branding and site vs. DSI or Sequential Circuits. Maybe they were afraid KORG would grab it. ;) SequentialCircuits.com appears to be owned by a fan site. There is Prophet-6 page at DSI as well.

Update: regarding the Sequential name: "In an unprecedented gesture of good will, Yamaha Corporation and its President, Takuya Nakata, have granted possession of the Sequential brand back to its original owner and company founder, Dave Smith. “To say that I’m grateful would be putting it mildly,” said Smith. “Generosity at this level is almost unheard of in today’s corporate climate.”

Video Description:

"Sequential is back! 100% analog signal path with discrete voltage controlled oscillators, filters, and amplifiers. More info at www.sequential.com

Vintage with a Modern Twist

The Prophet-6 is Dave Smith's tribute to the poly synth that started it all—the Sequential Prophet-5. But it’s not simply a reissue of a classic. Rather, as Dave puts it, “It’s the result of our effort to build the most awesome-sounding, modern analog poly synth possible.” The Prophet-6 takes the best qualities of the original Prophet-5—true voltage-controlled oscillators, filters, and amplifiers—and adds enhancements such as studio-quality effects, a polyphonic sequencer, an arpeggiator, and more. The result is pure, unadulterated analog tone with the stability and reliability of a state-of-the-art modern synth.

Classic Tone, Classic Vibe

Central to the warm, punchy sound of the Prophet-6 are its two newly-designed, discrete voltage-controlled oscillators (plus sub-oscillator) per voice. Continuously variable waveshapes provide the tonal palette with triangle, sawtooth, and variable-width pulse waves. There are two discrete filters per voice—a four-pole, resonant, low-pass inspired by the original Prophet-5 filter, and a two-pole, resonant, high-pass filter. Voltage-controlled amplifiers complete the all-analog signal path.

Dual Effects

The dual effects section provides studio-quality reverbs, delays (standard and BBD), chorus and phase shifter. While the effects themselves are digital, with 24-bit, 48 kHz resolution, a true bypass maintains a full analog signal path. There's also an independent stereo distortion effect, which is 100% analog.

Poly Mod and Poly Step Sequencing

Also present from its classic predecessor is a Poly Mod section, with enhancements. True to the original, modulation sources are filter envelope and oscillator 2 (both with bi-polar control). Destinations include oscillator 1 frequency, oscillator 1 shape, oscillator 1 pulse width, low-pass filter cutoff, and high-pass filter cutoff. Another welcome reprise is Unison mode, which features configurable voice count (1-6 voices) and key modes. The polyphonic step sequencer allows up to 64 steps and up to 6 notes per step. You can create sequences polyphonically, with rests and sync to an external MIDI clock. The full-featured arpeggiator can be synced to external MIDI clock as well.

Easy to Program

The knob-per-function front panel offers instant access to virtually all Prophet-6 functions. Included are 500 permanent factory programs in 10 banks of 100 programs. In addition to these, you can create and save up to 500 user programs of your own. Toggling off the Preset button enables live panel mode, in which the sound of the Prophet-6 switches to the current settings of its knobs and switches. In this state, what you see is what you hear.

Easy to Play

All of this awe-inspiring sound is packed into a four octave, semi-weighted keyboard with velocity and channel aftertouch that's an ideal combination portability and power for the project studio or the gigging musician.

Special thanks to Peter Dyer! www.peterdyer.net"


Specs

OSCILLATORS
Continuously variable wave shape (triangle, sawtooth, pulse, square) per oscillator
Pulse width per oscillator
Hard sync: oscillator 1 syncs to oscillator 2
Triangle sub-octave generator (oscillator 1) per voice
Low frequency mode (oscillator 2)
Keyboard tracking on/off (oscillator 2)
Oscillator slop amount for increased tuning instability, from subtle to extreme

MIXER
Oscillator 1 amount
Oscillator 1 sub-octave amount
Oscillator 2 amount
White noise amount

HIGH-PASS FILTER
2-pole, resonant, high-pass filter per voice
Bi-polar filter envelope amount
Velocity modulation of envelope amount
Keyboard tracking: off, half, full

CLICK FOR MORE »

Roland JD-Xi Interactive Analog/Digital Crossover Synthesizer - Official Details & Video

Dorian Concept Performance Featuring the JD-Xi Synthesizer

Published on Jan 21, 2015 RolandChannel

"The JD-Xi puts a true analog synth engine, Roland’s famous SuperNATURAL synth sounds, and other creative tools including onboard pattern sequencer and vocal FX. Small in size and Large in versatility, the JD-Xi is all about big sounds and big fun! This video is a solo performance of Dorian Concept featuring the JD-Xi. Dorian creates the track from scratch, while he performs in real time."

Dorian Concept Interview about the JD-Xi Synthesizer

Published on Jan 21, 2015 RolandChannel

"Dorian Concept tells his impression about the sounds, usability and applications, of the JD-Xi."

And the official press release:

"ROLAND DEBUTS JD-XI INTERACTIVE ANALOG/DIGITAL CROSSOVER SYNTHESIZER

Powerful Compact Synth with Pattern Sequencer and Vocal FX

Los Angeles, CA, January 22, 2015 — Roland is proud to announce the JD-Xi Interactive Analog/Digital Crossover Synthesizer, a new compact keyboard that’s powerful, versatile and fun. Equipped with 37 mini keys, the JD-Xi features a true analog synth engine along with a wide selection of Roland’s acclaimed SuperNATURAL digital sounds. This affordable instrument also comes packed with many great extras for self-contained music creation, including built-in drum kits, a four-track pattern sequencer, and a gooseneck mic for using the synth’s Vocoder and AutoPitch effects.

Thanks to its unique crossover sound engine, the JD-Xi gives musicians the best of both worlds: the warm, smooth response of classic analog, and the clarity and versatility of modern digital. In one keyboard, players can enjoy fat, warm analog bass and lead tones with ample controls for hands-on tweaking, plus polyphonic PCM essentials like electric piano, brass, guitar, and many others.

The newly developed analog synth section in the JD-Xi features saw, triangle, and square waveforms with pulse-width modulation and an analog filter, plus an independent sub oscillator for low-end power. Two digital synth sections offer 128-voice polyphony and a wide range of SuperNATURAL-based PCM tones for playing any style of music. Sounds can be enhanced with the JD-Xi’s effects section, which includes delay, reverb, and processing options such as Bit Crusher, Slicer, Ring Mod, and others.

The JD-Xi comes with a sturdy, high-quality gooseneck mic and onboard vocal effects. With the Vocoder, users can sing into the mic and control the tone and pitch via sounds played on the keyboard. AutoPitch makes it simple to achieve the robotic vocal sounds common in today’s pop and electronic music styles, while the cool Auto Note function provides the ability to “sing” JD-Xi synth sounds without touching the keyboard.

Using the built-in pattern sequencer, it’s possible to create and perform sophisticated music with only the JD-Xi. Four separate tracks—two digital synth parts, analog synth, and drums—make it easy to build rich-sounding loops. Real-time and step recording modes are provided, along with a special TR-REC mode for programming in the style of Roland’s classic TR-series beatboxes. Patterns can be queued up and manipulated while playing the keyboard, and many preset patterns are included for jamming right out of the box.

The dynamic drum kits in the JD-Xi offer high-quality rhythm tones to support any groove. Included are many types of electronic and acoustic kits, and the drum instrument assignments are conveniently labeled above the keys for quick identification. Users can modify the sound of the kits with filter, envelope, pitch, and pan parameters.

Supporting both MIDI and audio over USB, musicians can use the JD-Xi with their favorite computer music applications. USB also provides the ability to access a growing collection of free JD-Xi patches programmed by top engineers and artists, which are available at Roland’s Axial sound library site.

Featuring red and black styling to match the synth, the optional CB-JDXi gig bag provides a convenient way to carry the JD-Xi and its gooseneck mic along with cables and other accessories.

For more information, visit RolandUS.com."

Specs:

CLICK FOR MORE »

Roland Unveils New Aira MX-1 Mix Performer

Published on Jan 21, 2015 RolandChannel

"What you see in this video was all recorded live, in one take, using AIRA gear, Even the laser robot was controlled from the TR-8 and TB-3 via SBX-1.

The MX-1 Mix Performer brings together your synths, drum machines, loops, DAW tracks, and more into a single performance-optimized mixing instrument. Combining elements of a mixer, control surface, audio interface, and step-based effector, the MX-1 is designed to be the nerve center of your electronic music rig. It’s a mixer you can play – and so much more."

And the press release:

"ROLAND UNVEILS MX-1 MIX PERFORMER

Performance-Ready Mixer for AIRA Instruments, DAWs, and Other Gear

Los Angeles, CA, January 22, 2015 — Roland is pleased to introduce the MX-1 Mix Performer, a performance-optimized mixing instrument for bringing together synths, drum machines, loops, DAW tracks, AIRA gear, and more. The MX-1 can mix up to 18 audio channels from a computer, and AIRA devices are able to communicate directly via USB alongside other analog and digital gear. With its versatile input selection, intuitive layout, and numerous tempo effects with step and real-time control, the MX-1 is a unique and powerful tool for delivering spontaneous, dynamic musical performances.

Designed to function as the nerve center for a modern electronic music rig, the MX-1 is perfect for working with AIRA devices such as the TR-8, TB-3, and SYSTEM-1, as well as other music equipment. Simple to use, the MX-1 provides high-quality sound at rates up to 96 kHz, plus a wealth of mixing features optimized for real-time creativity. Master tempo control (with fine and tap functions) synchronizes the MX-1’s effects with all connected devices via USB and/or MIDI.

Up to four AIRA devices can be connected to the MX-1 via standard USB cables, making setup simple and quick. The AIRA Link USB connection provides both 96 kHz audio transfer and MIDI tempo sync information over just one cable. The MX-1 is also equipped with multiple analog inputs for connecting gear such as synths, drum machines, smartphones, tablets, and other various gadgets. A coaxial digital jack can be configured as either an input or output, and stereo send/return jacks are provided for connecting external effects units.

Each input channel on the MX-1 features a smooth level fader with six selectable volume curves, a Tone/Filter knob with ten different settings, and quick-access mutes that work with the LED-lit faders to clearly show their status, even in dark environments.
Scene memories allow users to instantly recall different mixer states that include all settings and effects configurations. The DJ-style cue function can be used to monitor input sources without affecting the main mix outputs.

With its integrated tempo-based effects, the MX-1 lets users enhance performances with dramatic, pulsing effects. Beat FX (Filter, Side Chain, and Slicer) can be applied to each channel independently, and the effect tempo is automatically synced to the clock master. The 16 TR-style step sequencer buttons allow the processing to be triggered at specific steps to create all sorts of interesting grooves. Master FX such as Scatter, Roll, Bit Crush, and others are included as well, and these can be quickly turned on or off per channel as desired.

The MX-1 integrates seamlessly with Mac and Windows computers, functioning as a high-performance, 18-channel 24-bit/96 kHz USB audio interface. MIDI over USB is also supported, allowing the MX-1 to send or receive tempo information and provide control surface functionality for music production software. Audio outputs from the computer can be mixed in the MX-1 alongside external devices to create a powerful and versatile software/hardware music system.

For more information about the MX-1 Mix Performer, visit RolandUS.com."

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New Teenage Engineering Pocket Operator Overview Videos

Published on Jan 22, 2015 teenageengineering

Playlist:
PO-12 rhythm
PO-14 sub
PO-16 factory
PO sync

ROLI Announces Gregg Stein to Join as Head of Sales Americas, Launches Ground-Breaking Equator Synth

On the Equator synth (first mentioned here):

"ROLI also announced the launch of an alpha version of Equator, the world’s first synthesis engine dedicated to multi-dimensional instruments. Equator alpha will be available to all existing and new Seaboard GRAND customers free-of-charge. Speaking from the NAMM Show where the Seaboard GRAND is on display, Roland continued 'Equator is a game-changer, because it has been designed from the ground up to enable multiple parameters to be modulated in an intuitive and synchronous way. This release is just the beginning of a journey that will redefine the possibilities of real time expressive control of synthesis.'"

I'm curious if Equator will be a preset synth engine for the Seaboard, or if it will allow deeper synth programming via dedicated software on the PC or iPad. If so, the Seaboard will become a full blown synthesizer.

The following is the full press release:

"Anaheim, Calif., January 22, 2015  -- ROLI, design-led music technology leader and developer of the award-winning Seaboard GRAND, today announced that Gregg Stein will join the ROLI team as Head of Sales, Americas. This follows a breakthrough 2014 which has seen units shipping around the world to customers, and leading artists such as Oscar-winning composer A.R. Rahman performing on the Seaboard to global audiences. ROLI recently secured $16.5m in from leading venture capital firms in 2014, and acquired JUCE, an acclaimed C++ framework used by leading audio companies such as Korg, Pioneer and Akai Professional.

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KORG Introduces New Kaossilator 2S with Sampling Capability

Uploaded on Jan 6, 2015 Korg

"Make music no matter where you are, with the touch of a finger. The new Kaossilator 2s is a compact, battery-powered synthesizer and loop recorder with 150 sounds including drum kits, synths, basses, realistic instruments, sound effects, and more. You can record unlimited audio overdubs with the built-in mic, and undo/redo as needed. Once you’re back in the studio, you can even export your work as an Ableton Live project. Making music on the go has never been easier."

A new Kaossilator with sampling capabilities.

Some details via KORG

A synthesizer that lets you use the touchpad to perform freely

150 sound programs that meet the needs of every dance music style

Loop recorder that lets you intuitively overdub phrases, with undo/redo

A new workflow with Ableton Live lets you export data in a variety of formats.

Ableton Live Lite is also included

Battery operation and a built-in speaker let you play anytime and anywhere

The sound engine provides 150 different sounds, including standard synth leads and synth bass, acoustic sounds such as piano and guitar, rhythm loops, and single-note drum kits, meeting the needs for any style of dance music.


There's a built-in loop recorder function that lets you layer your touchpad performances as many times as you like. By multi-track recording (overdubbing) the phrases you come up with, it's easy for anyone to create amazing tracks.

The new Undo/Redo function means that you can confidently re-record as many times as you like if your performance wasn't what you intended.

・ Master Recorder function lets you record and save your performance on the kaossilator 2S as a WAV file

・ Internal mic and mic input jack let you record external audio input sources such as vocals or other instruments

・ Battery operation and built-in speaker let you play anytime and anywhere

The kaossilator 2S can export your multi-tracked loop data as WAV files in a variety of formats.

・ Multi-track format, in which each overdubbed track is exported separately

・ Two-channel mix format, in which the overdubbed tracks are mixed

・ Ableton Live set format

See KORG for additional details.

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ARP ODYSSEY Mk.III "CV sequenced"

Published on Jan 21, 2015 RetroSound

"(c) 2015 vintage synthesizer demo by RetroSound
supported by UVI: http://bit.ly/retrosound-uvi

ARP Odyssey MK.III Analog Synthesizer (1978)
sequenced by the Doepfer Dark Time step sequencer over CV/Gate

this is no KORG!!!! :D"

Radikal Technologies Spectralis 2 and Korg Radias Electronic demo

Published on Jan 21, 2015 MIDERA

"Get ready for a long demo. I wrote this back in 2012, but never thought
to upload it (or a bunch of other stuff on my Spectralis). Trying to
take the time to post these older demos. They're long, but there are
some gems in there, I think."