Arturia BeatStep Pro Official Intro Video

Added to this post.

Novation Launchpad Pro Official Intro Videos

Two videos added to this post.

Roland JD Xi Demo by Hunart©

Published on Jan 22, 2015 Hunart©

"A really quickly made demo of the JD Xi which I`ve got a chance to test thanks to Roland Poland. Please keep in mind the followings:

- this unit is a prototype,
- I`ve had only 6 hours to make the video so don`t expect special music ;) Because of the lack of time I couldn`t really check the vocoder...
- If I`ll get this synth again I`ll make an in depth review with polish and hungarian subtitles. In the meantime feel free to ask any questions.

Anyway the synth already sounds very good and playing it is lots of fun.


Enjoy,

Hunart©"

NAMM 2015: Akai Advance 49 keyboard controller

Published on Jan 22, 2015 Future Music Magazine

"Future Music have teamed up with Andertons Music for NAMM 2015. Here we check out the new Akai Advance 49 USB keyboard controller at NAMM 2015."

Mellotron Announces 4000D Mini Mellotron

Mellotron 4000D Mini First Look Published on Jan 22, 2015 keyboardmag1

"The M4000D MINI Mellotron was developed to meet the needs of keyboardists who want an even smaller and lighter Digital Mellotron. The MINI is also designed to fit perfectly on top of the regular M4000D to make a great looking dual manual Mellotron.

Please write to markus@mellotron.com for pricing info of the M4000D Mini Digital Mellotron.

Here is some brief info about the M4000D MINI:

Same features, sounds and front panel as the M4000D.
Only differences compared to the M4000D:
High-quality semi-weighted Fatar piano style keyboard with velocity sensitivity. No aftertouch.
Lightweight sheet metal cabinet, fits perfectly on the M4000D, total weight only 21 pounds (9.5 kg).
Same output signals as the M4000D, but only unbalanced 1/4" connectors.
The weight is 9.5 kg instead of 17.5 kg for the regular M4000D.
Dimensions: 807x329x76 mm

Many thanks to my customers for all the kind words and feedback!!"

Novation Announces Launchpad Pro

Novation // Launchpad Pro ft. Iain James

Published on Jan 22, 2015 NovationTV

Novation // Launchpad Pro Overview


NAMM video below.

"Meet the Professional Grid Instrument.
--

Launchpad Pro is the simplest and best way to create dynamic, expressive performances in Ableton Live, or any music software.

We've given our iconic Launchpad a total overhaul. Enhanced with RGB LED feedback, and velocity and pressure-sensitive pads, Launchpad Pro brings limitless expression and creativity to your music.

Enhance your performance: take hands-on control of your music with seamless Ableton Live integration.
Control just about anything: music software and external hardware.
Focus on your music: the RGB pads match the colour of your clips in Ableton Live, so you can concentrate on triggering loops.
Make dynamic beats: create expressive drum performances using velocity-sensitive pads.
Play it like an instrument: easily play notes, melodies and chords.
Mix without losing focus: get slick immediate access to all your mixer controls mid-performance, so you stay in your flow.
Easily apply effects: get creative by controlling any effect or instrument mid-performance.
Download a growing library of Max for Live devices, then control them using your Launchpad Pro.
Compact, lightweight and bus-powered, tough enough to survive the roughest gigs.
Make music immediately: comes with everything you need to start performing your music.

For more information, visit: http://www.novationmusic.com/lpp"

"Meet the Professional Grid Instrument.
Launchpad Pro is the simplest and best way to create dynamic, expressive performances in Ableton Live, or any music software.

We've given our iconic Launchpad a total overhaul. Enhanced with RGB LED feedback, and velocity and pressure-sensitive pads, Launchpad Pro brings limitless expression and creativity to your music.

It's An Instrument - Play It!
Launchpad Pro is an instrument designed for live performance. The new RGB pads light up to match the colour of your clips in Ableton Live's session view, so you can see at a glance which clips are playing.

Key Features

Enhance Your Performance
Take hands-on control of your music with seamless Ableton Live integration.

Control Just About Anything
Use the grid to control any music software and external hardware.

Focus On Your Music
RGB pads match the colour of your clips in Ableton Live's session view

Make Dynamic Beats
Create expressive drum performances using velocity-sensitive pads.

Play It Like An Instrument
Easily play notes, melodies and chords on a chromatic keyboard layout.

Mix Without Losing Focus
Get slick immediate access to all your mixer controls mid-performance.

Easily Apply Effects
Get creative by controlling effects, instrument devices and plug-ins mid-performance.

Build Your Own Creations
Download and control a growing library of Max for Live devices.

Take It Anywhere
Compact, lightweight and bus-powered, tough enough to survive the roughest gigs.

Make Music Immediately
Comes with everything you need to start performing your music."


Novation Launchpad Pro at NAMM 2015

Published on Jan 22, 2015 keyboardmag1

Roland JD-Xi at NAMM 2015 - 8 Minute Overview Demo with Keyboard Magazine

Published on Jan 22, 2015 keyboardmag1

Introducing the BomeBox - Versatile Hub for MIDI, Ethernet, Wifi and USB

"Bome Software announces the BomeBox, a versatile hub for connecting and mapping devices via MIDI, Ethernet, WiFi, and USB. Designed for stage and studio use, the box has all the power of the Bome MIDI Translator Pro software in a compact and solid case. “Many artists using MIDI controllers will finally be able to perform on stage without a computer,” says Florian Bomers, CEO of Bome Software. In particular, if different protocols and technologies need to interact, or many MIDI devices need to be connected, the BomeBox is the solution, for a fraction of the cost and size of a computer.

The BomeBox is configured via its user friendly web interface from a computer or smartphone. After loading a MIDI Translator project file into the box, it is self-contained and worry free: just plug it in and it will run the translations immediately. It delivers reliable performance and low latency while using extremely little power: a standard cell phone charger is sufficient, and it can run for days on a USB power bank. Optionally, users can choose Power over Ethernet (PoE), reducing cabling and adding the option to supply both power and connectivity to cascaded BomeBoxes via the second Ethernet port.

The BomeBox is “MMA HD ready,” so once the upcoming high definition standard of the MIDI Manufacturers Association is published, a firmware update will allow you to use it for transparent translations to and from the new HD protocol.

See the BomeBox in action at the NAMM Show 2015, booth #1086 (hall E). General availability is planned for spring 2015."

CLICK FOR MORE »

Tipsy Circuits' Emperor - Intel Core i5 Processor Eurorack Module

"These teasers use only the mystery module. I've ordered them such that they get more exciting (to me) as they go on. NO external modulation, NO external sequencing, NO external input devices, NO external effects, NO external mixing, NO overdubs, and NO post processing, (etc.) were used. (You get the idea). Except where noted, NO external sound sources were used, either!"

And the mystery module?  The Emperor:

via Tipsy Circuits on Muff's:

"Emperor, our first Eurorack module, is designed to be a very powerful brain for your modular system.

Emperor is powered by an Intel Core i5 processor, is expandable to 16GB of RAM, and can accommodate any 2.5” hard disk or SSD. Designed for a seamless workflow patching among other modules, the 32 3.5mm jacks on the front panel are 8 dedicated audio inputs and outputs, which work at up to 24 bits at 192kHz, and 8 dedicated analog control voltage inputs and outputs. Four high-speed USB 3.0 ports are brought to panel, allowing any control surface, additional audio interface, or storage device. Emperor also supports hubs, enabling users to connect as many USB devices as they would like.

Emperor provides an effortless workflow for multi-track recording, sampling, and hosting VST instruments and effects. By allowing users to choose between Linux and Windows 8.1, Emperor makes it possible to use any DAW software and plugins in any combination.

Modular software environments including Max/MSP, Native Instruments Reaktor 5, and Pure Data are able to run natively on Emperor. One's favorite patches can be loaded and modified seamlessly.

We hope to inspire the modular community to create new compositions that have until now, been impossible to realize!

An emperor prototype will be on display at the Muff Wiggler booth, #1371 in Hall E, at the NAMM show in Anaheim through Sunday. Make sure to follow us on Twitter and Instagram for demos and updates!"

New Akai Timbre Wolf & Tom Cat - Official Press Release, Pricing & 1st NAMM Videos

"AKAI PROFESSIONAL INTRODUCES TIMBRE WOLF ANALOG SYNTHESIZER AND TOM CAT ANALOG DRUM MACHINE

New electronic instruments deliver authentic analog sound, giving musicians ability to create traditional ‘gutsy’ sound

Cumberland, RI USA (January 22, 2015)—Akai Professional (akaipro.com), a leading innovator of music equipment for production and performance, today announced the introduction of their new Timbre Wolf analog synthesizer and Tom Cat analog drum machine.

The Timbre Wolf is an authentic analog 4-voice polyphonic synthesizer. Configurable as 4 mono synths, a 4-voice unison or a 4-voice polysynth, Timbre Wolf includes a professional quality 25-key custom Akai Pro keybed. The user can easily customize the sound of each voice independently as they play, and there is a 32-step sequencer for each voice. An LED display and Octave +/- controls add further control and flexibility for the user.

Timbre Wolf adds a distinctive, convincing traditional voice to any musician’s repertoire of tools.

Tom Cat is an exciting true analog drum machine with five built-in percussion voices, including Kick, Snare, and Clap sounds with chromatically tunable Disco Toms. Onboard controls—all continuously variable—enable users to customize the tuning, amplitude envelopes, and volume of each drum voice separately for precise real-time adjustment.

Outfitted with six MPC-style pads and a built-in 32-step sequencer, Tom Cat provides an ultra-responsive interface with a classic drum machine layout. Drum patterns can be fine-tuned using the Swing function, Pattern Select, and Tempo Control knob. A custom signal path, activated by its unique “Maul” circuitry, lets the user ‘dirty up’ their drum beats for just the right effect.

Akai Professional Product Manager Dan Gill notes, “With our new introductions of Timbre Wolf and Tom Cat, we’ve put those classic analog synthesizer and drum machine sounds directly into the hands of today’s musicians. Our goal was to make a compact analog polyphonic synthesizer /keyboard and an analog multi-voice drum machine that easily integrate with both modern and vintage music equipment, so musicians could effortlessly bring that great analog sound into their music. That’s what these two do and the creative potential they open up is endless.”

U.S Pricing for Timbre Wolf will be $499.
U.S Pricing for Tom Cat will be $199.

They will be available in July 2015.

Please visit Akai Professional at NAMM, Booth number 6700."

NAMM 2015 - Akai Timbre Wolf Polyphonic Analogue Synth

Published on Jan 22, 2015

Poly-mode is a bit like the KORG Mono/Poly or Vermona Perfourmers.

"Future Music teams up with Andertons Music and checks out the new Akai Timbre Wolf analogue polyphonic synth at NAMM 2015...

CREDITS
Video Producer & Presenter: Chris Barker
Video Editor and Videographer: Will Seelig"

NAMM 2015 - Akai Tom Cat Analogue Drum Machine