Superbooth 2023: Kiviak Instruments - WoFi

video upload by sonicstate

"We spoke to Romain from Kiviak Instruments, a new French company based in the south of France and with an office in Berlin. They have presented their first product, called WoFi, which is a sample-based synthesizer that looks like a virtual analog but is full digital and sample-based. The machine is connected to a web-based cloud platform where users can share presets with the community, upload samples and make backups. The concept is to keep a very simple workflow, and the small factor keyboard can be used anywhere as it runs on a battery.

Wolfie has ten voices of polyphony and a granular effect that Kiviak Instruments designed to be somewhere between Shimmer and granular synthesis. You can choose the machine model you want to emulate, such as old 12 bit units or even gritty 3 bit models. WoFi has a built in mic, one envelope and one LFO that you can assign to any parameter you want just by clicking on learn and choosing the parameter. WoFi has internal storage and memory cards, and with the cloud platform, it will be have completely unlimited storage for free.

WoFi Kickstarter Price: 600 Euros. Retail price: 800 Euros

https://www.kiviak-technologies.com/"

See the Kiviak label below for more.

Superbooth 2023: Expressive E - Osmose, More examples and info

video upload by sonicstate

"We spoke to Arnaud from Expressive E at Superbooth 2023 about the Osmose, their keyboard and standalone synthesizer. Although it is not new, the Osmose still draws a crowd, and Arnaud said that delivery to original backers was successful, and new pre-order and reservation rounds have been reopened with smaller lead times than in 2019. Users are most appreciative of the ergonomics and continuous control of the keybed, which can be bent and produce sound even with a light brush of the finger. Additionally, the Osmose features a built-in sound engine developed by Haken Audio, unlike most MIDI controllers and synthesizers that need to be linked to a computer to function. Users are requesting more sounds and MIDI control functions, and Expressive E is working on integrating these new features. Arnaud showcased the Osmose's versatility by demonstrating some favorite patches, including a flute sound that features the press glide function, which is non-time fixed and modulated by the player's fingers.

Osmose Price: 1,799 Euros"

Superbooth 2023: Modal Electronics - Carbon 8 & Limited Edition Cobalt And Argon 8

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"Christian at Modal Electronics gave us a preview of the forthcoming 8 voice experimental digital synth Carbon 8.

Carbon 8 employs over 40 complex waveform algorithms, and is geared towards the more agressive and harsh modern spectrum of sounds. With two discrete oscillators, the Carbon 8 has a similar form factor to earlier Modal Synths, but has a new mixing stage with independent level controls for each oscillator. While the synth is in development, it already boasts a total of 33 filters to give total control over sound shaping, a 512 note sequencer, arpeggiator and 26 effect algorithms.

Available September 2023

Price: TBC"

Superbooth 2023: Modal - Limited Edition Cobalt And Argon 8


"At Superbooth 2023, Sonic State caught up with Christian from Modal Electronics who showcased the limited edition Argon 8 and Cobalt 8 synthesizers. In celebration of Modal Electronics' 10-year anniversary, the Argon 8 pays homage to the Modal 002 with its color scheme and comes with firmware version 3.0 and new features. The limited edition synthesizer will be available in stores in September and there will be only 100 units worldwide. It will be priced the same as the regular Argon 8, and it is only available in the 37 key version.

The Cobalt 8 synthesizer, which comes in the dark color scheme of the Modal 008, will be availablearound Christmas time. Modal Electronics is currently seeking customer feedback to decide if they will release the Cobalt 8 in a 37 key version, 61 key version, or as a module. If you want to get your hands on these limited edition Modals, keep an eye out for their release at the end of 2023."

Superbooth 2023: Elektron - Analog Heat + FX

video upload by sonicstate

"Jean Michel and Christian from Elektron met us at Super Booth 2023 to talk about their latest release, the Analog Heat Plus Effects. The device adds chorus, delay, reverb, bit crushing, sample rate reduction, compression, and a bass focus feature to the original Analog Heat Mark II. The bass focus feature enables users to sum up the frequencies they want in mono, which tightens up the bass. The device's flow page allows users to rearrange the effects' order as they wish, similar to a pedal board, and save up to 512 presets.
Analog Heat+FX Price 999 USD"

Superbooth 2023: Pittsburgh Modular - Taiga

video upload by sonicstate

"We spoke to Richard Nicol, CEO of Pittsburgh Modular at Superbooth 2023. While they are not presenting anything new, they are proud to show Taiga, which is only a few months old. The three-oscillator monosynth with dedicated wave folders and unique waveforms. They call the initial wave shape seeds, and their wave folder allows them to hit it in fascinating ways and create unique sounds that are not found elsewhere. They aim to innovate at the same pace as digital synthesis, adding unique features to analog synthesis. Richard also talked about their dynamics controller, which is similar to a low-pass gate, providing organic plucky sounds that decay naturally.

Pittsburgh Modular is sneaking in a few new things, including their local parks oscillator and the toad phase shifter, which is a 12-stage analog phase shifter. Richard's favorite panel is the toad, which has a red toad with the LFO as the eye. They also have the Narwhal module, which is their take on analog physical modeling, using analog resistors and capacitors to create something that sounds real. The cymbals produced by the Narwhal sound authentic, but they can be tweaked to fall apart and become very digital and synthetic. We also got a look at some experiments including the Local Parks Oscillator and the Toad 12 stage analogue phase shifter, and Richard hinted there may be a drum machine on the horizon.

Taiga Price: 799 USD"

Superbooth 2023: Retrokits - RK-8

video upload by sonicstate

"We spoke to Gerrit from Retrokits, makers of some of the finest and niftiest midi utilities and hardware. He gave us an update on their latest product, the RK8, a MIDI sequencer/recorder. Initially designed as a modern replacement of the MMT8, they have added a load of new features, including the much-requested multi-track length. You have eight tracks that can each hold 16 MIDI channels, and you can apply transformations to each channel individually. They have also added real-time MIDI recording, meaning that pitch bend and mod wheel changes can be recorded in addition to steps. The firmware has been updated to version 2.0, which now includes Bluetooth support, allowing the use of wireless devices.

Gerrit also demonstrated how the RK8 can be used as a master brain, as you can have up to 100 parts, each with different beat lengths, which can be changed seamlessly. You can mute and unmute parts, play with build-ups, and transpositions while playing parts. Gerrit showed us how it can be used in a performance and even connected it to an OP-Z, which received MIDI signals from the RK8. The RK8 can also send out DIN sync signals, allowing it to sync with older devices.

RK-8 Price: 359 Euros. RK-8 with wood panels price: 409 Euros"

Superbooth 2023: Cong Burn - Strokes

video upload by sonicstate

"At Superbooth 2023, Sonicstate spoke to John from Cong Burn about their latest product releases. The first is Strokes, an all-in-one sequencing workstation groovebox that features an eight-part, multi-timbral synth and sampler engine with eight voices, each of which can be a sampler or one of the 16 built-in synth engines imported from Mutable Instruments Plus. Strokes encourages exploring rhythm and modulation, and the sequencer sends out rhythmic data and modulation data that can be connected to any sound design parameter. It is available as a VST3 and an audio unit on Windows and Mac, and on iOS it runs as a standalone application or as an AUV3 inside a host like AUM.

The other product from Cong Burn is Dispatch, a modulation matrix for Ableton Live. It solves the problem of having LFOs scattered around a project by bringing all modulation into one place. It can stack modulators on top of each other and map them to any parameter in Live, and it features a Ring configuration, a Pulse on and off generator, a Slope triangle generator, Signal input, Euclidean Rhythm Generator, audio input, CV input, quadrature LFO, MIDI generator, function generators, and a modulation mixer. Dispatch is a Max for Live device that is available on Windows and Mac.

Strokes iOS/AUv3/Standalone Price: 19.99 GBP. VST3/AU Price: 35 GBP

Strokes cross platform bundle price: 45 GBP

Dispatch price: 25 GBP

https://www.congburn.co.uk/strokes"

Superbooth 2023: Morph Modular - Sputnik Folding Modular Case

video upload by sonicstate

"We met Federico from Morph Modular who introduced their first foldable modular case, Sputnik. Designed to make traveling with your modular synth easy, Sputnik is foldable and compatible with all standards of Eurorack cables, as well as Tip Top stackable cables. The case is made up of two units, one 6u and another 6u, that can be linked together with a cable inspired by Serge systems.

The Sputnik case comes with a filtered busboard so analog modules can avoid interference from digital modules. The case also includes four USB ports, two on the bottom case and two on the upside case, and has a tilting angle of 104 degrees for maximum comfort. The Sputnik case will be available soon and the bottom part will also be available for purchase separately, and you can upgrade later to build the entire unit.

Sputnik Available: Summer 2023

Complete price: 1,500 Euros

https://www.morphmodular.com/sputnik/"

Superbooth 2023: ALM Busy Circuits - TAZM-O - AXON-2

video upload by sonicstate

"We spoke to Zach from ALM Busy Circuits at Superbooth 2023 about their latest release, the TASM-O. This analog through zero oscillator is small but packs features such as an output VCA, through zero FM with a manual control and mod index VCA, two sub oscillators, and a unique octave CV input. It also includes CV inputs with attenuation and offset, making it a versatile and complex oscillator that can create arpeggiator type effects.

Zach also introduced the Axon 2, which is an expander for the PAMs Pro Workout, Squid Sample, and MFX. This expander allows for hands-on controls and assignable buttons that can be used to quickly switch between parameters, mute, tap tempo, and load next or previous banks."

Superbooth 2023: Buchla - Limited Edition Music Easel

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"Nick from Buchla showed us their limited edition 50th Anniversary Music Easel. This special edition includes classic 208 voices and original old-school knobs and meter from the 70s. It comes with a gold keyboard and will be sold with its original Halliburton metal briefcase. The Music Easel has the same patching and control interface as the original, and the new edition even has some added extras like patch points and midi over USB-C.

Nick also demonstrated Buchla's Program Manager Card, which allows users to scroll through and select sounds. The card can be embedded below the surface of the module using the embedding kit offered by Buchla, perfect for those who are always using it and don't want it sticking out, or cards be inserted into the edge connector as usual. The new Music Easel is expected to ship in the fall alongside the special edition, which is available for order in June only.

Special Edition Music Easel Price: 8,000 - 10,000 USD"