Akai Professional Announces Advance Keyboard Series

Published on Jan 12, 2015 AkaiProVideo

Update: Intro & Behind the Scenes video below added.

Akai Professional Advance Keyboards - Behind the Scenes


"Check out behind the scenes with PJ Morton (Maroon 5), Morgan Kibby (M83/White Sea), and Illan Rubin (Angels & Airwaves, Nine Inch Nails and The New Regime)."

"Artists can now load, play and control all their virtual instrument plugins directly from their keyboard. New keyboards deliver optimum hands-on performance features with seamless software integration for playing and controlling today’s hottest VST instruments and DAWs.

Cumberland, RI (January 12, 2015)—Akai Professional (akaipro.com), a leading manufacturer of keyboards for performers and recording artists, today announced the introduction of their Advance Keyboard series. Available in 25-, 49-, and 61-key sizes, the Advance 25, Advance 49, and Advance 61 provide unprecedented playability and advanced manipulation of any virtual instrument via an interactive, full-color display complemented by performance friendly hardware controls.

Designed to fuse the power of software instruments with the live playability of a keyboard workstation, the Advance Keyboard series transforms computer-based plugins into an entirely hands-on playing experience. The keyboard surface features an integrated high-resolution full-color 4.3-inch display, providing real-time control and feedback of any and all virtual instrument parameters. The screen instantly adapts itself to the selected plugin’s controls, delivering immediate 1:1 access to the instrument and various editable functions. Better yet, the Advance Keyboard series works with any VSTi virtual instrument. Using the Advance keyboard’s custom designed Virtual Instrument Player (VIP) software application, your entire VSTi library can be controlled in one application. VIP operates as a plugin inside any major digital audio workstation (DAW) or as a stand-alone application on both Mac and Windows operating systems.

Dedicated physical controls are thoughtfully included, with Akai Professional’s hallmark RGB backlit, velocity- and pressure-sensitive pads integrated into each keyboard surface. Rubberized pitch and modulation wheels deliver player-preferred note manipulation with highly musical action. Large, continuously-variable endless knobs invite frequent use, letting the user make parameter adjustments with granular or dramatic effect. A custom semi-weighted, velocity-sensitive keybed—another Akai Professional specialty—supports aftertouch, making it an elite keyboard for seasoned live performers and studio producers alike.


“The Advance Keyboard series represents a giant leap forward for keyboard players,” said Dan Gill, Product Manager for Akai Professional. “Until now, software-based instruments leaned heavily on computer interaction, which caused creative and logistical bottlenecks, especially during live performances. We’re combining the processing power of your computer, the flexibility of your virtual instrument collection, and the hands-on immediacy of a traditional keyboard workstation. The result is a powerful and inspiring user experience.”

Included with each Advance Keyboard is the Virtual Instrument Player (VIP) application. VIP gives Advance Keyboard users access to any virtual instrument in their collection with or without a DAW—a powerful way to play virtual instruments live or integrate them into a recording session. VIP software users can also create setlists that provide on-demand access to user-curated instruments for stage performance and studio work. With a single button press on an Advance Keyboard, the player can adapt to song changes as the live performance progresses—without ever reaching for the computer. Performers of all types will welcome VIP’s facilities for hyper-fast instrument and patch browsing, key zone splitting, layering of up to 8 instruments per VIP instance, expansive custom mapping capabilities, and support for any VSTi plugin. Advance Keyboard users may run as many instances of the Virtual Instrument Player as their computer allows. VIP runs as a VSTi, AU, RTAS or AAX plugin, allowing you access to VSTi's in virtually any DAW, such as Pro Tools, Logic Pro X and Ableton Live.

Gill continues, “Keyboard players have been straddling two worlds for the better part of the decade. A standalone keyboard workstation was only as current as the sounds inside of it, and similarly, virtual instruments were only as good as the best controllers. The Advance Keyboard series delivers uninhibited access to any virtual instrument in your library without losing focus of the instrument in front of you.”

Each Advance Keyboard ships with a 16GB download of over 10,000 sounds from industry-leading developers at AIR Music Technology, SONiVOX, and Prime Loops. Purchased separately, this comprehensive collection of nine plugins is valued at over $1,000.00 USD and provides Advance Keyboard owners with an instant palette of contemporary and coveted sounds for live performance and studio production.

Advance Keyboard Series Highlights:
• Keyboardsforadvancedvirtualinstrumentperformance
• Integrated4.3-inchhigh-resolutionfull-colorscreenwithdedicatedinterfacebuttons • Screenprovides1:1,real-timefeedbackofpluginparameters
• Availablein25-,49-,and61-keysizes
• IncludesVirtualInstrumentPlayersoftwareforunprecedentedvirtualinstrument
preset management, control mapping and multi patch creation
• Premium,semi-weightedvelocity-sensitivekeybedwithaftertouch
• 8large,endlessandcontinuouslyvariablecontrolknobs
• 8velocity-andpressure-sensitiveMPCpadswithRGBillumination
• Dedicatedpadbank,transportcontrol,octave,andperformancebuttons
• Noterepeat,time-division,patternarpeggiator,andtap-tempobuttons
• RubberizedPitchandModulationwheels
• Expressionpedalandfootswitchinputs
• USBand5-pinMIDIInput/OutputforusewithanyMIDIcapablesoftwareorhardware
• Alsofunctionsasastandalonecontroller
• Includesa16GBdownloadwithmorethan10,000soundsfromleadingvirtualinstrumentsfromAIR
Music Technology, SONiVOX and Prime Loops.
Virtual Instrument Player Software Highlights:
• PlaysvirtuallyeveryVSTi-compatibleplugin
• Operatesasastandalonevirtualinstrumentplayerforyourcomputer
• AlsooperatesasapluginwithinanyAU,VST,orAAXcompatibleDAW
• Organizesyourplugincollectionwithintuitivebrowsingbyplugin,artistcollection,instrumenttype,
timbre, and more
• Access,edit,andmixupto8virtualinstrumentsatonetime
• Setlistfeatureletsliveperformersswitchbetweenpatchesfromanyplugininstantlyfromthe
keyboard
• Extensivekeyzonesplitting,custommapping,andinstrumentmixingoptions • Pre-mappedtohundredsofindustry-leadingvirtualinstruments
• UnlimitedinstancesofVIPmayberuninaDAW
Advance 25, Advance 49, and Advance 61 will be available in early 2015 at retail pricing of $399.99, $499.99, and $599.99, respectively.

Visit us at NAMM Booth 6700.

For more information, visit akaipro.com/advance."

Happy New Year From MATRIXSYNTH! - A Look Back at 2014

Happy New Year everyone!

I want to start by thanking everyone that comes to MATRIXSYNTH and helps make it what it is - the readers, the supporters, and of course all the sponsors on the right.

THANK YOU and have a GREAT 2015!!!

This site is a labor of love and a ton of work. This site is ultimately meant to be an testament to everything synth in the making. We have over nine years of daily synth history captured here, 119,983 published posts. I can't wait to see what the future brings us in 2015!

That said, here are a few interesting bits from 2014 in the longest post of the year. ;)

CLICK FOR MORE »

PJ-X3 DIY Roland MC-4 Sequencer

Homemade MC-4 (preview)
Published on May 30, 2012

"Work in progress. Arduino based sequencer modelled after the Roland MC-4. In this clip, entering a few notes and testing play mode. Audio coming from an SH-101. Recorded on an iPhone (yeah, sorry for the quality). Will post more details soon(ish) on http://pj-x3.net"


Published on Jun 1, 2012

"Another video demonstrating loading songs from the SD card (which was one of the main reasons for attempting this project). Apologies for the poor quality but at least you get a commentary this time! :)"

via Nic Ho Chee on The MATRIXSYNTH Lounge

"Don't know if people have been looking at this, PJ-X3 made his own MC-4 sequencer which saves to memory card instead of tape. I saw a more recent version of this which has a case, Chinese fabb'd board and looks a bit like what would happen if Nord made the MC-4 ."

http://pj-x3.net/home-made-mc-4/

Note this is the first PJ-X3 post.

PJ Harvey Grow Grow Grow LIVE

YouTube Uploaded by DerEmma on Oct 7, 2007
Moog Taurus Bass Pedals.
"Live on French TV 11th of September 2007. What a voice!!! Buy her new album "White Chalk"!"

Eventide Press Release - Space Ships!

"LITTLE FERRY, NEW JERSEY, March 8, 2011 — Today, Eventide announced the newest addition to its stompbox product line, Space, has commenced shipping in North America. Space features 12 of Eventide’s signature reverb combination effects culled from the H8000FW and Eclipse V4 along with some startling new magic. Space includes 100 presets, including presets crafted by Flood and Alan Moulder (The Killers, Nine Inch Nails, Smashing Pumpkins, My Bloody Valentine, 30 Seconds to Mars, PJ Harvey and Them Crooked Vultures), Justin Meldal-Johnsen (Beck, Nine Inch Nails), Richard Devine (sound designer, synthesist, performer, remixer), Vernon Reid (Living Colour), Amedeo Pace (Blonde Redhead), Alex Somers and Jonsi Birgisson (Jonsi and Alex, Sigur Ros), and John Agnello (Patti Smith, Sonic Youth, Dinosaur Jr., and Kurt Vile). These unique effects, previously available only in Eventide rack processors, are now available in a compact, roadworthy package. Never before has there been a more dazzling collection of reverb algorithms combined with delays, pitch shifting, tremolo, modulation, and spatial effects in such a compact and affordable package. Eventide stompboxes are available at your favorite authorized Eventide dealer.

12 of Eventide’s signature reverb combo algorithms:
Room Plate
Spring Hall
Reverse Shimmer
ModEchoVerb DualVerb
Blackhole™ MangledVerb™
TremoloVerb DynaVerb

* Wide variety of spatial effects including basic reverbs, delays and unique combination effects
* Studio quality sound
* Compatible with any source material - solo instruments, drums, vocals, or complete mixes
* Software upgradeable via USB 2.0
* MIDI control via USB or MIDI in, out/thru
* Instant program change
* Real-time control with 10 knobs, MIDI, or Expression Pedal
* Tap tempo and MIDI clock sync
* 100 factory presets, unlimited through MIDI
* True analog bypass
* Rugged cast metal construction
* Reliable metal footswitches for instant preset access
* Mono or stereo operation
* Guitar or line level inputs and outputs
* Programmable HotSwitch

About Eventide
Founded in 1971 in New York City, Eventide is a leading developer and manufacturer of digital audio processing products for recording, broadcast, and live performance. Headquartered in Little Ferry, NJ, Eventide invented the H910, the first Harmonizer effects processor in 1975, and introduced the H3000 Ultra-Harmonizer effects processor in 1987. Visit Eventide online at eventide.com.

Eventide and Harmonizer are registered trademarks of Eventide Inc. ©2011 Eventide Inc."

The following video is not part of the press release, but I thought I'd add to this post. It was previously posted here during Winter NAMM.

Eventide Space - Sneak Peak from Richard Devine on Vimeo.

"Sneak peak of the new Eventide "Space" Reverb stompbox. Running a Roland TR-808 and TB-303 through some of spatial effects including basic reverbs, delays and unique combination effects."

Bubbles on Monome 100h with SkyMonome API and accelerometer

YouTube via pjskyman — April 25, 2010 — "Another demo of the SkyMonome API I developped especially for my needs (http://skymonome.org ). An ADXL203 accelerometer permits the "fall" of the bubbles. This Monome 100h is in construction. It will be a quad 40h in a plexiglas package.
Music : an unpublished track of PJ Skyman ( http://www.pjskyman.fr )
Code used to do this :
Monome monome=new Monome("Monome",MonomeSize.MONOME_256,"localhost","/40h",8000,8080);
/*the following variable is declared as a class member in order to be accessed by the two next listeners*/
inertiaMirroredFrameWindow=new InertiaMirroredFrameWindow(new PictureFrame(ImageIO.read(new File("C:\\...bmp")),false));
monome.addComponent(new FrameGroup("Bubbles",0,0,16,16,inertiaMirroredFrameWindow));
Analog analogX=new Analog("X-axis",0);
analogX.addAnalogListener(new AnalogListener()
{
public void analogMoved(AnalogEvent analogEvent)
{
inertiaMirroredFrameWindow.setXIncrement((analogEvent.getValue()-.5f)*25f);
}
});
monome.addComponent(analogX);
Analog analogY=new Analog("Y-axis",1);
analogY.addAnalogListener(new AnalogListener()
{
public void analogMoved(AnalogEvent analogEvent)
{
inertiaMirroredFrameWindow.setYIncrement((-analogEvent.getValue()+.5f)*25f);
}
});
monome.addComponent(analogY);
monome.refresh();"

PJ Harvey Grow Grow Grow LIVE

YouTube via DerEmma. via Analog Suicide. Moog Taurus Pedals
"Live on French TV 11th of September 2007. What a voice!!! Buy her new album "White Chalk"!"

Red Blooded Women - Synthesizer (Live @ PJ Mobile

YouTube via mceyedol. You know you like it.
"Red Blooded Women Performing "Synthesizer" the final song in their amazing set!
Recorded by MCEyedol
PopJustice Mobile Disco
Old Blue Last, London
13/10/08"

Bulcha Garbage!!!

Here's one for the archives. Title link takes you to the Craigslist post while it's up. Enjoy. This gem via Kerry.

"RARE SYNTH GEAR ABOUT TO BE DESTROYED...PLEASE HELP

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reply to: sale-203465817@craigslist.org
Date: 2006-09-05, 5:46PM PDT

The Original Post Sunday Morning was for "Church selling organs and old telephone boxes" . Included in the equipment were numerous Buchla boxes (modular synth gear). The Church people were misinformed and told it was worthless, and a friend of theirs is disposing of it in a dumpster behind his supermarket. The ad had no contact information so I only received the included email this morning stating that the boxes were going to be thrown away in the "large bin" behind Mr. Chung's supermarket.

I called looking for Baptist Chuches that were closing, and other places, but I only know that this is somewhere in Los Angeles...so now I post for any help in finding these boxes before it's too late.

please let me know your thoughts and/or informations asap

Thank You So Much

A.
...and the email with a few clues, also PJ is somehow related to a Rev. Devon if that helps any...

Oh my! I forgot to put our phone number or website. Well, I am so sorry
about that. I was wondering why nobody called. I just checked my email today.
Sorry to say that all the items have all been sold. I owe an apology for those that emailed me. With all the moving and cleaning, I must have rushed through the ad. I guess I should let you know that they went to good homes. The Elka Synthex was purchased by the local community center so that the elementary street kids can learn to play organ after school. The Yamaha DX-1 was sold to the senior center. As for the telephone boxes, I asked the phone company gentlmen that came to disconnect our phone and he pointed out that they were not telephone boxes. He noticed that there were a lot numbers in the cases something from 100s up to like almost 200. There were over 80 of these Bulcha things. He said they were outdated lab equipment for some kind of testing and useless. So we called the trash company pick-up but they would not take electronic equipment. So a friend of ours, Mr Chung left them in back of his supermarket and said he would throw them in his large bin for us. Again, I apologize for not putting all the info. We are leaving today for Texas. Have a very nice day! I won't be using this email anymore since my new one will be from the new church.

God Bless you all and a safe trip to us!

P.J.
Southern Baptist Group

this is in or around Somewhere in LA"