"SoundForce presents a new model to its dedicated USB-MIDI controllers product line: the SFC-1, a controller especially designed for the fantastic u-he’s Repro-1 plugin.
Features
With a whopping total of 51 pots, 41 slide switches and 6 tactile switches, you can control every single MIDI-mappable parameter of the plugin in analog fashion. The awesome effect chain is also fully-covered on the bottom section of the controller.
Every control is assigned to a default CC number, but that can be changed using our control panel app in Google Chrome. A shift button unlocks an alternative channel for each pot, allowing you to control potentially 51 extra parameters. Even more user-specific controls are possible with the extra set of user-assignable switches and pots.
Build quality
The enclosure is made of 100% sheet metal. The case is made of bent steel and powder coated in black. The front panel is aluminium, also powder coated and screen printed with scratch-proof white ink. Please note that the final product will have a plain black powder coat, not structured like the pictures are showing. Discrete and minimalistic wooden pieces of 6 mm thickness are added to the sides. Dimensions are: 380 mm x 173 mm x 55 mm (Length x Width x Height).
The SFC-1 is a boutique controller manufactured in small batches in the Netherlands. A lot of operations are still performed by hand and automation is used when possible to improve quality and processes.
Shipping & pricing
The controller will start to ship in June. You can come check it out at Prolight+Sound/Musikmesse in Frankfurt (on Thursday and Friday only, in Hall 8 Booth B10 - Audio Maker Square) and Superbooth in Berlin (Booth O501). 100 pieces will be made in the first batch. The price will be 329 euros including VAT for EU-customers and 271 euros outside the EU. Pre-order now on the webshop: http://sound-force.nl
3 other SoundForce MIDI controllers are still currently available : SFC-Mini (for Minimoog plugins), SFC-60 (for the TAL Juno 60 emulation plugin) and SFC-5 (for the P5 plugins)."
"Ernst Nathorst-Böös, CEO, Propellerhead, told us, 'Propellerhead is thrilled to partner with Mind Music Labs to help manufacturers build groundbreaking hardware products in the most cost-effective and scalable way. We believe that together, we can bridge the gap between music creation software and hardware, and help manufacturers bring the next generation of incredible synths and effects to market.'
Since its release in 2012, Propellerhead’s Rack Extension platform has emerged as a powerful audio plug-in format, with over 180 developers and more than 530 instruments and effects now available. Rack Extensions integrate seamlessly into the Reason rack, combining excellent sound, smooth workflow, and rock-solid stability with intuitive routing, automation, editing capability, and flexibility.
The Rack Extension format also gives developers unique benefits over other plug-in formats. Rack Extensions are compatible with desktop, mobile, and web platforms, and developers can easily reach customers through the Propellerhead Shop, which provides a direct distribution path to Reason’s large global network of users.
Mind’s ELK is a Music Operating System, which delivers the ultra-low latency performance of dedicated DSP chips on more powerful and cost effective ARMs and X86 processors. Now, hardware manufacturers can develop exciting new products by taking advantage of the huge library of Rack Extensions already available, ranging from synthesizers and sampled instruments to creative effects and boutique studio processors. ELK’s flexibility also allows users to upgrade their instruments and audio processors with new plugins, connect their devices to external controllers and much more.
Michele Benincaso, Founder, MIND Music Labs, had this to say, 'While a key value proposition of the ELK OS is support for all popular plugin formats, we are particularly excited about our close partnership with Propellerhead. The 'middleware' nature of their Rack Extension format means hundreds of titles from dozens of developers become instantly available to ELK customers.'"
"Have you ever wanted to hot rod an Arp Solina String Ensemble? Now you can. SONiVOX’s Solina Redux virtual instrument adds a sweet sounding virtual analog synthesizer to a classic reproduction of an Arp Solina String Ensemble, then throws in TWO fully programmable 8-step sequencers to boot. It’s a match made in heaven and one that produces sonic textures you simply can’t get any other way.
The Arp Solina was the preeminent string ensemble in the 1970’s, made famous by the Eagles, Elton John, Pink Floyd, The Cure, Joy Division, Tangerine Dream, New Order and many others. Its analog Violin, Viola, Cello, Contra Bass, Trumpet and Horn sounds have a sound that creates rich retro sounding orchestral ensembles, especially with its famous “Ensemble” chorus effect.
Solina Redux gives you access to the original Solina sounds, including a model of the Ensemble chorus effect, but includes a modern virtual analog synthesizer as a sidecar. The combination of these two synthesizers provides a sound palette that is both retro and modern or anything in between at your discretion. Each synth includes a multi-mode filter, amplitude and filter envelopes, LFO modulations and send effects.
To top it off, Solina Redux adds in two fully programmable step sequencers, one for the Solina instrument and one for the analog synthesizer. Play one note and out comes a modern orchestra unlike any you’ve heard. Each step sequencer gives you per step control over the pitch of each note, the volume of each note, the filter cutoff of each note, and the panning of each note. Other controls include gate time, tempo sync, time division, swing, note order and octave shift.
Check out Sonivox Solina Redux at Plugin Boutique https://goo.gl/uTQPY1"
"SONIVOX® INTRODUCES STRATUM, A POWERFUL SUPERSAW AND FM SYNTH, IDEAL FOR SYNTHWAVE, VAPORWAVE AND RETRO ELECTRO PRODUCTIONS
New virtual instrument produced by the creators of the highly-acclaimed EDM Twist and Dubstep Wobble collections is available in VST, AU, AAX and Standalone for musicians, DJs and producers.
Cumberland, RI USA (May 15, 2018)—SONiVOX (sonivoxmi.com), a leading developer of premium virtual instruments and synthesis technologies, today announced the introduction of Stratum, a powerful supersaw and FM synth, ideal for synthwave, vaporwave and retro electro productions.
Stratum by Sonivox, is a rock-solid layering of a classic Supersaw synthesizer and a 4-operator FM synthesizer. Originally made famous by the Roland JP-8000, the Supersaw waveform has made a strong comeback in the trance and hardcore genres due to its edgy sound, particularly in synth leads and synth basses. Stratum takes this a step further by combining this classic waveform with a 4- operator FM synth, a noise generator and sub oscillator to produce a virtual instrument perfect for modern synthwave productions like those found in the recent hit series “Stranger Things” and the movie 'Synchronicity OST'.
Using the new struQture audio engine from Qubiq Audio, Stratum also features two low-pass filters, a vocal format filter, and a tube distortion circuit to further enhance its sounds, all controllable by a simple modulation matrix featuring four LFO’s with modwheel control and an 8-step sequencer called the Stepper. For users who need to punish their sounds even further, Stratum includes a unique XY Pad which can mix in a Bit Crusher, Dirty Phaser, Wah-Wah, and a Non-Linear Delay.
"This is a 5 part demo with the Roland Boutique JX-03. As always multitrack recording + fx.
Intro : JX-03 + Alesis HR-16
Part 1 : JX-03 + VR-08 PlugIn
Part 2 : JX-03 + Korg Volca Sample (BD, SD + additional HH)
Part 3 : JX-03 + EMW T-Drum Eurorack Module + later the Epic Toms from Loops de la creme
Part 4 : JX-03 + MFB Tanzbär Lite
Part 5 : only the JX-03"
"32 Original patches for the Roland D-50. These patches are created by me to emulate classic analoge synth sounds for use in all kinds of electronic music.
Also included in my download is a bonus folder of some of my best drum sounds. Including drums from my track The Golden Boy. Something to sweeten the deal!
I've had the D-50 since the day it was released and these are what I consider the best sounds on the market for synth-pop, synthwave, italo disco and all sorts of retro synth music. Or modern too!
The sounds are compatible with the D-50, D-550. The Roland D-50 plugin and the Roland Boutique D-05.
This is a SYSEX download so you'll have to transfer these sounds over to your machine manually. I reccomend the D-50 librarian to do this. This free program can be found here:
http://www.d50librarian.co.uk/
The sounds comes in 32 + 32 which means that the first 32 patches have reverb and chorus attached to them, but the next 32 is completely dry so you can use your own effects without having to edit off the reverb and chorus in the D-50 itself. The patches are the same, 32 wet, 32 dry.
"Released thirty years ago in 1987, the Roland D-50 Linear Arithmetic (LA) Synthesizer is easily one of the most influential keyboards ever made. The D-50 helped to define the sound of the late 80’s with its instantly recognizable mix of sampled attacks and synthesized sustaining waveforms (that’s LA!) plus chorus, reverb, and EQ. It’s the basis of classic tracks in a wide range of genres including Synth Pop, New Wave, New Jack and R&B, plus countless film scores.
With the new Roland D-50 DCB Software Synthesizer, Roland Cloud Core members can have the iconic sound of LA in a powerful plugin for their DAW, which perfectly recreates this legendary synth down to the subtlest of nuances!"
"Audio and Video generated by G-Storm Electro c.2016
I usually demo synth products, but today I'm going to give my review of the Roland VP-03 Vocoder. I have some experience having owned an original VP-330 MK1 and studying its synthesizer process. It inspired me to author my own VST plugin version that emulated the VP-330 sound, only it did not have the Vocoder. So check out this review and see what I think about this interesting product.
If you enjoyed this and want to see more be sure to click the LIKE button. Don't miss any of the action and SUBSCRIBE now. Got interesting ideas about this clip or future demos, leave your COMMENTS below - I love to hear from you.
"Plugin Boutique Virtual CZ is a phase distortion Synthesizer based on the Casio CZ Hardware Synthesizer.
Virtual CZ recreates the unique synthesis engine of the CZ synths
(it models the flagship CZ-1 but does all the other ones too!). The plugin works as a SYSEX editor/librarian for all CZ hardware as well as an emulation. It has 2 Phase Distortion oscillators per voice
(each has 8 wave shapes, which can be different for alternate cycles) and 6 loopable envelope generators per voice
(switchable between easy-to-use ADSR and powerful 8-Stage MSEG mode). A Ring Modulation and Noise Modulation and
32 voice polyphonic/mono/legato modes. And a lot of more
This is the first video showing you the souding of this CZ Emulation and personally I must say, it's sounds great and coming very near to the real CZ Hardware Synthesizer.
Update: And the press release for the v2.1 update:
"Spectrasonics Releases Omnisphere v2.1 Update
Power Synth adds simplified user sound sharing and Library Publishing for third-party development
Burbank, CA - August 4, 2015 - Spectrasonics has released Omnisphere 2.1 with a streamlined 'Sharing' feature for sharing user sounds and a new Library Publishing capability. Version 2.1 is an update to the company's recent v2 upgrade of its flagship software synth. In May, Omnisphere Version 2.0 was released with vastly expanded new synthesis and creative capabilities for sound design, along with significant user interface innovations, and thousands of new sounds. The new v2.1 update, a free download to Omnisphere version 2 users, includes refined patch and project sharing features for easily exchanging custom sounds between end-users directly or over social media, a Library Publishing feature allowing third-party sound developers to create easily installable sound sets for Omnisphere 2 users, as well as a much improved boot time for the plugin itself. Both the Sound Sharing and Publishing features can contain 'User Audio,' offering new horizons in patch creation and simplified collaboration.
"It's exciting to see the Omnisphere universe expanding with so much great sound development work in so many areas, from EDM to rock, and film and TV scores to games," says Spectrasonics' Founder and Creative Director, Eric Persing. "And now third- party developers of patch sets for Omnisphere 2 have a simple way to create and offer custom libraries that can include their own soundsources, and are easy to install for customers. There's no need for installers or complicated instructions for moving files around directories deep in the system folders. And because it's so easy to share sounds and ideas now, we feel this will be a huge boon for social media user groups discussing tips and patch creation. This is a big opportunity for our users everywhere. We look forward to seeing and hearing what develops!"
Sharing sounds is simplified in Omnisphere 2.1, the end-user can simply shift-click on a few Patches or a few Multi-patches and then save them to be transferred to a friend or musical collaborator who also has Omnisphere 2. Sharing patches automatically includes any user audio, which is especially convenient with custom patches. Sharing multiple types of Patches, Multis and user audio all at once is easier too, with Project sharing; the end-user can just collect a set of sounds in a project, and then share the project.
The new "Publish Library" feature in v2.1 was created for third-party developers of Omnisphere libraries. It allows developers to easily export, or "publish" a library of Multis and Patches, along with any associated user-created Soundsources, as well as graphic images for the custom library in a single .omnisphere file format. End-users can then easily install this package into their systems with a single step.
Beyond the new sharing features in v2.1, the Version 2 upgrade released in May, includes a host of new capabilities including the most requested Omnisphere feature: Audio import for user-created soundsources-along with major new oscillator features including over 400 new DSP Oscillator waveforms, morphing Wavetables, new granular synthesis options, over 4500 unique new sounds created by Spectrasonics' acclaimed sound design team-bringing the total to over 12,000 total sounds and patches, 25 new FX units, an enhanced User Interface, and innovative production/browsing features such as Sound Match(tm) to instantly locate any related sounds in the library, and Sound Lock(tm) to create endless useful patch variations by locking sound aspects while browsing other patches-among many other innovative features.
Omnisphere 2.1 Feature Overview
New Sound Sharing and Publishing capabilities in v2.1:
• Easily share patches and projects between users, which can include User Audio
• Publish a library of patches and Multis including User Audio, graphics and more
• Share Sounds over social media
Faster Boot Time for Omnisphere 2.1:
• Opening the plugin inside any DAW on Macintosh or Windows is much speedier
Vast New Synthesis Possibilities in Omnisphere 2:
• Audio Import - Users can import their own audio file as a soundsource in Omnisphere
• Over 400 New DSP Waveforms for the Synth Oscillator - an increase of 100X
• Wavetable Synthesis - Each Waveform is now a Morphing Wavetable
• Powerful New Granular Synthesis algorithm
• Deeper FM/Ring Mod capabilities for aggressive timbres
• 8 New Filter Types - New Power Filters, Vowel, Resonators
• New Unison Drift models Analog Polysynth behavior
• Expanded Modulation with new sources and many more targets
• Polyphonic LFO and Modulation Envelope options
• Soundsource Reversing
"The SFC-60 is a boutique MIDI controller for the TAL U-NO-LX plugin, an excellent model of the Roland® JUNO-60*. The sound and touch of the legendary synthetizer are available right into your DAW. Analog sound and workflow are combined with the ease of the digital world. Interact like never before with more than 35 controls. And, as the SFC-60 is a class-compliant MIDI device, it can be used not only with the TAL U-NO-LX but any other MIDI-mappable software instrument.
Unlike usual MIDI controllers the SFC-60 is not industrially manufactured but hand-made. The product is available as DIY-kit or fully-assembled. Soldering your controller yourself is a cheaper option and a fun project. An extensive guide and collection of learning resources are available to assist you during assembly."
"Plugin Boutique are soon to release VirtualCZ - a new plug-in inspired by an iconic series of digital synthesisers made in the 1980s.
VirtualCZ uses Phase Distortion - which is similar to FM Synthesis but easier to program!It can make great pads, leads, bass, percussion and RAVE ORGAN sounds that will fit into a wide variety of genres.
Many people fondly remember the CZ synths and they have become retro-classics that are highly sought after, having been used on countless techno, house, rave and synth-pop records in the late 80s and early 90s. Lots of artists still use them today for their unique sounds.
The synthesis engine of the original hardware is modelled in the plug-in which can load and transmit CZ SYSEX patches, but the plug-in goes beyond the hardware to offer new sound possibilities and usability features. It’s much more fun to edit, since all the important synthesis parameters have their own control. It includes things not found on the originals such as switchable envelope generators (ADSR or 8-Stage MSEG) and Unison modes.
Developed by Oli Larkin (www.olilarkin.co.uk) with graphics by Philippe Decuyper (www.eareckon.com), VirtualCZ will ship with a library of great presets offering both retro and modern sounds by Plugin Boutique's sound designers and artists.
VirtualCZ comes in VST2, VST3, Audiounit and AAX plug-in formats plus as a Standalone app for Mac and PC. It will be available to purchase mid September 2014 exclusively from http://www.pluginboutique.com for an introductory price of £59-95
Key Features • Recreates the unique synthesis engine of the CZ synths (it models the flagship CZ-1 but does all the other ones too!)
• Works as a SYSEX editor/librarian for all CZ hardware as well as an emulation
• 2 CZ Phase Distortion oscillators per voice (each has 8 wave shapes, which can be different for alternate cycles)
• 6 loop-able envelope generators per voice (switchable between easy-to-use ADSR and powerful CZ-style 8-Stage MSEG modes)
• Tempo sync-able LFO for vibrato, with 7 shapes
• Ring Modulation and Noise Modulation
• 32 voice polyphonic/mono/legato modes
• Unison and detuning effects
• Stereo panning effects
• Microtonal tuning support
• Vintage stereo chorus/ensemble effect
• Randomization of parameters
• Easy to use interface (all key synthesis functions accessible on the front panel)
• Includes over 200 high quality presets plus ability to load thousands of CZ patches online
• Presets come in multiple formats: fxp/aupreset/vstpreset/tfx
• Import/export presets for all plugin formats
• Optional cross-format preset browser
• Available for Mac and PC in VST2, VST3, AU and AAX plug-in formats plus standalone app"
Features
Every control is assigned to a default CC number, but that can be changed using our control panel app in Google Chrome. A shift button unlocks an alternative channel for each pot, allowing you to control potentially 51 extra parameters. Even more user-specific controls are possible with the extra set of user-assignable switches and pots.
