Playlist:
AIR Solina - Strings Evolved
AIR & WayOutWare Odyssey - Take a Journey Into Sound
AIR BASSLINE - VACCUM EVOLVED
AIR Mellotron - Our Homage to the Original Sampler
AIR HYPE - NEXT GEN SYNTH
AIR ELECTRIC - YOUR NEW REFERENCE ELECTRIC PIANO
TubeSynth - THE NEXT GENERATION OF POLY-SYNTHESIS
The press release follows:
"AIR TECH Music and Plugivery Distribution proudly announce their partnership to introduce SEVEN new and inspiring AIR Music Technology virtual instruments to the audio community.
These new products will be available through pro audio resellers worldwide from Tuesday April 5th, 2022 with a -50% introductory promotion.
Award wining Virtual Instrument development company, AIR Music Technology and Audio Software Distribution Service Plugivery are proud to announce that they have joined forces to announce the release of not ONE but SEVEN new inspiring Virtual Instruments.
Based in Germany, AIR Music Technology started as Wizoo Sound Design, one of the earliest pioneers in virtual instrument technology. The AIR team is responsible for the core of much of the effects and instrument offerings in Avid’s Pro Tools® and Akai Professionals MPC software/OS.
Leveraging this history of excellence, AIR is back in a big way for 2022. The new range of virtual instrument plug-ins results from nearly five years of development drawn from twenty years of experience and creating exciting new soft-synths.
The 7 new plug-ins support VST, VST 3, AU and AXX formats and also operate as standalone desktop software for "Plug and Play" performance with any midi controller.
Note: All these NEW products do not support/require the use of iLok. Instead, AIR has developed a convenient login based system to authorize the following brand new plug-ins :
SOLINA - Strings Evolved
The AIR Solina Plugin is based on the Iconic classic 6-timbre polyphonic keyboard instrument featuring Contrabass, Cello, Viola, Violin, Trumpet and Horn selections with independent volume, pan and pitch control. Combine them for a massive sonic experience to liven up even the most thrilling music production.
"FORCE 3.1 delivers the most creative, feature-packed update to FORCE ever with new plugin instrument sounds, new insert effects, the AIR Vocal Suite, and for the first time to Akai Professional standalone devices, Disk Streaming."
"The ultimate standalone performance system is expanded with 3 new plugin instruments, 7 insert effects, the new AIR Vocal Suite, class-compliant audio interface support, Disk Streaming, and much more. Visit akaipro.com/force to discover FORCE Features Update 3.1."
Akai Force V3.1 First Look - Sonic Lab Presentation
AKAI PROFESSIONAL ANNOUNCES FORCE FEATURE UPDATE 3.1 WITH NEW INSTRUMENTS AND EFFECTS, DISK STREAMING, USB AUDIO INTERFACE SUPPORT, AND MORE
FORCE 3.1 Feature Update introduces 3 new synth plugin instruments, 7 new plugin insert effects including a Vocal Suite, Disk Streaming, Class Compliant USB Audio Interface Support, and many other major upgrades for new and existing Force users.
Ft Lauderdale, FL USA (October 19, 2021) — Akai Professional, a leading manufacturer of music equipment for performers and producers, is proud to announce FORCE 3.1, its latest and most substantial update to the FORCE standalone music production system. FORCE 3.1 introduces the next chapter of standalone performance with revolutionary features and functionality alongside inspiring new sounds and sound processing. Powered by the unrivaled tactical control and interface of FORCE standalone hardware, the FORCE 3.1 update will engage the modern music creator like never before.
New Instruments, Insert Effect Plugins, and AIR Vocal Suite From the beginning, FORCE set a new bar for what standalone hardware music production could be. The FORCE 3.1 update builds on that precedent with 3 new plugin instruments: AIR Solina, AIR Mellotron, and WayOutWare’s Odyssey. These new plugin instruments are faithful recreations of iconic synthesizer and keyboard instruments, now with powerful graphic interfaces for visually striking feedback and interaction. Mellotron and Solina feature the Flavor effect processing sections, enabling creative applications of additional texture and character to your sounds with Distortion, Noise, Flutter, and more.
FORCE 3.1 also introduces 7 new plugin insert effects for creative arranging and performance, as well as mixing and mastering. The versatile group of insert effects including Stutter, Half Speed, Granulator, Diffuser Delay, and Stereo Delay will quickly insert an inventive spark into your tracks for unique drops, edits, and transitions. Diode Clipper will add grit and distortion to any source while AIR Limiter will bring dynamic signal processing to your music for a punchy, finalized mix.
The creativity doesn’t stop there as the new AIR Vocal Suite delivers the power to create, record, and mix the perfect vocals right inside FORCE. The adaptive Vocal Tuner handles any tuning tasks from subtle pitch correction to the modern auto vocal tuned sound found in all genres of modern music. AIR Doubler adds depth and dimension to solo or group vocals with spectrum-filling width and presence. Finally, the AIR Harmonizer will transform any single voice into 4-part harmony instantly. Create full background vocal arrangements with ease and accuracy with built-in volume, pan, delay, and eq.
Now Streaming Superior Performance The essence of the standalone experience is hardware that responds immediately to the needs of your dynamic workflow. Users can now enjoy a more accessible and efficient workflow with the power of Disk Streaming from external storage devices. Disk Streaming enables better system resource allocation and performance for expanded creativity and performance. Record and playback longer audio tracks, perform an entire DJ set, or create larger keygroup programs all while enjoying faster project load times.
Major Workflow Enhancements, Engine Updates and Expandability With the power of Disk Streaming comes added expandability. With FORCE 3.1, instantly expand your hardware connectivity with Class Compliant USB Audio Interface Support. Route up to 32 audio inputs and outputs to-and-from FORCE, all via a single USB cable. Increase your input count to record more tracks directly to FORCE, or route audio into your favorite outboard gear.
Get more performance out of the drum and keygroup engines with the new portamento function for gliding notes and percussion, like 808 kick drums. Dial-in the perfect sample shape with dedicated pitch envelope. Smooth out your drum breaks and chops with Akai Sample Tail and access up to 10 drum pad effects including Ringmod, Bitcrush, Tubedrive, Lowpass, and more.
Force 3.1 also ads new functionality to Buses (Submixes/Returns/Masters) for more control and creativity. Now the Recording, Playback and Editing of automation follows the same workflow on buses as other tracks. Control submix and master tracks with the “Select,” “Rename,” and “Clips” functions as well as dialing in automation on the fly.
Finally, Force 3.1 expands MIDI integration with the ability to load and export MIDI files to and from FORCE. For even more MIDI integration, assign your FORCE parameters to your 3rd party MIDI controller for additional tactical control.
New FORCE 3.1 Features Include:
• 3 New plugin instruments Solina, Odyssey, and Mellotron • New AIR Vocal Insert Effect Suite with Automatic Vocal Tuning, AIR Doubler, and AIR Harmonizer Plugins • Disk Streaming: Audio files can now be streamed from disk • Class-Compliant Audio Interface Support • New MIDI file Compatibility enabling MIDI file loading • 7 New Insert Effects such as Half Speed, Diode Clipper and Stutter • Drum and Keygroup Engine Enhancements including Akai Pro Sample Tail, Dedicated Pitch Envelope, and Keygroup Portamento • 10 New Drum Pad Effects including Ringmod, Bitcrush, Decimator and more • New functionality to Buses (Submixes/Returns/Masters) including Automation • Automatic sample Key Detection
“Force Features Update 3.1 is not only a major upgrade for Force users, but it’s also a major evolution in standalone music production,” said Akai Professional, Senior Product Manager, Dan Gill. “Disk Streaming is a significant advancement to this product as well as standalone music production in general, because it opens up recording and playback possibilities without content limitations. Combine that with a Vocal Suite which includes an adaptive Vocal Tuner, and powerful new synths and insert effect plugins, and you have an inspirational modern music creation system for any genre.”
FORCE 3.1 will be available on October 19, 2021, as a free update for FORCE users.
For more information on FORCE 3.1, visit www.akaipro.com/force
AKAI PROFESSIONAL® UNVEILS THE NEW MPC STUDIO: AN EXCEPTIONAL MODERN MUSIC PRODUCTION SOLUTION
Adding to the MPC lineup, the new MPC Studio delivers a serious music production and recording system for the modern music creator.
Cumberland, RI USA (September 21, 2021) — Akai Professional, a leading manufacturer of music equipment for performers and producers, is proud to announce its newest music production system, the MPC Studio.
The new MPC Studio redefines tactile control with a hardware offering that intuitively delivers a modern and deep level of command over the music production process. Together with the MPC2 Desktop Software DAW for both Mac and PC, MPC Studio offers a total creation package for the serious modern beat-maker and music producer.
MPC Performance and Control
At the heart of MPC Studio are the world-renowned 16 full-size pressure and velocity sensitive RGB-backlit pads with aftertouch. These pads optimize your performance to play and record patterns, notes, chords, and more with sound precision and an accurate visual display of velocity and pad groupings.
The new assignable Touch Strip will elevate any performance with invigorating expression. Add articulation to a string or guitar instrument, add modulation or pitch bend to a keyboard synth, control Note Repeat for hi-hats, snares, effects and much more. The assignable Touch Strip will quickly become your favorite tool to shape and sculpt your performances and productions.
The full color LCD ensures users will stay locked into every creative moment with vibrant visual feedback. Scroll through track names, plugin instrument presets, browse categories, monitor parameter values when dialing in effects, or trim and chop samples. The color LCD makes work more efficient by enabling you to keep your eyes on the controller, and your focus squarely on the music. Navigate sessions big and small with dedicated MPC Transport controls, complete with Locate buttons for time saving and precise location spotting.
It has come to my attention that ARP founder Alan R. Pearlman has passed way. He was 90 years old at the time of the NAMM TEC Awards in 2015. The ARP 2600 SYNTHESIZER received the award that year. You can find a video from the event featuring Pat Gleeson and Jim Heintz of WayOutWare, who worked with Alan on their ARP emulations, below. Alan was no longer traveling at the time and was not at the event.
You can find a great video interview with Alan R. Pearlman from 2006 at the NAMM website here. The following is an interesting excerpt from the site: "Alan R. Pearlman was nicknamed 'ARP' as a kid growing up in New York City, so it seemed the perfect name for a company when he was later designing electronic musical instruments. The first instrument created by Alan was the modular synthesizer known as the ARP 2500. The monophonic product was released years after the first Moog and Buchla instruments, but gained attention for several new features including the ever-popular function of not drifting out of tune, which was a common problem in the earlier products. Next came the now classic ARP 2600, and soon the company became a great leader in the growth and development of the electronic musical market."
"Pearlman was born in New York City in 1925. His father was a movie theatre projector designer and his grandfather made parts for phonograph machines. He grew up building radio sets, inspired by Popular Science and Popular Mechanics magazines, and served in the military briefly following World War II.
Following his military service, Pearlman attended Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Worcester, Massachusetts and in 1948, for his senior thesis designed a vacuum tube envelope follower that could extract the envelope of a sound from an instrument. He later audited a Harvard University course taught by one of the inventors of the transistor, Walter Brattain.[1]
Pearlman spent five years designing amplifiers for NASA's Gemini and Apollo programs. He worked at George A. Philbrick Researchers with Roger Noble, and the two later founded analog module and op amp manufacturer Nexus Research Laboratory in Canton, Massachusetts in the early 1960s. Nexus Research Laboratory's business grew to $4 million in annual sales before being acquired by Teledyne in 1966.[2][3]
In 1969, Pearlman founded ARP Instruments, Inc. (originally Tonus, Inc.) with $100,000 of his own money and matching funds from a small group of investors. The name ARP was derived from Pearlman's initials. ARP entered the fledgling synthesizer industry with the introduction of the ARP 2002, which with twice as many switch rows on top, became the 2500 analog modular synthesizer. The 2002 was introduced at the AES show in Fall 1970, and subsequently competed head to head with other leading synthesizer companies of the time. Pearlman eschewed patch cord methodology for interconnecting synthesizer modules, designing instead a system of sliding matrix switches. He also applied his op-amp experience by utilizing dual transistors on a single integrated circuit to overcome temperature gradients and provide very stable oscillators - more stable than other popular synthesizers on the market at the time, namely offerings from Moog Music and Buchla.[4][5]"
ARP 2600 Synthesizer Award Show w/ Dr Pat Gleeson & Jim Heintz NAMM TEC Awards 2015
Published on Feb 3, 2015 Byron Hotchkiss
"ARP 2600 SYNTHESIZER receives NAMM TECH Award at 2015 show. Speakers Dr. Pat Gleeson and Jim Heintz of WayOutWare recall stories of the ARP 2600 instrument. Quotes from Pete Townsend, Alan R. Pearlman (ARP name taken from inventors nickname as a youth) Video by B K Hotchkiss"
Note it is extremely difficult to pick videos for a RIP post especially considering how many great videos there are out there and how many have been already featured on the site as you can see via the ARP label. I'll be searching for some not previously featured to put up in individual posts throughout the day. If you have any you'd like to share please do so in the comments. I wanted to share the following as it features Alan R. Pearlman's first iconic synth, the ARP 2500.
"A portrait of Eliane Radigue, produced by the Austrian IMA (Institute for Media Archeology), which observes Eliane in her workspace, operating the ARP and talking about the process of composing and recording."
Every year Barry Wood of The Other Room comes out with his list of NAMM Oddities. This year, synths dominate the list. Click through for the descriptions, other oddities and links to previous NAMM years.
This year's winner was the Dewanatron Hymnotron. You can catch my NAMM video of the Hymnotron and more in my NAMM 2012 Megapost here.
Others on the list include:
Alkex Instruments BallBeats Keith McMillen Instruments QuNeo WMD Pedals WayOutWare SynthX Smithson Martin, Inc. Emulator NoiseFX, Inc. Palindrome PD-1 Beat Kangs Electronics, LLC Beat Thang Surfin Kangaroo Studio eurorack quad-surround panner & iOS editor Moog Music 500-series ladder filter The Schmidt Monster Analog
"In this video I walk through the basic features of SynthX for the iPad. For this setup, I had the iPad audio plugged into my stereo and had my little flip camera on a stand over the iPad. This is a straight take with no edits."
http://www.wayoutware.com/ via Sonic State "Jim Heinz was prowling the show floor with his soon to be released SynthX - a polyphonic analog modeled synthesizer engine based on the KickaXe engine (same as the TmeWarp 2600) with effects too. The app is soon to be submitted to the Apple approval team - I wonder what kind of a job that must be... and should be available in the next few weeks."
An ARP for the iPad. Way Out Ware makes the highly acclaimed ARP virtual synths, the TimewARP 2600 and KikAXXE. Check out what Jim Heintz says from 2:45 on. Also catch the addition of some of the Roger Linn Adrenalin effects (see this post for reference). Do watch this video in full. It really captures the excitement behind what the iPad has to offer. There's some great visuals of the waveforms in real time including pulse width modulation. This is going to be a "look! no hands!" iPad app.
"Gino Robair sat down with Jim during the recent NAMM show to check out SynthX - currently still in Alpha - in person. The SynthX interface makes elegant use of the iPad's touch-screen, offering graphical feedback of the audible pulse-waves in real-time, as well as X- and Y-axis expressivity. We can't wait until this thing is official."
This is the iSample 2.0 Chicken Song. The Audio for this video was created completely on an iPhone using iSample 2.0 from Way Out Ware. The audio was recorded using the iPhone's built in mic and edited and sequenced completely using iSample 2.0.
iSample 2.0 is available at the Apple App Store by clicking the following link: http://budurl.com/isamplevid
YouTube via wayoutware "http://www.budurl.com/isample Get iSample Here! [on iTunes] iSample is a new iPhone Music App that samples sound and allows the user to musically play the samples back. This is a quick jam video for iSample 2.0 using default samples. Please visit http://www.wayoutware.com for more information on iSample and other Way Out Ware products."
This is a straight take without video edits of an iSample 2.0 demo session by Jim Heintz. It was done using the built in sample bank called Chillbeat 86 that ships with iSample 2.0. This demo shows only a small fraction of the features new to iSample 2.0.
iSample is a new iPhone Music App for the iPhone. With iSample you can sample or record any audible sound, and play it back musically. iSample is an excellent live performance insturment that is very easy, and very fun to use. iSample is only available on the iPhone. Check out our other products on the Way Out Ware website: http://www.wayoutware.com
YouTube via joomzb "The TimewARP 2600 from Wayoutware is a great emulation of the ARP 2600 analog synth. It sounds great when used to process external audio - in this case the Fender Rhodes sound from the excellent MrRay73 from GenuineSoundware (oh, and the Fender Twin VST). The TimewARP 2600 is used here to provide filtering, wah, tremelo, ring modulation, audio rate filter modulation, envelope following... It's all controlled from the Novation Nocturn - very easy and intuitive for live use. Sorry, no real music here, just noodling and having fun."
YouTube via wiretotheear "The KikAXXE is a virtual synthesizer, drum machine and analog sequencer. It's great fun. After you watch this video be sure to try the fully working 30 day demo from www.wayoutware.com. For more videos, tutorials and pro-audio articles visit www.wiretotheear.com."
Update via Oliver Chesler in the comments: "You can also see this in a higher resolution here"
Title link takes you to part 1 of an interview with Robert Rich on Gearwire. That's his MOTM modular behind him.
"He uses a number of old keyboards in his work as well including the Yamaha DX7 IID, Korg Wave Station and the Ensoniq ASR10 Sampler. Rich also uses the TimewArp 2600 by WayOutWare.
There is one piece of gear Rich uses a good deal; Synthesis Technology MOTM, a hybrid system with Midi to CV conversion.
'Its become my signature. It is a but of a luxury I enjoy it I grew up building modular synthesizers from kits so that is my language,” says Rich. “Only in the past 5 to 8 years that there has been a resurgence of analog synths-and a backlash against plug-ins. The experience of interacting with machines...there is something sensual about hardware. It touches the skin.'"
