cinematic - Alchemy demo

YouTube via accordoTV | January 26, 2011

Namm Show 2011 - Audio Day 4 - MISC Booths

YouTube via accordoTV | January 16, 2011

See The NAMM List for the latest updates. More have gone up since the last update.

41 namm2011 dove andremo a finire 2

YouTube via accordoTV | January 16, 2011

Namm Show 2011 - Don Buchla: parla il maestro

YouTube via accordoTV | January 15, 2011 |

"http://audio.accordo.it/articles/2011..."

Namm Show 2011 Buchla!!!

YouTube via accordoTV | January 14, 2011 |

http://buchla.com/
"http://audio.accordo.it/articles/2011..."

NAMM: Spectrasonics Omnisphere 1.5 & Omni TR for iPad

Don't miss the video at the bottom of this post.

"At the 2011 NAMM show, Spectrasonics made two product announcements and demonstrated both a major new version of their award-winning Power Synth Omnisphere® along with a new iPad app called “Omn TR” that allows wireless-remote control of Omnisphere. Many of the new capabilities in version 1.5 of Omnisphere are featured in the “Omni TR” app.

The company’s flagship synthesizer includes a host of new features, in particular a new interactive interface called “The Orb” offering stunning real-time synthesis manipulation capabilities (also a key element in the new “Omni TR” app) — along with many deeply expanded additions to the synthesis engine and user interface. The v1.5 update also includes many important user-requested features such as the new 5-Column Browser view and support for polyphonic aftertouch. The new version also includes a significant update to the factory patch library, taking advantage of all the new sound design capabilities and bringing the total number of included sounds to over 8,000. Omnisphere 1.5 is set to be released on February 15th, 2011 as a free downloadable update for all registered users.

'Our goal for Omnisphere has always been to make it the ‘best of both worlds’ – awesome sounds AND a dream instrument for sound design,” says Eric Persing, Founder and Creative Director of Spectrasonics. “As longtime synth geeks ourselves, we are just as excited as our customers to see how Omnisphere is growing and evolving as a synthesis platform. We’re really looking forward to hearing how our users explore the new sonic worlds this version opens up. I think it’s some of our best work yet.'"

At the 2011 NAMM show, Spectrasonics made two product announcements and demonstrated both a major new version of their award-winning Power Synth Omnisphere® along with a new iPad app called “Omn TR” that allows wireless-remote control of Omnisphere. Many of the new capabilities in version 1.5 of Omnisphere are featured in the “Omni TR” app.

The company’s flagship synthesizer includes a host of new features, in particular a new interactive interface called “The Orb” offering stunning real-time synthesis manipulation capabilities (also a key element in the new “Omni TR” app) — along with many deeply expanded additions to the synthesis engine and user interface. The v1.5 update also includes many important user-requested features such as the new 5-Column Browser view and support for polyphonic aftertouch. The new version also includes a significant update to the factory patch library, taking advantage of all the new sound design capabilities and bringing the total number of included sounds to over 8,000. Omnisphere 1.5 is set to be released on February 15th, 2011 as a free downloadable update for all registered users.

“Our goal for Omnisphere has always been to make it the ‘best of both worlds’ – awesome sounds AND a dream instrument for sound design,” says Eric Persing, Founder and Creative Director of Spectrasonics. “As longtime synth geeks ourselves, we are just as excited as our customers to see how Omnisphere is growing and evolving as a synthesis platform. We’re really looking forward to hearing how our users explore the new sonic worlds this version opens up. I think it’s some of our best work yet.”

omnitr.jpg
Omnisphere 1.5 Update
Expanded Synthesis
Omnisphere 1.5 includes new and expanded synthesis capabilities, with newly designed “zoom” interface views for the synthesizer’s Harmonia, Waveshaper and Granular synthesis areas. Harmonia can create extremely rich sounds by adding up to 10 oscillators per patch with new independent modulation possibilities on each oscillator. The Waveshaper now includes more extreme sound mangling capabilities with the new polyphonic “Crusher” and “Reducer” modules, which include ‘Animation’ and ‘Force’ parameters that can all be modulated. Omnisphere’s Granular synthesis area has been made significantly more powerful by including new ‘Speed’ and ‘Position’ modes, which create dramatic polyphonic shifts through the audio and time spectrums. At the center of the Granular Zoom interface is a new real-time ‘Granular Visualizer’ showing a colorful graphic model of the effect of parameter edits, all of which makes Omnisphere’s complex Granular synthesis easier to understand and more fun to use.


The Orb The innovative “Orb” feature of Omnisphere 1.5 is both a remarkable sound manipulation tool and an intuitive performance interface — it can be thought of as a ‘circular controller.’ Now with a single click of the mouse, the user can instantly customize the sound. Best of all, the Orb automatically works with every patch a user has, there’s no setup necessary.The user simply moves the Orb cursor with a mouse, a MIDI controller or in the case of an iPad, with fingers directly on the Orb itself. As the Orb moves around the concentric circles, it morphs between automatically generated parameter scenes in Omnisphere’s STEAM engine in a highly intelligent and musical manner — all patch dependent — manipulating the sound in subtle or radical ways appropriate to that particular patch. If the user doesn’t like what the Orb has created, a complete new set of manipulations can be chosen by simply rolling the “Dice” button, which instantly creates a brand new group of intelligent sonic modifications and effects to try. There’s no limit to how many serendipitous sonic variations the “Dice” can create – opening up the vast power of the STEAM engine to every user, regardless of synthesis knowledge.

For advanced synthesists seeking maximum flexibility, the Orb can also be setup manually and used as a new modulation source in Omnisphere’s sophisticated Mod Matrix.The Inertia slider of the Orb allows the user to create a ‘movement trail’ after letting go of the Orb, just like a ball might roll and bounce off the walls of a circular enclosure, adding a musical symmetry to the “performance” of an Orb interaction. Users can also Record their performance movements directly into the Orb and play the performance back in sync with their controller or host. The Orb’s movements and sonic results are saved within the patch, multi or the host’s session for later recall. The movement of the Orb can also be automated in the users host.The ideal control surface for Omnisphere’s new ‘Orb’ is the multi-touch interface of the simultaneously announced “Omni TR” iPad app, but the Orb can also be used with standard mice, trackpads and MIDI controllers.Hands-On Expression
Omnisphere 1.5 includes support for Spectrasonics new “Omni TR” iPad app, which provides wireless multi-touch performance control over the synthesizer. Alternate controllers that send multiple simultaneous MIDI channels have improved handling with the new “Clone Part” feature, making it easier to edit with multichannel systems like Guitar synths and the Eigenharp™ controller. Omnisphere 1.5 also adds support for MIDI keyboards and devices that send polyphonic aftertouch. A special new MIDI Learn mode enables hardware controllers that send a single channel to have all of their learned knobs, sliders and switches affect any parts currently selected in Live Mode – making Omnisphere even more intuitive when controlled from a hardware synth such as a Moog Little Phatty™.Version 1.5 of Omnisphere is set to be released February 15th, 2011. The update will be free for all registered users and can be downloaded from the Spectrasonics website. http://www.spectrasonics.net

Omnisphere is available now from all Spectrasonics dealers - MSRP $499US / 379Euro

Highlights of Omnisphere 1.5

• Innovative “Orb” ‘circular sound manipulation’ interface with Motion Recording and “Dice” button for infinite variations and one-touch sound customization

• Expanded Synthesis capabilities:

Harmonia: New zoom page shows all Harmonia parameters per layer adding up to 10 oscillators per patch with new independent modulation options for Levels and Fine Tuning on each Harmonia oscillator.

Waveshaper: New zoom page with extreme new processing modules including polyphonic ‘Crusher’ and ‘Reducer’ sections with ‘Force’ and ‘Animation’ controls that can all be modulated.

Granular Synthesis: New ‘Speed’ and ‘Position’ modes. New zoom page with new ‘Granular Visualizer’ showing a graphic model of the effect of parameter edits which makes Granular synthesis easier to use.

• Patch Library Update: Over 700 brand new patches created by renowned Spectrasonics sound development team gives Omnisphere over 5,000 patches and 8,000 total sounds
• New 5-Column Browser view displays more sound categories and attributes simultaneously
• New Online Video Tutorials for Version 1.5 capabilities
• Support for new ‘Omni TR’ iPad app
• New “Recently Added” Browser sorting option
• Added support for MIDI devices which send polyphonic aftertouch
• New ‘Clone Part’ feature allows easier editing/setup with multichannel MIDI controllers
• New MIDI Learn hardware control mode follows Live Mode selection
• Modulation Envelope points can be key-command snapped to semitone when modulating pitch
• User-assignable Legato Interval rule added
• V1.5 is a FREE update for registered users of Omnisphere!


The new “Omni TR” iPad app introduces Spectrasonics ‘TR’ (Touch Remote) concept - combining the tactile advantages of the iPad as a performance-oriented touch surface, with the company’s powerful computer-based virtual instruments – creating a true hands-on experience for musicians.“One of the big differences between software and hardware synths is the feeling of hardware that’s so wonderful,” says Eric Persing. “With the iPad and our new Omni TR app, we are excited to bridge that gap and bring the sense of touch to state-of-the-art virtual instruments like Omnisphere.”Omni TR brings Omnisphere’s interactive features closer to the music creation process with the ability to create setups and sound modifications very quickly. The user’s fingers can activate patches, tweak filters, re-mix, bend and spin amazing performance possibilities from the innovative new ‘Orb’ circular controller.With its high contrast interface, ‘Omni TR’ is perfect onstage for live performance or even in the studio where the iPad sits at the controller keyboard located away from the studio computer. Best of all, the Omni TR app is extremely easy to use, offering full two-way communication with Omnisphere with just a simple wireless connection to the computer running the plug-in.Main Page
The Main page mirrors Omnisphere’s unique Live Mode offering 8 patch slots with latching and trigger modes, individual mute and solo, and mixer faders. In this page alone, Omnisphere becomes a new performance instrument with the iPad sitting at the user’s controller keyboard. Patch names can be simply touched to be enabled, one or more at a time for layers and stacks. Users can also browse and select Multis and Patches directly from the iPad to instantly change sounds for a new song or live set.

Orb Page
Omni TR was designed to make the iPad the ideal control surface for Omnisphere’s innovative new ‘Orb’ feature. The ‘Orb’ is both a remarkable sound manipulation tool and an intuitive performance interface — it can be thought of as a ‘circular controller.’ Now with a single gesture, the user can instantly customize the sound in Omnisphere. Best of all, the Orb automatically works with every patch a user has, there’s no setup necessary.

As the Orb moves and orbits around the concentric circles, it morphs between automatically generated parameter scenes in Omnisphere’s STEAM engine in a highly intelligent and musical manner, all patch dependent — manipulating the sound in subtle or radical ways appropriate to that particular patch.

If the user doesn’t like what the Orb has created, a complete new set of manipulations can be chosen by simply rolling the “Dice” button, which instantly creates a brand new group of intelligent sonic modifications and effects to try. There’s no limit to how many serendipitous sonic variations the Orb can create – opening up the vast power of the STEAM engine to every user, regardless of synthesis knowledge.

The tactile experience of moving the cursor around the Orb space on the iPad with a finger to create variations in the sound is remarkably musical. Where standard controllers might change one or two simple parameters in a linear manner, the Orb morphs a host of parameters that are patch specific, and easily changed on-the-fly.

The Inertia slider of the Orb allows the user to create a ‘movement trail’ after letting go of the Orb, just like a ball might roll and bounce off the walls of a circular enclosure, adding a musical symmetry to the “performance” of an Orb interaction.

Users can also record their performance movements directly into the Orb and play the performance back in sync with their controller or host. The Orb’s movements and sonic results are saved within the patch, multi or the host’s session for later recall. The movement of the Orb can also be automated in the user’s host.

Controls and Jumbo Pages
The Controls page features a touch-based pitch ribbon performance controller and 8 touch sliders assigned to groups of the most useful performance/editing parameters for each Omnisphere layer. The Jumbo page shows large patch names on all 8 parts, easily seen in a live stage performance situation.

The new “Omni TR” iPad app is compatible with both Mac and Windows systems running Spectrasonics Omnisphere v1.5 or higher and will be available free from the App Store on February 15th, 2011 (pending Apple’s review)."

Namm Show 2011 - Rudess

YouTube via accordoTV | January 15, 2011 |

http://audio.accordo.it/articles/2011..."

Namm Show 2011 - Dewanatron

YouTube via accordoTV | January 14, 2011

Update:

NAMM 2011 Swarmatron - Analog Synthesis
YouTube via musicianews | January 13, 2011 |



"Leon Dewan and Brian Dewan of www.Dewanatron.com demo a really interesting set of analog synthesis instruments"

Rhizome @ NAMM 2011

YouTube via DontEatWhatTheyFeed |

"Julien from FeelTune shows off the Rhizome workstation"

Update:

Namm Show 2011 - Rhizome
YouTube via accordoTV | January 14, 2011

NAMM: Teenage Engineering OP-1 Ready for Production

"OP-1 Newsletter #3, Jan 14, 2011

SPECIAL NAMM 2011 ANNOUNCEMENT

Finally. After more than two years of development the OP-1 is ready for production.

Initial supply will be limited. We now accept reservations at http://www.teenageengineering.com

Order now to make sure you get an OP-1 from the first production run. Manufacturing, assembly and shipping will be eight weeks.

PRICE

The OP-1 is priced at $ 799 / Euro 799 (including EC-VAT).

We have got questions about the dollar versus euro price.
The apparently higher euro price is a consequence of that we are required to add sales tax on all sales to the european union.

MEET US AT NAMM

We are in Hall A, Booth# 6409. The NAMM Show, Anaheim convention center in California. This is the place to try out an OP-1 for yourself. The show ends on Sunday.

BETA

Invitations has been sent out to the people selected for the Beta program.

We are exited to open up the sales of the OP-1 and are looking forward to hear what music you will create with our beloved synthesizer.

Thank you for signing up for the Teenage Engineering Newsletter.

Have a nice day.

-Teenage Engineering."

Teenage Engineering @ NAMM 2011 OP-1

YouTube via DontEatWhatTheyFeed | January 14, 2011 |

"Jesper from Teenage Engineering discusses the updates and release of the OP-1"

One more video in via Luis here: http://www.viddler.com/simple/85f10197/

Updates: via Luis Duran @ www.othersidesounds.com:

Namm Show 2011 - Teenage Engineering

YouTube via accordoTV | January 15, 2011

via Stefan in the comments:

Teenage Engineering OP-1

YouTube via ChuckLevins | January 14, 2011 |

"Sneak peak at one of the hottest upcoming synths out there!"

Update:

Teenage Engineering Op-1 Namm 2011 by Rock oN Report

YouTube via RockoNCompany | January 16, 2011 |

First Fairlight Since 1989 Arrives

"Birth Announcement
« on: December 31, 2010, 11:19:01 PM »

Peter Vogel and the Fairlight Family are proud to announce the arrival of the first CMI-30A. Our new baby has already left the nest and is currently winging its way to the US in readiness for a first performance at NAMM. Its parents are recovering well and are looking forward to receiving visitors in the near future.

Here are a couple of early pics, but more baby photos and recordings of first words will be posted in time. We thank our friends and loved ones for their support during the gestation period.

Happy New Year and Happy Fairlight!

The first CMI since 1989. Awaiting transport to US for NAMM

All packed and ready to go on 31st Dec 2010 with Peter Wielk (left) and Peter Vogel (right)."

via John via Fairlight

Update:

CLICK FOR MORE »

Musikmesse: Musikmesse 2010 - Mini Formanth Challenger

YouTube via accordoTV. via Davide Mancini

"http://audio.accordo.it/art..."

Formanth or Formant? The synth is the Helmtronic Challenger. According to 7ate9 in the comments of this prior post, "Helmtronic (Hans-Joachim Helmstedt who wrote the second Elektor Formant "Pro" book)" See that post for more details and comments. I disabled comments here to keep discussion in that post for now.


Update: Pic via the Synthesizer-Magazin booth via sequencer.de [click for more pics].

Musikmesse: Formant Helmtronic Challenger

via theheartcore, via AH:

1.) 4 VCOs (4th VCO can function as an LFO), waveforms include saw, tri, square and pulse with 2 or 3 duty cycles - can't remember which ones but I think it's 25% and 5%)
2.) 2 filters (VCF1: multimode 12dB highpass, 12 dB lowpass, 6dB
>> notch, VCF2: 24dB transistor ladder)
3.) 2 analog ADSRs for the filters, each filter gets its own ADSR
4.) 2 analog ADSRs for VCA
5.) flexible routing with separate knobs: each VCO can be sent to either VCF1, VCF 2 or both
6.) modulation busses ala Voyager style.
7.) polyphony: 1 voice
8.) keyboard: 4 octaves
9.) controls: pitch and modulation wheels (wooden ones)
10.) construction: wooden, with flip-up panel ala Minimoog
11.) no patch memory, no LCD supposedly the price would be a bit more than Moog LP pic on the front page of number 17 of this magazine: http://www.synthesizer-magazin.de/ (go to link and scroll down, currently the second image on the page)"

Update: additional info via cheater cheater on the AH list:
"Oh hey, in the meantime I picked up that mag from Schneider's...

here's some info...

- 4 oscillators, two filters (multimode 2pole lp/hp/bp/n + moog style
4pole), 2 mod busses, 1 lfo, osc4 switchable to be a second lfo, two
amp envelopes and vcas, pan

- oscillators: 32' - 1', each has a tune knob (+- 5 semitones) and a
knob for modulation depth from the busses (dunno which osc from what
bus), each has waveforms sin/tri/saw/square/low duty cycle 1/low duty
cycle 2. The last two waveforms look like 25% and 12.5% but it's not
mentioned and all i'm going by is the drawing on the panel!

- more oscillator stuff: soft sync osc 1-2, ringmod osc 1-2, hardsync
osc 3-4, crossmod osc 3-4, cv can be turned off for osc 4. All those
things are via switches at the bottom of the osc section. osc 4
switchable to lfo via the range knob. Osc 4 can be used as an FM
source through the mod busses.

- oscillators are said to be 'temperature controlled', and then Achim
Helmstedt talks about how after a 5 minute warm-up the synthesizer is
good to go.

- filter input routing: each input has a level knob (i expect it to be
possible to make nice distortion at this stage) and can be routed to
filter 1, 2 or 1+2. Inputs are osc1/2/3/4, noise and ext. There's an
overload indicator for the ext in.

- the same section has midi activity diodes and midi learn buttons for
midi 1/2. Dunno what they do.

- noise switchable to pink or white

- each filter has knobs for cutoff/res/env/modulation depth. Filters
self-oscillate. Env comes from each respective adsr envelope. The mod
knob changes mod depth from each of the CV busses. Each filter can
have kb follow turned off, envelopes can be inverted.

- output stage: two adsr envelopes one for each VCA (I assume osc 1-2
go to vca1 and osc 3-4 go to vca2). Pan sections for vca1/2. Each vca
has a 'manual pan' knob. There are rotary switches called 'select amp
1/2' with the settings off/kbcv/mod wheel/pitch wheel/mod-fix/manual.
I assume the 'manual' is when the manual pan knobs do something,
although it would be nice if they did 'something' either way, working
as an offset, via a CV mixer. Mod wheel means that the modulation goes
through the mod wheel and then to the pan; mod fix means the
modulation doesn't go through the mod wheel and is always present;
pitch wheel means the pitch wheel pans left/right. Master volume knob,
headphone volume knob.

- 440Hz switch

- power switch on the front panel (huh?)

- modulation and routing (this panel is all the way to the left): two
cv buses with separate tune (+/- 5 semitones) and portamento speed.
Pitch wheel column: osc select: off/1/2/3/4/1-4; destination:
osc/filter/pitch/pan; pitchwhell range knob. Mod.fix column: source:
tri/saw/neg saw/ s&h/osc4/env1/env2; dest: osc/filter/pitch/pan;
mod.fix range knob. Mod wheel column: source: tri/saw/neg
saw/s&h/osc4/env1/env2; destination: osc/filter/pitch/pan; mod.wheel
range knob. Below those 4 columns is a row with the lfo rate knob; rdm
rate (i assume it's the rate of the random S&H, but no idea really);
velocity: off/filt1/filt2/filt1+2 (controlling the cutoff). Below that
switches: sync lfo (i assume it's the gate sync that he talks about in
the article); cv lfo; s&h source: rdm/osc4; cv1: keyboard/mod1;
cv-split (on/off). LFO goes from 30 sec to 45 Hz. It isn't really
explained what 'rdm' actually is, I assume it's a funny shortening for
'random' and means the s&h samples noise and not osc 4. I suggest
changing it to 'rand' which is the normal shortening, 'rdm' is going
to confuse everyone.

- can be played as two separate monosynths each with 2 osc (osc 1/2 or
3/4) + 1 filter. This can be done when cv-split is 'on' in which case
it suddenly makes sense why there are two portamento knobs, although
separate portamento for oscillators can sound nice in its own regard.

- wooden pitch/mod wheels. If someone likes something like this..
surface might be too slick for my taste, but I haven't tried them in
person.

- potentiometers so no fail in that regard

- panel can be hinged, but how good that turns out to work in 20 years
is yet to be seen


BTW, at the end of the article Achim mentions that the Formant 2000 is
still being sold, so if you want to go and buy it. The website is
'being built' but he can accept orders through the synthesizer
magazine (where he works it seems). www.synthesizer-magazin.de

All in all it looks like an interesting synth, there are some open
wishes such as less slick pitch/mod wheels, changing the 'rdm' label
to 'rand', being able to use the keyboard in split mode for when
you're using the synth in bitimbral mode (there's enough panel space
for that functionality!), and the little bit about pan offset. The
synth would gain much value if it were made (semi-)modular. Of course
this can be modded in, but I don't think you get warranty in that
case, so unless it's there from the factory it's not going to really
be a possibility.

Funnily enough there's some table at the end, it lists settings for 10
'sound demos', but I can't actually figure out where the sound demos
should be, there are none mentioned anywhere, the magazine website
says nothing about that either.

D."

Update via 7ate9 in the comments: "Helmtronic (Hans-Joachim Helmstedt who wrote the second Elektor Formant "Pro" book)"

Update via Florian: "The designer of the Formant was Cyril Chapman - not HaJo Helmstedt. HaJo wrote a book ("Formant Pro") in 2000, where he described the adaption of mostly wellknown circuits for the Formant."

Update:

Musikmesse 2010 - Mini Formanth Challenger

YouTube via accordoTV. via Davide Mancini.

"http://audio.accordo.it/art..."


Update: Pic via the Synthesizer-Magazin booth via sequencer.de [click for more pics].

Update: video via moogulator of sequencer.de added below.


Musikmesse: Helmtronic Challenger Synthesizer behind the scene at our Booth (Synthesizer-Magazin)
YouTube via Moogulator.

"HaJo Helmstedt demoed his Challenger and Black Moon Synthesizer at our Booth (synthesizer-magazin.de) - quick little video (nothing special) - by sequencer.de synthesizer database - it's 4 OSCs, 2 Filters, all analogue. filter FM is no problem, mod busses are there, too.

Ok, this is NOT the demo, I just shot this behind the scene, so don't get it wrong ;)"