MATRIXSYNTH

NAMM: Alesis SR18

Finally, a successor to the Alesis SR16. Anyone know how long the SR16 was in production? It leaves me wondering if it holds the record for the longest production run of any electronic instrument in the sense of synths, sequencers and drum machines.

"Alesis knows drums. The legendary SR-16 ignited the drum-machine market in 1990 and has remained a classic ever since. The SR-18 is designed to meet the demands of today’s musicians.

Introducing the SR-18. Following in the tradition of its ancestor, the SR-18 is loaded with cutting-edge drum kits, electronic drums, hits, and up-to-date percussion sounds for any modern drummer. From hip-hop, to country and everything in-between, the SR-18 has you covered.

The integrated effects engine includes Reverb, EQ and Compression for customizing the sounds to your liking. Since the SR-18 can be powered by AC or batteries, it ensures that whenever you need to lay down a groove, you're fully-equipped.

The new era of drum machines is here, only from Alesis.
_Large, 32MB sound set with percussion bank and bass synth
_Built-in Effects- Reverb, EQ and Compression
_Battery Power for max portability
_Pattern Play Mode enables different patterns to be triggered from the pads directly
_Mute/Solo Function for parts- Drums, Bass and Percussion and per pad within a bank"

WNAMM08: Plugiator – An 8 Synth DSP Box

Be sure to see the write-up on Sonic State.
You can find all NAMM videos by Sonic State here.
Update: Some interesting notes and a question on the Plugiator after watching this video:
In a prior video he referred to the audio input for use with the vocodizer only, in this video he says you can use it with the synth engines as well, so this is good. However, in this video he mentions or implies that you need the PC editor for extensive editing as the hardware only has five knobs? This is actually a show-stopper for me. I'm interested in the Plugiator as you can basically get the same synth engines as the Creamware ASB boxes in one device, but if you can't edit all the paramaters w/o the use of the PC, it kind of kills it for me. Anyone out there confirm this either way?

WNAMM08: Surfin Kangaroo Sequencer Updates

Be sure to check out the write-up on Sonic State.

WNAMM08: CME VX and UF Keyboards – More For Your $$

Be sure to see the write-up on Sonic State.

WNAMM08: More Korg n VOX Bits

Be sure to see the write-up on Sonic State.

Analogue Systems rs600 Performance Wheels Eurorack module

YouTube via bigcitymusic
"The Analogue Systems rs600 'Performance Wheels' module is a nice alternative to the rs220 Joystick Controller for the Demon or Sorcerer keyboard. The rs600 can also be used as a module in its own right in any Eurorack modular setup.

Clear backlit wheels change color as they are moved while the modulation wheel LED changes in intensity as it is moved showing the internal LFO frequency."

Also be sure to check out the new Big City Music Blog.

Marc Barreca + Allen Strange Live

Update: "DUE TO ILLNESS, ALLEN STRANGE WILL NOT BE PERFORMING)" click the link below for more info.

Via CHAPEL PERFORMANCE SPACE
Saturday February 2
"8:00 PM; $5 - $15 sliding scale donation at the door; presented by The Island Music Guild.

Marc Barreca, a Seattle pioneer of electronic music will be making a rare appearance with new works for electronic accordian, computer and interactive video. The evening will be shared with colleague Allen Strange, active in electronic music performance since the early 1970s.
Both Barreca and Strange will be releasing new CDs of recent works later this year. They will be joined by guest artists Pat Strange, violin, and William Trimble, saxophone. Both composers are current residents of Bainbridge Island and this is their first Seattle performance in many years."

The performance will be at the Good Shepherd Center, 4649 Sunnyside Ave. N, 4th Floor, Seattle, WA; in Wallingford, 1/2 block south of 50th St., 1 block east of Meridian; 206-789-1939
See these prior posts for some synth books by Allen Strange.