MATRIXSYNTH

NAMM: virus ti os3 - distortion experiments1

YouTube via dvdlernkurs
"some experiments with the new distortion and ringmodulator fx of virus ti os 3.0."

NAMM: V-Synth GT Version 2.0 Quick preview

YouTube via RolandChannel
"http://www.V-Synth.com
Roland V-Synth GT, the world's most expressive synthesizer evolves with a Version 2.0 software update. Features include a recharged cutting-edge sound set, dozens of newly enhanced effects, an Import Files feature, an enhanced user interface, and more. These new features strongly support sound design and live performance."

NAMM: Akai Professional at WINTER NAMM 2009

YouTube via AkaiProVideo
"Winter NAMM 2009 is the place to be for the latest news and about what Akai Professional's development team has been cooking up. http://www.akaipro.com/contentmgr/sho..."

NAMM: Show Coverage on The audioMIDI.com Blog

http://www.audiomidiblog.com/

Pictured:
John Bowen Synth Design Solaris
"Here we have the John Bowen Synth Design Solaris. Lovely beast, isn’t it? Mr. Bowen is one of the original masterminds of the classic Sequential Circuits Prophet-5, amongst other things, and he’s been hard at work with this virtual analog monster for some time. Four oscillators, crazy modulation… trust me, this one SERIOUS polysynth. It’s almost ready to go too… John says it’ll ship in a couple months at around $4000."

NAMM: Korg at 2009 NAMM Show

flickr by Synthesizers
(click for more)

full size

Yellow KORG M50

MOTU Volta Done with Max/MSP

via wetterberg on Muff's Modules and More (Muff Wiggler)

"Alright, so this has been the holy grail for me in terms of modular synth+computer integration, and I had all but given up:

my fa-101 has DC blocking capacitors (and I'm not overly keen on hacking it wink ) and my 828mk1 had been bricked by horrible drivers...

I had even started looking into weird OSC->CV solutions, and had cash in hand, ready to buy the Kenton Pro 2000, which is expensive, and still only runs at midi resolution.

Well, now things have changed! I magically got the 828mk1 to WORK and I speedily set up a test rig to see what I could get out of the unit.

IT WORKS! Oh my GAWD this is so cool! I have a 4-way step sequencer, a fully synced ADSR and an LFO modulating an LFO, coming out of 5 different outputs, and as far as I can tell the voltage is REALLY high - good enough to do proper pitch scaling and so on - this RULES! It also happily generates trigger outputs, although I am going to build a trigger interface instead.

So - what does it sound like?
http://wetterberg.dk/uploads/828_modulator.mp3
(sorry for the crummy recording, weird interference on my recorder... wasn't there when monitoring directly, grumble)

What's going on?
the patch is 110 VCO->116 waveform processor->106-1 Xtreme filter

Computer is step sequencing PWM, clipping and symmetry CV and filter cutoff. Not too fancy, just enough for me to play around. Manually adjusting resonance and levels. adsr is going to the filter (yes, that's right, I'm not using an adsr in my modular!) and the lfo-modulated-lfo is controlling the filter as well. both lfos are sinewaves, and going into audio range is so damned easy.

The sequencer patch was just thrown together quickly - every 8 bars all 4 8-step sequencers are randomly set. But the results are surprisingly funky, if you ask me. I'm looking forward to attempting something sequenced on my Lemur! eek!
What does it look like?"

Synton Syntovox 221

via this auction, via the comments of this post

"incredibly rare Dutch-made vocoder. One of only roughly 20 originally produced, this vocoder originally sold for the equivalent of 6000 Euros and is quite possibly the finest vocoder available to man. Aimed firmly at serious electronic musicians and studios, users include Wendy Carlos and Bruno Spoerri.

This unit was supplied to us without power supply. We had our engineer custom build a suitable unit for 240V operation. This is included in the auction and the vocoder is now up and running, fully working and ready to be put to use producing some amazing sounds.

This item is generally in good condition as the photos illustrate. Unfortunately some of the control knobs are missing their end caps, and there are minor marks and scratches on the unit. One of the pins on the matrix is broken but still usable (just shorter than the others) and the pot for the second filter band has a damaged stop meaning that it can be turned through 360 degrees. Despite these minor issues the unit is fully functional and sounds incredible.
More info on the unit is available at the following websites:

http://www.dutchsynth.nl/Syntovox221.html

http://web.inter.nl.net/hcc/davies/vocbasy2.htm

http://www.manhattansoundlab.com/spacelab/vocoders/synton/221.spec.html"

Two New Serge Tracks via cebec

http://www.virb.com/cebec

NAMM: Open Labs MiKo

"MiKo LXD

The Gen5 MiKo LXD is the latest addition to the Open Labs® products line. Using a 15” touch-screen, 37 black and white keys, external backlit QWERTY keyboard and running Windows® OS, MiKo LXD is an entirely new class of portable music instrument. This portable media work center was specifically designed for the electronic musician, music producer and today’s digital lifestyle.

MiKo LXD’s optimized Windows OS natively supports virtually any music application or plug-in developed for a PC. From Pro Tools™ to Nuendo™, Native Instruments™ Komplete™ to Spectrasonics™ Omnisphere™, MiKo LXD does it all with ease.

MiKo LXD is equipped with the new Bump MP™ integrated drum module, designed to allow the user to create beats and trigger any sound, loop or sample in real-time. Enhanced with a special Open Labs version of Guru™ from FXpansion™, key features of the Bump MP include: (16 plus 1) fully assignable pads, note repeat, max level, fixed level fader, transport controls, chromatic mode, hold, pad tune, multiple groove preset and eight engines with 24 presets per engine.

MiKo LXD is also equipped with the new Open Labs Mix/Edit controller. The mixer section consists of multiple fully assignable controls including: (8) encoders, (8) lighted buttons, (8) faders, (4 X 4) banks (total of 128 channels) and (1) master volume fader. The edit section consists of multiple, fully assignable controls including: (8) encoders, (1) LCD display (for encoders), (4) buttons and (4) banks (total of 32 control parameters).

MiKo LXD has the most relevant and compelling sounds including: Open Labs The Master’s Series Library™ produced by multi-platinum producer Mr. Porter (Denaun Porter), as well as Open Labs’ own V5™ sound, sample and loop library.

Open Labs Riff™ is an entirely new concept in virtual instrument hosting. Written from the ground up by Open Labs, Riff encompasses over six years of live performance and studio production knowledge gathered from some of the world’s top artists, engineers, composers, and producers. Its advanced features include: Live Controls™, which allows the user to create any number of virtual controls in real-time that can be mapped to various effects and other parameters. Advanced intelligence allows any number of virtual controllers to manipulate any number of other virtual controllers, providing automation for virtual instruments and effects. Rewire allows for this powerful host application to be used within any DAW program.

The MiKo offers superior mobility in a compact package. It’s perfect for working in a project studio of performing live – where creating beats, guitar and vocal multi-tracking, and DJ/VJ capabilities are as necessary as playing a keyboard.

The MiKo’s assignable Master and DJ controllers elevate live performance beyond normal application. For instance, you can trigger Mp3’s in real time, then grab audio waveforms via the touchscreen. To top things off, throw some real-time drum, bass, and vocal lines on top of your mix.

Open Labs instruments are equipped with Firewire, USB, PCI EXPRESS and an Ethernet port, allowing access to the Internet via a broadband connection. Open Labs tech support can log-in to your system, and our online technicians can remotely view and diagnose any issue – while you are still in your own studio.

We’ve included over 200 world-class virtual instruments and effects with over 20,000 presets with virtually unlimited capability for third party plug-ins and applications.

MiKo LXD Dimensions: 34"(L) X 19"(W) X 7"(H) Weight (base configuration) 38.8 lbs."

LX5 and XXL pictured below. More info: http://openlabs.com/products.html