NAMM Comments

Be sure to check out the comments label for what people are saying. You can find the permanent link on the top right of the site menu, just left of the NAMM link.

NAMM: M-AUDIO VENOM

Update: M-Audio Venom Review & Interview here
Update: already on eBay
"Top Features
the warmth of vintage keyboards combined with modern digital processing > aggressive new sound
512 single-sound patches and 256 layered patches > start playing right out of the box
intuitive real-time performance controls plus software editor > endless sound design possibilities
49-key, full-size, synth-action keyboard > great playability
Pro Tools compatible USB audio/MIDI interface > ready for the stage and studio
The M-Audio Venom 49-key synthesizer combines the character of classic analog synths with modern digital processing to deliver an aggressive, infectious new sound. Whet your appetite with the included presets, then sink your teeth into creating original sounds—from atmospheric and subtle, to angry and downright nasty. Easily tweak parameters from the intuitive top-panel interface, or explore endless sound design and configuration possibilities with the included software editor. Perform bass lines, leads, and more with a full-size keyboard designed to satisfy serious players. You can even use Venom as an audio interface with Pro Tools M-Powered* and other music software—forming a powerful production machine to take your music in dangerous new directions.
* Requires Pro Tools M-Powered 8 or higher.

Full Features
49-key, full-size, synth-action keyboard
12-voice polyphony, each voice including:

* 3 oscillators with 41 waveforms and 53 drum sounds sampled from vintage analog synths, FM digital synths, and drum machines
* pulse-width modulation, sync, FM, and ring modulation
* resonant multimode filter with tube saturation limiting
o 12 dB/octave (2-pole) low pass
o 12 dB/octave (2-pole) band pass
o 12 dB/octave (2-pole) high pass
o 24 dB/octave (4-pole) low pass
o 24 dB/octave (4-pole) band pass
o 24 dB/octave (4-pole) high pass
* 3 LFOs with selectable sample-and-hold
* 3 AHDSR envelopes
* 16 modulation routes

4-part multitimbral operation with independent MIDI-syncable phrase sequencers
512 onboard Single patches
256 onboard Multi (layered) patches
2 global bus effects

* Reverb, Delay, Chorus, Flanger, Phaser

1 insert effect per multitimbral part (4 total)

* Compression, EQ, Distortion, Bit Reduction, Decimation

classic arpeggiator with up, down, and alternating patterns
tap-tempo and manual BPM control from top panel
built-in USB 2.0 audio/MIDI interface (USB 1.1 backward compatible)

* 2 x 2 24-bit, 44.1 kHz operation
* mic, instrument, and stereo line level inputs route to DAW
* synth sounds route to DAW
* DAW audio output mixes into main outputs
* stereo main audio outputs (1/4" TS)
* stereo headphone output (1/4" TRS)
* master volume knob; instrument and mic gain knobs
* MIDI In and MIDI Out (5-pin DIN)

large custom LCD
4 rotary encoders and 1 button for performance control and editing
dual-function octave up/down and transpose controls
assignable pitch bend and modulation wheels
sustain (1/4" TS) and expression (1/4" TRS) pedal inputs
included Vyzex Venom software editor

* arrange sounds into banks, rename patches, and save backups
* patch collider feature mashes up multiple patches to create new hybrid sounds
* 16-cell modulation matrix offers comprehensive routing configurations"



Update:



Update:

Avid Venom - NAMM 2011

YouTube via soundonsoundvideo | January 15, 2011 |

"12 Voice Virtual Analogue Synthesizer"

Introducing Venom from Avid on Vimeo.

"Feast your ears on the new M-Audio Venom synth—plus hear from veteran synthheads The Crystal Method, Mark Mothersbaugh, and James Dewees."

Update:

NAMM 2011 - Crystal Method Pimpin' M-Audio Venom

YouTube via SynthMeTV | January 16, 2011 |

"One of the big reveals at NAMM 2011 has been the new Venom synthesizer from Avis / M-Audio. This is their first ever hardware synthesizer that was teased pretty hard before the show with video they released featuring Ken Jordan and Scott Kirkland of Crystal Method drooling over the "Storm Trooper" synth off camera. Check out the panel from NAMM with Scott and Ken talking about the Venom and even playing us some new tracks they used the synth. Scott even gets up and noodles on the patches for us. Good stuff!"

Update: Keyboard Magazine videos:







Update:

M Audio Venom synth demo

musicradartv | January 16, 2011

Folktek Micro Garden iPhone demo

YouTube via sgnhh | January 13, 2011 |
Folktek on eBay
"Short demo of the Folktek Micro Garden for sale purposes, recorded on iPhone 4. Sound is coming from my bass amplifier. The Garden is not being processed by any external effects.

If you come across this video and would like to purchase this device, I'm selling it for $400 in the US only, shipping included. Send me a message and we can talk (currently it is for sale on a few different music message boards)."

SunVox: drawing a sample

YouTube via NightRadio2007 | January 13, 2011 |

"A short tutorial on how to draw your own waveform in the Sampler."

Tempest on the NAMM floor

See the current bottom update in this post.

NAMM: Dewanatron analog synth

YouTube via DjPuzzle73 | January 13, 2011 |

"Winter namm 2011"

NAMM: New From Buchla - 272e and 251e

via Soviet Space Child, via Muff's

Polyphonic Tuner Model 272e
Quad Sequential Voltage Source Model 251e

via cbm:
"The 272e is the long rumored Polyphonic Radio Decoder. It has four FM tuners, each of which is under voltage control. It also has a 'Polyphonic Facility' that can apply an envelope and select sections."

"The 251e is a four track sequencer."

Update: video from the NAMM floor added below.




Buchla synths

YouTube via DjPuzzle73 | January 13, 2011 |

"Winter namm 2011"

Korg KRONOS Music Workstation- Official Product Introduction Video

Added to this post. Scroll down when you get there. I opted to put it up there vs. a new post as comments are coming in there. Be sure to check them out.

A backlog of non-NAMM posts are coming up. Remember to check out the NAMM label (top right of site menu) often and see the updates at the bottom of The NAMM List (top of right column) for quick links.

Update: The KORG site appears to be getting hit hard. I'm capturing some of the screenshots for the KRONOs and details in the post. See below the video and check back until I move on to other posts.

Update: got it all. Time for new posts...

ROLAND DEBUTS THE BK-7m BACKING MODULE

"Los Angeles, CA, January 13, 2011 — Roland is pleased to announce the new BK-7m, a portable backing module that can connect to any MIDI-compatible instrument, such as a keyboard, digital piano, or digital accordion. With hundreds of accompaniment styles, high quality sounds, and an easy-to-use interface, the BK-7m is the perfect companion for any entertainer.

Equipped with a top-level sound engine, the BK-7m includes 128-voice polyphony, an SSC Sound Engine with over 1,000 sounds and 57 drum kits, some of which include Roland’s acclaimed SuperNATURAL® technology. The BK-7m also includes over 400 accompaniment arrangement styles in 10 different rhythm families, allowing for a broad range of music styles. Each accompaniment style has four variations that can be accessed with the touch of a button, each assigning the most suitable tones and effects to the real-time parts depending on the selected musical style.

The BK-7m is not just an arranger, it is a multimedia player as well. Backing tracks in SMF, KAR, MP3, and WAV format can easily be accessed from the USB memory key input, and audio can also be instantly recorded in WAV format to a USB memory key. For easy connectivity to any external MIDI compatible keyboard or controller, the BK-7m includes a MIDI wizard, so performers can plug in their MIDI device and start playing right away. The BK-7m also includes a composite video output so the audience or musician can follow lyrics and chord symbols while an SMF or KAR song is being played.

For more information on the BK-7m Backing Module, visit www.RolandConnect.com."

ROLAND DEBUTS VIMA JM-5

"Los Angeles, CA, January 13, 2011 — Roland is pleased to announce the new VIMA JM-5 Sound Module. With thousands of high quality sounds, elegant design, and an easy-to-use interface, the JM-5 is the perfect all-in-one solution for full control of musical backgrounds at home or at any entertainment venue.

The JM-5 is a single audio unit dedicated to live vocal performance, and is perfect for karaoke, amateur and professional singers, piano players, and many entertainment venue owners. Equipped with a top-level sound engine, the VIMA JM-5 includes 128-voice polyphony, an SSC Sound Engine with over 1,000 sounds and 57 drum kits.

Songs can be played in a variety of formats—SMF, KAR, MP3, MP3+CDG, WAV, WAV+CDG, VIMA Tunes—either from USB Memory or external hard disk. Sing along with the two microphone inputs and included auto harmony and effects presets. Songs can be instantly recalled, and tempo and key can be changed with the turn of a knob. Vocal sounds can even be minimized with the Center Cancel feature. The whole performance can instantly be recorded to USB host memory as well.

The VIMA JM-5 also includes a composite video output so the audience or musician can follow lyrics and chord symbols as an SMF song is being played. Users can even load pictures from USB memory or external hard disk for an instant virtual slideshow.

For more information, visit www.RolandConnect.com."