NAMM 2023 - Dave Rossum - Sound Semiconductor

video upload by sonicstate

"At NAMM 2023, Sonic State caught up with Dave Rossum, the founder of Sound Semiconductor, to discuss the company's exciting developments. Sound Semiconductor is a development from SSM, a company that designed synthesizer chips for the first Prophets in the early 1970s. SSM went on to produce chips for professional audio and was later acquired by Analog Devices. In 2016, Rossum, along with Marco Alpert and a little bit of seed capital from Universal Audio, started Rossum Electro Music. At NAMM, they met Dan Parks, who used to run SSM, and talked about the idea of resurrecting the classic SSM chips. Six months later, they started Sound Semiconductor, which includes some resurrections of the classic SSM chips and some new ideas.

Rossum explained that the analog chips give instruments their own unique character, which digital processing cannot achieve. Analog chips have variations from unit to unit, and the designer's job is to make those variations as small as possible while allowing those variations to give instruments their own individual character. Analog distortions are also natural, making them more appealing to the ears than digital algorithms that give aliasing, and Dave told us he finds designing analog chips to be more artistic and enjoyable than designing digital ones.

https://soundsemiconductor.com/"

NAMM 2023 - (SOUNDS ONLY) C15 by Nonlinear Labs

video upload by sonicstate

"We've come across the C15 before, and this year Jim Heywood from Earmonkey Music was able to get some time with it to explore some of the sounds from its purely digital sound engine."

NAMM 2023 - (SOUNDS ONLY) 3rd-wave by Groove Synthesis

video upload by sonicstate

"Jim from Earmonkey Music explores the 3rd Wave, a wavetable synth with 24-voice polyphony and 4-part multi-timbral capability."

NAMM 2023 - (SOUNDS ONLY) ASM - Hydrasynth Explorer

video upload by sonicstate

"Jim from Earmonkey Music explores the Ashun Sound Machines' Hydrasynth Explorer at NAMM 2023. It's a wavetable synth, but with a unique implementation of wave morphing. The Hydrasynth offers 219 single-cycle waveforms, including standard analogue waveforms and complex waves arranged in banks of harmonically related content.

The oscillator section is designed to be manipulated to create rich, evolving tones. The modulation sources allow for a wide range of control, from subtle glides to aggressive biting tones, all attached to a unique, small-key, poly-touch keyboard.
Hydrasynth Explorer Price: 499 USD"

NAMM 2023 - (SOUNDS ONLY) NINA from Melbourne Instruments

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"Melbourne Instruments showcased their synthesizer, the 12-voice Nina, at NAMM 2023. and Jim Heywood of Earmonkey Music gave us a delightful exploration of its capabilities.

Nina offers a combination of analogue and digital synthesis, with wave morphing, a four-pole transistor ladder VCF with modulatable resonance, a voice-level filter overdrive and digital wavetable oscillators. Nina's most defining feature, however, are its motorized controls, which are pretty unique. Melbourne Instruments tell us that Nina's encoders are long-lasting and offer the precise feel of analogue pots. The recallable and automatable controls, patch morphing, and powerful mod matrix make Nina an exciting prospect for musicians looking to explore its sonic possibilities.

Nina Price: 3,599 USD"

See the dealers on the right for availability.

NAMM 2023 - T-Rex Effects - Binson Echorec

video upload by sonicstate

"At NAMM 2023, Sonic State had the opportunity to speak with Lars Dahl, who showcased the T-Rex Effects recreation of the iconic Benson Echorec. The T-Rex Benson Echorec is an exact replica of the original Benson Echorec, but with the addition of an extra record head, allowing for longer delay times. The device also features a Magic Eye display, which illuminates when the delay feedback reaches maximum level.

The T-Rex Benson Echorec has a speed control that can be manipulated by an expression pedal and four playback heads, each with adjustable volume, and a bypass switch. The device's hard magnetic drum is made of stainless steel, which gives it a unique sound.

T-Rex Binson Echorec available: May 2023

Price 2,100 USD

https://www.t-rex-effects.com/"

NAMM 2023 - Artiphon - Orba 2

video upload by sonicstate

"At this year's NAMM 2023, Sonic State met Adam from Artiphon to discuss their latest product, the Orba 2. The major upgrade from Orbit 1 is the built-in sample engine, which enables users to add real sounds like acoustic guitars, pianos, and audio files from real songs onto the device itself. Artiphon has added a new level of automation with song stems, and full audio patterns so anyone can grab a handful of notes, choose when and how to play, and mix and match different sounds to bring their music to life.

Artiphon has collaborated with New Zealand artist Kimbra taking the stems from her latest single, Replay, and turning them into playable Orba 2 presets. The company has made all of the different sounds, including the work they've done with Kimbera and other artists, available for free in the Orba 2 app.

Orba 2 Price: 149.99 USD"

See the Artiphon label below for more.

NAMM 2023 - Mellotron - M4000D - New Sounds

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NAMM 2023 - Vochlea - Dubler 2

video upload by sonicstate

"Vochlea's Dubler 2 was showcased at NAMM 2023 in an interview with Josh from Vochlea.
Dubler 2 is a MIDI instrument that allows users to control their DAW and VSTs with their voice. The device can work with any DAW, VST, and any mic, although Josh recommends using a dynamic mic for the best results. Users can create single-line melodies, chords or drum patterns, with 10-12 ms of latency for triggers.

Dubler 2 is designed for getting ideas out of one's head straight into the DAW and it outputs MIDI note and velocity values with the emphasis on real-time performance, though everything can be recorded out and used later.

Dubler 2 Price: 219 USD
https://vochlea.com/"

NAMM 2023 - Poly Effects - Hector - Beebo - Flat V

video upload by sonicstate

"Loki from Poly Effects gave us a look at their Euro-Rack module, Hector, a virtual modular environment with six ins and eight outs and over 100 different modules including all of Mutable Instruments' modules, effects and more. Hector features a Euclidean sequencer and a brand new chord strummer module that allows users to select chords and strum them.

We then saw Beebo, which is Hector in guitar pedal form with four ins and four outs and Josh Smith Flat V which is a gain pedal with 2 channels. Channel A is transistor based with selectable diodes. Channel B is amp style gain circuit with cascaded JFETs replacing valves while resonant filters shape the tone.

Hector Price: 599 USD
Beebo Price: 449 USD
Josh Smith Flat V Price: 399 USD"