NAMM 2024 - Gamechanger Audio - Mod Series Pedals

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"At NAMM 2024, Ilya from Game Changer Audio unveiled their new Mod Series pedals, featuring three classic high-quality stereo time-based effects: reverb, mod delay, and mod chorus. What sets the Mod Series apart is its unique form factor and extended controls, which include dynamics and pitch.. Each pedal contains an adjustable envelope follower and pitch tracker, allowing guitarists to link the pitch information of their performance to any of the four knobs on the top part of the pedal. This enables players to create responsive guitar effects with multiple combinations. The Mod Series pedals are available for pre-order now and will be shipping in March.

Mod Series Pedals Price: 247 Euros

Mod Series Bundle (3 Pedals) Price: 741 Euros"

NAMM 2024 - Yamaha - Seqtrak

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"At NAMM 2024, Sonic State got an in-depth look at Yamaha's latest offering, the Seqtrak. Jun at the Yamaha booth told us Seqtrak is an 11-track groovebox designed for both production and performance. Jun showcased its features, emphasizing its all-in-one capabilities, including a rechargeable battery, a built-in speaker, and a microphone for sampling. The hardware's user interface is neatly divided into three sections for drums, synths and samplers, and sound design and effects.

The drum section has seven tracks with a step sequencer for easy pattern creation. The synth section offers two AW-2 sample-based synthesizers and a dedicated FM track. The sampler track allows users to utilize the built-in microphone, audio input, USB input, or resampling for versatile sound creation, and finally there is an effects section. The Seqtrak also comes with an accompaniment app featuring a dual editor, project sound manager, dynamic tutorial, and visualizer.

Seqtrak Price: 399 USD"

NAMM 24 - Korg - KingKorg Neo

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Note the touch sensitive knobs at 2:14.

"At NAMM 2024, Korg unveiled their latest synthesizer, the **King Korg Neo**. This new iteration of the King Korg synthesizer has undergone some significant changes, with improved build quality, and a re-voiced and re-designed sound engine. The panel layout remains similar, but the configuration and signal flow have been optimized for better usability. The King Korg Neo features all-new patches and PCM, resulting in a more modern and improved sound quality. While it retains the same architecture as the original, it offers higher resolution in some of the samples.

Korg has focused on making the King Korg Neo easy to navigate and hands-on. It includes three LCDs for easy control and quick access to different effects. With the ability to toggle effects on and off, users can quickly customize their sound. The synthesizer offers various categories and patches, including lead sounds with impressive girth and effects like distortion, chorus, and reverb delays. The King Korg Leo also features an arpeggiator and can be split or layered with two timbres, but it does not support compatibility with old King Korg patches.

KingKorg NEO Available: Feb 2024. Price 949 GBP"

NAMM 2024 - Korg - Desktop Modules

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"Korg has a ton of new products on display at NAMM 2024, including these desktop module versions of the Opsix, ModWave, and WaveState synthesizers. These modules are based on the Mark II keyboard counterparts and provide extra polyphony and voicing. They come in a rack form and offer an adjustable format that adds a touch of luxury. Despite their premium appearance, the modules are priced the same or slightly less than their keyboard counterparts. With increased polyphony and processing power, these desktop modules provide a significant upgrade compared to the SE versions, all while maintaining affordability. The release date for these modules is set for later in the year, with an anticipated availability in early summer.

Prices TBC."

NAMM 2024 - Korg - Microkorg 2

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"At NAMM 2024, Sonic State got a sneak peek at the new prototype MicroKorg 2 from Korg. This updated version of the popular MicroKorg synthesizer features a metal case, a big LCD screen, and a simplified interface with color-coded knobs and a bright screen for easy sound control. The synth engine has been completely redesigned, offering a wider range of sound design possibilities, including digital and sample-based waveforms and three oscillators rather than it's older brother's 2. The MicroKorg 2 also boasts an improved effects section with three blocks, and a built-in loop recorder that allows for audio looping of both internal and external sources.

While the MicroKorg 2 is still a prototype, it is expected to be available later in the year, possibly during the summer. The price point is tentatively set at around $600, making it slightly more expensive than the original MicroKorg. However, Korg will continue to offer the MicroKorg XL and MicroKorg S models alongside the new MicroKorg 2. With its updated features and expanded sound possibilities, the MicroKorg 2 seems to be a promising addition to Korg's synth lineup."

NAMM 2024 - U-He - Zebralette 3

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"At NAMM 2024, we had the opportunity to catch up with a familiar face, Urs Heckmann of U-He. In this engaging interview, we delved into the latest developments, specifically focusing on the eagerly anticipated Zebra 3 and Zebralette 3, a free to download synth with a very interesting visual sound design ethos. Zebralette 3, Urs promised us, is nearly finished, and demonstrated Zebralette's ability to morph and manipulate waveforms in real-time promising incredible sonic possibilities, especially with features like spectral decay and harmonic clustering.

Zebralette 3 Available soon. Price: Free.

https://u-he.com/products/zebralette/"

NAMM 2024 - Yamaha - Montage M ESP

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"At NAMM 2024, we caught up with Blake from Yamaha to explore the ESP (Expanded Soft Synth Plugin) for the Montage M. Blake showcased the ESP's capabilities, highlighting that it essentially mirrors the Montage M in software. The ESP, available for free to every Montage M owner, seamlessly integrates with the hardware, offering users the ability to run Montage M sounds in software. Blake demonstrated the plugin's real-time editing capabilities, showcasing how changes made in the software instantly reflect on the hardware. The ESP operates efficiently with low latency, providing a game-changing experience for musicians and producers.

The ESP is compatible with VST3 or AU, running on both Windows and Mac platforms. Yamaha recommends updating to Montage M OS version 1.20 to fully utilize the ESP's features.

Yamaha Montage M series Price: 3,219 - 4,049 GBP"

See the announcement post here.

NAMM 2024 - PWM - Mantis

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"At NAMM 2024, Sonic State caught up with Paul from PWM as they showcased their latest synthesizer, Mantis. Paul, formerly associated with Novation, Focusrite, and Evolution, introduced the now-ready synth, marking PWM's debut at NAMM. Previously seen at Superbooth in its early stages, Mantis is now fully operational. The synthesizer boasts a true hybrid nature, combining DCOs, numerically generated elements, and analog signal paths with digital effects. Featuring a dual filter from the Oscar, additive synthesis capabilities, duophony, Chris Hugget - designed reverb, four types of chorus, 100 presets and 100 user slots the synthesizer promises a robust sonic palette.

Mantis Price: 1,349 GBP. 1,499 USD"

NAMM 2024 - Modbap - Meridian

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"At NAMM 2024, we caught up with Corey from Modbap at their booth, where he showcased the latest addition to their product line, Meridian. This 14 HP digital multi-mode stereo filter array boasts a unique design, featuring left and right sides with four types of filters and four modes each. The central filter acts as a macro control, providing additional modes like high pass, band pass, and low pass. Meridian is designed to be a versatile creative audio processor, offering a drive circuit with bit crushing, a phase shifter for added movement, and stereo panning capabilities.

In addition to the Meridian, Corey showcased two other noteworthy modules – the Trinity drum synth and its companion, the Hue effects processor. Trinity is a three-channel drum synth that bridges the gap between various synthesis types and sample-like sounds. Offering FM, analog-like, additive, and arcade noise synthesis on each of its three tracks, the module introduces unique features like randomization, cycling modes, and stacking for creative drum sequencing. The Hue effects processor complements Trinity with a drive circuit, tape saturation, lo-fi adjustments, and a compressor, enabling users to transform the sound of their drums significantly.

Meridian Price: 449.99 USD
Trinity Price: 599.99 USD
Hue Price: 299.99 USD"

NAMM 2024 - 4ms - Catalyst Sequencer + Controller

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"At NAMM 2024, Sonic State engaged in a detailed conversation with Dan Green from the innovative company 4MS about their latest offerings in modular synthesis control. The spotlight was on the Catalyst Sequencer and the Catalyst Controller, two versatile tools for modular musicians. The Catalyst Sequencer, an eight-channel CV sequencer, stood out for its flexibility. Dan demonstrated its capabilities, showcasing features like step sequencing, note customization, glide adjustments, and the introduction of phase CV for navigating between locked-clock sequences and chaotic improvisation. With the ability to handle sequences of up to 64 steps and arrange them into pages, the Catalyst Sequencer provides a powerful and dynamic tool for crafting intricate modular compositions.

Following the Sequencer, Dan delved into the Catalyst Controller, an eight-channel macro controller designed to control various aspects of a modular setup. With scenes, crossfading, and real-time recording of slider motions, the Catalyst Controller becomes a central hub for managing multiple parameters. Dan emphasized its potential for live performances, preset management, and transitions between different configurations. The most intriguing aspect was the announcement that purchasing one of these modules unlocks both functionalities, creating a two-in-one concept.

Catalyst Sequencer. Available March 2024. Price 395 USD

Catalyst Controller. Available March 2024. Price 395 USD"