Check out the Propumentary – a behind the scenes look at Propellerhead Software’s HQ in occasionally sunny Stockholm, Sweden. You’ll see a bit of old time history and hear about a lot of the thinking that went into creating Reason 5 and Record 1.5. Why did Reason turn out like it did? What kind of thinking was behind the latest version of Reason and Record? Meet the Propellerheads and get some of the inside story on how we create our software.
Over the years, technology-assisted musical learning has become more and more accessible to an ever broader audience. This could not be more true in schools all around the world, where the integration of creative music technology is giving students even more ways to develop and express their ideas. The Ableton Summer Music Challenge is an attempt to support this cause by asking students to get creative with music over their summer vacations and perhaps help their school out in the process.
Nordkeyboards (Clavia) is very pleased to announce the OS updates that enable the Nord Stage Classic and the Nord Electro 3 to benefit from the v5 platform, with the new great v5 Piano sounds, the new Sound Manager 5.30 and the v3.00 Windows Hardware Quality Labs certified USB driver.
Sometimes we come across a story that just is too cool not to mention here. This is one of those stories. Nerd Revolt is a band from San Francisco consisting of band members the iLL.F.O. and m.0. They went out to a school and teached the kids more about electronic music. An initiative we (as true gearjunkies) totally support as we (personally) all have our roots deeply founded in electronic music as well! It would be very cool if more of these initiatives would arise.
Roland is proud to announce that the Lucina AX-09 (www.RolandUS.com/Lucina) is now shipping. This compact and affordable shoulder synthesizer is designed to fit all musicians — even kids. Featuring an intuitive user interface, Lucina packs a heavyweight musical punch with its stellar sounds and expressive controls.
I got this from the MoogMusic twitter feed, and it looks like a Moog Little Phatty editor for the iPad, made by Ben Hovey.
This week we had some posts on the amazing hardware controller keyboard for G-Force’s impOSCar2, built by Mario Jurisch from Synth-Project. Mario tells us that he already started his next project. He will be building a controller for the Sonicprojects OP-X. This manufacturer from Switzerland developed a remake of the legendary Oberheim OB-X for VST and Reaktor.
Not super extraordinary, just two new demos of the tape EQ and the distinct and raw sound of the OP-1. Teenage Engineering are working hard right now to finish the OP-1. But They will try to post more demos soon.
Access just announced a Limited Edition of their Virus TI. The Virus TI Keyboard is the second part of the Virus TI WhiteOut limited edition. Only 150 units have been produced and all feature a laser engraved serial number plate on the bottom of the instrument. The technical specifications are identical to the Virus TI Keyboard 2009, the color scheme of the housing does differ as you can see.
A short presentation of Mario’s last project. The impOSCar 2 Controller “Keyboard Version”. Watching this video made us even more amazed. This thing ROCKS!
And there it is! Mario has just finished his fantastic impOSCar 2 Controller “Keyboard Version”. Comment of Chris Mcleod from GForce was: “Stunning!” And yes, we totally agree. This machine looks so cool that you would love to take it and go and play with it. Earlier Mario mentioned the controller would maybe go up for auction or people could make a bid for it, … but this thing took up so much time and money in parts that he is just as happy to just keep it for himself. (And who could blame him for that?) But then again…. for the right offer?
Little Boots got her hands on a Korg Monotron and made this video. This is what she ahd to say about it in her own words: “…just got this cool little gadget from korg… at first thought it was gonna be a stylophone rip off but on playing with it is totally different and really cool! This was literally my first go on it so making a bit of a messy racket but you get the idea… also please note this video is probably only interesting to about 10% of people on here… sorry!”
Well? We like it!
Half guitar, half DJ setup, yes it is the World’s First iPAD GUITAR DJ Frame, the MANTARAY iTAR. Adaptable for left or right handed users. The video below shows VJFranzK working a prototype. He is planning a production series. Message him to get on the waiting list to BUY, as he will make more, he will contact you in order. Custom orders (colors, materials) are possible! These are handmade in the USA by Artists and Musicians. This frame can take your iPad music performance to the next level!
Update for the Nord Stage EX OS and Sound Manager released. The Nord Stage EX OS is updated to v6.02. The most significant enhancement with this update is the compatibility with the v5 platform. Nord have also corrected a few minor issues with the String Resonance functionality and an issue that could occur if the Swell pedal was set to ”All”.
Vermona just announced two new synths, due for release in august/september this year. The Mono Lancet is a two VCO monosynth priced at Euro 449. The Kick Lancet is a kick drum synth which is based on the KICK channel of the DRM1 MKIII with a retail price of Euro 265.