Synths and workstations

Jomox MBrane – NAMM 2010 – Video

Juergen Michaelis demoing his new Jomox MBrane II modeling synth at the BCM NAMM booth. The MBrane II is a small analog synth optimized for percussive snare drum and cowbell-like sounds with a wide range of sound characteristics.

Juergen’s new design makes it possible to produce very authentic membrane-like sounds from 2 analog T-Bridge oscillators by means of coupling and dampening. A versatile noise generator with white noise, metal noise and envelope control allows you to created snare drums, rim shots, cow bells and bongos.

Korg SV-1 at the NAMM – Video

Join in as Frank McComb gives the Korg SV-1 Stage Vintage a workout. His electric piano and clav chops really shine in this performance. Live from the Korg USA Performance Stage at Winter NAMM 2010. The SV-1 contains the hippest, most in-demand and soul-satisfying keyboard sounds ever collected in a single instrument. Decades of electro-mechanical, transistorized, tape-driven, analog, and digital legends are joined by a collection of rich acoustic pianos, all reproduced with stunning realism. But the SV-1 is about much more than excellent sound; the SV-1 re-creates the look, the feel, and visceral pleasure of performing on a vintage instrument.

Dave Smith introduces Mopho with keys

Dave Smith has introduced the Keyboard Version of his monophonic analog synthesizer Mopho. Basically it is a Mopho with knobs and switches and a weighted keyboard with velocity and aftertouch. According to Dave himself the Mopho Keys will be shipping in about two months with a price tag of 800 US dollars. Owners of the Tetr4 synth can connect the Mopho Keys up to it and create a 5-voice synth with the Mopho as the controller.

Teenage Engineering OP-1 Overview

The OP-1 from Teenage Engineering is a project we are waiting on for quite some time now. It is still under development but from the several previews we can expect a cool little synth alright. We understand that Teeneage Engineering is planning to start the beta testing pretty soon. At the NAMM David from Teenage Engineering gives an overview of their yet to be released OP-1.

Cakewalk Announces New Mobile Studio Canvas

Cakewalk, the world’s leading developer of powerful and easy to use products for music creation and recording, announces the new Mobile Studio Canvas.

The Mobile Studio Canvas for Mac, PC, and standalone performance is the first such product in the Cakewalk hardware family. Capable of producing over 1,000 sounds, the Mobile Studio Canvas includes the Roland SD-50 Sound Module, redesigned GM (General MIDI) 2 and Roland’s Solo Tones sounds. The unit’s USB memory drive can playback MP3, WAV, AIFF, and MIDI files without a computer. It is also a 2-in/2-out audio interface as well as a 1×1 MIDI interface, and ships with SONAR 8.5 LE recording software for use with a computer (for Windows only).

ARTURIA announces ORIGIN Keyboard shipping in March

ARTURIA shows Origin Keyboard in pre-series version and announces it will be shipping in March 2010. Origin Keyboard is Arturia’s new version of Origin for the keyboard player. It keeps the outstanding modular system of Origin Desktop, putting it on a panel that closes on a high quality keyboard controller.

The intuitive interface is kept in place, along with all of the modules from the most famous synthesizers (Moog Modular, ARP 2600, CS-80, Jupiter-8, Minimoog and Prophet VS) and organs (ToneWheel, Rotary). The integration of the ribbon control is a blast, the keyboard aftertouch possibilities open a world of expressivity, while the playing modes are tuned to the expectations of any demanding performer.

Roland introduces the VR-700

Tired of big, bulky, expensive keyboard rigs? Meet the new V-Combo VR-700, a multi-function keyboard that covers every base onstage. The V-Combo offers powerful real-time performance capabilities and a simple user interface.

With a legendary Virtual Tone Wheel organ and dedicated harmonic bars onboard, plus a first-class array of essential ensemble sounds (grand piano, EP, strings, brass, synth leads, and more), the V-Combo melds an entire rig into one convenient instrument for easy transport and fast setup. Backing-track functionality, built-in rhythms, great effects, and a comfortable waterfall-style keyboard round out the feature set, making this multifaceted keyboard a godsend for gigging musicians.

Access Virus TI OS 4 announced

Access Music, the company behind the award winning Virus TI series of hardware synthesizers presents OS4 for the entire Virus TI series on the NAMM Show 2010 in Anaheim, California. The new update adds exiting and innovative new sound design features and will be available free of charge to all Virus TI users.