Synths and workstations

Korg MicroKorgXL announced

Korg MicroKorgXL announced

Next to the Korg Krome, a number of new products and updates will arrive pretty soon from Korg. One of them is the MicroKorg XL. With its unmistakably unique exterior and its inimitable sound, the microKorg set the standard for analog modeling synthesizers. The year 2008 saw the introduction of the microKorg XL, which inherited the microKorg’s fat and powerful sounds, while adding keyboard staples such as electric piano and the CX-3 organ. And now, in the next evolutionary step, the microKorg XL+ delivers a fresh update to the sounds and design of the microKorg XL, making it the ideal compact keyboard. The keyboard will be available with versions of all-black, or red and black keys.

Introducing Korg Krome Workstation

Introducing Korg Krome Workstation

Slightly ahead of time as they would have planned it, Korg Japan has already released an introduction video of the Korg Krome. The name is absed on the Greek word for color, Chroma. Meaning that the Krome brings life  to the vivid music (kinda). Minor details are posted on the Japanese website but as our Japanesxe language skills aren’t up to par, we wait just a few days until the rest of the wordl get the full details on the Korg Krome. One things that for sure is that the workstation will be available in three keysettings, 61-, 73- and 88-keys. Price is expected to be around 3000-3500 dollars.

Synth-Project Diva Controller on Video

Last week we showed you the excellent work of Mario Jurisch (Synth-Project.de) on a custom controller for the u-he Diva soft synth. Now Mario send us a video of this controller in action. Inside the controller there are 2 Doepfer USB64 Midi Interfaces, one special Wheel Electronic for Pitch and Mod Wheel and the MKE Electronic for the 4 octave Fatar keyboard with velocity. The DIVA Controller has about 90 knobs and 25 switches.

Novation announces the MiniNova synthesizer

Novation announces the MiniNova synthesizer

MiniNova is a compact, super-cool performance synth with the same sound engine as its big brother: the UltraNova. It comes with 256 incredible onboard sounds which you can tweak with 5 knobs, or totally warp with 8 ‘animate’ buttons. MiniNova also has an onboard VocalTune effect as well as a classic vocoder so you can recreate iconic vocal sounds from Hip Hop, Urban and electronic music.

Jeremy Ellis on the new Native Instruments Maschine MKII

Only hours after the new Maschine leaked onto the internet and we braught you the first details, Native Instruments have made it all official and introduced the MKII version. Next to that they now have published an incredible performance from Jeremy Ellis with the new Maschine and Maschine Mikro. He creates a track completely from scratch — the sound you hear was recorded live in one take without any overdubs or post production. Filmed at the abandoned former US listening station on Berlin’s Teufelsberg.

Percussa Soundor – Free Open Source FM Synth

Percussa Soundor – Free Open Source FM Synth

PERCUSSA announced SOUNDOR, the free and open source FM Synthesizer for Max for Live, the visual programming environment in Ableton Live based on Cycling 74’s Max/MSP. SOUNDOR is available as a free download from the Percussa website, and allows users to explore FM Synthesis using hand and finger gestures, through AudioCubes’ high speed and low latency sensors, requiring no MIDI mapping or programming.

Radical Piano Rack Extension released

Radical Piano Rack Extension released

Propellerhead has released Radical Piano for sale, a new Rack Extension instrument that brings a wide range of natural and bendable piano sounds to Reason and Reason Essentials. Using a blend of sampled pianos and physical modeling synthesis, Radical Piano is a lightweight, authentic instrument with sounds ranging from pristine concert grand pianos to creaking living room uprights.

Excellent DIY work – The Diva Controller

Mario is a good friend of Gearjunkies. We have posted already more of his great work he does on custom specialised software controllers. His latest work is a controller for the u-he Diva software synthesizer. Inside the controller there are 2 Doepfer USB64 Midi Interfaces, one special Wheel Electronic for Pitch and Mod Wheel and the MKE Electronic for the 4 octave Fatar keyboard with velocity. The DIVA Controller has about 90 knobs and 25 switches.

More DSI Mopho x4 – Demo Video

Mopho x4 is the newest addition to DSI’s revered line of analog subtractive synthesizers. Building upon the same award winning voice architecture of the Mopho and Mopho Keyboard, the Mopho x4 boasts huge sound and 4 voice polyphony in an ideally sized, portable, and elegantly designed package. Use it to create huge unison basses, creamy leads, maniacal sequences, and ethereal pads.

Google+ Hangouts On Air launched

After the release of Google+ last year it has been relatively quiet (we think). But that doesn’t mean Google hasn’t been busy. This week they annouced a new high quality ‘Studio Mode’ for musicians to play live concerts, online! Bands can now stream online concerts to their fans with good sound quality.