Something for the Weekend: Tribute to the Roland TR-808
The sounds of the Roland TR-808 drum machine inspire musicians around the world, even though the device hasn’t been made since 1984 and most of its avid users have never actually seen one.
Synths and workstations
Arturia SPARK Vintage Drum Machines Now Available
Music software and hardware company Arturia is proud to announce availability of its newly-developed SPARK Vintage Drum Machines (Standalone, VST 2.4 & 3 — 32-bit and 64-bit, RTAS and US — 32- and 64-bit) software instrument, placing 30 legendary drum machines at discerning musicians’ rhythmic fingertips!
House Set with Two Elektron Octatracks – Video
In a world where manufacturers keep making the life of a DJ easier with all kinds of ‘sync’ functions, there will always be people who do things … differently! The video below shows us how you still can do a reasonably proper DJ set with a totally exotic approach. Why not use two Elektron Octatracks and just sync it oldskool … by ear!?
Conceived by Native Instruments – Mostly Robot at Sonar Barcelona 2012
Native Instruments recently unveiled the details behind the upcoming debut performance by Mostly Robot. Conceived by the music technology company itself, the band is made up of five highly-renowned musicians, each celebrated in their own field: Jamie Lidell, Tim Exile, Jeremy Ellis, Mr Jimmy and DJ Shiftee.
Robbie Wilde – That Deaf DJ
To be honest, at first I really thought this was some kind of a joke. However, after viewing this short documentary my initial thought completely changed. I got moved and inspired by Robbie Wilde‘s story. His passion, his ambition, his persistence, is … really awesome. We take our hat off to ‘that deaf dj‘!
Elektron Feature Loopdrape (Japan)
The songs emanating from the mind of the Japan based producer Loopdrape are old school, yet strangely modern. You get the impression that each sound is carefully selected to fill a distinct purpose and it’s next to impossible to not be sucked in by the hypnotic feel of tracks like Jiwlvld or Pulsedroid.
Rob Papen Blade – Harmolator Video
With a unique sound generator at its heart, and the tools to add unprecedented movement and evolving changes, BLADE is an additive synthesis engine that has an individual character and flexibility never seen before in a software synth. With the video below Rob Rapen shows us more about the features of the “Harmolator” within Blade.
Ableton + SoundCloud: GET YOUR MUSIC HEARD!
The world is listening – Many of you already use SoundCloud, the world’s leading social sound platform, to share your creations on the internet. Ableton has now teamed up with SoundCloud to give all Live 8 and Suite 8 users 5 months of SoundCloud Pro for free, a value of EUR 145/USD 190. This offer is valid for all existing users, upgrades and new purchases of Ableton Live 8 and Suite 8 registered by May 31, 2012.
Worldwide Band Competition – RODE Rocks!
RØDE Microphones is very excited to announce today’s launch of ‘RØDE Rocks’ – an international band competition designed to locate and showcase the best in independent, unsigned talent around the world and reward them with an all expenses paid recording session in Hollywood with renowned producer Alain Johannes, as well as studio prize packs consisting of microphones and speakers.
Mostly Robot – creativity and technology live with Native Instruments
Five mystery musicians, each a celebrated cutting-edge performer in their own right, join forces for a world premiere performance at Sónar by Day. Well-known as individuals, this is a rare chance to see five top artists collaborate and create for the first time – ‘Mostly Robot‘ is set to deliver the most unique event of the Sónar program.
Gearjunkies Messe2012 Roundup
MusikMesse is over again. And again, the show was enlightened with the first rays of summer-like sunshine of the year. There must be some karma going on. After strolling around, we have made up out minds, and here is the roundup of what Gearjunkies thought was the coolest gear of MusikMesse in our traditional roundup. Categorized by our classic gear organization categories.
Tempest vs. OP-1 vs. Tempest vs. OP-1 – Video
Nothing more to say then two Dave Smith Tempest drumcomputers and two Teenage Engineering OP-1 (sampler) synths going forwards together under the leading expertise of Edison and Anon Day. Enjoy!
Results Musik Messe MIPA awards 2012
For the 13th time, more than 100 magazines(!) from all over the world voted for the best musical instruments and audio equipment of 2011/2012 in more than 40 categories of the mipa Musikmesse International Press Award.
Messe impressions part 2
Here’s the second chapter in an overview of the MusikMesse show in Frankfurt. Walking and taking around, there are some more pictures with stories.
Daniel Fisher UltraNova Soundpack Vol.2 Available
Novation is pleased to announce the launch of the Daniel Fisher Soundpack (Vol. 2), the second installment of sounds made especially for UltraNova by one of the industry’s most talented sound designers.