Latest News & Articles
Is that an impOscar 2 on your iPad?
This morning when I opened my email I was surprised and got excited when I saw a picture of an impOscar2 running on an iPad. It was sent to me by Mario Jurisch (Synth-Project), the same guy who builts amazing hardware controllers for software instruments, like the impOscar2 and the OP-X. After some discussion I found out it wasn’t an app sadly. That would have been fantastic I think. But still … what is it then?
Team behind Morphwiz doing a jam – Video
Earlier this week we have posted our first part of our iPad article series. One of the apps that will be discussed in one of the coming parts will be MorphWiz. MorphWiz is both an expressive musical instrument and an exciting visual experience. The Creators of MorphWiz, Kevin Chartier and Jordan Rudess along with chief technical guru Richard Lainhart jam at Richard’s studio in a rare in person meeting of all the morphing minds. Because we like this video so much we thought we had to share it with you.
Herbie Hancock talks about the Arturia Origin Synth
In this video Herbie Hancock talks about the Arturia Origin desktop synthesizer module. The Origin is a hardware DSP system that houses several synthesizers in one machine. Some of these synths come from the past, such as the Minimoog, some are totally new and innovative. Loaded with modules extracted from the best synthesizers of all time, Origin lets you combine these modules and take advantage of the additional possibilities put onboard. The result: a new type of sound accessible through an extremely intuitive interface.
Find, Remix and Reuse – SoundCloud Style
For those of you who still don’t know what Soundcloud is, SoundCloud is a online audio platform that lets music professionals receive, send & distribute their music. Primarily SoundCloud provides a efficient and simple way for music professionals to exchange music they are working on in private settings allowing for easy collaboration and communication prior to a public release. With SoundCloud the music professionals can easily send & receive large amounts of tracks without cluttering their email inbox, having to make use of generic file sending services or manage their own server.
New Sounds and Samples on Sample Saturday
These are the releases we have encountered this week on the Loops and Samples front. Just like the quality of the audio software we use these days the quality of the content we use (loops and samples) equally matches the high standards of this software. Below is this weeks selection.
Denon DN-SC2000 Traktor Controller – Video
The Denon DN-SC2000 is an affordable, professionally spec’d and constructed MIDI controller for Native Instruments TRAKTOR Pro, providing a serious portable control solution for laptop DJs. A dual layer system, the DN-SC2000 provides simultaneous switchable control of both TRAKTOR decks, with visual deck colour change. Connecting to Mac or Windows PC via a single USB2.0 interface (from which the unit is also powered), advanced features include MIDI mapable capability, auto loop function, a wide range of EFX, rugged pitch slider, pitch lock, automatic beat sync, durable rubber button controls and more. The Denon DN-SC2000 is an affordable DJ midi controller designed for Traktor Pro users. Dual system switching allows full control of both Traktor decks and effects with a solid steel casing. It’s fully midi mappable so other DVS users can create templates.
New features with Free NI BATTERY 3.1 Update
Native Instruments is pleased to announce that the BATTERY 3.1 update is now available for free download. The update contains several new features and workflow improvements, and some fixes. You can download the update via the NI Service Center or the Online Update Manager.
Softube visits The Matrix
Softube visits the songwriting/production team The Matrix. The Matrix have written and produced songs for an extensive roster of today’s top artists including The Mooney Suzuki, Ricky Martin, Christina Aguilera, David Bowie, Shakira, Britney Spears, Busted and many others. More recently, they co-wrote and produced Korn’s chart topping multi-platinum album “See You on the Other Side” and “Untitled”. The Matrix has sold over 26 million records through the artists they have worked with and have recieved numerous awards and nominations for their achievements.
Steinberg CI2+ Audio Interface – Gearjunkies Review
Before I tell you what I think of the Steinberg CI2+, let me explain how this post came about. Untill a few months ago I had my modest home studio set up with lots of software and audio through a Echo Mia pci soundcard. Lovely, never had any problems with it and the sound quality was great. But my old pc was running old and became… outdated, plus a month ago it even completely crashed. Plans for the purchase of a new system existed but now I was forced to act upon those plans!
Live Beats with Ableton and Novation – 14-Leg Tour
After several successful events in the USA and Portugal earlier this year, the Ableton & Novation Live Beats series is to tour Europe this September, with 14 events across eight countries. The Live Beats events are designed so that attendees of all skill levels can discover more about using Ableton Live and Novation hardware. Demonstrator Thavius Beck will mainly focus on the hands-on music-making potential of Live & Launchpad, but will also be showing off other Novation hardware and demonstrating how Automap can be used to take your Ableton Live sessions to the next level.
iPhone and iPad controllers for Kyma
Harmony Systems announced the availability of three new products to its expanding Delora Software line of Kyma control surface and connectivity applications. vKi and vKi lite, for the iPhone/iPod touch, bring one-hand, remote Virtual Control Surface (VCS) control to Symbolic Sound’s Kyma X sound design environment, while vKiP turns the iPad into a full featured wireless multi-touch control surface for Kyma.
Jay-Z headlines US tour and European festivals with Midas XL8 system
Jay-Z is in the midst of a world tour with a string of US dates and European festival appearances accompanied by a FOH Midas XL8 live production system, provided by Clair Brothers. At the controls is Kenyatta ‘Kelo’ Saunders, the rap artist’s long-time sound engineer and Grammy-award winner, who’s worked with artists including D’Angelo, Eminem, The Roots, Joss Stone and Erykah Badu.
Audient Zen, the ideal console for Stephen Street
There’s No Other Way… Than Audient Zen for Blur Producer – One of the music world’s top producers, Stephen Street took just ten minutes to decide that Audient’s Zen would be the ideal console for his new studio room. With a reputation for creating hugely successful recordings with Kaiser Chiefs, Blur, and The Smiths to name but a few, Street wasn’t going to compromise on his new desk.
Is the iPad killer coming then?
As we are in the middle of the review/test of our iPad and the almost endless list of music app’s, we got news of the release of the Google Chrome OS Tablet later this year. Google is planning to release their tablet on November 26th. Better known as Black Friday, the busiest shopping day of the year in the U.S. It is pretty obvious that this Chrome OS Tablet will be the main competitor to Apple’s iPad. But will it be an iPad killer? The general expectation is that the Google tablet will have Flash, something that is missed by many on the iPad. And also what will this mean for the development of (music) app’s for the Chrome OS Tablet? A feature that specifically WE (Gearjunkies) are interested in.
Reason 5 – Record 1.5 – Just one more week
Yes, one week from now Reason 5 and Record 1.5 will be released. On August 25, noon CET the latest version of Reason and Record will be availble for sale and/or update! The beta testing is over, the manufacturing is completed and shipments of stylish software boxes are en route all over the world as this newsletter is being sent out. So mark your calendars and set your timers!