Posts Tagged 'Synthesizers'

Novation news and OS updates for A and K-Station

As evidence of Novation’s continual commitment to improving existing products and supporting customers, multiple updates have been uploaded to the site over the last week. These include learn files for Logic 7 and Cubase SX3, a new OS for the A- and K-Station and an updated ReMOTE Template Editor, MIDI Driver and OS.


The new OS for the A-Station (2.1.02) and K-Station (2.1.01) offers several significant modifications, affecting the sound and operation of the synth. Clicks caused by changing the patch whilst the previous one is still sounding have been addressed and MIDI clock synchronization has been greatly improved. The A/K-Station can now accept very high levels of jitter from the incoming clock and even clean up and retransmit an unstable clock, as well as being able to act as a master MIDI clock. In addition, the A-Station’s arpeggiator can now work identically to the K-Station’s, offering the ability to transmit arpeggiator notes to its MIDI output.


The ReMOTE has had a revamping in several areas, with a new OS and MIDI driver both eliminating minor bugs. Many improvements can be seen in the new Template Editor (1.1), including fixed excessive idle CPU usage and crashing after multiple undo/redo. The memory usage and download size has also been reduced and the MIDI Library and Tooltip behaviour have been expanded and enhanced.


Last but by no means least, in response to floods of requests from Novation customers, new learn files with instructions for Logic 7 and Cubase SX3 and accompanying Templates have been added to the ReMOTE and X-Station Download sections. Simply downloading all learn files using the link and then opening the folder for the relevant software wanting to be controlled will show instructions for how to set up the new Templates and import the relevant learn files. Once done, the ReMOTE/X-Station can be used to control the Transport window, 8 channels of the mixer (volume, pans, mutes etc.), open up the edit matrix, call up certain tools and a host of other useful things.


All of the above can be downloaded from the specific product Download pages in the User area of the site. To make these pages even more user friendly, dates have now been added to all items; Operating Systems, Drivers, Learn files etc.


On other matters, for those wondering about Novation product compatibility with new software, the following products have been tested with Tiger + Logic 7.01 / GB 2.01:

Bass Station 1.4 AU

V-Station 1.4 AU

ReMOTE MIDI Driver

Speedio MIDI Driver

X-Station MIDI Driver



Speedio Core Audio Driver

X-Station Core Audio Driver

X-Station Beta Core Audio Driver



All work fine, however you cannot use multiple X Stations or multiple Speedios with Tiger’s soundcard device aggregation feature (being able to use multiple soundcards together). One X Station and one Speedio will work together using this feature. The Novation team are currently busy working on a version of V-Station that will run with Logic 7.1.


For more information please visit www.novationmusic.com

Roland ships the V-Synth XT

Roland ships the V-Synth XT

Named the “Synthesizer of the Year” at the recent International Press Awards, Roland’s groundbreaking V-Synth now has a travel-friendly offspring. The XT is a portable new V-Synth with some spectacular tricks up its sleeves — and with enough synthesis and audio-processing power to make heads spin. It’s fully stocked with a potent array of synthesis types, including the V-Synth’s famous Elastic Audio Synthesis engine, plus analog-synth modeling, vocal modeling, and classic D-50 emulation. Add to that a rich lineup of COSM® effects, external audio processing, a touch-sensitive color display, eight universal edit knobs, and you have an instrument that redefines rack/tabletop technology.

AKAI rumours at the Messe! Update

It isn’t easy! Attending such a big event as the MusikMesse. Talking to hundreds of people, making and maintaining contacts with manufacturers, developers, “mad scientists”, etc. Our two “roving” reporters are doing a good job in collecting the latest news for you. Next to the offical news they heart some rumours on the Messe “through the grapevine”.


First off. We found out that there are some rumours of Alesis buying AKAI! So we think Akai Professional been taken over by Alesis!? This would be some major news. We will definately follow this story.

Edirol announces new Visual Synth?

Edirol announces new Visual Synth?

If this would have been presented one week ago, we would have laughed on the concept of the CG-8 Visual Synthesizer. But it isn’t an April Fools hoax. This ‘thing’ is for real!


Edirol have announced a unique and innovative product. According to Edirol:

Introducing a new way to interact with visual performance

Just as synthesis in music prompted new waves of musical creativity so the CG-8 is set to do the same for the visual artist. A sampling synthesizer takes audio in or regenerates it from a wave generator and then modulates it with filters and amplifiers before outputting the sound. In a similar fashion the CG-8 can take in still images, create motion pictures from these and then modulate them with Modifiers and Fade Controller. It’s easiness to grasp, and user-friendliness allow artists to concentrate on making stunning visual displays without getting caught up in complicated operations. Starting with picture files (JPEG’s) as the prime source, stamps (PNG) used for overlays and built in Computer Graphics, all stored on the internal hard drive, the CG-8 can add any of more than 200 Photo effects and then from more than 60 Overlay effects before finally passing the output to the image modifiers which let you add further motion along X/Y/Z axes and control background color/hue shifting. This final modulation can control rate, depth and waveform just like the LFO in an audio synth.

MusikMesse has started today!

MusikMesse has started today!

This morning the Franfurter Messe opened its doors for the 2005 MusikMesse Show. Gearjunkies has send two reporters to Frankfurt to keep you up to date with the latest (new) products and trends in the music \’gear\’ industry! We will be reporting from the Messe on a daily basis. So best is to check out our site as often as possible. Click on the RED MusikMesse banner at the top of this website and you will get all the news instantly.