We knew something was coming from Yamaha. And because yesterday we saw some specifications appearing on the internet, Yamaha probably decided to let the cat out of the bag today and introduced the MX49 and MX61 synths.
Moog Music have announced that Minitaur Rev 2 is now shipping. It is a compact and powerful analog bass synthesizer that features a classic one knob per function design. It packs legendary analog Moog bass into a package designed to fit seamlessly into today’s performance and production environments.
The ‘wizard’ of do-it-yourself software (synth) controllers Mario Jurisch has finished yet another great project. This time he developed and created a controller for the Moog Animoog app. The Anicontrol has become a stunning Minimoog double, but this time with an iPad inside.
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.
Producertech’s Synth Courses have been designed to teach you the inner workings of the most popular software instruments available today, in order to teach you how to skilfully edit patches as well as create your own from scratch, which is an essential part of music production. The courses, which are delivered via streamed movies, thoroughly explain the key stages of synthesis and give numerous examples of patch creation throughout, to help put all of techniques taught into perspective. In addition to the instrument presets and written notes that accompany the lessons, there are a host of extra patches or samples provided by Producertech’s sponsor LOOPMASTERS. Furthermore, students have direct access to tutors either via email or on the forum when help is required.
Nordkeyboards (Clavia) have posted a cool video of a tour through the Nord Factory. So you could say a tour of the place where the Nords are born. The video shows that all their instruments are built by hand in the Stockholm Factory.
As of yesterday, October 2nd, Arturia is shipping their 1.5 update version of the Spark Creative Drummachine. Version 1.5 has several new features like the Tune feature and the added Oberheim SEM V filter and other performance oriented features.
“Raise your hands, Feel the energy, Feel the rush, are you ready to go crazy?”, words often spoken by MC’s all over the world during the sets of some of the top DJ’s. But it’s the music that gives the crowd that adrenaline shot in the arm and the feeling of total euphoria, and no more so than in a club.
Camel Audio has released Shlomo Beatbox, a Sound Library for Alchemy and the free Alchemy Player, featuring amazing manipulated beats and inspiring vocal instruments.
Nordkeyboards (Clavia) have just announced the arrival of their new Nord Electro 4. This follow-up to their succesful Nord Electro 3 has, among other improved features, more memory and an upgraded organ section. The Electro 4 will be available in two versions the Electro 4 HP and the Electro 4D. These instruments feature everything from the award winning Electro 3 series, adding the acclaimed new Nord C2D tone wheel engine and 122 Rotary Speaker simulation, USB MIDI and more!
Camel Audio is proud to announce Alchemy v1.5 a major update to their popular sample manipulation synthesizer. Alchemy v1.5 is designed to keep inspiration flowing with a fully-featured preset browser, over 1000 presets, faster loading times, improved remote control from the Alchemy iOS app, and many more enhancements. To celebrate the release, Camel Audio is offering 20% off Alchemy till 15th October and even better value bundles.
The guys from Source visited Portishead’s Adrian Utley in his home studio to get his reactions to the Arturia MiniBrute analog synth. While theye were there Adrian gave them a tour of his analogue synth collection (the stuff that was there, that is!). Man, just watch and enjoy this video!
Till the end of this year you’ll have the opportunity to order Minimoog Voyager from the Select Series. Because today Moog Music announced its plans to discontinue production of the Minimoog Voyager Select Series, the top selling backlit analog synthesizer of all time. Over the last six years the Select Series has been used in studios and on stages around the globe. Whether it’s Madonna, Dr. Dre, Alicia Keys, CeeLo Green, Lady Gaga or Sugarland, the custom combinations of color and finish reflects the unique aesthetic and personality of its owner.
From now on, … no-one is allowed to ever complain again (ever!) on a GUI or lay out that isn’t good enough for you. Watch the video and you will understand why we are saying this. The video below is really amazing and for us inspiring. Why? Well because this kid, Zachary Bennoui Taibi shows us how to make beats (and a song) with Propellerhead Reason. Maybe this isn’t that amazing at all, you think. There are lots of young talents showing the older generation (us) a thing or two when it comes to music production. However the story continues, because Zachary is blind! With the help of a screen reader for the blind he uses Reason faster then I do. Really, this is truly amazing and wonderful to watch.