Arturia has announced that their hardware drum machine Spark will ship the 1st of June. Combining the power of analog synthesis, physical modelling and samples, through the intuitive workflow of a hardware drum machine, Spark is a highly creative beat production center.
Recently I came across a presentation on the TED website. It featured Eric Whitacre speaking about his project ‘Sleep‘. This 2011 Virtual Choir video features 2052 performances of ‘Sleep’ from 1752 singers in 58 countries, individually recorded and uploaded to YouTube between September 2010 and January 2011.
John Bowen posted on the Matrixsynth blogspot about a new 8-voice all analog synthesizer showing up at the EMC/Moog Booth (which they share with the Solaris, Muse, Spektralis and Mellotron guys). It has 107 knobs, 7 filters, 4 Oscillators and a digital memory for storing presets. It’s a heavy one weighing 55 kilos. We decided we would take a look at this ‘beast’.
One of the big hits of the past NAMM was the Arturia Spark. Of course they were present at the MusikMesse as well. The guys from Bax.TV went to the Arturia stand and made a video of this hybrid drum machine.
Station Q is like half an Oberkorn sequencer. It is identical to Oberkorn, except that is is 8 step instead of 16, and does not have the MIDI features. The Station Q is the perfect companion to the Station X/Y mini-modular combo.
Often the first day is the day that we run from one stand to another where the big, new products are being revealed. The second day is still very busy but then you get to watch and look for other great gear. Below a little selection of the gear we came across last night and this morning…
Something that caught our eye, the Niio Iotine Core Multi Layer Sound Processor, while roaming the Messe floor for interesting gear. The IOTINE CORE is an analog mixing tool designed to allow flexible sound shaping for a recording or live environment. The IC is ideal for breaking up a track for creative sound design and mixing.
Check out the videos for the Korg Monotribe. Ready to tweak some real analog hardware?
To be honest one of the top items on the Gearjunkies MusikMesse ‘to-do-list’ was the Roland Jupiter-80 workstation. Thinking about the original Jupiter series we just had to see what the ‘new’ version was about! We were fortunate to catch the first presentation of this new synth by Roland. Thanks to the good people of IK Multimedia and Media Satelitte we could use an iRig Mic. So we tried to record the sounds of the Jupiter-80 during this presentation. Beware it is recorded by hand during that presentation on our iPad.
Elektrokosmos is a small swiss firm specialized in the production of analog synthesizers. They update the principles of the last century with today’s technology and optimize them for high expectations. Every component is diligently selected and assembled by hand – every synth is unique. Elektrokosmos stands for robust machines and convincing sound. The user-friendly layout guarantees an exceptional playing experience
One of the most revered prefixes in the history of synthesis returns. Welcome the arrival of the JUPITER-80— a live-performance powerhouse that pays homage to its legendary namesake with road-proven hardware and massive sound, yet blasts into the future with advanced SuperNATURAL technology. The JUPITER-80’s expressive, organic approach to synthesis makes a new world of sound design possible with multilayered SuperNATURAL textures under the control of a full-color touchscreen and creative hands-on controllers. Experience the metamorphosis of a legend with the all-new JUPITER-80!
Allthough it began as a pretty ‘grey’ day in Frankfurt, but once inside the MusikMesse the smell of fresh, new gear made us smile again. This is the first batch of pictures we will be posting here… all week long! Enjoy.
Legendary Wavedrum technology – now in compact form! Announcing the energetic and on-the-go Wavedrum Mini; with built-in speaker, battery-powered portability, and a revolutionary sensor clip that transforms nearly any object into an instrument.
In a world seemingly ruled by digital, Korg created an analog sensation with the palm-sized monotron Analogue Ribbon Synthesizer. Korg has once again raised the analog banner with the amazing monotribe Analog Ribbon Station; a new form of synthesizer that packs an amazing array of features and technology into its compact body. Korg’s monotribe shares the monotron’s analog DNA, yet quickly delves deeper into the rich, organic, and often chaotic world of analog synthesis. In addition to analog synthesis, monotribe brings together intuitive ease of use and a three-part discrete analog rhythm section, plus the proven appeal of Electribe-style sequencing. Complete with a built-in speaker and battery power, monotribe is self-contained and highly portable.
Introducing the world’s first Nord Electro with Hammer Action, sporting a classic 73-key E-E range keybed – without sacrificing portability (only 11 kg/24,25lbs). Naturally, the new Nord Electro 3 HP includes all of the award-winning features of the original Nord Electro 3, like the compatibility with our acclaimed Nord Piano and Nord Sample Libraries including the exclusively licensed Mellotron and Chamberlin sounds, the tonewheel and transistor modeling of the Nord C1 organ and Rotary speaker simulation.