Intellijel Intros Korgasmatron II & Expander Modules

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Intellijel has introduced the Korgasmatron II, an updated version of its Eurorack filter module.

The Korgasmatron II features a completely independent six mode filter on each side. The modes are selected via a 6 position rotary switch. Also new is a special overdrive feature, so that the output signal can be soft or hard clipped, depending on how hard you drive it into the circuit. The xfade circuit has also been redesigned to use the same circuit as found in the uFade module with independent cv attenuation.

Also being released is the Korgasmatron II Expander module, which allows for CV control of the Q for each filter.

A special feature of the Korgasmatron II design is that you can have extra inputs to each filter that has its own selectable filter type, independent of the main filter type. So for example, you can have filter A on the main module set to LPF and then run a second signal into the same filter but in BPF mode. Both signals come out of the same output.

Like the original Korgasmatron, this filter can go from clean and precise to howling and agressive, from classic MS20 type sounds to totally new territory.

Korgasmatron II:

20HP and skiff friendlyDual Filter + XfadeSix filter types per filter: LowPass 1-poleLowPass 2-poleBandPass 1-poleHighPass 2-poleHighPass 1-poleBand Reject (notch) 1-pole (different than notch on original)Both filters track 1V/Oct over 3-4 Octaves (makes a great VCO)Switch to configure serial or parallel routingOutput soft and hard clippingResonance soft clipping control (Q Drive)All knobs bolted to panel

Price: $390
Availability 1-2 weeks (Feb 2013)

Korgasmatron II Expander:

6 HP skiff friendly (totally passive)VC of Q for filter A and filter BAuxiliary input for filter A and B with independent filter type selectionAttaches to Korgasmatron II via single ribbon cable

Price: $80
Availability 1-2 weeks

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Audulus Modular Synth Update Adds New Patch Building Features

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Developer Taylor Holliday has updated Audulus for iPad, a software modular synthesizer, adding new features for creating and browsing patches.

Here’s what’s new in Audulus 1.9:

New Redesigned Patch Browser! View 9 patches at a time.Added multi-selection. Just tap to toggle selecting a node.Added Copy/Paste.Updated icons.Added support for Sub-Patches! Group and reuse patches.

Here’s a video overview of the updates:

Key Features:

Fluid Vector Interface – smooth animated interactionMIDI control – use your control surface or MIDI keyboardPolyphony – process multiple voicesDiverse Nodes – from ADSR to ZeroCrossPatch Browser – quickly flip through your patches32-bit floating-point signal processingFully Enhanced for Retina DisplayUnlimited Undo – full history stored in a patchRound-trip workflow with Audulus for MacVirtual MIDI – control Audulus from your favorite MIDI appAudiobus support – Runs as both an Input and EffectSub-Patches – group and reuse nodes!

Audulus for iPad is available now for $14.99. Details at the Audulus site.

If you’ve used Audulus, leave a comment with your thoughts!

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Artiphon Instrument 1 First Look

At the Consumer Electronics Convention, Mike Butera, founder of Artiphon, demonstrated the new Artiphon Instrument 1.

The Artiphon Instrument 1 explores the idea of a iPhone MIDI controller, executed as a professional instrument.

Like other iOS MIDI controllers, it’s compatible with CoreMIDI iOS apps. But the body of the Instrument 1 is inspired by the forms of traditional stringed instruments and constructed of fine hardwood. The Instrument 1 can be held in multiple positions–from guitar and fiddle to lap steel and upright bass.

In the video, Butera talks with TechCrunch’s John Biggs.

The Artiphon Instrument 1 is expected to be priced at about $800. See the Artiphon site for more info.

Check it out and let us know what you think of it!

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New MIDI Jacket Promises To Turn Your Body Into A Music Controller

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Electronic artist collective Machina has announced the MIDI Jacket – a wearable MIDI controller, being developed as a Kickstarter project.

The MIDI Jacket MJ v01 is designed to control digital music instruments, computers, and other devices. It allows users to control and make music kinetically (through body movements), through body sensors, and by detecting your acceleration and flexion. 

The MIDI Jacket has multiple built-in controllers:

Four flexible sensors which can detect your finger’s positionOne accelerometer which can detect your arm’s accelerationA joystick4 push buttons

All of these sensors and buttons can be configured by the user, but they come with presets and initial configurations. While the sensors are there, the jacket looks like a regular jacket, and can be worn under normal conditions.

Machine is also developing a VST that the jacket can be connected to Ableton Live wirelessly. Along with this, they are developing a mobile application for iOS and Android that will allow users to interact with the jacket in a simple way.

Features are expected to include:

Sound Capturing/UsageBy recording in the cell phone/TabletPressing a key and recording a soundConfigurable pad to match the sensoresKey MappingDefine which keys go with which soundsDefine which keys add an effectDefine if the keys are used as buttons, sensors, if they’re pressure sensitive, etc.Define the threshold to trigger actions

Pricing for the MIDI jacket is $285 for project supporters.

Note: The MIDI Jacket is being developed as a Kickstarter project, which means that that supporters participate in the project’s risks and benefits. See the project site for details.

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Ableton Live 9 Sneak Preview – Getting Creative With The New Features

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In this video, Ableton Live guru Tom Cosm takes a look at the new core features of the upcoming Ableton Live 9, focusing on ways to use them creatively.

Topics covered include:

Session View AutomationAudio to MIDIAutomation curvesMax for Live devices

Check it out and let us know what you think!

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IK Multimedia Debuts iRig HD Interface

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2013 NAMM Show: IK Multimedia has unveiled iRig HD, the next generation of its digital guitar interface adapter for iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, and Mac.

The iRig HD is a digital guitar/bass/instrument interface that allows users to plug their guitar or bass into their iPhone, iPad, iPod touch or Mac. It can be used with the AmpliTube range of guitar amps/effects apps and software or any other real-time processing app/software.

iRig HD comes with the AmpliTube Free app, which provides virtual effects pedals, amplifiers, speaker cabinets and a single track recorder.

iRig HD at a glance:

Instrument-level 1/4” Hi-Z input jackDetachable cables for Lighting, 30 pin and USB connector compatibilityPreamp gain controlHigh-quality low-noise, high-definition preampHigh-quality 24 bit A/D conversionPowered by the iOS device or USBUltra-compact and lightweightComes with AmpliTube apps

Price and availability

iRig HD will be shipping in the Spring of 2013. Price is TBA.

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How To Make A Synth Patch Out Of Any Sound

YouTube video song artist Andrew Huang shares his approach to making a synth patch out of any sound, using Ableton Live, in this short tutorial video.

It’s a basic tutorial, but demonstrates an approach that you can take as deep as you want.

Here’s a track that Huang made, Rock, Paper, Scissors – where, as you might have guessed, all the instrumental sounds were made from sampled rocks, paper & scissors.

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Testing & Calibrating A Moog Synthesizer

This video, via Uniquesquared, continues their series of behind-the-scenes looks at the manufacturing of Moog synthesizers. This installment looks at how just-built synths are calibrated and tested, prior to leaving the factory.

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‘Nothing Can Doom This Groove’

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This clip, from the film Vibrations, explains how to make techno.

And when it comes to explaining how to make techno, this version is golden.

In case you missed Vibrations when it came out, it’s about rising rock star, TJ Cray:

TJ gets the shot of a lifetime, an audition with a A & R man.

On the way into the city, though, a carload of drunks smash into his car, severing his hands. So he drops out of the business and becomes a homeless drunk.

Cray wakes up to a pulsing beat in an abandoned warehouse, where a “rave” party is in full action. To his rescue comes Anamika, a computer artist, who takes him outside for fresh air.

They become friends and eventually reinvent TJ’s career. With the help of friends, they replace his hands with prosthetics and design a metallic cyber looking suit. TJ becomes an overnight sensation as Cyberstorm.

But he doesn’t get his hands back.

In case you miss any nuggets of techno production wisdom, here’s a written version of how to make techno:

The idea is to get the vibe going.

Then you maintain the vibe with a trance inducing bass and the right lights. We’re primal, heading for cosmic, and just when you think we’re in galactic ecstasy….we go acid. It’s hardcore nutronic mutilation.

Now we get serious. See, we’re going on a psychotically calibrated and electronically executed, digitally compressed, pus-excreting journey to sonic grooviness! The world is coming to an end – but we don’t care, because we’re moon-tan nocturnal, vinyl consuming animals drifting easy through friendly space.

An analog trance, nothing can doom this groove; we’re controlling the vibe, manipulating the madness, sucking in the energy and we’ve cosmic nerving endings, telling us how to move, what to do, where to go and then we know, that it’s time to let go!

via myblogitsfullofstars

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Novation LaunchKey Offers 50+ Hardware Controls, iPad Integration

2013 NAMM Show: Novation today introduced a new line of MIDI controllers, Launchkey, that offers 50+ physical controls, including 16 velocity-sensitive multi-color trigger-pads for launching clips and scenes in Ableton Live. The Novation LaunchKey line offers 25, 49 and 61 note keyboard controllers.

In addition the keyboard and DAW controls, Launchkey is ‘an integrated software/hardware instrument’. The control surface has been designed to work tightly alongside two intuitive apps for iPad: the Launchkey and Launchpad apps – plus V-Station & Bass Station synth plug-ins for Mac and Windows.

Features:

Launchkey comes with a brand new Launchkey app and Launchpad apps for iPad and the powerful Novation V-Station and Bass Station synth plug-ins for Mac and PCNovation DAW control with Launchkey – ‘InControl’ technology connects hardware controls directly to all major DAWs. Quick, hands-on control of your mixer, transport and more in Ableton, FL Studio, Pro Tools, Reason, Cubase and LogicLaunchkey launch pads – 16 velocity-sensitive multi-colour launch pads for playing and sketching out drum beats, or launching and improvising with loops using the Launchpad app – they also launch clips and scenes in Ableton Live50 faders, knobs, pads and buttons (35 on 25-note version)DAW control with Novation Launchkey – Instant access to major DAW control parameters – with no assignment necessaryBus powered – Launchkey is fully bus-powered, even with iPad. Just plug it in and go, with no power supply or batteriesLaunchkey includes one gigabyte of Loopmasters sample content including artist packs, drum samples and sound FXAbleton Live Lite – Ableton’s ground-breaking performance and production software is included with Launchkey

Here’s the official intro video:

Pricing and availability are TBA.

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Pantha Du Prince & The Bell Laboratory – ‘Spectral Split’

This is the official music video for Spectral Split, by Pantha Du Prince & The Bell Laboratory.

The track comes from their new album, Elements of Light, which is described as ‘a symphony for electronics, percussion and bell carillon.’ The music combines elements of minimalism, techno and traditional carillon works.

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PPG WaveMapper Intros A New Approach To Synthesis From Wolfgang Palm

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Synth pioneer Wolfgang Palm has introduced a new software synthesizer for iOS, PPG WaveMapper.

PPG WaveMapper expands on Palm’s work with wavetables and introduces a new synthesis system, which can be seen as a bridge between wavetables and samples. In wavetable systems you have great flexibility in controlling the sound, but sound material is limited to harmonic, noise-free waveforms. On the other hand there are samplers, which have very high sound quality, but very limited editing features.

In WaveMapper there is a new type, the “time corrected sample” (TCS). This can reproduce a much wider palette of sounds then classic wavetables, but still allows for a total control, for example with an envelope or LFO.

‘It is a completely different way of programming sounds,”  Palm says. “You do not start with a lot of detailed setting, but with a combined set of parameters which you can select with the touch and swipe of a finger. And the combination of those parameters belonging to a Module make sense of course, it gives the user (being experienced or not) a very fast way for creating unique sounds.”

Here are the details:

PPG WaveMapper

The Mapping window is the visualization of a pool of programs on which “modules” float. Those modules represent parameters of the synthesizer engine and each module can be placed on one of 32 programs. The moment an item is placed on map then the parameters of that module will take on the settings of those parameters in the underlying program on the Mapping window.

At a basic level, you can use this mapping technology as a starting point to create complex sounds. For example you can drag a string sound source onto a drum envelope, or a guitar sound onto a string envelope. Power users can delve deeper into the back end of any sound, using a full set of professional features.

Here are the official audio demos:

Features:

New Sound map concept – create new sounds playful and experimental3 types of synthesis – the optimal type for kind of each soundsClassic wavetables – for the typical PPG soundsTime compressed samples – more authentic sounds, allowing analysis of
user samplesPure samples – classic sample playbackAnalyzer – convert your own samples into the new format or into
wavetables3 oscillators capable for totally independent sound sources90 sound resources – a huge sound palette, from real instruments to
abstract wavetables4 parameter editor pages – comfortable and detailed access to all the
parameters3 Noise generators, for audio and modulationsClassic 24 dB Lowpass Filter, combined with an overdrive simulation.Dual amplifier, for versatile control of 2 audio signals as well as panning.13 Envelopes, for independent control of pitch, waveform, filter and noise
gain and panning4 LFOs – with 5 waveformsDelay/Reverb effectFlexible Step Sequencer / Arpeggiator combinationSchematic touch keyboard – Build your own keyboard, with the keys you prefer for your music.Powerful sound browser – sorting by category, bank managementVirtual and Hard-MIDI in/out – sending/receiving keys and controllers.Audiobus support.10 min audio recording and Audio copy.

PPG WaveMapper is expected to be released in February 2013, priced at $19.99.

You can listen to an audio demo of PPG WaveMapper at Palm’s site.

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PPG WaveMapper First Look With Wolfgang Palm

Synth designer Wolfgang Palm shared this intro video for PPG WaveMapper, his latest synth for iOS. In the video, above, Palm demonstrates playing and tweaking sounds in WaveMapper.

PPG WaveMapper is the second iOS based synth from Wolfgang Palm, who in 2012 released PPG WaveGenerator. It introduces his new approach to synthesis, wave mapping.

See our post on the PPG WaveGenerator announcement for specs.

Pricing and availability are still to be announced.

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Arpeggionome Pro + GarageBand Minimalism

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Developer Alexandernaut shared this video that demonstrates how you can use the interactive arpeggiator Arpeggionome Pro with GarageBand – in this case, creating a sort of iPad minimalism.

Arpeggionome Pro is available in the App Store.

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Steinberg Intros UR22 Portable Audio Interface

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2013 NAMM Show: Steinberg has announced a new audio interface, the UR22, which features 192 kHz audio quality, USB 2.0 connectivity, MIDI input/output alongside two combo inputs with D-PRE microphone preamps and line outputs.

Here are the details:

Features:

24-bit/192 kHz USB 2.0 audio interface2 Class-A D-PRE mic preamps supporting +48V phantom power2 analog XLR/TRS combo inputs (Hi-Z switch on input 2 for electric guitar), 2 TRS line outputsMIDI input and outputHeadphones jack with independent level controlZero-latency hardware monitoring with mix balance knobUSB-powered for mobile recordingsRugged full-metal housingCross-platform compatibility with major recording software applications and best performance with included Cubase AI music software

The UR22 interface will be available in February, priced at 149 euros. See the Steinberg site for more details.

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