Piano and Synth Blog

CME introduced two cool pieces of kit at the NAMM 2006 show.

The first is the Bitstream 3X Desktop which can be used to control virtual instruments and other MIDI hardware.

This compact desktop unit is the only 3 axis (X,Y and Z) controller on the market and includes 5 knobs, 8 sliders, 16 buttons, a joystick, a cross-fader and an infrared controller. The joystick controls the X and Y axis while the infrared beam controls the Z axis. The Bitstream 3x is fully programmable and includes more than 13,000 presets for popular samplers, synthesizers, and software including Propellerheads Reason and Rebirth, Steinberg Cubase, Ableton Live, Native Instruments Reaktor, Traktor, Kontakt, and Absynth, Fruity Loops and more. An 8 track motion sampler, transport functions, and a large LCD display round out this versatile unit

Next up is the GPP-3 pedal controller. It features three polished metal pedals housed in an elegant wooden housing which gives it stability and reliability. All three pedals can be assigned to different MIDI Control Changes, and one pedal is a continuous controller.

Its built in CPU stores user settings and send control data through USB, MIDI or ¼ inch control jacks with voltage trim capability.

Unitonic have annouced version 2 of their plug-in synth for Pro Tools / HD Accel systems.

It includes a wide range of presets: over 300 patches covering a large selection of instruments and bizarre / synthetic sounds.

Aurora uses a ‘unique synthesis process which fuses pure additive synthesis with frequency/pulse and noise modulation and non-linear wave distortion.’

Phew…

• Read the full press release at Harmony Central: Unitonic Releases Aurora 2.0 Advanced Plug-In Synth
• Visit Unitonic website.

Roland showcased their latest synthesizer at the NAMM 2006 show.

Due for release in July, this instrument is targeting less experienced synth musicians.

Roland describe it as “the most friendly and fun analog-modeling instrument on the market”

It features two “beefy” analog-modelling oscillators, some of Roland’s proprietary waveforms, effects and arpeggiators.

External sound sources can be plugged in and independently routed, then mixed with the synth’s onboard voices, creating many possibilities.

And, for added fun and ’show-off’ status, try the infra-red D beam. Hours of fun waving your hands over it and creating bizarre modulation effects (I want one)

It’s lay out is ‘no-nonsense’ - moving left-to-right through oscillators, mixers, filters, amp, and effects. There are no hidden menus to confuse.

It is also VSTi compatible, meaning that sounds can be edited and synchronised with a variety of computer-based sequencer/synth packages.

Read the full press release at Harmony Central.

Korg used the NAMM 2006 show to unveil its new RADIAS synthesizer/vocoder.

With a bold new approach that is at once both daring and familiar, RADIAS exceeds common analog expectations and rapidly takes off for uncharted territories.

says the official website.

SonicState calls it a sexy looking synth:

Korg have pulled another winning product from their deep hat with the Radias. It combines traditional digital synthesis with new modelling techniques. Good looks add to its impressive technical capabilities. It comes in 2 versions: one with a keyboard and one without. They are priced at $1999 and $1899 respectively

Press Release

Korg’s press release reads:

Korg unveils cutting-edge RADIAS synthesizer

WINTER NAMM SHOW, ANAHEIM, CA, January 19, 2006 — Korg introduces the RADIAS synthesizer, a new instrument that combines traditional and forward-thinking concepts in both synthesis and physical design. Based on Korg’s proprietary MMT™ (Multi Modeling Technology) engine, this 24-voice synthesizer offers a variety of synthesis algorithms together with multiple effects, new comb filter and wave shaping features, modulation sequencing, as well as new formant-motion vocoding. RADIAS offers an innovative design that can be custom configured to suit your set-up. The sound module can be used independently or teamed with the unique dedicated keyboard, creating a seamlessly integrated instrument.

Each of the 256 onboard Programs is comprised of up to four timbres, which can be split, layered or operate independently on separate MIDI channels, allowing the RADIAS to function as a powerful performance system or multitimbral sound generator.

Each Timbre provides two oscillators, which share the low-aliasing design of Korg’s flagship OASYS. They deliver modeled analog, formant and Korg’s classic DWGS waveforms, PCM playback, as well as ring modulation and sync. The voice architecture provides dual multimode filters; three envelopes; two LFOs; three modulation sequencers; six virtual patches (for freely connecting any of 11 modulation sources to any of 15 destinations); two-band EQ; Drive; 11 types of Wave Shaping; and Punch (which emphasizes the attack portion of the sound).

Each Program contains an arpeggiator with six pattern types and two Step Sequencers, each supporting 32 steps with 8-note polyphony and adjustable gate time, velocity and on/off status per step. To speed up the sound creation processing, RADIAS includes templates for 128 synth timbres, 128 Insert Effects and 128 Master Effects.

One Timbre in each Program can be assigned to a Drum Kit. Each editable Kit contains 16 PCM waveform-based instruments, and there are 32 preloaded drum kits.

The Vocoder section features 16 bands, each with individual level and pan controls. Korg’s new proprietary Formant Motion function records up to 7.5 seconds of incoming formant information per Program (spoken words, scat singing or any sound), so users can recreate vocoder effects even when no microphone is present. Sixteen sets of Formant Motion information can be stored in internal memory and instantly recalled. As a bonus, a headset microphone is included, for instant vocoding right out of the box.

Two insert effects are available for each timbre, plus a program-wide master effect. The 30 included effects types range from delay, chorus and reverb, to compressor and talking modulator. Any effect parameter can be assigned to the front panel knobs for instant control, providing further versatility in sound design.

Two models are offered: RADIAS consists of the sound module section plus a dedicated 49-note, velocity-sensing keyboard with traditional Pitch and Mod wheels. The panel layout features a full complement of knobs and buttons, letting users enjoy the same intuitive feel and hands-on control as on an analog synthesizer. A unique mounting rail design allows the control module to pivot up or down, and even slide over to one side to accommodate a laptop computer, Korg ELECTRIBE, KAOSS Pad or other audio unit. The RADIAS•R is the dedicated sound module alone, and it can be used either as a rackmount or tabletop synthesizer.

Free RADIAS Sound Editor editor/librarian software allows for editing, managing and archiving RADIAS settings on a Mac or Windows PC using a simple USB connection for quick and easy data transfers.

• Visit the official site for detailed specifications and audio demos.
• Read more about the Korg RADIAS at SonicState.

Baldwin piano (dubbed “America’s Favorite Piano”) exhibited at NAMM 2006, and have announced some price changes on several of their Vertical models, as well as some ‘innovative new models’ in a choice of finishes.

Read the full press release: Baldwin Piano to Announce Price Cuts, New Models, and Custom Finishes at Winter NAMM 2006
Visit Baldwin Piano

Maybe it’ll catch on…

Pets bored with their squeaky toys, scratch posts and walkies?

Then enrol them in Germany’s first animal music academy, where dogs, cats and even chickens can learn to play the piano, keyboard or xylophone.

The founder of the school said the academy’s goal is to show people how to communicate with animals.

Personally, I’d be a little worried about getting claw scratches and fur on the keys, but I suppose if a pet really takes to it, they can have their own instrument.

Read the full article: Pets Learn How To Play Piano, Xylophone

Thieves must have been working out before they stole an antique Steinway piano dating back to the mid-1800s. Owner Shirley Baker feels as empty as the space where the piano once stood:

“It fit very well in the house. The piano was built around the same time the house was built so it really was ideal,” Baker explained.

Ironically, this antique piano was probably not worth a huge amount of money (at least, in piano terms). The thieves will probably have a hard time selling it on, as well - something that big doesn’t just ‘turn up’ on the market. Questions will be asked.

Maybe they should’ve just gone for electricals…

When he was just 13, Henry Kramer knew that he wanted to play piano professionally.

As is not uncommon, his mother encouraged him to start piano lessons as a child; he didn’t want to. That soon changed.

He spent a lot of time convincing his piano teacher that this wasn’t just a phase. He practiced some 6-8 hours a day, and most other things in his life took a backseat.

His piano teacher at the time, Portland resident Elizabeth Manduca, introduced him to the national student music scene. It was as a spectator, at this introductory national competition in Minneapolis, Minn., that the realization materialized, said Kramer.

Manduca said Kramer had an innate natural talent and at the time was better than any other players in the area. She wanted to broaden his perspective, and help him realize the amount of work involved in becoming great.

“He needed to see the big picture,” she said. “He needed to get out and see what really terrific players were like.”

Kramer had been unaware until then that students his age studied classical music seriously. “I was totally amazed,” he said. It was then he decided to pursue piano as a career.

But Manduca said there were struggles along the way. Though Manduca knew Kramer was a capable, passionate and inspired student, she said he had his own reservations about making a career out of music. Kramer was unaware of the discipline and commitment required for the profession.

“He was a bit overwhelmed by the work it took,” she said.

His reservations were typical to anybody considering a music career, she said. “Making a career in music, is very difficult and there are a lot of unanswered questions all the way through,” she said. But she said, “he certainly stepped up to the plate.”

He now attends one of the most prestigious music schools in the country: Juilliard in New York City.

Read the full article: A passion for piano

(Via BBC)

A digital version of Mozart’s diary, complete with musical excerpts, has been put online by the British Library.

From 12 January visitors to the British Library site will be able to browse a hi-tech version of Mozart’s Verzeichnis aller meiner Werke (Catalogue of all my Works).

The online exhibit can be seen here.

Shiva Stella over at Gaming Horizon has been testing Piano Wizard with 49E Keystation, which claims to teach piano playing through games.

Short answer: it doesn’t.

It seems its main shortcomings are:

• no musical notation display option
• no instruction on piano technique
• limited songs and games

Whilst learning musical notation is certainly not everything, learning good playing technique is essential.

Mimicking piano playing doesn’t produce musicians - it produces robots.

The game is Windows only, though ironically the keyboard is just as happy functioning on its own on a Mac.

It’s a shame - perhaps a future release of the software will improve things because it’s a great idea. At the moment, Shiva recommends you spend your money on a tutor rather than this combo.