MIDI and sound synthesis tutorial
April 2, 2006
Here’s a fairly compact tutorial about MIDI and sound synthesis, covering the basics of MIDI, MIDI messages, MIDI sequencers and standard MIDI files (SMF), Synthesizer basics, the General MIDI (GM) system, synthesis technology: FM and Wavetable, PC to MIDI connections, Multimedia PC systems, and Microsoft Windows configuration.
As you may see from the contents, it’s fairly heavily focussed on Windows-based systems, however the first sections on MIDI and synthesis theory are relevant to any system.
Korg Concert Series Digital Pianos C-320, C-520 and C-720
April 2, 2006
Korg has introduced three new concert series digital pianos to its range. Features include:
- Korg’s proprietary “Piano eXperience” technology that delivers richly expressive piano sounds.
- High quality PCM multi dynamic level samples including string resonance and damper noise samples.
- Up to 62 note polyphony.
- Real Weighted Hammer Action 3 (RH3) keyboard.
- Up to eight velocity curves, plus fixed.
- Internal stereo sound system, enhanced four-speaker system, true bi-amplification.
- 30 or 40 realistic sounds, including 7 acoustic pianos, 8 electric pianos, harpsichords, clavichords, vibraphones, acoustic guitar, jazz and church organs, choirs, basses, marimba.
- Multi-effects including reverbs, chorus, tremolo, delay, rotary speaker, equalizer).
- Up to 10 alternate scale tunings.
- Damper pedal includes half-pedalling support; soft pedal; sostenuto.
- Piano lesson function.
- Two-part recorder.
- Metronome.
- USB connector.
- Amplification: Up to 2 z 35W + 2 x 12W
More details available in this press release or at the Korg website.
TerraTec Area 61 expandable keyboard system
April 2, 2006
TerraTec Producer are claiming a ‘unique keyboard’ launch at the Frankfurt Musikmesse. AREA 61.
AREA 61 “is the first keyboard to come with an integrated USB 2.0 High Speed Audio and MIDI Interface. Appointments such as an advanced low-latency architecture, 24-bit/ 96-kHz resolution and discrete power amps ensure high fidelity and assertive sound in the studio and on stage. Another hallmark feature is the Ploytek® FMC!” audio algorithm, which debuts with the AREA 61.”
Features include:
- Controller keyboard with 61 full-size, semi-weighted, aftertouch sensitive (2 zones) keys.
- Integrated USB 2.0, 24-bit/96-Hz Audio and MIDI system.
- Extendible with hardware sound generator modules
- 10 Soft-Touch Encoders with 15-segment dual-color LED chain
- Soft-Touch Modulation and Pitchbend Wheels
More information available at the TerraTec Producer website.
Casio CZ1000 vintage synth spotlight
April 2, 2006
Gnostic Rocket has posted a review piece on the Casio CZ1000 which he picked up recently. Plenty of shots, technical info, and samples of his creations.
Wireless MIDI is coming
April 1, 2006
Are you fed up with trailing MIDI leads? IF so, the CME WIDI unit could be for you.
The WIDI X-8 is a full duplex wireless system for MIDI and USB communication.
“Wireless technology is everywhere and CME has finally brought wireless MIDI technology to a price that any musician can afford,” states Athan Billias, Director of Marketing for Technology Products at Yamaha. “The creative applications for the WIDI system are endless.”
The WIDI X-8 is a great way to clean up long MIDI cable runs or extend USB connections. The two units communicate over a wireless 2.4GHz ISM license-free band up to 262 feet of unobstructed space. Also able to communicate through walls and floors, the WIDI X-8’s 64 available channels mean up to 64 pairs can run at the same time within your home, studio or stage, making connections faster and easier.
Key Features
- Operates on 2.4GHz ISM license-free band
- Transmission range up to 262 feet (unobstructed)
- Low power consumption, high speed, error correction ability
- Built-in USB MIDI interface
- Bi-directional MIDI communication (MIDI in/out)
- Up to 64 pairs can be operating at the same time via 64 channels
- Three operating modes (USB/RF, MIDI/RF, USB/MIDI)
- OS X and Windows XP class-compliant for plug-and-play
- Powered by 2 ‘AA’ size batteries, AC power adapter (DC 5V) or USB bus-powered
Available from August 2006.
Via Synthtopia
WP-20 Mini-Synth Sound Effects Synthesizer Project
April 1, 2006
Many moons ago Ray Wilson and Ron Romeo created a small company that sold PC boards and kits. We called it “Waveform Processing” The WP-20 Mini-Synth was our premier product. As I look back at it now I see many things I would do differently today but I wanted to leave it as it was 25 years ago. It’s a great project and it makes some very cool sounds. I hope you have fun if you decide to build it. This would make a great junior-high or high-school electronics project.
13 steps to playing jazz piano
April 1, 2006
How to play jazz piano in thirteen steps. Ahh it sounds so easy…
Tablet PCs for musicians
April 1, 2006
Hugh Sung has written a useful series of posts about Putting a Tablet PC System together for Musicians - a hi-tech replacement for printed sheet music.
He covers hardware, software, scanning music, music readers and annotators, and maintenance.
(Via the Collaborative Piano Blog)
X-Station Synth programming tutorial part 2
April 1, 2006
Novation have produced part 2 of their X-Station Synth Programming Tutorial, covering the Amplitude and Modulation Envelopes, and Filters. There are also patch examples to try out.
VX Series Pro controller keyboards
April 1, 2006
CME has announced the VX Series of keyboards, boasting the first controllers with nine motorised 60mm faders.
The VX Series feature 64 different types of programmable controllers including motorized faders, knobs, trigger pads, a ribbon controller, buttons, pitch bend and modulation wheel, transport controls, pedals, and a breath controller. These flexible keyboards have an amazing array of uses such as controlling a DAW and virtual instruments in the studio, triggering patterns and controlling sound rigs on stage, and recording audio into a laptop while on the go.
Key Features:
- Built-in USB Audio and MIDI interface
- Multi-function expansion bay
- Graded hammer-action weighted (VX8) or semi-weighted keyboard (VX5/6/7)
- Initial and after touch, velocity sensitive keyboard
- PadStyle® MIDI songs and patterns
- Multi-scale mode for ethnic music
- U-CTRL function for easy software integration
- 9 60mm motorized faders
- 12 programmable velocity sensitive trigger pads
- 8 knob controllers (potentiometer)
- 9 knob controllers (endless encoder)
- 1 ribbon controller
- 1 pitch bend and modulation wheel
- 27 function and number buttons
- Transport controls
- 1 data entry encoder
- Music software control templates with user bank memories
- 2 x 16 characters LCD display
- Firmware upgradeable via USB
- 4 MIDI out, 1 MIDI in
- 2 universal pedal connectors, full compatible with switch and expression pedal
- Breath controller input, compatible with YAMAHA BC3
- 2 mic/line input with gain control
- 2 line output
- 2 headphone outputs with volume control
- Plug-and-play USB audio and MIDI on Windows XP and MAC OSX
- USB hub, USB bus-powered
Price and Availability
The VX Series will be available in July 2006 at the following prices:
- VX5 (49 key) - US$899.99
- VX6 (61 key) - US$999.99
- VX7 (76 key) - US$1199.99
- VX8 (88 key) - US$1299.99
