Whenever you buy a new digital piano, keyboard or synthesiser, one of its key specifications is the amount of polyphony. But what exactly is polyphony? In pure musical terms, polyphony is used to describe two or more independent melodic voices. This is in contrast to monophony (a single voice) or […]
Synth, Electronic & Audio
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Novation has announced its latest controller keyboards: the Nocturn 25 and Nocturn 49 keyboards, with two and four octaves respectively. Key Features High quality professional keyboard Velocity-sensitive keyboard from Fatar with assignable aftertouch. The Nocturn Keyboard feels like playing an instrument rather than a computer peripheral. Illuminated controls provide instant […]
Roland’s acclaimed SP-404 performance sampler takes an exciting leap forward with the new SP-404SX. In addition to the fun, fast, hands-on features of the original, the new model offers enhanced sound quality with pure 16-bit linear sampling, improved DSP effects, smooth FX switching, a more versatile pattern sequencer (with a […]
The PSR-S910 allows you to instantly sound like you’re backed by some of the hottest session players around. The accompaniment styles found on the PSR-S910 give keyboard players a quick and easy way to sound fully arranged with little or no setup required. And the powerful Music Finder feature even […]
Yamaha recently announced its new arranger workstation keyboard, the 61-key PSR-S710, which offers the following features: 128-note polyphony huge sonic palette with over 850 incredible instrument Voices, including some from the PSR-S900 realistic built-in accompaniment with enhanced guitar styles 16-track sequencer audio recorder large, easy-to-read screen Internet Direct Connect and […]
Akai recently announced this interesting-looking mini synth, the MINIAK, featuring three octaves (37 notes) of semi-weighted keys, 8 multi-timbral voice polyphony, phrase and step sequencers, 40-band vocoder, built-in drum machine and rhythm sequencer, arpeggiator, stereo effects, and much more (scroll down for the full spec list). The virtual analog synth […]
Last month, Clavia announced its new Nord C2 Combo Organ, combining the sounds of a B3 tonewheel organ, a Vox Continental, a Farfisa and a baroque pipe organ. Beautifully constructed, the C2 uses cutting edge sampling technology to extract the best sounds from each instrument. The C2 is an extremely […]
Developers continue to push the envelope for using the iPhone as a music creation device. JR Hexaton Pro is one of the latest rhythm generators/live performance apps available. Pairing Amidio, makers of other hit iPhone apps such as Star Guitar and noise.io with legendary keyboard player Jordan Rudess (who demoed […]
Roland has expanded its line of JUNO synths with the addition of the JUNO-Di. Roland JUNO-Di Features See the JUNO-D8, JUNO-D7 and JUNO-D6 Roland JUNO-Di Full Specifications Keyboard 61 keys (with velocity) Sound Generator Section Maximum Polyphony 128 voices Parts 16 parts Wave Memory 64 M bytes (16-bit linear equivalent) […]
Moog Music has announced that only 40 more Voyager Old School synthesizers will be built. If you need some encouragement to go and get a first (or second) Voyager OS, take a look at what Yes keyboardist Rick Wakeman has to say: “Only Bob Moog could come up with a […]
Digital piano players may wonder at the need for a separate metronome, but acoustic piano players and other musicians often benefit from an external timekeeper. In fact, Yamaha’s latest metronomes are a little more versatile than the ones found on digital pianos and keyboards. Ideal for musicians of all levels, […]
A couple of days ago Xyster.net released Tripper for the iPhone. Tripper is a fairly simple 16-step looping sequencer spanning ten distinct notes. All highlighted notes are played, together with colourful animation. At present there’s just one sound, which could be likened to some kind of toy/electric piano. There’s not […]
Apparently this great little microphone has been around for a little while now, and has gone down particularly well in the States, but I first got a glimpse of it at an exhibition last Thursday evening. The Snowball Microphone is a multi-purpose, professional-grade USB-powered condenser mic for either PC or […]
There’s a fascinating article and video over at Wired.com featuring classical cellist Zoe Keating. She uses her Apple MacBook Pro to record her cello, and then creates loops and layers based on that. Instead of trying to get fifty cellists together in one room, she is the sole instrumentalist. In […]
I’ve just started exploring AudioCubes, a cool hardware cube that can interact with its surroundings and with other cubes (up to eight) as well as control software via MIDI and generate lo-fi audio. It’s worth taking a look at the videos to see how they work, rather than me trying […]
Getting kids interested in music from an early age is a very worthwhile thing to do, for its own sake and also because music has been shown to improve overall learning and skills development in children. Those who seem to have an aptitude for composition, but for whom a full-blown […]
When a modern keyboard just won’t cut it for the sort of organ sounds you’re wanting to play, Roland’s C-330 Classic Organ could be just what you’re looking for. The unit features Rodgers highly acclaimed voice engine on board, offering gorgeous tone with highly flexible pipe-voicing capability, Windchest panning, and […]
In a world of modern keyboards, there’s something about Roland’s new C-230 Classic Keyboard that speaks of the past. That’s not to say that it doesn’t have cutting edge technology in it. The C-230 features 36 classical organ tones, 8 organ bass tones, 4 harpsichord tones, two fortepianos, celesta, and […]
The gap between acoustic and digital pianos just closed up a little with Yamaha’s latest innovation, the AvantGrand hybrid instrument that combines the best of both worlds. Physically, it replicates a much larger acoustic grand piano in a much smaller (but not insignificant) space. It features highly realistic key and […]
Korg has taken the fundamentals of its flagship M3 Xpanded workstation and put it out in the form of the more affordable M50 Music Workstation. The latest version offers 73 keys (six octaves) together with angled control panel and full-size TouchView interface. The EDS (Extended Definition Synthesis) sound engine delivers […]