Casio has launched the WK-6600 workstation, an update to its WK-6500. It features a piano-style touch response 76-key keyboard, 16-track song sequencer, tone editor, rhythm editor, multiple digital effects, 32-channel mixer, performance registration memory, USB MIDI interface, SD card storage, pitch bend wheel, backlit display, music presets and 670 individual […]
Synth, Electronic & Audio
288 posts
Casio has launched Chordana Tap and Chordana Viewer, two new apps designed for all current iOS devices (iPhone, iPod touch and iPad). Chordana is Casio’s own music analysis technology, and the apps harness this by detecting musical chord progressions through analysis of the frequency characteristics and temporal changes of an […]
Nord has announced its latest analog modelling synthesizer, the Lead A1. Designed to suit a wide variety of musical styles, it claims to have a simpler interface which encourages experimentation and allows faster programming. Key features include: Oscillators: 8 oscillator configuration with Pitch, Detune, Shape, Sync, AM, Noise, Dual Osc, […]
Diginoiz has announced its rather unassuming sequel of loops, Piano Resource 2, is now available to purchase. “Uncompromising, melodic, great sounding piano loops and midi files ready to be used in Your soft or hardware Thanks to Midi files Your creativity is unlimited, You are able to change notes, switch […]
We don’t cover guitar gear very often here (although we have provided details on how to tune a guitar to a piano or keyboard) but as we’re focusing on Roland’s latest workstations and digital pianos we thought it only fair to give guitarists a look in. Enter the Roland ME-80, […]
Acoustic drums are versatile and authentic, and many drummers wouldn’t contemplate using a complete electronic rig. That said, there’s sometimes room for expanding repertoire by using triggers to augment playing with digital sounds and effects. Other musicians in a band can have some control over this, but when the drummer […]
Roland has posted the first of a number of resources (possibly videos) teasing viewers about something it’s calling “AIRA”. The first video briefly discusses the development of the TR-808 in the early 1980s (including the classic, erroneous, dialog “At that time, electronic music and dance did not yet exist”): At […]
Roland has updated its RD line of digital stage pianos with the introduction of the RD-800. Roland claims the RD-800 not only has a new, sleek look but also “many improvements in sound, feel, and versatility”. Sound-wise, Roland has added more acoustic piano samples, plus authentic vintage electric pianos, organs, […]
Preempting NAMM 2014, Roland has announced its new breed of music workstation. The FA Series, available in 61-key (FA-06) and 88-key (FA-08) models, is naturally being talked up by Roland, with hyped statements such as “taking the ‘work’ out of the music workstation”, “completely reimagines”, “effortless real-time power”, “ultra-fast workflow”, […]
The VTC-1 Vacuum Tube Compressor is an analog-modelled VST compressor featuring “warm analog, fat pumping and transparent sound.” Pentode Audio says that, compared to modern compressors, VTC-1 has a different inner structure and principle of work. There is no threshold knob, so you set the amount of compression by increasing […]
Meet Ototo, an experimental synthesizer which can turn anything with a conductive surface into part of a musical instrument. The Ototo board consists of 12 touch pads which can be touched directly to trigger notes, or alternatively connected up via cables to any conductive object. It also has four sensor […]
We’ve just seen this amazing new gadget which attaches to your iPhone or iPod touch, turning it into a complete motion controller for use with a range of apps and other devices. The AUUG Motion Synth consists of hardware which allows you to attach your Apple device to your wrist […]
If you have fond memories of having to use dial-up modems to use the Internet (anyone under the age of 25 need not concern themselves) then you might like the Music Modem, a portable sound generator that lovingly recreates those sounds just for you. It looks a bit like a […]
We’ve seen some pretty nifty alternative controller interfaces for your iPad/iPhone, like the DrumPants, but how about a wearable ring which allows you to use gestures on the palm of your hand to control apps on your smartphone or tablet? The Fin is a flexible, wearable thumb ring which can […]
Smartphones and tablets now make great portable recording studios, thanks to powerful processors and a plethora of high quality apps. The weak chain in the process is that of sound capture. The standard microphones built in to this hardware just isn’t designed for high quality capture. This is where an […]
We all know guitarists love their pedals, but when I saw the BeatBuddy pedal, I knew it wasn’t just a great idea for guitarists, but for any musician needing an easily controllable beat. (OK, I know founder David Packouz said just the same in his video, but I thought it […]
Diagram A is Daniel Greenwood’s “mental feedback research project” that’s been ongoing for over 20 years. All electronics are self-designed and handmade. The Indiegogo campaign is for a limited edition set of noise synth devices which come with: multiple inputs/outputs multiple pad touch sensitive control for skin contact 4 oscillators […]
MONOpulator is an all-in-one four-track 8 step sequencer, sampler and a drum machine, currently seeking funding on Indiegogo. Developer JD Sweet lays out the following features: Place kick drums, snares, hi hats and crashes up to 8 positions each. 200% pitch control to speed up or slow down Playback & […]
Propellerhead Software has got hold of a sample tutorial chapter from the very impressive new book Reason 101 Visual Guide to the Reason Rack – Creating Kick Drums. “Robert Anselmi, the man behind Reason101, has just released a very comprehensive book called Reason 101 Visual Guide to the Reason Rack. […]
Hailing it as the first motion-tracking controller for iOS (iPad/iPhone), IK Multimedia has introduced its iRing gizmo. Although not aimed specifically at musicians, it could certainly be used with music apps. iRing is a wearable ring with markers imprinted upon it. One side contains three dots in a line, while […]
