Zen Q Synergy Core compact audio interface launched
Professional studio audio performance for the home market in the Zen Q Synergy Core audio interface, featuring AD/DA, discrete ultra-linear mic preamps, 64-bit Acoustically Focused Clocking system, 37 analog-modelled effects, 14×10 I/O channels, low latency USB-C interface.
- Class-leading — MONITOR and LINE OUT — AD/DA conversion with a dynamic range of up to 127 dB (A-Weighted)
- Recording, mixing, and playback at up to 24-bit/192kHz
- Proprietary 64-bit AFCTM technology and Jitter Management algorithm delivering increased sound width, separation, and detail
- 2x discrete ultra-linear preamps with 65 dB of gain for studio-quality recordings, both working as MIC/LINE/HiZ inputs on Combo XLR jacks, with 48V of phantom power and independent preamp gain for each input
- 2x Hi-Z/line instrument inputs over TRS ¼” jacks
- 2x signal-balanced, DC-coupled LINE OUT (outputs) over TRS ¼” jacks (+20 dBu max)
- USB-C port carrying up to 16 input and 16 output channels in any popular DAW with custom macOS and Windows drivers
- Digitally expandable over SPDIF IN/OUT, with two channels available
- Digitally expandable over ADAT IN, with eight channels available (at 44.1/48kHz)
- 1x stereo signal-balanced, DC-coupled MONITOR output on TRS ¼” jacks (+20 dBu max)
- 2x stereo headphone outputs with separate volume control
- Bus-powered, compact (W: 198 mm/7.8”, D: 137 mm/5.4”, H: 57.5 mm/2.3”) interface without the need for a dedicated power source
- Direct monitoring with Synergy Core effects, processed in real-time with imperceptible latency
- Simplified I/O routing with preconfigured settings, allowing immediate recording and playback
- Easily accessible front panel-positioned controls for input and output levels, as well as other settings
- Customizable presets with settings for signal routing, level adjustments, mixer, and effects
- Customizable monitoring mixes with adjustable volume, pan, and reverb
$899/€899
Here’s James Ivey’s introduction video to the Zen Q:
KONTAKT using robo-sampling for latest libraries
Getting the most accurate sampling from instruments and other sources is of paramount importance in creating standout audio sample libraries, particularly when it comes to real-world and acoustic instruments such as thepiano. Multi-samples are nothing new, but the team at KONTAKT has pushed things further by using robots to faithfully and consistency play the piano keyboard in order to obtain high quality samples which a human player simply could not match for evenness and dynamics across the keyboard range.
Read this interview with Skybox Audio founder Danny Dunlap, who explains how robotic fingers are used to create their sample products, including Hammers + Waves.
Also take a look at Reuben Cornell’s walkthrough of the main features and sounds in the Hammers + Waves collection.
AtomoSynth KOE M6 launching
AtomoSynth writes on their Facebook page:
“We are proud to introduce the new AtomoSynth KOE M6. It is a monophonic analog semi-modular synthesizer. It features all the classic circuits like: One oscillator with sub oscillator, audio mixer, low frequency oscillator, high and low pass filter, ADSR envelope generator and also some special ones like a loopable slope generator, multimode random voltage modulator, a voltage mixer and with its 32 point patchbay you can experiment and create not only classic warm analog sounds but a great variety of interesting and otherworldly soundscapes, Also it features a modulable delay effect capable of creating from spring-like reverbs all the way to super long decimated echoes to add the final touch to your sound, a true mini lab for sound design!
It has internal normalized basic connections so you can play it without any patch cable connected, It features an internal midi to CV converter so you can play it with a midi keyboard or connect to a computer or midi sequencer, and also with a CV/gate controller or you can forget about controllers and play it as a drone synth.
The KOE M6 desktop edition is fully compatible with your eurorack setup or it can be a great entry gate to the modular world. You can even take the module out from its enclosure and install it in another Eurorack case.
Specs:
- Voltage controlled oscillator with saw and pulse waveforms.
- Pulse width modulation controllable by voltage.
- Square wave Sub oscillator with -1 and -2 octaves selector.
- Digital square wave oscillator DCO (controlled by midi only).
- Low Frequency Oscillator with triangle and square waveforms and voltage controlled frequency.
- Random voltage modulator with 6 modes (S&H, random, dust, random gate, pulse, midi cc out)
- Classic AtomoSynth Low pass and High pass voltage controlled vactrol filter.
- Slope generator with voltage controlled rise and fall times and loop/gate selector.
- ADSR type envelope generator.
- Flexible built in Delay effect with voltage controlled delay time.
- Voltage mixer with gain and positive or negative offset control.
- Patch bay with 17 inputs and 15 outputs.
- Midi interface with CV pitch, gate and CC outputs.
- Rugged sheet metal enclosure finished with micro textured electrostatic paint.
- Dimensions: 364mm (W), 157mm (D), 81mm (H)
- Uses 15V 2A center positive power supply (included).
Introductory price: USD 449.00
Free worldwide shipping by DHL express.
To preorder please send an email to: atomosynth@hotmail.com with your paypal email address
Shipping from February 1st 2022.
Fusebox X Analog 3 Voice Polysynth
Analogue Solutions has announced availability of the Fusebox X synth, a followup to the discontinued Fusebox. Adorned in orange, it has similar features to its predecessor but has been upgraded to include 3-note polyphonic mode plus some new features and internal performance tweaks.
Save for its MIDI-to-CV circuit, it’s a completely analog beast and has circuitry based on designs from the 1970s, meaning it possesses truly vintage sound.
Onboard features include three VCOs, CV inputs for pitch and PWM, pulse width controls, VCO 1 with octave and XMOD switches from VCO2, VCO 2/3 with wide tune switch and VCO 3 with MIDI pitch control. VCO 2 and VCO 3 can be used as LFOs. The filters section includes the 12dB multimode VCF with LP/HP/BP and NOTCH filters, cutoff modulation, plus VCA amplifier and two envelope generators.
Also available is the interval generator and ‘patternator’ plus mini-step sequencer.
Pricing at £1350 (ex VAT) in the UK or via authorised dealers.
Mastro Valvola OFF1 octave fuzz filter
Primarily aimed at guitarists but with obvious uses for synth and electronic musicians, Mastro Valvola debuts its OFF1 octave fuzz filter pedal featuring three analog stand alone circuits in series: Octave (sub1 & sub2) + Fuzz (with switchable octave up effect) + Ladder Filter.
Main features:
– 3 Analog circuits
– synths style ladder filter
– 2 footswitches configuration modes
– both buttons can be used in latching or momentary mode
– expression pedal input
See more features and video demos at the Mastro Valvola OFF1 product page.
ERICA SYNTHS LXR 02 Techno Pattern #4
Small demo of a techno pattern created with the excellent ERICA SYNTHS LXR-02 machine. Modifying on the fly some parameters of the main voices.
UDO Super 6 Desktop demo
The new UDO Super 6 Desktop is a 12-voice analog hybrid synth that takes all the sonic power of the Super 6 and puts it in a more compact and portable form. Check out this demo of the demo sounds from Andertons.
Inside a Roland AT 100 Music ATELIER
A short tour inside an Roland music Atelier/digital music keyboard, no talking, just the ‘flying’ tour.
Every Time We Touch – Cascada | Keyboard Cover on Yamaha Genos
Pro Style Music shares this Genos performance of “Every Time We Touch” using styles from their Dance Pack 4 Euro Dance collection.
Buying a Stencil Piano
An interesting video about ‘stencil pianos’ which are generic instruments but with parts which may well come from established ‘known’ manufacturers, or in fact be a whole collection of components assembled under a different name.
The rise of Teenage Engineering’s OP-1
A little over a decade ago, the OP-1 arrived on the scene, and it has since become a cult object much sought after. This article/interview with Fast Company sheds an interesting light on its development, workings, and reasons for its popularity.
“Teenage Engineering borrowed new, miniaturized hardware developments from the mobile and gaming industries to squeeze a powerful synthesizer inside the OP-1–actually, 11 different synth engines, each with its own distinct character. The synth sounds are anything but toy-like–they’re high quality and production-ready, good enough to be used in commercial recordings.”
Young blind pianist dedicated 12 years to chasing musical dreams
Mou Xingshui, a native of Chongqing, is 16 years old. He’s a blind pianist. Because of his congenital blindness, his mother took him for therapy at a treatment center on Gulangyu Island near Xiamen City when he was still a baby. The history of Gulangyu Island, also known as “Qin Island,” has long been tied to pianos, and it has produced many musicians. Almost every household has a piano. This environment fostered Mou’s strong interest in music since he was a child. His parents quit their jobs in Chongqing and moved to Fujian Province to help their boy chase his musical dream.
