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Tag: synth news

Eventide adds Android App for H9 Control – Synth News Digest 17
Welcome to another edition of the TabMuse Synth News Digest. This gives us an opportunity to inform you of a few interesting music technology news and product announcements from the previous weeks. If interested in checking out the last Synth News Digest, simply click on the following link.

Eventide releases their H9 Control Android App

Every time a cool new iOS music app gets released, Android owners ask when a version for their mobile platform is coming out. We focused a bit more on Android in the early days of TabMuse, but it never really challenged Apple when it came to music apps. The reasons for this are numerous and beyond the scope of this article.

Eventide H9 Control features a familiar UI style. Image copyright Eventide.

Nonetheless, Android music apps focused on handling control signals instead of audio data hold promise. Eventide thinks so with the recent release of their H9 Control app on the Google Play store. It works with the H9 pedal, letting you save and manage presets from the convenience of your Android smartphone or tablet. In essence, this is the same app available to iOS users since 2013.

The app leverages Bluetooth for wireless communication between your mobile device and the H9 pedal. If you like cables, a USB connection also works. What a no-brainer use-case; it’s surprising it is not an industry standard for high-end effects pedals. We give kudos to Eventide for showing the way.

Strymon goes Eurorack

I’ve lusted after the Strymon Big Sky and Blue Sky reverb pedals for years. The company continues to garner love among guitarists and synth players for their magical and otherworldly tones. As evidence of the large number of synth-nards using effect pedals, Strymon is now targeting the Eurorack scene with a new product.

The Strymon Magneto simulates a stereo multi-head tape delay, while also boasting looping functionality and so much more. A host of useful patch points facilitate the integration of Magneto into any Eurorack setup. The included spring reverb blasts everything into the deep space typical of Strymon’s reverb pedals.

A completely analog dry path ensures the best possible sound without those dreaded digital sampling artifacts. If you are interested in adding the Magneto to your Eurorack setup, the street price is $599. Now, I’ve got a new module to lust for if I ever dip my toes into the modular synth world.

Antelope Audio introduces Edge Strip Bundle Mic Modelers

When your recording setup primarily lurks in the digital domain, a robust collection of audio plugins is a must. Antelope Audio recently released their Edge Strip bundle including a mic, preamp, and modeling plugins suitable for most recording scenarios. You get a variety of vintage mic emulations along with plugins modeling the outboard gear and channel strips used to process them.

In short, a nearly endless array of mic and strip combinations adds some heft to your recording setup. The package includes Antelope’s Edge modeling microphone, their Discrete MP mic preamp, and that robust collection of models. A hearty supply of mic emulations should keep you busy for a while, and Antelope plans on introducing more to support their new system.

If interested in picking up the Edge Strip bundle, it is currently priced at $1,295. Frankly, that’s cheaper than spending thousands on your own vintage mic collection!

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May 7, 2018
New Music Technology Products Abound – Synth News Digest 14
Welcome to yet another edition of the TabMuse Synth News Digest. This time out, we offer a host of interesting new products from the music technology world. Perhaps one of them fosters inspiration in your own musical efforts?

If you’re interested in checking out the previous news digest, simply click on the following link. As always, thanks for reading!

The Dialog Audio SQ4 Sequence Processor adds Motion to your Synth Productions

The SQ4 Sequence Processor from Dialog Audio seems like a Swiss Army Knife for synthesizer control. In that regard, it fills a similar need as a desktop plugin version of Ruismaker’s Rozeta, an excellent iOS music app. It essentially lets you create sequences to modulate synths – both hardware and software.

The SQ4 also works with CV-controlled synth gear. Photo copyright Dialog Audio.

SQ4 shines at creating both stepped and curved modulation sequences. Its interface looks sharp and easy to follow. It generates MIDI CC messages useful for controlling outboard gear – even older CV-based synthesizers when using a MIDI to CV converter. Of course, it also works as a plugin within most popular DAWs.

If you are looking for more motion within your synth tracks –hardware and software included – SQ4 belongs on your shortlist. It also pairs nicely with Dialog Audio’s MP3244 Modulation Processor. SQ4 retails for $49 and a bundle deal is available with the MP3244 for $79.

Get your String Ensemble on with Spitfire Audio Ólafur Arnalds Chamber Evolutions

Spitfire Audio continues to release high-end sample libraries for the discerning electronic musician. We previously covered BT Phobos and Hans Zimmer Percussion, with the latter getting a workout on the upcoming Church of Hed album. Now Spitfire brings Ólafur Arnalds Chamber Evolutions to the party.

Featuring a host of chamber string ensemble samples from the BAFTA-winning composer, this sample library is especially useful for musical artists looking to add some orchestral sheen on their work. Expect Spitfire Audio’s usual attention to detail and out of this world sound quality. If you own a NKS compatible MIDI controller, more useful functionality is at your fingertips.

Chamber Evolutions is available in most popular plugin formats at a street price of $299. Note the 31 GB of hard drive is space is required for the install.

Analogue Solutions Treadstone synthBLOCK Desktop Synthesizer

If high-end analog synthesis floats your boat, check out the Treadstone synthBLOCK from Analogue Solutions. Featuring a fully fleshed-out analog synth in a convenient desktop footprint, the Treadstone boasts an uncompromising architecture. It also includes MIDI to CV conversion functionality, so it integrates nicely with a modular setup.

The Treadstone synthBLOCK retails for $599. Be the first one on your block to own one!

Audified DW Drum Enhancer for a Modern Percussion Sound

Audified hopes to take your drum tracks to a higher level with its DW Drum Enhancer plugin. A simple and intuitive interface lets you dial-in the right drum sound as quickly as possible. Since DW’s own engineers helped design the product, expect professional results and functionality.

DW Drum Enhancer is available in most popular PC/Mac plugin formats at an inexpensive street price of $199. Bring home the beat!

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February 19, 2018
Goose EQ comes to iOS – Synth News Digest 6

After using both BeatMaker 3 and Modstep for building tracks to improvise or compose over, I’m really getting into AU plugins on iOS. Since most of my recording work is on the desktop, obviously I gravitate towards the relative ease of loading a plugin instead of passing audio and MIDI through a “third-wheel” iOS app. Needless to say, AU compatibility is rapidly becoming a must-have feature in my iOS apps.

Goose EQ in action. Screenshot by author.

So I was happy to see Goose EQ arrive on my virtual doorstep. An iOS plugin focused on equalization, it leverages a unique touchscreen-optimized graphical interface for controlling EQ settings. Expect a full range of cool equalization features and other sonic enhancements as well as AU compatibility. There are also a robust number of presets serving as examples of its functionality to help you get started.

Using Goose EQ within BeatMaker 3. Screenshot by author.

Also of note, Goose EQ uses a subscription-based model with a yearly cost of $3.49. You receive a two-week free period to test drive its feature set before agreeing to a subscription. The developer realizes this is a unique take on iOS app monetization, and promises to lower the subscription price to zero if enough revenue isn’t made to support the app in the future.

It is definitely worth checking out to see if Goose EQ’s feature set meets your iOS music creation needs.

Touch Innovations hopes to “Kontrol” your DAW

Touch Innovations’ Kontrol Master continues to garner praise as an innovative desktop interface for controlling your DAW or even a video editor or graphic design application. The device looks almost like a video game controller for your grandmother, with super-sized buttons and knobs. Serious uses need only apply, however, as each control is customizable to suit your needs.

The company recently acquired European distribution for the Kontrol Master through the German company, Sonic Sales. Those residing in the EU as well as the United States now are able to purchase this unique control device. Sonic Sales Managing Director Matthias Herbst is exited at the opportunity. “The whole team at Sonic Sales is very much looking forward to raising the Touch Innovations profile in mid-Europe. I know it’s going to be a great journey, and am sure we can repeat the success stories that we’ve already enjoyed with other brands that we’ve helped build from the ground up,” said Herbst.

Antelope Audio introduces New USB Audio Interface

Antelope Audio’s new USB audio interface, Orion Studio HD, offers many intriguing features for those with a pro-level studio setup. Support for HDX, Class-A mic preamps, and a host of virtual effects are also part of the package. American street price for Orion Studio HD comes in just shy of $3,000.

Audified enters 500 Series Modular Audio Processing Market

The 500 Series combines the world high-end pro audio with the flexibility of a modular synthesizer. Each issue of Tape Op gives me the chance to ogle a wide range of cool 500-series gear from a variety of manufacturers. Audified is entering this music technology sector with the introduction of the Synergy R1, a combination of a reverb and a saturator.

The R1 looks to be a great piece of kit, with both digital circuitry for the reverb and an analog saturator. Expect the unit to take up two spaces in your 500-series lunchbox. The MSRP for the Synergy R1 comes in at $1399, and it’s expected to hit the market some time this month.

September 7, 2017
Moog, Suzanne Ciani, Expert Sleepers — Synth News Digest 2
Welcome to another edition of the TabMuse Synth News Digest. If you are interested in checking out the last music technology news report, simply click on this link. As always, thanks for reading!

Moog announces new Subsequent 37 CV Synthesizer

Just in time for Moogfest 2017, Moog announced the impending release of the new Subsequent 37 CV, an evolutionary upgrade to the now venerable Sub 37. Before we get into the feature set of the new Moog, what’s with yet another crappy synth name out of Asheville? The Moog Sub 37 – Silver Machine Edition simply sounds cooler, while also giving a well-deserved shout-out to spacerock legends, Hawkwind. Nobody asked me!

The new Moog Subsequent 37 CV looks to be a great synth despite its name. Photo copyright Moog Music Inc.

Other than its silver faceplate, the most notable new feature of the Subsequent 37 CV is probably its four CV output jacks, facilitating the integration of the synth into a Eurorack or other modular setup. An improved keybed – I’ve had nary a problem with mine – is another upgrade. In addition to enhancing the filter multidrive circuit, Moog also beefed up the synth’s headroom so it sounds better in Duo mode.

At a street price of $1,799, the Subsequent 37 is priced $300 more than the original Sub 37. Moog is planning a limited edition run of 2000 units, with the first 125 to be available at Moogfest 2017. Other music retailers are expected to have them in late June.

Suzanne Ciani earns Moog Innovation Award

In other Moogfest news, synth legend, Suzanne Ciani is receiving this year’s Moog Innovation Award. Ciani, known for her exploratory 70s synth output as well as her piano-based contributions to the nascent 80s new-age scene, is recently on a career renaissance. Her work with fellow Buchla artist, Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith is transcendent and worth checking out.

Expert Sleepers disting mk4 Eurorack Module

Eurorack users need to check out the new disting mk4 module from Expert Sleepers. This fourth edition of the disting fits quite a large mixture of CV and processing algorithms into a 4 HP rack space. Expect everything from oscillators to filters to bit crushers to envelopes and more. Whew!

Previous editions of the disting earned a few awards in the music tech industry, and the same can be expected of the mk4, considering the massive amount of useful synth functionality contained in the unit.

StudioLinked Studio Rack Producer Plugin

In a similar manner as the disting mk4, StudioLinked manages to wedge tons of functionality into its new Studio Rack Producer plugin. The included speaker emulation helps producers put together a great final mix – no matter the genre. A variety of effects, including delay, reverb, stereo chorus, hi & low pass filters, and a compressor round out the package.

Studio Rack Producer is available in most of the popular plugin formats for only $59.

ESI introduces Two New USB Audio Interfaces – U86 XT and U168 XT

If you are in the market for a new USB audio interface, check out these two new models from the German equipment manufacturer, ESI. The U86 XT offers eight inputs and six outputs with 24-bit audio over USB 2.0. Its larger brother, the U168 XT, sports sixteen inputs and eight outputs.

Both 24/96 interfaces are compatible with the Mac and PC and feature other useful functionality, like support for ASIO 2.0 and CoreAudio. The inputs feature a mixture of XLR, quarter-inch, and S/PDIF ports with the U168 enjoying four XLR inputs compared to the U86’s two. Check out both product pages linked above for additional details.

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May 19, 2017