Robin Vincent, Author at gearnews.com

Erica Synths Acidbox III brings Polivoks VCF to the desktop

22 Nov 2017 in Synths

The Acidbox III pulls the Erica Synths Black Polivoks filter out of Eurorack and into a desktop form factor. This time it's in stereo, with lowpass and bandpass, LFO, envelope follower and overdrive.

Gilbert: a DIY synth prototype inspired by MC202, SH101 and SH09

22 Nov 2017 in Synths

DinSync's Paul Barker has been sharing images and video of a new prototype synthesizer called Gilbert inspired by the classic Roland MC-202, SH-101 and SH-09. It's shaping up nicely.

Varigate 4+: Malekko upgrades their 4 channel 8 step sequencer with CV

22 Nov 2017 in Synths

The Varigate 4+ brings CV to Malekko's compact sequencing party. 4 channels of gate and/or CV sequencing with added Glide, Scale, Quantizing, Pulse Width, Play/Stop and 16 save locations.

RIP Sonar! Gibson ceases development of all Cakewalk products

21 Nov 2017 in Studio

Shock news! Gibson has pulled the plug on Sonar and all other Cakewalk products. User support will continue as well as access to online assets but it's all over for Sonar users.

VCV Rack reaches version 0.5 and is ready to take over the world

21 Nov 2017 in Synths

The development of VCV Rack has been swift and currently 25 third-party developers are poised to release modules for the platform. This could become a new standard of virtual synthesis.

Synthesizer Evolution: a hand illustrated homage to the humble synth

21 Nov 2017 in Synths

Illustrated by Oli Freke this poster maps out the history of production synthesizers from 1960 to 1995. It's a stunning work that radiates the illustrator's affection for these revolutionary instruments.

Ecosystem: Semi-modular environment for Max For Live

21 Nov 2017 in Synths, Studio

Ecosystem contains an organic, interconnected array of oscillating waveshapes, modulatable effects and automatable controllers. Patch it together into an evolving environment of sounds and discovery.

Eowave Capsule Titan MkII Eurorack synth-voice revealed in Tokyo

21 Nov 2017 in Synths

The Eowave Capsule Titan desktop semi-modular synthesizer voice gets an upgrade with sub sounds, noise generation, more envelops and VCA's. It can stand alone or be dropped into a larger Eurorack setting.

Bluetooth your iPad into your modular with 8 channels of CV with Mi.1e

20 Nov 2017 in Synths

Fresh out of the Tokyo Festival of Modular is an 8 channel Bluetooth-to-CV module. The Mi.1e and iPad app offers CV/Gate sequencing, gate sequencing or LFO modulation wirelessly into your Eurorack.

C Quencer DLX oscillator and sequencer from Tokyo Festival of Modular

20 Nov 2017 in Synths

A multi-functional module featuring two wavetable oscillators and a quantizer based sequencer and rhythm pattern generator with the ability to record all knob movements into the pattern.

Is MIDI getting an upgrade at last? ADC pushes for MIDI HD

19 Nov 2017 in Studio

In February we ran an article called "MIDI sucks", and the net went (slightly) bonkers. At Audio Developers Conference 2017, a ROLI designer set out his ideas for the future of this ageing technology.

Spotify buys SoundTrap: A new age in online music production and streaming?

19 Nov 2017 in Other

Not content to own the streaming rights to all our music Spotify wants to own the tools that create the music. SoundTrap is a cool online DAW that runs on everything - I can see why they like it.

Erica Synths release limited edition Acid Simona VCF based on Polivoks

17 Nov 2017 in Synths

To celebrate an awesome classical and electronic collaboration in Latvia's first techno opera Erica Synths have released a startling limited edition of their Polivoks VCF - meet Acid Simona VCF.

Launchpad Arcade: blast some loop action in your browser

16 Nov 2017 in Studio

Now you can remix other people's loop packs on any computer in the cool, browser-based Launchpad Arcade from Novation Music. You can even use it with the hardware Launchpad if you have it.

Teenage Engineering, smart speakers, China and cake

16 Nov 2017 in Other

Teenage Engineering have been working with Chinese company Raven to produce artificially intelligent smart speakers the likes of which you've never seen. Currently, H and R only speak Chinese and love cake.

Special Edition Throbbing Gristle TG ONE sample player module

15 Nov 2017 in Synths

TipTop Audio have been working with Throbbing Gristle's Chris Carter to curate a unique version of their ONE sample player. The TG ONE comes with new modes and 2 exclusive cards packed with TG samples.

Modor Eurorack Formant Filter is ready to morph your vowels

15 Nov 2017 in Synths

The Formant Filter from the Modor NF-1 is now available as a Eurorack module. It sounds every bit like you are running your oscillator through someone's throat.

CMixer digital mixer for live, DAW free mixing through your computer

14 Nov 2017 in Studio

With CMixer you could mix all your external hardware drum machines, synths and modular through your audio interface to your computer with plug-ins and EQ without having to mess about in a DAW.

BlinkWheel: Electromechanical step sequencer controlled by LEDs

13 Nov 2017 in Studio

Hackspace experimenter Koka Nikoladze has constructed the BlinkWheel electromechanical step sequencer that's programmed by the placement of LEDs that blink and trigger samples as the wheel turns.

Gleetchlab 4: modular DAW of audio processing and mad manipulation

13 Nov 2017 in Studio

Gleetchlab 4 is for messing around with the nature of sound via 6 loopers and a load of processors to filter, stretch, delay, degrade, Gristleize, percolate, resonate and modulate.

XT Synth: space age guitar violin ribbon synth MIDI controller

13 Nov 2017 in Synths

Looking like the sort of instrument played by space rockers Andromeda on TV show Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, the XT Synth positively pulsates with possibilities.

trig31: 8-channel trigger-to-MIDI converter for Eurorack

13 Nov 2017 in Synths

Send triggers out to a drum machine or MIDI sound source with Vladimir Pantelic's trig31 8-channel trigger-to-MIDI converter. Time to dust off that Dr Rhythm or groovebox and get it back into your mix.

MalletSTATION: The MIDI controller that beats your beats with beaters

12 Nov 2017 in Synths, Studio

I had no idea that the MIDI input paradigm that was missing from my life was mallets. The Pearl Drum MalletSTATION is here to change all that and it's got to be this season's must-have controller.

MusineKit 2: A musical adventure playground

11 Nov 2017 in Studio

Developed by Sensomusic and La Muse En Circuit, MusineKit 2 brings a playful and creative musical box of modules to touch, control, manipulate and mess about with on Windows or MacOS. Pure joyfulness.