Robin Vincent, Author at gearnews.com

M-Audio Keystation 88 Mk3: The Keystation controller grows wider

15 Sep 2020 in Synths

M-Audio extends the range of their MIDI/USB Keystation controllers to a full 88 keys with the Keystation 88 Mk3 while keeping it lightweight and gigable.

Instruments of Things TBD: Open source Eurorack DSP module for running your own algorithms

14 Sep 2020 in

If you ever wanted to run your own DSP synthesizer and effects algorithms in Eurorack then the TBD is for you! It gives you the hardware interface for your programming skills.

Behringer gives us an update on the RD-9 drum machine

13 Sep 2020 in Synths

Behringer says they are trying to fix the RD-8 MIDI sync which impacts the RD-9 firmware and so once one is ready the other will ship because "we simply don't compromise on quality".

SynthBooth: Virtual Modular Expo with makers, movers, talkers and performers

12 Sep 2020 in Synths

SynthBooth is a new online event for the modular synth community from the 16th - 18th Oct featuring manufacturers, panel discussions, seminars, live performance and a keynote from Suzanne Ciani.

DirtyWave M8: Handheld synth and tracker project is looking stunning

11 Sep 2020 in Synths

The M8 is an open-source sequencer/tracker and synthesizer project by musician Timothy Lamb (AKA Trash80) is based on Mutable Instruments Braids and is shaping up beautifully as it nears release.

Bragi Modular Frigg: Parametric EQ kicks off new viking inspired modular range

11 Sep 2020 in Synths

Odin’s wife, Frigg, was a paragon of beauty, love, fertility and fate and is apparently capable of +- 12 dB of gain in low and high bands of EQ. Bragi Modular release their first module.

Ritual Electronics Pointeuse: Trigger, Gate, Mute and Switch with your feet in a 1U module

11 Sep 2020 in Synths

Ritual Electronics unveils their first 1U module in a series of modules we saw prototypes of over Superbooth. Pointeuse will trigger, gate, mute and switch from a footswitch.

Kurzweil innovates with 76-key versions of PC4 performance controller and SP6 piano

10 Sep 2020 in Synths

Just when you thought Kurzweil was running out of ideas someone suggested removing an octave and we have the entirely new and almost the same PC4-7 and SP6-7.

Behringer’s RD-6, a TR-606 clone, available now in a kaleidoscope of colours

09 Sep 2020 in Synths

Behringer revealed their RD-6 analog drum machine at NAMM with 8 sounds, individual outputs, 64 steps of sequencing and a big fat distortion. Pre-orders have just opened.

Newfangled Audio Generate: Chaos unleashed in Buchla inspired animated synthesizer

09 Sep 2020 in Synths

You tried a bit of free chaos with Pendulate but now embrace the animated unpredictability of 5 types of chaotic oscillator in the fully fleshed out Generate by Newfangled Audio and Eventide.

Endorphin.es Queen of Pentacles complex hybrid drum module rocks 909 day

09 Sep 2020 in Synths

Make way for the Queen of Pentacles a massive 7 voice drum module combining analogue and digital sound sources with Endorphin's inspired filtering and effects processing.

Review: Is the Arturia KeyStep 37 the perfect MIDI and Modular controller?

08 Sep 2020 in Synths

More keys and arpeggios, a display, polyphonic sequencing, an expanded Chord mode, MIDI controls and loads of tweaks: the KeyStep 37 packs a punch for modular and MIDI control. Here's our review!

Arturia KeyStep 37: More notes, more lights, chords and arpeggiator patterns

08 Sep 2020 in Synths

Arturia has upgraded their KeyStep sequencer and controller to 37 keys and added a whole new Chord mode, new Arpeggiator patterns, display, MIDI controls and lights above the notes.

Origin X: Snazzy Modern Loop Engine for Kontakt from Artistry Audio

08 Sep 2020 in Synths

Artistry Audio has put together a loop-based instrument featuring a wad of modern content with an emphasis on sound design and cinematic soundscapes. Origin X looks rather nice.

Leak: Teenage Engineering is building a BlueTooth Speaker

08 Sep 2020 in Studio

Teenage Engineering told us they have a new magical device that they'll tease us about until the end of September. But a leaked report tells us it's a Bluetooth Speaker called the OB-4.

Leak: Native Instruments standalone Maschine+ groove box imminent?

08 Sep 2020 in Studio

Is Native Instruments about to release a standalone groove box? A leak from VintageKing reveals what could be a self-contained version of Maschine that they are calling Maschine+. This could be good.

Relive those 8-bit game soundtracks with the NES Poly Chiptune Synthesizer

07 Sep 2020 in Synths

With more than a passing resemblance to a games console cartridge the NES Poly looks like a classic box of chiptune noise. Hours left on Kickstarter - grab one before they're gone!

Your Ideal Polysnth: How (not) to choose the polyphonic synth of your dreams

05 Sep 2020 in Synths

You're going to finally realise your dream and buy your dream polysynth, now you're standing in a showroom surrounded by magical music machines: How do you choose your first polyphonic synthesizer?

Roland Zenology takes on the King of polysynths: JUPITER-8

03 Sep 2020 in Synths

Roland's Zenology, the software version of their ZEN-Core technology, hits the much-anticipated milestone which is the arrival of the legendary JUPITER-8 polyphonic synthesizer.

Befaco VCMC 1.2 brings Poly Mode and Web Editor to its Voltage Controlled MIDI Controller

02 Sep 2020 in Synths

The 1.2 firmware for the VCMC and CV Thing lets you convert multiple V/Oct notes into MIDI notes within a single gate and has a very cool Web Editor for easier configuration.

UDO Super 6 synthesizer is available at last!

02 Sep 2020 in Synths

The Super 6 is probably the most eagerly awaited synthesizer of recent times and they have kept us dangling so long. Finally the 12-voice polyphonic binaural analogue-hybrid synthesizer is here!

Komplete 13: New sounds, new guitar tones and absolutely everything else

01 Sep 2020 in Synths

Native Instruments has announced Komplete 13 bringing together everything that's appeared since version 12 plus a handful of previously unseen sources of sound and a brand new version of Guitar Rig.

Softube Statement Lead: no nonsense polyphonic lead synthesizer

01 Sep 2020 in Synths

Statement Lead starts with waveforms of rare, modern and legendary synths drops them through a step modulated filter, shapes, articulates and flows out through FX. Simple, clear and instantly usable.

Newfangled Audio Pendulate: Chaotic monosynth based on a swinging double pendulum – for free!

01 Sep 2020 in Synths

Newfangled Audio and Eventide are bringing in some new chaotic oscillator techniques in the form of Pendulate which drags sound out of the physics of swinging oscillations - and it's yours for free!