Robin Vincent, Author at gearnews.com

NAMM 2019: iCON introduce Platform Nano DAW control Surface

23 Jan 2019 in Studio

Continuing their Platform range of DAW controllers iCON introduced the desktop space saving Platform Nano with a single motorised fader, encoders, jog wheel and enough buttons to launch a rocket.

NAMM 2019: Roland FP-10 is an affordable, simple portable piano

23 Jan 2019 in Synths

Roland expands its FP range of portable pianos with the simple, cheap and reasonably authentic FP-10. The 88-key hammer-action does what it's supposed to without any fuss for under £500.

NAMM 2019: U-He reveals Hive 2 synthesizer

23 Jan 2019 in Synths

U-He gives us a sneak preview of the new Hive 2 due to arrive in the 2nd Quarter of 2019. A new interface, new modulations and NKS support and the key features as well as backwards compatibility.

NAMM 2019: Akai Pro MPK Road 88 road-ready stage piano style MIDI controller

22 Jan 2019 in Synths

An unexpected full hammer-action 88 keyed gigging MIDI controller from Akai Pro built into a flight case and ready to rock. The minimal interface has loads of room for stacking your beers.

Erica Synths Sample Drum module from the Techno System finally arrives

22 Jan 2019 in Synths

Quite a while after the release of the Techno System Erica Synths cool looking Sample Drum two channel sample player is almost ready for release. Will it be worth the wait?

Behringer UB-Xa – first photos of their completed Oberheim clone

22 Jan 2019 in Synths

Uli Behringer has been feeding the internet with day-by-day images of their Oberheim OB-Xa synthesizer clone under construction. Today he published some photos of the finished hardware - and it looks great!

NAMM 2019: Official – “Model: Samples” is Elektron’s new Sampling Production Workstation

22 Jan 2019 in Studio

Elektron's mysterious beatbox is revealed to be the oddly named and uninspired looking Model: Samples 6 track sampling workstation that doesn't actually sample. Updated with video!

NAMM 2019: Elektron teasing a new box of beats?

21 Jan 2019 in Studio

An artfully cyptic video from Elektron is teasing that they have some sort of drum machine and bassline box to reveal at NAMM. What do you think it could be?

NAMM 2019: MIDI 2.0 is ready for prototyping

21 Jan 2019 in Studio

After lots of talk about the future of MIDI the MIDI Manufacturers Associationg drags the proposed specification for MIDI 2.0 into the spotlight of prototyping. Let's hope it works.

Is Behringer about to drop a 303-style synth?

19 Jan 2019 in Synths

An out-of-focus shot of a box that COULD be a 303 "tribute" synth has turned up in a promo video for the upcoming RD-909 - will Behringer present a prototype at its NAMM pre-show party?

NAMM 2019: Erica Synths Plasma Drive high voltage distortion for Eurorack

19 Jan 2019 in Synths

Erica Synths takes the Gamechanger Audio Plasma Pedal and plugs it into Eurorack. Plasma Drive will boost your signals to 3000V and discharge them via a xenon-filled tube for electrifying distortion.

NAMM 2019: Teenage Engineering releases Pocket Operator modular system

18 Jan 2019 in Synths

Teenage Engineering has come up with their own brand of modular synthesis as part of the Pocket Operator family. Colourful, groovy, capable and seriously fun these are a stunning entry into the world of ...

NAMM 2019: Korg Gadget 2 brings plugins to Windows

18 Jan 2019 in Synths

Korg Gadget 2 brings in 6 new gadgets and a redesigned front end of their music production software for iOS and MacOS. Meanwhile, on Windows we get to play with the gadgets as plugins.

NAMM 2019: Plugin Alliance and Brainworx announce mysterious new virtual instruments

18 Jan 2019 in Synths

In a weirdly mysterious press release Plugin Alliance and Brainworx announce that they are getting into the virtual instrument game but forget to tell us anything about any actual products.

NAMM 2019: Arché – physically modelled strings for authentic expressive control

18 Jan 2019 in Synths

Expressive E the makers of the weirdly wonderful Touché wobbly MIDI/CV controller has introduced Arché, a suite of virtual instruments that model the acoustic qualities of three stringed instruments.

NAMM 2019: Force from Akai Pro is a computer-free clip-launching groove box

17 Jan 2019 in Studio

Akai Pro takes on the standalone groove box market with a sampling, clip launching, sequencing, effecting, pitch shifting, time stretching, audio recording Force to be reckoned with.

NAMM 2019: Phase Plant hybrid modular with synthesis, sampling and “Snapins”

17 Jan 2019 in Synths

Kilohearts has expanded their Snapin system of effect chain modules into a completely modular hybrid virtual synthesizer. Use sound sources as Generators, add Modulators and load on the Snapin modules

NAMM 2019: Korg dreams up some Kronos, Krome and Kross specials

17 Jan 2019 in Synths

Korg likes to celebrate NAMM with mild updates to existing keyboards and massive workstations always need some new sounds and a paint job. So please welcome this year's special editions.

NAMM 2019: Voltage Modular 1.2 features VST instrument and effect hosting

16 Jan 2019 in Synths

You can now run your VST instruments and effects as modules within Cherry Audio's Voltage Modular with the new 1.2 update. With 12 parameter CV control modular fun will undoubtedly ensue.

Nozori: 20 Eurorack modules in one module concept hits Kickstarter

16 Jan 2019 in Synths

The Nozori 68 has 6 knobs and 8 patch points and can be any one of 20 modules. The Nozori 84 has 8 knobs and 4 patch points and can 20 other modules. A whole world of Eurorack in two modules!

MASSIVE X delayed until June while Native Instruments reveal more details

16 Jan 2019 in Synths

We all thought MASSIVE X was just a couple of weeks away but sadly it's been bumped to a June release. But now we know it's a dual wavetable modulating monster it should be worth the wait.

NAMM 2019: Gig Performer 3 live performance plug-in host gets setlists and more

16 Jan 2019 in Studio, Synths

Gig Performer is a live performance VST host for instruments and effects. The new version brings in a setlist concept for faster loading, better MIDI, Ableton Link and Chord Pro support.

NAMM 2019: Bitwig Studio 3 goes fully modular with The Grid

16 Jan 2019 in Studio

Bitwig has revealed the latest version of Bitwig Studio and introduced us to The Grid - a playful modular environment for building synths, modulators and effect chains directly in the DAW.