Όλα τα τελευταία νέα για τη Μουσική Τεχνολογία και την Ακουστική, κατευθείαν από τις επίσημες ιστοσελίδες των εταιρειών, συγκεντρωμένα σε ένα blog!

iPolysix Remix Contest

Wordwide contest offers prizes for remixing a track on Korg's iPad app


Korg has teamed up with SoundCloud to offer a global remix contest in celebration of Korg's new iPad app,iPolysix. The contest, which runs from December 19, 2012 through January 31, 2013, invites musicians to create a remixed track on iPolysix from a selection provided on the contest page, then upload the remix track directly from iPolysix via "Polyshare powered by SoundCloud."

A grand prize winner and five runners up will be selected. A list of remixable tracks and complete prize and contest information can be found here.

About iPolysix:

The new, intuitive iPolysix app evokes Korg's legendary analog polyphonic synthesizer while taking full advantage of the iPad® interface. Up to eight instances of the synth can be used in conjunction with new features that include a sequencer, drum machine, multiple effects, Korg's acclaimed Kaoss touch functionality and a complete automated mixer.

About SoundCloud

Launched in 2008 by Alexander Ljung and Eric Wahlforss, SoundCloud is a social sound platform that gives users unprecedented access to the world's largest community of music and audio creators, by providing a way to publish songs or to collaborate on new music with friends anywhere in the world via audio data export. For more information, go to: soundcloud.com

Pricing and Availability:
Free entry

More information:
Korg

Focusrite Launches Complete Recording Package

Scarlett Studio includes audio interface, mic, headphones, DAW and more


Focusrite has announced Scarlett Studio: a complete home studio kit with all the gear required to record pro-quality tracks, including a fully-featured music software suite. All you need is a Mac or PC. Here's all the details in Focusrite's own words...

KEY FEATURES:

  • Studio-quality recording package for your Mac or PC: Scarlett Studio contains everything you need to make professional recordings with your computer
  • Focusrite recording technology: The Scarlett 2i2 audio interface employs two of Focusrite's award winning microphone preamps to record at the best quality in its class
  • Microphone, headphones and cable included: High-quality CM25 condenser microphone and HP60 referencing headphones are included for studio-grade record and playback sound
  • All the software you need to record and produce music: Includes Cubase LE 6 for recording and mixing, the Focusrite Scarlett plug-ins to add extra effects and processing, Bass Station soft-synth and Loopmasters sample pack
  • Truly portable – no power supply: If you are using a laptop you can transport your studio in a backpack to your rehearsal space or venue with no need for a mains power supply
  • Professional audio quality: Scarlett 2i2 offers 24-bit performance at up to 96kHz sampling, with better than 105dB dynamic range on record; better than 102dB on playback.

Built around the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 USB 2.0 audio interface, Scarlett Studio also includes the studio-grade CM25 large-diaphragm condenser microphone, an XLR cable, and a pair of HP60 monitoring headphones, all finished in stunning red regalia. The suite of recording, editing and processing software allows you to start making music straight out of the box.

The Scarlett 2i2's dual inputs are perfect for singer/songwriters and electronic music makers alike. The Scarlett Studio CM25 condenser microphone can be used to get a great vocal or acoustic guitar take, while electric guitars, electro-acoustic guitars, keyboards or other line-level instruments can be simultaneously recorded with the exceptional sound quality afforded by the award-winning Focusrite mic preamps. Scarlett 2i2 has TRS monitor outputs and a front-panel headphones outlet, each with dedicated level controls, and the zero-latency Direct Monitor mode makes tracking a breeze.

INDIVIDUAL BUNDLE COMPONENTS

Scarlett 2i2 Audio Interface: A two-in, two-out USB 2.0 audio interface that features a pair of award-winning Focusrite preamps, which enable you to capture superb quality recordings from both microphones and instruments. It features an attractive anodised aluminium case that both looks good in the studio and enables it to withstand the rigours of the road. Scarlett 2i2 offers professional 24-bit/96kHz A-D/D-A conversion, plus class-leading analogue and digital circuit design from input to output to ensure pristine audio quality throughout.

Scarlett Studio CM25 Microphone: This tailored large-diaphragm electret condenser microphone gives you an excellent sound on all sources, from vocals to violins to guitar amps, thanks to its cardioid pickup pattern and frequency response of 30Hz to 20kHz. A quality 3m XLR-XLR microphone cable is also included.

Scarlett Studio HP60 Headphones: Reference-quality 60ohms headphones with large drivers and a closed-back design allow you to monitor mixes accurately and overdub vocals and instruments with minimum spill. An extended frequency response of 10Hz to 30kHz ensures you hear all elements in your mix.

Scarlett Studio Software Suite: Focusrite has teamed up with Steinberg to include Cubase LE 6 music production software. Record up to 16 tracks of audio and 24 tracks of MIDI, and run VST audio instruments and effects, such as the compressor, reverb, gate and EQ processors included in the Focusrite Scarlett plug-in bundle. Novation's Bass Station soft synth is also included, as well as over 1GB of royalty-free samples from Loopmasters.

Pricing and Availability:
(UK) £199.99 inc.vat / (US) MSRP $299.99 and $249.99 at dealers

More information:
www.focusrite.com/scarlett-studio

Free Trance Synthesizer

Mastrcode Music releases the T-Force Alpha Plus for Windows


Mastrcode Music has released what they are describing as an Advanced Trance Synthesizer. They tell us that Alpha Plus is the advanced version of the T-Force Alpha TS. It has all features of the Alpha TS with some more and some updated functions: new sythesis (Subtractive and additionally FM Synthesis), revised oscillators with some more functions and now with a separate noise oscillator, new Mod Envelopes and now comes with a new integrated Sidechain FX for typical sidechained pad sounds and/or pumping basses etc.

Specifications:
  • Synthesis: Subtractive/FM.
  • 3 Multiwave Oscillators with voice control (adjustable from 1 to 8 voices per osc), adjustable stereo width and panning, with Sine, Saw, Ramp (reversed Saw), Triangle, Pulse (square with PWM) waveforms and retrigger option for each oscillator (with "retrigger off" the oscillator is in free running mode, the oscillator starts with random phase positions everytime played a note, with "retrigger on" the oscillator's phase starts from position 0 everytime played a note. 
  • 1 Noise Oscillator with adjustable stereo width and volume. 
  • 1 Resonance Four Pole State Variable Filter, switchable between Low Pass, High Pass, Bandpass and switchable 12/24 dB slope, Resonance can be driven up to self oscillation.
  • 1 ADSR Filter Envelope.
  • 1 ADSR Amp Envelope.
  • 2 ADSR Mod Envelopes.
  • 2 host syncable LFOs.
  • Adjustable Drive function for Saturation/Distortion.
  • Two band Low Freq/High Freq Equalizer.
  • Bitcrusher.
  • Portamento.
  • 32 step Envelope Controlled Trance Gate.
  • Velocity control (on/off).
  • Dual Delay, switchable between Stereo mode and Ping-pong mode (right and left channels have their own tempo settings).
  • Stereo Reverb.
  • Integrated Sidechain FX, optional with internal bpm synced triggering or external triggering via MIDI In(triggered by MIDI Note On, on MIDI channel 2). 
  • All functions fully automatable.

Pricing and Availability:
Free download

More information:
T-Force Alpha Plus

Waves Release a Synth - Element

Good heavens! With Virtual Voltage Technology


Waves are not known for their virtual instruments, but their new Waves Element Synthesizer has added a new string to their bow.

Its also been endorsed by Mr Jordan Rudess - which is unsurprising in itself, but does indicate that they are taking this seriously.

Element appears to be a traditional 2 Oscillator polysynth with the usual architecture, and features something called Virtual Voltage Technology - Waves own version of a virtual analog engine I guess.

Their site was struggling to serve up the video when I looked so you'll need to check back - perhaps they'll get something onto Youtube. Its creator Yoad Nevo demonstrates the on board sequencer and other features.

Oscillators

  • OCT determines the pitch range.
  • TUNE determines the pitch.
  • FINE fine-tunes the pitch.
  • TYPE determines the waveform type.
  • PW determines the pulse width. (Pulse waves only)
  • VCO selects between virtual Voltage-Controlled Oscillation and virtual Digitally- Controlled Oscillation.
  • SINE MOD controls the modulation of OSC 1 using a sine oscillator. (OSC 1 only)
  • FM (Frequency Modulation) controls the amount by which the frequency of OSC 2 is modulated by OSC 1. (OSC 2 only)
  • PhM (Phase Modulation) controls the amount by which the phase of OSC 2 is modulated by OSC 1. (OSC 2 only)
  • SYNC synchronizes the triggering the OSC 2 waveform to the rate of OSC 1.

Additional Oscillators & Mix Section

  • SUB mixes in a triangle wave one octave below OSC 1.
  • NOISE mixes in white noise.
  • RING controls the ring modulation of OSC 1 and OSC 2.
  • OSC 1 / OSC 2 activate each oscillator.
  • MIX balances the mix between OSC 1 and OSC 2.
  • MONO toggles between monophonic and polyphonic modes.
  • RTRG controls envelope re-triggering.
  • UNISON activates a doubling effect which creates a richer sound.
  • PORT determines the glide time (portamento) between notes.
  • LEGATO determines whether glide will always occur, or only when the previous note is still held.

Voltage Controlled Filter

  • TYPE determines the filter type.
  • SLOPE toggles between two types of pole filters.
  • CUTOFF controls the VCF cutoff frequency.
  • RES controls the amount of filter resonance.
  • ENV determines the envelope's cutoff modulation depth.
  • KBD controls keyboard tracking using C3 as its reference point.
  • FM controls the amount of frequency modulation on filter cutoff by OSC 1.
  • ADSR determines the filter's envelope cutoff behavior after a note is triggered.
  • VEL sets the VCF cutoff in relation to the Note On velocity.
  • SHAPE determines the contour of the envelope time constants.

Voltage Controlled Amplifier

  • VCA envelope controls the note level from trigger to release.
  • VEL sets the envelope depth in relation to the Note On velocity.
  • SHAPE determines the contour of the envelope time constants.
  • PUNCH controls the dynamic transient enhancer.

Low Frequency Oscillators

  • TYPE controls the LFO waveform shape.
  • RATE controls the frequency of the free LFO.
  • TIME controls the rate of the synced LFO, locked to the project BPM.
  • LED displays pulsate at the same rate as the LFOs.

Envelope 3

  • VEL sets the envelope depth in relation to the Note On velocity.
  • SHAPE determines the contour of the envelope time constants.

Modulation Matrix

  • PHASE inverts the phase, per assignment.
  • SRC determines the modulation source.
  • DEST determines the destination of the modulation source.
  • MOD sets the amount by which the modulation source affects the destination.

Arpeggiator/Sequencer

  • MODE determines the operational mode.
  • OCT determines the range, in octaves, of the arpeggiator.
  • TIME (drop-down) activates the host BPM sync function, and sets the rate using note values.
  • RATE sets the arpeggiator rate when TIME is set to Free.
  • GATE determines the length of each sequencer step as a percentage of its note length.
  • STEPS determines the number of steps in the current sequence.
  • SWING pushes even-numbered notes/steps toward the next odd-numbered note/step, to create a shuffle/swing feel.

Effects

  • DIST controls the amount of distortion effect.
  • PRE/POST is a toggle control which determines the placement of the distortion effect in the signal path, either pre-VCF or post-VCF.
  • CRSHR is a distortion-like effect which simulates a reduction in the bit-depth and resolution of the sound.
  • DELAY is a stereo delay allows separate delay times for left and right channels, using note values.
  1. LEFT sets the delay time for the left channel.
  2. RIGHT sets the delay time for the right channel.
  3. MIX determines the amount of delay effect in the mix.
  4. FEEDBACK determines the amount of gain fed back to the delay input.
  • REVERB controls both the amount and size of the virtual plate reverb sound.
  • CHORUS determines the amount of chorus modulation.

EQ

  • HiPASS controls the high pass filter frequency.
  • LoPASS controls the low pass filter frequency.
  • 100 controls equalization at 100 Hz.
  • 600 controls equalization at 600 Hz.
  • 1500 controls equalization at 1500 Hz.
  • 9000 controls equalization at 9000 Hz.

Global and Out Sections

  • TEMPO displays the current tempo.
  • SOURCE determines the clock source.
  • VOICES determines the number of voices which may be played simultaneously.

Available in Native format only at $99 introductory offer ($200 RRP)

More Information
Waves