Akai has unveiled the MINIAK, a new synthesizer that looks like it fell off a Korg Truck and somehow landed in an Alesis R&D brainstorming session.
The MINIAK is the first synthesizer from Akai Professional developed in partnership with the Alesis synthesis team. The MINIAK is a perfect synthesizer for producers in the studio and live performers on stage because, while it is extremely compact and portable, it is also a powerful instrument for creating sounds for performance and production.
The MINIAK enables users to create programs with up to eight multi-timbral voices, each with three oscillators. The user can create interesting and unique sounds and take advantage of the synthesizer’s more-than-600 preset sounds. Users can create complex and refined sounds using the MINIAK’s two multimode filters, three envelope generators, two LFOs, stereo effects and 40-band vocoder with gooseneck microphone. The MINIAK also has a comprehensive sequencer with step and dynamic real time phrase sequencing, a drum machine/rhythm sequencer and an arpeggiator.
The MINIAK also contains high-resolution, 24-bit balanced quarter-inch inputs and outputs and a 37-key semi-weighted keyboard with velocity sensitivity. It can also be used as a sound source for MPCs, computer software and keyboards via MIDI.
The Akai MINIAK will be available from musical instrument and professional audio retailers Q3, 2009. No pricing has been announced.
No surprise that images of Stanton’s new DaMix have surfaced online. You can thank DJ Forums for the image below.
Well, now we all know what the magnetic strip along the side of the name-challenged, Da Scratch, can also be used for…
Aside from the idiotic names, Stanton has assembled a sweet little, entry-level, Digital DJ ecosystem here…we’ll give you a hands-on scoop when we get our grubby paws on it tomorrow.
Mackie has announced a the HD Series of “High-Definition” Powered Loudspeakers. Claiming to create “an entirely new [product] category: High-Definition Live Sound,” the HD1521 2-way and HD1531 3-way contain Class-D amplifier technology, delivering up to 1800W of peak system power with precision crossovers, transducer time alignment and phase correction circuitry right in the box. HD Series loudspeakers take this even further with the implementation of patented acoustic correction processing that counters the inherent physical attributes that can make typical loudspeakers sound honky or washed out. (Sorry Mackie, but HD just sounds like “marketing” to us. –Ed.)
The 15? neodymium woofers are matched with the 1.75? heat-treated titanium compression driver. The HD1531 3-way also features a 6? midrange driver and Mackie’s WaveFront mid/high horn system for wide, consistent coverage. A user-adjustable 3-band EQ with a sweepable mid lets the user gently and flexibly EQ the system for the application at hand. The all-wood cabinets feature 12 integral fly-points for horizontal or vertical rigging and both models are pole-mountable. Integrated protection circuitry and robust build quality ensures years of reliable use.
Mackie’s HD Series High-Definition Powered Loudspeakers will be available in May 2009. Asia will have availability in April 2009. The HD1521 will cost $1249.99 and the HD1531 will set you back $1499.99. More information on the Mackie “HD” Series Powered Loudspeakers.
Teenage Engineering has emerged from an extensive Spin-The-Bottle game to announce the OP-1 (Operator 1) pocket controller/synth. Now it’s hard to tell if this is going to be an actual product, or just Gangaware, but here’s what they’re telling us:
The OP-1 is a pocket size controller for use with your favorite software sequencer. Connect it to your laptop and it lets you control your sequencers transport with the common play, stop, rec, forward and rewind. Use it to control your software synthesizers with the 4 rotary encoders and 16 dedicated quick keys for fast selections.
When you disconnect the OP-1 from your computer you suddenly have a stand-alone portable wonder-machine with 8 synthesizer models, 8 samplers and effects like Delay, Flutter, Filters and EQ all built in. Use all that synthesizer power to record your work with the truly unique sequencer.
Connectivity:
» 3.5mm input for audio/external microphone
» 3.5mm output for line out /headphones
» 3-pole power-connector for charging the internal battery or for use with power adaptor.
» USB 2.0
» Two M6 holes for use with Teenage’s Studio System parts.
Use the magic step sequencer/arpegiator to get the notes right. If that is not enough use the built in motionsensor that sense every shake or move you make and turn it into really cool sounds.
Then relax and sample a beat from the built-in FM radio or memorize a tune by whistle it into the built-in microphone. Play your piece to your friends through the built-in speaker. Or…convert it right away to mp3 and mail it to them.
While the Jury is still out on the sound, design-wise, it’s definitely a winner. You can sign up for their Beta Test program and they may sell you one…
Expert Sleepers have stayed awake long enough to release Oomingmak, a re-synthesis plug-in that “turns your guitar into an analogue monosynth.”
Oomingmak is a pitch- and envelope-tracking (re)synthesis effect, which tracks the pitch and level of the incoming audio and uses them to:
» synthesize an entirely original sound, using classic analog-style waveforms and subtractive synthesis.
» apply pitch modulation to the incoming audio, while syncing to the original waveform (the classic ‘oscillator sync’ effect, except that the ‘oscillator’ here is your audio).
The oscillator can also be synced to the incoming audio, and the tracked envelope can be used to modulate the pitch, ?lter cut-off and oscillator pulse-width. LFOs are also provided for further modulation possibilities. Two ring modulators are also provided, allowing two different combinations of the above sounds to be modulated against each other.
As with all pitch-tracking devices, Oomingmak tends to work best on monophonic sound sources. It was designed particularly with the guitar in mind, in which case it tends to work well on solo lines rather than chords. However, sending chords, or even non-pitched sounds (e.g. drums) through Oomingmak can also have very interesting results.
Expert Sleepers’ Oomingmak costs $29 and is available now for both Mac & PC in the AU and VST flavors. More information on Expert Sleepers Oomingmak.
Solid State Logic has dropped a photo of their new 8-channel SSL-X Analog Mixer, which will debut at MusikMesse. Not much details are available, but a price of £1675 has been released…
Even with a verdict looming next month on the copyright infringement case against the four founders in Sweden, The Pirate Bay is currently beta testing virtual private network (VPN) technology for a new pay service, dubbed IPREDator, which would allow file-sharers to use the Swedish BitTorrent tracker without leaving a data trail.
IPREDator, named after IPRED, the European Union’s Intellectual Property Rights Enforcement Directive, will cost around €5 / $6.50 a month. The act, which permits civil remedies on copyright infringement, will debut in Sweden on April 1.
The Pirate Bay plans to officially launch IPREDator before April 1st.
Clavia is set to introduce the Nord C2 at MusikMesse in just a few days. The successor to the Nord C1, the C2 Combo Organ is a direct descendant with the addition of many exciting features. Nord will also present a bass pedal keyboard, the Pedal Key 27.
The special sound of the C1 with its faithful tonewheel organ, Vox and Farfisa models have been augmented with a new baroque pipe organ. This makes the C2 even more versatile, providing not only rock organ players a new palette of sounds, but also makes the C2 a great instrument to use in churches, concert and congregation halls or any other venue where a high quality pipe organ instrument is paramount. It is also a new solution to the pipe organ player who needs a portable dual manual practice instrument that can be equipped with a large pedal board.
Features:
» Pipe Organ – The Nord C2 is equipped with a beautiful baroque pipe organ that compliments its tonewheel and transistor organs. This new organ has a total of 21 stops distributed across the Swell (9 stops) manual, the Great (9 stops) manual and the bass section (3 stops). The pipe organ is – contrary to the C2’s tonewheel, Vox and Farfisa models – sampled, using Clavia’s longtime experience and expertise in the sample acquisition and sample playback technologies.
» New keyboard action – The keyboard have been enhanced with a firmer action to better provide you with the rock solid feel of an original tonewheel instrument. The ultra fast response time is of course still there.
» Improved output routing capabilities – The C2 treats the main left and right outputs as one group, separated from the other group which consist of the Leslie 11-pin and High Level outputs. This provides an improved flexibility in the routing of the organ models. A tonewheel organ can e.g. always be routed to a rotary speaker connected at the 11-pin or High Level jack output and the pipe organ can be routed to the PA through the main outputs. Another scenario would be for the Vox and Farfisa to be routed to a combo amplifier via one of the main outputs, and the tonewheel organ to a rotary speaker connected at the High Level outputs. Other combinations of the organ models and outputs are also catered for.
» Monitor input – Just plug in your mp3 or CD player to the C2 to be able to play along, rehearse or jam with previously recorded music without the need of an external mixer or sound system. The signal that is present at this input will be monitored through the C2’s headphone output.
» Percussion controls moved to the “classic position” – The switches for the percussion controls on the panel have been moved, to the classic tone wheel organ position at the lower right.
» Vibrato and chorus controls moved to the “classic position” – The switches for the vibrato and chorus controls on the panel have been moved, to the classic tonewheel organ upper left position. When the pipe organ is used, these controls activate the tremulant effect.
» Enhanced click – The click level can now be adjusted. The essential click artifact in the tonewheel organ model has been further enhanced. The level can be adjusted and the key-release component of this click has been specifically modeled to further improve the authenticity of the tonewheel organ sound.
» Drawbar Preview – This new function allows you to dial in a new sound while still playing without any changes being heard. When you are ready, the new setting can be instantly activated.
New Accessories
Pedal Keys 27 – This MIDI pedalboard has 27 keys and an integrated Swell pedal, with a sturdy chassis of aluminum. The long keys have a wooden finish and a length of 350 mms, to facilitate the use of a proper toe-heel technique when playing. It is very portable weighing in at only 15.5 kg, 34 lbs. Just connect it to the C2’s Bass Pedal MIDI Input and you are ready to perform. Not included with the C2, available as an extra accessory.
Aluminum stand – The C2 can be used with a new stand, a very sturdy but lightweight stand made of aluminum. This stand is specifically designed to make room for a large set of pedals underneath the organ. Not included with the C2, available as an extra accessory.
Puremagnetik has released B-System: Percussives, the first in a series of Buchla 200e sound packs. Specifically programmed for Ableton Live Drum Racks, Kontakt and Logic, B-System: Percussives includes over 650 24-bit samples and looped content recorded directly from a Buchla 200e modular synthesizer.
B-System Percussives for Ableton Live includes ten full 2 octave kits programmed with advanced Macro integration and effects mapping. Utilizing multi-velocity zones for the ultimate in expression and playability each kit is sonically charged for instant electronic gratification.
The Ableton Live version also includes 40 Live Clips of preprogrammed material, each one expertly tailored with effects racks and advanced Macro controls. The Kontakt version of B-System comes with 10 menus of over 20 multisampled percussion sounds and a menu of looped phrases. Each instrument has been uniquely programmed with a custom Kontakt KSP GUI for instant tweakability. B-System Percussives for Logic includes a collection of 10 electronic kits, multiple pre-programmed channel strips and 40 advanced SIAL loops that integrate seamlessly with EXS24.
Features:
» Over 650 24-bit electronic percussion samples
» 10 expertly programmed kit menus
» 40 Ableton Live Clips with integrated Macros and effects
» 40 Apple SIAL loops
» Custom Kontakt KSP GUI and native Kontakt effects
» System Requirements: Requires Ableton Live 7, Kontakt 3 or OSX based DAW, 150 MB free hard drive space, 500 MB of physical RAM
When we first got wind of The Beat Thang by the Beat Kangz, a Nashville-based collective of producers and rappers, it was hard to ascertain if their portable MPC-like product was going to be a reality, or merely just gangaware. However, after performing the sound design for Zoom’s Streetboxx, tha Kangz got ambitious!
“The Most POWERFUl, Portable, Real Beat Machine Ever Made!!”
Well, the Kangz clearly don’t have a confidence problem, but they apparently have run into some production issues. They claim that the feedback they received from their NAMM Hotel Room exploits have yielded some production “enhancements” such as an all metal chassis and a full-color LCD screen.
Features:
» Sampling
» 3.5 inch video grade color LCD
» 16 Track MIDI sequencer
» Over 3000 Blazin’ Brand new sounds and 500 production ready Platinum beats and loops created by The Beat Kangz
» Sleek design and styling with customizable “Paintz” and “Grillz”
» Convenient, light-weight portable design with internal rechargable battery
» USB In/Out
» Pitch and Mod Wheels
» On Board FX including Reverb, Delay, Automated Filters and tons of Crazy “Freak FX” including “Chopped and Screwed”!!!!
» On Board “Mo Bang” Mastering with EQ and Limiting
» 256 MB Ram standard
» 2 High Speed SD Card Slots (16 Gigabytes/ card)
» Export Beats to a Mac or PC (supports AIFF and WAV format)
» Intuitive user interface.
» Easy to use
We’ll let the Beat Kangz describe their new product with their full flava:
All in all the Beat Kangz have stuffed over 3000 sounds and over 300 production ready HIT beats, patterns and loops into THE BEAT THANG. Each sound can be edited, fine tuned and manipulated with fully functioning Digital EFX (EQ, Compression, Reverb, Delay, Filter and “FREAK”). But that’s not the end of it. THE BEAT THANG is the most advanced beat production device with the fattest (and phattest) pre-loaded sounds AND onboard SAMPLING and Re-Sampling. With USB in and out and Mic/Line input, you can add your own Samples. Create your own custom Kits with up to 8 layers per pad (each layer can have its own pitch, pan, Volume, cutoff and res). Our Key Span Feature allows you to take one or more samples and instantly make an instrument that spans an entire 88 note keyboard. Want bass on one octave and strings on another? No problem! It’s simple.
Don’t forget the 16 Track MIDI Sequencer that can Sequence internal sounds or External sound modules. I know what you are thinking…Only 16 tracks?? Yeah, well we got that covered! No need to put your kick, snare, and hi hat on separate tracks anymore. PAD MUTE and SOLO!!!
No more confusing programs and loading of SAMPLES, KITS and BEATS to deal with. Everything on your SD cards is available in Real time with NO LOAD TIMES!
Mobile? Yes, that’s right. THE BEAT THANG is portable, baby. The rechargeable lithium ion battery gives you up to six hours of portable playing time. Bang out some beats on the plane. Tighten up your edits on the train. When you’re ready to roll to the show, the studio, or the library, THE BEAT THANG rolls with you. You can even play it on the bus when you travel to visit yo momma. (priceless! –Ed.)
THE BEAT THANG captivates the senses with its sleek, sexy styling, user-friendly controls and slammin’ sounds. Make it your own THANG with custom Paintz and Grillz TM. Add it to your DJ rig and create live remixes on the spot… even in the dark. Every button is back lit. Put it in your studio and add the hot, new Beat Kangz sounds to your latest creations. It’s Your THANG.
Now here’s the kicker:
“I Challenge any and all Presidents of our competition to a beat making battle. I’m ready any time if you got the ballz to battle a KANG!!! ” – AJA Emmanuel, President, Beat Kangz Electronics
(I actually think we could sell tickets to AJA Emmanuel taking on Roland’s Mr. K at next year’s NAMM show… –Ed.)
Updated: 3/26/09
Although, the Kangz state they “have conspired with Live Nation Recordings head Bob Ezrin and Nashville real estate magnate David Crabtree to establish an innovative music technology startup called Beat Kangz Electronics, LLC (BKE),” the initial run of the product will be manufactured in the USA and then outsourced to China.
Despite the development ambiguity, we salute any manufacturer who has enlisted a crew like the Beat Kangz to come up with the product design for a Hip-Hop oriented MPC product. Solely utilizing a Japanese engineers and product designers, and/or aging, white marketing executives is not going to yield a next-gen beat-making tool for the street.
In addition, it appears from the video that AJA and company have infused the Beat Thang with some very useful features and exciting production attributes. A portable MPC is something that has evoked the imagination ever since Dr. Dre appeared kicking out beats while on an airplane in a beer commercial. Even though most industry watchers knew that the MPC2000 he was using was not battery powered, it did reveal the potential of such a portable device. Not long after, the battery-powered MPC500 debuted.
The Beat Kangz also claim that the Thang will have “more top Secret Features and Surprises that we dont want our sleezy, thieving corporate competitors to know…. but we’ll tell ya soon!”
The Beat Kangz Beat Thang costs $1,299 and may be available some time this Summer. More information on the Beat Kangs Beat Thang.
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