Here’s an upcoming box from Mode Machines called SID. Apparently there’s some controversy over it’s design (link). Chris Randall took the photo above at NAMM. It should go for about $600 USD.
“SID is an 8-Bit desktop synthesizer with a double personality. It’s simplistic layout and ease of use delivers pleasure at the first touch and it’s familiar step sequencer will have you programming patterns and beats in no time. 3 expression knobs control the key features of each Patch for instant results. But don’t let it’s simplicity fool you: The supplied SID STUDIO SOFTWARE enables you to tweak every parameter under the hood! Draw and design your patches with instant feedback from the SID. Also check out the NERD-PANEL, a powerful interactive blueprint which enables you to address the chip one pin at a time – also a great educational tool.” – modemachines.com
Disney was selling a Micky Mouse T-Shirt based on Joy Division’s Unknown Pleasures album. Could it be some hip/depressed designer working there snuck this into the supply chain? It’s been pulled and therefore I must say these are instant collectibles. They may even fetch some big money on eBay.
“And in even odder news, the Disney Store… was, until today, selling a new t-shirt design based on the iconic Joy Division “Unknown Pleasures” album cover, with Mickey Mouse’s face inserted in those wavy lines. From Manchester to Mousechester!” – Boing Boing
One of the most amazing concepts to get our heads around is the fact that in the future we will be printing our own 3D products. The RIAA is going to freak once we start printing and trading records. A MakerBot Thing-O-Matic starts at around $1100 USD. In the words of Captain Jean-Luc Picard, “Earl Grey hot.”.
“A 3D printed record for the Fisher-Price record player playing ‘Still Alive’ from Portal” – fastne55
My friend Noah Benzing sent me the first video above of Dan Laskowski and his 1980s Commodore 64 audio software FastFingers. I think Dan himself is the interesting part of this video.
One of my favorite city’s streets has been recorded into 55 takes and 10 Ableton scenes. Download the City Traffic set over at Detunized. The set is 4.80€.
“City Traffic brings the daily noise of Berlin to the your library. The Pack contains recordings of main roads during the morning rush hour, when the trolley car rumbles over the rails and the trucks are roaring through the kettles. In between a bunch of honking mopeds and cars with broken exhaust pipes are fighting for their space. Commuter trains are crossing every minute, the omnibus arrives just in time and the long-distance trains pass the station with squeaking brakes. In the evening it is rainy and at least the suburb calms down a little bit.” – detunized.com
At 32 seconds in see PSP Audioware’s custom channel strip and at 47 seconds in see a Fabfilter “VST” plug-in. When we get an iPad Pro which is 2-3x the size, speed and a retina display I’m in… for now full on DAW, mixing, etc… on a small underpowered screen is a novelty.
“With the ability to play 48 mono or stereo 24bit/44.1 kHz tracks simultaneously, record up to 24 of those tracks simultaneously (through any supported USB multichannel audio interface), and edit and mix with familiar tools and full parameter automation, it’s clear Auria sets a new standard for iPad multitracking.
What’s more, Auria’s 64-bit Double Precision architecture ensures ample headroom for plug-in processing and mix summing, transforming your iPad into a recording and mixing system with sound quality that rivals most DAWs.
The depth is in the details. Like customizable pan laws. Like meters that are selectable between VU and RMS. Like full delay compensation for all tracks, including aux sends and subgroups. Complete with a vintage-inspired channel strip on every channel, a dedicated master channel strip, VST plug-ins engineered by renowned makers such as PSPaudioware, Overloud, Fab Filter and Drumagog, and support for Dropbox, Soundcloud, AAF, and MP3, Auria truly raises the bar for recording and mixing on the iPad.”
I like many others once owned a Mackie 1604 mixer. At the time it offered major bang for your buck and it was built like a tank. Mackie thinks they have their next big hit on their hands with the DL1608. All I can say is they have created the best mixer commercial of all time (not that I know of any others…but). Please do watch.
“The Mackie DL1608 redefines live mixing by combining the proven power of a full-featured digital mixer with the unmatched ease and mobility of an iPad. With 16 boutique-quality Onyx mic preamps and the performance of 24bit Cirrus Logic AD/DA converters, you have unparalleled sound quality. Seamless wired to wireless iPad control means you can mix from anywhere in the venue. This gives you the mobile freedom to control not only the mix, but also powerful plug-ins like EQ, dynamics, effects and more. The sleek DL1608 even supports up to 10 iPads. Forget bulky consoles and racks of gear. The power is at your fingertips.” – Mackie
So yes there are a lot of new table top analog synths such as the new Arturia MiniBrute and Moog Minitaur. But what if have three times the cash in your pocket and 10 times the need to impress the hell out of your friends? Clearly the new Pittsburgh Modular Foundation should be on your short wish list. It’s a selection of Eurorack modular Modules in a Monorocket case. This selection gives you a solid synth at about a 10% discount. Pretty isn’t it?
“The Foundation is a fully modular, eurorack, analog synthesizer. A patchable system styled after the great monosynths of the past with no hardwired signal path or fixed voice architecture to restrict creativity. Driven by two wide range analog oscillators the Foundation produces a huge, warm sound that can’t be matched by digital or VST synths. All of the elements of a classic voltage controlled synthesizer are available as an open, patchable, modern synth.
The Foundation is a “complete voice”. It contains all the modules needed to produce a wide variety of complex sounds such as monster analog bass, cutting leads, evolving pads, and short percussive hits. All of which can be controlled directly using the Foundations’ 42 knobs and switches then played with any standard Midi controller. The Foundation is also fully compatable with Expert Sleepers Silent Way software plug-ins.” – Pittsburgh Modular
I’m a huge fan of Jomox’s Jürgen Michaelis’s work. One of my most favorite pieces in my studio is an Mbrane 11. I suspect like other Jomox products the new Moonwind analog filter will have some interesting quirks that could give you a unique edge in your recordings.
“The Moonwind Analog Filter Tracker is a true analog stereo filter, with built-in step sequencer, an FX chip, 2 LFOs and envelope modulation. Everything is storable and controllable via MIDI.”
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