Sugar Bytes has announced Turnado. I used to spend quite a lot of time mapping several effect paramaters to one single knob. Take that concept and have all your paramaters increase in strength from 0 to 100 and back to off and I think you can start to get the idea of Turuado. Although the video above is in German you can get a good idea of what this thing can do. Available this summer.

“The idea is simple: Turn a knob and the effect is on. Turn the knob further and effect parameters start to move and modulations start to apply. Turn the knob down and the effect is off. This one-knob-action fits perfectly for all kinds of studio or stage situation where you bang your midi controller creating wicked breaks to let the crowd dance even harder. While each effect provides one knob to control it, underneath that easy cover you find effect parameters and modulation engines to be controlled by the main knob in all thinkable ways, which makes loading an effect just the starting point of the way you can go with it. The powerful “Dictator” mode allows you to animate all main knobs and run that animation with just one fader. This way you easily create and control complex effect layerings and arrangements in a new and inspiring way.” – sugar-bytes.de

For more info: sugar-bytes.de/Turnado

In my continual effort to make my music studio into an 80′s time machine I picked up a Boss DM-100 bucket-brigade analog delay and chorus. Similar vintage units have been used on vocals by the Stray Cats and Richard 23 of Front 242. You could spend a lot more on new tape delay pedals such as the Moog 104Z but they aren’t as noisy and sleezy. In fact, a quick forum search on the DM-100 shows this unit is quite coveted. I like that the DM-100 has the input and outputs on the front which will make it quick to get drum machines and iPads through it and back into Ableton. If your not familiar with this type of device watch the video above at 20 seconds in to be impressed. If you want to stay in the box check out Audio Damage’s DubStation or Fabfilter’s Timeless plug-ins.

“The DM-100 uses is together with the compact DM-2 Boss’s first BBD based delay. The DM-100 is also making use of the Roland FCF (Frequency Controlled Filter) to produce its delay sound. The FCF gradually rolls of higher frequencies as the delay time increases. With the mode switch the user can choose whether to use the Delay Machine as a delay or chorus. The intensity of the chorus is adjusted with a control on the back and the effect can be turned on or off with a footswitch (not supplied with the DM-100).” – bossarea.com

For more info: bossarea.com/dm100

I can tell that people in my own generation are employed as Industrial Designers. A lot of new products tug at my heart strings. Just look at the new Voicelive Touch from TC Helicon. 80′s membrane? Yes I want please. Getting past the simple hardware button gearlust it’s a vocal processor and looper. Considering I sing on almost all my songs, play live often and have become obsessed with the iPhone App Everyday Looper this should be my fortay. I also use the TC plug-ins daily so… The promo video… oh no…

Apple? I’m confused. I actually saw the Voicelive over at Peter’s Create Digital Music and noticed some comments about the promo video. Pretty hilarious. That’s not to say this could be an awesome little box. I’ll wait for a few homebrew YouTube videos before I decide to go try one out myself.

Combining best-selling vocal effects, VLOOP™ performance vocal looping and a uniquely addictive ‘touch’ interface, VoiceLive Touch is truly the first instrument for your voice. VoiceLive Touch is the perfect companion for any vocalist whether you sing live or record in the studio. It can easily be mounted on a mic stand or put next to your computer or keyboard. – tc-helicon.com

For more info: tc-helicon.com/voicelive-touch

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QatzKxZ5kWo

Novamusik shows off the Korg Kaossilator Pro. I’ve seen a few DJs really work with these things as extensions of their arms. I’ve never owned one but do thing they are fun. They are going for $399. Anyone love these? Hate them?

“As a trailblazer among the “instrumental gadgets” that allowed anyone to easily create melodies and phrases, the KAOSSILATOR gained a strong and dedicated user base, even among those without any performing experience. Today, the KAOSSILATOR continues to be enormously popular. Retaining these revolutionary features – while adding a wide variety of new ones as well – is the new KAOSSILATOR PRO. With 200 sound programs, a new Electribe-inspired gate arpeggiator, and four loop recording banks that can even record external audio sources, the KAOSSILATOR PRO is packed with features that make it ideal for both live performance and premium productions. In addition, USB connectivity with your computer and SD card memory storage allow the KAOSSILATOR PRO to be used not just for improvised performances, but also as a superbly intuitive, track-making music production tool.” – korg.com

For more info: korg.com