These new instruments are offered as In-App-Purchases (IAPs) for GeoShred Pro, Play and Control and are priced at $14.99USD** each. In addition the Naada 1 Collection of all 7 instruments, priced at $74.99 USD, 7 instruments for the price of 5.

**Note: All Prices are in US Dollars (USD). Apple sets the local territory price and may add additional local charges such as VAT, GST, HST. Check the store in your territory for the local price. 

New firmware update allows users to control a PTZ camera with any MIDI device 

Owners of current generation PTZ 12X cameras can unlock MIDI control immediately by downloading and installing the latest camera firmware from the PTZOptics website in early June. MIDI control will roll out to all current-generation PTZOptics PTZ cameras by the end of 2022.

With fully configurable MIDI control, no other PTZ camera offers as much flexibility and pure fun as the PTZ 12X. 

Learn more at ptzoptics.com/midi.

MIDI Association member Roland announced the latest addition to their growing family of MIDI capable digital wind instruments at CES 2022.

Aerophone AE-20 provides a wide range of stunningly authentic acoustic instrument sounds at the touch of a button. Soprano, alto, tenor, and baritone saxes are on hand, plus clarinet, flute, trumpet, and more. Violin, cello, and other string instruments are also included, along with world instruments like erhu, shakuhachi, and bagpipes. Backed by Roland’s SuperNATURAL technology, every playing nuance is fully translated with lifelike dynamics, articulations, and overtones.

The versatility of Aerophone AE-20 extends even further with the ZEN-Core Synthesis System, the same advanced sound engine found in professional Roland keyboards like FANTOM and JUPITER-X. Everything from traditional analog synths to modern digital voices are available, all carefully curated for the unique articulations and extended dynamic range of a wind instrument.

Aerophone AE-20 lets wind players step right into their musical flow with a familiar reed-style mouthpiece, immediate response, and natural pitch and vibrato control. The breath and bite sensors are customizable and ultra-sensitive, and it’s possible to reconfigure the fingering for sax, clarinet, flute, recorder, or a personal setup. Instant transposition and a five-octave range enable players to cover any style without the range limits found with traditional acoustic instruments.

by Roland

AE-20 Details 

 For more information, visit the Roland website. 

 MIDI Association Member Udo Audio adds Super 6 Desktop to their lineup

Offering the flexible and immediate control, gorgeous analog sound and unrivalled build quality of the Super 6, but in a more compact package. The Super 6 Desktop is a fully-featured Super 6 analog-hybrid 12 voice synthesizer, housed in a newly designed all-metal chassis. The Super 6 Desktop also includes ergonomic features such as VESA mount compliance, optional rack ears (7U) and robust flip up feet, as well as a huge 24-voice Super 6 polychain option (in a future update).

by Udo Audio

Watch the Super 6 Desktop in action

For more  information, visit the Udo Audio Website

MIDI Association member Moog Music release announced Animoog Z is available as a free download.

A decade after its release as Moog Music’s first professional synthesizer for iOS devices, the award-winning Animoog Anisotropic Synth Engine (ASE) app sees a complete transformation, reborn as Animoog Z. The evolved iteration of the app, now available for both iOS and macOS devices, is free to download in the App Store.

by Moog Music

Watch synth pioneer Suzanne Ciani demo of Animoog Z

The interface is a hands-on dream. It’s alive with a vibrant spatial sound that blends in with my quadraphonic Buchla perfectly,” Ciani shares. “I love its playability, being able to tune the scale and glide over the sensitive keyboard where any note brings awesome expression. A bass note can rouse a crowd—it couldn’t be more compact and road-worthy.

by Suzanne Ciani

Animoog Z Details

Three-Dimensional Anisotropic Synth Engine (ASE)

Available for Apple mobile devices and desktop use, Animoog Z integrates seamlessly with your DAW of choice.

Effects Page: A collection of effects and processors  with unique views of their output. 

Full MPE Support

For more  information, visit the Moog Music Website

MIDI Association member DoreMIDI announced the MPC10 Pedal convertor

MIDI Pedal Converter (MPC-10) is a converter designed by DOREMiDi that can automatically detect multiple types of instrument pedals and convert the signals from the pedals into MIDI Messages.  This product is compatible with positive polarity expression pedal, reverse polarity expression pedal,sustain pedal, and dual-switch pedal. It has MIDI DIN and USB MIDI outputs, and is suitable for use in a variety of performance scenarios.

by DoreMIDI

Different Types of Pedals Can be Connected

MPC-10 has 2 pedal connections and can automatically detect different types of pedals  (currently compatible with positive polarity expression pedals, reverse polarity expression pedals, sustain pedals, and dual switch type pedals).

Connect the Pedals to your MIDI Instrument

MPC-10 has a MIDI output interface, which can be directly connected to musical instruments with a MIDI input interface.In order to maintain a portable design, MPC-10 uses a 3.5 audio port as MIDI output, which can be converted to a standard MIDI DIN interface using a 3.5-to-MIDI five-pin cable (this accessory is included in the product package).

Connect to your Computer

MPC-10 is equipped with USB MIDI function, so you can directly connect to a computer, mobile phone. It is compatible with with class compliant drivers for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android and other systems so there no need to install drivers, The MPC 10 is plug and play.

Flexible MIDI Message Configuration

MPC-10 can flexibly configure MIDI messages for each pedal through DOREMiDi’s pedal setting software (Windows only). If the pedal MIDI message is not configured, MPC-10 uses the default values of the expression pedal is MIDI CC = 21; the default value of the single switch type pedal is MIDI CC = 64 (Sustain); the default value of the dual switch pedal is MIDI CC = 64 (Sustain), MIDI CC = 66 (Sostenuto).)

For more  information, visit the DoreMIDI website.

MIDI Association member Moforte announced Geoswam II created in collaboration with MIDI Association member Audio Modeling

GeoSWAM II, beautifully inspired physically modeled instruments including GeoTrumpet, GeoBassTrombone, GeoBassFlute, GeoViola and GeoPizzBass, all powered by Audio Modeling’s SWAM technology. The GeoSWAM II instruments are awesome to play from GeoShred’s isomorphic keyboard, and you can also play them from other expressive MPE /MPE controllers like the LinnStrument, Roli Seaboard or Sensel Morph. 

by Moforte

GeoSWAM II Introduction

Rather than reading a bunch of words, we thought it was better to just provide the Youtube videos of Jordan Rudess and others demonstrating the sounds of GeoSWAM II’s newest modeled instruments from Audio Modeling. 

GeoShred Trumpet

For more  information, download the Geoshred brochure by clicking on the image below. 

MIDI Association member Bome Software announced their MIDI networking and routing tool is now available in the Apple App Store.

Connect your iPad or iPhone to the BomeBox’ built-in WiFi: now all MIDI gear plugged into the BomeBox can be used with and from your mobile device.
Or access the BomeBox(es) via an existing WiFi hub using WiFi or Ethernet.

by Bome Software

For more  information, visit the Bome website

MIDI Association member Media Overkill announced Miniraze and a special Bob Moog Foundation 15th Anniversary Miniraze Sound Bank  

Miniraze is a powerful yet approachable wave-slicing virtual synth that offers you sounds for the future, inspired by the past. Featuring MOK’s patented wave-slicing engine, Miniraze gives you the ability to splice waveforms into utterly unique sounds you won’t hear anywhere else, while the straightforward East Coast-style layout makes it easy to craft complex tones quickly. Create anything from warm, retro analog vibes to aggressive, futuristic sounds that have literally never been heard before.

by Media Overkill

SLICE AND DICE YOUR SOUND 

For more  information, visit the Media Overkill website

MIDI Association member Bitwig announced Studio 4.1 with an emphasis on new ways to create and process notes 

What if notes did more than trigger your sounds? As musical signals that dance and curve, notes just do more in Bitwig Studio, both on the timeline and in performance. Version 4.1 is here, adding eight new note effects. So with 20+ FX now included, we say… LET THERE BE NOTES!

by Bitwig

New to the Note FX Family 

Ricochet treats notes as bouncing balls in a room, which retrigger on collision and can use their position to animate panning and timbre. 

Dribble bounces each note, until gravity wins.

Bend slides to each note’s pitch. 

Note Repeats retriggers each note, with additional “Burst” and “Euclid” pattern modes.

Additional Features in Bitwig Studio 4.1 

.A handful of other enhancements are worth noting. Color palettes are now available for tracks, clips, and layers. So if you want to turn an image into a palette, just drop a JPG or PNG into the Bitwig Studio window. Track MIDI output is now directly available (and or via the HW Instrument device when you need delay compensation). Our Sampler now has a Release chain, where each note release triggers an instrument of your choice. So you can now import an SFZ file with both press and release samples, or try out a synth or VST to make any sound newly responsive. And a few other note FX got some love as well.

by Bitwig

For more  information, visit the Bitwig website

MIDI Association corporate member Spectrasonics has introduced a new brand and new experiences for Omnisphere. 

Omnisphere has been a huge part of many producer’s and musician’s sonic arsenal for years since it was introduced in 2009.  Now Spectrasonics has developed a brand new way of interfacing with Omnisphere call Sonic Extensions ™.  Each Sonic Extension™ includes custom controls, deep sampling, custom FX and detailed Scenes tailored to the particular vide of each library. 

Introducing the four Sonic Extensions™ 

Nylon Sky 

Seismic Shock

Undercurrent

Unclean Machine

Check out the detailed Sonic Extensions™ introduction by Spectrasonics founder Eric Persing (and many others) on YouTube. 

 • Nylon Sky 3:54 

• Seismic Shock 40:35 

• Undercurrent 1:10:08 

• Unclean Machine 1:38:48 

VIDEO CHAPTERS: 

• Introduction 0:00 

• Nylon Sky – Demo (Eric Persing) 3:54 

• Nylon Sky – Effects 29:05 

• Nylon Sky – About the Artisan 34:11 

• Seismic Shock – Demo (Seth Norman) 40:35 

• Seismic Shock – Demo (Cedrick Colas) 46:08 

• Seismic Shock – Effects 1:00:46 

• Seismic Shock – NASA 1:07:48 

• Undercurrent – Demo (Ignacio Longo) 1:10:08 

• Undercurrent – Effects 1:27:44 

• Undercurrent – Secret LA Tunnels 1:35:31 

• Unclean Machine – Demo (Eric Persing) 1:38:48 

• Unclean Machine – Effects 1:48:17 

• Unclean Machine – Demo (Cedrick Colas) 1:53:44 

• Unclean Machine – Demo (Bad Snacks) 2:03:26 

• Unclean Machine – Bad Snacks Performance 2:11:11

MIDI 2.0 Universal MIDI Packet (UMP) 

The Universal MIDI Packet (UMP) is a fundamental aspect of MIDI 2.0, which allows programs to negotiate and communicate with MIDI 1.0 and MIDI 2.0 products. 

Florian Bomers joins us again to lead 3 workshops across November and December to explore this in detail. Florian runs his own company Bome Software, creating MIDI tools and hardware. He has been an active MIDI 2.0 working group member since its inception. He serves on the Technical Standards Board of the MIDI Association and chairs the MIDI 2.0 Transports Working Group. He is based in Munich, Germany.

The first workshop will set the scene and you can chose to join the 2nd and or 3rd depending on if you are developing with Apple or JUCE.

An automatic 20% discount on workshop 2 and/or 3 will be applied when purchased with the first workshop, discount will show at final checkout. 

MIDI 2.0 – Introduction to the Universal MIDI Packet – Workshop 1 / November 29th 

2- hours

Difficulty level: Requires a working knowledge of C++ and MIDI

MIDI 2.0 is set to power the next generation of hardware and software with enhanced features for discovery, expression and faster communication. The Universal MIDI Packet (UMP) is a fundamental aspect of MIDI 2.0, which allows programs to negotiate and communicate with MIDI 1.0 and MIDI 2.0 products.

In this workshop, you will learn from a member of the MIDI Association Technology Standard Board, who wrote the specifications, how to get started working with UMP, and write a simple C++ program that utilises UMP.

Overview

This workshop will provide developers with knowledge and code for starting MIDI 2.0 Universal MIDI Packet (UMP) development in C++. The concepts of UMP will be explained. Then, the participants will co-develop a first simple implementation of a generic UMP parser in plain C++. For that, a stub workspace will be provided. Exercises will let the participants practice the newly learned concepts.

Who is this workshop for:

Developers wanting to learn how the new MIDI 2.0 packet format works under the hood, and how to get started writing software for it right away.

Learning outcomes

At the end of the workshop the participants will:
Understand the core concepts of UMP
Be able to build applications in C++ using UMP

Study Topics
UMP Basics
packet format
MIDI 1.0 in UMP
MIDI 2.0 in UMP
Translation
Protocol Negotiation in MIDI-CI
Inspecting the UMP C++ class in the stub workspace
A simple UMP parser in C++
Unit Testing the UMP class

Level of experience required:
Some experience with C++ coding
Have a development environment set up and ready with Xcode (macOS) or Visual Studio (Windows).
Working knowledge of MIDI 1.0

Any technical requirements for participants
A computer and internet connection
A webcam and mic
A Zoom account
Xcode (macOS) / Visual Studio (Windows)

Build a MIDI 2.0 program using the Apple UMP API – Workshop 2 / December 6th

Build a MIDI 2.0 program using the JUCE UMP API – Workshop 3 / December 13th

MIDI Association Member Nektar Releases IMPACT LX MINI

Nektar has introduced the Impact LX Mini, a new mobile USB MIDI Controller Keyboard that offers 2 independent Arpeggiator/Repeat engines, LED drum pads, a joystick, foot-switch socket and a 25-note mini-keyboard with velocity.

Impact LX Mini makes the power of Nektar’s Impact LX range of USB MIDI controller keyboards truly portable. Enhance your workflow with a host of powerful real-time and intuitive control features that inspire your creativity: No menu-diving, tactile control, two arpeggiators, drum pads, mini-keys that are great to play – and of course Nektar DAW integration. LX Mini has everything you need to create!

by Nektar

For more information, go to the Nektar website. 

MIDI Association Member Apple Releases Logic Pro 10.7

 Apple released Logic Pro 10.7 with spatial audio as the star, but there are also a lot of other new features. 

New in Logic Pro 10.7

New features and enhancements

• Mixer now supports spatial audio tools for Dolby Atmos:
  • Expanded pan controls.
  • 13 plug-ins expanded for 7.1.2 channels.
  • Export Dolby Atmos ADM BWF file ready for Apple Music.
• More than 2800 new loops in a variety of genres and from some of the world’s top producers.
• Optimized for Apple silicon on new MacBook Pro models.
• More than 230 new instrument and audio patches.
• 50 vintage and modern drum kits, including a collection of 808 samples.
• It is now possible to paste regions copied from multiple tracks to new tracks using a Marquee selection to define the starting track and position.
• The Select Unused Tracks command now excludes tracks inside Summing Stacks.
• The Track Inspector now offers separate MIDI input and output port settings.
• It is now possible to convert MIDI regions to Step Sequencer Pattern regions.
• Multiple new Step Sequencer features including Live and Step Recording, convert MIDI to Pattern region, and Mono mode. 

Something special if you are into lots of MIDI Controllers

Look close and you’ll now see a MIDI port and channel selector in the Track Inspector! For those of us simultaneously using multiple hardware controllers like sequencers, drum pads and keyboards this is huge! Because now you can EASILY route MIDI from multiple controllers (and the IAC bus) directly to individual tracks by selecting their ports in the Track Inspector. In effect, different controllers can be “normalled” to different tracks by selecting the port and MIDI channel. This allows recording several MIDI controller tracks live at the same time.

by Ask Audio 

For more information, go to the Apple website. 

MIDI Association Member Expressive E Releases Imagine-multidimensional acoustic tones

Expressive E has taken a different approach to synthesis in their newest plugin-imagine. 

Imagine offers hundreds of instrument layers, meticulously modeled to bring their very own character. Each preset combines two of these instrument layers to offer unprecedented acoustic timbres.

by Expressive E

For more information, go to the Expressive E website. 

MIDI Association Member Antares Audio Technology releases vocoder modeling technology 

 Antares new release integrates the sound of vintage vocoders with their renown Autotune technology.  Of course, MIDI control is integral using a vocoder. 

This advanced vocoder plug-in includes models of all the classic vocoders you know and love. Plus, we built an extensive collection of artist presets featuring P-Thugg (Chromeo), producer Buddy Ross (Frank Ocean), electronic artist Rachel K. Collier and more to jump-start your creativity

by Antares

For more information, go to the Antares website. 

Exclusive interviews with the embodme team from their offices in Paris 

It’s always exciting to see something new. On a recent trip to Paris, we got a chance to visit one of the newest members of the MIDI Association, embodme and meet their whole development team that had just finished up and shipped the first units of their Erae Touch MIDI 2.0 ready controller. 

Erae Touch Overview 

 The Erae Touch is a MIDI controller that builds on many recent developments in MIDI.  

Hardware: 

• Large18 inch X,YZ silicon control surface
• +1000 sensors for extreme accuracy
• Customizable layouts
• Can be played by hands or drum sticks
• MIDI 2.0 ready

It certainly takes advantage of MIDI Polyphonic Expression (MPE) and MIDI 2.0. 

Design 

We had a chance to play with several early prototypes the embome had at their offices.  The surface of the early prototypes had a lot of friction and it was a bit hard to glide over the surface.  With some input from Roger Linn, embodme modified the final overlay and the version they are shipping feels great and is very, very precise.

Exclusive MIDI Association Interviews with the embodme team 

 The ERAE Touch demonstrated with Audio Modeling physical modeled Strings

Some creative sound design possibilities with the ERAE Touch

Playing drums using the ERAE Touch

Interview with Edgar and Etienne about the technical development of the ERAE Touch and how MPE and MIDI 2.0 influenced their decisions.  The ERAE Touch uses MIDI 2.0’s Univeral MIDI Packet as its internal data format. 

embodme 

It’s impressive that the embodme team was able to download the MIDI 2.0 spec and implement the Universal MIDI Packet in their product without even talking to any one in the MIDI Association,  but we are very glad to have them as a member of the MIDI Association now. 

MIDI Association Member Hotone’s new Ampero Control is deceptively simple, but extremely powerful 

At first glance, the Ampero Control looks like it is just 4 simple footswitches, but it is really so much more.  

Let’s take a look at the complete feature set and then dig into details of each feature. 

• Compact, smart 4-footswitch Bluetooth MIDI controller
• Supports standard MIDI, USB MIDI and Bluetooth MIDI input/output/thru
• Sending/transferring MIDI messages to separated/combined MIDI outputs
• Send max. 16 MIDI messages by one footswitch (32 for A/B groups)
• 100 banks (each bank includes 4 footswitches settings, 2 CTRL/EXP jack settings and more)
• Different footswitch triggering actions for flexible switching and various uses
• Dedicated mobile App lets you easily set your controller on the fly
• 2 CTRL/EXP TRS jacks for adapting external footswitches/expression pedals
• 3-digit LED for MIDI message info and Bluetooth connection status display
• DC 9-18V or 5V USB bus power supply

Smart 4-footswitch Bluetooth MIDI Controller

The Ampero Control is not just a dumb footswitch. 

You can download a smartphone app for iOS or Android and intelligently control all of the settings of the Ampero Control. 

The app lets you configure 100 Banks and each bank contains all these settings. 

• The Bank name 
•  The footswitch modes of 4 built-in footswitches (Single, Toggle,  Momentary and Hold) 

The Ampero Control can store two different groups of MIDI Messages. Single, Toggle, Momentary and Hold subtly change when those groups are sent out for different use cases. 

• Up to 16 MIDI messages including channels, types, values, etc. ) for each footswitch 

The Ampero Control can send out 4 different types of MIDI Messages- Program Changes, Continuous Controller messages with values and Note On/Off with Velocity. 

As an example you could set one internal footswitch to Momentary, and set Group A to send an 8 Note Chord with 8 Pan Values when you stepped on the footswitch and a different 8 note chord with 8 Filter Cutoff values when the footswitch was released.  

Like we said, not just a simple footswitch!  

• CTRL 1/2 controller assign and related settings

5 Pin Din, USB and Bluetooth MIDI connectivity

Another feature of each Bank allows you to select the MIDI Output where each MIDI message will be sent. You can route MIDI messages out via Bluetooth, USB, the MIDI OUT 5 Pin DIN or any combinations of those. Again that gives you a lot of flexibility and routing possibilities. 

Bridging simple analog pedals and MIDI 

This could be one of the most interesting features of the Ampero Control.  It has 2 CTRL/EXP TRS jacks for adapting external footswitches/expression pedals. 

You can take any analog single foot switch, double footswitch or expression pedal and use it to expand your Ampero Control.

Each bank has individual settings for the external footswitches and pedals. So a simple single analog footswitch can be programmed to send out 100 different MIDI messages. 

The Ampero Control also converts the analog signal from an expression pedal into MIDI, and you can assign up to 4 different CC messages (each with their own individually programmed min and max settings) per bank. 

The programmable min and max are a really intelligent feature and take a simple analog expression pedal and transform it into a powerful MIDI controller. 

Remember you can store 100 Banks that combine all the settings for the 4 internal switches and any connected pedals including up to two expression pedals.  

Of course, the Ampero Control is a perfect match for Hotone’s Ampero multi-effects processor, but because it is MIDI it can be easily setup to work with any MIDI device whether it’s another company’s guitar multi effector, a keyboard or even a MIDI controlled lighting rig. 

Anyone who has their hands full (pun intended) when playing live should look at what the Ampero Control can do in controlling MIDI via footswitches and pedals. 

If you already own an expression pedal, think about what you could do if you could transform that simple analog signal into multiple CC messages with min and max settings. 

The Ampero Control is a powerful MIDI Controller with extensive programmability via its smartphone app that belies its simple exterior design. 

Mark of the Unicorn’s newest version of Performer adds MPE support, Articulation Maps, and Per Note Controls

It seems like MOTU has been paying close attention to developments in the MIDI Association around MIDI 2.0.  Their newest version of Performer adds a ton of new MIDI features. 

MPE and Per Note CC Support 

First, Performer joins other MIDI Association DAW companies including Ableton, Bitwig, Steinberg, and Logic in adding MPE support.

MIDI Polyphonic Expression (MPE) is here!

In DP 11, you can record multi-channel output from an MPE controller — such as a Roli™ Seaboard™ — as regular MIDI notes containing MPE expression data.

Instead of note and controller data splayed across dozens of tracks, you see a single stream of normal MIDI notes that each contain their own note-specific controllers, for easy and intuitive editing.

Hide and show the contained per-note controller and pitch-change events in DP’s familiar piano roll. Zoom in the note grid for finer detail. Zoom per-note data independently of the notes that contain them.

by MOTU

Multi Channel MIDI Tracks

Articulation Maps

A major new feature is the addition of Articulation Maps so you can take full control over advanced orchestral sound libraries, from VSL™ to EastWest™ to Spitfire™ to Cinesamples™.  You can create or import articulation maps to build dynamic instruments and ensembles. The MIDI Association has been working on an Orchestral Articulation Profile for the past year and half which we hope will eventually standardize articulations across many different libraries. 

Articulations in QuickScribe 

Articulations can also be added and edited using QuickScribe, MOTU’s built-in notation software. 

Embellish your masterpiece with articulations, trills, tremolos, bowings and alternate noteheads, all connected to your
orchestra library sounds. What you see is what you hear.

by MOTU

Mark Of the Unicorn (MOTU) has been a MIDI Association member since 1991 

2021 marks the 30th anniversary of MOTU’s MIDI Association membership and it seems one way they celebrated was by adding a ton of great new MIDI features to their flagship DAW product- Performer 11. 

Who are Sound Iron?

Soundiron is a recent addition to the growing list of MIDI Association companies.  They joined after attending a webinar with developers that was focused on the Orchestral Articulation Profile which will use the new Attribute Types and Attribute Data of MIDI 2.0 to embed sample articulations right into the MIDI Note On and Note Off.  

Sound Iron develops products on the Native Instruments’ Kontakt platform and Nikolas Jeroma, Principal Instrument Developer at Native Instruments is one of the key members of the Orchestral Articulation Profile working group so it was a natural fit. 

Sound Iron has worked with  music industry leaders like Native Instruments, Propellerheads, Ableton, Korg, Presonus, Image Line, Best Service, Time & Space, Crypton/Sonic Wire, Plugin Boutique, Kontakt Hub, Audio Plugin Deals, Splice and many more.

They are a team of committed creators, programmers, engineers, artists, composers, instrumentalists, writers, videographers, customer support gurus, beta testers and developers passionate about building beautiful-sounding instrument plugins that are inspiring to play.

And now for something completely different ….. 

 Of course, Sound Iron has the some of the typical libraries that you would expect- Pianos, Strings, Choirs, etc.  But where they really excel is when you are looking for something different to spice up a track. Looking for a collection of ancient Greek stringed instruments recorded in Athens.  Sound Iron has it. 

Need A Side of Greek Winds to go with those Strings

No problem, Sound Iron released a companion library of ancient Greek winds, a collection of nine carefully-sampled traditional Greek woodwind instruments including single and double-reeded aulos flutes from bass to alto, as well as conch shell horns, brass salpinx horn, pan flute and plagiaulos. The instruments were hand-crafted  by the Athens-based historical research group LyrΑvlos and every instrument was recorded in precise detail by producer John Valasis. It doesn’t get more authenticate than that. 

Whistle while you work with Sound Iron’s Aztec Death Whistle and Irish Tin Penny Whistle

Maybe you’d like some different cultural influence in your music productions. Need an Irish Tin Penny Whistle for one track and don’t want to spend a lot of money. No problem, this one is $5 (and often on sale for $3). Add the Aztec Death Whistle and you still haven’t spent $20 bucks!

Sound Iron focuses on sampling instruments and designing sounds and because they use the Kontact sample platform they have less engineering development costs and they can make their sounds available at very reasonable prices. 

HOPKIN INSTRUMENTARIUM

Perhaps the highlight of the  Sound Iron libraries is the Hopkin Instrumentarium that features 17 different Lamellophones created by master instrument inventor and writer Bart Hopkin. A lamellophone is a member of the family of musical instruments that makes its sound by  a thin vibrating plate called a lamella or tongue, which is fixed at one end and has the other end free. Kalimbas are a well known example.  Bart creates his own unique instruments and each has it’s a distinct character and tone. 

Links to more information 

ISLA Instruments recently joined the MIDI Association as voting corporate member

ISLA Instruments was founded by Brad Holland, a professional musician and studio technician in 2015.  He realized his love of music, technology and electronics were perfect for a new type of MIDI controller.  

ISLA’s first product was the Kordbot,  a new type of MIDI controller that included a chord librarian, sophisticated arpeggiator and performance controller. It was designed with the help of Bill Behrendt, a music systems programmer since the days of the Commodore 64. 

ISLA Instruments S2400 The sound of a legend. 

For us, the S2400 is a passion project – to recreate the sound of one of the world’s most iconic sampling drum machines, and bring it up-to-date with modern features. The result is the very best of old school and new school technology coming together.

Brad has been obsessed with drum machines for many years – owning, repairing, restoring, modifying countless makes and models (see his HR-16 mods on youtube).

Staying true to form in both sonic characteristics and design aesthetic were the main drivers in the realization of this project, while bringing the hardware into the 21st Century and keeping the same ‘instant gratification’ and intuitiveness of its spiritual pre-predecessor at heart.

by ISLA Instruments

 S2400 Specifications

 Sampler / Audio

• 16-Bit 48Khz ‘Hi-Fi’ Sampling/Playback Engine
• 12-Bit 26Khz ‘Classic’ Sampling/Playback Engine
• Engine type assignable to each of the 32 sample slots
• Sample up to 21.5 minutes per slot (Classic / Mono),
  5.5 minutes (Hi-Fi / Stereo)
• Simultaneous (Full Duplex) playback and record with 8 channel LiveLooping functionality.
• On-screen waveform display (slice audio, set loop-points with ease)
• 128 MB of built-in factory drum kits (from some of our featured beta team)
• Independent Headphone output for monitoring (effectively 2 extra channels)
• DSP based LP/HP Filtering per track (more FX planned for future)

Sequencer

• Multiple sequence entry methods: Live recording, Step Sequence, Piano Roll GUI, TR x0x Style
• 32 Audio Tracks (any 8 playable at a time)
• 32 MIDI Tracks (for sequencing external equipment)
• 96 PPQN Clock
• Per track quantization and swing (including classic mode)
• Patterns are up to 100 measures, any time signature
• All parameters (level, pitch, envelope, filters) configurable per pattern step
• Song mode

Hardware

• Bright 128 × 64 pixel OLED display (viewable from any angle)
• Ultra High quality Grayhill Optical Data Entry Encoder
• 8 x 60mm Professional Dual Rail Faders
• 8 x Dual ‘concentric’ Pro-Audio rotary pots
• Broadcast Equipment grade A/V backlit pushbutton switches
• Tactile silicone pads backlit with RGB LEDs
• SD Card storage (up to 1TB currently tested)
• Classic (OG) input and output analogue filtering circuitry.

I/O

• MIDI In/Out/Thru (Standard 5-pin DIN)
• 2 × 1/4″ Stereo Mix Out jacks (psuedo balanced)
• 8 × 1/4″ Individual audio out jacks (psuedo balanced)
• 4 × 1/4″ External input jacks (with adjustable pre-amp modes)
• 2 × Stereo RCA Line/Phono Inputs (with dual phono pre-amps)
• Hi-speed USB 2.0 device port. (USB Audio/MIDI)
• USB Host port (connect external USB peripherals, MIDI controllers etc).
• 3.5mm Clock/trigger in and out jacks (to sync/trigger vintage equipment or modular synths)
• Universal Voltage100-250V AC Mains powered.

Physical

• Rock Solid 16Ga Cold Rolled Steel enclosure with 6mm Anodised aluminium sidewalls.
• Aluminum knobs
• Dimensions: (Including knobs, jacks, feet)
  Imperial: W18″ x D12″ x H5″ (back) 3″ (front)
  Metric: W460mm x D310mm x H130mm (back) 80mm (front)
• Weight: approximately 13lbs / 6Kgs (metric)

After the successful launch of WIDI Master and WIDI Jack, CME returns with two premium BLE MIDI solutions completely focussed on USB MIDI devices. 

In its essence, WIDI Uhost offers wireless MIDI solutions for all USB MIDI devices. Both USB hosts as well as USB devices. Together with the already available WIDI solutions, it is now possible to add wireless Bluetooth MIDI to any MIDI device. No matter if it is a vintage synth, a slim-sized MIDI controller, your mobile device or operating system.

Therewith, WIDI is taking away the barriers of MIDI connection terminals and allows you to transmit any MIDI message bidirectional and wireless over air. At the same time it delivers 20 meter (65 ft) range without obstacles and latency performance as low as 3ms.

Besides the reliable performance levels, WIDI delivers 1-to-4 MIDI split and 4-to-1 MIDI merge capabilities via the user-friendly WIDI app. You can set up wireless WIDI groups of up to 5 devices, consisting out of 1 central device and 4 Bluetooth peripherals.

I’m blown away by all the WIDI gear. I have a Novation Peak and I switch between using a keyboard and a theory board to control it. With WIDI, it’s so easy to switch, I love it.

— Shelby Watson, Community of MIDI Enthusiasts

 What can you do with WIDI Uhost?

Also, you can use it as a MIDI USB dongle for any PC, tablet or smartphone. No matter the operating system, WIDI Uhost adds high performance BLE MIDI without having to upgrade your computer. It even bypasses the limitations of macOS and iOS and adds automatic pairing and WIDI group connectivity to the equation. 

How does WIDI Uhost work with bus-powered USB MIDI devices?

• WIDI Uhost can be powered all kinds of standard USB power sources: USB bus power, USB power supply, USB power bank, etc.
• If your MIDI device has a USB Host connector (USB-A slot), it can also power WIDI Uhost.
• MIDI device which only have a USB device connector (peripheral, USB-B or micro-B slot), will require power from Uhost via its USB-c port.

The external power option will power WIDI Uhost. Besides this, WIDI Uhost can pass 500mA to power your (bus powered) MIDI device which is connected to WIDI Uhost. In other words, with the right USB cable(s), you can add wireless MIDI via Bluetooth to any USB MIDI device.

I’m really happy with my WIDI Masters and WIDI Jacks and I’m looking forward to the new WIDI Uhost and WIDI Bud Pro!

— Doug Sternes, Community of MIDI Enthusiasts

What is WIDI Bud Pro?

Selecting the right WIDI product for your MIDI setup!

In its essence WIDI Master and WIDI Jack are the same products. Same goes for WIDI Uhost and WIDI Bud Pro. The main difference is that WIDI Uhost and WIDI Jack offer external power options and changeable cable options to widen the number of use cases.

• WIDI Master – DIN-5 MIDI
• WIDI Jack – DIN MIDI + TRS MIDI + external power + changeable cables

• WIDI Bud Pro – USB MIDI
• WIDI Uhost – USB MIDI + external power + changeable cables

To help anyone with making the right choice this guide can be really helpful. More info via CME

I’m hooked on the WIDI products like a fish … but without a line.

— Mi Mo, Community of MIDI Enthusiasts

Available in  tabletop and keyboard versions, IK’s follow up to the original UNO adds a lot of new capabilities

The new IK Multimedia Uno Pro lineup has two versions- the Synth Pro features a 37-note Fatar keyboard and pitch/mod wheels while the Synth Pro Desktop version has capacitance-sensing keys and pitch/mod touchstrips.  But the connectivity and sound engines for each model are the same.

The analog synth engines in both the Uno Pro models each  have three analogue oscillators and lots of modulation possibilities.  Each Oscillator allows variable waveshape and pulse width modulation. You can have the oscillators interact with each other via  hard-sync,  FM, and ring modulation.  There is also a white noise oscillator.

Compared to the original Uno Synth,  the Pro versions have been improved by a new SSI 2/4-pole low-pass filter and you can even use the two filters in series or parallel and with invertible phase, giving you a total of 24 possible filter modes. 

You can connect your MIDI and your modular gear together

Check out Eric Norlander describe the UNO synth Pro 

Gallery of Uno Pro Images 

This just came in at the last minute tonight and we thought we would get it out to everyone.  You will see some really cool Augmented Reality and AI from another company that will be an exclusive here later in the month, but we thought this announcement from Artiphon was worth a quick post. 

“We’ve been designing AR Music technology for the past few years in secret, so we’re jazzed to finally show the world what we’ve been up to,” says Artiphon founder and CEO, Mike Butera. “For us, AR Music represents the possibility to go beyond the traditional notion that only musicians can make music.”

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music producer: we have breakfast at home

the breakfast at home:#scanband @Artiphon pic.twitter.com/vm2syrkasM

— TAETRO (@nicktaetro) May 20, 2021

What if you could control all your MIDI controllers, keyboards, and pedals all in one centralized application? What if this app didn’t only allow you to control all your devices on stage but also provided you with a music score reader, a MIDI patchbay router, and a setlist manager?

Camelot Pro is an application to make the lives of every stage musician easier and more convenient so that their time is better spent focusing on the music, rather than focusing on technical details. 

Not only does Camelot Pro control your soft synths, but it integrates your hardware synths and softsynths together and even let’s you turn your hardware into an MPE compatible tone generator.

MIDI Capabilities 

It is also has complete MIDI routing, filtering and processing capabilities.  

Check out this video on Camelot 2.0 

Look at many modern drum setups, and you’ll find an SPD-SX—but it can do a lot more than you might expect. 

There’s a reason why so many drum setups use Roland’s SPD-SX. By combining a drum controller with sampling, the SPD-DX has allowed drummers to augment their performances with electronic production. The SPD-SX has transformed electronic drum pads from control surfaces to much more–they’re truly production tools that extend drumming into an entirely different realm.

Part of this has been driven by necessity. In the past three decades, music technology shifted pop’s sonic landscape from primarily live instruments to electronic ones. Touring drummers needed a way to incorporate the electronic sounds from these recordings, beyond simply playing to a backing track.

Of course, the SPD-SX can run a click track for an entire band. But it also gives drummers the ability to trigger backing tracks or individual samples (like an 808 or clap sample), and process them with built-in effects. In addition to being a performance tool, the SPD-SX can enhance your workflow in several ways. For example, it allows users to record performance audio, in addition to using the device as a MIDI controller.

Using the SPD-SX as a MIDI controller opens up a new world of creative possibilities, so let’s explore the SPD-SX as a production tool.

How to Connect MIDI 

1. To make sure your computer can recognize the SPD-SX as a MIDI controller, you’ll need the curent USB driver. Download the correct driver for your operating system here.

2. After installing the driver, click the “Menu” button on your device and go to Setup.

3. Click the “Option” button, and switch the USB mode from Wave Manager to Audio/MIDI. Tip: To use the SPD-SX in its normal performance/sampling mode, return to this menu and select Wave Manager as the USB mode.

4. Connect the SPD-SX to your computer. Your DAW should recognize the SPD-SX. If the device doesn’t automatically show up, scan for MIDI instruments, or check your computer’s MIDI preferences.

5. Once your DAW recognizes the device, select a new kit on the SPD-SX.

6. Click the “Menu” button, go to “Kit,” and select the MIDI option.

7. The MIDI menu lets you select each pad’s corresponding MIDI note by inputting the desired MIDI note number.

The kit has a default range of notes. With this option, you can create custom triggers to respond to different parts of your MIDI instrument. All you have to do is play the pad and use the “+” or “-” button. This changes the number and corresponding sound. The method should work for most DAWs. However, in Ableton Live, you can use MIDI mapping to make the SPD-SX a more versatile controller. 

 MIDI Mapping

Ableton Live allows using the SPD-SX in very creative ways.