The internets have exploded yesterday about Teenage Engineering’s Operator-1 synth. Some deemed it to be an April fools day hoax, others thought it to be amazing. Well we have some brief video from NAMM and it is indeed real. Too bad we didn’t get any sound examples out of it, but we do know that we will probably be seeing a finished version sometime early 2010.
.:Clavia Nordwave:.
The Clavia Nordwave is essentially a Nordlead that uses samples and wavesounds that are uploadable via USB as the oscillators. It has 24 voices with four parts multi-timbral, standard digital waveforms as well as 64mb of compressed memory for uploadable waves, 2 oscillators, 1 filter, 2 LFOs and 3 envelopes. No word on pricing but sequencer.de is saying about 20% less then a Nordlead 3. No link on Clavia's site yet, so I will send you over to sequencer.de for more information.
.:Roland HD-1:.
Roland is rolling out a new set of entry level electronic drums called the HD-1. It is a small, compact and highly transportable set that is designed to be extremely quiet. All of the components are mounted on a single stand for easy setup and tear down. The soundset is based on the popular VDrum sounds of Roland's more high end systems, and the set even includes audio in jack.
Kit Configuration
Kick Pedal, Snare, Hi-Hat, Hi-Hat Pedal, Tom x 3, Crash, Ride
Drum Kits
10
Patterns
10
Controls
Drum Kit button x 5, Variation button, Metronome button, Volume knob, Tempo knob
Metronome
Tempo (40--220), Sounds (3 types), Volume (3 levels)
Connectors
Output jack (Stereo miniature phone type) (*1), Headphone jack (Stereo miniature phone type), Mix In jack (Stereo miniature phone type), MIDI Out connector (5-pin DIN type), Trigger Cable connector (DB-25 type): (*1) Output Jack can be connected with headphones.
Accessories
Owner's Manual, Set-up Guide, Video Manual (DVD), AC Adaptor (PSB-1U), Trigger Cable (Prepositioned in Drum Stand), Drum Key, Screwdriver, Screws for Sound Module x 4, Screws for Foot Pipe x 4, Roland Sticker
Options
Personal Drum Monitor: PM-01, V-Drums Accessory Package: DAP-1, V-Drums Mat: TDM-1
.:Akai MPK 49:.
Akai has rolled out a new MIDI keyboard controller that incorporates its classic MPC pads along with 49 semi-weighted keys. Other great live features include transport controls, large backlit LCD screen, 8 backlit switches and built in MIDI arpegiator.
quote:
Maximize musical ideas on-stage or in a home studio setting with the new Akai MPK49 performance controller. The Akai MPK49 ushers in a new era for USB/MIDI controllers by combining a high-quality, 49-key, semi-weighted keyboard with aftertouch and 12 MPC-style drum pads. 48 total pads are accessible via 4 pad banks. The pads feature popular MPC Note Repeat function and Swing parameters, and the Akai MPK49 performance controller has its own arpeggiator, for creating quick, creative riffs in seconds.
The Akai MPK49 features MPC-style Full Level and 12 Levels functions on its pads, and MPC Swing can be applied to both Note Repeat and Arpeggio functions. Tap Tempo and time-division buttons allow for real-time control of Note Repeat and Arpeggio clock speeds. The Akai MPK49 delivers an amazing 72 assignable controls, with assignable inputs that include an expression pedal, footswitch, pitch bend and modulation wheel.
Discover the next generation of USB/MIDI controllers. Step up to the Akai MPK49.
.:JazzMutant.com:.
Lots of great stuff seems to be coming out of this year's Musikmesse. A lot more hardware (especially live hardware) then we saw a NAMM a few months ago. This is good news for all of the live musicians out there, and I will be trying to sort through all the stuff on the web to filter out the best live gear.
First up we have the Dexter, which is a new product from JazzMutant, the fine makers of the uber cool, but uber expensive Lemur. The Dexter is supposed to be the next evolution of the Lemur with much more "out-of-the-box" usability. This includes templates for all of the major DAW workstations, as well as what appears to be more traditional slider and fader interfaces. No word on pricing yet, but the original Lemur always struck me as a great opportunity for as a live tool.
