Intel CPU security flaws: What “Meltdown” and “Spectre” may mean for your DAW

04 Jan 2018 in Other

Panic ensues as security problems are reported on first Intel and now AMD and ARM processors. Patching "Meltdown" and "Spectre" at OS level could mean a performance hit of up to 30% - but is this true?

Robaux SWT16: 16-track 16-step Eurorack trigger sequencer

04 Jan 2018 in Synths

The SWT16 (Sweet 16) is a wonderfully glowing 16-step sequencer with 16-tracks and 16 modes of operation. It's Arduino based open hardware and will be available as a DIY kit soon.

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Behringer tease their first new synthesizer of 2018

02 Jan 2018 in Synths

Another year, another tease of some soon-to-be-leaked synthesizer clone from Behringer that we'll all get very excited about until the next one comes along.

How to replace the knobs on a Roland Boutique SE-02

01 Jan 2018 in Synths

Many people are finding the knobs on the Roland Boutique SE-02 a bit too tiny and fiddly. Don't worry, there are alternatives that could make the synthesizer experience a much happier one.

Erica Synths Graphic VCO morphing, wavefolding, oscillator

31 Dec 2017 in Synths

Erica Synths unveil a dramatic departure from their usual form of module in the striking Graphic VCO. It has wavefolding, morphing and a very interesting display going on. Update - New videos!

Korg releases a free sound library for the Monologue

30 Dec 2017 in Synths

Beef up your Monologue with this range of Electronic Score + Retrocade sounds from German composer Christian Halten. They are free, very visual and may take you in directions you never considered.

Top 5 Eurorack modules of 2017

28 Dec 2017 in Synths

So many modules, so much voltage to be controlled and audio to modulate. What sort of splicing, morphing, sequencing, gristleizing and filtering delights have caught my attention in 2017?

River Creative Technology celebrate New Year with 2 new filter modules

27 Dec 2017 in Synths

Kick off your New Year with some tonal sculpting. Marble is a dual channel spectral tilt EQ and Dendrites is a feature packed 16 mode filter with phaser and multiple personalities.

Top 5 Synthesizers of 2017

24 Dec 2017 in Synths

Was 2017 a classic year for synthesizers? Which synths captured the imagination, the sonic excitement and hands-on controllability that make for an awesome creative sound machine? Here are my thoughts on that.

Tinami MD-1 customisable MIDI controller development update

23 Dec 2017 in Studio

We assumed the Tinami MD-1 customisable MIDI controller was missing in action, but they were just hard at work developing the idea and forgot to tell anyone. Here's an update on the new features.

Korg Legacy Collection gets a refresh and an ARP Odyssey

22 Dec 2017 in Synths

The Korg Legacy Collection will now be known as the Korg Collection as it gets a much needed update to include the ARP Odyssey in addition to an M1, Wavestation, Polysix, MonoPoly and MS-20.

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miniMO 8-bit synth becomes midiMO mini sequencer

22 Dec 2017 in Synths

The tiny 8-bit modular miniMO open source synthesizer now has an alternative MIDI Sequencer firmware. Add the MIDI Accessory Set and it becomes midiMO the world's smallest MIDI Step Sequencer.

Whatever happened to these synths from 2017?

21 Dec 2017 in Synths

What happened to those synths we got excited about earlier in the year that never appeared? I've dug around to see what's MIA and what might still be coming plus an update on those TR-808 Adidas Trainers.

Sensel Morph gets an upgrade to remap everything and MPE support

21 Dec 2017 in Studio

The recently release Sensel Morph customisable MIDI controller now lets you change the function of all the control areas so you can mix MIDI control with keyboard strokes, and adds MPE support.

The Vibe Bar – a whammy bar for keyboards (no really)

19 Dec 2017 in Studio

Give your keyboard solos a bucket full of expression with the Sonic Manipulation Vibe Bar. Roll it and wobble it for pitch bend and expressive vibrato with the natural use of your playing hand.

Shakmat Modular Time Wizard: Cast some Eurorack clock sorcery

19 Dec 2017 in Synths

The Shakmat Modular Time Wizard can generate complex polyrhythms and weird time signatures through the combination of 6 clock dividers, multipliers, logic and resets - it feels like magic.

Bastl Kastle 1.5 upgrades the noise and sounds “way better”

18 Dec 2017 in Synths

Bastl's newly upgraded Kastle 1.5 gets a paint job, USB power, new synthesis modes and a greatly improved sound engine. It's still a lot of fun even with the annoyingly small knobs and patch wires.

Uli Behringer opens up about the leak – and promises one user a free 2600

17 Dec 2017 in Synths

Uli Behringer steps up on Gearslutz to talk about what happened with the synth and drum machine leaks and explains how their development system works. He also promises someone a 2600 as soon as they are ready.

AVP introduce Cosmwave FX prototype multi-effects desktop unit

14 Dec 2017 in Synths

The march of the desktop effects unit continues with this analog/digital hybrid multi-effects unit from AVP Synthesizers. The Cosmwave FX will offer up Phaser, Flanger and up to 1 minute of delay.

The iMac Pro – for the style professional

14 Dec 2017 in Studio

Apple has opened pre-orders on the new iMac Pro. Take it up to 18 Cores and 128GB of RAM and expect to part with over $15,000. And you need to aim high because you can't upgrade it later.

Behringer massive synth clone leak was all a dream

14 Dec 2017 in Synths

Behringer say the accidental leak yesterday of 6 classic synthesizers and 5 drum machines were apparently all just "concepts". Are our classic vintage synths safe or is this just a smoke screen?

Behringer accidentally leaks a whole world of forthcoming vintage clones

13 Dec 2017 in Synths

For a couple of hours Behringer's website played host to 6 new classic synthesizer clones and 5 vintage drum machines before they were pulled. No images, but were they teasing us or is someone about to get ...

SYNC24USB: Sync your TR-808 and other DIN sync gear via a USB cable

13 Dec 2017 in Synths

How do you keep your old TR-808 in time with your DAW? DSP Synthesizers could have the simplest solution yet with the SYNC24USB which is just a USB MIDI to DIN sync cable.

Noise Engineering get industrial and conservational with Manis Iteritas

12 Dec 2017 in Synths

Manis Iteritas is a bad-ass industrial strength unapologetically aggressive wave folding oscillator with a dark and gritty character. It's also helping to save the endangered pandolin.