Table of contents for 07/2022 in Beat English

Drones and synth guitars for the finest Ambient NuSofting SinMad BE SinMad BE is an extravagant combination of virtual analog synthesis and physical modeling. This synthesizer is an excellent choice for drones, dirty feedback sounds and organic textures. This makes the eccentric sound predestined for Ambient, of course, but it can also provide exciting accents in other styles with its unique and experimental sounds. Download: see page 9 | Info: www.nusofting.com win | mac All serial numbers securely accessible: The Beat Serial Center To ensure that none of your serial numbers are lost in the future (for instance, in the event of a new installation, Outlook crash or disk crash), you can now conveniently manage them online. The advantages are obvious: The Editorial Team can send you targeted software updates,…

PreSonus introduces the Eris E5 BT, which are presented as music and media speakers for the home studio. They are also suitable for streaming, podcasts and reference monitoring. The manufacturer places great emphasis on a consistently linear frequency response. The power for the 5.25 large woofer and the 1 inch small silk dome tweeter is provided by a Class D power amplifier with a combined 100 watts of power. One of the monitors operates passively. The high and low acoustic tuning controls are used to adjust to different room environments. The connections can be reached via balanced jack or unbalanced RCA on the front. Furthermore, music can also be fed in wirelessly via Bluetooth 5.0. To expand the bass potential, an optional subwoofer can be connected by way of the…

SPL heralds the next generation with the MTC MK2 monitor and talkback controller. Based on the basic design concept and sound quality of its predecessor, there are also new features to report. In addition to the four stereo inputs on the back (three of them with jack, one of them with RCA), there are two stereo outputs with XLR connection and one with jack. There is also a sub output for subwoofer use. For the two headphone outputs on the front, there is a power amplifier used as headphone amplifier and separate volume control, which operates as a push-pull amplifier in Class AB mode. The phonitor matrix is supposed to be used to create optimal headphone mixes that lead to high-quality sound results on all kinds of stereo speaker systems.…

Behringer presents the long-awaited new RS-9 drum machine, which should particularly please friends of modular systems because it was designed for the Eurorack. The prototype rack can fall back on ten tracks, for which there is always a trigger and accent connection per track. The individual tracks can be monitored or muted individually using solo and mute. Additional connections include a sync input and output as well as sockets for CV and Reset. Furthermore, editing of the sequences is possible using save, copy, erase and bump. Other features include tempo, swing, probability, flam and autofill. In total, there are three main modes: Song, pattern and step. The drum sequencer is controllable via USB and MIDI. Using the 16 retro keys on the right side, you can determine the quantization (for…

Focusrite has freshly revised their 8-channel ADAT interface, which now bears the name Clarett+ OctoPre. This model boasts a better dynamic range (118 dB) and lower distortion values, thanks to new low-noise converters. The noise of the microphone inputs is specified at 129 dBu. The Clarett+ OctoPre is designed as an expansion and includes eight analog inputs with XLR/jack combo jacks plus integrated microphone amplifiers. Phantom power can be added in two groups of four channels. In addition, Clarett+ OctoPre has eight line outputs, which can be found on a D-Sub connector. A resolution of up to 192 kHz and 24 bits is supported. The preamps employ Air mode with relay-controlled analog circuitry to better bring out the transients. A gain boost of up to 57 dB is possible. This…

In the picture you see: Tascam Model 24 Model 24 combines a live mixer with multitrack audio recorder and USB interface. The Model 24 already cuts a fine figure as a mixer with 16 microphone inputs, a one-button compressor on most channels and a built-in effect device. The recorder allows multi-channel recordings in the rehearsal room or on stage and makes a computer superfluous there. Projects from the DAW can be multitracked into the mixer and used as live playback or supplemented with instrument or vocal recordings. In the small studio, the USB audio interface is handy for multi-channel recordings in the DAW. www.tascam.eu Sure, you recognize a good mix when you hear it. But it‘s not just technical aspects such as a sound image that is both transparent and…

Many of us own several hardware sound generators, which should all be ready to play and record at any time if possible. Sure, you can record the synth tracks one after the other via the audio interface‘s inputs, but there are of course advantages to not only recording them simultaneously, but also adding software effects to them individually while they are still playing back. For example, you can compress the dynamic sounds of your FM synth, slightly distort the bassline from an analog synth, and add tape delay to the wavetable arpeggio. And layering different sounds is much easier with precise software equalizers on each component. For this task, you need an audio interface with a sufficient number of line channels. Since these are mono on most interfaces, you‘ll need…

Kick drum 1 Probably the most frequently used EQ setting for kick drums: the bass range of the kick drum is raised a little, the muddy 300 Hz mids are lowered and the attack of the kick drum is boosted a little. Snare 2 In this setting the belly is lowered at 150 Hz. If this range is too loud, the balance to the attack is no longer right. We therefore boost the presence and attack with an additional highshelf filter. Hi-hat 3 Everything is cut off again below 300 Hz. At 5.5 kHz, sharp high mids are reduced in a narrow band. The high frequencies are boosted slightly at 16 kHz to make the hi-hat a bit brighter and more present. Kick drum 2 The classic „smiley face“ can…

1 | The right kick The typical trap sub consists of a short, rather rumbling kick and a bass that can play tonal patterns. For the former, we recommend either using a suitable sample or experimenting with a saturator if the kick is too soft. In the template you will find a suitable preset to start on the kick track. With the right combination of DRIVE and MID, almost every kick can be designed to suit. 2 | Sub bass We get the appropriate sub-bass from the Thorn in the template, but only use a triangle oscillator with some release and activated legato and glide. For the track, we activate a compressor whose sidechain is triggered by the kick so that the two do not overlap. On the track, you‘ll…

Beat / What role do high-quality cables play in a good mix? Martin/ Generally a very important one, since high-quality individual components always deliver a better result when used together. It‘s up to you to decide in which quality you want to combine the individual fields of work. The important thing is the consistent quality line, which, if possible, should not change significantly in and out of the computer. It doesn‘t matter if the whole equipment is worth 1000 Euros or 500 Euros, we always want to get the best result out of every part and have to make as few compromises as possible. Beat / What should I pay attention to when wiring audio interfaces, mixers, hardware synthesizers and outboard equipment? Martin / Stick to your guns (laughs)! In other words,…

1 Quiet listening A signal that is too loud causes an unpleasant feeling or even damage to the hearing, and not just in large studios. Headphones, in particular, invite users to listen too loud. Make sure to work at low levels. Another advantage to quiet monitoring is that it allows you to find out which tracks are too loud or too quiet. 1 2 Reference systems Creating a mix on headphones alone is not recommended; however, you do not need an expensive speaker setup. If you create a mix on headphones, you should use reference systems that you know well and use often. The system in your car, a Bluetooth box, or even a kitchen radio can be helpful here. 1 3 Crossfeed plug-ins Headphones provide a different stereo impression than speakers. The…

Beat / Your album makes use of data about black holes, and white dwarfs, among others. How is it even possible to create music with this data? There is no sound in space after all. Valery Vermeulen/ It is true that there is no sound in space as space is a giant vacuum without air molecules. Recent research shows that there is potentially a way a black hole could generate a sort of sound waves. But for this, you would need a jet stream - a stream of gas moving close to the speed of light, produced by the black hole. And it would have to slam into hot gas pervading a giant galaxy in our universe. Right now, to listen to a black hole, you need to find ways…

Best Service Dark Horizon by Sonuscore A hybrid instrument with a focus on low-frequency sounds is hidden behind the name Dark Horizon. The powerful engine from Best Service Elysion was modified for this sample library. Four instruments can be layered here, each of which is either melodically playable or controlled by an arpeggiator. A total of 80 bass instruments and 180 complex animated themes from five categories are offered, which you can fully customize. Here, you‘ll find pulsating Basses and sweeping Arpeggios, lively polyphonic rhythms for Chords, gritty Drones and Textures, and ethereal Pads. It gets especially exciting when you use the Motion Engine to control various effect parameters using MIDI CC like the Modulation Wheel. This can be used to change arpeggios and filter parameters or add additional sound…

According to the specifications, the CR8 is a sampler for all situations … except for sampling itself, which it can‘t do. Instead, it offers every conceivable form of bending sounds: The loaded material can be played classically chromatically, but also with constant tempo on any pitch. Thanks to five different algorithms, beats remain tight, vocals relatively natural, and melodies largely free of artifacts, even with larger jumps away from the original pitch. Two handy features are root note detection, which finds the correct key in most cases, and a „flat“ mode, which quantizes the pitch of the sample to one pitch, much in the style of Autotune. This works excellently and is a unique feature so far. When testing the CR8, a dilettantish vocal recording by the editor quickly turned…

Sinee Chop Suey Your collection of kick drum samples is too dull or not crisp enough for you? Then create your own! Specifically for such purposes, Sinee‘s bass drum sample editor Chop Suey has been designed to let you customize your kicks. The attractively designed user interface of this plug-in is divided into three sections: Transient, body and tail. The crossover frequencies of the three components can be adjusted in the waveform display, where you can also zoom in. Practical: You can import your own samples by dragging and dropping. If you don‘t have your own kicks, you can draw from over 400 integrated samples to create unique combinations. From classic 808 and 909 kicks to laser zaps and massive, brutal bass drums, the selection is diverse and extensive. The…

This microphones field of application is not limited to broadcasting because features such as the built-in preamplifier, elastic suspension and integrated pop filter also make the microphone interesting for vocal recordings in the bedroom studio with limited recording technology. The features may also make it perfect for mobile and field recording. Special capsule DynaCaster is a dynamic microphone with a newly developed capsule, which is similar in construction to the capsule used in the proven V series of stage microphones. However, a few modifications have been made due to the different field of application. For example, the polar pattern was changed to a slightly wider cardioid, so that lateral signals can also be picked up. In contrast to the stage, a feedback loop in the home studio is not to…

Cobalt5s is the stripped down version of the virtual analogue synthesizer Cobalt8. The potent sound generation is mostly identical, but there are limitations in the number of simultaneously playable voices (5 instead of 8) and unmistakable with the hardware. Compact and mobile With dimensions of approx. 56 x 16 x 6 cm, Cobalt 5S is more compact than the Cobalt8 keyboard. In return, the small version only has one row of 16 multiply assigned endless rotation knobs (with button function), while Cobalt 8 offers a good double of controls for direct access to the sound. The parameter values can be read via the centrally located OLED display, which can also show graphics such as the currently set envelope curve or the waveform in real time. Mini keys, touchpad While the…

This year, the leading music retailer, Thomann, is once again calling for a DIY Kit Challenge. Under the motto „#DIYKitChallenge22: Create an instrument and win“, there are no limits to musicians‘ creativity. With the help of a DIY kit from Thomann, musicians and music enthusiasts can create their own instruments. Thomann rewards diligence with fat prizes. A jury made up of YouTube hosts and Thomann‘s own employees will select the three best compositions. First place wins a Thomann voucher worth 500 Euro, second place gets a 350 Euro voucher and third place gets a 200 Euro voucher from Thomann. To participate in the #DIYKitChallenge22, it is necessary to create an instrument and present it in a video on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok or YouTube and upload it with the hashtag #DIYKitChallenge22.…

Compared to the monstrously huge Colossus modular system, Analogue Solutions has brought out a 50 percent smaller, space-saving edition with the Colossus AS200 Slim. Even though the design evokes similarities to the original EMS Synthi 100 from the 70s, this sound giant is based on its own analog circuits. Other differences to the Colossus are the 15 kg lighter weight, additional mixer inputs and completely independent pin matrix panels. In total, there are 12 analog VCOs, two LFOs, four VCAs, eight VCFs, two noise generators, four envelopes and two ring modulators. Two spring reverb effects, a 64-step sequencer, joysticks and a 2-channel LCD oscilloscope are also integrated. MIDI and USB have both been omitted. Colossus AS200 Slim is a standalone synthesizer, but if you want, you can layer it with…

Sound designers take note! The new Flux Pro multi-effects plug-in from Caelum Audio is a creative weapon for sound design. The highlight is the three user-defined graphs that can be assigned to each modulation parameter. This way, individual modulation curves can be drawn in. If there is no time to do so, rhythmic sketches can be quickly made from 48 predefined shapes. The graphic curves offer voltage-controlled output to external hardware via CV. There are four effect slots, each of which can draw from ten effects. There are two filters and two delays, as well as width, phaser, chorus/flanger, rate modulation, ring modulation and utility. For starters, 115 presets are already available. The plug-in can also be triggered using MIDI via one-hhot and retrigger. The manufacturer also offers the Flux…

KICK & BASS TUNING 1 Foundation If the foundation doesn‘t bang, the rest of the track doesn‘t stand a chance. It doesn‘t always have to sound likea wall. It is much more important that kick and bass play on the same wavelength. 2 Find frequency The pitch of the bass drum is quickly found: Load Voxengo SPAN [1] as an insert effect and see in which range the spectrum strikes out the most. With kicks, this is usually clearly recognizable. SPAN displays frequency and pitch at the top. 3 Tuning Tune the kick to the root note of the bass. When using samples, avoid jumps of more than two semitones, otherwise the force will be lost. In this case you should rather look for an alternative bass drum. BALANCE BETWEEN KICK…

1 | Sidechain bus To ensure that the kick always has enough space in the mix, all tracks except the drums are routed here. We have set the intensity of the sidechains to a moderate level, so you can lower the threshold if you want the compressor to work harder. 2 | Lowcuts for space in the sub frequencies Except for kick and bass, there should be no sound in the bass range, so we use an equalizer with lowcut from 200 Hz downwards on each of the other tracks. If kick and bass play further up, you can also go up to 300 Hz here. 3 | Depth thanks to aux effects We can achieve more depth and three-dimensionality in the mix using reverb. To prevent each track from…

1 Level peaks To provide the optimal basis for a loud, yet dynamic mix, we normalize it. However, it is not uncommon for recordings to contain short peaks that simply don‘t let the song get loud because they block headroom. In the example above, you can see a recording that is actually homogeneous, but is repeatedly interrupted by short peaks. 2 Find differences We use the FabFilter Pro-L 2, because we need another function of it later. Zoom to a level peak and loop around the area for about 1 second. Switch the metering to K-20 and check the difference between average level (green arrow in the picture) and maximum level (red arrow). In this case about 12 dB (20 dB minus 8 dB). 3 Gain headroom We dampen this range by…

Further info: Info at: www.nusofting.com License & password: www.serialcenter.de REGISTRATION & INSTALLATION The registration of SinMad BE is done - as usual with our software highlights - via our www.serialcenter.de. After registering the data from the current Beat issue, you will receive an e-mail containing the password for the archive with the installation files in various formats, as well as instructions for installation. 1 Oscillator sound One of SinMad BE‘s specialties is screeching feedback leads that can add sinister accents to styles like Industrial, Dark Techno and Electro-Rock, as well as to gloomy Ambient. We first load the Init preset from the issue data and select Oscillator Waveform 1. Now experiment with the tuning of the Duo function. 2 Power chord A slight detuning of the two Oscillator waves for discreet beats is…

» Do you have a clear vision, in advance, of how a new album should sound? « Apparat / Initially, there are always big concepts. For my current album “LP5”, the concept was to create the greatest possible distance from our Moderat project. It always comes out different than you intend for it to be. You have to go with it. If you fight too much, you kill the essence. That‘s why the plans you had in the beginning always dilute after a while and the relationship between the songs is more likely to come from the sound design. In my song folder, there are a lot of basic ideas that you could easily turn in to rock songs. It‘s only the electronici arrangements that give my songs that “Apparat feeling”.…

Beat / How did the idea for Dark Horizon come about? Tobias/ I‘ve known the guys from Sonuscore for many years because of our collaboration at Native Instruments (where I was responsible for Komplete for a while) and I also like to use their BOOM sample libraries. When looking at the BOOM library called Dirt Bikes, I asked myself: Could I build an innovative, playable bass instrument based on these cool motorcycle sounds? Of course, more samples would be necessary, but the basic idea was triggered by Dirt Bikes. Beat / Can you briefly explain the concept of Dark Horizon? Tobias/ We had defined four categories of multi-samples that can be freely combined as four layers and further processed with Kontakt parameters. These four categories are roughly summarized: Dirt Bikes…

In its latest incarnation, EZdrummer features 7 drum sets and 6 cymbal sets sampled in three different recording rooms. For the recordings in Berlin‘s Hansa Studios, Toontrack was able to engage Grammy winner Michael Ilbert (Coldplay, Adele), as well as renowned drummer Norman Garschke. On the one hand, there are new kicks, snares and cymbals, as well as a completely new percussion library that provides accents in your drum tracks. From the previous version, you‘ll already be familiar with the Modern and Vintage Rock Kits. Thanks to the brand new main, tight and bright room kits, EZdrummer 3 is even more versatile. Individual drums can now also be tuned individually, while the editing of further parameters, such as the envelope, is reserved for its big brother, Superior Drummer 3. Thanks…

Black Octopus Havana Sunset With sun-drenched melodies and laid-back Tropical and Reggaeton beats, Black Octopus invites you to groovy summer hits with the Havana Sunset sample pack. This loop offering includes percussions (41), drums (25), wood blocks (9), combo shaker (14), plastic block (15), metal guiro (11) and music (34), all of which are 95 BPM fast. There are also oneshots of drums (50), percussions (51) and soundeffects (9). The percussion is carved not only from varied, crunchy bongos, congas and mallets, but also mallets made of metal, wood and plastic were used as elements. The soothing acoustic guitar and pluck chord sounds featured in music loops are balm for the ears. The occasional noise sweep effects also frame the package quite well. Verdict Havana Sunset is a 540 MB…

For all those who don‘t have that much space in the studio and prefer to rack-mount their synthesizer treasures, UDO Audio has shrunk its sonic purveyor, Super 6, into a desktop format. Even though this costs seven rack spaces, it‘s also a boon for mobile live purposes. Alternatively, the 5.5-kilo synth can be locked to a VESA mount. After touching it for the first time, you immediately notice the stability and quality of the tightly fitted controls. The arrangement of the controls is different compared to the keyboard model, but you quickly find your way around. Other differences are the integration of the polyphonic aftertouch and the filter, which has also changed; more about that later. Furthermore, there is a drift function with which, among other things, the randomness of…

Many tools for Music Produktion have aged like fine wine. Although the underlying technologies are aging, tube compressors, tape echoes, and analog mixing consoles remain popular with music creators today. Other devices, despite their sometimes revolutionary influence on everyday studio life, have all but disappeared. This is certainly the case with the Alesis ADAT. Do these recording devices that shaped music production in the ‚90s still have a place in current setups, or perhaps even a special sound? (Image 1). The name ADAT is nowadays mainly associated with the optical audio interface of the same name, which can still be found on numerous sound cards. It allows the simultaneous digital transmission of 8 tracks at a resolution of 48 KHz/24 bit, which is still contemporary for many application purposes, and…

For podcasts, webcasts and music streams, Yamaha has released the two new compact mixers AG03MK2 and AG06MK2. These models are connected to a computer via the integrated USB audio interface and can send the stream directly to suitable streaming software. While the AG03MK2 offers one XLR microphone input and one for jack stereo line signals, the AG06MK2 doubles the number. Phantom power is included on both models. The outputs include a headphone jack and a monitor out. The AG03MK2 even has two, but the AG-06MK2 has an additional stereo out. Instruments such as electric guitars can also be played directly using the Hi-Z switch. Muting of the channels (mute) as well as attenuation via pad button is also provided. Compressor, reverb, chorus and amp simulator are on board as DSP…

Aspiring sound designers who have always wanted to learn the fundamentals of sound generation and various forms of synthesis have been able to educate themselves for some time now via Ableton‘s Learning Synths website. The learning content is presented in a playful and easy-to-understand way. Ableton has now expanded the interactive step-by-step guide for making music with synthesizers and added new features. The Monosynth serves as an example basis for the tutorial, on which the essential elements of a synthesizer, such as the two oscillators, the filter, envelopes and LFOs can be explained. The sound can be further edited in a Live Set via the export function. The project can be transferred from the browser to a Max for Live synth. Up to 60 seconds of audio recording is possible.…

For the production of mobile recordings, whether for field recording, podcasts or live streams, IK Multimedia presents their compact iRig Pro Quattro I/O recorder. This compact audio and MIDI interface has room for four XLR/jack inputs and two outputs. If four microphones are connected, they can benefit from four low-noise microphone preamps that include phantom power. Alternatively, Hi-Z instruments and line signals can also be connected. The A/D and D/A conversion allows a resolution of 24 bits and 96 kHz. As overload protection, two channels can be recorded as a safety recording with a reduction of 12 dB. For MIDI, there is an input and output in jack format. The more extensive iRig Pro Quattro I/O Deluxe edition includes two iRig MIC XY stereo microphones plus a stereo output. Windshield…

Acustica Audio has once again set out to find rare effects units and then authentically recreate them. Their latest achievement is Maize, an equalizer whose hardware role model Markbass never left the prototype stage. The equalizer has ten bands that can be activated and deactivated individually, each of which allows you to choose between 19 frequencies. At each of the bands, the incoming signal can be boosted or cut by 16 dB. There is also a Q control on each band that controls the quality. Its bandwidth ranges from 0.3 to 6. The manufacturer recommends using the plug-in mainly for mastering tasks. With features like control-link and the option to edit the mid-side signal, you surpass the scope of the original. On the upper edge, two LED meters display the…

Technical setup Mix basics A/B comparison Mix fixes 1 Setup//audio interface Good mixes can theoretically be created with the interface in the computer, but once you have worked with a really good audio interface and experienced the direct comparison, the differences in quality quickly become clear: the sound is more brilliant, more transparent and wider. Individual elements are much easier to hear and therefore easier to tune. 2 Setup//monitoring Monitor boxes belong to a good interface like strawberries to cream. If one of them is bad, the other one will no longer taste good. Speakers ensure - correctly set up and positioned - for a clean sound that mercilessly shows weaknesses. 3 Mix basics//kick & bass Both are the ultimate foundation in almost every track and only together do they…

1 Volume & frequencies Depth staging begins with adjusting the levels of the various instruments and sounds. Clearly, the sound of a nearby sound source is louder than that of a more distant instrument. Also, signals further away sound duller and the lows are less pronounced. The tool of choice here is an equalizer or filter. 2 Equalizing By attenuating the highs and lows, you give the impression that an instrument is further away from the listener. A proven method for a spatial mix is to work with different „depth levels“. It‘s a good idea to work with multiple group tracks. This way you can easily place your instruments in the room by routing them. 3 Three depth levels In many cases, three depth levels (near, mid, far) are sufficient. We create a…

Beat / In your studio you work with exquisite outboard equipment. Can you tell us more about Bizzy Studios? Bizzy Mo / Bizzy Studios has become a hotspot for artists in North Rhine-Westphalia and all over Germany. Here you can not only book recording, production, mixing and mastering with me and my engineers. Rather, our place has become a creative meeting place where new artists, producers, influencers, filmmakers / photographers, organizers and dancers can meet and exchange ideas every day. This is where a lot of new projects come from. My requirement for the outboard equipment for our team was that we all work with the same DAW (Presonus Studio One) as well as the same hardware preamps, compressors and microphones. This way, when an artist records the next day or weeks…

Sonosaurus PaulXStretch PaulXStretch is a re-release of the Paul Extreme Sound Stretch effect from 2006, which is very popular among experimental musicians. Now, 15 years on, the software is still almost unrivaled today. So, it’s all the more pleasing that this extreme stretch effect can now also be integrated as a plug-in into the DAW of your choice in this revised version. If you don‘t know Paul Extreme Sound Stretch, be forewarned: This tool has nothing to do with subtle tempo adjustment: Here, the extreme ranges of time stretching are explored with value ranges that go far beyond the time stretch algorithms in your DAW. A dream for every sound designer, as well as music producers in search of that special signature sound will enjoy it. Because the results sound…

TAL-Drum offers up to 32 pads, which can be equipped with samples in the most common audio formats via drag & drop. A browser with preview function is available for managing kits and samples. Each pad offers four layers, so you can choose to create powerful stack sounds or four dynamic layers. But TAL-Drum isn‘t just for percussive sounds, you can also create chromatically playable sample instruments with up to four layers in no time. Keyboard splits from multiple drum loops and a melodically playable synth sound are also an easy exercise. You can quickly find your way around, but we occasionally wished for an interactive help function. Up to 32 Voice Groups with up to 16 Voices are available. With this you can, for example, ensure that an open…

In addition to the hybrid classic Ensoniq SQ-80 (detailed review in BEAT 03-2022) and the legendary semi-modular analog synthesizer Korg MS-20, Arturia also expands this bundle in the direction of acoustic sounds with the sample-based libraries Augmented Strings and Voices. Matching to this, the virtual Piano V has been thoroughly revised. And lovers of classic analog synthesizers will be pleased to know that the now aging emulations of the Yamaha CS-80; and Sequential Prophet 5 and VS have been split apart and remodeled from the ground up. Korg MS-20 + SQ-10 With the Korg MS-20V, an analog dirt slinger makes its way into the V-Collection. Although there is already a virtual version from Korg itself, it is several years “over the hill“ and is no longer quite up to date…

Casio has indeed released some memorable synthesizers, be it the CZ series or the FZ-1, which combined samples with analog synthesis. Nevertheless, Casio is usually associated with home keyboards and other accessories from the entertainment sector, and this is the market the Japanese have focused on in recent decades. Playable voices Now, after a long time, Casio once again arouses the interest of music producers and live performers with the CT-S1000V. Even if, at first glance, this keyboard with its solid features of bread-and-butter sounds and automatic accompaniment falls into the category of a console keyboard, it offers a „Vocal Synthesis“ extension that sounds quite exciting, at least on paper. This allows you to create voices such as choirs, robotic sounds, talkbox and vocoder-like timbres, and even use your own…

Summit and Peak offer the same polyphonic hybrid sound generation: There are three Oxford oscillators per voice, named after the first company of co-developer Chris Hugget who, sadly, passed away recently. These are not DCOs or VCOs like in analog synthesizers, but NCOs (numerically controlled oscillators). These digital oscillators operate at a very high resolution, so digital artifacts like the dreaded aliasing at high pitches are not an issue. In fact, with standard waveforms, the oscillators sound almost identical to the analog DCO in the Bass Station II, but are much more flexible and can also play and modulate wavetables. Additionally, there is a Noise Generator and a Ring Modulator. This is followed by an analog signal chain with a multimode filter and various distortors. Three envelopes and four LFOs…

Beat / You‘re one of the most passionate people I know when it comes to DJing! Deer Jade/ I love to DJ so incredibly much! It provides me with an extraordinary chance to tell an entire story. It‘s something that I got turned onto by listening and dancing to the extraordinary and ever-changing live sets of BØRÅ, the only artist I know who can literally play for 8 hours non-stop in full improvisation, playing all the instruments, singing, dancing, never playing the same thing twice while always keeping the energy at a peak! A true master of the craft and a massive inspiration. Beat / So when you say you love to tell the entire story – does that mean you prefer long sets? Deer Jade/ For me, one and…

Feature: Music Marketing Bandcamp, YouTube, Patreon… or the classic way via label and distribution? The options for successful music marketing are almost endless. But what to do your own with only limited spare time? Which distribution channels are the right ones? Can social media and newsletters replace a label? And is it more profitable to sell songs or samples? Our marketing feature provides the answers on how to push your sound to the max and get a foothold in the business, without sacrificing studio time. Review: Roland AIRA Compact Roland presents a series of compact and affordable devices with battery operation. T-8 is a small groovebox with bass synthesizer and sequencer based on the TB-303. J-6 is a four-voice synth based on the Juno-60 with chord sets and arpeggios for…