New Microtonal Synth For iOS, Cantor (Sneak Preview)

YouTube Preview Image

Developer Rob Fielding has created a new synth for iOS, Cantor, that goes where other apps fear to tread.

Fielding, who has pioneered microtonal instruments for iOS, has this to say about Cantor:

This app has nothing at all to do with beat making, sequencing, creation, DAWs, or iPad-only workflows.

It’s a pocketable instrument that’s as playable as a guitar or a piano for a lot of uses. It should be reliable and simple, for you to plug into an effects processor or a computer *like* a guitar or hardware synth.

I tried initially to ship this without any audio engine at all, as a pure MIDI controller. But the current state of MIDI with respect to continuous pitch instruments is still bad. I only implemented an internal engine to demonstrate a full exercise of the playability parameters.

Here are the details.

Continue reading

Open Source MIDI Controller For Minimoog V, The PMM

Custom MIDI Controller designer Dave Cross (60 Works) has open sourced his design for a Minimoog-V controller, The PMM.

The controller is built specifically for version 2.0 of Arturia’s Minimoog V Virtual Instrument, which was inspired from the original Minimoog.

The custom controller was developed originally for Mark B, Producer/Owner of International Feel Recordings. Now Cross has open sourced the design.

Continue reading

Donna Summer, R.I.P.

YouTube Preview Image

Donna Summer died today at the age of 63, after a battle with cancer.

Summer (December 31, 1948 – May 17, 2012), was a five-time Grammy winner and one of the ten most successful women in recording history, according to a Billboard ranking.

Summer, along with producer Giorgio Moroder, helped define the category of electronic dance music, especially with classic track, I Feel Love, embedded above.

I Dream of Wires Preview: Orphx & Modular Synthesizers

Here’s another interview from the producers of the upcoming I Dream Of Wires modular documentary, featuring Canadian duo Orphx.

Having performed live with laptops for several years, Orphx’s Christina Sealey made the decision to delve into modular synthesizers, to bring more spontaneity and excitement to the group’s music, both on stage and in the studio.

Sound Transter Systems Intros The Critter M-Class Module

Sound Transter Systems Serge M-Class M-odule

Sound Transter Systems has introduced their latest M-Class m-odule, the Critter.

The Critter is designed as a ‘gesture to the “East Coast Synthesis” school paradigm (Mr. Moog, et al), as a stand-alone entity, but it really comes together when partnered with the “Creature” for the full gamut meeting of “East & West” stylings’

Continue reading

The Pittsburgh Modular Foundation Synthesizer

The Pittsburgh Modular Foundation is a fully modular, eurorack, analog synthesizer.

The Foundation is a “complete voice”. It contains the modules needed to produce a wide variety of complex sounds such as bass, leads, evolving pads, and short percussive hits.

The Foundation is comprised of a heavy duty Eurorack case and individual Eurorack modules, designed to work together and as part of a larger modular system. Modules within the Foundation can be rearranged easily or replaced as a system grows or individual needs change.

Continue reading

Morton Subotnick Introduces Pitch Painter For iPad, A Way For Kids To Learn About Composing

Electronic music pioneer Morton Subotnick has introduced Pitch Painter for the iPad, a new way for kids to learn about making music music.

Pitch Painter is a musical finger painting app that is simple, yet introduces kids to sequencing, musical concepts like inversion and retrograde, the musical instruments of the world and world tunings.

Continue reading