Native Instruments has released Reaktor 5.5 - a free update that adds a number of improvements and additions. Read more…

Korg has introduced the new microKey – a lightweight USB-powered MIDI keyboard.

The microKEY features 37 velocity-sensing mini keys, using the same Natural Touch keybed found on the Korg microKORG XL Analog Modeling Synthesizer/Vocoder and microSTATION Music Workstation. Read more…

Novation demonstrates what to do when 5 Launchpad controllers just isn’t enough….

via NovationTV:

An explanation of how connecting 6 Launchpads at a time opens up a new dimension to Ableton Live.

One of the hottest areas of electronic music technology this year has been iPad music software. It’s about to take another leap forward, though, as iPad app developers add MIDI support.

Here are a few examples of what’s coming.

iPad Step Sequencing

The video above demonstrates Synthetic Bits‘ prototype analog-style MIDI step sequencer controlling an Alesis Andromeda A6 synth via the Line 6 MIDI Mobilizer interface.

The iPad, MIDI interface and app should be substantially less expensive than the hardware equivalent, and the software will just get more powerful. Read more…

This video offers a sneak preview of SONiVOX Vocalizer – a new vocal synthesis audio effect.

Here’s what SONiVOX has to say about Vocalizer:

Part effects plug-in, part synthesizer, VOCALIZER is entirely new. Speak, sing, whisper, yell, or even run your drum tracks or anything else through it, VOCALIZER will take your source input apart and pitch, harmonize, de-harmonize, modify, fortify, enhance, re-fry, re-synthesize, and reassemble to your imagination’s outermost limit.

The brain child of SONiVOX’s Nemesynth Audio Reasearch Group, VOCALIZER takes the science of sound and puts it on Steroids. VOCALIZER takes anything you input into it and almost magically teleports it into a dimension previously only theorized about. This is the sound of tomorrow’s hits and must be heard to be believed.

Vocalizer retails for $149.99.

Synth designer Jürgen Michaelis has announced preorders for a limited run of the Jaymesonic Resonator Neuronium synthesizer, a synthesizer that offers a unique approach to synthesis:

Because we get periodically inquiries on the Resonator Neuronium, we have opened a new preordering cycle until December 31, 2010. If more than 20 preorders come in until then, we at Jomox can manufacture a new run of the R.N.

The Resonator Neuronium has 6 analog resonant neurons. The net parameters can be programmed by the left hand structure in form of a hexagon by use of knobs, buttons and LEDs.

The cost is 2499.00 €.

iPad Music Software: Phil Bilsby of AudioNewsRoom has taken an early look at the new touchAble iPad controller for Ableton Live, and came away impressed:

touchAble is a serious contender for the best iPad app for controlling Ableton currently and the most competent attempt so far. It is easy to setup, has flexibility with respect to access to multiple controls and so far seems very stable.

Having used this for approximately a week, I am already boxing up my Launchpad ready for Ebay, as touchAble has already made this dedicated hardware device redundant, even at this early stage of development.

I think this app could be improved with better control of the clip start and length and if they could add a separate page whereby users could build there own control surface, especially for live performance situations (much like TouchOSC).  This would definitely make it the iPad Ableton controller to beat by a long way.

touchAble is now available in the App Store for $16.99.

If you’ve used touchAble, leave a comment and let us know if you think it will make dedicated hardware controllers redundant, too.

Ran Kirlian’s Threniar Vish – an ambient improvisation, based over the Roland Juno 60 drone. The other instruments are the Access Virus Indigo and the Indigo 2 Redback.

All audio is processed thru a TC Electronics M-One.

via RanKirlian

Free Music: Richard Devine’s Objects Of Granularity.

Here’s what Devine has to say about the track:

This track was composed for the Curtis (iphone/ipod/ipad) app by The Strange Agency. This piece is a Acousmatic composition based on everyday found objects. I recorded various wine glasses, gears, metal, motors, Ratchets, chimes, croaking frog scraper, Indian bells, Tibetan Singing Bowls, Santoor, waterphone, piano, hematite magnets, processed voice, underwater ambiances, computer, and sprinkled bits of Buchla 200e/Doepfer Euro rack Modular.

All of the sounds originally captured at 24-bit 96khz with a Neumann RSM 191 A/S stereo shotgun mic, SMK4060 Stereo Matched 4060-BM Miniature Omnidirectional Microphones and Sound Devices 702 recorder.

You can preview and/or download the free track above.

This video offers a sneak preview of  Twisted Tools’ Buffeater , a granular buffer effects add-on for Native Instruments Reaktor 5.

Features:

• 6 Individual FX:
• Multi-FX version with dynamic ordering (fx are ordered in the order you play them)
• Internal Automation (external possible as well)
• Presets for each fx block within the multi-fx
• Templates for Kore and Maschine

Buffeater is expected to ship in September for $49.