Edirol has announced the CG-8 Visual Synthesizer. Just as synthesis in music prompted new waves of musical creativity so the CG-8 is set to do the same for the visual artist.

In a musical context, a sampling synthesizer takes audio in or regenerates it from a wave generator and then modulates it with filters and amplifiers before outputting the sound. In a similar fashion the CG-8 can take in still images, create motion pictures from these and then modulate them with Modifiers and Fade Controllers. Designed to enhance live performance in today’s merging world of audio and visual, the CG-8 will allow DJ’s, musicians and visual artists to create stunning visual patches by easily operating knobs and controllers, just like synthesizers.

Starting from simple Picture files (JPEG’s) as the prime source, Stamp files (PNG) for overlays and then using built-in Computer Graphics effects, all stored on the internal 40GB hard drive, the CG-8 can add over 200 dramatic motion effects, plus a further 60 overlay effects, before sending the output signal to the Image Modifiers which will let you add further motion along X/Y/Z axes and control background color/hue shifting. The final modulation can also be set for rate, depth and waveform just like the LFO in a music synthesizer.

Capture of the initial Picture and Stamp files is straightforward via USB Compact Flash card reader, making the CG-8 a very powerful visual and motion processor of static images.

The users can choose to operate the CG-8 from twin D-beam controllers, an assignable X-Y pad, optional foot controllers, individual control knobs, and the 16 onboard trigger pads (also capable of storing patches).

Seamless connection with audio sources is also a key component of the CG-8 to unleash the creativity of musicians and visual performers. The CG-8 audio input, with adjustable frequency-selectable peak detection, will allow your visuals to modulate based on the incoming signal with several effects especially designed to respond to audio cues.

The CG-8 is fully MIDI compatible and will support Edirol and Roland V-LINK enabled instruments.