M-Audio Venom Synthesizer (Video Intro)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7zCMmEiCKQ

This is the official video introduction to the M-Audio Venom, introduced last week at the 2011 NAMM Show.

The video features testimonials from veteran synthheads The Crystal Method, Mark Mothersbaugh, and James Dewees – but the segments featuring the synths designer, Taiho Yamada, are probable the most interesting.

The M-Audio Venom synthesizer is designed to combine the character of analog synths with modern digital processing, to deliver an ‘aggressive’ sound. Venom offers 12-voice polyphony, three oscillators per voice, ring mod, tube-style saturation, six resonant filter types, on-board effects, and a built-in Pro Tools M-Powered compatible interface.

Venom Synthesizer Features:

  • the warmth of vintage keyboards combined with modern digital processing – aggressive new sound
  • 512 single-sound patches and 256 layered patches – start playing right out of the box
  • intuitive real-time performance controls plus software editor – endless sound design possibilities
  • 49-key, full-size, synth-action keyboard – great playability
  • Pro Tools compatible USB audio/MIDI interface – ready for the stage and studio

The M-Audio Venom is available now with a street price of $500. Details below.

Full Features

  • 49-key, full-size, synth-action keyboard
  • 12-voice polyphony, each voice including:
  • 3 oscillators with 41 waveforms and 53 drum sounds sampled from vintage analog synths, FM digital synths, and drum machines
  • pulse-width modulation, sync, FM, and ring modulation
  • resonant multimode filter with tube saturation limiting
    • 12 dB/octave (2-pole) low pass
    • 12 dB/octave (2-pole) band pass
    • 12 dB/octave (2-pole) high pass
    • 24 dB/octave (4-pole) low pass
    • 24 dB/octave (4-pole) band pass
    • 24 dB/octave (4-pole) high pass
  • 3 LFOs with selectable sample-and-hold
  • 3 AHDSR envelopes
  • 4-part multitimbral operation with independent MIDI-syncable phrase sequencers
  • 512 onboard Single patches
  • 256 onboard Multi (layered) patches
  • 2 global bus effects
  • Reverb, Delay, Chorus, Flanger, Phaser
  • 1 insert effect per multitimbral part (4 total)
  • Compression, EQ, Distortion, Bit Reduction, Decimation
  • Tremolo, and AutoPan effects
  • classic arpeggiator with up, down, and alternating patterns
  • tap-tempo and manual BPM control from top panel
  • built-in USB 2.0 audio/MIDI interface (USB 1.1 backward compatible)
  • 2 x 2 24-bit, 44.1 kHz (CD audio quality) operation
  • mic, instrument, and stereo line level inputs route to DAW
  • synth sounds route to DAW
  • DAW audio output mixes into main outputs
  • stereo main audio outputs (1/4” TS)
  • stereo headphone output (1/4” TRS)
  • master volume knob; instrument and mic gain knobs
  • MIDI In and MIDI Out (5-pin DIN)
  • large custom LCD
  • 4 rotary encoders and 1 button for matrix-assignable performance control and editing
  • dual-function octave up/down and transpose controls
  • assignable pitch bend and modulation wheels
  • sustain (1/4” TS) and expression (1/4” TRS) pedal inputs
  • included Vyzex Venom software editor
  • arrange sounds into banks, rename patches, and save backups
  • patch collider feature mashes up multiple patches to create new hybrid sounds
  • 16-cell modulation matrix offers comprehensive routing configurations.

Compatibility

  • MME, ASIO, Core Audio/Core MIDI
  • Pro Tools M-Powered 8 and higher
  • Minimum System Requirements
  • PC
    • Windows® XP (SP3)* or Windows Vista 32/64
    • 1.8 GHz multi-core processor (Intel or AMD)
    • 5400 RPM hard drive
    • DVD-ROM drive
  • Mac
    • Mac OS X 10.5.5
    • 1.8 GHz multi-core processor**
    • 5400 RPM hard drive
    • DVD-ROM drive
  • Vyzex Venom Editor/Librarian (PC)
    • Windows XP, Vista, or Windows 7
    • P4 equivalent processor
    • 32-bit color graphics
    • 1024 x 800 or larger display
  • Vyzex Venom Editor/Librarian (Mac)
    • Mac OS X 10.4, 10.5, or 10.6
    • PowerPC G5 or Intel processor
    • 1024 x 800 or larger display

Package Contents

  • Venom synthesizer
  • Printed quick start guide
  • CD containing Vyzex Venom software editor, audio control panel, software drivers, installer/uninstaller, user guide, and other documentation
  • USB cable
  • Power supply

17 thoughts on “M-Audio Venom Synthesizer (Video Intro)

  1. I dunno. I'm totally turned off by the marketed hype (I still say the people in this video have "I am getting paid to say this" written all over their face), but…

    …It actually sounds pretty good to me. Digital. But good.

    I"m actually kind of excited about the new wave of pseudo-synths coming out that are relatively cheap, kind of streamlined, and interesting. This and the Ultranova make the Blofeld keyboard seem a little over-priced (which is too bad, 'cause it's *friggin' awesome*). This sounds better to my ears than the Gaia, though the interface (and the polyphony) on the Gaia also seems far superior for about the same money.

    [shrug] Time will tell. But now that I've heard a bit more of it, I'm officially watching this one.

  2. Could be good, but with around 15 sec. of actual audio samples, who is to know? Less gibber jabber more knob twaddlin foo!

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