Open Labs has introduced SoundSlate, what they call “the ultimate virtual instrument player” and hardware DAW for your keyboard workstation or MIDI controller.

SoundSlate puts Open Labs’ music operating environment, including the virtual instrument host Riff, 8000+ of sounds and effects, a robust audio i/o, and a powerful computer core running Windows XP, into a 1U-ultra compact case.

Features:

• Professional music production for the price of a laptop.
• 24-bit/ 192kHz A/D converters (same as Pro Tools HD 192 I/O interface).
• 8000+ preset sounds and effects
• Includes Cubase LE, Sonar LE, LIVE LE and more.

Open Labs SoundSlate packages start at $1,999.

SoundSlate Technical Specifications:

CPU
Intel® Core2 Duo ® (2.8GHz)

Memory
2 GB (upgradeable to 4GB)

Storage
500 Gigabyte (upgradeable to 2TB)

Drive
Slimline CD/DVD Burner

Connection
(8) USB 2.0 ports
(1) Gigabit (10/100/1000) Ethernet port
(2) DVI Video ports (1 DVI-I, 1 DVI-D)
(1) E-SATA port

Audio
Sample Rates: 44.1, 48, 96, 192kHz from internal crystal or externally supplied clock (no sample rate conversion)
Bit Depths: 24-bit I/O, 32-bit processing
E-MU E-DSP™ 32-bit DSP with 67-bit accumulator (double precision w/ 3 headroom bits)
Hardware-accelerated, 32-channel mixing, and multi-effects processing
Zero-latency direct hardware monitoring w/effects
ASIO 2.0, WDM/MME/DirectSound Drivers
EDI (E-MU Digital Interface) proprietary 64-channel audio link over CAT-5 cable
Anti-Pop speaker protection minimizes noise during power on/off
Ultra-low jitter, clock subsystem: < 1 ns in PLL mode (44.1kHz, Opt. S/PDIF Sync)

Analog Line Inputs (2)
Type: servo-balanced, DC-coupled, low-noise input circuitry
A/D converter: AK5394A
Level (software selectable):
- Professional: +4dBu nominal, 20dBu max (balanced)
- Consumer: -10dBV nominal, 6dBV max (unbalanced)
Frequency Response (20Hz – 20kHz): +/- .05dB
Dynamic Range (1kHz, A-weighted): 120dB
Signal-to-Noise Ratio (A-weighted): 120dB
THD+N (1kHz at -1dBFS): -110dB (.0003%)
Stereo Crosstalk (1kHz at -1dBFS): < -115dB

Analog Line Outputs (2)
Type: Balanced, low-noise, 3-pole low-pass differential filter
D/A converter: CS4398
Level (software selectable):
- Professional: +4dBu nominal, 20dBu max (balanced)
- Consumer: -10dBV nominal, 6dBV max (unbalanced)
Frequency Response (20Hz – 20kHz): + 0.0/-.35dB,
Dynamic Range (1kHz, A-weighted): 120dB
Signal-to-Noise Ratio (A-weighted): 120dB
THD+N (1kHz at -1dBFS): -105dB (.0006%)
Stereo Crosstalk (1kHz at -1dBFS): < -115dB

Digital I/O
S/PDIF:
- 2 in/2 out coaxial (transformer coupled)
- 2 in/2 out optical (software switched at ADAT)
- AES/EBU or S/PDIF format (software selectable)
ADAT:
- 8 channels, 24-bit @ 44.1/48kHz
- 4 channels, 24-bit @ 96kHz (S-MUX compatible)
- 2 channels, 24-bit @ 192kHz
MIDI:
- 1 in, 1 out

Synchronization
Internal crystal sync at 44.1, 48, 96, 192kHz
External sample rate sync via
- ADAT (44.1 – 192kHz)
- S/PDIF (opt. or coax 44.1 – 96kHz)

Power Supply
250 Watt Power Supply, Whisper Quiet Cooling Fans (Internal Chassis, Processor & Power Supply)

Dimensions:
19”(W) X 12”(D) X 1U(H)

via GearJunkies

Sunday Synth Jams: This synth music jam is pure analog, with the Eminent and the Roland SH 3A, wih Roland DEP 5 & Electro-Harmonix Small Stone phaser added for effect.

via magevers

This is one of the stranger official product demos we’ve seen in a while. And strange is good.

First, the beautiful tattooed underground superlegend Kendra demos the Electro-Harmonix V256 Vocoder by doing her best T-Pain.

After a little technical background and some gender-bending discussion, Rick sings the Electro-Harmonix V256 Vocoder song.

Later, Rick demos the Metal Muff.

The Sherman Filterbank is a powerful, real analogue, solid hardware instrument, with a unique sound. In this interview from Electronic Beat’s Slices, Herman Gillis talks about origin of the Sherman Filterbank and more.

Click here to view the embedded video.

via acodike

WTF?

In this KorgTV exclusive, Dr. Funk rocks the Korg Kaossilator, while Go Go Girl kisses the camera and plays air guitar.

The festivities are only marred by Inset Man’s unfortunate placement of the closeup camera shots.

via KORGTVGERMANY

Moog Music as announced updates to its MP202 Multi-Pedal.

New features include:

• MIDI-to-CV conversion,
• Loopable Envelope Generators with four Envelope Shapes (Linear, Logarithmic, Exponential and Complex)
• CV Lag
• CV Scaling and
• The ability to trigger Gates and MIDI events.

These new features add to the existing feature list including, MIDI Clock Sync, Tap Tempo, Programmable Heel and Toe Voltages, four LFOs, four Analog Control Voltage Outputs, MIDI and USB connectivity. Many of the original features, such as Quad Mode and Noise Generation also received significant enhancements.

MIDI to control voltage conversion is a cool new feature, letting the MP202 double as a four-channel MIDI-CV converter.

Promotion:

Moog Music is announcing a special promotion. From November 15, 2009 through December 31, 2009, the Multi-Pedal’s price will drop to $399 at participating US dealers and through the Moog website.

“The features in OS 2.0 take the Multi-Pedal to a whole new level” said Moog Music President, Mike Adams. “With four channels of MIDI-to-CV conversion, hooking the Multi-Pedal to a laptop sequencer gives you the flexibility and power of an analog step sequencer that can also communicate with MIDI gear.”

OS 2.0 is available as a free download for current Multi-Pedal users.

Jeez Louise shows you how to combine your digital synths with analog guitar effects – so you can create face-melting prog keytar solos.

via JeezLouise666

Electro-Harmonix Effectology, Vol.9 Terrifying Effect Pedals

This is the 9th episode of Electro-Harmonix’s Effectology Series, which demonstrates making a remarkable collection of sounds using just a regular guitar and EHX effect pedals.

In this episode, Bill Ruppert demonstrates how to frighten your family, friends and neighbors using just a guitar and Electro-Hamonix effect pedals.

EHX Pedals featured: Soul Preacher, Stereo Memory Man, MicroSynth, Cathedral, Tube EQ, Deluxe Memory Man, POG, POG2, Big Muff, Frequency Analyzer, HOG Signal Pad

Details on pedals and actual settings at the Electro- Harmonix Forum.

This is a quick demo of Deviever’s Truly Beautiful Disaster mangling drum loops.

via devieverfx

What is a vocoder? This video offers one answer.

A vocoder (a combination of the words voice and encoder) is an analysis / synthesis system, in which a sound is analyzed in a set number of frequencies, and the volume of the sound at each of these frequencies is applied to a second sound.

The most common application of this is to make a synthesizer “talk”.

via VoiceEncoder

The eighth episode of Electro-Harmonix Effectology series looks at recreating Joe Meek’s Telstar, and the sound of a vintage Clavioline, using just a guitar and effects pedals.  No keyboards,samplers or midi pickups were used.

Details below.

via Effectology:

In today’s episode studio musician Bill Ruppert recreates the classic hit Telstar using just a guitar and Electro-Harmonix effect pedals.

Telstar was one of the fist pop hits to feature a synthesizer.

The Clavioline was a very early synthesizer using vacuum tubes.

Bill Ruppert also demonstrates some very unusual effects through the video as well. actual pedal settings are found here:n http://www.ehx.com/forums/viewthread/1900/EHX

Pedals featured:Soul Preacher, Stereo Memory Man, Big Muff, Pulsar, Poly Phase, MicroSynth, Cathedral, Poly Chorus

Features:

• Two independent voices each transposing individual notes and chords
• Chromatic interval transposition down or up as much as four octaves
• Natural sounding physics simulation without delay or artifacts
• An instrument itself with an eight octave extended-piano range
• Custom programmed module for ToneCore pedals and docks

The Muzemazer Chromavoder is a custom programmed module designed for use with all Line 6 ToneCore pedals and docks. Chromavoder simulates an analog circuit or physical device that harmonically multiplies chromatic tones.

The Muzemazer Chromavoder retails for $360. Audio demos are available at the Muzemazer site.

This is a vintage audio demo of the rare Synton Syntovox Vocoders.

via VoiceEncoder:

Copyright Synton Electronic of Holland, Inc.

All Rights Reserved.For listening pleasure only.

Moog Music has announced the MIDI MuRF Pattern Editor, a free app for Mac or PC that lets you create custom MIDI-controlled filter patters for the MuRF.

Description:

Available as a free download to MIDI MuRF owners, the Pattern Editor software allows players to create, modify and save their own filter sequence patterns. Its point-and-click user interface makes pattern creation a breeze and the on-screen knobs and sliders let users optimize patterns to real-world settings without taking their hand off the mouse.

The MIDI MuRF Pattern Editor provides easy access to parameters only available through MIDI CC commands and saving and storing patterns on a computer allows for an unlimited number of available variations.

“With a possible 64 steps per band and the ability to create polyrhythmic patterns, the MIDI MuRF Pattern Editor lets users tailor their patterns for a sound that’s uniquely their own,” said Moog Applications Engineer, Amos Gaynes. “You can store up to 22 custom patterns at a time on the MIDI MuRF itself, so you can take your unique grooves with you anywhere.”

In episode 3 of the Get To Know Your Gear series, the guys from Blorp Corp get to know/pimp the Universal Audio LA-610 Mk II Vacuum Tube Microphone/Instrument/Line Preamp.

This video demos using two Small Stone Phasers as a stereo phaser effect for synthesizers to get the classic phased synth sound of Jean Michel Jarre.

via Yorkshirelad69:

This mod requires 2 Small Stone Phasers pedals (EH4800).

The mod will make both pedals work together so that you can use both the left and the right outputs on your synth/keyboard rather than just having the phasing effect through just the left/right channel (listen carefully to the sound track).

The phases are synced together and the rate controlled from the master unit.

It’s a true stereo signal path and doesn’t simply split a mono signal into two.

This is ideal for Jean Michel Jarre fans as the Small Stone Phaser plays an important part in creating his classic Oxygene/Equinoxe pad sound.

Note1: Ignore the slightly odd effect at 0:19 that’s not the pedals that’s my sound processing!

Note2: The revision on the printed circuit board is EC-4800 Rev.L : this mod may not work on other revisions.

In this video, djmagtv takes a look at the Vermona Cross Filter.

The Cross Filter is a desktop version of the Action Filter with some extra features. It’s designed for live musicians, DJs and remix producers, but is also suitable for studio use.

The Cross Filter can either work as notch- or bandpass-filter (24dB per octave). Each flank has its own controller for cut-off frequency and resonance, so you can easily vary the bandpass or notch range.
There’s an additional cutoff-controller that influences both flanks at the same time for sweeping the band through the whole frequency spectrum.

The Cross Filter is equipped with two trigger buttons and a fader for getting rhythmical effects. The buttons trigger the bypass function whereas the fader smoothly fades it in and out the effect. Inputs and outputs are available as RCA and 1/4-inch jacks.

The Vermona Cross Filter retails for $535.

More details are available at the Vermona site.

In this effectology video, Bill Rupert demonstrates the sound of an electric guitar processed to imitate a Hammond B-3 Organ.

via Effectology:

Welcome to Electro-Harmonix’s “Effectology” series, in which we play a remarkable collection of sounds all with just a regular guitar and EHX effect pedals!

No keyboards,samplers or midi pickup’s were used.

In today’s episode Bill Ruppert transforms his electric guitar into a classic Hammond B-3 organ (pedals used: HOG and Soul Preacher).

For more details on pedals and actual settings heard in this video, please visit:: http://www.ehx.com/forums/viewthread/1387/

Features:

• HardTune effect with user-selectable key or instrument-sensing
• Vocoder carrier can be driven by internal voice-controlled synth or instrument input (such as guitar)
• Transducer effects, such as megaphones, distortion and radio voices
• All effects can run simultaneously
• Includes Tone feature for adaptive live engineer sound processing
• Presets that can be edited and stored
• Instrument Thru allows normal instrument amplification and vocoding

TC-Helicon’s VoiceTone Synth will retail for US $395.

Details below.

HardTune: The jagged, stair-stepped vocal sound of key-based hard tuning is everywhere in contemporary R&B, Hip Hop and Electronica. This feature has eluded the majority of performing musicians until VoiceTone Synth came along. Now musicians can produce this effect live by simply recalling a preset and hitting the ‘On’ button. Easy key input methods include auto-instrument sensing or pushbuttons with a clear display of the current key. Other features of the HardTune effect include dry voice mixing, octave shift and character modification.

Vocoder: The vocoder in VoiceTone Synth is called ‘Massive-Band’ for a reason. It effectively scales resolution from ultra-clearly-enunciated Robot voices to the sound of the classic, analog low-band-count vocoders. The benefit is that, while typical vocoders require a lot of pre-processing, like distortion and EQ to hear the effect properly, with the VoiceTone Synth vocoder effect players can input signals such as clean acoustic guitar and vocode perfectly for sounds that until now have been impossible to achieve.

Voice-controlled Synth: The vocoder also features a voice-controlled synth mode – considered by many as the Holy Grail for vocoding. Prior to VoiceTone Synth, vocoding required a voice (the exciter), and an instrument input (the carrier) to make cool vocoded sounds. Of course VoiceTone Synth supports the dual input method, but for artists who don’t have another instrument or don’t play one, VoiceTone Synth can generate a synth part directly from the vocal and vocode that. The result? Generated vocoder parts with one input: the voice.

Electro-Harmonix Effectology , Vol.6 The Mellotron

The Electro-Harmonix Effectology is pretty insane – every episode they use their pedals to make a guitar sound like an awesome synth keyboard……which kind of makes you think……..

Meanwhile, keyboardists are strapping on keytars and using sampled guitar sounds….

Impressive work, though!

via Effectology:

Welcome to Electro-Harmonix’s “Effectology” series, in which we create a remarkable collection of sounds using just a regular guitar and EHX effect pedals!
No keyboards,samplers or midi pickups were used.

In today’s episode studio musician Bill Ruppert creates sounds of the vintage Mellotron MKII keyboard

EHX Pedals featured:Soul Preacher,POG2, Poly Chorus and the Stereo Memory Man,