Category Archives: Samplers

New 2011 Optigan Disc, Vibrascape

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Optigan.com has announced a new sound disk for the Optigan sample playback keyboard, Vibrascape.

Here’s what they have to say about Vibrascape:

Vibrascape presents the sound of the vibraphone in a uniquely Optigan fashion. The keyboard tones are arranged as a series of rhythmic patterns that create hypnotic, pulsating soundscapes when chords are played. (This disc is not particularly suited to melodic playing).

The chord buttons feature sustained bowed vibraphone chords. The special effects switches help keep the groove going with a selection of rhythms from the Maestro Rhythm King MRK-2, an old-school beatbox and technological contemporary of the Optigan. Optigans equipped with a spring reverb will provide the most haunting sound, which is further enhanced by inserting the disc upside-down for backwards play.

LEFT HAND: Bowed Vibraphone.
RIGHT HAND: Vibraphone Rhythms.
SPECIAL EFFECTS SWITCHES: 1. Samba, 2. Rhumba, 3. Bossa Nova, 4. Bolero, 5. Go-Go.

The Optigan Vibrascape Disc is available for pre-order for $99.99 at the Optigan.com site.

The Roland SPD-SX Sampling Pad

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In this video, Craig Blundell demonstrates the features of the recently introduced Roland SPD-SX Sampling Pad, a multi-pad percussion instrument with 2 GB of onboard sampling memory and three powerful effects engines.

The SPD-SX puts sample creation and playback under stick control, with audio-capturing features, expressive playability, three multi-effects engine and more. The 2 GB of built-in memory provides more than three hours of CD-quality sampling in stereo, which can be captured via the stereo mic/line input or imported through USB.

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New Discs For The Vako Orchestron – Flute, Cello & Vibraphone

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Back in the day, before sample libraries and before digital samplers, there were primitive sample playback keyboards like the Mellotron, the Optigan & the Vako Orchestron. Their lo fi characteristics make them interesting instruments, despite their multiple flaws.

For several years, Optigan.com has been creating new and updated discs for the Optigan and Orchestron. Their latest discs include three libraries for the Vako Orchestron: Flute, Cello & Vibraphone.

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Roland Intros SPD-SX Sampling Pad

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Roland SPD SX Sampling Pad

 

Roland today introduced the SPD-SX Sampling Pad, a multi-pad percussion instrument with 2 GB of onboard sampling memory and three powerful effects engines.

Features:

  • Unique sampling-pad concept ? the only instrument of its kind in the world
  • 2 GB internal memory, enabling approximately 360 minutes of sampling (mono) without requiring external memory
  • Nine velocity-sensitive rubber pads, two external dual-trigger inputs
  • Easy capturing and assignment of audio data through Multi-Pad Sampling
  • Three units of multi-effects onboard, with two real-time control knobs and four dedicated effect buttons
  • Individual Pad Dynamics indicators show pad status and audio-level activity during performance
  • Expanded USB functionality (USB Mass Storage, USB MIDI/AUDIO, USB Memory)
  • Wave Manager software included for easily importing, assigning, and organizing samples
  • Large backlit LCD

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Brett Domino Covers OutKast’s Hey Ya! On The Skoog (Plus! ‘Skoog Flute’ Masterclass!)

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Brett Domino and Steven Peavis perform André 3000 / OutKast’s smash hit, Hey Ya!, using the new musical instrument – The Skoog.

The Skoogmusic Skoog is basically a music controller, designed with special needs requirements in mind:

An instrument designed explicitly for special needs music education to empower those unable to play traditional instruments. The Skoog is a soft, squeezable object that simply plugs straight into your computer or laptop’s USB port.

Simply touching, pressing, squashing, twisting or tapping the Skoog allows you to play a wide range of instruments, intuitively.

Goals for The Skoog include improving motor skills, coordination and control, multi-sensory learning and sensory integration.

Below, co-inventor Dr Ben Schogler demonatrates The Skoog’s main features and gives a little masterclass in ‘Skoog flute’. Continue reading →

Elektron Octatrack OS 1.0 Now Available

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The Octatrack is now out of beta - Elektron has released v1.0 of the OS for the Octatrack DPS-1.

Here’s what they have to say about the release:

We have just uploaded OS 1.0 for the Octatrack DPS-1. It is the single biggest Octatrack OS update so far and greatly improves the machine.

The OS features our most advanced MIDI sequencing offering to date. The eight dedicated MIDI tracks include assignable MIDI LFOs and customizable MIDI arpeggiators, allowing for both in-depth and experimental control of all relevant MIDI parameters.

The Flex and Static machines have seen improvements as well. The added parameters and the enhanced slice functionality make it easier than ever to shape audio material in new and rewarding ways.

Apart from these two major features a lot of other things have been refined. The user interface has been tweaked for easier interaction with the machine, more flexible methods of sampling have been implemented and the new personalize menu lets a user fine tune several aspects of the Octatrack workflow.

The Octatrack manual has been heavily updated as well. All info about the new features can be found there. Also, be sure to read the release notes bundled with the OS download for a list of all changes. Download OS 1.0 and the new manual in the Octatrack Downloads section.

See the Elektron downloads area for the updated OS and documentation.

If you’re an Octatrack user – let us know what you think of the v1.0 release!