This is the official Korg intro video for the Korg microKorg XL.

via KorgUSAVideos:

Korg presents the microKORG XL Synthesizer/Vocoder! Features include Korg’s powerful MMT synthesis, 37 velocity-sensitive mini keys, 16-band vocoder with included metal gooseneck mic, and HUGE sound.

From the tail end of Gearwire’s 2009 NAMM coverage comes this show video of Eric Barbour’s new Metasonix KV100 Assblaster.

Regular Synthtopia visitors know that we like to protect our readers’ sensibilities, so we’ll put this as delicately as possible: the Assblaster puts the anal in analog.

The KV-100 contains the basic preamp stage of the discontinued Metasonix TM-7 Scrotum Smasher, driving the waveshaping (pulser) and ring modulation functions of the discontinued TM-1 (minus the ring-modulator carrier oscillator). These two sections drive a VCO which was derived from the discontinued Metasonix TM-3.

As you can see from the video, the Assblaster features graphics that complement its name.

If you’ve had a chance to try out the Assblaster, leave a comment with your thoughts!

via gearwire

At 2009 Winter NAMM, keyboardist Jordan Rudess demonstrates how he uses Spectrasonics’ Omnisphere.

via MarkMosher, jamesolszewski

Their site appears to be dead:

Here’s the text that used to be on the home page:

THE BEAT THANG is a powerful, portable music production station. Loaded with functionality, flexibility and futuristic funkiness, THE BEAT THANG boasts a unique combination of features, quality and style that are unsurpassed by any product in the music technology universe. Its simple, user-friendly interface and extensive features bring the fun back to beat making. For more info please visit our Products page.

Beat Kangz Electronics (BKE) is a Nashville-based musical electronics company managed and operated by a diverse group of innovative, talented and passionate professionals.

BKE was founded by The Beat Kangz, a collective of award-winning artists, producers, promoters and DJs, who understand both the technology and the needs of the urban and dance music community.

Anyone know the fate of The Beat Kangz and The Beat Thang?

Huston Singletary talks about the new effects in Ableton Live 8 at Winter NAMM 2009.

Yep – now you can rule the world with computer-controlled synth power!

See this previous post for details on MOTU Volta.

Volta is now available for Mac OS X as an Audio Unit plug-in instrument at a list price of $249.

Igor Len demos the ARX-03 SuperNATURAL Brass Expansion Board during NAMM 2009.

Description:

Roland’s ARX-03 series is filled with brass instruments under the control of a custom graphic-editing interface. The card is loaded with solo instruments and ensembles, including trumpets, flugelhorns, trombones, saxophones, and more.

The ARX SuperNATURAL Expansion Boards including the ARX-03 are compatible with the Roland Fantom-G workstation synthesizers and the Cakewalk SONAR V-Studio 700.

Keith Emerson plays a Korg M3-88 at Winter NAMM 2009

via KorgUSAVideos:

Keith Emerson performs with a Korg M3-88 (with RADIAS synthesizer module) on the mainstage at the Korg booth at Winter NAMM 2009. he’s accompanied by Marc Bonilla (guitar/vocals) and Travis Davis (bass). (c) Korg USA, Inc.

Building Bangers on The Beat Thang: Basic Beatmaking Tutorial with Kang Boom Bap

Kang Boom Bap shows us how to build a bangin’ track on the Beat Thang.

Filmed in the suite at Winter NAMM 2009.

via BeatKangz

NAMM 2009 **NEW** Vestax VCM-400 DJ Controller

via agiprodj:

DJ Ty gets a quick demo of the recently announced Vestax VCI-400 at the 2009 NAMM Show.

It looks like this was so new that even the Vestax rep wasn’t completely up to speed on it yet.

The Roland SH-201 synthesizer is a relatively inexpensive keyboard (it sells for $500-600) that still offers some classic Roland synthesizer sounds, including features like Roland’s Supersaw waveform, a resonant filter and saturation control.

If you’ve had a chance to use the Roland SH-201, leave a comment with your thoughts!

Features:

• Great-sounding analog-modeling synth
• Ultra-EZ front panel is logically designed to teach the basics of synthesis
• External input for manipulating external audio from CD/MP3 players, etc.
• Built-in delay, reverb, and saturation effects
• Arpeggiator adds instant rhythmic motion to sounds
• USB port for audio/MIDI connection to computer
• VSTi Editor software included for computer integration
• Invisible infrared D Beam controller

This is a demo video, from the 2009 NAMM Show, for the Roland ARX-03 Expansion Board.

See this previous post for more details on the Roland ARX-03 Expansion Board.

via RolandChannel:

The Roland ARX-03 is packed with high-quality brass instruments under the control of a custom graphic-editing interface. The card is loaded with solo instruments and ensembles, including trumpets, flugelhorns, trombones, saxophones, and more.

PRELUDE Music Keyboard at NAMM 09

At the 2009 NAMM Show, Roland announced its Prelude home music keyboard, which features a range of sounds lifted from Roland’s other sound modules, plus a range of software and decent amplification.

The velocity-sensitive 61-note keyboard offers 128 notes of polyphony 896 presets plus 256 GM2-compatibles and 41 rhythm sets.

Other features include 78 multi-effect types plus a range of reverb and chorus effects, the ability to load up and play a backing track encoded as MP3, WAV or AIFF, USB memory playback, 11W stereo amplification and speakers, D BEAM and pitch bend/modulation controllers, sustain and control pedal inputs, MIDI and USB MIDI.

The Prelude also comes with playlist editor and style converter software on CD.

If you’ve used the Roland Prelude keyboard, leave a comment with your thoughts!

via RolandChannel

VB-99 V-Bass System at NAMM 09

At the 2009 NAMM Show, Roland introduced its new VB-99 V-Bass System, an advanced bass guitar processor, MIDI Controller and bass synthesizer.

The VB-99 delivers three times the sonic firepower of the original V-Bass model. It also features twice the number of patches, and serves up a huge range of electric and acoustic bass models, new synth sounds and even guitar sounds.

The VB-99 also has a wealth of amp models and effects which can be manipulated in an expressive performance using the D BEAM Controller and Ribbon Controller. And with the VB-99’s built-in Bass to MIDI converter and USB audio and MIDI streaming capability, bassists can now trigger sounds via MIDI or record directly into a DAW.

The VB-99 sports dual independent signal paths. The two paths can be assigned to two distinct sounds and can be mixed and layered as desired. Sounds can be blended with a single knob, and even split or switched via playing dynamics.

Dedicated knobs and buttons for all major functions make tweaking amp models and adjusting global settings fast. 

The VB-99 also includes a new BASS DIRECT feature, enabling players to blend their original signal with the onboard sounds as desired. Players can also record audio from the VB-99 into any DAW via USB audio. Roland’s V-Bass editing software, available for free download, lets you edit and save VB-99 sounds right from your computer.

The VB-99 is now available in stores and carries an MSRP of $1,549.00.

If you’ve used the Roland VB-99 V-Bass System, leave a comment with your thought below!

This series of videos, from Roland, demo the VG-99 Guitar Synth System.

The Roland VG-99 is a guitar-modeling performance synth that features some unique features, like a ribbon controller and Roland D-Beam.  The VG-99 offers a wide range of guitars and amplifier models, and it can even model two signal paths at once.

For example, one virtual guitar could be a Les Paul and the other a nylon-string guitar. Add to this the sound of the actual guitar being played, and it’s possible to simultaneously have the sound of three different guitars playing simultaneously.

Modeled guitar, amp and effects paths can be active at the same time, or they can be dynamically switched or blended. Players can control the switching behavior between virtual guitars and/or amps by foot controllers, buttons on the unit, or according to picking dynamics.

Other features of the VG-99 include an onboard guitar-to-MIDI converter for direct connection to keyboards, sound modules and soft synths and a digital out and a USB port for direct audio and MIDI connection to computers. 

Each modeled guitar in the VG-99 can have its own tuning: the virtual Les Paul could be tuned down four or five steps for a heavy sound, for example, while the nylon string could be tuned as a 12-string, and also tuned down four or five steps at the same time. Any user-defined tunings are also supported so the player can switch instantly between tuning setups without physically switching guitars or having to manually retune.

If you’ve used the Roland VG-99, leave a comment with your thoughts below!

Features:

• Three processors at its core, plus expressive performance controls such as Ribbon Controller and D BEAM
• Dual modeling engines allow guitar and amp models to be dynamically switched, layered and combined.
• New COSM electric, acoustic and bass guitar models, and new synth waves such as the famous GR-300
• Guitar to MIDI converter for direct connection to keyboards, sound modules, soft synths, computers, and other MID compatible devices.
• Supports USB audio and MIDI for easy digital recording and sequencing.
• Dual GT-Pro-class effects processor enables unequalled flexible tone creation.
• Advanced performance controls, including D BEAM, V-LINK, and Ribbon Controller take guitar performance to a whole new level.
• Simple and intuitive knob based interface and new design support live performance.
• Graphical Editor software included to support sophisticated sound making.
• Versatile I/O including USB, S/PDIF, XLR provide pro connections for virtually every type of music production and performance on stage to professional studio recording

AX-Synth Shoulder Synthesizer at NAMM 09

This is Roland’s official NAMM video for the Roland Ax-Synth (don’t call it a keytar!)

via RolandChannel:

The AX-Synth represents Roland’s new generation of remote keyboards, but for the first time, this one has a sound generator onboard. Its self-contained and equipped with powerful, solo-oriented sounds from Rolands latest synths. 

This is the official Roland demo, from the 2009 NAMM Show, for the VP-770 Vocal & Ensemble Keyboard.

via RolandChannel:

The VP-770 allows a single musician to create realistic backing parts that range from futuristic electronic vocal textures to emulations of large-scale gospel choirs and beyond.

NAMM 2009: Akai APC40 demo

via Skratchworx:

Eric McGregor from Akai demos the new Akai APC40 Ableton controller at NAMM 2009.

Open labs 2009

Description:

This is an overview of Open Labs‘ new Gen 5 keyboards, introduced at the 2009 NAMM Show.

via Shalom889

This video offers a look at the new features in Ableton Live 8, via SonicAcademy.

Part II of the Ableton Live 8 overview below:

Click here to view the embedded video.