Native Instruments has released an excellent free video tutorial series (above) on Maschine, their hardware/software music production workstation.

The Maschine tutorials cover:

• An overview
• Live recording
• Step recroding
• FX and automation
• Sampling with Maschine
• Beat slicing
• Scenes & performing
• Exporting audio from maschine
• Software sequencer integration
• Using Maschine as a MIDI controller
• Controlling Traktor Pro with Maschine
• Controlling Ableton Live with Maschine

Here’s another teaser from the Beat Kangz, looking at beatmaking on the Beat Thang Virtual, a software version of their to-be-released music production workstation.

Features:

• One octave pad layout with 8 banks so you can bang out beats or play the keys.
• 16 tracks so you can create patterns that can be performed and remixed on the fly.
• 16 layers of velocity sensitivity for emotive performance.
• High Quality Sampler & waveform editing. Sample your own sounds using your computer’s built in mic or line input.
• Edit sample start and end times. Process samples using features like normalize, reverse and resample.
• Easy to use Realtime Sequencer. Create patterns in real time using quantize, swing, individual bar lengths, tap tempo then string them together in SONG mode.
• Mixer with built in FX Change track, pad and pan levels.
• Add 24bit reverb, delay, flange, phaser, pitch shift, old record and many more.
• Add BANG with onboard mastering.
• Export your songs as .wav files or save them to your Beat Kangz Playa Thang equipped iPhone or iPod Touch.

via BeatKangz:

This Beat Was made using 100% Beat Thang Virtual Sounds, Kits and Instruments…. No sample CD’s or loops…. This was made in 30 mins 100% inside Virtual and Exported as a stereo wav file….. Wait till you hear it in High Rez……For all those who think this is just another piece of Software you better think again……. Beat Thang Virtual is deadly and ready to make hits……..It’s loaded with ton of beats in all styles…. Not just preset beats… Platinum Traxx! We didnt hold back!

This is a demo of Beat Thang Virtual, the Beat Kangz’ new virtual music production workstation.

If you’ve had a chance to try out Beat Thang Virtual, leave a comment with your thoughts!

via griffinavid:

In this vid, we chop up a sample and make a beat within 10 minutes.

Doesn’t get any easier than that.

2009 Summer NAMM Show: Beat Kangz Electronics has announced a shipping date for the much-hyped Beat Thang, an MPC-like, Hip-Hip production center. The Beat Thang is expected to ship in October 2009, with a list price of $1,299 and retail of $999.

The Beat Kangz are also putting the finishing touches on The Playa Thang, an iPhone app and a software version of the Beat Thang. By July 17, The Beat Thang Virtual software system, $149.00, will be available for purchase on the company’s website.

Features:

• Sampling
• 3.5 inch video grade color LCD
• On-board rechargeable NiCad battery.
• Over 3000 Blazin’ Brand new sounds designed by The Beat Kangz
• 16 Track MIDI sequencer (sequence external instruments)
• 500 production ready Platinum beats and loops created by The Beat Kangz
• Sleek design and styling with customizable “Paintz” and “Grillz”
• Convenient, light-weight portable design with internal rechargable battery
• USB In & Out
• Pitch and Mod Wheels
• On Board FX including Reverb, Delay, Automated Filters and tons of Crazy “Freak FX” including “Chopped and Screwed”!!!!
• On Board “Mo Bang” Mastering with EQ and Limiting
• 256 MB Ram standard
• 2 High Speed SD Card Slots (16 Gigabytes/ card)
• Export Beats to a Mac or PC (supports AIFF and WAV format)
• Intuitive user interface.

via FutureMusic

Musikmesse 2009: Open Labs introduced the DBeat – a new portable music production workstation that offers iPod integration, a multi-touch touchscreen interface and traditional MPC-style pads.

The DBeat will be available for $3,999 USD ($3,499 for pre-orders) in June 2009, directly through here at www.openlabs.com or through an authorized reseller listed on the Web site.

Check it out and leave a comment with your thoughts!

Description:

Encased in an ultra-light aluminum chassis and weighing only 20lbs, the DBeat boasts more than 10,000 sounds with an additional 14GB of sounds that come with the included, full feature version of AbletonTM Live 7. Live DJ performance capability is taken to the next level with the inclusion of Open Labs’ edition of GURU and the proprietary virtual instrument host Riff.

DBeat comes loaded with a plethora of fully mappable real-time controllers, including Open Labs’ exclusive Bump MP drum pads, the Mix/Edit digital audio workstation panel, and comprehensive DJ controls including a cross-fader. DBeat puts “the feel” back in making music by including an integrated trackball, iPod-compatible cradle and 12-inch capacitive touch screen, which will be multi-touch capable with Windows 7 update.

The ability to directly connect USB turntables and the compatibility with virtually any software, including DeckadanceTM, Serato Scratch LiveTM, TraktorTM, Pro ToolsTM, Reason and many more, make DBeat the ultimate DJ solution for studio, stage and club use.

DBeat Technical Specifications

CPU
Intel® Core2 Duo ® (3GHz)

Control Surfaces
Trackball with 2 buttons
Mix/Edit Controls
BumpMP
DJ Panel

Memory
4 GB

Audio I/O
(1) High Performance Audio I/O Card with Low Latency including 24-bit/96kHz professional 4-in/6-out : (2) mic/instrument preamp inputs (with Phantom Power 48V), (2) analog line inputs, (6) analog line outputs, S/PDIF digital I/O (coaxial)

Storage
320 Gigabyte

Drive
High Speed Dual-Layer 8.5GB/disc CD/DVD Burner

Display
12-inch capacitive touch screen (multi-touch capable with Windows 7 update)

Connection
Comprehensive I/O capable of up to 24bit/96KHz audio with 4 in / 6 out including 2 phantom-powered mic-pres with DI’s, S/PDIF I/O and MIDI I/O

Software
Open Labs Riff®
Abelton Live®

Factory Sound Library
Over 7,500 presets and 1,000 song presets loaded into RiFFTM. (Check our Software Bundle webpage for more information)

Dimensions:
26”(W) X 14”(D) X 5”(H), Weight (base configuration) 20 lbs.

Specifications subject to change without notification.

The MPC500 is Akai’s first portable MPC. It features a 48-track sequencer with a 32-voice stereo sampler. It has 12 velocity and pressure-sensitive rubber MPC pads. 16MB of memory comes standard and can be expanded up to 128MB.

When connected to a Mac or PC via USB, you can drag and drop data between the computer and your MPC500’s CF card, just like a hard drive. Because MPC500 is compatible with other MPCs, beats and productions created in MPC500 can be dropped into your MPC2500 when you get back into the studio.

The videos above, via riosbeatz1, demonstrate the features of the Akai MPC 500, along with how to use it.

If you’ve used the Akai MPC 500, let us know what you think of it below!

FEATURES:

• Battery powered (6 AAs) or wall powered (AC adapter included)
• Pattern-based 48-track sequencer with 16 MIDI channels
• 32-voice drum/phrase sampler with up to 128MB RAM
• Velocity and pressure-sensitive pads for responsive, accurate programming
• 12-level function places one sound on all pads with progressive level or tuning per pad
• Compact Flash drive and USB port (Mass Storage Class)
• Support for standard WAV files and MIDI sequences
• Analog I/O, headphone output, MIDI I/O
• Sounds included to get started quickly
• Four-way sample layering and velocity switching per pad
• Low-pass filter with resonance per voice
• On-board effects: two stereo effects and a master effect

2009 NAMM Show: Native Instruments today announced Maschine, their next-generation music production workstation – a sort of Akai MPC/computer hybrid.

Maschine combines an advanced software sequencer and sampler with an integrated MPC-style performance controller. Maschine is designed to provide a tactile and immediate interface to computer-based music production setups.

I was skeptical about Maschine going into the announcement, but after seeing how effectively NI has married the MPC concept with computer-based production, Maschine looks like it should go on the short list for anyone looking for a production workstation.

With Maschine, all the main functions, including parameter automation, sample mapping and sound editing are immediately accessible through the controller and within the single-window user interface of the software. It can be used as both a self-contained standalone instrument and within any DAW or music sequencer.

Maschine takes advantage of all the benefits of computer integration, like total recall, superior processing power, memory and file handling and project transfer, while retaining the handling and tactile appeal of a hardware instrument.

Maschine will be available in March 2009 for a suggested retail price of $669 / 599 EUR. Street is expected to be about $599 US.

Check out the details below, along with a few photos from the introduction, and let me know what you think of Maschine!

The Maschine Controller

The Maschine controller was designed as a natural extension of the software, and makes the system feel and respond as a true instrument.

Features:

• 16 pressure-sensitive drum pads have been carefully engineered for response and durability. They illuminate to help you visualize sequence patterns and other crucial information.
• Eight rotary encoders, a concise layout of dedicated buttons and dual high-resolution displays give immediate access to all functions of Maschine without touching the computer mouse or keyboard.
• All features are quickly accessible “on the surface”, rather than hidden away in hierarchical sub menus.
• The Maschine hardware also doubles as a powerful universal controller for any MIDI compatible music gear, thanks to an included MIDI mapping application and support of the MCU protocol for sophisticated DAW control.

Making Music With Maschine

The real-time audio recording and resampling features in Maschine let you capture, map, sculpt and transform any external or internal signal immediately, and integrate the result into a running track, without ever breaking the flow of the music.

Multiple performance effects sections on the sample, group and master level provide a versatile arsenal of 20 high-quality algorithms ranging from conventional to experimental, all optimized for sound shaping and creative real-time control through the Maschine hardware.

If you’ve got a standard control keyboard, Maschine will recognize it, letting you play synths from the keyboard while producing with the Maschine controller.

The Maschine Sample Library

Maschine comes with a massive Native Instruments library of drum and instrument sounds targeting contemporary urban and electronic music styles, created in collaboration with international producers and sound designers. Maschine provides hundreds of drum kits, synthesizer sounds and acoustic instruments, with around ten thousand individual sounds overall.

All kits, instruments, samples and effects can be managed and located through a browser that uses categories and concise metadata.

Overview

The Sequential Circuits Studio 440 is a classic music production center from 1986 that combines the best features of drum machines and samplers, and has a crunchy 12-bit sound that people still respect:

If you combine a high quality digital sampler featuring individual outputs with a 50,000 note SMPTE/MIDI based sequencer, all you need to create a superior drum machine is velocity and pressure-sensitive pads. The 440 has eight, organizing its 32 sound samples into four kits and four banks over these eight sound pads. In addition, every sound has two sets of sound parameters that include sample play back direction, pitch-bend envelope, loop types, loop points, start point modulation, and the familiar VCA VCF controls.

The four programmable kits allow for infinite variations of the same sound by editing only the performance parameters. Performance parameters can be assigned to any pad and include sound number, pan, pitch, volume, and a choice of one of the two sound parameter sets. These performance parameters are easily edited in real-time, and settings for all eight pads can be stored and recalled instantaneously from any one of the kits. And since the alternate parameters can have individual start/end points for each sound, there are actually up to 64 “different sounds” available at one time.

Sequential’s factory library includes over 300 sounds, and is immediately available. In addition, any Prophet 2000 or 2002 sample can be loaded directly into the 440, so the actual number of sounds now available is too numerous to list. The STUDIO 440 is the ultimate drum machine. 

The highlights of the Studio 440 are probably the analog lowpass filter and the 8 track sequencer, which can be used to drive external MIDI instruments. The biggest limitation, on the other hand, is the 440’s paltry 520kb of sample memory! 

While these sold for 5K originally, these now sell for around $1,000. 

Specifications:

• 8 track sequencer
• LCD display
• 8 sound pads
• Selectable sampling rates of up to 41.667 kHz
• Computer assisted looping functions (including cross-fade looping)
• Multiple sample locations for storing up to 32 different samples in memory at one time.
• True stereo outputs (2) plus separate audio outputs per voice (8) for individual processing of each.
• 32 levels of programmable panning per voice.
• Separate analog and digital controls per voice, including fully sweepable filters and VCAs for modifying any sample.
• 768K bytes on board memory with access to hard disks or CD-ROMs via the built-in Small Computer Systems Interface (SCSI).
• A 3 1/2 inch double sided disk drive
• Real-time sample monitoring. 

Resources:

• Wine Country offers Studio 440 sample disks, parts and repair
• The unofficial guide to the Studio 440
• Studio 440 information at VintageSynth