Sonicware has launched a Kickstarter project to fund production of the Lofi-12 XT groovebox sampler.
The Lofi-12 XT is an advanced model of the Liven Lofi-12, newly developed, based on hardware of the SmplTrek. The Lofi-12 XT inherits the retro sampling engine of the Liven Lofi-12, but is redesigned and redeveloped as an even more user-friendly and fun Lo-fi Groovebox Sampler.
Features:
- Retro Sampling Engine
- 12kHz/24kHz sampling ,combined with the 12-bit Sampler mode
- Each sample can be up to 300 seconds in length, and you can store as many samples as your SD card capacity allows.
- Load up to 256 samples (64MB) into a single project, seamlessly switching between samples during playback.
- Samples can also be played using PAD mode, utilizing all 15 pads as a keyboard for chromatic/scale play. You can also chop samples to create and play individual slices within a single track.
- Intuitive Beat Making and Jamming
- The 8-track sequencer supports un-quantized & step recording, allowing you to record tracks and beats in real-time as you hit the pads.
- Parameter locking – simply press the REC button and tweak the knobs. You can also input exact values directly using the step buttons.
- Using the D-pad, you can choose between 7 re-trigger divisions from 8th to 64th notes, while controlling velocity by pressing a pad.
- A single project consists of 128 patterns and 16 songs. It can be used not only for song production, but also for long live performances by connecting songs with nonstop editing and various MUTE modes.
- Powerful Signal Processing & Extensive Sample Libraries
- Simultaneously utilize 8 per track effects, delay, reverb, and master compressor to craft diverse sounds.
- Track effects can be selected from 20 effect types, and the master compressor can be side-chained. (Can be switched to the master filter for performance.)
- The included SD card contains 1,000+ samples from legendary drum machines like TR-808/909, LM-1, linndrum, DMX, Drumulator, SP-12, Drumtraks and TOM.
- Background Mix-Tape Recording
- The Mix-Tape recording feature continuously captures all your performances in the background until the device is powered down.
- Recording quality can be selected from five levels, from the lo-fi recording quality of a micro-cassette tape to high quality recording at 48 kHz-16 bit, the same recording quality as DAT.
- Whether you’re mixing down tracks, recording live performances in their entirety, or extracting choice beats and phrases from your daily jams, you will have a continually expanding resource of your sounds and music at your fingertips.
- Versatile Connectivity
- Import and export audio files via USB or SD card. The Lofi-12XT’s unique file convert feature ensures any audio files with differing sampling bit/rates are transformed into pleasant lo-fi samples.
Liven Lofi-12 sample data (MIDI SysEx files) can also be imported. - Connect a wide variety of audio sources, from dynamic microphones, electric guitars/bass, synthesizers, and even USB audio sources from PC/Macs or Smartphones.
- With TRS analog inputs and outputs, digital outputs via USB, and tempo sync through MIDI or audio sync, the Lofi-12XT seamlessly integrates with DAWs and various other devices.
- Import and export audio files via USB or SD card. The Lofi-12XT’s unique file convert feature ensures any audio files with differing sampling bit/rates are transformed into pleasant lo-fi samples.
Pricing and Availability:
Production of the Sonicware Lofi-12 XT is being funded via a Kickstarter project, and it is available to project backers starting at about $374 USD.
Note: Crowdfunding projects can involve risk. See the project site for details.
Seems like this should have been an update and not a cheap rehash. Was super into this company, but now it seems like they’re just rinsing and repeating. Do fewer deeper products
it is actually a totally different workflow under the hood from the smpltrek- they are just doing what they did with the livens and creating a different machine with the same hardware
They’re known for making affordable/cheap gear, and that doesn’t leave room in the hardware to add a bunch of new capabilities.
If you want long-term expandability, you have to spend more and go with companies like Novation and Elektron, who add features for years.
they have actually been adding a lot of features to all of their gear lately – added effects on the livens – lofi12 they updated a while back with a ton of slicing options and glitch effects, the smpltrek is constantly having stuff added – that said from what the engineers said they are kind of at the limit for features to add with the smpltrek (at least as far as effects and such go) so you are limited to mostly doing workflow enhancements and such.
I’m still enjoying my Lo-Fi 12, and don’t really want to upgrade. But the LoFi 12 XT will be a game changer. Ditch your old samplers now!
the liven can always be used for 4 extra tracks –
Don’t tell me what to do.
ok so we have Sonicware, Lofi-12 XT, Liven Lofi-12, SmplTrek. so many names i’m confused.
this is basically using the hardware from the smpltrek to house a lofi12 on steroids – I am kind of hoping they can do this with some of the other livens, a buffed up 8bit warps or texture lab or combo of them would be awesome
So they’re running a Kickstarter for a new firmware and a case graphics change for an existing product that already has reported firmware issues that need fixing?
it is a different product using the same hardware, it isn’t like you can update the smpltrek firmware to do this without ditching the entire product anymore than you could do with things like the circuit or cycles or the electribe 2 line – same hardware, totally different product inside of it.
The Electribe 2 isn’t a good example here.
Both the Sampler and Synth one are exactly the same under the hood. In fact Hacktribe firmware allows you to sample on the synth one. I love Korg, but they really dropped the ball with the Electribe 2.
Having said that, I use it for sequencing Volcas and other smaller synths and for that it’s more than capable.