Seaboard RISE 49 now shipping to music-makers globally

ROLI is now shipping the Seaboard RISE 49, a four-octave model of its "mind-blowing" and multi-award-winning Seaboard RISE controller

London, United Kingdom (February 26, 2016) - Offering new ways to shape sound through Five Dimensions of Touch on its soft, pressure-sensitive surface, the Seaboard RISE 49 builds on the success of the Seaboard RISE 25. Twice the size of "RISE 25," the "RISE 49" is designed for stage performance as well as studio production. Amateur and professional music-makers have already discovered the amazing versatility of this newest Seaboard, after ROLI displayed the first models at the NAMM show in California in January.

Antelope Audio’s Zen Studio Captures Improvisational, Electro-Acoustic Performance in Neo-Gothic, German Castle

Reichenow, Germany, February 24, 2016 — When electronic musician Rodi Kirk and his frequent collaborator and songwriting partner pianist Aron Ottignon conceived the idea of going to a German castle to record a unique musical improvisation, they knew they would need very special interface for the job. “The idea of our ‘Spaces’ series is visiting unique locations, setting up our instruments and microphones, and experimenting and improvising,” Kirk says.

Kirk brings a bevy of digital signal processing and synth gear, while Ottignon sports an acoustic piano. “I’m reacting to what Aron is playing on the piano by sampling on the fly and using granular synthesis, he’s reacting back to what I’m doing, and we’re both interacting with the acoustics of the space itself.” To capture such unique performances, they needed an interface that was portable and low latency, with pristine conversion and extensive inputs and outputs. Luckily, they found the perfect tool for the job in Antelope Audio’s Zen Studio.

NAMM 2016: Scrim King

Giovanni Bisogno

Scrim King has a new Versatilez DJ stand created by Giovanni Bisogno!

This stand can be customized for any DJ system while displaying any picture or phrase from a tablet positioned in the front. It has an aluminum frame,  acrylic covers, and PVC trim. It comes in white or black trim, or mirror acrylic. Light this baby up with a number of colors for a little extra!

NAMM 2016: Blue Microphones

Blue was introducing the new Lola headphones which fit firm and comfortably, emitting a very crisp sound while blocking out the surroundings. The Mo-Fi model has a built in amp allowing high-end reference monitor performance for your ears!

NAMM 2016: Avalon

Avalon has a new series coming out possibly next year! Also, their DI-Re-Mic preamplifier was utilized by 58th Grammy Nominee, JES, to capture all her vocals of "Hold On (Fatum Remix)."

Native Instruments releases second Jean-Michel Jarre Video

Berlin, February 25,2016 – Native Instruments today released the second video in their two-part feature on pioneering composer, performer, songwriter, and producer Jean-Michel Jarre. The video continues the conversation from the first, in which Jarre traces his musical history, and in so doing, the history of electronic music. Now, coinciding with the upcoming release of Part 2 of his Electronica album project, Jarre takes us through the evolution of sampling and delay technology throughout his decade-spanning career. 

NAMM 2016: Apogee

Anaheim, California, January 19, 2016 (Winter NAMM Show) – Apogee Electronics is pleased to introduce a second generation of their flagship audio interface, Symphony I/O Mk II. Symphony I/O Mk II is a multi-channel audio interface featuring Apogee’s latest AD/DA conversion, modular I/O (up to 32 inputs and outputs), intuitive touchscreen display and optional world-class microphone preamps. The new Symphony I/O Mk II comes with direct connectivity to one of three different platforms – Thunderbolt™, Pro Tools® HD or Waves SoundGrid® network.

Read more here. 

Native Instruments introduces BLACK ARC Expansion for MASCHINE

Berlin, February 23, 2016 – Native Instruments today introduced BLACK ARC – NI's first MASCHINE Expansion to explore the traditional sound of reggae and the music it has inspired. BLACK ARC provides a wide sonic palette curated for producers working in reggae- and dub-inspired styles. The expansion runs in the latest MASCHINE software on MASCHINE STUDIO, MASCHINE, or MASCHINE MIKRO and is available exclusively at the NI Online Shop. A compact version for iMASCHINE is also available via the iMASCHINE in-app store.

NAMM 2016: PSP audioware

PSPaudioware was showing their newest reverb, the PSP 2445 and the E27 equalizer modeled after Avedis Audio Electronics' E27.


You can learn more about the PSP2445 in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSUzmL6jSVM

Native Instruments expands Stems support with TRAKTOR PRO 2 update

Berlin, February 22, 2016 – Native Instruments today released TRAKTOR PRO 2.10.1 – a free software update that extends control of the Stems format to all TRAKTOR users. The update implements the Stem View directly into TRAKTOR's Stem Decks, making it possible to control Stems with any TRAKTOR setup or mapped third-party controller. The update also makes the revered TRAKTOR KONTROL S4 officially Stems-ready. And to make it easier to start playing Stems, 65 Stem tracks are now available for free from www.native-instruments.com, while partnering online stores are offering 25% off Stems releases for a limited time.

NAMM 2016: Casio

Casio had their new reinvented MZ-X Music Arranger on display. The MZ-X500 and Mz-X300 are the successors to the MZ-2000 with Multi Pads - 16 for the 500 and 4 for the 300 - and built in professional rhythms of many styles from Latin to Jazz with high-quality 20W + 20W high-capacity speakers.

NAMM 2016: Aviom

Aviom was showing off their A360 and A320 Personal Mixers among others allowing performers to control their own mix, bringing recording sessions to a mroe professional level!

NAMM 2016: DiGiCo

DiGiCo is introducing Stealth Core2, which is an upgrade to Stealth Digital Processing™, expanding processing channels and functionality!

IK Multimedia and Mesa Engineering introduce official MESA/Boogie high-gain amps and effects for mobile guitarists: AmpliTube MESA/Boogie for iPhone and iPad

Now players can inject that legendary high-gain Boogie magic into their playing with the AmpliTube MESA/Boogie app for iPhone and iPad - the official mobile MESA/Boogie tone studio collection of MESA/Boogie amps, cabinets and more!

February 18, 2016 - IK Multimedia is proud to debut the release of AmpliTube® MESA/Boogie® for iPhone and iPad. Based on the popular desktop tone software, the AmpliTube MESA/Boogie app is a close collaboration between IK Multimedia and the R&D Team at Mesa Engineering that lets musicians play their guitar through models of some of the manufacturer's most iconic amplifiers and cabinets.

Todd Sharp Amplifiers Launches Generating Buzz From Top Guitarists

Hand Crafted Guitar Amplifiers Designed by 

a Real Player for Real Players

February 18, 2016 NASHVILLE, TN…Guitarist, Todd Sharp, announces the launch of Todd Sharp Amplifiers, custom-made amplifiers in Nashville, TN. The high-end, hand-wired vacuum tube amps are the first of their kind from Sharp, who has 40+ years performing from studios to stadiums. He has played with numerous artists, including Hall & Oates, Rod Stewart, Fleetwood Mac’s Christine McVie, Mick Fleetwood and Bob Welch, Delbert McClinton, Carlene Carter and many more. Through his years of performing experience Sharp had yet to find the perfect amp, so he decided to build one.

iZotope Delivers Everything Needed to Get Started with Audio Repair

New RX Plug-in Pack and free educational resources bring

great-sounding audio within reach

Cambridge, MA (February 18, 2015) - iZotope, Inc., makers of award-winning tools for audio production, is announcing two new developments that support the creative community's pursuit of better-sounding audio.

The first is the new RX Plug-in Pack, a kit of four essential audio repair plug-ins that clean up flawed recordings and transform them into usable material. This starter pack of repair tools includes De-click, De-hum, De-clip, and Dialogue De-noise-curated directly from RX 5 Audio Editor, iZotope's industry standard and Emmy Award-winning software for audio repair and enhancement. The plug-ins can be used within audio or video editing software to rescue recordings from distracting clicks, crackles, hums, distortions and other noises.

NAMM 2016: Big City Music

big city music has a bigger showroom and launched a new website! 

See it here: 

http://www.bigcitymusic.com/

NAMM 2016: Arturia

Arturia was presenting the MatrixBrute, an analog synthesizer with waveform mixing, wave shaping, many different noise sources, feedback option, 3 envelopes, 2 LFO's with 7 different wave forms, synchronization with the sequencer even with MIDI input, a very flexible matrix, and more! They also had the KEYSTEP controller & Sequencer made for its portability.

And, look who we happened to find experimenting on their new gear, none other than Richard Devine!

NAMM 2016: Synthogy

Synthogy was presenting Ivory, now available as a hardware instrument! 

Learn more about it courtesy of Saved By Technology:

NAMM 2016: Roland

Roland had much to announce this year with the launch of their premium accessories line, EC-10 EL Cajon, FP-30 Digital Piano, Blues Cube Hot Guitar Amplifier, SYSTEM-500 Complete Set, JC-01 Bluetooth Audio Speaker, A-01 MIDI Controller and Sound Generator, and the Ultimate Blues Tone Capsule. They also had some pretty nifty accordions on display, and a timeline of their synth history beginning with the Jupiter-8 in 1981. We also ran into NANCE, Azlan, and Daniel Kristoff of EMAEL.

IK Multimedia's MAX bundles are now available

IK Multimedia's MAX range of bundles give musicians, producers and engineers everything - the "whole collection" concept to guitar and bass tone, mixing and mastering processors and sound workstation and instrument collections at up to 90% off

February 16, 2016 - IK Multimedia is proud to announce that its new MAX series of complete bundles are available now. AmpliTube® MAX, SampleTank® MAX, T-RackS® MAX and Total Studio MAXlet musicians grab a whole collection of amazing gear while saving up to 90% off what it would cost to get each piece of gear individually. AmpliTube MAX is the ultimate guitar and bass tone studio with over 300 pieces of gear. T-RackS is a comprehensive professional mixing and mastering suite featuring 33 of the most sought after audio processors. SampleTank MAX is the most powerful version of the ultimate sound and groove workstation with over 50GB of sound content. And Total Studio MAX ties everything together by offering all three MAX bundles plus Miroslav Philharmonik 2™, the most emotionally expressive orchestral collection ever. All four bundles offer stunning power for some seriously low prices.

NAMM 2016: RADAR Studio

RADAR, created by iZ Technology Corporation, offers a complete studio all in one hardware system that now also runs Protools natively! 

Formerly known as one of the most reliable digital audio recording systems with recordings from bands such as U2 and Neil Young, they are expanding its ease-of-use and even Stevie Wonder loved the touch and feel of the system after visiting the exhibit twice! 

The session controller has very firm and durable buttons with quick access to a number of hotkeys. You can use it with any DAW of your choice, and it now supports slim solid-state drives. If you decide to make a purchase, you get free tech support for 10 years.
 
They were also nominated for a NAMM Tec award in the, "Recording Devices" category!

 
Learn all about it:

NAMM 2016: Malekko Heavy Industry

Photo by Peter Vincent

Malekko Heavy Industry was part of Exhibit 5000, the Modular Synth Collective. Their featured instruments included:

Varigate 4
- 4-Channel, 8-Step Sequencer
- Probablity
- Repeat and Delay with Randomizer
- Global Parameter Controls
- Clock Input and Reset Gate

6AD LFO
- Attack/Decay
- Loop
- Sum Out
- +10 (For Long Modulations)

Malekko Case
- 5 Amp Total
- LED Strip Controlled by module
- Rugged Contruction
- Movable/removable Kickstands

Photo by Peter Vincent

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Peter Vincent is an event photographer, specializing in live performance photography with a style consisting of colorful and energetic imagery. He believes that great creativity often is the result of team effort and values working closely with his clients. Based in Orange County, California, he is ready to capture outstanding images at your event. Also, explore his musical side as V1NC3NT!

NAMM 2016: Foxtone Music

Photo by Peter Vincent

Foxtone Music was part of Exhibit 5000, the Modular Synth Collective. Their featured instruments included:

ZVEX Effect Instant Lo-Fi Junky & Fuzz Factory
- Eurorack Module Format
- CV Inputs

Custom Patch Cables, Splitters
- Fun Colors
- Inexpensive

Colour Palette
- DIYRE Color Platform (Easy Build, Low Cost)
- Triple VCA
- Up to 3 Modules
- Parellel and Serial Routing
- Sum Output

Photo by Peter Vincent

Photo by Peter Vincent

Photo by Peter Vincent

Photo by Peter Vincent

Photo by Peter Vincent

---

Peter Vincent is an event photographer, specializing in live performance photography with a style consisting of colorful and energetic imagery. He believes that great creativity often is the result of team effort and values working closely with his clients. Based in Orange County, California, he is ready to capture outstanding images at your event. Also, explore his musical side as V1NC3NT!