Legowelt celebrates the Roland D-50. Modal introduce new DIY drum sampler. Could you make music at 10bpm?
‘Ello Roland. Legowelt has made a tribute film about Roland’s classic D-50 synth. He reveals when he first heard it, shows off what he can do with it and why he loves its “mysterious, pure and mellow” sound so much. Watch it above.
Modal Electronics (UK) are proud to announce CRAFTrhythm – the next member of the Modal CRAFT family.Modal CRAFTrhythm is an 8 track drum & percussion sampler device that features a range of sample sequencing and modification options, all packaged in a DIY, solder-free kit, that takes less than 10 minutes to assemble – and requires no tools. Each Modal CRAFTrhythm track contains its own mixer section, low pass resonant filter, and pitch & time modes – all of which each have their own envelopes. The built-in 16 step sequencer allows for 16 recallable patterns and up to 16 part pattern chaining, with realtime and step input, and provides a powerful groove control for creating unconventional rhythms. Modal CRAFTrhythm can store onboard up to 64 x 16-bit mono audio samples with a sample rate of 44.1kHz, and, through the Modal CraftApp, users are able to upload their own samples into memory. The factory sound bank that comes installed as standard on the Modal CRAFTrhythm include several drum, percussion and rhythmic sounds and effects created on the CRAFTrhythm’s bigger brothers Modal 001, 002 and 008.Up to 8 kits, combining chosen samples and parameter settings, can be created and stored on the Modal CRAFTrhythm, allowing for on-the-fly sample and parameter changes – great for live performance. Modal CRAFTrhythm can be used standalone, and contains a large number of panel controls and LEDs for setting up and displaying parameters, as well as touch pads for playing samples in realtime. The device can also be used in conjunction with the Modal CraftApp, to provide easy access to all parameters, as well as sample, kit, and pattern management. CRAFTrhythm can connect to a computer, tablet or phone via class-compliant USB-MIDI, allowing compatibility with external MIDI software and devices. Full specification as follows:Modal CRAFTrhythm: • 8 track drum/percussion sampler instrument kit with built in 16 step sequencer, requires no soldering, electronics skills or tools. • Can store up to 64 x 16-bit mono samples with a sample rate of 44.1kHz, and using CraftApp users can upload their own samples • Mixer stage per track with level and pan controls • Low pass resonant filter per track with a dedicated Attack-Hold-Decay envelope • Amplitude Attack-Hold-Decay envelope per track • Tune control with 3 different pitch modes – SPEED, STRETCH and SHIFT • SPEED alters the pitch by playing the sample faster or slower • STRETCH selects the number of steps the sample will be stretched to fit into, allowing for tempo matching for looped samples • SHIFT activates a pitch shifting algorithm that maintains the original sample length along with a dedicated Attack-Hold-Decay envelope, which works well with samples containing melodic content • 16 recallable patterns with up to 16 part pattern chaining • 8 recallable kits that store the per-track parameters for sonic changes on the fly • Global tempo and tap tempo with a step division for semi-quavers, quavers and quarter notes • Pattern groove control that up to half way increases the swing/shuffle amount and then provides 8 preset grooves that allow for triplets and other non-conventional rhythms • Live input mode allows steps to be played in while the sequencer is running • Class-compliant MIDI provided over USB connection to host computer, tablet, or smartphone • Headphone and line output • Powered by USB Mini B or optional AAA battery pack (Adafruit 727, 3 x AAA pack)CraftApp: • All CRAFTrhythm track parameters accessible from a single interface • Sequencer grid page for editing sequences • Sample management page allows users to upload their own sounds via a drag and drop interface to replace the default samples • Many live options available including different pattern loading options and a sample grid to trigger any of the 64 samples at any time • Patterns and kits can be stored locally into the banks provided • 8 User configurable fills to temporarily replace the current pattern • Allows the user to edit the default groove presetsPrice and availability to be announced soon. For more details visit http://www.modalelectronics.com/craft STOP PRESS: See the first public appearance of CRAFTrhythm at Modal Electronic’s booth #41 at Knobcon in Chicago, USA, 8-10th September 2017.In this video the drums, percussion, and main bassline are played from CRAFTrhythm. Sub bass and all other melodic content from Modal CRAFTsynth.
Posted by Modal Electronics on Friday, September 8, 2017
Drum-it-yourself. Modal Electronics have announced CRAFTRhythm, a DIY eight-track drum and percussion sampler that can be assembled in under ten minutes. It has a 16-step sequencer, low-pass filter, mixer section and more. Watch a video about it above.
Go slow. The composer and founder of G-Bop Orchestra, Greta Eacott has put out a call for producers to make and send her music at a frankly ridiculous 10bpm. Submissions will be played at a new nightclub in Copenhagen. Read more here.
Spoti-Bye. You can no longer use the Spotify web player in Safari after recent updates. The company haven’t said when, if at all, it will return. More here.
Update. Akai have released VIP 3.0, a pivotal update that opens their software to any MIDI controller alongside the VIP Native Plugin Map Standard. It provides you with unparalleled access to your VST virtual instrument and effect collection. Read more here.
Another update. BitWig Studio has released version 2.2, which offers Ableton Link and new ways to integrate with MIDI, plus a time shift device, new modulators and a major sound content update. Get a free demo here.