ZAK Sound has announced the release of Lyra, a hybrid pad instrument, and RZ Mobile, a free tactile controller app for iOS and Android. RZ Mobile is designed to provide native control over the Raizes Player ecosystem, which hosts the new Lyra instrument.
Lyra: Vocal-Based Hybrid Engine
Lyra is a hybrid engine designed around the intersection of traditional sampling and wavetable synthesis. By processing vocal sources through these two distinct methods simultaneously, the instrument allows for a sound design palette ranging from organic textures to complex, evolving synthetic movements.
The architecture integrates 17 samplemaps with 24 custom wavetables. Both the samples and the wavetables are derived from the same original vocal recordings, ensuring a cohesive tonal character across both layers.
Key Features
- 97 Presets: A library organized into categories: Arps, Drones, Hybrid, Minimalist, MPE, Organic, Shorts, and Synthetic.
- Hybrid Architecture: Fuses organic vocal sources with modern synthesis for cinematic and ambient textures.
- MPE Ready: Includes a dedicated category for MIDI Polyphonic Expression, allowing for per-note modulation.
Technical Specifications & Compatibility
Lyra runs inside the Raizes Player, which is included with the purchase. The player is compatible with:
- Windows: Windows 7 or higher (64-bit); VST3 and Standalone.
- MacOS: 10.11 or higher; VST3, AU, and Standalone (Intel & M1 Native).
- Linux: Ubuntu 22.04 or higher (64-bit); VST3 and Standalone.
YouTube.com/watch?v=71pmeFLTX_0
RZ Mobile: Free Tactile Control Surface
RZ Mobile is a free application for iOS and Android that turns mobile devices into a tactile performance surface. It connects natively to Raizes Player via Wi-Fi to unlock a new dimension of expression. Note that RZ Mobile is a controller app and requires the Raizes Player desktop software to generate sound.
Key Features:
- Expressive MPE: A multi-touch keyboard for playing with depth and per-note nuances.
- Generative Touch: Users can select from multiple scales (including Major, minor, pentatonic, harmonic, Dorian, and Lydian) to sketch evolving chords with a single gesture.
- Motion Modulation: Allows for the modulation of filters, panning, and gain using the touch surface or the device’s gyroscope.
- Seamless Sync: Provides wireless control of core macros and bi-directional parameter synchronization.
YouTube.com/watch?v=zJaQ9zS52Ac
Pricing & Availability
- Lyra: $39 (Includes Raizes Player).
- RZ Mobile: Free (Available on the Apple App Store and Google Play).
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