The M-Audio KeyStation 88 MK3 is designed to be used both on stage and in the studio.
The new KeyStation 88 MK3 features 88 full-size, semi-weighted and velocity-sensitive keys. The new USB-powered keyboard controller sports additional controls include octave range buttons, pitchbend/mod wheels and a volume control. You also get transport controls and a sustain pedal input.
Additionally, the KeyStation 88 MK3 is class-compliant and can be powered over USB, while USB-MIDI is also supported. There is iOS compatibility and include a dedicated 5-pin MIDI output as well. Bundled software includes Pro Tools First – M-Audio Edition, MPC Beats and Ableton Live Lite, and a range of virtual instruments and sound expansion packs is included as well.
If you are looking for an affordable full-size MIDI keyboard to sit at the centre of your studio but is also lightweight enough to be carried to a gig, then M-Audio Keystation 88 MK3 looks like it.
The M-Audio KeyStation 88 MK3 is a full-size MIDI keyboard with a small price tag. At a price of $229 and is now available, which does not seem much to pay for a keyboard of this size.
You can play, sequence, compose and perform with your software and hardware synths!
Arturia introduced the KeyStep 37, the latest controller in their KeyStep line. The KeyStep 37 is a MIDI keyboard that encourages creativity but would not break the bank.
The new KeyStep 37 features 37 velocity-sensitive slimkeys with aftertouch, giving it five more keys than the already hefty KeyStep. In addition, other things it has over its sibling is a set of LED indicators above each key to provide you with a visual aid while playing notes and chords, and a sequencer and arpeggiator.
The MIDI keyboard is above the standard model but below the Pro variant. It is designed to encourage creativity and, as well as working with your computer, can also be used to control MIDI synths or CV and modular gear.
Features:
37-note keyboard with velocity and aftertouch
RGB LED keyboard indicators for note tracking
64-step sequencer with 8 patterns
8-note polyphony per step
Step recording and live recording sequencer modes
Mono and overdub recording options
8 mode arpeggiator with new random modes
Chord mode offers 12 chord voicings included a user-defined chord
Unique strum, velocity and note controls for Chord mode
Scale mode lets you quantize the keyboard to a scale of your choice – never hit a wrong note
5 scales to choose from, including a user-defined scale
16 assignable & adjustable MIDI CC controls
USB, MIDI, CV and clock connectivity – with USB A port.
One of the most awaited keyboards of the year has landed!
UDO Audio Super 6 Binaural Synthesizer was launched at Superbooth 2019, which seems a long time ago given everything that has happened since, and Udo Audio Super 6 is finally here and ready.
The Super 6 features a 12-voice polyphonic, binaural analogue-hybrid synth with FPGA digital oscillators and voltage-controlled analogue technology, despite its very vintage look. The ‘binaural’ reference here refers to the fact that, when used in this mode, the Super 6 features a true stereo path- the 12 voices are twinned to create six ‘Super’ voices, which explains the name of the synth as well.
In addition, the parameters for each oscillator can be controlled independently, meaning that you can create some complex and ear-grabbing stereo images, though you can turn binaural mode off and have standard 12-voice polyphony if you would rather. Both oscillators feature DDS (Direct Digital Synthesis) signal creation and can produce classic analogue waveforms, though the first oscillator also features a selection of 16 further user-selectable waveforms.
And, of course, you filter and amplifier sections, LFOs, envelopes and a modulation matrix. There are also an arpeggiator and step sequencer and dual stereo 24-bit effects – delay and chorus.
On the Super 6. the screen is not available – it is been designed very much as an intuitive, ‘hands-on’ synth. However, you do get a Fatar keyboard with velocity and aftertouch, expression and sustain, and there is also support for MPE controllers.
Commenting on the launch, UDO Audio’s team leader George Hearn said: “The result of years of hard work and many iterations of development, my mission with the Super 6 has been to harmonise what I love about archetypal electronic instrument design with modern, novel synthesis technologies that excel at generating spatially dynamic results.
“The architecture leverages the vibrancy of a true-stereo analogue signal path, driving it with extremely high sample rate, spectrally versatile digital audio, and presents you with straightforward, expressive controls of superior mechanical build quality”.
“I would love to see this instrument with the wear and tear of many years of use. Experiment, play, learn, and, hopefully, love it like we do!”
The UDO Super 6 comes in Blue or Black configurations.
The Super 6 is now available and costs £2,295/ $2,800.
Yamaha introduced the PSR-E373 and PSR-EW310 , the latest additions to Yamaha’s PSR models of the portable home keyboards.
At this time when most of us crave the next-gen digital synths and latest analogue reboots, but, the truth is that there is still a big market demand out there for portable home keyboard, and Yamaha is still more than happy to cater to the demand. Which brings us to the new PSR-E373 and PSR-EW310, which promise to raise the bar in portable keyboard technology and performance.
The PSR-E373 has 61 keys, while the PSR-EW310 comes with 76 keys. Both come with touch-sensitive keyboards and a new LSI tone generator, which should make them play and sound better than the predecessors. The LSI engine, meanwhile, provides 622 instrument voices. Players can also stack two voices using the Dual Voice feature, while the Super Articulation Lite Voices feature means that you can replicate the playing techniques used for specific instruments.
Players can also select DSP effects and there are the obligatory Smart Chord features that enable you to play complex chords with just a single finger. USB to HOST audio and MIDI connectivity gives players the ability to expand the creative and educational capabilities of their instrument by interfacing with apps on an iOS device or computer.
The Yamaha PSR-E373 and Yamaha PSR-EW310 are expected to be available in October 2020.
Arturia announced the MicroFreak in January 2019. This past January it added a noise oscillator, plus chord and scale modes for simplified playing.
Now, Arturia has taken another intriguing turn with the launch of a new Vocoder Edition. Arturia releases the MicroFreak Vocoder Edition.
The MicroFreak Vocoder Edition features 14 digital oscillator modes, analogue filters and modulation/randomization options aplenty, with the new 16-band vocoder mode promising to transform your voice; in the Freakiest way possible. The vocoder engine offers three waveforms – sawtooth, pulse width and noise. And the Timbre and Shape knobs that adjust the response of the 16 frequency bands. The 16 presets, meanwhile, take you beyond standard robot voices – expect ‘android translations’, harmonies and formant sequences as well.
In addition, you can also twist other sounds with the vocoder – just hook up a synth or anything else and off you go. The headphone port on the Vocoder Edition has a TRRS connector, so you can plug-in in a suitable smartphone in-line mic with TRRS connector and enjoy the vocoding functionality for yourself. The control panel has been given a makeover, and the centre strip now has a Swan graphic. This model comes in a white finish.
