Casio Music UK has launched a new wellness page on its website, naming three key areas in which music, and specifically, playing a musical instrument, like a keyboard – can improve your life.
Firstly, it points out that music can make you smarter, citing studies that show that learning to play an instrument as a child can improve reading, the ability to learn languages, hearing, concentration skills, coordination and memory capacity.
And, there’s the happiness angle; playing music has been shown to help alleviate stress and reduce anxiety, and cope better with depression and mood regulation There’s also some evidence that listening to calming music can reduce your heart rate and improve your sleep.
Lastly, the health aspect. As you grow older, playing a musical instrument can help you to maintain a better memory and stay on top of your speech processing skills, while music-making has been shown to be an effective complementary therapy in the treatment of dementia, depression and the after-effects of a stroke.
Above, says Casio, playing an instrument is fun, and can be hugely rewarding. You will get no argument from us on that score.
The ARP Odyssey is back. Again, but this time, it is all grown up.. the Limited Edition, full size ARP Odyssey FS. The full-sized Korg ARP Odyssey FS feature a standard keyboard, a completely analog signal path. There are 3 designs to choose from Rev1, Rev2 or Rev3 – each with all three classic filters included:
Just like the original, Odyssey is a two-oscillator beast featuring saw and pulse waveforms, sync, FM and PWM, plus a noise generator. Two filters are onboard – high-pass and resonant low-pass, the second switchable between models of all three Revisions – and modulation options consist of an LFO, two envelopes, and sample + hold.
Unlike the duophonic hardware, Odyssey can be switched between monophonic, duophonic and polyphonic modes, with up to eight voices of unison. Further departures from physical reality include a 16-step arpeggiator, a bank of six effects; Distortion, Phaser, Chorus/Flanger/Ensemble, EQ, Delay and Reverb, and a pair of X/Y pads for real-time manual manipulation of two parameters each from an extensive list.
Ultimately, it is the sound that counts. Odyssey superb sound, doing a stellar job of recreating those famously edgy oscillators and that razor sharp low-pass filter. goat milk incredibles
2013 NAMM Show: Introducing the Moog Sub Phatty Analog Synthesizer. The latest member of Phatty Family is the Grittiest Moog Synth Ever. Additionally, the new two-oscillator analog synthesizer will be Moog’s most affordable keyboard synth. The soul and hands-on, real-time sound design functionality of vintage Moog instruments with a completely new – and stunningly aggressive – sound design machine. Fitted with 25 full-size synth action keys, LFO, and legendary Moog ladder filter, 16 presets with panel mode, and a 31 knob front panel, Moog’s classic control design plugs you straight into the analog heart of this powerful new instrument.
The Sub Phatty is the first analog synth to feature Moog’s transformative new Multidrive section. Built into the filter section, the Multidrive circuit drives (or enthusiastically overdrives, depending on how you set it) the filter, for rich and powerful effects. The good news is that with the Sub Phatty, the variable, pre/post-filter Multidrive lets you dial up everything from gnarly, classic grit to sizzling modern distortion. Experiment with this new circuit and unlock an undiscovered world of vivid analog tonalities.
The Legendary Ladder Filter onboard – The Sub Phatty’s ladder lets you dial in your optimal filter cutoff frequency and tweak the resonance to create classic fat ‘n’ punchy Moog sounds. Want to modulate your filter resonance? The Moog Sub Phatty’s onboard LFO lets you modulate without having to commandeer one of your sound generating oscillators (as on vintage Minimoogs). Get creative with key-synched filter sweeps and more, for delectable, swirlicious sounds that will enhance your productions with authentic Moog analog goodness.
The Moog Sub Phatty sports control voltage and keyboard gate inputs that allow you to connect your new Moog with your vintage or any other gear that has CV/gate connectivity. The Sub Phatty sports Filter CV, Pitch CV, and Volume CV, as well as Keyboard Gate connections, putting you firmly in the control seat. And of course, you get MIDI DIN In and Out, as well as MIDI over USB for communication with your DAW.
If you are looking for an affordable, compact Moog mono synth, the Moog Sub Phatty – Go for it!
