Elektron guru Matthew Piecora – in his latest EZBOT video – shares a hands-on demo of the new Elektron Outbox 8.
The Outbox 8 is an eight-channel audio/CV breakout box and USB host/device designed to expand your connectivity, with creative possibilities to boot. It adds eight fully configurable physical outputs to a compatible connected device allowing the user to route their sound and control wherever the moment calls for.
Topics covered:
00:00 – Intro & First Impressions of Outbox 8
03:20 – What is Outbox 8? (Features & DC Coupling)
05:40 – Live Setup & Audio Routing Overview
10:00 – MIDI to CV Control & Sequencing Moog Mavis
14:20 – Digitone II Audio Routing Rules & Caveats
20:10 – Step-by-Step Outbox 8 Setup Walkthrough
25:55 – Clock & Trig Settings for Modular
29:20 – Live Q&A: Compatibility & Use Cases
34:55 – Octacosm V2: External FX Processing with Octatrack
44:20 – Sound Demo: Ambient FX & Synth Processing
55:55 – Outbox Web Configurator Setup
59:40 – Testing M8 Tracker Multitracking & Diagnostics
01:05:45 – Automatic Device Profiling & Hardware Specs
01:11:45 – Dual-Bus Live Performance Jam
01:16:20 – Digitone II Pseudo-Delay Trick (Retrig + Volume Fade)
01:20:05 – Chat Q&A, Small Shop Hunting & Final Thoughts
01:30:50 – Wrap-Up & Next Stream Preview
Developer Martin Grieco shared this sneak preview of the Nopia, a semi-modular harmony generator with an onboard sound engine and MIDI connectivity.
The Nopia interface represents tonalities within a single-octave layout, with each key representing a chord rather than an individual note. The Chord Builder, Tonal Selector and Extensions controls provide access to chord variations and progressions.
Its internal sound engine uses hybrid sample-based and virtual-analog synthesis. The instrument includes Keys, Bass, Arp and Pad sound modules, which feed into a master effects chain and looper. Multitouch capacitive sensors provide strumming and pitch-bend gestures, while an OLED display provides chord monitoring and parameter feedback.
Features:
Hybrid sample-based and virtual-analog synthesis engine
Chord Builder for navigating chord-based harmony
Single-octave layout representing the chromatic scale through chord-based keys
Keys, Bass, Arp and Pad sound modules
Master effects chain and looper
Multitouch capacitive touch sensors
Strum control for playing individual notes within chords
Chromatic and microtonal gesture-based pitch bend
OLED display with chord monitoring and dynamic parameter feedback
Four MIDI TRS outputs with dedicated routing for the Keys/General, Bass, Arp and Pad modules
MIDI Sync output and clock input/output
Sustain-pedal input
TRS MIDI connectivity
USB-C power and MIDI
Real-wood construction
Nopia is scheduled to launch its first limited batch of pre-orders through Kickstarter on September 15 at 9 AM ET. Super Early Bird pricing starts at $650 before taxes and shipping. A signup form is available at their site.
Stagecraft Software has introduced Cenere, a versatile subtractive synthesizer that is designed to capture the character of vintage synthesizers, paired with all the power of modern wavetables.
Here’s what they have to say about Cenere:
“You can automate every parameter at audio rate, and run it all through analog morphing filters, crank it up to 9 unison layers with drift and detune meant to make it feel like analog gear pushed to the max. Then run it all through some effects.
Here, you can easily shape your sound to be anything from a sweet, light organ to a growling, aggressive lead.”
Features:
Vintage style oscillators with true real time hard sync
Large selection of analog modeled filters, including continuous morph filters
Audio rate mod capable parameters
Arbitrary mod (click to link style)
Unison engine (9 layers) with spread, gravity, drift control for incredible depth
Velocity / Aftertouch / MPE / note(pitch) modding
Polyphonic portamento
20+ quality effects
Stagecraft Software Cenere is available now – for Mac & Windows – for $200 USD.
