WORLD OF MUSIC ; PORTABLE KEYBOARD - Latest Portable Music Keyboards, Synthesizers and Music News

Prime For Yound Adults Trial

M-VAVE has released FM1 Open, an official firmware and development project that adds an eight-track sequencer, multiple synthesis engines, sample playback and tools for developers to extend the FM-1.

The company is officially embracing the explosion of alternate firmware for its compact FM-1 synthesizer by introducing FM1 Open, an official open-source firmware project.

The release includes an open firmware, a browser-based workbench for editing sounds and projects, and a software development kit intended to help users and developers create new applications for the hardware.

The announcement follows a growing community of third-party developers who have released alternate firmware for the inexpensive synth, transforming the FM-1 into a popular development platform. Rather than limiting development to unofficial projects, M-VAVE is providing its own framework for extending the instrument’s capabilities.

The open firmware features:

• Eight-track sequencer for arranging melodies, bass lines, percussion and samples.
• Multiple sound engines, including DX7-style FM synthesis and sample playback.
• Additional synthesis options including 303-style, 808-style, PSG and plucked-string sounds.
• Independent sound settings and volume controls for each track.
• Per-track loop lengths, with mute and solo functions.
• Reverb and delay sends for track-level effects routing.
• Eight sample slots for incorporating custom audio.
• Browser-based workbench for editing sounds, patterns and projects.
• Browser-based preview that allows users to explore the interface without connecting an FM-1.
• Tools for managing samples and transferring projects to compatible hardware.
• Firmware flashing through the workbench.
• Application source code and a companion software development kit for developers.
• Support for building and extending FM-1 applications, subject to the project’s source and SDK terms.

FM1 Open is available as a free firmware and development project from M-VAVE. The source code is available now on GitHub.

Wondershare FilmoraGo

Prime For Yound Adults Trial

Rexing Product Page

Prime For Yound Adults Trial

ACME Synthworks’ XP60 brings the six-voice analog architecture and deep modulation system of the Oberheim Xpander to a compact desktop instrument, with updated controls and display options.

The ACME Synthworks XP60 is a six-voice polyphonic analog synthesizer that’s based on the architecture and operating logic of the Oberheim Xpander.

Developed by Markus Malik, the XP60 targets the high-end of the synth market, recreating the original’s deep analog architecture and sound, but in a modern 19-inch desktop format.

“The XP60 exists because the Xpander is not just a classic synthesizer, but a fundamentally well-thought-out system whose architecture still deserves to exist in hardware today,” notes Malik.

The Oberheim Xpander was introduced in 1984, and is still seen as one of the most flexible synthesizers of all time.  Each voice of the Xpander had two VCOs each, with a dedicated level VCA and waveshape mixing, a 15-mode filter, two output VCAs, seven-position panning control, five LFOs, five envelope generators, a lag processor, four ramp generators, and three tracking generators. In addition to MIDI, the Xpander could also be controlled via six CV and Gate inputs.

The XP60 uses two analog oscillators per voice and a multimode filter with 15 modes. Its original-style dual-processor architecture is designed to preserve the instrument’s operating behavior, and the manufacturer states that it is compatible with Xplorer, a SysEx editor for the Xpander.

Features:

• Six-voice polyphonic analog architecture inspired by the Oberheim Xpander.
• Two analog voltage-controlled oscillators per voice.
• Multimode analog filter with 15 modes.
• Signal path centered on the AS3372, tuned toward the character of later Rev D instruments.
• Extensive modulation system based on the original Xpander concept.
• Five LFOs and five envelopes per voice, according to published product coverage.
• Turbo Mode increases the speed of LFOs, lag processors, and envelopes by approximately 50%.
• Original-style page-based programming workflow.
• Three display sections, with OLED, VFD, or LCD configurations.
• Modern switches and tactile encoders for navigating the synthesis architecture.
• Original-style dual-processor architecture.
• Compatibility with Xplorer, the Xpander SysEx editor.
• Six individual voice outputs.
• CV and Gate inputs for each voice.
• Five-pin MIDI In, Out, and Thru.
• Stereo or mono line outputs, plus a headphone output.
• Dedicated headphone amplifier with four gain settings.
• Trigger and pedal inputs.
• Compact desktop enclosure measuring 19 inches wide.
• Dark and creamy white enclosure options.

ACME Synthworks has opened preorders for the XP60. , with pricing starting around €2,699 and shipping expected to start later this month.

Wondershare FilmoraGo

Prime For Yound Adults Trial

Rexing Product Page

Prime For Yound Adults Trial

Roland n/vision is a compact wavetable synthesizer, in the company’s compact ‘Boutique’ format, that combines digital waveform scanning with Roland’s wave-shaping technology, analog-modeling filters, and a broad selection of effects.

The n/vision combines two wavetable layers with nonlinear wave shaping, extensive modulation, and up to 56 voices of polyphony in a portable Boutique synthesizer.

The instrument supports two-part multitimbral operation, allowing users to combine and manipulate two wavetable layers to create evolving pads, complex textures, and sharper lead sounds. It also includes a polyphonic sequencer, arpeggiator, and a portable design with an included K-25m keyboard dock.

N/vision is stocked with 63 factory wavetables which can be blended together using its dual-layer architecture and transformed using the waveshaper, which bends the waveform using non-linear processing to add harmonics and change its timbre. There’s also an analogue-modelled filter with multiple vintage-inspired filter models and drive for extra bite.

Battery-powered and equipped with a built-in speaker, N/vision features a two-part, 64-step polyphonic sequencer and arpeggiator, alongside a healthy selection of digital effects that spans multiple reverb and delay algorithms, chorus, drive, bitcrusher, pitch-shifter, phaser and more.

Connectivity – you get a 3.5mm headphone output, main output and auxiliary input alongside 5-pin MIDI In and Out and USB-C for audio and MIDI.

Features:

• Wavetable synthesis based on scanning sequences of single-cycle digital waveforms to create changing timbres.
• Up to 56 voices of polyphony, with the maximum dependent on sound-generator processing load.
• Two independently adjustable wavetable layers for blending and shaping different sounds.
• Two-part multitimbral operation with Upper and Lower parts, plus Dual and Split modes.
• Wavetable position control for moving through waveform content and creating evolving sounds.
• Oscillator modulation and multiple modulation sources for controlling wavetable position, pitch, layer balance, and shaping parameters.
• Roland wave-shaper technology uses nonlinear processing to generate additional harmonics and alter waveform character.
• Stereo Spread control for expanding the stereo image.
• Drive-enhanced analog-modeling filter for adding saturation and shaping the sound.
• Multiple filter models inspired by classic synthesizers.
• Step LFO and envelope modulation for creating rhythmic and evolving changes.
• Motion recording for capturing parameter changes as part of a sequence.
• Two-part, 64-step polyphonic sequencer supporting up to eight notes per step.
• Arpeggiator for generating rhythmic patterns from held notes.
• MFX engine with 17 effect types, including Roland’s JUNO-style chorus.
• Dedicated delay and reverb, with five reverb types and a shimmer mode that adds an octave-shifted character.
• Compact Boutique enclosure with built-in speaker and included K-25m keyboard dock.
• USB-C audio/MIDI, traditional MIDI input and output, external clock input, and battery or USB power.

The Roland n/vision synthesizer is available now priced at $549.99 USD on Amazon. Find out more on Roland website.

Wondershare FilmoraGo

Prime For Yound Adults Trial

Rexing Product Page