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

The Black Corporation Deckard Dream is an 8-note polyphonic analog synthesizer, where each note is made up of two independent voices. The synthesizer differs in several ways from the architecture of the original Yamaha CS-80, for example, leaving out the original’s iconic ring modulator. It also builds on the CS-80, though, adding things like patch memory, some new expressive options and support for MPE.

In the video,  Ziv Eliraz takes an in-depth look at the Deckard’s Dream mkII, an analog synth inspired by the design of the CS-80 and its use in the original Blade Runner soundtrack by Vangelis. Ziv Eliraz demos the Deckard’s Dream with the CXM 1978, a reverb pedal inspired by the classic Lexicon 224 reverb.

Topics covered include:

0:00? Intro

1:30? Some sounds

4:00? vs CS-80

4:55? Poly aftertouch

8:00? MPE

9:55? Ring mod

10:40? Presets

11:35? vs DDRM MK1

12:35? Dual layers

14:20? Connectivity

14:40? Slider colors

15:50? Oscillators

17:30? Filters

20:10? Envelopes

22:40? Sub osc / LFO

25:25? Port/gliss

25:50? Sustain I/II

27:00? Unison

29:05? JF Sebastian

31:05? Pros, cons

35:35? Outro 1

37:40? Outro 2

Other gear in the video:

• CXM 1978 by Chase Bliss and Meris
• XKey Air 37 and WIDI Jack from CME
• Midihub from Blokas.io
• LinnStrument 128 from Roger Linn
• MIDI cables from designacable
• Stand from Cremacaffe

The Deckard Dream MK2 is available for pre-order, with shipping expected in March 2021.

M-Audio Hammer 88 Pro – 88 Key USB MIDI Keyboard Controller With Piano Style Weighted Hammer Action Keys, Beat Pads, and Software Suite

A fully weighted 88-key keyboard with pads, faders and knobs on.

The M-Audio Hammer 88 Pro is a full-size MIDI keyboard that will appeal to producers and pianists. Hammer-action MIDI keyboards are usually designed for pianists. Building on the success of the Hammer 88, the Pro version offers an upgraded keybed with graded hammer action keys. These are individually weighted, for a piano-like feel, and there is assignable aftertouch, but with its wide-ranging set of control and performance features, the new M-Audio Hammer 88 Pro has plenty for producers, as well.

On the Hammer 88 Pro top panel you will find 16 RGB velocity-sensitive pads with Note Repeat, nine assignable faders and eight assignable knobs.  In addition, there is an OLED screen that can be used to search for and select sounds, map controls and more. Including the USB port, the back panel features 5-pin MIDI I/O, a footswitch input and three expression pedal inputs.

Additionally, the MIDI keyboard will auto-map to a range of DAWs, including Pro Tools, MPC Beats, Logic Pro, Cubase, Studio One and FL Studio, and also to the virtual instruments that it ships; – the Pro Tools | First, MPC Beats and Ableton Live Lite DAWs are bundled in as well. Also, there is a built-in arpeggiator,

The Hammer 88 Pro MIDI keyboard is price at $799, but when you consider what the MIDI keyboard offers, the price seems quite competitive. Find out more on the M-Audio website.

Oberheim returns with TVS Pro Special Edition.

The Tom Oberheim new website has an announcement of a new Oberheim-branded version of the classic Two-Voice Synthesizer.

Tom Oberheim lost control of his brand after the initial explosion of interest in synthesizers led to extremely rapid changes in the industry, including Bob Moog and Dave Smith. By 1988, Gibson owned the Oberheim brand, and controlled it for decades.

Back in 2009, Oberheim began reissuing some of his favorite synth designs under the ‘Tom Oberheim’s brand, with the Synthesizer Expander Module. And in 2016, he introduced an updated version of his favorite synth design, the Two Voice, as the TVS Pro. The TVS Pro is an updated take on the original Two Voice design, which packaged two of the SEM all-in-one synth voice modules, together with a step sequencer, in a flexible keyboard design. Additionally, the TVS Pro retained the same synth voice as the original, but added an advanced step sequencer, an improved keyboard and more.

In 2019, Gibson granted possession of the Oberheim brand and intellectual property back to its original owner and founder, Tom Oberheim.

With the new TVS Pro Special Edition, Oberheim is bringing back the TVS-Pro as a Special Edition, with each unit now having the original Oberheim logo badge, plus Tom Oberheim personal signature.

However, we are unable to find any additional details regarding the specifications or pricing on the site, but there is a contact form on the site which enable you to request additional information.

Nevertheless, the Oberheim TVS Pro Special Edition is available for pre-order, with information on delivery scheduling to be announced later this year.