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

midi2themax has introduced MXL PACK, a collection of 40+ MIDI Max For Live devices for Ableton Live 10 and 11.

Features:

• quantize melodies and chords to 400 scales – change the scale dynamically by sending notes from Live clips/tracks
• chromatic, diatonic and rotating harmonizers, with different velocity, delay and target track for each transposed note
• create the ‘ideal’ MIDI controller with dynamic split areas, multiple note layers, smart sustain, one-finger chords, harmonizers, velocity curves and fading, note repetitions and delays, chord strumming, glissandos
• randomize melodies and chords – you decide how “impredictable” they sound
• use note pitch, velocity, ADSR envelopes to control Live parameters – control 8 params with a single command, combine params using math operations
• use 16 midi buses to combine MXL devices and control them from other tracks
• 100-page manual, with thorough descriptions and tons of tips (download)

The MXL Pack is available now with an intro price of €29.

AudioKit developer Matthew Fecher let us know that they have released an e-book that offers a complete introduction to synthesis with the free, open-source AudioKit Synth One software synth.

The book is written by Francis Preve, a sound design rockstar known for his work for everybody from Ableton to Roland to Sequential.

Synth One: The Ultimate Guide is a comprehensive introduction to the basics of synthesizers and analog synthesis. The book covers everything from how filters and oscillators work to the details of the harmonic series and microtonal music. And, if you don’t already have AudioKit Synth One, it’s a free and open-source software synth for iOS.

AudioKit Synth One has been updated, too, to include a set of patches (“Synth Tutorial” bank) specifically designed for the lessons in this book.

Whether you’re getting started in electronic production or just want to learn more about how synthesizers work, this book is a great resource and you can’t beat the price!

Download Links:

AudioKit Synth One

AudioKit Synth One: The Ultimate Guide

PDF link to the book

Behringer today officially announced the Polyeight, an enhanced of the classic Korg Polysix, by offering an additional two voices.

However, Behringer’s prototype photo indicates that its new Polyeight  synth loses something in comparison to the PolySix as well: it has a 4-octave keyboard rather than a 5-octave one. Swings and roundabouts, then.

The Polyeight will have modern niceties such as MIDI and USB connectivity, as well as what Behringer is calling a “much improved” user interface.

The original Korg Polysix was one of the budget polys of its day, with six single-oscillator/vcf/vca voices. It hass earned its place as a classic, though, because it offers great sound and an easy-to-use knobby interface.

Here’s what Behringer has to say about the Polyeight:

“The first Polyeight has come alive:-)

While this is still an early prototype, the firmware is all based on our new ARM platform, which will certainly speed up the development and time to market.

As you can see, the Polyeight is not a pure clone. We have retained the analog section, but added 2 more voices and especially a much improved user interface with very useful functions.”

There is no price or release date, but Behringer is saying that, because the firmware is based on its new ARM platform, development time will be speeded up and the synth should come to market sooner.