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Cre8audio has introduced two new modules, created in partnership with Pittsburgh Modular Synthesizers, along with a new system for racking the company’s NiftyCase powered Eurorack cases.

The first of the modules developed with Pittsburgh Modular is Capt’n Big-O, an analog oscillator that they say is for people who like “massively big analog sounds”.

Capt’n Big-O offers a wide range of sonic possibilities, ranging from classic analog sounds to the more complex sounds Pittsburgh Modular is known for. So it generates sine, triangle, saw, and square waves, but it also lets you mangle them beyond recognition with a wave folder, drive circuit and frequency modulation.

Features:

• 100% analog, original design (not an oscillator on a chip)
• Waveforms – sine, triangle, saw, and square
• Wave folder/waveshaper – routed by default to sine but patchable to any waveform or external source
• Drive circuit – essentially a 75x overdriven VCA (5V output)
• Linear and exponential frequency modulation (FM)
• Hard sync
• Pulsewidth modulation
• Frequency range of oscillator: full range – LFO through audible spectrum

The second of their modules created with Pittsburgh Modular is Mr. Phil Ter, which they say “lives up to its name as a VCA and envelope generator”, that also happens to be a classic transistor ladder filter.

Features:

• Envelope
• Voltage range: 0-10V
• Gate trigger threshold voltage: +5V
• Attack, Release, and Decay times 0-10s (slow). 0-5s (fast)
• Easter egg mode – quantize itself to 7bit for a steppy sample & hold effect
• Dual envelope outputs
• Analog VCA
• Analog Filter – classic low-pass transistor ladder filter design that will self-oscillate

Lastly, Cre8audio has introduced NiftyCASE BigEARS, birch wood end cheeks that let you stack two of the company’s NiftyCASES.

Each set of NiftyCASE BigEARS includes 2 wood sides, as well as all the mounting hardware needed to connect 2 NiftyCASES together.

All of the items are ‘imminently available’ from Cre8audio and Cre8audio dealers worldwide, with the following pricing:

• Capt’n Big-O – MSRP $199.99 / €199.99 Estimated Street $149.99 / €149.99
• Phil Ter – MSRP $149.99 / €149.99 Estimated Street $99.99 / €99.99
• NiftyCASE BigEARS – MSRP $39.99 / €39.99 Estimated Street $39.99 / €39.99

The latest version of Live 11 Lite is  now available.

Just announced by Ableton, this is a cutdown version of Live that contains several of the most recent update’s new features.

These include support for MPE-capable hardware and the MPE Control device – this enables you to edit the pitch, slide and pressure envelopes of each note.

Key new features include:

• MIDI Polyphonic Expression: MPE lets you add bends, slides and pressure for each individual note in a chord, add subtle expression variations, morph between chords and create evolving sonic textures more easily.
• Sounds and effects: Four effects – Chorus-Ensemble, Phaser-Flanger, Limiter, Saturator – bring a much wider range of sound shaping possibilities to Live Lite. The upgrades to the Live Core Library that came with Live 11 are also now available for Live Lite, new sounds, drum kits, Racks, Grooves, loops and MIDI clips.
• More functionality: You can now add up to 16 Scenes for more varied arrangements and space to experiment with ideas. And with Tempo Following, Live listens to and adjusts its tempo based on incoming audio from another musician or other gear like drum machines in real time.

There are new audio effects, as well – Phaser-Flanger, Limiter and Saturator – and you can now use up to 16 Scenes in the Session View, giving you scope to put down ideas and create more varied arrangements.

Another useful addition is Tempo Following – Live will ‘listen’ to incoming audio and adjust its tempo accordingly – and the core Live library has been expandedwith more sounds, drum kits, Racks, Grooves, loops and MIDI clips. Some of the device updates made in Live 11 like, Redux and Chorus-Ensemble are available.

You can also add some new Follow Actions – these can now be linked to a clip’s length and applied to Scenes and the good news is that it is a free one for existing Live Lite users.

Live Lite is included in the purchase of a wide range of hardware products. But, owners of any previous version of Live Lite can upgrade for free.

Find out more on the Ableton website.

Nektar Impact GXP88 88 Key USB MIDI Controller

Nektar Technology has expanded its line-up of GXP MIDI keyboards with the launch of 49- and 61-note versions. These join the 88-note model in the range.

The mid-size boards offer semi-weighted keys with aftertouch, and DAW/plugin control. These indicate to be a step up from the bargain-basement controllers you can find on the market.

Features:

Impact GXP 49, 61 & 88

• 49, 61 or 88-note full-sized keybed with velocity and aftertouch
• 14 RGB LED buttons for MIDI, note repeat and Nektarine features
• Pitch Bend and Modulation Wheels
• 1 push encoder for note repeat tempo control and Nektarine features
• Octave up/down buttons with LED indicators
• Transpose up/down buttons with LED indicators. Assignable to other functions.
• Power on/off switch
• USB port and USB bus powered
• 7 transport buttons for DAW integration or MIDI assignable
• Shift button activates secondary level for a total of 14 accessible buttons
• 1 MIDI assignable potentiometer
• Note Repeat button with LED tempo indicator
• Note Repeat Function button
• 1/4“ TRS jack expression pedal socket (pedal not included)
• 1/4” TRS jack Foot Switch socket for connection of up to 2 standard foot switches (not included, dual mode requires optional Y-cable adapter)
• MIDI Output jack
• Nektar DAW integration support*
• Nektarine plugin control and patch librarian software support*
• *Nektar DAW Integration for Impact GXP88 currently supports: Bitwig, Cubase, Digital Performer, Garageband, Logic, Nuendo, Reaper, Reason, Sonar, Studio One

There is a Note Repeat feature for adding rhythmic elements to your performances, along with dedicated controls for tempo, repeat rate, accent, interval and swing.

DAW integration is also available – you get transport, track selection, volume and project navigation controls – while the 14 assignable illuminated RGB buttons are on hand to provide visual feedback.

In addition, the keyboards functionality is extended further when you bring the included Nektarine software into play. This can host up to 16 VST or AU instrument plugins, and you get patch control from the keyboard. You can also define keyboard zones, layers and splits for the hosted plugins, and settings and combinations can be saved in a multi-patch.

On the connectivity front, you can plug in one expression and two footswitch pedals, and there is also a full-size MIDI Out port so you can control your hardware gear. Computer connectivity is via USB but, you also have the option of plugging in a power supply – available separately.

Find out more on the Nektar Technology website.

The GXP49 and GXP61 are available now priced at $190 and $230 respectively, while the GXP88 costs $300.