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

San Francisco-based DIY synth maker Oskitone has introduced the Scout, an Arduino-compatible square wave monosynth.

A mini square-wave sound machine for DIY enthusiasts. It might not be the most versatile synth in the world, but there is no denying the cuteness.

Controls are limited to a 17-note keyboard, a volume knob and an on/off switch, so hands-on tweaking is out of the question, but the Scout can be hacked if you are that way inclined.

This Arudino-compatible monophonic synth is proudly “no-frills”, and can also be purchased fully assembled ($125), but surely part of the fun is going the DIY route.

This brings the cost down to $65, and if you’re happy to 3D-print your own parts, you can pick up the Scout for as low as $42.

Features:

• 17 keys
• Custom PCB and 3D-printed hardware
• Satisfying “clicky” tactile switches
• Built-in amplifier, speaker, and output jack
• Powered by 3 AAA batteries
• Open-source and ready to be hacked. Re-programmable with FTDI cable (not included)

Find out more on the Oskitone website.

Heritage Audio reckons you should check out the Motorcity EQualizer.

Heritage Audio aims for the sound of Motown with its Motorcity Equalizer. The ‘Motown sound’ is one of the most distinctive in pop music history, and one that contemporary producers are still trying to recreate.

The Motorcity EQualizer is based on Motown units owned by producer and engineer Michael Brauer, and contains custom tone capacitors and inductors that feature the same materials, values and tolerances as the originals.

It is said to be a ‘dead-on’ recreation of the analogue, passive EQ that was used in Detroit on all those classic recordings, and promises punch and warmth to burn.

With its 10-gauge, hand-brushed aluminium faceplate and bakelite knobs, the Motorcity EQualizer certainly looks the part, and the internal circuitry is supposedly identical to the EQ that inspired it.

The unit lets you tweak the EQ at seven frequency points, while further controls include an in/out/off toggle switch and a gain control. The rear panel contains just a power supply jack and XLR in/out jacks.

Find out more on the Heritage Audio website.

The Motorcity EQualizer is available now priced at $1,599/€2,000.

The Nektar Impact GX Mini is another affordable, portable controller to consider.

Nektar is assuring plenty of unexpected surprise for your mini MIDI keyboard buck with the Impact GX Mini, a 25-note controller that gives you all the features you would expect from a ‘board of this size and a few that might surprise you.

The mini keys are velocity-sensitive, and you can choose from three velocity curves to suit your playing style. An assignable joystick delivers pitchbend and modulation control, there are octave up/down buttons, and a footswitch can be plugged into the 1/8-inch socket with 1/4-inch adapter included.

In addition, there is also the ‘Part 2’ feature which enables you to make momentary setup changes at the touch of up/down buttons.

Hold one of these down and you can instantly transpose the keyboard, switch it to another MIDI channel or layer a second sound on top of the existing one; let go and you’ll immediately revert to the original configuration. This could be handy, particularly in a performance context.

The Impact GX Mini offers out-of-the-box integration with a slew of big-name DAWs, with the seven transport buttons also being MIDI assignable. A shift button opens up a secondary level, giving a total of 14 accessible button functions.

Compatible with Windows, macOS, Linux and iOS, the Impact GX Mini is also USB class-compliant and USB-powered.

The Nektar Impact GX Mini now  available priced at $49.99/£60/€70.

Find out more on the Nektar Technology website.