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Waldorf Iridium Keyboard is a “high-class synthesizer” with polyphonic aftertouch.

Waldorf has introduced a keyboard version of its Iridium synth which comes with polyphonic aftertouch.

The Iridium Keyboard includes a 47-note Fatar TP/8SK keyboard, with the polyphonic aftertouch meaning that each note can respond to pressure individually when it is applied after notes have been played. On a standard aftertouch keyboard, all notes respond in the same way.

The Iridium interface has also been given a makeover, and now offers a one-knob-per-function control panel. There are also six programmable Macro buttons.

Inspired by the PPG Wave synths of the past, the Iridium Keyboard features five different synthesis models for each of its three oscillators; -wavetable, waveform, particle, resonator and kernels. In addition, there are three stereo digital filters per voice, effects, six envelopes, six LFOs and many more.

Performance demo by synthesist Matt Johnson:

The mod matrix offers 40 independent modulation assignments, each with individual settings for source, amount and destination. There’s support for MPE data, too.

Connectivity options include two audio inputs for processing external signals, CV inputs, gate and trigger in, clock I/O, USB and DIN MIDI, a USB host port, control and sustain pedal inputs, a headphone output with dedicated volume control and two audio outputs.

What Waldorf say about it:

“Tremendous tonal changes flow freely when playing the Iridium Keyboard live, since polyphonic aftertouch is transmitted individually for each note played.

Performers can conceivably play and hold down any number of keys simultaneously, subsequently moving each finger individually. In other words, individual keys are affected by the pressure applied by each finger, thereby creating, for instance, individual data streams for modulation purposes, whereas with monophonic (Channel) aftertouch all notes played will respond in the same way.

With a powerful Mod Matrix offering 40 independent modulation assignments, each with individual settings for Source, Amount, and Destination, Iridium Keyboard comes with powerful modulation options — just like the Iridium desktop synthesizer namesake. Notably, Iridium Keyboard is also capable of processing MPE (MIDI Polyphonic Expression) data, duly making multiple parameters of different notes separately controllable to effectively enable it to behave more like an acoustic instrument in terms of spontaneous, polyphonic sound control.”

The Waldorf Iridium Keyboard is available now for €2,849. via Waldorf dealers.

Find out more on the Waldorf website.

Behringer has introduced the Hirotribe, a portable groovebox in the company’s ‘Soul’ format.

Hello to the Hirotribe, an evolution of the Korg Monotribe. And the man who designed the Korg MS-20 and Monotribe has created a new $99 analogue groovebox for Behringer

Way back in 2019, Behringer announced that it had hired Hiroaki Nishijima, designer of the original Korg MS-20, to lead a new synth development centre in Japan. Now the work at the centre is beginning to bear electronic fruit, with a new synth/groovebox instrument which is confirmed to be on the way, the Hirotribe.

Named after Hiroaki, the Hirotribe is an evolution of the Korg Monotribe, the analogue groovebox that Nishijima also designed.

“The ‘Hirotribe’ is one of the analog synthesizers I always wanted to achieve,” notes Nishijima. “I designed and developed the Korg Monotribe, but I really wanted to make an evolved version of it.”

“I devised the panel design, specifications and the first schematic,” says Nishijima. “Various specifications were added or changed during the development process, and each time the project members had a hard time. However, looking at the ‘Hirotribe’ that was completed in this way, the hardships seem to be a nostalgic story.

“Thank you to all the project members, you did a very good job and I am very happy. Now that the product is completed, I would be honoured if you could all enjoy this ‘Hirotribe’ with my heart.”

The Hirotribe as an analogue groove synthesizer with a built-in drum machine and sequencer. There are two individual oscillators, with raw, triangle and square waveforms, plus a noise generator. You get an LFO with three wave shapes and a single knob envelope generator with three continuous parameters (Attack, Decay and Sustain).

The drum machine section of the Hirotribe provides kick, snare and closed/open hi-hat sounds, and there’s a 16-step motion sequencer with memory slots. The touch-sensitive keyboard has 27 keys, and there’s sync I/O for connection to other gear. MIDI over USB is included, as well.

Features:

• Analog groove synthesizer with built-in drum machine and sequencer
• Analog signal path with DCO, VCF and VCA
• 2 individual oscillators with saw, triangle and square waveforms
• Noise generator
• LFO with 3 wave shapes for modulating both pitch and filter cutoff
• Single knob envelope generator with 3 continuous parameters Attack, Decay and Sustain
• Analog drum machine with bass drum, snare, closed hi-hat and open hi-hat
• 16-step motion sequencer with and memory slots
• 27 touch-sensitive keys
• Sync Input and Output to synchronize with your other synthesizers or drum machines
• USB Micro connector allows powering via smartphone, power bank or computer
• MIDI implementation (including NRPN/CC control of all parameters and bulk load/save)

The Hirotribe will be released once Behringer has the relevant semiconductors required to build it and will cost $99, and more synths from Hiroaki Nishijima and his team are in the pipeline.

Tangible Waves VMIX10 could be the Korg Volca mini synth mixer you really need. Does this third-party effort trump Korg’s own

If you have Korg Volcas or any other mini synths but do not like the look of Korg’s dedicated mixer, Tangible Waves has an alternative in the shape of the VMIX10.

Supplied in a case that is said to be similar size as the Volcas’, the VMIX10 offers six mono input channels with minijack inputs and two stereo channels with minijack inputs. Each channel has its own mute button and level knob, with the mono channels also having a pan control and two FX send knobs.

In addition, there are two FX send-return sections, plus a master level control and a stereo headphone output with dedicated level control.

The VMIX10 comes with a power supply and has four power supply outputs for your Volcas or similar devices.

The Tangible Waves VMIX10 will be shipping in the middle of this month priced at €145 (excluding tax).

Find out more on the Tangible Waves website.