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Behringer gets knocked off by CME, who says they have ‘No Component Shortage’

 

Can a knockoff of a knockoff be so derivative that it actually becomes something new?

 

We are used to seeing Behringer taking inspiration from other manufacturers, but other manufacturers taking inspiration from Behringer? That’s not something you hear about so often.

 

That’s the question raised by CME today, with their introduction of the SWIDI – a wireless MIDI keyboard controller that they say is “inspired by Behringer”.…but that is not the whole story.

 

Last year, Behringer introduced the SWING, a MIDI keyboard controller that was such a close copy of the Arturia Keystep that Behringer had to defend it on their site.

 

When Behringer introduced the SWING  it closely copied the Arturia Keystep

 

In their statement, Behringer said that copying other company’s products as closely as legally possible is the core of their ‘market follower’ business strategy, arguing that this type of competition is good for the industry.

 

Now, the CME SWIDI is being introduced as ‘inspired by’ the Behringer SWING. If you look closely, you may see some similarities between the two products:

 

 

You might think that the SWIDI is a clone of the SWING, itself a clone of the Keystep.

 

Or you might think that the SWIDI can’t be a clone of the SWING, because a copy of a copy is actually, itself, a copy of the original. In other words, CME’s copy validates Behringer’s perspective that copying is good for competition.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Is a knockoff of a knockoff itself just another of the original?

 

 

Anyway, CME SWIDI combines a 32-note MIDI keyboard with a 64-step sequencer. It trumps both SWING and KeyStep by offering Bluetooth MIDI, and its compatibility with CME’s WIDI technology means that SWIDI can be used to control up to four peripherals wirelessly. You can also create up to four MIDI configurations.

 

Key Features:

 

• 64-step sequencer, with support for 8-note polyphony.
• Connects wirelessly to up to four peripherals. For legacy MIDI hardware, CME also offers a MIDI-powered Bluetooth adapter.
• 3ms latency between WIDI equipped devices
• 65ft / 20m plain sight range between WIDI equipped devices
• Add up to five (5) Bluetooth MIDI devices with group auto-learn
• You can optimize for latency or jitter performance via WIDI App (iOS/Android)
• Wireless charging. You can power & play the SWIDI on its charging station for eight hours of wireless use.

 

CME says that there’s “no component shortage” to delay production of the SWIDI, and that it will be priced 20% less than the Behringer SWING.

 

The CME SWIDI will be available May 2, 2022, priced at $€ 79.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Korg releases Wavestate and Opsix soft synths: hardware keyboards are now available as native plugins. The two digital synths were released in physical form in 2020.

 

Plugin reboots of contemporary keyboards are less common. Both are available in VST/AU/AAX and standalone formats for PC and Mac. And, they are fully compatible with their hardware counterparts, meaning that sounds can be exchanged seamlessly between the two platforms.

 

So, those who own both the hardware and software versions can create sounds on their desktop and then play them live without the need for a computer, or use the hardware’s physical knobs and sliders to program sounds and then transfer them into software for use in their DAW productions.

 

 

Wavestate Native

 

Inspired by Korg’s classic Wavestation, Wavestate Native is powered by Korg’s Wave Sequencing 2.0 engine. It uses multiple sound layers, each of which can contain a wave sequence of multiple PCM samples or a standard multisample patch, and can be stacked or split across the keyboard.

 

We described the Wavestate a faithful tribute to a ’90s classic, but one that also offers cutting-edge sound design tools for the 21st century.

 

The software version includes extensive realtime control and animated visualisation. The envelopes, LFOs and other modulation sources are all laid out in front of you, and modulation routings can be created by dragging and dropping.

 

 

Opsix Native

 

Opsix native has the exact same sound engine as Opsix. Opsix native takes the six-operator FM synth engine from the hardware and puts it on your desktop. This software version features a redesigned user interface that promises to make it easy to understand the workflow. You get oscilloscopes for each operator, and the theory is that you will get an understanding of how each sound is created, even those who have never used opsix before can understand the workflow.

 

The hardware Opsix has a unique sonic character, and manages to be both fun and accessible in a way that not all FM synths are. Hoping for more of the same from the software.

 

Both Opsix Native and Wavestate Native  are available now for the introductory prices of $149 each (normal prices, which will apply after 5 April, are $199 each). Owners of either of the hardware synths, meanwhile, can crossgrade for $50

 

Find out more on the Korg website.

 

 

 

Tracktion Software has announced Waveform Pro version 12, “the most creative, inspirational and affordable DAW ever created”

 

Enhancements have been made across the board

 

Waveform Pro 12 features a new Smart Browser, more plugins and effects, a reworked audio engine, enhanced MIDI features, improved hardware controller support and more.

 

The new browser is designed to speed up your workflow, with fast access to key elements of Waveform 12, the option to colour-code favourites, and Smart Lists that can be used to preview and consolidate edit and project items.

 

In addition, a new instrument- the sub-friendly BASSOSC – 15 revised audio effects, six utility plugins and the Dual Guitar IR, which can emulate guitar and bass amp cabinets.

 

As with editing, there are MIDI Fold options and a new Event List Editor. Drum Grid Mode is a beat-centric alternative to the piano roll, and includes randomisation options to humanise the likes of velocity, pitch, note start and note length.

 

And Step Clips is designed to add movement and realism, which promise to breathe life into basic patterns, and MIDI Strum.

 

The new audio engine will dramatically improve CPU performance, enabling enhancements such as a remove silence tool – useful for podcasters and dialogue editors.

 

Find out more about Waveform Pro 12 on the Tracktion Software website, and is available now for PC, Mac and Linux and costs $149. A 90-day free trial is also available.