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

This year 2022, marks the 50th anniversary of Technics’ legendary SL-1200 turntable, the most iconic DJing deck of all time. And to celebrate, the company has released the SL-1200M7L, a limited-edition model.

Based on the standard SL-1200MK7, which was unveiled in 2019, the limited-edition M7L is available in seven colour options: yellow, black, red, blue, white, green and beige – that are designed to “pay homage to the street culture which inspired the rise of DJs”.

The DJ turntable features a coreless direct drive motor that promises stable rotation and maximum torque. This is accompanied by a tonearm that is sensitive but robust – always an appealing combination.

The two-layer structure platter is designed to deliver improved vibration damping performance. When combined with the high-rigidity cabinet and high damping insulator, vibrations would not be a problem, even in the bounciest of clubs.

Control features include starting torque/brake speed adjustment, pitch adjustment and reverse play, while the stylus illuminator has a long-life LED that should be good for plenty of spins.

The SL-1200M7L is available for pre-order now priced at $1,100. Limited-edition accessories – including a slip mat with a gold-coloured logo – are available, too.

Find out more on the Technics website.

Air Music launches 7 new instrument plugins, including an ARP Odyssey emulation and a hybrid synth.

Air Music is responsible for many of the effects and instruments found in Avid Pro Tools and Akai Professional MPC products, and now the company has launched seven new plugin instruments for everyone.

New line-up also contains Mellotron and electric piano titles

The line-up starts at the bottom-end – Bassline ($89) is a vintage-style monophonic synth that features Air’s vacuum tube circuit modelling technology. Electric ($49.99), emulates Rhodes, Wurlitzer and FM pianos.

Next we have Hype ($124.99), a hybrid synth that includes wavetable, FM, virtual analogue and multisample engines, while Mellotron ($99.99) is a homage to the classic tape loop instrument.

Then we have Odyssey ($149); created by WayOutWare, which previously developed timeWARP2600, an ARP 2600 emulation, this is – unsurprisingly – an ARP Odyssey plugin.

And Solina ($119) is another emulation – a polyphonic string synth that covers contrabass, cello, viola, violin, trumpet and horn sounds. These can be combined to create full ensembles.

Lastly, TubeSynth ($49.99), a subtractive synth that uses virtual analogue technology to deliver some of the most famous sounds of the ‘70s and ‘80s.

The new range covers both vintage and forward-thinking plugins, with each title available for PC and Mac in VST/AU/AAX formats.

All the new instruments are available now from multiple resellers. Introductory discounts apply.

SonalSystem, in cooperation with Erica Synths, has introduced three sound libraries for the Sample Drum Eurorack module.

What they say about the loop libraries:

“We tailored full and FREE versions of these three loop collections, sliced and formatted with start/end points, each mapped with parameters to match Sample Drum’s onboard real-time effects section. This lets you get expressively hands-on, transforming beats with attack and decay envelopes, HPF, LPF, delay, reverb, bitcrusher, and drive effects.”

The collections include loops, one shot samples and more:

• BREAK BEET ROOTS – Studio recorded on an old Ludwig drum kit with vintage mics through an analog console, this collection captures the sound of vintage soul, 70s funk, boom bap, and hip-hop history.
• OMBRA – This analog collection of original drum loops covers diverse tempos and styles. There is something here for everyone forging IDM, neurofunk, and tech house tracks.
• THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY – This collection of loops was made with big bass, noise and grime, ideal for emotive music and soundtrack productions.

The libraries are available now for $19.99. Use the code samplemethis30 for 30% off. Free demo versions of the libraries are also available.