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

Behringer today introduced the RS-9 Rhythm Sequencer for Eurorack modular synthesizer – a massive gate sequencer, based on their RD-9 drum machine.

According to the company, Behringer RS-9 is ready for testing. RS-9 features 10 individual outputs and full USB/MIDI control, so you can use it to trigger any external drum module or modules.

Behringer says that this is a pre-production prototype, so the release date is to be announced. They are targeting a retail price of $149.

Cre8audio and Pittsburgh Modular Synthesizers today introduced Function Junction.

Function Junction is a new multi-function module that is designed to do the things that other function generators do, but in a straightforward and understandable way.

What they say about it:

“Function Junction came about because one of our product managers was bothering our serious friends (we like them at least) at Pittsburgh Modular Synthesizers. They were complaining that many-function-in-one modules were confusing to use and were trying to accomplish too much, and therefore not really good any single function.

Oddly, the stoic folks at Pittsburgh Modular agreed with him (for once) and took this as a challenge. A few days later they came back with what would be the panel design for this module.

Function Junction combines classic analog modulation sources, ADSR envelope, function generator, and LFO. All are fed into an attenuverting mixer to create a complex modulation junction that can be used as 4 independent sections or in conjunction with each other.

The magic of the module is the ease you can flow from using its functions for basic everyday tasks to creating hyper-complex modulation. The sheer breadth of what you can do and the ease of doing it are pretty amazing (if we don’t say so ourselves).”

Features:

• ADSR / Envelope
  • Fully analog Pittsburgh Modular Synthesizers developed 4 stage ADSR circuit with independent Attack, Decay, Sustain and Release controls.
  • “Loop” capability for envelope cycling. The SUSTAIN KNOB and RELEASE KNOB are used to adjust the time it takes to loop. Loop can be toggled on and off with button press or via gate
  • Function Generator
• Function Generator can be used as an envelope generator, a voltage controlled LFO, a slew generator, a gate signal delay, envelope follower, a clock source, voltage controlled clock divider, complex modulation source, and more
  • Modulation input can be to attack, decay, or both.
  • Loop mode
  • Dual LFO
  • Triangle and Square LFO outs
• 3 channel attenuverting mixer with + OR circuit
  • Mixer can be split into 3 independent attenuverters, one two-channel mixer, and one attenuverter, or a three-channel mixer
  • When not being used as a mixer each channel is normaled to one of the other functions of the module, ADSR, Function Generator, and LFO enabling both an additional out put for each section as well as a dedicated attenuverter for each.
• + OR circuit outputs the current highest voltage value of any of the voltages output by the mixer
• 16hp Eurorack format module

Function Junction is available now with an estimated street price of $199.99 / €199.99 from Cre8audio.com and Cre8audio dealers worldwide.

Roland today introduced the JUNO-X, a new polyphonic synthesizer that they say reimagines the vintage JUNO experience with vastly expanded sound possibilities.

Roland’s early-’80s production line – think Juno-106 and Juno-60, the new Juno-X synth has classics appearance, but inside it is different.

The Juno-X features a full-fat version of Roland’s all-digital Zen-Core engine, along with emulations of both Juno-60 and Juno-106, and other Roland classics. Plus, you have the option to add more as Model Expansions, and inside the Juno-X features a full-fat version of Roland’s all-digital Zen-Core engine, along with emulations of both of those aforementioned Junos (60 and 106) and other Roland classics. Plus, you have the option to add more as Model Expansions.

Additionally, there’s an all-new Juno-X engine that features Roland’s classic Super Saw waveform, velocity sensitivity, pitch envelope controls and more. You get both of the original Juno chorus modes, too, plus a third mode that promises “even more fatness and swirl”. These modes can be combined to create a total of seven different chorus effects, any of which can be applied to any Juno-X tone.

In addition to the core Juno Models, the Juno-X features models of Roland’s PCM-based XV-5080, acoustic pianos from the RD series and a vocoder. Other models that can be added include the Jupiter-8, JD-800, SH-101 and Vocal Designer.

 Juno-X provides support for Roland Cloud Connect, as well – purchase the WC-1 wireless adapter and you get a year’s Roland Cloud Pro membership included, so you can browse, audition and load Model Expansion titles and other Pro membership content directly from the Juno-X, via Wi-Fi

Up to four tones can be layered together, and a wide selection of effects are available for enhancing sounds. You also get Roland’s I-Arpeggio function – first introduced on the Jupiter-X – which delivers both traditional arpeggio patterns and others that are driven by ‘intelligent’ algorithms.

Juno-X comes equipped with a 61-note keyboard that supports aftertouch, while connectivity includes 1/4-inch headphone and L/R outputs, mic, aux and pedal inputs, standard MIDI I/O ports and USB ports for computer connection (MIDI and audio) and a flash drive.

And you get a set of built-in speakers – Bluetooth connectivity means that you can stream music through them from a mobile device – and software editing comes via the Juno-X Editor, which runs on PC and Mac.

Audio Demo:

The Roland JUNO-X available in May in US.