Bytedance, the company behind social media platform TikTok – have announced the development of a curious new plugin, Mawf
Mawf uses machine learning to ‘morph’ incoming audio signals into emulations of real instruments in your DAW. The plugin’s ML synthesis engine can also run on MIDI input alone, meaning you can use Mawf as an effect to colour an existing sound, or use it as a virtual instrument by itself. In its beta version, Mawf offers models of three instruments: saxophone, trumpet and the khlui, a Thai flute.
The developers behind Mawf used machine learning to analyse recordings of professional musicians playing instruments. The ML models extracted expressive changes in the instrument’s sound that were linked to variations in pitch and amplitude. Mawf then uses these trained models to approximate the sound of these instruments based on input provided by the user. They’re keen to distinguish this from physical modelling synthesis, which requires “specialised equations” for each instrument modelled. Mawf needs only a solo recording of the target instrument in order to imitate it.
Though the range of modelled instruments is a little small, Mawf does feature some interesting additions. There is an in-built compressor, chorus, and reverb effects, and a number of Control Modes that adjust how Mawf synth engine is triggered, allowing the user to control the pitch of the processed audio through MIDI.
The developers commented on the current limitations of the technology: “Like the first ever analogue synthesiser, expect some funky bleeps and bloops from Mawf. ML for audio synthesis is a new technology no one has really perfected yet.”
Mawf can be downloaded for free by users outside of the U.S., but beta testing is limited to the first 500 sign-ups, so we suggest moving fast if you would like to snag a copy.
Gamechanger Audio, in collaboration with Fender, has announced that their Bigsby pitch shifting effects pedal is now available.
What they say about it:
“The unique spring-loaded foot-pedal design opens up a world of new strumming patterns and bend combinations, allowing beautiful lap-steel and slide-inspired licks that cannot be achieved with traditional tremolo systems.
The BIGSBY Pedal is always “on” – the only thing you need to do to activate it is to step on the foot-pedal. The algorithm ensures that transitions between the dry and wet (pitched) signals are as smooth as possible, enabling you to seamlessly incorporate pitch-bends into complex picking patterns and lead and melodic lines.”
Overview Video:
Additional Features:
EXP OUT: This allows you to use the BIGSBY as a unique spring-loaded Expression Controller with fully adjustable Depth, Rate and Offset controls – for modulating any expression parameters of other pedals and effects units (via a TRS 1/4” jack cable).
FSW IN: The BIGSBY Pedal’s FSW IN connector is compatible with all standard momentary or toggle type footswitches with a TS (Tip/Sleeve) 1/4” jack (normally closed or normally open). You can also use a dual-latching footswitch with a TRS jack – in this case, only one side of the footswitch will work. Pressing the footswitch will activate Latch mode. When latched, the BIGSBY will hold a constant interval determined by the current position of the Depth knob – this way, you don’t have to hold down the BIGSBY Pedal for long phrases. When in Latch mode, you can still use the BIGSBY’s foot-pedal to make momentary dives and detune effects up to two semitones. Pressing the opposite side of the foot-pedal will flip the pitch shift direction.
MIDI IN (3.5mm type B connector): This allows you to control all functions of the BIGSBY Pedal via CC messages and create and
save presets onto ten preset slots, syncing the Rate parameter to a specific tempo (with subdivisions), and more.
Roland has released a major update to the firmware for the Jupiter-X and Roland Jupiter-XM Digital Synthesizers, adding a new synth model, an improved arpeggiator, probability, double the scenes and presets, and more.
The above video, via gattobus, demonstrates custom scenes using the new Jupiter-X synth model.
New in Ver.3.00:
Additional Functions
The model “JUPITER-X” has been newly provided as a preloaded model – The model “JUPITER-X” is a new model that takes the model “JUPITER-8” as its motif and is designed with the aim of achieving the ideal analog synthesizer configuration. Through such moves as adoption of four oscillators, seven types of waveform selection, implementation of oscillator pan and oscillator delay, adoption of a variety of velocity sense functions, and more, this provides new vintage synth expressiveness that transcends the boundaries of vintage synths.
The functionality of I-ARPEGGIO has been extended.
I-ARP TYPE setting values have been increased from 55 to 65 (10 more) and I-ARP RHYTHM setting values have been increased from 44 to 65 (21 more).
Mode switching has been added to enable easy switching of simple arpeggios and step sequencers for each individual part.
It is now possible to change styles and variations for each individual part by using I-ARP and the ARP mode.
A Probability function has been added. This makes it possible to assign a probability to the sound production of each note, and also enables changing its extent through interlinking with I-ARPEGGIO.
New preset sound content has been added (scenes and tones).
The number of scenes and the number of user tones have both been increased from 256 to 512.
Functionality Improvement
Various improvements to the user interface have been made.
When setting parameter values, a value list can now be displayed by pressing the [ ENTER ] button.
The structure of the view displayed when the [ MENU ] button is pressed has been reorganized.
The naming screens for scenes, tones, and the like have been improved.
The order of Z-Core Tone parameters has been reorganized.
Check the Roland website for the new firmware for the Jupiter-X or Jupiter-Xm
