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

The makers of Vector Synth have recently announced the availability of a new firmware update, along with news of another production run.

Vector Synth is a digital synth module that features a hybrid synth engine, 16-voice polyphony, a deep arpeggiator, effects and more.

The focus of the latest firmware update is implementing Vector Synth users’ most requested features, as well as improvements to the Orbiter engine and a new filter.

The two new Orbiter engine boasts two new shapes: N-Gon and Pulse. Already existing lissajous-based formulas provide smooth timbre changes, while the new shapes are designed for sharp and intricate thumping rhythms, almost to the point of timbre sequencing.

Another improvement is the introduction of a new Formant filter, which brings us up to 5 filter types, up to 4 filters per voice, in a maximum concurrent total of 64.

At a glance:

• Two brand new Orbiter shapes: N-gon and Pulse
• New filter: Formant
• Increased available Orbiter speeds
• Adjustable knob speed
• Adjustable pitch bend range
• Added an option to set the default preset and BPM
• Better MIDI Bank Select to load patches support
• Damper and Sostenuto CC support
• MIDI Through support
• MIDI Continue support
• “Dot” Delay Time added
• Double-tap on a preset to load
• Added an option to hide incoming MIDI CC popups
• Screen brightness adjustment
• as well as various other “fixes and small improvements”

The firmware update is available.

Vector Synth also announced that they have begun producing their sixth batch of synthesizers since the debut of the synth in 2019. Components are in stock, and units are being produced and shipped within ten days of ordering at this time.

Vector Synth is available exclusively via the Vector Synth website, and is €825 (plus EU VAT, where applicable).

Find out more additional information, including Soundcloud examples, at the Vector Synth website.

Spitfire Audio is on a mission to raise awareness of the resonance created by orchestral percussion, releasing a new instrument known as Resonate. It promises “other-worldly mystery, magic, and tension”.

Spitfire Audio in collaboration with world-famous percussionist Dame Evelyn Glennie, developed Resonate.

Spitfire Audio and Dame Evelyn Glennie promise awesome aftershocks with the Resonate orchestral percussion instrument.

Because “every impact has a memory”

There are both tuned and untuned instruments, with the hits, strikes and scrapes giving way to the reverberations.

Resonate is said to bridge the gap between the traditional and experimental. The sounds can be sent through a choice of 14 possible signal paths and six possible after-effects, and you can create endless combinations using the grid tool.

The resonating ‘instruments’ include a water tank, a thundersheet and a barrel, and there are more than 45 different instrumental articulations. You can choose between seven different mic perspectives, including underwater, contact mics attached to resonating chambers, and boundary mics spread through a hall.

Resonate is available now for PC and Mac for the introductory price of $179/£149/€179 (the regular price will be $249/£199/€249). It runs in VST/AU/AAX formats.

Find out more on the Spitfire Audio website.

Zoom is attempting to differentiate its new AMS models by saying that they’re perfect for the modern musician who also does a bit of streaming as well. Regardless whether you’re recording or performing to the world, they should have you covered

The new AMS audio interfaces – AMS-22, AMS- 24 and AMS-44, can switch between music and streaming modes at the flick of a switch.

The AMS-22, the baby of the family, is a 2-in/2-out interface that has a single XLR/TRS combo input and a stereo line in, plus headphone and monitor outputs. It also boasts the aforementioned direct monitoring and loopback features.

The AMS-24 and AMS-44 feature a switch that enables you to flick instantly between music and streaming modes. In music mode, you can access expanded input and output routing options i.e, in streaming mode, all inputs are combined into a single signal for broadcasting.

The AMS-24 is a 2-in/2-out device that offers two XLR/TRS combo inputs with Zoom’s low-noise preamps. There are also two headphone outputs and two TRS outputs for external monitors.

The AMS-44 is very similar but, being a 4-in/4-out interface, it includes additional combo inputs.

Other features include direct monitoring and a Loopback switch that combines the input with playback from your computer – useful for adding background music to a stream or singing live over an instrumental track.

All three interfaces can be powered over USB or AC adapter, with the AMS-24 and AMS-44 also having an AA battery power option. There’s support for PC, Mac, iOS and Android.

The AMS Audio interfaces are available. Find out more on the Zoom website.