Archive for November, 2022

Arturia MatrixBrute Synthesizer gets VST and Standalone Editor

 

Developer Momo Müller has introduced a MIDI Patch Editor, available for Mac and Windows, for the Arturia MatrixBrute Analog Matrix Synthesizer.

 

The MatrixBrute Editor gives you direct access from your DAW to the MatrixBrute’s parameters. And with the VST version, you can record controller movements.

Features:

  • Complex sound changes can be made easily and quickly.
  • Change MatrixBrute Sounds directly from Editor.
  • All controllers can be automated.
  • X-Y modulation of all parameters
  • You can use your MatrixBrute as a sound module in the DAW.

Arturia MatrixBrute Midi Editor / Controller is available now for €6,90 / $ 7.

Fantastic Free Reverb, ValhallaSupermassive, adds Two new Modes

 

Valhalla DSP has released an update to Valhalla Supermassive to mark its 2.5 year anniversary. A popular free reverb for Mac and Windows, adding two new modes: Scorpio and Libra.

The Scorpio mode is similar to the Gemini mode in many ways: fast attack, rapid build of echo density, more of a “conventional” reverb. The feedback path in Scorpio, though, is very different than Gemini, with lower DENSITY settings, and can sound like a complex ping-pong delay. The Low EQ and High EQ filters in Scorpio are included within the feedback paths, versus outside the feedback path like in the Gemini mode.

These are seemingly subtle changes, but they make a HUGE sonic difference. The complex feedback path in Scorpio creates a lot of stereo width, as well as a more “open” frequency response. By incorporating the High EQ filters into the feedback paths, the Scorpio mode can create far more realistic reverb sounds, where the high frequencies decay away over time. The Low EQ filters can be used to take out a little bit of the low frequencies for a less boomy reverb decay, or can shave off a lot of the low end for a reverb that gets thinner sounding as it decays away.

The Libra mode in ValhallaSupermassive has a somewhat slower attack than Scorpio, and can sound like a delay at 4X the displayed DELAY length when WARP and DENSITY are both at zero. Turn up the WARP control, and Libra quickly transforms into a very lush reverb, with balanced modulation. The DENSITY control will start to bring in shorter recirculating delays, and is very useful in smoothing out the reverb attack and decay. Every delay within the Libra mode is filtered by Low EQ and High EQ filters within the feedback paths.

The upshot of all of the above: the Libra mode is the best mode in ValhallaSupermassive for lush modulated reverbs with a natural decay. The Low EQ is useful for filtering as much low frequency content as you do or don’t need. The High EQ creates organic high frequency damping. The balanced modulation results in smooth sounding chorusing.

An example of Libra in action:

 

This track, by developer Sean Costello, features Libra mode for reverb, and ValhallaDelay is being used for tape echo and backwards pitch shifting. The Take 5 from Sequential is being used for the synth tracks.

ValhallaSupermassive is a free plugin, available for both Windows and Intel/ARM Macs.

New Modules bring Motorfader Control to Eurorack Systems and More.

 

         

 

Der Mann mit der Maschine has introduced two new modules; the M4 and S10 –  that bring motorfading action to Eurorack systems and more.

The new “M4 Motor fader Controller” is the first ever Eurorack module with motorized faders.

The M4 is a controller that connects to the Droid Master. Droid is a universal CV processor for generating and processing control voltage for Eurorack modular systems.

One M4 module has four motorized sliders, as used in professional digital mixing consoles. The usual configuration is one or two M4 (so four or eight faders), but up to 16 controllers can be connected per Droid.

The faders can be used for any task, like setting many different parameters per knob or CV presets. Developer Mathias Kettner says that the Motorfaders are especially exciting to use as a performance sequencer. By automatically switching the faders between different “levels”, it is possible to build a sequencer with multiple tracks and multiple CV values and parameters per track with just one set of faders.

The faders always show the currently valid values and do not have to be “fetched” as it is the case with non-motorized simple faders.

The M4 can also generate noticeable haptic resistance via the motorized faders using “force feedback”. This allows the M4 to create artificial notches. For example, in sequencer mode, you can literally feel each note of the scale in the fader. This makes intuitive music making easier, since you don’t need a display to set the desired value.

Another type of force feedback is the simulation of a kind of “pitch bend wheel”. Here, the fader automatically pushes back to its center position when moved away from it, as if pulled by an invisible spring.

The new “S10” module is also a controller that is connected to the Droid Master. It has two rotary switches with eight positions each and eight toggle switches with three positions each. The switches can be assigned to any function. Rotary and toggle switches are particularly suitable for building interactive instruments with, since they are very hands on and their operation quickly passes into muscle memory.

The Droid Forge, released a few weeks ago, completes the Droid ecosystem. The “Forge” is a graphical program for Windows and Mac, with which the Droid can be configured with mouse or keyboard. Previously, the configuration of the Droid required the creation of a text file. These files are still supported, but the Forge makes using the Droid System much easier. The software is available free of charge.

The new modules are part of the Droid platform. Find out more on Der Mann mit der Maschine website. The M4 is available for €410,08 (excl. tax). The S10 is €115,97 (excl. tax).