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

Developer John Howes inform us know that he’s released a major update to his Strokes application, noting that “what was once just a MIDI sequencer is now a fully-fledged, self-contained instrument/groovebox, featuring 8 samplers, a reverb, and delay.”

Strokes features a collection of seven interconnected modules that interact with one another in real time:

• Grids – 4 x channels of euclidean or step (XOX/TR) rhythm generators
• Logic – 4 x channels of algorithmic rhythm generators
• Matrix – 8 x synchronized per step/stroke parameter modulation sequencers
• Weights – 4 x envelope followers
• Shares – 4 x probability processors using markov chain pattern analysis
• Notes – 7 x pitch presets for sequencing chords, melodies and kit changes
• Patterns – 5 x device wide snapshots / presets

The sequencer is deeply integrated with the samplers, with each sampler featuring:

• amp attack/decay
• adjustable start/end & loop (drag top/bottom half of waveform)
• root note (for tuning the sample)
• multi mode filter lp/bp/hp
• delay & reverb sends
• 4 modulation lanes hooked up to the sequencer

In addition to the new sampler features, there’s Ableton Link integration, cross-platform project sharing and a bundled factory sample pack, with over 100 sounds captured from a Machinedrum, Monomachine and Nord Drum 2.

Strokes is available now on iOS for £19.99, and on Mac and Windows for £35.

Sounds Divine let us know that they’ve released a trio of new sound libraries for the Sequential Prophet-5/Prophet-10.

Wonky Tapes Vol.1 features 40 patches for the Sequential Prophet 5/10. It features dreamy synth sounds, electric pianos, plucky organs, mellow brass pads and fuzzy tremolo sounds.

Wonky Tapes Vol.2 features drifty synth sounds, electric pianos, plucky organs, clavinets and noisy tremolo sounds.

Wonky Tapes Vol.3 features unstable synth sounds, electric pianos, bells, dirty clavinets and ring mod tremolo sounds.

The sound libraries are available now for €25 each (ex.vat).

Spitfire Audio have announced the release of Albion Colossus, a new sample library. Albion Colossus is described as their “most epic library yet”, and is said to be a “gargantuan, all-in-one toolkit” for blockbuster scoring.

The sample library features “two complete orchestras, chamber and symphonic, heavy chugging guitars, a diverse, hard-hitting set of percussion and epic, widescreen synths”

Albion Colossus is a continuation of Spitfire’s Albion series, a collection of sample libraries aimed at providing everything that’s needed to score a film in one single product. Each edition of Albion is based around a different theme, and Colossus is geared towards capturing the sound of big-budget Hollywood blockbusters, epic action movies that require powerful and dramatic orchestral scores.

Spitfire Audio let us know that this edition of Albion differs in that it is the first time one of the Albion libraries has been housed within Spitfire’s dedicated plugin engine. The Albion Colossus plugin is equipped with a variety of controls. Accompanying the Dynamic and Expression controls we’ve seen in previous Albion libraries are three new adjustable parameters that enable the user to fine-tune their textures and timbres: Scale, Depth and Hype.

Scale will expand the size of the ensemble that’s playing, example from chamber to symphony orchestra. Depth will move a mix from a close-recorded, intimate sound to a wide, ambient and expansive tone. The effect that the Hype control has varies for each preset, but is capable of introducing saturation and distortion, and aimed at giving each sound a bit more of an edge.

The Albion Colossus library comprises over 100GB of cinematic sounds, including strings, brass, woodwinds, percussion, drums, synths, and guitars. At the core of the library are recordings of two orchestras: a 42-player chamber orchestra and 111-player symphony orchestra.

Albion Colossus is available now at an introductory price of £299/$349 €349. Find out more on Spitfire Audio website.

Albion Colossus’ GUI                                                       

Spitfire Audio recording sessions for Albion Colossus