Distropolis Goods has introduced the Phantasmal Force, a 16 button + 1 knob micro MIDI controller.
Phantasmal Force is designed to be very small – pocket size – and to be useful for desktop setups where space can be a premium. It’s made to order, so you can customize button colors.
Features:
Very compact
16 programmable, clicky, tactile switches
1 programmable knob (functions based on the last button pressed)
OLED display
Note, chord (three note, user definable), CC, transport and Program Change via MIDI
Most notably, improved stability and syncing when playing long audio files means that you can now perform with multitrack projects from your DAW, adding another string to the SP-404 MK2’s bow. There’s also expanded motion recording – it’s now available on effects parameters – and pad mute and pad mute automation. This makes it easy to mute/unmute patterns during performances and capture mute actions in sequences.
Improved clock timing and adjustable delay on the MIDI clock output should give you tighter syncing with other gear, while the one-shot playback feature enables you to trigger long, evolving samples and jam with short loops underneath.
Elsewhere, it’s now possible to convert a pattern into a sample just by pressing a button – useful for creating loops ready to be assembled into songs – and the DJ mode has been expanded with a variety of enhancements.
In addition, there are other workflow improvements – you can now quantise after recording and there’s a finer tempo setting range – while the new version of the SP-404 MKII app has faster import/export and VST/AU plugin support so that you can use it within your DAW.
Spitfire Audio’s free LABS Classic Synths plugin features vintage Minimoog, ARP, Pro-One and Juno-60 sounds
Spitfire Audio’s latest LABS release looks like a bit of a doozy – a free plugin full of vintage synth tones. Known as Classic Synths, it takes samples from the likes of the Minimoog, ARP Quadra, Sequential Pro-One and Roland Juno-60, compiling them into an easy-to-use package of warm and sometimes wobbly tones.
The interface will be familiar to anyone who’s used a LABS instrument before, with controls kept to a minimum. There is scope for some tweaking, though, using the built-in filter and reverb.
The patch set is said to comprise “unstable, wave-like pads, characterful bass sounds and short, noisy plucks.”
Like all other LABS instruments, Classic Synths is completely free and runs on PC and Mac in VST/AU/AAX formats. Find out more on the Spitfire Audio website.
