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

Reason v12.6 updates now offers native support for Apple Silicon Macs, which could mean a 50% performance boost. The rack-based DAW also gets a new offline mode

First up, if you’re running Reason 12 on an M1- or M2-powered Mac, you should experience better performance. Up to 50%, according to developer Reason Studios.

“This is a must-have update for those who have purchased a new Mac with an M1/ M2 processor,” piped Martin Fridegren, Product Manager at Reason Studios, which seems like a reasonable thing to say.

In addition, there’s more: all 750+ Reason Rack Extensions now run natively on Apple Silicon, as well, even those that are no longer being maintained by their original developers.

“Since the Rack Extension format is platform agnostic, we are able to ensure that our music makers can continue to use their favourite Rack Extension plugins even on new computer architectures,” Martin Fridegren explains. “We take great pride in making sure you can always access music you made in Reason.”

Regarding access, Reason 12.6 also includes a new offline mode, meaning that you can now continue to use the software when your internet connection drops out or you’re off grid. This works seamlessly: once you’ve signed into Reason once, it’ll just work, and the same goes for all content downloaded via the Reason+ subscription service.

Reason 12.6 is a free update for all Reason 12 owners and is also being offered to all Reason+ subscribers. If you’re using an older version of Reason and want to upgrade, you can get a 40% discount on the price until 8 May.

Find out more on the Reason Studios website.

Behringer has announced that its Pro-800 – a knockoff of the Sequential Prophet 600 that bumps the polyphony up to 8 voices and implements the GliGli mods – is now shipping.

It seems like the company listened to customer feedback on PRO-800 on other websites, because they’ve also cut the price from the originally announced $599 to a list price of $399.

Behringer Pro-800 Synthesizer Audio Demo:

Features:

• “Faithful emulation” of the classic 1982 synth
• 16-channel 5-pin DIN MIDI with deep control of virtually every facet of the synth, including NRPN and MIDI CC
• 16-oscillator structure with 8-voice architecture
• Unison mode lets you use all 16 oscillators into one patch
• 3 waveforms per VCO can be individually toggled, meaning up to 6 simultaneous waveshapes for precision tone-crafting
• Noise generator
• Pulse width can be controlled manually or via LFO for flexible square-wave shaping
• 4-pole lowpass filter features a 24dB/oct slope
• Poly-Mod function allows you to modulate OSC A from OSC B
• Dedicated LFO is outfitted with 6 waveforms, giving you plenty of modulation possibilities
• Polyphonic 2-track sequencer and key-assignable arpeggiator
• 400 user program slots are available for patch storage and recall
• Polyphonic glide
• Chord memory

Behringer says that the Pro-800 is “in stock and immediately shipping from our factory”. Expect it to be available to pre-order at retailers soon, priced at $399.

Kirnu Interactive has introduced ButterSynth for iPad, a hybrid 6-oscillator wavetable/FM/sample-based AUV3 and standalone synthesizer that covers a vast sonic range.

ButterSynth enables you mix any combination of wavetable, FM, sample and granular synthesis engines. Other highlights include a deep modulation matrix, FX rack, factory waveform and sample libraries and more.

Features:

• Mix and match any combination of 6 synthesis engines.
• Dual-wavetable engines feature 9 phase modes, wave folding, and deep unison controls, modeled on vintage hardware synths.
• Built-in wavetable editor gives you the ability to tweak, morph, and hand-draw your own custom wavetables, with each wavetable supporting up to 256 frames.
• FM engine offers 4 operators with a selection of 12 modulation paths. Each operator can be loaded with any waveform from the factory or user library, and can also self-modulate via the feedback dial.
• Sample and Granulator engines both let you load samples (either imported or from the factory library) and control precisely how they are chopped, triggered and layered. Both also feature the same powerful unison modes available in the WT engine.
• Highly configurable 32-slot modulation matrix featuring precise mix/max ranges, self-modulation (via the amount target), plus configurable response curves and layer modes. Simply long-tap any parameter to set it as a Mod destination.
• Full suite of versatile control sources which includes: 4x MSEG-style looping curve envelopes, 4x LFOs, 4x step sequencers, X/Y pad with motion recording, 8x Macro dials and a powerful arpeggiator inspired by Kirnu Interactive’s Cream.
• The EFX rack lets you build your own insert effects chain using any combination of the 16 built-in FX modules. Modules available at launch include delay, reverb, distortion, chorus, OTT compression etc. Note – FX parameters can also be targeted by the mod matrix, unlocking the possibility to program ‘per voice’ modulated effects.
• All presets, wavetables, samples and other settings are stored in the Files app, making bulk import/export, backup and community sharing quick and easy.

ButterSynth is available now for $19.99