Archive for May, 2023

Spectrasonics releases Free Keyscape Creative Update

Spectrasonics has released a newly expanded edition of the Keyscape Creative library, expanding it to over 1500 Omnisphere patches, specially designed for users who also own Keyscape.

The vast library of sounds was produced by sound designer and Spectrasonics head Eric Persing, featuring the creative work of the award-winning Spectrasonics Sound Development team.

The expanded library features a wide variety of new patches, showcasing the power of combining the latest features of Keyscape and Omnisphere. Keyscape’s keyboard sounds, including the new Double Felt Grand, are dramatically transformed using Omnisphere’s deep synthesis capabilities and effects.

The Keyscape Creative Library v1.6 update is available now as a free update for registered users of both Omnisphere 2 and Keyscape. All existing users can get the new library by clicking the “Get Updates” button on the splash screen of the user interface. After installation, the patches will appear as a new Omnisphere directory the next time it is opened.

EarthQuaker Devices Disaster Transport Delay Reissues adds Artwork by Parra

EarthQuaker Devices has announced a reissue of their Disaster Transport delay pedal – long out of production – in a limited artist’s edition with graphics by Dutch painter and guitarist Pieter “Parra” Janssen.

What they say about it:

“The Disaster Transport analog-voiced digital delay sits perfectly in the background with an evolved ambiance; but can also be dialed in for the dramatic effect of your choosing. The Mod Mode switch allows you to “bend” or “stretch” the modulation wave. The Bend setting offers a subtle chorus vibe while the Stretch option gives you wild pitch-stretching modulation. The Mod Speed switch offers three rates of modulation, from bizarrely animated gradual climbs and steep drop offs to rapid chorus and intense vibrato.

With knobs to control the Speed, Intensity, Mix, Repeats, and Time; the highly customizable Disaster Transport will help you paint the delay sound of your dreams.”

Features:

  • Analog-voiced digital delay pedal
  • Highly customizable delay with controls for Speed, Intensity, Mix, Repeats, and Time
  • Mod Mode switch allows for bending or stretching of the modulation wave
  • Mod Speed switch controls the speed of modulation
  • True bypass
  • Features EarthQuaker Devices’ proprietary Flexi-Switch Technology
  • Lifetime warranty

The Disaster Transport by Parra is limited to 500 units. It is available now for $249.

Black Corporation announces Expander MK2 Multi-FX Processor


Black Corporation have announced the release of Expander Mk2, a multi-effects processor that builds on the capabilities found in the original Expander to create something much more powerful.

Available as a tabletop or rackmount unit, Expander Mk2 is a multi-effects console that offers delay, reverb, chorus, phaser, ring mod, resonator and overdrive. There’s analogue and digital versions of almost every effect here, and many of the effects are built to emulate vintage gear. The Expander’s interface is comprehensive and contains one knob for almost every function.

The Expander’s digital delay is based on the Lexicon PCM42 and was designed in partnership with Gary Hall, the Lexicon’s original designer, while its digital reverb recreates the sound of the “lush and spacious” Lexicon 224. These are complemented by an analogue BBD delay, with a delay time that goes all the way up to 820ms, and a spring reverb that makes use of two 17″ tanks, along with EQ and digital pre-delay.

The Expander is equipped with a chorus section featuring two distinct BBD chorus lines, a phaser section based around a 12-stage analogue phaser circuit, and a quadrant multiplier ring modulator sitting alongside a vintage-style transformer and diode-based ring mod. That’s not all: there’s overdrive, too, courtesy of KORG’s Nutube analogue vacuum tube technology, which can deliver everything from “subtle texture and warmth” to “screaming distortion”.

External effects can be patched in at any stage in the Expander’s chain using the insert section, while the resonator can be used as a subtle tone-sculpting EQ or pushed into experimental territory with the help of the Expander’s “multitude” of LFOs, which are routable to almost any destination.

Expander’s also kitted out with a matrix mixer, making it easy to design effects pathways and play around with different routing patterns. In terms of I/O, there’s two balanced line ins and outs, stereo send and return, expression and switch pedals, USB and MIDI, along with a Hi-Z guitar input and headphone out on the front panel.

The Expander Mk2 is available for preorder price at $4999, with first orders going out early 2024. Find out more on Black Corporation website.