The developers of Midicake ARP, a multi-channel parametric MIDI arpeggiator, have released a major firmware update v1.x4, which adds a wide range of new features.
New in MIDICake ARP 4:
DRONE mode
6 New Modulation Shapes
Global tempo range increased
Improved Multi Menu display
4 new Parameters
Modulation Toggle
Pitch Filter
Note Lock
Scale Lock
Inventive Stop Button Behaviour options
Internal MIDI Clock matching
In addition, the release includes miscellaneous bug fixes.
Boss reveals its first new guitar synth pedal system in over a decade: the GM-800 and GK Series, which they say “elevates guitar and bass synthesis into a new age of natural playability”, with the advanced Roland ZEN-Core sound engine and newly developed Serial GK converters
Boss’s parent company Roland was always ahead of the game when it comes to guitar synth; the GR-500 system dates back to 1977. Now, over a decade since its last guitar synth system release, it has at last revealed its next step: the Boss GM-800 pedal and GK Series.
Driven by their newly developed Serial GK digital interface, the ZEN-Core engine in the GM-800 can be used to create realistic acoustic sounds and original synth sounds. The company says that the system tracking stability and expressive scope never before possible.
The GM-800 is built around the expandable ZEN-Core Synthesis System, the sound engine of Roland’s Jupiter-X and Fantom keyboards and Zenology software synthesizer.
“ZEN-Core combines modern PCM synthesis and advanced modeling to provide an infinite playground for sonic discovery,” says Boss. “With over 1200 Tones, GM-800 users can play everything from pianos, organs, and orchestral instruments to classic Roland synth sounds like the Jupiter-8, Juno-106, and many others.”
The pedal’s workflow is centered around ‘Scenes’ – each containing four Tone parts, a Rhythm part, and a huge selection of synth parameters, effects, pitch settings, and sensitivity adjustments.
“Users can layer Tones to create combined voices or assign Tones to individual strings, such as a bass sound on the low strings and a piano or sax sound on the high string,” Boss explains. “It’s also possible to assign Tones to specific fret ranges, a powerful new feature made possible with the GM-800’s advanced pitch detection.”
The streamlined GM-800 pedal offers the connectivity of up to four assignable footswitches, plus two external control jacks that each support up to two footswitches or an expression pedal. MIDI I/O is also included for interfacing with other synths and MIDI equipment.
In addition, the GM-800 and Serial GK System also supports a growing range of options through Roland Cloud, including ZEN-Core Sound Packs, Wave Expansions, and more, including the GK-5 and GK-5B Divided Pickups for guitar and bass, BGK-15 and BGK-30 connection cables, and GKC-AD and GKC-DA GK Converters for interfacing with classic 13-pin GK products are offered to create a whole guitar synth rig for players.
The BOSS GM-800 and GK system will be available in the U.S. beginning in August, with the following pricing:
GM-800 $749.99
GK-5 $249.99
GK-5B $299.99
GKC-AD $199.99
GKC-DA $199.99
BGK-15 $49.99
BGK-30 $69.99.
Details are available at the BOSS website.
Percussa has announced a new run of their Super Signal Processor (SSP) Eurorack module.
“Our SSP Eurorack module sold out a while ago, in the middle of the global supply chain crisis and chip shortage,” notes Percussa founder Bert Schiettecatt. “Things now seem to have improved, and we are now planning another production run of the SSP.”
The Super Signal Processor is a sort of uber-module for Eurorack systems, offering wavetable synthesis, real-time granular synthesis, traditional subtractive techniques, ports of modules from Mutable Instruments, 24 CV & audio I/O jacks and more.
While the Percussa SSP has been out of production, the company has continued to develop the platform, including a new plugin format. SSP developer Technobear has contributed a wide range of modules to the platform.
A live stream with Technobear, hosted by MATTHS (Matt Hodson):
Among Technobear’s modules are a performance mixer, Cartesian sequencer, additional MIDI modules, a sample and hold module, matrix mixer and matrix switcher, and more.
The Percussa SSP is available to pre-order for $2,000 via Perfect Circuit.
