Archive for January, 2024

New Module brings Particle Physics to Eurorack


In Orbit Labs has launched a Kickstarter project to fund production of Particles, a touchscreen creative physics simulator in Eurorack format.

Each particle in the simulation can be given unique values for acceleration, velocity, gravity, mass and starting XY position, offering a flexible range of possibilities. Particles can travel through portals, be removed from the simulation by black holes and collide with the environment and each other to generate gates.

The particle’s XY position can be mapped to the CV outputs to create waveforms or quantized to create melodies. Collisions may also be switched off for any or all particles allowing them to travel freely around the display without colliding with other sim elements.

Simulations can be drawn from scratch with the touchscreen or setup in fine detail by manually inputting positional values in the UI. Surfaces can be animated to create structures that move the particles around the display in a controlled manner, funneling into choke points for dense collisions or directing the particles along a user-drawn path towards specific quantized voltages.

Internal timed resets or external reset inputs can be used to sync the module or to create repetition and rhythm. Alternatively, no resets can be used for free flowing, ongoing compositions that generate musical events based on collisions and current particle locations.

Particles is available to project backers for about $532. Delivery is targeted for July 2024.

 

Korg PS-3300 FS Synthesizer Hands-On Demo


At NAMM, Composer and synthesist Anthony Marinelli shared this hands-on demo of the Korg PS-3300 FS, a reissue of the classic vintage polyphonic synth from 1977.

Marinelli says that the PS-3300 featured in the video is currently the only one of it’s kind in the world, and was going back to Japan after the show.

Check out Marinelli’s preview and share your thoughts on the Korg PS-3300 FS in the comments!

Topics:

00:00 Playing the 1st Sound I made

00:30 Introduction by Korg’s Luke Edwards

01:13 Anthony’s overview breakdown of the 3 Basic Modules

02:09 Anthony’s overview breakdown of the Modulator Section

03:02 Anthony’s overview breakdown of the Utility & Output/Mixer Section

05:01 Anthony’s overview breakdown of the MIDI/USB and Librarian Section

05:34 Anthony’s overview breakdown of Patching and Normals

06:00 Anthony Plays & shows how to Patch Your Own Sounds

08:08 Let’s Hear the “Amazing” 3 Band Resonators

09:20 Exploring the Envelope Generator & Long Release Times

10:25 Creating a Multi-Timbral Sound from “Scratch”

12:01 Anthony breaks-down Luke’s Favorite Preset Patches

14:42 Anthony Shows how to trouble-shoot when you can’t hear the sound (trouble-shooting)

15:58 Anthony Breaks-down how to make a “Monster Pad” Sound

17:43 Luke shows us 2 more presets

18:03 Anthony’s Summary – Why the PS 3300 FS is so powerful!

19:07 Anthony Explains How You Can Program the PS-3300 & some extra functions

21:30 Discovering the Damper Pedal Feature

22:03 Discovering the Librarian & MIDI

22:24 Closing Remarks

 

 

 

Korg Showcases Portable handytraxx play Turntable at 2024 NAMM Show


Korg dominated this year’s NAMM show with a slew of new releases across several categories…

As we had mentioned earlier, we do know that a non-playable prototype will be on display at the 2024 NAMM Show.

At the 2024 NAMM Show, Korg showcased their Handytraxx play, a turntable that they say combines portability with essential DJ features.

The design is a collaboration with the late Toshihide Nakama, former Vestax president, and builds on the design of the Vestax Handy Trax.

In addition to standard DJ turntable functions, the Korg Handytraxx Play offers a variety of unique features:

  • Creative performance DJ filters
  • Built-in looper with variable playback speed function.
  • Cue function and monitoring let you play the looper while monitoring your record.
  • Pro-level smooth crossfader with reverse mode.
  • Detachable control panel
  • Replaceable crossfader, and MM cartridge mountable.
  • Compact and lightweight
  • AAA batteries or mobile battery (USB-C) powered
  • Speakers (3W) for on-the-go play

Pricing and availability are to be announced.