Developer Andrew Crawford shared these previews of MIDI Goblin, an open source patch saver, arpeggiator, auto-chord, arp-note, sequencer and MIDI LFO.
What Crawford say about it:
“The MIDI Goblin started off as a simple patch bank for 1 synthesizer…As time passed, more features were added and more are still being added.
MIDI Goblin will ship with a patch saver, arpeggiator, auto-chord, arp-note, sequencer and MIDI LFO app ready to use right out of the box. Users will be able to set MIDI in and out channels, and define functions for two push buttons through the MIDI goblin settings menu. User settings for each device are saved to the removable micro SD card and load automatically when their device is selected.
…it’ll also be completely open source!”
Features:
User defined devices – User’s data determines what devices are supported by their MIDI Goblin.
Patch saving – You can save and load patches to micro SD using your MIDI Goblin. The OLED screen and the ability to name patches makes the process simple. Only devices that use MIDI CC (control change) data for saving and loading patches will be compatible with MIDI Goblin’s patch storage feature.
Arpeggiator – MIDI Goblin reads MIDI Note messages arpeggiates them. Users can arpeggiate up to 8 notes, adjust speed and change modes on the fly.
Sequencer – You can create sequences on the fly of up to 32 steps. You can and, edit or remove notes, change the recording / playback mode, adjust the sequence tempo, length and save your sequence (plus playback speed) to Micro SD.
Auto-Chord – With the press of a key, you can create chords in major or minor key up to 8 notes in length.
Arp-Note – Arp-Note is a combination of the arpeggiator and auto-chord features. Press a note, hear an arpeggio. Users can define the length of the arpeggio (up to 8 notes) in major or minor keys ,and choose the direction of the arpeggio.
MIDI LFO – Using the MIDI LFO function you can automatically modulate any MIDI CC number. You can modulate the CC value based on basic waveform shapes to craft new sounds for your synth.
Andrew Crawford plans to produce MIDI Goblin via a Kickstarter project. See the project website for details.
Ableton Live 12, a significant update that brings new instruments, effects and workflow improvements to the hugely popular software, is officially here.
Today, Ableton announced the availability of Live 12, a major update that adds new MIDI tools, support for alternate tuning system, new modulation options, workflow improvements, better accessibility and more.
New in Ableton Live 12:
MIDI Transformations and Generators – Use MIDI Transformations to add ornaments and articulations, draw acceleration and deceleration curves, connect successive notes and chords, and simulate the strum of a guitar. And take advantage of MIDI Generators that let you conjure up playful and original ideas for you to develop and turn into your own.
Max for Live MIDI Tools – Try out additional Max for Live Transformations and Generators that give you deeper ways of working with MIDI, or go even further by building new ones.
MIDI Editor improvements – Use your keyboard and mouse to edit MIDI in new ways. Split a note in two, or chop it into several parts. Select a set of notes and join them together, or make them fill a selected time range. Get access to more tools from the Note Utilities panel, like Fit Scale, Humanize, Add Intervals, and more.
Keys and Scales – Transform or generate ideas within the confines of the selected scale, or sync the scale of MIDI devices to the clip being played.
Tuning Systems – Work outside 12-tone equal temperament, and use your chosen tuning with Live’s devices as well as any MPE-capable plugin or hardware.
Modulate more flexibly – Stay in control of a parameter even after it’s been mapped to a modulation source; Max for Live devices like LFO, Shaper and Envelope Follower now let you freely adjust a destination that’s being modulated.
Freeze and Flatten – Freeze and flatten a track in a single step using the Edit menu or the right-click context menu of a Track Title Bar.
Meld – A highly expressive 12-voice MPE-capable synthesizer that uses FM, subtractive and granular synthesis. Its two independent engines can be individually fed through a range of filter types, letting you produce a wide array of textural and experimental sounds.
Roar – Create everything from subtle and precise mastering-grade warmth to wild and unpredictable sound degradation. Roar is made up of three saturation stages for serial, parallel or even mid/side and multiband configurations. Its built-in compressor and feedback routing give you even more ways to shape your sound, and its modulation section lets you add dynamic, evolving saturation and color.
Granulator III – The latest iteration of Robert Henke’s granular instrument now has MPE capability, giving you expressive control over parameters like note bend, vibrato and glissando. Plus, you can now capture audio in real time and start manipulating it immediately.
New Packs – Find new tricks for performing on the fly with the four Max for Live devices of Performance Pack, explore unlikely instruments and unique foley recordings with the Lost and Found collection, and get your hands on authentic hip-hop and trap beats with two drum Packs from Sound Oracle.
Stacked Detail Views – Stack Live’s Clip and Device Views to see more of what’s going on in your track at a glance. View the Clip Editor or automation and the Instrument or Effect you’re working on at the same time, so you don’t have to repeatedly switch between views.
View styling – Live 12’s cleaner, more modern look removes visual complexity and keeps the focus on your music.
Mixer improvements – Use Live’s Mixer in Arrangement View to get more information and control without moving to Session View and breaking the flow. Toggle the visibility of each Mixer section to fit your needs, and benefit from improved readability and feedback.
Sound Similarity Search – Start with a sample and tell Live’s browser to find comparable sounds and instrument or drum presets – with the help of a set of advanced machine learning algorithms.
Similar Sample Swapping – Use sound similarity to find and swap comparable samples in Simpler or Drum Rack.
Browser tagging – Discover new sounds and find them again more easily with Live’s new tagging system. All factory sound content – including Packs – now comes labeled in the Browser with categories and descriptors. And if you want more tags, you can create your own.
Accessibility and navigation improvements – Visually impaired musicians can now access core workflows in Live with screen readers and other assistive technologies, and use new keyboard shortcuts to navigate to nearly every part of Live.
Ableton Live 12 Video Overviews:
Ableton Live 12 is available now, with the following pricing:
Ableton Live 12 Intro costs €79 / $99 / £69
Live 12 Standard costs €279 / $439 /£259
Live 12 Suite costs €599 / $749 / £539.
Current Ableton Live owners can log in to their accounts to see upgrade pricing.
Pittsburgh Modular’s Taiga analogue synth just got upgraded with a keyboard and expansion bay for Eurorack modules: ‘Install a 4th or 5th oscillator and create truly monster sounds’
Last year, we reported on the release of Pittsburgh Modular’s Taiga, a new semi-modular analogue synth that promised to “push the boundaries of analogue synthesis”.
Today, Pittsburgh Modular has introduced the Taiga Keyboard, a 37-key modern analog synthesizer with features something we don’t see in a great deal of hardware synths: a modular expansion bay.
In its original format, Taiga is a desktop synth that can be operated standalone in a wooden enclosure or form part of a Eurorack setup as a 60hp module.
The new synth builds on PM’s Taiga synth module, adding full-sized keys, additional modulation, a unique modular expansion bay, and more. Taiga Keyboard’s larger format let them spread out the controls and add larger knobs, for better performance ergonomics. There are also additional modulation sources, more controls, a full-size 37 key premium aftertouch-enabled keybed, and a unique modular expansion bay.
The expansion bay offers 24hp of powered Eurorack space, meaning you can expand the synth with any modules of your choosing, augmenting its capabilities with anything from additional oscillators and filters to sequencers, effects or even a sampler. Pittsburgh says this means Taiga Keyboard can be “customized to meet the unique needs of any artist”.
In addition to the synth’s 37-key, velocity-sensitive and aftertouch-enabled keybed, you’ll find dedicated pitch and modulation wheels. Taiga Keyboard’s larger size has allowed Pittsburgh to include larger knobs and a more spacious interface, along with a second analogue LFO.
Aside from these upgrades, Taiga Keyboard shares the same architecture as its little brother, and is equipped with three analogue oscillators that offer four core waveforms alongside wavefolding and pulse-width modulation, running through a two-pole, 12db/octave analogue filter.
Key Features:
Taiga Keyboard oscillators – Waveforms generated by the three Taiga Keyboard oscillators stretch beyond the basic geometric shapes and sounds associated with analog synthesis. Taiga Keyboard waveforms pass through up to three proprietary, cascading waveshapers designed to precisely manipulate their symmetry and harmonic content. In addition, each oscillator includes a robust six-stage wave folder to add even more complexity and depth to the diverse sonic palate of Taiga Keyboard. Dedicated coarse and fine controls deliver maximum flexibility & control over the full range of each oscillator.
The “Pittsburgh Filter” – The Pittsburgh filter has defined the sound of Pittsburgh Modular from the moment it was introduced. They say that it offers “a warm, smooth sweep through the full frequency range and a sweet resonance that does not roll off the low end.”
Pittsburgh Dynamics Controller – By simultaneously managing both amplitude and harmonic content, the Pittsburgh Dynamics Controller expands beyond the VCA found in other synthesizers. When used in low pass gate mode, sounds shed harmonic content and become warmer as they decrease in volume. This mimics how sound waves react to their environment.
Open Architecture – Taiga Keyboard has an internally defined signal path. Patch cables are not necessary to begin exploring. Plug the output into a speaker or DAW and Taiga Keyboard is ready to go, but the 64-point patch bay gives you a fully modular instrument, with access to an even deeper set of features and tools.
Modular Expansion Bay – The keyboard also offers a 24hp powered Eurorack Modular Expansion Bay, so you can customize theTaiga Keyboard to your needs. Just remove the metal plate that covers the bay and add Eurorack-compatible modules.
Taiga Keyboard sound demo, with PM founder Richard Nicol and engineer Dr. Michael Johnsen:
Features:
Paraphonic synthesizer with unique additive elements
37 note aftertouch equipped keybed with full-sized keys
Fully patchable – use Taiga Keyboard’s components as separate modules with external devices or reroute its internal patching.
24hp powered Eurorack Modular Expansion Bay
64 point patch bay for rerouting internal signal flow and integrating external sound and modulation sources
Controllable via MIDI, CV, and integrated pseudo random sequencing mode
Clock-synced arpeggiator
3x Pittsburgh Modular Synthesizer developed 100% analog oscillators, each with dedicated coarse and fine controls
Oscillator waveforms – sine, triangle, and saw – Waveforms can be combined
3x Pittsburgh Modular Synthesizer 6 stage wave folder/shaper circuit – folds inputted waves back onto themselves to increase harmonic content
Oscillators include frequency modulation (FM)
Noise generator – pitched somewhere between pure white and pink noise. Perfect for percussion or adding a bit of edge to a sound.
Variable state, multi-mode “Pittsburgh No-Dead-Spots” filter (lowpass, bandpass, highpass, modes can be combined)
Sample & Hold circuit
2x Analog ADSR / envelope generators
Pittsburgh dynamics section – an alternative to an envelope generator and a VCA, the dynamics controller is a Pittsburgh Modular invention that adds a dimension of control over a vactrol-less lowpass gate circuit, adding release time.
2x Dual range analog LFOs with square and triangle wave outputs.
LFO Range High: 2 Hz to 500 Hz Low: 41 seconds to 5 Hz
Dual Channel Mixer – 2 2-channel mixer and a 3-channel mixer joined together, capable of mixing both audio or control voltages.
Preamp that uses a high gain, soft clipping overdrive limiter circuit to increase the level of audio signals. The preamp can be used to cleanly increase the level of external audio to internal signal levels, or it can be used as an overdrive / limiter for internal signals.
Digital multi-mod tool – modulation control via CV, random generator, and extra LFO and envelope generator
Internal clock with tap tempo and can be clocked via an external source.
Built-in clock divider
Echos – 100% analog bucket brigade delay
Included in the box – 1x Taiga Keyboard, 1x Taiga Keyboard wall-wart power supply, 10x Amazing Nazca Noodles Patch Cables
Taiga Keyboard Sound demo:
Nicol & Johnsen will be hosting live streams today (March 4, 2024) on the Pittsburgh Modular YouTube page at 2 pm EST and at 8 pm EST. They will be discussing the technology & research behind Taiga, demoing its capabilities, as well as hosting Q/A sessions. Recordings of the live streams will be available on demand afterwards.
Taiga Keyboard is priced at $1299/€1359. Taiga Keyboard is available now via the Pittsburgh Modular website. Taiga Semi-Modular Analogue Synthesizer is available for $799.99 via Amazon website.
