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

At Superbooth 2024, being held May 16-18 in Berlin, Arturia has introduced the PolyBrute 12, which they are calling “the most expressive synthesizer ever.”

The Arturia Polybrute 12 takes their Brute line to new level, pairing their expressive FullTouch keyboard with a powerful 12-voice architecture, and adding a ribbon controller, Morphée pad, bi-timbral morphing presets and more.

Key Features:

• FullTouch MPE keyboard – PolyBrute 12’s FullTouch keyboard enables polyphonic aftertouch expression across the entire key movement range. Choose between regular synth action aftertouch modes and FullTouch modes.
• “Limitless” sound design – The 12-voice architecture of PolyBrute 12 combined with its analog oscillators, filters, advanced matrix and integrated FX allow for “an infinite spectrum of sonic color”.
• Morphing & multi-axis control – Morph seamlessly between two states in a single preset and discover PolyBrute’s innovative Morphée controller which allows you to transition between 3 destination parameters.
• Seamless DAW integration – PolyBrute Connect provides a coherent bridge between PolyBrute and your virtual studio projects. Manage your patches and easily import new presets and sound banks. Control PolyBrute in real-time with every parameter change mirrored between synth and software.

Arturia PolyBrute 12 Overview:

Arturia PolyBrute 12 FullTouch Keyboard Overview:

Arturia Polybrute 12 Performance Demo:

Features:

• Analog Morphing Synthesizer
  • 12 voices of Polyphony
  • Mono, Unison, Poly voicing
  • Single, Split, Layer modes
• 61-keys with FullTouch MPE Technology keyboard
• Pitch Bend, Mod Wheel, Ribbon controllers
• Morphée touch and pressure sensitive 3D controller
• Osc and Noise Mixer with Filter routing
• 12dB/Oct Steiner Parker Filter
  • Continuous LP>Notch>HP>BP morphing
  • Cutoff, Resonance, Brute Factor
• 24dB/Oct Ladder Filter with Distortion
• Three Envelopes
  • Looping capability
  • Two ADSR
  • One DADSR
• Three stereo digital effects
  • Modulation FX : Chorus, Phaser, Flanger, Ring Modulation
  • Delay : 9 algorithms including BBD, Digital delay
  • Reverb : 9 algorithms including Hall, Plate, Spring, Shimmer
  • Distortions : Subtle Tape, Classic Distortion, Soft Clip, Worn Out Tape, Germanium, BitCrusher, DownSampler
• Arpeggiator, Matrix Arpeggiator, Sequencer
• Stereo audio output
• 2 expression and 1 sustain pedal inputs
• Two Analog VCO’s
  • Saw
  • Triangle + Metalizer
  • Square + Pulse Width
  • Sub
  • Linear FM
  • Hard Sync
• Noise Generator
  • Continuous tone from rumble noise to white noise
• Three LFOs
  • LFO1 and LFO2 with waveform selection
  • LFO3 with waveform shaping using Shape and Symmetry
  • Rate control & Tempo Sync
  • Various retrig options
• 480 presets and 768 preset slots
• 12×32 Modulation Matrix
  • Notes, Accent, Slide per step
  • 3 tracks of automation
• MIDI and USB i/o + analog clock i/o

The Arturia PolyBrute 12 is available now for 3999€/$4449.

Ohm Force has introduced Ohmicide Eurorack, a new synth module, based on its distortion plugin of the same name.

All 111 of the plugin’s distortion algorithms are available in the Ohmicide Eurorack module. The routing, though, has been redesigned for Eurorack.

The signal is first split into two bands, using the XOVER parameter knob, with the lower band not being processed, preserving the bass content for more control, while the higher band then goes into a low-pass filter, the frequency of which is controlled with the LPF IN parameter knob.

Desired distortion is selected using the TYPE parameter knob (and associated small screen), with 37 different distortions and shapers available — ranging from wave- shapers, wave folding, saturations, overdrive, fuzz, and bit-crushing through to completely unique distortions, including a fractal chaotic feedback equation, cyclic distortions, slew rate limiters, analogue sample & hold emulation, noise-based distortions, a ball bouncing on walls (with velocity controlled by the input signal), a fridge emulation, or one based on Lorenz strange attractors.

Each distortion then has three variants that are accessible via the FAM switch — namely, S (‘Standard’), which is the raw algorithm; X (‘Xxx’, which sounds more like a tube amp); and O (‘Odd’, which introduces inharmonic distortions). Distortion can then be further controlled using the BIAS and MOD parameter knobs.

Last, the distorted signal reaches another low-pass filter whose frequency is controlled with LPF OUT, this time allowing users to ‘tame’ the distortion by progressively removing the harmonics generated in the distortion stage.

Ohmicide Eurorack also has an automatic gain staging that preserves the power of the input signal all the way through to the output. This lets you play with the module, without worrying about whether the signal will suddenly become extremely loud.

All of Ohmicide Eurorack’s parameters are also CV-controllable, while the GAIN, MOD, BIAS, and XOVER jacks also have associated attenuverters.

Ohmicide Eurorack will be available worldwide as of May 16, 2024, with an MSRP (Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price) of €465.00 (including VAT)/$419.00.

At Superbooth 2024, AJH Synth is introducing Hans Zimmer’s RadioPhonic Synth – an all-in-one Eurorack synthesizer that they describe as “the ultimate analogue modular system.”

Manufactured by AJH Synth, the RadioPhonic System was commissioned by Zimmer to take “pride of place” in the composer’s forthcoming recreation of the BBC’s legendary studio, which played host to some of the most pioneering figures in early electronic music.

The RadioPhonic System was inspired by both the EMS VCS 3 and Synthi 100, two synths that were used extensively at the Workshop; Zimmer told AJH that the VCS 3 was the first synth he ever owned.

The synth hosts 48 AJH modules in a handcrafted walnut and cherry case, including seven MiniMod VCOs, two MiniMod Transistor Ladder Filters, a Gemini 2412 Dual VCF filter, and Discrete Cascaded VCA, a two-stage amplifier that uses early Minimoog circuitry.

The possibilities for modulation are extensive, with two Tap Tempo LFO modules and two of AJH’s Dual LFO with VCA modules, along with the Multi Burst envelope generator and Dual RVG, a recreation of the original EMS Random Voltage Generator.

You’ll also find a number of effects modules, including Ring SM, an “award-winning” ring modulator, a 12-stage phaser and a mixer/VCA module that’s capable of adding smooth drive and distortion.

What they say about it:

“The RadioPhonic System was specially commissioned to take pride of place in the new Radiophonic workshop which Hans will be recreating soon, back at its original site in the Maida Vale Studio, London. We are calling this amazing system ‘The RadioPhonic’, in honor of this accolade.

From its inception in 1958, the BBC Radiophonic Workshop has played a huge part in the history of electronic music. In the early days audio tape would be cut and spliced into sound effects and theme music which was used in BBC television and radio programs.

In the 1960’s, synthesizers were added to the arsenal of instruments, and the EMS VCS 3 and Synthi 100 were two of the earliest synthesizers used there. The VCS 3 holds a very special place in Hans Zimmer’s heart, as it was the very first synthesizer that he ever owned and the beautiful American Walnut and Cherry wood case of the RadioPhonic deliberately channels the VCS3 “Putney” case design. However, the range of modules included takes the sonic possibilities way beyond that of the larger EMS Synthi 100 ‘Delaware’ system, which also saw so much use at the Radiophonic Workshop.

Hans has very graciously allowed us to produce a limited number of exact recreations of the RadioPhonic synth, and each will be individually numbered.”

The Hans Zimmer RadioPhonic Synth is launching at Superbooth and is priced at GBP 12,500.00 plus VAT.