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

Aly James Lab has introduced SY-4X Syncussion, a new virtual instrument, for macOS and Windows, based on the original Pearl Syncussion SY-1 drum synthesizer.

Aly James Lab lovingly recreates this classic analogue drum synth with heaps of new features, putting four Syncussion units in a single plugin.

The Pearl Syncussion SY-1, released in 1979, is a legendary drum synthesizer known for its unique sound shaping capabilities and wide tuning range. At the core you find two identical modules each containing two oscillators, a custom filter, two envelope generators, LFO, Sample & Hold, and a noise generator.

The original SY-1 was used by artists such as Prince, Kraftwerk, Herbie Hancock and Aphex Twin, and later by electronic music producer such as Luke Vibert.

An OG Syncussion will set you back a pretty penny these days, but thanks to Aly James Lab, you can put not one, but four Syncussion modules into your DAW with the developer’s new software emulation: SY-4X.

The original machine was a two-voice drum synth, but SY-4X quadruples that percussion power and gives you enough polyphony to dial in an eight-voice drum kit or four-voice polysynth. Along with the extra voices, the plugin also adds new oscillator modes, enhanced envelope control, a ‘Berserk Mode’ for clipping and bitcrushing, and more options for pitch-tracking and scaling.

Aly James has precisely recreated the SY-1’s original circuits, allowing you to dial in an emulation of its CMOS-based oscillators that captures their sonic quirks, producing distorted waveforms and additional harmonics. The SY-1’s unique filter design has also been emulated, giving you a two-stage low-pass state-variable filter that models the original’s distinctive tone and behaviour.

The six oscillator configurations offered by the SY-1 (single oscillator, FM, dual oscillator mix, dynamic oscillator mix, FM/Custom Ramp OSC, and pure noise) are joined by two new modes that cover oscillator sync and cross-ring modulation; a new trigger-controlled mode scanning feature can be used to switch to a random oscillator mode at a rate of up to 50 times per second.

SY-4’s aptly-titled Berserk Mode turns the plugin into a ‘nastier beast’ by introducing asymmetrical clipping before the filter or bitcrushing after the filter, with the option to reign in both effects through a Stability control.

Features:

• 4 Independent Syncussion modules.
• CMOS based oscillators for authentic tone generation.
• Multi Outputs routing capability.
• Drum Kit or Keyboard Modes.
• Modeled VCF Filter topology, 2-pole spreading low-pass filter with extra user control.
• Up to 60 optional pitch scaling rules to choose from.
• Optional Berserk Mode with 2 types of distortion.
• Most parameters respond to automation.
• Settings and preset browser pages.
• Improved VST3 MIDI support (e.g., can receive MIDI 2.0, enable Ableton Live’s “External Instrument rack” inputs detection, etc.).
• Up to X16 Oversampling

Audio Demo:

SY-4X Syncussion will set you back €51 and is available now in VST3/AU formats for macOS and Windows.

The Mayer EMI Vibes 24-voices synthesizer – the latest instrument from the Austrian synth maker – is now available.

Features include 24 stereo voices, powerful Extended Virtual Analog (XVA) Engine, full integrated Digital Audio Mixer, improved Clip Launcher, comprehensive Drum Engine and a new Resonator Oscillator.

What Mayer say about the Vibes synthesizer:

“Combining a new state-of-the-art platform design, craftsmanship, sound quality and rich connectivity, VIBES sets a new benchmark in modern synthesizer design. Furthermore, all important parameters can be easily accessed by the combination of macro controls and a super responsive 5” touchscreen.

The core technology of Vibes MD850 is the new AIS platform (All Integrated Synthesizer), which allows 24 stereo voices inside VIBES and more powerful and exciting instruments for the future based on its modularity. Existing MD900 users will benefit from the same future software updates like new customers. AIS is also the key element of Mayer EMI’s future vision of synthesizers as the central hub for music production.”

Features:

• 24-voice polyphonic synthesizer
• True stereophonic audio signal path
• XVA sound engine with various oscillator models incl. the new Resonator Oscillator • Arpeggiator and step sequencer for each synth part
• Clip launcher with 7 tracks and up to 8 clips per track
• Drum computer and synth and live effect stacks
• Integrated digital audio mixer with 19 stereo input channels and 2 stereo output channels • Extensive MIDI connectivity
• Web interface for preset and sequence management
• 14 GB internal storage for presets and samples
• 5″ color touchscreen and extensive control elements
• Robust housing with walnut wood elements
• Various inputs and outputs, including USB and Wi-Fi

The Mayer EMI Vibes synthesizer is available now for €2,299.00.

German synthesist Hainbach– in his latest video – takes a look at the KOMA Elektronik Chromaplane, a unique new polyphonic electromagnetic instrument.

The Chromaplane features a touchless interface, organic analog sounds, and an intuitive way of playing, made possible by invisible electromagnetic fields.

“The Chromaplane by Duo Passepartout and Koma Elektronik is an oddity: it is an experimental analog synth that does not have a keyboard or MIDI, but instead it is played with telephone coil pickups.

A beautifully unique idea that found success on Kickstarter, funding within minutes. I got to play with the pre-series model for a week.”

The Chromaplane is available to project backers starting at about $392. The project has already met its funding goal.

*Note: Crowdfunding projects can involve risk. See the project website for details.