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

Today, Behringer shared a sneak preview of the POLYOsc, a compact polyphonic keyboard, based on the voice of the Oxford Synthesiser Company OSCar synthesizer.

Based on the photo, it looks like this will be Behringer’s first minisynth keyboard.

What they have to say about it:

“Once upon a time, the OSCar synthesizer was born—a groundbreaking instrument crafted by the Oxford Synthesiser Company between 1983 and 1985. Ahead of its time in many ways, the OSCar was one of the few mono-synths of its era to feature MIDI, making it a sought-after tool for musicians. With only around 2,000 units produced, it became a cult classic known for its distinctive sound and innovative design.

Fast forward to today, and we’ve taken inspiration from this iconic synth to develop the POLYOsc prototype. This modern version builds on the legacy of the OSCar, incorporating many additional features while staying true to the original’s spirit.”

While the photo looks like a finished keyboard, it’s a pre-production prototype. Behringer says that they have not made a decision on whether or not to move forward with this design. It’s not clear from their post whether this will be a true polyphonic synth design, or a paraphonic design, like the ‘Poly D’.

Early feedback on the sneak preview suggest that people want full-size keys, and want the POLYOsc to be a true polyphonic synth design, not a paraphonic design like their ‘Poly D’.

Should Behringer start making minisynth keyboards? Share your thoughts in the comments!

Today, Teenage Engineering introduces Ep-1320, and it’s being described by Teenage Engineering as “the ultimate, and only, medieval beat machine”.

Here’s what they say about it:

“introducing EP–1320 medieval – the world’s very first medieval electronic instrument by teenage engineering.

EP–1320 medieval includes hundreds of expertly recorded playable medieval instruments – processed through analogue dynamics, tape, vinyl and more; from strings and bows, to drums, percussion, and foley”.

embarking on a harrowing quest? this pint-sized medieval instrument is perfect for the treacherous road ahead.

The EP-1320 has been decked out in gold, with button labelling translated to Latin and printed in a decidedly Dark Ages font. In addition to its new design and graphics, the sampler has been kitted out with redesigned effects, including Dungeon Echo, Bardic Ensemble, Medieval Punch-in Pocus, Dimension Expander and Torture Chamber Reverb, and a new arpeggiator.

The EP-1320 features with an extensive bank of medieval-themed sounds that covers farm animals, witches, “rowdy peasants” and “an actual dragon” and multi-sampled medieval instruments such as the hurdy gurdy, gittern, citole and bowed harp. Teenage Engineering says the sampler comes with “cocoa-scented” pads.

The EP-1320 is the same machine as the EP-133 K.O. II, aside from a doubled memory of 128MB – though much of that will be taken up with the new sound bank. The EP-133 K.O. II is a successor to the PO-33 KO sampler that features 46kHz/16-bit sampling, six stereo or 12 mono voices and a built-in mic and speaker, alongside a variety of punch-in effects.

EP-1320 Medieval Features:

• Expanded version of the EP-133 KO with 128MB of memory (32MB User, 96MB built-in)
• Medieval samples featuring goats, cattle, peasants, hurdy-gurdy, mouth harp, and more
• Esoteric aesthetics
• Stereo audio support
• 4 Tracks with independent 99 bar sequencers
• Velocity sensitive keys
• Punch-in effects with pressure sensitive performance
• Assignable performance fader
• Built-in speaker and mic
• Stereo audio I/O
• MIDI TRS-A I/O
• Analog sync
• USB-C for data and power
• AAA Battery powered (optional)

The EP-1320 comes in a 10” box including a quick start guide and sticker set.

Teenage Engineering EP-1320 Madieval is now available for $299, and if you really want to go all in on the medieval vibes, you can buy a medieval quilt bag to carry it in.

808 Day is still a few days away, but Roland is getting the celebrations started early with the announcement of a sneaker collaboration with New Balance.

Though this isn’t the first time we’ve seen 808-styled shoes – The company previously collaborated with Adidas and Puma – but this time there’s a third party involved: Brazilian skateboarder Tiago Lemos.

In fact, the new sneaker is a special edition of the existing (and appropriately named) Tiago Lemos NM808, and one that’s designed to highlight “the intersection of skateboarding, hip-hop, and fashion.”

Although the TR-808 released in 1980, the sneaker itself also pays homage to the late ‘90s. It certainly takes design cues from Roland’s classic drum machine, though, with splashes of white, orange and yellow and a Roland logo and TR-808 badge on the tongue.

“Hip-hop has been the soundtrack for my skating, and at the heart of many classics was the 808,” says Tiago Lemos. “To have a collaboration with the legendary Roland 808 on my shoe is an honour.”

The Tiago Lemos NM808 x Roland sneaker is available now via the New Balance website, and will be rolling out to a select group of the company’s stores. You’ll also be able to find it in Roland’s Tokyo retail store and on the company’s Lifestyle web store. It costs $119.99.

If you want to fully clothe yourself in 808 garb, Roland Lifestyle and New Balance have also collaborated on a matching limited capsule collection featuring hoodies, t-shirts, and hats. This will be available exclusively on the Roland Lifestyle website.

Lastly, Roland will be celebrating 808 Day on Twitch with ‘808 Live’, an eight-hour jam featuring DJs such as Grandmaster Flash, DJ Roueche (Official DJ LA Lakers), Skratch Bastid, DJ Melo-D, DJ Bella Hue and more. And if you happen to be in LA on 808 Day, Roland Lifestyle will be hosting a launch event at 10pm at The Spotlight. You can RSVP for this on Dice website.