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

Eventide, in collaboration with Third Man Hardware, has introduced Knife Drop, a new effects pedal that merges aggressive octave fuzz with analog synth tones.

The powerful device features presets developed in collaboration with Jack White himself, which they say deliver “bone-rattling distortion and generous heaps of sonic chaos.”

Knife Drop is a sub-octave fuzz and analog synth that can warps and distort your signal, pushing your sound into “uncharted sonic territory”.

It offers five signature presets, dual-octave control, precise filtering, and stereo I/O, allowing you to explore everything from subtle boosts to menacing fuzz, while maintaining total control over your sound.

The synth mix knob lets you blend raw guitar tones with analog synth textures, making this pedal a tool for sonic experimentation.

Knife Drop Demo Video:

Features:

• Rich blend of octave fuzz and analog synth capabilities
• Dual octave control with dedicated footswitch
• Precise filtering options with pre/post distortion routing
• Intuitive preset system with instant recall
• Stereo I/O with switchable guitar/line level inputs
• Flexible expression pedal integration for dynamic control

The Synth Mix knob lets you blend between raw guitar signals and synthesized tones, while the Drive section delivers everything from a subtle boost to intense distortion. The filter section includes responsive envelope control, adjustable resonance, and switchable routing.

Knife Drop features an LED ladder display for precise preset navigation and a secondary function layer that unveils additional sonic territory. The dual I/O configuration supports both mono and stereo operation, while the switchable input accommodates various signal levels for versatile applications, whether onstage or in the studio.

Knife Drop is available now, with an MSRP of $299. A limited-edition yellow model will be offered exclusively on Third Man Records’ website for $333.

ERD/FUSE is the first Eurorack module designed to blow things up with your modular synth. Literally.

The ERD/FUSE module is designed to let you trigger and initiate pyrotechnic or explosive events from within the modular domain.

Why would you want to blow things up with your modular synth? That’s for you to decide!

ERD/FUSE acts as a bridge between gate or control signals, and multiple controlled ignition events. Under various operational modes, trigger signals are used to ignite either electric matches (ematches) or clip-on (talon or safety) igniters in complex sequences.

A Short Video Demo:

*Note: ERD accepts no responsibility or liability for any damages or injuries relating to the use or mis-use of ERD/FUSE. Please follow all safety instructions and notes included with your chosen ematch or talon, as provided by the manufacturer and follow all operation instructions relating to the safe use of ERD/FUSE.

The ERD/FUSE is available now for € 267.

Cycling ’74 let us know that they’ve released Max 9, a major update that they say is “more direct, more transparent, and packed with amazing new audio, visual and coding tools.”

Max is a visual programming environment that’s tailored to music and multimedia applications, and that also offers tight integration with Ableton Live.

Max 9 includes a broad range of new objects and application features, including new sound objects built on Ableton’s DSP code, a new Jitter Effects library, a new Jitter Geometry system for advanced 3D, and a reimagined coding workflow.

Max 9 Highlights:

• Ableton Audio Objects (ABL) – New ABL objects in Max 9 provide direct access to sound tools created by Ableton, and include both complete device emulations (Roar, Drift, Echo, etc.) and DSP building blocks.
• Jitter FX – The jit.fx library for Jitter brings a full-featured and easy-to-use set of realtime image filters, effects, blends, blurs, and more.
• Jitter Geometry – The new Jitter Geometry system offers advanced 3D manipulation in a realtime environment, making use of a new geometry data type (based on the Half-Edge format). This lets you go beyond what was possible to achieve using the Jitter Matrix, with tools to do things like remeshing, smoothing and vertex reduction, normal and UV generation, and more.
• Patching with Code – the codebox object is available in every corner of Max, with variants that support Javascript (V8), Node for Max, Gen variations (gen, gen~, jit.gen, jit.gl.pix), as well as codeboxes for dictionary, OSC, and coll editing.
• Other Improvements:
• Patcher Syntax Coloring makes Max easier to read
• Global Record button lets you capture any audio from Max immediately
• List View and Media Browser improvements
• FPS and CPU meters visible on the toolbar

Max 9 is available now for both new and existing Max users as either a one-time purchase or as a subscription. A Permanent License is priced at $399.