At the 2025 NAMM Show, Entropy & Sons was showing their Recursion Studio, described as “a standalone video art platform.”
Recursion Studio interfaces with a wide array of standard A/V equipment, and can work as a generative video synthesizer or you can dig deep to create custom visuals.
While it’s a video synthesizer, it supports LFOs, MIDI & CV control for integrating with live performance setups.
Internally, signals flow through a network of processing units, refered to as modules, which eventually terminate in the HDMI output of the synth. The end result is a stream of HD animation that can be interacted with and controlled in a wide variety of ways.
There are over 300 modules available for use on the device, and more are regularly being added, each performing a unique function and having a unique set of controls and inputs.
Here’s an overview from the Show floor, via Sonic State:
Here’s a playlist of the official demo videos:
Here are some examples of Recursion Studio in action:
Features:
An advanced semi-modular architecture with 300+ modules.
Ffull fledged patch/preset management and tagging system.
Three UI modes
PLAY: For experimentation and exploration.
PERFORM: For live performance.
CREATE: For patch creation and editing.
Sophisticated I/O mapping editor for connecting various input signals to actions.
Internal LFO’s for animating and controlling various parameters.
Novel modulation system for adding spatial variance to parameters.
Interface
5 configurable and remappable continuous infinite encoders
5 configurable and remappable large drum-style button pads
3 auxillary UI control knobs & buttons
A large LCD touch pannel for control of the onboard UI.
Power
USB-C PD Power Adapter (9V 2.2A) (Included)
Inputs
Audio
1/8″ stereo line-level audio rate input and output jacks for interfacing with waveform analysis & beat detection algorithms.
CV
8 Eurorack-style CV Inputs (0 – 10V), protected agains voltage over and underflow.
Video via USB – Onboard USB A(2xUSB 2 + 2xUSB 3) ports supporting:
HDMI via adapter (included)
Most USB Webcams & video capture devices (USB Video-Class Devices)
OmniReflex Neural Control
Interface directly with any neural implants that supports the OmniReflex protocol.
MIDI
USB ports can directly host USB MIDI Controllers
5-pin DIN ports can take input from any MIDI device, and also output
USB support for uploading your own images and graphics to the synth
Outputs
HDMI @ 1080p
Networking – one button updates
Ethernet (RJ45)
USB WiFi (adapter included)
Contents
304 onboard processing modules.
5 onboard instruments.
Over 100 numerical parameters across the various modules.
Over 1000 hand made patches.
Dozens of event signals and responses.
A library of 128 onboard image textures.
Entropy & Sons’ Recursion Studio is available now for $1,200.
At the 2025 NAMM Show, held Jan 21–25 in Anaheim, CA, Nord introduced the Nord Organ 3, the latest generation of their Organ series, the company unveils earlier this month which they say “delivers a massive leap forward in sound, design, and performance.”
At its core is a refined B3 emulation, a newly developed rotary speaker emulation, synth bass, expanded effects section and “vastly improved” Vox and Farfisa models.
The Nord Organ 3 features two, high-quality 61-key triple-sensor, semi-weighted waterfall keyboards. A redesigned panel layout with an OLED display ensures intuitive control, giving instant access to sounds and parameters.
Connectivity options include two 1/4″ TRS balanced audio outputs, an 11-pin Leslie connector for rotary speaker cabinets, 5-pin MIDI I/O, a Bass Pedal 5-pin MIDI input, and an Aux output for optional Bass/Pedal routing.
Features:
General
New panel design with OLED display
Triple sensor keybeds
LED indicators for preset drawbar settings
Aux output with routing options for Bass/Pedal drawbars and more
Per program Transpose function
11-pin Leslie connector
High level output
B3 Organ
Enhanced B3 organ model
New and improved Chorus/Vibrato
Transistor Organs
Improved Farfisa and Vox organ models
Rotary and Amp modeling
New Rotary Speaker emulation
Multiple options for microphone placement
3 Drive Type options
New British amp and speaker emulation
Additional settings for Rotary Speaker
Pipe Organs
Two distinct Pipe Organ emulations
Bass Models
New Synth Bass options based on classic pedal synthesizers
Effects
Brand new Spring reverb
Expanded Reverb section with Pre-Rotary option
Delay with new Analog mode and Feedback filters
New Modulation effects including Phaser, Tremolo, Ring Mod, Flanger and Chorus.
At the 2025 NAMM Show, the MIDI Association officially introduced Network MIDI 2.0 (UDP), a new standard that defines how to connect MIDI devices (MIDI 1.0 and MIDI 2.0 protocol) via Ethernet and wireless LAN.
The initial version was ratified by the MIDI Association and AMEI in November 2024.
Features:
Long distance
Ethernet cables can transmit data up to 100 meters (330ft) without any signal loss or degradation.
Wireless can reach up to 45m (150ft) with direct line of sight (actual distance depends on a number of factors)
Low latency
Typical latency on Ethernet is under 1ms. Wireless LAN latency depends on connection quality and technology, but typically under 5ms.
High bandwidth
100MBit/s or more on Ethernet, 1MBit/s or more on wireless LAN
One cable/wireless link is enough for many logical connections
Ground isolation
On Ethernet, connections are electrically isolated, reducing the chances of electrical grounding noise issues.
Auto-Discovery
Can select devices to connect by name
Off-the-shelf parts and infrastructure
Standard cables (Cat5, Cat6, etc.), routers, switches, and components are readily available and cost effective
Many transports for audio already use Ethernet or IP-based protocols. Some of those are open standards (i.e. AES67) and some are proprietary. Being able to run MIDI 2.0 as a control protocol over the same links that run audio can greatly expand the use of MIDI 2.0.
Wireless MIDI 2.0 using Wireless LAN
The same protocol can be used on wired connections via Ethernet, and wireless connections on wireless LAN, also in mixed environments.
Logical connection setup (Session Management)
The user has full control over which device is able to send/receive MIDI with which other device (or application)
Connections can be changed without having to move physical cables.
Many MIDI streams (sessions) can be configured on the same cable
Simple security mechanisms available in Network MIDI 2.0 help prevent unauthorized access
Peer to peer connection is possible without the need to route data through a computer.
Software implementations do not require OS support
Here’s an overview from Pete Brown (Microsoft engineer & MIDI Association Exec Board Chair), via Sonic State:
Details on Network MIDI 2.0 are available at the Association site.
