Lunacy Audio has introduced BEAM 2.0, a major update to their “modular effects playground”.
With BEAM 2.0, every BEAM effect is now also available as a standalone plugin. The update is free for BEAM owners and fully accessible à la carte for new users.
Features:
300+ Global Presets
200+ Impulse Responses
150+ Node Presets
4 Standalone Effects – Grains, Space, Filter, and Haze
Preset Generator – Intelligently generate new presets from scratch with the click of a button using a proprietary probability cluster algorithm.
Expanding Ecosystem – Expand BEAM with additional effects and preset packs. Any Lunacy effect can be loaded in the BEAM engine.
Today, Arturia releases MicroLab mk3, a comprehensively upgraded version of their compact, slim keys MIDI controller, and at an affordable price.
MicroLab’s hardware has received a full redesign: the controller has been equipped with a new and improved two-octave keybed, featuring the same velocity-sensitive keys found in MiniLab 3, and a new sustain pedal input, making it a more capable instrument for expressive performances.
If you don’t have a sustain pedal to hook up to MicroLab, you can activate the controller’s Hold Mode using a button in the corner. The same button also activates Chord Mode, which can be used to play chords with a single key – a helpful feature for beginners.
Mk3 is now available in white and black versions – a nice visual touch.
Features:
Velocity-sensitive mini-keys
2 touch strips: Swipe, tap, and control pitch, modulation, and browsing.
Sustain pedal input: Connect a sustain or expression pedal for extended expressivity.
One-finger chords: Activate Chord Mode and play full harmonies with a single key.
Analog Lab Intro included: Browse and play from a curated selection of iconic sounds.
Plug & Play: Connect via USB-C. Install via MCC for Windows users.
Arturia MicroLab mk3 Overview Video:
MicroLab ships with an newly-updated bundle of software that includes Analog Lab Intro, a virtual instrument featuring hundreds of presets from Arturia’s V Collection software, and Ableton Live Lite, a stripped-down version of the popular DAW.
Native Instruments has announced the releases of Circular, a software sequencer that features four independent layers and deep modulation control.
You can sequence over 100 experimental sound sources, from felted pianos to bowed metals, or import your own samples to work with.
Circular’s patches can comprise up to four layers, drawing from a library of 160 sound sources and spanning a variety of acoustic and synthetic samples that includes keys, guitars, saxophones, vocals and synths. Layers can be selected and levels adjusted on Circular’s Play page, which also features a circular representation of its sequencer.
Circular’s Sequencer page (pictured below) and you’ll find a more familiar layout. Each of Circular’s four sound layers gets its own sequencer here with adjustable pattern and step durations, along with polyrhythmic, probability-based and Euclidean sequencing options that can be used to generate complex and unpredictable patterns.
The Sequencer page also gives you per-step control over almost all of Circular’s parameters, applying individual values for sample selection, pitch, filter, amp, envelopes and effects on each step of your sequence.
Features:
Four independent layers: Create polyrhythms and textured performances.
Polyphonic aftertouch support: Add expressive nuance with polyphonic aftertouch.
Real-time step controls: Modulate pitch, filter, and effects with per-step precision, all shaped by aftertouch.
Extensive sound library: Explore over 100 acoustic and synthetic sound sources.
Sample import: Transform your own sounds into evolving sequences with 128 user slots for imported samples.
Kontrol keyboard integration: Integrates with Native Instruments’ Kontrol S-Series keyboards.
Native Instruments Circular Walkthrough Video:
Circular is available now, priced at $199 / €199 / £179. To run it, you’ll need Kontakt (version 8.2.1 or higher) or the free Kontakt Player.
