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

At Superbooth 2025, being held May 8-10 at the FEZ-Berlin, Moog Music has officially introduced the Moog Messenger, a compact monophonic analog synthesizer that they say is “designed to deliver the iconic Moog sound to a new generation of musicians”.

The Moog Messenger is a powerful synth that blends so-called ‘West Coast (Moog)’ and ‘East Coast (Buchla)’ synthesis capabilities. They call it “Moog’s most accessible analog synthesizer to date”.

The official intro video:

The Messenger builds on Moog’s traditional analog subtractive synth designs with dynamic wavefolding, dual loopable envelopes, a next-generation ladder filter with resonance bass compensation, a sequencer and arpeggiator. It can do classic ‘Moog sounds’, but also goes much further, with features like continuously variable-shape voltage-controlled oscillators and a multi-mode Moog ladder filter.

It also features a full-size keyboard with aftertouch; a front panel with the immediate, hands-on control that Moog keyboards are known for; and flexible analog and MIDI connectivity options, so you can integrate it with modular gear, MIDI hardware and your DAW.

Filling a hole in Moog’s product catalogue left by the recent discontinuation of the Subsequent 25, Messenger gives music-makers a way to access the classic Moog sound for under $1000, without losing a keyboard and venturing into semi-modular territory.

“With Messenger, we aim to honor Moog’s rich heritage while embracing the future of analog synthesis,” said Joe Richardson, Moog Music President and inMusic EVP, Chief Commercial Officer. “This instrument is crafted for musicians and producers seeking a portable, powerful monosynth that delivers the iconic Moog sound, enhanced with modern features and intuitive controls.”

Moog Messenger Preset Demo By Lisa Bella Donna:

Features:

• “Timeless and Intuitive Design”: Building upon the DNA of Moog’s monosynths – including the Minimoog Model D, Voyager, Grandmother, and Subsequent 37 – Messenger combines new synthesis capabilities with a familiar format, delivering classic analog sound with modern enhancements.
• Modern Wavefolding Oscillators: Two continuously variable-shape voltage-controlled oscillators (VCOs) with unique hybrid wavefolders, sync, and frequency modulation (FM) capabilities allow for rich harmonic textures and dynamic overtones. A sub-oscillator with a continuously variable waveshape further adds deep, powerful low-end.
• Next-Generation Ladder Filter with Resonance Bass Compensation: The classic Moog transistor ladder filter has been reimagined with a unique pole-mixing design, offering 4-pole low-pass, 2-pole low-pass, band-pass, and high-pass responses. The resonance bass compensation (RES BASS) switch preserves low-end power at high resonance settings, ensuring full-bodied sound across the spectrum. The classic response is also available.
• Full-Size Keys with Expressive Control: Messenger features 32 semi-weighted full-size keys with velocity and aftertouch, providing a premium playing experience suitable for both performance and studio use. Its metal panel houses 256 presets, offering immediate access to a wide range of sounds and textures.
• Hands-On, Performance-Ready Layout: The knob-per-function control design ensures immediacy and ease of use, allowing musicians to shape sounds without navigating complex menus.
• Integrated Sequencer and Arpeggiator: A 64-step sequencer with probability-based generative behavior and parameter recording, along with a versatile arpeggiator offering multiple pattern modes and rhythmic programming, enable real-time composition and dynamic live performances.
• Sound Design and Modulation Playground: Two loopable ADSR envelopes with velocity responsiveness and multi-trigger capabilities, along with two LFOs—one variable shape with sync and reset, and one triangle-wave tied to the modulation wheel—provide extensive modulation options for creative sound design.
• Comprehensive Connectivity: Messenger integrates seamlessly into your studio with six analog control voltage (CV) patch points, an external audio input to the filter, expression and sustain pedal inputs, and MIDI In/Out via both 5-pin DIN and USB-C.
• Compact, Powerful, and Accessible: Delivering the depth and sonic character of Moog’s legacy in a compact, performance-ready format, Messenger is Moog’s most accessible analog synthesizer to date.

“Messenger embodies our commitment to advancing analog synthesis while staying true to the Moog legacy and innovative spirit of Dr. Robert Moog,” said Erik Norlander, Director of Keyboard Product Development at inMusic. “Our goal was to create a synthesizer that invites immediate exploration—welcoming first-time Moog players and offering the depth and expressiveness that experienced musicians expect. With wavefolding oscillators, a dynamic shape sub-oscillator, a next-generation ladder filter, and comprehensive connectivity options, Messenger is as inspiring as it is accessible.”

The Moog Messenger will be available starting June 2, 2025, for $899. Find out more on Moog website.

In recent years, LA-based instrument brand 1010music has made a name for itself with its Nanobox range – an assortment of ultra-compact digital instruments that includes the Razzamatazz drum machine, Lemondrop granular synth and Tangerine sampler.

Its latest release, Bento, is something altogether more substantial. Described as a ‘flagship music production lab’ Bento is a self-contained sampling instrument that aims to replace your DAW and become the focal point of your music making setup.

At Superbooth 2025, being held May 8-10 at the FEZ-Berlin, 1010music today introduced Bento, a portable sampling production lab that lets you sample, sequence, and perform with expressive control.

“Bento is everything our users have been asking for in a flagship sampler – more power, more control, and more performance tools, all in a portable package,” says 1010music founder Aaron Higgins. “It’s designed to replace your laptop and become the brain of your setup.”

The device itself is focused around a 7-inch color touchscreen, which comes accompanied by 16 velocity and pressure sensitive pads and eight endless rotary controllers.

Bento can create fully-fledged compositions using a scene-based workflow, capable of real time recording, step sequencing, piano roll input and equipped probability tools. It can sequence eight tracks, each with four sequences, allowing users to build full sequences or launch clips for DAWless jam sessions.

Bento offers a range of sample playback modes, capable of hosting chromatic multi-sampled instruments, pad-based drums, one-shots and loops. It also features beat slicing and granular capabilities inherited from 1010’s Lemondrop.

The instrument is also designed to play nicely with your other bits of studio hardware. There are three stereo inputs, three stereo outputs, dual TRS MIDI I/O and USB-C host/device ports. The instrument has an effects engine with per-track delay, reverb, chorus, flanger, and phaser with automation, as well as an internal mixer that allows the user to process external sounds.

Features:

• 7” diagonal color touchscreen
• 16 velocity and pressure-sensitive pads plus 8 endless encoders
• 8 flexible tracks for sampled instruments, slicer, loops, granular or external MIDI
• Scene-based sequencing with real time, step, piano roll and probability tools
• Over 5 GB of samples and 165 patches of fresh new sounds including deeply multi-sampled instruments from pianos to classic synths by Samples from Mars, Soundtrack Loops and Drew Neumann
• FX engine with per-track delay, reverb, chorus, flanger, and phaser with automation
• Extensive modulation system with LFOs, envelopes, and step sequencers
• 3 stereo inputs, 3 stereo outputs, headphone out, USB-C host/device, dual MIDI I/O
• Internal 24-bit resampling, sample streaming from microSD
• Compact and battery-powered for up to 3 hours of portable creativity

1010music Bento Walkthrough Video:

Bento will ship with 5GB+ of sample content, including multi-sampled synths and instruments created by Samples from Mars, Soundtrack Loops and Drew Neumann. It also offers Internal 24-bit resampling and sample streaming from its microSD.

Bento is completely standalone thanks to its onboard battery, which 1010 tells us offers 3 hours of wireless use.

Bento is available to order now priced at $899, shipping in mid May 2025. Visit the 1010music website for more.

Today, Izotope launches Velvet: a new de-esser plugin that will smartly split audio into sibilance and tonal channels to let users de-ess, de-click, and re-shape troublesome vocals into a perfect performance.

The idea is that while traditional de-essers can often dull the overall character of a vocal, Velvetʼs more precise control and smart features allow users to be far more accurate in rooting out the problems.

Velvet is the latest plugin in iZotope’s affordable, fast, easy to use and task-focussed, Catalyst series, appearing alongside new offerings such as Aurora – an ‘intelligent reverb for cleaner mixes’ – and Plasma, the tape saturation plug in for ‘adding precise warmth, depth, and character’.

Velvet features what iZotope calls ‘intelligent de-essing’ which dynamically reduces sibilance only where it’s needed, leaving the tonal quality of the vocal untouched.

It can automatically identify sibilant frequencies and then create ‘intelligent’ EQ nodes to hone in and zap those problem frequencies.

Velvet’s Lift and Tame controls allow users to shape vocals toward a variety of smooth and polished vocal tones, all without affecting sibilance.

And its de-click feature will eliminate any unpleasant pops, clicks, mouth-noise and other accidental knocks and thuds with a simple fader tweak.

Most powerful of all though, Velvet’s separate processing for sibilance and tonal channels allow users to tweak one without having an adverse effect on the other. Then hit the delta button to hear exactly whatʼs being processed.

“Velvet is an instant problem solver for vocals! It replaced 3 plug-ins on my vocal bus… I love it!ˮ says Dave Cerminara, the producer and mix engineer for Father John Misty and Bartees Strange.

Like all of iZotope’s simple but powerful Catalyst series, users will get one powerful effect per-plugin, with just the right number of parameters to achieve quick, creative, and clean results.

And, with 50 presets on board it seems like it’ll be simple to deploy and get your noisy vocals sounding great without fuss.

Velvet is priced at just $49 or $39 in a limited-time crossgrade from any paid iZotope product (anytime prior to 21.05.2025). Find out more on iZotope site.