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

Developer and electro producer Erik Griffioen, aka Lloyd Stellar, let us know about his latest project, a free, production-ready, browser-based TR-808 Drum Machine.

Lloyd’s Online TR-808 Drum Machine is completely browser based, and lets anyone create, edit and play 808 beats. Once you’ve created a beat that you like, you can export it as a wav file to use in your DAW or hardware sampler.

Features:

• A 16-step sequencer for classic drum patterns (expandable to 32 and 64 steps)
• Multiple drum variations with authentic 808 sounds
• Adjustable tempo with swing
• Saturation and volume controls
• Easy saving, loading, and sharing of patterns
• High-quality 24-bit WAV recording and MIDI export
• Works best on desktop computers and laptops, but also on mobile devices with larger screens

It’s available now at the Lloyd Stellar site.

If you give it a try, let us know what you think of it!

Supercritical Synthesizers has released the second firmware update for the Redshift 6.

Firmware Update 1.2 brings Clock, LFO clock sync, NRPN support for parameter control, Mod Lock, and also 65 new presets.

Here’s what’s new in Redshift 6 Firmware Update 1.2:

• Added
  • Clock that can be synced via MIDI
  • LFO clock sync
  • Tap tempo
  • All parameters can now be controlled with NRPN and some with CC
  • Velocity to Amp quick modulation on AMP page
  • Mod lock
    • Double-tap a mod source to latch mod assignment mode
    • Hold a source and double-tap another one to latch mod + via assignment
    • Tap the blinking source or via button or Esc to unlatch
  • DCO keyfollow setting -400% to 400% on the KEY page
  • Keyboard octave switching: Up/Down on Key page, or Shift + Up/Down anywhere
  • Filter keyfollow snap to nominal 1:1, 2:1, 3:1 (these are not super accurate in self oscillation)
  • 65 new presets by Gattobus, Starsky Carr and others
• Changed
  • New parameter adjustment logic
    • Default is as previously, except adjustment is more responsive (much smaller “deadzone” when starting to move a knob)
    • Holding shift now enables parameter fine tuning, allowing for much smaller adjustments (you can for example adjust tune by less than a cent)
    • Double-tap Shift to latch fine tune mode, tap Shift or Esc to unlatch
    • Parameter steps are now accessed by holding down a knob while turning
  • Perform page now shows clock status and incoming MIDI
  • Clarify a bunch of names around the UI
  • LFO Reset Phase now has steps at 25%, 50% and 75%
  • DCO Stack & Detune visualization now more accurately reflects what’s happening in the voice
  • Short grace period after adjusting modulation to prevent accidentally changing the parameter
  • Keyfollow now also follows pitch bend and portamento (might change behaviour of some presets)
  • Minor visual tweaks and fixes
• Fixed
  • Fixed all known bugs

Visit the Supercritical Synthesizers site for more info.

Today, Disney has shared the first preview for Tron: Ares, the latest film in the Tron franchise following the original film from 1982, and the 2010 sequel, Tron: Legacy.

Tron: Ares follows a highly sophisticated program, Ares, who is sent from the digital world into the real world on a dangerous mission, marking humankind’s first encounter with A.I. beings.

The preview also offers the first taste of the score, by Nine Inch Nails. NIN has big shoes to fill, following the fantastic score of the original, by Wendy Carlos, and the iconic Tron: Legacy score, by Daft Punk.

Tron: Ares is schedule for releases in theaters October 10, 2025.