Corsynth has announced a new single-width MU oscillator, the C116 The VCO.
The C116 is a compact voltage controlled oscillator that they say is designed to provide all the essential features expected from an oscillator, without taking up too much space in your system.
They note:
“While it is a saw-core oscillator, its design is completely different from the C104 Odyssey of Sound VCO.
The C116 also features different waveshaper circuits for the Sine and Pulse outputs. As a result, it produces a cleaner, more pure sine wave and a sharper, more aggressive pulse waveform.”
Features:
Four simultaneous waveforms: sine, triangle, saw, and pulse
Rotary octave switch with a 7-octave range (C0–C7)
Pulse width range from 5% to 95%
High-quality exponential converter for accurate tracking
Dedicated 1V/Oct input
Exponential FM input with level control
Compact single-width format, ideal for small systems, as an auxiliary VCO, or for building multi-oscillator setups without taking up too much space
Audio Demos:
The VCO is available now to pre-order for €245 + VAT.
Steinberg has announced today that its hardware products are being rebranded as Yamaha brand.
Undertaken as part of a restructuring of both companies’ product development systems, the rebrand will see Steinberg shifting its focus away from hardware and exclusively towards software development and sales.
A German manufacturer and software developer founded in 1984, Steinberg was acquired by Yamaha in 2005. Since then, the companies have jointly developed and released a number of products, including Steinberg-branded audio interfaces such as the IXO series, launched in 2024.
As part of the transition, Steinberg’s IXO12, IXO22, UR22C, and UR44C interfaces have been relaunched under the Yamaha brand as the UR12MK3, UR22MK3, URX22C and URX44C, respectively. All other Steinberg audio interfaces will be gradually phased out, but both companies will continue to provide customers with product support “for the foreseeable future”.
Steinberg’s exclusive focus on software development and sales will “allow both companies to focus on their respective expertise”, according to a statement from the company. Steinberg and Yamaha will continue to “work closely together”, providing users with a “refined, integrated product experience which unites software and hardware”.
Steinberg is the brand behind popular music software such as Cubase, its well-established DAW, and Nuendo, an audiovisual post-production suite. The company is also responsible for Dorico, a leading music notation program, and a catalogue of VST plugins that includes the HALion sampler and Groove Agent drum machine.
“This transition is a very positive evolution for the product line,” says Steinberg’s Managing Director Clyde Sendke. “By moving our range of audio interfaces to Yamaha, we are ensuring that they receive a dedicated focus and allow both companies to play to their core strengths.”
“It will ensure there is greater clarity for both our customers and the industry regarding the respective product lines. Steinberg’s reputation for groundbreaking audio software is second to none, and it makes absolute sense for this to be given our exclusive attention.”
Steinberg’s rebrand is an unexpected move, especially considering that the company was acquired over two decades ago and has continued to operate with a generous degree of independence since then.
Steinberg brand is most closely associated with software titles such as Cubase, its flagship DAW. Whether this too will ultimately be folded into the Yamaha brand remains to be seen.
The Xone:K3 brings RGB backlighting, improved hardware and USB-C to its portable performance-oriented MIDI controller.
Allen & Heath has announced the release Xone:K3, a new and fully customizable/professional MIDI controller for DJs, producers and live performers.
The K3 is a step up from its predecessor, Xone:K2, introducing a handful of notable upgrades. K3 replaces K2’s single-colour LEDs with RGB backlit buttons and encoders for clear visual feedback during performances, usefully indicating which layer you’ve selected and helping you navigate custom mappings.
USB-C connectivity with bus power thankfully replaces the K2’s dated USB-B connection, and K3’s build quality has been enhanced with a diecast metal chassis and nutted pots designed to improve durability. The controller now supports star-topology USB setups, meaning that multiple K3s can now be linked up to the computer and recognized independently.
K3’s layout is much the same as the K2, with 52 physical controls across three fully independent user layers. With 30 buttons, 12 rotary pots, six endless push-button encoders and four 60mm faders, K3 allows for up to 174 assignable MIDI parameters per map. There’s a decent amount of control here for such a slim and portable device.
Allen & Heath’s free Xone Controller Editor app can be used to design MIDI setups, select RGB feedback colours, customize layers, and save or share mappings. K3 offers full compatibility with mappings for K1 and K2, so if you’re own the previous generation and want to upgrade, you won’t have any issues.
Along with the USB-C port, Xone:K3 offers X:Link connectivity, making it possible to hook up to other Xone controllers and mixers via Ethernet cable.
“The Xone:K3 updates the K2 for the modern performance environment,” says Xone Product Specialist Al Crombie. “We’ve expanded the control options, improved the ergonomics, added RGB feedback, strengthened the build with a diecast chassis, and created truly flexible connectivity. The K3 is at home in the booth, studio or on stage, and integrates with both DJ and production workflows.”
Features:
52 physical controls:
30 buttons (CC/Note)
12 rotary pots (CC)
6 endless encoders (CC) with push-button (CC/Note)
4 x 60mm faders (CC)
3 user-defined layers with latching options
Up to 174 assignable controls per map
Free Xone Controller Editor app for mapping, storage and sharing
Assign MIDI commands per control, per layer
RGB LED feedback on buttons and encoder push-switches
USB-C + X:Link connectivity:
X:Link: Connect to Xone:96, PX5, 43C, 23C, K2, and DB mixers
USB-C: Star topology support for multiple devices
USB-C: Bus powered
Diecast metal chassis with nutted pots and tactile switches
Class-compliant USB MIDI: works with macOS, Windows, iOS, Android
Allen & Heath Xone:K3 is available now priced at £195/$249/€228.
