Manifest Audio (MFA) has introduced X-Ponder. It is like a “musical AI chatbot” for Ableton Live: play it some MIDI notes and it will play some back for you.
X-Ponder sounds like such a good idea for a MIDI device that we’re almost surprised no one has thought of it before.
Although it does not use any kind of machine learning, its developer says that you can think of it “like a musical AI chatbot”. Why? Because if you feed it some MIDI notes, it will give you a musical response based on the pitches, chords, velocities and note lengths.
When used in manual mode, X-Ponder works a little like a looper pedal. Punch in for it to start ‘listening’, and punch out for it to start playing indefinitely based on the material you gave it.
Fixed mode enables you to set specific intervals (in bars) for the calling and responding – useful for improvisation – and Listen mode incorporates a user-defined period of silence before the device responds.
By default, X-Ponder’s memory will be wiped every time it starts listening, but by switching to Long memory mode, new MIDI data will be added to its stored history, giving it an expanded number of notes and chords to draw on.
X-Ponder’s output is constrained within your chosen scale and key, but because it’s MIDI, it can be transposed or used with any instrument you like. A visualiser enables you to compare the input and the output.
Supplied as a Max for Live device for PC and Mac, X-Ponder runs in Ableton Live 10.1 or later and requires Max for Live 8.5 or later.
Joranalogue Audio Designed has released the Bias 2 precision scaler/offsetter for Eurorack modular systems.
Bias 2 is designed to provide an easy solution to the incompatibility of modules using different voltages ranges.
Comprising of two independent sections, each with dual inputs and dual outputs, its carefully selected combination of normalized reference voltages and amplification/attenuation factors make it easy to convert between the most common signal ranges: –5 to +5 V, 0 to +5 V and 0 to +10 V.
Beyond the voltage conversion application, Bias 2 is capable of functioning as a pair of dual input unity gain mixers, –6 and +6 dB audio gain stages or a multi-output fixed voltage source.
Features:
Precision analogue dual scaler/offsetter in an ultra-narrow 2 HP.
Designed to simplify interfacing between common Eurorack voltage ranges: –5 to +5 V, 0 to +5 V and 0 to +10 V.
Each section can be configured to add or average signals.
Top section has a +5 V reference normal and ÷2 attenuation output, bottom section a –5 V normal and ×2 gain output.
High gain accuracy, very low offset, noise and distortion, flat bandwidth to 20 kHz: suitable for any signal.
Impedance-compensated outputs.
Precision-milled 2 mm anodised aluminium front panel with high-resolution, non-erasable graphics.
Bullet-proof design: polarised power header and MOSFET protection circuit.
Includes 16-to-10-pin Eurorack power ribbon cable.
Premium mounting hardware: black screws, black nylon washers and matching hex key.
MOD Audio has announced three AI-powered guitar amp simulation plugins, in collaboration with Aida DSP:
Vibro: American Sound – based on an original Fender Vibrolux amplifier, carefully modeled with AI.
JCVM: British Tone – captured from an iconic Marshall JVM410H amp head.
Tweaker: Every Sound – trained with the Egnater Tweaker 40 amp head.
The plugins use an elaborate “conditional modelling” approach, capturing the amplifier’s sound with the volume or gain knob in various positions and leveraging AI to extrapolate the rest. The company says that this technique provides musicians with precise control over their sound, delivering exceptional realism and responsiveness.
The plugins can be used with any of MOD Audio’s processors.
The company says that by combining advanced AI and groundbreaking modelling techniques, these plugins deliver great authenticity, responsiveness, and sonic depth.
The plugins are now available at the MOD Plugin Shop for €19,90 each. Find out more on the MOD Audio website
