Melted Electronics has launched a Kickstarter project to produce Glitch Boy, a new instrument described as “a hacked retro console” available both as a desktop standalone and for Eurorack systems.
Glitch Boy is a compact audiovisual instrument for glitch artists, musicians, and experimental image makers. It loads NES-compatible ROMs from microSD and lets users manipulate visuals and sound in real time using onboard controls, MIDI, audio input, or CV. It also functions as a 4-voice chiptune synthesizer, and is available in both standalone and Eurorack versions.
Glitch Boy has hands-on controls for real-time glitching, MIDI, audio reactivity, composite video out, CV input, and both standalone and a few more fun things.
Features:
Loads NES-compatible ROMs from microSD
Real-time glitch control via knobs and buttons
MIDI input for automation and controller mapping
4-voice chiptune synth engine playable via MIDI
Audio-reactive glitching via line input
2x CV inputs for Eurorack / modular integration
NTSC and PAL composite video output
Open and hackable firmware
Available in standalone and Eurorack versions
Glitch Boy is available to project backers for €150 (about $180 USD).
*Note: Crowdfunded projects involve risk. See the project site for details
The Crow Hill Company has introduced The Shit Synth, described as a “compendium of 48 circuit, – wave and sample-bent instruments.”
The concept behind The Shit Synth is that a lot of musicians have used knackered instruments to create interesting music – and a lot of interesting music makes used of ‘knackered sounds’. This includes music from groups like Radiohead, Aphex Twin, Boards Of Canada and Throbbing Gristle.
So – instead of taking the clean sounds of modern plugin synths and trying to make them sound knackered, The Shit Synth is designed to actually directly give you the wonky sounds of shit gear.
They say that the virtual instrument offers “a cohesive approach to making your music more lo-fi, retro, edgy and AI-slop-free.”
Is The Shit Synth “The Shit”, or just another crappy virtual instrument? Watch the demo video let us know what you think!
N-Track has announced the release of n-Track Studio 10.3, adding AI-powered Audio to MIDI, per-note envelopes, global solo button, and a new single track view for mobile.
New n-Track Studio features include:
Turn recordings into editable MIDI with AI-powered Audio to MIDI.
Right-click an audio part to convert it to an instrument track, or drag audio loops directly onto instrument tracks.
Single Track View for a simplified, distraction-free mobile workflow focused on recording, editing and creating.
Per-note MIDI Envelopes in the piano roll for pitch bend, modulation, pan, and more, with node editing and curve shaping.
Global Solo button to toggle multiple soloed tracks at once or instantly isolate a single track.
Automatic BPM detection for imported audio tracks with beat alignment if there’s any silence at the start.
Fine-tuning also possible using the new part grid-align widget.
n-Track Studio 10.3 for Linux, Windows & Mac is available to purchase for $69 USD (Standard), $139 USD (Extended), or $229 USD (Suite). The Suite+ Subscription is available from $14.95 USD/month. Current subscribers and owners of n-Track Studio 10 and n-Track Studio Pro for Android or iOS can update for free. More information is on the n-Track website.
