Roland has released Version 3.0 for the Aerophone Pro, an update that adds Intelligent Harmony and Scale Tune, and lets FANTOM owners import tones created with the synthesizer, including recorded samples.
What’s new in Aerophone Pro 3.0:
The new Intelligent Harmony feature turns performances into diatonic arrangements. Set the key, and the harmony will follow your playing, layering up to four notes at a time. And you can connect a footswitch, like the FS-1-WL, to turn the function on and off and set the key.
The Scale Tune Function allows you to set various scales with the choice of pure temperament, equal temperament, Arabic scales, plus your own temperament. You can use a footswitch to set the temperament key as well.
The Version 3.0 update also gives you the ability to import new sample types several ways. FANTOM owners can create tones within their synth with user samples and transfer them to the AE-30 via USB. You can also connect a mic to FANTOM, sample acoustic instruments or other external sounds, and import those samples into the Aerophone Pro. Then, export the user scene to a USB flash drive and share it with others.
Distropolis Goods has introduced the Phantasmal Force, a 16 button + 1 knob micro MIDI controller.
Phantasmal Force is designed to be very small – pocket size – and to be useful for desktop setups where space can be a premium. It’s made to order, so you can customize button colors.
Features:
Very compact
16 programmable, clicky, tactile switches
1 programmable knob (functions based on the last button pressed)
OLED display
Note, chord (three note, user definable), CC, transport and Program Change via MIDI
Most notably, improved stability and syncing when playing long audio files means that you can now perform with multitrack projects from your DAW, adding another string to the SP-404 MK2’s bow. There’s also expanded motion recording – it’s now available on effects parameters – and pad mute and pad mute automation. This makes it easy to mute/unmute patterns during performances and capture mute actions in sequences.
Improved clock timing and adjustable delay on the MIDI clock output should give you tighter syncing with other gear, while the one-shot playback feature enables you to trigger long, evolving samples and jam with short loops underneath.
Elsewhere, it’s now possible to convert a pattern into a sample just by pressing a button – useful for creating loops ready to be assembled into songs – and the DJ mode has been expanded with a variety of enhancements.
In addition, there are other workflow improvements – you can now quantise after recording and there’s a finer tempo setting range – while the new version of the SP-404 MKII app has faster import/export and VST/AU plugin support so that you can use it within your DAW.
