Host Ziv Eliraz, in his latest loopop video, takes an in-depth look at the new Pittsburgh Modular Taiga, a 3-oscillator semi-modular paraphonic synthesizer that can be used standalone, or as a 60HP panel in a larger Eurorack system.
Ziv Eliraz describes Taiga as what Bob Moog & Don Buchla might have created, if they had collaborated on a synth in the 70s.
Check out Taiga review and share your thoughts on it in the comments.
Enter the Matrix, a new portable, affordable open-source grid controller that could light up your performances.The Super-slim device offers flexible lighting and a velocity-sensitive option.
203 Electronics’ Matrix is a minimalist new grid controller that is designed to be extremely portable and totally customisable thanks to its open-source design.
What is the difference from the many other grid controllers on the market, though? The developer claims that it fills a gap in the market between the high-cost ‘pro’ devices and the super-cheap ones that have limited features.
Based on the photos, Matrix certainly looks the part. It’s just 13.2mm thick and features 64 high-brightness LEDs, with the Pro version also getting an additional 32 underglow LEDs that give you more scope to create impressive light shows when you’re performing. The process of doing this is said to have been made simple and accessible.
It might appear that control is limited to the 8×8 grid, but look closely and you’ll see that there’s also a ‘hidden’ control button in the centre. In addition, there are two touchstrips on the sides, as well.
On the standard Matrix, the pads are not velocity-sensitive, but they are on the Pro version. Both devices offer USB-C and Bluetooth LE/WiFI wireless connectivity, with a 2.4Ghz wireless compatibility made possible by an optional receiver.
As mentioned, Matrix’s open-source design means that you can customise it as you wish. It ships with the Matrix OS, with all features supplied as applications within this. Because the OS is open-source, you can create your own apps to suit your needs.
The retail prices for the Matrix and Matrix Pro will be $129 and $199 respectively, but you can currently pick them up for the early bird prices of $99 and $169 via the Kickstarter campaign that has already reached its funding target. You can expect to take delivery of your controller in May or June of this year.
FKFX let us know that they are re-releasing KrishnaSynth, which was originally released in 2007.
KrishnaSynth has been rewritten to meet current standards, but is a “strict copy” of the original 32-bit version, with the same sound, and all its thousand presets.
What the developer say about KrishaSynth:
“It offers over 1000 acoustic, electric, and synth sounds and is equipped with its original synthesis features, called frame oscillator. This synthesis technology allows for import, building, and modification of textures from sampled instruments and synth waveforms.
It also includes a comprehensive set of DSP functions and effects, along with 5 LFOs with high rate capabilities, polyphonically synced on note frequencies.”
KrishnaSynth is available now, for both Mac and Windows.
Features:
New Synthesis System (Frame Oscillator)
Full Control Over Frame Rate and (re)Animation of imported sounds
Mirror Effect
Repeat Effect
fi Effect
Exclusive Draw Screen
Several interpolation modes
Coarse Control(-36/+36 semitones)
User friendly Import Menu
2 Analog Model oscillators
Volume and Pan control
Fine Tune Control (-50/+50th of a semitone)
Desync for each oscillator
FM Synthesis
AM Synthesis
Free drag and drop assignation to any control on screen
