Akai has announced what it is describing as ‘the most significant firmware release’ that it has ever delivered, breathing new life into the MPC series of standalone groove boxes. The latest firmware update also features 14 new plugins
What’s new in MPC 2.10:
4 New Plugin Instruments: Hype, Solina, Odyssey, and Mellotron
New AIR Vocal Insert Effect Suite w/ Automatic Vocal Tuning, AIR Doubler and AIR Harmonizer Plugins
USB Class Compliant Audio Interface Support
7 new Insert Effects including Half Speed, Diode Clipper, Stutter and more
MPC Drum and Keygroup Engine Enhancements including Akai Pro Sample Tail, Dedicated Pitch Envelope, and Keygroup Portamento
10 New Drum Pad Effects including Ringmod, Bitcrush, Decimator and more
New Sample Key Detection
A video playlist covering the new features:
The MPC 2.10 is bringing auto-tune functionality to the MPC, as part of the AIR Vocal Suite. The vocal effects package also contains the AIR Vocal Doubler and the AIR Vocal Harmonizer, both aimed at helping producers amp up their vocal production.
The firmware update also adds four new plugin instruments, including emulations of the Mellotron, Solina and Arp Odyssey. These are bolstered by the addition of some creative-sounding effects: Diode Clipper, Stutter, Granulator, and the AIR Diffuser Delay, to name a few.
The Akai MPC 2.10 update is available now as a free update for MPC One, MPC Live, MPC Live II, MPC X and MPC2 Desktop users from Akai website.
Behringer shared a teaser for their MS-5 synthesizer, what appears to be a knockoff of the Roland SH-5 synthesizer from the 70s. Unveiled in typical Behringer fashion through a, the MS-5 seems to be a faithful recreation of the 1976 Roland SH-5.
The image is of an early mockup or prototype, based on Behringer’s Poly D form factor. The Behringer MS-5 replaces the modulation panel and the top panel of the Poly D with panels based on the SH-5
Thought by many to be one of the finest instruments in Roland SH series, the SH-5 is an analogue monophonic synthesizer with plenty to offer. Two analogue oscillators, two filters, two LFOs, white and pink noise generators and an excellent ring modulator provide ample opportunity for sonic manipulation.
However, it is the SH-5 versatile signal path, which enables users to mix five audio sources individually through the onboard mixer and route external audio through the filters and ring mod that helps it stand out. Behringer emulation is likely to replicate these features, with the addition of a few modern touches.
As the Behringer MS-5 appears to be in the very early stages of development, so details on pricing and availability are to come.
Cherry Audio has launched the Memorymode synth plugin, a super-sized plugin version of the mighty Moog Memorymoog polysynth. The Memorymoog was released back in 1982.
Cherry Audio has updated the original design with a variety of features:
Memorymode’s LFO, arpeggio, and delay effects all feature one-button tempo sync.
Filter and amplitude velocity sensitivity add a new layer of expressiveness.
A unique Drift parameter allows continuously-variable adjustment of tuning accuracy, from perfectly in tune, to aged and loose, or anywhere in between.
The ‘Modern’ button brings Memorymode into the present with fattened bass and sparkling highs.
Comprehensive MPE support is included for expressive controller performances.
Memorymode’s effects add the final polish to patches, including a stereo phaser, a stereo ensemble, a flexible tempo-synced echo and a reverb section.
The user interface has also been streamlined and simplified, trading the original instrument’s numeric-keypad-and-command-numbers with pop-up menus and an improved value display window.
The three-oscillator voice architecture and ladder filter circuit of the original have been faithfully emulated, but the Memorymode also offers one-button tempo sync on the LFO, arpeggio section, and delay.
In addition, there is a Drift parameter – this can be used to control tuning accuracy- an the Modern button brings the sound up to date with fattened bass and extra sparkle at the top end.
Other new features include MPE support, an expanded Voice Modulation section and the inclusion of more than 600 presets.
Memorymode Demo Track
Galassi created this 80’s-inspired track using sounds of the Memorymode synthesizer:
