25 Feb, 2020
The Nord Wave 2 is akin to four synths in one. And when you look at the specifications, it is one of the most versatile synth as Clavia has include all kinds of things into its latest red keyboard.
The Nord Wave 2 comes with a 61-note after-touch keyboard, with performance features including an arpeggiator, a gate for rhythmic effects, and morphing facilities. There is also a Unison mode for super fat sounds.
The Wave 2 is a 4-part synth with dedicated volume/pan faders for each part. You can use sample-based, virtual analogue, wavetable and FM synthesis, and you get 48 notes of polyphony. There are OLED displays for both the Program and Oscillator sections, plus 1GB of memory that can be filled up with sounds from the Nord Sample Library 3.0.
Modulation options include an LFO with five waveforms, flexible syncing and routing and an AD/AR envelope, and there is also an ADSR amp envelope. You can choose from six filter types – this section also has its own ADSR envelope – while effects include a modulation FX suite, EQ and drive, delay and reverb.
The Wave 2 is perfect for the stage and studio.
The Nord Wave 2 is expected to be available in March.
31 Oct, 2019
Korg Kross 2 88-Key Synthesizer Workstation
Korg has expanded the Kross 2 workstation keyboard calling it a “supercharged” version, the Kross2-88 MB.
The Kross2-88 MB features KORG’s Natural Weighted (NH4) Hammer Action keybed, offering a realistic and comfortable approach to playing. The 88-note model comes with new sounds and has a rubberised matte black finish. An enhanced acoustic piano heads up the new sound expansion, which also includes drum kits and synths, new EP’s and increases the total number of included presets to more than 1,000. 27 drum track pat-terns have also been added to this model.
The NH4 also helps to keep the instrument’s overall weight down, aiding portability.
The Korg Kross2-88 MB is available from October.
25 Sep, 2019
Novation Launchkey Mini (MK3) 25-Key MIDI Keyboard
Novation has come up with a new and improved version of the LaunchKey Mini. The Launchkey Mini Mk3 is designed to be a portable controller for Ableton Live and the Mk3 reworking brings it line with the style of their SL Mk3 super-controller.
The Novation Launchkey Mini MK3 has a sleek design that is similar to its predecessor, the Mini MK2. As well as its 25 mini keys – which Novation says are its best, most responsive yet – this sports new pitch and modulation touchstrips, a sustain pedal input, and new RGB backlighting for the 16 pads. The LaunchKey Mini Mk3 has an arpeggiator. It can run up to 4 octaves in multiple directions and rhythms with swing and adjustable gate time. It has a Mutate mode which brings in interesting variations and a Deviate rhythm to explore a bit of unexpected movement. There is more, though, with the Fixed Chord mode and arpeggiator enabling you to trigger chords with a single note and turn held chords into riffs, melodies and sequences. The Fixed Chord enables you to store any chord you play and then play that same chord on any key you press and the chord stays in memory until you hit the button again.
LaunchKey Mini is designed for controlling Ableton Live 10 and there is a free “Lite” copy in the box to get you started. You can trigger Live 10’s Capture MIDI feature with a dedicated button, operate the transport and mixer, and tweak Device Macros with the eight included rotary controllers. This feature would enable you to cut down on your mouse and keyboard time.
Novation LaunchKey Mini Mk3 comes with mapping templates for other DAWs, too, while a MIDI Out means that it can be used with hardware synths as well. The supplied software bundle includes virtual instruments and plugin effects from AAS, Softube, Spitfire Audio, XLN Audio and Klevgrand.
The Novation LaunchKey Mini Mk3 is available now.
