Ultimate Patches has introduced UB-Xa Ultimate Patches, a collection of 300 patches for the Behringer UB-Xa synthesizer line.
They say that the collection spans vintage, modern and futuristic keys, polys, pads, leads and FX, and classic non-synth instruments: acoustic and electric guitars and basses, acoustic pianos, Rhodes and Wurlitzers, B3 organs, orchestral instruments and many others.
Official video demo:
UB-Xa Ultimate Patches is available now, with Black Friday pricing of $19.99. A free 15 Patch Taster Pack from the collection is also available.
Today, Teenage Engineering introduces the OP-XY, a new portable instrument that features a powerful sequencer, synthesizer, and sampler.
It’s a little bit like an OP-Z on steroids. Described by Teenage Engineering as an “all-in-one powerful synthesizer and composer with deep, direct sequencing capabilities”, OP-XY is a sequel to the OP-Z that puts the advanced sequencing of that machine in a form factor that’s similar to the hugely popular OP-1 and OP-1 field, with a matte black colour scheme, an OLED display and an array of new features.
Where OP-1 was geared towards recording via its tape-style workflow, OP-XY’s primary focus is on sequencing; as such, it shrinks down the OP-1’s keyboard and adds an additional strip of 16 LED-equipped buttons to control its 64-step sequencer. This can be used to sequence multiple synth engines and a powerful multi-sampler which run through a variety of effects, including the punch-in effects from the OP-Z.
OP-XY is a portable device equipped with a built-in speaker and USB-C rechargeable battery offering 16 hours of continuous use. It builds on the specs of its younger brother significantly with 8GB of internal storage, 512MB RAM and a dual CPU system “capable of ultrafast processing power and efficiency”. Like the OP-Z, it features a built-in gyroscope that can be used to bring tracks in and out by moving the device
Teenage Engineering says that the OP-XY’s “modular approach” will allow you to “stack musical ideas and phrases like building blocks”, and its “brain chord progression” function will enable you to intuitively program chord sequences by “letting your hands do the talking”. It all sounds intriguing.
Here’s what they have to say about it:
“we know you’ve had wet fantasies about a no-compromise, dual-cpu boosted and fully rebuilt sequencer, sampler, and performance instrument, based on the much-loved workflow of the OP–Z.
now including built-in cv, effect sends, and a best-in-class dac. with 8 individual instrument tracks and 8 auxiliary tracks for controlling any external synthesizer, modular or otherwise, and adding effects. we dare to say it’s probably the most complete, portable sequencer ever built.
it’s here. it’s real. it’s black. and it’s got so much more than you’ve wished for.”
Teenage Engineering OP-XY Intro Video:
TE unusual promo video:
Features:
8 unique synth engines
New drum sampler
Multisampler
Synth sampler
4 filter types
24-voice multitimbral synthesis
Players per track
Instant sampling
6 built-in FX
Master eq
Master saturator
Master compressor and limiter
Stereo signal path
Brain – intelligent transposer
24 punch-in FX for performance
Creative tape looper
2 sequenceable built-in FX slots
MIDI channels selectable per track
10 000+ project files with version history
16-track, 64-step step sequencer with 4 pages
Powerful step components
9 patterns per track, 99 scenes song mode with 9 songs per project
Presets per pattern
10 grooves for creative swing
USB-C audio/MIDI host and device
Audio-out – a multi-out jack, for cv, midi, audio and sync out
MIDI-in
Audio-in
Built-in speaker
Built-in mic
Smooth parameter locks
1920 PPQN
Pressure sensitive pitchbend
Bluetooth LE MIDI
Microtonal tuning
Performance gyroscope
On the connectivity front, OP-XY is well-equipped: a USB-C port, 3.5mm stereo input, MIDI in and MIDI sync are joined by a multi-output port that can be used to send MIDI, CV, gate or sync. It’s also equipped with Bluetooth MIDI.
The Teenage Engineering OP-XY is available now for $2,299.
Today, Apple introduces Logic Pro for Mac 11.1 and Logic Pro for iPad 2.1, free updates that bring some significant new features to the multi-platform DAW.
The update introduces the new Quantec Room Simulator plug-in, which allows users to “tap into the legendary sound of the most acoustically accurate reverb ever created”, according to Apple, built using the original schematics, algorithms, and code from Quantec founder and inventor Wolfgang Buchleitner.
Users can select the vintage Quantec QRS to add natural acoustic space to music while preserving sonic character, or the modern Quantec Yardstick for improved clarity and detail. The Quantec QRS technology is also great tool for video editors who want to add natural-sounding spaces to dialog, foley, and music.
“The Quantec Room Simulator has been a key element to my sound for many years, appearing on records like Passion and Us. I also used it to build harmonic drones to start my live set, which then evolved into songs like Across the River,” said musician Peter Gabriel. “It’s wonderful that Apple is bringing the Quantec QRS back to life as a plug-in for Logic users around the world.”
Other updates:
With Reorder Mixer Channels, users can rearrange channel strips by dragging them, and can even select multiple channel strips to reorder them collectively. To make it easier to find and add any plug-in directly using a keyboard command, Logic Pro for Mac users can now search by category, company name, or even part of a plug-in name. Logic Pro for iPad also introduces Sample Folders, giving users access to their personal collection of samples directly from the built-in Sound Browser right from iPad, external storage, and iCloud Drive.
Logic Pro for Mac 11.1 is available today as a free update for existing users and for $199.99 (U.S.) for new users on the Mac App Store. Logic Pro for Mac 11.1 requires macOS 14.4 or later.
Logic Pro for iPad 2.1 is available today as a free update for existing users, and available on the App Store for $4.99 (U.S.) per month or $49 (U.S.) per year, with a one-month free trial for new users. Logic Pro for iPad 2.1 requires iPadOS 18.1 or later.
