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Behringer Grind is a hybrid semi-modular synth that borrows oscillators from a beloved Mutable Instruments module. Bringing together a variety of digital oscillators with an analogue ladder filter and 34-point patchbay, Grind joins Edge and Crave in Behringer’s Producer series.

Today, Behringer introduced the Grind, a new synth design in their Producer Series line, which includes the Crave and Edge synthesizers.

Grind is a hybrid synth that packs a considerable amount of sonic firepower into a lightweight and affordable package.

While the Crave & Edge in Behringer’s Producer series take ‘inspiration’ from Moog’s Mother family of semi-modular, Eurorack-compatible synthesizers, the Behringer Grind is ‘mashup’ design. The Grind looks more like a semi-modular take on the Arturia MicroFreak, a hybrid synth that also pairs a selection of digital oscillators (including the Plaits engines) with analogue filters.

The key difference is that the Grind offers 24 oscillator options, going far beyond the limited waveform options typically available on analog synths.

Grind’s hybrid architecture pairs a comprehensive selection of digital oscillators with a 24dB analogue ladder filter. Among the 24 oscillator types we have virtual analogue, wavetable, additive, waveshaping, Karplus-Strong and FM synthesis, along with Yamaha DX7 and Roland TR-303 emulations.

The hybrid synth engine gives the Grind a much broader range of sound possibilities. The Grind intro video showcases sounds that range from traditional subtractive synth sounds to wavetable sounds to 303-style baseline riffs.

Behringer Grind Demo Video:

Like Behringer’s Brains module, 15 of Grind’s synth engines were originally developed by boutique synth company Mutable Instruments for the widely beloved but now-discontinued Plaits module; Mutable Instruments founder Émilie Gillet made the code for the company’s modules open-source before closing down the company in 2022.

Grind is equipped with an arpeggiator and 32-step sequencer which can record and store up to eight banks of 64 patterns. Grind’s 34-point patchbay gives you more opportunity for modulation and allows you to hook the instrument up with other bits of gear or integrate it into your Eurorack set-up.

Though it’s monophonic, Grind can be poly-chained with additional Behringer synths to create a polyphonic synth of up to 16 voices controllable from a single MIDI controller. On the connectivity front, Grind offers MIDI In, Out and Thru, MIDI USB and two 3.5mm audio outputs.

Features:

• Hybrid synthesizer with multi-engine digital oscillator and analog filter
• Capable of wide range of sounds, including percussion, leads, basses & drums
• 24 digital oscillators, including 15 Mutable Instruments Plaits engines
  • Synthesis models designed for pitched sounds like ripping leads, lush chords and ethereal pads
  • 10 synth engines: Virtual Analog, Waveshaper, FM, Grains, Additive, Chords, Speech, Karplus, Hypersaw and Wavetable
  • 10 percussion and noise engines: Rain, Noise, Dust, Modal Strings, FM Drum, Bass, Snare, Hi Hat, Cowbell and Tom
  • 4 extended engines: DX7, TD-3 Bassline, Wave Generator and Vox
• Oscilloscope mode to monitor any input signal
• Multi-functional Timbre and Harmonics controls
• Morph control to seamlessly change the character of the selected sound sources
• Classic 24 dB ladder filter with resonance
• Switchable low/high pass filter mode for enhanced sound creation
• 32-step sequencer with 64 onboard storage slots
• Arpeggiator with wide patterns for great sound effects
• Analog triangle/square wave LFO
• 16-voice Poly Chain allows combining multiple synthesizers for up to 16 voice polyphony
• Semi-modular design with default routings requires no patching for immediate performance
• 22 x 12 I/O matrix for flexible patching options
• 50 controls give you direct and real-time access to important parameters
• MIDI support

The Behringer Grind is priced at $199 and is shipping from the factory. Availability at retailers typically follows within 1-2 months.

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Today’s samplers can emulate the nuanced sounds of pretty much any instrument you can think of, and probably a fair few that you can’t.

Far from reaching ‘peak sampling’, though, the concept continues to evolve, as evidenced by Audiomodern’s Soundbox, a new software sampler that supports MPE (MIDI Polyphonic Expression) and is crafted to introduce Audiomodern’s cutting-edge virtual instruments and also enables you to build your own instruments from scratch.

As its name almost suggests, Soundbox is a true sonic playground, offering more power and flexibility than traditional sampling platforms. You’ll find modular effects, a Vector engine and powerful modulation options, and your finished creations can be shared with other Soundbox users.

The MPE support ensures that players and programmers can get the absolute best out of them. If you have a suitable MPE controller, each note can be tweaked on a per-note basis by deploying horizontal and vertical movements and varying the pressure. This gives you many more opportunities for expression as you perform and record.

Thankfully, all of these features are packed into a clean and visually pleasing interface, so getting the most out of them won’t be a problem. There’s compatibility across Windows, Mac and iPad, as well, so no one needs to miss out.

The Audiomodern Soundbox instruments are available now with an intro price of €29 each, or in a bundle for €79. To find out more and start playing, head over to the Audiomodern site.

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This new immersive music and dance-based VR game aims to alleviate anxiety in young people.

Developed in collaboration between the UK digital dance company Mercurial Dance and students based at dBs Institute of Sound and Digital Technologies, Embody XR is a VR game that leans heavily on sound design and music, and intends to raise awareness about anxiety in young people between 13-25 through physical movement and digital storytelling.

While wearing a headset, participants/players synchronise their movements to in-game choreography and complete tasks based on cognitive behavioural techniques to encourage ‘self-reflection and offer tools that alleviate the physical symptoms of anxiety.’

dBs Pro  – the creative audio company and dBs Institute’s go-to production house – enabled four of its students to work on the sound design elements of the project with the company Sound Reactions.  Using real-time audio editor FMOD, the team put together the sound design elements that the game was built on.

Currently exhibiting around selected schools and universities in the UK, it’s hoped that the game will reach a wider audience in the near future. Its the latest, welcome story as part of a growing trend towards wellness and mental health-oriented tech.

EmbodyXR state that the game was spurred by a shocking study: “A recent study from Mind the Mental Health Charity reported that over 31% of young people aged 16-24 reported evidence of anxiety or depression (up 26% year on year). Of this number, the majority of young people said that turning to support from their school was their first step.”

On the sound design deployed for this project, Jay Auborn, the Creative Director of dBs Pro said: “The sound design for the experience required a musical approach, EmbodyXR makes use of some incredible music that is integral to its dance and movement theme. Creating sounds that were separate enough but also complemented the music was a lot of fun for the team.

“We had to consider the musical key of objects in a way that supported the overall tone of the experience. Our student team used their understanding of music to create the right sounds. Tools like frequency analysis are a real help here to visually see where the spaces are in the spectrum.”

For more information, head to EmbodyXR site.

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