WORLD OF MUSIC ; PORTABLE KEYBOARD - Latest Portable Music Keyboards, Synthesizers and Music News

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Tim Exile has introduced Scapeshift, a generative groovebox and sequencer that doesn’t use AI.

The official intro video:

What he has to say about Scapeshift:

“I started building it in a hospital bed, as a tool to soundtrack videos. I was documenting my recovery from major cancer surgery and I wanted a tool that would be fast and flexible and output ready-mixed music.

But I’ve ended up using it for way more than that. It’s become an inspiration machine that can take me all the way to a finished track. I’ve already written and released a full EP with it. Right now I’m listening to it in Wander mode, getting my mind melted as it weaves through continuous variations.

At its heart, it’s a machine designed for evolving, morphing and cross-pollinating rhythms, melodies and textures. The results can stand alone as finished tracks or be used to complement a production in your DAW or DAWless setup. Unlike your DAW, which reads out static sequence data, everything Scapeshift generates is controlled by continuously adjustable parameters. It can do some cool things your DAW can’t. You can morph continually between two completely different patterns, cross-breed multiple patterns or create themes to generate infinite variations on a style. It comes with 12 themes which get you started with one click.

It can feel a bit like using AI, but unlike AI you can then precisely tweak the parameters of what it generates and make it your own. And it does all of this without using gigawatts of power and stolen data.

It’s got a full suite of sound engines: 5 drum synths, two monosynths, a polysynth, a resonator, a noise generator and FX. It’s also got a multiband mixing and mastering section so it outputs audio that’s ready to go wherever you want your music to go.

Scapeshift is available now for $59 + tax. A 50% discount is available for his Patreon backers.

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Yum Audio has introduced Ember – a new ‘vibe-driven’ software synth for Mac and Windows.

Here’s what they have to say about it:

“Ember delivers more than just analog warmth; it’s a synthesizer designed for pure character.

Built from the ground up, it offers vibrant, living tones that breathe life into your tracks. Whether you’re after modern clarity or over the top vintage grit, the unique circuits bring out the raw soul in every sound.”

The official intro video:

Features:

• Master controls for easily shaping complex sounds through tone, time, and width adjustments
• Over 200 presets from artists like Stimming, Craig Bauer, Steve Levine, Mr. Bill, Undulae, Jae Deal, Mike Schmid, Henkka Niemistö and many more
• Circuit controls that alter the inner accuracy and modulation, introducing analog-style unpredictability
• Oscillators with built-in saturation and sub-oscillator
• FM modulation for complex harmonic textures
• Resonant analog low-pass filter with key tracking
• Creative FX section with Crackle, Ripple, Chorus, Compress, Heat, Echo, and Space
• Drift section for evolving, organic modulation
• Arpeggiator for rhythmic movement and complexity

Ember is available now for $129.

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Telepathic Instruments shared this sneak preview for Orchid, an advanced chord generating hardware synthesizer that they say is “developed for songwriters, producers and musicians to expand the possibilities of songwriting and musical exploration”.

According to Telepathic Instruments, Orchid was first envisioned by Kevin Parker over 10 years ago. The design of the instrument itself has been developed by company co-founder Ignacio Germade.

“Orchid isn’t just about how much you know or don’t know – it’s about shaking up your creative process,” says Charl Laubscher, another of Telepathic Instruments’ co-founders. “It’s a tool for anyone who wants to step outside their musical comfort zone, to experiment and to find what’s on their mind.”

Pitched as being ‘made for chords’ Orchid is a 16-voice digital polysynth that features three distinct synth engines designed by Stefan Stenzel, best known for his work with Waldorf. These offer a virtual analogue subtractive synth, an FM synth engine, and a vintage reed piano emulation. The FM and VA engines each have four oscillators, four LFOs, four envelope generators and a filter.

The synth also features onboard reverb, chorus and delay effects. As well as letting users assign a sound for the main chords, Orchid also has a separate bass synth engine that will generate sound solely for the low-end.

The most interesting aspect of Orchid, however, is its distinctive chord generation system. This is based around a matrix of chord type and chord modifying keys, paired with a single octave keyboard used to dictate the root note of the chord. The central rotary can then be used to repitch and reposition chords, which can then be played back in a number of ways, using the Strum, Slop, Arpeggiator, Pattern and Harp functions. Then you can add a separate bass part and effects to flesh out your idea.

According to its creators, “This process effectively expands the potential of the chords to an entire piano’s key set, not just the 12 keys found on the unit.”

Orchid’s hardware has a unique and stylish design, and also features a number of modern conveniences. There’s a stereo pair of built-in speakers, plus a rechargeable onboard battery. The single octave keyboard is also velocity sensitive.

The Orchid is expected to be available in December 2024, priced at $549. Details are still to come at the Telepathic Instruments site.

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