Here’s a roundup of early reviews and demos for the new Korg multi/poly synthesizer, a new synthesizer in their opsix/wavestate format that offers 60-voice polyphony, three types of oscillators, Kaoss Physics, Motion Sequencing 2.0 and more.
Synth guru Ziv Eliraz – In his loopop video, above, – reviews the Korg multi/poly, offering an in-depth look at the new synth, audio demos, and his take on the instrument’s pros and cons. “It sounds great,” notes Eliraz, praising the synth’s synthesis capabilities and sound. On the cons side, he cites the smallish screen, the size of the keyboard and its lack of aftertouch.
The BoBeats doesn’t go quite as deep, but has an extended section demonstrating how to create sounds from scratch on the multi/poly. He recommends the multi/poly for people that really like to dig deep into sound design, but recommends that people that want a more immediate synth look elsewhere.
In the last video, below, sound designer John “Skippy” Lehmkuhl (PlugInGuru) shares his take on the Korg multi/poly, with an emphasis on sound design:
Lehmkuhl is one of the sound designers that created patches for the multi/poly, so his video showcases some of his work, and is probably the best video of the bunch for showcasing the synth’s sound.
He calls the multi/poly ‘a monster’, and praises its sound and capabilities.
Watch the videos, and share your thoughts on the new Korg multi/poly in the comments!
Developer Momo Müller lets us know that he’s introduced a dedicated patch editor for the Behringer UB-Xa synthesizer.
The UB-Xa Editor gives you direct access, from your DAW or from a standalone application, for editing the UB-Xa’s parameters. This can streamline patch editing, and the plugin version lets you record controller movements and save patches in your project.
It’s compatible with both the keyboard and desktop version of the UB-Xa, and with firmware v2.
Features:
Complex sound changes can be made easily and quickly.
Change UB-Xa Sounds directly from Editor.
All controllers can be automated.
X-Y modulation of all parameters
You can random the Controllers of the UB-Xa
You can use your UB-Xa as a sound module in the DAW!
You can create your own sound bank and use the sounds in other projects.
Included are 50 new sounds.
The Editor is available for:
PC: As VST2 and Standalone for 32bit and VST2, VST3 and Standalone for 64bit Windows.
MAC: As VST2, VST3, AU and Standalone, compatible with MAC Intel and Silicon.
The UB-Xa Editor is available now, priced at € 6.90 / $ 7.
Mark Smith from the Bela development team let us know that they’ve introduced a new 1U format version of their Gliss module, which offers new ways to control your modular synth, and that they’ve released a free firmware update, which, among other things, bumps gesture recording time up to 150 seconds and adds adjustable slew rates for turning each touch into a user-defined envelope.
The new module is a 1U take on their Euro-format Gliss module. If you already own the Euro version, they are even offering the option to convert your Gliss module to 1U with a new touchplate.
Like the original version, the Gliss is a precise touch controller for modular synthesizers. It produces two high-resolution signals: one following your finger’s position, the other following touch size. These signals are available via two CV outputs, offering two distinct but related dimensions of control to route around your system.
Gestures can also be recorded for up to 150 seconds and then played back looped, triggered, clocked, and more, facilitating everything from touch-controlled, long-form modulation signals, to custom LFOs, envelopes and oscillators.
Gliss also has a mode for processing incoming audio and CV signals where you can scale, offset, clip and smooth it, expanding CV utility work into an interactive, performative domain, as well as a mode that offers 5 tunable notes that are playable as a keyboard or a step sequencer.
Gliss Firmware v2
The new firmware, which is standard now on new modules, expands on the power of the original Gliss module, with the following features:
Slider + Touch input. This is a new touch control type for both Record and Control Modes that combines a position slider with a pressure-sensitive button, providing a new interface for expressive gestures and live modulation.
Customizable slew rates. In Control Mode, you can now set custom attack and decay slew rates, providing user-adjustable curves up and down from your touch point. This means that you no longer need an envelope generator to control the rate at which your touches start and finish – you can set it all right within Gliss from 0-100 seconds.
Extended gesture recording length. Record Mode now supports gestures up to 150 seconds in length for Loop, Trigger, Wavetable and Waveshaper playback, ideal for more detailed, evolving performances.
Enhanced editing in Wavetable and Waveshaper playback. You can now trim the start and end points of your recorded gesture, opening the way to exploring the sound of smaller segments of the waveform. This unlocks new timbral possibilities when used as an oscillator and interesting interpolations between Waveshaper recordings.
Improved voltage range options. A new ±1V preset is now available for video synth and modulation wheel applications, along with a color-coded UI to make seeing custom voltage ranges easy.
If you already own a Gliss, the new firmware is available as free update.
Gliss 1U is available now for $149. A Gliss 1U faceplate, which lets you convert existing Gliss modules to 1U, is also available for $45.
