Audiotonix has announced the STEAM powered DJ mixer kit, as part of a new educational initiative.
Designed to engage the next generation of engineers, the self-assembly mixer provides students with new engineering and technology skills and provides schools and education groups with a practical project based on real world audio technology.
“The idea behind STEAM is simple,” states James Gordon, CEO of Audiotonix. “Our brands, and many of our partners and customers too, are struggling to bring new talent into our industry. If we want continued success then it’s our collective responsibility to help develop the next generation of engineers, starting whilst they are at school. To build more interest in engineering and help develop these core STEM skills, we have created a kit-based, USB powered, 2-channel DJ audio mixer that students can build and assemble themselves or as a team”.
The STEAM mixer itself is comprised of three printed circuit boards (PCB’s), with individual through-hole components that need to be soldered in place. The mixer can be assembled with the supplied metalwork to make the finished, professional grade, DJ mixer.
As its USB 2.0 (USB B) powered, STEAM is safe to build and easy to use in any location and jurisdiction. With dedicated instructions and video content on how to build and use, students will gain an understanding of how the different technical elements work together to create a product they can use to develop their creative skills too.
STEAM DJ mixer kits are available at £299.95 plus local tax.
Synthesist O.Z. Hall shared this in-depth look at the Behringer Perfect Pitch PP1, a new Eurorack module that converts microphone, guitar, or line-level sources to MIDI, CV, and USB signals.
The module also features a line out so you can run external signals through your modular system.
The PP1 is designed to let you play your synth by singing, playing guitar, etc, and the video has numerous examples of how this works.
Today, Behringer announced that its MS-5 synthesizer – an unofficial copy of the Roland SH-5 – is now shipping.
The Behringer MS-5 is an analog synthesizer, that they say features “a faithful reproduction of the original ‘SH-5’ circuit”. The synth voice features 2 VCOs, Multi-Mode VCF, VCA, 2 LFOs, 2 Envelopes and a Ring Modulator.
The MS-5 follows the same format as its earlier Behringer Poly D, so it’s smaller than the original SH-5 and has a keyboard with fewer notes as a result. But for many, the design changes from the original will make the Behringer copy a lot more convenient, especially the fact that the control panel folds flat, making it much more compact to move and store.
The Behringer MS-5 also makes its PCB trim pots directly accessible from the back panel, a huge improvement over some of its previously analog designs, which force you to disassemble the instrument to access tuning trim pots.
Copies original “SH-5” circuitry with matched transistors and JFETs
Analog signal path
2 VCOs with 4 switchable waveshapes and variable pulse widths
Multi-mode 24 dB diode filters with resonance
Additional band-pass filter with resonance
Ring modulator with LFO control and external input
Signal mixer with multiple destinations
Soft and hard synchronization for VCO 2
2 analog LFOs with saw, triangle, square and sine waveforms
Sample & hold circuitry with adjustable delay time
Noise generator with white and pink noise for expanded waveform generation
71 controls give you direct and real-time access to important parameters
Front panel can be laid flat or tilted in multiple angles for easy access of controls
External audio input for processing external sound sources
Stereo outputs featuring servo-balanced stages for highest signal integrity
2 pedal inputs for controlling filter cutoff and oscillator pitch
CV/Gate in and out for connecting to external equipment
MIDI support, with MIDI channel and Voice Priority selection
The Behringer MS-5 is priced at $599, and they say it is shipping now from the factory. Note that it can take a month or more from when the company ships instruments from its factory for them to become available at its retailers.
Watch the official Behringer MS-5 intro video above, and then share your thoughts on the synth in the comments!
“The idea behind STEAM is simple,” states James Gordon, CEO of Audiotonix. “Our brands, and many of our partners and customers too, are struggling to bring new talent into our industry. If we want continued success then it’s our collective responsibility to help develop the next generation of engineers, starting whilst they are at school. To build more interest in engineering and help develop these core STEM skills, we have created a kit-based, USB powered, 2-channel DJ audio mixer that students can build and assemble themselves or as a team”.
