Developer Benedetto Schiavone let us know that they have released ZEN-Core editor-librarians for the Roland Fantom 6-7-8/06-07-08, AX-Edge and Jupiter-X/Xm.
The editor/librarians, available for Mac and Windows, come with a bank of 222 ZEN-Core sounds, programmed with the editor and compatible with all Roland synths, hardware and software, pianos, grooveboxes, wind instruments and guitar synths that support the ZEN-Core standard.
Roland has announced that it has collaborated with Stones Throw Records to release a new exclusive limited edition version of the portable sampler, SP-404 MK2 Stones Throw.
Two legends of music and culture unite to bring you the SP-404MKII Stones Throw Limited Edition. Co-curated with Stones Throw Records, this SP sampler collaboration is more than just a tool—it’s a work of art. Featuring a striking custom faceplate, exclusive content from the Stones Throw artist.
Since its launch in 2021, Roland has added several significant features to its #CommissionsEarned SP-404 MK2 sampler, including a TR-style step sequencer and the ability to jam with multitrack DAW projects. The latest revision (is more cosmetic) is a collaboration with ultra-hip LA record label Stones Throw on a limited-edition version.
This features a “high shine” aluminium faceplate with custom artwork, along with new sound banks that were put together by Stones Throw artists Kiefer, Sudan Archives, Mndsgn, J.Rocc, and DJ Harrison. Design comes courtesy of Jeff Jank, the art director and illustrator who’s worked on a number of classic Stones Throw releases.
As a further bonus, you also get a collector’s package with a seven-inch vinyl record and mixtape. And when we say mixtape, we do mean an actual cassette; put together by J.Rocc, this contains a 30-minute remix of music from the Stones Throw artists involved in the project.
As well as all this limited edition stuff, remember that you’re also getting a fully-tooled SP-404 MK2, which means 17 velocity-sensitive RGB pads, an OLED display, effects and more.
Roland SP-404MKII Stones Throw Limited Edition- Sound Content Demo:
Find out more about the SP-404MKII Stones Throw Limited Edition on the Roland website.
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Bitwig Studio 5.1 adds “10 new characters” to the DAW, which could now be the most creative ever.
With version 5 of its DAW, Bitwig took the software up quite a few notches, turning what was already a fine music production suite into a creative instrument.
Version 5.1 sees that trend continue with more extras than you would normally expect from a single point update.
Version 5 of Bitwig Studio was a milestone release. But it does now mean you have to look at Studio with different eyes compared to other DAWs. It has become almost a creative instrument in itself, with modules taking centre stage and the whole modulation system meaning that pretty much anything can control anything else.
These, along with the already impressive Grid, itself a virtual environment in which you can create any instruments and effects, mean that Bitwig Studio is not your average DAW any more. And nor does Bitwig do average updates.
Version 5.1 adds what Bitwig says are 10 new characters: that’s four filters and six waveshapers, with ’10 new sonic personalities’. These can be used like other modules in The Grid or combined as part of the two new audio effect containers called Filter+ and Sweep.
As mentioned, that everything can modulate everything else, example Filter+, enables you combine any of the now 14 Bitwig Studio waveshapers with one of a total of 10 filters and then add it to a track. Similarly, Sweep has a couple of slots for filters, a waveshaper and routing, and again enables you swap out whatever different modules.
Looking at the new filters and waveshapers in more detail, we start with Fizz, a phaser-like filter with vocal formant options. Rasp is brighter and more resonant; Ripple is a hyper-resonant filter which is great for acid like sounds; and finally there’s Vowels, a morphing formant type filter.
The six shapers include Push and Heat for softer and harder clipping; Soar is a wavefolder that increases loudness and can add a metallic edge; How l adds a loud emphasis and a glitchy feel; Shred is hissy and zappy; and finally Diode is for warmer filter styles. The audio demos at the Bitwig website provide much better descriptions!
Other enhancements in v5.1 include additional voice stacking features to layer up to 16 voices per note from any polyphonic device and in several different ways. There are eight new modes for this in a new Stack Spread modulator. Additionally, you can tailor what the mixer shows to help speed up your workflow, and the audio engine has been improved for better quantization.
Bitwig Studio 5.1 also supports DAWproject, an open file format for taking your projects between Bitwig and other programs, like Studio One.
Bitwig Studio 5.1 is currently in beta and can be used by anyone with a Bitwig Studio license and an active Upgrade Plan.
The DAW is available at three different levels: Studio Essentials ($/€99), Studio Producer ($/€199) and Studio ($/€399). You can get more info about the differences between each version and buy direct from the Bitwig website.
