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

Michigan Synth Works has introduced the MSW-820, a 2-oscillator based analog monophonic synthesizer.

The MSW-820 Analogue Synthesizer features an advanced 16-mode voltage controlled filter, 2 envelope generators, digital LFO with sync and trigger functions, digital noise source with 8 flavors, MIDI (TRS or USB).

The synth can be used in desktop format or integrated into a Eurorack system.

Specifications:

VCOs:

• AS3340 Based, Pulse and Sawtooth Waveforms
• ENV Modulation (OSC1) and LFO Modulation (OSC2)
• Range: 16’/8’/4′, 7 Octaves
• Pulse Width Modulation: 50% to Min
• PWM Mode: ENV/Manual/LFO Modulation
• Master and OSC2 (offset) Tune Control
• Pulse/Sawtooth Mixer control per Oscillator
• 2 Hard Sync Modes: O2 Track Pitch or O2 Do not track pitch
• 2 Reset Modes: Reset O1 on gate or Reset O1 and O2 on gate

Sound Mixer:

• External Input (pre filter)OSC 1 Level
• OSC 2 Level
• Sub Osc Level tracking OSC1 with 1, 2, and 2 PWM Octave Settings
• Noise Level with 8 Noise Models:White, Pink, Hex Invert, Crackle, Orgone (pitched), Sonar (pitched)

VCF:

• AS3109 Base16 Modes. Low Pass, High Pass, Band Pass, Allpass (aka Phase)
• Cutoff Frequency: 10Hz to 20kHz
• Resonance: 0- Self Oscillation
• CV Follow: 0-100%
• This knob (Audio rate filter modulation from OSC1’s triangle output)
• Envelope Modulation via Attenuverter (-5 to 10)
• LFO Modulation via Attenuverter (-5 to 10)
• Pitch Modulation via Attenuverter (-5 to 10)
• External CV Modulation via Attenuverter (-5 to 10)

LFO:

• Rate: 0.1 Hz to 22 Hz8 Shapes with crossfade between shapes:Sine, Square, Ramp, Tri, Saw, Expo Decay, Random, Smoothed Random
• 2 Reset Modes. Reset on Gate and Reset on Gate with Phase Control (via Fade knob)
• Fade Control (LFO Delay with Fade in)
• Bipolar Rate indicator

Envelopes:

• Attack time: 1.5 ms to 2 s
• Decay time: 2 ms to 10 s
• Sustain Level: 0-100%
• Release Time: 2 ms to 10 s
• Modulation Envelope is hardwired to Modulation bus
• VCA Envelope is hardwired to VCA

VCA/Output Mixer:

• VCA Control
• External Input (post filter/Env)

Inputs/Outputs:

• MIDI IN. TRS 3.5mm PSIMIDI (either A or B)
• Clock IN to Control LFO Rate
• Gate IN. 5-10V
• V/Oct IN
• Filter CV IN
• LFO Mod IN
• Audio IN
• Synth/Mix OUT
• USB C IN/OUT. 5V Power 200 mA.  DC Adapter included.  Also serves as USB MIDI

The MSW 820 Analog Synthesizer is priced at $499 and is expected to be available later in Jan 2026. Visit the Michigan Synth Works site for more information.

Ahead of 2026 NAMM Show, Clavia has announced the release of Nord Electro 7. The Nord Electro 7 elevates the Electro series with a powerful fully-fledged new Synth Section, redesigned interface, and dedicated per-section effects processing to the next generation of this long-established stage keyboard, along with many more enhancements.

Nord Electro 7 is the successor to Electro 6, announced at NAMM 2018, building on the foundations of that instrument to create a keyboard Nord tells us is the most versatile model in the Electro line to date. On first glance you’ll notice that Electro 7 has been given a visual refresh, sporting a redesigned front panel with push encoders and a high-resolution colour display.

The most significant addition to Electro 7 is the new Synth Section, which augments Electro 6’s sample-based synthesis with a virtual analogue synth engine and basic FM capabilities. You get mono, legato and glide modes for expressive performance, dual ADR envelopes for amp, filter and FM amount, vibrato and a resonant low-pass filter.

This is joined by an improved Organ Section based on the Nord Organ 3, released at NAMM 2025, boasting authentic emulations of classic pipe, tonewheel and transistor organs along with a sophisticated rotary speaker effect with multiple mic placements. All Electro 7 models now feature physical drawbars with LED indicators for organ control.

Nord Electro 7’s Piano Section draws on an extensive library of grands, uprights, and electric pianos, and has been bolstered by a new compression effect for dynamic shaping, improved timbral editing capabilities and three-voice unison.

The keyboard’s Effect Section has been given a significant refresh, and each sound section now has its own effects chain with independent control. Effects onboard include a global reverb with spring, room, stage, hall and cathedral options and a delay with ping-pong, filtering and an analogue emulation mode. There’s also a compressor, EQ, amp sim and an array of modulation effects.

Nord Electro 7 comes in three editions: 61-key and 73-key versions with a semi-weighted waterfall keyboard and a 73-key edition with a triple-sensor Kawai Hammer Action Portable Keyboard, the Nord Electro 7 HP.

In the connectivity department, Electro 7 features stereo audio outputs, dedicated monitor and headphone jacks, comprehensive pedal support including expression, sustain and rotary control, plus MIDI In/Out and USB-B for MIDI, updates and sound management.

Nord Electro 7 will ship later this year. Electro 7 61 is priced at £2299/$3299, Electro 7 73 is priced at £2499/$3599, and Electro 7 HP is priced at £2799/$3999.

Here’s a performance demo by Joshua Domfeh:

Find out more on Nord website.

Today, Behringer has introduced the FLOW 4V, a 10-track field recorder made for content creators and videographers.

They say it “captures flawless multi-track audio, stays locked to your camera, and makes syncing in post a breeze.” The FLOW 4V features 4 dual-gain preamps, real 32-bit float recording, and optional expansion via FLOW 4VIO.

Features:

• 4 dual-gain mic preamps dual-stage A/D converters.
• 142 dB dynamic range.
• Up to 8 isolated input tracks
• Dedicated stereo mix recorded simultaneously
• Send, receive, or jam timecode
• Frame-accurate sync via SMPTE
• Start/Stop control via HDMI
• Clean, perfectly aligned files in post
• 10-Channel Onboard Digital Mixer
• Filters, EQ, dynamics, and AutoMix built in.
• AutoMix – Automatically manages overlapping voices.
• USB Ports for Power, Recording, and Audio – 12 input channels and 2 outputs.
• When recording to SD, FLOW 4V can automatically create a backup copy to a USB drive after every take.
• USB Power – Two recessed USB-C ports provide redundant, hot-swappable power from any USB-PD source, including power banks.

The Behringer FLOW 4V Field Recorder is priced at $279 outside the US, with a higher US price expected because of US tariffs. Availability details are to come.