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

Native Instruments has announced the releases of Circular, a software sequencer that features four independent layers and deep modulation control.

You can sequence over 100 experimental sound sources, from felted pianos to bowed metals, or import your own samples to work with.

Circular’s patches can comprise up to four layers, drawing from a library of 160 sound sources and spanning a variety of acoustic and synthetic samples that includes keys, guitars, saxophones, vocals and synths. Layers can be selected and levels adjusted on Circular’s Play page, which also features a circular representation of its sequencer.

Circular’s Sequencer page (pictured below) and you’ll find a more familiar layout. Each of Circular’s four sound layers gets its own sequencer here with adjustable pattern and step durations, along with polyrhythmic, probability-based and Euclidean sequencing options that can be used to generate complex and unpredictable patterns.

The Sequencer page also gives you per-step control over almost all of Circular’s parameters, applying individual values for sample selection, pitch, filter, amp, envelopes and effects on each step of your sequence.

Features:

• Four independent layers: Create polyrhythms and textured performances.
• Polyphonic aftertouch support: Add expressive nuance with polyphonic aftertouch.
• Real-time step controls: Modulate pitch, filter, and effects with per-step precision, all shaped by aftertouch.
• Extensive sound library: Explore over 100 acoustic and synthetic sound sources.
• Sample import: Transform your own sounds into evolving sequences with 128 user slots for imported samples.

Kontrol keyboard integration: Integrates with Native Instruments’ Kontrol S-Series keyboards.

Native Instruments Circular Walkthrough Video:
Circular is available now, priced at $199 / €199 / £179. To run it, you’ll need Kontakt (version 8.2.1 or higher) or the free Kontakt Player.

At Superbooth 2025, held May 8-10 at the FEZ-Berlin, Analog Sweden & Nyström previewed the Crum 2 Generative Percussive Harmonic Machine.

The Crum 2 drum machine is a collaboration with Sweden instrument designer Love Hultén.

In this video, via Christian Halten, Fred of Analog Sweden and Albert of Nyström tell the story behind the creation of the Crum 2, and offer a quick demo.

Features:

• 4 channels with 6 sound engines each
• Percussive and melodic modes with master scale
• Extreme parameter range switch per track
• Scale key center offset-able per track pitch or relative to bass channel pitch
• Probability beat generation, step and live record
• 1-64 steps, 1/32, 1/16, 1/8, 1/4, TRI input
• Randomizable parameters
• Master offset performance control section
• 10 live performance chainable snapshots with breakbeat recall
• Master reverb, delay & drive fx
• Extensive dimensional I/O: MIDI, CV, Separate outs, clock in/out

Details on pricing and availability are to be announced.

At Superbooth 2025, held May 8-10 at the FEZ-Berlin, Flame Instruments introduced the Maeander-M, a wavetable synthesizer with analog filterbank and sequencer in 56HP.

This video, via Sonic State, captures an overview an demo of the Maeander-M from the Superbooth floor.

Here’s what Flame has to say about the Maeander-M:

“The Flame MAEANDER-M is a compact reimagining of a well-regarded classic from the Flame lineup – now more affordable and streamlined, but still packed with the same sonic depth. At its core is a wavetable synth engine, fed into the 12-channel analog bandpass filter bank, controlled by the internal pattern sequencer.

Sound sources include a polyphonic wavetable and FM oscillator, an analog white noise generator and an external audio input. The internal sequencer offers one polyphonic note track (up to 4-voice chords) and 14 mono tracks. The latter are dedicated to the filter channels, the audio input, and the noise source. Each track has its own VCA with individual envelope control and is accessible via MIDI notes.

Patterns can be created and saved as patches, and played live with ease. The built-in arpeggiator and keyboard scaler make the MAEANDER a powerful tool for live jamming and generative sequencing. Updates, patch management, and wavetable loading are handled conveniently via MIDI SysEx.

New in this version: direct oscillator output, stereo noise output, and stereo audio input. MAEANDER comes fully mounted in a powered 56HP wooden skiff to get started right away and is software compatible with the older desktop version.”

The Maeander-M is expected to be available in September 2025, priced around €900.