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humannoyed

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Everything posted by humannoyed

  1. Thanks for all the pics
  2. Looks interesting to me. If specs are similar curious it is not named a 2761. Hope the action is good!
  3. Mmm.. Oberheim looking. Korg is on a roll this year! I’ve been searching for new digital mixers at NAMM but so far found only small Mackie offerings. If I missed something someone please let me know
  4. Here's an interesting Namm leak... Midigimix midi CC controlled compact digital mixers New start-up Midigimix is announcing a new line of ultra compact digital mixers that are app or midi cc controlled for the traveling musician or small home studio owner who wants to downsize their mixer footprint while adding all the features of a full featured digital mixer including future expandability. The smallest is the DI box size Midigimix6, and the slighty larger Midigimix8. As one might guess, the 6 has six ¼” inputs that can be treated as six separate channels or three stereo channels. The 8 adds two XLR/1/4” combo inputs for extra mic inputs. Occasionally need more inputs? There is a cat5 jack on each model to add a stage box that takes mic input count from 8 to 16 depending needs and also adds extra outputs. Now the fun part.. every feature on these mixers is controllable from your midi keyboard or other type midi controller using midi CC messages. That's right, these tiny digital mixers have five pin din midi input (also built-in wireless midi). You can control channel volume, muting, effects, etc, or entire scene presets directly from your keyboards sliders and switches, or if you prefer from a tabletop midi controller using buttons, knobs, and sliders. There is also usb for midi control to or from your laptop or usb-midi controller if needed or just prefered. Both units are controllable wirelessly from your phone or tablet with an app. Built-in bluetooth is included for both audio or wireless midi. BTW The correct pronunciation is mi-digi-mix, not midi-gimix (gimmicks) though that would would seem to be the appropriate pronunciation for today. Happy April 1st everyone!😁
  5. Nice tracks guys! Both Mike and dB have always impressed in their exceptional sonic palette skills, and it shows here again! So what did you guys use to program your sounds? Mouse and monitor, or controller cc mapped knobs and sliders?
  6. An older Motif or Kurzweil would make a great controller but neither is compact (nor light). If compact is your top priority then an Arturia Keylab 61 would be a good choice if you can live with an external power supply. Another compact choice would be a Modal Argon8X or Cobalt8x. Again ext PS, but both have joysticks instead of wheels. Intriguing about the Modals is all the knobs of endless encoders that send midi cc, meaning they can control soft instruments in your DAW. from the Cobalt manual: “All of the encoders on Argon8 output MIDI messages (The appropriate CC message depending on the SHIFT or panel state) This allows Argon8 to be used as a fully functional plug and play MIDI controller! When a change is detected on any of the parameters, a CC message is sent out. See the MIDI implementation chart to find which parameters send which CC numbers. The keys also send the appropriate MIDI notes for the Octave range and scale that they are programmed to.”
  7. Congrats. Coming from another Kurz fan here good choice I’d say, although I haven’t played an FA to compare. However, I do think Roland and especially Novation are kicking everybody’s butt in VA IMO. I feel certain that Kurz could catch up if they put their collective minds to it, just not sure if they have the desire to compete there. I must say I am rather infatuated with the Summit and Peak, just fantastic sounding synths! All those knobs and sliders on the Novations and Rolands are sweet too.
  8. Well, I see that I am the one who answered Mats N's question, but I am not where I can answer yours. Sorry
  9. Seems to me the time is ripe for a new iPad docking station/mixer, like an updated Mackie DL1608 that is much more compact, but still has everything a gigging keyboardist might need - several stereo ins, USB hub, USB audio/midi interface, and even din midi. Maybe put a VESA mount on it so you could use it with computer monitor stands.
  10. I think any proprietary software of one company that is linked to/dependent upon the proprietary software of another company can mean trouble at some point for the user in the future. The Receptor was a good example of that, but actually so is any Apple or Windows software for that matter. Perhaps an open OS that the developer has control of could end the update game of chess. I am sure there is some software like the Sprectrasonics that the current Raspberry Pi is not ready for. Will it or a similar sized computer on a card ever be? Who knows. There are some very powerful mini computers though. The fact that a few newer Korg synths are built on a Raspberry Pi is telling of the possibilities of that tiny thing. We have discussed these ideas for many years now, but I still think it is doable and can happen at some point. I wish it would be sooner rather than later. All we need is some creative thought in how to, and in a way that makes it profitable for developers and midi controller manufacturers to be interested.
  11. In a KC post many years back I presented some alternate marriage of midi keyboards and computer hardware to tap into the world of soft synths for live use without a laptop. Can't remember which iteration that one was, but for a while we have kicked around the idea of a midi keyboard that had space for, or even a special slot in the back for a Mac Mini or Windows mini computer. At the time of that post I was dismissed by a couple of regular forum members for suggesting that we needed something other a Receptor for those duties. My response post was that there were many different form factors for computers, and I suggested that there would likely be more in the future. Think I received a 'pfffft' retort for that. This was before the Raspberry Pi, which is indeed a new form, a miniature computer on a circuit board that has seen explosion in popularity. As a complete general purpose computer that is becoming more powerful at each new iteration, and one that runs an open source OS, I think this or similar could become the tipping point for the possibility of roll-your-own midi hardware with software instruments and effects. It will of course take developers of soft instruments to embrace this if it is to become popular. But if it does, we could likely start seeing midi controllers of all types that come with small Raspberry Pi size slots in them. For it to happen however, existing soft instrument and effects developers will have to see it as potentially lucrative to port their Apple or Windows software over to some form of Linux. How will this work for them is the question? Those who see this as the future and port over their already popular soft instruments early could see a potential boost in income, especially if the license holders for the Apple or Windows versions are willing to pay a 'porting fee' to have a Linux version. The question is how much would we be willing to pay for this? Free for a current license holder would be nice, but if it means the difference of a developer bothering to port to Linux or not, I would definitely agree to pay. Many great soft instruments are not very expensive to begin with, so the fee could not be too high. Perhaps a developer could send out an email to all their current customers inquiring of their interest in having the software ported with the cost to the end user before they even decide to bother. Then it could be done like a Kickstarter project where a certain financial goal must be met before the developer does the porting. Have no idea about the possibility of losing control of your propriety software in the world of an open architecture OS, but that has to be concern.
  12. This is an instance where some graphics would help some of us understand what Dan P means here about the differences, but I do appreciate the effort. More versatility in programming does sound promising. Was hoping for some more info and demos of the Modwave by now, but all seem a few months old now. One thing about the Modwave that I found encouraging for us who enjoy programming our own synth sounds is five LFOs. Compare that to only one on the Prologue. I really like the sound of the Prologue and the fact that it has on board effects, but after delving into multiple LFOs with their many possible destinations in my Motif ES and PC361, one is a disappointing spec for any new synth.
  13. (found this promotional press release) 'Musicians using soft instruments may soon have a hardware version of some of their favorites with no more worries of computer OS updates that may leave them crippled or glitchy. After seeing the explosion of hardware synths that has taken so much attention away of soft synths in the last several years, soft instrument developers decided they would no longer take this sitting down. Seeing what a few others had already done inspired the possibilities of turning more software into hardware. For instance the popular Crumar Mojo started out as computer software (VB3) before making its way into a DSP chip. Tiptop Audio figured out a way to put the acclaimed Valhalla software effects onto a chip (Z-DSP ) and into a Eurorack unit. Not to be left out of this trend the Soft Instrument Developers Association (SIDA) got together and decided they could do the same and very inexpensively with some DSP standards that could be used by any developer wanting to make hardware versions of their soft instruments. What is this? Actually nothing at all shocking, simply an enclosure and plug/docking standard for DSP chips. The encloser can contain different powered DSP chips, but the enclosure itself is standardized in size and connections. The enclosure will plug into a Eurorack unit with a plug receptacle rail that provides DC power, DA conversion, and usb and midi access. This means the enclosure can be small and inexpensive without having to handle those duties. How small? Think matchbox but thicker. But how are you going to access an instrument in a small DSP chip that has no knobs, sliders, or switches, that is the major impetus of having hardware in the first place, right? Yes, and this is where midi and tablet control come in. The developer is responsible for giving the end user complete control over all parameters using midi CC assignments or a tablet app. Since many soft instrument developers already provide extensive midi assignments to parameters this part will be easy. Think of having a knobby controller like the Midifighter Twister with all those four banks of 16 encoder knobs to control your favorite analog synth emulations that reside in a small Eurorack unit. So this simply Eurorack for soft instruments? Yes, Eurorack initially is the default platform for this. Hats off to Tiptop Audio for the inspiration here, but small tabletop units are not out of the question considering the small size of the DSP enclosures. In fact with an established standard for DSP enclosures, any maker of midi hardware can start including SIDA enclosure plug slots (sidaps) if they want to make it a docking unit. Any midi controller with keys, sliders and knobs can include one or several sidaps. SIDA has already designed a docking board that will be for sale to midi controller hardware makers who would like to include sidap slots but doesn't want to hassle with having to design and include the needed DA, usb, midi, and power supply required. It is basically the same board as the one in the Eurorack unit without the case. But what about the operating system and software updates? This is entirely in the hands of the developer. They each concoct their own OS and unaffected by Microsoft or Apple. When the developer has thoroughly tested their update, they can provide it directly to the end user to update through usb or wirelessly. Okay but what's in this for the software developers except what initially looks like more headaches to deal with? More sales! Developers can still continue to sell their standard software license. But, now they can add to that the hardware with license, or just the hardware, discounted for current software license holders, or a combination discount to first time purchasers of software + hardware for a gigging musician with a home studio computer. What else might the developer be happy about? A developer will always have complete control of the OS that runs their software(!), or at least for the sidap DSP version. A few developers may claim victory over Microsoft and Apple and discontinue their software versions completely just to not have to deal with an OS over which they have no control. Others may calculate who their main customers are, like home studios, and decide to stick with their current model of computer software only. What is the biggest advantage of having an enclosure and plug/docking standard? Cost! After establishing the standards, a quantity group-buy by SIDA of chips and enclosures means that developers will have very little investment in the actual DSP hardware, making selling the hardware version very lucrative. They simply have to decide on a stable OS and spend the time to port. For the small developers who write all their own code their main cost will simply be their time. The minimal investment in hardware means selling the hardware version could be a big boost in income for small software companies. Many gigging musicians who still don't want to haul around a laptop would happily take a 49, 61, 76, or 88 key midi keyboard controller that contained sidap slots in the back. Even home studio owners might love to have hardware versions of soft instruments that will always perform as intended and never be unstable or unusable after computer OS updates, developer neglect, or even possible discontinuation by the developer. That part sounds good, but what about saving all soft instrument settings in a DAW as part of a song file? Nobody wants to give that up! Nor will you have to if the sidap is connected to your studio computer via USB. (To anyone interested, SIDA is asking all soft instrument users to sign-up for their email updates and to give your input on what software you are most interested seeing in hardware. It may already be in the works! This new standard has already been embraced by over 30 software instrument developers with orders placed for the first shipment of chips and enclosures.) Sign up and stay tuned!' Oh, btw...Happy April 1st everybody! :grin:
  14. Has an interesting hammer dulcimer quality to the sound, an instrument I have always had a soft spot for. Needs to only to be used on one mega pop hit and sales will follow
  15. I like it a lot, and has been rock solid for me. I'm not excited about yet another subscription service though. Hope they maintain regular licencing.
  16. I just bought Garritan's CFX Lite last week and liking it a lot so far. At $60 USD through retailers like Sweetwater, this is definitely a bargain.
  17. Hope to hear from our forumites in Italy. Hope you guys stay well!
  18. Haven't seen anything Kurzweil yet. Really was expecting a PC461. Weren't you?
  19. Additive with Fourier analysis would be interesting. An easy upgrade would be a faster, cooler processor that boots up in 1/4 the time.
  20. Can you notate chords, or just two monophonic instruments?
  21. Yes, but... I own a Motif ES8, Kurz PC361, and Yammy CP4. However I bought the ES on a blowout sale right when the XS models were hitting the stores. I bought both the PC361 and the CP4 used. Both looked and played as new. I just recently bought a used older Lenovo T series laptop, Lenovo's self-proclaimed flagship business laptop. I like nice gear, I just don't like new gear prices. :smile: I am of course grateful to you guys who have to the latest and greatest. You keep the used market viable for the rest of us. :grin:
  22. I've done a little research into this and it appears Behringer is the only company putting din midi on their mixers. A programmable rack mount digital mixer with nice built-in effects that accepts program and control change over midi is very useful for keyboards with no, or inadequate built-in effects (many analog synths for instance). If you can do all the programming before hand and leave the laptop or tablet at home, all the better.
  23. That's what I was thinking as well. Perhaps a Prologue with expanded sample memory and a sequencer/groove generator? A Prologue with a built-in rompler would be sweet and possibly not too hard to engineer since both elements already exist in other hardware. Advice? Don't lose the knobs!
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