Delicious Audio #1 - Best Pedals of NAMM 2019 - Best Pedals of 2018 - Austin Pedal and Synth Expo
A magazine entirely focused on guitar pedals (with a section on synthesizers).
A magazine entirely focused on guitar pedals (with a section on synthesizers).
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The New <strong>Synth</strong>s at<br />
<strong>NAMM</strong> <strong>2019</strong><br />
By Paolo De Gregorio<br />
Elektron<br />
Samples Groovebox<br />
Akai<br />
Pro Force Controller<br />
Korg<br />
Volca Modular<br />
Arturia<br />
MicroFreak<br />
<strong>Synth</strong>s had a slightly muted presence at <strong>NAMM</strong><br />
<strong>2019</strong> compared with previous years <strong>and</strong> pedal releases.<br />
The huge “isle” <strong>of</strong> Eurorack <strong>and</strong> boutique<br />
manufacturers organized by WMD didn’t happen<br />
this year, resulting in several smaller builders deciding to<br />
skip the show. On top <strong>of</strong> that, several major manufacturers<br />
(Behringer, Moog <strong>and</strong> Teenage Engineering among<br />
them) opted to have a “ghost presence,” passing on the<br />
booth but leaking information about their new releases.<br />
All in all, a few new <strong>and</strong> intriguing synths were introduced,<br />
<strong>and</strong> we’ve got a nice little recap for you.<br />
This st<strong>and</strong>alone Force music production <strong>and</strong> DJ performance device<br />
is designed for users that want to have a clip-centric workflow,<br />
but don’t want to be connected to a computer. To facilitate<br />
this, the Akai Force features an eight-by-eight RGB clip launch<br />
matrix, a seven-inch full-color touch-capacitive multi-touch display,<br />
eight touch-sensitive knobs with graphical OLED displays,<br />
two audio inputs, four audio outputs, MIDI <strong>and</strong> CV ins <strong>and</strong> outs.<br />
Additional features include time stretching <strong>and</strong> pitch-shifting in<br />
real time, a comprehensive set <strong>of</strong> on-board effects by AIR Mu-<br />
sic Technology, plus the Tube<strong>Synth</strong>, Bassline <strong>and</strong> Electric synth<br />
engines. It also boasts an additional synth called “Hype,” a preset<br />
<strong>and</strong> macro-based synth combining several different synth<br />
engines into a single easy-to-use package. It can also record<br />
eight stereo tracks, <strong>and</strong> the recent 3.01 update includes other<br />
exciting new features.<br />
Described as “a peculiar instrument that rewards the curious<br />
musician,” the MicroFreak is a hybrid analog-digital synth built<br />
around a unique, expressive touch keyboard, <strong>and</strong> propelled by<br />
11 oscillators, four Arturia engines, <strong>and</strong> seven modes designed<br />
by Mutable Instruments. Offering various approaches to synthesis<br />
like physical modeling, wavetable synthesis <strong>and</strong> virtual<br />
analog, modes like Texturer, KarplusStrong, Harmonic OSC,<br />
<strong>and</strong> Superwave <strong>of</strong>fer new takes on sound design that inspire<br />
musicians in search <strong>of</strong> new palettes <strong>of</strong> sonic possibilities.<br />
This is a decidedly more streamlined—<strong>and</strong> therefore also more<br />
affordable—product, compared to the ones Elektron got us<br />
used to. A six-track, one-function-per-knob, sample-based<br />
drum machine, the Samples Groovebox feels like a lighter,<br />
easier-to-use version <strong>of</strong> the company’s Digitakt, <strong>and</strong> comes<br />
with 300 drum sounds <strong>and</strong> the ability to load your own samples,<br />
hence the name. Elektron’s useful composition tools combine<br />
36 delicious audio Winter <strong>2019</strong>
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