analog
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Arturia stuffed almost all of its software emulations into this new keyboard
Arturia just released the 61-key AstroLab synthesizer, which is basically the company’s Analog Lab in hardware form. It allows standalone access to the vast majority of the company’s software emulations.
UDO details Super Gemini synthesizer, a 20-voice beast perfect for sound design
British instrument manufacturer UDO has released pricing and availability information for its upcoming Super Gemini synthesizer after first teasing the device at Superbooth 2023. The Super Gemini is an absolute beast, with 20 voices, dual-layer polyphony, and a bi-timbral analog hybrid sound engine.
Korg's Drumlogue is an analog drum machine with a powerful digital engine
After first teasing it way back on January 2021, Korg has released the much-anticipated Drumlogue, a hybrid drum machine.
Uno Synth Pro review: IK Multimedia shows it's serious about hardware
IK Multimedia shows its serious about playing in the hardware synth space.
Dreadbox's portable Typhon analog synth is loaded with effects
Dreadbox has unveiled a portable analog mono synth, the Typhon, that stuffs 12 effects into a small box.
Polaroid's new $99 instant camera uses autofocus to change modes
More than a year after Polaroid Originals gave us the OneStep+, it's ready to share another old-school, analogy camera: the Polaroid Now. This time around, Polaroid Originals has traded the dual lenses for a new autofocus lens, and it has stripped away some of the connectivity features, like those that made remote selfies possible.
Behringer cloned the buzzy Wasp Deluxe synth
Behringer has been cloning old analog synths and drum machines, and doing it for cheap. Its latest creation is the Wasp Deluxe, an "ultra-affordable homage" to the iconic synth born in 1978.
DJI reveals ultra-low-latency goggles for drone racers
Drone racers just got a major viewing upgrade. Aerial imaging company DJI has launched its digital first person viewing (FPV) transmission system, which boasts the first low latency HD video transmission signal. This means a crystal clear display, minimal lag, anti-inference reliability and range of up to 2.5 miles.
Korg's Volca Nubass is a vacuum tube analog synthesizer
Korg debuted its Nutube tech a couple years back, but so far the tiny vacuum tubes have only surfaced in select products. Nutubes have been used in a distortion pedal and a mini guitar amplifier head, one of which was made by another company. Now Korg is putting the tiny Nutubes to work in its line of compact analog synthesizers with the $200 Volca Nubass.
Moog introduces the Matriarch: A four-voice semi-modular analog synth
Like it has in years past, Moog is unveiling its latest synthesizer during Moogfest. The company's annual music and culture festival kicks off today in Durham, North Carolina, and when it does, Moog will be building the new Matriarch patchable four-note paraphonic analog synth on-site. A progression from the Mother-32 and Grandmother before it, the semi-modular Matriarch is loaded: built-in sequencer (256 steps), arpeggiator, stereo ladder filters and stereo analog delay. The company says you'll be able to make some noise instantly though, with "no patching required."
Garmin gives its Vivomove smartwatch more style with four new colors
It's been a long time since smartwatch wearers had to settle for boxy lumps of plastic around their wrists. Now manufacturers are able to cram these wearables full of features, style is firmly back on the agenda, as demonstrated by Garmin which has just announced four new color options for its Vivomove HR smartwatch.
The latest Stylophone is much more than a tiny toy synth
The Stylophone line of tiny analog synths has been around for decades. The greats like Bowie and Kraftwerk have used them on iconic tracks, so they're not just limited to hobbyist use. At NAMM this week, Dubreq unveiled the latest, and the most powerful, version of the Stylophone to date: the Gen R-8. The same overall look is here from previous models with controls up top and a touch pad down below, but the Gen R-8 is larger than the "toy" synths that came before it. This is more comparable to the size of a compact keyboard synthesizer.
What you need to know before building a HiFi system
The process of building a stereo can be overwhelming. Should you buy new gear or trawl the local stereo shop for vintage equipment? Do you need a subwoofer for music? Are high-end speaker cables really going to make a difference in sound? It's no wonder, then, that smart speakers have become so popular: They're available in a variety of sizes and, when paired with a music streaming subscription, are a simple way to access a world of music. But the trade-off for that convenience is sound quality. While an Echo or HomePod is perfect for listening to podcasts, it can't stack up to the power and fidelity you get with a traditional stereo. If you're looking to upgrade, rather than ponying up $500 for a single Google Home Max, consider an alternative solution: building your own stereo HiFi system. While the initial setup and research are more intensive than simply telling Alexa to order more Echo Dots, after it's done you'll have a much more versatile -- not to mention better-sounding -- way to listen to music at home.
Moog's Grandmother is a retro-inspired synth for all skill levels
Moog continues to move forward with its line of retro-inspired electronic instruments with a new standalone semi-modular analog synthesizer called Grandmother. The $899 unit works all on its own, or can be connected to other sound making devices, like Moog's Mother-32, which doesn't have a built-in keyboard.
The $200 Uno synth crams a ton of features into a small package
IK Multimedia is known for its wide variety of music gear, including MIDI controllers, mixers and instrument interfaces. Now the company has just launched its first analog synth, a compact little machine named Uno. The company's own Erik Norlander (one of the designers behind Alesis' Andromeda synth) collaborated with Italian boutique synthesizer maker Soundmachines to create the Uno. The device has a small footprint, though it packs a ton of manual controls for easy programming. It's made to serve both newbies and veterans: Uno has a two octave touch-sensitive keyboard and 100 different presets, along with selectable scales and an arpeggiator to make getting up and running easy.
Lomography's all-analog square camera uses familiar film
Do you prefer to shoot photos with a completely analog camera, but wish you could get in on the square photo trend that's all the rage with the Instagram crowd? Lomography thinks it can help. It's crowdfunding the Lomo'Instant Square Camera, a fully analog instant camera that takes the same square Instax film you'd use in Fujifilm's semi-digital Instax Square SQ10. You won't have to look far to restock, in other words. The camera itself, meanwhile, revels in its non-digital nature -- although there are some concessions to modernity.
Moog debuts full production model of its Subsequent 37 analog synth
Moog may have debuted the successor to its Sub 37 analog synthesizer back at Moogfest in May, but that instrument was limited to 2,000 total units. A good chunk of those Subsequent 37 CVs probably didn't make it out of the music festival last spring. There's good news today though as the Asheville, North Carolina-based company has announced a full production version of the Subsequent 37 and it's available now for $1,499.
Moog's latest Sub 37 synth has even more grit than the original
Last year at Moogfest, the namesake synth maker set up a temporary instrument factory to crank our its Model D reissue. For the 2017 installment of the analog soiree, Moog is building another synthesizer on-site in Durham, North Carolina, but this time it's a retooled version of the more compact Sub 37. Officially dubbed the Subsequent 37 CV, this new model carries a similar overall construction as its predecessor. However, the front panel is now silver and the side panels are solid aluminum with inset North American hardwood. I won't be shy about it: This thing is a beaut.
Korg's new ARP Odyssey is a full-size remake of an iconic synth
At NAMM two years ago, Korg first revealed its modern take on the classic ARP Odyssey synthesizer. Despite touting that model as a "faithful recreation" of the original, the reissue was a smaller version with 37 keys. During the music industry's big trade show this year, Korg is showing off a full-size option: the ARP Odyssey FS. Available in each the original's three color schemes, the new instrument offers a standard keyboard and more space on the slider panel to make sound adjustments.
Korg's $300 Monologue synth runs on AA batteries (updated)
Korg tempted us with the analog polyphonic Minilogue synthesizer back in January and now the company has another budget-friendly instrument. Meet the Monologue: a monophonic analog synthesizer that has a similar design as its elder sibling but costs a mere $300. This new version houses the same synthesis design as the pricier Minilogue, only this time the extra features help create a monophonic sound "for all types of musicians."
