This is the official introduction video for the Korg Wavedrum. Featuring performances by Peter Michael Escovedo, Efrain Toro, Jeff Campitelli, and Joe Russo of the Benevento/Russo Duo. See the Korg site for more info . via SynthTV
Brian Auger on the Korg booth’s mainstage at Winter Namm 2009 . He’s playing a Korg BX-3 dual-manual organ with an M3-88 workstation on top (with a RADIAS modeling synthesizer mounted in its chassis). via synthtv
YouTube via IRvax77 http://www.infiniteresponse.com/ via David Rogoff “Eddie Jobson demos his dual VAX77 keyboard rig with Apple MainStage 2″ Update: Think CS80 and polyphonic aftertouch when you listen to this one.
NAMM : Alesis introduced the Q49 USB MIDI keyboard controller – a minimal controller that offers USB-MIDI and traditional MIDI jacks for connection to Mac, PC and MIDI hardware. Features: 49-key keyboard controller for use with virtually all music software and MIDI devices. USB-MIDI and traditional MIDI jacks for connection to Mac, PC and MIDI hardware. Pitch and modulation wheels, octave up and down buttons, assignable data slider. Send program changes from keys. Not a lot of “wow” factor on the Alesis Q49. If they price it right, though, it might be just the thing for some people. The Q49 will be available from musical instrument and pro audio retailers in March 2010. Pricing is TBA.
via the Metasonix webiste . “The first drum machine made with vacuum tubes since the Wurlitzer Sideman of 1959. Unlike the Sideman, it’s a “modern” primitive device–with plenty of inputs, outputs, and flexibility. Even though it has only four drum sounds — two tunable drums, a tunable “snare” drum (harder sounding than the others), and a cymbal — control voltage inputs give great flexibility. Each of the tunable drums is made from a vacuum tube ringing bandpass filter, and can be tuned to sound from below 20 Hz to over 2 kHz. They are also tunable with external control voltages, allowing complex patterns to be built up with external CV or pulse sources. Resonance of each filter circuit is set by internal trimpots. The cymbal sound is an extremely primitive circuit, with white noise gated by a pentode tube. The cymbal’s attack is knob-variable and CV variable, from a sharp click to a soft “whoosh”. The four outputs mix to a single tube preamp that allows for overdriving via the mix-level controls. In keeping with the primitive nature of the soundmaking section, the pattern sequencer is extremely simple. Unlike early drumboxes, we won’t subject you to preset nonsense like “waltz”, “foxtrot”, “swing” or the like. Instead, there is a single 8-pulse sequence with separate enable switches for each drum sound–set a toggle switch up to get the sound at that point, down for silence. Great for house, hardcore or other simple 4/4 patterns. The internal clock is settable from 60 BPM to over 1000 BPM.
via http://www.twitvid.com/6D18C http://tiptopaudio.com/
YouTube via MellotronMovie “Markus Resch of Mellotron Archives shows under the hood of his new digital Mellotron”
YouTube via KorgUSAVideos “The Wavedrum was one of the biggest hits at Winter NAMM 2010. Here, we have percussion master Efrain Toro and Korg demonstrator Geoff Brown providing an exhilarating performance as a thoroughly captivated Alex Acuna looks on!”
YouTube via DPAUDIO “In this video Ben Crosland gives a quick demonstration of the new Virus TI OS 4!”
Another great 2010 NAMM video, via SonicState : Scott Jaeger demos the latest modules from The Harvestman , including: Hertz Donut – dual digital oscillator Piston Honda – wavetable oscillator Stilton Adapter – 4 channel fx pedal amplifier Evin 209 – 4
Composer and remixer BT (Brian Transea) at the 2010 NAMM Show .
YouTube via matrixsynth. You might recognize this one from this post . http://www.radikaltechnologies.com/ “Jörg Schaaf of Radikal Technologies plays his creation, the Spectralis 2 at Winter NAMM 2010.” Note this is the last my personal NAMM posts. Remember to click on the NAMM label at the top right of the site for all NAMM posts.
YouTube via matrixsynth http://buchla.com/ http://noisebug.net/ “Brief video of Rick of http://electricmusicbox.com/ going over aspects of the Buchla 200e at Winter NAMM 2010 at the Noisebug booth.”
NAMM : PreSonus announced version 1.1 of its Studio One DAW software, which adds multiple features and enhancements. You can now draw automation waveforms, and automation points can be locked to selected events, so automation moves with the related events. A transform function lets you scale, stretch, and otherwise modify automation envelopes. An Undo history enables viewing and undoing all edits done since the file was opened, even if you have saved since then. A pitch-name editor is available in the drum layout,and you can save and load names from a pitch-name list. Version 1.1 is expected in Q1 of 2010 and will be a free update to registered users.
Moldover’s Mojo from Michael Chenetz on Vimeo . “An interview at NAMM2010 with Molodover on his new Mojo controller.”
Your Rock Guitar Demonstration from Michael Chenetz on Vimeo . “Here is a Demonstration of the new You Rock Guitar Controller from Inspired instruments. This instrument is a whole lot better than you could ever imagine.”
Beat Kangz, the upstart drum machine maker out of Nashville, has been cooking up a new device for some time. That creation, the Beat Thang, is finally nearing production. It may not have a nameplate like Akai or Roland, but I can testify that this independently-designed gadget may nonetheless be one to watch. The hardware feels fantastic, appears to have the right pieces falling into place, and promises release soon. The founding team behind it blends backgrounds in areas ranging from hip-hop to computer science, and even production legend Bob Ezrin (that’ll be the Pink Floyd: The Wall Bob Ezrin). I got a look at the hardware in a private meeting at a hotel in Anaheim last week. But even those aren’t the reasons you should check out the Beat Kangz. Why was this a highlight of my NAMM trip, even when it wasn’t actually at NAMM? It’s made out of ionized zinc. It has buttons for “freak,” “bang,” and “blang.” No ports get left off. It lights up like something Tron would install in your car if he were hosting “Pimp My Ride.” (Look out, ENCOM .) Sure, we’ll have more substantive, practical matters to consider once this thing actually ships, but at least it’s something interesting in music tech news. More information, plus details on the virtual/software version that’s available now. (Not in the video, but also mentioned: they’ve got a simple iPhone app now, which should eventually allow you to play back loops you’ve created in the software.) http://www.beatkangz.com/ Rockwilder , a producer who’s worked with everyone from Aguilera to Xzibit, just happened to be hanging out in the hotel room banging away on the virtual edition on his Macbook Pro. He also shares his thoughts. The gentlemen of Beat Kangz say Rockwilder will be using their creation on an upcoming Method Man production.
Avid has quietly announced that Digidesign as you know it is history. Digidesign, the creator of Pro Tools, is getting absorbed into the Avid brand. Based on what we’ve heard from Avid, it sounds like you’ll be seeing Avid Pro Tools from now on.
Way Out Ware’s Jim Heinz demos iSample – an iPhone sampling and sequencing application. iSample is one of the most powerful iPhone music apps available – and it offers a preview of the potential of the rumored Apple Tablet as a computer for music. Jim has done a lot of optimization with iSample – check out how responsive the hands-on graphic interface is. via SonicState
flickr set by matrixsynth (click for more) http://bigcitymusic.com/ Booth included: 4ms Pedals Analogue Systems Cwejman Dewanatron Diabolical Devices Dirty Boy Pedals Eowave flight of harmony Ham Heart Jomox Mellotron Metasonix (Eric Barbour) Sherman Signal Arts Surfin Kangaro Malekko / Wiard If I missed any, let me know! I forget the name of the orange red device in the bottom image. I’ve posted it a number of times. It’s on the tip of my tounge, but I can’t freakin remember. It’s driving me crazy! 
I met Roger Cordell owner of Big City Music , Josh Humphrey of Big City Music, Eric Barbour of Metasonix , Shagghie, and Wolfgang Michalowicz of Surfin Kangaroo . All great people. Be sure to see this video on the Surfin Kangaroo and this video on the Metasonix D-1000 . Click here for a search on bigcitymusic which will bring up more videos of what was shown at NAMM.
flickr set by matrixsynth (click for more) Radikal Technologies Shot of Jörg Schaaf of Radikal Technologies playing his Spectralis 2 taken from the Noisebug booth next door. The Spectralis 2 is on fine sounding synth. I’ll have some video of it at NAMM coming up in the next couple of days. I had a fun talk with Jörg. I love his synths, both the Spectralis line and the Quasimidi Polymorph which I own.
flickr set by matrixsynth (click for more) I had an enjoyable talk with Stefan Stenzel. I missed Axel Hartmann and I believe Achim who weren’t at the booth when I dropped by. I posted this in the comment, but thought I’d put it up here as well: I didn’t ask when it would be available. I was more curious what led them to the Zarenbourg. Stefan said they wanted to do something new and there was just something about the immediacy of the interface. It is real and it is coming. The unit wasn’t producing sound and some of the knobs were not working but you could get a feel for it. The effect lights have two levels of luminosity, dim if active and bright if selected. You can have any combination of the effects. We also talked a little about previous Waldorf synths and Largo
flickr set by matrixsynth (click for more) http://johnbowen.com/ Remember to click on the All Sizes link followed by Original Size for the super sized sized shots. I need to give a special thanks to John Bowen for hosting my NAMM pass this year. Thank you John! Carbon111 and Bernard were showing the Solaris at the booth.
http://www.moogmusic.com/ Three shots from the Moog booth at Winter NAMM. Click on the images for the full size shots. I spent most of my time at the booth talking to Michelle Moog-Koussa of the Bob Moog Foundation , Chris Stack of Moog Music, Amin Bhatia , Larry Fast , and Eric Norlander . All great people.
flickr set by matrixsynth (click for more) Two prototype Mopho Keyboards. One in yellow and one in black. Which do you prefer? Vote below the image of the man behind the machine, Dave Smith. http://davesmithinstruments.com I had a short but nice conversation with Dave Smith. He is so down to earth! What Border Color for the Mopho Keyboard Do You Prefer? ( surveys )
via Sonic State http://www.wayoutware.com/index.php
YouTube via matrixsynth. This vid was too short! Short but sweet. ” http://tiptopaudio.com http://analoguehaven.com Brief video of the Tiptop modular system running a self playing patch at Winter NAMM 2010 at the Analogue Haven booth. You can hear Gur of Tiptop Audio talking about what’s going on in the patch.”
YouTube via matrixsynth ” http://www.surfin-kangaroo-studio.de http://bigcitymusic.com/ Wolfgang Michalowicz of Surfin Kangaroo goes over the Surfin Step Sequencer at Winter NAMM 2010 at the Big City Music Booth.”
