*********************************** AM/FM ***********************************   ___ /\ \ ____ / \ \ /\ \ | | | / \ \ | | | / \___\ ___ | | | | | |___ /\ \ ___ | | | _| | /\ \ / \__\ /\ \| | | /\| | / \__\ Latest Keyboard News | | | / \__\ | | / | | | | | -------------------- | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |___|______|_|____|__| |____|__| |____|__|___|__|  .oO CoLlEcTeD aNd WrItTeN eSpEcIaLlY fOr AM/FM bY aNdRé MeYeR Oo. <=========================================================> Roland JV1000 The JV1000 is Roland's latest workstation. It has 76 weighted keys, a tone generation section, a 3.5" floppy drive as well as a sequencer with 8 tracks (plus 1 special track for drums and speed controlling) which has an own display so that is possible to control sequencer and other options simultaneously. Besides the JV1000 is compatible with the JV80 expansion boards and accomodates Roland's new GS voice expander which has loads more GS sounds and also increases the polyphony to 56 notes. Kurzweil ??? Kurzweil is developing the 'little brother' of the K2000, the name of it isn't known yet. It should have VAST-tone generation, 24 polyphony (96 oscillators), 8 megabytes of ROM-samples as well as 200 Presets plus 100 Setups, RAM and ROM-card slots, a 3.5" floppy drive, a new effect processor chip and a 16 track on-board sequencer. Akai CD3000 The Akai CD3000 is a studio sampler which was derived from the Akai S2800. It also offers 32-note polyphony, 16-bit sampling with 44,1 khz sampling-frequency, resonance filters, 2 LFOs, 2 envelope generators, 50 effect-presets and the same great "APM" (Assignable Program Modulation) which allows to choose any source to control any parameters. Differences between the S2800 and the CD3000 are that it an internal CD-ROM floppy drive is included. Roland JD990 Super JD The Roland JD800 is now available as a rack-version: The JD990 Super JD, a 2U high device which actually is not just the rack-version of the JD800, because it offers much more. The JD990 has 24-note polyphony, 8-part multi-timbrality and 6 megabytes of waveform-ROM which can be expanded by JV80 boards. Besides it is capable of reading patches from both the JD800 and JV80/JV880 and even accept JD800 and JV80 ROM-cards. After this lot of new features the JD990 naturally also offers the usual things of the JD800: digital resonance filters, envelopes, LFOs etc. New is the matrix modulation, frequency cross modulation ("FXM") and oscillator synchronisation. Ensoniq TS10 The TS10 is Ensoniq's latest synthesizer and was actually derived from the SD1, but is based on the tone generation of the ASR10 sample keyboard. It offers 61 keys, 32-note polyphony, a 3,5" high-density floppy drive and a 24-track sequencer with a capacity of about 30000 notes which can be expanded up to 100000 notes. The TS10 comes with 6 megabytes of ROM-samples. Its optional sample-RAM can be expanded up to 8 megabytes by affordable SIMMs, so that it is possible to make use of the EPS/ASR-sound library. Other news from Ensoniq: The complete EPS-library will soon be available on CD-ROM. Alesis Quadrasynth Not many things are known about the Alesis Quadrasynth yet... but it is sure that it will be a synthesizer with 76 keys, multi-timbral operation, 64-note polyphony and 16 megabytes of sample-ROM. A special feature of the Quadrasynth will be the ADAT digital interface with which it will be possible to record directly to Alesis' ADAT digital multitrack recorder. Akai DR4d On the Frankfurter Messe '92 in Germany already announced, the Akai DR4D could now be shown on the NAMM-show in San Francisco, USA. It is a 4-track harddisk recording system, and up to four DR4Ds can be connected with each other. There are 18-bit wandlers with 64 times oversampling, 4 analog in- and outputs and an AES/EBU-digital interface. Sampling can be done in 32, 44,1 or 48 khz. The DR4D has a shuttle wheel and naturally there are also the usual options like copy, move, insert, erase and delete. An optional expansion board allows you to synchronize your music to a MIDI-sequencer via SMPTE- timecode without the use of a sync-box or a synchronizer, and the optional remote controller DL4 which makes working easier is also available. Mackie 8-Bus Mixers Mackie Design, well known for its great mixers, will launch a new series called "8-Bus". The mixers will be available with 16, 24 or 32 channels. Boss SE70 The new Boss SE70 multi-effects processor comes with 45 algorithms, among them are a 20-tap delay, 10-way pitch shifter, hum canceller, 21-band vocoder, vocal canceller, surround and de-esser. The SE70 can produce up to 16 effects simultaneously. It has a built in metronome and tuner and can also be used as two seperate stereo processors. Korg Wavestation and 03/W cards After a long time of silence - regarding PCM-cards for the Wavestation - Korg now offers the PCM-card set PSC-1S "Dance" with 2 megabytes of weird multisounds and drums as well as 35 patches, 50 performances and 32 wavesequences. Korg 03/W-users are surely delighted of the new PCM-cards USC-1S "Best of M & T" (legendary sound of the Korg M- and T-series), USC-2S "Orchestral" (2 megabytes of orchester instruments) and USC-3S "Piano/Keyboards" (2 megabytes of popular keyboard-sounds). Also new ROM-cards for the 03/W are now available: UPC-11 "Sound Alternatives", UPC-12 "House/Funk" and UPC-13 "Pop Performance". They offer 100 Programs and 100 Combinations each. Roland SRV330 and SDE330 Two new effect processors have been launched by Roland. Same features are the same price, the same height (1U), 16-bit conversion with a 41,1 khz sampling rate, 30-bit internal processing and the possiblity of controlling them via MIDI. The SRV300 takes all his concetration on the hall-effect. Altogether 40 early-reflections can be positioned at up to 20 locations in the 3D sound field. The SDE330 comes with the same technology which allows you to generate up to 8 tap delays and position them at any location in the 3D sound field. Emu Vintage Keys expansion-kit It is rumoured that Emu will launch a special expansion-kit for the Vintage Keys soon which will feature new samples. Unfortunately more detailed infomation aren't known yet. Korg Audio Gallery Audio Gallery is a sound module which is based on the sounds of the Korg 01/W. Features are 32-note polyphony, multi-effects and 128 General MIDI programs. Interesting (not for you, cause you are only allowed to use the Amiga!) is the on-board computer interface which make it ideal for connection to an PC or Macintosh computer. Peavey PCX6 The Peavey PX6 was presented on the NAMM-show for the very first time. It is a stereo sampling workstation. Features are 61 keys, 32-note polyphony, stereo 64-times oversampling delta-sigma ADCs, 18-bit DACs and 24-bit internal processing. It comes with 2 megabytes of sample-RAM (expandable to 16 megabytes) and 10 megabytes of ROM- samples. Other features are dual effect processors, three effect busses, six outputs, high speed data transfer through the SCSI port, a built-in 3.5" high-density floppy drive, a 16-track sequencer which is compatible to the MIDI File Format, room for an optional internal harddisk, a pitch wheel, two module wheels and four programmable sliders. Phew... A version with 88 keys and a polished hardwood cabinet called PCX688 is also available. Peavey DPM4 The Peavey DPM4 was derived from the DPM3. The most important differences are 32-note polyphony and 10 megabytes of ROM-samples, particularly new and fresh ones. Besides there are 512 kbytes (expandable to 1 megabyte) of sample-RAM. Samples can be loaded into the memory via MIDI, floppy drive or from the DPM SX. Other features are a 9-track sequencer, floppy drive, a RAM-card slot and an effect section. The DPM 4 is also available in a special version (called DPM 488) with 88 keys. Every DPM3 can now be expanded by a special conversion-kit so that owners of this older synth can enjoy the new options, too. Panasonic SV3200 The new Panasonic SV3200 DAT-recorder does not only look like the SV3700, it also offers many of its features, but to a much more affordable price. Some facts are: 44,1/48 khz sample-rates, 1-bit A/D- and D/A-wandler, shuttle-wheel, high speed search and digital inputs in the consumer-format. Roland MC50mk II The Roland MC50mk II is an improved version of the Roland MC50 hardware sequencer. It offers 8 tracks plus a rythm- and speed control track, 2 MIDI-outputs, tape-sync option and memory for up to 8 songs with about 10000 measures or about 40000 notes. The integrated 3.5" floppy drive is capable of saving up to 150000 notes on one disk. Roland R8mk II Also the Roland R8 is now available as an improved version. The new drum machine called R8mk II has twice the sounds of the old one, and also twice the memory for patterns. The 200 internal sounds were taken from the R8 as well as from all the available 11 ROM-cards. Among all the sounds there are e.g. there are 42 snare drums, 33 kicks and 54 percussion and bass sounds. Kawai K11 The new Kawai K11 looks like the old K1, but features the new GMega tone generation. It should be pretty interesting because of its affordable price. Roland Sound Canvas SC33 and SD35 New members of the Sound Canvas familiy are now available! The SC33 seems to be very similar to the Boss DS330 and the SD35 is the old Sound Canvas plus standard-MIDI-file play option and 3.5" floppy drive. GEM S2 and S3 updates The new update includes the "Sample Translator" in version v1.0. With this expansion it is now possible to load your favourite samples into the RAM (like on Yamaha SY85 or Kurzweil K2000). Later you can edit and manipulate them like the internal samples with all the usual sound editing functions. Samples can be transmitted via MIDI Sample Dump Standard or loaded from floppy disk in Avalon (Atari), Sound Designer (Atari) or Sample Vision (MS-DOS). To load samples with these programs is surely unimportant for you, as you promised only to use your trusty Amiga (I guess, hehe)! The new upgrade also features some options to edit the samples. Zooming in and out is available as well as setting the start and end loop points. Besides you can modificate the intonation and frequency. Simultaneously, new sound and sequence disks for the S2 and S3 are now available, e.g. Michael Jackson's "Black Or White", Annie Lennox' "Why", "One" by U2, "Something Got Me Started" by Simply Red etc. Another new upgrade for the S2/S3 is the "Turbo-Kit". It doubles the polyphony to 32 notes and offers 2 megabytes of sample-RAM which also keeps the samples 'in the brain' after turning off. Technics KN2000 The K2000 was derived from the K1000 and offers a lot of new things. The first thing you'll notice if you see it is surely its HUGE (if I say huge, I DO mean HUGE!!!) display. Of course this is only one among all the new feautures: The K2000 has a 61-note velocity sensitive keyboard, 263 PCM-sounds as well as 220 rythms. It also offers a 3.5" floppy drive, an on-board sequencer, the "Easy-Set"- option which makes working easier and the new "Help"-option which gives a short instruction to the current page. GEM WX2 For the first time General Music presented the WX2, the follow-up model of the WS2, on the Frankfurter Messe '93 in Germany. It has 61 keys, 32-note polyphony, 96 styles, a 16-track sequencer with lots of edit options, an effect-section and a large display (64 x 240 dots). The tone generation and the operation system are based on those of the S2. The WX2 offers 6 megabytes of ROM-samples (384 sounds). In addition it can be expanded with 2 megabytes of RAM to load in new samples, and the 3.5" floppy drive is capable of reading Stanard-MIDI- files. Another great feature is that it can be connected with a monitor or even a TV. The WX2 is also available with 88 weighted keys and is called WX400. Blue Ribbon Soundworks - One Stop Music Shop Blue Ribbon Soundworks has launched a new sound-card: One Stop Music Shop. It features the same hardware like the Emu Proteus and is compatible to Zorro II- and Zorro III-slots (e.g. the Amiga 4000 offers such slots). The sound-card features an integrated MIDI- interface and comes with special software, among various progs a sound-editor and a MIDI-player. One Stop Music Shop also supports Bars & Pipes Professional. Peavey DPM SX II The DPM SX II is actually the old DPM SX, but is capable of sampling in stereo. Yamaha PSR5700 Yamaha has launched a new home keyboard: the PSR5700. It offers a 61-note velocity sensitive keyboard, module wheel, pitch bend, 38-note polyphony, 100 preset AWM-based 16-bit voices, 100 custom voices and 126 General MIDI voices. An effect section is there as well as as 84 percussion sounds. It also features an 8-track sequencer with editing options. A 3.5" floppy drive which is compatible with Yamaha's Disk Orchestra Collection and two on-board speakers are included, too. MIDI is naturally supported. Roland E-series The new Roland home keyboards are called E16, E36, E56 and E86. The E86 features 61 keys, 241 editable sounds, 56 styles, 8 user-styles, 128 so-called "uses-programs", 9 drumsets, 3.5" floppy drive and "composer" (6 tracks, 5 songs). Kawai X40 and X50 Same features of the X40 and X50 portable keyboards are a velocity sensitive keyboard, 28-note polyphony with 16-part multi-timbrality, 128 sounds and 100 styles. *********************************** AM/FM ***********************************