PC and Music News

Dave Smith Instruments has released an updated version of its flagship synthesizer keyboard, the Poly Evolver.

The new version boasts 60 potentiometers among its complement of 78 rotary controls. "The response to the pot edition of the Prophet '08 has been overwhelmingly positive," said company founder Dave Smith, "so we decided to extend that functionality to the Poly Evolver, as well." Unlike endless rotary encoders, potentiometers allow the full range of a knob's values to be accessed in a single turn of about 300 degrees. That simplifies filter sweeps and other more performance-oriented gestures. A kit with potentiometer-equipped panel boards is available to convert older Poly Evolvers.

There have also been some cosmetic changes. "We needed both lined and unlined knobs to distinguish between the pots and encoders, so we're using Prophet-style knobs," said DSI's Andrew McGowan. "And we've updated the panel graphics a bit without changing them significantly." The wood end panels are now made from bubinga.

The updated Poly Evolver Keyboard is available now with an MSRP of $2,899.00 and an MAP of $2,599.00. The conversion kit requires nothing more than a screwdriver for installation and is available directly from DSI for $399.00 or factory installed for $449.00.

Miktek , LLC debuted at AES 2009 with an innovative line of precision condenser microphones. Revisiting classic microphone designs and technologies, founder Michael Ketchell — in partnership with legendary engineers — unveiled the first offerings of a line of new condenser microphones designed for advanced and professional recordists.

Not all new companies arrive with considerable fanfare, but Miktek did; garnering a Pro Audio Review Excellence Award for the CV4 large-diaphragm multi-pattern tube condenser microphone.

Premiering products also included the C5 pencil condenser as a single or matched-pair, and C7 dual large-diaphragm FET condenser.

Miktek microphone components are sourced from top manufacturers in the US, Europe and Asia and hand-assembled at their factory in Nashvil ...

TeamDNR Collaborative Designs announces the release of Synplantation Volume 1.

Synplantation Volume 1 for Sonic Charge Synplant is a package of 32 unique and usable sounds, as well as a bank of the same sounds with all FX removed. This first bank focuses on punchy basses, dynamic plucked/emulative sounds, and dark, emotive pads.

Available now for $5. Audio examples are available at :

Novation has annonced that the Launchpad is now shipping worldwide.

Launchpad is a compact controller designed to give electronic music makers of today the most interactive experience possible in Ableton Live. It communicates bi-directionally with the software to give users real-time session feedback: now you really can Play Live.

Launchpad has been jointly designed by Novation and Ableton, to bring the features of Live to the fingertips of the modern musician. The 8x8 grid of backlit buttons addresses a multitude of functions, with the help of mode selectors that transport the user around the Live interface.

Flip from launching clips to tweaking mixer settings in a stroke. Launch your song into a heavy build-up, then switch to a synth or a drum machine for an impromptu solo at the touch of a button.

The device itself is bus-powered from a single USB connection, and has a ten-inch square desktop footprint. Rubber feet ensure Launchpad stays secure on the surface on which it's placed, and an optional padded neoprene travel sleeve is available. It ships with a USB cable, plus a DVD ROM with Mac and PC installers for a special 'Launchpad Version' of Ableton Live 8, as well as 1GB of sample content from Loopmasters and Mike The Drummer. It also comes Automap enabled.

Available now at a price of $199.

First debuted in London in the Winter of 2007, Yamaha Tenori-On has captured and fuelled the imagination of some of the world's most influential and creative experimental live and studio musicians, producers, and DJ's including Bjork, Ono Yoko Plastic band and new artists such as Little Boots.

Now the Tenori-On evolution continues as Yamaha unveil the eagerly awaited and more 'wallet friendly' addition to the Tenori-On family - The Tenori-On TNR-O 'Orange' .

The new Tenori-On 'Orange' offers the same levels of creative power as the original but has been made significantly more affordable. For example Yamaha have replaced the very cool but expensive magnesium casing of the original with a heavy duty and durable plastic casing. They also have removed the battery option and the back panel LED's.

To coincide with the unveiling of the new model Yamaha have also confirmed a free forthcoming firmware update for current Tenori-On customers. Following a range of user comments Yamaha are currently in the process of creating a new operating system which is expected to be available from January 2010.The update will address a number of areas including the syncing of Tenori-On to external DAW applications and offer an improved MIDI sync implementation.

Tenori-On 'Orange' will be shipping from December 2009 and the final European pricing will be announced during November.

Good news for those eagerly awaiting Max for Live - Ableton has announced that it will be released on November 23, 2009. Beta testing has started, details are available on the Ableton website.

Max for Live will be available at the Ableton web shop. Pricing will be around USD 299/EUR 249 for Ableton Live 8 users, additional discounts will be available for users who also own Max/MSP 5.