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JD-800 Software Synthesizer Announced By Roland

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Roland Announces JD-800 Software Synthesizer
Authentic Software Recreation of the Iconic ’90s Digital Synth,
Available Exclusively Through Roland Cloud
Los Angeles, CA, October 26, 2021 — Roland announces the JD-800 Software Synthesizer, the latest addition to the Legendary series of software-based Roland instruments available through Roland Cloud. In early 2021—30 years after the debut of the original JD-800 hardware synth—Roland introduced the JD-800 Model Expansion for the ZENOLOGY software synthesizer and select ZEN-CORE hardware instruments. Now, the anniversary celebration continues with the release of this iconic digital instrument as a dedicated DAW plug-in. The JD-800 Software Synthesizer delivers a virtual recreation of the original’s unique sound and inviting control-laden interface, along with a host of new features and enhancements for today’s music producers.
In the early 1990s, preset-driven digital synths with limited hands-on controls dominated the landscape. The JD-800 changed all that in 1991, bringing the synthesizer world back to its roots with a massive control-filled panel and an unapologetically electronic sound palette. An instant hit among the world’s top keyboard players, this innovative instrument found its way onto classic albums and numerous film and television scores, and it remains highly sought after to this day.
The JD-800 Software Synthesizer is painstakingly crafted to sound and behave exactly like the original hardware. Rather than simply combining a bunch of JD-800 samples, Roland used the original waveform data along with advanced modeling techniques to perfectly recreate the big, bright, spacious sound that only the JD-800 can deliver.
A key ingredient of the JD-800’s sound was its formidable multistage effects section. It’s been carefully recreated in the plug-in and enhanced with an expanded view for real-time tweaking. In addition to a master EQ, there are seven effects with adjustable controls and the ability to change the signal flow with drag-and-drop actions.
The JD-800 Software Synthesizer includes 64 original presets from the JD-800 hardware, plus 64 newly crafted presets that show how inspiring and evocative the synth can be in a modern context. And with the plug-in’s extensive array of top-level controls, users can easily create all-new sounds to make their music stand out from the crowd.
The JD-800 Software Synthesizer offers a hyper-realistic interface that’s resizable for high-resolution screens and comes in VST3, AU, and AAX formats for compatibility with popular Windows and Mac production software. The plug-in also features native Apple silicon support for the highest level of performance on the latest Mac computers.
The JD-800 Software Synthesizer is the newest member of Roland Cloud’s Legendary series, which includes plug-in versions of other Roland classics like the JUNO-60, JUPITER-8, TR-808, TR-909, D-50, and more. Legendary titles are available with the Ultimate membership level of Roland Cloud. All paid levels—including Core and Pro—start with a free 30-day trial of Ultimate, allowing users to try out the JD-800 and all Ultimate features. In addition, any Roland Account holder can purchase Lifetime Keys for individual Legendary series titles. This provides unlimited access for as long as their account is active, even if they don’t have a Roland Cloud membership.

Sequential Announce Prophet 5 and 10 Rackmounts

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San Francisco, CA—Jan 12, 2021—Fast on the heels of the reintroduction of its legendary Prophet-5 synthesizer, Sequential today announced that it has created a desktop version of the acclaimed instrument. As with the keyboard version, the desktop model will be available in both five- and ten-voice configurations, dubbed the Prophet-5 desktop module and Prophet-10 desktop module, respectively. They feature the same authentic vintage sound and front-panel controls as the Prophet-5 and Prophet-10 keyboards, but in a smaller form factor designed for portability and space-conscious studios.

“Our introduction of the Prophet-5 and Prophet-10 Rev 4 keyboards has been hugely successful. At the same time, a lot of people have been asking us for an easy way to fit them into a smaller studio space or into a touring rig,” commented Sequential founder and original Prophet-5 designer Dave Smith. “It was an easy decision to create a desktop module to fill that need. The great thing is, we managed to fit the same big, ballsy sound of the full Prophet-5 into a desktop model. It sounds every bit as awesome.”

Like the original, the new Prophet-5 and Prophet-10 modules feature two multi-waveform analog oscillators, analog resonant low-pass filters and amplifiers, and a filter and amplifier envelope per voice. Modulation is provided by a multi-waveshape LFO and Poly Mod, a ground-breaking modulation scheme for its time that allowed the filter envelope and oscillator B to be routed to a variety of destinations including filter cutoff frequency, oscillator A frequency, and oscillator A pulse width.

And just like the new Prophet-5/10 Rev 4 keyboards, the modules feature genuine Curtis VCOs and filters as used in the Prophet-5 Rev 3, as well as the Dave Rossum-designed SSI 2140 filter — the modern counterpart of the original SSM 2040 Rossum designed in the Prophet-5 Rev 1 and Rev 2. A Rev switch on the front panel allows users to switch between the two as desired.

Also present is the new Vintage knob, which loosens up the oscillators, filters, and envelopes from voice to voice as they typically are in vintage Prophet-5s. Users can dial in progressively more vintage character from a very stable “4,” as in Prophet-5 Rev4, all the way to “1,” as in Prophet-5 Rev1, which was the most temperamental of all Prophet-5s. The original factory sound set is included as well.

Other modern enhancements include velocity sensitivity and aftertouch to increase expressiveness, as well as MIDI and USB connectivity. Control voltage and gate ins/outs are also present for connecting modular synths and other gear. The new modules are housed in a premium-quality, steel case with hand-oiled sustainable black walnut heartwood trim.

Both modules will be available in February. The Prophet-5 desktop module has a US MAP of $2,499. The Prophet-10 desktop module has a US MAP of $3,299.

Komplete 13 Announced

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September 1, 2020, Berlin – Native Instruments today announced KOMPLETE 13, the latest generation of its flagship production suite, with new additions including some of the company’s biggest releases from the last two years. The launch will coincide with that of GUITAR RIG 6 PRO, a revamped version of Native’s amp and effects modelling lab.

For 17 years, KOMPLETE has brought the very best from Native Instruments into a comprehensive production package for artists of every level and genre. KOMPLETE 13 is the biggest collection yet, and is available in four sizes; SELECT, KOMPLETE 13, ULTIMATE, and Collector’s Edition.
The latest generation sees some of Native Instrument’s biggest new releases join the lineup, including GUITAR RIG 6 PRO, CREMONA QUARTET (including STRADIVARI VIOLIN), ARKHIS, PHARLIGHT, STRAYLIGHT, MYSTERIA, SUPER 8, SESSION GUITARIST – ELECTRIC SUNBURST DELUXE, and NOIRE.

There are four new additions to the KONTAKT Play Series – BUTCH VIG DRUMS, LO-FI GLOW, MODULAR ICONS, and CLOUD SUPPLY. 

The latest version also includes the CRUSH PACK, which puts a modern spin on distortion effects, as well as last year’s much-loved RAUM reverb.

Each bundle provides up to 90% off the price of the individual products, and as always, existing KOMPLETE users also have the option to save when they upgrade or update from their current version.

GUITAR RIG 6 PRO returns with an overhauled interface, new amps, new effects, and Intelligent Circuit Modelling – a new machine-learning modelling technology that can bring even deeper realism to hardware emulations. 

The technology has already been used to create a new series of iconic boutique and vintage amps, each offering plenty of character and tone to be explored.
Users will also be able to pitch in and help decide what kind of hardware should be modelled for future updates.

The latest version also extends the platform’s capacity as a powerful effects rack for any audio source with 14 new additions from Native’s wider ecosystem – including REVERB CLASSICS, VINTAGE COMPRESSORS, CRUSH PACK, MOD PACK, SOLID MIX SERIES, TRANSIENT MASTER, RAUM, RAMMFIRE, and TRAKTOR’S 12.

GUITAR RIG 6 PRO comes loaded with an inspirational collection of presets from a variety of heavy-hitting guitarists, bassists, producers, and songwriters including Yvette Young, Tim Lefebvre, Pete Thorn, Zola Jesus, and Butch Vig, along with many more to come with future updates.

Pricing and Availability 
KOMPLETE 13
Available October 1, 2020

KOMPLETE 13 SELECT: 199 USD / 199 EUR / 25,800 YEN / 169 GBP / 299 AUD / 259 CAD / 1,699 CNY / CHF 209

KOMPLETE 13: 599 USD / 599 EUR / 72,400 YEN / 499 GBP / 899 AUD / 799 CAD / 4,699 CNY / CHF 629

KOMPLETE 13 ULTIMATE: 1,199 USD / 1,199 EUR / 144,400 YEN / 999 GBP / 1,799 AUD / 1,599 CAD / 9,499 CNY / CHF 1249

KOMPLETE 13 ULTIMATE Collector’s Edition: 1,599 USD / 1,599 EUR / 204,800 YEN / 1,349 GBP / 2,299 AUD / 1,999 CAD / 12,499 CNY / CHF 1,679

GUITAR RIG 6 PRO
Available October 1, 2020

Full version: 199 USD / 199 EUR / 26,800 YEN / 179 GBP / 299 AUD / 259 CAD / 1599 CNY / 209 CHF 

Upgrade: 149 USD / 149 EUR / 20,100 YEN / 129 GBP / 219 AUD / 199 CAD / 1199 CNY / 159 CHF

Update: 99 USD / 99 EUR / 13,400 YEN / 89 GBP / 149 AUD / 129 CAD / 799 CNY / 104 CHF

Further Information
KOMPLETE 13
https://www.native-instruments.com/specials/komplete/komplete-13/ 

GUITAR RIG 6 PRO
https://www.native-instruments.com/en/products/komplete/guitar/guitar-rig-6-pro/

Arturia launch Sound Explorers box set to celebrate 20th Anniversary

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Arturia launch a limited edition Sound Explorers box set

French music hardware and software developers release an exclusive in-store Sound Explorers box set. This collector’s item celebrates 20 years of innovative sound design and product innovation.

What’s included?

250GB hard drive
A selection of the most inspiring software titles and sound packs with spare external storage to store your valuable music projects. Installation is quick and easy.

V Collection 7
23 legendary instruments brought back to life, including analog synths, classic pianos, quirky keyboards, and digital polysynths, with over 8,000 awe-inspiring presets.

FX Collection
Circuit-accurate emulations of the most iconic effects and studio tools, supercharged with new features for modern production.

Pigments
A synth that combines incredible FM, virtual analog, sampling, and granular synth engines with unlimited modulation, packed full of presets made by big-name artists and sound designers.
40 best-selling preset packs. Inspiring sounds from the Analog Lab and Pigments Sound Store giving you access to 700 lovingly crafted presets.

Full details here.

Arturia V Collection 7.2 Update

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ARTURIA RELEASES V COLLECTION 7.2
A FREE UPDATE FOR V COLLECTION
The development team took the time to listen to feedback from users – Arturia’s passionate community of Sound Explorers – and improved V Collection 7 to meet their needs. With this update, V Collection 7 is more efficient, more inspiring and more streamlined than ever.
What’s new in the Performance Update?
Faster preset changes
The time it takes to change presets has been dramatically cut. Find the perfect sound faster or instantly recall your favourite patches.
Smaller patch installs
If you already have an instrument installed, any future patch update files will be much smaller. This makes Arturia Software Center updates easier and quicker to install.
Custom resources path
All instrument resources can be moved to a folder of your choice. This is useful if you’re working with multiple drives/devices or limited internal storage.
Various Bug fixes
V Collection 7.2 also addresses a number of other performance issues – it’s now simply more stable, efficient, and easy to use.
Improved graphic performance
All instruments in V Collection have had their animations and visuals streamlined. This provides a smoother appearance and ensures less strain on your CPU.

New ZEN-Core Sound Packs for Roland Cloud

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Roland Releases New ZEN-Core Sound Packs for ZENOLOGY and ZEN-Core Compatible Instruments on Roland Cloud
Roland has announced the release of new ZEN-Core Sound Packs, genre-specific collections that provide new sounds for Roland’s ZENOLOGY Software Synthesizer and ZEN-Core hardware.
Driven by the powerful ZEN-Core Synthesis System, Sound Packs deliver everything from vintage analog to fresh hybrid tones. Each pack focuses on a specific genre or instrument type, or features sounds from some of the world’s most exciting sound designers and leading artists.
ZEN-Core Sound Packs come in two different types: Production Packs and Instrument Packs, both of which will be dropping regularly.
Production Packs
Production Packs deliver a curated set of authentic sounds, including a custom drum kit, to explore a certain genre or style of music. Compatible with the ZENOLOGY Software Synthesizer and Roland hardware instruments with the ZEN-Core Synthesis System, all the new curated collections below feature 15 expertly crafted tones and one drum kit.
SDZ011 LazerQ
Take aim and move bodies with LazerQ—a ZEN-Core Sound Pack for producing gritty acid house and dark EBM/industrial tracks.
SDZ012 The Whip
Give in to the dark side with The Whip—a ZEN-Core Sound Pack for producing techno, dark wave, and industrial tracks.
SDZ013 Opener
Live life in the big city with Opener—a ZEN-Core Sound Pack for producing R&B and electronica tracks.
SDZ014 Panoram
Explore the depths from a new angle with Panoram—a ZEN-Core Sound Pack for producing deep house tracks.
SDZ015 Classic Groove
Keep it smooth and funky with Classic Groove—a ZEN-Core Sound Pack for producing classic hip-hop and R&B.
Release Date: June 16th 6:00 PM PDT
Instrument Packs
Roland’s forthcoming Instrument Packs for ZENOLOGY and ZEN-Core compatible instruments will focus solely on a specific kind of sound—like bass, plucks, or pads. The first five Instrument Packs will be released later this month, and previews of all five are provided below. 
SDZ016 Electro Bass
The place for synth bass—Electro Bass is a ZEN-Core Sound Pack that explores the deep end of the sonic spectrum. This curated collection features 15 expertly crafted tones and one drum kit.
SDZ017 Analog Plucks
Say a lot with a little using Analog Plucks—a ZEN-Core Sound Pack of 16 short and sweet plucked synthesizer tones.  
SDZ018 Synth Strings and Pads
Create instant atmosphere with Synth Strings and Pads—a ZEN-Core Sound Pack that fills the empty spaces and features 16 expertly crafted tones.   
SDZ019 Metallic Plucks
Create a delicate edge with Metallic Plucks—a ZEN-Core Sound Pack that evokes minimalism and cold beauty and features 16 expertly crafted tones.
SDZ020 Transitions and Risers
Get from here to there with Transitions and Risers—a ZEN-Core Sound Pack for connecting your musical ideas.  
Release Date: June 25th 6:00 PM PDT
All new ZEN-Core Sound Packs are offered with Roland Cloud Core, Ultimate and Pro memberships and can also be purchased individually as a Lifetime Key for $.99.

Arturia KeyStep Pro Firmware Update

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ARTURIA RELEASES KEYSTEP PRO 1.2.6 FIRMWARE UPDATE
It’s Arturia’s job to make sure that the products they bring users perform at their best capacity, so users can enjoy the smoothest workflow. That’s why Arturia constantly works on firmware updates for their products: exciting improvements such as new features, improvements and bug fixes.

The teams have worked on analysing feedback on their latest controller, KeyStep Pro, and delivering a firmware update.

The update includes workflow improvements and bug fixes for the most part.

WHAT’S NEW IN KEYSTEP PRO 1.2.6?

– Reworked MIDI In implementation
– Notes sent to the track’s input MIDI channels are now processed as if these were played on the KeyStep Pro keyboard and transmitted to the MIDI and CV Outputs.
– More recording flexibility with the count in
– When recording in real time, notes played prior to the recording are maintained after the start and are now recorded as well.
– Record several patterns on the fly
– Patterns can now be changed while record is ON. This lets you build several patterns at one time leaving more room for your creative flow when jamming.
– Drum track time division per pattern
– The drum track time division is now stored in each drum pattern and recalled when changing from one pattern to another.
– Sync Auto mode improvement
– KeyStep Pro is now able to jump back to its internal clock after having been synced to an external source.
– Sync handling improvements
– Synchronization accuracy has been improved and now supports all clock rate formats.
– New screen feedback messages
– For some actions, new screen messages have been added to make the workflow more intuitive
– Bug fixes
– The update also comes with various bug fixes and workflow improvements. For more details, check out the release notes.

HOW TO INSTALL THE UPDATE

Connect KeyStep Pro to your computer with a USB cable
Open the Arturia MIDI Control Center software
Select ‘KeyStep Pro’ from the dropdown menu
Select ‘Firmware Revision’ and then ‘Update’

Download link

Roland Releases Three New Patch Collections for Roland Cloud

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Roland has announced the forthcoming releases of three new patch collections for Roland Cloud: SH-2: Space Aged, PROMARS: Curiosity, and SYSTEM-8: Frontiers, all crafted by top sound designers.
 
The SH-2: Space Aged collection features 64 presets for Roland’s recreation of the iconic SH-2, the little monosynth that could. Pulling inspiration from space, the patches in this collection take advantage of the SH-2’s arpeggiator function and evoke the constellations with their complexity, richness, and usability. Explore the black hole-like low end of “Synth Shock Bass,” or fall into an arpeggiated asteroid belt with “Gamer Glytter.” 
 
Also, from June 9 to 23, 2020, anyone with a Roland account can enjoy the SH-2 virtual synthesizer and the SH-2: Space Aged patch collection for free. Simply log in to Roland Cloud Manager, install the SH-2 from the library, and download the patch collection from the software section.
 
Release Date: June 9, 2020, 6 PM PDT
 
PROMARS: Curiosity
This collection for Roland’s recreation of the fabled PROMARS synth pays tribute to the analog powerhouse, delivering layered tones that give way to fizzy atmospherics, often within a single patch. Discover the bubbles of “1981” or the modulations of “Karhornia.” Then, take advantage of genre-tailored basses like “Italobass” for a Moroder moment or “Teutonik Bass” to capture the mood of a Berlin dance floor. 
 
Also, from June 16 to 30, anyone with a Roland account can enjoy the PROMARS virtual synthesizer and the PROMARS: Curiosity patch collection for free. Simply log into Roland Cloud Manager, install the PROMARS from your library, and download the patch collection from the software section.
 
Release Date: June 16, 2020, 6 PM PDT
 
SYSTEM-8: Frontiers 
SYSTEM-8: Frontiers is a premium patch collection for the hardware and software versions of Roland’s forward-looking SYSTEM-8 Synthesizer. SYSTEM-8: Frontiers leverages SYSTEM 8’s powerful engines to deliver mysterious arps, heartbreaking keys, and cavernous pads. Patches include the majestic “HOME”, Hydra-7”, “EBM Bass” and “The Darker Pad.”
 
Also, from June 25 to July 9, anyone with a Roland account can enjoy the SYSTEM-8 virtual synthesizer and the SYSTEM-8: Frontiers patch collection for free. Simply log into Roland Cloud Manager, install the SYSTEM-8 from your library, and download the patch collection from the software section.
 
Release Date: June 25, 2020, 6 PM PDT
 
The SH-2: Space Aged, PROMARS: Curiosity, and SYSTEM-8: Frontiers collections are offered with Roland Cloud Ultimate and Pro memberships.