Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Akai Pro MINIAK Virtual Analog Synthesizer with Vocoder

Akai Pro MINIAK Virtual Analog Synthesizer with Vocoder Review



Akai Pro MINIAK Virtual Analog Synthesizer with Vocoder Feature

  • Eight voices, each with three oscillators
  • Up to eight multi-timbral parts with stereo effects and 40-band vocoder
  • Two multi-mode filters, three envelope generators, two LFOs, sample and hold, tracking generator
  • Dynamic real-time and step sequencers, arpeggiator, and drum machine/rhythm sequencer
  • 37-key synth-action keyboard with velocity sensitivity
The MINIAK is a powerful performance and production synthesizer. The MINIAK empowers creative musicians with phrase and step sequencing, a built-in drum machine/rhythm sequencer, an arpeggiator, a 40-band vocoder, stereo effects, and a virtual analog synth engine developed in partnership with the world-class Alesis synth team. While the compact, portable synth shines on stage, the MINIAK is also at home in the production studio delivering 24-bit audio resolution. The MINIAK puts up to eight multi-timbral voices at your fingertips, each with three oscillators. You can create interesting and unique sounds and take advantage of the more-than-600 preset sounds and store up to 1,000 programs in the MINIAK. The synth also has two multi-mode filters, three envelope generators, two LFOs, stereo effects, and a 40-band vocoder. On top of all of this sound-melding power, the MINIAK has a comprehensive sequencer with step and dynamic real time phrase sequencing, a drum machine/rhythm sequencer, and an arpeggiator to aid in creating the landscapes and textures you’re after. Rounding out this complete instrument are high-resolution, 24-bit balanced 1/4" inputs and outputs. The MINIAK has a 37-key semi-weighted keyboard with velocity sensitivity for all-in-one performance. It can also be used as a sound source for MPCs, computer software, and keyboards via MIDI.


Casio WK-200 76-Key Personal Keyboard with MP3/Audio Connection and 570 Tones

Casio WK-200 76-Key Personal Keyboard with MP3/Audio Connection and 570 Tones Review



Casio WK-200 76-Key Personal Keyboard with MP3/Audio Connection and 570 Tones Feature

  • Recorder for composing and play
  • Storage of keyboard setups for instant recall when you need them
  • One Touch Presets sets up the keyboard to match the currently selected rhythm
  • Auto Harmonize adds appropriate harmony notes to your melody automatically
  • Arpeggiator simplifies arpeggio play
The Casio WK-200 is an affordable instrument with a 76 Key Piano Style Touch Sensitive Keyboard, 570 total onboard Tones, 180 Rhythms and Reverb plus Chorus Digital Effects. Packed with great features such as Casio's famous Step-up Lesson System, audio inputs for a MP3 player, Mic input, 10 seconds of sampling and a USB port for MIDI. All this makes WK-200 more realistic and expressive than ever before at this price range.

A feature-packed portable keyboard that's perfect for learning. Click to enlarge.

76 touch-sensitive, standard-size keys.

Intuitive editing and controls.

Built-in stereo speakers.

Standard-Size Keys with Touch Response
The WK-200 features 76 standard-size keys and two sensitivity levels for a more piano-like experience, along with 48-note polyphony (24-note for certain tones).

570 Built-In Tones
Find just the right sound with 570 built-in tones, from strings to woodwinds and plenty more. You can layer two different tones (such as piano and strings) or split the keyboard down the middle for an ensemble approach.

Reverb and Chorus Effects
Select from ten different reverb and five different chorus effects to add depth and shimmer to your performance.

USB Port
For many musicians, the computer has become a music-making center. Connect the WK-200 to a computer using a USB cable and exchange MIDI data between the two devices. Send play data from the keyboard to music software running on your computer, or send MIDI data from your computer to the keyboard for playback.

Built-In Sampling
You can use the WK-200 to sample a sound from a portable audio player or other device, and then play the sound with keyboard keys. Sample up to ten seconds, and store up to five sampled sounds to keyboard memory.

152 Built-In Songs and Ten User Songs
The WK-200 comes with a bank of songs for your learning and enjoyment. You can also record your own performances, using up to six tracks of different instruments.

Step Up Lessons
To master a song, it is best to break it up into shorter parts (phrases), master the phrases, and then put everything together. The WK-200 features a "Step Up Lesson" feature that helps you to do just that. The built-in songs are pre-divided into phrases to help you master keyboard play. Step Up Lesson takes you through practice of the right hand part, left hand part, and both hand parts for each phrase of a song. Master all of the phrases and you master the song.

Music Challenge Keyboard Game
Music Challenge is a game that measures your reaction speed as you press keys in response to on-screen keyboard indicators and fingering guide indications.

Auto Accompaniment
With Auto Accompaniment, simply select an accompaniment pattern. Each time you play a chord with your left hand the appropriate accompaniment will play automatically. It's like having a personal backup group along with you wherever you go. The WK-200 features 180 built-in rhythms, and you you can also edit and save up to 10 of your own auto accompaniment patterns.

Auto Harmonize
Auto Harmonize automatically adds harmony to notes you play with your right hand, which adds rich depth to the melody of your performances. You can select from among 12 types of Auto Harmonize to suit the type of music you are playing.

Arpeggiator
The Arpeggiator makes it possible to play an arpeggio pattern automatically. There are 90 different arpeggio patterns from which to choose in order to match the music you are playing.

Transpose Function
An easy operation instantly changes the key of the keyboard.

Line-in and Mic Input
Play along with MP3 or CD players or other devices by plugging them into the stereo mini input jack, or plug a mic right in and sing along.

Battery or AC Power
Power the WK-200 with six D-sized batteries or purchase the AD-5MR adapter separately to power from your electrical outlets. Built-in speakers make the keyboard entirely portable.

An Auto Power Off feature turns off the device six minutes after the last key is touched, helping you save batteries.

What's in the Box
WK-200 Keyboard, Song Book, Safety Precautions, Appendix, Warranty

The Casio WK-200 keyboard is ideal for home/project studio use, open-mic performance, education/classroom applications, or simply for pure musical enjoyment. The WK-200 76 Key Musical Keyboard, with touch response, allows you to select up to 570 tones that include an array of sounds. A large LCD screen graphically shows you fingerings, keyboard keys to be pressed, and notes, making keyboard play more informative and enjoyable than ever before. Want to sound like you are playing in a large concert hall? Consider it done with the on-board Digital Effects which will add another dimension to your playing. This powerful instrument also features an on-board sequencer, for unmatched creative possibilities! You can now record up to 5 songs with 6 tracks each. Computer connectable via USB port, MIDI capable, and MP3/Audio connectivity. The WK-200 also features a new 10 second sampling feature, which will allow you to sample almost anything that you can think of!


Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Korg MONOTRON 16-Key Synthesizer

Korg MONOTRON 16-Key Synthesizer Review



Korg MONOTRON 16-Key Synthesizer Feature

  • Full-fledged, true analog synthesizer: VCO, VCF, LFO
  • Inspiring, easy-to-play ribbon keyboard
  • Intuitive, fun-to-tweak controls
  • Features the same classic analog filter found in the legendary Korg MS-10 & MS-20
  • Filter any external source using the audio input jack
Powered by two alkaline aaa batteries, the compact monotron can be held in one hand. although small enough to easily carry with you, the amazing monotron is packed with korg's legendary analog technology, generating thick and powerful sounds. concentrating on the most important sound parameters, the controls have been streamlined as much as possible. the panel contains only five knobs and one switch. with this level of simplicity, now anyone can easily enjoy the world of analog synthesizers. borrowing the enjoyment of performing with a simple touch from korg's wildly popular kaoss products, the monotron's ribbon controller keyboard takes this ease of use even farther. simple finger gestures can produce expressive effects such as vibrato and glide. the monotron's circuit is radically simple: one voltage-controlled oscillator, one voltage-controlled filter, and one low frequency oscillator. since each knob directly applies a specific change to the sound, the process of sound creation is intuitive, and instantly understandable. the monotron encourages exploration and experimentation, and provides the joy of sonic creativity that's at the heart of analog synthesis. the monotron uses the same highly acclaimed vcf circuit as korg's classic ms-10 and ms-20 semi modular synthesizers. originally released over 30 years ago, these instruments are still coveted today for their aggressive, dynamic filters. the vcf cutoff knob sets the frequency or tone of the filter; the vcf peak knob adds emphasis. a powerful filter is an essential aspect of any analog synthesizer, applying dramatic tonal changes to the sound, and projecting an intense personality that will stand out in any live performance.


Monday, January 2, 2012

Korg MICROKORG 37 Key Keyboard Synthesizer With 8 Band Vocoder Microphone Bundle

Korg MICROKORG 37 Key Keyboard Synthesizer With 8 Band Vocoder Microphone Bundle Review



Korg MICROKORG 37 Key Keyboard Synthesizer With 8 Band Vocoder Microphone Bundle Feature

  • Korg MICROKORG 37 Key Keyboard Synthesizer With 8 Band Vocoder Microphone
  • Tote-Style Bag for MicroKorg MicroKorgXL MicroSampler and R3
  • Single-X X-Style Keyboard Stand

Korg MICROKORG 37 Key Keyboard Synthesizer With 8 Band Vocoder Microphone.
- Powerful synthesis: The microKORG boasts the same dual-oscillator DSP synthesis engine found in Korg's critically acclaimed MS2000 and offers a wider selection of waveforms than any other modeled synth. Oscillator 1 features a total of 71 waveforms.
- Classic vocoding: You can capture and ''freeze'' the formants of your voice, and then play it across the keyboard, or shift the formant frequency to make your voice sound male, female, like a child or just plain wacky! Best of all, the microKORG comes with its own microphone so you can start having fun right away.
- A full range of effects: Three types of modulation effects (chorus/flanger, phaser, ensemble), three types of delay effects (stereo, cross, L/R), and a two-band equalizer add the finishing touches to the microKORG.
- Great sounds and expression: Korg has used all of the microKorg's synthesis power in the creation of 128 great-sounding presets. They cover a wide range of the latest musical styles plus many vintage favorites. Sixteen vocoder Programs are also included.
- Flexible arpeggiator: Six types of arpeggio patterns (UP, DOWN, ALT1/2, Random, Trigger) are built in, with control over tempo, gate time, swing, and up to a 4-octave range.
- Audio in - Creativity out: Two external audio input jacks are provided, so you can run other instruments, CDs and more through the microKORG's filter and effects, allowing you to process sounds in truly creative ways.
- A compact MIDI controller: The compact size of the microKORG synthesizer vocoder is perfect for the musician or DJ looking to add a synth to his or her setup when space is tight and it is a great choice for use in a computer-based music setup.

This Bundle Also Includes :
- Tote-Style Bag.
- Single X Keyboard Stand.


Kurzweil PC361 61 Note Synthesizer Action Performance Controller and V.A.S.T. Workstation Keyboard, Lightly Weighted Keys, Black

Kurzweil PC361 61 Note Synthesizer Action Performance Controller and V.A.S.T. Workstation Keyboard, Lightly Weighted Keys, Black Review



Kurzweil PC361 61 Note Synthesizer Action Performance Controller and V.A.S.T. Workstation Keyboard, Lightly Weighted Keys, Black Feature

  • 61 note lightly weighted synthesizer action with velocity and after touch sensitive keys
  • 240 x 64 angled, backlit LCD with dedicated back panel brightness and contrast controls
  • 128 voice polyphony
  • Over 850 stunning new factory presets
  • 128 factory programmed MIDI setups. Up to 2048 user programmable MIDI setups
The PC361 from Kurzweil is a 61 key performance controller, synthesizer, and workstation keyboard with over 850 instruments, effects, arpeggiators, and a built-in sequencer. It provides stunningly realistic orchestral instruments, pianos, organs, synthesizers, drums, basses, and more. The PC361 features custom designed ASIC chips that are optimized for sound, which makes the instruments incredibly responsive and rich sounding. For the active keyboardist playing in bands, solo performances, and in ensembles, the PC361 provides particularly good sounding vintage keys, organs, and synthesizers. While most of the sounds are sample-based, the PC361 also performs modeling for the KVA synthesizer and the KB3 organ. Every drawbar on its organs gets its own dedicated hardware fader. The KVA synthesizer can layer its virtual analog tones with sampled layers for deep hybrid sounds. You can have up to 16 insert effects in addition to the PC361's global master effects. There is a lot of flexibility in how you can chain effects together and distribute them among its 16 multi-timbral channels. Any layer in a patch can send its output into any other layer's signal chain. For gigging or recording, band rehearsals or scoring a film, the PC361 offers loads of useful instruments with a user-friendly and ultimately flexible workflow. New V.A.S.T. algorithms have been added to the PC3 series synth engine: Saw and Square Hard Sync Oscillators, Triple Saw Oscillator, and an algorithm which allows the signals from two layers to be mixed together with a third layer. The PC3 desktop editor for Mac and PC from SoundTower makes it even easier to tap the power of the PC3's Dynamic V.A.S.T. synthesis architecture. The editor can be easily downloaded free of charge at the Kurzweil Music Systems website (www.kurzweil.com).


Sunday, January 1, 2012

Gem Genesys XP Professional Multimedia Tabletop Workstation (Standard)

Gem Genesys XP Professional Multimedia Tabletop Workstation (Standard) Review



The Genesys XP Tabletop Workstation is a milestone from the successful GEM Genesys Line. With the XP, the incredibly powerful and feature-packed multimedia workstation Genesys is also available in a compact Expander size, with more wonderful sounds, fantastic samples, a bigger hard disk and vast connection possibilities.128MB Memory 128MB memory makes Genesys XP Workstation a near endless sound resource: 64MB for the internal sounds, 32MB new samples and additional 32 MB for the user-section, for your favorite samples.20GB Hard disk Genesys XP can handle hard disks IDE 2,5" up to 20GB-a lot of space for MIDI data, MP3, waves and audio recordings.Song Player, Recording Studio and CD Burner Genesys XP is a truly universal player. Its Song Player section is compatible with all the main formats as Standard MIDI File 0, 1, 1 + lyrics, .Kar-Files, MP3, MP3 + lyrics, Audio CDs and .wav Audio-Files. Play along with an audio file; sing over the top, then record your entire performance on hard disk. It's all possible thanks to the internal Hard Disk Recorder. Once you have completed your performance(s), press the "Make CD" button and the built in CD burner will burn your music to a standard CD that anyone can enjoy, wherever they like!Vocal Genius You can connect the microphone to the Genesys XP Workstation. Thanks to the Vocal Genius, a virtual chorus will enrich each performance, adding up to 4 harmonized melody lines in real time. The microphone input also features a digital equalizer, reverb & delay (all independent), limiter and our new feedback processor.Video And Karaoke In the Video and Karaoke section you'll find a variety of controls for displaying the musical score, chords or karaoke-style text of any song which can also be sent to any TV or video projector.The impressive software features, the fabulous sound quality and the easy to use panel layout grant quick access to all functions make the Genesys XP Workstation a must for musicians, ente


Korg 37-Key Music Synthesizer with 8 voice Vocoder & Microphone - microKORG XL Bundle

Korg 37-Key Music Synthesizer with 8 voice Vocoder & Microphone - microKORG XL Bundle Review



Korg 37-Key Music Synthesizer with 8 voice Vocoder & Microphone - microKORG XL Bundle Feature

  • Korg 37-Key Music Synthesizer with 8 voice Vocoder & Microphone - microKORG XL.
  • Padded Keyboard Bag.
  • Stereo Headphones.
Korg's microKorg XL offers up to 128 sounds, from leads, basses, to arpeggios. The onboard external audio inputs gives you the ability to connect any audio source and use it as the waveform, and then process it with the microKORG XL's synthesizer engine. Featuring 17 onboard effects from Korg's KAOSS pad system, including reverbs, choruses, and decimation along with distortion effects. You can apply two effects to any program. AC power, or batteries can power the microKorg XL, which gives you mobility to produce on the go. A 16-band vocoder with a detachable gooseneck microphone gives you the ability to perform with vocoded vocals. The microKorg XL features an LCD screen, three knobs to explore full edit mode, ability to choose filters, adjustment of AMP, EG, and LFO settings, add effects, equalize the sound, and the ability to save on the spot. A new virtual patch mode, to assign certain aspects of synthesis to control others, like having the LFO modulate the filter cutoff, or set the modulation wheel to control EG1's release time. There is up to six virtual patches available per program. The Korg microKORG XL features a USB connection, to interact with a computer via MIDI. Included is an Editor Librarian, to edit sounds on the screen and also easily navigate through and organize them.