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The Shape Of Things To Come

Article from Sound On Sound, March 1986

An extended feature this month to incorporate many of the new products shown at NAMM and the Frankfurt Music Fair.


This month, we're devoting four and a half pages to cope with some of the huge amount of new products being launched at this year's Music Trade Fair in Frankfurt.

Many of the products should be available from the beginning of March with others following towards the middle of the year. So, eyes down for a full-house...





As mentioned last month Yamaha have a series of MIDI data control units coming soon. We are now able to tell you more about them, but not before we disclose details of what will undoubtedly become one of this year's top-selling products, the MIDI controlled SPX90 Multi-Effects Processor.

If you would like Stereo Digital Reverb, Echo, Chorus, Vibrato, Tremolo, Phasing, Flanging, Auto Pan, Gated Reverb, Reverse Reverb, Noise Gate, Compressor, Pitch Change (Harmoniser), Parametric EQ and, of course, not forgetting Sampling, then the SPX90 has it all in one incredible 1U rackmounting box for the unbelievable price of £599 inc VAT!

A selection from the specifications list reads as follows.

*Reverb: 12kHz bandwidth, 75dB dynamic range, 0.3 to 99 seconds decay time, 0.1 to 50ms pre-delay.
*Echo: Mono 500ms delay time, or in stereo 250ms per side.
*Pitch Change: plus/minus 1 octave, 400ms delay time.
*ParametricEQ: HF 800Hz to 8kHz, MF 315Hz to 4kHz, high and low pass filters.
*Pan: automatic pan from left to right or right to left, panning repeatedly from left to right or externally triggered panning.
*30 preset effects and 60 MIDI selectable user memories.


Well, after that astounding roll-call we move on to the MEP4 MIDI Event Processor. This is another rack unit that's been designed to filter, delay and modify MIDI data messages in real time. There are four independent processors and each is able to operate in a variety of modes which include, Split keyboard and MIDI Echo, with up to 3 seconds delay time, and any MIDI data processing configuration may be stored in one of the 60 memories.


The MCS2 MIDI Control Station is intended as an add-on to keyboards like the PF Pianos which don't have pitch-bend or modulation facilities of their own.

A few quick mentions of other products from Yamaha include the new QX21 MIDI Sequencer, which is similar to the QX7 and offers two tracks with overdub, real-time and step-time note entry with a capacity of 8100 notes. (Contact Details)




Continuing with the sampling flavour, Greengate Productions announce the DS:4-8. This is a 16-bit sampler/sequencer system that's based around the Apple II computer and offers an 8-voice, 8-track package with 12 seconds sampling time at a compact disc-compatible sampling rate of 44.1 kHz. Software for digital delay techniques is also available for this system. (Contact Details)




If you're into sampled sounds and have a possible liking for some beefy bass samples then the MIDI BASS from 360 Systems could be for you. This new box contains four samples of electric and acoustic basses which can be controlled from a MIDI keyboard. The MIDI BASS also responds to pitch-bend and touch-sensitivity data for expressive control. A library of alternative bass sounds include Snapped, Funk, Mini-Moog, DX7 and many more. (Contact Details)




New from Akai is the S900 rack-mounted MIDI Digital Sampler. This unit is intended to complement the successful Akai S612 sampler already on the market and offers 8-voice polyphonic sampling with a six octave range, 12 seconds sampling at 16kHz bandwidth, with 32 different samples available for split keyboard operation, and all sounds may be stored via the 3.5" floppy disk drive.

Optional software is available for harmonic generation which turns the S900 into an 8-voice sine wave synthesizer with 16 ADSRs and pitch offset. Further software will allow the unit to act as a high quality short-duration stereo digital recorder, and there will be a sample waveform editing package to follow.

Finally there's a retro-fit PCB which allows the samples stored in the S900 to be triggered by external drum pads. The basic S900 will cost £1599 inc VAT.

Further products from Akai are the MIDI Recorder and System Controller. The CPZ1000 MIDI Recorder and RZ1000 Keyboard Unit are sold as a package and offer a capacity of 50,000 notes shared between 16 tracks, with a total of 999 bars per track. Three MIDI Ins are provided to allow three simultaneous tracks to be recorded in Real-Time, and a Step-Time mode is also included. All sequence information may be stored on 3.5" floppy disk.

Additional features of the CPZ1000 are sync-to-tape and an RS232C computer interface which is provided for synchroniser control of VTR and multitrack machines via the built-in SMPTE timecode generator.

The Akai MPX820 is claimed to be the world's first fully programmable MIDI mixer (so that's who was building one!) and incorporates SMPTE timecode options. All front panel functions can be stored in RAM for instant recall of up to 99 different mix settings and these may be selected from a pulse code recorded onto tape or through MIDI control. The internal programme fader allows you to fade smoothly from one stored mix setting to another at any fade rate between 40ms and 15 seconds.

Eight input channels, each with input gain, monitoring, 3-band EQ, effects send, pan and level are routed to the stereo output group, with signal levels being displayed on the two bargraph meters. The MIDI control function allows program change and channel selection and the entire memory contents can be downloaded to a personal computer for on-screen editing of front panel settings. And if eight input channels aren't enough, you can chain several MPX820 units together to provide a maximum of 64 input channels.

Further Akai products soon to be released include the MG14D. This is a rack-mounted 14-track audio recorder working with the Akai 1/2" cassette format pioneered on their earlier MG1212.

Two new keyboards are available in the shape of the AX73 synthesizer, which offers 6-voice polyphony and 100 internal memories, and the MX73 Controller Keyboard which offers a mother keyboard facility for the control of external sound modules such as the new VX90 rack-mounted 6-voice synthesizer. This module is similar to the AX73 synthesizer's own voice unit.

Following in the footsteps of last year's Akai MIDI Effects come two further units: the ME25S Programmable Note Separator which allows a variety of key-split, wheel, octave shift and program change options to be programmed and stored in its 64 memories for instant access; and the ME30P - a programmable MIDIPatchbay equipped with four MIDI Ins and eight MIDI Thrus allowing up to 15 different patch configurations to be preset and recalled via MIDI program change numbers. Both units are 1U rack-mounting and cost £99 inc VAT. (Contact Details)




Traditionally known for compressor and gate products, Drawmer enter the MIDI field with their MIDMAN (MIDI MANagement) rack-mounted processor. Designed as a MIDI information processing centre, the MIDMAN provides four MIDI Outs as well as a +5V trigger and audio trigger output which allow MIDI signals to control non-MIDI equipment. A total of 32 patches may be stored and recalled for control of MIDI parameters such as channel number, program change, key-split, key note rhythm, velocity control and much more for £375 + VAT. (Contact Details)




The SX-PX1 is a new PCM digital piano with MIDI from Technics. As the top of the range piano, the SX-PX1 has a wooden 88 note keyboard offering full touch response playing and includes a 2700 note MIDI sequencer for record and playback of your piano playing. Six different voice sounds are available including two natural and two electric pianos.

Also in the range are the SX-PX9 and SX-PX7 which are similar in specification with the exception of plastic keys and either a wood or metal cabinet. And for those who require an extended sequencer memory, the Technics SY-FD5 Floppy Disk Recorder has a capacity of 27,000 notes. (Contact Details)




First previewed at last years APRS show in London, the new Fairlight Series III is now in full production and available in this country. The standard Series III includes 16-bit stereo sampling, 8-voices and 4 megabyte memory with full SMPTE and MIDI support. (Contact Details)



Roland have finally unveiled their two sampling keyboards, the S-50 and S-10. The S-50 is the top-end model and represents what is by all accounts a very versatile and comprehensively equipped sampler with a 16-voice, five octave keyboard offering analogue processing of samples through the synthesizer section which incorporates 16 VCFs, 16 LFOs and 48 eight-stage envelope generators. Sampling rate is 32kHz with 17.5 seconds of sample time.

The keyboard may be split into as many as 61 individual sample sections for natural reproduction of acoustic instrument sounds over the entire range of the keyboard. In stack mode, up to four different samples may be played from the strike of one note. Also on the S-50 is a real-time, on-board sequencer.

All samples may be stored via a 3.5" floppy disk drive and extensive editing and drawing of waveforms is available by connecting any colour or monochrome computer monitor to the S-50. No further computer is required. A 'scratch' play facility is available by using an alpha dial to control movement of the sound backwards and forwards. Full MIDI capability is included and the keyboard allows multi-timbral control of samples.

The S-10's the smaller brother of the S-50 and offers an 8-voice, four octave keyboard. Most parameters are similar to the S-50 though only 4 seconds of sample time are available and the split keyboard option is limited to four individual samples at one time. An onboard sequencer is included, and all sample data may be stored via a 2.8" Quick Disk.

Both keyboards will be available from May this year and will cost approximately £3000 for the S-50 and £1000 for the S-10.


Moving on, the RD-1000 MIDI Digital Piano is a full 88 key piano using Roland's Structured Adaptive Synthesis (SAS) technology that re-synthesizes the natural sound of an instrument. The piano itself is touch-sensitive with a weighted action wooden keyboard that offers 16-voice polyphony of the eight preset sounds. These presets include acoustic pianos, harpsicord and electric pianos with voice modification of chorus and tremolo effects.

The MKS-20 Piano Module is similar to the RD-1000 but in a rack-mounted form. Both units should be available from April.


On the synthesizer front comes the new Super Jupiter JX-10. This is a 12-voice polyphonic programmable synth based on the JX-8P sound circuitry and includes a 650 note on-board, real-time sequencer operating in normal, split or layered modes. In split mode the JX-10 can be used as two separate 6-voice synths with full MIDI control, including velocity and after-touch. The 76 note weighted action keyboard helps for expressive playing and all parameter data is changed by the use of the alpha dial. In keeping with the JX range, an optional PG-800 Programmer unit is available and gives front panel analogue control of sound settings, all of which may be stored in the M-64C RAM cartridge with a capacity of 128 patches and 150 tones. The JX-10 will be available in April.

A few quick mentions for further Roland products include the new RSD10 Micro Rack Sampler/Delay, the TR505 budget Rhythm Composer, MKB200 Mother Keyboard with a 61 note weighted key action, HS10 Home Synth version of the Juno 1 and HP5500/HP5600 88 key digital pianos. Newcomers to the software range include a Commodore 64 interface for the MPU plus music processing packages for the IBM and Apple computers. (Contact Details)




Yet another Multitracker is available now from Fostex. The 260 follows the now traditional format and offers a 4-track cassette based recorder with extensive EQ, routing and monitoring facilities plus an LCD counter with return to zero memory. (Contact Details)




A new range of software from Germany's Steinberg Research includes the Pro16 package for the Commodore 64. This is a comprehensive 16-track real and step-time sequencer designed to work with their MIDI interface.

Further software in the range includes a Scorewriter and Music Editor, plus sound editing programs for the Ensoniq Mirage, Yamaha DX and TX modules, Casio CZ series and Korg DW-6000. Also coming soon is the first commercially available MIDI software for the Atari 520ST - a 24-track sequencer. (Contact Details)



At Ensoniq, developments move ahead with the launch of the ESQ-1 MIDI Sequencer/Synthesizer. Features of this 8-voice synth include: 3 oscillators per voice, 32 multi-sampled and synthetic waveforms, 3 LFOs and 4 envelope generators per voice. An integral 8-track sequencer offers 2400 internal note capacity expandable to 10,000 notes.


Star attraction at the recent Winter NAMM show in America, by all accounts, was Ensoniq's SDP-1 Sampled Digital Piano.

This 76 note weighted action keyboard contains voice samples of grand and electric pianos, plus other variations such as honky-tonk, and is expected to retail just under £1000. (Contact Details)



Due for release from Simmons at Frankfurt is a specially designed drum combo amplifier. The SDC200 features alpha dial control of front panel channel setting. More details will follow when we have them. (Contact Details)



Two new digital delays are being introduced to the Ibanez range of rack-mounted effects. These are the DD700, which provides 1024ms delay, and DD1000 which contains a dual delay line that offers 256ms on channel A and 1024ms delay on channel B. Both units feature the usual modulation controls for flanging and chorus effects.

Ibanez are also introducing their MIU8 MIDI interface. This is an active unit that allows you to connect one MIDI In to eight MIDI Outs and may be linked to a foot controller unit for changing MIDI program numbers. (Contact Details)




Following hot on the heels of the Prophet 2000, Sequential are introducing the Prophet 2002 rack-mounted Digital Sampler. This is similar in many respects to the 2000 and provides 8-voice capability with access to 16 sounds at any one time. Samples may be stored via the integral 3.5" floppy disk drive.

Also from Sequential comes the Prophet VS. Heralded as the world's first 'vector synthesis' instrument the VS features 8-voices, each comprising four digital oscillators, and allows 200 programs to be accessed at any time via the ROM and RAM cartridges. (Contact Details)



Next article in this issue

Synclavier Programmer


Publisher: Sound On Sound - SOS Publications Ltd.
The contents of this magazine are re-published here with the kind permission of SOS Publications Ltd.


The current copyright owner/s of this content may differ from the originally published copyright notice.
More details on copyright ownership...

 

Sound On Sound - Mar 1986

Donated & scanned by: Bill Blackledge

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Next article in this issue:

> Synclavier Programmer


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