Nord Releases The Lead A1 Synth, Debuts at NAMM

SoundCtrl January 23, 2014

By Ruben Lone

The latest in their line of analog modeling synths, the Lead A1 is Nord‘s newest performance synthesizer. With a quick user interface and simplified front panel, the A1 recreates analog sounds to a tee, and packs features including 8 oscillator configurations, filters, LFOs, onboard effects including chorus and ensemble, and master clock control for onboard syncing.

The power in this synth comes in the oscillator functionality with a new Wave engine, which allows for shortcuts to Pitch, Detune, Shape, Sync, FM (frequency modulation), AM (amplitude modulation), Dual Oscillators or Noise, without requiring the patching usually found on all-analog synths.

Lively Introduces Instant Access To Recorded Concerts

SoundCtrl January 21, 2014

By Carolyn Heneghan

When you’re fiddling with your phone and attempting to take photos or videos of a concert, you can hardly enjoy the show. You want to bring a piece of the memory home with you, but you actually establish a memory by fully experiencing the performance with your eyes rather than through a screen. Wouldn’t it be nice if you could have access to audio and videos of the show as soon as you leave, without having to capture the media yourself? Now with the Lively app, you can.

Lively is dedicated to providing high-quality audio and video of live performances to its users while also offering a platform for artists to interact with their fans on another level. The quality of the audio and videos far surpasses anything you could capture with your phone while at the show, so you can relax but still bring home high-quality versions of the memories when you leave.

According to Lively’s latest press release, Lively’s team has quadrupled in size since it first launched in May 2013, and they’ve also moved into a state-of-the-art facility in Seattle. They’ve now worked with more than 110 artists in 47 venues across the country, and they’ve delivered thousands of app downloads. Capitalizing on their early successes and developing the improvements needed to take the app to the next level, Lively’s team has now officially launched its updated version two of the app.

Fans Relive Springsteen Via USB, The Boss Recoups The Cost

SoundCtrl January 21, 2014

By Keith Nelson Jr.

When Bruce Springsteen released his debut album Greetings From Asbury Park, NJ, personal computers were still five years from being marketed to the masses. Over 40 years later, Bruce Springsteen is implementing technology with new music promotion strategies in 2014. In a recent interview with NPR, the legendary rocker announced that he will be selling USB wristbands to fans online and at his current tour for $40. When connected to a computer, the USB wristband will allow fans to download the official recording of the show, 48 hours after the performance.

Weinreich Labs’ Violin Gallery App is Vying for Quality

SoundCtrl January 17, 2014

By Kira Grunenberg

Ask any musician, collegiate, or established professional about picking out a new instrument, and the ensuing conversation is liable to be different every time. There are few things more personal than shopping for an instrument, and at the risk of speaking from a place of slight bias, purchasing a violin is even more of a meticulous and idiosyncratic undertaking. Choice can be affected by any number of factors that can include maker, aesthetics, craftsmanship, price, sound, and physical feel, just to name a few.

Bring the conversation to the realm of modern electric model instruments and a whole separate set of questions and concerns arise–durability, comfort, weight, sound integrity, aesthetics (that hot pink violin modeled with a Flying V-esque frame might not be as versatile as the subtle black or neutral brown). It might seem like some of these factors are repeated but expectations for construction of a quality violin changes with every new element incorporated into its functional use, and digitalization is a significant addition.

While there are plenty of violin makers and brands that handle both acoustic and electric stringed instruments, a fresh startup in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Weinreich Labs, has unveiled news of a new project; one that immediately generates intrigue, given the aforementioned discretion in the violin shopping process.

Video: Minilogue’s Analog-Meets-Digital Live Setup

SoundCtrl January 17, 2014

Swedish progressive house and melodic techno duo Minilogue have been well-known producers and DJs in electronic music for over 14 years. Hailing from Malmö, Sebastian Mullaert and Marcus Henriksson are known for their live sets, which involve blending analog drum machines and synthesizers with DJ mixers and Ableton computer software. The duo give Ableton an exclusive look at their sun-soaked recording and rehearsal space in Sweden, and detail the devices and workflow behind their unique form of performance.