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 October 7, 2024
Nektar Technologies

Triggering Logic Pro’s Live Loops from Nektar’s LX controllers

Logic Pro integration for the popular Impact LX+ and LX Mini MIDI keyboard controllers, now feature support for the Live Loops grid.

Introduced in Logic Pro 10.5, Live Loops enables music creators to compose music in nonlinear ways, capturing ideas and combining Live Loops in any order, across tracks. Building on the existing LX25/49/61/88+ and LX Mini , best in class, MIDI keyboard control integration for Logic Pro, the update now adds instant capturing of ideas and parts in up to 64 Live Loop Cells.

When the Clips button is enabled, striking any of the 8 pads activates Live Loop record, essentially providing 8 musical ‘slots’ to capture musical elements without considering compositional structure. With an additional 8 banks available, a total of 64 Live Loop Cells can be recorded and triggered directly from Impact LX+/LX Mini, per track.

MODIFYING LIVE LOOPS

Clever modifiers allow recorded Live Loops to be duplicated, halved, doubled, overdubbed, quantized or deleted from the controller.
Pad colour indicators ensure the user always knows which cells are playing (green), have content (yellow) or are recording/overdubbed (red) without having to reference Logic Pro. Pads also blink to indicate a cell is queued for playback.

SCENES LAUNCH

Activating the Scenes button sets the pads to launch the relevant cells across every track in the project, offering a way to audition arrangements of many loops at once. Scenes are often used for live performances which is where the total of 64 scenes come in handy.

SESSION PLAYERS VIA LIVE LOOPS

Another great live performance feature enables the recording of one track using the keys, while using the pads to launch Live Loop Cells on another track.

This option allows, for example, drum loop triggering from the pads while the keys are performing a melodic part on a different track. It’s also a great way to jam with Logic Pro’s Session Players and capture new ideas when inspiration strikes. Session Player settings can be tweaked independently for each cell so each pad represents a different riff or rhythm.

Triggering different Session Player cells while playing a performance on the keys, gets around having to pre-arrange regions in the arranger. And it’s more fun too. To commit an arrangement to the timeline, activate Logic Pro’s Performance Record button and jam Live Loops with the pads.

COMPATIBILITY

The Nektar integration update requires Logic Pro 10.8 or higher and is compatible with Nektar Impact LX25+/LX49+/LX61+/LX88+ and LX Mini MIDI keyboard controllers.

The update is free to existing users and can be downloaded immediately from their Nektar account.

https://sound-music.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Using-Impact-LX-with-Apple-Logic-Pro-10.6-or-higher.pdf

https://sound-music.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Using_LX_Mini_with_Logic_Pro.pdf

 June 25, 2024
Groove Synthesis

3rd Wave 

New sampling capabilities: 3rd Wave now supports sample recording, import, and playback.

This much-requested new feature allows owners to sample up to 30 seconds of 16-bit, 48 kHz, monophonic audio into the synth directly or by importing audio over USB, and use it as a new oscillator type alongside the 3rd Wave’s powerful wavetable and virtual analog sound engines. This significantly expands the sound palette of the synthesizer. Now owners can create custom sounds that feature sampled acoustic instruments, sound effects, and other sources.

Each multi-sample slot can contain a single sample or a collection of up to eight multi-samples spread across the keyboard. Each sample within a multi-sample slot can have its own independent loop, crossfade, key range, and tuning settings.

For those current owners, just jump across to the support page for details and downloads: Groove Synthesis support

 May 3, 2024
IK Multimedia

Z-Tone: IK’s secret weapon for your guitar tone

The Z-Tone technology can be found in the Axe I/O range of interfaces, including the original Axe I/O, the Axe I/O Solo and the Axe I/O One, plus the Z-Tone Buffer Boost Preamp/DI pedal, and the Z-Tone DI. Yes, a DI box that has tone shaping for your guitar.

The Z-TONE™ circuit lets you dial in impedances from 1 MOhm (“sharp”) down to 2.2 kOhms (“bold”) that interact with your pick-ups.

At the maximum impedance, you’ll find your sound tighter, sharper and more precise. Increase the load and the sound becomes more thick and bold.

You’ll quickly find yourself using this to give your guitars even more sonic character – with just a few minutes’ experimentation you can dial in a sound that fits the mix beautifully, as if it’s been EQ’d.

Pick your pickup:

PASSIVE: designed to accommodate everything from low-output vintage pickups to hotter modern humbuckers with ultra-low noise and extended frequency response.

ACTIVE: bypasses unnecessary gain stages when using active pick-ups, to keep your signal path as direct, transparent and clean as possible.

Choose your channel:

PURE: a completely transparent and ultra-accurate preamp circuit that won’t colour your sound in any way.

JFET: a Class A JFET input buffer for subtle harmonic enhancement, midrange focus and warmth. A slight midrange focus adds warmth, giving you more tonal options from the same instrument.

  • PURE and JFET input stages go instantly from modern to vintage tones
  • ACTIVE/PASSIVE pickup selector optimises the signal flow from the start

The Z-TONE Buffer Boost is the ideal first pedal in your guitar pedalboard chain. It buffers your guitar signal to drive pedals and amps with the best integrity and purity of tone. Z-TONE control will open a new palette of tones from your guitar or bass and the boost switch will add that edge for solos–with maximum level and minimum possible noise.

AXE I/O series front panel controls, showing the Z-Tone functionality, meter and input selector.

 May 2, 2024
sE Electronics

It’s all about the camera angle (and a few other things)

The DynaCaster microphones allow for obstruction-free camera angles by eliminating the need for an external shockmount & pop filter – they are smaller and more unobtrusive than other brands of broadcast-style microphones, so making videos will feature the person speaking rather than their audio equipment.

Another important factor in microphone choice is the matter of how close the microphone needs to be to pick up the speaker’s voice – the DCM8 features a boost button (for 30dB of Dynamite boost), based on the popular DM1 Dynamite in-line booster, to improve the pickup quality from further away, once again clearing the space in front of the speaker for better video opportunities. Plus the recessed EQ switches give you the ability to tailor the sound to suit anyone’s voice.

Brianna from Bamby Media talks about the DCM8 for podcasting and vocals

Immediate plosive protection against the most powerful of wind blasts thanks to an integrated 3-layer pop filter. Easily disassembled and sanitised, the DCM8 has quick-drying components that don’t soak up liquid. Experience a clean, germ-free studio environment and obstruction-free camera angles since there is no need for a bulky external shockmount or pop filter.

Finally, the cost factor – competitor’s microphones are more expensive, and most need an external booster, such as sE’s own DM1 Dynamite or DM2 TNT in-line preamplifiers, making them even more costly.

 March 14, 2024
ART Pro Audio, Preamp

Tube warmth for your audio interface

If you’re a singer or instrumentalist working in a small project studio with a standard interface or USB mixer, and you are looking to enhance your instrument of choice, ART’s Tube MP Studio V3, with it’s in-built 12AX7a valve, could be just the right addition to give your sound that extra something.

The Studio V3 has a variety of presets utilising the warmth of the 12AX7a valve and some careful EQing, and these presets were created and fine-tuned by some of the industry’s top studio and live-sound engineers and allow instant access to a multitude of preamp settings designed for guitars (electric and acoustic), keyboards, bass guitars, drums, vocals and more.

As Paul White from Sound On Sound magazine said in his review: “I think the Tube MP Studio V3 would make a great companion for a digital desktop studio, where its high output drive capability and tonal versatility should help the user inject a little welcome character into the recorded sound.“

https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/art-tube-mp-studio-v3

The Tube MP Studio V3 offers exceptional sound quality and superior performance to what’s typically found in “on-board” preamps found in today’s low-cost mixers, multi-track recorders and audio cards making it an ideal tone-shaping tool for any application.

The Tube MP range also includes the Tube MP/C, with a built-in opto-compressor/limiter, the USB Tube MP, which can function as a standalone interface, and the ‘original’ Tube MP, with +20dB gain switch, phantom power, phase reverse and output protection limiter (OPL).

 March 4, 2024
guitar pedal, IK Multimedia

A cost-effective way to record quality guitar at home

IK Multimedia’s Axe I/O One is a cost-effective solution for recording your axe at home! It works as a 24-bit/192 kHz audio interface, specifically designed to shape the tone of your guitar or bass, with the Z-Tone instrument input, allowing you to customise with an active or passive pickup sound, or change the input tone from tighter and sharper, to thicker and bolder, to record into your favourite DAW software.

IK have included AmpliTube 5 and ToneX software downloads for further processing and shaping of your sound, giving you a perfect platform for tracking your guitars over your band recordings.

The Axe I/O One features a microphone preamp with phantom power for recording vocals with your favourite condenser microphone, the instrument input with the Z-Tone processing mentioned above, balanced stereo outs for your active monitors (plus a headphone out for quiet recording), two pedal switch inputs for controlling volume, wah, and other software effects, and MIDI IN/OUT jacks for accessing your software with foot controllers or playing devices with MIDI DAW control.

There’s also an AMP Out for connecting your guitar amp, or for reamping your ‘dry’ recorded guitar tracks!

IK’s Axe I/O One – everything you need to record quality tracks at home (apart from a guitar and some talent)!

 November 9, 2023
Nektar Technologies

Looking for the Ideal Keyboard Controller (with a FREE software bundle)?

Nektar’s LX+ Series controllers are easy to set up and integrate with your favourite DAW, with complete transport control and pre-mapped controls for any DAW native plugins. Inexpensive and comprehensive, they quickly become an essential part of your work flow.

The Panorama T-Series are a more advanced alternative for more in-depth control, with Nektarine hosting software and live performance capability (with MIDI out socket).

The GXP Series USB MIDI controller keyboards are designed for players: Experience 49, 61 or 88 semi-weighted keys, with velocity and aftertouch to deliver a nice, firm touch and great playability, plus instant access to performance controls including a real-time repeat engine, powerful Nektarine plugin patch management and Nektar DAW Integration.

And all of these controller series, plus the LX Mini, are even better value now, with a FREE Cherry Audio plugin bundle containing PS-20, Mercury-6, Octave Cat, DreamSynth DS-1 synths and Stardust 201 delay plugins

Find out more about this fantastic free collection:

https://nektartech.com/nektar-software-bundle

Nektar DAW Integration supports Bitwig Studio 8-Track (included with LX+ and Panorama T-series), so using Nektar products and Bitwig Studio 8-Track together is a fantastic combination: If you are just starting out, this is a great way to take your first steps in the world of digital music creation. And if you’re already familiar with using DAW software you’ll be amazed at what this combination has to offer!

DAW Integration Support
 August 11, 2023
IK Multimedia

Unleash the Power of iOS

Your iPhone and iPad have access to some absolutely amazing synth apps, both FREE and paid, but playing and monitoring them is limited to touching the screen and plugging in headphones.

Apps from Moog, IK Multimedia, AudioKit, Igor Vasiliev, and many others, plus Apple’s GarageBand, Steinberg’s Cubasis LE and similar recording utilities, can be brought to life with the amazing iRig Keys I/O keyboards from IK Multimedia. With 25-key and 49-key options available, the iRig Keys I/O can be a backpack travel solution or a studio performer.

With the included stand and lightning cable, the iRig keys integrates your iOS music apps into a professional audio format, thanks to the built-in audio interface and stereo outputs. The USB cable provides connection to your computer. Recording vocals? There’s also a microphone preamp combo input with switchable 48V for phantom powering your favourite condenser microphone.

The included Syntronik Pro V on iPhone

To get you started right out of the box, the Keys I/O keyboards also include a collection of vocal, sample and instrument apps, plus Cubasis LE for iPhone/iPad, and a selection of plugins, plus Ableton Live Lite for Mac/PC.

The Keys I/O can be powered by batteries, USB or an optional PSU.

IKMT_IRIG-KEYIO25: RRP $499.99

IKMT_IRIG-KEYIO49: RRP $719.99

 June 26, 2023
Nektar Technologies

Mixdown Magazine’s Review: Nektar LX Mini

WORDS BY GREG LONG

Sound and Music | Price: $269.99

When I was approached to review the Nektar Impact LX Mini, I’m not going to lie, I was like, meh. Yet another backpack keyboard controller. At the risk of sounding cynical, I was thinking, “Let me guess, you can play drum pads, some transport controls, and the ability to launch clips in Ableton!” So, with some considerable surprise, I’m now looking to retire a couple of said keyboard controllers and embrace the new kid on the block. The question I’m sure you’re all asking is “why?” So, let’s dig deep and see what the Impact LX Mini offers.

Nektar is an American-based company with a unique go-to-market strategy. From their website, Nektar’s aim is to, “Bridge the gap between powerful music software and controller hardware”. Don’t expect a host of software instruments and plugins that often shift with similar products. In addition to the keyboard controller and a driver installer, the only other inclusion is an eight-channel version of Bitwig Studio. The Nektar Impact LX Mini is a class-compliant USB device but if you are looking to use it with Ableton Live, the driver is required for both Windows and Mac OS X. In my testing, I used an M1 Mac and Ableton Live Suite 11, but support is provided for all of the major DAW players. (I’m very interested to check out the Avid Pro Tools integration but at the time of writing, am yet to do so).

Set up is relatively simple and the documentation is clear and concise. I tried to jump straight in, but didn’t get far. You definitely need to reference and read through and follow through the documents. It’s pretty simple so don’t worry too much. A Max for Live device offers further control functionality, but this is only compatible with Ableton Suite 11 with Max for Live installed. For full compatibility, check the product site.

One strange and glaring omission in Ableton Live, and by extension Push, is dedicated fast forward and rewind buttons. For most uses this isn’t an issue, however, if you are editing a long looping section with more than one clip selected, you have to listen to the entire loop from start to finish, even if you’re just tweaking notes at the end of the loop. There’s no way of fast forwarding or rewinding without using the mouse to click into the interface and doing so will deselect the clips in the process. This may seem small, but it has been a constant frustration of many for a long time. This, paired with FFW and REW buttons, makes the unit very attractive. On the topic of looping, the Impact LX Mini allows you to set start and end points and turn looping mode on and off, all without needing to touch the mouse. 

All of this barely scratches the surface of the functionality of Nektar Impact LX Mini. There is so much more on offer. The actual keys have secondary functions that can be accessed by holding one of the Part Two buttons. Doing so can change MIDI channels, layer an octave on top, or below, shift octaves up and down. The price is a little over $250 so it offers excellent value and adds significant workflow improvements. So, if you are in the market for a pint-sized powerhouse, it’s well worth a look. 

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