MATRIXSYNTH

at 4/04/2007 06:43:00 PM

Remember the Terratec Area 61 I posted back in March of last year? Well it looks like it will finally be shipping this spring. Title link takes you to the press release.

Some details on the synthesis aspect of the Area 61:
"New sound generation options

In addition, keyboardists have access to the integrated KOMPLEXER DSP sound modules for use as a classic synthesizer, that is, also without a computer. To this end, TerraTec Producer now offers the KOMPLEXER VST, a synthesizer that runs as a VSTi plug-in and as a standalone DSP application. Comprising a real synthesizer based on the Waldorf MicroQ®, it provides more than 400 parameters for shaping the perfect sound. And if this complexity seems a bit overwhelming at first, keyboardists can go to the Easy Edit page, choose from the many presets and easily manipulate their selections using eight macro controls. Best of all, entire banks port from KOMPLEXER VST to AREA 61’s on-board KOMPLEXER DSP. This means KOMPLEXER VST goes wherever the keyboard goes, without having to carry a computer. The WAVE XTABLE module is a 128 voice, GM- and XG-compatible waveboard offering more than 500 top-drawer sounds. Further modules will be developed. Users can employ othe vendors’ compatible wavetable cards, making the AREA 61 a remarkably extendible instrument. The integrated sound generator’s analog output signal is routed to the output mixer and may be auditioned with the 2.0 audio system‘s playback signal as well as on the input monitor. Finally, recording the output signal via USB 2.0 is a further possible option. The AREA 61 is much more than another Controller keyboard.

Another optional Soundboard for the AREA 61 will be provided by MIDITEMP® with the new DoX1, a HI-Synthesis soundengine by KORG ® with 62-voice polyphony, 660 high quality sounds from the successful KORG-TRITON® series, 30 drumkits, two effect processors and GM/GM2 compatibility.

Priced at 899.00 euros, TerraTec PRODUCER´s AREA 61 including KOMPLEXER DSP board, KOMPLEXER VSTi and Steinberg´s Cubase LE will be available in spring 2007.

These following optional sound expansions are already available for the AREA 61 keyboard:

* KOMPLEXER DSP Board, virtual analog Hardware Synthesizer, Waldorf MicroQ® compatible . Price: EUR 199.00
* WAVE XTABLE waveboard, 128 voices, GM/XG compatible soundboard more than 500 top-drawer sounds und drumkits. Price: EUR 149.00
* DoX-1 Wavetable Daughterboard by MIDITEMP®, HI-Synthesis soundengine from the successful KORG-TRITON® series,
660 high quality sounds, 30 drumkits, two effect processors and GM/GM2 compatibility. Price EUR 499.00"

Previous Terratec posts

at 4/04/2007 05:07:00 PM

Two vids up.

layout - check out the LFO display
sounds

like a sunny day at the beach.

at 4/04/2007 01:24:00 PM

flickr by DeadZone. Title link takes you to the shot with mouseovers.

at 4/04/2007 11:05:00 AM

YouTube via cm2magazine.

at 4/04/2007 10:56:00 AM

I heard Antti Houvilainen, the man who brought us ASynth, Augur and the Taurus VST is the DSP programmer behind the Solaris. I checked with John Bowen and confirmed that this is the case. You can read a little more on the subject on the Planet Z forum. Title link takes you to Antti's web site.

at 4/04/2007 10:53:00 AM

Via this thread on the gas-station:

"Yes, there's several different emulations for the filter section:

1) Moog-style 'ladder' filter, with all varible types 2) State Variable Filter - "Oberheim" style 12 dB slope 3) Prophet 5 Rev1 (SSM) and Rev3 (CEM) style 4) Comb/tube filter 5) Special sweeping EQ and FX type modes

In the future, I hope to have other filter types, as we can expand the types as needed (this applies to the Oscs and VCA models as well). One strong candidate for 3rd party module support is the Flexor 2 modular system by Adern, for example.

regards, john b."

John Bowen Synth Designs

Previous Solaris posts

at 4/04/2007 10:35:00 AM

Title link takes you to the post on Catsynth.com.

at 4/04/2007 10:11:00 AM

Gavin sent the following into the AH list. I thought it was an interesting insight to how the test the accuracy of their models inside Arturia. I also thought it was an interesting challenge. So far no on on AH has taken him up on it. I asked him if I could put up a post here, and he gave the all clear. If you are up to the challenge, go for it and post back.

"Been a lurker on the list for a long time and am an analog synth fanatic also. In the day time, I work for Arturia and did the filter models for the Jupiter 8V. Since alot of people on the list have a Jupiter 8, I would be very interested if we could conduct some tests against the original, in the same way we do at Arturia to verify the circuit models accuracy. I can give you details of the procedure we use and do then you can do the same. Then it will be up to the list to decide."

followed by

"I have put up on the ftp at work some measures and audio files to show a small part of what we do pre-release or after each version build to make sure everything is working ok. I also included a read me file to show some tips on how to go about matching the Jupiter 8 and Jupiter-8V. These techniques would also be used for making the original preset banks. It would be great if some people could match up some presets as well."

Here is the link to a 7M zip of the files. I also mirrored them here.