Commentary

Musictech.net writer, Andy Jones, has been staying abreast of Roli's Blocks, which are musical devices that perform as modular music makers, specifically designed to make music creation accessible to the general public.
A separate and unique Roli hardware option is the Seaboard Rise, which adds five distinct “dimensions of touch” to add nuanced layers to your music and performing. The dimensions are labeled as Strike, Glide, Slide Press and Lift, very specific keys, with unique capabilities.
The Seaboard block derives from the Seaboard Rise and integrates with the Roli's Blocks. As a sort of hybrid/extension of both the Blocks and Seaboard, the ultimate point if the Seaboard block should be to release the Seaboard concept into a more mobile environment for less greenbacks.

Key Takeaways:

• ROLI's two lines of musical, technological hardware come together in the company's creation if the Seaboard block.
• The Seaboard block has Bluetooth capabilities and a four hour charge for a ten hour battery life.
• The Seaboard block's Bluetooth range is fifteen meters and it also has 4 DNA connectors.

“I first tested Seaboard Block as a kind of cut-down, mobile Seaboard, using it as a super-expressive controller that you could take on the road.”

Read more: http://www.musictech.net/2017/12/roli-seaboard-block-review/

The famous microphone manufacturer RØDE has released their first USB audio interface dubbed the AI-1. It is targeted at small studios and freelancers who want quality without size. The interface adds input and output to any computer and features a Class-A preamp. The AI-1 can be purchased on it’s own or part of the Complete Studio Kit. The kit comes with a RØDE NT1 microphone, SMR shock mount, and cables. Featuring 24-bit, zero latency playback, phantom power, and retails for £299.

Key Takeaways:

• The AI-1 allows connection of a microphone or a line level instrument, through it lacks a MIDI port
• The AI-1 provides zero latency and is a 24-bit device with sampling rates from 44.1 kHz– 96 kHz
• The small half kilogram unit is only 124mm x 34mm and retails for £299

“This small box adds input and output capabilities to your computer and is positioned as a home recording device — a bit like the entry-level products from Apogee.”

Read more: https://www.redsharknews.com/audio/item/5109-røde-microphones-first-audio-interface-is-a-small-box-called-the-ai-1

Eventideaudio.com's positive review of Equivocate auditory filters notes that the system's highly vaunted functionality arises from the fact the filters are specifically designed to resemble and be responsive to 26 distinct parts of the human inner ear.
With Equivocate's Match EQ feature to ensure your final track matches your reference material or blends on seamlessly with an already established dense panaroma of recorded sound. You can add or subtract filters to create a custom-specific soundtrack.

Key Takeaways:

• Eventide's EQuivocate plug-in makes use of a linear-phase filter shape, designed to minimize pre-echo, for a distinct difference in tonality.
• When you need your track to match or complement the auditory signal being sent to its sidechain; EQuivocate can do that.
• The 26 filters, which are distributed along the Mel Spectrum, can be customized, as can their frequencies, for best optimization.

“Each of the 26 critical bands tickles a different part of your inner ear, making any combination of settings sound as natural as possible.”

Read more: https://www.eventideaudio.com/products/plugins/equalizer/equivocate

It can helpful to get acoustic guitar tips from the pros. The key is that you need to be able to calm down and focus on the facts. The top pros will make sure that you do not pick one that is too heavy. You do not want to pick one that has the wrong guitar pick as well.
Some people are focused on the miking of the guitar because they want to make sure the artist gets the right kind of boom and overall noise.

Key Takeaways:

• Recording techniques for acoustic guitar, while eminently helpful, can not replace th importance of having a well-maintained and properly performed instrument.
• To milk great sound from your acoustic guitar, during a recording session, it is important to assess whether the guitar is going to be used for example for a strumming part, to create a classic sound.
• It is also useful to assess the environment, for example will the session be a live solo presentation.

“I have a few methods of recording acoustic guitar that I’m happy to share.”

Read more: https://www.sweetwater.com/insync/acoustic-guitar-recording-techniques-pros/

V Collection 6 by Arturia is a landmark release featuring 4 new legendary keyboards that were recreated beyond their original specifications. The Buchala Easel V changed the scene in 1973 and is perfect for exploring new alternative design, creating ambient textures, and new sequences. The DX7 V is the Yamaha legacy heard in any 80’s record and is improved with a new interface and expanded synth capabilities. One of the most famous keyboards of all time, the Clavinet V, is back and this version allows deeper exploration with classic amp effects. Finally, the CMI V, the mother of all samplers is here with 10 new polyphonic slots. The collection is available for €399 now and €499 after release.

Key Takeaways:

• The collection includes the Buchla Easel V, DX7 V, Clavinet V, and CMI V keyboards
• Each keyboard has been modeled but also improved upon with extra features and interfaces
• The collection is available now at an introductory price of €399 and €499 after the period ends

“V Collection 6 is a landmark release for Arturia thanks to the addition of 4 new legendary keyboards reborn in software, which have been painstakingly recreated and packed with more features that, Arturia tells us, take them beyond their original spec.”

Read more: http://www.musictech.net/2017/12/arturia-release-v-collection-6/