Pigments
Price: €199 (£180) – retail
Best known for their hardware and software recreations of legendary synths and keyboards, the latest offering from Arturia is a totally new software synthesiser. The company claims that it has been in development for 20 years – but presumably that's just a combination of their software synth knowledge!
As a synth with two sound engines, this can combine virtual analogue waveforms with a wavetable synthesis. The synth is well equipped with LFOs, filters, effects and all of the other elements the modern computer musician wants to see. Expect a full review soon.
I2C8 Chord Generator
Price: $69 (£55) – retail
This plugin uses symbols to represent chords. ‘So what,’ you say, ‘doesn't everyone?’ But, rather than letters and numbers, this uses shapes. You can add a new shape to create a new chord, and each shape comes with numerous variations. There are controls for the length each chord plays and a so-called ‘craziness’ control for the chord variation.
This plugin could help students compose because it will generate sensible (and not-so-sensible) chords to create a sequence. Check out the website for a more detailed explanation.
Synthwatch
Price: to be confirmed
One of the weirdest things I've ever seen. It's a synth that's also a watch. Yes, you read that correctly. Audioweld, the company behind Synthwatch, are touting it as the first ever wrist-mounted synthesiser and I can find no reason to doubt the claim.
It has some sounds built-in, all you need to do is connect it to a USB speaker. But it can also be paired with an app for 200 additional sounds, a sequencer and more tweaking. Currently at the Kickstarter/crowdfunding stage – but could be interesting.
