Retrokits RK-008 is a pocket-size MIDI sequencer | Engadget

If you are a fan of Korg’s Volca lineup, then there is a respectable probability you’ve got heard the identify Retrokits earlier than. The firm builds a bunch of helpful instruments for benefiting from your digital music setup, however its specifically designed MIDI cable that provides options like velocity management to the Volca FM have confirmed fairly standard. The newest member of its lineup although, is kind of a bit extra bold.

The RK-008 is a full fledged MIDI management middle. It’s an eight monitor MIDI sequencer and recorder, which permits it to be the glue that retains your rig collectively. It additionally has a built-in metronome that will help you keep in time along with your devices, which is necessary since all MIDI information is recorded unquantized. (Though you may quantize it after the very fact, after which undo in case you want to return to your authentic sloppy enjoying.) 

Each monitor can report on a number of channels, so you may really management a number of units from a single monitor, leaving the opposite seven open for… much more units? You may even report eight components throughout the eight tracks, then consolidate them down to 1, releasing up extra room for sequencing. And after all you may overdub or overwrite any performances.

Each of the tracks might be manipulated independently too. Allowing you to quantize them, add swing or transpose them. And it is all non-destructive, so you may simply undo your adjustments. 

There’s additionally a easy step sequencer built-in to the RK-008. It’s most likely not gonna work for advanced chords, however does the job simply positive it appears for 4 on the ground drums. 

There’s two MIDI inputs and two MIDI outputs on the again, plus a separate devoted sync port. Tracks might be assigned to 1 or each outputs, which is helpful in case you’ve acquired that one drum machine that insists on having every instrument on a separate channel. The two in ports means you may merge MIDI from totally different sources, but additionally use totally different controllers for various devices.

It’s fairly a characteristic checklist as is, and Retrokits says there’s nonetheless extra to be revealed, which is extremely spectacular for one thing that appears like pocket calculator from the Eighties — and I imply that as a great factor. The RK-008 appears to be like half MPC, half HP calculator, might most likely slot in a pocket and but appears able to controlling a whole reside music rig. 

There are nonetheless some excellent questions although, most significantly when it should come out and the way a lot it should value. But hopefully we’ll discover out earlier than later.