DISC - Akai MINIAK Virtual Analogue Synthesizer + Vocoder

Full Description

Develop Your Own Sound

The MINIAK empowers creative musicians with a range of professional tools and puts up to eight multi-timbral voices at your disposal, each with three oscillators. Create your own unique sounds with more than 600 presets and store up to 1,000 programs in the MINIAK's memory. This synth has impressive sound melding power with three envelope generators, two LFOs, a 40 band vocoder, two multi mode filters and stereo effects.

On top of all this the MINIAK also features a comprehensive sequencer with step and dynamic real time phrase sequencing, rhythm sequencer and arpeggiator so you can create all the textures you're after. Round this synth off with high-res 24-bit balanced 1/4" inputs and outputs and 37 key, semi-weighted keyboard with velocity sensitivity and you have a complete, all-in-one instrument.

MINIAK Sound Generation

The MINIAK's internal oscillators, filters and envelope generators build the synth's sound programs. There are more than 600 presets for you to choose from spanning the range of classic analogue sounds. If you've heard it before, its likely you'll be able to find it in the Akai MINIAK.

As synth lovers will know, it is the oscialltors in a synth which generate the raw sound. This output is then fed into the filters which is then fed into the amplifiers. As the signal moves along that path it can be manipulated at various points with modulations, envelopes and effects to create your own custom sounds. The oscillators can produce different waveform types and shapes to create various harmonic structures which we then perceive as different timbres. For example, some of the waveforms that can be created by the MINIAK's oscillators include:

• Sine - Smooth, pure sound
• Triangle - Fuller than a sine wave
• Sawtooth - Harsh sonic character
• Pulse - Harmonically rich, ranging from full-sounding square wave to a sharp impulse wave

You can also connect external audio sources including other synths, mixers, guitars and more using the 1/4" inputs. The jacks accept either balanced or unbalanced cables and you can mix in the external audio with the MINIAK's oscillators. The resulting combination is then sent through the MINIAK's filters and effects. There's even a specific group of programs including vocoder for use with external inputs.

The outputs of the oscillators, the noise generator, the ring modulator and the external inputs and fed into a virtual mixing board called the pre-filter mix. Next the signal hits the filters and for each source you can choose its level and balance - how to filter 1 and how much to filter 2.

MINIAK Filters

Filters shape and refine the raw sounds produced by the synth's filters. You have the power to dampen and boost chosen harmonics. Because filters alter the frequency content of the signal they can have a drastic effect on the sound. Each of the MINIAK's voices contains two filters and each filter will have its own character and flavour. The filters consist of Bypass, Low Pass: ob 2-pole, tb 3-pole, mg 4-pole, rp 4-pole, jp 4-pole, al 8-pole; Band Pass: ob 2-pole, al 6-pole, octave dual, band limit; High Pass: ob 2-pole, op 4-pole; three Vocal Formants, four Comb Filters, Phase Warp, Frequency, Resonance, Key Tracking, Envelope Amount, Offset, and Absolute. Next the signal goes to the post filter mix where you can specify a level and a pan for each filter output and a pre filter signal of your choice.

Output Processing

During the output stage, the MINIAK lets you apply a drive effect, add some compression, distortion or other amp effects. The MINIAK allows you to set up to 12 modulation routes, each of which is a virtual connection between some physical or internally generated source and some program parameter. Put simply, a mod route tells the synth to automatically grab a knob and tweak in whilst a note is playing. There are a few sources people use for mods but one of the most common involves the LFOs and the envelopes.

Low Frequency Oscillators

Low frequency oscillators or LFOs are designed to tweak programs according to a looping pattern. For example, if you wanted to add some vibrato you would want the pitch to continuously waver up and down. Each of the Akai MINIAK's voices has two LFOs offering rate, depth, shape and temp sync. The MINIAK's LFO can also sync to the internal clock or any external source via MIDI.

MINIAK Envelopes

Synthesizers model the behaviour of a piano string being hit and the nuances of this sound using ADSR Envelopes. ADSR stands for attack, decay, sustain and release representing the various stages a sound goes through over its lifespan. The MINIAK also has an envelope that is specifically designed for volume called the Amp Envelope. Envelopes are useful for all sorts of mod routes which is why you are able to hook up any of the MINIAK's envelopes to any modulated program parameter. Each of the MINIAK's voices has three envelopes: Amp, Filter and Pitch/Modulation.

Akai Sequencing

The MINIAK's arpeggiation capabilities respond to a key press by playing a series of notes over a rhythmic pattern. If you hold down a chord the Akai MINIAK will generate a melody by playing each note of the chord individually. A sequence is similar but has the melody line built in so you can hold down a single key and the MINIAK will play back the melody relative to that note. Press another key and the sequence is transposed. The MINIAK has MPC-style sequencing and recorder style dynamic real time phrase sequencing. Plus there's also a drum/rhythm sequencer.

MINIAK Effects

The MINIAK has many stereo effects including Chorus, Feedback, Theta Flanger (Phaser + Flanger), Thru Zero Flanger, Super Phaser, Notch Frequency, String Phaser, 40-Band Vocoder, Analysis Gain, Sibilance Boost, Band Shift, Synthesis Input, Analysis Signal In, Analysis Mix, six types of Delay, and three types of Reverbs.

These extensive sound generation and manipulation tools give you the power to create any sound you dream up with the twist of a few knobs and the press of a few keys. Creating complete sonic landscapes couldn't be easier with the Akai MINIAK, a fun and affordable creative tool.

Features

• Eight voices, each with three oscillators
• Up to eight multi-timbral parts with stereo effects and 40-band vocoder
• Two multi-mode filters, three envelope generators, two LFOs, sample and hold, tracking generator
• Dynamic real-time and step sequencers, arpeggiator, and drum machine/rhythm sequencer
• Stereo bus effects including reverbs and delays
• 24-bit 1/4" balanced stereo analogue outputs and inputs
• 37-key synth-action keyboard with velocity sensitivity
• More than 600 preset sounds
• Sound banks: bass, lead, pad, string, brass, keys, comp, drum, SFX

Specifications

• Synthesis: Virtual analogue (subtractive), noise generator, FM
• Polyphony: Up to 8 voices
• Timbrality: Up to 8 parts
• Oscillators: 3 per voice with continuously variable waveshapes, sync, linear and exponential FM, Ring Mod, routable modulation matrix per voice
• Filters: 2 multi-mode resonating filters per voice with 16 filter types
• Modulation: 2 LFOs with multiple wave shapes, sample and hold, tracking generator, freely routable modulation matrix per voice
• Effects: 4 drive effects, 1 per part; master effects
• Sequencing: Step sequencer, arpeggiator, drum machine/rhythm sequencer, and phrase
• Program memory: Up to 1,000 Programs and multi-timbral Multis
• Velocity sensitive: Yes
• Keyboard: 37-key, semi-weighted
• External control: MIDI in/out/thru
• Inputs: 2 balanced 1/4" TRS, mic
• Outputs: 2 balanced 1/4" TRS, 1/4" TRS headphone
• Controls: Pitch wheel, two assignable Q-Link modulation wheels, X, Y, and Z parameter knobs, pattern play, phrase arpeggiator, latch arpeggiator, keyboard octave, tap tempo, program controls, data push-knob, config, store, master volume
• Pedal Inputs: Assignable expression pedal, sustain pedal
• Weight: 12.0 lbs
• Dimensions: 22.8" x 10.8" x 3.34" (L x W x H)

Includes

• MINIAK synthesizer keyboard
• VPM1 gooseneck microphone
• Power supply
• Quick start guide