WNAMM04: Karsyn - is it a VST Buick?

US No it's the new release from Open Labs 14/01/04

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Open Labs have been busy over the winter. Not only have they announced the shipping of the OpenSynth neKo they've now added the Karsyn a real-time virtual instrument and effects environment. Now wading through the press release this means it's a virtual instrument rack for software plug-ins allowing real-time control and flexibility and designed specifically with live performances in mind. The guys at Open Labs have worked with brainspawn in developing this software. It was specifically produced with their range of DAWs in mind (the OpenStudio OMX and OpenSynth neKo) and will be included with these from now. Obviously it has much wider uses and will be released as standalone application in the near future (their vagueness not mine) - priced at $129. I'll go over and take a peak at this early in the show and report more. We'll be bringing you some video from Open Labs on Sunday Warning full press release follows (may contain undeserved superlatives!) Anaheim, CA (January 15, 2004) - Open Labs (Winter NAMM, Booth 6201 Hall A) released today Karsyn, a real-time host application for VSTi and DXi soft-synths as well as DirectX and VST audio effects designed for use in live performance. Karsyn, a virtual instrument rack for software plug-ins based on technologies from brainspawn and co-developed by Open Labs, offers unsurpassed real-time control and flexibility. Karsyn features multiple simultaneous soft-synths, effects plug-ins, MIDI inputs, audio inputs and outputs. Karsyn supports up to 32 soft-synths with effects, as well as up to 32 WDM or ASIO outputs. Advanced MIDI control allows the user to create keyboard splits and layers across multiple soft-synths in addition to the ability to independently remap MIDI present, channel and controller data for each soft-synth. Creation of multiple 'scenes' allows the user to rapidly change MIDI and audio routing, synth patches and effects settings real-time in live performances. The user interface for Karsyn is specially designed for use on stage, where speed and accuracy is needed the most. Large controllers along with a logical layout, ensures the user maximum control while performing. When used in conjunction with the Controller One touch screen controller from Open Labs, Karsyn can become the real-world controller for all software plug-ins. 'Karsyn was created because we simply could not find a suitable virtual host application that we felt was sufficient for live performance use.' Said Victor Wong, CEO, Open Labs, 'In addition, since we produce the world's most powerful open platform instruments, we need a host application that would offer our users the ability fully use our products. This is why Karsyn can host twice as many plug-ins as any other host applications.' 'We are excited to team with industry leading partners like Open Labs who are leveraging the scalable performance of AMD’s 64-bit Opteron processors to deploy the next generation of 32/64-bit host-based environments.' said Charles R. Boswell Jr, Senior Member Technical Staff AMD Digital Media and Entertainment.' Soft-synths or virtual instruments provide unlimited possibilities for composition and sonic expression.' 'Our focus is always on the experience,' said Craig Negoescu, Chief Architect, Open Labs, 'Karsyn is a great way for a musician to connect with software instruments in a way that is fast and productive. "Karsyn optimizes brainspawn's powerful live performance software for Open Labs products, creating the first integrated performance system for virtual instruments." said Mike Garrett, CEO, brainspawn. Karsyn will be included with all Open Labs products including the OpenSynth neKo series keyboards, OpenStudio OMX series iDAWs, and the Controller One. Karsyn will be offered as a standalone application in the near future. Estimated retail price is $129.00.

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