Generalmusic Debuts Flagship SK88 Workstation/Synth
March 25, 1998
Generalmusic recently introduced its most sophisticated multitimbral workstation/synthesizer to date, the SK88. Once again raising the bar of performance and features, the top-ranked SK88 is perfect for a wide array of professional applications, from home and studio recording to live performance and one-man bands.
The new workstation’s tone generator is equipped with 32 parts, 32 layers, 32 splits and a maximum polyphony of 64 notes over eight full octaves. Advanced sound synthesis technology enables the SK88 to offer 64 programmable digital filters from five different types: low pass, high pass, band pass, parametric boost and parametric cut, with resonance. Over 600 sounds can be reprogrammed using powerful and intuitive editing functions.
The SK88 also features 2MB of RAM that allows new sounds to be loaded from the Generalmusic sound library, as well as from a variety of other disk formats, including Wave (PC), AIFF (Mac), Sound Designer 1, Akai S1000, Kurzweil K2000, Sample Vision and MIDI Sample Dump Standard (SDS). Up to 64 real-time performances can be used to memorize any combination of sounds, effects, controls, MIDI channels, track status, etc., making it possible to store and immediately recall favorite settings.
A powerful Sound Edit feature allows sounds to be manipulated with advanced editing functions using two-pole and four-pole resonant filters. Up to six oscillators per voice may be used on three layers in combination with the Wave Vector, which allows users to play back the internal or imported samples in forward, reverse and alternate modes. Users may even use 20 segment envelopes to program time-variant volume, pan and filter cutoff curves. The LFO also features a 'Sync to MIDI' function. Furthermore, performances, drum kits and global parameters can be controlled via SysEx for total interaction with the most advanced sequencers and editors.
Four digital effects processors, divided into two groups, provide precise control over sound processing. Two effects can be assigned to each track with a choice of 24 reverbs and 32 modulation effects for each group.
The SK88 can hold 128 styles (96 preset plus 32 programmable). Styles are made up of eight tracks (drums, bass and accompaniments 1-6), each having four variations, offering an overall total of more than 3,000 patterns.
The SK88’s advanced sequencer has the highest specifications in the industry, featuring 32 tracks, a capacity of 250,000 events (16 songs), 1/192 resolution, microscope editing, groove quantize, background loading, compatibility with Standard MIDI Files 0, 1 and 1 + Lyrics, and WK4 and WX/SX formats. Songs can be recorded in one of two ways--either ‘track-by-track’ or by using the ‘QuickRec’ function. In this mode, any of the automatic accompaniment styles can be used, and, once the piece has been recorded, the final result will be a song that can be edited and exported as a normal MIDI file.
The SK88’s vast internal sound library can be expanded by installing up to 32MB of additional RAM (using standard SIMM modules). These instruments can also be fitted with an optional accessory kit to accommodate an internal hard disk, which has a maximum capacity of 0.5 Gigabytes (2.5-inch IDE interface).
The operating system is located in flash memory, allowing the SK88 to constantly keep pace with advances in technology simply by loading a single floppy disk. Updates are available to users directly from the manufacturer’s web site found at:
The SK88 is a powerful master controller offering ‘aftertouch’ with 32 assignable MIDI zones. A complete series of connectors (two MIDI Ins, Outs and Thrus, plus three programmable pedals) allows real-time control over a vast number of functions, allowing total command of 32 separate MIDI channels.
For those requiring even more power, an SK88 ‘Power Station II’ version is equipped with an internal 540MB hard disk that allows massive storage and high-speed access to data, in addition to its standard 3.5-inch disc drive. The hard disk allows users to store songs, sounds, performances and styles without the need for a floppy disk. The SK88 Power Station II hard disk also comes pre-loaded with an enormous quantity of software, including 156 new accompaniment styles (including the new PROFILES and a selection from the fully compatible WX/SX library), plus 50MB of new sounds (ready to be instantly loaded into the pre-installed 2MB battery-backed D-RAM), including pads, vintage organs, acoustic pianos, choirs, strings, orchestral, accordions, basses, drum kits, techno, grooves, sound effects, ethnic instruments and many more.
The SK88 workstation carries a suggested retail price of $2,995 (U.S.), while the SK88 Power Station II is available for $3,495. For more information, visit their web site at www.generalmusic.com. |
