Panda MIDI let us know that their Future Impact V4 guitar synth effect pedal has a new free firmware update that enables users to control external MIDI synthesizers with their guitars.
The company says that, with this update, the Future Impact V4 is only guitar synth platform on the market that features:
- Internal voice generation (four oscillator VA synth),
- MIDI output to drive external MIDI synthesizers or DAWs,
- CV/Gate output to connect your guitar to the analog synth world.
With this update, the Future Impact pedal can now be used to control just about any synthesizer, in addition to its internal synth engine.
The Future Impact is a direct descendant of the legendary Deep Impact bass guitar synth pedal that’s been used by Muse, Bootsy Collins, Mohini Dey and many others.
Features:
- New, improved 32-bit A/D/A converters provide extremely high quality sound with low noise;
- CV/Gate output to drive analog synthesizers accurately from either audio or MIDI input;
- You can drive any external MIDI synth with your guitar (from firmware version 4.11)
- Sturdier knobs made from solid metal for longer life;
- Parameter dial now has an extended range for more sound variations;
- Superior pitch tracking offers an even further reduced latency and increased sensitivity;
- Oscillator Sync opens a completely new sonic world by creating harmonically complex sounds;
- On-pedal edits can be saved into patch data;
- Long release gives the full ADSR cycle for the audio-triggered sounds as well;
- 63 new Flexi curves;
- On-the-fly octave transposition;
- Full midiBeam 4Control integration;
- Fresh Editor software look with improved workflow;
- On-screen Mod Wheel within the Editor software.
Future Impact V4 Overview:
Here’s the original release video for the Future Impact V4:
Pricing and Availability:
The Future Impact V4 is available for €289.00 (normally €359.00).
I’m a keyboardist, but I still see a string as the most fluid way to control a synth. Tracking the delicate changes is a big job. You have to manage your string technique while handling the target synth’s capabilities. Double whammy! Someone who can do that is a superior form of musical life. This thing has the aroma of Adrian Belew in a box. Impressive and IMO, fairly priced.
I’m a big fan of a keyboard plus breath controller for a fluid way to control a synth; but your point is well taken. And it’s true that you have to play really cleanly to get monophonic tracking to work right.
Those synths that use the guitar/bass input signal as oscillator and do tricks to get the synthesis part to happen are nice for fast tracking, but often read things weirdly.
I’m always on the lookout for an actually usable guitar midi device , I’ve hated everything I’ve tried so far, I wonder if this is it??