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Releasing the SFC-60 V3 MIDI controller

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The SoundForce SFC-60 V3 is a boutique class-compliant USB-MIDI controller dedicated to the fantastic TAL-U-NO-LX Juno-60 emulation. The original SFC-60 was the first SoundForce product to come out. I have come a long way since 2014 and this new version is based on all the lessons learned from several years of designing and manufacturing similar products. With a solid sheet metal case, colorful front panel and new software integration, it’s my favourite controller so far. It is usable with any MIDI-mappable software or hardware but has special integrations with the TAL-U-NO-LX.


Features
In collaboration with Patrick from TAL, special features have been implemented to improve the user experience and the hardware/software integration. Finally, all the LED-based physical switches can update their states when a preset is changed in the plugin. Also when switching instances on different tracks, the plugin can sync the controller and update the switches as well. It works a bit differently in each DAW, more details and videos on that coming soon. For the sliders/faders, the pick-up or scaling modes (similar to the Takeover modes in Ableton Live) can help avoiding “jumping” parameters. Those features require the latest version of the plugin. I would like to thank Patrick for his time and his contribution on this project.


Build quality
The controller is assembled in The Netherlands with parts from Europe and Asia. The enclosure is made of 100% sheet metal and is manufactured by Grawart (http://www.grawart.pl). The case is made of bent steel and powder coated in black. The front panel is aluminum, also powder coated and screen printed with scratch-proof white, blue and red inks. Walnut wood side panels of 8mm thickness are fitted to both sides of the controller. The sides are made in Amsterdam by Rob Gould (http://www.gouldcaseworks.nl/).

Pricing and Availability
The SFC-60 V3 is available on the SoundForce webshop for 349 euros incl VAT in the EU and 288 euros for customers outside the EU. In the US, Perfect Circuit is distributing the SFC-60 V3 for 359.99$.

SFC-Mini V2 back in stock (now sold out)

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EDIT: stock is gone already, thanks a lot for all your orders 🙂 New model coming in 2021.

The SFC-Mini V2 is finally back in stock! The last few units are available. After that, I will evaluate its future. It might come back or not depending a lot of factors.

 

Samples Eurorack out now and shipping!

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I am happy to release Samples, a small 4HP Eurorack drum modules consisting of 6 one-shot sounds from the 808 drum machine.

The 6 sounds available on separate channels are the one-shot sounds from the infamous 808 drum machine. It’s using a big STM32F405 chip to drive the 6 DACs and store the sounds. The samples are baked-in and can’t be changed.

As usual, here is a complete demo video from Ben aka Divkid:

It’s available right now to order at 119 euros on the SoundForce webshop and at my dealers. US customers can order directly from Perfect Circuit Audio.

Announcing a future new controller – SFC-8

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This year for SuperBooth home edition 2020, SoundForce is teasing the SFC-8: a boutique Jupiter-8 style MIDI controller for software and hardware synths. The controller has both USB-MIDI and DIN-MIDI connectors that can be used simultaneously. No external power supply is necessary as it is USB-powered. This project was inspired by a talk with musician and youtuber Mylar Melodies at SuperBooth 2019. Thank you Alex!

The SFC-8 works perfectly with Arturia’s JUP-8V as well as Roland Cloud’s JUPITER-8 plugin using simple MIDI CC messages and classic MIDI mapping. Thanks to the control app every physical control properties can be changed, such as the CC number). The DIN-MIDI connector will allow you to control also hardware devices such as the Roland MKS-80.

The layout is compact but is still leaving enough space for your fingers to fit everywhere. The sliders are 30mm long as it was the standard for synths in the 80s. They are close to 80 controls available in total. Dimensions: 307mm(W) x 221mm(D) x 50mm(H).

Since 2019, all new SoundForce controllers are using 100% metal cases made by Grawart (grawart.pl) and are fitted with walnut side panels made by http://www.gouldcaseworks.nl/. All the rotary pots are now wobble-free metal shaft pots.

The SFC-8 will be the 5th addition to the SoundForce MIDI controller range. (https://sound-force.nl/?page_id=2318)
The device is planned for release in Q4 2020. The price is still not defined at this point.

New module – Dual ADSR

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The SoundForce Dual ADSR is a feature-rich envelope generator with full CV control of each stage. It features 2 identical envelope sections, one on the top and one on the bottom. Each section has 4 manual sliders to control each stage of the envelope. The CV input signals are added to the manual sliders position allowing you to modulate the ADSR curves with external CV sources. More info on the product page.

It’s available right now to order at 199 euros (incl VAT for EU customers) in the webshop. Please note that the module is not yet in stock at all of my dealers, but I recommend customers to ask them about it, especially Perfect Circuit.

SFC-60 V2 out of stock – units left at Signal Sounds

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The SFC-60 V2 is now in my webshop out of stock. Signal Sounds still have some stock.

This product will come back with improved build quality (similar to the SFC-5 V2) and better functionalities thanks to the work and input of the TAL U-NO-LX programmer Patrick Kunz.
The price will be around 309 euros. Grab the unit at Signal Sounds if you’d like to have a more affordable unit.

 

Dealing with the Corona crisis – stay at home discounts

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The discount ran for 2 months. The coupon is now expired.

Hi friends,

Naturally all our friendly synth gatherings had to be cancelled due to the corona virus pandemic. In the meanwhile I am trying to spend my time doing so much prep as possible, in terms of development and production. Until this day, I can still ship and parcels are being delivered.

To encourage you to stay at home and be creative, I created a coupon that will give you 15 euros of discount on any product: quarantine

I hope this could help some of us to keep sanity and spend time doing something creative instead of feeling bored and weird.

I have been using some of that free time to build a “nice-to-have” module that was not on top of my to-do list. It’s a 4HP 6-channel drum sample player in its most basic form. No level control, no pitch control, etc… Only a trigger in and an audio out for each sound. The samples are the one-shot sounds from the 808 drum machine. I built this originally to accompany my analog 808 DIY kick and snare. This module won’t be DIY but still under 100 euros. Here is a preview of the panel below, the PCBs are going to the factory this week.

Stay at home and take care of each other.

Nicolas.

SFC-5 V2 out now!

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SoundForce is announcing the release of the SFC-5 V2 MIDI controller. The SFC-5 is a boutique MIDI controller for Prophet-5 virtual instruments such as the Arturia Prophet V and the U-he Repro-5. The 2020 V2 model offers fantastic upgrades compared to the original V1 model: 100% sheet metal case, wobble-free metal shaft pots and walnut side panels.

Features
With 32 rotary pots and 28 switches, you can finally control your virtual instrument in an instinctive and fun way. Create better synth sounds easier and improve your overall experience. A couple of extra “user” controls let you control for instance your external FX plugins. The controller sends out standard MIDI cc messages and can be used with any software that is MIDI-mappable. A web-based control panel app allows the user to change the cc messages number for each control and save or load different configurations.

Build quality
The enclosure is made of 100% sheet metal and is manufactured by Grawart in Poland (http://www.grawart.pl). The case is made of bent steel and powder coated in black. The front panel is aluminium, also powder coated and screen printed with scratch-proof white ink. Walnut wood side panels of 8mm thickness are fitted to both sides of the controller. The sides are made in Amsterdam by Rob Gould from http://www.gouldcaseworks.nl/

The SFC-5 V2 is a boutique-manufactured product assembled in small quantities in the Netherlands. A lot of operations are still performed by hand and automation is used when possible to improve quality and processes. The price is 299 euros incl VAT in the EU and 247 euros for customers outside the EU. You can order in the webshop. In the US, Perfect Circuit is selling the device for 280$ with free shipping! You can pre-order with confidence if the item is out of stock, as they always restock them quickly.