VR Music

KORG Just Launched A Futuristic Music Studio In VR

July 10, 2023 From vrscout

Immerse yourself in a “new type” of music studio.

Legendary musical instrument manufacturer KORG recently announced the launch of its popular music production studio app KORG Gadget on VR headsets. Originally release on platforms such as iOS, Mac, and, bizarrely enough, the Nintendo Switch, this marks the first time the award-winning software will be available in VR.

Credit: KORG Inc.

According to KORG, KORG Gadget VR immerses musicians in a “new type” of music studio where they can produce original compositions using an assortment of unique instrumental gadgets, from keyboards and drum machines to the very same synths used in the iOS version.

Each gadget has been updated by the developer for use with motion controls, allowing you to go “hands-on” like you would in the real world. You can arrange these instruments any way you’d like throughout your 3D space, allowing you to create the ultimate 360-degree digital audio workstation (DAW).

“Now, Gadget has finally entered the world of VR. In the 3D space that spreads out before your eyes, you will be able to control gadgets that are arranged in 360 degrees as if they were surrounding you,” said the company in an official release. “All you need is a VR headset compatible with KORG Gadget VR*. Enjoy creating music with the DAW of the future, which offers an immersive experience unlike anything you have ever experienced before.”

KORG Gadget VR is available now on PC VR as well as Meta Quest 2 and Quest Pro headsets for $29.99. For more information check out the official announcement here.

Feature Image Credit: KORG Inc.

Ristband Returns To SXSW With Its Music Metaverse

March 8, 2023 From vrscout

The party returns on March 12th live via the metaverse.

The South by Southwest (SXSW) Conference and Festival draws everything from up-and-coming music artists and interactive media companies to forward-thinking startups and various other cutting-edge technologies.

One of the companies featured this year is Ristband which will once again be hosting its Music Metaverse, a virtual event that combines the energy of live music with VR technology. Performing at the event will be the UK-based “collective,” Miro Shot.

Credit: Ristband

During SXSW 2022, I talked with Roman Rappak, CEO of Ristband and singer for Miro Shot, who told me how he was influenced by bands such as Kraftwerk and how they embraced “weird technology that was broken and hard to use and made music with it.”

This year, Miro Shot will be returning to SXW and will be presenting a completely revamped version of their concert, which will feature brand-new music and the latest in XR technology.

“With SXSW’s international reputation as a festival supporting emerging culture and technology under one roof, we are excited to have the opportunity to extend the festival in the metaverse with the true pioneers of this new digital era: the artists who are the driving force of this movement,” said Anne McKinnon, CEO of Ristband.

This year’s Music Metaverse showcase promises attendees an unforgettable experience that will expand the magic of SXSW. Ristband’s official Music Metaverse event will answer questions such as how the metaverse will impact the live music industry and how contemporary artists are using AR/VR as well as the metaverse to reach new audiences. Along with the performance, Ristband’s event will feature a variety of discussions about how the metaverse will affect the industry.

Last year, Miro Shot used older Android devices to drop attendees into a VR environment that reacted with the band’s instruments as they played live. This year, Miro Shot partnered with HTC VIVE to immerse their audiences in a virtual world using HTC’s new all-in-one headset, the VIVE XR Elite.

“Live music and physical events are at the heart of music culture, while at the same time, exciting new tools that can extend our concert into VR and a gaming platform like Ristband have had an incredibly powerful effect on the reach of our band,” said Rappak.

To attend the event, individuals must be 21+ and have an SXSW festival pass. The event will be held at The Venue ATX, which is a 5-minute walk away from the Convention Center. Oh, and you’ll have to RSVP!

Feature Image Credit: Ristband

Gorillaz Will Perform An AR Concert In NYC & London

December 14, 2022 From vrscout

2-D, Russel, Murdoc, and Noodle are back and bigger than ever.

Ahead of the release of their 8th studio album entitled Cracker Island, the virtual band Gorillaz will perform an augmented reality (AR) concert in New York City and London during which the band members will appear as enormous, skyscraper-sized virtual avatars.

The event will take place this weekend and will be accessible via the Gorillaz Presents app available free on iOS and Android. The Grammy award-winning group will perform their new single “Skinny Ape” at Times Square in NYC at 2:30 pm ET on December 17th and in Piccadilly Circus at 2:00 pm GMT on December 18th.

The location-based AR experience is powered by Google’s ARCore Geospatial API, which allows developers to tether digital content to real-world locations covered by Google Street View. This musical AR event will blend virtual elements with reality, immersing spectators in a unique mixed reality experience.

This isn’t the first time the fictional band has experimented with immersive technology. Back in April 2017, Gorillaz launched their own mixed reality app that offered fans an interactive tour of their “unique” estate. Prior to that, the group released a 360-degree music video for their song “Saturnz Barz.”

Those lucky enough to find themselves in NYC or London this weekend can download the Gorillaz Presents app for free via the App Store and Google Play. After the “live” performance, you can watch the show in-app any time you’d like.

Image Credit: Google x Gorillaz