"The Moog Sound Lab is literally moving into one of the bedrooms at the Ace Hotel in London for an entire month of Moog-ing. Six artists will each spend four days (and nights) cosied up to the equipment which will conclude with a live performance of their creations in the Ace's basement space, Miranda.
This special UK iteration of the Moog Sound Lab includes over 20 analog Moog handcrafted instruments, including one of the newly reissued classic System 55 Moog modular systems and some aural muscle from Bowers & Wilkins 805 Diamond speakers.
The UK Moog Sound Lab will be on tour across the pond for the rest of the year, allowing artists to experiment with the largest collection of Moog analog synthesizers outside of the the Moog Factory.
The full Moog Sound Lab residency at the Ace line-up is as follows:
Andy Blake
Blanck Mass (Fuck Buttons Offshoot)
David Colohan (United Bible Studies)
Iain Forsyth & Jane Pollard
Jim Tenor
Keiji Haino
"A new eurorack modular from shock electronix featuring the sequencer ,delay and modulator a very easy and fun starter setup http://shockelectronix.com/shop/"
A list of their first set of products for the archives (these are available as completed or as various DIY kits):
"EsQu-One Step Sequencer
The Shock Electronix Modatron EsQu-One Step Sequencer is our Eurorack conversion of the super compact and highly versatile Korg SQ-1 Step Sequencer.
As standard, the Korg SQ-1 is a compact step sequencer with 2 x 8 steps. It's wealth of connection jacks allows it to be integrated with a Eurorack System, connected to the MS-20, and a variety of other synthesizers.
Vintage analog synths or the latest compact synths can be controlled from this single unit. You can also switch between a variety of synthesizer modes and use the step buttons to create performances overflowing with spontaneity.
As a descendant of the SQ-10, and just like the SQ-1, the EsQu-One supports the Hz/V standard, enabling it to perfectly control the MS-20 or MS-20 mini. It goes without saying the V/Oct standard is also supported, and the voltage level of the CV output (*) and polarity of the GATE output can be specified as appropriate for the device you've connected. This versatility will enable you to control a wide variety of other synthesizers as well.
* V/Oct supported for 1V, 2V, and 5V; Hz/V supported for 8V.
Just like the SQ-1, the EsQu-One provides two CV/GATE OUT channels, the standard MIDI OUT and USB MIDI, littleBits out (to connect to the littleBits synth kit by littleBits Electronics Inc.), plus the SYNC IN/OUT channel that allows you to connect to the volca series and monotribe. In addition to this, we’ve designed the EsQu-One with an added 4 rows of multiples, and easy access to the USB port at the bottom."
"Modatron Delay
The Shock Electronix Modatron Delay is our Eurorack conversion of the extremely popular Korg Monotron Delay.
As standard, the Korg Monotron Delay offers analog-style echoes, an LFO with selectable triangle or square waveshape, the same classic analog filter found in the legendary Korg MS-10 & MS-20, and with newly added controls, there is much more flexibility and functionality than ever before."
"I explain a bit about the details of putting together a synth cabinet. I start from installing the power supply since the cabinet building itself is very generic and described on the page cited a bit later.
I know this method is rather primitive but it results in high reliability and low resistance between the power supply and the modules. I hope it gives you some ideas for when you build your synthesizer."
"Gradually escallating demo of the elektron machinedrum through the chimaera. Distortion kicks in about half way through.
The distortion placed after the filter in the fx chain makes it a killer on low frequencies, as is diplayed in the vid with an 808 type kick with long decay grinding up the rest of the elements in the loop. The delay can create some cool syncopation too. This thing loves ripping up drum patterns. It reminds me of the NIN album year zero in places. The great destroyer :)"
X1L3 - Chimaera black - audio destruction unit + mobile phone
Published on Jul 30, 2015
"Quick demo of the ability of the chimaera to animate a simple oscillator source."
"This is 64 User Presets demo from Roland D-50 (D-550). I choose mostly electronic sounds (synth, bass, bell, synthpad, ambient-textures etc). Recorded directly from D-50 stereo outputs, with internal effects, without any additional signal processing. Enjoy!
All these presets can be freely downloaded from the internet, but, I spent hours and hours (sometimes even days) collecting and edit the best of them to prepare a synth Bank for this demo.
You can buy now these 64 Presets in SysEx/MidiFile format. Bank with 64 Presets cost only 6 Euros (via PayPal). Just send me an email to vukansto@gmail.com and after PayPal payment you will receive SysXx/Midi file in your inbox.
Roland D-50 is a keyboard version of D-550 rack module.
Roland D-50 specifications:
LA (Linear Arithmetic) Synthesis
64 RAM Presets (4 elements), 64 Card Presets
Reverb effects
16 Poly
61 Keys with Velocity and Aftertouch
MIDI In/Out/Thru
2 Outs"
"Gradually escallating demo of the tt-303 through the chimaera. Distortion kicks in about a third of the way in.
It makes a good 303 distortion with it's own resonant filter placed before the distortion. The delay makes it sound reminiscent of propellerhead rebirth. It can pull off some strange dub effects with the delay which work well with a loop like this, as can be heard in the vid.
Check out the other chimaera uploads to see some other ways it can be used.
"Ziebane Instruments RX-207 Live Remixer is powerful combination of sampler, sequencer and phrase creator with advanced real time remixing controls that brings stable and hyper fast working environment to anyone, from beginners to pro users.
Remix existing phrases and patterns, build up on them, make them your own or start from scratch with original material. Replace samples with your own and half the job is already done with RX-207 unprecedented remixing facilities.
Innovative approach and original features of Ziebane Instruments RX-207 Live Remixer is sure way to bring highest level of creativity to your studio or live performance.
"In this video we talk about why we designed the minm, how we created the prototypes, and what the final product will be.
For more info and videos please visit our Kickstarter page: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/..."
"This is demo music created with the Arcano MIDI NES Chiptune Synthesizer. The device is an ATmega328-microcontroller-based MIDI synth designed to emulate the classic chiptune sound of the Nintendo Entertainment System's APU (audio processing unit.) If you are interested in the synth, please refer to the Kickstarter campaign page. The Kickstarter campaign rewards include both a fully assembled and tested version and a kit version for those who prefer to build it themselves. I created the music track myself, and I am not very musically talented. I'm interested to hear the music that more talented musicians will create with this synth, which is why I'm sharing the device through Kickstarter."
"The Arcano MIDI NES Chiptune Synthesizer is a minimalistic, microcontroller-based synth designed to emulate the classic chiptune sound of the Nintendo Entertainment System's APU (audio processing unit.) The synthesizer's MIDI input allows musicains create NES-video-game-style chiptune music by simply connecting a MIDI keyboard or other MIDI device.
No programming is required. Each Arcano MIDI NES Chiptune Synthesizer includes a preprogrammed microcontroller; however, each synth also features a 6-pin AVR programming header, allowing programmers to flash the embedded ATmega328 microcontroller with their own custom software. The programming header enables hackers to create their own custom waveforms, envelopes, software low-frequency oscillators, and PCM samples.
Unlike many other microcontroller-based synthesizers which use internal PWM peripherals to generate weak, scratchy, low-quality audio signals, the Arcano MIDI NES Chiptune Synthesizer uses an auxiliary digital-to-analog converter chip to create a clear, high-quality audio signal.
Specifications:
3-note polyphony
1/8'' (3.5mm) jack mono audio output
MIDI input through standard MIDI DIN connector
7-segment LED waveform mode indicator
simple two-button interface
embedded ATmega328 microcontroller
Preset Modes:
PWM section is now fully working. LFO / MANUAL / ENV control for each voices. I haven't tuned the PWM mod card yet so its not super refined.
All 8 VCO cards went through recalibration with proper oscilloscope and that made a huge difference on tracking at upper scales. Now each VCO follows over 6 octaves without detuning between voices."
"Another video about the Crumar GDS MIDI interface.
This time, both interfaces are in use. One is running in master mode, sort of emulating a real GDS (just the scan processor, not the synth), the other one in slave mode, working as a GDS MIDI interface.
The purpose was to test if everything works as intended, as it already did on the breadboad.
Controlling the Korg Gadget on the iPad with a Crumar GDS keyboard - fun :)
In the second part, i try to describe a bit how the interface between the GDS main unit and the keyboard works and how i hook into this communication to implement the interface. The DK Synergy works exactly the same way, it even has nearly the same pinout, just number of keys and pots differ. My interface board could also be used in a DK Synergy."
"From the mid 1970s comes the fantastic K-2 / 700S monophonic synth….dual oscillator with Triangle, Sawtooth, and Square waveforms. used by bands like The Cars, Human League, and Stevie Wonder. Because you’re here, you know what this thing does.
Everything works on this one …all keys sound, all sliders and switches work, no scratchy pots or sliders. No modifications have been made to circuits.
LOW SERIAL NUMBER ! Storage compartment for power cord. Cosmetically about what you would expect for a 41 year old keyboard . Chips on the wood end blocks, and scratches and worn paint on the control panel.
The white plastic Effect Switch has been replaced with a chrome toggle switch..works as it should. The Pitch slider is missing the slider cap (they show up on eBay from time to time)."
"The unit appears to be fully functional, all the knobs and sliders and keys worked fine as I tested. There may be a slight scratch noise on some of the knobs, which could do with some adjustment/servicing if required. Cosmetically the unit is in very nice condition as you can see. There are some minor wear and marks here and there, but nothing major."
"Overall, the synth is in excellent working condition. Cosmetic condition is really nice - the wooden cabinet has been given a clean & polish and has a great patina and grain to it. The front panel is clean with only a couple of marks. The metal case is in excellent condition with only small marks to the rear.
The synth was recently serviced, which included refurbishing the keyboard (bushings, bussbars, key contacts, keys) and calibrating the synth to specs. The synth retains its original oscillator boards.
All knobs, buttons and switches are present, original and function correctly.
All keys are clean and aligned and contact correctly.
The unit was tested today and the synth is working as it should be: 100% functional and the tuning is rock solid.
The synth can be switched between 230v and 115v.
Includes as part of the sale is the Armor flight case for the synth."
Good morning again! With version 1.7 of Aalto, our favorite West Coast softsynth now adds MPE support, and other improvements.
MPE stands for Multidimensional Polyphonic Expression. It's a way of using MIDI to transmit the rich, per-note expressive performances that instruments like the Haken Continuum, Seaboard, Linnstrument and of course our own Soundplane are capable of. Geert Bevin, longtime Eigenharp player and currently a software developer at Moog Music, lead the charge on this effort, and I thank him for moving things forward. You can find Geert's post with the MPE specifications here: [expressiveness.org]
Many smart and experienced people, including all us makers of new and ambitious controllers, looked over a draft of this spec and contributed changes. MPE makes sense, is easy to implement, and should be very useful. With its addition Aalto becomes one of a just a few great sound makers out there for per-note expression. I am hotly anticipating more Linnstrument+Aalto, Seaboard+Aalto sounds.
Soundplane owners have always had a great connection to Aalto over OSC. But the big deal for the Soundplane is that now, while we are still waiting for the OSC-based composition environment of our dreams, we can use ordinary DAWs to record and edit an entire Soundplane performance.
Aalto version 1.7 also brings improved Soundplane compatibility with MIDI patches, optimized animation drawing, and bug fixes. MPE support in Kaivo synthesizer will follow next month with other changes.
1.7 is of course a free update again. The demo is at the usual place, and license holders as usual can click "My downloads" up on the right there to get your update.
Macintosh users, please note:
Aalto 1.7 requires Mac OS X 10.7 or higher."
"Rhythmic 8 portable keyboard & Pearl Sc-40 drumsynth
soundcheck by
noheadchicken live @ Petit Rigolo Records 2015
Rhythmic 8 with Korg ax 300g effects
Pearl Sc-40 drumsynth triggered by Rhythmic 8
Rhythmic 8 has five pre-set waveforms, which can be combined with any of four pre-set ADSR envelopes.
The auto accompaniment section are 10 selectable rhythms, each has three selectable bass lines and sound, and three independently selectable chord patterns and sound."
"Outside jam, using audiobus, drumjam, DFx and aufx : dub on iOS. The portable amp is the Roland mobile cube.
This jam was recorded in the Bearn, on the 28th of July 2015"
"Introducing a limited edition of the award-winning KeyLab:
the KeyLab Black Edition available in 49 and 61-key models.
Already bundled with the Analog Lab software offering 6000 keyboard sounds, the stylish Black KeyLab comes with three additional software instruments: the Solina V string machine, the legendary Prophet V synthesizer and the UVI Grand Piano Model D.
"This new bundle is built around a limited edition black version of our renowned Keylab MIDI controller keyboards.
Pair this with a free, top notch software bundle and you have a match made in heaven. Our hybrid approach of blending a professional quality MIDI controller with our Analog Lab software is designed to give the discerning musician a hardware instrument feel but with the power and integration that can only be had via software.
Add to this, three more virtual instruments to widen your sonic arsenal even further. You get the authenticity of the UVI Acoustic Grand Piano, the rich string pads of the Solina V and the unstoppable versatility of the Prophet V included in this exciting new bundle..."
"http://SonicFaction.com - This is a micro tutorial of Polytek by Sonic Faction, a new synth sequencer for Ableton Live and Max for Live."
"Polytek fuses rhythm and melody to generate enigmatic patterns. It combines step sequencing with vocoder and multiband gate processing, resulting in deep tech progressions, ambient dub soundscapes and gritty robotic polyrhythms.
Polytek’s Routing Matrix can select Analog or Sampler as a sound source and then process it through either a Vocoder or Multiband gate. Aspects of the device have been color-coded so you know where you are and what you’re controlling.
Polytek comes stacked with an array of FX for big spacious reverbs, saturation, delays and chorus. The device is also equipped with a resonator and physical modeling to add extra harmonics and futuristic melodic textures to the groove."
"The Moog Sound Lab is literally moving into one of the bedrooms at the Ace Hotel in London for an entire month of Moog-ing. Six artists will each spend four days (and nights) cosied up to the equipment which will conclude with a live performance of their creations in the Ace's basement space, Miranda. 
