"Super punchy, warm, analog drums with Round Robin Layering. Using high-end outboard and a compulsive attention to detail... this 909 sample set is pure analog drum heaven.
Why have I created another TR-909 sample set?
I thought I could offer something a little different. This sample pack has been recorded at a higher sampler rate and has extensive Round Robin treatment to recreate the feel and movement of an analog drum machine (Maschine can't utilise round robin yet). The Tape909 used tape to give it extra mojo... this time I have used some rather tasty outboard, including: The Thermionic Culture Fat bustard II valve mixer, ez1073-500 pre/eq, A-Design EM-PEQ, Moog 500 series ladder filter, DIYRE 500 series Colour Palette, SPL TwinTube, UBK Fatso. Plus various guitar pedals."
"Download the audio track for FREE here-https://soundcloud.com/hardtek-studio...
I have had this kit for a while now, but never really did anything with it. So I put it up for sale, but recorded a quick jam before letting it go. With this configuration I have the step sequencer playing both oscillators, one mimicking the sound of the Monotron delay and the other using an analog drum synth style patch."
Atomic Shadow wrote in to let me know that one of his favorite artists, Else Marie Pade, has passed away at the age of 91. Many of you should recognize her name from previous posts here on MATRIXSYNTH. She was an early electronic music artist, one of the pioneers of Musique Concrete. For those not familiar with the term, via Wikipedia: "Musique concrète (French pronunciation: [myzik kɔ̃.kʁɛt], meaning 'concrete music') is a genre of electroacoustic music that is made in part from acousmatic sound, or sound without an apparent originating cause. It can feature sounds derived from recordings of musical instruments, the human voice, and the natural environment as well as those created using synthesizers and computer-based digital signal processing."
Wikipedia on Pade: "Pade was born in Aarhus, and was educated as a pianist at the Kongelige Danske Musikkonservatorium (Royal Danish Academy of Music) in Copenhagen. She studied composition first with Vagn Holmboe, and later with Jan Maegaard, from whom she learned twelve-tone technique. In 1954, she became the first Danish composer of electronic and concrete music (Bruland 2001). She knew and worked with Pierre Schaeffer and Karlheinz Stockhausen as well as Pierre Boulez.[1]" See the full article for more on her incredible life.
Else Marie Pade - Faust (1962) Published on Oct 18, 2013 Mors Mea
Prolog I Himlen 0:00
Faust Og Mefisto 4:21
Faust Og Magrethes Kærlighed 11:22
Magrethes Fordømmelse 18:46
Rejsen Til Bloksbjerg Og Valborgsnat 23:03
"Pure, raw Easel. No effects except the built in spring reverb at the end. This is a deceivingly simple patch which uses the Easel to process and sculpt and collaborate with a little Eurorack Synthrotek Lunch Box system. For better audio: http://soundcloud.com/user7621213/buc..."
Somehow, while we were working on very yummy filter algorithms, we stumbled across this:
The alpha version is going to be reserach ware, i.e. free like Protoverb. Hence 'RePro-1 - Research Project One'. It'll be a CPU hog because we want you guys to compare the unoptimised filter algorithms. We expect to release the alpha version shortly after the Superbooth in early April 2016.
The final version will be souped up with some extra features (the screenshot may make the guess easy) and it will be released for AAX/AU/VST with highly optimised filters by the end of 2016.
This is a monophonic synth. The final version will be an exceptionally close emulation of some nifty little vintage synth, with some nifty little extras added (but still not polyphonic).
In short: This is *not* coming soon! - But it'll sound great, and you're hereby prepared for some participation to happen!
Thoughts?
Cheers,
- Urs"
Guessing the Sequential Circuits Pro-One based on the name and layout of course, with the extras being the modulation section, sequencer and/or more.
"a very 808ish 80's drum synth, "The KIT," bangs some beats abd triggers loops and samples off 80s British digital delay Bel BD80. The Kit has 2 trigger/pulse outputs plus a 3rd trigger/sync from the auto hi-hat patterns. I use this to trigger the Bel (it can also trigger from audio input) which has both CV and Gate inputs."
You don't see demos of these often. Some pics of one for sale was just posted here. You'll find the auction link to the sale there if you are interested.
A new NAMM floor video for Make Noise's new 0-Coast desktop synthesizer has been added to the first post here. This one is from Sonic State.
Note NAMM floor videos tend to become repetitive, but every now and then you will discover something new. Each presentation gives you a slightly new perspective. For that reason I like to consolidate all the videos into one post, so expect to see a number of posts like this one to go up through the event. These posts will continue to receive the NAMM channel labels below so those following them do not miss them.
And remember, you can filter by NAMM posts only via the NAMM channels at the bottom of any NAMM post or via the New Gear! link in the site menu at the top right just below the site search box.
"Testing the ROLAND JD-XA. Own sound creations.
Using arpeggios and sequences. Tweaking occasionally. JD-XA does not contain any drum kits as its smaller and cheaper sibling is providing. If there are any drums to be heard they're mostly programmed from scratch with the internal sound engines -- both digital and analog.
More thoughts about the synth:
Many options. But it is a little bit the JD800 problem: the basic sound is quickly edited but the fine tuning takes hours because you have to step thru hundreds of parameters in a 2-line-display (without dial!!!).
No computer editor!
The sequencer is almost the same as in JD-Xi with the same flaws. It crashes frequently and it DOES NOT TRANSPOSE! I hope Roland will fix and implement this with the next update.
About the integration of digital and analog section: The routing is a bit confusing to me but once you managed to lea a digital sound through the analog section it sounds very nice. The digital waves are also well chosen and sounding. For understanding the concept: There are two synths -- one digital, one analog -- that only share the housing and the FX. As a consequence you cannot choose a digital waveform in your analog synth you can only lead a complete sound of the digital machine through the analog section for sound enhancement.
But all in all it is a versatile well sounding synth!"
ST4 Kickstarter trailer Published on Jan 20, 2016 Pieter van der Meer
"Part monster synthesizer, part computer: The ST4 is a unique product, loaded with features, that combines the best of both worlds."
You might remember the prototype ST4 videos posted here, back in October of last year. As you can see, the ST4 has come a long way. Tasty Chips has launched a kickstarter campaign to help fund the project. The following are a few details from their site for the archives:
The ST4 is a unique device that combines a powerful hybrid analog/digital synthesizer with a 16-bit style tracker music machine. It has digital oscillators backed up with sampling for versatility, with analogue VCF’s and VCA’s for character. It’s packed with features, yet these are almost all usable hands-on with dedicated knobs and buttons. It’s usable stand-alone for live gigs but also mountable in a standard 19″ rack, and fully MIDI controllable.
The layout of the controls is fully linear: the entire signal path from oscillator (left) up to VCA mastering (right) is laid out horizontally for each channel.
As mentioned it’s loaded with features like the sampler, built-in mic, and the bit crusher. It has its own stereo mixer. Most of these controls are completely duplicated per channel, allowing instant access, and powerful live experimentation. Think: running your MIDI sequencer and tweaking the channel’s LFO influence and VCO, VCF, and VCA envelopes live. Or even, use the on-board tracker for this!
Features:
4 Stereo voices
Analog multi-mode VCF per channel including voltage controlled resonance.
4 Stereo VCA’s
2 LFO’s with saw, square, sine, noise and sample modes
Direct LFO modulation matrix: 4 channels x VCO, VCA, VCF
ADSR envelope for VCO, VCA, VCF per channel
MIDI IN: Monophonic on ch1..4 and polyphonic on ch5
MIDI OUT ch1..4 (via tracker)
Sampler and built-in microphone:
8 sample banks
configurable loop start, end
tuning
wav import/export
Digital oscillators: saw, square, sine, noise, sample
128 instruments (MIDI patches):
VCO, VCA, VCF env’s settings incl looping
VCF mode
oscillator mode
sample mapping
instrument chaining
Direct control of voice pair detuning
Built-in bitcrusher
3.2″ high colour TFT display
On-board multi-channel sequencer “16 bit tracker style”, in conjunction with USB keyboard:
4 channels
16 steps, panning & volume definable per step
1024 positions
powerful editor with many block functions
independent glide per channel
polyrhythm support, tap tempo, bpm display
Versatile casing usable as desktop or 19″ rackmount.
Interfaces:
4x 6.35mm channel outputs
2x 6.35mm master outputs (stereo)
1x 3.5mm line input (for sampler)
DIN-5 MIDI IN, OUT, THRU
USB A (for USB keyboard)
USB B Programming/debugging interface
SD card, for sample and song I/O
3.5mm stereo headphone
2.1mm AC power"
Dual Looping Delay from 4ms Company -- Resonant delay play
Published on Jan 20, 2016 4mspedals
"Playing with resonant delays by using very short delay times (audio rate, 250Hz to 4kHz) and feedback nearing 100%. The DLD allows for quantized or continuous control of delay time relative to the input clock. In this patch, the input clock is a square wave from an audio VCO.
The sound source was a pop song trending on soundcloud, fed directly into channel A of the DLD. The output of channel A is fed into channel B, which is set to an echo-type delay, giving the reverberation. The output of channel B was recorded directly (the Send from channel B was sent to a Spectral Resonator, but this was turned down in the mix). No effects were added."
Dual Looping Delay from 4ms Company -- Resonant delay play (mashup)
Soundfly wrote in to let us know they are offering free synth courses online. Currently they have two courses available, Demystifying Oscillators and Demystifying Filters. Tutorials on Envelope Generators, LFOs and Modulators will follow. Be sure to see their site for other tutorials as well.
Soundfly has also signed up for a banner here on MATRIXSYNTH. You'll find them on the bottom right of the site in a new Training & Tutorials section.
Michael Fuchs, aka, MFox, wrote in to let us know he recently calibrated his Yamaha CS80. You might be thinking "why do I care?" Well, because he documented the entire process.
"I am an owner of a CS-80 and decided recently to calibrate it completely by shovelling through the adjustment procedure manual - from start to end. As this was such an adventure, I have created a blog where I have written my findings about my journey"
You'll find it here complete with images and details.
"Exploring sounds in a 'no input mixing' jam (x2) using a Behringer Xenyx 1002B analog mixer and a sequencer for recording and adding effects (delay and reverb).
It's funny to explore the gritty sounds and noises which the mixer produces. You can get some kind of modular synth sounds.
Please, take in care the loudness in case you are using headphones."
"This 2 minute Tip shows you how to make a simple attenuator module in Audulus - use the principles you see here to make your own modules of any kind!
The 2 Minute Tip series breaks apart topics on Audulus into bite-sized chunks. I don't talk during the tutorials (though there are a few notes that pop up), and this is so that international viewers who don't understand English well don't feel left out. Familiarize yourself with the node menu and my navigation won't be so mystifying. In the future, we'll develop a finger press indicator so you can see where I'm tapping.
"I was asked to create a quick 1 to 2 minute over view of this new filter which . . . was really hard since there are so many possibilities! (I still went 12 seconds over! ;-) Look for more information, sound clips and videos of this filter in the coming months and if you happen to be at the NAMM Show January 21st through January 24th visit the Moon Modular booth, #4906 in Hall C and get a look and listen in person."
"Eurorack Modular Booth building in progress at the @thenammshow"
The list:
4ms Company
Abstract Data
Art For The Ears Limited
Audio Damage, Inc.
Black Market Modular
Delptronics
Detachment 3
Expert Sleepers Ltd
Hexinverter Electronics Inc.
KOMA Elektronik
Macro Machines
Mordax Systems
Noise Engineering
Qu-Bit Electronix
Rossum Electro-Music LLC
Soulsby Synthesizers
Steady State Fate
Tiptop Audio
Toppobrillo Music Electronics
Verbos Electronics
WMD
ZVEX Modular
"The KRONOS, KORG’s flagship synth, is now available in a platinum color panel with real ebony wood end. Make a bold visual statement with the Kronos Platinum."
"Announcing a limited-edition platinum-colored model of the KRONOS-88.
Since its launch at the end of 2014, KORG's flagship KRONOS music workstation has been acclaimed worldwide by many notable musicians for its sound and advanced capabilities. Now, as an expression of our gratitude to all KRONOS aficionados, we announce a special limited- edition of the 88-key model.
With a platinum-colored panel and dark colored side panels, this new model shines beautifully on stage under the spotlight. For serious musicians, this instrument emanates a special aura of superior quality.
* All specifications other than color are identical to the conventional model of the 88-key KRONOS."
"This also includes the Emax sound library and another 40+ hard disks that have many sound files for various synthesized sounds like steel drums, flute, grand piano, 12 string guitar etc etc etc."
Sample: Clouds in Time-stretch mode, deconstructing a moment from Sonic Youth's "Schizophrenia."
Tones: Rings in Modes 2 (first half) and 3 (second half), processing an output from Clouds
Wind gusts: Braids in Cloud mode, with pitch-shifted echo and modulated atmosphere via the Echophon and Erbe Verb.
Modulation: Tides controls the sample's playback position; Frames controls Tides' rate as well as the sample's window size and reverb depth; Pressure Points controls Rings' timbre and pitch; the Wogglebug controls all aspects of the windstorm.
Rosie acts as a central mixer for the three voices.
"In this video I try to explain a few Multiple uses for the Intellijel uVCF multymode filter.
Much of this information is available here and there on the net but I decided to try to get it into a single video. Also the uVCF is one of my favourite modules and has been a great tool for learning to use the modular.
There are probably a few typos in the text, this is normal, I am dyslexic and also english is not my first language.
Anyway the topics I try to cover are, multi waveform self oscillation, Cv filtering, quad phase shifted LFO and some other other stuff."
uVCF sounds and further tips and tricks
Published on Jan 20, 2016
"My second instalment of uVCF videos. This time focusing on sounds and modulation possibilities. It is a bit longer then the other one. But If you really want to hear a filter you need some time. Also it has quite a wide range of sounds."
"A two channel Low Pass Gate, providing simultaneous voltage control over amplitude and frequency content of a signal. It is in essence, a Voltage Controlled Filter Amplifier (VCFA) that has an extremely organic response to control signals. The Low Pass Gate is a classic West Coast synthesis circuit.
Damp circuit updated to accept audio as well as CV allows for patching side-chain compression.
STRIKE INput allows use of Gate signal to trigger Low Pass Gate circuit, "plucking" or "striking" the vactrol
DAMP and STRIKE parameters combine to allow for easy programming of percussive sounds (sharp Attack w/ Voltage Controlled Decay)
Normalization of a positive offset to the Channel inputs allows for level-shifting of CV, Envelope Generator and even subtle non-symmetrical clipping of signals
Summing stage with an AUXiliary IN allows for chaining of multiple units creating larger mixes
Direct coupled, process audio or control signals
Utilizes 4 vactrols"
The following is some info on their DUAL DELAY with filter module, and their 24dB LP VCF:
"Functions
Attack, Decay, Sustain, Release controls for each envelope generator
Each of the 3 envelope generators can be triggered independently or normalized to Gate 1
Each envelope generator has an time-switch for choosing between short and long times
Each envelope generator has an normal output
Each envelope generator has an inverted output
Functions
Audio Input jack SVF A & B - Input for the Audio Sígnal *
Cutoff CV Input jack SVF A & B - CV input for cutoff frequency, attenuverted by CV Cutoff Pot *
CV Input jack SVF A & B - CV input for frequency control, attenuated by CV Pot
V/Oct Input jack - CV input for VoltOctave Range, unattenuated"
"Handmade in Berlin! Strictly limited to 15 units and exclusively available at Schneiders!
For warming-up in the Eurorack stadium, so to say, AQA ElektriXpresents their first module, a fantasticly sweet 24dB cascade Minimoog filter with hand-selected and hand-matched transistors, usind quality mechanical parts.
DETAILS
Is it necessary to describe the Minimoog's filter sound? Sweet and creamiy with a distinct resonance that goes to oscillation. The AQA filter is an accurate replica of this filter, manufactured with lots of love and hand labor - everything is made with discrete components and even soldered by hand.
The filter has two audio inputs with level controls; they make the filter distort at high levels above 10Vpp, just like the original did. The resonance can be set manually.
For modulating the cutoff frequency there are three CV inputs: two with attenuators and one with a characteristic of approx. 1V per octave.
CONNECTORS
audio: two inputs, one output
cutoff CV inputs: two attenuated, one 1V/octave
DIMENSIONS
3U Eurorack module, 14HP wide, 41mm deep
Current draw: 26mA @ +12V and 13mA @ -12V"
"This is my secomd little video showing you Mogees with my Modular Case. I created three different gesture (knob, fader and the side of the case) for creating the sounds.
Mogees is a contact microphone with which you can transform any object in an instrument "
"FieldScaper - Sound warp field recorder and scape constructor. Advanced field recorder combined with a sound warp engine and a collection of ready to use dynamic presets for iPad and iPhone. Discover new ways to create and construct unusual and exciting sounds from any environmental audio recordings or samples recorded from other apps. More about FieldScaper: http://motion-soundscape.blogspot.com"
What's New in Version 1.2
● Added scenes for saving all operation parameters.
● Added "Internal recorder" for recording the main output.
● Presets and scenes can copy / paste thru the text clipboard.
● Additional button for start / stop all oscillators.
● Audio input parameters on the main screen (for iPad).
● Some improvements of user interface.
● Fixed bug in processing midi commands.
● Built-in description updated.
● Minor bug fixes.
