“Novation are giving you the chance to win a Novation UltraNova Synthesizer: an 18-Voice Polyphonic synth with 3 Oscillators, 6 Envelopes, 3 LFOS, and a 20 slot Modulation Matrix. Click here to find out how to win."
Note the contest runs through January 19, so be sure to enter before then. You are all the first to find out in this post!
"The TT-303 from Cyclone Analogic is a reproduction of the most coveted bass synthesizer units, the TB-303. It is an analog, monophonic synthesizer with a built in sequencer, perfect for generating phat acid basslines for almost any style of electronic music. Its layout and circuit design is identical to the original, as well as its functionality, but has been made using 21st century technology and components."
Oscilloscope views of each part. Also see "Glassworks Synthesizer" below.
"Canon in D major performed on an analog synthesizer.
The do-it-yourself synthesizer is a combination of the MFOS Soundlab Mark II and the MFOS 8-stage phase shifter. The footage was taken of an old and trusty Hameg oscilloscope.
Score from kyok100 on musescore.org used under the creative commons license.
A thumbs-up and some comments are always appreciated."
Glassworks Synthesizer
Published on Jan 9, 2017
"Glassworks Opening Piece by Philip Glass, performed on a DIY analog modular synthesizer.
Credits: Original score created by hi192837465 in Musescore, heavily modified by me."
"Just a simple patch to demonstrate how easy it is to put together on the new Behringer DeepMind 12. I often find the simpler sounds are the ones that stand out, but I'm really beginning to get a feel of the Sound of the DM12, especially as a Pad Monster...I have an old Juno 6, but this is so much more flexible and pleasing."
"In fantastic shape both cosmetically and functionally. Just serviced by Peter @ Analog Lab in NYC and received a clean bill of health. Comes with MIDI mod by Wine Country. Works great, sounds amazing. Comes with custom flight case."
"This is part of a setup I am working on with another artist for a live performance. The performance is centered around an Elektron Octatrack. Each Artist will use a DSI Tempest and an Elektron Analog RYTM on the respective left and right sides of the Ocatrack. I am sorry but I don't know the name of the artist that made the sample... but the name of the track is 'Warrior Spirit'."
"This jam was recorded in two different takes. It's the best of both analog and digital worlds really. A reworked version has been posted here: https://soundcloud.com/tainsus/life-p...
And check out this collective :
https://soundcloud.com/mintlab"
"This is the original Sequential Circuits Pro One, serial #5510, with the preferred J-wire key action. All the knobs and switches have been de-oxidized and run as smooth as silk. Each key’s J-wire connections have also been carefully cleaned and de-oxidized and work perfectly. There is on key, the second C key from the bottom, that is still a little scratchy if the key is released slowly, but works perfectly in normal playing conditions. The orginal key bushings have all been cleaned and all the keys are even.
This comes with, and will be shipped in, a perfectly fitting Pelican 1650 case with wheels and is perfect for storing the insturments or taking it out on gigs."
"Here's a first patch walkthrough jamming with the AJH Synth MiniMod voice controlled and expanded through the Expert Sleepers ES-3 with Reaktor Blocks running the show."
"Here's a closer look at what the Deviant's output looks like. The "smooth" parameter slowly filters out the noise in the signal while adding slew to the output. With smooth all the way down the output is rather noisy giving parameters associated with timbre a mild ring mod-esque sound."
"Here is a demonstration of the LH controller of the Yamaha CS-15. Specifically, here is the sound and functionality of the extremely-useful 'Brilliance' function."
Today I caught up on all the 0-Coast videos on the Make Noise Channel - very inspiring and I wanted to create a track using only the 0-Coast.
So here's my little accumulative track. Even the kick drum is from this thing and I've shown the patch as the video backdrop. It's played on a low key obviously and I made it even kick-ier with EQ (Ableton's standard Kick EQ 1 in this case). The "hats" are modulated by the slope to give an open and closed effect. Soundtoys Echoboy and Valhalla VintageVerb for FX.
I hope you like it."
And a two previous tracks from Lost For Words featuring the 0-Coast:
"Makes Three" Make Noise 0 Coast, Moog Mother 32, Roland JX-03
Published on Jan 7, 2017
"Headphones and closed eyes recommended :)
A dark, spacey track made with these three beauties. Drums are samples of Vermona DRM1 Mark iii (because I haven't got an analogue drum machine yet). There is a mix of 3 bar and 4 bar loops here for some randomness.'
Year We Go Again ( 0 Coast Mother 32 JU-06 JX-03 )
Published on Dec 28, 2016
"Track made with Make Noise 0-Coast, Moog Mother 32, Roland JU-06 and JX-03
My 0-Coast is new so just getting to know it :) It plays the arp throughout this track. Some random slope time settings going on at the start and towards the end of the track I mix the 0-Coast's square osc into the Mother 32's external audio which provides some cool results.
All sounds from these 4 synths (1 track each + 1 recorded JU-06 Bass) and drums from Ableton. Plenty of reverb and delay :D
"Custom built by Greg and Marc St. Regis at Studio Electronics in El Segundo , CA. This synth sounds as good as it looks. It has enjoyed a clean smoke free studio environment and is looking for a new home. Will ship with a Roadie Hard Case to ensure safe travels.
8 Voices with
+8x CS80 Filters
+8x Moog Filters
+8x Oberheim SEM Filters
+Discrete OP amps"
"In this episode we continue with the Karplus-Strong algorithm but this time I make some tweaks as suggested by you guys. This results in accurate pitch tracking as well as a pretty nasty sounding bass fuzz patch which is surprisingly simple to make."
"As often happens when I sit to improvise, I start at the massive eight-voice Poly Evolver Keyboard with the intention of creating both a new patch and a new piece of music. The habitual presumption is that the greater the resources the greater the outcome. Then, at some point, I turn to the much simpler Prophet '08 for a few chords or a little melody, and the next thing I know, I'm thoroughly engrossed with that instrument, both sonically and musically. This is what happened tonight, so here's another piece of Prophet '08 music.
I find two qualities constantly helpful in composing: simplicity and limitation. I find complexity terribly distracting to creativity, like trying to write the next line of a difficult poem in a messy room. So, I would never want the sort of instrument that "does it all." As much as I love working with the fairly sophisticated Poly Evolver and its wide range of tones, I far prefer the simplicity and directness of the Prophet '08. The limitations of its design help to get and keep me focused on music, rather than on other technical tangents. Limitation challenges the mind to work extra hard and doubly search and strive for beauty with a smaller set of resources; and in so exerting itself, the mind achieves a higher good, a nobler beauty.
This piece uses a complex pulse width modulation pad that includes four oscillators of pulse width, each being slowly modulated at different rates. Between the four oscillators and the two P'08 units, there is an immense amount of detuning, making for a rich if slightly nasal end result. As usual, the modulation wheel is set to open the filter.
The musical idea behind this piece is simply contrary stepwise motion - the keyboard lines descending, with the pedal lines often ascending, or vice versa.
"Recorded using Moog and Make Noise synthesizers, with reverb from a Strymon BigSky and TC Hall of Fame. All notes are from the Mother-32 sequencers, and audio is straight from the mixer."
"Bleeps? Bloops? Love 'em. but let's try some Prog with the 0 Coast. Still getting my feet wet with the synth, so I tried to create a track and utilize the 0 Coast for all possible melodic aspects. All the synth parts are from the 0 Coast (controlled via the MFB D1 through midi) with 2 exceptions: 1.) piano (you're shocked I know) 2.) the sweepy/video gamey sound fx are from the D1 (and used to great effect to cover up parts I couldn't stand to do another take....) If someone knows how to make that sound on the 0 Coast, let me know!"
Three videos that capture a bit of the character of the MFB Dominion 1. Tonally it reminds me a bit of the SCI Pro One.
Playlist:
1. MFB Dominion 1
2. twiddlin' knobs - MFB Dominion 1, Elektron Analog Four & Octatrack
3. Jimmy Jam - MFB Dominion 1 - "Another day, another recording of the D1. Lots of overdubbed instruments including the D1, acoustic drums, various Elektron gear, a yamaha CS reface, real baby grand, the list goes on. D1 starts ripping about 2 minutes to close the piece out on a high note."
"I had 2 hours to kill this wintry afternoon and decided to heat things up like we do in Ohio; with some space funk. This is as funky as a white guy from the suburbs can get. For the gear dudes the 0 - Coast is holding down the bass (courtesy of the D1) with the Tanzmaus (grit) and the OT (funky swing) holding down the drums. There's some drumbrute in there but got lost in the mix."
"Every sound you hear is made using these instruments by Keith McMillen (QuNexus & K-Mix), Make Noise, and Empress Effects. In addition a Korg SQ-1 is used for a couple of the patterns. It's about 20 tracks of the 0-coast layered, this is just the last one I added. It's a fast 7-beat rhythm that remains constant throughout.
This is part of my project to record a piece every day for the month of January using only what you see here and a laptop. This is my first successful attempt at doing a video, but you can listen to the rest on my soundcloud if you're interested.
"Experimenting with some self-generating patches (drones) no midi, no fx, no master. Just pure 0-coast tasty sounds. Love this little box of boundless sonic treasures."
"My Roland JX-8P synthesizer had developed a problem in the left channel: Sometimes the sound would disappear but I could bring it back by moving the plugs on the back side back and forth. So I knew that it was probably a bad connection somewhere.
The music in this video is 'Remember the nights' by The Motels which I play in a somewhat understated fashion. In addition to the Roland JX-8P I also used Roland CR-68 for the rhythm, Siel DK-80 for the bass, Korg Poly-800 for the strings, and Elka EM-44 and Casio CZ-101 for the rest."
"We're getting set to do our full review of the Roland System-8 poly synth. Please leave any questions in the comments below and we'll do our best to answer them in the full review - which we'll be completing when we get back from NAMM."
"The Monologue Synthesizer is the latest monophonic analog Synthesizer by KORG. The Ring Modulation is a lovely feature inside the Monologue. Here is a quick demo."
"Episode 8 of #jamuary2017 Everything is being played back on the Elektron Analog RYTM and KORG Volca Keys. Kick, clap, high hats are from the RYTM. Bass and stab / pad are samples I created. Volca Keys is playing the lead Chord.
If you don't know what jamuary2017 is all about, It's an an idea by @cuckoomusic(www.youtube.com/user/cuckoomusic) He challenged people to upload a jam once a day. I'm taking him up on this challenge.
::Hardware::
Elektron Analog RYTM
Korg Volca Keys
Panasonic G7 - 25MM G Lens
iPhone 7 Plus
"A groovy Tech House tune on the little mighty MicroBrute.
Sub bass, house pluck, metalizer, modulated lead, portamento sequence: Arturia MicroBrute
(The drums and FX are done in the Sonar DAW)"
This Eurorack / modular synth module is an excellent noise generator, with High Pass Filter frequency and crossfading between another audio source and the built in oscillator stack measured from their own TR-606.
Perfect for customizing your type of noise, and I highly recommend for hi-hats as well.
First section sweeps through each of the knobs, then midway through I added some CV inputs via LFOs and some triggering by the Malekko Varigate 4.
The entire mix was fed through an Erica Synths Black Hole DSP granular delay with some feedback.
This module outputs mono. The DSP created the stereo effects for this video."
"Short hardware synth jam, inspired by 80s synthwave music.
I have used the following :-
Korg Arp Odyssey - Bass
Vermona Mono Lancet - Lead 1 (panned left a little)
Roland JU06 - Lead 2 (panned right a little)
Access Virus Ti - Pads and outro bell like lead.
Drums were handled in Ableton Live using Sonic Academy Kick 2 and a loop from Sonic Academys synthwave sample pack.
Vocals are via Ableton Live from Black Octopus Echoes by Holly Drummond sample pack.
All synths were sequenced in Live with clips (awkwardly) triggered with a combination of keyboard shortcuts and mouse clicks! My Push 2 can't come soon enough......."
Korg Arp Odyssey Synthwave(ish) Bass Demo
Published on Dec 30, 2016 BluffMunkey
"This thing turned up little more than an hour ago, and I couldn't wait to get it on bass duty!
In this video the JU-06 is doing the repeating arpeggiated synth line and the rest is samples from Sonic Academy Synthwave pack.
Playlist:
Introducing the Next Generation of MPC: X and Live
Standalone Challenge: Bryan Michael-Cox
MPC Lounge: Clip Launch
MPC Lounge: Audio Tracks
Standalone Challenge: Zaytoven
Sound on Sound Akai Pro — MPC X Overview & Demo
Sound on Sound Akai Pro — MPC Live Overview & Demo
"The next generation of MPC is here. Introducing the MPC X and MPC Live, brand new standalone Music Production Centers powered by MPC 2.0 software. Separate from the Pack. Standalone.
MPC X Features:
• Standalone MPC – no computer required
• 10.1” full-color multi-touch display
• Also acts as a control surface for MPC 2.0 software
• 16 Touch-capacitive Q-Link controls with OLED displays
• Turntable (RCA) inputs with ground peg
• 16GB of on-board storage (over 10GB of sound content included)
• User-expandable 2.5” SATA drive connector (SSD or HDD)
• 2 MIDI inputs, 4 MIDI Outputs
• 8 configurable CV/Gate outputs for the analog control of modular gear, such as classic synths
• 2 USB-A 3.0 slots for thumb drives or MIDI controllers
• Ableton Link and WiFi will be supported in future updates
MPC Live Features:
• Standalone MPC – no computer required
• 7-inch full-color multi-touch display
• Also acts as a control surface for MPC 2.0 software
• Internal, rechargeable lithium-ion battery
• Turntable (RCA) inputs with ground peg
• 16GB of on-board storage (over 10GB of sound content included)
• User-expandable 2.5” SATA drive connector (SSD or HDD)
• 2 pairs of MIDI inputs and outputs
• 2GB of RAM
• SD Card slot
• 2 USB-A 3.0 slots for thumb drives or MIDI controllers
• Ableton Link and WiFi will be supported in future updates
MPC 2.0 Software Features
• New graphical interface
• Audio track recording
• Real-time time-stretching and pitch-shifting
• Clip Program mode for clip launching workflow
• Reimagined mixer layout – resizable faders, an adaptive channel strip, a dedicated audio track
editing window, resizable waveform view
• Advanced signal routing capability - submixes, FX returns, multi-output plugin support
• More efficient and streamlined MPC workflow
• Audio and MIDI drag and drop
• Enhanced QLink Control"
And the press releases:
"AKAI® PROFESSIONAL REIGNS SUPREME WITH NEW MPC® XTM, THE ULTIMATE STANDALONE BEAT PRODUCTION EXPERIENCE
Standalone Music Production Center goes back to the future to deliver the most powerful beat production machine to date
Cumberland, RI USA (January 9, 2017) — Akai Professional, a leading manufacturer of music equipment for performers and producers, today announced the newest addition to the iconic MPC line, the MPC X. In creating the X, Akai Professional has taken the lessons from every MPC that preceded it to engineer a production centerpiece truly fit to be the flagship Music Production Center of the future.
The new MPC X is a standalone MPC featuring a beautiful, full-color 10.1” multi-touch screen and 16 amazingly responsive, velocity- and pressure-sensitive RGB pads. Rounding out the controls are dedicated menu buttons, a large master encoder knob and 16 touch-sensitive 360o assignable pots (Q- Links) with OLED displays, perfect for precisely automating individual parameters and delivering expressively nuanced recordings.
Powering the mighty X is MPC 2.0TM, Akai Professional’s new update to the MPC software. Capable of running natively on the MPC X in standalone mode, MPC 2.0 can also be run from a Mac or PC with the X tethered to a computer. Among the new features added to 2.0 are: audio track recording, an improved time warp algorithm, enhanced Q-Link control, drag and drop audio/MIDI – all appearing on a new graphical interface.
Features
• Also acts as a control surface for MPC 2.0 software
• 16 Touch-capacitive Q-Link controls with OLED displays
• Turntable (RCA) inputs with ground peg
• 16GB of on-board storage (over 10GB of sound content included)
• User-expandable 2.5” SATA drive connector (SSD or HDD)
• 2 full-size MIDI inputs, 4 full-size MIDI Outputs
• 8 configurable CV/Gate outputs for the analog control of modular gear, such as classic synths
“In creating the concept for the MPC X we wanted to preserve the classic MPC feel and workflow that people love,” said Dan Gill, Product Manager for Akai Professional. “But we turned the idea on its head and incorporated the best of what a modern touch-screen interface can offer. What we have now is the most powerful MPC production experience ever.”
MPC Live will ship with an MSRP of $2999/$2199 MAP and will be available Q1 2017."
"AKAI® PROFESSIONAL ELECTRIFIES BOTH STUDIO AND STAGE WITH GAME-CHANGING MPC® LIVETM
Standalone Music Production Center combines power and portability to deliver pound-for-pound the best MPC to date
Cumberland, RI USA (January 9, 2017) — Akai Professional, a leading manufacturer of music equipment for performers and producers, today announced the newest addition to the iconic MPC line, the MPC Live. Starting with the immersive production workflow and game-altering performance breakthroughs introduced by the MPC Touch, Akai Professional ratchets up the stakes with MPC Live by adding standalone functionality.
At the heart of the new MPC Live is a beautiful, full-color 7-inch multi-touch screen and 16 amazingly responsive, velocity- and pressure-sensitive RGB pads, and a large, clickable master encoder knob. Featuring 2GB of RAM and 16GB of on-board storage, Live is as powerful as any MPC that has preceded it. But weighing in at just 5.5 lbs., MPC Live is compact enough to easily transport from studio to stage. The portability is taken even further with this MPC’s ability to run battery-powered via the internal, rechargeable lithium-ion battery.
Powering Live is MPC 2.0TM, Akai Professional’s new update to the MPC software. Capable of running natively on MPC Live in standalone mode, MPC 2.0 can also be run from a Mac or PC with the Live tethered to a computer. Among the new features added to 2.0 are: audio track recording, an improved time warp algorithm, enhanced Q-Link control, drag and drop audio/MIDI – all appearing on a new graphical interface.
Features
• Also acts as a control surface for MPC 2.0 software
• Internal, rechargeable lithium-ion battery
• Turntable (RCA) inputs with ground peg
• 16GB of on-board storage (over 10GB of sound content included)
• User-expandable 2.5” SATA drive connector (SSD or HDD)
• 2 pairs of MIDI inputs and outputs
• 2GB of RAM
• SD Card slot
'The MPC Live is an absolute beast. It truly represents a huge step forward in the product category,” said Dan Gill, Product Manager for Akai Professional. “MPC Live is the most powerful MPC we’ve made to date and yet it’s portable enough to take anywhere.'
MPC Live will ship with an MSRP of $1999/$1199 MAP and will be available Q1 2017."
---
"AKAI® PROFESSIONAL DRIVES CREATIVITY TO NEW HEIGHTS WITH MPC® 2.0 MUSIC PRODUCTION SOFTWARE
Latest version of acclaimed composition software features audio track recording, clip launching, real- time audio warping, Audio and MIDI drag-and-drop, along with enhanced QLinkTM control.
Cumberland, RI USA (January 9, 2017) — Akai Professional, a leading manufacturer of music equipment for performers and producers, is showing their MPC 2.0 at Winter NAMM, the latest version of their acclaimed music production software. Compatible with Mac and PC, MPC 2.0 works either alone as your main DAW or integrates seamlessly with your current DAW as a VST or AU plug-in. It’s available with Akai Professional’s MPC X, MPC Live, MPC Touch and MPC Studio Black.
Reimagined GUI:
MPC Software 2.0’s redesigned GUI offers a vastly improved creative experience that enhances MPC’s revered workflow. Combining a reimagined mixer layout outfitted with resizable faders, an adaptive channel strip, a dedicated audio track editing window, resizable waveform view and much more, MPC Software 2.0 presents the ultimate platform for unrestricted creative versatility alongside must-have tools that deliver unprecedented surgical control.
Audio Tracks:
Capture, edit and mix up to 8 studio-grade resolution audio tracks in standalone mode (MPC X and MPC Live), or expand your track limit to an immense 128 tracks in controller mode. Furnished with critical audio recording functionality - including multi-track capture, selectable monitoring options (Off, On & Auto), monitoring via effects, Punch In/Out Recording and Record Start options – MPC Software 2.0 empowers producers, musicians and performers with core audio-capture and the convenience of full-featured standalone operation.
Edit, Mix, Create:
Used in conjunction with an Akai Professional MPC unit, performers and producers will find that MPC 2.0 will Edit, Mix and Create in a manner unmatched by any other production software. There is a comprehensive suite of audio editing tools: Pointer, Eraser, Audition, Scissors, Fade In, Fade Out, Reverse, Mute, Pitch Adjust and BPM Adjust. For mixing, users can automate any effect, instrument or mixer parameter. With its advanced signal routing capability—submixes, FX returns, multi-output plugin support (up to 16 stereo outputs) and more—there is virtually no limit to the versatility on tap for the artist.
Manipulate Tempo or Pitch:
With MPC Software 2.0, total-command of user’s audio is possible courtesy of a new real-time time- stretching and pitch shifting algorithm. Change the duration of any audio region, drum/keygroup sample or clip to match the tempo of your project with MPC Software’s real-time time-stretching or, use real- time high-quality pitch shifting to change the pitch of any audio region, drum/keygroup sample or clip for creative manipulation or to change the key of the source material. MPC 2.0 makes it easy to manipulate the time and pitch of any source material: a chopped vocal in an audio track, a drum loop in a clip program or an orchestral phrase loaded into a chromatic sampler program.
Perform:
For performers, MPC 2.0 brings their presentation to the next level. MPC Software’s XYFX and a Phrase Looper now combines with an all-new Clip Program mode powered by MPC’s real-time warping algorithm, providing users with an intuitive clip launch workflow and the ultimate platform for creative versatility. Features like Enhanced Q-Link functionality for precision control mapping of MPCs editable functions and selectable hardware outputs providing seamless assimilation into multiple usage scenarios make MPC 2.0 a powerful creative tool.
Versatility:
MPC 2.0 is versatile and adaptable as well. It supports WAV, MP3, AIFF, REX and SND, as well as supporting samples and sequences from any MPC ever made. There is full 64-bit support in all versions: standalone, VST, AAX and AU.
MPC Software v2.0
• Completely new graphical interface
• Audio track recording
• Real-time time-stretching and pitch-shifting
• Clip Program mode for clip launching workflow
• Reimagined mixer layout – resizable faders, an adaptive channel strip, a dedicated audio track
editing window, resizable waveform view and more
• Advanced signal routing capability - submixes, FX returns, multi-output plugin support (up to 16
stereo outputs) and more
• More efficient and streamlined MPC workflow
• Audio and MIDI drag and drop
• Enhanced QLink Control
“MPC 2.0 is the next generation of Akai Professional music production software, perfected by over a year of intense R & D,” said Dan Gill, Product Manager for Akai Professional. “This software suite really energizes the creative process for performers and producers alike, and is an indispensable part of our MPC’s amazing capability.”
MPC 2.0 is bundled with Akai Professional MPC hardware, and is available in Q1 2017. It will be available separately as an update for existing MPC customers at a later date, price TBD.
For more information, visit akaipro.com."
