Macbeth Elements Synthesizer VIDEO 1

Published on Mar 23, 2014 macbethsynthesizers·106 videos

"Presenting the MacBeth Elements Synthesizer!
The MacBeth Elements synthesizer is a full scale Electronic Music Synthesizer built around analogue circuits and sound!
Where to start? I get lost 7 minutes in!
This VIDEO 1.....Video 2 shortly!
The Elements Synthesizer is currently available to order at Alex 4/Schneiders Buero, Analogue Haven and Awave it can be bought directly as well"

MacBeth Elements SynthesizerVIDEO2

Published on Mar 24, 2014 macbethsynthesizers·108 videos

"Here is another video of the MacBeth Elements Synthesizer...more spaced out meanderings! I will be doing what I call *standard* demos....but some people seem to like the off beat stuff that I'm doing...! All sounds on here- one machine! Available for purchase from Analogue Haven/Schneiders/Alex4/Awave....and direct! Release date June 2014"

MacBeth Elements SynthesizerVIDEO3

Published on Mar 24, 2014

"Here's a slightly more dramatic video- a face off between the Elements Synthesizer and the MacBeth MK1 Monster 5U Modular Synthesizer! The keyboard and modulation functions are driving the bottom row of the Mk1 Modular - that is (including the Elements synthesizer) 6 audio oscillators. The Elements Spring Reverberator is well active here too....! The row above on the Mk1 is another 3 Oscillators/Mixer/Filter/EGs etc and that is being driven in a percussive way froma Korg SQ-10 Voltage Controlled sequencer...watch out for one of my (own) x-series modules fly out of the rack I'm at as I bash away! I wasn't screwed in- and it made a soft landing! As mentioned in previous videos- the Elements Synthesizer is available for pre-order from Analogue Haven/Schneiders'/Alex4 and Awave! THings should be out in June!"

MacBeth Elements Synthesizer VIDEO4 (A)

Published on Mar 25, 2014 macbethsynthesizers·109 videos

"Here's a short burst of arpeggiated sound coming from the MacBeth Elements synthesizer.....for me, it's a familiar sound from some of my favourite Brit records from the seventies! It's a short burst- and the demo is called VIDEO4 (A) as my darned cam battery ran out out of charge! I'll do 4 (B) shortly....but this gives you another taste of things coming!"

MacBeth VIDEO5: Elements Synth- Spring Reverberation- Send/Return

Published on Apr 9, 2014 macbethsynthesizers·110 videos

"This VIDEO5 of the Macbeth Elements synthesizer! Here I explore some of the qualities of the deep Spring Line Reverberator that come with the synth- there is a Send/Recieve to the Spring Line Tank- it's not just the Spring line that you can attach to the Elements- as was suggested to me at the Frankfurt Musik Messe- why not use other things too......towards the end of this video- I've connected a Yamaha RX50 that I dug out to experiment with. I use pitch shifting and echo! The best part of the Spring Line unit circuit that I've done- is that it is practically, noise free!"

MacBeth Elements Synthesizer VIDEO6: Look North.

Published on Apr 11, 2014 macbethsynthesizers·111 videos

"This is my Sixth video of the Elements Synthesizer which features the 'Send/Return' Jack on the back! I've coupled once again the somewhat ancient Yamaha RX-50 effector that I have here. Also used- a Korg Sq-10 sequencer and some of the MacBeth Mk1 5U modular units...I wanted to record this as I was pretty blown away by the hugeness of sound! Again- whilst plying the Elements- it's the control/tactile feel of the larger controls that makes this thing very instrumental/mental!"

VIDEO7: DRONE- LIKE! MacBeth Elements Synthesizer

Published on Apr 14, 2014 macbethsynthesizers·112 videos

"I recently got asked to do a drone-like video of the Elements Synthesizer.....! So, here I go- can't keep my hands off the synth though! Also included- some sample and hold from the Mk1 Modular....again, I've put the vintage Yamaha RX-50 in the effects loop instead of the Spring Reverberastion Tank!....and indeed, that curatain needs fixed!"

Macbeth Elements Sound 001

Published on Oct 7, 2015 verstaerker

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MacBeth Elements Synthesizer Videos 2 and 3

MacBeth Elements SynthesizerVIDEO2

Published on Mar 24, 2014 macbethsynthesizers·108 videos

"Here is another video of the MacBeth Elements Synthesizer...more spaced out meanderings! I will be doing what I call *standard* demos....but some people seem to like the off beat stuff that I'm doing...! All sounds on here- one machine! Available for purchase from Analogue Haven/Schneiders/Alex4/Awave....and direct! Release date June 2014"

MacBeth Elements SynthesizerVIDEO3

Published on Mar 24, 2014

"Here's a slightly more dramatic video- a face off between the Elements Synthesizer and the MacBeth MK1 Monster 5U Modular Synthesizer! The keyboard and modulation functions are driving the bottom row of the Mk1 Modular - that is (including the Elements synthesizer) 6 audio oscillators. The Elements Spring Reverberator is well active here too....! The row above on the Mk1 is another 3 Oscillators/Mixer/Filter/EGs etc and that is being driven in a percussive way froma Korg SQ-10 Voltage Controlled sequencer...watch out for one of my (own) x-series modules fly out of the rack I'm at as I bash away! I wasn't screwed in- and it made a soft landing! As mentioned in previous videos- the Elements Synthesizer is available for pre-order from Analogue Haven/Schneiders'/Alex4 and Awave! THings should be out in June!"

Part 1 here.

MacBeth Elements Synthesizer Musikmesse Videos

Playlist:
MESSE 2014 MacBeth Elements Synthesizer Published on Mar 14, 2014 sonicstate·765 videos
MESSE 14: MacBeth Elements Synthesizer Published on Mar 14, 2014 Future Music Magazine·401 videos
Ken Macbeth on Elements at MusikMesse 2014a Published on Mar 14, 2014 AudioCentralMagazine·202 videos
Ken Macbeth on Elements at MusikMesse 2014b Published on Mar 14, 2014 AudioCentralMagazine·202 videos
Musikmesse 2014 MacBeth Elements Published on Mar 14, 2014 Analogue Zone Showroom / Hangszer·29 videos

Macbeth Elements

Published on May 15, 2015 verstaerker

"trying out Macbeth Elements"

Macbeth Elements tweaking pt2

Published on May 18, 2015 verstaerker

"another tweak&joy on the elements @ SchneidersLaden
the audio quality is not the best as the mic settings were not optimal an there was quite a bit of bg-noise
next time i try to get a line-recording"

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Full Details on the New MacBeth Elements Synthesizer Including Price

price : $6,499.00

Pics of SN 000

"Out of the macbeth stable comes this year's analogue synthesizer sensation! the macbeth elements synthesizer and the macbeth elements eurorack series in 84hp units.

once again, the no comprimise in sound and build quality philiosophy is imeadiately apparent- as are the ergonomics that synth designer, ken macbeth sees as an important issue in the design of his instruments!

if you desire 'that' sound- look no further, if you desire the 'real' feel of a traditional analogue synthesizer- these instruments are what it's all about. in the world where economy decides how contemporary instruments are laid out- macbeth views this differently. historically, mr macbeth has designed instruments with large controls- basing an emphasis on user 'playability' – coming from the old school himself- macbeth instruments reflect a passion for ergonomics and ease of play. many contemporary designers are lost in the world of the minature, compacting as much as can fit within the width of a penny...not so here. and, importantly, it's the sound too- in this world of robot built audio gear- the designs offered reflect a truly vintage character- apart from midi...the circuits are purely analogue- all macbeth synthesizers or modules are built from the same, exact type of parts that the manufacturers of old used to use to get 'that' sound that we all desire...and that comes from not just the old school parts, but from the old school design, from the circuit boards up!

introducing elements:
" ...around about november of 2013, i began to realize some ideas that i'd been mulling over for some time- the ideas that i was having were to make larger sized modules, with larger sized controls built in to them as a set- or series of modules that were not necessarily aimed at the tradtion formats of 3u modular, or even 5u modular. it's tradtional for me to design synthesizers and now a tradition to design modules where the user gets more than just the original module function. on my x-series dual oscillator (for example) – i designed the oscillators first- then added ancilliary functions such as attenuators, ring modulation and noise- infact- a full bodied, multiple sound source module with 'matched' circuits to give 'that' sound. i'm not known for design simple, plain functioning equipment! the dual oscillator and it's partner, the 'backend' filter broke the mould in the eurorack camp because while everyone else was making things smaller- it turned out that i was making things bigger...and of course, the reason for that was the control size on the panel...and ultimately the complex circuits built from the older, tradtional, larger parts.

the elements became an idea that i was fixed on. i wanted to make a real sized synthesizer panel that had top quality features in it and without sonic compromise. i bought some aluminium panels (which just happened to be 84 hp) and started work. during this time- i also thought that i'd like to go down the 'british look' style...from my very early days i had always like the looks of two british synthesizers of old- the dewtron synthesizer and the ems. finding that those and indeed, radio ham equipment were the traditional vernier dial- plus the availability of real cliff knobs...i set about making element one! element one is the first in a series of five elements modules- well, there has to be a fifth element!

element one is a full scale synthesizer voice and contains some rather ubiquitous and desirable features...one of them being a seriously acidic voltage controlled filter. the signal path is like this- two of my modified x-series oscillators- prone to emphasise a 'glitch'.common to sawtooth oscillators, converting to triangle and sine. trimmers on the rear allow the user to 'preset' the glitch, or 'spike' as i call it. infact- the trimmers on the rear of the elements one module can be twisted and tweaked so that the user themselves can dial in the sound of their module! play away...

the diode ladder filter came from a series of experiments that i did in my quest to find a filter that had both depth and substance that didn't distort when approaching 'high q' or resonance...some good, some bad, some excellent! experimentation is where it comes from!

the sound is both fat and delightful! you have two vcos, noise, lot's of cross mod, sync, a crazy filter and two punchy envelope generators...and what sets the element one apart from mixing and matching modules, is that each 'element' in this module is perfectly matched to the other, sonically!

...so, the result was top...

while playing the element one module with the touch keyboard that i'd developed- it occurred to me- that both the module and the keyboard could be integrated together! and if they could be integrated together- why not go the whole way and make a full scale synth out of this! ideas came together...and fast.....i decided to add yet another oscillator for that full 3 oscillator sound...and also i felt that the inclusion of a fourth modulating oscillator had to be. and while i was at it- make that modulating oscillator a fully blown vco/lfo....born is the elements synthesizer! it's a lightweight, thin, compact synthesizer that take in external cv and gate, sends out cv and gate to external voltage controlled equipment, and when you don't need to use that dynamic touch keyboard- you can use midi to control it!

i've gone on a bit here...........time for you to try!
rock on........ken macbeth 19/03/14 "

vco2: 5 waveforms: ramp, square, enhance, triangle, sine.
multi turn vernier dial tuning frequency: 1 hz ~ 20khz and beyond.
volume output direct to vcf.

shared enhance rate between vco1 and vco2, variable from slow ~ fast.

vco3: 6 waveforms: ramp, square,triangle, sine, saw, s&h
multi turn vernier dial tuning frequency: 0.01 hz ~ 20khz and beyond. transpose switch: lo, -2, -1, 0, +1, +2.
cv on/off switch.
vco3 hard synchronization to vco2.
volume output direct to vcf or cross modulate vco2.

temperature compensated vc low frequency oscillator/oscillator (vco4): 6 waveforms: ramp, square,triangle, sine, saw, s&h. frequency rate variable from slow ~ fast- approx: 0.01 hz ~ 20khz and beyond. cv on/off switch. fast ~ slow switch. s&h selector switch: noise source or vco3 source. mod vco3 potentiometer, mod vcf potentionmeter, audio to vcf potentiometer, large global modulation potentiometer.

noise generator: white noise, pink noise. volume output direct to vcf and s&h circuits.

external audio input amplifier: volume output to vcf or ring modulator.

ring modulator: mc1469 based double balanced modulator. inputs: vco1 sine, vco2 sine or external audio input amplifier. volume output direct to vcf.

voltage controlled filter/ resonator (vcf): self oscillating, 5 'rung' diode ladder type approximating 32db/octave roll off slope. self correcting volume gain at high 'q' (response). cv/keyboard tracking switch: off (centre) half, full. vco3 modulation potentiometer, vcf eg sweep potentiometer. pure sine output at maximum resonance/reponse. targeted to ca3080 based voltage controlled amplifier (vca)

vcf envelope generator: full attack, decay, sustain, release with long ~ short timing switch. vcf eg polarity switch: positive or negative going slopes. vcf eg > vco3 sweep switch.

vca envelope generator: full attack, decay, sustain, release with long ~ short timing switch.

tape delay simulator: input direct from vca. delay time potentiometer, delay modulation potentiometer, delay modulation control switch: vc lfo ~ kbd cv, delay repeats potentiometer, delay mix potentiometer. final output to spring reverberator circuit.

spring reverberator: external spring line tank connect via ¼" jack socket, standard tank supplied: compact belton/accutronics bmn3bb2c1 for wall/under desk mounting. other tanks/accesorries can be used.

keyboard: touch capacitive gold plated articulator allows 4 octave f ~ f chromatic span.
control source via switch can be touch keyboard, midi or external cv/gate. keyboard can send 1v/octave and +12v gate signals from outputs on the rear of the unit to suitable ancilliary equipment, ie, external vc synthesizer/vc synthesizer modules.

other controls: ultrabender: dynamic pitch bend + - 2 octaves either side with dead band in the centre of play. master tune- + - ½ octave either side. global portamento- applies to all cv controls.

rear section interface: midi in/thru, cv in, gate in, vco1 cv in, vco2 cv in, vco 3 cv in, vcf cv in, external audio in, cv out, gate out, synth out, power in.

dimensions: 19.2" width, 15.1" depth, 2.0" height. with detachable rubber feet: 2.15" height."

Details via Analogue Haven.

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Macbeth Elements Transformations

Published on Feb 19, 2016 Todd Barton

"For me the essence of synthesis is transformation. Here is a brief exploration of transforming a single patch/tone of the Macbeth Elements synthesizer via the VC LFO/Oscillators waveshapes and the Bender and Modulate knobs."

Update:

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Macbeth Elements vs MI Elements

Published on Mar 3, 2016 Dudadius

"Patch Notes:

In reality, this video is more an exploration of the Macbeth Elements than a head-to-head smackdown. The Mutable Instruments Elements is just used as a counter melody, really. But as the naming controversy was brewing right as I ordered the Macbeth two years ago (worth the wait!), I knew that once I received it, a patch featuring the two Elements would be the first thing I do.

This patch is driven by the Monome Teletype, being triggered by Monome Meadowphysics. There are two sequence rows in the tracker, one for sending note data to each Elements. Other scripts are altering the length and some of the notes of each sequence at counted intervals, triggered by other rows of MP (Scripts are shown at 11:06, if you’re interested).

Monome White Whale is triggering the percussion. Things get a little wobbly at one point, as Meadowphysics starts dividing outside of the beat, but never mind… Audio Damage Neuron is going through a Mutable Instruments Clouds (sorry, Chris, hehe) for a little granular beat variety. And the hat is Noise Engineering Ataraxic Translatron through an Intellijel Polaris. There’s a touch of Modcan Dual Delay on the latter. All mixed through Cwejman MX4S and Intellijel Dubmix.

The Macbeth really is special. It of course has the ‘sound’ many of you know and love of Ken’s instruments (to me, big and organic) but it’s the arrangement of controls that turns it into a real instrument that begs to be played. That’s what I tried to feature here. I switch from filter mode B to A at 8:36, so you can hear the difference. I can’t recall the difference between the two modes now, because I know Ken played with a lot of variations, but they each have their own sweet spots, with the A mode have a more gradual cutoff slope. The interaction of the spring reverb and the tape delay simulator brings a ton of vibe to the table, for sure.

Anyway, fantastic work Ken, I feel lucky to have an Elements! Of course, I always love Olivier’s devilishly clever and deep modules as well. Enjoy!"

Macbeth Elements Videos by VGU39

VENUS from VGU39 on Vimeo.

Improvisation with Macbeth "Elements" synthetizer - reverb and delay: Eventide "H9"

BLOW from VGU39 on Vimeo.

Improvisation with Macbeth "Elements"

© 2018 VGU39

VENUS from VGU39 on Vimeo.

Improvisation with Macbeth "Elements" synthetizer - reverb and delay: Eventide "H9"

MacBeth Elements 2 - rare black, only 30 made

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

"A rare opportunity is here

My knee surgeon did not want to be paid in gear, so ...

Here is a MacBeth Elements 2. One of only about 30 made in the black and gold styling.

For those of you that know, this is one of those special synths that sound unlike anything else on the planet.

For those of you that don't know, here's a quick feature rundown:
3 VCOs, a voltage-controlled LFO that can track and function as a 4th oscillator, Low pass filter that can be switched between 2 and 4 pole responses, two ADSR envelopes, extensive modulation section plus Ring Mod, Noise, and an external input, Spring reverb and vintage-sounding delay with feedback and modulation. A beautiful 37 note touch keyboard.

When Ken came up with the Elements 2 as a successor to the original silver Elements, he took the opportunity to add some often requested features. So, new to the Elements 2 is an additional sync switch that allows you to sync VCO 3 to VCO 2 (there already is a sync 2 to 1 switch), separate Enhance control for VCO 2 (kind of like a dedicated PWM for the square wave, but the Elements 2 has 2 of them instead of just one) so you can modulate the pulse width without tieing up the LFO.

Around the back is a huge bonus - separate outputs for the VCOs. If you've ever tried to change the pitch of a VCO in the middle of a complicated patch with lots of filtering, modulation, and effects, you know how challenging that can be at times. With the separate outs, simply run a cable from the VCO you need to a tuner and Bam!, you're done in seconds without having to tear down your patch."

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Macbeth's Elements Synthesizer Droning (Have a Nice Trip)

Published on Jan 1, 2018 martinjazz78

"(For your maximum experience good speakers or headphones are recommended while watching the video)

Ken Macbeth's Elements Synthesizer droning while ring modulated with Moogerfooger MF-102. Its Carrier Out goes into Ext. Amp In on the Elements and gets pretty bad, I would say.

Modulations option on the Elements Synthesizer are indeed very complex and rich and quickly gets you to rather distant galaxies. On-board delay (also heavily modulated) adds great organic feel. If you may, listen also with subwoofer, so you enjoy also the Elements' low end pumping.

Only Elements' internal on-board effects (reverb and delay) used. No further processing. Tweaked live on the fly, no over-dubbing etc.

I hope you are having a nice trip and your landing is going to be safe ;)"

Macbeth Elements EL2 + Extras SN EL2 - 058

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via this auction

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Macbeth Elements

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

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MacBeth Elements first prototype and Elements last prototype

Published on Jul 18, 2014 macbethsynthesizers

"Here is one of 4 demos featuring the last pre factory MacBeth Elements prototype and it's first! A quick sketch- driven by a Korg Prophecy in arpeggiator mode- Elements #000 driving Elements #101....it's a rough recording!"

Macbeth Elements EL2 SN 058

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

"This last unit available bought directly from Ken Macbeth in November 2019 from private collection.

Description of synth from Sneiders Laden:
... the Black Elements features a classical, subtractive signal flow. A closer look then reveals some cool oddities like unconventional filter slopes, extensively equipped modulators, a band echo simulation and a spring reverb. The Elements EL-2 features a completely discrete circuit design. Its sound is creamy and fat at the same time. Thanks to NOS components, the instrument has a nice vintage vibe. Compared to its predecessor, the EL-2 offers some very useful additions. – Especially its three oscillators have been extended considerably.

The outstanding synth has 3 VCOs, a tape echo simulator, a filter/resonator combination, a spring reverb, and really large modulation potentiomenters. Also the sound is huge but what really stands out (optically) is the golden touch keyboard with quick response.
The Elements has a CV and gate input socklet pair, several CV inputs, e.g. for separate VCO control, filter cutoff and for the VCA. A spring reverb line in/out socket is installed as well.

EL2 Changes listed below.

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MacBeth Elements Jam 003 | Sound 004

Published on Oct 13, 2015 verstaerker

Macbeth Elements Sound 004

Published on Oct 13, 2015

"Macbeth Elements Sound 004 - the power of the Ultrabender"

All parts here.

Saturday BaSh- MacBeth M3X and MacBeth Elements!

Published on Feb 21, 2015 macbethsynthesizers

"Nearly 15 years ago came my first commercial product...theE MacBeth M3X.....seen here now with my 2015 blaster, the MacBeth Elements Synthesizer! The M3X is doing the bass stuff- the Elements most of the lead stuff. There is much Tape Delay Simulator and Spring Reverberator stuff going on here...as for say, apologies as usual for the second rate keyboardmanship....but as you possibly can tell, in the hands a of a skilled player....it's some machine!"

Macbeth Elements Jam

Published on Feb 7, 2016 kpsiegel

"I decided to make a video of me playing with my Macbeth Elements synth. This was for my fun. I didn't use the internal reverb or delay. The reverb/delay combo was from my Eventide H3000 D/SE and I put the Elements through my Overstayer Instrument Driver to give it some additional love. I popped a drum loop in there just to put a beat down for some fun.

I had the ultrabender set to mod only VCO3 and I had VCO3 in the audio path. It also was being used to do filter mods. At one point I crank up some pink noise also. You can also here a sawtooth LFO coming in at one point to modify the filter cutoff also.

I switched back and forth between the A and B filter types. They are both awesome. The A filter is definitely the acid monster. The B filter is just chewy goodness. I had it set up to play via midi with my Axiom 61 controller.

All hail Ken Macbeth for this fine synth! Well done sir."

Macbeth Elements Unsuspected SFX

Published on Mar 7, 2016 Todd Barton

"The fifth in a series of explorations. Here is a sequence of self-generating Sound Effects . . . the Elements synth's Gate is in Repeat mode."

A search on Macbeth Elements Barton will bring up previous posts.

Macbeth - Elements demo 1

Published on Mar 27, 2015 Chris Allen

"A video of me trying the new Macbeth Elements analog monosynth. Yes, I had my phone the wrong way around.

Recorded @ 96k 24 via a Neve 1073DPA & Avid HD IO. No processing of any kind has been added - what you hear is the signal coming out of the Elements.

WAV download here: http://bit.ly/1F0emnN"