MATRIXSYNTH: Monday, January 22, 2018

Monday, January 22, 2018

See @ NAMM! PANOPTIGON Prototype - New 2018 Optigan / Orchestron Disc Player

Published on Jan 22, 2018 optigandotcom

"This is a brief run-down of the main features of the PANOPTIGON, a prototype MIDI-controlled Optigan/Orchestron disc player (suitable for stage or studio) built by Robert Becker. Those attending Winter NAMM 2018 can see and play this unit for themselves at Quilter Labs - Booth 15120. Note that this unit is a PROTOTYPE / Proof-of-Concept unit, and does not necessarily reflect the design and/or feature set of any future production model. At this time, we cannot provide any estimates on pricing or availability- the unit is still in the R&D phase.

The Panoptigon will play vintage Optigan/Orchestron discs from the 1970s as well as the new line of discs made by optigan.com since 2008. Our new line of discs provide additional functionality, as they have strobe lines printed on them which allow for automatic tuning, transpose, pitch bend, and even mechanical vibrato. Vintage discs were never printed with such strobe lines, and thus are not compatible with these extended features, but will otherwise play nicely and sound better than ever. All the lo-fi you love, presented in the hi-fi you need!

The unit comes with an onboard DSP effects processor, which provides reverb as well as other basic effects such as flange.

Control is via MIDI- in this case, a basic MIDI controller keyboard.

The audio heard in this demo is direct from the unit, with no additional post-processing applied. The slight distortion you hear when the reverb is turned on is an artifact of Youtube's horrible audio compression.

For more information about the Optigan and Orchestron, please visit http://www.optigan.com"

The PANOPTIGON was first featured here on MATRIXSYNTH.

BEMI Easel - Nans

Published on Jan 22, 2018 Jae Ryan

"It's not mine. It's a friends. It's an amazing instrument. I MAY or MAY not buy one right away. This was my first sit down with it.

What a thing of joy."

Lyra 8 - Forward

Published on Jan 22, 2018 Kyle Swisher

"Lyra-8 through an Eventide Space reverb. Recorded to 1/4 inch tape at 7 1/2 ips."

Dave Smith Instruments In The Spotlight With the Prophet-6 and Dan Zank

You can find the full interview on DSI's website here.

"Starting out his career primarily as a jazz piano player, Dan Zank has toured the world with a host of artists ranging from Maynard Ferguson to Blood Sweat & Tears. Dan eventually left behind a life on the road to work as a full-time composer for Yessian Music. Through Yessian, Dan has composed music for television, including show themes, live events, and commercial music for many global brands. He has also worked extensively in the Themed Entertainment and Experiential industries, scoring attractions in multiple cities throughout the United States, UAE, China, and Europe.

His work has been recorded or performed by The Budapest Film Orchestra, Bratislava Symphony Orchestra and Choir, Seattle Music Symphony, New York Philharmonic, Detroit Symphony and St. Louis Symphony orchestras, and he has worked in some of the most famed studios throughout the world, including recent work at Abbey Road Studios in London, and George Lucas’ Skywalker Ranch in California.

Dan’s work as a composer and arranger has garnered a multitude of awards, including New York Festivals awards, Addy awards, two London International Awards, a Telly Award, an AMP Award, and multiple D Show Awards. Dan has also received Best Original Score and #1 Music/Sound Design Chart accolades from Creativity, Screen, and Shoot Magazines.

We chatted with Dan about how he’s using the Prophet-6 and OB-6."

You can find previous posts featuring DSI's Spotlight series here.

The Blipblox Hardware Desktop Synthesizer & Drum Machine by Playtime Engineering

"Introducing the Blipblox - a synthesizer and beatbox designed to promote creativity and audio exploration. Its unique physical design is easy-to-use and safe for children as young as 3 years old. Its professional features and nearly endless ability to create new sounds make it fun and captivating for everyone!

The Blipblox is not your typical music toy. Instead of generic keyboard sounds, the Blipblox uses a proprietary algorithm that synthesizes completely unique waveforms. You don't just play notes on the Blipblox, you actually design your own soundwave."

Yes it is real. :)

"The Blipblox is making its debut at NAMM. Visit us at booth #10900 January 25-28, Anaheim, California"

Published on Jan 21, 2018 Blipblox Explorer Channel

"Hear the the wide range of fun sounds you can create on the Blipblox."

Kind of cool seeing more synth centric toys like this and the Dato Duo designed for all ages.

via https://blipblox.com

Kid-friendly & kid-safe.

Colorful knobs & buttons are easy for little hands to twist & press.

Multi-color LED light show is synchronized to the music.

Durable plastic design is drop & splash resistant.

Algorithm & system flow learning provides STEM experience beyond music play.

"Active capture" knobs & buttons so little hands can't remove them.

Powered by batteries or AC adapter.

Professional features.

MIDI input for an external keyboard or sequencer controller.

Eight unique oscillator modulation schemes.

One Low Pass Filter.

Two Envelope Generators.

Two LFOs.

3-in/3-out modulation matrix.

Performance Mode optimizes device display for music production.

Audio Output jack.

Synthesis for all.

No music experience needed! Have fun just exploring the new sounds, or dig deeper to learn the signal path and master the synthesis engine.

Built-in sequencer comes loaded with hundreds of unique melodies to explore.

Integrated drum machine.

All of the fun of sound synthesis in a simplified, low-cost device.

Moog (MuSonics-Era) Minimoog Model D Vintage Analog Synthesizer

Published on Jan 22, 2018 NIGHT SKY SOUND

"This MiniMoog was built in 1972 during the time when Moog merged with muSonics. It's been completely restored, and is beautiful. It was meticulously calibrated at 72º F. However, when the video was shot, we had a cold spell here in LA, which slightly affected the tuning across the entire range. Not a big deal, as this is a living, breathing instrument....the Stradivarius of synthesizers. Please enjoy this journey through the sounds of the MiniMoog!"

Liquid Sky Berlin w/ Twisted Electrons "crazy8beats" & Erica Synths "drumseq" Prototypes

intergalactic beachbar jam w/ prototypes twisted electrons "crazy8beats" & erica synths "drumseq"

Published on Jan 21, 2018 lsb.TV

Two videos featuring Twisted Electrons "crazy8beats" & Erica Synths "drumseq" prototypes by Liquid Sky Berlin. You can see a pic of the system used further below. You can find details on crazy8beats just posted below, here, and drumseq here.

trippy spaced out jam by daniel katzenstab & dr walker
"intergalactic beachbar"
with the prototypes of
twisted electrons "crazy8beats" &
erica synths "drumsequencer"
& "picodrums"
www.twisted-electrons.com
www.ericasynths.lv
www.gearpornberlin.com

shot at "textur"s place in berlin kreuzberg
additional synths created with ipad apps "animoog" & "synthx"

twisted electrons "crazy8beats" erica synths "pico drums" & "drumsequencer" #gearpornberlin

Published on Jan 21, 2018 lsb.TV

short glitchy noisey jam with the prototypes of
twisted electrons "crazy8beats" &
erica synths "drumsequencer"
& "picodrums"

Twisted Electrons Crazy8Beats Now Available for Pre-Order - New Pics and Details

"Crazy8 Beats is a stand-alone desktop sequencer that can also be installed as a 40HP module in a eurorack system

8 Hybrid Analog/MIDI Tracks
8 MIDI tracks on 2 ports
8 Analog Trigger outputs
Variable Accent/CV output per step

MIDI velocity amount, CC modulation, or both per step.
8BIT 0-5V Analog CV output per step
Trigger input/output to sync Crazy8Beats to other devices
MIDI input to receive MIDI clock and set up parameters
MIDI Clock sent on both ports
16 patterns per track
Up to 16 steps per pattern
Individual patterns change per voice (or all at once)
Up to 16 patterns can be chained to create a song
4 play modes per track (forward, reverse,ping pong, random)
Copy, Paste, Clearing of patterns
8 Levels of Swing per track
Crazy feature enables probability and live remixing of patterns
Rhythmic Drill effect with variable rate
16 Pads can be used to punch record patterns live or program visually.

The pads are backlit to provide visual feedback of the pattern you are programming and the tracks that are active.

64 Step LEDs enable you to see 4 tracks advance at any time."

This one in via Liquid Sky Berlin.

Noise Engineering NAMM 2018 Announcements - New Eurorack & 5U

Coming Soon: Spring 2018 releases Published on Jan 22, 2018 Noise Engineering

Coming soon: Mimetic Digitalis Published on Jan 22, 2018
"NAMM 2018 teaser for the upcoming Mimetic Digitalis. MD is a CV step sequencer that allows a shit ton of control."

Additional details via Noise Engineering:

"The NAMM Show (the National Association of Music Merchants) is upon us once again. If you have no idea what this is, it's an annual trade show extravaganza held each January in Anaheim. Last year, over 100,000 people passed through the Anaheim Convention Center according to their tally. That's to say: it's big.

In preparation for NAMM this year, Stephen and I are giving you, our illustrious blog readers, the first glimpse at our NAMM roll-outs this year. This year, we've got a larger booth, and we'll have some great people helping out showing off our gear. Stop by and say hello to us and our pals! We're in booth 10702 in the A wing. You'll know you're close when you find modular synthesizer mayhem.

We're focusing on the items we plan to push in the first quarter of 2018 (but we'll have lots of the older stuff on hand if you're still looking to try it out!). This quarter's crop includes a few small, focused, utility modules:

Bin Seq: a 4 HP switchable gate sequencer.

Muta Jovis: 4 HP switchable quad mute. Works well with Noise Eng rhythm generators such as Numeric Repetitor and Zularic Repetitor.

Soleo Vero: that 4 HP tuner we've been talking about for a while? It's coming! A patch-through stroboscope tuner. Tune up to three oscillators without having to patch/unpatch. The stroboscope makes it possible to tune without sound on!

Of course we have a couple of other goodies:

Clep Diaz: 4 HP Complex/multimode CV generator. Use Clep Diaz to generate stepped, random, or LFO CVs where you have control over directionality of the CV (up, up/down, or down) and over the nature of the CV signal:

In Step & Rand mode, choose the number of steps in the cycle

In LFO mode, control the amplitude of the LFO

Mimetic Digitalis: 10 HP 16-step two-dimensional CV sequencer optimized for live use. At its simplest, MD is a simple two-dimensional 16-step sequencer with 4 CV outs and a trigger out. Pause the clock to individually program each step...or...
use the encoder to live edit patterns
zero any step or combination of patterns with the Zero button
create a randomized, rhythmic CV with the Shred button
Edit to your heart's content, and return to your initial pattern (like a chorus!) with the touch of a button.
And it wouldn't be a Noise Eng product if we didn't give you lots of CV control!

But that's not all. At NAMM, we're also showing our foray into the 5U format. We'll have Basimilus Iteritas Magnus on hand, but we are pleased to announced that we will be releasing three of our oscillators: Basimilus Iteritas Magnus, Cursus Iteritas Magnus, and Manis Iteritas Magnus in 5U. Look for those for simultaneous release in the next few months. For those of you paying attention, a portion of the proceeds from the Manis Iteritas Magnus, like the Eurorack version Manis Iteritas, will be donated to Save Pangolins.org. Buy a module, save an endangered species!

And finally, we are announcing the release of ten limited-edition, unique 60-hp cases. Each case is handmade of aluminum and will come with a power supply and a different, bespoke set of Noise Engineering modules. Available only at www.noiseengineering.us, cases will be released over the next few months. Watch our social media and mailing list for details.

We're looking forward to seeing a lot of users and retailers at NAMM. If you're at the show, please stop by and say hello! We're at booth 10702.

Strymon Introduces Their First Eurorack Module - Magneto Four Head dTape Echo and Looper

Published on Jan 22, 2018 strymon

"Strymon DSP and Sound Designer Pete Celi gives a preview of Magneto Four Head dTape Echo and Looper, and talks about why we decided to get into modular."

"Interstellar Space Machine.
Create expansive soundscapes and evolving, otherworldly tones. Add layers upon layers of harmonic and rhythmic complexity within an enveloping stereo field. Infuse your rack with vintage warmth and retrofuturistic soul.

Tape Delay, Looper, And More.
Packed with powerful features while maintaining intuitive playability, Magneto is a stereo multi-head tape delay that also functions as a looper, phrase sampler, vintage spring reverb unit, phase-aligned clock multiplier, chaotic oscillator, zero latency sub-oscillator and more, with extensive CV I/O.

Transform Your Modular.
Turn simple monophonic signals into complex orchestrations. Create new oscillator tones using self-oscillation. Add rich stereo dimension to your sound, and enjoy the inherent warmth and sweet, subtle distortion characteristics of magnetic tape. Magneto transforms even the smallest rack into a fully expressive, immersive instrument.

Vintage Vibe.
To capture the full experience and complexity of a vintage tape echo machine, every last tape system attribute was relentlessly studied and faithfully recreated. From the sought-after natural saturation and soft clipping of magnetic tape when driven hard, to hands-on real-time controls for tape age, tape crinkle, and mechanical wow and flutter, Magneto delivers a rich multi-head delay experience that adds life and vibe to your sound.

Play It Like An Instrument.
Every function, control, gain stage, and signal path component in Magneto works together to respond musically and smoothly, even during the wildest live modular improvisations. All this is combined with a luxurious spring reverb to take the sound of your modular setup to a new level, and your sonic explorations into far-out territories."

Additional details at https://www.strymon.net/products/magneto/.

Full Details on Doepfer's NAMM 2018 Lineup of Eurorack Modules and the New Dark Energy III

The list:

Dark Energy III (first mentioned here)
A-111-4 Quad VCO
A-105-4 Quad SSM VCF
A-132-8 Octal VCA
A-141-4 Quad VCADSR
A-190-5 Polyphonic CV/Gate Interface
A-123-2 6/12/18/24dB Highpass
A-138s Mini Stereo Mixer
A-140-2 Dual Micro ADSR
A-142-3 Envelope Controlled VCA
A-150-8 Octal Voltage Controlled Switch
A-173-1/2 Micro Keyboard
A-180-9 Multicore

Details on each:

Monday, January 22, 2018

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