MATRIXSYNTH: Sunday, December 19, 2021

Sunday, December 19, 2021

Düsseldorf Sound Bank for Miniraze

video upload by MOK

"The Düsseldorf sound bank includes 75 Kraftwerk-inspired sounds from Mark Hoffmann, German sound designer and recording artist with the synthesizer duo Pegasus, and solo modular electronic project UTAMOH! Let these faithful re-creations of neon leads, rezzy basses, radioactive pads, robotic sound effects, and synthetic percussion instruments, inspire you to create your own landmark electropop songs.

75 Kraftwerk-inspired Miniraze sounds - $17 MSRP

Available now in the MOK Store: https://mok.com/store.php

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
The Düsseldorf Sound Bank is exclusively for MOK's Miniraze Wave-Slicing synthesizer. Learn more about Miniraze here: https://mok.com/miniraze.php"

The Gmebaphone Concept and the Cybernéphone Instrument

This one is in via Asbjørn Blokkum Flø. "Here is an interesting synth produced in various forms from 1973-2001. It was produced in various analogue and digital forms. If you do a Google image search for 'Gmebaphone' you will see a few different versions. The music of Christian Clozier and Françoise Barrière probably includes the instrument. I tried the instrument at the Bourges festival in 2004, and it was quirky but fascinating."

via https://ur.booksc.eu/book/43779232/b24219

"The Gmebaphone is an instrumentarium consisting of amplifiers, sound-treatment systems, loudspeakers, a console, and a processing system designed and built for live diffusion and performance. The specifications for the instrument were dictated by musical criteria. The musical interpretation of a work is based on analysis of the work and on analysis of its physical signals. Thus, the instrument is able to provide a pertinent acoustic rendering of a work’s sonic complexities (in terms of timbre, time, and space) directly under the performer’s control, thereby allowing transparent and expressive interpretations. The Gmebaphone is a processor/simulator of sonic electroacoustic space, as well as a polyphonic acoustic synthesizer of musical spaces. It is an instrument comprised of the hierarchical combination of a control system with memory, tablatures, and combinatory modes of play that give rise to a rich and workable system of interpretation and expression."

Also see https://collectionsdumusee.philharmoniedeparis.fr/

Image below with an E-Mu Modular in the back ground, and EMS Putney on the left via here. Not sure what the black system on the farl left is. If you know feel free to leave a comment. Also if you know if any demos of the Gmebaphone let us know!

P.S. The design reminds me of various equipment featured in synth rorschach posts.

See the exclusive label for more of the rare of the rare in the synth world.

Update: additonal info in via Asbjørn Blokkum Flø:

I've looked further into the Gmebaphone.

It basically looks like a system for live surround sound for electronic music, or as it is called "diffusion" of electroacoustic music. The surround setups could be very complex with up to 50 loudspeakers of various shapes and placements, a bit like the Acousmonium (GRM 1974-) [link]

The term 'acoustic' is used several times in the article. This seems to describe how loudspeakers interacts with the acoustics of the space, and not acoustic sound sources in the traditional meaning the word.

Being built as a custom instrument for live performance of electronic music, it is more of a musical and compositional tool than a conventional analogue or digital mixer.

It evolved over the years, but the latest model seemed to have a 76 channel mixer with 8 inputs and 16 outputs, with the possibility of digital treatments (phasing, delay, reverberation, and detuning).

From the article:
'The console has a total number of 76 channels of diffusion (36 are touch-controlled and 40 are digitally controlled via the screens) spread over 16 master outputs and eight master inputs. [..] Pull-down menus control digital treatments (phasing, delay, reverberation, and detuning).'

The article describes 6 different models (with photos):
Gmebaphone 1 (1973)
Gmebaphone 2 (1975) - 6 inputs, 2 "networks" (outputs?).
Gmebaphone 3 (1979) - 8 inputs, 22 outputs. Manual analogue control as well as digital computer control.
Gmebaphone 4 (1983) - Digital playback of soundfiles. Digital treatments (phasing, delay, and timbre).
Gmebaphone 5 (1992) - sequencing, graphical interface, automation.
Gmebaphone 6 - (renamed Cybernéphone) (1997) - 8 inputs, 16 outputs, 50 loudspeakers. Possible to save files to CD-ROM.

This page mentions the Gmebaphone number 7 / Cybernéphone (2005): [link]

The convoluted language of the article reminds me of the writings of French composer Pierre Schaeffer, and can be a bit hard to decipher.
--------
There is also some information on a large number of synthesizers that they produced between 1973 and 2008. called Systhysysop (1976), Charybde (1985), Gmebogosse (1972-1999) and Cybersongosse (??-2008?).

They are described in this article (with images): [link]

Many nice images here: [pdf link]

Another article: [link]

More images: [link 1 Also captured here] [link 2] [link 3 Also captured here]

These instruments was also made at the International Institute of Electroacoustic Music at Bourges /IMEB. Read more about IMEB here (use Google translate). [link]

You have written about the Cybersongosse before: [link]

I could not find any audio clips.

All the best"

Systematic Dailing In

video upload by Todd Barton

"Here's a super condensed version of one of the strategies I use to go about learning, listening to and feeling a new instrument. I spend hours, sometimes days just trying different combinations (very slowly). Cheers!
My Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/synthtodd"

SOUNDMIT 2021 - TODD BARTON - RETRO SIMPLEX - Live - #soundmitlive #modulisme #buchla #musiceasel

video upload by SOUNDMIT

Korg SQ64 sequencer and Buchla system │ A good combination.

video upload by Luc Debeck

"Here's a test for sequecing the Buchla with the Korg SQ64 sequencer. I made a 3.5 mm to Banana converter in Buchla format (lower part on the module in the video). It all works very good. I used the 1979 Digital resonator and Model 259, seperate sequencing. The clock was used from the modulation oscillator, in low frequencing mode and was send to the Korg SQ64. Very interesting that the 3.5mm to Banana works in both directions. I did some modulation on the 259 (timbre) and on the resonator."

Functional and Audio Demos of the Ultra Rare Con Brio ADS 200R Synthesizer

Those of you who have been coming to the site over the years should be familiar with the ultra rare Con Brio ADS. There was a keyboard version and a remote, or rather desktop, version. They are identical in function and sound. There is only one known ADS 200R in existance and that is it in the videos above (and farther below). Note the placeholder image is the ADS 200 keyboard version but you will see the videos feature the 200R. Brian Kehew wrote in to let us know he is working on a website that will cover the history of this rare synth. He also made the set of functional and audio demos. Above are the functional demos and farther below are the audio demos. You will find video titles and descriptions for each video in the playlistbelow, but before that, here's what Brian had to say:

"I've been making a website for the Con Brio synth history. Will be ready in a few more months. But meanwhile I've uploaded some video of how the thing worked. Primitive now, especially to younger musicians. But for anyone who lived through the days of floppy discs and early digital synthesis will see how advanced the Con Brio's design was.

We still don't know much about the workings, as all known manuals are gone, and the designers can't recall everything of how it did work. Here are some simple explanations and demonstrations of the main functions.

It's also a true 16-bit synthesizer, which was rare and expensive at the time. It also used an iron output transformer (like good studio consoles) which somehow also helps it sound (in my opinion) better than the Fairlight, DKS and Synclavier designs.

The two instruments I had are now at the EMEAPP Archive Project in PA, they may be able to make better headway figuring out more of the system and it's operations..."

Be sure to see the Con Brio label for various bits of info that have come in over the years. Also see the exclusive label for the rare of the rare in the synth world.

Playlist: 1. Con Brio Synthesizer Instructional #1: Loading the O.S. and Light Show

This is the basic beginning, to load an Operating System for the Con Brio synthesizer from an 8" floppy disc. First, the Light Show disc is used, then the standard OS disc that allows for music synthesis.

2. Con Brio Synthesizer Instructional #2; Panel lights show relevance.

One of the most-brilliant and unique aspects of the Con Brio design is the implementation of panel lights; they guide you to work much faster and more accurately.

3. Con Brio Synthesizer Instructional #3: Loading Sounds onto the keyboard zones.

Finding sounds on the 8" floppy disc directories, and then assigning them to the two keyboards in various combinations.

4. Con Brio Synthesizer Instructional #4 - Speed of Disc Access

One of the notable aspects of the Con Brio systems is a custom-written code to make disc access practically instantaneous. This demonstration shows the rapid access speed when loading from the floppy drive.

Further demonstration of loading sounds from disc and sequences to play them.

Con Brio Synthesizer Instructional #5 - Basic Loading 6. Con Brio Synthesizer Instruction #6 - Ensemble

Loading and using the Ensemble feature; the Con Brio could store a combination of sounds, layers, outputs, and sequences - and then save the whole set as an "Ensemble" preset - which loads nearly instantaneously.

7. Con Brio Synthesizer Instruction #7 - Loading and Stacking

Bringing in two sounds and layering them together.

8. Con Brio Synthesizers #8 - String Sequence with Tempo change

Basic Tempo control of a string sequence with the panel Tempo knob.

9. Con Brio Synthesizer Instructional #9 - Tuning and Synthesis modes experiment

As none of the Con Brio Owner's Manuals survived, it's very difficult to understand how they were supposed to operate. With a little guidance and help from the inventors, some methods produce results. This video is an experiment with saved alternate Tuning Tables and the Synthesis modes.

1 Con Brio Audio Demo One

A really nice wide-ranging set of sounds, changing across time, yet just a beginning demonstration of what the instrument could have done with more time and exploration.

2 Con Brio - String Section

Some string section sounds, very detailed and shimmering timbres.

3 Con Brio - Pipe Organ

Mussorgsky's Pictures At An Exhibition using a basic pipe organ program.

4 Con Brio - Wine Glasses

Digital synthesizers excel at this kind of crystalline ringing sound.

5 Con Brio - Sound 67

Playback of a sound with glitching, jittery elements; a fairly complex layered tone with some noise components, too.

6 Custom Con Brio Sounds

These tones are quite ahead of their time for 1980, and still sound quite modern. Easy enough to do them today, but back then, these were exceptional tones.

7 Random Number demo

Very similar to the randomness of a Sample/Hold on an analog synthesizer, but quickly becomes more layered and deep, a complexity that would take many analog synths to generate.

Con Brio Synthesizers #8 - String Sequence with Tempo change

Basic Tempo control of a string sequence with the panel Tempo knob.

9 Con Brio - Clear and Bright sequence

Demonstrates the sharp and detailed sound of these instruments.

10 Con Brio - Short Latin sequence

Just as the title suggests...

11 Con Brio - Dramatic

Dramatix, suspenseful set of sounds.

DSI Pro 2 patch Evolution Noodle

video upload by Senti mental

"Last sunday noodle for this year, this time one patch evolving. i have used the patch idea with the LFOs from Christopher White for the P12 - see his very nice video here: [below]
and started from there adding more subtle modulation for filter, envelopes and pitch wheel, ribbon controllers, velocity, aftertouch and oscillator shapes. Four sessions mixed for better audio experience into on. First sound in paraphonic sequencer mode, second paraphonic keys, next with apreggiator in random, last again paraphonic keys. Snow footage from feb. this year.
Only added 25% of reverb in DAW to mush everything together, otherwise no effects except onboard delays. Head phones or decent gear recommend."

Ambient groove using the LFOs on the Prophet 12, some Microcosm haze, and the Digitakt.

video upload by Christopher White

"I love the LFOs in the @Sequential Prophet 12! This is a simple chord progression, triggering the LFOs in the Prophet with 4 note chords. The LFOs do the rest.

LFO1 is. Rev Saw controlling the LPF Cutoff as 16th notes
LFO2 is Rev Saw controlling the HPF Cutoff as 1 quarter notes
LFO3 is triangle controlling the Osc 2 Shape Mod as dotted quarter notes.
LFO4 is Rev Saw controlling the Delay 4 time as quarter triplets. I wanted this to give slight pitch fluctuations.

Osc1 is Tines with 70 glide and 10 slop.
Osc2 is Tri
Osc3 is Sine
Osc4 is off.

The @Hologram Electronics Microcosm is set to HazeA. The @ElektronDigitakt is set to all sorts...

Hope you enjoy."

Audio of Juno’s Ganymede Flyby

video upload by JPLraw

"The audio track is made by shifting the frequency of those emissions — which range from 10 to 50 kHz — into the lower audio range"

Sounds like a dual filter with resonance, one slowly sweeping and the other modulated by sample & hold. See the nature label at the bottom of this post for more.

"This 50-second animation provides an auditory as well as visual glimpse at data collected by Juno’s Waves instrument as the spacecraft flew past the Jovian moon Ganymede on June 7, 2021. The abrupt change to higher frequencies around the midpoint of the recording represents the spacecraft's move from one region of Ganymede's magnetosphere to another.

The audio track is made by shifting the frequency of those emissions — which range from 10 to 50 kHz — into the lower audio range

The animation is shorter than the duration of Juno's flyby because the Waves data is edited onboard to reduce telemetry requirements.

More information about Juno is at https://www.nasa.gov/juno and https://missionjuno.swri.edu."

iPad + Launchpad Piano Arpeggio Jam (Decentsampler + ChordJam)

video upload by Perplex On

"A super simple sketchy sketch using #Decentsampler loaded with the free #autumnpiano and #winterpiano library, played with a #launchpadmini routed through #chordjam app in arpeggio mode. #Cality app is receiving the arpeggiated notes and sends a few of them via probability gate to #isem. Finalized with a bit of delay using #k7d."

Novation Nova/Supernova/Supernova 2 "Analog Dreams" Soundset

video upload by LFOstore

"Welcome to the 'Analog Dreams' preset series in all its glory with Novation Nova synthesizer!

Buy: https://lfo.sellfy.store/p/novation-n...

Soundset is working with Novation Nova,SuperNova,SuperNova2
Soundset is NOT working with modern Ultranova & Mininova

We are a big fans of all Novation machines & was very lucky to have Supernova Rack in our hands, thanks for our client & friend Vladimir from Saint Petersburg for his unit!

Our soundset contains 90 presets (37 left blank for your own experients)

Sounds are splitted on categories such as:

Massive Strings
Authentic Brass
Classic & legendary Synthesizers Emulations
Big Basses
Agressive & fat Leads
Beautiful Pads & Atmospheres
Musical Plucks
Arps & Sequences

The engine of Nova sounds great & letting create truthful analog emulations with glorious unisons & character

All the patches are handcrafted & reacts on MW & Aftertouch.

Made by By Nick Klimenko aka Chronos, a creator of “Organica” for Waldorf Blofeld & “WS Universe” for Korg Wavestation

Enjoy and may the music come with you!"

Prophet 600 // SOUNDS GREAT but why is it underrated and much maligned?

video upload by Starsky Carr

"Before the release of the Behringer Pro-800 I thought I'd take a look at the original vintage version from 1982. The Prophet 600 gets a really bad press (in some cases it's deserved ed), but the tones are great, and if you can put up with dodgy envelopes and a laggy processor... no-one will notice in a final track :)"

0:00 Intro
2:39 GliGli or not?
8:06 Raw Tones
13:02 Filter
16:44 Poly Mod
17:39 Final Thoughts
18:38 Demo Sounds #1
22:37 demo Sounds #2