MATRIXSYNTH: Monday, December 15, 2025

Monday, December 15, 2025

Jean Michel Jarre 1981 Studio Footage and Magnetic Fields Part 4 Performed In The Studio

video upload by Willy Billiams

https://www.jeanmicheljarre.com/

Some Fairlight, EMS, and Oberheim OB-X synth spotting. Moog Rogue, Solina, and Korg PE-2000 K-5 Poly Ensemble S come in later. Note what looks like a modular system at 5:37. Anyone ID it?

Toto’s Steve Porcaro Shows How He Created the Synth Sounds on Africa, Human Nature, Rosanna, ...

video upload by Anthony Marinelli Music

"In this monumental video, I’m sitting down in Steve Porcaro’s studio for a rare, up-close demonstartions at how one of the true synth legends created some of the most iconic sounds in music history.

What makes this so special is that Steve takes us step by step through the exact synthesizer techniques he used on massive hit records — including Michael Jackson’s 'Human Nature,' Toto’s 'Africa' and 'Rosanna,' as well as classic tracks for Hall & Oates, Don Henley, Donna Summer, and more. He also recreates these sounds on the same model vintage synthesizers he used on the original recordings.

As we dig in, Steve shares his personal approach to synthesis, how he builds multi-dimensional sounds, thinks about atmosphere and texture, and shapes parts so they serve the song emotionally, not just sonically. He also reveals how he writes out synthesizer parts on score paper, treating synths like orchestral instruments and arranging them with real intention.

This isn’t a preset rundown or surface-level demo. It’s a candid, in-studio conversation about process, musical thinking, with hands-on demonstrations from someone who helped define the sound of an era. If you’ve ever wondered how these legendary synth parts were truly made, now you can get it straight from the source, this is a moment you don’t want to miss!"

E.T. | With vintage synths and a Commodore 64

video upload by Espen Kraft

"Gear used:
Commodore 64 (Yes, this is played live, hands on, just as you see it in the video)
Roland S-10, JX-8P, Alpha Juno 2
Yamaha DX7s
Kontakt Orch.samples
Custom drum samples"

Tomorrow's Sunset | IDM track with Cirklon, Prophet 10, System-8, Minimoog, Machinedrum, and JD-990

video upload by MIDERA

"Two years ago today, I lost my mom... Often I write tracks as tributes, remembering the end - which was really a horrible experience.

But I know what matters isn't what happened at the end, but really I should take the time to celebrate what she gave me: my life, my family, my experiences, my abilities. Her and my dad are the reason I have any of this and can write anything at all. So, I'll just say that I'm thankful to both of them. That's what this day can become, a reminder of what I've been given.

Track:
Sequentix Cirklon 2 sequenced everything.
Sequential Prophet 10 for initial sound
Moog Minimoog for bass
Roland System-8 for pads
Roland JD-990 for plucked sounds
Elektron Machinedrum for drums

#prophet10 #minimoog #machinedrum"

Oberheim can sooth the synth soul 🕊 #oberheim #synth

video upload by Will Blaze

F*ck With Sound ships Break On Through and Bring It On Eurorack Modules

Press release follows:

F*ck With Sound ships Break On Through and Bring It On, debuting dedicated DACS Audio brand with extraordinary Eurorack modules living up to noteworthy name

GATESHEAD, TYNE AND WEAR, UK: having opened ears in October when debuting during the Bristol, UK-hosted Machina Bristronica 2025 event showcasing electronic music culture and technology, dedicated DACS Audio brand F*ck With Sound is proud to ship Break On Through and Bring It On — opening an absorbing new chapter in the award-winning high-performance, well-engineered product producer’s four-decade-spanning design and manufacturing history with a FET distortion unit (based on an extension of what was originally a microphone level limiter) and a ring modulator boasting a super-smooth sound, really low breakthrough, and switchable WEIGHT and EDGE controls (which will both be familiar to users of DACS Audio’s legacy FwS FREQue, much-lauded as a 2U rack-mount, two-channel ring modulator outboard effect), respectively, representing extraordinary Eurorack modules living up to the newly-launched brand’s noteworthy name — as of December 15…

As a FET distortion unit based on an extension of what was originally a microphone limiter, the basic circuit behind F*ck With Sound’s Break On Through module has been used — and abused! — by producers for years, more recently emulated as a plug-in, before being effectively adapted to join the ranks of the ever-expanding Eurorack marketplace. Maintains DACS Audio Managing Director Dr Douglas Doherty: “After reading about Soundtoys’ Devil-Loc plug-in, I was intrigued. We were looking for a distortion unit to go in a mic pre under development. I had heard about Tchad Blake’s work with the original Shure Level-Loc — particularly on drums, and this seemed like a bit of serendipity that had to be acted upon! The perfect fit. In the end, we didn’t proceed with the mic pre, but it was clear that this would be ideal for modular system users.”

Bringing Break On Through to market as a 14HP-sized Eurorack module — based on a classic analogue microphone limiter design that was, according to legend, hijacked by an electronics-savvy record producer, and used on numerous records for ‘breaking through’ with drums and percussion, particularly — was easier said than done, however. “As always, there were many hurdles,” admits Dr Douglas Doherty, before continuing: “The original circuit was for microphones, so it had to be upped for line level; it was single voltage rail, so had to be adapted for dual voltage rail; the interaction of the threshold and input gain needed some tweaking; and we wanted to adjust the release. After a few prototypes, we arrived at the current unit, which is very responsive and versatile. Control-wise, it has an input gain [IN GAIN] and a threshold setting, which we call BREAK; as well as the manual BREAK control, there is also a CV input [IN] to modulate the threshold. There is a variable RELEASE control that can produce some very interesting results, depending on the nature of the input. On the output, we also have gain [OUT GAIN], and a CV input [IN] to modulate the output level [GAIN MOD].”

Musically speaking, the end result “…is a brick wall limiter that can — by upping the input level — be pushed into distortion,” describes Dr Douglas Doherty, justifiably proud of the fact that F*ck With Sound successfully upgraded and updated the circuit concerned to produce a colouring block with a vast pallet. “With dynamic material such as drums, it can be set for only peaks to distort — the rest remaining clean. That quality was commented upon by a couple of distortion aficionados atMachina Bristronica.” Break On Through features — hitherto unmentioned — worth highlighting here include: LED indication for distortion; solid metal sleeve jacks for longevity and stability; and custom DACS Audio aluminium knobs.

CLICK FOR MORE »

NEW Project Development Update: 700 Complex Function Generator Demo – Quick Overview

video upload by Gm Xe

Also see: 700_funtion_M4L with 700 voice system

"700 – Complex Function Processor (Demo Version)

This video shows a demo of the 700 Complex Function Processor, currently in active development.

Features include:

4 independent channels, each running its own app

4 independent pulse managers (one per channel)

2 independent random and expressive modulation channels

4 configurable pulse outputs

2 editable noise outputs

Most operations are performed directly via analog knobs and buttons, without deep menus.

⚠️ This video demonstrates a test / prototype version.
The core DSP algorithms and hardware functionality have been successfully tested.
A more complete and refined version of the product will be updated in the near future.

Thanks for watching.
For the latest updates, please visit the official website:
https://gmxe.org

#Buchla
#700FM VOICE
#Module synth
#Buchla FORMAT
#synthesizer
#Function Generator
#modularsynth"

OMNICYCLONE 1.3 Firmware long chill demo

video upload by SPHERICAL SOUND SOCIETY

"New firmware for OMNICYCLONE. It fixes a bug in the clock in of the previous release. It´s free for all OC users, if you have one, send us a message with your name/order number and mail to send you the update.

Clock in/out were swapped, this firmware fixes it too, now IN is IN and OUT is OUT :)

You can order your unit here:
https://www.tindie.com/products/jc204..."

Tasty Chips GR-MEGA / Moog Messenger

video upload by HanzVolt

"Messenger on bass. GR-Mega on all other sounds cept for drums..."

Hexdrums: First Noodle (No talk, no drive)

video upload by Richard DeHove

"You want easy? Hexdrums is easy. The sounds are whatever the knobs are on. There are no hidden extra sound controls. The sequencer is wonderfully straightforward yet has the options to create long and complex passages on a single pattern.

This is my first pattern with Hexdrums and I created it to learn the options, so it contains a little bit of everything. Voices 1, 3 and 6 run for 24 steps; most of the others are 16 or 64; there's shuffle on voices 3 and 4; and about half the steps on voice 4 have some microtiming. Many voices use the 'play once in 4' or similar settings applied to various steps and I activated the option for those to affect the last time around rather than the first. Various voices also have accents on different steps. I replaced the cymbal samples with my own samples which is what you hear on voices 9 and 10.

I used the individual outs on the back to send the snare to the Echolocator and the low boom sample on voice 9 to the Nightverb. MIDI out on the Hexdrums controls the Echolocator clock. By that stage it was all feeling full so I didn't want to artificially squeeze in the hats so I left them for next time. Many people like to immediately apply loads of drive to the sound. I love drive, saturation, dirt, gain and distortion. But there's none here. Another thing for next time. Likewise only a tiny touch of compression. With me applying 'test amounts' of all these options, usually at random, it's a miracle it sounds as coherent as it does. Even so rolls and hits do appear at odd intervals, the result of the 24 vs 16 step interplay and the 1-in-4 steps.

Not surprisingly then I thought it best to leave the knobs alone and concentrate on muting parts to create this little demo. Obviously it's all a single take and has not been enhanced, edited or remixed in the DAW. Stupidly I had a loose cable going into the Echolocator which created a bit of hum which I did try to eliminate in the DAW.

My one sentence review so far: Hexdrums is incredibly easy to use with loads of effortless thump and a deep sequencer.

Many thanks to my kind patrons who keep this channel ad-free
My website: https://richarddehove.com/"

Poinsettia Jam | bioelectric skiff project

video upload by Musical Miscellany & More

"It's that time of year so I decided to make a seasonal video where the modular synth (or the poinsettia to be more accurate) created the song. The Garden Listener, Pet Rock, Solar Voltages modules all play a part in this holiday-themed composition.

Buy Me a Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/musicalmiscellany

#bioelectricmusic"

See more Bioelectric Compositions here:

CLICK FOR MORE »

The modules of 2025 / Modules I loved and modules I would love to explore

video upload by Omri Cohen

Introduction - 00:00
VCOs - 00:49
Sequencers - 06:24
FX and Filters - 11:10
Drums - 15:17
Utilities - 19:48
Commercial - 25:32

Online courses about Modular Synthesis - https://bit.ly/learnmodular

Additional resources: https://www.patreon.com/omricohen

PATCH / STEREO 4 VOICE GENERATIVE CHORDS / Joranalogue Audio Design system

video upload by Joranalogue Audio Design

"'I had a blast creating this patch on a giant Joranalogue eurorack system. I implemented a lot of small tricks, let me write out the main ones down here...'—Simon

Kickdrum
---------------
Filter 8 is getting pinged by a clock pulse (generated with a looping Contour 1), routed through Warp 1. A second Contour 1 is used to modulate the frequency of Filter 8. A Step 8 being clocked with the same pulse from Contour 1 is modulating the exponent parameter on Warp 1 (controlling the amount of distortion/waveshaping). The pattern is 7 steps long. By adjusting the exp knob manually I have additional control over the distortion.

CLICK FOR MORE »

Korg Polysix PS-6 Analog Synthesizer SN 461833

Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
video upload by Liam

"This unit is currently available for sale on Reverb, Ebay and local selling websites. If the listings are up, it's still available."

via this eBay listing, also on Reverb

"Original Korg PolySix from 1981 in Very Good condition, everything working, no yellowing. Originally bought from Japan.

No MIDI upgrade. All original hardware. Every key works with no problems and every function throughout the entire unit is in good working condition.
Wood panels in good condition, natural wearing on some corners and a few nicks on the bottom but overall very good for it's age.
Metal panel on front has light scratch on the left side (pictured) and a few nicks on the edges towards the back, but overall nothing huge cosmetically. Key bed in good shape, almost mint condition. Used very lovingly for about a year, many recordings done with it.

It's very good for gritty 80's sounds, people often compare it to the Juno but I'd more so compare the sound to that of something by Sequential Circuits like the Prophet series, with a key bed that feels like a Juno, while any remaining character is completely it's own. It even gives some effects to play with that come from the turn of a knob, letting you enable Chorus, Phaser, or both while letting you change the intensity via the knob next to it.

I've included a demo of what this particular unit sounds like, playing Eyes by Clio, produced by Roberto Ferrante who also used only a Korg Polysix for the synth tracks.

Some other notable uses of this synth off the top of my head are Faces (Clio, 1985), Start Of The Breakdown (Tears for Fears, 1983), Subways Of Your Mind (FEX, 1984), Till The End Of Time/Animal In Me (Affair, 1984), Under The Ice (Topo & Roby, 1984), and just any underground European artists from the early 80s."

CLICK FOR MORE »