The Joy Of Repeating Riffs Over Changing Chords

video upload by EZBOT

"When I first started writing songs it was all about a cool guitar riff over a strait bassline or a solid chord progression. It's the best feeling, it's so simple and satisfying. Let's lean into it and talk about it while using the M8 Tracker."

EZBOT resources: https://www.patreon.com/ezbot, https://ko-fi.com/ezbot/, https://www.modbang.com"

Bad Gear - He tried his best to HATE IT

video upload by AudioPilz

[Funny side note: I just saw that episode of Myth Busters with the truck plowing through cars, just yesterday.]

"Welcome to Bad Gear, the show about the world’s most-hated audio tools. There are a few learnings to be taken from years of ploughing through music production gear like an 80s rock band shopping in a liquor store: don’t believe the hype, everything has been done before and never trust a stylish instrument sold with the promise to give you all you need in a compact form factor without compromising sound quality and usability.

Today we are going to talk about Dirtywave M8. This hardware tracker and mini DAW comes with more red flags than the average dating app experience like a cult-like following, a Game Boy-inspired workflow and believe me - I tried my best to hate it.

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Waldorf Protein in the hands of a beginner makes "Bang!"

video upload by Nicolai

"I just bought the Waldorf Protein. They said it is their entry level, so I unboxed it, did a test drive, created some own patches and guess what: "Bang!" a tight techno track was born.

🎧 Original "Bang!" track (the one born from frustration): [below]


It is a lovely wavetable synth: portable (fits my setup perfectly), flexible and most importantly: accessible! Sure, there are menus and a shift button for deeper tweaks, but most of the time you just coast on the sound, dialing it in directly with the tons of hands-on knobs. How cool is that?

Watch the full video: unboxing, preset demos and evolution, honest critique, Nicolai patch building which lead to the 'Bang!' track."

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The Living Room - an idea/sketch Zoia, M8, Razzmatazz, NTS-3, MT-32 pi

video upload by Arman Bohn

"An 'in progress' sketch for an OST I'm working on.

My 2nd Zoia patch, 'Dream Shrine #2', is a four voice, generative synth thingy with master tempo and adjustable meter for each voice. The voices are routed through a reverb and ping-pong delay module. The four voices are also sending MIDI notes out on different channels - which are triggering 2 harp voices, a vibraphone and a celeste voice on the MT-32.

The Zoia patch is also sending clock sync out to the Razz to keep it in tempo. The M8 is playing back creepy public domain samples from an old-sci radio show about an alien that haunts your dreams called "The Green Thing".

NTS-3 is chopping the drums.

Not sure if this will be the final configuration - I'd like some bass in there as well. Just playing around at this point.

The album is an ambient-ish OST that should be out by this summer!"

Dirtywave M8 and Torso S-4 Jam 260117

video upload by Indra Perkasa

"technical notes / self-reminder.

both M8 and S4 connected to mac desktop using usb.
then using Loopback, i route audio from M8 to S4 with details:
M8 Main Out to S4 Track 4
M8 Track 4 (Pads Hypersynth) to S4 Track 2
M8 Track 1 (FM Bass Synth) to S4 Track 3

S4 Track 1 is playing back sample that i also recorded from M8 via usb-Loopback.
more on this, at first i tried to connect directly using usb from M8 to S4. it worked, but there's audio crackles. i assumed this happen because of the different sample rate. M8 is 44Khz and S4 is 48KHz. so i found a workaround that is working nicely (no crackles) using Loopback as a bridge.

M8 also sending midi to S4 to send clock, control Start/Stop, and send midi cc to control Mix FIlter of S4 Track 1 and 2. i did this using Midi Patchbay app, its an open source app. very handy app with for this kind of situation, just want a simple routing without needing to use DAW.

then i use ableton just to record, set audio input to S4, audio out to my audio interface for monitoring.

its amazing nowadays how you can multitrack record music gear without using audio cables, only 2 usb! and just want to say Loopback is really really nice. simple, but very useful."

Range (Dirtywave M8 Tracker)

video upload by The Way Up

"A new track I put together on the Dirtywave M8 Tracker. I've been goofing around with the Lydian mode more, and finding it really inspiring. This was just a short/simple thing that came out of that. I also found a midi controlled video playback app (SmashCut for iPad) and used a spare channel to send some fun CC to make the background. The video is from the 1920 film "A Trip to the Moon"

https://thewayup.bandcamp.com/
https://open.spotify.com/artist/64qqi..."

Tech House on M8 Tracker Model:02 & MPKmini : Selectable 2025-10-05 by atnr

video upload by atnr

"A piece created with ‪@Dirtywave‬ M8 Tracker Model:02 and ‪@Akai_Pro‬ MPKmini. Tech house where even kicks and intricate synth tones pass through filters and delay.

The MPKmini is used to control the M8 via Ableton’s MIDI thru. The knobs on the MPK control the filter cutoff of the synth tones and the DJ filter cutoff.
The keyboard is used to play the M8’s MACROSYNTH, with the arpeggiator turned on to generate detailed phrases."

Mixing it up w/ Zeptocore, AudCalc & Dirtywave M8

video upload by Arman Bohn

"Chill generative beats...

Using the M8 to randomly sound off drone-ish sine waves with some of the new 'shimmer' reverb in the latest firmware.

Zeptocore is synced to M8 via MIDI clock and providing some chopped samples I fed it.

AudCal is running three different sounds that I'm triggering by hand. I created a pattern of notes on each of the sound/channels to help me differentiate which one was selected."

Dirtywave M8 Tracker Model:02 solo IDM : Osmotic 2025-09-27 by atnr

video upload by atnr

"A piece created with the ‪@Dirtywave‬ M8 Tracker Model:02. IDM where beats and synth phrases intertwine.

The beat is constructed using the Sampler. High-frequency sine tones are generated with the FMsynth.

The main chords are played on the Hypersynth with filtering applied.

The bassline uses the MACROSYNTH’s CSAW waveform with a low-pass filter. The flute-like sound in the latter half also comes from the MACROSYNTH.

In performance, I mainly manipulate the filters and delay of each sound. At times, I also tweak the DJ filter."

Dirtywave M8 Tracker Model:02 & Buchla Music Easel : DOF 2025-09-20 by atnr

video upload by atnr

"A piece created with ‪@Dirtywave‬ M8 Tracker Model:02 and ‪@buchlausa‬ Music Easel. Electronica where phrases shift and evolve through micro-loops.

The Music Easel receives MIDI sequences from the M8 Tracker, while its sliders are used to modulate oscillators. The output is processed through ‪@ChaseBlissAudio‬ MOOD MKII with micro-loop, delay, and reverb effects, creating variations in the phrases.

On the M8, rhythm parts and harmonies are played. In LIVE MODE, phrases are switched while occasionally tweaking the synth filter."

M8 Track Model:02 solo IDM performance : New facility 2025-09-18 by atnr

video upload by atnr

"A piece created with the ‪@Dirtywave‬ M8 Tracker Model:02. IDM/electronica where sampled voices are screwed and warped into the mix.

The vocal samples are loaded into the Sampler and played back with pitch shifts.

The main harmony is performed on Hypersynth, with chords switching throughout."

Ambient w/ M8 Tracker Model:02 : Iron and Caves 2025-09-17 by atnr

video upload by atnr

"A piece created with ‪@Dirtywave‬ M8 Tracker Model:02, ‪@SequentialLLC‬ Prophet-10, and piano. Ambient electronica built from floating electronic tones and piano.

The piano is played on the YAMAHA CP88, layering the dry signal with processed sound through the ‪@HologramElectronics‬ MICROCOSM. On the MICROCOSM, a looper is used to record phrases live and play them back in loops.

On the M8 Tracker, the DJ Filter cutoff is gradually reduced toward the end.

The Prophet-10 performs long-release synth pads, processed with reverb from the ‪@strymon‬ blueSky."

M8 Tracker Model:02 MIDI SYNC with MU15 : Stroll 2025-09-15 by atnr

video upload by atnr

"A piece created with ‪@Dirtywave‬ M8 Tracker Model:02 and YAMAHA MU15. Electronica where repeating phrases gradually transform through filtering and glitch effects.

The MU15 is sequenced from the M8 via MIDI, with its output processed through ‪@strymon‬ NIGHTSKY for reverb and filtering.

The M8’s output is routed into the ‪@ChaseBlissAudio‬ MOOD MKII, where micro-loops are used to glitch the phrases."

M8 Tracker Model:02 solo performance : Stagnation 2025-09-14 by atnr

video upload by atnr

"Ambient electronica created with the ‪@Dirtywave‬ M8 Tracker Model:02.

The track is composed entirely using the M8’s built-in sampler and synths. The main sustaining pad was made with Hypersynth, with each part’s tone evolving through filter modulation."

M8 Tracker Model:02 & MOOD MKII : Dream on the palm 2025-09-13 by atnr

video upload by atnr

"A piece created with the ‪@Dirtywave‬ M8 Tracker Model:02. Abstract beat electronica progressing with glitch-infused textures.

The track was produced on the M8 Tracker Model:02, then performed through the ‪@ChaseBlissAudio‬ MOOD MKII with added micro-loops, reverb, and pitch-shift effects.

Beats are mainly triggered using the M8’s Sampler. The main chords are also played by loading synth samples into the Sampler.

At times, the DJ Filter cutoff on the M8 is adjusted during performance."

Happy #909day jam with XBase 09, TB-303, M8 Tracker, MODEL1.4, RMX-500

video upload by Freaky Tweaky

Shibasaki MOD - Tokyo set song #8 - K.K. Cruisin' Synthchill Cover Animal Crossing

video upload by Arman Bohn

"My synths and device can be found here:
https://distropolisgoods.com/

Song #8 from my set at Shibasaki MOD in Tokyo, April, 2025.

I ended my set with a cover of the K.K. Slider song "K.K. Cruisin'" which is a family favorite. My first experience with K.K. was in Animal Crossing - New Leaf back when it was released for the Nintendo 3DS.

I didn't have a vocoder with me in Japan, so I just sang out into the room with no mic.

---------

The M8 is doing most of the heavy lifting here: bass, drums and sending MIDI notes to the Prismatic Spray MKii.

I'm using the Phantasmal Force (tiny white MIDI controller) to send chords to GREAT CONJUNCTION (purple box). Channel 1 of GREAT CONJUNCTION is in 'keys' mode, while the other two channels playback a some randomized sequences which cause some CONJUNCTIONS and offset modulation to the FM key sound.

The Prismatic Spray MKii comes in to mimic the 'vocals'. M8 is handling the note playback via MIDI and I'm just playing the A and B runes/knobs.

For this recording - I sang through a BOSS VE-500 to get that K.K. robo-dog sound.

It was a great way to end the set with a upbeat feel!"

Getting Started Is The Hardest Part, The Rest Comes Easy

video upload by EZBOT

"In today's episode we make some tunes from scratch on the M8 tracker. Today's focus will be using the FM synth engine and trying to replicate a chord FM patch a friend told me about."

EZBOT resources: https://www.patreon.com/ezbot, https://ko-fi.com/ezbot/, https://www.modbang.com

ASTROGENIC HALLUCINAUTING Kerr County Benefit 080925

video upload by thenoiztemple

"080925 Old Town Spring - Spring, Texas
Astrogenic Hallucinauting performing a live tek-noiz set at the Benefit for the Kerr County Flood Victims. This show was put together by some fellow synth and noiz musicians with help from Ozmotic Records and Simply Texas Gourmet Foods.

Please donate to the Kerr County Flood Relief Fund:
https://cftexashillcountry.fcsuite.co...

Kerr County Flood Relief Fund
The Kerr County Flood Relief Fund supports urgent relief and long-term rebuilding after the devastating floods of July 4, 2025. Your generosity helps neighbors across our region recover and rebuild.

The Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country—a 501(c)(3) public charity based in Kerrville—will directly distribute funds to vetted local organizations providing rescue, relief, recovery services and flood assistance. The Fund will support impacted communities including Boerne, Hunt, Ingram, Kerrville, Center Point and Comfort.

All donations are tax-deductible, and you will receive a receipt for your gift.
--
The Kerrville, Texas floods in July 2025 were caused by a combination of heavy rainfall and the area's terrain. Tropical moisture from the remnants of Tropical Storm Barry combined with a slow-moving low-pressure system and a mesoscale convective vortex (MCV) to produce intense, localized rainfall over the Texas Hill Country. The rugged terrain, combined with dry, drought-stricken soils, meant that the rain ran off quickly into rivers and streams, causing rapid flooding. The Guadalupe River, in particular, experienced a historic rise in water levels.
--
noiz circuit:
Dirtywave M8 x 2
Dirtywave M8 mkii
FaderFox PC12
FaderFox MX12
erm MIDIclock
Korg KP3+ x 2
1010music BlueBox
--
website:
http://manipulate.net"

Shibasaki MOD - Tokyo set song #7

video upload by Arman Bohn

"Song #7 from my set at Shibasaki MOD in Tokyo, April, 2025.

The MT32-pi starts it off by playing some noise samples I collected with my SOMA Ether. Those samples are being sequenced and panned (via CC LFO) by the Phantasmal Force - which is sending clock to everything.

Next, I bring in a percussive pattern in 7/8 on GREAT CONJUNCTION. I randomize some of the instruments throught creating some nice robotic textures.

After I get going, I use the Phantasmal Force to unmute different instruments (drums/synths/bass) on the Dirtywave M8.

The Prismatic Spray MKii is is layered in with some hi-hat sounding bytebeat noise, retriggered in tempo by the Phantasmal Force."

Check with dealers on the right for availability.