Update: Unfortunately, the Acxel2 project was cancelled in January of 2011 due to lack of funding:
"Formally Idarca-Audio is bankrupted, not for technical reasons but for critical investment that never happened.
We have working unit. We currently work to revive the project, in short to get an investment in a new corporation, complete the certifications and build new units,
Thank you for your interest."
The new Acxel2 website is up.
"Acxel2 is a new upgradeable multi-synthesis and multi-timbral modular synthesizer offering: Additive synthesis, Re-synthesis, Expanded synthesis and Analog synthesis. Acxel2 introduces its native analysis synthesis mode: the Acxelink®.
All Acxel2 musical instruments can be used with any DAW (Pro Tools, Cakewalk, Cubase, Steinberg, Logic, etc.), can operate under Apple or Windows platform and can be used as "slave" or "master" with any MIDI or audio analog entry (keyboard, guitar, microphone, etc ...).
All our products incorporate the Acxel2 re-programmable microprocessor RPP renowned for its extreme reliability and execution speed, dramatically superior to any DSP chips currently available on the market.
Through synthesis and processing of native Acxel2, processing options and sound changes are virtually unlimited. The Acxel2 can emulate any synthesis known modes or original combinations of synthesis modes, effects and signal processing, modification in sounds envelope or articulation ... all in real time!" Be sure to see the official Acxel2 website for more.
If you are unfamiliar with the history of the original Acxel Resynthesizer see these posts. Be sure to scroll when you get there for video and more. This is big news in the synth community.
Update via iDARCA Audio on the new Axcel2. The following actually came in with the image fo the Axcel2 rack above. I wanted to clear it with iDARCA before posting. Note the red below: "Here is a preview of the STUDIO Model that we are working on, 2U, the RACK front panel will also be very close to it (Back panel has different version RACK depending on options – Analog, Digital). The Grapher (2 versions) is under design, we expect the LCD version available soon in fall and LED Matrix (inspired from the Acxel1 with 24 bits colors, multitouch and better resolution than the original Acxel grapher) to be availble in the End of the year.
The CARD version (Home Studios) is actually under tests, the control software too. In fact all system share same base software that runs into MAC and PC."
Showing posts with label iDARCA Audio. Show all posts
Showing posts with label iDARCA Audio. Show all posts
Monday, June 08, 2009
Tuesday, December 02, 2008
Acxel Resynthesizer Samples
You'll find some samples of the original Acxel Resynthesizer and the Axcel 2 at the bottom of this electro-music.com thread.
For more info on the Axcel Resynthsizer, see iDarca Audio. Also see the labels below for previous posts featured here.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Technos Acxel Resynthesizer
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Jacques Chabot and the Acxel Resynthesizer
http://www.myspace.com/jacqueschabot
"In the course of the second phase, I acquired an Acxel resynthesizer, which at last enabled me to make the most of the composition and interpretation method I had designed with less performing equipment. In some ways, my new album “Des musiques de fous” is both continuity and a culmination as regards this method. It also marks the starting point of a third phase, “Les installations instantanées” that should result in at least a new album in 2009.
COMPOSITION AND INTERPRETATION: TECHNICAL NOTES
I have been using an extraordinary device for several years: an Acxel resynthesizer. This musical instrument serves as a synthesizer with subtractive synthesis and additive synthesis as well as a resynthesizer, and has an unparalleled capacity (256 independent oscillators that are programmable in real time). Québec engineer Pierre Guilmette created it. About ten or so working Acxels can still be found worldwide.
Thanks to this device, I developed an interpretation technique that enables me, each time I play a piece, to add improvisations to it while keeping its “essence” intact. The Acxel is so powerful that I no longer need sequencers and I merely use the keyboard as an “On-Off” trigger. After I play some notes, I activate the sustain mode and interpret the music by “sculpting” the sounds on the Acxel’s touch screen. Each sound therefore becomes a complete music that can hold several melodic or noise-like themes. In addition, in order to increase tenfold the power of the device, I sample the sounds that do not need to be modified in real time.
I developed this composition and interpretation method some 13 years ago. However, putting it into practice before owning the Acxel was far more limited."
More info on the Acxel at: Technos axcel
"In the course of the second phase, I acquired an Acxel resynthesizer, which at last enabled me to make the most of the composition and interpretation method I had designed with less performing equipment. In some ways, my new album “Des musiques de fous” is both continuity and a culmination as regards this method. It also marks the starting point of a third phase, “Les installations instantanées” that should result in at least a new album in 2009.
COMPOSITION AND INTERPRETATION: TECHNICAL NOTES
I have been using an extraordinary device for several years: an Acxel resynthesizer. This musical instrument serves as a synthesizer with subtractive synthesis and additive synthesis as well as a resynthesizer, and has an unparalleled capacity (256 independent oscillators that are programmable in real time). Québec engineer Pierre Guilmette created it. About ten or so working Acxels can still be found worldwide.
Thanks to this device, I developed an interpretation technique that enables me, each time I play a piece, to add improvisations to it while keeping its “essence” intact. The Acxel is so powerful that I no longer need sequencers and I merely use the keyboard as an “On-Off” trigger. After I play some notes, I activate the sustain mode and interpret the music by “sculpting” the sounds on the Acxel’s touch screen. Each sound therefore becomes a complete music that can hold several melodic or noise-like themes. In addition, in order to increase tenfold the power of the device, I sample the sounds that do not need to be modified in real time.
I developed this composition and interpretation method some 13 years ago. However, putting it into practice before owning the Acxel was far more limited."
More info on the Acxel at: Technos axcel
Thursday, June 26, 2008
iDARCA Audio Updates
iDARCA Audio
updates include a forum, rare pics, and history of the original acxel 1
You might remember from this post that a new Acxel resynthesizer, the Acxel II, is coming.
You can find more info on the history of this rare and unique synthesizer as well as the new Axcel II on the iDARCA Audio website.
Saturday, April 05, 2008
Technos Acxel Resynthesizer For Sale
Go here and scroll down. The only other one I knew that went up for sale was this one. Click on the Acxel label below for more.
via electro-music.com where you will find some discussion on this.
Update via an anonymous reader:
"I wrote to the guy last year,and u can buy the unit for between 3500-4000e.
Its one of the ex Boman M. Acxel systems.
Comes with only 1 card,no multi-out support,way to expensive and certainly now with the new Acxel II comming.
here one more Acxel for sale:
http://synthsfl.tripod.com/keys.html
i searched to death last year in my Acxel-trip on the web,and if u search very well there are another 2 units for sale.
then more info on various stuff can be find here,Ircam,4X,Synclav etc..:
http://jbemond.free.fr/?cat=4"
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Nearest launching of the Synthesizer - Acxel II
Press Release
Quebec, Canada - on March 26, 2008: Idarca-audio division of Idarca Inc. is proud to announce the nearest launching of the synthesizer Acxel II - which makes profitable the original Acxel legacy (early 90's) and of a revolutionary dynamic architecture parallel processor - patented by Idarca - the RPP. With its unique characteristics, Acxel II will set new standard of real time synthesis and audio processing.
Acxel II proposes 3 synthesis modes (with integrated sound processing):
• Acxelink made up of cells (256 to 1280) independently parametrical: Amplitude, Frequency, Phase, Filter, Waveform. Cells-cells links, signal Inputs integration and processing and many other characteristics including macros.
• Additive synthesis
• Analog synthesis
Acxel II integrates unique functions on sound resynthesis and processing with full scalability:
• Real TIme Resynthesis: The Acxelink and Additive modes allocate without compromise a complete access in real time to all elements (Envelope, Midi, Modulation) of a timbre, created from scratch or configured with Analysis (integrated into the system).
• Open architecture: Acxel II allows, in real time, to introduce external sounds (for example a guitar) into the synthesis elements, for simple effects or extended processes or sound fusions.
• Scalable: The Acxelink mode integrates all of the elements to emulate and combine existing or original synthesis modes: Physical modeling, Wave Tables, FM, Wavelets, Vocoder, etc.
Acxel II will be available in 2 versions:
• Acxel II - PCI: Sound Card (PCI) with software PC/MAC
- Deliverable in 4 to 6 months.
• Acxel II - SAS: Stand Alone System with “preset” use for scenic performances or in Workstation (with PC or MAC)
- Deliverable in 8 to 12 months.
• Touch Sensitive Graphic console available in option
- Deliverable in less than 12 months.
For more information on Acxel II: www.idarca-audio.com
Quebec, Canada - on March 26, 2008: Idarca-audio division of Idarca Inc. is proud to announce the nearest launching of the synthesizer Acxel II - which makes profitable the original Acxel legacy (early 90's) and of a revolutionary dynamic architecture parallel processor - patented by Idarca - the RPP. With its unique characteristics, Acxel II will set new standard of real time synthesis and audio processing.
Acxel II proposes 3 synthesis modes (with integrated sound processing):
• Acxelink made up of cells (256 to 1280) independently parametrical: Amplitude, Frequency, Phase, Filter, Waveform. Cells-cells links, signal Inputs integration and processing and many other characteristics including macros.
• Additive synthesis
• Analog synthesis
Acxel II integrates unique functions on sound resynthesis and processing with full scalability:
• Real TIme Resynthesis: The Acxelink and Additive modes allocate without compromise a complete access in real time to all elements (Envelope, Midi, Modulation) of a timbre, created from scratch or configured with Analysis (integrated into the system).
• Open architecture: Acxel II allows, in real time, to introduce external sounds (for example a guitar) into the synthesis elements, for simple effects or extended processes or sound fusions.
• Scalable: The Acxelink mode integrates all of the elements to emulate and combine existing or original synthesis modes: Physical modeling, Wave Tables, FM, Wavelets, Vocoder, etc.
Acxel II will be available in 2 versions:
• Acxel II - PCI: Sound Card (PCI) with software PC/MAC
- Deliverable in 4 to 6 months.
• Acxel II - SAS: Stand Alone System with “preset” use for scenic performances or in Workstation (with PC or MAC)
- Deliverable in 8 to 12 months.
• Touch Sensitive Graphic console available in option
- Deliverable in less than 12 months.
For more information on Acxel II: www.idarca-audio.com
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Computer Music Journal
click here. via peterwendt in the comments of this post on the Acxel Resynthesizer. I will add this to the Synth Books section on the right.
"Computer Music Bibliography
Acoustics, Psychoacoustics, and Music Perception
Additive Synthesis and Sampling
Analysis/Resynthesis (FFT, PV)
Anthologies of the Computer Music Literature
Composition with Computers
Computer Music Representation and Models
Computer-Based Musical Analysis
History of Electro-Acoustic and Computer Music
Interactive Performance Systems
Interactive Signal Processing
Mathematics and Digital Signal Processing (DSP)
MIDI
Multiple Wavetable, Wave Terrain, and Granular Synthesis
Music Languages
Nonlinear Distortion and Waveshaping Synthesis
Physical Modeling
Reverberation, Auditory Localization, 3D Sound
Speech/Formant/LPC
Subtractive Synthesis
Synthesis Using Distortion Techniques
Synthesizer Design and Theory
Textbooks/Sound & E-A Instrument Design
Wavelets"
Q&A on the Acxel II Resynthesizer and the Sogitec 4X
The Sogitex 4X is mentioned in the Q&A below. You can find more info on the Sogitex here. The following is some info from that site: "The Sogitec 4X digital synthesizer at IRCAM during the 1980's, was the direct result of Luciano Berio's demand that live electronic sound ought to consist of at least a 1000 sinewave oscillators (1), in order to be interesting for the composer and the audience alike. It was the last huge hardware, that IRCAM instigated before it turned to the ISPW and subsequently to software solutions in the shape of jMax and Max/MSP. The 4X's eight internal custom-built processors were capable of altogether 200 MIPS (2), which being the equivalent of 1000 sinewaves, 500 filters or 450 second order filters (3). Each processor contained a data-memory, an address-memory, a microprogram-memory and a function-memory. For calculations it used 24 bit fixed point units consisting of a multiplier, a arithmetic and logic unit. It also had 256 internal (programmable) clocks and a large dual buffer for recording and playing. The algorithms were cross developed on DEC en Sun mainframes in Fortran and C. (4&5)."
Q&A on the Acxell II via an anonymous reader:
Q: If i understand well,its posible to acxelize a complex sound source from a pre recorded wav with the soundbuilder then use this resynthezized model in acxelink mode again to be able to control that sound it real time via an external audio input (1 or more?)( each one )
Friday, March 14, 2008
Acxel II Preliminary PDF
Richard Lainhart was interested in the new Acxel Resynthesizer after reading this post. If you go to the new Acxel website, iDarca Audio, you will see a link to get more info where you can request a brochure. Richard did so and sent it my way. I wasn't going to put it up because I thought maybe Pierre Guilmette, the man behind the project would like to gage interest by having the requests come in, however what's out of site can become out of mind. I was interested myself but I was swamped so I was going to hold off until later, which probably meant indefinitely or until some news came in on the project. I was very happy when Richard sent me the PDF, because I was able to look at it in more detail. I thought I'd do the same for you. here it is
This really does look to be an amazing synthesizer. Some notes on the original from Richard:
"The original Acxel I saw demoed 20 years ago was an amazing machine, with a unique interface I've never seen equaled. It was much too expensive then for someone like me, but these prices seem pretty reasonable now - comparable to a Kyma system. If they can get the functionality of the original system and its interface at these prices (looks like around $5-6K, perhaps, and they're talking about a touchscreen interface for the rack system version too), it could be a hit, and a genuinely new paradigm in the synth world."
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Update on the Acxel Resynthesizer
I just made a major update to this Acxel Resynthesizer post. You will find details on the use of this unique synthesizer as well as comparisons to the Kyma system. At the very end of the post you will find some links to more info as well as a soundtrack done mostly with the Acxel.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Acxel II
Remember the Technos Acxel Resynthesizer (pictured)? I just read this post on Music Thing. Apparently the creator of the Acxel, Pierre Guilmette, is working on a new version. Check out Music Thing for a letter from Pierre.
You can find his website, iDarca Audio here. You'll find a bit of info on resynthesis and some audio samples.
Update some more info on the Acxel:
"Don Garbutt writes: Freaky, obsure, expensive, unique, weighs a lot, robust construction (lots of VLSI chips inside). This machine is impossible to find, although I have one. Lucky me!!! Graphical interface is totally intuitive, and tell me if you know of any other machines that are resynthesis- based, as this is , if you care to use it in this fashion. Digital filter emulation (oscillator # filter) is unequaled.
You can find his website, iDarca Audio here. You'll find a bit of info on resynthesis and some audio samples.
Update some more info on the Acxel:
"Don Garbutt writes: Freaky, obsure, expensive, unique, weighs a lot, robust construction (lots of VLSI chips inside). This machine is impossible to find, although I have one. Lucky me!!! Graphical interface is totally intuitive, and tell me if you know of any other machines that are resynthesis- based, as this is , if you care to use it in this fashion. Digital filter emulation (oscillator # filter) is unequaled.
Monday, March 03, 2008
Technos Acxel Resynthesizer
click here for more images sent in by an anonymous reader. Be sure to click on the label at the bottom of this post for more info on this interesting synth from history including video.
Update: these are actually images of Mathias Boman's Acxel
Sunday, May 27, 2007
The Technos Acxel Resynthesizer
Acxel Resynthesizer page on Synrise.de [update: looks like it no longer available]. Peter originally sent in the link along with the two videos below. I actually posted the videos back on June 6 via Chris Strellis on Twango. It looks like they have been added to YouTube by analoghell. Be sure to check out the Tecnos link below for prior posts featuring the Acxel Resynthesizer.
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
STRELLIS - The Power of Nine
Via Chris Strellis on AH:
"Writing under my alter ego of STRELLIS instead of Voynich (or is that the other way round?), I have an analogish track for you to listen too.
Numbers have mystic powers and affect our lives. Different numbers influence us in different ways none more so than the power of 9. Is this the real life?, is this just fantasy?, caught in a landslide, no escape from reality.
Roland S330 12-bit sampler is used for VP330 Vocoder Plus choir pads, VP330 strings build up and VP330 strings lead. Digital representation of something very analogue.
Korg DW8000 is used for unison bass sequence (marvellously juicy) (8 VCFs in those notes!)
Ensoniq Mirage for piano and organ duties. (CEM filters)
Roland JX-10 for bell sounds, fuzz sync solo, string pad wah and the bass and pad at the end
Linn 9000 for drums (CEM filters)
The_Power_Of_Nine.mp3
The_Power_Of_Nine_(Remastered).mp3
The Power Of Nine
5 mins 01 secs
6.90MB file size
192kbit MP3
I don't really believe there are powers in numbers except perhaps for 101,202,303,808 and 909 :)
I hope you enjoy the track
Chris
P.S I've taken down the Acxel Resynthesiser video files becuase you analogue guys have download 2GB of my 5GB/month bandwidth, 340 downloads, on just these videos about a digital snythesiser!
www.strellis.com
www.voynich.co.uk
www.strellis.co.uk
www.chromic.co.uk"
Hmm.... Something tells me we had something to do with that bandwidth issue. : ) Feel free to post whether you like the pre or remastered version of the track.
"Writing under my alter ego of STRELLIS instead of Voynich (or is that the other way round?), I have an analogish track for you to listen too.
Numbers have mystic powers and affect our lives. Different numbers influence us in different ways none more so than the power of 9. Is this the real life?, is this just fantasy?, caught in a landslide, no escape from reality.
Roland S330 12-bit sampler is used for VP330 Vocoder Plus choir pads, VP330 strings build up and VP330 strings lead. Digital representation of something very analogue.
Korg DW8000 is used for unison bass sequence (marvellously juicy) (8 VCFs in those notes!)
Ensoniq Mirage for piano and organ duties. (CEM filters)
Roland JX-10 for bell sounds, fuzz sync solo, string pad wah and the bass and pad at the end
Linn 9000 for drums (CEM filters)
The_Power_Of_Nine.mp3
The_Power_Of_Nine_(Remastered).mp3
The Power Of Nine
5 mins 01 secs
6.90MB file size
192kbit MP3
I don't really believe there are powers in numbers except perhaps for 101,202,303,808 and 909 :)
I hope you enjoy the track
Chris
P.S I've taken down the Acxel Resynthesiser video files becuase you analogue guys have download 2GB of my 5GB/month bandwidth, 340 downloads, on just these videos about a digital snythesiser!
www.strellis.com
www.voynich.co.uk
www.strellis.co.uk
www.chromic.co.uk"
Hmm.... Something tells me we had something to do with that bandwidth issue. : ) Feel free to post whether you like the pre or remastered version of the track.
Friday, June 09, 2006
Symbolic Sound's Tau
This one via Doktor Future in the comments of this Acxel Resynthesizer post:
"Check out Symbolic Sound's new Tau re-synthesis algorithm. It has a lot in common with the Acxel:
- Dedicated Hardware
- Real time waveform manipulation
Screenshots
MP3's
Tau sounds *way* better than their previous resynthesis algorithm (which is still in the software if you want to use it). I have been working Sound that uses this re-synthesis algorithm and their 'cross-filter' convolution algorithm at the same time. It's pretty wild. I big fan of Symbolic Sound."
More on the Acxel Resynthesizer
A few more links via Chris Strellis.
mp3s
pics and info
Mov 1
Mov 2
And the Acxel Resynthesizer is featured in this DVD, also posted here back in September 2005.
Update via Doktor Future in the comments (also posted here):
"Check out Symbolic Sound's new Tau re-synthesis algorithm. It has a lot in common with the Acxel:
- Dedicated Hardware
- Real time waveform manipulation
Screenshots
MP3's
Tau sounds *way* better than their previous resynthesis algorithm (which is still in the software if you want to use it). I have been working Sound that uses this re-synthesis algorithm and their 'cross-filter' convolution algorithm at the same time. It's pretty wild. I big fan of Symbolic Sound."
Update. We killed Chris's bandwidth. Chris gave me the ok to move these to Twango. Here they are:
mp3s
pics and info
Mov 1
Mov 2
And the Acxel Resynthesizer is featured in this DVD, also posted here back in September 2005.
Update via Doktor Future in the comments (also posted here):
"Check out Symbolic Sound's new Tau re-synthesis algorithm. It has a lot in common with the Acxel:
- Dedicated Hardware
- Real time waveform manipulation
Screenshots
MP3's
Tau sounds *way* better than their previous resynthesis algorithm (which is still in the software if you want to use it). I have been working Sound that uses this re-synthesis algorithm and their 'cross-filter' convolution algorithm at the same time. It's pretty wild. I big fan of Symbolic Sound."
Update. We killed Chris's bandwidth. Chris gave me the ok to move these to Twango. Here they are:
Friday, December 23, 2005
Technos Acxel Resynthesizer
Technos Acxel Resynthesizer up on the bay. Title link takes you to the shots and I grabbed the text below, before it goes to *bay limbo. In via reader Rasmus. Thanks Rasmus!
"Only 39 Axcels [sic] were ever made - and those who own an Acxel (ACoustic + X + ELement) hold on to them - proved by the fact that it is very, very rare that an Acxel is for sale. The last, and probably the only, time an Acxel was offered on Ebay were 2003. If I remember correctly, the starting bid was USD10,000 that time.
Imagine drawing waveforms, 128-stage envelopes, base pitches and amplitudes (the user interface allows editing of 32 base pitches/amplitudes at the same time, like an 32 track pitch and audio mixer, with a discreet “page” for each group of 32 oscillators, or ISC’s – Intelligent Synthesis Cells, as they are called in the Technos terminology), and other sound parameters with your finger - and have 256 intelligent, digital oscillators follow your every creative move in real-time. Imagine creating a monophonic sound with 256 oscillators, 8 multitibral voices with 32 oscillators each or any combination in sections of 32 oscillators.
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
Technos 16 π
The Technos Acxel (2nd picture below) came up on AH recently, so I went looking for more info on it. While looking I ran into the Technos 16 π. I totally forgot about this synth. I wonder how many of these were made if any, and who has it. Hopefully it didn't end up in a garbage bin or scrapped for parts. According to Synth Museum there might only be one in existence as Technos shifted focus to the Acxel Resynthesizer. You can see the scratch pad looking interface on the Technos 16 π like the Acxel Resynthesizer. Both were additive synths where the harmonics were represented by red LEDs on the pad, like a big red Lite Brite! You could draw your harmonics and then play them. Hmmm... Someone needs to make a Matrix Pin patch controller like an EMS Synthi but with Lite Brite glass colored pins. Woah...... Or a step sequencer where you can have different glass colored pins instead of LEDs, representing different steps doing different things. Man that would be beautiful. Someone do it please! : )
Technos 16 π (click here for a bigger picture).
Technos Acxel Resynthesizer (two sketch pad looking things on top. Click here for a bigger picture):
Check out this Engadget/Music Thing post for a good article on the Acxel Resynthesizer.
Technos 16 π (click here for a bigger picture).
Technos Acxel Resynthesizer (two sketch pad looking things on top. Click here for a bigger picture):
Check out this Engadget/Music Thing post for a good article on the Acxel Resynthesizer.
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© Matrixsynth - All posts are presented here for informative, historical and educative purposes as applicable within fair use.
MATRIXSYNTH is supported by affiliate links that use cookies to track clickthroughs and sales. See the privacy policy for details.
MATRIXSYNTH - EVERYTHING SYNTH