Mistreating a Korg KR-55 through the modular

YouTube via RothHandle
"O.k...I had some spare time in the studio so I felt like having some fun...

This was shot at roth händle studios in stockholm. If you are curious about the studio please stroll by www.roth-handle.nu"

Atari POKEY Chip Controlled From Abelton Live via MIDI

YouTube via littlescale
"An Atari POKEY chip is controlled from Ableton Live via MIDI.
------
http://little-scale.blogspot.com"

SonicProjects OP-X with Behringer BCR2000

YouTube via virtualoberheim. I've spent considerable time with an OB-Xa, not the OB-X. That said, its amazing how close this sounds. They nailed that Oberheim sound.
"http://www.sonicprojects.ch/

SonicProjects OP-X software VSTi synth played like a real hardware synth with a Korg DW-8000 as masterkeyboard (for midi notes and program changes) and a Behringer BCR2000 to remotely control its parameters (using midi CC).

Due to the ability of OP-X for parameter feedback OP-X and the BCR are completely linked (two ways). OP-X sends a complete cc dump on program change which updates all parameters on the BCR to the values of the new preset. This allows for completely jump free operation. When you tweak a control in the software OP-X the dedicated control on the BCR does change accordingly, and of course also vice versa.

OP-X runs within Cubase SX with some TC Native Reverb and Cubase Double Delay added as send effects. The played patches are all factory presets.

To make the feedback work you must route the midi out of OP-X back to the controller device. In Cubase this can be done using a separate midi track for the back-routing (1st track: in = midi keyboard & bcr2000, the best choose "all", out = OP-X; 2nd track: in = OP-X, out = bcr2000). In more simple hosts like e.g. MiniHost just activate the needed devices in the MIDI input output mangement.

Needed versions for the parameter feedback feature:
OP-X: Version 2.1
OP-X PRO: Version 1.2

The feedback feature won't work with any previous versions.

You can also watch the video in high quality with stereo audio which also works well for full screen watching. Just click the blue link at the bottom right of the video.

Unfortunately there are a lot of really bad compression artefacts in the audio stream, especially in the high quality stereo mode (strings, brass, deep basses, minimoog). They sound like bad distortions, which in fact are not there in the real audio coming out of the synth. Try to think them away. The real sound is one hundred times smoother, cleaner and bigger.

OP-X can be bought here (free demo available):
http://www.sonicprojects.ch/"

105 0012

YouTube via djwidow420

x0xWASP 2 impro1

YouTube via BIM0X. "drums by EM1 ; custom selfsourced x0xb0x"

DDD-1 vs S-900 vs S-2000 vs MPC-60 vs EMAX

YouTube via peglegjoe857
"I just got the MPC-60, bought it with money I didn't quite have... so to compensate I sold my S-900, S-2000, DDD-1, and Emax. I didn't have to sell the Emax... in fact, I really didn't want to... but alas, I am moving and needed the money. I will get the Emax rack unit in the future, for sure. ANYWHO...

I wanted to hear the difference between all these machines. First are the sounds of the DDD-1, direct from the machine, as well as a little loop. After that I sample the DDD-1 sounds into several other machines, playing each hit and then the loop. Hear the difference? You bet you do. They say the S-900 is the same sampler as the MPC-60, but to my ears they sound drastically different. Although, I did sample at different sample rates:
The MPC-60 is at 40khz, the S-900 is 20khz, the Emax is 28khz, and the S-2000 is 20khz. All 12-bit except the S-2000, which is 16-bit.

There is this ongoing debate about whether or not it makes a difference, using a software sampler/sequencer, or using hardware. You know where I stand, just look at the gear shown here. The real question is not about which sounds better or worse. With the right work, you can make any computer sound like and MPC... or make any MPC sound like a computer. It is about workflow. It is about authenticity. If you sample something into your computer and run it through a bit crusher, dropping it to 12-bit... I am sure you will feel a little meek trying to fake the sound of a 70$ S-900. Maybe not. Use what you have, that's really what matters I suppose... make it work. But it is very easy to score some sweet machines. I don't know what an SP-1200 is like to work with, but I can sure tell you the EMAX sounds amazing... and for only 200 bucks. Shit. Make all your beats bump, you will tell a difference... I promise you."

Zapp's talkbox synthesizer MiniMoog!

flickr by hutuka

"Damn, I wanna have one of those =p~"

KORG MicroKORG

full size

Not sure I get the title, but there you have it... Groovy stands.

Green Casio VL-1

via Synthesizer Art

Bug Labs BugSound

"BUGsound is for music lovers. With a 20-mm speaker, omnidirectional microphone and four stereo jacks for input, output, headphones and microphone, we’d like to think we can help inspire the next generation of hackers musicians. And with the onboard hardware codecs, you can also program BUGsound to act as an audio processing server."

Plan B at NAMM - Update

follow-up to this post. More detail via Peter Grenader, the man behind Plan B, on the Plan B mailing list.

"Both Plan B and Buchla will be at the Noisebug booth 6108 which is on the main hall this year in the vicinity of Moog and Motu.

Sometime this week I will be posting further details on what we'll be showing on the Plan B Analog Blog (go to www.ear-group.net to sign up. On the module end will be the models 21C Mini Milton VC Sequencer, the Model 32 Vector Plotter and the M30 and 30A - two components of the mighty Triple Digital VCO Subsystem. There are four other products being introduced which are part of the big move into cases and systems.: The he Ringer, a single row rack frame offering a low-cost solution to a previously expensive expansion requirement, and the Model Zero, which is the same three row Zero Halibuton case used by NIN with some significant improvements, including power saving modes, top/bottom strip modules and the option of expanding to six rows. A photo has been posted in the PB Analog Blog.

The Performance System, which has it's own case not unlike the Doepfer portable although two rows of 102 HP and eight inches deep is our fist venture into the systems arena and will also be on display and operational.

To support the Ringer, the Zero and the PS we're introducing an external power system which utilizes two high-grade second party switching supplies as it's engine. The supplies are audio grade and protected to the point that key'd power connectors on the bus will not be required...the PSU will shut itself off instantly if a module is installed incorrectly.

Along with Noisebug's, Plan B goods will be on display at a couple of other booths as well - keep a sharp eye out!

Again, when my schedule allows I will be posting more details on all this, including photos to the PBAB. Please grant me patience with this and in getting back with anyone who may need to contact me as I'm deep into Namm hell at present and time away to post is minimal.

Thanks again and I look forward to seeing you all at the show!

- Peter Grenader"

Update: see the comments of this post for some notes from Peter.