Synth Jams by Alfonse

Published on Oct 22, 2012 Alfonse

Playlist:

1. Alfonse - MPC Jam One

MPC 2500 on loan for a few days, so time to make some beats and see what ideas come out...

2. Alfonse "Subtract" - Korg iElectribe and iMS20 on iPad

All parts were performed using Korg's iElectribe (beat) and iMS20 (synths) for iPad and each take was videoed as it was played. The parts were then mixed in Logic, adding some side-chain compression and overall mastering goodness.

3. Alfonse - Electrum Jam One

Step One: make a beat using Electrum Drum app by niko twenty for Android
Step Two: jam it out on synth and see what you end up with...

4. Alfonse - Electrum Jam Two

Step One: make a beat using Electrum Drum app by niko twenty for Android
Step Two: jam it out on synth and see what you end up with...

You can find Alfonse's music on:
http://alfonsemusic.bandcamp.com
http://www.soundcloud.com/alfonsemusic

Novation Bass Station II / Yamaha PSS-580 / PSS-460 / TC Electronic Alter Ego - From the Live Room 6

Published on Dec 13, 2019 Alfonse

"Get the track here: https://alfonse.bandcamp.com/album/fr...

Live jam featuring Ian Bostic on drums and Alfonse on the Novation Bass Station ii, as well as the 1986 Yamaha PSS-460 and 1989 Yamaha PSS-580 FM mini-synths. The PSS-460 tracks were overdubbed later (the lead was double-tracked and slightly detuned to sound a little bigger), with effects provided by two TC Electronic pedals: Alter Ego delay on the Copycat and Specho settings and the Hall of Fame mini reverb.

Music (C) Copyright 2019 Alfonse and Ian Bostic

ALFONSE
Store: http://alfonse.bandcamp.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/alfonsemusic
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/alfonsemusic
Soundcloud: http://www.soundcloud.com/alfonsemusic

IAN
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX7V...

From the Live Room 6: Novation Bass Station II - Alfonse vs. Ian Bostic"

From the Live Room 2: Novation Bass Station ii

Published on Jul 14, 2019 Alfonse

"Live jam featuring Ian Bostic on drums and Alfonse on the Novation Bass Station ii. Two more tracks of synth overdubbed later, with delay provided by the Boss DD7 digital delay pedal. Some additional reverb was added to the synths at the mixing stage.

Music (C) Copyright 2019 Alfonse and Ian Bostic
Download here: https://alfonse.bandcamp.com/album/fr...

ALFONSE
Store: http://alfonse.bandcamp.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/alfonsemusic
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/alfonsemusic
Soundcloud: http://www.soundcloud.com/alfonsemusic

IAN
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX7V...

From the Live Room 2: Novation Bass Station II - Alfonse vs. Ian Bostic"

Novation Bass Station II / Casio MT-600 / Yamaha PSS-580 - From the Live Room 7

Published on Jan 25, 2020 Alfonse

"Get the track here: https://alfonse.bandcamp.com/album/fr...

Live jam featuring Ian Bostic on drums and Alfonse on the Novation Bass Station ii and the Yamaha PSS-580 FM mini-synth from 1989, which was running through a TC Electronic Alter Ego 'vintage echo' pedal set to "Copykat" mode. The lead parts were overdubbed later on a 1987 Casio MT-600 with effects provided by the Yamaha SDS CH-10MII chorus pedal and the Boss DD7 delay.

Music (C) Copyright 2020 Alfonse and Ian Bostic

ALFONSE
Store: http://alfonse.bandcamp.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/alfonsemusic
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/alfonsemusic
Soundcloud: http://www.soundcloud.com/alfonsemusic

IAN
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX7V...

Novation Bass Station II / Casio MT-600 / Yamaha PSS-580 - From the Live Room 7 - Alfonse vs. Ian Bostic"

From the Live Room 4: Novation Bass Station II and Yamaha PSS-680

Published on Aug 17, 2019 Alfonse

"Live jam featuring Ian Bostic on drums and Alfonse on the Novation Bass Station ii, as well as the 1988 Yamaha PSS-680 FM mini-synth. The two tracks of customised Yamaha patches were overdubbed later, with effects provided by the Boss DD7 digital delay and CH1 Super Chorus pedals. Some additional reverb was added to the synths at the mixing stage.

For anyone who has a keyboard from the PSS-480 to 780 range, here are the parameters for the lead patch:
Voice 84: 0.35 1.45 2.19 3.07 4.01 5.02 6.05 7.88

Get the track here: https://alfonse.bandcamp.com/album/fr...
Music (C) Copyright 2019 Alfonse and Ian Bostic

ALFONSE
Store: http://alfonse.bandcamp.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/alfonsemusic
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/alfonsemusic
Soundcloud: http://www.soundcloud.com/alfonsemusic

IAN
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX7V...

From the Live Room 2: Novation Bass Station II - Alfonse vs. Ian Bosti"

Roland SH2 / Nord Electro - From the Live Room 8

Published on May 22, 2020 Alfonse

"Get the track here: https://alfonse.bandcamp.com/album/fr...

Live jam featuring Ian Bostic on drums and Alfonse on the Roland SH2 from 1979. All synth parts originated on the SH2. Two parts were recorded later: the lead part was routed through a Boss DD7 digital delay, while for the other part, single notes were sampled from the SH2, layered, and then downloaded as a custom patch to the Nord Electro to allow chords to be played.

Music (C) Copyright 2019/20 Alfonse and Ian Bostic

ALFONSE
Store: http://alfonse.bandcamp.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/alfonsemusic
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/alfonsemusic
Soundcloud: http://www.soundcloud.com/alfonsemusic"

Roland XP-10 Multitimbral Synthesizer Track by Alfonse

video upload by Alfonse

"Music: "Exponent" (C) Copyright 2023 Alfonse
Download the track here: https://alfonse.bandcamp.com/track/ex...

Roland XP-10 (1995)

The XP-10 is a General Midi / GS Format keyboard that can produce up to 28 notes simultaneously and can be used as a multi-timbral sound source with a sequencer. With very limited functionality as a synthesizer, the main value is in the ability to layer sounds, which can create some nice pad textures, as well as some interesting arpeggiator options.

You have limited control from the front panel over the initial filter cutoff and resonance; the vibrato rate, depth and delay; envelope attack, decay and release; chorus (+ delay) and reverb; as well as some keyboard, midi and arpeggio settings.

There are two “Combination Palette” sliders next to the volume control, which by default control filter cutoff and resonance, but can be set to control LFOs, attack and release, chorus and reverb, or portamento. The keyboard can be split into a lower and upper voice, or layered in Dual or X-Dual mode. In X-Dual mode, the sliders give you control over the relative volume balance of the ‘lower’ and ‘upper’ voices (alternatively, this can be assigned to the mod wheel or a pedal), as well as the overall left/right panning.

This video gives a flavour of some of the sounds on offer.

ALFONSE
Store: http://alfonse.bandcamp.com
Website: https://www.alfonsemusic.com
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/alfonsemusic
Soundcloud: http://www.soundcloud.com/alfonsemusic"

From the Live Room 3: Roland SH2 and Novation Bass Station II

Published on Jul 28, 2019 Alfonse

"Live jam featuring Ian Bostic on drums and Alfonse on the Novation Bass Station II, as well as the classic Roland SH2 monosynth from 1979. With the tuning of VCO2 going a bit unexpectedly wild on the original jam, I ditched the SH2 bassline and re-recorded it on the Bass Station afterwards, followed by a subtle and understated lead part using the SH2, with effects provided by the Boss CH-1 Super-Chorus pedal and Boss DD7 and Vestax DDX digital delay pedals. Some additional reverb was added to the synths at the mixing stage.

Music (C) Copyright 2019 Alfonse and Ian Bostic

ALFONSE
Store: http://alfonse.bandcamp.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/alfonsemusic
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/alfonsemusic
Soundcloud: http://www.soundcloud.com/alfonsemusic

IAN
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX7V...

From the Live Room 3: Roland SH2 and Novation Bass Station II - Alfonse vs. Ian Bostic"

Yamaha Reface YC - combo organ

video upload by Alfonse

"The Reface YC (2015) provides five classic organ sounds, plus rotary speaker, distortion and reverb effects, in a small package with mini keys. Flagship of the unit is the Hammond model, while four transistor combo organ models (Vox, Farfisa, Acetone and Yamaha) complete the sound palette. Harmonic percussion overtones of variable length and pitch can be added, as well as vibrato and chorus. I also used the percussion, the lowest three drawbars, and a dash of reverb to construct a gritty snare drum sound. Extra drums are from Samples From Mars vinyl kits and Logic Pro's own drum kit.

Music: 'Rologue' (C) Copyright 2024 Alfonse
Download the track here: https://alfonse.bandcamp.com/track/ro...

ALFONSE
Store: http://alfonse.bandcamp.com
Website: https://www.alfonsemusic.com"

Technics SX-K200 keyboard demo - "Motion Capture"

Published on Nov 16, 2019 Alfonse

"Technics SX-K200 keyboard (1982)

All sounds you hear in the track were made using the SX-K200; some were run through a Boss DD7 delay pedal. All parts were recorded to a DAW, where compression, EQ, and reverb were added as required. I also quadruple-tracked the lead synth melody (with two layers of "Cosmic Wah" an octave apart and two layers of "Brass" at the lower octave, which I detuned slightly in the DAW to give it a fatter sound). Individual drum hits were sampled from slowed-down rhythms and processed to allow a fresh kick and snare pattern to be built, although the basis of the groove was the "Disco" rhythm on the keyboard (with a high-pass filter applied so that the hi-hats are mainly all you hear).

The aim of these videos is to see what you can create using sounds from ageing home keyboards together with current production tools. The SX-K200 was an evolution of Technics' electronic organs, which they had been building and developing since the '60s; its sounds are split into 8 "orchestral" polyphonic presets and 6 "solo" monophonic voices, with nods to various staple synth sounds of the era. There is also a great stereo chorus effect that can be applied to the orchestral sounds.

Music: "Motion Capture" (C) Copyright 2019 Alfonse
Download here: https://alfonse.bandcamp.com/album/l

ALFONSE
Store: http://alfonse.bandcamp.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/alfonsemusic
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/alfonsemusic
Soundcloud: http://www.soundcloud.com/alfonsemusic"

Synthjam on Casiotone MT400V straight to 4-track tape

Alfonse

"Analogue drums ("Rock" rhythm) and synth sounds from the Casio MT400V, making use of the envelope on the analogue filter and the onboard stereo chorus to sculpt the sounds.

Everything was recorded straight to four-track tape on a Tascam Porta05 Ministudio at the western tip of Cornwall in late September 2020. I believe it was a Tuesday and I wore blue. Reverb was added during mixdown.

You can support the making of these videos by buying my music at http://alfonse.bandcamp.com

(C) Copyright 2020 Alfonse

ALFONSE
Store: http://alfonse.bandcamp.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/alfonsemusic
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/alfonsemusic
Soundcloud: http://www.soundcloud.com/alfonsemusic"

Yamaha Portasound PSS-190 keyboard demo - "Whistleblower"

Published on Jul 7, 2019 Alfonse

"Yamaha Portasound PSS-190 keyboard (1990)
All sounds you hear in the track were made using the PSS-190 and recorded to a DAW, where compression, EQ, reverb, delay and chorus were added as required. The "Disco" drum rhythm was used, heavily compressed.

The aim of these videos is to see what you can create using sounds from ageing home keyboards together with current production tools. The PSS190 is a "high-performance electronic keyboard" according to the manual, and certainly packs a lot of sounds into a small package. Many of the voices sound like PCM samples of the FM sounds on the PSS-680/780/480/580 keyboard range, but there are also layered and split voices to play with.

Thanks to Ed Bettella for the loan of this little beast, plucked from obscurity in a loft somewhere...

Music: "Whistleblower" (C) Copyright 2019 Alfonse
https://alfonse.bandcamp.com/track/wh...

ALFONSE
Store: http://alfonse.bandcamp.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/alfonsemusic
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/alfonsemusic
Soundcloud: http://www.soundcloud.com/alfonsemusic"

Yamaha TX7, Yamaha RX11, Novation BassStation II, Hohner Clavinet - Synth Jam

Published on May 12, 2020 Alfonse

"Synth jam with Ed Bettella and the Yamaha TX7 (DX7 module), Yamaha RX11 drum machine, Novation BassStation II, and Ed's self-restored Hohner Clavinet. Recorded January 2020.

(C) Copyright 2020 Alfonse and Ed Bettella

ALFONSE
Store: http://alfonse.bandcamp.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/alfonsemusic
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/alfonsemusic
Soundcloud: http://www.soundcloud.com/alfonsemusic"

Previous posts featuring Alfonse

Yamaha Portasound PS-1 - bonus demo

Alfonse

"Yamaha Portasound PS-1 keyboard (1980)

This tune was my first (or was it second?) attempt at writing something on the PS-1, before scrapping it in favour of the one I eventually put out a few months back: [posted here]

One of the first three portable keyboards that Yamaha produced for the home market in 1980, the PS-1 was the most compact, with only 4 voices and 4 rhythms to work with.

All sounds you hear in the track were made using the PS-1 and run through various single effects pedals (TC Electronic Sub Up octaver, the very synth-friendly Yamaha SDS CH-10MII chorus pedal, and the Vestax DDX vintage digital delay). Parts were recorded to a DAW, where compression, EQ, and reverb were added as required. Individual drum hits were sampled from slowed-down rhythms and processed to allow fresh beats to be built, rather than using the rhythms found on the PS-1 itself.

Music (C) Copyright 2019 Alfonse
Available as a bonus track on this Bandcamp release: https://alfonse.bandcamp.com/album/l

ALFONSE
Store: http://alfonse.bandcamp.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/alfonsemusic
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/alfonsemusic
Soundcloud: http://www.soundcloud.com/alfonsemusic"

Casio Casiotone CT-320 with analogue SuperDrums!

video upload by Alfonse

"Music: 'Loungewear' (C) Copyright 2023 Alfonse
Download here: https://alfonse.bandcamp.com/track/lo...

Casio Casiotone CT-320 keyboard (1985) with SuperDrums!!

All sounds you hear in the track were made using the Casio CT-320 and recorded to a DAW, where reverb was added. Two of the parts were played through a Boss DD7 delay pedal for some added interest. The aim of these videos is to see what you can create using sounds from ageing home keyboards together with current production tools.

A full-size version of the MT-52, the CT-320 wins points just as a beatbox alone with its Super Drums feature, which allows for individual drum elements (kick, snare, conga, hi-hat) to be switched to one of 3 different pattern variations within a rhythm selection, allowing for plenty of customisation.

ALFONSE Store: http://alfonse.bandcamp.com Twitter: http://twitter.com/alfonsemusic Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/alfonsemusic Soundcloud: http://www.soundcloud.com/alfonsemusic"

Casio Spectrum Dynamic synths --- HT-700 + MT-600 = HT-1300???

Alfonse

"The MT-600 was a preset version of the HT-700 and has the same factory sounds, but without the opportunity to modify any of them. They're digital synths that use Casio's SD "Spectrum Dynamic" synthesis method, with digitally-controlled analogue filters. While the top of the range HT-6000 had up to 4 oscillators per voice, these each only have 1 oscillator per voice, but since I had both hanging around in my synth lair, why not string them together via MIDI and build myself a hybrid...?

Stereo outputs were recorded from each keyboard and reverb was added during mixdown. Drums were added courtesy of the Boss Dr Rhythm DR-110 (1983).

You can support the creating of these videos by a) buying my music at https://alfonse.bandcamp.com or b) making a donation via PayPal to alfonsemusic at gmail.com

(C) Copyright 2020 Alfonse

ALFONSE
Store: http://alfonse.bandcamp.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/alfonsemusic
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/alfonsemusic
Soundcloud: http://www.soundcloud.com/alfonsemusic"

Five cheap 80s keyboards...

Published on Jun 3, 2019 Alfonse

A new series by ALFONSE. You can find him on Bandcamp, Soundcloud, Twitter, and Instagram.

Playlist:

1 Five cheap 80s keyboards...

Music: "Eight" (C) Copyright 2019 Alfonse

Intro to a new series of videos using sounds from ageing home keyboards together with current production tools. All sounds you hear in the track were made using the Casio SK-1 (a sampling keyboard), Casio MT-52, Yamaha PSS-680, Yamaha PSS-580, and Amstrad CKX100. They were recorded to a DAW, where compression, EQ, reverb, and delay were added as required.

2. Casio SK-1 sampling keyboard demo - "Rapid Rhino"

All sounds you hear in the track were made using the Casio SK-1 sampler or its factory sounds and were recorded to a DAW, where compression, EQ, reverb, delay and chorus were added as required. Individual drum hits were sampled from slowed-down SK-1 rhythms, to allow fresh beats to be built, rather than using the rhythms found on the SK-1 itself. If you hear something in the track and can't quite figure out where it came from, that was probably a vocal sample. It has a great 8-bit / 9.38kHz lo-fi sound; grainy and interesting...

The aim of this series of videos is to see what you can create using sounds from ageing home keyboards together with current production tools. Personally, I'm a fan of playing a vintage keyboard like this in its original state (not circuit bent) - it's more than just a retro toy...

Music: "Rapid Rhino" (C) Copyright 2019 Alfonse

3. Yamaha Portasound PSS-680 FM keyboard demo - "Splendid Larryo"

All sounds you hear in the track were made using the PSS-680 and recorded to a DAW, where compression, EQ, reverb, delay and chorus were added as required. Individual drum hits were sampled from the drum pads and processed (the 680's kick drum is horrible, so that needed some attention for a start...), to allow fresh beats to be built, rather than using the rhythms found on the PSS-680 itself.

The aim of these videos is to see what you can create using sounds from retro classic keyboards together with current production tools. The 680 has a 2 operator FM synth on board, which can be edited via the Digital Synthesizer parameters on the front panel; there are limited editing options, but enough to get a cool range of sounds. It also has Midi In, Out and Thru, allowing for plenty of cool connectivity with controllers, computers and other hardware. It's basically identical to the PSS-780, aside from some different coloured pads and other parts, and has the same sound chips as the PSS-480 and 580, which were the next rung down in the product line.

For those who have a keyboard from that range, here are the parameters for some of the main patches:
First bass: voice 34: 0.63 1.63 2.10 3.15 4.01 5.00 6.06 7.69
Second bass: voice 74: 0.30 1.63 2.22 3.21 4.02 5.01 6.07 7.73
Main lead: voice 60: 0.26 1.47 2.16 3.25 4.04 5.02 6.06 7.73
Bridge lead: voice 91: 6.04 7.99
End lead: voice 02: 0.41 1.63 2.02 3.01 4.01 5.01 6.06 7.91 + portamento 05

Music: "Splendid Larryo" (C) Copyright 2019 Alfonse

More to come! I'll put new posts up to let you know when they come in.

Yamaha Portasound PSS-460 FM keyboard demo - "Night Vision"

Published on Nov 30, 2019 Alfonse

"Yamaha Portasound PSS-460 keyboard (1986)
All sounds you hear in the track were made using the PSS-460; some were run through delay pedals (the Vestax DDX vintage digital delay and the more recent Boss DD7). All parts were recorded to a DAW, where compression, EQ, and reverb were added as required. I also double-tracked the lead synth part (each part tuned fractionally differently) to give it a fatter sound. Individual drum hits were sampled from slowed-down rhythms and processed to allow fresh beats to be built, rather than using the rhythms found on the PSS-460 itself.

The aim of these videos is to see what you can create using sounds from ageing home keyboards together with current production tools. The 460 was one of a few of Yamaha's PSS range to use the same YM3812 sound-generating chip used in the Soundblaster soundcards of the late 80s/90s.

Synth settings are editable via the sliders on the top right of the control panel. If you have one of these keyboards and want to recreate the sounds, here are the parameters:

Bluesynth (edited): 2 5 1 1 3 3
Synth 1: 2 3 5 4 5 3
Vibes (edited): 5 5 5 5 3 3
Synth 2 (bell): 3 5 3 1 3 3

Music: "Night Vision" (C) Copyright 2019 Alfonse
Download here: https://alfonse.bandcamp.com/album/l

ALFONSE
Store: http://alfonse.bandcamp.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/alfonsemusic
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/alfonsemusic
Soundcloud: http://www.soundcloud.com/alfonsemusic"

Yamaha Reface CS synth meets Reface CP electric piano

video upload by Alfonse

"Music: 'Lines' (C) Copyright 2024 Alfonse
Download the track here: https://alfonse.bandcamp.com/track/lines

A track made with sounds from both the Reface CS (various synth models) and CP (classic electric pianos).

The drum sounds used in the track are 909 samples from Samples From Mars, as well as the Logic drum synth for the initial kick drum sound.

ALFONSE
Store: http://alfonse.bandcamp.com
Website: https://www.alfonsemusic.com"

Roland Boutique JU-06A - a tiny Juno

video upload by Alfonse

"Music: 'Arboreal' (C) Copyright 2024 Alfonse
Download the track here: https://alfonse.bandcamp.com/track/ar...

Roland Boutique JU-06A is a re-creation of the classic Juno 106 and 60 synths in a boutique module, with arpeggiator, step sequencer, chord mode, and the classic Juno chorus on-board. It has a mini-jack input for an external click, mini-jack stereo headphone and line outputs, MIDI in and out ports, and USB connectivity that allows you to use it as an audio interface with your computer. It also runs off batteries with an internal speaker for music-making on the go.

ALFONSE Store: http://alfonse.bandcamp.com
Website: https://www.alfonsemusic.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/alfonsemusic
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/alfonsemusic
Soundcloud: http://www.soundcloud.com/alfonsemusic"