Hawkeye - Chiphead (Stereo SID Acid)

Published on Apr 13, 2019 Hawkeye

"It has been a while - we have moved and i had to do a quick new studio test - using some original MB6582 'acid' basslines created by TK./Thorsten Klose. Many, many thanks! :)

This was done in only about two hours and is not really a full track (thus the new midiphy SEQ v4+ was mostly unused). It is more of a SID stereo bassline audio demo, highly repetitive. I've also added both video takes, i am not sure which one is better or if both are bad, please tell me what you think :).

In this video, most sounds are created by DIY devices:
* MIDIbox MB6582 for a pair of 8580 SIDs in stereo bassline mode
* Mutable Instruments Anushri for the lead
* midiphy LoopA prototype for sequencing
* DIY polivoks stereo VCF to filter the drums

Recorded directly onto a Tascam audiograbber, no DAW was used, only slight audio compression added in post production.

Non-DIY equipment used:
* Vermona DRM 1 for drums
* MFB Dominion I as a secondary bassline synth

Many greets and thanks for listening and watching!
Hawkeye/Maelstroem Records"

TK and Hawkeye - Air Time

YouTube Published on Jun 18, 2012 by ucapps

"A jam session that I had together with Peter aka. Hawkeye (sitting in the background) in his studio - see also his YouTube channel for more great music: http://www.youtube.com/user/Maelstroem3 !

At 1:16, Peter added an impressive FPV recording made with his model airplane flying at the south border of "Starnberger See", a lake between Munich/Germany and the Alps.

Used instruments:

Hawkeye: directly played an Access Virus C

TK: used his MIDIbox SEQ V4 and BLM16x16+X to play an Elektron Machinedrum for the percussions, Moog Little Phatty for the bass, MIDIbox SID for additional basslines, Yamaha FSR1 for the pad sounds.

We started a bit uncoordinated, but found our style after 1..2 minutes.
We hope that you enjoy the video anyhow! ;-)"

Hawkeye - Looped Happiness (midiphy LoopA launch demo)

Published on Nov 23, 2019 Hawkeye

"With the launch of the midiphy LoopA just around the corner and just in time for the upcoming holiday season, here is another quick demo video - it is not focussed on musical finesse :), but on some of the new features integrated in the launch software version of the LoopA.

In the beginning of the track, the LoopA is launched with "Beatloop" mode active, a new non-linear time progression model, which has different modes. Some modes scan the sequence while retaining an identical sequence playback time. It is great to create new melodic progressions while retaining harmonies and is also interesting for scrambling up recorded drumloops.

Later on, we explore some 'live transposition' features, where multiple selectable tracks (e.g. to exclude drum tracks) are transposed via a single live encoder action. Live transposition is measure-synchronized to occur "always just in time".

Also, scene progression is fully synchronized to the recorded loops, so you can confidently proceed to a new scene at any time in your performance.

The midiphy LoopA is inteded to be used as a "musical note pad" or an "idea generator", it has been designed to be easy to use and has different features than its bigger 16-track brother, the midiphy SEQ v4+. Depending on your musical style, it should normally be easily able to hold a whole song in a session, which contains up to 36 looped note clips (these are arranged in 6 tracks x 6 scenes). Sessions are fully storable and recallable on/from a removable SD card within seconds.

We have released the user manual, you can preview it over here:
https://www.midiphy.com/files/468/mid...

You can obtain a fully documented DIY kit of the midiphy LoopA here (or subscribe to it becoming available, it should be available soon):
https://www.midiphy.com/en/shop-detai...

Hope you enjoyed the demo - and thanks for watching and listening!
Best regards and many greets,
Peter / Hawkeye"

Upcoming DIY midiphy LoopA MIDI Sequencer - Hawkeye - Microwaved (Waldorf Microwave 1, SID 8580 and friends)

Published on Apr 28, 2018 Hawkeye

"Hi, it has been a while...

This song sat on the sequencer for far too long - there were too many different melody lines going on and it was really difficult to bring it together - while i am not 100% convinced, it is the best possible effort with the midi clips i came up with, i hope you still like it - it had to be finished at some point, otherwise it would have occupied the sequencer for another few months :)

It was live sequenced on the midiphy LoopA - this small 'inspirational MIDI sequencer' will be available as an affordable DIY kit soon.

Other hardware used:
Dreamy string: Waldorf Microwave 1
Simple Lead: SID 8580 in MBSID/MB6582 synthesizer
Arpeggiated synth: Alesis Andromeda
Bass: MFB Dominion I
Second Lead: Roland V-Synth
Drums: Elektron Machinedrum
Audiograbber: Tascam DR-100
FX: Strymon Timeline and BigSky

Recorded directly from the hardware, only audio-compressed in post-production, but no DAW was abused during recording :).

Many greets to all DIY folks out there, you know who you are, thanks for your support and time!

I might be uploading a few DIY videos (e.g. how to build the LoopA sequencer used in this song) in the next time, if you are here only for songs, please don't go away, there will be more, later on :).

Thanks for watching and listening,
Hawkeye / Maelstroem Records"

Hawkeye - Fractal Floater (midiphy LoopA and the six synths)

Published on Apr 18, 2020 Hawkeye

"Back in time, when we were surfing the skies...


Made with six polyphonic tracks on the midiphy LoopA.

Synths used in the order of appearance:
1) Pad: Alesis Andromeda

2) Bassline: MFB Dominion I through DIY Polivoks

3) Lead: Waldorf Microwave 1

4) Drums: E-MU 6400 Ultra

5) Lead: Erica Synths Fusion VCO & Polivoks filter
6) Drums: Vermona DRM1


FX: Strymon Timeline and Big Sky, dbx 1066 compressor on drum bus - directly recorded with a Tascam WAV recorder, no DAW used.

The video footage is back from 2015 and was found on some old harddisk :).

Hope you enjoy!

Thanks for watching and listening!
Hawkeye / Maelstroem Records"

Hawkeye - Realm of Robots (8x C64 SID in MB6582, midiphy LoopA & MatriX)

video upload by Hawkeye

"Only SIDs make it possible! :)
(Sound provided by 8x 8580 in a MB6582 and some FX, no other synths used).

Sequenced by midiphy LoopA in song mode.
Composed with midiphy MatriX in grid notes mode.

https://www.midiphy.com/en/shop-detai...

Thanks for watching and listening!

Best regards,
Hawkeye/Maelstroem Records"

Hawkeye - SID Love (C64 8580 Stereo, Mutable Instruments Anushri)

Published on Nov 30, 2016 Maelstroem3

"Hola,
as recently requested by my YouTube friend KATOD_music (also a C64 SID nut :-)), here is a track that focuses again on the sound of the Commodore C64 SIDs. The synth in the upper left (red backlit knobs) houses eight 8580 SIDs in a DIY MB6582 synthesizer in four separate engines/channels, only a single stereo channel with two SIDs is used (lead stereo sweep starting at around 00:30).

Also featuring a Mutable Instruments Anushri (percussive arpeggio, right at the beginning), the Moog Little Phatty (dirty bassline, made with the LP through a DIY Polivoks filter and a Strymon Timeline delay) and an Elektron Machinedrum for percussion.

The session was recorded live, directly from the bare metal (Mackie 1604 mixer into Tascam WAV recorder) and was only slightly compressed in post-production and aligned to the video, no DAW necessary because of the fantastic MIDIbox MBSEQ V4 sequencer :-).

Hope you enjoyed it!
Thanks for watching and listening!
Hawkeye/Maelstroem"

Hawkeye - Neutron Blender (MFB Dominion I and friends - live)

Published on Jan 27, 2017 Maelstroem3

"Test-driving the MFB Dominion I and some friends, live-sequenced on the MIDIbox sequencer V4! :-)

I recently removed my computer/DAW from the synth setup, as I don't use it any longer (indeed i never used it, since the MBSEQ was finished many years ago :-)). The space that was occupied by the display was now available for another synth. After some long research and considerations, i chose the MFB Dominion, as I think it offers something new for me. In short words: it is fantastic! I still have to explore it more in-depth, as has a really powerful synthesis/modulation engine, but the first weeks with it were awesome! Thanks, MFB! :-)

Gear used:
Mono analog lead #1: Dominion I
Mono analog lead #2: Alesis Andromeda
Mono analog wall of noise: Moog Little Phatty, live controlled by the MBProgramma Patch Editor
Dry FM bassline: Yamaha FS1R, live modulated with the onboard encoders
Warm analog-ish (but fully digital) portamento pad: JD-990 through Polivoks DIY VCF (the left filter knob in the video... Thanks, J! What a deal, both of these are truly awesome!)
Drums: Elektron Machinedrum UW
FX: Strymon Timeline and Bigsky
Mixed through a Mackie 1604, directly recorded on a tascam .wav-recorder.

Thanks for watching and listening!
Hawkeye/Maelstroem Records"

Hawkeye - Uplift (Live)

Published on Oct 11, 2013 Maelstroem3·37 videos

Alesis Andromeda A6 jamming via Peter Knoblach on The MATRIXSYNTH Lounge

"Uplift your mind... live synth keyboard improvisation, no drums, no sequencer, no MIDI, no DAW...

Filmed in southern France.

Thanks for watching and listening!
Hawkeye/Maelstroem Records"

Hawkeye - Mnemonic Mantra (C64 SID vs Ensoniq ESQ-1)

Published on Jan 28, 2016 Maelstroem3

"A late night live session with a pair of C64 SIDs (8580) and their spiritual successor, the Ensoniq ESQ-1/ESQ-m. Both synthesis engines feature three oscillators per voice, the ESQ-1 offers more waveforms, improved envelopes and modulation possibilities and an increased audio quality.

Bob Yannes (the creator of the SID and founder of Ensoniq) once stated, that he (given he would have had the time and resources) would have liked to put the ESQ1 architecture instead of the SID sound architecture into the C64. In a parallel universe, this has probably happened, hehe :-).

Used tech:
* MB6582 - DIY SID synthesizer by midibox.org with 8 SID chips, fully MIDI controlled for the chip arpeggios
* Ensoniq ESQ-m - rack mounted ESQ-1 for the lead
* Moog Little Phatty for the bassline
* Alesis Andromeda for the poly synth pad
* EMU E-SI 2000/4000 for the drums
* MBSEQ V4 - DIY MIDI sequencer for live sequencing this track. Pattern changes, filter sweeps and evelope adjustments are performed in realtime :-)
* no DAW was used or abused, directly recorded to a Tascam WAV recorder, only slight compression added afterwards :)

Thanks for watching and listening, hope you enjoyed it! :-)
Many greets,
Hawkeye/Maelstroem Records"

Hawkeye - 985 Kilohertz (C64 SID vs E-MU E6400 Ultra)

Published on May 15, 2016 Maelstroem3

"This track title was inspired by the CPU frequency of the PAL Commodore 64. And what an awesome machine it is! 35 years later, we have about a million times more processing power, but has the software really become any better? :-) Back then, endless hours of tuning assembly loops, squeezing a few milliseconds out of display routines. Nowadays, we just buy newer hardware, if something is running a bit slow... and after 4K with already nearly invisible pixels 5K already awaits :-). Yes, it has been a great journey, but the beginnings were no less awesome than the current day is.

Regarding the live session: I only had the left hand available for track selection and synth action, because i held the camera in the right hand :-). Therefore, and as i am not left-handed, please forgive any strange timings or mistakes (i once accidentally flipped through the SID filter modes, but it somehow worked out :-))

Filmed with a Panasonic GH-2, the main polysynth jam loop is from an Alesis A6, the main melody is from a pair of 8580 SIDs placed in a MIDIbox SID. Drums by an E-MU E6400 Ultra (that was a bit hardware-hacked to show an oscilloscope view :-)). Secondary leads by the Ensoniq ESQ-M and the Yamaha FS1r. Bassline by a Moog LP through a DIY Polivoks VCF, all sequenced by the fantastic MIDIbox SEQ.

Hope you enjoyed this session and thanks for watching and listening.
Many greets,
Hawkeye / Maelstroem Records"

midiphy LoopA Features (Hardware MIDI Looper and Sequencer)

Hawkeye

"Essential features of the midiphy LoopA hardware MIDI looper and sequencer: this video also shows how you could integrate your LoopA in your creative workflow and music productions.
https://www.midiphy.com/en/loopa-v2/

Also: the midiphy LoopA firmware v2.07 has been released! :)

Timetable:
01. Polyphonic Step Recording 00:04
02. Step Recording Tricks 00:35
03. 1024 Step Polyphonic Sequences 01:45
04. Cutting a Clip 02:31
05. CC Recording on top of prerecorded Notes 03:30
06. CC Recording while recording Notes 04:00
07. CC Transformations with Algorithms 04:26
08. Manually Drawing CC Waveforms 06:04
09. CC Waveform Generators 06:57
10. Full Scene and Selective Track Progression 07:55
11. MIDI Live Effects 8:37
12. Footswitch Actions 10:09
13. Polymetric and Polyrhythmic Sequences 12:15
14. Tempo and Time Signatures 13:15
15. User Instruments and Track Setup 14:28
16. MIDI Router and MIDI Monitor 16:14
Appendix: Ask a Trusted Builder to build your LoopA, if you can not build it on your own 17:26

Hope you enjoy! :)
Best regards,
Peter/Hawkeye"

Hawkeye - Far Out

Published on Jul 21, 2014 Maelstroem3

"A dreamy synthesizer and video journey far out... big thanks to Bommelmox for the air support and the fantastic flight! :-)

Synths used:
Alesis Andromeda (Lead)
Yamaha FS1R (Second Lead)
Moog Little Phatty (Bass) through Polivoks filter
Elektron Machinedrum (Percussion) through Ebbe und Flut filter

Sequenced live on the fantastic MIDIbox SEQ V4, recorded directly from the bare metal, only added a bit of audio compression for broadcast.

Hope you enjoyed the trip, thanks for watching and listening!
Hawkeye/Maelstroem Records"

Hawkeye - DAWless (first person synth perspective)

Published on Jul 26, 2016 Maelstroem3

"...presenting a completely DAW-less jam :-), only using the left hand to control patterns and synths - the right hand is holding the cam, so you see some first person synth perspective ;-).

I will try to put in some Youtube video text overlays to tell you what is going on... :-)

Gear used:
Alesis Andromeda - Lead Sequence #1
Commodore 64 SIDs in a MB6582 - Lead Sequence #2
Yamaha FS1r - Bass Sequence #1
Moog Little Phatty through Polivoks VCF - Bass Sequence #2
E-MU Ultra - Drums (unfiltered)
E-MU ESI 2000 through Schippmann Ebbe und Flut (drums - filtered)
HAMEG 80s Oscilloscope (Ebbe und Flut filtered drums view)
MIDIbox Sequencer V4 - patterns, unmuting/muting action

Hope you liked it and thanks for watching and listening!
Hawkeye/Maelstroem Records"

Hawkeye - Patch of Light (live MBLoopa & Synths)

Published on Nov 12, 2017 Maelstroem3

"A little techdemo/song of what is possible with the MBLoopA v2, a MIDI sequencer, that will be hopefully openly available as a DIY project in spring 2018! :-)

Features: 6 polynote channels with stepbased or unquantized note data, eight "scenes" (here used for transposing) and note editing, visual/graphical clip/note display and measure-synchronized muting/unmuting of tracks and scene switching, all running on a tiny 192kb ram microcontroller and a rather nice 256x64px OLED using the great MIDIbox hardware platform!

Synths and gear used:
* Alesis Andromeda for the intro lead
* Moog LP/MFB Dominion hard left/right mapped for the bassline
* Roland JD 990 for delay lead
* Yamaha FS1R for the kickdrum
* E-MU E6400 Ultra for drums
* Strymon Timeline/BigSky and a DIY Polivoks VCF for the phasing effect

Everything was recorded live to a Tascam wavegrabber, no DAW or other sequencer was abused during recording, only used a "real" computer for audio compression after the session :-).

Hope you enjoyed and thanks for watching and listening!
Many greets,
Hawkeye/Maelstroem Records"

Hawkeye - Polychrome

Published on May 23, 2014 Maelstroem3·41 videos

"Welcome to a new multicolor vector voyage :).

Piano: Roland V-Synth
Analog Lead: Alesis Andromeda
Bassline: Moog Little Phatty through Polivoks Filter
Chip Arpeggio: MB6582 - SID Synth (8580 x 8)
Drums: Elektron Machinedrum
Sequencer: MIDIbox SEQ V4 - live
Camera carriers: multicopter/plane

Thanks for watching and listening!
Hawkeye/Maelstroem Records"

LoopA - DIY MIDI Looper Introduction (MIDIbox platform)

Published on May 7, 2018 Hawkeye

"After about three years in the pipeline, we are proud to announce the LoopA v2 [you can find a post from 2015 here]. Thanks to Andy, there are now PCBs - and we have also finished a DIY acrylic case. Public availability (PCB and essential kit for hard-to-get parts) is expected somewhen in June/July, also John from Modularaddict.com did show interest and wants to resell those boards for the U.S. based folks!

The LoopA will definitely not be a beginner DIY project, as some SMD soldering and somewhat precise board interconnection work is needed, but a BOM and a full documentation about the build process will be released, so it should be doable :-). On the plus side you will receive a very compact unit (only 38mm height packing three stacked PCBs), a lot of MIDI interface functionality and a very responsive system that is designed to be "easy to use" and inspirational. Like not starting up your DAW and updating drivers but just sitting at your favourite synth and hacking in some lines! :)

Here are the main features:

* six polynote tracks linked to individual MIDI configurations
* six scenes, allowing for a total of 36 in-memory MIDI clips
* graphical note display on an OLED, that shows clip notes and also edit changes like transposition in realtime
* four MIDI OUT ports, two MIDI IN ports, one OUT port is configured as an optional BLM expansion port (later)
* non-step sequenced recording, clips can be dynamically requantized during live sessions
* note-editor for fixing recording errors
* transposition, scrolling and time-scaling of clips
* disk operations (full recall), storage to SD card
* BPM setting and MIDI sync from "upchain" devices like a master MBSEQ

MIDIbox master thread: http://midibox.org/forums/topic/20833...

Shop link: [not yet publically available yet, this will change]

Thanks for watching!
Peter/Hawkeye"

Hawkeye - We don´t give a SID (C64 SID vs Alesis Andromeda)

Published on Oct 22, 2014 Maelstroem3

"Fresh from the lab!
This one is a bit more raw and relies heavily on the C64 SID: the MB6582 (the synth with the red backlit knobs) houses eight 8580 SIDs and offers really extensive patch programming, modulation, hands-on control of the sound, and full MIDI support. Only one "engine" of the MB6582 was used for this track - that means only two SIDs were used and mixed for a stereo effect.

Equipment used:

Lead: 2x Commodore C64 SID 8580 in a MIDIbox SID MB6582
Backfill: Alesis Andromeda
Bassline: Yamaha FS1R
Percussion: Elektron Machinedrum
Sequencer: MIDIbox SEQ V4 (live sequenced)
Recorder: Tascam DR-100 (live recorded)
Cam: Panasonic GH2 with an ancient Vivitar 28mm lens for the blurred look! :)

Hope you liked this one - tell me what you think! ;-)
Thanks for watching and listening!
Hawkeye/Maelstroem Records"

Hawkeye - Happiness is Analog (Hill Diver Part II, Alesis Andromeda vs MIDIbox SEQ V4)

Published on Sep 26, 2015 Maelstroem3

"A live and unfiltered session with the MIDIbox sequencer V4 and the Alesis Andromeda!

Synths used:
Alesis Andromeda (poly lead)
Moog Little Phatty (bassline)
Yamaha FS1R (kick)
Roland V-Synth (sliced drums)
Elektron Machinedrum (even more drums)
^- not all analog, i know :)

Hope you enjoyed it, thanks for watching and listening!
Hawkeye/Maelstroem Records"

Hawkeye - Flow Motion (C64 SID vs Alesis Andromeda)

Published on Jul 24, 2015 Maelstroem3

"Full throttle! :-)
Please use headphones for maximum SID induction! :-)
Video made with a DIY 1800 watts Y6 hexacopter. :-)

Synths Used:
MIDIbox MB6582 - 8580 SID x 2 (Bassline)
Alesis Andromeda (Lead #1)
Roland V-Synth (Lead #2)
Kawai K5000 (Ambient Pad)
Elektron Machinedrum (Drums)

Sequenced by the fantastic MIDIbox SEQ V4! :-)

Thanks for watching and listening!
Hawkeye/Maelstroem Records"