Volca Role-Reversal Jam! (Volca Drum as Synth/Volca Modular as Drum Machine!)

Published on Jun 29, 2019 Oscillator Sink

"I've come to terms with the fact that using synths as drum machines is kinda 'my thing' now. I also "have prior" for using drum machines as synths.

In this jam, all of the synth lines are coming from the Volca Drum, and the percussion is coming from the Volca Modular. The Volca Drum is being recorded through the Digitech Polara Reverb to give it a little more ambience; the Volca Modular is recorded dry - any ambience you hear is coming from its internal "Space" effect. There's a little EQ and compression in the mix, but haven't added anything else.

Both Volcas are running a single pattern, but the Volca Drum is taking advantage of the 'Active Step per Track' trick along with Step Probability and the Volca Modular is in Stochastic mode with lots of 'Woggle' so there's quite a bit of variation happening within those single patterns."

Zoom MultiStomp + Sawtooth Wave = A Whole Synth?!

Published on Jun 7, 2019 Oscillator Sink

"Although it lost out to the Digitech Polara in my recent reverb shoot-out, the Zoom MS-70CDR's real strength comes from the fact that it's a "multi-effect" in the true sense of the term: you can run multiple different effect algorithms at the same time.

So bearing this fact in mind, and adding to that the wide range of effects it has on offer, I got to thinking: given only the most basic input of a raw sawtooth wave, could you build the rest of a synth using just the Zoom?.."

Korg Volca Drum - A Lyra-8 on a Budget?

Published on Sep 5, 2019 Oscillator Sink

"I've been hard at work on a Patch Pack for the Korg Volca Drum, and it's nearly done! Obviously, most of the patches are drum kits, but tonight I thought it'd be fun to draw inspiration from a synth that's been on my wish list for a long time - the Soma Labs Lyra-8.

I don't think the Volca is going to fool a discerning listener, but it's definitely fun to see just how "un-drummy" it can get. The delay you can hear is the Volca's own "Wave Guide" as well, and although it isn't as interesting as the Lyra's innovative "multi-delay plus distortion" arrangement, it is pretty characterful!

This kit, along with 15 others will be available soon - for free!

My Free Online Patch Editor for the Volca Drum: https://synthmata.com/volca-drum/"

KeyStep Pro - What's new in the 2.5 firmware update (and how do you use it)?

video upload by Oscillator Sink

"The version 2.5 firmware for the KeyStep Pro brings with it a number of useful enhancements to the controller, including per-pattern program change messages.

In this video I'll run through each of the upgrades, demonstrate how they work and clarify what's the difference between the Chroma and original versions.

Transparency notice: Arturia kindly provided the KeyStep Pro Chroma for free for the purposes of making this and other videos. I was not otherwise paid and Arturia did not request, nor were they given any editorial oversight.

Chapters
00:00 Intro
00:27 What's the deal with the original vs the Chroma?
00:43 Track Colours (Chroma only)
02:08 Fixed Velocity
04:01 Program Change per Pattern
08:15 Transpose Latch
10:47 Outro "

New FREE Microfreak Patch Pack: "Nostalgia and Reminiscence"

Published on Apr 23, 2020 Oscillator Sink

"Get the patches here: https://www.arturia.com/products/hard...

Today I'm excited to share with you my brand new patch pack for the MicroFreak which is being released for free by the good folks at Arturia.

The pack is called "Nostalgia and Reminiscence" and my idea with this pack was not to try to recreate any classic sounds per se, rather to create patches of how they sound in my head, through rose-tinted glasses and years of sitting on old tapes, cassettes, and VHSs.

The patches in the pack tend towards the fuzzy, wobbly and lo-fi without trying to sound obviously retro. I've also put a big emphasis on taking advantage of the MicroFreak's special playing surface, with almost all of the patches reacting to your playing pressure - so don't be afraid to lean in on these sounds to feel how they shift under your fingertips."

New FREE Sample Pack! DRM-1: Four Ways

Oscillator Sink

"Get the samples here: https://gumroad.com/products/LOYBo/

The Vermona DRM-1 is a wonderful, all-analogue, 8 voice drum synth with a wonderfully unashamed raw, electronic tone and a startling versatility. In this sample pack I have captured 113 samples, and processed them 4 different ways: raw; a punchy in-the-box plugin chain; processed through a gritty characterful germanium pre-amp on low and then high gain.

The samples cover the standard kick, snare, clap, cymbals and "other" drum sounds, but also takes advantage of the fantastic "multi" voice on the Vermona for metallic plinks, zaps and techno chord stabs. Additionally, as many of the voices allow you to remove the "drummy-ness" from the sounds, there are a range of "tone" samples which showcase the raw synth sounds and are great for melodic and harmonic parts."

Elektron Digitone Minijam - 2018-04-24

Published on Apr 24, 2018 Oscillator Sink

"Here;s another Minijam that is 100% Digitone. I love it this machine."

New Gear Day! Korg Minilogue Platinum Grey

Published on Dec 15, 2018 Oscillator Sink

"It's was always going to happen - I got a Miniloguel but I did get the swaggest version - the limited edition Platinum Grey.

Let me know in the comments if you want to see anything in particular covered in upcoming videos - patch building, comparisons, tips and tricks etc. I've already got a bit of a list but I'm happy to hear requests!

It's very different to the DeepMind, so complements it nicely in my setup - but more on that in another video.

Here's a few patches I've built since it arrived. I'm addicted to the lofi, gritty, noisy delay at the moment - I'll dial it back later, but for now I'm just swamping everything in it!"

Korg Monologue Patch Pack 02 - FREE!

Published on Sep 9, 2017 Oscillator Sink

"Following on from my previous patch pack, check out this new selection of patches for the Korg Monologue, available for free download!

You can download the patches from: http://oscillatorsink.com/"

Using the Korg Volca Drum Melodically - Part 1: Sound Design

Published on Aug 24, 2019 Oscillator Sink

"Part 1 of a two part series where I'm looking at using (or maybe misusing?!) the Korg Volca Drum to make melodic parts. In this part we discuss the sound design techniques we can employ when building melodic sounds.

You can find the free patch editor I built here: https://synthmata.com/volca-drum/"

#Synthuary2020 / #Jamuary2020 - 03

#Jamuary2020 - 03 - Streets of Rage 2 jam - Performed on the #Deluge

Published on Jan 2, 2020 True Cuckoo

See the Synthuary label for more. Synthuary because these are the Jamuary synth videos. Synthuary also reminds me of a synth sanctuary. :)
Note some late entries came in for 01 & 02. Be sure to check them out. And if you are coming through the main page and see a "CLICK FOR MORE LINK" below, click it for additional entries.

"This time it's a quick game cover of the epic soundtrack in the Megadrive/ Genesis game Streets of Rage 2/ Bare Knuckle 2."

CLICK FOR MORE »

#Synthuary2020 / #Jamuary2020 - 10

#jamuary2020 Day 10 - Elektron Digitakt

Published on Jan 10, 2020 Oscillator Sink

See the Synthuary label for more. Synthuary because these are the Jamuary synth videos. More below.

"Oh wow this one was fun to make.

It has been a good few months since I last sat down with the Digitakt and, like its FM cousin, it remains just so inspiring and fun. This one was a real head-bobber while I was recording.

The project I was working in was the same one as my Digitakt set from last year, so the samples used are the same, but the result was quite different from anything in that set.

Anyway, I had a big dumb smile on my face the whole time I was working on this one, so I hope that comes across in the finished product."

CLICK FOR MORE »

Understanding Sound Design on the Volca FM - Episode 3.5: (More) Envelopes

Published on Oct 20, 2017 Oscillator Sink

"Welcome to the third (and a bit) episode in the series where we dive into sound design and patch creation on the Korg Volca FM. In this episode we discuss a couple of extra features around the envelopes."

All parts here.

#jamuary2019 Day 19 - Korg Minilogue

Published on Jan 19, 2019 Oscillator Sink

"After a few days off thanks to a combination of work and illness, I'm easing myself back in with the Minilogue. A fairly simple patch (with a little bit of cross mod shininess); an arpeggiated chord progression; delay and reverb provided by the Zoom MS-CDR70; and some obligatory knob tweaking. Just what I needed to get up and running again."

Arturia Minibrute 2S - Let's Build a... West Coast-y, Buchla-ish, Music-Easle-eque Patch!

Oscillator Sink

"The mysterious world of Buchla synths is a quiet fascination for me - one that, out of necessity is conducted from a distance - as the instruments that make up their catalogue are eye-wateringly expensive.

For me, the Buchla Music Easel, seems to typify the whole mysterious vibe; it looks like some kind of retro-futuristic control panel in an alien spaceship - and sometimes sounds like one, but if we look at the specs on paper we have: two oscillators, a wave folder, a low pass gate, an envelope, a source of randomness, a 5 step sequencer and a cool pressure sensitive keyboard…. Well the Minibrute 2S has a lot of that, and I reckon we can bodge the rest of it so… Let's see if we can apply some Music Easel magic and build a 'West Coast Brute" of sorts!

Here's a video about establishing an "initialised patch" as a starting point:"

Arturia Minibrute 2 / 2S - Let's Build an... Initialised Patch


"In 'Episode 0' of the series where we build patches from scratch on the Arturia Minibrute 2 and 2S, we discuss how we set up a good starting point for all our future patches!

Transparency Notice: The MicroBrute 2S and DrumBrute Impact were kindly provided to me by Arturia."

KORG microKAST Ep#22 Clash Of The Switch Codes

Published on Apr 19, 2018 KORG microKAST

"The microKAST team are back & are joined by guest host John McCubbery, Vice President of KORG Inc! We chat about the market reaction to the new Monopoly, prologue & volca mix and cover all the latest KORG News. Regular features like Gear Goggles & Downloads are in there, as well as a brilliant Kronology from 1999 featuring the electribe series. There's an exclusive interview with Dua Lipa's MD who's using KORG gear & a competition to win a free Gadget code for Nintendo Switch! #brew

0:00 Intro
1:42 KORG News
11:10 #brew with EMX-1 patterns
15:16 Kronology featuring the electribe
43:41 1999
56:15 Feedback
1:02:19 #brew with new electribes
1:04:25 GearGoggles
1:08:00 Dua Lipa PadKONTROL Interview
1:12:30 Downloads
1:19:25 Play out with KORG volca Kick Song "Doria" from Oscillator Sink"

New Arturia MicroFreak Vocoder Update & White Edition

Playlist:
1. Arturia Performance | MicroFreak Vocoder Edition
2. Tutorials | MicroFreak - Episode 6: Vocoder Mode
3. Arturia MicroFreak Vocoder First Test. (feat additional Reverb) - Sound Provider
4 Arturia Microfreak Vocoder Update (setting things up, exploring the sounds, vocoding drum machines!) - Oscillator Sink
5. Arturia MicroFreak Vocoder Review - loopop

TIMELINE for loopop video:
0:00 Intro
0:15 Hidden input
0:45 Limited edition
1:25 MicroFreak overview
2:10 Vocoder basics
3:50 Setting gain
4:30 Osc controls
6:10 Hiss controls
7:35 Vocoder presets
9:00 TIPS FOR LEGIBILITY
9:05 Pronounce well
9:20 Headphones
9:35 Tune with samples
10:30 Intervals
10:40 Repeat lyrics
10:50 Mix OG vocal
11:00 OTHER TIPS & IDEAS
11:05 Use beats
11:45 Complex envelopes
12:50 Earphone gain
13:35 Pitch bend and mod
13:45 Glide
14:10 Compression
14:30 Bold beatboxing...
14:55 Reverb and delay
15:15 Pros and cons

And the press release with some pics:

"Arturia Unleash MicroFreak Vocoder Edition

Sing alongside glistening digital textures. Add paraphonic harmonies to external sound sources. Scatter spoken word across sprawling modulated sequences. This is the uniquely unpredictable MicroFreak formula but not as you know it.

Limited edition, limitless madness
A new look, a new configuration, a new sound. Let’s take a closer look at what makes this exclusive limited-run Freak tick...

Gooseneck microphone
Easily adjustable and removable, the mic connects to the headphone socket, designed to fit snug against MicroFreak’s rear connectivity panel.

Limited-edition finish
MicroFreak Vocoder Edition has been given a makeover, featuring a sleek, eye-catching white design with a unique Swan graphic.

New 16-band Vocoder engine
Accurately detect, filter and replicate the complex harmonics of the human voice. Sawtooth, pulse width and noise waveforms, with 16 new presets to boot.

Connect external sound sources
Process an external sound source like a drum machine/synth via the headphone socket for glitchy vocoder sound processing.

The MicroFreak Vocoder Edition is available to purchase at any authorised Arturia dealer while stock last.

Street price $349/329€

CLICK FOR MORE »

Live Synth MiniJam (2017-10-18): Volca FM, Atmegatron, DRM1, Dark Energy, BeatStep Pro

Published on Oct 18, 2017 Oscillator Sink

"I haven't posted a jam in a while: fixed. I thought i'd combine a couple of my newer acquisitions with some old favourites into a little live minijam.

Everything played live, then the raw tracks mixed a bit in Reaper.

Gear List:
Vermona DRM1
Korg Volca FM
Soulsby Atmegatron
Doepfer Dark Energy
Arturia BeatStep Pro"

Ambient Minijam - 2018-08-12 (with Korg Monologue, Volca Keys)

Published on Aug 12, 2018 Oscillator Sink

"More experiments using the Digitone as a 'brain' in a live jam setting. Here, as well as sequencing its own, wonderful synthesis engine, it's also in control of the Korg Monologue and Volca Keys.

Both of the Korgs are being routed through the audio inputs on the Digitone so they can take advantage of the Digitone's own Reverb and Delay - all the ambience effects you hear are coming live from the Digitone.

I've gone for something a little more ambient today and I think these 3 synths really compliment each other in this setting - especially with the Digitone's reverb helping out!"

Understanding Sound Design on the Volca FM

Published on Oct 8, 2017 Oscillator Sink

"Welcome to the first episode in my new series digging into sound design and patch creation on the Korg Volca FM. In this episode we set the scene by discussing where FM and "traditional" subtractive analogue synthesis meet up."

Playlist:
Understanding Sound Design on the Volca FM - Episode 1: Introduction
Understanding Sound Design on the Volca FM - Episode 1.5: The Edit Menu
Understanding Sound Design on the Volca FM - Episode 2: Operators
Understanding Sound Design on the Volca FM - Episode 3: Envelopes
Understanding Sound Design on the Volca FM - Episode 3.5: (More) Envelopes
Understanding Sound Design on the Volca FM - Episode 4: LFOs
Understanding Sound Design on the Volca FM - Episode 5: Algorithms
Understanding Sound Design on the Volca FM - Episode 6: Velocity Sensitivity
Understanding Sound Design on the Volca FM - Episode 7: Operator Scaling