Moog Mavis // Super Quick Assembly

video upload by Starsky Carr

Analog Solutions Fusebox 3: Hands-On Demo

Published on Nov 30, 2018 Starsky Carr

"A demo of the fantastically analog Fusebox 3 by Analog Solutions.

It's surprising how busy you can be while performing on a synth without a keyboard!

I've included a step-by-step explanation of how the 2 main patches are developed through the duration of the track.

The kick and toms are from Slate Digital SSD4 Blackbird expansion pack. FX are via the Eventide H9 Space Time algorithm 'Quarterly Delay' plus noise' hats through Unfiltered Audio's BYOME plugin from Plugin Alliance."

The 80s DREAMSYNTH by Cherry Audio

video upload by Cherry Audio


video upload by Starsky Carr

"A first look at Cherry Audio's novel Dreamsynth. Imagine you're back in the 80s looking at an impenetrable D50 interface and wishing you could afford a Jupiter 8... here we've got an Oberheim style state variable filter, virtual analog oscillators or PCM Samples or single cycle samples, single shot cycles... you get the point,. Plus a really intuitive interface."

Description for the top video:

"Cherry Audio's Dreamsynth is a tribute to the celebrated hybrid analog/digital synthesizers of the mid-to-late 1980s. The innovative design blends flexible dual-wave morphing oscillators, stereo filters, a fully polyphonic string synthesizer, extensive and easy-to-use modulation, studio-quality effects, and MPE support, all in an elegant vintage-style synth interface.

Cherry Audio's Dreamsynth synthesizer is available now at cherryaudio.com and authorized resellers worldwide for the incredibly low price of only $39!

DREAMSYNTH FEATURES
- Innovative design blends flexible dual-wave morphing oscillators, stereo filters, analog strings, extensive modulation, studio-quality effects, and MPE support, all in an elegant vintage-style synth interface
- Three dual-waveform oscillators, amounting to six simultaneous virtual analog or PCM sample-based oscillators with up to 16 voices of polyphony
- Authentically modeled virtual analog waveforms, plus 430 looping, one-shot, and single-cycle PCM waveforms
- Fully polyphonic 16-voice string synthesizer can be layered and split independently of the primary synth
- Three tempo-syncable LFOs
- Arpeggiator, independently assignable to synth or string sections
- OB-style 12 dB/octave multimode stereo filters
- Extensive and accessible modulation: 20 mod sources and over 40 destinations, including effects
- Effects include distortion and sample-crushing, 12-stage phaser, chorus, flanger, rotary speaker, delay, and reverb, including the new "Galactic" reverb algorithm
- Support for MIDI Polyphonic Expression (MPE) -- Pitch, Channel Pressure, and Timbre -- making Dreamsynth capable of more organic and expressive performances when using MPE-compatible controllers
- A massive library of over 1100 presets from a wildly talented and diverse group of sound designers including James Terris, Katharine Fountain aka FOUNTAINS, Julian Pollack (J3PO), Julie Kathryn (I AM SNOW ANGEL), Huston Singletary, Mark Wilcox, Dave Polich, Joseph Holiday, Agent Method, and Venus Theory

Dreamsynth is available in AU, VST, VST3, AAX, and standalone formats, for macOS and Windows. It includes native support for Apple's M1 processor and is fully compatible with macOS 12 Monterey. A free 30-day demo is available. Visit cherryaudio.com for additional product details, system requirements, and an expansive collection of awe-inspiring sound demos."

Erica Synths STEAMPIPE The Synth with no oscillators!

video upload by Starsky Carr

"An interesting polyphonic synth with NO OSCILLATORS from Erica Synths... demonstrated by Girts and his daughter, who play clarinet in the Riga philharmonic. A talented family indeed!"

Update: post updated with:

"The 'in-phase' version of the video. The original upload recorded the outputs straight from the mixer at the booth, which must have had the chase inverted on one of the channels so it was silent for some of you. Now I'm back in the studio I've fixed it."

Roland Galaxias // Create your own Frankensynths

video upload by Starsky Carr

"Enhance the classics by combining analog, digital, vintage and modern tones.

We've now got a standalone synths for Roland Cloud Ultimate,... and they've given us an upgrade - you can just load your favourite synths or you can create monster hybrids. With Galaxias you can build up to 4 layers per scene - so you've got Fantom style complex performance patches .. without needing a FANTOM. Plus this can use 4 ACB models in a single patch/scene."

3rd Wave // MPE with the ROLI Seaboard Rise2

video upload by Starsky Carr

"The 3rd Wave from Groove Synthesis has had an MPE upgrade so here I give it a workout with the ROLI Seaboard Rise 2. It's super easy to set up and adds a whole new dimension (or 5) to the 3rd Wave. I NEED to do more of this!

The ROLI software gives you fine control over the calibration settings of each dimension, plus the keyboard itself has the sensitivity sliders plus CC control, so loads to discover."

What's New? | PolyBrute - Firmware 3.0

video upload by Arturia

"Matt Pike gives you a guided tour of the fresh creative features, sonic enhancements, and useful fixes arriving with PolyBrute's firmware 3.0, from built-in distortion to new tuning options."

Playthrough | PolyBrute Firmware 3.0 - Presets


"Enjoy a sonic preview of PolyBrute's revamped preset library, courtesy of firmware 3.0, with sound designer Matt Pike. Each preset is designed to delve deeper into PolyBrute's unique expressivity, alongside the firmware's new features."

Polybrute Firmware V3 Update

video upload by Starsky Carr

"The Polybrute gets better and better.. Arturia have given us another surprise firmware update for the Polybrute. Lots of nice little additions in here, in particular the 7 new distortions plus FX routing, VCO tuning options and unison detune... and a fair bit more."

0:00 7 Distortions
1:13 FX Routing
2:31 VCO Tuning
3:14 Unison Detune
4:15 Poly Unison
5:04 Duo Pitch Bend
5:53 Stereo Layers
7:05 Arp Glide
7:53 Step Record Page Follow
8:32 Generate
9:03 Visuals and Misc

Distortion mode

Color and crush your polyphonic patches with a new page of effects: Distortion. This includes 7 types of crunch: Subtle Tape, Classic Distortion, Soft Clip, Worn Out Tape, Germanium, BitCrusher, and DownSample.

Flexible effects routing

Dig deeper into PolyBrute’s signal chain and rewire its effects to suit your sound design flow; both the Insert and Send modes can now be adjusted in terms of order.

New Stereo Layer mode

Allocate one voice to the left channel and one to the right to add increased natural width to PolyBrute’s sounds.

Enhanced tuning

A wider range of tuning options lets you adjust PolyBrute’s musical role in your projects, from tuning individual oscillators more deeply to transposing the keyboard to suit a particular track or style.

PolyBrute Connect

Communication between PolyBrute and its software counterpart is now quicker, smoother, and more intuitive, also accommodating other new features from firmware 3.0.

Workflow & expression improvements

Numerous fixes and much-requested additions to PolyBrute’s feature set, from reloading your last saved preset on startup to more features & parameters displayed on-screen in real-time.

Over 350 new presets

PolyBrute’s library has been totally reworked with new & enhanced presets that emphasize its expressivity, analog power, and new features like Distortion and Stereo Layer mode; hear the new library in action in Matt Pike’s dedicated playthrough video.

Big, Brilliant and Beautiful // Waldorf Iridium Keyboard review and demo

video upload by Starsky Carr

"A demo/review of the Waldorf Iridium Keyboard. It really is a beautiful bit of kit.. and so flexible. 5 synths in one plus a sampler - I can't really do it full justice in just over half an hour - but it's a great synth. Unlike its bigger and more expensive brother this is all digital, with a huge selection of filter types and synth engines."

This one was spotted and sent in via Soviet Space Child.

Strombox // The expandable rack system for modular synths

video upload by Starsky Carr

"A look at a new offering from new UK company Strombox. An expandable rack system."

Bass Station 2 Additional Functions (the Sub 37 can't do!)

Published on May 14, 2019 Starsky Carr

"A little addition to my Bass Station 2 vs Sub 37 video, essentially revisiting some of the content I deleted in the final edit, because I ended up demoing the new functions of the BSII, taking the focus from the comparison. It did, however, leave the BSII a little unloved in the end as pointed out by Dark Sky Synth :)

So to rebalance the discussion a little:

Ring Mod 1:25
Osc Filt Mod 3:10
Microtuning 4:37
Aphex Twin Mode 5:54
GLide Divergence 6:41
3 Individual Osc 7:31
Amp Envelope 9:36"

Behringer Pro-1 vs Prophet 6 and Toraiz AS-1

Published on Nov 15, 2019 Starsky Carr

"A look at how close the Prophet 6 is to the Pro-1 demonstrating the sonic similarities and differences between Behringer's Pro-1 and the Pioneer DJ Toraiz AS-1 synth, which is effectively a single voice of the Prophet 6.

It's not a comprehensive comparison .. I've not played with the High Pass or FX or demo'd the additional capabilities of the P6 and Toriaz. This video is purely just to see if they share sonic fingerprints with the Pro-1.


Overview 1:10
Oscillators 4:10
Filter 6:30
Modulation and FM 15:06
Sync 17:36
Conclusion 19:16"

Minimoog vs Moog One // BASS

video upload by Starsky Carr

"Can the Moog One do bass? I've heard a lot of stuff here and there with people claiming its not up to scratch or doesn't have the full body for big basses...so I deduced to out it up against the King of Bass. Its not a minimoog but does a close approximation. Of course there are differences in all over the place. So it's different, but I wouldn't say it can't play bass.

Dan Stirling very kindly lent this unit for me to have a play. Check his productions out here:
https://www.danstirling.co.uk"

Create Wavetables From Anything For Anything ... For free

video upload by Starsky Carr

Here I put the Prophet VS waves into the UDO Super 6, Waldorf M, Arturia Microfreak and Pigments using just a DAW and Audacity. It's a super flexible method and following this you should be able to sample any wave from anything you have to create a wavetable - the tricky bit was getting the cycle length sample accurate. Some require

Buy the packs here:
https://www.starskycarr.com/patches/w...

Or become a Patron:
https://patreon.com/starskycarr"

0:00 Making Wavetables isn't always easy
3:21 Tuning the Source Instrument
5:16 Create the Initial Samples
6:07 Fine Tuning the Samples
7:45 Creating the Single Cycles Sample in Audacity
10:26 Exporting Individual Files
11:22 Creating Wavetables
15:54 Take Care!
16:48 Changing the Cycle Length
17:39 Export as a Wavetable
18:24 Importing into the Microfreak
19:07 Change the Number of Samples per Wavetable
19:56 Change the Bitrate
20:55 Final Test - The Working Wavetables

Introducing the Pittsburgh Modular Voltage Lab 2

video upload by Pittsburgh Modular Synthesizers

"Standalone Modern Analog Synthesis Laboratory
Pittsburgh Modular Synthesizers’ long-anticipated successor to the Voltage Research Laboratory is filled to the brim with interesting new inventions, such as several new wave-shaping technologies, an addictive tactile performance controller, and more…"

The New, Experimental Synthesis of the Voltage Lab 2

video upload by Jorb

0:00 Intro
2:27 Hands on Begins
4:58 Oscillator One
11:01 Oscillator Two
16:29 Quick Look at Function Generators
18:26 Quick Look at Dynamics Controllers
19:04 FX
21:02 Chance Sequencer
22:37 Touch Controller Begins
26:56 Step Conditions
28:10 Step Jump Explained

Geek Chic // Sonic Experiments from the Voltage Lab2

video upload by Starsky Carr

"Dusting the cobwebs from my vintage 1950's lab coat - it was all the rage once honest.

Going into lab rat research mode and seeing where the maze takes me..

... and here's the results.

Just a little taster while I open the lab book to record apparatus, method, results, discussion and conclusion.

0:00 Bunsen Burner Big Beats
2:15 Plucking Pipettes (no pipettes were harmed)
3:06 Test Tube Techno (it's not techno)
5:59 She's Alive
7:44 Naked Flame
10:00 Medical Skeleton (its the Bare Bones)"

Pittsburgh Modular Voltage Lab 2 - Just Jammin'

video upload by

"Fascinating new modular system from Pittsburgh with a decidedly West Coast bent. Too soon for a review, but here's half an hour of playing with the rather remarkable sequencer, the timbre of the oscillators and other bits and pieces. I added some reverb via the Chroma Console but otherwise it's all the VL2."

The Sweet Spot: Voltage Lab 2 Semi-Modular Synthesizer
video upload by HAINBACH

"As anyone who has ever tried to assemble a modular synthesizer, it is not easy to create a cohesive instrument, especially if you try to narrow it down to a portable case. In comes The Voltage Lab 2 that Pittsburgh Modular send me to play with (thanks for that!) - it is a semi-modular self contained synthesizer, and to me it hits the sweet spot between functionality and musicality."

Also see The Lab Report Episodes for audio demos.



Press release follows:

May 14th, 2024 - Pittsburgh, PA Pittsburgh Modular Synthesizers today announced Voltage Lab 2, a standalone dual oscillator analog synthesizer synthesis laboratory with a unique integrated touch-sensitive performance controller.

CLICK FOR MORE »

Behringer K-2: Unboxing and first impressions - build quality, sound and form factor

Published on Sep 25, 2019 Starsky Carr

"Initial impressions of Behringer's K-2. It's not a review, but a quick look at how it feels and sounds. First impressions count... :)

3:20 Oscillators
6:27 Filters
8:56 Filter 1 Noise
9:52 Filter1 vs Filter 2
12:13 Envelopes
13:23 Patching a Sound (S&H)
14:43 External Signal Processor
15:30 LFOs/Modulation
18:00 Conclusion
19:40 Oscillators (geek mode)"

SynthFest UK 22

video uploads by sonicstate

Use the controls in the player above to skip around (drop down top right; skip controls bottom left).

"Videos from the SynthFest UK show in Sheffield put on by Sound on Sound Magazine"

Update: Smart MIDI Patchbay, & Ivo Beatrix Lorelei Persephone added to the playlist.

Playlist:
Synthfest UK 22: AJH Synth Patch Break Down With Dreams Of Wires
Synthfest UK 22: Adroit Synthesis - Granular Synth for Voltage Modular
Synthfest UK 22: MIDIum - SmartMIDI Foot Controller
Synthfest UK 22: Yamaha MODX+ Demo From Dom
Synthfest UK 22: Korg Drumlogue 1st UK Sighting
Synthfest UK 22: Rhodes - MK-8
Synthfest UK 22: RYK Vector Wave FM Module
Synthfest UK 22: Knobula Compact Skiff Demo Riffs
Synthfest UK 22: Studiologic - Numa-X Piano GT
Synthfest UK 22: Decksaver - Protective Covers
Synthfest UK 22: 3 New iLoud Precision Monitors
Synthfest UK 22: Dreadbox - Erebus MK2 and Hades
Synthfest UK 22: The Godfather Will Own Your Eurorack Mix
Synthfest UK 22: Soundgas - Rare Suzuki Waraku Koto Synth
Synthfest UK 22: Wang Synth Control - Wangulator
Synthfest UK 22: Sweet Discrete Can Pimp Your Vinyl Panels
Synthfest UK 22: Starsky Carr Meets Gaz Williams
Synthfest UK 22: myVOLTS Power and Audio Fixers
Synthfest UK 22: Transistor Sound Labs Stepper Sequencers
Synthfest UK 22: Studio-Electronics - MIDImini and SE-3
Synthfest UK 22: Bjooks - Patch and Tweak and Inspire the Music
Synthfest UK 22: Tileyard North
Synthfest UK 22: Kenton - Smart MIDI Patchbay
Synthfest UK 22: Expert Sleepers - Ivo Beatrix Lorelei Persephone
Synthfest UK 22: Synth Cables of all kinds
Synthfest UK 22: Roland SP-404 MK2 With 2.0 OS
Synthfest UK 22: More On The Eventide Misha

Moog Sub 37 vs Voyager: Sound Design

Published on Mar 4, 2017 Starsky Carr

"A quick tour of some of the differences and similarities between the Moog Voyager and the Sub 37."

Playlist:
Moog Sub 37 vs Voyager: Sound Design
Moog Sub 37 vs Voyager: Basic Sounds
Moog Sub 37 vs Voyager: Filters

Prophet 5 Shootout: Softube, Repro-5, Arturia vs a Prophet 5 Rev4

video upload by Starsky Carr

"Get ready for a geekfeist. Softube Model 80 and U-He Repro-5 are the two main contenders for the Prophet 5 Rev3 plugin crown, while the Arturia Prophet 5V is carrying the flag for the rarer Prophet 5 Rev 2. There are minor differences in the 2 models - the filter and envelope responses are different, but they all sound like Prophets.

BUT... which is best for you. They all do slightly different things and approach emulations in their own way."

0:00 Preamble with Schh Schh Schh Schh
2:21 Different Approaches
3:40 Rev2 vs Rev3 Prophets
6:56 Oscillators
8:26 Pulse Deep Dive
14:33 PWM
14:58 LFOs
15:42 Chords
16:10 Unison
17:16 Slop & Aging
20:55 Filter Sweeps
25:16 Envelope Slop
27:45 Filters in more detail
31:24 Filter Envelope interaction
34:33 Gentle Musical Sweeps
37:07 FM
39:21 Inverting the Sawtooth
40:37 Which ones for you?
43:42 In the Mix

Dreadbox NYMPHES // Unboxing, Review and Demo

video upload by Starsky Carr

0:00 intro
3:46 The Interface
7:43 Raw Tones
9:31 Building a Tone
11:26 LFO Options
14:37 Reverb
19:29 6 LFOs

A New Look at the Polyend Play as a DAWless Centrepiece

video upload by Starsky Carr

"A run-through of its main functions with a deep dive into its MIDI capabilities. With 8 CCs to control per channel and 32 channels its no slouch!

0:00 Demo Track #1 Its the Polyend Play and The Blofeld
1:07 Thanks to Perfect Circuit
1:52 Not so 'Brief' overview of what it does
7:35 Demo Track #2 Back to the Old School
9:53 Main Modes
10:41 Let's talk about its MIDI capabilities
13:09 Demo Track #3 As a MIDI Centrepiece
14:48 Ideas for variation
16:16 Demo Track #4 Play Modes
17:02 MIDI CC control - 8 per channel
19:21 Playing Chords
20:33 MIDI Keyboard... It's a controller
21:01 Wrapping Up"