"Synclavier Digital re-engineers original knob from Synclavier® II as standalone Synclavier KNOB for iconic instrument iOS apps
NOVA SCOTIA, CANADA: Synclavier Digital is proud to announce availability of the standalone Synclavier KNOB — a re- engineered re-creation of the original knob central to the seminal Synclavier® II Digital Synthesizer’s speedy control surface, specially commissioned by co-inventor Cameron Jones as a USB device designed to perfectly compliment the newly- created Canadian corporation’s creation of a next-generation Synclavier, recently released as awe-inspiring Synclavier Go! and Synclavier Pocket! iOS apps fit for today’s owners of Apple’s inescapable iPad and iPhone/iPod Touch platforms, putting all the famed FM (Frequency Modulation) and Additive (harmonic) synthesis capabilities of the iconic instrument as well as its intuitive panels of easy-to-touch red backlit buttons in anyone’s hands (and pockets) at an affordable fraction of the trailblazing original’s prohibitive pricing — as of April 24…
NOVA SCOTIA, CANADA: having turned heads and opened ears with a show-stopping showcase at The 2019 NAMM Show in Southern California, January 24-27, newly-formed Synclavier Digital is proud to announce availability of Synclavier Go! and Synclavier Pocket! — placing a re-creation of the seminal Synclavier® II Digital Synthesizer’s sound engine from which they take their names into the respective hands of iPad and iPhone/iPod Touch owners as awe-inspiring iOS apps, allowing all the famed FM (Frequency Modulation) and Additive (harmonic) synthesis capabilities to be brought forward forty years for all to musically marvel, at a fraction of the original’s prohibitive pricing thanks to today’s technology, while also effectively emulating the iconic instrument’s intuitive panels of easy-to-touch red backlit buttons and iconic control knob in easy-to-use user interfaces — as of March 5…
Put it this way: while the still-highly-coveted brand of Synclavier® — synonymous with high-end audio production technology that blazed a trail through the Seventies and Eighties before stalling in the Nineties — is in the midst of a galactic reboot, thanks to Nova Scotia-registered Canadian Corporation Synclavier Digital, established in 2018 to re-create a modern iOS-based version of the Synclavier® Digital Audio System, Synclavier Go!, its inaugural iPad offering, is far from being a clone, however... to all intents and purposes, it is a Synclavier®!
So how, exactly, did yesteryear’s trailblazing technology that commanded a princely six-figure sum end up available on Apple’s pocket-friendly iOS platform in true needs of the many outweighing the needs of the few style? Simply speaking, when New England Digital (NED) went bankrupt in the Nineties, technology finally having caught up with the cutting-edge company concerned, co-founder Cameron Jones — co-inventor of the Synclavier® — bought the intellectual propriety rights to the trailblazing series of synthesizers and digital audio systems sharing the notable name.
"Step into the world of the Synclavier - the revolutionary instrument that forever changed how music and sound are created. Join me and tech expert Rob Rosen as we explore the visionary genius work and life story of Cameron Jones, co-inventor of the Synclavier. This incredible instrument redefined music production with its groundbreaking capabilities, high-res sampling to precise event editing, transforming the workflow for engineers, producers and filmmakers. Discover how the Synclavier altered the course of music history with its lasting impact on how composers could write music and what they co do with quick access to mind-blowing sounds. You'll also find out what Cameron sees for the future of music creation, expression, music tech and AI. This video is a must-watch for musicians, music lovers, inventors, tech enthusiasts...anyone with a dream!
00:00 - The Future is Now
01:08 - Video Intro
02:14 - How The Synclavier Change Music
09:39 - Early Days of Electronics
18:51 - N.E.D. The Digital Music Revolution Begins
33:06 - Selling a Dream
38:37 - Fearless Design
43:39 - Mainstream Success
51:05 - Iconic Design
1:04:57 - Synclavier Rises Again
1:09:23 - The Power of Digital
1:21:33 - Epilogue"
"Synclavier Digital advances acclaimed Synclavier Go! iPad instrument app with welcomed AUv3 client capability and Soundfile support
NOVA SCOTIA, CANADA: launched last year to widespread critical acclaim at The 2019 NAMM Show, Synclavier Digital is proud to announce continued advancement of Synclavier Go! — its innovative iPad instrument app directly descended from the codebase of New England Digital’s seminal Synclavier® II Digital Synthesizer, spearheaded by original co-inventor Cameron Warner Jones as a faithful recreation of the high-flying hit-making mega machine — at an even more pocket-friendly price for Version 1.30 (with welcomed AUv3 client capability, Soundfile support, and more), available as of March 12…
“Part of my decision to embark on development of an iPad version was to introduce my instrument to a wider audience,” asserts Cameron Warner Jones, justifying faithfully recreating the seriously-priced seminal Synclavier® II Digital Synthesizer secured by a privileged few — forever stamping its influence on music technology throughout a lengthy lifespan, ever evolving from its early Eighties entrance to an enforced exit as the cutting edge eventually became more mainstream — at a much more pocket-friendly price on Apple’s all-conquering tablet computer. Continues Cameron Warner Jones: “In this vein, we have decided to drop the price to $19.99 USD for the time being. We want as many people as possible to be given the opportunity to own a world-class instrument. If we can inspire the next Stevie Wonder or Suzanne Ciani, we have achieved our aim. And if there are price concerns with Synclavier Go! then we hope that this $10.00 USD reduction will mean more young, aspiring musicians will now have access to this professional music-making tool.”
"In this video, I visit and talk with former New England Digital Synclavier Product Specialist Kevin Maloney while surrounded by his two Synclavier Digital Music Systems.
Together, we present a complete history of the Synclavier with a stories and examples of how we used it on some massive hit records and films.
First, we listen to a track on the the original blue vinyl record titled
'The Incredible Sounds of the Synclavier II Demonstration Record'
that was the original source sound for the intro to Michael Jackson's 'Beat It'.Kevin's talks about sitting next to Michael while working on the Bad" album.He'll show us a complete breakdown of the components that make up the "Smooth Criminal" bass sound and a recreation of the sampled drum part.Then you'll see, in real time, how Synclavier's unique sequencer can drastically and quickly manipulate (or even transform) the recreated "Smooth Criminal" track.Kevin tells us how he worked closely with producer Quincy Jones to create the intro to "We Are the World". Quincy wasn't satisfied with silver bells, so Kevin turned silver bells into gold bells. Quincy said, he wanted to “send out bells to call all the people of the world to come and hear this song”. We delve into the Synclavier's one-of-a-kind ability to analyze samples (recordings of instruments or sounds) in order to create a series of short frames that each consist of a static wavetable. By cross fading the frames the user is able to recreate the complexity of a sample with a synthesizer sound. This process is called Resynthesis. The user is now able to manipulate the synthesizer sound in many more ways than can ever be done with a sample. We then heavily distort some vocal sounds that were generated using Resynthesis to show the level of control that is possible. We take a look at some preset sampled sounds from the original Synclavier Orchestral library including the string sounds used by Mark Knopfler in Rob Reiner's "The Princess Bride". Anthony talks about how he created a flute sound generated from Resynthesis and later used it to perform practically every cue in the film "Stand by Me" which is another Rob Reiner hit. We take you through the evolution of the Synclavier that includes: The Synclavier I, the Synclavier II with it's original keyboard, the addition of the velocity and polyphonic keyboard, The expanded track sequencer, the addition of more buttons and secondary functions accessed by double clicking the buttons to send them into "blinking mode". BTW - These buttons were originally designed for the B-52 bomber.
We cover MIDI, SMPTE, polyphonic sampling voices and more memory (at a cost of $4500 per megabyte) that were available to add to your system.
We highlight the reason why the Synclavier cost so much and how New England Digital managed to integrate cutting edge 3rd party technology that all worked perfectly together in one unified music system. Finally we review the far more accessible versions of the Synclavier like the Synclavier V by Arturia, Synclavier Go! and Synclavier Pocket! and the most recent addition to the family - Synclavier Regen which actually has unlimited FM synthesis and sampler voices along with the long awaited... resonant Multimode FILTERS!!! The evolution of Synclavier is filled with a plethora of breath-taking features that were nowhere to be found on any other single instrument and it includes a discography of legendary proportion. It's also a history that's deeply personal to me because it ran parallel with my evolution as a composer, songwriter, arranger and programmer. The Synclavier is alive and well in 2023!
Anthony's musical touch as both composer and performer is connected with some of the most influential creative minds over the last 40 years. He’s composed and conducted original orchestral scores for over 80 feature films including Young Guns, Internal Affairs, The Man From Elysian Fields, 15 Minutes and Planes, Trains & Automobiles, been commissioned by the Los Angeles Philharmonic for his symphonic work "In the Family Way", written over one thousand TV commercials in a myriad of musical styles, co-founded Levels Audio Post (LA's premiere post production facility) and performed and arranged on big-box-office films and influential hit records such as Michael Jackson's Thriller.
Published on May 19, 2016 ARTURIA - Update: new video uploaded May 30, 2016
Update: Clarification: the NED Synclavier is not an emulation but a port of the original software:
"this is not an emulation - it is the real thing, the real mccoy. Cameron Jones himself ported the original Synclavier code to run on PC/MAC/VST etc.
- you have the choice of playing each patch either in the original 8-bit depth, or change it to 4-bit (!), 10-bit, 12-bit, 14-bit, 16-bit, 18-bit, 20-bit, 22-bit or 24-bit depth.
- resynthesis: not implemented in the current release but there may be plans to put it in a future release. However some of the original factory patches included (83 total) are resynthesis-based
- the partials/timbre frame functionality was vastly expanded"
Video description:
"The new V Collection 5 is a giant leap forward in our quest to create the greatest legendary keyboards collection ever, including 5 new softwares instruments: Piano V, Synclavier V, B-3 V, Stage-73 V, Farfisa V.
Special thanks to:
Altius Prod
Stéphane Schott (http://www.lyynkstudio.com/)
Studio Question de Son (http://www.questiondeson.com/)
Underground Records (http://www.undergroundrecords.fr/)
Garbage & Greg Kaplan (https://www.garbage.com/)"
Arturia announces the Synclavier V
Published on May 19, 2016 ARTURIA
Update:It's not clear if the Synclavier V supports sampling resynthesis (see above), although it does take the FM and additive synthesis with partials to a new level. For reference, you can find the history of features for the original Synclavier on Wikipedia here.
"Arturia announces the Synclavier V, the first recreation of the legendary digital synthesizer made in collaboration with Cameron Jones, the inventor of the original instrument.
The Synclavier V faithfully recreates the elite digital synthesizer/workstation that started it all, powering some of the biggest hits and film soundtracks of the early ‘80s with its unique rich, edgy sounds.
While the Synclavier V expertly brings this historic instrument to life, we’ve improved it dramatically by taking advantage of today’s processing power. We’ve also infused into it everything we’ve learned over 16 years of developing award-winning software synthesizers. The result is a thoroughly modern, cutting-edge instrument that stands alone among hardware and software synths alike.
Update: some details on the synth engine:
Timbres consist of up to 12 Partial Timbres
Much of the magic of the original Synclavier owed to the ability to build Timbres (presets) by creating and layering four completely different sounds or Partial Timbres to realize massive, complex sounds. With the Synclavier V, we’ve taken the number of Partial Timbres to 12, dramatically expanding the creative possibilities. Since each Partial Timbre is a complete sound, that means that you can stack many different sonic elements into electrifying Timbres resounding with rich complex textures brimming with subtleties.
Partial Timbres are each compete synth engines
Each of the 12 Partial Timbres has two digital oscillators that combine the principles of both additive and frequency modulation (FM) synthesis. Rather than using filters to subtract harmonics from simple oscillators, additive synthesis builds up complex sounds by selectively adding harmonics in this case. The Synclavier V goes way beyond that, combining these oscillators in an FM architecture where the carrier (main) oscillator is modulated by the second harmonic oscillator. The fusion of additive and FM technologies make for a stunningly diverse and unique universe of cinematic pads, epic leads, evolving bass lines and more.
Time Slices animate long passages
Time Slices allow you to specify up to 50 snapshots of the 12 Partial Timbres of additive and FM synthesis goodness, and animate through them over time. For each Time Slice, you can set the volume, pitch, FM modulation amount, and delay. The ability to set parameter crossfades of up to 30 seconds between Time Slices—over a total time of 5 minutes—makes it possible to create long evolving ambient pads and cinematic cues of incredible complexity.
Improvements make a great instrument even greater
We’ve made a lot more improvements beyond boosting the sound engine from four Partial Timbres to 12. Where the original modulation oscillator was only a sine wave, now you can also choose sawtooth, square, or triangle—or graphically build your own waves comprised of 24 phase-controllable harmonics. These enhancements allow you to create outrageous textures never possible before. Each Time Slice can now even have a separate FM modulator waveform. Variable bit depth between 4- and 24-bits, on-board effects, and a MIDI Learn feature are just some of the many examples of the new options available to you in Synclavier V.
With the Synclavier V, digital synthesis meets total creative and performance expression.
Sure, all synths have LFOs, but the vibrato section of the Synclavier V is exhaustive, giving you control over LFO attack, phase, quantizing, bias and more. Things get even more interesting when you apply the LFO to the FM harmonic oscillator that, in turn, modulates the carrier. Let that sink in for a minute!
Want to take your listeners on an animated journey? Add extra energy to your pads and soundscapes with the stereo modulation section. It actually takes the form of separate linkable tremolos for each channel, making for unique spatial animation effects that will have everybody’s heads spinning.
Imagine performing with expressive nuances never possible before. Press harder on the keyboard to change the amount of FM modulation. Ride the expression pedal to affect the frame speed of your Time Slices. Grab the mod wheel to rock the FM modulation ratio. These are just some examples of what’s possible when you use the modulation matrix to easily map any of your favorite MIDI controllers to dozens of sound engine parameters—discretely for each Partial Timbre."
Update: the official press release for the entire V Collection 5 [Note: The Analog Lab press release below was the first to go up. Apologies for the all the updates, but this is how it comes in, and posts here on MATRIXSYNTH are about capturing that]:
"Arturia advances industry-standard V Collection of virtual classic keyboards
GRENOBLE, FRANCE: music software and hardware developer Arturia is proud to announce availability of V Collection 5 — the latest incarnation of its impressive industry-standard collection of authentic-sounding virtual instruments, expanded and updated to include five all-new additions alongside new versions of ‘old favourites’ (plus Analog Lab 2) — as of May 19…
With no fewer than 17 virtual instruments that recreate hard-to-source synthesizers and classic keyboards, V Collection 5 represents really remarkable value on many musical levels. At an attractive monetary level, it’s a no-brainer! Bringing something special to the 21st Century performance and production table, five all-new authentic-sounding additions lead this latest V Collection charge.
B-3 V beautifully recreates the distinctive tones of the B-3 tonewheel organ, one of the most iconic and influential instruments of all time. It truly transcends time and place by bringing this still-sought-after sound to the computer-based music-making masses. Meanwhile, Farfisa V virtually puts players in the driving seat of the sound that drove the hits of several decades as a superb software simulation of the famous Farfisa Compact Deluxe organ. Pushing the physical boundaries of an acoustic piano, Piano V meticulously models the sound and behaviour of one of the most important instruments history has yet thrown up — albeit not as one but rather nine virtual instruments rolled into one! An authentic-sounding software simulation of the Seventies-vintage Stage and Sixties-vintage Suitcase 73-key electric pianos, Stage-73 V is the sound of the Sixties, the sound of the Seventies… the sound of today, the sound of tomorrow! Thanks to Arturia’s close collaboration with original Synclavier® software developer Cameron Jones, Synclavier V takes everything the trailblazing Synclavier® could do as the most powerful additive and FM synthesizer ever created and makes it more powerful!
Put it like this: thinking about all those thousands of new sounds and styles in V Collection 5 that are available at the touch of a (virtual) button beggars belief, but Arturia’s aim is true… to create the tools that lend a helping hand to today’s musicians, taking inspiration from the past to (re)invent the music of tomorrow. The 12 remaining virtual instruments in V Collection 5 — ARP 2600 V, CS-80V, JUP-8V, Matrix-12 V, Mini V, Modular V, Prophet V, and SEM V analogue synthesizers; Prophet VS digital synthesizer; Wurli V electric piano; VOX Continental V electronic organ; and Solina V string machine — do just that, too. All are updated with resizable (Retina/4K-compatible) GUIs that truly have to be seen to be believed! But digging deeper, Native Instruments’ new NKS® (NATIVE KONTROL STANDARD) — allowing advanced integration with third-party software instruments — naturally features across the board. As does AU, AAX, VST2, and VST3 compatibility, standalone operation, plus MIDI Learn (to easily map all parameters to a MIDI CC).
Continuing Arturia’s quest for absolute authenticity through TAE® (True Analog Emulation), physical modelling, and additional technologies, anyone prepared to dig deep into V Collection 5’s treasure trove of hard-to-source synth and classic keyboard recreations will be musically rewarded in kind. Conversely, Analog Lab 2 is a powerful yet painless way of accessing a broad selection of sounds from across V Collection 5 within a single application. As it supports Arturia’s many MIDI controller devices natively, it adapts to reflect their physical controls when they are connected… connect with V Collection 5, then, and accept Arturia’s helping hand to today’s musicians, taking inspiration from the past to (re)invent the music of tomorrow!"
The Analog Lab press release:
"Arturia advances Analog Lab composite virtual instrument to include V Collection 5 sound selection
GRENOBLE, FRANCE: music software and hardware developer Arturia is proud to announce availability of Analog Lab 2 — an all-new incarnation of its composite virtual instrument that gathers together a broad selection of sought-after sounds from its V Collection 5 software bundle — as of May 19...
Analog Lab 2 is a powerful yet painless way of accessing a sought-after selection of sounds from all 17 of Arturia’s authentic-sounding virtual instruments as a single application. Included are sounds from eight emulated analogue synthesizers (ARP 2600 V, CS-80V, JUP-8V, Matrix-12 V, Mini V, Modular V, Prophet V, and SEM V), two digital synthesizers (Prophet VS and Synclavier V), two electric pianos (Stage-73 V and Wurli V), an acoustic piano (Piano V), and three electronic organs (B-3 V, Farfisa V, and VOX Continental V). Those virtual instruments recreate hard-to-source hardware synthesizers and classic keyboards of the past and conveniently transport them to the present-day desktop.
Analog Lab 2 invites instant exploration as an AAX-, AU-, VST-, and VST3-compatible plug-in in any DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) or as a standalone version. Its redesigned, resizable (Retina/4K-compatible) GUI (Graphical User Interface) is as easy on the eye as it is to use. Studio View shows the original historic hardware, helpfully bringing up the best presets from each instrument in question. But there’s a whole lot more to Analog Lab 2 than good looks alone.
Accessing those sought-after sounds at the speed of sound is simple, thanks to a new preset browser. Browse presets by TYPES, BANKS, sonic CHARACTERISTICS, and INSTRUMENTS (crossing categories). Create PLAYLISTS. Or simply Search for presets by NAME. Needless to say, with 4,500-plus presets to choose from there’s always a sound to suit every mood, every ambiance, and every music style — sounds that transcend time and fashion.
For those wishing to dig deeper then the dual-instrument MULTI feature with independent MIDI settings panel for each instrument will make their musical day. Drag and drop splits and layers of those presets to take ownership of the sound. Sounds and Multis can be organised in the PLAYLISTS area for instant recall via program change messages, making Analog Lab 2 a best friend in the studio and a pillar of live performance.
Put simply, Analog Lab 2 is so much more than just a sound library. It’s a substantial sound design tool and an amazing live performance instrument integral to immeasurably improving everyday workflow. When connected to one of Arturia’s many MIDI (Musical Digital Instrument Interface) controller devices, Analog Lab 2 will automatically adapt to reflect their physical controls. Generic MIDI controllers of course can also be used with MIDI learn to easily map all parameters to a MIDI CC (Control Change).
Changing the sound of Analog Lab 2 is even easier thanks to two EFFECTS slots with pre/post fader switch per instrument. Included Bitcrusher, Chorus, Delay, Destroy, Dub Delay, Eq4, Flanger, Overdrive, Phaser, Pitchshift, Reverb, Roundpanner, and Vocal Filter effects ensure that Analog Lab 2 always sounds the way you want it to.
Take your sound and workflow to another level with Analog Lab 2, an easily-accessible environment at an easy-to- swallow price point. What’s not to like?"
Arturia B-3 V Tutorial
Published on May 19, 2016
"The B-3 V delivers the most authentic tonewheel organ and rotary speaker experience you’ll find anywhere, plus customizations that open up new creative opportunities."
"Arturia pulls out all the software stops to realistically recreate tonewheel organ combo classic
GRENOBLE, FRANCE: music software and hardware developer Arturia is proud to announce availability of B-3 V — an authentic-sounding software simulation of the classic B-3 tonewheel organ and Leslie rotary speaker combo — as of May 19...
B-3 V realistically recreates the special sound of the B-3 tonewheel organ. One of the most iconic and influential instruments of all time. One which has graced many of the greatest recordings of all time. Today Arturia brings this to its award-winning Analog Classics family of virtual instruments that recreate hard-to-source synthesizers and classic keyboards.
Keyboard players have made their mark in all forms of popular music with the B-3, back from its inception in the Fifties way past its discontinuation through to today. Procol Harum’s hit ‘A Whiter Shade Of Pale’ proved particularly memorable with a melancholic countermelody displaying an altogether softer side to the B-3. But raucousness remains the order of the day for the blues, jazz, and gospel genres with which it first found favour. After all, it had historically been aimed at churches as a more compact and affordable alternative to conventional pipe organs.
One saying springs to mind: Pulling out all the stops — to hold back nothing — is an allusion to organ stops being pulled out to turn on each set of sounds in a pipe organ. The B-3 effectively ‘emulates’ this with its drawbars. Doing this and a whole lot more is what B-3 V does best, thanks to Arturia pulling out all the software stops to make it happen!
Thirties-developed tonewheel technology originally made that special sound happen. An electronic current is created when rotating a metal tonewheel near an electromagnetic pickup and amplifying that signal. The B-3 has 91 of those tonewheels with each key connected to a fixed set of tonewheel outputs. Drawbar settings control how these are mixed together. The tube preamplifier subsequently shapes the sound a little further — filtering and distortion take hold here — while factoring the position of the expression pedal. This not only acts as a volume control but also affects the frequency response of the preamp which is connected to a speaker.
Speaking of which, B-3 V faithfully simulates the favoured Leslie tone cabinet, containing a power amplifier that drives a rotating horn and a stationary woofer firing into a rotating drum reflector. Spellbinding spatial and frequency-shifting effects above and beyond the sound-shaping effects of commonplace loudspeakers are all perfectly possible!
B-3 V brings this classic combo — complete with the inherent imperfections that made that tonewheel technology sound so unique — to the present-day desktop as an AAX-, AU-, VST-, and VST3-compatible plug-in in any DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) or as a standalone version. Visually, things couldn’t get clearer, thanks to the resizable (Retina/4K-compatible) GUI (Graphical User Interface) that’s as easy on the eye as it is to use.
Under the hood, things couldn’t be better with MIDI control of many parameters and insert slots for ANLALOG DELAY, CHORUS, FLANGER, OVERDRIVE, and PHASE effects, as well as ADVANCED SETTINGS for upper and lower manuals and rotary speaker behaviour. B-3 V boasts a built-in step sequencer, allowing anyone to easily set an amount of modulation for each step of the sequence! Naturally, Native Instruments’ new NKS® (NATIVE KONTROL STANDARD) allows advanced integration with B-3 V.
All of the benefits of the original iconic instrument are available to modern music-makers with B-3V, but without the heavyweight hassles. Where anyone chooses to take it musically is anyone’s guess, but bet your bottom dollar that special sound will be being heard for many more years to come... courtesy of B-3 V!"
Arturia Stage-73 V Tutorial
Published on May 19, 2016
"The Stage-73 gives you actual authentic modeling of both Stage and Suitcase versions of the most popular electric piano on the planet —completed with unparalleled control of virtual mechanics, a complement of effects pedals, and built-in classic amps."
Update: And the official press release for the new Farfisa-V:
"Arturia augments Analog Classics collection with faithful Farfisa Compact series software simulation
GRENOBLE, FRANCE: music software and hardware developer Arturia is proud to announce availability of Farfisa V — faithfully modelling the famous Farfisa Compact Deluxe electronic organ with additional features from its Duo Compact series sibling — as of May 19...
Arturia’s award-winning Analog Classics family of virtual instruments recreate hard-to-source synthesizers and classic keyboards. As a worthy addition, Farfisa V virtually puts players of today in the musical driving seat with a still-sought-after sound that drove the hits of several decades: Farfisa’s famous Compact Deluxe electronic organ, one of a series of iconic instruments manufactured in Italy between 1964-1968. A staple of Sixties-produced popular music, they made their musical mark with a wider-ranging sound than that of their main VOX Continental competitor. With more bass waveforms and an expanded percussion and vibrato section sales soared.
Speaking sonically, Farfisa Compacts are almost more top octave synth-like than organ-like, thanks to a rudimentary envelope that allows for attack and decay control that went way beyond the typical organ sound of its day. Little wonder, then, that they proved popular with musicians throughout the Sixties (‘Sam The Sham’ and The Pharaohs, Percy Sledge), Seventies (Jean-Michel Jarre, Kraftwerk), Eighties (B-52s, Blondie), and beyond. But unlike heavyweight Hammond tonewheel organs, transportation to performances was trouble-free. For the fortuitous Farfisa form factor included integrated legs that could be folded up and stored within the body of the instrument itself, surely sealing many purchasing deals!
Today, though, finding and maintaining an original Farfisa has become both difficult and costly. Farfisa V solves such problems by bringing all the benefits without any of the hassles to the present-day desktop! Developed using an original hardware organ for reference, it meticulously models the original circuits and sounds of the famous Farfisa Compact Deluxe. Features from its Duo Compact series sibling are also included alongside an authentic combo amp simulation. Standalone instrument operation on Mac OS X and Windows is a given for performance purposes. Plug-in support for all major formats inside any DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) with easy MIDI-learn functionality provides hands-on control of many of its parameters and automation support for considerable creative control. Naturally, Native Instruments’ new NKS® (NATIVE KONTROL STANDARD) — allowing advanced integration with third-party software instruments — is there for the taking.
As always, recreating an instrument in software provided an opportunity to add a number of more advanced features fit for the 21st Century. Cue the special USER WAVE position, allowing anyone to create an additive waveform. Why not use the ToneDraw feature to create a new waveshape based on the graphical look of the sliders? Having modelled the original built-in spring reverb, Arturia added other reverb IRs (Impulse Responses). Reorder the additional ANALOG DELAY, CHORUS, FLANGER, OVERDRIVE, and PHASER effects. Easily-accessible individual voice tuning, PARA (paraphonic) and POLY (polyphonic) modes, ATTACK and RELEASE envelopes for upper and lower keyboards, BASS WAVE (waveform selector), TONE control for bass section, TREMOLO SYNC, and REPEAT SYNC round out this all-new Analog Classic. Hearing is believing. So is seeing, thanks to the resizable (Retina/4K-compatible) GUI (Graphical User Interface) that’s as easy on the eye as it is to use.
Ultimately, then, whether you’re set on recreating a distinctive and powerful organ sound of the past or forging ahead with a new organ sound of the future, Farfisa V does it all. But best of all... legs no longer play a part in sealing this must-have musical deal!
"Synclavier Digital releases regenerated Synclavier® II trailblazer as timeless Regen desktop synthesizer bolstered by present-day DSP developments
NOVA SCOTIA, CANADA: soft-launched late last year to widespread critical acclaim at the Synthplex® synthesizer expo and electronic music festival hosted at the Marriott Convention Center in Burbank, CA, USA with pre-orders opening for fulfilment in 2023, timeless synthesis product manufacturer Synclavier Digital is proud to announce wider availability of Regen — released as a desktop synthesizer that is, in short, a real regeneration of New England Digital’s seminal Synclavier® II digital synthesizer that took the pro audio industry by storm when introduced in its initial incarnation in 1980 (evolving beyond that to blaze more technological trails with polyphonic sampling and, ultimately, DAW — Digital Audio Workstation — capabilities well before that term was invented, even), extended and enhanced to take advantage of the increased computing power available today to make it as compelling in a modern setting as the prohibitively pricey original did during its time (finding favour with top-tier film composers, record producers, and recording artists), while the considerable cost and size reductions associated with Regen’s present-day design criteria conversely position it well within reach of (almost) anyone — as of June 29…
"Synclavier V has been updated to version 2.0. Now featuring a powerful resynthesis engine, vintage sample playback, all-new presets, and a great sample library to explore."
Synclavier V Tutorial Update 2
Published on Oct 12, 2018
"Get a quick overview of some of the most important new features found in Synclavier V update 2.0. In this video, Guy covers the new sampling capabilities, the resynthesis engine, and some of the new grid features."
"Originally released in 2016 as part of V Collection 5, Synclavier V gave a whole new generation of musicians access to the ground breaking sound and features of the revolutionary late-70s digital synth. Developed in partnership with the original instrument’s inventor, Cameron Jones, Synclavier V went above and beyond the capabilities of the hardware produced between the late 70s and early 90s.
However, New England Digital also produced many optional add-ons for the Synclavier, such as a sample playback module and a resynthesis engine, that were not emulated in Arturia’s release of Synclavier V 2.
Today, that changes.
With the release of Synclavier V 2, alongside many other workflow enhancements and improvements, Arturia and Cameron Jones are proud to announce that Synclavier now includes sampling capabilities and an exciting resynthesis engine for musicians, producers, and sound designers to explore.
Synclavier V 2 is available as a free upgrade to all owners of Synclavier V, or Arturia’s V Collection 5 and V Collection 6.
"Outdated but still interesting. Features news on "new" music making machines, including the Synclavier II. Max Matthews, Ronald Surak and Richard Head discuss sampling. Mason Gross. Rutgers. MIDI. PBS. Innovation"
Hi everyone! As you know Barry Schrader will be giving his farewell concert at CalArts on September 26. The following is the beginning of my interview with him. I opted to post the questions and answers as they come in. New QAs will get a new post so you do not miss them and they will be added to this post so we have one central post for the full interview. This should make it easier for all of us to consume in our busy lives, and it will allow you to send in any questions that may come to mind during the interview process. If you have anything you'd like to ask Barry, feel free to send it in to matrixsynth@gmail.com. This is a rare opportunity for us to get insight on a significant bit of synthesizer history, specifically with early Buchla systems, and I'd like to thank Barry for this opportunity. Thank you Barry!
"After many months of waiting my Synclavier II system finally arrived! As you will see it was an almost complete refurbish of the 1982 Synclavier II system. Its amazing how warm the Synclavier sounds when you consider its 8bit digital synthesis. Other FM synths of the time that were more available to us mere mortals really sound nothing like it.
I asked for the Keyboard to be left in its bare wood state I will finish this with danish oil very soon (might put a clip up on me doing this if anyone is interested ?)
Changing things up a little I have decided to do a few clips in series on the Sync, There seems to be a absence of Synclavier videos on Youtube! Clip 1 is focused on the Additive Synthesis, #2 will be focused on FM and #3 hopefully with be making a track. Would anyone be interested an a Synclavier II v Artiriua Synclavier V comparison also maybe ?
If anyone is still reading ... I would be interested to know if you prefer the text over the clip as I work to continue or would you rather I talked more about what I was doing and my intensions as I make patches ? Let me know your thoughts! I see a lot of synth videos with "NO TALKING" as a selling/advertising point... is this really a thing ?"
"In this video Kevin Maloney and I demonstrate how the intro sound on “Beat It” from Michael Jackson’s Thriller album is constructed on the Synclavier II using four partial timbres from the FM synthesizer engine playing all at once (with heavy chorusing). The sound can be found on preset bank 2, entry 5 named 'Pop Tune Intro' on factory preset disk #3. The sound first appeared on the recording titled:
'The Incredible Sounds of Synclavier II Demonstration Record' released by New England Digital in 1981. The preset was later played by Tom Bahler on his Synclavier II for the “Beat It” recording with only Tom, Michael and engineer Bruce Swedien in the room. Tom was the person that introduced Michael and Quincy to the Synclavier. We also point out that the sound can be in your hands today using various released inexpensive versions of the Synclavier.
Anthony's musical touch as both composer and performer is connected with some of the most influential creative minds over the last 40 years. He’s composed and conducted original orchestral scores for over 80 feature films including Young Guns, Internal Affairs, The Man From Elysian Fields, 15 Minutes and Planes, Trains & Automobiles, been commissioned by the Los Angeles Philharmonic for his symphonic work "In the Family Way", written over one thousand TV commercials in a myriad of musical styles, co-founded Levels Audio Post (LA's premiere post production facility) and performed and arranged on big-box-office films and influential hit records such as Michael Jackson's Thriller.
His extensive work as a young arranger, orchestrator and performer for Quincy Jones, Jack Nitzsche, Lamont Dozier, Arthur Rubenstein and Giorgio Moroder was vital in launching his own career. His early years pioneering modular analog synthesizers along with his wide-ranging music scholarship positioned Anthony at the center of the music technology revolution. He attended the University of Southern California School of Music as a piano and composition major.
"Who wrote the intro to "Beat It"? Michael Jackson?
Let's find out...
One correction: I misspelt Jon Appleton in the video, apologies to Jon.
Root Studio's Synclavier demo video mentioned:"
NED Synclavier I Demo
video by rootstudio
"This rare New England Digital Synclavier Model I plays from its internal sequencer what is probably a factory demo.
To find out more about this instrument, watch my history video:"
Synclavier I - the first digital synthesizer you could buy
video by rootstudio
"One of the rarest musical instruments, this historic computer controlled synthesizer is as flexible as you want it to be and sounds like nothing else. Video includes high definition close ups of the insides and demo sounds.
Update via gridsleep in the comments: "Triadex Muse was released in 1972, five years before the Synclavier."
And you could buy it. The Synclavier 1 would be the first *programmable* digital synth you could purchase, but only via the included DEC VT100. via 120years.net: "The synclavier 1 was an FM synthesis based keyboard-less sound module, and was only programmable via a DEC VT100 computer supplied with the system."
So I guess it depends on how you define a synthesizer - programmable or not. Note there were at least two earlier digital "synths". See The First Synth To post for more.
"In this video, Anthony tells the story surrounding the musical score from (1986) hit film Stand by Me which features an All-Star cast that incudes River Phoenix, Wil Wheaton, Corey Feldman, Jerry O'Connell, Kiefer Sutherland, Casey Siemaszko, John Cusack and Richard Dreyfuss.
We learn that the first version of the film was titled The Body, named after the novel by Stephen King. The film's director, Rob Reiner intuitively changed the film's name to Stand by Me after licensing the rights to the song with the same name written by Ben E. King along with Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. The name change was made only one week before the film's delivery date. With little time to spare, the musical score was re-created using the sounds and melody from the song and performed on the Synclavier Digital Music System using it's on board sequencer/recorder and employing a sound modeling technique unique to the Synclavier called "Resynthesis".
Anthony describes "Resynthesis"as creating synthesizer sounds based on samples analyzed by the computer that use cross fades of back-to-back wave tables. "Resynthesis" gives you the tonal character of the original sampled sound with all the benefits of a synth (e.g less memory, same length across the keyboard, more editing capabilities...) Along with Brian Banks, Anthony programmed all the sounds and replayed the entire score in this way after the original score by Oscar Winning composer Jack M. Nietzsche was abandoned. The film's director Rob Reiner was present throughout the scoring process. The duo had just completed work programming and performing Jack's score for the John Carpenter Oscar Nominated film Starman.
In this video you'll hear the actual sounds used in the film that Anthony loads from the original 5.25" floppy disks (that still work perfectly after being in storage for close to 40 years). The final score used a core instrumentation of resynthesized versions of a flute, stand up bass, bowed wine glasses and piano. There was no DAW in existence so all the tracks were input into the Synclavier's internal sequencer/recorder and locked to picture using the latest feature SMPTE time code. With this set up, everyone could watch the film while the music was being recorded.
Anthony also states the importance of a good film or a good song. It's all the difference in the potential of your work as a programmer, arranger or performer. He advises to step back and really listen to what you are creating to find the emotion in the sounds.
Anthony's musical touch as both composer and performer is connected with some of the most influential creative minds over the last 40 years. He’s composed and conducted original orchestral scores for over 80 feature films including Young Guns, Internal Affairs, The Man From Elysian Fields, 15 Minutes and Planes, Trains & Automobiles, been commissioned by the Los Angeles Philharmonic for his symphonic work "In the Family Way", written over one thousand TV commercials in a myriad of musical styles, co-founded Levels Audio Post (LA's premiere post production facility) and performed and arranged on big-box-office films and influential hit records such as Michael Jackson's Thriller.
His extensive work as a young arranger, orchestrator and performer for Quincy Jones, Jack Nitzsche, Lamont Dozier, Arthur Rubenstein and Giorgio Moroder was vital in launching his own career. His early years pioneering modular analog synthesizers along with his wide-ranging music scholarship positioned Anthony at the center of the music technology revolution. He attended the University of Southern California School of Music as a piano and composition major.
"This video and electronic music medley is a reworking of an earlier compilation, using new video material, imagery and original music. The work is a celebration of electronic and computer-based music composition and technologies. In four main parts, the piece depicts electronic hardware interfaces, electronic synthesis theory images and relationships, keyboards and performance tools, then finally a collage of multivision features. Many analogue and digital devices are featured, mainly from the 1980s period of experimentation and research. The Fairlight CMI is featured, along with sounds from the Synclavier system from New England Digital. Quite alot of EMS equipment is featured, including the EMS VCS3 and the inspiring Synthi 100 - the largest analogue modular synthesizer produced and probably the rarest being demonstrated at the BBC Radiophonic Workshop in 1979. Other images include equipment from Arp, Alesis, Buchla, Korg and Yamaha. The Moog modular is played with other custom keyboard synthesizers, sequences and waveform analysis equipment. Many film sources are used in this compilation, including video and image to electronic sound production and effects. Other video sources depict demonstrations of audio production equipment. Film sources include the BBC documentary The New Sound of Music and from the United States, Discovering Electronic Music. I would also like to thank Marc Doty from Automatic Gainsay for allowing to use excerpts of imagery depicting analogue synthesizer hardware in the first part of this compilation. The music comprises automatically-generated music by Roxio software, electronic tone samples, some electronic keyboard samples cut and multi-layered with the last sequence composed on the Korg R3 synthesizer."
**Revolutionary Music Studio Opens in Stockport, UK: Preserving Musical Heritage for Future Generations**
**Stockport, UK, 8th August 2024** – A ground breaking music recording studio is set to open in Stockport, offering musicians from all backgrounds access to some of the most elite and rare music equipment ever made. This state-of-the-art facility, set less than 500m from Strawberry Studios (10cc, Joy Division), is dedicated to preserving musical heritage and ensuring future generations can experience and utilise these exceptional instruments.
The studio features over 250 pieces of new and vintage music equipment, including legendary items such as the Roland Jupiter 8, Synclavier II, Linn LM1, 2 Arp 2600s, a Yamaha CS50 and CS60, and the Voyetra 8. Additionally, it houses extremely rare instruments like The Waldorf Wave, Baloran The River and The Pool, Knas The Ekdahl Polygamist, and the elusive Yamaha DX1, with fewer than 150 of each still inexistence.
As the third largest studio of its kind globally, this new facility not only provides musicians with access to these extraordinary instruments but also offers comprehensive recording, MIDI sync and tracking capabilities. The sampling station, equipped with twin Technics 1210 turntables, Emu SP12 (Public Enemy, Beastie Boys), Akai MPC60 (DJ Premier, DJ Shadow), and a library of over3,000 LPs and singles, providing an authentic and diverse sampling experience.
The studio's mixing and mastering setup features elite level equipment such as Neve 1073DPX Preamps and 8816 Summing Mixer, Shadow Hills Master Compressor,2 Distressors and iconic effects including the Publison Infernal Machine 90,Lexicon 224 and Eventide H3000 which are enhanced by excellent listening and monitoring capabilities, thanks to the support from a partnership with Focal. This ensures that every project attains the highest audio standards, providing artists with label-ready quality recording.
In alignment with a commitment to the community and musical preservation, 3% of all profits are donated to the charity Shelter, supporting efforts to combat homelessness. The remaining profits are reinvested into maintaining and expanding the studio's collection, ensuring that this invaluable resource continues to grow and thrive.
Resonance Studios are also proud to announce a collaboration with local institutions to offer free studio sessions, making this incredible facility accessible to musicians who might otherwise never have the opportunity to work with such high-calibre music equipment. Further details to be announced.
This new music studio in the vibrant Stockport, UK embodies a unique blend of historical preservation and cutting-edge technology, creating a haven for creativity and innovation. Musicians, producers, and enthusiasts alike are invited to explore and utilise this exceptional space, ensuring that the legacy of these remarkable instruments continues for generations to come.
**About the Studio:** Located in the heart of Stockport, UK, our music studio is a creative space for musicians and producers. With a collection of over 250 pieces of elite and vintage music equipment, top-tier recording and mastering capabilities, and a commitment to preserving musical history, we aim to inspire and empower artists from all walks of life.
"In this video Kevin Maloney and I demonstrate how the intro to 1985 Grammy winning song “We Are the World” (written by Lionel Richie and Michael Jackson) was constructed. The synthesizer sounds on the original recording were programmed by Kevin on the Synclavier II Digital Music System using its FM synthesizer engine. We break down the patches for all the featured sounds in the intro including a special sound described by the song’s producer Quincy Jones as “Golden Bells”. This sound was created to “send out bells to call all the people of the world to come and hear this song”. The music, lyrics, performances and production were a worldwide commercial success. The song topped music charts throughout the world and became the fastest-selling U.S. pop single in history. "We Are the World" received a Quadruple Platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America, becoming the first single to be certified multi-platinum. The promotion and merchandise helped raise more than $63 million at that time for humanitarian aid in Africa and the United States.
Anthony's musical touch as both composer and performer is connected with some of the most influential creative minds over the last 40 years. He’s composed and conducted original orchestral scores for over 80 feature films including Young Guns, Internal Affairs, The Man From Elysian Fields, 15 Minutes and Planes, Trains & Automobiles, been commissioned by the Los Angeles Philharmonic for his symphonic work "In the Family Way", written over one thousand TV commercials in a myriad of musical styles, co-founded Levels Audio Post (LA's premiere post production facility) and performed and arranged on big-box-office films and influential hit records such as Michael Jackson's Thriller.
His extensive work as a young arranger, orchestrator and performer for Quincy Jones, Jack Nitzsche, Lamont Dozier, Arthur Rubenstein and Giorgio Moroder was vital in launching his own career. His early years pioneering modular analog synthesizers along with his wide-ranging music scholarship positioned Anthony at the center of the music technology revolution. He attended the University of Southern California School of Music as a piano and composition major.
"Max Vernon Mathews (November 13, 1926 - April 21, 2011) was a pioneer in the world of computer music.
He studied electrical engineering at the California Institute of Technology and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, receiving a Sc.D. in 1954. Working at Bell Labs, Mathews wrote MUSIC, the first widely-used program for sound generation, in 1957. For the rest of the century, he continued as a leader in digital audio research, synthesis, and human-computer interaction as it pertains to music performance.
Although he was not the first to generate sound with a computer (an Australian CSIRAC computer played tunes as early as 1951),[1] Mathews fathered generations of digital music tools. He described his work in parental terms in this excerpt from "Horizons in Computer Music," March 8–9, 1997, Indiana University..."
Max Matthews, presiding over Bicycle Built for Two
YouTube Uploaded by davidjmerrill on Apr 29, 2007
"From the Computer History Museum, MaxFest2007: http://ccrma.stanford.edu/maxfest/"
Computer Music (Synthesizers, Synclavier) 1986 Pt. 1/3
First computer to sing - Daisy Bell
YouTube Uploaded by slavenr88 on Dec 9, 2008
"'Daisy Bell' was composed by Harry Dacre in 1892. In 1961, the IBM 7094 became the first computer to sing, singing the song Daisy Bell. Vocals were programmed by John Kelly and Carol Lockbaum and the accompaniment was programmed by Max Mathews. This performance was the inspiration for a similar scene in 2001: A Space Odyssey.
"This flagship studio system was originally custom built for Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis for installation at the infamous Flyte Tyme recording studios in Minneapolis. It has a rich history of making hits including including being featured extensively on recordings by Janet Jackson, Michael Jackson, Boys II Men, Human League and many other hit makers from that era. When Flyte Tyme closed, the current owner purchased the system and relocated to Nashville. Expert Synclavier technician Steve Hills was flown in from Synclavier Europe to completely go through and refurbish the system including updating software and expanding the already massive sound library.
The system has been an operation in Nashville ever since with tech support being provided by Synclavier Europe/500 Sound. This is one of the most powerful Synclaviers ever built by NED. Only two in this category were produced. The other was for world renowned producer Trevor Horn.
This is a very deep and complex system. Like many synths from the 1980s, this is still a very powerful and viable tool for music production, post and sound design. This is the undisputed CHAMP of FM synthesizers, and a sound designer's dream. The surface has yet to be scratched with this monster synthesizer/workstation. The massive sound library included is worth the price of admission alone. Please don't hesitate to ask us questions.
Original price tag when new was over $500,000. We strongly encourage pickup here in Nashville, otherwise buyerwill be responsible for freight. We will help facilitate freight service via a reputable music industry courier like Rock-It, etc.
SYSTEM INCLUDES:
Synclavier PSMT Fully loaded memory Fully loaded 32 sample voices Fully loaded 16 FM voices with composite FM out Full 32 channels of Direct to Disk (16 panable) 16 Winchester barracuda drives for DTD in custom separate NED blue flight cases Midi option 8x8 Lock to SMPTE (frame accurate to 100,000/sec Lock to pulse CV in 32 XLR out output matrix for PSMT tower 32 channel custom ELCO to Male XLR output breakout snake for Direct To Disk System Sample to memory option Original NED Drives Additional Winchester with huge custom library New mains power supplies NOS Full original NED blue flight cases for entire system Original Pericom Terminal with op manual Additional Apple 2 with NED start up NED custom start up for easy one key boot Editview VPK control software Original refurbished VPK near mint condition New VPK ribbon cable by Synclavier Europe Additional ultra rare VPK remote with new ribbon extension cable by Synclavier Europe Additional ultra rare DTD digital meter bridge Original “R2-D2” custom 9600 style NED roll around dolly/terminal stand for Apple computer w computer rack and custom keyboard/trackball All Original NED operation manuals"
YouTube via jbfairlight — May 26, 2010 — "Le nedco Synclavier I est le premier synthétiseur de musique numérique, ~ 1976 !
C'est l'ancêtre des Synclavier II, etc...
Il est équipé d'un processeur Able (16 bits, entièrement en TTL), 64 Ko de RAM, 16 voies sur quatre cartes individuelles, langage compiler XPL, deux lecteurs de disquettes (78Ko par lecteur).
Prix 30 000 $ dans la version de base en 1978 !
Machine très très rare, il en reste peut-être 5 à travers le monde !
La bande son est une œuvre musicale entièrement composée avec un Synclavier I."
Googlish: "jbfairlight - May 26, 2010 - The Nedco Synclavier I is the first digital synthesizer music, ~ 1976!
It is the ancestor of the Synclavier II, etc ...
It is equipped with a processor Able (16-bit, fully TTL), 64 KB of RAM, 16 channels on four individual maps, language XPL compiler, two floppy disks (78KB per drive).
Price $ 30,000 in the basic version in 1978!
Machine very rare, it is perhaps 5 to worldwide!
The soundtrack is a musical work composed entirely with a Synclavier I."
