Massive Eurorack Setup for Sale

Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

CLICK FOR MORE »

erica synths LXR02 / DB01 & synths

ideo uploads by jostalmac

20 videos in this set. You can use the player controls to skip around.

Playlist:
erica synths zen delay & lxr02 & db01
erica synths LXR02 / DB01 & synths
dsi evolver & erica's synths (space invaders)
Tec-no erica synths DB01 & LXR02
slow jam erica synths db01 & lxr02 & efects comic movie
cavern destroy erica synths db01 & lxr2
disco bass erica synths db01 & lxr02
erica synths db 01 FM mode & lxr 02
superdelay erica synths db01 & lxr02
rythm & bassline & delay
erica synths db01, lxr02 & nux duotime jam
ERICA SYNTHS DB01 & SONIC POTIONS LXR02 demo
ERICA SYNTHS DB01 & SONIC POTIONS LXR02 JAM
sonic potions x erica synths LXR2 & DSI toraiz AS1 slow jam
sonic potions erica synths LXR2 & sequential prophet 6
sonic potions x Erica synths LXR 02 modular sound & dsi toraiz AS1
DAVE SMITH INSTRUMENTS TORAIZ AS 1 & SONIC POTION - ERICA SYNTHS LXR-02
Erica synths LXR02 & prophet 6
sonic potions erica synths LXR 02
Erica synths LXR 02 PROJECT

Synths in TV and Film

Note: some of the videos below have been pulled from YouTube, but I'm keeping mention of them up as a reference that they are out there.

Let the page load before scrolling - it's a long one.
Be sure to see the Synth Movies list and see the Synth Movies and Synth TV and Film labels for more.

1. Close Encounters of the Third Kind
Synths: ARP 2500 played by Phillip Dodds, head of ARP Engineering, Yamaha CS-?.


2. Fame Synths: ARP 2600, MOOG Minimoog

CLICK FOR MORE »

Yamaha Reface CP and CS Demo Test Videos by TheSynthFreq

Published on Dec 7, 2015 TheSynthFreq

"HI!

After some time since creating our last videos here on youtube, we have returned to show some amazing new Yamaha synths. The Yamaha Reface CP and the Yamaha Reface CS. Here at our studio we just love these synths for what they can do. I will be creating new videos often showing the details of these synths, the sounds, modifiers and everything about the keyed and other features present in these synths.

After seeing the Yamaha Reface synths for the first time in September at KnobCon held by STG sound labs, we just couldn't put these synths down. In fact at the convention we kept visiting the Yamaha booth and playing these Reface synths and visiting with Yamaha about their new product. After playing these synths for the first time, my mind was changed on what the exterior of the synths said, and let the synth's sounds do the talking!

If you like what you see here, the Yamaha Reface synths (CS,CP,YS,DX) can be found at www.yamahasynth.com

if you like portable synths with a great sound and features, these new synths are just the keys to meet the need!

Please enjoy!
TSF"

Yamaha Reface CP and CS demo test video 2 (80s)

Published on Dec 7, 2015 TheSynthFreq

"test video 2 Yamaha CP and CS demo video improvisation.
Yamaha Reface 80s improvisation.
Here at our studio we have been working with the new Yamaha CP and CS synthesizers and working on incorporating these new synths into our composition style. So far we have been very pleased with these new synths and really have been impressed with how flexible these synths sounds are and how many endless options for sound creation there really is with the seemingly small number of options at first glance. The sounds are really well created with these synths and I think we will keep these synths around for a while. :)
Great work Yamaha!

please enjoy the 80s vibe!
TSF"

Synth Artist Interviews via I♥SYNTHS

You might remember the I♥SYNTHS interview with Richard Devine previously posted here. Jim Smith of I♥SYNTHS has been sharing new interviews on The MATRIXSYNTH Lounge.  There are currently a total of nine artist interviews.  The following is a list of each with with one pic, one quote and one link to the full interview.  You'll find some great synth spotting throughout and of course you'll get some insight and perspectives on the synths and more from each artist.  You can also find I♥SYNTHS on Facebook.




009: Shawn Rudiman

"I♥SYNTHS: What was your first synthesizer?

Shawn Rudiman: My first synth was a Yamaha b200 M. That was what started me on this wild ride. It was a Prosumer FM 8 voice / 4 op poly. I got it for Christmas in 1990. I believe I was 18 and It was my first real love. That poor synth has had a lot of flight time hours on it. They keys have started to degrade and melt and the buttons are all in need of serious replacing as well. I still love it and pull it out sometimes. The next day after that Christmas, I went out and picked up an HR16b, with whatever money I had saved. I still have that as well and it’s been modified now with the patch bay-hack that scrambles the 16-bit data lines which makes the sounds totally into something new."

CLICK FOR MORE »

Exploring Modular Synths - Easy Patch Introduction Videos

Published on Jul 1, 2016 Modular Landing

Playlist:

Exploring Modular Synths Episode 0 - Beginner's Mind - Introduction and First Patch

"This video is for beginners interested in exploring modular synthesis. It explains what a modular synth is, different types of modules, and how to create a first patch. I try to go step by step and use Pressure Points and Brains as a sequencer to run the Dixie ii+ oscillator, Peaks for envelopes, and the Echophon delay."

Exploring Modular Synths - Easy Patch Introduction Video 1
"This video series is an introduction to modular synthesizers, with each video exploring a few modules and showing how to create an easy patch. This first video features the Make Noise Rene, the Intellijel Dixie ii+, the Xaoc Batumi and the Harvestman Polivoks filter. This is on an introductory level so we're just scratching the surface of these wonderful modules!"

Exploring Modular Synths - Easy Patch Introduction Video 2
"The second video in a series exploring modular synthesis a few modules at a time by showing easy patches step-by-step. This patch explores using Make Noise Maths to control a Make Noise Rene sequencer, going to a Wiard Anti-oscillator, further modulated by a Make Noise Pressure Points, and finally into the Mutable Instruments Clouds for some granular effects."

Exploring Modular Synths - Easy Patch Introduction 3 - Batumi and Clouds
"A patch exploring just two modules -- the Xaoc Batumi and Mutable Instruments Clouds. The Batumi is used both as a sound source and to modulate itself and Clouds. Only these two modules are used (the Azimuth is just trimming the output to the monitors to control levels and could be removed from the patch)."

Exploring Modular Synths - Introduction to Patching No. 4
"This is a quick run through of a more complex patch on the modular synthesizer."

Exploring Modular Synths - Patch 5 - Getting Your Synth to Play Along using the 4ms SMR
"This video explores using the 4ms Spectral Multiband Resonator as an evelope/trigger generator based on incoming signal, to turn your modular synth into an accompanyist that can play along with any kind of music. In this case music is played from a Radio Music module. The end result was kind of like a drunk tuba player and a drunk jazz drummer playing along with the music -- more tweaking could no doubt create a better effect!"

Exploring Modular Synths - 6 - Fuller patch with three sequencers and Pressure Points for Chords
"First I explain the patch, which is using Pressure Points for chords, and three sequencers (two Mother 32's and the Rene), plus Dixie ii+, Wiard Anti-oscillators and Braids for sound sources, and Peaks for a bass drum. Then I play the patch a bit."

Exploring Modular Synths 7
"This video explores a patch centered around the 4ms Spectral Multiband Resonator. Explanation is given and then the patch is played."

Exploring Modular Synths 8 - Using the Echophon as an Oscillator
"Almost anything in your modular synth, it seems, can be used as an oscillator or sound source. In this very simple video, the Echophon is used as an oscillator by capturing some inputted audio with the freeze button. It is sped up to audio rate, and then CV comes in via the pitch input to play that frozen audio."

Modular Expedition 22 - Improvised Modular Synthesizer Music
"Live performance on a modular synthesizer. An explanation of the patch is given in the video 'Exploring Modular Synths 9'."

Exploring Modular Synths 9 - Explanation of Patch and Performance of Modular Expeditions 22
"This video explains a somewhat involved patch used in the piece "Modular Expeditions 22" which is available as a separate video without explanation and with better audio quality. If you haven't seen that, you can go watch that first. In this video, after the explanation of the patch, the piece is played through as a shorter version than the other video. This piece is built around a sequence in the Rene that goes out to the Dixie, the Intellijel Shapeshifter, and Braids. Drums from the Ladik Twin Drums module and hi-hats from noise from a Mother 32 accompany. The piece begins and ends with pads from Pressure Points into two Wiard Anti-oscillators and into a 4ms Spectral Multiband Resonator complement the piece, played into Clouds. Echophon is used for some DJ-like wiggling effects at times."

Modular Expedition 23 - Random Orchestral Movements in the Dark
"Live performance on a modular synthesizer. The explanation for this patch can be found in the video 'Exploring Modular Synths 10.' The patch is meant to resemble an experimental sympohony orchestra and is built around a Korg SQ-1 sequencer, Intellijel Shapeshifter and Mutable Instruments Clouds. Thanks for watching!"

Exploring Modular Synths 10 - Clouds and Shapeshifter for Random Orchestral Movements in the Dark
"This patch uses the Korg SQ-1 sequencer, the Intellijel Shapeshifter and Clouds to create the effect of a symphony orchestra playing an experimental piece of music. The Batumi and Dixie ii+ are used for low-frequency oscillation for modulation. A fuller performance of the patch is available as 'Modular Expedition 23.'"

Exploring Modular Synths 11 - Self-patching a Dixie oscillator
"This video tutorial for beginners starts with an exploration of what happens when you start to patch an oscillator back into itself, using the Dixie ii+ as an example. The self-patched Dixie is then sequenced with a Make Noise Rene and Pressure Points going into an Echophon and Mutable Instruments Clouds. Thanks for watching!"

Exploring Modular Synths 12 - Strymon Big Sky
"This video explores a basic patch with the Shapeshifter sequenced by the Rene to show off the Strymon Big Sky and what it can add to a modular synth"

Exploring Modular Synths 13
"A video showing a patch of a groovy synth bass line featuring the Strymon Big Sky reverb pedal."

Acire 🥉(Erica Synths LXR02 & DB01 // Conductive Labs NDLR turning the LXR02 into a polyphonic synth)

video upload by 2-Minute Warning

"If you've already watched a some of my videos, you might know that I sometimes like to divert a few electronic instruments from their use 😅
So here the challenge was to make the LXR-02 (which is supposed to be mainly a digital drum synth) act as a drum machine & a polyphonic pads synth 😄

For this, I used the Conductive Labs NDLR sequencer with its polychain feature (on its PAD track) which can turn up to 4 mono synths into a 4-voice polyphonic synth. (I used this feature on another video, this time with 4 physical analog mono synths: [below]).

Therefore I used 3 of the tracks of the LXR-02 to play 3-note chords by the NDLR. I used the LXR's individual output, through the Strymon Bigsky reverb for the PADS (through the Pill ducking pedal being triggered by the LXR's drum kick).

I also used 1 track of the LXR-02 to play the ARP part (also sequenced by the NDLR). This time the individual output went through the Strymon Timeline delay.

The Erica Synths DB-01 was used to play the bass riff (still sequenced by the NDLR) through the Eventide - H9 pedal (with some heavy modulated Chorus bringing a Lo-Fi vibe to the sound!).

* Hardware used *

- BASS : Erica Synths DB-01 Bassline + Eventide H9 (Chorus)
- DRUMS : Sonic Potions x Erica Synths LXR-02 (individual output 1+2)
- PADS : Sonic Potions x Erica Synths LXR-02 + Strymon Bigsky + Pill Pedal (individual output 3)
- RIFF : Sonic Potions x Erica Synths LXR-02 + Strymon Timeline (individual output 4)
- LIVE SEQUENCING : Conductive Labs NDLR"

052▶️ Chains (NDLR // Polychain DB01, SE02, 0Coast, Circuit MS // Minitaur // Minibrute // Tanzbar)

video upload by 2-Minute Warning

"I wanted to use a couple of the nice features of the NDLR for this video, so I went to set up 6 analog mono synths all sequenced by the NDLR, a couple of effects and the Tanzbar drum machine for this video!

The first feature used here is poly chaining, where 1 track (PAD track) of the NDLR sent 4-note chords to 4 mono synths (Erica Synths - DB01, Make Noise - 0Coast, Roland - SE02 and Novation - Circuit Mono Station), considering them as a unique 4-voice polyphonic synth!

It reminded me a bit me my wonderful Vermona Perfourmer, where each voice of the synth can have different setting regarding the oscillators, envelopes, filter etc. 🤩

I needed to make some quite complex routing in order to be able to side chain the pads with the kick of the MFB - Tanzbar analog drum machine.

I also used the 'chord sequencer' of the NDLR in order to play the whole track as a song (it's like a song mode, where sequences automatically change the global chords).

Here are some further details on the setup:

* PAD: DB01 to SE02 to Bigsky (Right Input) to The Pill Pedal (Input 1) triggered by Tanzbar's kick
* PAD: 0Coast to Circuit Mono Station to Bigsky (Left Input) to The Pill Pedal (Input 2) triggered by Tanzbar's kick

These 4 analog synths were set up in order to respond to the poly chain function of the NDLR (i.e. With a 4-note chord, the NDLR will send each note to one the 4 synths).

* DRONE (Bass): The Moog - Minitaur was being triggered by the DRONE track for the bass.
* MOTIF (Melody): The Arturia - Minibrute 1, through the ZVEX - Instant Lofi Junky & Strymon - Timeline

I forgot to mention that the Tanzbär's main output was processed by the Eventide - H9 (Reverse Delay) effect, excluding its kick which was outputted on its separate output in order to trigger the side chain for the pads on the Pill Pedal."

Synth Shop Hieber-Lindberg, Munich, Germany

via cheater cheater:

"I thought your readers could be interested that there's
such a nice place in Munich for synths.. it's not exactly Five G but
then they don't have to fly to Japan for it.. :)

Hi guys,
Last Saturday I have visited the music shop Musikhaus Hieber-Lindberg
in Munich, Germany. I was tipped off by Florian, who said it could be
interesting. You can find their website at
http://www.hieber-lindberg.de (unfortunately only in German, but it's
easy to find your way around, and Google Translate works well)

The Shop

CLICK FOR MORE »

In search of the coolest synths

video uploads by Vincent Presley

1. EP1 In search of the coolest synths. Featuring: Ensoniq SQ80, Moog One, Roland SH7, Yamaha SK50D 2. EP2 In search of the coolest synths. Featuring: Ensoniq SD1, Yamaha SY77, Yamaha CS15, Octave Cat 3. EP3 In search of the coolest synths. Featuring: Korg DS8, Seq Pro 3, Elektronika EM25, Oxford OSCar 4. EP4 In search of the coolest synths. Featuring: DSI Mopho, Moog Rogue, Prophet X, Korg Minilogue XD 5. EP5 In search of the coolest synths. ARP Odyssey & Avatar, Roland RS202, Seq Pro One, ASM Hydrasynth 6. EP6 In search of the coolest synths. Featuring: 1972 Moog Sonic VI, 2020 Arturia Polybrute 7. "I believe I am up to 54 synths purchased and 34 sold in the last year. I keep saying I'm done but......

- All sound demo segments are played with absolutely no plans for the patches I am going to use or what I am going to play. I'm just winging it. Obviously.

- All audio is recorded dry, straight from the synths. Any effects you hear are internal effects built into that synth.

- All synths and everything else were purchased at regular prices. I have never been given a demo model or even loaned something by any company. I bought all this stuff.

- No, I'm not rich. The buying spree started with selling some synths I already had. Then when I wanted more stuff, I sold off more collectibles I already owned. The synths I decided not to keep then funded more synth purchases. I run a record label by myself and also work a full-time normal job. I worked my ass off for all this stuff.

- Yes, I know I have the Imovie skills of the average 8-year-old. I've never even owned a smart phone.

- This project has been really fun and taught me that the most sought after "classics" are not automatically for everyone. It also taught me that youtube synth demos and comparisons are not the final word. Nothing beats sitting down with an instrument and playing it.

Check out https://secretrecords.bandcamp.com for releases by The Residents, Chrome, Norman Westberg (Swans), etc plus my own Zebras, Logan 5, and VP solo ambient music projects.

Check out https://tribulationrecordingcompany.com/ for Those Poor Bastards releases and news."

G-Sonique Introduces Psytrance Synths X1- VST / AU Plug-in for Psytrance

video uploads by G-Sonique

Follow-up to G-Sonique Psytrance AI Voices

Playlist:
G-Sonique - Psytrance Synths X1- VST / AU Plug-in for Psytrance, Full-on, Progressive Psy producers
Overview of all sounds / Banks in Psytrance synths 8000 X1 VST / AU instrument rompler
Psytrance Freestyle LIVE improvisation Psytrance Synths X1 VST / AU instrument, Effects Synthesizers

"G-Sonique Psytrance Synths 8000 X1 - The ultimate instrument for psytrance producers

If you are looking for the best sounds for your psytrance productions, look no further than G-Sonique Psytrance Synths 8000 X1. This plug-in instrument is designed to give you the most advanced and professional sounds for full-on psytrance, progressive psytrance, neo goatrance, morning psy, darkprog, psychill and other trance genres.

With G-Sonique Psytrance Synths 8000 X1, you get access to 130+ high quality, multi-octave instruments/banks, created with various hardware and software synthesizers, effects and secret prototypes. You can choose the banks you like from the huge 1,8 GB library included in the G-Sonique club online platform, where you can browse hundreds of instruments/banks of various music styles. You can also layer, modify and effect the sounds to create your own unique sound design.

G-Sonique Psytrance Synths 8000 X1 is not a synthesizer, but a collection of hq banks that makes production much easier, so you can focus on composing and creating hit melodies. You don't need to spend hours tweaking your own sounds in complicated synths, you can use the ready-made sounds that are already processed and optimized for psytrance music. You can find here everything you need for modern psychedelic music, such as psytrance leads, effects, risers, mystical synths, alien voices, organic leads, twisted spirals, drones, pads, hits and more.

G-Sonique Psytrance Synths 8000 X1 uses a special hard drive streaming technology that saves your RAM and delivers precise high quality sound interpolation. It is available for Windows and Mac, as a VSTi plug-in or an AU Audio Unit plug-in. It also comes with a bonus instrument that will be distributed to clients as a special bonus.

G-Sonique Psytrance Synths 8000 X1 is the ultimate instrument for psytrance producers who want to take their music to the next level. Watch the video to see and hear it in action, and get your copy today at: g-sonique.com"

12 Days of Modular 2012 by Raul Pena

12 Days of Modular 2012-Day 1-Ring Modulation

Published on Dec 1, 2012 by raulsworldofsynths

"Day 1: A look at Ring Modulation.Video series of 12 different scenes from the Modular World of Raul's World of Synths.Sound and Video by Raul Pena.©Raul Pena 2012"

CLICK FOR MORE »

DSI Prophet REV2 Demos by Syntza

Published on May 10, 2019 Syntza

Playlist:

1. DSI Prophet REV2 Character Ultimate Vintage Analog Demo

Demo by Syntza. Vintage sounds that shows what a character synth the REV2 can be. Instrument used: DSI Prophet REV2(Synths and Bass). EFX used: DSI Prophet REV2, Zoom 9010, Yamaha SPX-990 and Roland SRV-2000. Recorded by REAPER software.

2. DSI Prophet REV2 Character Ultimate Vintage Analog II Demo

Same as above.

3. Tumbling Away

Song by Syntza. Dark Cinematic Soundscaped Ambient - Techno. Sounds that shows what a character synth the REV2 and Tetra 4 can be. All REV2 from 00:14 to 01:38 then Tetra 4 again join in. Instrument used: DSI Prophet REV2(Synths and Bass) and DSI Tetra 4(Synths and Bass). EFX used: DSI Prophet REV2, Zoom 9010, Yamaha SPX-990 and Roland SRV-2000. Sequencer by Akai MPC-2500. Recorded by REAPER software.
SHOW MORE

4. DSI Prophet REV2 Character Ultimate Vintage Analog III Demo

Demo by Syntza. Vintage sounds that shows what a character synth the REV2 can be. Instrument used: DSI Prophet REV2(Synths and Bass). EFX used: DSI Prophet REV2, Zoom 9010, Yamaha SPX-990 and Roland SRV-2000. Recorded by REAPER software.

5. DSI Prophet REV2 and Tetra 4 Roscosmos Роскосмос

Song by Syntza. Dark Cinematic Soundscaped Ambient - Techno. Sounds that shows what a character synth the REV2 and Tetra 4 can be. Inspired by the Sci-fi universe of the 60s and 70s and Russian Space Program. Instrument used: DSI Prophet REV2(Synths and Bass) and DSI Tetra 4(Synths and Bass). EFX used: DSI Prophet REV2, Zoom 9010, Yamaha SPX-990 and Roland SRV-2000. Sequencer by Akai MPC-2500. Recorded by REAPER software.

6. DSI Prophet REV2 and Tetra 4 Hello am here again Horror Ambient

Song by Syntza. Dark Cinematic Soundscaped Ambient - Techno. Inspired by the upcoming Horror movie, IT: Chapter Two. Sounds that shows what a character synth the REV2 and Tetra 4 can be. Instrument used: DSI Prophet REV2(Synths and Bass) and DSI Tetra 4(Synths and Bass). EFX used: DSI Prophet REV2, Zoom 9010, Yamaha SPX-990 and Roland SRV-2000. Sequencer by Akai MPC-2500. Recorded by REAPER software.

7. DSI Prophet REV2 and Tetra 4 Stranger Behave

Song by Syntza. Dark Cinematic Soundscaped Ambient - Techno. Sounds that shows what a character synth the REV2 and Tetra 4 can be. Instrument used: DSI Prophet REV2(Synths and Bass) and DSI Tetra 4(Synths and Bass). EFX used: DSI Prophet REV2, Zoom 9010, Yamaha SPX-990 and Roland SRV-2000. Sequencer by Akai MPC-2500. Recorded by REAPER software.

8. DSI Prophet REV2 Character Ultimate Vintage Analog IIII

Demo by Syntza. Vintage sounds that shows what a character synth the REV2 can be. More sounds of the past like VHS intro`s and 80s. Using modulations for the EFX in the REV2 for chorus and delays to make them more analog. Instrument used: DSI Prophet REV2(Synths and Bass). EFX used: DSI Prophet REV2, Zoom 9010, Yamaha SPX-990 and Roland SRV-2000. Recorded by REAPER software.

Raul's World of Synths Presents PATCH IT " The Sonic Cloud Patch"

Published on Jul 3, 2014 Raul's World of Synths

"An extended example of improvised patching with a medium scale Doepfer system. This example is titled 'The Sonic Cloud Patch' Part one of four. Sound and Video by Raul Pena."

Raul's World of Synths Presents PATCH IT " The Sonic Cloud Patch" Part Two

Published on Jul 10, 2014 Raul's World of Synths

"An extended example of improvised patching with a medium scale Doepfer system. This example is titled 'The Sonic Cloud Patch' Part two of five. Sound and Video by Raul Pena."

Raul's World of Synths Presents PATCH IT " The Sonic Cloud Patch" Part Three

Published on Jul 17, 2014

"An extended example of improvised patching with a medium scale Doepfer system. This example is titled 'The Sonic Cloud Patch' Part three of five. Sound and Video by Raul Pena."

Raul's World of Synths Presents PATCH IT " The Sonic Cloud Patch" Part Four

Published on Jul 24, 2014 Raul's World of Synths

"An extended example of improvised patching with a medium scale Doepfer system. This example is titled 'The Sonic Cloud Patch' Part four of five. Sound and Video by Raul Pena."

Raul's World of Synths Presents PATCH IT " The Sonic Cloud Patch"-Conclusion Part One

Published on Jul 31, 2014 Raul's World of Synths

"Conclusion in an extended example of improvised patching with a medium scale Doepfer system. This example is titled 'The Sonic Cloud Patch' Part five of six. Sound and Video by Raul Pena."

Raul's World of Synths Presents PATCH IT " The Sonic Cloud Patch"-Conclusion Part Two

Published on Oct 17, 2014 Raul's World of Synths

"Conclusion in an extended example of improvised patching with a medium scale Doepfer system. This example is titled 'The Sonic Cloud Patch' Part six of six. Sound and Video by Raul Pena."

Doepfer 137-1 VC Wave Multiplier I Basics

Published on Aug 7, 2014 Raul's World of Synths

"A basic description of the features and functions of the Doepfer A137-1 Wave Multiplier. Sound and Video by Raul Pena."

Doepfer 137-1 VC Wave Multiplier with Low Frequency signals Part One

Published on Aug 14, 2014 Raul's World of Synths

"A walkthrough of processing Low Frequency signals using the A137-1 Wave Multiplier. Experimenting with different settings. Sound and Video by Raul Pena."

Doepfer 137-1 VC Wave Multiplier with Low Frequency signals Part Two

Published on Aug 21, 2014 Raul's World of Synths

"A walkthrough of processing Low Frequency signals using the A137-1 Wave Multiplier. Experimenting with different settings. Sound and Video by Raul Pena."

Doepfer A137-1 Wave Multiplier with Audio rate Signals-Triangle Wave Pt.1

Published on Aug 28, 2014 Raul's World of Synths

"A walkthrough of several different timbres which can be achieved with the A137-1 Wave Multiplier with a simple Triangle Wave. Different experiments with Multiples, Folding level, Symmetry, and Harmonics are shown. Part One of Two.Sound and Video by Raul Pena."

Doepfer A137-1 Wave Multiplier with Audio rate Signals-Triangle Wave Pt.2

Published on Sep 4, 2014 Raul's World of Synths

"A walkthrough of several different timbres which can be achieved with the A137-1 Wave Multiplier with a simple Triangle Wave. Different experiments with Multiples, Folding level, Symmetry, and Harmonics are shown. Part Two of Two.Sound and Video by Raul Pena."

Doepfer A137-1 Wave Multiplier with Audio rate Signals-Sine Wave Pt.1

Published on Sep 11, 2014 Raul's World of Synths

"A short video exploring the processing of a Sine Wave with the Doepfer A137 Wave Multiplier. Part One of Two. Sound and Video by Raul Pena."

Doepfer A137-1 Wave Multiplier with Audio rate Signals-Sine Wave Pt.2

Published on Sep 18, 2014 Raul's World of Synths

"A short video exploring the processing of a Sine Wave with the Doepfer A137 Wave Multiplier. Part Two of Two. Sound and Video by Raul Pena."

Doepfer A137-1 Wave Multiplier-Modulation with Control Signals-Simple Modulation Part One

Published on Sep 25, 2014 Raul's World of Synths

"An exploration into the simple modulation of the Doepfer A137-1 Wave Multiplier.Part One of Two. Sound and Video by Raul Pena."

Doepfer A137-1 Wave Multiplier Modulation with Control Signals-Simple Modulation Part Two

Published on Oct 2, 2014 Raul's World of Synths

"An exploration into the simple modulation of the Doepfer A137-1 Wave Multiplie with two modulation sources.Part Two of Two. Sound and Video by Raul Pena."

Doepfer A137-1 Wave Multiplier-Modulation with A149 Quantized/Stored Random Voltages Pt.1

Published on Oct 9, 2014 Raul's World of Synths

"Continuing the A137-1 series with modulation. This time we begin modulating with the A149-1 Random Voltages.Part One of Two. Sound and Video by Raul Pena."

Doepfer A137-1 Wave Multiplier-Modulation with A149 Quantized/Stored Random Voltages Pt.2

Published on Oct 23, 2014 Raul's World of Synths

"Continuing the A137-1 series with modulation. This time we begin modulating with the A149-1 Random Voltages.Part Two of Two. Sound and Video by Raul Pena."

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year everyone!!!  I hope 2012 treated you well and I wish you the best in 2013!

As I do each year, I thought I'd reflect a little on the past year.  These posts are always difficult to write, and I always wing them, so bear with me.  It's impossible to justify a whole year's worth of synth coverage in a single post.  The following is just a small bit of what comes to mind when looking back.  You'll find a top ten list of posts with the most page views followed by my picks for the year further below.  Apologies if I miss anything, and of course, if you have anything to add, feel free to leave a comment below.  I'm curious what you, the readers of the site, felt stood out in the world of synths this past year.

First, I want to begin this post with a HUGE THANK YOU!!!  If you are reading this it obviously means you have come to this site and some of you have been coming here for years! Thank you for sticking with me. This site is a journey I hope to continue for years to come. Thank you to everyone that has taken the time to showcase their synths, and thank you to those that share what they find! Thank you to those that link to the site and help spread the word on MATRIXSYNTH via Twitter, Facebook, Google+ and your own websites! And of course, THANK YOU to all the sponsors on the right who believe in the site enough to support it!

A nod to previous New Years posts, pictured to the left is the MATRIXSYNTH world domination map. :)  I always think it's worth taking a look at who's watching the site.  Synths are global and you are looking at a map of the readers of MATRIXSYNTH.  Everything you see in green represents a visit from that country.  The darker the green, the higher the number of visits.  This is just for the year, but for the life of the site, we still haven't gotten a single hit from North Korea!   I don't know what they have against synths!  ;)   You'll find the top 10 visits by country further below.

This is the eighth New Year the site has gone through!  The focus for the site this year has been the same as previous years, and I plan to keep it that way.  This site is about showcasing specific synths, not just synths in general, and not just news and press releases.  The focus is on the individual synths that have existed throughout history, the technology behind them, and the lives they lead with their odd owners, myself included.  :)  Yes it is about the gear, their makers, and their players.  It has always been my opinion that synths in general have a tendency to be undervalued. Compared to say collectible guitars, they are often discarded and devalued in favor of next year's model, next year's technology.  It has always been my opinion that every synth has something of value to offer,  something specific and something unique that gives it its character. I built this site to showcase that.  This site is about the history of synths as their history unfolds - videos and images of synths being played and used, by both those that make them and those that play them.  Vintage synths being offered in the second hand market, being exchanged from one sonic explorer to the next. It really is a wondrous thing. Think of the magic synthesizers bring into your world. That is what this site is ultimately about.  Some posts may not seem to make sense now, but they will in time, because they will be a look back in time. A day in the life of a particular synthesizer.  I love analog and I love digital. I love all synths and this site celebrates that.

And now for a little reflection on the year. This year we had a total of 16678 posts including this one.  That comes out to roughly 45.69 posts a day.  Not a single day of the year went without a post.  So what dominated the synth year?  Mobile, modulars and a few dedicated hardware synths.

CLICK FOR MORE »

Raul's World of Synths presents PATCH IT- "The Intermission Patch"

Published on Nov 28, 2013

"A multi-part segment of improvised patching. 'The Intermission Patch' is aptly named due to it acting as an intermission during the regularly scheduled Doepfer A144 series. Stay tuned for a completed version later this month. For now some patching. Sound and Video by Raul Pena."

Raul's World of Synths Presents PATCH IT-" Intermission Patch" Part Two

Published on Dec 5, 2013 Raul's World of Synths·242 videos

"New segment of PATCH IT for Raul's World of Synths. A continued exploration of "The Intermission Patch". Part Two of Three. Sound and Video by Raul Pena.
Note: A144 Morph controller series will continue after part 3."

Raul's World of Synths Presents PATCH IT-" Intermission Patch" Part Three

Published on Dec 12, 2013 Raul's World of Synths·243 videos

"New segment of PATCH IT for Raul's World of Synths. A continued exploration of 'The Intermission Patch'. Part Three of Four. Sound and Video by Raul Pena.
Note: A144 Morph controller series will continue after part 4."

Raul's World of Synths Presents PATCH IT-" Intermission Patch" Part Four

Published on Dec 19, 2013 Raul's World of Synths·244 videos

"New segment of PATCH IT for Raul's World of Synths. A continued exploration of 'The Intermission Patch'. Part Four of Four. Sound and Video by Raul Pena.
Note: A144 Morph controller series will continue after part 4."

MATRIXSYNTH Turns 8!

Today marks the eight year anniversary of MATRIXSYNTH!

I usually go a bit in depth on what it takes to run the site, but this year I thought I'd keep things relatively short and just focus on what the site means to me and why it exists in the grand scheme of things. I'd also like to ask you what MATRIXSYNTH means to you. Please share in the comments below.

For me the site is a daily log of everything synth from the perspective of us, the users of synths, with the focus on the individual synths. With a few exceptions, each post showcases and features individual synths that you can clearly identify and get a feel for. It's a day in the life of synths. It's what was put out there each and every day and in time we'll be able to look back and see what was shared by the community every single day since July 20, 2005 (minus Aug 6, 2005). You might notice I don't interject much in posts. There is a reason for that. I believe things should be presented as they were meant to be presented by the creator of the content. It's my job to share what is out there unbiased. It's up to you to take whatever you want from it. MATRIXSYNTH in essence is a weblog in its truest sense.

The original non-weblog MATRIXSYNTH launched in October of 1997 and was a simple site with links to various synth portals on the web. If you take a look, you can see what sites were out there before the current format of MATRIXSYNTH launched. Before MATRIXSYNTH, print magazines and online synth portals primarily focused on full articles - press releases, professional reviews, interviews and tutorials. What was missing was what us the users of synths were doing with our gear on a daily basis. Most publications would likely turn you away if you had something to share unless you were a known artist, manufacturer or other influential. The DIY and circuit bending scene? Not covered. Botique manufacturers? Not covered. MATRIXSYNTH was the first to bring it all to you. Back then if you wanted to share anything you had to host your own website. YouTube, Vimeo, Flickr, SoundCloud, Twitter, and so on were not out yet. I created MATRIXSYNTH in its current format in 2005 to capture and share what I came across. The site gained in popularity and soon people were sending in things they found or created on their own to share with others. The site has remained true to this since day one.

MATRIXSYNTH is a site that celebrates and showcases what we, the people passionate about synthesizers, are doing with our synths on a daily basis. It is a site that celebrates the synthesizers we love, all synths, old and new, simple and complex. All synths have character, all synths are special, all synths can be explored and discovered. It's about the exploration of sound, and not just traditional tonal music. Like an artist discovering palates of color, we discover palates of sound. Synthesizers are our gateway to the exploration of unheard timbres. MATRIXSYNTH celebrates that.

THANK YOU for helping make this a great site!!!

For those interested in numbers, this post marks number 96,509 published to date.  Every single post on the site has gone up by hand, and since the site's launch on July 20, 2005, there has been only one day missed, August 6, 2005.   Back then I had no idea there would be something to post every single day of the year.  Little did I know.   The site currently averages about fifty posts a day, seven days a week, 364 days a year (Christmas is the one day I take it easy).   What goes up is a combination of what you the readers send in and what I come across out there.   According to Google Analytics the site has had 37,074,619 pageviews from 16,976,707 visits since the site launched, while Site Meter shows 39,630,44 pageviews from 18,469,084 visits.

An Interview with Drew from CRUDBUMP

You might remember Drew from a number of posts here on MATRIXSYNTH. He has a new release out called CRUDBUMP. Considering how much he has contributed to the site I asked him to send me a shot of some of his gear for a post. This in turn resulted in the following interview. Enjoy.

1. So, for those not familiar with your work, give us a little background on some of what you do?

"I write and illustrate two daily comics, Toothpaste For Dinner and Married To The Sea, which are free to view online. Musically speaking, I wrote & recorded four comedy-industrial albums as Kompressor from 2000-04 and released some miscellaneous music under the Dog Traders name from 2000-08. I occasionally make short Youtube videos, with my music as the soundtrack."

2. How did you get into synths?

"Took classical piano lessons for eight years as a child, started playing guitar, and while in college (1998) I started poking around and realized synthesizers were pretty inexpensive. I'd read music magazines here and there as a kid and always assumed they were thousands of dollars, but once I got on eBay, I found people getting rid of old Rolands, multitrack tape machines, etc. and jumped right in.

Since the market for analog synths hadn't blown up yet, I assembled a small studio of an Ensoniq SQ-80, Roland JX-8p / SH-09 / 707, some guitar pedals, and a Tascam Porta-01 for hardly anything, and started recording music.

Once I had a couple synths, I started to scour local thrift stores/music stores/garage sales for neglected, broken, cheap gear which I'd clean/fix up and either keep or resell. By the time I started Kompressor in 2000, I'd added an Optigan, Rheem Kee bass, Akai S612, Tascam 238 and a gang of cheap midi synths / fx boxes."

3. When you first started picking up synths, what did you look for in them?

"I figured out pretty quickly that I liked synths with a lot of knobs and inputs/outputs way more than synths with one data wheel and a bunch of menus. You can get a huge range of sounds out of the SH-09 by patching feedback out of the headphone jack through guitar pedals and back into the input, and using the envelope follower + filter to process drums and bass/guitar."

4. What was your first synth and what is currently your favorite?

"My first actual synth (not counting a Casiotone) was a Roland JX-8p... if the modular doesn't count as my favorite I'd have to go with the SH-2/SH-09. Owned both of them, currenly just have the SH-2, but it makes its way onto everything. I've always wanted to check out an SH-5 or SH-7 but they've gotten so crazy expensive over the years that I don't think I'll ever get the chance. If I trip over one in the trash while I'm taking a walk some day I'll let you know what I think."

5. When playing your synths, do you focus on composing music, exploring sound, both, or other?

"Probably a mixture of both. The MPC has been instrumental in letting me control the modular + effects - I record a lot of sounds from the modular and cut them up/re-sequence them in the MPC. Most of the time I don't have a keyboard hooked up to the modular, but I do use a Futureretro Orb that's clocked by the MPC for sequencing.

A lot of the melodic stuff is from the Roland SH-2 and Waldorf Q+, which I usually play live instead of sequencing. There's something about the bender and key action on the SH-2 which I love and wish Roland would make again."


6. What interests you now in the world of synths?

"The 5U format of modular synths, which includes Modcan, MOTM, Synthesizers.com, and a few small manufacturers, has a great form factor and is built extremely well. The manufacturers in this format seem to concentrate on sound quality and build quality rather than making little Nintendo Fart-Monster modules with cheap components, which seems to dominate the Eurorack format. I know that Euro users love their Eurorack, and I actually have a Doepfer "beauty box" for some modules I can't get in 5U - but I built up about 15U of Euro in 08/09 and was really disappointed in the sound + physical aspects. Probably spoiled from the 5U stuff I'd been using for years! I sold it off and got some Modcan/MOTM stuff instead.

The newer Modcan modules are novel and I'm going to pick up some of those as they become available. I just got the 65B Dual Frequency Shifter last fall as I was finishing up the CRUDBUMP album and it wound up on half the tracks, since it sounds good on almost anything. Frequency shifter modules are touchy since you need either great DSP or precisely-calibrated analog multipliers to eliminate bleed, but this one was very well-designed. It responds well to CV and even sounds good if you overdrive it a little bit."

7. What are your thoughts on the iPad and upcoming slate devices in relation to synthesis?

"I have no idea (sorry!) [matrix: enough said. :)]"


8. Finally, can you tell us a little bit about your latest release?

"It's a spoken-word/rap album called CRUDBUMP:NA$TYJAM$ and it's stuffed completely full of analog-synth sounds and vocoder. The songs are about subprime lending, a fictional city called Horsetown, leaving voicemail for the governor of Ohio, traveling to England, and bare feet. It has a lot of bass so it bumps if you play it in your car. That's where I imagine you would want to listen to the album. It's a good album to play if you're trying to get yourself pumped up to go to work."

BTW, if you are wondering who the pug is, his name is Charles. Check him out here and be sure to see Drew's Toothpaste For Dinner and Married To The Sea. It's all good.

Introducing the System-8 Plug Out Synthesizer

Published on Sep 9, 2016 RolandChannel

"Powerful and deep, the SYSTEM-8 delivers a vast palette of sounds inspired by over four decades of legendary Roland synths.

Its next-gen Analog Circuit Behavior (ACB) engine powers an eight-voice, three-oscillator monster with stunning filters and effects, highly versatile LFOs, and a massive array of high-resolution knobs and sliders to control it all.

Support for three PLUG-OUT synths means the SYSTEM-8 can host spot-on recreations of numerous Roland classics, and JUPITER-8 and JUNO-106 PLUG-OUTS are even included with purchase.(*)

Split and layer synths for unheard of sounds, and tap into the integrated vocoder, arpeggiator, CV/Gate outs, and advanced polyphonic step sequencer to fuel endless creative explorations.

* Preloaded JUNO-106 is scheduled for release in 2017 by SYSTEM-8 update.
* Support for SYSTEM-8 on previously released plug-out synths to be available soon."

via Roland:

CLICK FOR MORE »

Moog One V1.0.1 Update

The first update for the Moog One is available here. The following are the release notes. You'll find a list of known issues being worked on below.

V1.0.1 RELEASE NOTES

1. MIDI improvements: Hardware now sends and receives MIDI Pitch Wheel, Mod Wheel (CC 1), Aftertouch (Channel Pressure), and MIDI CCs for Pad X (CC 75), Pad Y (CC 76), and Pad Pressure (CC 77). Each Synth can send/receive on its own independent MIDI Channel, or they can all use the same channel.

2. Increased gain of external microphone input.

3. Refined operation of Unison mode: Fixed issues with notes re-triggering on release, or re-triggering while Unison
Detune is adjusted.

CLICK FOR MORE »