Ampify & Novation Release Groovebox - Beats & Synths Music Studio for iOS

Groovebox for iOS // A Beats & Synths Studio from Ampify on Vimeo.

iTunes: Groovebox - Beats & Synths Music Studio - Novation

"If you love making electronic music, you’ll love Groovebox. Enter an inspiring world of music production on your iPhone & iPad.

Groovebox is a free, beautifully designed music studio app packed with inspiring synths and drum machines. In minutes you’ll be making beats, melodies, and playing with world-class instruments. Expand your own collection with more sounds and instruments available in the store. From the creators of Launchpad, Groovebox helps you produce music on iPhone & iPad.

A Beats & Synth Music Studio

Play with touchable instruments to quickly create your own beats and melodies, or draw in notes. Need inspiration? Groovebox has hundreds of patterns and sounds to get you started. Two powerful synthesisers, designed in partnership with Novation, deliver deep retro basslines and analogue harmonic melodies. The modern drum machine, with expanding drumkit library, will turn Groovebox into your go-to beat production studio.

Synths Designed in Partnership with Novation

Designed in partnership with Novation, legendary synth pioneers, Groovebox packs a world-class sound. Each instrument uses a new powerful synth engine capable of recreating classic warm analogue sounds and rich modern harmonics

Easy to start, Deep Enough to Master

Groovebox is designed to kick-start ideas, but it has serious features for artists and producers too. The advanced synth parameters* let you sculpt your own sounds. Included iPad mixer, note sequencer, key and scale modes let you control your sound. Export your sounds easily to a laptop to produce further. Sync to other apps or a laptop with Ableton Link. Connect using Audiobus, Inter-App Audio and even Export to Ableton Live seamlessly.

Features

• Three powerful instruments - Drumbox, Retrobass and Poly-8
• Discover and build ideas - Quickly explore sounds with hundreds of melody and rhythm patterns
• Play touchable instruments - Create your own melodies and beats
• Build beats - Play drum pads or keys, sequence notes or use patterns
• Sound innovation - Synths developed in partnership with legendary Novation
• Expand your sounds - Regular, fresh-content drumpacks, presets and patterns*
• Production-ready sounds - Crafted by world-class sound designers and artists
• Extendable Instruments - Expose more tweakable synth controls
• Sequence your music - Draw notes and build patterns instead of playing them
• Stay in time and key - Choose from any tempo, key or musical scale
• Mix your music - 8-track mixer on iPad. Instrument focus mixer on iPhone.
• Share your music - Easily create a mix of your music to share with others

*Requires In-App Purchase

Advanced Features

• Jam with others - Audiobus, Inter-App Audio, Ableton Link and Ableton Export
• Ableton Export - Easily send your project to Ableton Live
• Full scale support - All keys and major, minor and modes supported
• Project management - Rename, duplicate and delete
• iPad Pro support - Optimised to use the entire iPad Pro screen
• Send your ideas to a laptop - Batch export your pads as a .zip file, or use Ableton Export
• Bluetooth speaker supported

Ampify x Novation

We are Ampify, a unique innovative team formed from Novation, world-renowned music instrument pioneers. We’re responsible for some of the most popular music creation and remixing apps on Apple’s App Store. Launchpad for iOS has nearly 7 million downloads, and Blocs Wave for iOS won a number of prestigious awards. Our team, originally called Blocs, is now known as Ampify.

Supported Devices

Groovebox is compatible with iPad 4th Generation, iPad Air 1/2, iPad Pro 9.7/12.9, iPad Mini 2/3/4, iPod Touch 6th Generation, iPhone 5/5C/5S, iPhone 6/6S, iPhone 6S/6S Plus, iPhone 7/7 Plus. Requires iOS 10."

And the descriptions and screenshots from iTunes:

iTunes: Groovebox - Beats & Synths Music Studio - Novation

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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:

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Win a Vintage Restored OSCar From Novation! - Timeline of Synths by Designer Chris Huggett

Novation has created a fantastic timeline of synths that were designed by and with Chris Huggett. Not only was he the mastermind behind Novation's line of synths, but also EDP (Electronic Dream Plant) and the Oxford Synthesizer Company OSCar.

"Most people know him as the genius behind Wasp and OSCar, the legendary monosynth from Ultravox's Love's Great Adventure, Stevie Wonder's Skeletons, and Jean-Michel Jarre's Revolutions Overture.

Chris' synths have been used by everybody: Orbital, Ultravox, Tom Yorke, Trent Reznor, Dire Straits, Pink Floyd, Genesis, Stevie Wonder, Jean Michel Jarre, Keith Emerson- the list is endless. His heritage synths are sought across the world, and sell for upwards of £5000.

He is a true synth legend. He is also our synth designer. Every Novation synth has been conceived, shaped and refined by his passion and expertise, which spans five decades. To celebrate that, we're giving away an OSCar!"

Click here for the timeline and how to enter. I captured the timeline of synths below for the MATRIXSYNTH archives. It's not as nice as Novation's timeline so be sure to see it there while it's up!

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Syntronik & Yamaha DX7 - Sound Comparison Minimoog, OB-Xa, CS-80, Jupiter-8, JX-8P To SY99 & DX7

Power DX7
Published on Aug 7, 2017

"Syntronik is a sampled waveform based VST that emulates legendary synths such as Minimoog, Oberheim OB-Xa, Yamaha CS-80, Roland Jupiter-8, Roland JX-8P and Yamaha SY99.

As I can never afford (nor I have space to keep) all of those legendary synths, I bought Syntronik so that I get to play and learn more about those legendary synths.

As I’ve been making analog/subtractive synth-like patches on my DX7, I decided to put my DX7 MK1 against Syntronik with mighty legendary synths like Minimoog, OB-Xa, CS-80, Jupiter-8, JX-8P and SY99.

In this demo and comparison video, you will watch and hear sounds of the DX7 MK1 compared side by side to Syntronik legendary synths. Some sounds are close and others are different in many ways.

Although the DX7 can’t do everything that analog synths with a resonant filter can do, the DX7 can stand its own with unique sounds that analog synths may find very difficult to emulate.

I will take you thorough from very easy installation and set-up steps. I will give you a quick tour of Syntronik interface and legendary synths.

Comparison
Yamaha CS-80 with a synth brass for UK Alaska Vs Power DX7 signature patch, Alaska with a natural flanging effect

Yamaha SY99 with bell and electoric piano Vs Power DX7 signature patches, Bell X2 and E.Piano (beefed up version)

Minimoog with Resonant stab bass & Resonant Sequencing Vs Power DX7 signature patches, Resonant Stab Bass and Resonant Sequencing. As the DX7 doesn’t have a resonant filter, it needs to generate all harmonics using its FM synthesis. This produces a resonant filter-like, yet very distinctive tone with a ‘Sticky’ feel.

Roland Jupiter-8 with Resonant Unison Lead (16 Oscillators stack) vs Power DX7 signature Resonant Lead with ear piecing mid range (no unison for the DX7)!

Roland JX-8P/ JX-10 with Saw Pad Vs Power DX7 Signature Saw Pad
Oberheim OB-Xa with Rush Subdivisions and Van Halen Jump Synth Brasses Vs Power DX7 Signature Rush Subdivisions and Van Halen Jump Synth Brasses

Oberheim OB-Xa with a warm pad Vs Power DX7, Earth 1, the mother of all pads!

To finish this demo, I include a brand new DX7 song called ‘Resonance Beat’ by combining various Power DX7 signature patches, including Bell X2, Resonant Stab Bass, Resonant Sequencing, Earth 1 Pad. Also it includes a new Bell (like a small bell rolling around inside of a glass bottle), a Resonant Filter Sweep sounds and another Resonant Sequencing sound with a formant type tone when played soft (yes, you can have two different tones in a single patch for the DX7!).

Enjoy!"

Interview with Hexfix93 of VAC

The following is an interview I just wrapped up with hexfix93 of Velvet Acid Christ. As you know, this site is about the gear, namely synths, and the gear that helps drive and enhance synths, but ultimately the focus is on synths.

I was chatting a bit with hexfix93 and asked him if he would be interested in a slightly different take on an interview, one focused on synths and their impact to his world. We all have our story regarding how our obsession with synths first started, how we see and approach synths and what they mean to us. I thought it would be interesting to hear his story. The following is the interview.

Before it begins, I want to thank hexfix93 for taking the time out for this. We all have a different approach and a different story when it comes to our synths. This is his. For more of his music check out VAC and don't miss Toxic Coma. Cheers, matrix.


1. What was your first synthesizer, how old were you when you picked it up, and why did you pick it up?

"It was some kind of old yamaha cheap thing. i got it for my atari st, so when i played games like leisure suit larry that the music wouldn't come from the wimpy fm built in sound, but a general midi synth instead. it really didn't sound all that great. i wasn’t really a keyboard player at this point.

The first synth i got as a keyboard player was a roland w30 sampler workstation. And we made like 3 records with that keyboard. i remember gary slaughter an x vac member, spilled orange vodka drink on it. and i had to take it apart and clean every part of it by hand slowly, it took weeks. it was a pure nightmare.

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Kawai SX-210

via this auction

"General Description :
The Kawai SX-210 (also manufactured under the brand name of Teisco) is probably one of the most underrated analog synths ever. Being a true analog machine and holding a set of features which many other single oscillator synths are missing, it is still a mystery why such a great instrument like the SX-210 has never been through the popularity of other equivalent synths like the Juno 60/106 and Polysix for example. Still it is quite rare as not many have been made.

The Kawai/Teisco SX-210 is basically an 8 voice single DCO synth based on the SSM2044 filter chips. It is generally very stable (as you might expect from it, being a DCO synth). The overall sound is very warm, yet not as fat as either the Junos or the poly Korgs.

On the other hand, it does feature an envelope for its filters, which you won't find on "basic" synths like the Juno 60/106. And it sounds like nothing else actually. I was able to nail that VCS3 "Welcome to the Machine" leads quite easily !

The SX-210 is also one of the first to feature an alpha dial, but not like most alpha dial based synths, you won't find any cumbersome menus to hate to deal with ;)

Instead, there is a switch for every function, and a small indicator to present the value for the switch selected. This is a great approach to implement, as you are still able to check into every parameter of a particular preset and read its current value !

The SX-210 is also 8 voice polyphonic, and can be used at 8 single voice, 4 dual voice and 1 eight voice configurations, which means you can stack all 8 oscillators into a one fat lead sound or a mega power chord lead ! Can you do that with your Juno ?! ;)

The LFO can oscillate the DCO section, VCF and VCA, all at the same time ! (use a Polysix and you'll have to decide which of the section you'd like to modulateן¿½ no simultaneous LFO action !) It is quite versatile and features a Reverse mode and 3 different waveforms plus a Trigger, as well as an LFO Delay and a Bender. Quite impressive for a single DCO synth, huh ?!

The single DCO section can do PW, PWM, SAW and Sub, and noise as well (non for the Polysixן¿½) The SX-210 also has a built in stereo Ensemble effect which is very rich sounding and will "widen up" just about any pad or a string preset very nicely, but I must admit it is not as warm as our well known Polysix Ensemble effect, and generally, far from being versatile as the Chorus/Phaser/Ensample Polysix section. The instrument could do wonders has it had the Polysix effect board ;)

Using the VCF modulation section (KCV / LFO / EG) it is possible to create some really interesting sounds. My SX-210 had two bad 4066 chips at the same place on two different voices, making the EG section going bad, only a few months separating between each incident. So this is where you should first look at when you're starting to experience strange EG behavior !"

Note: see this post for a rare one with extra buttons under the keys.

Ninja Tune & Erica Synths Unveil The Zen Delay

Published on Sep 18, 2019 Ninja Tune

"New effects unit is Ninja Tune’s first hardware product & first-ever FX unit produced by an electronic label
Uniquely fuses digital & analogue with its powerful stereo dub delay, 24 dB synth-filter and valve saturation and overdrive all in perfect BPM sync in a one-of-a-kind hardware box
Fit for both on stage and in the studio, offering state-of-the-art quality, powerful & easy-to-use effects for all

18 September 2019, London: Ninja Tune and Riga-based modular synth manufacturer Erica Synths have teamed up to create a custom dub delay effects unit, the Zen Delay.

Inspired by a trip to Berlin’s trailblazing music hardware trade show Superbooth, Coldcut’s Matt Black and longtime friend Dr Walker (Liquid Sky artist collective / Air Liquide) envisaged the exciting possibilities of a custom hardware effects unit. The result is the creation of the Zen Delay — the first-ever hardware effects unit produced in collaboration with an electronic music label.

Bringing together the best of the digital and analogue worlds, the Zen Delay is a BPM-synched stereo delay line, combining extreme feedback ranges for dub and experimental lo-fi effects with a multi-mode 24 dB synth filter and valve overdrive.

Created and manufactured by Erica Synths, the unit is housed in a metal case with Erica Synths’ signature bakelite knobs and a valve circuit for extra analogue warmth. While sonically versatile, it is incredibly easy to use — each function has a physical knob that you can play around with without diving into manuals or scrolling through menus on a tiny screen.

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Roland Officially Announces the Boutique Line of Mini Synths

Welcome to Roland Boutique Published on Oct 1, 2015

"Three legendary Roland synths, now available as affordable, limited-edition sound modules. Recreating the sound and user interface of the JUPITER-8, JUNO-106 and JX-3P respectively, each module is packed with hands-on controls for deep editing, while battery operation and built-in speaker lets you make music on the move. Whether connected to the optional keyboard dock, hooked up to a keyboard or used with your DAW setup, the Roland Boutique series adds some classics to your library."

"Roland Boutique Series Announced

Historic Roland synths reborn in limited-edition Compact Sound Modules

Los Angeles, CA, October 1, 2015 — The Roland Boutique series is a new, limited-edition line of compact sound modules that recreate renowned analog synthesizers from the company’s historic past. Powered by Roland’s Analog Circuit Behavior (ACB) technology, the series includes three modules based on the JUPITER-8, JUNO-106 and JX-3P instruments from the 1980s. Armed with a full complement of hands-on controls derived from the original synths, each sound module can be used as a tabletop MIDI device or mounted in the companion K-25m Keyboard Unit to create a standalone compact synth.

The Roland Boutique series faithfully captures the legendary sound and response of classic Roland analog synths for modern electronic musicians. Using the proprietary ACB modeling that was first developed for instruments in the AIRA line such as the TR-8 and SYSTEM-1, the essence of the original instruments is recreated in every detail, right down to the analog component level.

Each Roland Boutique module is no bigger than a book and can run on USB bus power or batteries, providing grab-and-go versatility for computer music production and live playing. The modules also include built-in speakers, a convenient feature for monitoring the sound in mobile environments.

With the JP-08, the legendary JUPITER-8 synth is back in a compact and powerful package. Featuring 36 knobs and sliders from the original JUPITER-8 front panel, the four-voice JP-08 is highly programmable and encourages sonic experimentation. The JP-08 faithfully reproduces the original JUPITER-8 sounds and adds a few new twists in the form of extra LFOs and expanded VCO range.

Often described as one of the last great synths of the analog era, the JUNO-106 became a favorite thanks to its warm sounds and instant sound-shaping ability. The four-voice JU-06 module continues this approach, with 23 parameters controllable via the front panel and classic JUNO sound, complete with the original’s signature chorus effect. New enhancements include a faster LFO and continuously variable high-pass filter.

The JX-03 module continues the legacy of the dual-oscillator JX-3P synth. While the original featured a button-driven interface for immediate access to preset sounds, it was highly programmable when paired with the optional PG-200 controller. The four-voice JX-03 inherits all 24 knobs from the PG-200, plus the distinctive JX-3P tonal character. Added extras not present in the original synth include new waveforms, expanded DCO range, and cross-modulation options.

In addition to their unique ACB sound engines and model-specific controls, each Roland Boutique module is equipped with dual ribbon controllers and a built-in step sequencer. With their USB and MIDI I/O connectors, the modules can easily integrate with studio setups and other MIDI keyboards. Each module also features a chain mode that allows the user to connect two or more modules of the same type to increase the available polyphony as needed.
With the optional K-25m Keyboard Unit, users have the ability to turn a Roland Boutique module into a compact, all-in-one synth with 25 velocity-sensitive keys. Each module mounts in the K-25m quickly and easily, and can be interchanged with another in no time. Once in the K-25m, the module can be mounted flat or angled in two different positions for easier access to the panel controls.

To learn more about the Roland Boutique series modules, visit Rolandus.com/boutique."

New Lap Synths

I posted the following on Twitter and thought I'd capture them here as well.

"Huge thx to @Perfect_Circuit for scoring me a brand new @accessmusic Virus TI2! Fired it up for the first time last night. Blown away. Incredibly diverse. That's it on my lap with an @ArturiaOfficial KeyStep. :) Also with my new @dsiSequential OB-6! Two amazing synths!"

They both are truly amazing.  The OB-6 replaces my OB-Xa and in my opinion, it is just as warm and full sounding, more-so actually.  It's easy to get engulfed in the raw sound of it, and it can actually take a little work, or rather will power, to mellow it out like the OB-Xa.  The OB-Xa, an amazing synth in its own right, of course, is actually a very simple synth in architecture.  The OB-6 appears just as simple on the surface, but I'm finding it capable of so much more.  That said, it does lack the silkier 4-pole filter of the OB-Xa.  The 2-pole SEM based filter sizzles, but it can be tamed.

The Virus TI2, on the digital side of things, is an absolutely astounding sounding synth.  I was expecting it to have that typical sheen that colors many other VAs, but it doesn't - it sounds incredibly  direct and present. It has that certain clarity you typically only find in higher end synths.  I've always wanted one new but I kept holding out for the latest model. They are getting harder to find, so I figured it was now or never. I checked the shop sites on the right, here on MATRIXSYNTH, and saw that Perfect Circuit Audio was the only ones that had them listed as available for order. I reached out to them and they ordered one directly from Access for me. It took a couple of months as they are on back order, but mine finally arrived! P.S. Huge thanks to Meryam and Brad at Perfect Circuit - they were great to deal with!

As you can see below, I also picked up a few other lap synths as well.  Why lap synths?  I've been finding I'm having less and less time to make it into the studio, so I'm spending more time with smaller synths on my lap.  :)

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1970's UNIVOX MAXIKORG K-3 SN 0384

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

via this auction

"This is quite a powerful analog synth. It's actually two classic Minikorgs in one keyboard. The strengths of this unit are the dual filters, allowing lowpass, highpass and bandpass filtering, ring modulation, and, of course, a warm classic analog synth sound. This is one of my favorite synths for leads, but it's capable of making a very wide range of sounds.

This synth is also known as the Korg 800DV and Univox K3 but was sold in the US under the name Maxi-Korg K3. The power of the Maxi-Korg lay in the way it could create and play sounds. In essence, it was two Korg 700S synths in a single box, so you could treat it as two distinct synths, creating two different sounds, and then playing them independently. Some other mid-'70s synths allowed you to play two notes, but these used the same patch parameters for both. Only the Maxi-Korg could produce two sounds that you could play as a composite, or as two independent synths. Yet this was only half the story, because the 800DV allowed you to allocate the voices in a huge variety of ways. This made it possible to program more realistic, more expressive, or more off-the-wall sounds than was possible on other monosynths. The Maxi-Korg was, and remains, one of the most impressive, flexible and articulate synths ever built."

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TouchAble free Racks Pack Anniversary - 20 audio FX racks for Ableton Live

YouTube touchAble - control Ableton Live from your iPad

"Available on the iTunes App Store:
AppBC

To celebrate TouchAble's birthday we are happy to offer to all touchAble and Ableton Live users a pack of 20 powerful Audio Live racks, specially made for use with touchAble's XY-Pad Module & Ableton Live 8.

All the 20 racks are available in 2 versions, XY and XYZ -- depending on your preference of using Z control or not -- and will open new fields of creation and sonic manipulation.

Of course it is possible to use the racks without using touchAbleʼs XY Pad - but surely you would miss out on half the fun ;-)

Download the Racks Pack for free:
http://www.touch-able.com/Site/downloads.html

Included Racks:

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Today Marks the 10th Anniversary of the Sequential Oberheim OB-6

Andrew McGowan, pictured here with Tom Oberheim, wrote in to let us know today is the 10th Anniversary of the Sequential OB-6. Andrew was a product designer at DSI/Sequential and worked with Tom Oberheim on the OB-6.

You can find a write-up on some the development of the OB-6 as well as the Prophet-6 on his website, https://www.smartbombdesign.com.

A couple of excerpts:

"I was sitting in my office at Seer Systems one day in 1997 or thereabouts when the phone on my desk rang. It was Dave Smith calling from his home. 'I’ve been talking to Tom Oberheim. He’s between jobs and wants to learn about software synths, so I asked him if he wanted to write the Reality operation manual. Can you get him set up and manage that?' I knew who Tom was, of course, but I had never met him, and now Dave was asking me to be his manager. I had no reason to believe that Tom was anything other than the warm, bright, and kind person that I now know he is, but the idea that I would be managing him made me deeply uncomfortable.

Seer Systems was in the process of developing Reality, which is generally considered to be the first 'professional' software synthesizer, though I’m not certain what makes one synthesizer professional and another not."

[Side note: Propellerheads Rebirth was also released in 1997, however the demo version was released in October 1996. A bit like The Damned vs. Sex Pistols for those in the know!]

And [thought this was funny]:

"Those Fucking Lines

Tom and I had talked about synths over the years and, on several occasions, he remarked how often people asked him to remake the OB-X, perhaps because not many were made. Or maybe Rush/Tom Sawyer? I don’t know. What little I did know about the OB-X was that it had a (low-pass only) SEM filter, and we had already made a synth with an SEM filter in it. And our hardware engineer Tony Karavidas had worked at Oberheim and owned multiple Oberheim synths. I also felt very strongly that if we were going to make two poly synths that were essentially the same except for the filter, the 2-pole, SEM state-variable filter would be complementary to the Prophet-6’s 4-pole, OTA low-pass filter.

Tom’s wish list was short. He didn’t want the Prophet-6’s analog distortion. And he wanted the OB-Xa’s blue lines."

Read the rest here

[P.S. I still own an OB-6 desktop and it's one of my most cherished synths. There is something organic about it. The demos I've heard of Sequential's new FOURM have that about them. I have enough synths as it is but the FOURM is very, very tempting for this particular reason.]

Modular Minutes - Erica Synths Fusion Melodies

Published on Nov 8, 2016 Analogue Zone Showroom / Synths and Studio

"It's time for some warm tube sounds from the Eastern Block. The walls were shaking in the showroom and our hairs were erected whenever we reached (yet another) sweet spot with these new pair of Erica Synth's Fusion series modules. The melodic sequence is coming from a Beatstep off camera, and modulation duties are done by XAOC Devices Batumi. We muffled the whole sound with a Make Noise - MMG and finally added some aether by the Erica Black Hole DSP module.

Modules used in the patch:
http://analoguezone.com/erica-synths/...
http://analoguezone.com/erica-synths/...
http://analoguezone.com/erica-synths/...
http://www.analoguezone.com/make-nois...
http://www.analoguezone.com/xaoc-devi...
http://analoguezone.com/erica-synths/...

Modular Minutes is a weekly short video series from the Analogue Zone Showroom!"

Synthmas '21 w/ Synthfluencer

Door #6: Lasst uns froh und munter sein (Let us be happy and cheerful) - Synthmas '21
video upload by Synthfluencer

"The gear:
This song is played on the Casio CZ-5000 digital synthesizer. With the CZ series Casio stepped into the professional music market after getting famous with the VL-1, PT-1 and other casual instruments. All CZ synths used a synthesis technology called phase distortion. Some preferred PD before FM synthesis, since it can create bell-like sounds as well as warm analog sounding pads. Even though missing velocity and aftertouch as built in the CZ-1, the CZ-5000 was the second best equipped synth of the family. The two DCOs are capable of playing 8 different wave forms, can be ring modulated and formed by 3 envelopes for each DCO (DCA = VCA, DCW = VCF, DCO = VCO). The envelopes can have up to 8 stages what gives huge possibilities for sound design. Key split, layer sounds, a sequencer - not really easy to operate but unique in the price range at the time - and a really good sounding chorus made the CZ-5000 a dream synth for many electronic music enthusiasts.

Because operating the internal sequencer is a fiddly job I used a Korg-SQD1 for sequencing the song. The simple multi track sequencer was very popular in the 80s Detroit techno scene.

Trailer material: Pexels.com (image @seurafrancis99, video @cottonbro)"

Door #5: Morgen, Kinder, wird’s was geben (Tomorrow, Children, Something Will Be) - Synthmas '21
video upload by Synthfluencer

The song:
Originally named "Die Weihnachtsfreude" (The Joy of Christmas) the song occured first in the 18th century. It describes the childrens thrill of anticipation awaiting Christmas Eve.

The gear:
For this song I used the Yamaha MODX. The modern digital synth is basically using two synthesis engines: AWM2 is a sample based engine while the FM part is an enhanced version of legendary DX-7 engine that shaped 80s pop fundamentally. As the AWM2 synthesis allows an instrumentation in any thinkable fashion, the song's version presented here makes use of original DX-7 factory patches only. That gives the desired retro touch.

FM synthesis was a giant leap in synth architecture. Not only that digital synthesis was available for a broad customer base; the DX-7 put cutting edge expression technologys into play like breath control and MIDI and made upper class features like after touch available for the ordinary synthesist. The (then) unique e-piano patch defined a new standard and became a mandatory element of 80s synth ballads. The possibility of adding a (digital) filter and effects to the FM engine's sounds makes the MODX kind of a 'super DX7'. Hence the name MOreDX?

Trailer material: Pexels.com (image @seurafrancis99, video @cottonbro)"

Door #4: Es ist für uns eine Zeit angekommen (Unto us a time has come) - Synthmas '21


"The song:
The melody came up in the 19th century as a traditional Swiss star boys' singers Christmas carol. From it's origin, the Wiggertal in the Canton of Lucerne it found it's way to Germany. While first sung with the original lyrics, under the reign of the Nazis a secular version was created. Like years later the communist GDR regime, the Nazis tried to remove the christian aspects from Christmas - our celebration of commerce we all love so much today. Nevertheless, this version is the most common used for the song today.

The gear:
The song is played by a Roland JV-1010. Sometimes derided as a "ROMpler", this multi-timbral digital synth is equipped - like it's bigger brother the JV-1080 - with many legendary sounds of Roland's 80s flagship D-series (10/20/50). Like Roland D-synths the JV-1010 creates it's sounds using LA-Synthesis. Therefore calling it "ROMpler" is simply wrong. LA-Synthesis was Roland's bold move to finally break the success of Yamaha's FM-Synthesis intruduced in early 80s with the legendary DX-7. The idea behind LA-Synthesis is that real instrument sounds (back then synths aimed most notably to imitate real instruments) are recognized by the very first parts of a sound. So LA or linear arythmethic synthesis using very short samples at the beginning of a sound continued with subtractive synthesis.

For this song I only used factory presets. I think the JV-1010/1080 has a wonderful warm sound. A Roland D-10 was my very first synth that broke a few years ago and I always thought about replacing it by another one or a D-50. But the JV-1010 turned out to be much more than a makeshift. Love it!

Trailer material: Pexels.com (image @seurafrancis99, video @cottonbro)"

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Amazing Yamaha DX7 analog patches demo – Van Halen 1984 & Jump, Rush Subdivisions, U.K. and Berlin

Published on Apr 29, 2016 Power DX7

This one in via MTG.

"This is a Yamaha DX7 demo brought you by Power DX7, showcasing the breathtaking realism and unparalleled versatility of the Yamaha DX7.

This video demonstrates amazingly warm and rich Yamaha DX7 analogue patches including Oberheim synths. These DX7 analog patches can transform the DX7 as well as Yamaha DX7s, DX7 II and TX802 into analog synthesizers. Also, a Yamaha DX7 plugin (such as FM7, FM8 and Dexed) can be transformed into an analog synthesizer with uniquely DX7 patches.

The Yamaha DX7 is the one of the best ‘pure’ synthesizer which has a very powerful FM synthesis engine. It is a famous vintage synthesizer, released in 1983, that is gaining resurgence recently. Yamaha DX7 sounds were very famous during the 1980’s with its typical E. piano and E. base sounds.

I have owned my Yamaha DX7 Mk I since 1986 and making my own original DX7 patches ever since. My focus is to push the DX7 and its FM synthesizers to its limits, hence creating many original patches with breathtaking sonic quality, realism and expression, from warm analog synthesizer sounds to uniquely DX7 piano, brass, string voice, etc.

For those interested in a Yamaha DX7 review, this is the excellent Yamaha DX7 demo showcasing its capability and versatility. For those interested in Yamaha DX7 programming, this DX7 demo shows you that creating amazing DX7 patches are only limited by your imagination.

I have chosen 5 songs to create this great Yamaha DX7 cover video. All DX7 analog patches featured are created and fine-tuned by myself, using my DX7 front panel only (no patch editor used). I hope you enjoy Yamaha DX7 music that I created for this cover and hope to inspire you that the DX7 is the truly powerful and versatile ‘pure’ synthesizer of all time.

Video Contents

Power DX7 Intro song

All original DX7 patches with amazing realism and expression, are used - Piano (High and Low notes), Male Choir, Female Opera and DX7 Brass

0:15 - Van Halen, 1984 & Jump
Beautiful, warm and rich Oberheim synth (e.g., OB-X and OB-Xa) string and brass patches are faithfully created. It is amazing how the Yamaha DX7 sounds are so close to sounds from Oberheim synths. Also, it can mimic filter sweeping, creating analogue-like, yet uniquely DX7 sounds.

2:35 – Rush, Subdivisions
Rush (my favourite band) used an Oberheim synthesizer for the powerful song Subdivisions (you can see that at the intro of the music video Subdivisions).
The DX7 faithfully emulates a warm Oberheim synth brass sound with rich mid-range harmonics you hear in the song Subdivisions.

4:06 - U.K., Alaska
This DX7 analog patch is uniquely DX7 with its’ FM synthesis engine. It ‘s a very powerful DX7 synth brass sound with ‘ear-piecing’ mid-range harmonics as well as it’s own flanging effect.

6:35 – Berlin, Masquerade
Berlin has a song called Masquerade and you can hear a very nice synth string sound. This DX7 analog patch emulates the synth string sound very nicely, as it is rich in higher harmonics and highly modulated."

Jeff Babko Interviewed by Dave Smith Instruments

You'll find the full interview here.

On the Prophet-6 and OB-6:

"DSI: You’ve been a vocal promoter of the Prophet-6.

Yes. The OB-6, too. They’re a beautiful team. The synths feel natural. They’re warm, they’re thick. Both the Prophet-6 and the OB-6 have different characters, a different color. Clearly when you A/B them, they are different instruments. The layout is different, but the character is different, too. They are both solid, super exciting instruments. They are like children to me; I cannot choose one over the other. I think they are both really intuitive, remarkably musical instruments. They’re really great to have in my arsenal, because I feel like I connect with these instruments.

I have Mono backpack bags for both synths. If I can show up with just a backpack and the raddest piece of equipment, that’s a pretty good day! I feel like I have this whole world of opportunity on my back. It takes me back to what initially excited me about synthesizers.

Once I turn them on, it’s difficult to leave. The gates of opportunity just open and immediately these warm, interesting, dimensional sounds cause me to want to write music. They are a composer’s best friend.

I’ve never been a real soft synth guy. Some composers like soft synths because they need to call up a sound, grab it, plug it in, and it works. I’ve always looked at it as: “I want to provide a sound — my sound.” If you’re a guitar player, you choose your Strat or your Tele or your Les Paul and you decide what you’re going to run it through. I’ve always felt that I was coming from the same direction. With these synths, I turn them on and call up a sound, but then I immediately tweak and get it to where it feels good to me and then that’s my instrument. It’s not just fulfilling a role, that’s my voice. Both of these synthesizers are such unique voices. They’re just brilliant instruments."

Roland Jupiter Xm - "Cinematica" & "Analog Dreams" Presets

video by LFOstore

Be sure to see the Roland System-8 | Juno-60 PlugOut | Custom Soundset

"Introducing Roland Jupiter X/Xm - "Cinematica" 50 organic presets!

Buy: https://sellfy.com/lfostore/p/roland-...

'Cinematica' is a second chapter from our Jupiter Xm/X preset series.

Jupiter Xm/X is a complex machine containing all Rolands best & historical synths in one portable and affordable combine!

We had put all our effort for the "Cinematica" and make 50 massive & deep presets with veloicty & mod wheel controllers approved.

Also we made special EQ settings - This settings are giving more vintage and warm tone.

By Nick Klimenko aka Chronos, a creator of "Organica" for Waldorf Blofeld & "WS Universe"for Korg Wavestation & Anton Sacral Reason author "Stratosphere" for Wavestate

Our presets are ready to go in your tracks in every genre of modern electronic music.

Inside of the pack:

Beautiful deep strings & pads
Space Soundscapes
Rhytmic Elements
Ethernal & oriental plucks
String emulations : Juno & CS-80

Enjoy and may the music come with you!"

Roland Jupiter Xm\X - "Analog Dreams" 50 Presets
video by LFOstore

"'Analog Dreams' is a third chapter from our Jupiter Xm/X preset series.

Buy: https://sellfy.com/lfostore/p/roland-...

Jupiter Xm/X is a complex machine containing all Rolands best & historical synths in one portable and affordable combine! We had put all our effort for the "Analog Dreams" and make 50 massive & deep presets with veloicty & mod wheel controllers approved.

Also we made special EQ settings - This settings are giving more vintage and warm tone.

Its really hard to believe that such beautiful sounds are coming from such a tiny synth!

LFO team is glad to introduce "Analog Dreams" soundset for Jupiter Xm!

50 most beatiful, warm, analog & deep sounds immediately ready to go in your sound production including:

Warm Bass & Poly Keys.
CS Series, Juno Series, JX Series, Polysix & Jupiter Emulations.
Deep Strings & Pads.

All the sounds are handmade & reacting on velocity & modulation wheel.

Made by Nick Klimenko aka Chronos, a creator of "Organica" for Waldorf Blofeld & "WS Universe" for Korg Wavestation & Anton Sacral Reason author of "Stratosphere" for Wavestate.

Enjoy!"

Roland JX3p vs alphaJuno 1

Published on Jun 16, 2019 synthlegends

"Review and comparision of basic differences and sounds. First of all I made 4 different sounds compared on both synths and in the second part I demonstrate some different strenghts of both synths. I didn't go too deep becuase it would make this video too long and maybe boring. I should give you a good and objective overview of the strenghts, advantages and disadvanteges of both synths.
My conclusion is: the alpha goes very deep with additional waveforms, great PWM, adjustable Chorus and adjustable suboscillator. Also you have great several stages envelopes with different settings.

The JX3P is less capable, but has two oscillators for warm vintage tone to detune, sync oscillator and ring modulation. It has no real PMW, but you can adjust it over the sync mode, but than you only have only one oscilator sounding.

The JX3P has the Jupiter 8/Juno 60 filter, which is IMO an poor mans JP8 and a better Juno without knobs. The alpha Juno has a bit a more gritty filter, sounds a bit harsh and less warm, but you can get really great 70ies like stuff and modern tones out of it as well.

Some great vintage tones of the JX3P you can't program on the alpha, but the other way round, the JX3P is much less capable to match alpha tones. So you need both synths :-)"

New Sonic Potions x Erica Synths LXR-02 Desktop Digital Drum Synthesizer

Priced at $589

Digital Drum Machine with 6 Drum Voices, 16-step Sequencer, Pattern Chaining, FX Section, 4 Mono Outputs, and USB/MIDI Connectivity

Revamped Cult Classic Desktop Drum Synth and Sequencer

Boutique synthmakers Sonic Potions and Erica Synths have teamed up to bring you the Sonic Potions x Erica Synths LXR-02 Digital Drum Synth. A revamped version of Sonic Potions' renowned DIY kit, the LXR-02 is a highly flexible desktop drum machine, which goes far beyond the TR-style drum machines from which it draws its inspiration. Featuring six drum voices (which are optimized for specific drum sounds), a host of modulators, a robust FX section, and a performance-oriented interface, the LXR-02 is an inspiring piece of kit that has enraptured Sweetwater’s synth enthusiasts. With its high-quality 16-bit/44kHz audio, the LXR-02 has a shockingly huge sound. And, its powerful 16-step sequencer provides eight subdivisions per step, for a massive 128 steps per track at 32PPQ resolution. The LXR-02 facilitates sonic exploration, and you can store custom kits on the provided SD card. What’s more, a unique morphing feature allows you to seamlessly crossfade between presets — perfect for spicing up compositions! And while the LXR-02’s Digital Drum Synth features run deep, it’s amazingly intuitive. You’ll be cranking out killer sequences in no time!

A sonic laboratory for beatmakers

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IK Multimedia Introduces Syntronik 2

"Syntronik 2 sets the new standard in modern virtual synthesizers. IK’s advanced sampling techniques, combined with a hybrid sample and modeling synthesis engine, power a comprehensive collection of rare and sought-after synths with stunning sonic accuracy and the deepest editing.

This is a massive update to the previous release, adding 11 new synths, exciting new, advanced, and much-requested functionality, and a huge number of all-new presets for the 22 original synths taking advantage of all these new features."

"Syntronik 2 features

33 powerful synths with familiar panel designs and easy-to-use controls

A collection of 54 iconic hardware synthesizers and string machines

Multi-sampled oscillators for ultimate authenticity

4 classic types of circuit-modeled filters to shape sounds

DRIFT™ technology for realism of subtle oscillator variations

Mix and match oscillators with filters for new original sounds

True 4-part synth to create rich sounds with Multis and splits

4 dynamic arpeggiators and new step sequencer for complex rhythmic textures

71 high-quality effects derived from T-RackS, MixBox and AmpliTube

More than 200 GB of sounds with disk streaming and over 5,500 presets

Browser search by category or keyword to find sounds in seconds

Optimized resizable interface and “lunchbox-style” effects panel

Load Syntronik sounds into SampleTank 4* for more expandability

Works as a 64-bit plug-in or standalone instrument for Mac/PC

Fully functional free Syntronik CS version also available"

New models.


The CATO captures the distinctive analog sounds of the Octave Cat SRM and its SSM filter. The pure-analog tonality of this synth is huge, and its modulation capabilities allow for truly unique and stylized timbres. Able to create gigantic Moog-style basses, the CAT can also go in its own sonic direction with its clever oscillator sync implementation.

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