SEQUENTIAL PROPHET-10 - PRO3 - FREAK-OUT-YOUR-SYNTH - EPISODE#4 - UPDATES - STACK - SPLIT - MODE

video upload by Bernd Kistenmacher

"Not as planned but his is the fourth Episode of FREAK-OUT-YOUR-SYNTH about tzhe latest updates from SEQUENTIAL for PROPHET-5 and PROPHET-10 synthesizers as well as for the PRO3 and PRO3 SE synthesizer. The PROPHETs are now able to play in stack or split mode and the PRO3 gets from Wavretables and a very cool patch morph feature. Find more about everything in this video.

00:00 Intro
01:40 Introduction
04:00 Updating PROPHET-10
06:00 Prophet-10 Stack Mode
10:45 Prophet-10 Split Mode
12:36 Conclusion
13:44 Updating PRO3
16:49 Patch Morching
20:52 New Sounds and Wavetables for PRO3
22:41 Final words"

Previously:

SEQUENTIAL PROPHET-10 - FREAK-OUT-YOUR-SYNTH - EPISODE#3 - ONE-SYNTH-ONLY - PROPHETS LULLABY

video upload by Bernd Kistenmacher

"This is the third Episode of FREAK-OUT-YOUR-SYNTH, my vlog about my passions for Synthesizers and Filmmaking. Included is the new and unique series ONE-SYNTH-ONLY, where I perform on the each presented instrument. This time it is the Prophet-10 Synthesizer from Sequential.

00:00 Intro
00:32 Introduction
01:57 FOYS-Trailer
02:43 The Oscillator Section
09:05 The Mixer Section
10:11 The Filter Section
14:54 The Vintage knob
18:51 ADSR, Velocity and Aftertouch
22:38 The Patch Memory
23:18 The Modulation Section
34:26 Conclusion
39:01 One-Synth-Only
46:19 Outtakes"

BLUE-II goes to Hollywood... with composer/producer Paul Haslinger!

"'Rob Papen has made a name and sound for himself in the soft synth world. BLUE-II is a revelation in realtime sound control and depth of programmability, and, as such, is perfectly suited to EDM-specific needs.'

- Paul Haslinger, 2014 (composer/producer)


HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA, USA: virtual instrument and plug-in developer Rob Papen Soundware is proud to announce that Hollywood composer/producer Paul Haslinger has added BLUE-II — an all-new reworking of the Dutch business’ breakthrough BLUE soft synth for Mac (OS X 10.6 or higher) and PC (Windows Vista, 7, and 8) — to his well-stocked, state-of-the-art studio setup...

Self-confessed synth freak and world-renowned sound designer Rob Papen is no stranger to rave reviews with his popular namesake range of virtual instruments and effects plug-ins, a music technology ‘tradition’ that continues unabated to this day with BLUE-II, the latest soft synth to bear his highly-regarded name, one which has been busy making musical waves on both sides of the Atlantic since its eagerly-anticipated springtime release earlier this year. “Rob Papen has made a name and sound for himself in the soft synth world,” pronounces Paul Haslinger, himself held in high regard as an in-demand composer/producer.

Across the Atlantic, Haslinger has been busy making a distinguished name for himself in Hollywood film and television circles, thanks to his unique approach to sound, blending electronic and acoustic elements into his scores with a sizeable body of work ranging from the Emmy- and Golden Globe-nominated TV series Sleeper Cell and historic action movie The Three Musketeers through to the captivating sci-fi thriller Underworld: Awakening and beyond.

In truth, Haslinger himself is no stranger to the wonderful world of synths and sampling with which he first found fame and (good) fortune in the mid-Eighties to early-Nineties as a former pivotal member of Berlin-based German electronic trailblazers Tangerine Dream, extensively touring the world and scoring several significant soundtracks in the process, pioneering the use of computer- based sequencing on stage and in the studio before gravitating towards the Hollywood Hills. Which is exactly why he is arguably better qualified than most to professionally pass judgement on BLUE-II — and at a time when his highflying career sees him tipping his musical hat towards his Eighties electronic roots while scoring engrossing Eighties computer drama Halt And Catch Fire (scheduled to return to TV screens next summer). “BLUE-II is a revelation in realtime sound control and depth of programmability, and, as such, is perfectly suited to EDM-specific needs,” notes the trailblazer-turned-Tinseltown-worker, whose exemplary ears were first attuned to BLUE-II’s blue sky thinking during a personal demonstration at the 2014 NAMM Show in Anaheim, California. Completing the soft synth’s generous sound banks back in Holland ready for release, Papen was moved to name one of its 3,200 phenomenal presets ‘Haslinger’s Move’ so the admiration is evidently mutual!

Basically, BLUE-II excellently embodies Rob Papen’s present-day vision to devise a powerful dream synth by building upon the success of the original BLUE, a bona fide soft synth classic developed in close collaboration with RPCX (Rob Papen ConcreteFX) partner and music software developer Jon Ayres nigh on a decade ago — cleverly combining FM and subtractive synthesis with Phase Distortion and waveshaping synthesis to create ‘Crossfusion Synthesis’ — and skyrocketing its innovations onwards and upwards... quite literally into the blue, too! Taking the useful XY pad features from its popular Blade brethren — a state-of-the-art additive soft synth powerhouse with a helpful human touch — and transplanting them into its own out-of-this-world workflow, together with six oscillators beating powerfully at its musical heart alongside two analogue-style modelled stereo filters with no fewer than 27 different filter types, an astounding array of processing and modulation options, serious sequencer, and an amazing arpeggiator, BLUE-II is perfect for time- based movements and vector-type sounds like no other. Scoring films need never be the same again!

Little wonder, then, that Haslinger has seen (and heard) the (musical) light. Let BLUE-II lend a helping hand to trade new dreams for old, Tangerine-tinted or otherwise. And who knows? Those Hollywood Hills could come calling and a musical move might well be on the cards... if you play them right. Just ask Paul Haslinger!


BLUE-II can be purchased as a boxed version from authorised Rob Papen dealers worldwide for €149.00 EUR (including VAT/tax)/$179.00 USD or downloaded directly from Rob Papen here: http://www.robpapen.com/buy-blue-2.html (BLUE owners can upgrade to BLUE-II for €44.00 EUR/$49.00 USD.)"

Rob Papen Introduces Blade 2

Rob Papen

And the press release:

Rob Papen sharpens soft synth breakthrough by bringing boosted BLADE-2 to existing bundle owners and wider world beyond


ECHT, THE NETHERLANDS: virtual synthesizer, instrument, and effect plug-in developer Rob Papen Inspiration Soundware is proud to announce availability of BLADE-2 — boosting its original BLADE soft synth with fantastic features making it a dream synth for synth lovers who like to think out of the box while working in the box, and available at no extra cost to existing owners of the company’s expansive eXplorer-6 and sure-fire SoundDesign-X bundles — as of October 28…

When the original BLADE was released back in 2012, it had a unique concept — controlling the waveform harmonics (HARMOLATOR) using its recordable XY PAD, which was a very different approach to additive synthesis, and remains so to this day. Indeed, it was the first Rob Papen soft synth to include this feature, facilitating flexible sound editing, recording, and tempo-based playback. Put it this way: when putting this extraordinary combination into action, BLADE users can creatively generate very different tones — far from the sound of the subtractive synthesis crowd, and even those of other additive synthesizers.

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Rob Papen pulls out all stops with all-encompassing eXplorer-III bundle

"ECHT, THE NETHERLANDS: virtual instrument and plug-in developer Rob Papen Soundware is proud to announce availability of eXplorer-III — combining all of its award-winning Mac- and PC- compatible virtual instruments, including the recently-released breathtaking BLUE-II soft synth, alongside its critically-acclaimed effects plug-ins into an attractively-priced performance and sound design dream bundle to die for — as of May 1...

Self-confessed synth freak and world-renowned sound designer Rob Papen knows a thing or two about creating the sounds that people want to hear. He’s even published an informative instructional book/DVD set based on his subtractive synthesis masterclasses called The 4 Element Synth — perfectly pitched for the long-running analogue revival, but is best known for his namesake software company, dedicated to producing its trademark Inspiration Soundware. Several years after its inception, Rob Papen, the company, collectively has 11 superlative software products to its well-known name: Blade (representing the cutting-edge of today’s synthesizers), BLUE-II (so-called ‘Crossfusion synthesis’ since it covers so much musical ground so effectively), Predator (‘phat’ analogue synth with killer presets and first-class features), Punch (speaker-busting, body-rattling drum machine), SubBoomBass (ultra-deep bass synth with built-in step sequencer), RG (electric and acoustic guitar grooves with sequencer and synth effects), RP-AMOD (modulation effects to spice up vocal tracks, enliven instruments, or even beef up drums and loops), RP-Delay (with six delay lines, eight filters, four LFOs, reverser, and more), RP-Distort (for distorting and dramatically altering tracks), and RP-Verb (advanced, transparent, and musical algorithm reverb).

Now all of those award-winning Mac- and PC-compatible virtual instruments and critically acclaimed effects plug-ins that have found favour with so many of the world’s leading music producers and artists are available in the all-encompassing eXplorer-III bundle — billed as being The Complete Rob Papen Synth & Effect Collection. To quote a few notable names for whom Rob Papen’s Inspiration Soundware has proved inspirational indeed:

“I love BLUE-II! The patches are so good. I opened it up and started using it immediately in my current project. You read my mind on what I was looking for.” (Rod Abernethy: RAGE, TERA, Alpha Protocol, Star Trek, and The Hobbit composer)

“Rob Papen definitely makes some amazing plug-ins; we use Predator all the time, because it has such amazing sounds!” (Dave Stewart: musician, songwriter, record producer, and Eurythmics co-founder)

“[Punch is] very cool and delivers very fast results for instant creativity! It’s easy to use and sounds great.” (Armin van Buuren: music producer and DJ)

But best of all, anyone purchasing eXplorer-III is saving themselves around 50% when compared to separately purchasing each and every Rop Papen virtual instrument and effects plug-in included. Imagine what they could do with the money saved? Treat themselves to a nice new pair of studio monitors to listen to those thousands of superlative sounds in all their professionally-programmed glory? Go for it! Open your wallet and your ears to take your productions to hitherto dreamed of levels of Inspiration Soundware sublimity with this attractively-priced performance and sound design dream bundle to die for. Just ask Rod Abernethy, Dave Stewart, and Armin van Buuren — or even Rob Papen himself!


eXplorer-III can be purchased as a boxed version from authorised Rob Papen dealers worldwide for €585.00 EUR (including VAT/tax)/$699.00 USD or downloaded directly from Rob Papen here: http://www.robpapen.com/buy-explorer-3.html

Various upgrade options are also available: eXplorer-II bundle owners can upgrade to eXplorer-III for €44.00 EUR (including VAT/tax)/$49.00 USD while owners of the original eXplorer bundle can upgrade to eXplorer-III for €119.00 EUR (including VAT/tax)/$139.00 USD."

ARTURIA MicroFreak Stellar Limited Edition | Interplanetary Synth Explorer

video upload by Arturia

"Discover the same loveable hybrid beast that’s shaken up the synth world, retrofitted for out-of-this-world sound exploration. MicroFreak Stellar Limited Edition introduces a slick all-black exterior, decorated with detailed space-age graphics reflecting its controls - primed for your interplanetary sonic voyage."

"MicroFreak Stellar is a limited edition of an acclaimed experimental synth that combines digital oscillators with an analog filter, boundless modulation with musical expression, and a sleek black finish with quirky space-age graphics - primed for your interplanetary sonic voyage.

The same loveable hybrid beast that’s shaken up the synth world, retrofitted for out-of-this-world sound exploration.

A limited edition look

Discover a synth that looks as weird and wonderful as it sounds with a slick all-black exterior, decorated with detailed space-age graphics reflecting its controls.

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ARP-O-MATIC - ARP Odyssey Synth Freak-Out = Bill T Miller - Orgy Of Noise (vintage white face ARP model)

ARP-O-MATIC - ARP Odyssey Synth Freak-Out = Bill T Miller - Orgy Of Noise (vintage white face ARP model) from Bill T Miller = billtmiller.com on Vimeo.

OrgyOfNoise.com --- Bill T Miller (BTM) tweaking in his Headroom Studios (Boston) back in 2003. This vintage Arp Odyssey Synthesizer (from 1974) was purchased by BTM in 1976 (used) and is one of the original WHITE FACE MODELS. Fun fact... ARP stands for Alan R. Pearlman the mastermind of ARP.

This BTM Orgy Of Noise clip appears on the Orgy Of Noise 2004 DVD, but has never been on Vimeo or YouTube until now.... SEE MORE from the DVD at: OrgyOfNoise.com/dvd/

* drum beat in background is from a bent albino toy drum machine.

* Video by BTM
* B&W Still Photos by Sheri Hausey
* THIS video is NOT a DEMO for the synth... the "SONG" is called ARP-O-MATIC and is just pure FUN.

more more more BTM - billtmiller.blogspot.com"

Synth Babe Supports MATRIXSYNTH!

via Michel who recently picked up a MATRIXSYNTH T: "So she [Michel's wife] tells me, 'What is Matrix synth?' After a billion hours of explanation and giving the grand blog tour she says, 'Oh wow, that's pretty cool!'... THEREFORE . . . could you please put the attached photo in the synth babe section and show the world that even if a babe cannot even play a single note, just living with a synth freak makes you an automatic synth babe!" Also, "I didn't even get to wear my new T-shirt first!!!"

Done! :) Also added to the MATRIXSYNTH T Hall of Fame.

Arturia Microfreak | An excellent modular companion

video upload by Cinematic Laboraty

"It's not easy to find a touch capacitive keyboard for Eurorack. I tried the Verbos and ultimately ended up with the Buchla Corvette 218e which also has a strong nostalgic value. I completely overlooked the Microfreak even though @mylarmelodies made an excellent video about it while recreating an Easel. I've been familiar with the Microfreak since its release, but didn't pay much attention to it when I found out it's a bit like a paraphonic Plaits. Then Noise Engineering contributed to it with three eclectic voices, also paraphonic. And recently they added samples and granular synthesis to the endless list of features. So the Freak isn't really 'micro' anymore. It's stellar.

I got myself a Freak because I wanted to find out if these keys were on par with the Buchla. The good news (for me), is that the Buchla is still a few decades ahead, because Arturia was clearly inspired by the older model with elevated 'black' keys. So objectively, the Freak doesn't 'ultraglide'. The good news (for all of us) is that the difference is marginal, considering that the Freak comes with a really, really nice synth. Bottomline: the Freak is a great addition to any modular setup. But it doesn't end there. If you happen to like granular synthesis and looping, it's an excellent source for grains, loops, stacks and sample mangling and when you recorded something cool, you can play it with pressure, gates and pitch CV.

I'll keep the Freak close to my Instruo case because it lacks a proper sequencer. Here, the Freak ticks all the boxes that were left open."

Alesis Fusion 6HD

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

via this auction

"The Alesis Fusion is a synthesizer workstation packed with features for the modern keyboardist. Released in 2005, Alesis managed to cram four powerful synthesis engines and an 8-track, 24-bit hard disk recorder into the Fusion's sleek, silver frame. The types of synthesis on offer include Sample Playback, FM, Virtual Analog (VA) and Physical Modeling – all powered by three floating-point Texas Instruments digital signal processors. It comes in 61-key synth action (6HD) and 88-key weighted (8HD) versions.

The Sample Playback engine lets you create four oscillator patches from either ROM multisamples or your own custom samples. Your samples can be recorded in through the dedicated stereo port, or loaded in via compact flash/USB; you can then edit and store them on the Fusion's large hard drive (40 or 80 GB). Import of WAV and SoundFont is supported, opening up a massive world of sounds. With 64MB of RAM, expandable to 192MB (and tricks available to double the usable amount of RAM) you won't fit a massive orchestral library in this synth, but for most sound design and live applications it will be plenty. Your samples can then be shaped using the Fusion's plethora of filter types, envelopes, and its massive mod matrix – nearly anything can be routed anywhere!

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Rob Papen plug-ins go standalone with RP-Dock

"ECHT, THE NETHERLANDS: virtual instrument and effects plug-in developer Rob Papen Soundware is proud to announce availability of RP-Dock, a standalone Mac- and PC-compatible host application for all its current products, as of May 30...

Other than proving popular with an ever-increasing, diversified worldwide user base of music production professionals and amateurs, Rob Papen’s growing family of ear-opening virtual instrument and effects plug-ins all have something crucial in common: they cannot run as standalone products, but rather require a host DAW application to function. Or do they?

That was then, this is now. Today, thanks to RP-Dock, any Rob Papen product — from BLUE to Blade and any effects plug-in in between and beyond — can be freed from the confines of a DAW host application to run freely... perfect for playing live onstage or in the studio, or simply noodling with synth sounds and effects! The choice is out there for those music production professionals and amateurs alike.

According to George Michael’s programmer and co-producer, James Jackman, the multi-million-selling singer-songwriter superstar has been benefitting from Rob Papen’s namesake founder’s decades-long study of reverb by making much use of the stunning-sounding RP-Verb plug-in on his eagerly-awaited forthcoming album, for instance. Now it’s possible for him to use RP-Verb as a standalone reverb when working with a large-format mixing console courtesy of RP-Dock — software and hardware living in perfect harmony!

But Rob Papen being Rob Papen, there’s a whole lot more besides on offer here. In addition to its classic chromatic keyboard, RP-Dock boast several other handy onscreen features, including an audio recording/playback facility with selectable SAMPLE RATE ranging from 44.1 to 96kHz and MIDI INPUT to merge all connected MIDI controllers, plus MIDI CHANNEL selection and TEMPO setting.

Without question, then, RP-Dock is a user-friendly, flexible tool that Rob Papen’s ever-increasing, diversified worldwide user base benefits from full stop. But best of all, it’s free for all!

Mac (32-bit) and PC (32- and 64-bit) versions of RP-Dock can be downloaded directly for free from here: http://www.robpapen.com/rp-dock.html"

"About Rob Papen (www.robpapen.com)

Self-confessed synth freak and world-renowned sound designer Rob Papen started working with synthesizers at the tender age of 15 when purchasing an analogue Korg MS-20 semi-modular monosynth and accompanying analogue SQ-10 sequencer. Suitably inspired, he subsequently released several CDs as part of Dutch electronic music groups Peru and Nova — the latter featuring the same members as Peru, but with a more commercial slant — with whom he enjoyed number one hit singles in The Netherlands (Nova) in 1982 and Austria (Peru) in 1988. Peru disbanded in 1993, by which time Rob had already established himself as a sought-after sound designer, creating presets for the likes of Waldorf, Access, Ensoniq, and E- mu, before going on to found his namesake company in pursuit of creating a sound designer’s dream synth. That software dream soon became reality when Rob formed the RPCX (Rob Papen ConcreteFX) partnership with music software developer Jon Ayers to develop new Rob Papen virtual instruments and effects plug-ins, starting with BLUE — an exciting-sounding, self-styled ‘Crossfusion Synthesis’ affair (combining FM, Phase Distortion, Wave Shaping, and Subtractive synthesis into one powerful dream synth) — in 2005.Today Rob Papen soundware defines cutting-edge contemporary music production: powerful virtual instruments and plug-ins that intermix innovative design, uncompromising sound quality, and musical, production-grade presets to make tracks truly shine, whatever the musical genre... Inspiration Soundware, indeed!"

ROLAND MKS-80 WITH MPG-80 SN 532415

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

via this auction

"ROLAND MKS-80 with MPG80 , M-16c Data Cartridge and Rack ears for MPG80. It was fully tested by a analog synth service technician who has 40 years of repairing analog synths. It passed ALL tests with flying colors! This synth to me and so many others is the BEST engine between the Jupiter 6 and Jupiter 8... In a space saving rack! All those classic Jupiter pads, strings, brass, basses, leads, weird sound effects and more in a rack. ALL sliders, jacks, switches, buttons etc works as they should. This synth would make any synth freak happy!"

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Arturia Announces the MicroFreak - Hybrid Hardware Synthesizer Like No Other

Published on Jan 24, 2019 Arturia

Update: be sure to see this post.

Priced at $349/299€, available this Spring.

"A synthesizer like no other, MicroFreak is a peculiar, exceptional instrument that rewards the curious musician. It blends wavetable and digital oscillators with analog filters. It features a unique poly-aftertouch flat keyboard. It adds controlled randomness to sequences. This isn’t a revolution, it’s a mutiny."


Whether you’re looking for your first, affordable hardware synth or are collector looking for original sounds and unique interface, MicroFreak is the synth you need.

This out-there little music machine features a versatile digital oscillator so you can create rare and interesting sounds with ease. Modes like Texturer, KarplusStrong, Harmonic OSC, and Superwave give adventurous musicians the chance to explore totally new, unheard possibilities. Like having dozens of synths in just one instrument, both wild-eyed newcomers and seasoned professionals will fall in love with MicroFreak’s flexible, powerful synth engine.

Small but fierce

MicroFreak packs so much in to such a compact instrument, you'll wonder how we did it. We'd love to say it was magic, but it was pure skill and passion.

Physical modelling, wavetable synthesis, virtual analog, there is nothing as complete and exciting as the MicroFreak oscillator on the market. It's hard to believe from such a small synth, but here it is, ready for you to explore. Excite your creativity and reward your curiosity with a large, diverse sound palette. MicroFreak features 13 awesome oscillators, 5 bespoke Arturia engines, and 8 modes from our partners at Mutable Instruments.


There's a little freak inside you, and this instrument will bring it out.

The best of both worlds

Even though MicroFreak has a digital oscillator at its heart, “opposites attract” as the saying goes. That’s why we’ve included a lush-sounding analog filter.
Inspired by the trailblazing 12-dB Oberheim SEM filter, you can make MicroFreak’s filter scream or whisper to taste. The filter is state-variable, and can even auto-oscillate! You can use this is any way you like, from taking the edge of the razor-sharp wavetable sounds, or automating the cutoff by modulating it with keyboard pressure or the in-built sequencer.

Wait. Did we mention that MicroFreak has a sequencer? And a mod matrix? Things are about to get seriously interesting...

Taste the spice, throw the dice

MicroFreak is packed with unique, exciting features that let you create music with a fresh perspective.
Record up to four automations, edit notes per step or use the innovative Spice and Dice sequencer functions to find happy accidents. Add randomization to create evolving, original patterns, and virtually rewire and reconfigure its signal chain and controls with the 5x7 modulation matrix.

This truly is a budget-friendly synth like no other.

“That’s a funny looking keyboard”

That’s right, it is. It isn’t really even a keyboard. It’s a PCB. Super-flat, with no moving parts. Will it track lightning-fast synth solos? You bet. Better than a traditional keyboard, actually.
Will it let you be expressive? Of course, it’s not only pressure sensitive, but also offers poly-aftertouch. This means each key can control parameters in a different way depending on how much you touch.

You can also use its USB, MIDI, and CV outputs to control instruments in your DAW and modular synths. This also means that you can also use MicroFreak as a controller to experience polyphonic aftertouch with cutting edge software instruments.

Solton Polyvox

Click here for shots via this auction

Details:

"This is an odd stereo analog synth from Italy, looks like early to mid 80's. On the back tag it says Ketron Anacona Italy. Polyvox by Ketron Lab., and serial # 12xx/85. It is polyphonic, and all keys can play at once.

It has two sections, a large controller with voice banks, a footpedal with two switches, hookup wires,and a keyboard that has it's own voice banks. The keyboard has a 120 bass for the left hand. Before you roll your eyes (like I did ten years ago when I took this in trade!), the 120 bass controls a complex string, choir , organ, and bass guitar with a cool sequencer ! The strings/choir/organ sound is very lush and reminded me a lot of my K*rg Polysix when you had the effects switched to ensemble. The amazing thing about the voices is that there is a lot of flexibility and adjustments.

When I first started playing with this last year ( I had hoped to list it here before thanksgiving), I got lost in the mesmerizing grooves you could quickly make with the left hand (and I can't play accordian!) . Now it is 6 months later and I feel that I have explored this enough to describe it! I wrote 2 songs with it just this week! The phrase I keep thinking of is "This is not a cookie cutter instrument". Although similar in many ways to the basic concepts of the cheap Yam*ha's and Cas*o's (on board rhythym, drums, basic song arrangement, ala one man band), this has different arrangements, more dark new wave, kind of reminding me of the english new wave of '79-'82 . No polka madness here! And none of the aforementioned cheapies can lay down lush strings like this.

As for the right hand, you get the basic analog imitations of instruments, plus 3 mo*g-like synth sounds. The only adjustments are brilliance and modulation, and you do get a decent 'mo*g sound. Analog does make a difference, as I did not feel that I had to alter any of the instruments, like I usually do when recording the cheapie digital synths.

There's more. There is a stereo section that has the instrument moving in(or is it out?) when a key is hit. It does not continue to move if you hold the key down.. There are many adjustments for the strings, choir, organ brass, piano, percussion. Plus there are many ways to make up the sequencer for the arranger. As far as I can tell from playing it the last 6 months, you can not alter the arrangement/sequencer, but you can adjust what is in the mix.

The drums are decent sounding, and you can switch off the individual instruments. There is a tone slide that was pretty effective.

All works good, sliders work clean, leds light up, things go on and off as they should (at least as I think I should, I had no luck finding a manual online) except for two things.For some reason each time you hit one of the sequencer programs (pre-set) the drum tempo goes to the top speed 90, and you have to adjust it down to a more normal speed (40) and I could not figure out the bass program with 2 stops and a sustain (like an organ pedal). The bass guitar and double bass work fine, so I am not sure why I can't bring that section up.

This is not for everyone looking fo an analog synth, and I understand the desire to create your own voice (I'll be listing my mini-mo*g in a couple of days). But as a former synth freak, that had over 50 analog synths (and the same number of digtal ones!), I have found that the voice you spend a lot of time creating is similar enough to presets, that you could have saved a lot of time using a preset and simply modify it with outboard gear!

Anyway the point I want to make here is that this is not for someone that will be building a patch from a sawtooth oscillator , the strength of this unit is in it's songwriting/one-man band arranging. If you like your music on the odd and dark side (Resid*nts?), you will love this unit. If you think Abba and the Eagles are where it's at, do not bid! If I wasn't retired from the biz, I would keep this over the Mo*g, even though this is worth less. I have yet to find another one through go*gle searches. If you do end up getting this, and writing a hit song with it, only you and I would know how you did it!"

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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NOISECOLLECTIVE Modular Synth Masterclass Workshop with Gino Robair

NOISECOLLECTIVE is having a modular synth masterclass workshop with Gino Robair. The event will be held at the Mothership club in Turin Italy. You can pick up tickets at NOISECOLLECTIVE here. The following are the details on the event, first in Italian, then English further below.

IL WORKSHOP
Il workshop prenderà in esame una serie di tecniche da utilizzare durante l'improvvisazione con sintetizzatori modulari in un contesto di gruppo e pone le basi per un concerto la sera stessa, con i partecipanti al workshop.

Il workshop si concentrerà sulla sensibilizzazione e l'ascolto globale durante l' improvvisazione, esplorerà strategie di patching per ottenere la massima varietà ed evitare la stagnazione.

Verranno presi in esame concetti come primo piano / sottofondo, solista / supporto, controllo gestuale, e intenzione / non-intenzione.

Particolare interessante per i musicisti che utilizzano sintetizzatori modulari perché spesso la tentazione con lo strumento è quello di sovrapporre semplicemente suoni.

Gino utilizza strategie, concetti e spunti basati sul suo lavoro e sul lavoro di John Zorn, Butch Morris, ROVA Sax Quartet, Anthony Braxton e Frank Zappa.

I partecipanti devono portare un loro strumento. Possono utilizzare qualsiasi synth analogico, anche se il workshop è prevalentemente incentrato sui sintetizzatori modulari.

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Goodbye 2008 - The Most Important Decision of 2008

Two vids. One good, one bad, you decide below. Not sure if this is fair as the bottom video isn't even from 2008, but neither is most of the content on this site, so... :) Vintage or...

Guru Josh Project - Infinity 2008 (Official Video - Klaas Vocal Edit)

YouTube via HammerDontHurtEm. via Lt. John Rambo's Goodbye 2008 post which obviously instigated this post and thus gets the title. "A freak like me... just needs the Trinity."

Disclaimer: so as you've probably figured out by now, my number one rule in putting up a post is that you have to be able to ID the synth. I'm usually pretty strict on this, but during the holidays I lighten up a bit. As for this post, the excuse for posting is the KORG Trinity. Or is it the Triton? Who knows... Enjoy the sax... or not.

As for the second video...

Fluke - Atombomb (Video Version)

The synth connection is... the KORG Trinity... and the Synth Babes of course, although the only real Synth Babe is in Fluke. I actually saw Fluke live over a decade ago. I remember the female in the band playing the Trinity live. I was quite impressed. At the time my friend gave me a call and let me know Spectrum was playing the same night. I already had tickets to Fluke so I went with Fluke. My friend told me Spectrum had this funny little suitcase synth which turned out to be the EMS Synthi. In hindsight, Synthi aside, I made the right choice. Fluke was indeed impressive and this video was a track for the times. Good memories... New Years shouldn't just be a reflection of the prior year in my opinion, but rather your life up until this point. Past. Present. Future. Make it all good.



The vote for the hell of it...



BTW, I'll be putting up my traditional Happy New Years post with stats for the year tomorrow on the day. As the festivities will obviously happen before then, have a VERY HAPPY (AND SAFE) NEW YEAR! SEE YOU ON THE OTHER SIDE!!!

DSI DAVE SMITH MOPHO X4

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

via this auction


"DAVE SMITH MOPHO X4 Analog synth, sequencer, step sequencer. Any synth freak will tell you Dave Smith is seriously THE man when it comes to that classic analog sound. This X4 is a prime example of his work and design. TWO killer analog oscillators with SUB Oscillators, Classic 24 or 12 db analog filter, some wicked intense modulation routing, a super in depth sequencer and a very musical arpeggiator. Add to all that a stellar build quality and a synth that FEELS robust and you get the MOPHO x4. You can also add more polyphony later on by chaining in a Tetra or another X4!!! Super fun! This X4 works perfectly with NO operational issues. And as you can see from the pics it looks fantastic as well"

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Arturia Micro Freak Roland JU-06 Pt 1 Boutique Juno-106 Synthesizer Rik Marston

Published on Jun 3, 2019 Rik Marston Official

#arturiamicrofreak #rolandju06 #hybridsynthesizer
"Arturia Micro Freak with Roland JU-06 Part 1" No Talking!!!
Synthesizer Demo by Rik Marston
***Watch in HD!!*** ***Turn it UP!!***

"Arturia Micro Freak with Roland JU-06 Part 1"
I am sending MIDI OUT from the JU-06 to the Micro Freak,
then sending AUDIO OUT from the Micro Freak to the
JU-06 AUDIO INPUT. Great way to save inputs on your
mixer or audio interface! These synth sound nice combined!
You should be able to create some deep layered textures! FUN!
These little synths can sound MASSIVE when need be!!!
Recorded into Ableton LIVE with no extra FX! ;)

Thank you for watching!

Arturia Micro Freak Roland JU-06 2 Juno-106 Boutique Hybrid Synthesizer Rik Marston Microfreak

Published on Jun 5, 2019 Rik Marston Official

"#arturiamicrofreak #rolandju06 #hybridsynthesizer
"Arturia Micro Freak with Roland JU-06 Part 2" No Talking!!!
Synthesizer Demo by Rik Marston
***Watch in HD!!*** ***Turn it UP!!***

"Arturia Micro Freak with Roland JU-06 Part 2"
More layering, MORE FUN! Great digital soundscapes!
I am sending MIDI OUT from the JU-06 to the Micro Freak,
then sending AUDIO OUT from the Micro Freak to the
JU-06 AUDIO INPUT. Great way to save inputs on your
mixer or audio interface! These synth sound nice combined!
Recorded into Ableton LIVE with no extra FX! ;)
Microfreak!!

Thank you for watching!"

Arturia Micro Freak Roland JU-06 3 Juno-106 Boutique Hybrid Synthesizer Rik Marston Microfreak

Published on Jun 6, 2019 Rik Marston Official

"#arturiamicrofreak #rolandju06 #hybridsynthesizer
"Arturia Micro Freak with Roland JU-06 Part 3" No Talking!!!
Synthesizer Demo by Rik Marston
***Watch in HD!!*** ***Turn it UP!!***

"Arturia Micro Freak with Roland JU-06 Part 3"
Even MORE layering! Imagine the possibilities! Whoa!!!!
I am sending MIDI OUT from the JU-06 to the Micro Freak,
then sending AUDIO OUT from the Micro Freak to the
JU-06 AUDIO INPUT. Great way to save inputs on your
mixer or audio interface! These synth sound nice combined!
Recorded into Ableton LIVE with no extra FX! ;)
Microfreak!!

Thank you for watching!"