EMS Synthi Custom Patches

video upload by Hollo Digi Design

"A few custom patches on the EMS Synthi. Unfortunately this isn't my personal unit, but after spending a few hours on it, I wish I had the money (or a kidney not being used)!

Detail:
No external effects were used (although most sounds do have some slight compression via the very transparent FMR RNC 1773).
Sounds were recorded into a Zoom H6.
No post processing or mastering was used (apologies on level changes etc.).

Some things I’ve learned about the EMS Synthi (and by extension all the models - the A, AKS and VCS3 synthesizers):
The internal drive of the machine is extremely musical - reminds me a bit of the Moog Grandmother or Sub Phatty series. The only difference is that it's possible to push the mixer on separate waveforms within each OSC, then have those routed almost anywhere - the feedback loops are, INCREDIBLE!
Trying to get get musical scales from the keyboard across more than a few octaves is difficult to say the least (not just because this particular unit was very susceptible to drift). I ended up just tweaking without the keyboard in the end.
The OSC pots are the best pots I've ever used for OSC tweaking hands down! Why aren't these on absolutely everything?! If the Behringer clone (not yet released at the time of this video) doesn't have these pots at a similar quality it's a travesty.
And finally, I think I'm going to struggle to buy another synth that doesn't have the option to route OSCs to bypass the filter after spending time with this - looking at you Pro 4 (if one is ever released of course).

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Moog Grandmother - Custom Patches run through HX Stomp, BlueSky and Electro Harmonix Superego

video upload by Hollo Digi Design

"Custom patches from my Grandmother, as well as experimental routing using the Line 6 HX Stomp, Strymon BlueSky and Electro Harmonix Superego. FYI, first patch fades in. More detail below.

Detail:
All of these sounds are just snips from full experimental jams performed live. Slight compression via the very transparent FMR RNC 1773 is present, and all sounds were recorded direct into a Zoom H6 via various routing methods through a Mackie desk. No post processing or mastering was used (apologies on level changes etc.).

As a side note, I've sold the EH Superego since recording these sounds. You can hear it where a harmonising drone is present. Although I do miss it, I now have sustain patches ready to go on the HX Stomp, plus the sustained reverb on my newly acquired NightSky (neither of which you hear in this video).

Dreadbox Typhon - Custom Patches and FX Input Routing

video upload by Hollo Digi Design

"A few custom patches on the Dreadbox Typhon, as well as routing a simple vocal loop through a couple of the effects on the machine (FX from 5:24 if that's all you're interested in).

Detail:
No external effects were used (although some sounds do have some slight compression via the very transparent FMR RNC 1773).
Sounds were recorded in one sitting direct into a Zoom H6.
No post processing or mastering was used (apologies on level changes etc.).

Some things I’ve learned about the Dreadbox Typhon:
Size does not matter... This thing can sound absolutely massive! Also incredibly, the lack of knobs isn't as much of an issue as I thought it might be. And finally, envelope time should be on every synth as a performance control - such a cool addition!"

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Sequential Pro 3 First Bank - Part 1 - Original Sounds Only

Sequential Pro 3 First Bank - Part 2 - Original Sounds Only

video uploads by Hollo Digi Design

"Ahead of buying the Sequential Pro 3 synthesizer, I did what we all do – I went online and found every clip I could on the machine. Very quickly I realized that the Pro 3 will sound different depending on the person designing sounds for it, so to add to the pile of varied content already out there, I thought I’d share recordings from my first bank of original sounds. This video is Part 1 (softer sounds - for the most part - in this video).

Detail:
All patches you hear were created within the first month of owning the Pro 3.
No external effects were used (although some sounds do have some slight compression via the very transparent FMR RNC 1773).
Sounds were recorded in one sitting direct into a Zoom H6.
No post processing or mastering was used (apologies on level changes etc.).

Some things I’ve learned about the Sequential Pro 3 synth that I wish I had known:
The Pro 3 has some of the hottest gain staging of any synth I’ve owned/used. If I compare synths like the Moog Sub Phatty, I find myself needing to be quite careful not to create overly aggressive sounds (this could be a plus too though). If you don't like subtle tweaking then this might be an issue.
Once you use a mod matrix that allows you to simply hold a button, tweak a knob to get a source, then do the same for the destination, you’ll want it on every synth you own. The Pro 3 has spoiled me here for sure."