"KORG volca modular is a semi-modular analog synthesizer in the KORG volca format that makes modular synthesis more accessible and understandable than ever before. Featuring 50 patch points for using the 20 included patch cables to connect the eight onboard modules in any way imaginable, volca modular was created with 'West Coast Style' synthesis in mind, to offer a unique sound and design that deviates from traditional synthesis norms."
Nick Kwas Demos and jams out on the Korg Volca Modular at Kraft Music.
The Korg Volca Modular is a semi-modular analog synthesizer with eight independent internally-connected modules, 50 patch points, and digital effects. Although focused on the complex and experimental sounds of the West Coast school of modular synthesis, the Volca Modular is equipped with the familiar 16-step Volca sequencer with parameter automation capabilities, as well as flexible scale and key settings. Sync and CV in jacks allow for connection to other Volca units, select Korg synths and sequencers, and modular systems. Like other Volcas, the Volca Modular features a built-in speaker and battery operation.
Get more for your money with an exclusive Korg Volca Modular bundle from Kraft Music. These package deals include the accessories you'll need to get the most out of your new micro modular synth, all for one low price. If you have any questions, please give us a call. Our knowledgeable sales advisors will be happy to assist in choosing the bundle that's right for you!"
Korg Volca Modular - Clock Divider
Published on Jan 14, 2019 Rishabh Rajan
"Tutorial on creating a multi-voice pattern using the clock divider."
Korg Volca Modular - Step Sequencer
Published on Jan 14, 2019 Rishabh Rajan
"A tutorial on some of the functionality of the step sequencer on the Korg Volca Modular."
Korg Volca Modular Micro Modular Synthesizer | Reverb Demo Video
Published on Jan 14, 2019 Reverb
"The synth masters at Korg just announced the Volca Modular, Minilogue XD, and Volca Drum. Starting with the Volca Modular micro modular synth, check out this video demo (as well as those linked below) to learn more about the features in this trio of new offerings from the dream team that created so many of the top-selling synths on Reverb in the past couple years. Read More on Reverb"
"An analog synth composed of modules
Eight modules
The volca modular is a semi-modular synthesizer consisting of independent analog synth modules, digital effects, and a sequencer. Each of the modules has been carefully selected for its stand-alone completeness. The modules are internally connected so that sound can be produced even before connecting the included pin cables, and the routing is shown by white lines on the panel. Module connections via a pin cable take priority over the internal connections, bypassing them.
SOURCE：
This consists of a triangle VCO carrier and a modulator. The complex overtones generated by FM modulation are sent through a wave folder circuit to add additional overtones, producing a distinctive sound. This module is important in determining the basic character of the sound of volca modular.
"Complex-1 is a modular synthesizer from Propellerhead Software, bringing the quirks, freedom and sonic depth of modular synthesis to to your Reason Rack. Boasting a 4x oversampled synthesis engine, a freely routable signal and modulation path and a sound like nothing else, Complex-1 is a synth lover’s dream machine.
If you’re a seasoned modular synth enthusiast, you can dive right in. If this kind synth is new to you, it can look a bit daunting, but it’s actually surprisingly easy to get going. Load up any of the included patches to get you going, and start your sonic exploration there. Nothing can break, and if things go weird (like, in a bad way), there’s the undo button to your rescue.
Most people associate modular synths with lab coats and glitchy noise soundscapes, but if all you want is a beefy bass - let Complex-1 surprise you. Its modular madness aside, it’s also a really awesome-sounding synthesizer, capable of perfectly playable instrument sounds and yes, beefy basses too.
The modules in Complex-1 bring a mix of modular synth ideologies to the Reason Rack. The Complex Oscillator, Low Pass Gates and Shaper modules, build on the works on Don Buchla (or West Coast style) and the regular Oscillator and ladder design Filter module, derive more from the Bob Moog school of synth design. Combine them anyway you like and craft your very own unique synth sounds.
If you’re a seasoned modular synth enthusiast, you can dive right in. If this kind synth is new to you, it can look a bit daunting, but it’s actually surprisingly easy to get going. Load up any of the included patches to get you going, and start your sonic exploration there. Nothing can break, and if things go weird (like, in a bad way), there’s the undo button to your rescue.
Most people associate modular synths with lab coats and glitchy noise soundscapes, but if all you want is a beefy bass - let Complex-1 surprise you. Its modular madness aside, it’s also a really awesome-sounding synthesizer, capable of perfectly playable instrument sounds and yes, beefy basses too.
Features
- Fully-featured modular synthesizer
- Complex Oscillator
- Analog Oscillator
- Noise Generator
- Wave Shaper
- Comb Delay
- Ladder-style filter
- 2x Low pass gates
- LFO
- 3x mix modules
- Lag module
- 3x Scale & Amp modules
- ADSR envelope
- Output mixer
- Built-in sequencer with note quantizer
- Function module
- Reverb/Echo module
- Oscilloscope module
- Connects CV or audio to the rest of the Reason Rack
- Comes with over 200 expertly crafted patches to get you going
Please note that Complex-1 Modular Synthesizer requires Reason 10.1 or later"
"Developed by Softube, exclusively for UAD hardware and UA Audio Interfaces, the Softube Vocoder plug-in takes its sonic cues from the best analog vocoders of the past, while adding new features to take the iconic effect into the future. Learn more: https://u.audio/2D5e7zi
Over the past four decades, vocoders have been used to stunning effect, transforming human voices into various forms of robot speak on hits by Kraftwerk, Daft Punk, Afrika Bambaataa, and countless modern hit-making producers.
Now you can track in real time through the iconic, hit-making robotic vocal effect and craft everything from gritty, old-school vocoding, to more modern, polished sounds.
Powered by an onboard, analog-inspired synthesis engine, the Softube Vocoder plug-in bests other emulations of the classic vocoder effect with its warm, gritty, three-dimensional sound. And with a purpose-built feature set, including 12-voice polyphony, four waveform types, pitch modulation, pulse-width modulation, and more, you can easily fine tune or totally reshape your sources with a bonafide analog synth.
The Softube Vocoder plug-in gives you unprecedented control of the spectral response of your vocoded performance. Each band of the Vocoder analyzer can be independently adjusted, or grab the Spectral Tilt control to rapidly shift from high to low frequencies. The Parallel Blend control mixes the dry/wet signals allowing you to fine tune, or automate the amount of synthetic texture added to your source.
A feature only found on the Softube Vocoder, the Freeze control lets you capture a snippet of a vocal, for example, and create chopped, DAW-synced rhythms within a track. And with real time control via MIDI, Freeze unlocks new creative possibilities for musicians and producers looking to create genre-bending sounds."
"Dark Arcade is a $120 paraphonic synthesizer with digital oscillators and an analog filter, amplifier, envelope generator, and LFO.
What is Dark Arcade?
Dark Arcade is intended to be an entry level hardware synthesizer for musicians looking to branch out from software synthesizer based workflows, as well as a distinctive addition to any hardware synthesizer collection. Its hardware features microcontroller-produced digital oscillators, an analog OTA band-pass and low-pass filter, an analog OTA amplifier, an analog ADSR envelope generator, an analog LFO, and MIDI input and output. External audio can be processed by the filter and amplifier section and external CV signals can be used to control the filter cutoff and amplifier gain. In addition to the hardware features, the software extends the feature list to include 4 voices of paraphony, 8-bit Karplus Strong synthesis, waveform blending, and many more. Below is a song produced with Dark Arcade in which all sounds (minus drums) are generated by Dark Arcade and then mixed with some basic effects (delay, reverb, and compression).
"Parallel Worlds’ music is a combination of dreamy/atmospheric textures with pure analogue electronic rhythms and sequences, combining the feel of 70s electronic music with modern electronica and ambient music.
Delving deep into a ghostly landscape, Parallel Worlds make his personal journey through ambient-soundtracks music created by a selected range of synths. This personal and introspective album is composed by eight tracks which come from far away and unraveling between horror atmospheres, dark desolate landscapes and sci-fi visions. After a series of incredible albums for labels such as Shima Records and DiN, Parallel Worlds lands on Lost In It Records with an intense and visceral work ready to leave its mark in your soul.
24-Tone Music - Synth Illustrations 1 Published on Aug 16, 2018 Kris Lennox
"Obi keys/synth engine reprogrammed for 24-tone music. On of the greatest strength of synthesis is the ability to program alternate tuning systems. Not all hardware synths can do this, though. It is the preserve of only a few - and one of the strengths of DSI instruments and the OB6 i.e. creating and installing your own tuning system on the synth. Yes, acoustic instruments can recreate them - but there's the associated tuning/stability issues, not to mention accuracy of pitch across multiple strings etc.
I have quite a body of work RE alternate tuning systems. I'll possibly upload some actual music (as opposed to illustration-only) within these systems. If you look around on my channel you should find some 20-tone acoustic music samples.
Mathematically, all possible chords within any n-note division of the octave can be calculated. And if one has computational skills, they can computationally generate all possible chords. I have an mp3 file somewhere of every 24-tone chord. A very, very large mp3 file!
Of course - the chords don't have names - which is where my YouTube following could contribute. We can name them :))
'What is that chord called?'
'Oh, that's a Jeff chord.'
'Listen to this chord. It is called James Joyce Ulysses '
All good fun.
Quite a shame to think - given the technology we have - the majority of contemporary composers aren't exploring/creating their own tonal systems. Most universities/conservatoires only briefly mention alternate tuning systems as part of coursework. If it is mentioned at all. Such a waste.
Given there are an infinite number of notes between any two notes, every human being on the planet could have their own system of harmony. Then again, this kind of material is and likely always will be esoteric.
PS actually seeing what I'm doing is, I trust, better than simply hearing a computer play back audio samples. Hearing the scale on its own, followed by some chords at the end of the video is handy i.e. both melodic and harmonic illustrations.
Retraining the mind to perform 12-tone music on a 24-tone treatment of the keyboard is refreshing/slightly mind-warping! Any pianist feeling life is becoming a little easy/predictable should try it ;)
PPS - if I had four Obis, I could daisy-chain them and have 24-voice, 24-tone music. Maybe I should email Dave and tell him it is 'necessary for the furthering of music' that he send me a few spares. :)
"Composed and recorded in the Summer of 2018 on the modular NAS System (Noisy Artificial Synthesis) with significant use of the Cimmerian Caves V2 and a dash of Valhalla Vintage Verb.
*** LIMITED EDITION CASSETTE COMING SOON ***
Some additional info via Immortal Beings:
"The album was done entirely on my own DIY modular synth (dubbed the NAS System) with heavy use of the Cimmerian Caves V2. Recorded and mixed in Reaper with a dash of Valhalla Vintage Verb. Some sequencing done the Beatstep Pro, some done on my Keystep.
I made the modular synthesizer entirely from schematics sourced from the web (Moog, Oberheim, Serge and of course MFOS) and soldered them onto strip-boards. Purposely designed with 'old school' modular synths in mind."
"Such a great little compact modular synthesiser that can really surprise with its heavy bass growl. Ive destroyed sound systems at venues performing with this thing.
“Versatile and Robust” as the manual states… You have to hand it to the people at EMS they really knew how to design synths. This one has all the features you need to perform with just this alone and bring the house down, its sliding controls are smooth and intuitive, its internal touch ribbon controller is super fun and you can plug external gear (guitar, voice, drums into the Envelope Follower) to control any or many parameters. The Synthi E was designed for schools and colleges back when education held humanities in high regard, imagine being exposed to modular synthesis as a high school student?!?
A tight little package wrapped in an original Spartanite case which alone is extremely sort after and valuable.
Did I mention that it is battery operated as well? Yes, so you can take it into woods and jam out to nature sounds, set up a mic and your Synthi will play along with the birds. For studio sessions it can be connected to a 12volt DC power source so you can play all night long.
It also comes with and extremely rare 3-octave external keyboard with silky smooth action if you wanted to play it in a more conventional manner. Ive never seen one of these for sale, ever so I doubt there are many out there. Serial # 7137
Adrian Younge's Thesis On Sound ft. Moog Grandmother Published on May 14, 2018 Moog Music Inc
Update: SoundCloud demos added below.
Some "module" components based on vintage Moog modular systems:
CP3 Mixer with asymmetrical clipping behavior
904A Filter
911 Env
902 VCA
905 Spring Reverb
Oscillators based on the Minimoog w/ additional hard sync
"To explore the sonic possibilities and cosmic context of Grandmother, Moog Music visited the Linear Labs studio of artist-composer Adrian Younge (Black Dynamite, Netflix’s Luke Cage).
In this video, Younge gives his personal 'Thesis On Sound' while incorporating Grandmother into his retro-inspired creative workflow at Linear Labs."
The Build & Sound of the Moog Grandmother
Published on May 13, 2018 Guitar Center
"From the Moog Music factory in Asheville, North Carolina we were privileged to get a look at Moog's new semi-modular analog synth, the Grandmother. Engineers Eric Church and Mark Crowley take us through the build process on the production line as well as a demonstration of the features including the interconnectivity with the Mother 32 and DFAM.
Impecable quality, magical sound, semi-modular, fully analog monophonic synthesizer with dual oscillators, arpeggiator, sequencer, and built in spring reverb. Experience it for yourself!"
Moog Grandmother Synthesizer - First Impressions and Sounds with Justin Meldal-Johnsen
Published on May 13, 2018 Musician's Friend
"Introducing the Moog Grandmother synthesizer! Grandmother is a semi-modular analog synth that offers classic Moog sound, an intuitive signal path and endless sound design possibilities, thanks to its expansive 41-point patch system.
To offer you an in-depth look at Grandmother we recently spent the day with musician and producer, Justin Meldal-Johnsen. Justin's production credits include M83, Wolf Alice, Paramore, Metric, Jimmy Eat World, School of Seven Bells and more. Justin is also known for his great bass, guitar and keyboard playing, as a touring and recording musician with Beck, Nine Inch Nails, Air and more.
Grandmother builds on Moog's impressive legacy with circuits inspired by Moog's own classic Modular Synthesizers. Grandmother features a fully-analog sound engine, and features dual oscillators based on the Minimoog, classic Moog 4-Pole ladder filter, an impressive Modulation section and on-board spring reverb."
Today we release Grandmother, a semi-modular analog synthesizer with a built-in arpeggiator, sequencer and spring reverb tank that harkens back to Moog’s modular roots, where synthesis is not only about the end result, but the journey of discovery and experimentation.
Grandmother's semi-modular design ensures that human beings of any skill-level can easily explore and experience the joys and magic of analog synthesis -- start playing immediately with “no patching required”, then explore an infinite sonic playground with Grandmother’s endlessly reconfigurable front panel and analog spring reverb tank."
"Grandmother is a sonic playground that harkens back to Moog’s modular roots, where synthesis is not only about the end result, but the journey of discovery and experimentation. While capable of highly complex sounds and modulation, Grandmother's semi-modular design requires absolutely no patching, ensuring that human beings of any skill-level can easily explore and experience the joys and magic of analog synthesis.
Inspired by the classic Moog modular synthesizers that came before it, Grandmother's sound engine, modulation engine and onboard spring reverb tank are completely analog, resulting in an unrestricted sonic vocabulary of immeasurable beauty and power. In addition, Grandmother also features an easy to use Arpeggiator and Sequencer for added enjoyment and programmable syncopation.
Though not required, creative patching and exploration are the keys to discovering exciting new relationships between modules and to truly unlocking Grandmother’s infinite expanse of auditory inspiration. Patching can also be used to override internal connections, allowing each section to function just as an independent module would.
In addition to its standalone function, Grandmother is also an ideal analog audio processor for external sound sources, and a powerful keyboard front end for expanding a Mother-32, DFAM or Eurorack modular system.
"At first glance, the Elektron Monomachine SFX 60 MKII tabletop synthesizer/sequencer looks a lot like an old-school sequencer workstation, and it is a sequence workstation, but it's a whole lot more too. Actually, the Monomachine SFX 60 MKII is more like five synthesizers in one, plus a powerful step sequencer and a crazy effect engine all put together with tomorrow's electronic music in mind. Seriously, this thing is way ahead of its time! Let's start off with the synth engines. First off, there's the SuperWave analog waveform engine and a DigiPRO wavetable synth - both synthesis mainstays. There's also the FM+ FM synthesis engine for all of those glassy, bell-like sounds."
You might remember the Shear Electronics Relic, OB-X based analog hardware synth from last year's NAMM. If you were wondering what happened to it, the following is an update from Shear sent our way via swissdoc.
"Happy New Year from both of us at Shear Electronics!
2017 was an exciting year for us, and I hope you all had a wonderful year as well. With all the speculation about our radio silence since February, we figured it was about time for an update.
Most of you probably heard about our demo at NAMM 2017. Here’s how it played out for me:
I bolted together our first prototype at 2 AM on Tuesday morning. At 8 AM, I flew back to Los Angeles (I had classes all week). Wednesday at 6 PM, I was testing broken cables in our booth at the Anaheim convention center. Sunday morning, camera crews found their way to our booth. Monday morning, I was watching myself on YouTube. I felt a little behind the times... 11,000 people saw the Sonicstate interview before I did! We were getting a hundred emails a day. On YouTube, a thousand likes before our first dislike.
So I was sitting in my dorm room, and I thought this was some pretty phenomenal demand for a garage prototype. For two weeks, I read every single thing anyone said about the synthesizer. I would like to issue my deepest and most heartfelt thanks for your epic worldwide focus group.
After a few months went by, many of you began to speculate that we gave up or sold out. I understand your skepticism. But there’s a reason I’ve kept quiet. For one thing, I’ve never been the type to dwell on public relations. I spent three years on this project before announcing anything.
More importantly, I’ve been hard at work. The reality is that our design is among the most complicated and extravagant systems ever proposed in the history of analog synthesizers. We are going to succeed in this market for one reason—we put everything we’ve got into the product.
If you thought that the “essential components of great-sounding synths aren’t available anymore,” you might be right. But the “missing link” to the golden age of synthesis isn’t some elusive old- stock field-effect transistor. It’s the essence of old-school design philosophy. In today’s world, the pursuit of perfection loses to the bottom line. 2,584 components on our voice cards. 97 suppliers on speed dial. And all this in a culture that scoffs at the price of monophonic synthesizers?
We doubled down and committed to delivering a machine worthy of your love. Yes, we’re still building a discrete analog polyphonic synthesizer. And yes, we’re still building the exact same audio path as the legendary OB-X. But thanks to your input, it’s going to be a lot better than the first prototype.
Every detail was given a closer inspection. It starts with a hard anodized aircraft-grade aluminum top panel. The indicators shine through panes of chemically strengthened anti-reflective glass. We miniaturized the light bar technology to allow individual bars for every encoder. Top-shelf optical encoders will prevent mechanical wear and tear. The figured hardwood side panels are matte- finished in tiger rose black. Software upgrades can be done at home with a MIDI cable.
Sorry for the six-month silence. We haven’t focused enough on public relations or business decisions, we’ve been focused on the product. But from now on, we’re committing to regular updates.
The new Relic is amazing, but it isn’t quite ready for production. We won’t have a booth at NAMM 2018, but we will be at the Anaheim Convention Center anyway. If you’ve got any questions, or just want to say hi, come find me at the Synth Section anytime Saturday afternoon. If you want to talk, feel free to send me an email. I’d love to meet you!
Finally, I’d like to thank every single one of you for the overwhelming wave of support for the Relic.
"The Shared System re-made in Black & Gold w/ the Erbe-Verb, Morphagene, TEMPI, and CV Bus added in a steel case with the Make Noise logo. The personal favorite system of Make Noise founder Tony Rolando, this collection of modules is utilized by all artists for the Make Noise Records Shared System Series. It was also utilized by both Alessandro Cortini and Richard Devine for their performances at the 2012 Make Noise Opening party. The Shared System is the deepest and most complex of our systems bringing together all of our synthesis techniques into one system. From analog FM to voltage controlled granularization, the Shared System will go to more sound destinations than most folks have time to travel to in a single lifetime.
The CV Bus was originally designed for Alessandro Cortini's personal Make Noise system. It provides visual indication of level, rate and polarity for up to 4 control signals that will be shared throughout a patch. These 4 control signals are color coded and distributed across the center of the system allowing for quick, clean and intuitive patching. The distribution method is unlike the typical multiple since the control signals will appear beneath their possible destinations allowing for the use of shorter patch cables. The color coding and visual indication makes navigating complex patches easier and more intuitive. Typically, the CV Bus would be used to share the most important control signals in a patch such as your Master Clock.
The CV Bus also has the tools needed for integrating the Make Noise system with the outside world. A 1/4" Mono input with plenty of gain allows for bringing external signals into the system. The optimal 10Vpp signal level is visually indicated. A high quality Stereo Line Driver converts powerful modular synthesizer signal levels to the commonly used Line Level. There is mini-jack inputs for Left and Right, a single Master Volume control, and a TRS Stereo 1/4" output jack. This output is capable of driving long cable out to a PA System or a set of Headphones. It has AC coupling and a built-in limiting circuit (with visual indication) that prevents damage to ears and PA system when the patching gets experimental.
The powder coated steel Case is 2 lbs. lighter than our wood Shared System case without compromising mechanical durability. The sleek matte black finish was selected to match our line of Black & Gold modules. This finish will show the story of your modular synth's travels over the years. If you do not want that story to be told you will want to request your system to be built using our wood 7U case with scratch resistant black urethane coating.
Polyphonic Time Shifting: TEMPI
New School Sequencing: René
Human/ Expression Control: Pressure Points
Dual Analog Oscillator: DPO
Voltage Controlled Pitch Shifting and Echo: ECHOPHON
Dual Analog Control Voltage generator: MATHS
Complex Random Voltage Generator: Wogglebug
Dual Low Pass Gate: Optomix
Balanced Modulation: modDemix
Voltage Controlled Tape and Microsound: Morphagene
Modeless, continuously variable voltage controlled reverb: Erbe-Verb
Horizontal Control Signal Distribution and Indication: CV Bus
7U case w/ power supply and AC Adapter, Ready to Play
Ships with 30 Ad Infinitum patch cables
Free blanking panels as appropriate
Comes with Lid, Highly portable, Meets requirements for carry-on luggage
Size: 7U
Total HP: 208
Utilized HP: 196
Expansion HP: 12
Dimensions:
22.25 x 14 x 7.25 (inches w/ lid)
Weight: 17 lbs."
Arturia announces V Collection 6
Arturia announces CMI V
Arturia announces DX7 V
Arturia announces Buchla Easel V
Arturia announces Clavinet V
Update: tutorial videos:
And a couple of user videos followed by some details on each:
Arturia Buchla Easel V Dual S&H Sequence Sound Design
Published on Dec 5, 2017 Rishabh Rajan
"A tutorial on creating a unique Sample & Hold type melodic pattern using the Complex Oscillator and the Modulation Oscillator in the Buchla Easel V from Arturia. The Buchla Easel V is included in the V Collection software suite."
Arturia V Collection 6 vs Analog Lab 3: Review, what's new and the best way to get it
Published on Dec 5, 2017 loopop
"For over 15 years now Arturia has been recreating and then breathing new life into legendary vintage synthesizers. Both V Collection 6 and Analog Lab 3 contain a massive library of 21 instruments and over 6,000 presets. The depth they go in and care they put into these recreations is astounding. And once they've completed recreating an instrument, they take it much further adding substantially more functionality, typically including more modulations, sequencing, effects and polyphony. Since there are quite a few buying options that let you get your hands on these - in this video I'll talk about what the different software packages give you and what's the cheapest way you can get started."
"In 1980, the Fairlight CMI turned heads with the introduction of digital sampling. Now our software homage lets you turn some heads yourself.
With exotic new sound of digital samples, the promise of an all-in-one digital workstation, and a physical design right out of a sci-fi movie, the Fairlight CMI was an object of desire for most self-respecting ‘80s keyboardists. Countless musicians and producers weighed the risks of bank robbery in order to afford one. No need today. Our faithful recreation gives you the same tools that many MTV stars used to make a cannonball splash into the pool. We’ve even made lots of improvements and additions that bring added power to this keyboard legend, including an alternate additive synthesis engine and tons of new modulation options. No vintage keyboard collection is complete without the CMI V.
Now it’s your turn to experience the sound and power of the digital workstation that started it all.
The unique musical architecture of the CMI
The CMI V isn’t just a digital instrument. It’s a complete digital workstation.
Our enhanced reproduction of this keyboard superhero lets you work with 10 digital instruments of your choice at once—mixing, layering, splitting and sequencing them as you please. Each instrument can draw from three different means of sound generation. The most obvious is the sampling engine that literally first defined the term in the industry. You can also shape sounds with the original additive synthesis engine where you control each of the component harmonics over time. We’ve even spun up the propellers and introduced a newer, simpler means of exploring additive synthesis like you’ve never heard it before named Spectral Synth. You also get around 300 expertly designed presets to get you going—including the original library of sounds you’ll recognize from countless hit recordings.
The CMI V has everything you need to explore the intersection of sampling and digital synthesis."
"In 1983, the DX7 changed the world of music. Today, the DX7 V gives you the power to change it again.
Nothing says ‘80s like the sound of the DX7. Our authentic recreation gives you all the same FM digital technology and sounds that earned the instrument a revered place in the history of both keyboards and contemporary music. We didn’t stop at just replicating it, though —we re-imagined it. New operator waves, extensive modulation additions, arpeggiator and onboard FX chains enhance your sonic possibilities exponentially. For bonus points, an intuitive graphic interface makes what was once a daunting programming task a creative joy today.
We put booster rockets on the instrument that created innumerable ‘80s hits. Now you can create the definitive sounds of today and tomorrow.
Unleash your inner sound designer with expanded features
The DX7 V gives you a unique tool for customizing and creating new musical instruments and sound effects.
With its radical departure from analog designs, FM synthesis helps you chart new sonic spaces. The DX7 V is capable of producing an incredible spectrum of sounds ranging from natural-sounding instruments to unique synths to alien worlds—complete with all the crystal clarity and punchy transients uniquely associated with FM. Since having an instrument with such extreme depth and potential is the dream of every sonic explorer, we challenged ourselves to go even further. We added a host of new features including multiple waveforms, a filter and feedback loop on each operator, new modulation sources, a monster unison mode, and more.
The DX7 V is the perfect design tool for designing unique new instruments and ear candy that help you make your own distinct musical statement.
Design elegance meets sound design power
The DX7 V sports a stunning interface allowing intuitive control over all of the instrument’s dramatically expanded features
While retaining the feel of the original design, we’ve streamlined the main interface of the DX7 V to make it much simpler to use and understand. Here you’ll find an uncluttered presentation of only your everyday performance controls, as well as the fundamentals to start visualizing and exploring new sonic structures. When you’re ready to dig deeper and flesh out the detailed character and animation of your sounds, one click presents a programmer’s paradise of incisive controls and displays light years beyond the tedious original hardware interface. Balancing usability and all the added power in the DX7 V, tabbed windows easily put your fingers on logically grouped functions spanning enhanced operators, additional envelopes, matrix modulation, step sequencer, FX architecture, and more.
Whether you just want to play the extensive library sounds or program your own, the DX7 V is a dream to use."
"Buchla Easel V
WEST COAST SOUND DESIGN PLAYGROUND
The Buchla Easel V is the first recreation of Don Buchla’s iconic instrument that helped define experimental West Coast modular synthesis in the early ‘70s. Our enhancements translate to vastly expanded possibilities for sound design and avant-garde music.
You’ve always wanted to paint with sound. Now you can with the Buchla Easel V.
One look at the Buchla Easel V and you know this is a different beast. In fact, it makes you think differently about sound right from the start—and the soundscapes you can design with it are as unique as the front panel array. To put that experience at your fingertips, we meticulously recreated the rare 1973 Buchla Music Easel right down to the component level. As you’ve come to expect from our other V-series instruments, we’ve gone the extra mile by designing in an enhanced feature set including polyphony, innovative new modulation/control sources, step sequencer, effects, and more.
If you like to paint outside the lines, Buchla Easel V is the perfect artistic tool for you.
Welcome to West Coast school of synthesis
Your music breaks from the pack. So does the Buchla Easel V.
The Buchla Easel V faithfully reproduces Buchla’s Music Easel that helped define West Coast synthesis’ focus on experimentation and breaking musical norms. We’ve applied our award-winning TAE™ modeling technology from the front panel to the resistors to capture it all with incredible realism.
Complex oscillator design, AM and FM synthesis, uniquely percussive gate/filter combos, and numerous ways to modulate and clock just about every parameter, all drop you right in the middle of a sonic sandbox. Design and perform soundscapes that burble, shimmer, pulse and evolve without ever touching a keyboard or pad—unless you want to add even more control. Nearly 300 presets by expert sound designers get you started with timbres ranging from hauntingly beautiful sonorities to clangorous pokes in the ear.
Whether you’re looking to experiment with simple sounds or build complex evolving passages, the Buchla Easel V is a constant source of inspiration for sonic adventurers.
Create sounds no one has ever heard before
In addition to faithfully reproducing a classic, we’ve infused the Buchla Easel V with even more of that vintage goodness to love.
We’ve made patching even more fun and foolproof. When you drag a color-coded patchcord between patch points, only valid targets light up, saving you the frustration of making invalid connections that do nothing. The original Music Easel lacked a noise source, so we’ve added one to the preamp—handy for introducing rhythmic elements. We’ve also designed a feedback loop into the preamp, so you can really get things howling. Up to four-voice polyphony greatly enhances your performance capabilities, too.*
With our extensions to Buchla’s original design, you now have an even more intuitive programming experience paired with additional sonic options."
"May the funk be with you
Whether you love playing oldies or pioneering new musical territory, there’s nothing like the distinctive sound of the Clavinet’s hammered strings.
The unmistakable bright, punchy sound of this vintage keyboard occupies a unique sonic space somewhere between harpsichord, hammered electric guitar and slapped bass. Top keyboardists of the ‘70s used its signature bark and bite to cut through the mix while delivering some of the most authoritative percussive keyboard lines ever played. Thanks to the ultra-realistic Clavinet V, you can now command the same crisp sound that helped define funk and formed the bedrock of many pop and R&B hits back in the day. If you’re looking to add natural energy and vintage cred to your sound, the Clavinet V is just the ticket.
The Clavinet V inspires with both the sound and feel of the funkiest electric keyboard ever made. Your fingers have never danced like this before.
Ain’t nothing like the real thing, baby
Only modeling technology gives you this faithful reproduction of a vintage Clavinet.
Since the Clavinet is an electro-acoustic instrument, complete with multiple settings and a dynamic action, there are countless subtle variations during performance. By comparison, “Clav” synth patches and samples seem one-dimensional. That’s why we’ve applied our award-winning physical modeling and algorithmic emulation to give you a sound and playing experience indistinguishable from the real thing.
The Clavinet V brings all the inspiring nuances and natural goodness of the original instrument to your keyboard collection.
More than a Clavinet
Clavinet V delivers all the original features, plus new additions designed to keep your creative juices flowing.
The original Clavinet controls were simple to use, and we’ve kept them authentic. If you want to go deeper, just click the lid open and you can easily tweak exactly how your instrument sounds and behaves. The built-in collection of effects pedals—chorus, flanger, wah and more—let you easily get the rich signature sounds of the keyboardists who popularized the instrument. You’ll also find an integral vintage guitar amp, so you never have to look elsewhere to get just the sound you’re looking for. Of course, everything can be preset for instant recall.
The Clavinet V isn’t just a Clavinet. It’s a complete rig at your fingertips."
"It is the perfect partner for your MIDI sequencer and your other hardware synths.
Synthesis
DoubleDrummer has 6 channels of drum synthesis (kick, snare, toms, clap, cowbell and hihats).
Each of these 6 channels has been fine tuned to provide a wide range of sounds within a limited set of parameters per channel for the best possible user experience.
Bass drum: tune, attack, decay, pitch mod level, pitch mod decay time
Snare: tune, tone decay, noise level, noise decay, color, emphasis
Tom: pitch, low pitch, hi pitch, decay, pitch mod level, pan spread
Clap: attack, decay, color, emphasis
Cowbell: tune, offset, decay, harmonics, emphasis
Hats: closed decay, opened decay, color, emphasis
"We return to the increasingly amazing Ornament & Crime eurorack module (now updated to firmware version 1.3.3,) this time exploring the complex yet elegant dual CV and gate sequencer mode, Sequins...
Voltage Control Lab is the first school dedicated to Modular Synthesis, offering online courses and private instruction in Hardware and Software Synthesis and Sound Design. We are currently enrolling Modular 101: Intro to Eurorack for newer modular adventurers, as well as more advanced courses like Sound Design 101 and The Many Faces of Maths for more experienced sound spelunkers. Join us!"
"Summer is full of all kinds of wonderful treats, and the subject of our raffle is no exception.
We are excited to be launching our summer raffle for a vintage Memorymoog Plus synthesizer in excellent technical and physical condition. As you know by now, our raffles provide both a very lucky winner with an extraordinary synthesizer as well as providing the Bob Moog Foundation with important funding for our hallmark education project, Dr. Bob's SoundSchool, and for the preservation of the Bob Moog Foundation Archives.
In addition to the long list of the unique functionality of the Memorymoog, the Memorymoog Plus differs from the original model by its added features of a MIDI interface, sequencer, and enhanced oscillator stability. Its lauded sonic power comes from the three oscillators per each of the six voices, resulting in a staggering total of 18 oscillators! It also boasts six amps, six filters, 12 ADSR envelopes, and has an estimated value of $10,000.
As if all of that wasn't enough, the karma factor on this instrument is extremely high. Many thanks to Lee Keeley who donated the Memorymoog Plus to us, and to synth tech extraordinaire Wes Taggart, who donated his careful restoration of the instrument. Your support has made this raffle possible!
The Bob Moog Foundation has spent the past six years educating almost 10,000 elementary school children about the science of sound through our hallmark educational project Dr. Bob's SoundSchool. This summer we expanded on that effort and by providing two weeks of summer camp to middle school students who spent every day learning about the science of synthesis at the Asheville Museum of Science's STEM Lab.
The interactive camp, taught by former Moog Music engineer August Worley, introduced the basic principles of synthesis through synthesizers, oscilloscopes, custom educational materials, and through small synthesizer components developed by littleBits.
The curriculum that we created for the camps is our first step in developing a Dr. Bob's SoundSchool program for grades 6-8. Thank you for your continued support as we grow this important educational initiative!
Hope your summer has been full of sound, exploration, and discovery, too!"
"Ekke Västrik (EE) is a composer, sound designer and improviser primarily playing a modular synthesizer though occasionally using field recordings and custom sound objects. He has studied electroacoustic composition in Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre and sound design for movies in Baltic Film and Television School. The album ''Chasm'' - ekke's debut was released on Detroit Underground in 2015, and it is said to be ''full of glitchy insect like micro beats, bass drum, dark drones and nostalgic analogue synth sounds.''
Video synthesis by DEE made with LZX Industries modular video synthesiser
Dee works predominantly in the medium of computer graphics, including 3D modeling. Dee currently is getting a BFA in Digital Visualization. Her visuals have a unique style by creating a disturbing yet appealing atmosphere, where technology interacts with the dark side of nature."
