GLX BALSAM #2 | Winterdagen

video upload by Winterdagen

"Here's another on on the amazing GLX BALSAM! This dark and moody patch and the note glides somehow remind me of Mica Levi's score for Under the Skin which is a very very good thing :-)

I love that BALSAM has a dedicated bipolar slider to route the mod envelope to the LFO time. In this case it makes the LFO - which is modulating the filter - start very fast and slow down over time. I'm using the 2-pole lowpass filter here, I absolutely love its character. It leaves in a little more high frequencies than a 4-pole filter, making the patch sound nice and buzzy. I've quite heavily detuned the oscillators from each other and I'm again using BALSAM's special power viscosity to make each oscillator glide to the next note at its own rate when using the pitch sliders. This makes the sound feel so alive!

I did use some external fx in this piece, Strymon El Capistan and Nightsky. BALSAM sounds gorgeous completely dry as well, but I love a little space in a piece like this one.

Find out more about BALSAM at: https://glx.ltd/"

See the GLX label below for additional posts.

Poly Rave 👾 (Waldorf PROTEIN // Roland TR-6S // JU-06A // Moog DFAM // Squarp HAPAX)

video upload by 2-Minute Warning

"This time, I'm introducing a new instrument to the setup: the Waldorf Protein, used here for the CHORDS 🎹

The rest of the setup is made of a Roland JU-06A for the BASS, a Roland TR-6S for the DRUMS (no samples used, only ACB analog behavior engine with mainly the TR-808 model) and, for some additional percussion, the only analog instrument in the setup: the good Moog DFAM 🤩

Everything is sequenced by the Squarp Hapax, with quite a few things happening behind the scenes as usual.
MIDI LFOs are used to modulate some parameters of the TR-6S, while automation takes care of changing parameters on the JU-06A during the performance.

This time I also decided to use the Hapax's physical MIDI ports rather than relying on USB MIDI:
MIDI A : Roland TR-6S
MIDI B : Roland JU-06A
MIDI D (TRS) : Waldorf PROTEIN

And then there's the DFAM... which, as usual, refuses to speak MIDI. 😄
Since the DFAM doesn't have a MIDI input, I sent very short Gate pulses from the Hapax (Track 11) to simulate an audio clock, allowing its internal sequencer to advance in sync with the rest of the setup.

So, quite a lot going on behind what hopefully sounds like a relatively simple piece of music!

Another little experiment in making several machines behave together without making the whole thing look like a NASA control room 😄

As always, the performance itself was recorded in a single take. I do the mixing and mastering afterwards in Ableton Live."

The Crow Hill Company Announces POCKET STRINGS Plug-in for Free

The Best Strings Plugin Money CAN'T Buy??? video upload by CROW HILL

Press release follows:

The Crow Hill Company announces availability of popular POCKET STRINGS plug-in for free, bringing broadcast-grade string possibilities to everyone

EDINBURGH, UK: around a year after its initial launch, not long after the Edinburgh-based enterprise effectively rebranded itself with an aesthetic that truly realises company co-founder and composer Christian Henson’s heartfelt dream of encouraging people to make music and help them on their journey, regardless of whatever point they were at and wherever their journey began, The Crow Hill Company is proud to announce that it has made its popular POCKET STRINGS — styled as a never-tried-before strings plug-in that aims to bring broadcast-grade string possibilities to everyone by combining live cinematic orchestral recordings of some of the best musicians working in the UK with some rarefied vintage synth classics made to measure for added body, depth, and character — available for free with no strings attached (but pun intended), as of August 6…

CLICK FOR MORE »

Emax vs Emax II | Are they really that different?

video upload by Espen Kraft

"My sound patches: https://espenkraft.com
This video have no real purpose. Gear wankers will love it, because, well... because they get off on stuff like this.
Hoarders will love it because they have that disease.
Musicians won't care much because they use whatever sounds good for the music they're working on."

Casio SK-8 Sampling Keyboard + Patch Bay + Pitch Mod

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

via this Reverb listing

"Rare 1987 Casio SK-8 8-bit sampling keyboard modified with a unique raised console featuring a 20 point ROM modulation patch bay, four illuminated preset effects switches and an illuminated pitch control. This is an otherworldly instrument which will inspire any alternative electronic musician and sound designer. Reed Ghazala named his modified SK units 'Aleatrons' due to their random, unexpected nature so nothing is obvious here- when the patch matrix is in use, the keyboard itself doesn't always function as you'd expect while the modifications open up a world of experimental audio possibilities, far outreaching Casio's original intentions. The pitch controller is switchable and can drop sampled sounds to crashing, aliasing lows.

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Supercritical Redshift 6 | Cinematic performance

video upload by Jay Hosking

"Please support my work on Patreon: / jayhosking
A live synthesizer jam performed with the Redshift 6 at the centre. Percussion added afterward in the box.

Fair warning: both Supercritical and MAS Distribution sent along their respective gear (the Redshift 6, and the Solarfaze/Polyphrase, respectively) for free. Take that as you will. Neither of them explicitly asked me to make a video with the gear, although I'm sure that was the point, right? But in both cases, the gear they sent along was a joy to play, which is why they're here.

I ended up really enjoying the Redshift 6. It's ostensibly analog where it counts—6 DCOs and VCFs—but it's also really clean and precise sounding, giving it a digital sheen. That's somewhat less my thing. However, it has a few things to really give it personality: multi-timbrality, up to a different timbre for each of the six voices; a Character parameter which vastly can change the sound of a voice, its filter and mixing and more; a great built-in effects suite (can only run one at a time); three pairs of stereo outputs to run your timbres separately (as here); easy-to-setup macro knobs for live performing using multiple timbres, all from one page; and a built-in sequencer for getting basic ideas onto the table without outside help. In many respects, it feels like an iteration on some of the ideas from the Elektron Analog Four, another synth I really love, only with enough voices to create a pad, arp, and drone at the same time.

Here, I run one timbre, a constant note, into the Vongon Solarfaze, which adds chorus and then drive/saturation. The second timbre, a single-note sequence, runs to the Vongon Polyphrase, adding delay. Both of these pedals impressed me way more than I had expected; there is something extremely performable about the Polyphrase that makes me want to get it on the table again straight away. And then for the third timbre, the pad, I run it direct out from the Redshift 6, using the synth's built-in reverb. I'm pretty picky on reverb these days and I think it sounds awesome.

With the macro knob opening all filters at once (to varying degrees), this live performance got huge. I had originally intended it to be only the synth, but once I heard the final performance, and how much it reminded me of a soundtrack cue, I knew I had to add orchestral percussion. I built the percussion out of modified samples from the Reason Studios loop library.

Altogether, it created an extremely cinematic performance and I'm very happy with the musical results. I was having such a good time with it that I'm excited to get back to the studio today and explore a little more. Thanks for listening.

https://jayhosking.bandcamp.com"

Ensoniq Mirage — Famous Songs and Sounds

video upload by Nicolas Melis

"A live performance of famous songs and sounds associated with the Ensoniq Mirage, using patches from the original factory library. Some sounds have added reverb.

0:00. Janet Jackson – Escapade (A08 – Crotale)
0:07. Janet Jackson – Escapade (A04 – Stacked Strings / High Strings Bowed)
0:26. Rhythim Is Rhythim – Strings of Life (C06 – Acoustic Piano )
0:38. Rhythim Is Rhythim – Strings of Life (C06 – Bowed Strings)
0:56. Cherrelle & Alexander O’Neal – Saturday Love (A01 – Vibraphone)
1:06. Alexander O’Neal – Fake (B04 – Orchestra Brass Section)
1:21. Inner City – Good Life (B03 – AH/DO)
1:31. Janet Jackson – Nasty (B05 – Flute)
1:38. Janet Jackson – Nasty (A08 – Che Cymbal)
1:44. Janet Jackson – When I Think of You (B02 – Piano+1)
1:58. Janet Jackson – When I Think of You (C08 - Electric Bass #1)
2:07. Janet Jackson – When I Think of You (C08 - Marimba)
2:17. Janet Jackson – When I Think of You (A10 – Igor’s Hit / Orchestra Hit II)
2:22. The Cure – Hot Hot Hot!!! (B04 – Cellos / Violins)
2:33. Stacey Q – Two of Hearts (A03 – “DOO” Vocal / Female Voices)
2:51. Full pipe-organ improvisation (B09 – Full Pipe Organ with Bass Pedals)
3:28. Paul Hertzog – Bloodsport: Triumph (B08 – Wooden Flutes)
3:52. The S.O.S. Band – The Finest (A01 – Vibraphone)

All music in this video is performed live on the Ensoniq Mirage using sounds from its factory library. No audio from the original recordings, backing tracks, or externally sampled material from the featured songs was used. This video is presented for educational, entertainment, and instrument-demonstration purposes."

A New Korg DSS-1 editor | It's FREE and insanely good as well

video upload by Espen Kraft

"My sound patches: https://espenkraft.com
A free Korg DSS-1 patch- and sample editor — it runs in your web browser.
A tool I built to edit and organize programs and samples in the Korg DSS-1.
Tweak every parameter on screen, pull programs and multi-sounds/samples off the sampler.

It runs in a web browser (Chrome or Edge — not Firefox or Safari) with a MIDI interface connected to the synth. It works on PC and Mac, and under Linux.

It's my personal tool, shared as-is for anyone who wants it. I've included a PDF documentation/tutorial with the download.
I offer no other form for support.

You can find it in my web shop below (it's totally free):
https://espenkraft.com/b/Yuqrf"

Stylophone DS-2 // Misuse is the best use!

video upload by Dexba

"A drone synthesizer, so what? I made a kick drum with it! And used the LFO as a pitch sequencer too!
The truth is, I simply love to challenge the name and intended purpose of an instrument: if they tell me it's for ambient, I'm going techno; if it's the ultimate experimental machine, I'm going to make cheesy pop chords, and so on.
It's liberating, and like a puzzle to solve, that greatly expands my knowledge of the machine in the process: before you can (properly) misuse something, you have to understand its workings really well!
BUT you can only do this if the quality of the instrument provides you with enough latitude, and the DS-2 does that. The oscillators sound good, the filters sound good, the delay sounds great, the reverb is MORE than "more than" enough.
So... the instrument is ready to take you wherever you want to go!
I hope you'll enjoy this video, full demo & review coming next week 🧡"

Yamaha CS-60 Polyphonic Synthesizer 1977 Kenton Midi Mod SN 1457

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

via this Reverb listing

Additional SYNTH CITY Listings

"Classic powerhouse of a poly-synth! The Yamaha CS60 shares the same architecture of the CS80 (including memory) which is why it's a fantastic synth to dial-in that big boy CS80 sound without the heavy price tag. This particular CS60 is in very good condition for its age. It comes with a Kenton midi kit installed by our in house technician. This synth came from a very meticuluous collector, making it pretty hard to beat.

More info on the CS60:

Featuring two oscillators, two envelopes, and two low-frequency oscillators. It also has a built-in chorus effect and a built-in arpeggiator. The CS-60 is capable of producing a wide range of sounds, from warm and mellow to bright and aggressive.

The CS60 is a 8 note polyphonic synthesizer w/ velocity, aftertouch and a ribbon 
controller which offers the player a really organic feel into the performance of the instrument. Other key real-time control facilities, such as the LFO/ring-modulator section really make the CS60 a great players instrument – it’s all about the performance with the big CS polys. The resonant qualities of the Yamaha CS series filter are unmatched by any other poly-synth so they sound unique."

CLICK FOR MORE »

Teenage Engineering OP-XY & Novation Launch Control 3

video uploads by Dan Chippendale

A playlist of videos by Dan Chippendale featuring the Teenage Engineering OP-XY with Novation Launch Control 3.

Playlist:

1. OP-XY can sound so clean and pristine - Minimal House Live Jam

Kept things intentionally simple for this one and made sure the mix was nice and clean. Love how good the OP-XY can sound for this type of music. Hope you enjoy it

Gear used:

Music:
Teenage Engineering OP-XY
Novation Launch Control 3

Video:
Fujifilm X-E5
Motu M2 Audio interface
Mac Studio with Logic Pro X

2. Music for an old roll of unprocessed colour film – OP-XY electronica live jam
3. Would you like to see the OP-XY GO HARD? Well would you? Watch this. - Hard Dance Live Jam
4. Express your mood through music //// Melancholic beats and synths OP-XY Live Jam
5. I like making live electronic music. I very much hope you enjoy it
6. Bake for 2:45 at 34 degrees Celsius
7. I still maintain the OP-XY is one of the greatest music making devices ever created // IDM Live Jam

CLICK FOR MORE »

Talking Serge, cybernetics & techno with Chris Miller (Gunnar Haslam/La Synthese Humaine)

video upload by Signal Sounds and Tom Churchill

"Tom and Luke are joined by a special guest for this episode of Signal Flow: Chris Miller, aka Gunnar Haslam, La Synthese Humaine (and many, many other aliases). Chris was a leading light in the early 2010s New York techno scene, and has gone on to use the Serge modular synthesiser to explore analogue computing, cybernetics and experimental sound design through his revered YouTube channel, La Synthese Humaine. He has also worked at Moog, where he produced and presented a superb series on the basics of synthesis, is one half of the excellent Base Camp Beta podcast with Shawn O’Sullivan, and is an all-round good egg with a wealth of knowledge on everything from experimental music to science, philosophy and economics. Hope you enjoy this conversation as much as we did!"

You can find Chris' La Synthèse Humaine videos featured here, and his Synthesizing with Moog videos here.

You can find his label, Critique of Everyday Life here.

https://www.signalsounds.com

MiniMoog Program for Akai MPC4000, Z4, Z8 Samplers

video upload by TONELAB

"Listen with Headphones if possible.

Quite possibly, the closest thing to having a 'Moog Plugin' inside your MPC4000, Z4 or Z8. Rather than settle for a traditional 'multi-sampled' Instrument, having only a few or a dozen (at most) Samples onboard, and declaring it a 'MiniMoog'. I wondered, 'why not capture EVERY KEY from the original Model D MiniMoog?' ..and give one of the most celebrated Synthesizers of all time the closest possible incarnation on Akai's most revered Samplers of all time?!

Furthermore, the MPC4000 is quite a beast, in that, it can Sample at 24-bit / 48kHz, which is perfect to capture such a prized vintage Synth that's revered for it's thick, rich tonality. From that point, I wanted it for myself.

And so, with the labor done, we now have, what I consider, the most ambitious MPC of all-time loaded with arguably, the most celebrated Synth of all time.. and well, here's the result.

A first look at this labor of love, and I can't tell you how good it felt to finally play chords with sounds from a vintage Model D! ..evidently, I overloaded the MPCs internal Mixer, but, knowing full well I did overload the MPCs output, I didn't think it was necessary to sugar-coat the 'first look', and thought, this 'overloading' was just as important to include as the rest of it. As one could expect, if you played 5 MiniMoogs side-by-side.. you too, would probably overload what ever Mixer they're running into, too.

A simple reduction in resonance and/or Program volume, and there's more headroom to reach with those 'wider' chords.

Anyway, warts n' all, here it is, just as I was discovering in real-time. The nature of all of 88 individually cut and looped Samples playing alongside each other. Something the original MiniMoog simply can not do.

Here's hoping you enjoy this fascinating discovery of how the MPC4000 'sounds' when faithfully loaded up with 88 Samples from an original 1976 MiniMoog Model D's Ramp Oscillator! (Actually the MiniMoog offered 96, but as most MIDI Keyboards offer up to 88 keys, I stuck with 88.

PS. 5 more MiniMoog-shapes coming soon!

https://store.tonelab.au/collections/mpc4000"

John Bowen Solaris for keyboard.

Filtopia Patch Demo Part 1 | Stereo Sound Examples | Analogue Solutions

video upload by Analogue Solutions

"Here's the first collection of sounds from Filtopia.

This isn't intended to be a comprehensive demo—it's simply a collection of some of the first patches we created for Filtopia. It's an incredibly deep synthesiser, and these examples barely scratch the surface, but they should give you a good flavour of what it's capable of.

Filtopia features five parallel analogue filters, three analogue VCOs, an 8-step sequencer, stereo VCAs, analogue echo, external audio processing, comprehensive modular patch points, and MIDI + CV/Gate connectivity, making it equally at home as a standalone instrument or at the centre of a larger modular setup.

Everything you hear in this video was recorded in true stereo, so if you're listening on headphones or decent speakers, you'll hear the movement, width and spatial character that are a big part of Filtopia's sound.

There will be plenty more to come. Part 2 is already on the way and will feature more patches, textures, sequences and sonic explorations as we continue discovering what Filtopia can do."

Roland JX3p with DT200 Quick Demo SN 341915

Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
video upload by Seventy Three Records Music Store

via this eBay listing

"Up for grabs is our Roland JX3p with DT200 controller. It all works fantastic, sounds amazing and looks good as well.. see pics for minor body wear etc.. nothing major, in fact this is one of the better JX3ps I have come across over the years. This synth sounds every bit as awesome as a Juno60 and although it does not have as many features as a Jupiter 6 I still feel that its every bit as awesome and every bit as elegant as the Jupiter 6. Also included is the new DT200 and proper connecting cable.

THIS JX3p has had the battery replaced! This synth was tech'd and given a good check up. This synth is good to go for years to come!"

CLICK FOR MORE »

Roland GP-16 + Synth Sounds

video upload by General Midi Guy ⚡

"Just running some synth sounds through this guitar fx unit to hear what it sounds like. Dont remember what synths were used as i recorded this a few months ago :p but it might have been a behringer boog module.

What is good about this Roland effects unit is that its 100% old digital (i think) :p it also sounds good with guitar but more fun to use synthesizer etc.."

And the Casio:

Casio Rave Stabs
video upload by General Midi Guy ⚡

"Must be some old classic rave track using these fantastic casio sounds? Do they all have the same sounds or are there casios with other sounds, have tried a bunch but many have the same sounds if they're from the same era anyways :p"

First Look at the Strymon Timeline MX (w/ Elektron Tonverk)

video upload by Duskmos

"Today I'm taking a first look at the brand new Timeline MX from ‪@strymon‬. This is an insanely good mega-delay with all kinds of algorithms on board, including reverb and a really vibey granular / spectral mode as well. It has full MIDI, a looper with up to 5min recording time, and really flexible send and return options to top things off. Hang out while I play through all 100 presets and explore the sounds and atmospheres this beautiful machine creates!"

00:00 Intro
02:14 Pattern 1 (Patches 0A-14B)
20:08 Pattern 2 (Patches 15A-34B)
35:41 Pattern 3 (Patches 35A-49B)
52:00 Final Thoughts



Time Machine From The Future
TimeLine MX delivers an extraordinary combination of premium features in a single pedal.

> 12 World-Class Delay Machines
TimeLine MX features new Oil Can, Spectral, Drum, Reverb and MultiTap engines in addition to significant enhancements to the other classic TimeLine delay machines.

> Two Effects At Once
Dual delays can be routed in Series, Parallel or Split modes, and individually panned per engine.

> Five Minute Stereo Looper
TimeLine MX features an integrated Stereo Looper with selectable multi or 1 Button Looper modes. The looper can be placed before or after the delay effects, and in 1 Button Mode it can be used on the fly without switching to Looper mode.

> Reverb Plus Delay
In addition to 11 delay engines, a stellar new reverb engine is included, allowing TimeLine MX to be your all-in-one delay plus reverb pedal.

> Full MIDI Control And More
Change presets and control parameters with MIDI via USB-C, TRS, or DIN connections. Access the looper controls (including reverse, redo and half speed) without entering Looper mode. Adjust controls via an expression pedal while you play. All this and more in an elegant and easy-to-use pedal.

> Stereo Input/Output Plus Stereo Send and Return
All jacks are TRS stereo providing selectable I/O configurations for any professional setup, including stereo or mono effects send/return, wet/dry, and wet/dry/wet.



Playlist:

1. Introducing Strymon TimeLine MX Delay
2. Strymon Timeline MX | Sound Samples
3. Strymon TimeLine MX – Deep Dive with Sound Designer Pete Celi
4. Strymon TimeLine MX Looper Overview

FAT Freebass FB383 analogue synth tutorial, review, sound demos: is this a good Roland TB-303 clone?

video upload by ako

"I've been really liking the FAT Freebass FB383 analogue TB303 clone again (even if staying in tune is more of an aspiration than guarantee with this thing). It’s fully analogue and the filter does all the good self oscillating squelchy things you want from a 303 even if it does lack a sequencer (slides and accents can be triggered with MIDI). Some sources claim it's a fairly faithful clone of a TB-303, not sure how valid that is though. For those outside the UK wondering, this synth is just a MAM MB33 with a different paint job. You can also feed audio into this synth and use it as a MIDI triggered enveloped / gated filter, which is kinda cool! Had this set up recently for some acid parts (ofc) and it’s been fun using this synth again so I thought I'd make a video on it - hope you enjoy :)

Chapters:
00:00 - review, background info and basic features (incl. how it differs from a "real" 303 and other clones)
07:58 - Programming sounds (pt1. VCO and tuning)
10:20 - Programming sounds (pt2. filter and envelope)
12:24 - Programming sounds (pt3. Accent and slide)
15:47 - Programming sounds (pt4. Using the filter's external audio input)
21:07 - Sound demo 1 - the synth in a track with no effects on it
23:02 - Sound demo 2 - the synth used in a track through an overdrive pedal

Sound demo 2 is a verison of my 'MYST.wave II Unfinale':
https://ako0.bandcamp.com/track/myst-...
https://open.spotify.com/track/2Y6bqI...

some more info on mods:
https://www.circuitbenders.co.uk/synt..."

Korg PE-1000 Polyphonic Ensemble P Synthesizer — EXC Condition with lid and key SN 770697

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

via this eBay listing

"Up for sale is a beautiful Korg PE-1000 — a.k.a. Polyphonic Ensemble P — synthesizer from 1976. This one is in excellent condition and comes with the original lid and — a rarity! — the key for the lock. PLEASE NOTE: The stand shown here is not included. It's for display only.

Everything is working properly on this, and it sounds great. Note that the Glide feature — essentially note bend up or down — is activated by a foot switch plugged into the back of the synth. This is by design per the PE1000 owner’s manual on the Korg site. No pedal is provided, but any switching or damper pedal (which I’ve used) will work fine.

CLICK FOR MORE »

Matt Barber - 80's in 80 seconds - Episode 5

video upload by Matt Barber - Sounds from The Sandbox

"Here is episode 5 of my series 80's in 80 seconds where I create an 80's synth themed track bed layering each part progressively in 80 seconds and then do a little improv jam along with it. I was able to integrate a few new pieces of gear on this one some of which I have been restoring and bringing back to life over the last few months including the Linndrum, Roland TR-727, Lexicon Model 200 reverb, and the Klark-Teknik DN780 reverb that is in the same vane as the AMS RMX16. I finish the jam with the Roland MKS-10 which was the first rackmount MIDI sound module released by Roland in 1984 that eventually led to the more infamous MKS-30, MKS-70 and, MKS-80. It is a 16 voice velocity sensitive EP/Clav/harpsichord type module with chorus, flanger, tremolo and a brilliance slider to control the tone of the 16 iconic Roland IR3109 filters it has on board. Sounded so good after I got it that I bought a second. Hopefully I can do a more in depth video on this in the future. For now enjoy episode 5!"