Did Jacob Brashears Reinvent the Synthesizer? — THE RELIC

video upload by Anthony Marinelli Music

See the Shear Electronics label for additional posts.

"THIS SYNTH IS NEXT LEVEL!
A few years ago, I first met Jacob Brashears at NAMM, where he debuted an extraordinary new synthesizer called the Relic. Now, the Relic is finished and after spending time with it, I think it’s worth asking:

Is this the most impressive synthesizer made in the last 40 years?

In this video, Jacob takes me through the Relic’s front panel and shows how this remarkable instrument works. Then I get behind the keyboard and play sounds that I created in just a few hours. The Relic has an incredibly expressive character that seems to combine the best qualities of classic vintage Oberheim, Moog, and ARP synthesizers with some very sophisticated modern technology.

It has the immediacy and character of the great analog instruments of the past, while incorporating modern advancements, routing and expression…and even the ability to continue evolving through future firmware updates. One of the things that really surprised me is the Relic’s distortion. I demonstrate sounds with distortion that feels remarkably organic and nonlinear, much more like the behavior of a great guitar amplifier than conventional synthesizer distortion.

I’ll also play expressive keyboard sounds, leads, basses, and other patches I created while exploring the instrument, so you can hear what the Relic is capable of in the hands of a musician. Jacob has clearly put an enormous amount of thought into this synthesizer, and the result is an instrument that feels both deeply connected to synthesizer history and genuinely forward-looking.

Watch Jacob take you through the Relic and hear what happens when I get my hands on it."

ARP 2500: Sonic Painting - Zak Leever

video upload by Rosen Sound

"Introduced in 1970, the ARP 2500 captures an early moment in ARP’s history, before the company introduced the smaller, semi-modular ARP 2600 with its internally normalled signal paths. Only around 100 ARP 2500 systems were ever produced, and far fewer remain maintained and fully playable today.

This ARP 2500 was restored by Rob Rosen for a client of Rosen Sound.

Rosen Sound is the premier synth repair shop in Los Angeles, serving clients such as Steve Porcaro, David Paich, Mike Dean, Anthony Marinelli and many more."

Huge Synth Sounds with Just 1 Oscillator

video upload by Anthony Marinelli Music

"A huge synth sound doesn’t always mean more oscillators.

In this video, I’ll show you how to get more size, character and impact from just ONE oscillator before you start stacking additional ones. By understanding how to shape and bring out what’s already there, you can create sounds that feel bigger while keeping them clear, focused and musical.

Sometimes the answer isn’t adding more it’s getting more out of what you already have.

If you want to go deeper into building powerful synth sounds from the ground up, check out Bass DNA."

Hainbach - Vive

video upload by HAINBACH

"Here is the second single of my upcoming album 'Vive' on Seil Records. Stream it now everywhere. Thank you for listening!

MUSIC: http://hainbach.bandcamp.com"

matrix note: Some synth spotting with HAINBACH. You can find a studio tour with Anthony Marinelli here.

ARP Foundation Back-to-School Fundraiser to Inspire the Next Generation of Electronic Music Innovators

video upload by Alan R. Pearlman Foundation

"Bleeps and voices from ARPs for All workshops / Music performed by Jim Michmerhuizen / The Bach Works

Campaign runs August 18 through October 13, 2026, seeking $17,500 to acquire and preserve rare pieces of synthesizer history and to grow the Foundation's ARPs for All education program.

LEARN MORE, DONATE & GET some COOL GIFTS!
https://arpchives.org/arp-late-summer...

Support the Foundation — Receive Exclusive Thank-You Gifts

As a thank you for helping preserve synthesizer history, supporters can choose from a variety of exclusive rewards generously donated by members of the synthesizer community. The reward ladder is simple: each level includes everything below it, plus one new gift — so the more you give, the more you receive.

Highlights include:
One-on-one tutorials with renowned artist Lisa Bella Donna
Anthony Marinelli's “Think Like a Synth” course
Cherry Audio software, including the Synth Stack 6
KORG Collection software bundle
Bjooks rewards — PATCH & TWEAK digital subscription and hardcover editions

EVERSYNTH ARP Odyssey t-shirts, ARP magnets, Eurorack blanks, and postcard sets

A drawing for a Day at ARPs for All Studios in Boston

https://arpchives.org/arp-late-summer..."

Super Mario Bros. Theme — Reimagined on Vintage Synths

video upload by Anthony Marinelli Music

"In this 90-second performance, Anthony Marinelli recreates the legendary melody (originally composed by Koji Kondo) using his collection of rare vintage analog synthesizers in a one-of-a-kind orchestration. No computers, no plugins, just pure hardware (with a touch of bit-crushing) and hands-on performance.

Watch as layers of classic synths bring new life to one of the most recognizable themes in video game history, with quick cuts showcasing the instruments behind the sound.

🎹 100% vintage synths
🎮 Music only, no talking
⏱️ 1 minute 30 seconds of pure analog nostalgia
If you love retro games, classic sound design, or analog gear, this one’s for you!"\

🎛️ Think Like a Synth Learn the exact method I've used for decades on hit records & films
👉 https://anthonymarinellimusic.com/pro..."

Does it get better than this…? The Oberheims ...

video upload by Anthony Marinelli Music

"Does it get better than this…? The Oberheims ………………..….….#oberheim #legend #vintage #synth #learn"

Expander: An Oberheim Retrospective

video upload by Alex Ball and Anthony Marinelli Music

"The story of the legendary synthesizer company, Oberheim electronics, founded by Tom Oberheim in 1969.

This film happened because of our collective love and passion for this story and was knocked together during evenings, weekends and spare hours over the course of many months. Thank you to all those who made it happen and a big thank you to my Patrons on Patreon for their ongoing support.

A special thanks to Tom Oberheim, Marcus Ryle, Anthony Marinelli, Dave Spiers and TC who gave up a lot of their personal time to give this film the material that it deserved.

0:00 Intro
1:31 Tom Oberheim
2:55 The 60s and 70s
24:08 The 80s
39:48 The Gibson Era
43:17 The Return
52:07 End Credits"

‪Steve Porcaro's‬ Iconic BLIP & SPIT Synth Technique on the ARP 2600

video upload by Anthony Marinelli Music

"‪@StevePorcaroMusic‬ shows me his iconic BLIP & SPIT synth technique"

https://anthonymarinellimusic.com/products/think-like-a-synth

I’m never disappointed with the Oberheim 4 Voice

video upload by Anthony Marinelli Music

He Hates This Synth Because…

video upload by Anthony Marinelli Music

"In this video, I pick one thing I think I hate about 12 classic synthesizers—and then follow that feeling wherever it leads.
We’re talking about legendary instruments:
Minimoog, MS-20, Prophet-5, Jupiter-8, ARP 2600, Moog IIIc ('Plantasia'), Oberheim 4-Voice, Oberheim OB-X, Synclavier III, Elka Synthex, and Yamaha CS-30.
What starts as frustration with a workflow choice, a knob, or a design limitation slowly turns into something else entirely.
Along the way, I realize this video isn’t really about hating synths at all. It’s about relationships.
Every one of these instruments has limitations—and so do we. In any good relationship, not everything is perfect. But when you stop fighting what something isn’t and start understanding what it is, those limitations can become the very thing that leads you somewhere creative and unexpected.
Instead of endless options, boundaries create focus.
Instead of frustration, they create identity.
And in learning to understand these instruments more deeply, I ended up learning something about myself.
This is a video about synthesizers—but it’s also a small morality tale about creativity, acceptance, and finding freedom inside constraints.
Let me know in the comments:
Which synth do you love… even though it drives you crazy? 🎛️"

https://anthonymarinellimusic.com/pages/about

ARP Foundation NAMM & Buchla & Friends Pics

via The Alan R Pearlman Foundation newsletter:

"Our West Coast Whirlwind!

Still feeling the synthesizer love from last month’s California visit to NAMM / Buchla & Friends!

At NAMM:

Anthony Marinelli visited our booth
The Blue Meanie was at our booth for a whole day!

ARP 2600: Drew Schlesinger demonstrated patches using the 2600 software included in the Korg Collection VST 6. 2 Lucky folks won a signed CD and poster from Martin Gore

And Congratulations to Violet Burns who won the Korg Collection 6!

Then it was off to Buchla & Friends – January’s biggest two-day collection of hands-on synths on the West Coast!

Remember: The Most Creative Part of an ARP synthesizer is You!

NAMM 2026 would not have been possible without the help of the following people and companies:

Thank you to Korg, Inc for the Korg Collection Giveaway and helping us make NAMM possible.

Thank you to Sean Weizmann of Arturia for the midi controller

Thank you to Beyer Dynamics for the headphones

Thank you to Ryan Hawkins of Hawkins Restorations for use of his Blue Meanie, Tonus 2600, OMNI and Odyssey, and for being the best Booth volunteer along with his assistant Miles.

Thank you to Julie Lewis for volunteering at the booth and for her donation last year of a rare ARP Soloist that was owned and played wonderful late husband synth legend Don Lewis.

Thank you to our Board Member and booth volunteer Stephen DeJesus for selfless assistance at both NAMM and Buchla & Friends.

Thank you also to Chris Cardone, Joe Castronovo, Tom Cusimano, Deanna DelVino, Rich Formidoni, Martin Gore, Andy Joyce, Brian Kehew, Ruperto Ifil, Mary Lock, Anthony Marinelli, Mark Marshall, Mike Metlay, LaMar Mitchell, Tony Notron, Drew Schlesinger, James Terris and Brianna Tortino,

View our West Coast photo dump!"



Pictured:

Top: The great Stevie Wonder w/ ARP Foundation's Dina Pearlman-Ifil.

Middle: "Richard Devine giving the Blue Meanie a run for its money." Check out the video here.

Bottom: ?! :)

Rhythmic Filter Sequencing With Oxi One MkII

video upload by Alec Sea

"Inspired by Anthony Marinelli's great video on rhythmic filter sequencing, I thought I'd show how to do a similar thing using the Oxi One MkII and my eurorack modular synth.

00:00 - Intro jam
01:34 - The purpose of this video
02:22 - Explaining the patch
05:12 - Settings on the Oxi One
07:25 - Demo
12:25 - Conclusion

Gear used in this video:

Oxi One MkII
Oxi Pipe
Native Instruments Kontrol S61 MkIII
Korg multi/poly module
DF Audio Minibay v2
ART MX822 Line Mixer
Behringer U-Phoria UMC204HD
Kenton MIDI Thru-12
Rode Wireless ME Microphone
Meris Mercury X
CIOKS DC7 Power Supply

Eurorack:
DIY Case
Intellijel: Quadra and Expander, Quad VCA, Triplatt
Befaco: DivKid Output Bus, ST Mix
Doepfer: A-111-4 Quad VCO
Joranalogue: Filter 8
Erica Synths Pico Input
4MS Row Power 45"

ARPf returns to the West Coast!

via The Alan R Pearlman Foundation

ARPf returns to the West Coast!

Yep - we're headed back to California for NAMM - and more! Here's the scoop:

Events

Thursday January 22:
Registration opens for our NAMM giveaway!
Friday January 23:
Anthony Marinelli at our booth

Blue Meanie All Day: See the rarest ARP there is! Nicknamed the "Blue Marvin" after ARP's CFO, Marvin Cohen, due to its bright blue metal case and unique features - while the actual name was "Blue Marvin," the nickname "Blue Meanie" stuck! Only about 25 were made in 1971, making them highly sought after.

ARP 2600: Drew Schlesinger demonstrates patches using the 2600 software included in the Korg Collection VST
Saturday January 24
Artists at our booth - TBA

Giveaways at 4:00pm:

Poster signed by Martin Gore
Soul of the Machine CDs

And one lucky person will win the full Korg Collection 6:

Magical sounds, authentically re-created by KORG.
The ultimate synthesizer suite for the ages.

The KORG Collection is a suite of software synthesizers that methodically and accurately recreates the authentic sound and behavior of legendary KORG synthesizers for the present day and beyond. The KORG Collection project began with analogue synths such as the MS-20, Polysix and Mono/Poly, and has steadily evolved to include digital synths such as the world’s most popular synth, the legendary microKORG, the workstation classics M1 and TRITON, and physical modeling synthesis from the renowned Prophecy. The KORG Collection even includes the ARP ODYSSEY and ARP 2600, both revived for the 21st century by KORG.

In 2025, KORG added three legendary instruments to the KORG Collection – each an icon of its era, celebrated for their distinctive presence and heard over decades in countless classic tracks. The TRINITY, PS-3300 and SGX-2.

As if NAMM weren't enough all on its own - there's Buchla & Friends on Sunday, January 24.

Buchla & Friends is January’s biggest two-day collection of hands-on synths on the West Coast! If you love creative sound, you need to be here. With a pre-party on Thursday, afterparty on Saturday, and two days of exploring all the greatest gear, Buchla & Friends is an essential start to the new year.

They're gathering over 90 synth makers in one awesome Downtown Los Angeles location so you can learn, listen, and live the latest in electronic music sound production. This hands-on, headphones-only gathering gives you a chance to hear the best sounds science has ever created. From additive to subtractive, analog to digital, keyboards to breath, audio to visual, modular to full-size polyphonic, eurorack to Serge to Buchla, you’ll meet synth makers and synth enthusiasts alike.

Register on eventbrite: https://bnf26.eventbrite.com

NAMMSALE!

We're celebrating NAMM with a sale - up to 15% off everything in the shop!

The Alan R Pearlman Foundation's Year in Review

video upload by Alan R. Pearlman Foundation

"From a Compilation to a Concert Celebration, our year celebrating our namesake's Centenary has been amazing! Share our journey!

Music by Lisa Bella Donna & Shawn Johnson

Purchase Soul of the Machine at https://alanrpearlmanfoundation.bandc...

2025 Sponsors:
Korg, Cherry Audio, Moog Music, Manny Fernandez, Tom Rhea, Rosen Sound

2025 Partners:
Bell Tone Synth Works, CMS, CatSynth TV, EMEAP/MMT, Eric Crawley/Dan Gilbert, Interage MediaWorks, Knobcon, Korg, Anthony Marinelli Music, Antonus, Mashina Bristronica, NAMM Museum of Making Music, Vito Nandi, New England Synth Fest, Projekt Records, Steve Roach, Round & Wound, the SynthCave, SynthCube, Synthtopia, Synthetic Dreamscapes, The Record Co. (TRC), Sharon Wasko Designs

Thank you to all of our donors, volunteers, interns, friends and partners including (but not limited to) Alex Ball, Antonus, David Baron, Lisa Bella Donna, Chris Cardone, Jon Carin, Alison Cassidy, Nick Carlisle, Phil & Linda Cirocco, Mike Cushing, Tom Cusimano, Eric Crawley, Stephen DeJesus, Rich Formidoni, John Foxx, Dan Gilbert, Patrick Gleason, Herbie Hancock, Martin Gore, Rupert Greenall, Ryan Hawkins, Mary Lock, Mark Marshall, Machina Bristronica, David Mash, Steve McQuarry, Bill T. Miller, LaMar Mitchell, Chris Meyer, NE Synth Festival, Nicola Joss, Ruperto Ifil, Brian Kehew, Anthony Marinelli, Tom Piggot,TRC (The Record Co). EMEAPP/MMT, Mary Lock, David Mash, Matrix Synth, Michelle Moog-Koussa, Tony Norton, Jim Michmerhuizen, Mike Metlay, C. Carl Peters, Rob Puricelli, ProSynth Network, Drew Raison, Steve Roach, Sam Rosenthal, Drew Schlesinger, Don Slepian, Steve Smith, SynthTopia, the NAMM Museum, the MiDI Association, Real World Studios, Gerson Rosenbloom, Collin Russell, James Thirlwell, Pete Townshend, the Townshend Studio, and Andrew Ward"

Secrets to Steve Porcaro’s Sound: The CS-80 & More

video upload by Anthony Marinelli Music

"In this episode, I hang with Steve Porcaro for an up-close, hands-on look at the secrets behind his sound, with Toto and much more! Discover the musical thinking that shaped some of the most iconic synthesizer moments in pop history.
You’ll watch Steve perform on the legendary Yamaha CS-80, and demonstrate exactly why its polyphonic aftertouch changed everything. He shows how touch, phrasing, and pressure become part of the music itself, then recreates the iconic Africa brass sound, breaking down how it was programmed and performing it right before our eyes. We also pause to honor David L. Abell and Clark Spangler, two essential figures in synthesizer history whose whose work helped bring instruments like the CS-80 into the spotlight
Along the way, Steve shares stories from working with David Paich and David Foster, and how his collaborations shaped their sound. You’ll also see a beautiful portamento and glissando demonstration tied to "After the Love Has Gone" by Earth, Wind & Fire and 'Serious Music' by Hall & Oates, revealing how Steve approached expressive movement on the keyboard.
Steve then breaks open his 'go-to' CS-80 panel settings and shows how he used them on 'Rosanna' and 'Mama' by Toto, offering a rare look at the real-world musical decisions behind those songs.
Finally, Steve and I talk about the true secret sauce behind so many signature songs from the ’80s and ’90s, from Toto and beyond—the attention to detail, musical sensitivity, and collaboration between specialists, all working selflessly in service of a great song.
This is a rare, in-the-room masterclass with one of the great musical minds of our time."

Toto’s Steve Porcaro Shows How He Created the Synth Sounds on Africa, Human Nature, Rosanna, ...

video upload by Anthony Marinelli Music

"In this monumental video, I’m sitting down in Steve Porcaro’s studio for a rare, up-close demonstartions at how one of the true synth legends created some of the most iconic sounds in music history.

What makes this so special is that Steve takes us step by step through the exact synthesizer techniques he used on massive hit records — including Michael Jackson’s 'Human Nature,' Toto’s 'Africa' and 'Rosanna,' as well as classic tracks for Hall & Oates, Don Henley, Donna Summer, and more. He also recreates these sounds on the same model vintage synthesizers he used on the original recordings.

As we dig in, Steve shares his personal approach to synthesis, how he builds multi-dimensional sounds, thinks about atmosphere and texture, and shapes parts so they serve the song emotionally, not just sonically. He also reveals how he writes out synthesizer parts on score paper, treating synths like orchestral instruments and arranging them with real intention.

This isn’t a preset rundown or surface-level demo. It’s a candid, in-studio conversation about process, musical thinking, with hands-on demonstrations from someone who helped define the sound of an era. If you’ve ever wondered how these legendary synth parts were truly made, now you can get it straight from the source, this is a moment you don’t want to miss!"

‪@PlantWave‬ Meets the “Plantasia” Moog Modular | Live Jam

video upload by Anthony Marinelli Music and PlantWave

"Join me for a one-of-a-kind musical experience filmed inside the iconic Mickey Hargitay Plants in Hollywood. In this special session, I’m improvising on the legendary 1969 Moog IIIc “Plantasia” Modular Synthesizer—the same model used on Mort Garson’s Mother Earth's Plantasia—along with my Groove Synthesis 3rd Wave, while the plants themselves generate melodies through PlantWave.

How PlantWave Works
PlantWave is a bio-music device that connects to a plant’s leaves and measures subtle changes in electrical conductivity. Those fluctuations are translated into MIDI data, which then becomes musical notes, rhythms, and patterns. It’s not “the plant playing an instrument” in the human sense—it's more like the plant’s natural signals being converted into music we can hear and respond to.

The Jam
As PlantWave transforms real-time electrical signals from the plants into beautiful, evolving musical patterns, I’m tuning in, responding, and improvising on the Moog IIIc and 3rd Wave—matching their phrases with my own melodies and rhythms. Every moment emerges organically, completely unique, and impossible to recreate the same way twice.

About the Location
Mickey Hargitay Plants has been an LA landmark for decades, and creating this performance surrounded by their lush greenery made the experience even more magical.

This is a rare combination of vintage analog synthesis, modern wavetable power, plant-generated musical data, and real-time human improvisation. I hope you enjoy this unique collaboration between nature and machines."

The Most Misunderstood Knob On Your Synth

video upload by Anthony Marinelli Music

"Allow me to demystify one of synthesis’ most misunderstood controls: the resonance knob. Using a variety of examples, I’ll show you how adjusting resonance can add character, while also explaining how the loss of bass as you turn it up can even substitute for a high-pass filter.

Resonance can be used for vocal-like effects by creating a fixed-frequency formant in the filter, or by controlling the filter with an ADSR envelope generator to shape percussive attacks at the front of a sound.

Then I take things further by making subtle changes to the filter’s attack envelope, revealing how a sound can 'speak' with even more personality.

This video is perfect for synth learners or anyone looking to unlock the full creative potential of resonance!"

"🎛️ Think Like a Synth Learn the exact method I've used for decades on hit records & films
👉 https://anthonymarinellimusic.com/pro..."

The #1 Reason Your Basslines Don’t Hit

video upload by Anthony Marinelli Music

"Ever wonder why your basslines don’t hit the way they should? I’ve seen the same problem for decades—and in this video, I’ll show you the #1 reason it happens and exactly how to fix it.

I’ll walk you through some of the techniques I’ve used on hit records and film scores over the last 40 years—techniques you can apply on any synth to make your basslines punch harder and stand out in your tracks.

Whether you’re editing presets or creating your own sounds from scratch, I’ll show you how to craft memorable, expressive bass tones that fit the song and move people.

For a deeper understanding of these techniques and to learn about all the classic synth modules check out my method Think Like a Synth, my online course that helps you break free from presets and truly understand to create sounds that payoff in your music."

🎛️ Think Like a Synth Learn the exact method I've used for decades on hit records & films
👉 https://anthonymarinellimusic.com/pro...