Build Your Own Audio Plugins, No Code Required, With Amorph AI Driven Plugin Platform

Build Your Own Audio Plugins, No Code (Amorph v1 Beta) video upload by Artists in DSP

"Amorph is a free audio plugin. You build, play, and share your own tools inside the DAW — the sound, the knobs, and the code sit on your computer.

This is the full how-to. Install. The window. Three ways to build. Remote. Lock. Share.

A patch can be an instrument, an effect, or a MIDI processor.

Download Amorph v1 Beta:
https://artistsindsp.gumroad.com/l/am...

Getting started:
https://artistsindsp.com/get-started-..."

Modular Town : a synth hidden in a town (Amorph)

video upload by Bungle Society

"Modular Town — a synthesizer town, drawn by hand.

Modular Town is a single Amorph instrument: a hand-drawn village you scroll through, where every knob, step-sequencer and jack is mounted on a building facade wired by hand, just like real hardware. 🏭 Filter (Cutoff/Resonance) on the factoryVCO1 / VCO2 on the vending machinesDetune and Attack/Decay/Release tucked into the houses🥁 A 16-step drum machine (Drums Volume, Accent, Drive) running through its own sequencer🍜 Ramen Bass Shop, a mono bass synth with its own 16-step piano roll, playable live or sequenced. A day/night cycle you flip from a shop sign. Delay (Time/Feedback/Mix) on a canal-side wall. A full patch panel route LFO, ENV and random modulation across the whole village with real cables✨ Reverb, aged-paper texture and film grain for a sketchbook feel"

CLICK FOR MORE »

Brooklyn Synth & Pedal Expo Set for October ‎17–18

Press release follows:

BROOKLYN, NY — The Brooklyn Synth & Pedal Expo returns October ‎17–18, transforming a 7,000-square-foot Greenpoint warehouse into an immersive playground for electronic music creators.

Presented in partnership with the legendary Three Wave Music, the Expo offers a strictly in-the-headphones experience — letting attendees demo the latest synthesizers, effects pedals, and modular gear from over 100 brands in a noise-friendly environment.

Nestled in one of Brooklyn's most vibrant musical corridors, the show is expected to draw more about 2,000 visitors, a mix of musicians, producers, and gear enthusiasts.

"Intro to Synthesis" Workshops
This year, the Expo expands beyond its large exhibition floor with a new lineup of educational workshops focused on synthesis — from hands-on patch-building sessions to deep dives into modular workflows, led by working artists and builders. A schedule of the workshops will be announced soon.

CLICK FOR MORE »

Korg Prophecy VST Plugin (Korg Collection 6) - No talking demo

video upload by ADL-MusicLab

"Hi, everyone!

In the 1990s, PCM synths were at their peak, but club scene artists were already searching for a more flexible, analog sound, hinting at the coming analog revival of the 2000s.

It was in this context that the Prophecy was announced in 1995, offering more flexibility and timbral capabilities than ever before heard. Defined by the cutting edge digital signal processing technology and a DSP chip formerly used exclusively for effects processing, the Prophecy Solo Synthesizer is now available as a software plugin, with the ease of use, polyphony, and modern features necessary for today’s music production.

KORG Collection - Prophecy, a legendary physical modeling synthesizer developed with the aim of offering freedom of expression beyond analog synthesizers and unprecedented sound creation possibilities, has evolved even further in its expressive capabilities. In version 1.5, the quirks of the hardware Prophecy can now be expressed even more precisely thanks to deeper creative input from the brilliant minds in the original Prophecy development team.

Version 1.5 also adds 180 new programs. This unique sound collection brings out the individuality of the Prophecy, ranging from fresh, software-only sounds to those that pay homage to the original Prophecy and pushes monophonic sound design to all new levels.

Prophecy for Mac/Win uses software to fully reproduce the original Prophecy’s MOSS (Multi-Oscillator Synthesis System) and is equipped with five of the seven total oscillator types:

Standard Oscillator for Analog Synth Sounds
Noise + Comb Filtering
VPM (Variable Phase Modulation)
Cross / Ring / Modulation and Sync
Physical Modeling (Brass Model Oscillator, Reed Model Oscillator and Plucked String Oscillator)


The sounds from each oscillator model can be processed using a nonlinear wave shaper. In addition to the oscillator and wave shaper sections, there is also a sub oscillator and noise generator.

Grab it! You won't be disappointed.

More info here:
https://www.korg.com/us/products/soft..."

Impact Soundworks Releases Chro-Nyx, New Virtual Synth Based on Classic Hardware

video upload by Impact Soundworks LLC

FULTON, MD – Impact Soundworks has released Chro-Nyx, a virtual synth that faithfully recreates the beloved JP-8080 synthesizer as well as elements from other popular hardware such as the Access Virus, Nord Modular 2, Korg Mono/Poly, Roland Jupiter-8, and others. With extensive oscillators, filter models, effects, and modulation capabilities, this virtual synth (available in VST, AU, and AAX formats via Reaktor Player) allows producers to create a huge range of possible tones.

Developed over the course of 5 years, Chro-Nyx captures the look, feel, and sound of the JP-8080, an early analog modeling synth that revolutionized digital music in the 1990s (most notably by introducing the supersaw oscillator).

Chro-Nyx then goes far beyond their original capabilities, integrating components from other vintage analog and digital hardware, along with unique and custom DSP, resulting in a feature-packed virtual synth workstation suitable for many genres.

Highlights of Chro-Nyx beyond the complete feature set of the JP-8080 include:

Dual oscillators with 31 oscillator types, each with unique parameters, and many emulating specific hardware

Dual filters with multiple topologies, slopes, and 5 styles available, such as ‘Classic’, ‘Acid’, ‘Lush’, etc.

18 filter drive types and a unique ‘BOOST’ mode that allows for extreme distortion and circuit bending-style effects

Dual LFOs that can go from extremely slow to audio rate speeds

Combination step sequencer and arpeggiator with optional trance gate

16-slot modulation matrix with Eurorack-style math sources also available

Dual effects slots with 29 modules available including shimmer reverbs, choruses, waveshapers, etc.

External audio input for processing through the full signal chain

Analog-modeled Pre and Post-FX EQs

8080-style vocoder with expanded controls, as well as 12-band resonant filterbank

Chro-Nyx was developed in partnership with Jasper Broeks (Chrono), a DJ, hardcore artist, and programmer who has worked with numerous well-known artists and performed at many festivals around the world. He creates his own synths under the Pulsecraft name.

“As an EDM musician myself, I’ve been collecting both softsynths and hardware for over 20 years, which is how I know that it takes a lot for a new synth to stand out. But having spent over 50 hours producing with Chro-Nyx, I’m in love, and I can’t wait to hear how other musicians use it!” CEO and owner Andrew Aversa said.

Chro-Nyx is available at the Impact Soundworks store for a limited-time introductory price of $79 (MSRP $99). Crossgrades are available for some customers.

Learn more here: https://impactsoundworks.com/product/chro-nyx/

Meet the New GS Music Bree6 with Ernesto Romeo

video upload by GS Music

"Our website https://www.gsmusic.com/
Join us in this video as the legendary Ernesto Romeo takes the Bree6 Synthesizer for a spin for the very first time. Known for his profound expertise in electronic music and synthesis, Ernesto explores the depths of GS Music's latest creation, the Bree6, a marvel of analog synthesis technology designed for both studio and live performance.
Follow Ernesto Romeo ig: https://www.instagram.com/ernestorome..."

Press release follows:

After extensive research and dedicated efforts from our team, GS Music is proud to unveil the Bree6, our latest breakthrough in synthesizer technology. The Bree6 is a straightforward synthesizer offering six voices of polyphony, each equipped with a single voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) and a sub oscillator. It has been meticulously developed to meet the needs of both studio and performance environments. The Bree6 features a fully analog signal path that includes a 4-pole low-pass voltage-controlled ladder filter (VCF), and a voltage-controlled amplifier (VCA). The control signals are digitally generated, incorporating one low-frequency oscillator (LFO) and two ADSR- type envelope generators. Additionally, the Bree6 integrates an effects processor with chorus and delay.

Designed for straightforward operation, the Bree6 provides intuitive access to its full capabilities without complex menus, making it accessible to both seasoned professionals and those new to synthesis.

No Menu Diving

The Bree6 interface is engineered for straightforward and intuitive use, ensuring easy access to its robust features, including MIDI connections, USB, balanced stereo audio outputs, headphone output.

Signal Path

The signal path in the Bree6 is entirely analog, comprising a single VCO per voice, a sub oscillator, a mixer, a 4-pole low-pass ladder VCF, and a VCA. The control voltages are digitally generated, featuring one LFO and two ADSR-type envelope generators. It also features a stereo digital effects processor with delay and chorus.

Oscillators
The Bree6 features a single VCO plus a sub oscillator per voice. The oscillator includes sawtooth and pulse waveforms, with pulse width modulation control that can be
modulated by the LFO. The oscillator tuning can be adjusted, and modulation can be applied from the LFO. The sub oscillator generates a square wave one octave below the main oscillator.

Filter
The Bree6’s filter is a 4-pole ladder-type low-pass filter with resonance control. It can be modulated by EG1, with velocity affecting the modulation depth, and can also be modulated by the LFO. It can also be controlled by the modulation wheel and aftertouch.

Chorus and Delay
The synthesizer offers a stereo ensemble type chorus effect. It simulates a string or vocal ensemble using multiple delay lines modulated by their dedicated LFOs.
The stereo delay can reach a maximum delay time of up to 1 second.

LFO
The Bree6 contains one LFO with selectable waveforms (triangle, ramp up, ramp down, square, and random with sample and hold). The LFO’s frequency can be set from 0.1Hz
to 100Hz, and modulation can be applied to the VCO, VCF, and VCA.

Envelope Generators
There are two ADSR-type envelope generators in the Bree6, designed for precise control over the dynamics of both the filter and the amplifier.

MIDI Polyphonic Expression
The synthesizer supports MIDI Polyphonic Expression (MPE), facilitating detailed performance dynamics when used with compatible MPE controllers. We’ve carefully
tested the Bree6 with Osmose, Linnstrument, and Geoshred.

Specs
Polyphony: 6 voices.
Oscillator (VCO): Single Analog oscillator per voice.
Filter (VCF): 24dB/Oct Low-pass ladder filter with resonance control.
Envelope Generators: 2 ADSR type.
LFO: Triangular, Ramp up, Ramp down, Square, Sample and hold.
Effects: Delay, Chorus (DSP:32 bits,48kHz, DAC/ADC:24 bits).
Presets: 512
Connections: MIDI In, MIDI Out, Thru, L/Mono Audio Output (Balanced, 1/4" TRS), R
Audio Output (Balanced, 1/4" TRS), Headphone Output (Stereo, 1/4" TRS), USB.
Power Supply: Input: 100 –240V 50/60 Hz 1.2 A. Output: DC 12V 3A.
Power Consumption:3W.
Dimensions: 360 mm x 126 mm x 67 mm. 14.17” x 4.96” x 2.64”.
Weight: 1.5 kg. 3.31 lbs.
Dimensions with packaging: 460 mm x 200 mm x 140 mm. 18.11” x 7.87” x 5.51”.
Weight with packaging: 2.1.kg. 4.63 lbs.

Availability

We take immense pride in the global reach and success of the e7, which has found its way into the hands of artists around the world. Now, with great affection and gratitude towards those who have trusted us, we are thrilled to bring you the Bree6. You can purchase the Bree6 directly from gsmusic.com for $999 USD with free worldwide shipping. The suggested retail price for U.S. dealers is $999 USD. Discover the Bree6 by visiting gsmusic.com and authorized dealers — available now for musicians who demand the best in quality and innovation.

Softube Introduces Model 77 Dual Layer Synth Based on the Yamaha CS80

video uploads by SoftubeStudios

Playlist:
Introducing Model 77 Dual Layer Synth – Softube
Model 77 Dual Layer Synth Walkthrough – Softube
Model 77 Dual Layer Synth with Bryn Bliska – Softube

And two user videos:

The Best CS80 Plugin Yet // Softube Model 77

video upload by Starsky Carr

0:00 what is it?
3:53 Presets
6:28 Oscillators
9:14 Filters
11:44 Envelopes
14:46 LFO
17:17 Transpose
20:59 Ring mod
22:23 Reverb
23:37 Extended Panel
24:55 Sustain Modes

Model 77 Dual Layer Synth Softube NO TALKING SOUNDS DEMO

NO TALKING SOUNDS DEMO video upload by Andrew G Dugros





Details via Plugin Boutique & Softube:

The most expressive synth of its time, redesigned.

The authentic sound, interactions, and performance of three famed Japanese hardware units from 1977
A redesigned, intuitive new interface for an improved and modern workflow
Three versions included: the instrument, seven modules for Modular, and two modules for Amp Room
Model 77 Dual Layer Synth gives you one of the most influential sounds of our time. It is the iconic sound of Blade Runner, Chariots of Fire, Billie Jean, Africa, and Human Nature — among countless others. Softube modeled and accurately articulated every detail of the circuits of three legendarily expressive Japanese synthesizers from 1977 and put them in one user-friendly plug-in. The sound, interaction, and performance remain as close to the hardware as possible, while the complex interfaces of the original instruments are enhanced with an intuitive redesign. Finally, your most-coveted synth has the workflow you deserve.

The Art of Rock & Roll Science

Softube's reputation for creating tools that enhance workflow and offer superior sound quality is rock solid. Their partnerships with premium brands like Tube-Tech, Solid State Logic, Chandler Limited, Weiss Engineering, and Trident have spanned decades.

They built Model 77 Dual Layer Synth on this legacy of passion, expert modeling, and attention to detail. Because to create synth plug-ins that innovate and elevate, you have to have heart, soul, and Rock & Roll Science.

Time for a redesign

When designing Model 77, Softube took great care to create a more efficient user interface that makes the plug-in easier to navigate. Two layers are accessible directly from the front panel, but the focus stays on one layer at a time. This improvement enables you to adjust your sound quickly and confidently. Softube also redesigned the position of the sections to communicate the instrument's proper signal flow. A change that helps facilitate sound design. Now, the Ring Mod section on the interface corresponds to its location in the signal flow. The balance slider is between the upper and lower layers so that you can self-assuredly move between the layers while adjusting
parameters for each layer.

CLICK FOR MORE »

UVI Introduces Quadra Modular

video uploads by UVI

UVI Quadra Modular | Overview
video upload by UVI


30 modular systems in a multi-instrument and sequence designer

Quadra Modular is a powerful 4-part multi-instrument and sequence designer, ideal for the creation of dynamic, rhythmic, and evolving sequences utilizing an incredible selection of patches created on a wide range of modular synthesizers, from vintage to modern, stand-alone to fully customized and purpose-built systems. We approached recording these beasts as if they were acoustic instruments, creating discrete velocity layers and round-robins in order to capture their organic soul.

Quadra is a versatile instrument, capable of a wide range of sounds and uses from standard fare instrumentation to evolving, complex, and adaptive progressions and harmonizations that can be morphed and performed in numerous ways to suit the needs of your production. With a masterful selection of hundreds of professionally designed presets, Quadra offers incredible sound quality and near endless inspiration on-demand.

Quadra leverages a powerful instrument selection, deep factory library, focused and intuitive workflow, and expressive performance controls to deliver cinematic sound quality and near endless musical inspiration.

Curated Instrument Selection
Quadra provides 4 robust instrument layers that can be used together to create striking and evocative performances. Each layer can be assigned from a selection of 30 multi-sampled sources including massive stand-alone systems like the Colossus, to popular small format systems like eurorack.


At the heart of each of Quadra's instrument layers is a powerful, multimode 64-step sequencer with MIDI effects, allowing you to quickly add rhythmic grooves, create arpeggiator sequences, add harmonies, and even quantize the incoming notes to specific scales. Choose a global rate, gate length, and max velocity, then customize your sequence with per-step velocity, link, harmonization, pitch offset, octave offset, gate, step repeat and panning. Save your patterns to disk as presets to share, or use the handy "copy-to" button to quickly duplicate your finished sequence from one layer to another.

Quadra includes a number of MIDI effect modules that allow you to embellish and augment your sequences in creative ways, including Euclidean Emphasis which adds rhythmic accents, MIDI Delay, Random, and Pitch Drift which enrich your sequence, and a scale quantizer that allows you to snap all notes to a scale of your choosing. You can even drag-and-drop the modified sequences as MIDI into a track of your DAW.

CLICK FOR MORE »

Folktek ALTER X & Y Now Available

Available via Noisebug

You can find demos and additional pics in previous posts here.

Alter Y is the pedal version of Alter 2 eurorack module featuring four 1/4" jacks in addition to 1/8" as well as buffered switching that allows for trails.

Though it functions the same as other pedals, this pedal is a little different. Most pedals are made for guitars and then artists may choose to use them in different ways. We made this pedal to work with either standard ¼” jacks (for both input and output) or 1/8” (3.5mm) jacks for use with anything else. For those who like to use CV (control voltage) for any eurorack format, cv keyboard, or pedals which output cv (eg. expression or sequencing), all four of the main knobs have cv inputs (mix, x, y, filter) so you can control your knobs without touching if the desire strikes you.

These pedals accept guitar, line or eurorack levels.

The enclosure is very thick, gold plated PCB (it’s very, very tough).

Included power is standard for most pedals (2.1mm, -tip)

We wanted a broad array of effects in each X and Y pedal so each is a mashup of effects which we thought complimented one another when used together. Running X into Y or vis versa creates some powerful changes.

CLICK FOR MORE »

Synclavier Digital's Regen Gets Wider Release

video upload by Synclavier Digital

Regen Tutorials


Regen Quickies


You can find additional posts featuring demos of the Regen here.

Press Release follows:

"Synclavier Digital releases regenerated Synclavier® II trailblazer as timeless Regen desktop synthesizer bolstered by present-day DSP developments

NOVA SCOTIA, CANADA: soft-launched late last year to widespread critical acclaim at the Synthplex® synthesizer expo and electronic music festival hosted at the Marriott Convention Center in Burbank, CA, USA with pre-orders opening for fulfilment in 2023, timeless synthesis product manufacturer Synclavier Digital is proud to announce wider availability of Regen — released as a desktop synthesizer that is, in short, a real regeneration of New England Digital’s seminal Synclavier® II digital synthesizer that took the pro audio industry by storm when introduced in its initial incarnation in 1980 (evolving beyond that to blaze more technological trails with polyphonic sampling and, ultimately, DAW — Digital Audio Workstation — capabilities well before that term was invented, even), extended and enhanced to take advantage of the increased computing power available today to make it as compelling in a modern setting as the prohibitively pricey original did during its time (finding favour with top-tier film composers, record producers, and recording artists), while the considerable cost and size reductions associated with Regen’s present-day design criteria conversely position it well within reach of (almost) anyone — as of June 29…

CLICK FOR MORE »

Expressive E Osmose Launch

video uploads by Expressive E



Osmose Sounds

video upload by David Bessell

"Some sounds from the Osmose. An initial impression of what it sounds like straight out of the box. This will no doubt be making an appearance on my next solo album on DiN records."

Osmose - A very different synthesiser has arrived

video upload by True Cuckoo

"This is different. It's a new journey to embark on. and I love it. Please hang out with me on my first proper sit down with the production model Osmose. I love how expressive you can be with every patch."

The Big Osmose Video - Sonic LAB

video upload by sonicstate

"After a perfect storm of COVID and global parts shortages. The Osmose instrument from Expressive E is now shipping to the backers, next step is full production.

The instrument has an incredibly sensitive playing action with a custom keybed combined with the Eagan Matrix - a highly expressive and complex sound engine offering physical modelling, FM and a lot more besides.

We had a visit from Christopher who's the main product guy for the Osmose to show Gaz Williams where this exicting new instrument has got to.

00:00:00 Start
00:01:59 GPU Sponsor Mac Support
00:02:51 Overview
00:06:15 Eagan Matrix
00:09:01 Sounds
00:11:52 Controller?
00:15:42 Pedals
00:17:56 Control Section
00:22:18 Macros
00:25:59 Sensitivty
00:33:12 Portamento and Arp
00:36:49 Percussive voices
00:41:47 MPE
00:45:09 Case and Wrap"

And the press release with pics:

"Expressive E is proud to announce Osmose, the new universal standard for musical expressivity. Osmose is a polyphonic synthesizer that unlocks new ways to control sound and features a powerful sound engine created in collaboration with the leading-edge audio company, Haken Audio.

The conclusion of an epic adventure

Three years ago, Expressive E embarked on an ambitious adventure by opening the pre-orders for their standalone synthesizer, Osmose.

Osmose elevates a playerʼs experience by introducing a new landscape of features for musicians to interact with sound and produce music in new ways. It does this while not only respecting, but also enhancing the playerʼs existing keyboard skills. Every note can be articulated independently with unique expressive possibilities, such as those seen in this Osmose gesture compilation video: https://youtu.be/AA5xe7k4OrM

To achieve that goal, the Expressive E engineers set out to industrialize a new generation of expressive keybed which is at the core of Osmoseʼs playing experience. The biggest challenge was to implement all expressiveness-related technologies into the familiar keybed form factor of the piano that musicians have been using for centuries. Creating a new kind of keybed generated many industrial production obstacles and ultimately required a total symbiosis between DSP and hardware to connect all players to Omoseʼs sound through the use of natural gestures.

Expressive E engineers conducted hundreds of on-field test sessions to fine-tune the complex design of the synthesizer. Artists played a tremendous role in the refinement of Osmose by providing precise feedback about playing sensations and helped shape a new ergonomic tool, relevant for musicians from various music scenes and cultural horizons. Thanks to their support as well as the early adopters and partners, the wait is finally over: Osmose has now started to ship.

First deliveries and re-opening of preorders
Expressive E are thrilled to announce the delivery of the first Osmose units to early adopters of the project. The first products had already been delivered in late 2022 and early backersʼ shipments will keep flowing continuously.

Expressive E have thus decided to reopen pre-orders on January 5th 2023 for all musicians interested in purchasing Osmose. The pre-order scheme has been reconducted to allow Expressive E to anticipate demand as efficiently as possible and organize their production schedules accordingly. Despite a tense economical environment driven by inflation, component shortages and the resurgence of epidemics, the company will still commit to guaranteeing a $/€1,799 retail price, within the limits of allocated stocks.

Interested musicians can now pre-order their Osmose on Expressive Eʼs website or through an affiliated dealer. [see the dealers on the right]

A new kind of synthesizer
From its inception, Osmose was designed as a solution to connect musicians with electronic instruments more intimately while still retaining the sound-design abilities of modern-day and vintage synthesizers.

Backed by a powerful sound engine made in collaboration with pioneering audio company Haken Audio, Osmose offers more than 500 creativity-boosting presets. Each of them was fine-tuned to offer performance and recording-ready macros. Preset curation covers many musical genres including modern pop, urban, film scoring, electronic music, sound design, and traditional instrumental music.
Made to inspire, Osmose offers a playful experience based on familiar features and thus presents a gentle learning curve. It offers the benefits of MPE instruments without the need to relearn the instrument entirely.

From the beginning, Osmose has been a collaborative project with artists from many musical backgrounds. They have been involved in the development of Osmose to make it a musical companion to fit their creative and ergonomic needs. Expressive E celebrates these artist collaborations with the release of a video series recapping the Osmose adventure and the reaction of artists to the new, dynamic, inspiring synthesizer.

Shot in Chennai (India), Paris (France), and Los Angeles (USA), the video series features musicians and producers like Flying Lotus, AR Rahman, Jean-Michel Jarre, Mike Dean, Cory Henry, André Manoukian, and Tarik Azzouz. It shows their approach to musical expression, how they interact with Osmose, and how this new synthesizer has influenced the way they play. A trailer for the series is now available on YouTube.

During Q1 and Q2 2023 Expressive E will regularly release clips focusing on each individual artist from the main trailer video. The first three episodes of the series are now available on YouTube. They feature musical icon A.R. Rahman (Grammy winner and film scorer for 127 Hours and Slumdog Millionaire), jazz virtuoso J3PO (a prolific solo artist and keyboardist for Marcus Miller), and trap beatmaker veteran Tarik Azzouz (a Grammy winner who has worked with Jay-Z, DJ Khaled, 2 Chainz, and many more)."

CLICK FOR MORE »

SynthPlex 2022 - Synclavier Is Back With Regen

video upload by sonicstate

See this post for additional details on the Synclavier Regen.

"Synclavier Regen is a re-imagining of the legendary Digital music system from the 1980s which was originally the price of a house and was the tool of choice for many top echelon artists of the time.

The new Synclavier Regen is a new instrument for this century based on the highly efficient code of Cameron Warner Jones, the original designer, but with the DSP power of today.

Jim got some time with Craig Philips, Kevin Maloney and the Regen in a quiet room away from the show floor. Available for pre-order at Synclavier.com priced at £2,185.00/$2499"

Symbolic Sound Unveils “Pacamara Ristretto” Audio Processing Unit (APU)

Pacamara launch from Symbolic Sound on Vimeo.

Pacamara explainer from Symbolic Sound on Vimeo.

Press release follows:



September 6, 2022

Symbolic Sound Unveils “Pacamara Ristretto” Audio Processing Unit (APU)

2.5 times performance boost, 20% lower price, expanded connectivity, and inter-application audio

CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS — Symbolic Sound announces a new Audio Processing Unit (APU) representing a giant leap forward in performance, energy efficiency, and connectivity over previous generation APUs. At less than half the size, the new Pacamara “Ristretto” delivers, on average, a 2.5 times jump in performance, a 20% reduction in cost, cooler operating temperature, expanded connectivity options, and seamless inter-application routing of audio and MIDI to/from applications running on a host computer.

Performance
Pacamara Ristretto’s compute-cycles and memory are solely dedicated to sound computation, delivering unprecedented levels of performance capabilities to sound designers for film and games, live electronic music performers, sound artists, educators, researchers, and audio professionals who require the highest-quality real-time audio, responsive live interaction, and unbounded creative flexibility from their tools.

“The Pacamara Ristretto represents a radical transformation, not just because it’s Symbolic Sound’s most powerful external APU yet, but because of the ease with which it communicates with the rest of the world,” said Symbolic Sound’s president Carla Scaletti. “Audio, MIDI, and OSC streams can be freely routed between Kyma and other audio applications on your computer and audio devices in your studio, including across LANs and out onto the Internet, creating a combinatorial explosion of sound creation possibilities.”

According to game/film sound design consultant and Pacamara field tester, Alan M. Jackson, “It’s the latest, most powerful revision of the most important audio DSP environment of the last 30 years.”

Powered by Kyma
Audio professionals can leverage the full Kyma 7 accelerated sound design environment for rapid prototyping, testing, creative exploration, and refinement of production-quality sound synthesis and processing algorithms to run in real time on the Pacamara Ristretto.

Kyma, described as a “recombinant sound design environment,” gives sound designers access to extensive libraries of unique audio synthesis and processing modules, along with tools for creating limitless combinations of those algorithms. Galleries of automatically-generated signal flow graphs help speed development, spark the imagination and boost the creative flow — providing creators with the advanced models needed to solve sound design challenges for games, film, live music, data sonification, voice processing, multi-sensor controllers, and more.

Deep integration between hardware and software has always been central to the Symbolic Sound approach. Hardware design is continually informed by software development and vice versa. As a result, the Kyma 7 sound development environment is optimally tuned to take full advantage of the huge increases in processing and memory bandwidth made available by the new Pacamara APU.

Sound designer and musician Cristian Vogel describes the Kyma software environment as “the best for innovating, prototyping and designing innovative digital sound processes… frictionless for ideation and research. Then, reliable and consistent at the outcome stage.”

The Pacamara Ristretto is as comprehensive in its connectivity as it is diminutive in size. The back panel of the rugged, roadworthy enclosure includes:

• USB-C port for audio and MIDI transfer to/from host computer
• Two USB 2.0 ports for connecting audio interfaces and MIDI controllers
• 3.5 mm jack sockets for mic input and stereo headphone output
• RJ-45 network port to connect via a gigabit Ethernet cable to a host computer
• Wi-Fi antenna jack
• USB-C power input port

An APU does for Real-time Audio what a GPU does for Real-time Graphics
Audio professionals require high quality, low latency, reliable real-time audio synthesis and processing. That’s what an APU can deliver.

“The question is not whether a CPU is capable of real-time graphics generation and processing. Everyone understands the advantages of offloading real-time graphics computation onto one or more GPU(s) running in parallel with your main CPU. Not only does it free up memory and computing resources on your CPU, a GPU guarantees the highest-quality, glitch-free interactive real-time graphic performance. The same is true for audio!”

“With the Pacamara you have high quality, configurable algorithms running on dedicated, uncontended hardware,” explains Jackson, “The result is that it sounds great and it’s reliable.”

Soft Hardware
Unlike traditional audio hardware, which has a fixed functionality that never changes, the Pacamara Ristretto can adapt to the evolving needs of users. Regular, significant software updates ensure that Symbolic Sound APUs continue to gain features and functionality so that they actually improve with time.

Jackson adds, “there’s a subtle and important difference between hardware that is upgradeable… and hardware that DOES get upgraded continuously and significantly. Kyma is [Symbolic Sound’s] only product and [they’ve] been working on it, passionately, for decades. [They] have a proven history of constant and significant upgrades.”

What’s in a Name?
The name, Pacamara, comes from a hybrid coffee plant bred to produce larger beans on smaller trees planted closer together — evoking both the ‘recombinant sound’ design philosophy of Kyma and the smaller size, higher-yield of the Pacamara APUs. According to Scaletti, “Coffee aficionados know that a ristretto shot delivers twice the caffeine per milliliter as a standard shot of espresso. The Pacamara Ristretto is actually 2.5 times more powerful and less than half (44%) the volume of previous generations, meaning that the computational performance by volume has increased 5.7-fold.”

Summary
The Pacamara Ristretto is an APU, designed from the ground up for real-time sound synthesis and processing; it works in parallel with your main computer to deliver high-quality real-time audio signal computation, freeing up resources on the CPU for managing your overall studio workflow.

Audio professionals can leverage the full Kyma 7 accelerated sound design environment for rapid prototyping, testing, creative exploration, and refinement of production-quality sound synthesis and processing algorithms to run in real time on the Pacamara Ristretto.

The Pacamara Ristretto APU is the most recent development in a consistent flow of innovation from Symbolic Sound — from Capybara, to Capybara 33, Capybara 66, Capybara 320, Paca(rana) — the sixth generation Pacamara Ristretto APU is groundbreaking in terms of raw compute power, delivering a 2.5-fold leap forward in performance, connectivity, and dependability backed by extensive field testing in real world performance environments.

Pricing and Availability

The Pacamara Ristretto is available today at https://kyma.symbolicsound.com/order-now
Initial supplies are limited due to ongoing (and inexplicable) global electronic component shortages.

The price for a 4-processor Pacamara Ristretto is $3,818 (US)
An entry level, 2-processor system is available for $3,302 (US)

The Kyma 7 software for macOS or Windows is included with the APU.

Offgrid Shuffle in Eurorack: LoFi Hiphop with Stolperbeats

video upload by Making Sound Machines

"Here's a modular lofi hiphop patch that came out so leftfield it was too fun not to share! It's built around #Stolperbeats and Befaco's fantastic Percall Quad Drum VCA, with Stolperbeats sequencing the shuffled gates and a wooden baseboard amplified and routed through our #TausenddB and #Multiplikand patched as a texture control.

Stolperbeats, 'beats tripping over themselves' in German, is our upcoming drum trigger sequencer designed to create shuffled beats influenced by artists like Flying Lotus, Hiatus Kaiyote and J Dilla. We really love those beats and used to reconstruct them for our tracks in the DAW, so we ended up digging deep into the techniques how real-life drummers like Questlove from The Roots or Perrin Moss from Hiatus Kaiyote play these shuffles.

This patch is almost a little hack as it uses Stolperbeats' clock outputs as a musical signal. Subdiv outputs the swung clock or a related set of tuplet subdivisions, perfect for syncing up cartesian sequencers like Make Noise Rene that advance one step per clock tick. Sync plays a straight unswung metronome ranging from once every four bars to 24 ppq, great for keeping a Delay or LFO in time.

Here, Stolperbeats' clock signals are patched to trigger Percall's VCA envelopes, shaping the sounds picked up from the board with piezo contact mics, and creating groove from the offset flams of the shuffled and straight clocks. Enrica is performing the drum rolls by changing the subdivisions on the fly. It's all held together by the lovely blips from Winterbloom 's Juno-inspired DCO Castor & Pollux on kick and a Patching Panda Hatz patch on snare duty.

We'll be showcasing this setup tonight at Muelheim Modular's lovely synth shop in Köln Mülheim. It's part of Mülheimer Nacht 2022 so if you're in Cologne, swing by and say hi! You will be able to try out the patches and modules hands-on. If you want to build our synth #DIY kits, we're hosting a workshop at Superbooth in Berlin, 13.05.2022, 17:00. If you are unable to make it to Berlin, kits are available at Muelheim Modular and Exploding Shed (EU), Thonk (UK) and dsp.coffee (US), or visit our website and mail us directly."

Ninja Tune & Erica Synths Unveil The Zen Delay

Published on Sep 18, 2019 Ninja Tune

"New effects unit is Ninja Tune’s first hardware product & first-ever FX unit produced by an electronic label
Uniquely fuses digital & analogue with its powerful stereo dub delay, 24 dB synth-filter and valve saturation and overdrive all in perfect BPM sync in a one-of-a-kind hardware box
Fit for both on stage and in the studio, offering state-of-the-art quality, powerful & easy-to-use effects for all

18 September 2019, London: Ninja Tune and Riga-based modular synth manufacturer Erica Synths have teamed up to create a custom dub delay effects unit, the Zen Delay.

Inspired by a trip to Berlin’s trailblazing music hardware trade show Superbooth, Coldcut’s Matt Black and longtime friend Dr Walker (Liquid Sky artist collective / Air Liquide) envisaged the exciting possibilities of a custom hardware effects unit. The result is the creation of the Zen Delay — the first-ever hardware effects unit produced in collaboration with an electronic music label.

Bringing together the best of the digital and analogue worlds, the Zen Delay is a BPM-synched stereo delay line, combining extreme feedback ranges for dub and experimental lo-fi effects with a multi-mode 24 dB synth filter and valve overdrive.

Created and manufactured by Erica Synths, the unit is housed in a metal case with Erica Synths’ signature bakelite knobs and a valve circuit for extra analogue warmth. While sonically versatile, it is incredibly easy to use — each function has a physical knob that you can play around with without diving into manuals or scrolling through menus on a tiny screen.

CLICK FOR MORE »

radiator: the laser synthesizer co-created by Andrew Kilpatrick of Kilpatrick Audio

Published on Jul 2, 2019 Neon Captain

Currently on Kickstarter here.

This one was sent my way via Pat. Note although the primary focus of radiator is a laser light synthesizer, it has audio and CV out. I asked Andrew Kilpatrick about the audio out and he had the following to say:

"Normally the outputs would carry the X and Y signals that move the mirrors. I’ve experimented with it quite a bit and generally it sounds like a very stereo drone, but it could be used as a pitched sound source with voltage or MIDI control. The cool part is that you hear what you see, so it’s basically the most true kind of visualization!

We intend to also have modes that modulate the laser to audio or CV inputs, allowing any parameter of the laser patch to be controlled in real-time from another instrument. Radiator is a flexible type of synth with a modules optimized for making vector graphics, but it all works in the audio range so there are many creative possibilities for musicians."

And regarding the CV out:

"The CV outputs let you use the internal LFOs as sources for other synths and effects. Since a laser preset might have some kind of rhythm to it, you could patch this to other gear to have it work in sync."

The following is the official press release for radiator along with some hi-res pics. Click on the them for larger versions:

CLICK FOR MORE »

Synclavier Go! and Synclavier Pocket! for iOS Released

You can find some demos in the archives. The press release:

NOVA SCOTIA, CANADA: having turned heads and opened ears with a show-stopping showcase at The 2019 NAMM Show in Southern California, January 24-27, newly-formed Synclavier Digital is proud to announce availability of Synclavier Go! and Synclavier Pocket! — placing a re-creation of the seminal Synclavier® II Digital Synthesizer’s sound engine from which they take their names into the respective hands of iPad and iPhone/iPod Touch owners as awe-inspiring iOS apps, allowing all the famed FM (Frequency Modulation) and Additive (harmonic) synthesis capabilities to be brought forward forty years for all to musically marvel, at a fraction of the original’s prohibitive pricing thanks to today’s technology, while also effectively emulating the iconic instrument’s intuitive panels of easy-to-touch red backlit buttons and iconic control knob in easy-to-use user interfaces — as of March 5…

Put it this way: while the still-highly-coveted brand of Synclavier® — synonymous with high-end audio production technology that blazed a trail through the Seventies and Eighties before stalling in the Nineties — is in the midst of a galactic reboot, thanks to Nova Scotia-registered Canadian Corporation Synclavier Digital, established in 2018 to re-create a modern iOS-based version of the Synclavier® Digital Audio System, Synclavier Go!, its inaugural iPad offering, is far from being a clone, however... to all intents and purposes, it is a Synclavier®!

So how, exactly, did yesteryear’s trailblazing technology that commanded a princely six-figure sum end up available on Apple’s pocket-friendly iOS platform in true needs of the many outweighing the needs of the few style? Simply speaking, when New England Digital (NED) went bankrupt in the Nineties, technology finally having caught up with the cutting-edge company concerned, co-founder Cameron Jones — co-inventor of the Synclavier® — bought the intellectual propriety rights to the trailblazing series of synthesizers and digital audio systems sharing the notable name.

CLICK FOR MORE »

Introducing the KORG minilogue xd: Analog Evolved - Details & Demos

Published on Jan 14, 2019 Korg

Update: Additional hi-resolution pics, audio demos, and full details added below.

"KORG minilogue xd is an evolved next-generation synthesizer with huge potential for sound design and performance. Building on the legacy of KORG minilogue, monologue, and prologue, minilogue xd emphasizes the same real analog sound and joy of controlling an electronic musical instrument offered by the original minilogue, while adding a new digital MULTI ENGINE from the Korg prologue, three stereo effects units, a powered-up sequencer with motion sequencing from monologue, and microtuning functionality with custom user scales.

We wanted to deliver a next-generation analog synthesizer for a new generation of musicians new to analog synthesis. That dream was realized in the development of the minilogue, which instantly made the analog synthesizer approachable.

In addition to emphasizing the same real analog sound and joy of controlling an electronic musical instrument offered by the original monologue, the minilogue xd newly adds a digital multi-engine, effects, a powered-up sequencer, and micro tuning functionality, further expanding the possibilities for sound design and performance potential."

Korg minilogue XD - Demo with Nick Kwas

Published on Jan 14, 2019 Kraft Music

"Find exclusive Korg minilogue XD BUNDLES at Kraft Music

Nick Kwas Demos and jams out on the Korg minilogue XD at Kraft Music.

The Korg Minilogue XD is a four-voice polyphonic analog synthesizer that offers huge potential for sound design and performance. Based on the accessible analog approach of the original Minilogue, the Minilogue XD is equipped with a digital multi-engine as a third oscillator in addition to a pair of analog VCOs. This hybrid sound engine is augmented by high-quality digital effects, a 16-step polyphonic step sequencer with motion sequencing, and a velocity-sensitive 37-note slim-key keyboard. Stereo output jacks, a damper/sustain pedal jack, and two CV input jacks provide versatile connectivity.

Get more for your money with an exclusive Korg Minilogue XD keyboard synthesizer bundle from Kraft Music. These package deals include the accessories you'll need to get the most out of your new poly 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 Minilogue XD Polyphonic Analogue Synthesizer | Reverb Demo Video

Published on Jan 14, 2019 Reverb

"The synth masters at Korg just announced the Minilogue XD, Volca Drum, and Volca Modular. Starting with the Minilogue XD, check out this video demo (as well as those linked below) to learn more about the features in the 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"

"Analog synthesizer circuit that shatters expectations for its class

Four-voice polyphonic analog synthesis. The analog synthesizer circuit of the minilogue, whose genuine analog sound had a huge impact on the synth world, has been further developed for the minilogue xd.

Voice structure of minilogue xd is 2VCO + MULTI ENGINE, 1VCF, 2EG, 1VCA, and 1LFO. In addition to the distinctive circuits found in the series, such as wave shaping to shape the overtones of the oscillator and a sync/ring switch, there's also cross modulation, a sharp two-pole filter, and a drive switch that adds thickness and drives signal into minilogue xd’s filter. Every parameter has been tuned in detail based on what musicians want out of their synth. The sounds range from the warm pads typical of analog to fat basses and crisp lead sounds, covering every situation.

Of course, programs that you create can also be saved in the unit. Out of the box, minilogue xd comes loaded with 200 presets, and a total of 500 programs can be saved.

CLICK FOR MORE »

genshi LIVE at Modular On The Spot PDX - July 1st 2018

Published on Jul 2, 2018 Genshi Media Group

"::| TO HEAR THE FULL RANGE OF FREQUENCIES, A GOOD PAIR OF HEADPHONES ARE HIGHLY RECOMMENDED |::

My live performance as "genshi" for Modular On The Spot PDX on July 1st, 2018. I've also included little snippets of the other artists that performed at the end of this video. Modules featured in my performance include:

• Mutable Instruments Marbles, Plaits, Rings, and Clouds
• Intellijel Plonk
• Erica Synths PicoDrums and Pico DSP
• Erica Synths Black Hole DSP
• Make Noise Morphagene
• Malekko Varigate 4+
• Strymon Magneto
• Music Thing Modular Radio Music (x2)
• XAOC Devices Batumi Quad LFO"

Percussa Launches Limited-Time Slacker Backer Offer

via Percussa:

"PERCUSSA Completes Succesful Super Signal Processor Eurorack Kickstarter, Launches Limited-Time Slacker Backer Offer

Los Angeles, California - PERCUSSA completed its succesful month-long kickstarter campaign last Sunday, September 3rd, at 8AM PDT, reaching a total of $62,849 (314% funded, based on its original goal of $20,000), unlocking multiple stretch goals with additional features such as USB MIDI MPE support, and 10 additional DSP modules, including a powerful granular sound synthesis processor.

The kickstarter campaign it completed is for its new Super Signal Processor (SSP) Eurorack Module, for which development will begin immediately, and for which the first units are planned to ship in April 2018.

The SSP will be based on its PERCUSSA Engine and PERCUSSA Remote products, which were first presented last Winter NAMM 2017 in Anaheim, CA. Engine is a sound synthesis platform based on a powerful quad-core ARM Cortex A17 processor, delivering over 20,000 DMIPS, paired with high end AKM ADCs and DACs capable of 192khz sample rate and 32 bit resolution, and a full colour 1600x480 LVDS display. Remote is a professional USB control surface with high quality switches and encoders. Both Engine and Remote feature aluminium machined (CNC) housings and knobs.

The SSP will bring the same powerful sound synthesis capabilities to the eurorack format, and will feature 16 input channels and 8 output channels, USB host and device ports, and a micro SD card slot. It will also feature 4 high quality encoders and 18 durable switches, and the same 1600x480 full colours IPS LVDS display. The input and output channels will be provided using 3.5mm connectors, DC coupled, to support both audio and control voltage signals. The same high end AKM ADCs and DACs will be used for the inputs and outputs.

The kickstarter campaign is now over, but PERCUSSA has opened a limited-time only 'slacker backer' period, starting today, September 5th, and ending Friday September 15th, at 8PM PDT. Artists who wanted to back the campaign but did not have a chance to do so in time, can still pre-order an SSP module at the slacker backer price of $1650 + shipping. To do so they should contact PERCUSSA through the website at https://www.percussa.com/contact

After September 15th, this “slacker backer” offer will no longer be available, and the SSP will be offered for pre-order through PERCUSSA’s online store, and through select dealers, at a higher price point, to be announced in the next weeks.

For more information about the PERCUSSA Super Signal Processor (SSP) Eurorack Module, please see https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/percussa/percussa-super-signal-processor-eurorack-module"

VCOADSR Performance // Modular Meets Leeds 2017

Published on Sep 3, 2017 DivKidVideo

"Here's the performance video with VCOADSR from Modular Meets Leeds 2017. He gave us a killer dark and ambient techno set with pounding drums, deep dark textures, samples and an ever evolving arrangement through various riffs and themes. The rig rundown videos give us a chance to speak to the artists, check out their approach and gear talking about their performance and how they did it. VCOADSR performing a blinding modular techno set, that certainly in the room sounded like multi-tracked, produced, compressed and EQ'd electronic production. To get that level of sound design and production out of a small live set up was amazing.

VCOADSR was using Orthogonal Devices ER-101, ER-102 and ER-301, alongside a FEEDBACK pre amp, TipTop Audio One, custom 1U tiles, ALM Busy Circuits Pamela's New Workout, Noise Engineering's Loqulic Iteritas Percido, Doepfer A-124 Wasp Filter, TipTop Audio drum modules, Erica Synths PICO DSP, TipTop Audio Z-DSP, O'Tool, Intellijel Triatt, and the Model One Play Differently mixer.

Check out the latest release from VCOADSR on his band camp page here - https://vcoadsr.bandcamp.com"

VCOADSR Rig Rundown // Modular Meets Leeds 2017


"Here's the Rig Rundown video with VCOADSR from Modular Meets Leeds 2017. The rig rundown videos give us a chance to speak to the artists, check out their approach and gear talking about their performance and how they did it. VCOADSR performing a blinding modular techno set, that certainly in the room sounded like multi-tracked, produced, compressed and EQ'd electronic production. To get that level of sound design and production out of a small live set up was amazing.

Check out the latest release from VCOADSR on his band camp page here - https://vcoadsr.bandcamp.com"