Showing posts sorted by date for query Free Beat. Sort by relevance Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by date for query Free Beat. Sort by relevance Show all posts
Tuesday, July 07, 2026
Diving deep into Doppler by Jasmine & Olive Trees, a Eurorack module that makes drums from any sound
video upload by Perceptes and Jasmine & Olive Trees
"In this video, we'll be diving deep into Doppler, a new Eurorack module from Jasmine & Olive Trees that can turn any sound source into a drum! Doppler also has an amazing new mechanism for changing firmware by simply placing an overlay panel on top of the module."
00:00 Meet Doppler 01:13 Patch previews 01:56 Automatic firmware switching 04:28 Module overview 06:18 Noise output 07:09 Kick drum sounds 09:16 Mod control 09:40 Chord mode 11:14 Doppler mode 12:13 FM mode 13:53 LPG (low pass gate) mode 14:57 Snare drum sounds 15:24 Hi-hat sounds 15:39 FM tom sounds 16:13 Chaotic textures 16:36 Full beat with Traffic 20:07 Glitchy percussion 22:49 Different transient sources 26:16 Speech sample as body input 29:44 Chord progression 32:52 Doppler jam
Includes Door, Rubin and Lichen overlays for free, the firmware is automatically swapped when placing an overlay on top of the modul.
Any sound source becomes percussion.
Feed an oscillator, a sample, or any audio signal into Doppler. It shapes it into a kick, a snare, a hi-hat, a percussion, or something else.
It morphs anything into everything. The best friend for Traffic & Prio.
All the processing moves across a continuous spectrum: from a clean signal, to a pitch envelope, into FM modulation for complex percussive textures.
Built on top of our J&OT DSP platform. Future family firmwares can be swapped for free using a simple USB cable and our J&OT web tool, no extra hardware required.
Highlights
Doppler kick engine: delay-line pitch sweep, five depths from –1 to –3 octaves
Harmonic FM: modulator tracks the spectral peak of your input, plus cross-mod chaos at the top
13 chord voicings: major, minor, sus, 6ths, 7ths, 9ths, 11ths via four pitch-shifted taps
Two inputs: Body (main signal) and Trans (transient channel with auto-tuned band-pass)
VCA / LPG modes: toggle via long-press, saved to memory
Independent noise output: dust oscillator whose density tracks input character
CV: on Attack, Decay, Mod, Amount
Smart Attack: noise decay to the left, or long swell to the right, all on one knob
See dealers on the right for pricing and availability on gear.
LABELS/MORE: Jasmine & Olive Trees, New Modules, News
LABELS/MORE: Jasmine & Olive Trees, New Modules, News
Wednesday, June 24, 2026
Novation Peak on Drums — How to Turn a Peak (or Summit) into a Drum Machine (with free soundbank)
video upload by TheGuacamoleXplosion
"This no-talking video explores 7 different methods of using the Novation Peak as a drum synthesizer, a drum machine or even a groovebox.
A soundbank for the Novation Peak (should also be mostly compatible with the Novation Summit) with all stuff from this video and some more, as well as the individual Peak patches, can be downloaded here:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folder...
00:00 - Intro
01:06 - Peak Drum Jam #1: Fake Trance for Drake Fans
03:13 - Kraftwerk — Autobahn throwback
03:36 - How to turn your Peak into a drum machine? The Autobahn beats
05:10 - Peak as a Groovebox: The Streets — Blinded By The Lights
06:22 - 'What if?' break: AFX mode for the Peak now!
07:02 - Simulating AFX mode by sending MIDI PCs to the Peak
08:32 - Surrogate Multitimbrality: Marvin Gaye — Sexual Healing
09:15 - 6 Methods for Peak beatmaking — Drummer from yet another Mother
09:55 - JMJ — Oxygène IV throwback
10:38 - 'Played' drums
11:28 - Arpeggiator 'played' mode — how it works
11:59 - Pink Floyd — On The Run throwback
12:08 - Feeding 'played' mode from an external sequencer
12:18 - Testing the limits of 'played' mode: Elbow — Grace Under Pressure
13:05 - Patch from scratch: Four-to-the-floor beat with rumble
19:24 - Changing the master tempo (impact on LFOs vs. Envelopes)
20:12 - Peak Drum Jam #2 (with the patch just made from Scratch)
22:39 - Making a drum template patch (with random Peak Spa Meditation background music)
26:02 - LFOs vs. Envelopes: Creating an early 80s beat from our drum template patch
36:14 - Final Peak Drum Jam #3 (1983/84 throwback)
All Peak Patches in this video were created from scratch. All Peak tracks were recorded through RME audio interfaces (Babyface Pro and Fireface UC) directly into Cubase stereo tracks. There are absolutely no effects on the individual Peak stereo tracks, not even panning, and levels are set to unity gain, to give an as-clear-as-possible impression of the Peak’s sonic potential and limits. On most parts (except intro), there is brickwall limiting on the stereo master, and on most multitrack parts also additional compression and EQ on the stereo master. Guitar parts recorded D.I. into the Fireface UC with a 1973 Stratocaster, several track and send FX on those.
Disclaimer:
I bought the Peak at regular price in 2020. Nobody paid me to make this video or compensated me in any other way, and it’s not monetized. No generative AI was used in the making of this video.
All songs © by their original writers and publishing companies; covered here in the framework of fair use for educational purposes.
Autobahn — written by Ralf Hütter, Florian Schneider and Emil Schult
Blinded by the Lights — written by Mike Skinner
Sexual Healing — written by Marvin Gaye, Odell Brown and possibly David Ritz
Oxygène (Part IV) — written by Jean-Michel Jarre
On The Run — written by David Gilmour and Roger Waters
Grace Under Pressure — written by Guy Garvey, Craig Potter, Mark Potter, Pete Turner and Richard Jupp
Everything else © 2026 TheGuacamoleXplosion"
Thursday, June 11, 2026
New! DS8 v0.2 — FM Drums, Project Saving & more
video upload by Intermynd Instruments
"What's new in v0.2:
━━━━━ SYNTH ENGINES ━━━━━
• FM Kick — 2-operator FM bass drum with ratio, body shaping & compressor
• FM Snare — phase-modulated FM snare with warped oscillator mixing
• Monophonic per-track voice allocation with click-free retrigger crossfades
━━━━━ PROJECT SYSTEM ━━━━━
• Save, Load, Save As, Delete, and New via binary .ds8p project format
• Cursor-based naming editor with on-screen popup keyboard
• Unsaved change detection with 3-option confirmation dialogs
• Toast notifications for every project operation
━━━━━ PATTERN GENERATOR ━━━━━
• 8 seed types: Manual, All On/Off, Alternate, Every N, Euclidean, Random, Presets
• Per-slot velocity + trigger overrides with configurable block length
• Inline pattern preview and Merge/Replace apply modes
━━━━━ TRANSPORT & SEQUENCER ━━━━━
• Step Edit — auto-advance 0/1/2/4/8 steps after placing triggers
• Pattern length cycles through 1, 2, or 4 pages (16/32/64 steps)
• Beat-start emphasis dots, page change toasts, CPU overload indicator
━━━━━ STEP AUTOMATION ━━━━━
• Precision mode (hold SQUARE for fine D-pad stepping)
• Parameter filter — show only automated params per page
• Consistent analog stick acceleration across all parameters
• Send 1 / Send 2 automation now fully functional
DS8 Drumstream is still in active development. This is v0.2, so expect bugs, rough edges, and frequent changes.
Download:
https://intermynd-instruments.itch.io...
Feedback / bugs:
https://itch.io/t/6450352/feedback-bu...
#PSVita #Homebrew #DrumMachine #Groovebox #Synthesizer #FMDrums #DS8 #ElectronicMusic #Chiptune #MusicProduction"
See dealers on the right for pricing and availability on gear.
LABELS/MORE: Intermynd, New Updates, News
LABELS/MORE: Intermynd, New Updates, News
Wednesday, June 10, 2026
DUB PLEX | Make Noise
video upload by MAKEN0ISE
"A subterranean Plexiphon patch.
Plus a visual score by Bruce Magill, realized sonically by Norman Freund!
More info about Norman's performance below:
SoundCloud: / landscape-graphic-score
BandCamp: https://normanfreund.bandcamp.com/tra...
Description:
Late 2025 Walker Farrell from MakeNoise started an international music challenge for musicians to participate in, submit your own Graphic Score, then at the draw of a hat, you would be assigned someone else's score to interpret and create music from. I am always interested in music challenges and the more off-beat the better.
Late December 2025 names were drawn at random, Walker constructed a collection of MakeNoise modular synthesis cards to generate random numbers to set who gets what score. I was allocated a topographical map from Bruce Magill that contained some text notes and penciled in graphics. Bruce had a musical concept in mind for this score but did say "Notes for this graphic score are only a suggestion. You can disregard them and interpret this score in any way you like, if you wish. ... Don't overthink." So I did have free reign to interpret the score as I wished, so I could let my imagination run wild. In my younger years I did a lot of wilderness hiking so was and still am, quite familiar with topographic maps, so for me this was the perfect score, something I could relate to and understood. As a side note, there is no right answer for interpreting a graphic score, so understanding is not an essential ingredient, however a vivid imagination is. It is a bit like laying on the grass and looking up at the clouds -- what do you see beyond back scattered light from suspended vapours in the sky.
See dealers on the right for pricing and availability on gear.
LABELS/MORE: eurorack, Make Noise, MATRIXSYNTH Members
LABELS/MORE: eurorack, Make Noise, MATRIXSYNTH Members
Tuesday, May 19, 2026
Zaturn Zero VCF8 Preset Set
video upload by gotharman
"All the 64 analog presets made for the Zaturn Zero VCF8.
62 digital presets are als included!
All the presets can be downloaded at the Gotharman site!"
www.gotharman.dk
Time stamps:
0:00 Forest Noises
0:51 Klaustruphobia
1:20 Pitch Hit
1:48 Black Up
2:20 Cloudy
See dealers on the right for pricing and availability on gear.
LABELS/MORE: Gotharmusic, MATRIXSYNTH Members
LABELS/MORE: Gotharmusic, MATRIXSYNTH Members
Sunday, April 05, 2026
Luna is the most LOGICAL synth in the world
video upload by Oscillator Sink
"The Luna from Neutral Labs is an instrument built on binary logic.
Taking inspiration from the DIY Lunetta synths of the 70s and 80s, Luna’s core architecture is built using CMOS chips, square waves, logic gates and binary processors. Its design leads to a semi modular instrument where rhythm is just harmony slowed down. Oscillators can be clocks, and the logic gates and binary processing modules can be involved in modulation and sequencing, or as audio processors depending on how fast you work them.
Luna supplements these binary ideas with a number of additional features which take it beyond the Lunetta synths of old, like pitch quantization with multiple scales, pitch sequencing, MIDI control and digital effects, as well as a three channel output mixer with low-pass gates.
In this video I’ll go through the various fundamental sections of Luna, demonstrating how they can be used to influence the synth, both at sub-audio-rate for sequencing and modulation as well as at audio-rate as sound processors, and then move on to a few full patches to explore how everything operates together. Throughout the video I’ll scatter a few other patches of various types to give you an idea of the range of the Luna in different musical settings.
Transparency notice: Neutral Labs Kindly sent this instrument over to me for free for the purposes of making videos about it."
Monday, March 30, 2026
Roland to Celebrate 404 Day with SP‑404MKII Update & Worldwide Events
Press release follows:
Roland Celebrates 404 Day and Global Beat Culture with Worldwide Events, Partnerships, and a Major SP‑404MKII Update
Los Angeles, CA, March 30, 2026 — Roland is celebrating 404 Day, the annual global moment honoring the creators, communities, and cultural movements shaped by the SP‑404 and its modern successor, the SP‑404MKII. For nearly two decades, the SP series has been the engine of the underground beat scene. What began as a subculture has evolved into a worldwide force through sonic experimentation and community‑driven expression.
The SP lineage has shaped scenes across Los Angeles, Tokyo, London, Berlin, Melbourne, and beyond. Producers including Dibia$e, Knxwledge, MNDSGN, and the late Ras G have expanded the sampler’s creative vocabulary, inspiring generations of beatmakers to develop their own voices through sample‑based music.
404 Day 2026 Around the World
SP-404 celebrations are building around 404 Day, with partner activations, events, and creator-led moments across the global beat scene. This year’s celebration is anchored by a cornerstone collaboration with Berklee College of Music, and a 404 Day livestream at the Roland Studio in California, alongside workshops and performances.For more information on worldwide events: https://articles.roland.com/ultimate-guide-404-day-2026
Roland Celebrates 404 Day and Global Beat Culture with Worldwide Events, Partnerships, and a Major SP‑404MKII Update
Los Angeles, CA, March 30, 2026 — Roland is celebrating 404 Day, the annual global moment honoring the creators, communities, and cultural movements shaped by the SP‑404 and its modern successor, the SP‑404MKII. For nearly two decades, the SP series has been the engine of the underground beat scene. What began as a subculture has evolved into a worldwide force through sonic experimentation and community‑driven expression.
The SP lineage has shaped scenes across Los Angeles, Tokyo, London, Berlin, Melbourne, and beyond. Producers including Dibia$e, Knxwledge, MNDSGN, and the late Ras G have expanded the sampler’s creative vocabulary, inspiring generations of beatmakers to develop their own voices through sample‑based music.
404 Day 2026 Around the World
SP-404 celebrations are building around 404 Day, with partner activations, events, and creator-led moments across the global beat scene. This year’s celebration is anchored by a cornerstone collaboration with Berklee College of Music, and a 404 Day livestream at the Roland Studio in California, alongside workshops and performances.For more information on worldwide events: https://articles.roland.com/ultimate-guide-404-day-2026
See dealers on the right for pricing and availability on gear.
LABELS/MORE: New Updates, News, Roland
LABELS/MORE: New Updates, News, Roland
Friday, March 20, 2026
Minimal Electronica with Softball MIDI and Digitone | Extra Ball 2026-03-20 by atnr
video upload by atnr
"A minimal electronica piece where MIDI from @noine-giron Softball https://store.noine.net/softball.html is sent to Digitone for sound generation.
Softball by noine runs on a Mac and sends MIDI sequences to the Digitone via USB MIDI, triggering the sound.
On the Digitone, the knobs are used to shape and modify the sound of each track in real time."
Some info on Softball, Google translated:
"A macOS MIDI sequencer that is simply fun to use—featuring the playful motion of a bouncing ball. It is currently available for purchase on Payhip.
・Simple ・Highly expressive ・Fun to use
These three principles form the core of its design. While I do plan to add more features in the future, I intend to remain steadfast in upholding these three fundamental pillars.
DAWs like Ableton Live consolidate almost every conceivable function into a single package, allowing you to do just about anything; I rely on them heavily myself.
However, isn't there also a unique joy in treating individual applications on your computer as distinct modules—combining them in various ways to create something new? This very concept is why I chose to handle MIDI directly rather than developing this as a standard plugin. And, of course, sending MIDI signals out to trigger external hardware instruments is a delight in its own right!
I have intentionally designed the interface to avoid the need for precise note-by-note (Do-Re-Mi) input via a traditional piano roll. Instead, I encourage you to experiment with different keys and scales to find the perfect musical balance that feels right to you. My hope is that you will feel free to create and play sounds in a way that feels natural and accessible.
But why the bouncing ball?
Aren't you a little tired of watching static step sequencers or piano rolls scroll endlessly across the screen?
I felt that the dynamic motion of a bouncing ball had a wonderful synergy with musical rhythm and beat. Plus—let's be honest—it just looks adorable as it bounces along!"
See dealers on the right for pricing and availability on gear.
LABELS/MORE: Elektron, New Soft Synths, New Tools, News, Soft Synths
LABELS/MORE: Elektron, New Soft Synths, New Tools, News, Soft Synths
Tuesday, January 27, 2026
Update on PlayFader 30% Off Sale & Free Worldwide Shipping
Update to this post, via Play All Day:
"Sorry, we had some issues with free shipping not being applied to orders on our webstore over the weekend. We also had a local postal system outage at the end of last week 🙄
But we’re up-to-date with orders today and free shipping is now automatically applied at checkout. Thanks to everyone for the amazing response!!!
Save 30% on PlayFader
Ends 31st January
Plus free worldwide shipping! Guaranteed!
Visit the store
play all day"
video upload by Play All Day
PlayFader PlayMates - Digitakt - Think - Jungle Breaks mash up Pt2
"Watch him first add some random fills with the Random Fun FX. Then he gets really i to it with the Roll Fun Fx to mash up the beat beyond recognition 😎
Is PlayFader the best jungle breaks mash-up sequencer? OK, big claim, and we’re not that bigheaded, but we definitely think PlayFader is one of the most expressive and versatile sequencers out there.
Don’t program your music… play it!
Patch notes:
Playfader controls the first channel of Digitakt in slice mode, with the Think break loaded. Moving the fader enables us to play different slices of the break, and the second channel plays a chord stab sample (but PF can also play lush chords over MIDI).
We add a sprinkle of Random Fun FX at the end of each bar to create some dynamic fills, then we switch to the Roll Fun FX and catch little loops at each press of Play, setting and changing the time division on the fly to mash up the beat pattern and bring the heat 🔥
He’s also using our unique Window Latch function to free up more fingers for playing. With Window Latch you don’t need to keep hold any button combos down along the top row. It’s a powerful performance feature!
PlayFader includes 7 FUN FX modes which allow you to take your patterns to extreme new places and back again at the push of a button… the FUN button!
Learn more and visit https://goplayallday.com
Love and Patches
Play All Day"
See dealers on the right for pricing and availability on gear.
LABELS/MORE: MATRIXSYNTH Members, Play All Day
LABELS/MORE: MATRIXSYNTH Members, Play All Day
Friday, January 09, 2026
Coding a Techno Beat From Scratch in Strudel
video upload by Algoraver
"Lately I’ve been playing around with Strudel and having a lot of fun with it. I honestly didn’t expect to have something like this on the channel, but the more I use it, the more it feels like it could work really well alongside the process of music making with pocket gear (especially with something like the PO-33).
In this video, I code a techno beat from scratch in Strudel, keeping things beginner-friendly and focused on rhythm and groove rather than coding theory. No coding experience needed.
Check Strudel here (it's free!)
https://strudel.cc"
See dealers on the right for pricing and availability on gear.
LABELS/MORE: MATRIXSYNTH Members, Soft Synths, Strudel
LABELS/MORE: MATRIXSYNTH Members, Soft Synths, Strudel
Thursday, January 08, 2026
Soundplant v.59 Released for Windows & Mac - Soft Sampler Adds MIDI CC, Infinite Undo, & More
Soundplant 59 beat demo: Only2x video upload by Marcel Blum
"Making a beat from a chopped up spy theme with Soundplant, the computer keyboard sample triggering software for Windows & Mac. Version 59 now available for free download at: https://soundplant.org/"



Press release follows:
Caldwell, NJ, USA - Independent developer Marcel Blum has released Soundplant® 59 for Windows and Mac, a major update to the long running sample triggering software for QWERTY keyboards and MIDI devices. Version 59 brings MIDI CC support for customizable control of Soundplant knobs, infinite undo for editing convenience and a/b testing between different effect settings, a master output limiter-compressor for fine tuning dynamics processing, increased sound loading speed with improved multithreading, and other optimizations and fixes.
Soundplant is a standalone software sampler prioritizing low latency and stability for live use, enabling instant playback of any format sound files from standard computer keyboard keys or MIDI. An invaluable tool for sound designers, theater techs, DJs, producers, podcasters, gamers, and streamers, it can mix tons of sounds at once, queue playlists, trigger in the background with global hotkeys while using other apps, record its own output or any input (or both at the same time), and more, all with a powerfully simple drag and drop interface allowing users to create professional soundboards with the ease of dropping sound files onto onscreen keys.
Discussing his Oscar-nominated work on acclaimed biopic A Complete Unknown, sound mixer Terence McCormack Maitland said, "On set when possible, we create a realistic soundscape for the cast. In order to do this we used Soundplant, a deceptively capable app which helped a ton."
Availability & Pricing
Soundplant is available as a free download at https://soundplant.org/ with a 25-launch trial of the paid features. It is free for non-commercial use. A Single User License costs USD $69. Version 59 is a free upgrade for existing license holders who bought in 2023 or later, or a $34.50 upgrade for older license owners. The registered version unlocks professional features including output device selection, expanded sound file format support, output sample rates up to 384 kHz, recording, MIDI, and 'background key input' for global hotkey triggering. Soundplant 59 requires minimum Windows 10 or macOS 10.14.
See dealers on the right for pricing and availability on gear.
LABELS/MORE: New Updates, News, Soft Synths, soundplant
LABELS/MORE: New Updates, News, Soft Synths, soundplant
Friday, January 02, 2026
Matt Barber - 80's in 80 seconds
video upload by Matt Barber - Sounds from The Sandbox
"Just thought I would try a little something fun...the title says it all. 0 to 80's in 80 seconds. Enjoy. Certified AI free and no traces of softsynths!
Drums - Oberheim DX Stretch, Korg DDD-1 - just a snare on 2 and 4 with mostly just the reverb return from a Roland SDE-330 non-lin setting, Roland TR8S - some perc and a ghost snare from the 707 kit.
Oberheim OB-8
Korg DW-8000
Bass - Roland D-50 patch also triggering a Roland JX8P and Korg Polysix to fatten and double it
Ensoniq ESQ - A nice PPG Wave patch from a sound cartridge I have for it.
Sequential Rev 2 also triggering a bell patch on the Yamaha TG33
Yamaha DX7iiD - nice dual patch one a rhodes type and the other a tine from the many banks on the Hypersynth card to finish it off and play out on."
Matt Barber - 80's in 80 seconds - Episode 2
video upload by Matt Barber - Sounds from The Sandbox
"80's in 80 Seconds Episode 2 has landed! The first one was a bit fun so let's keep the theme going. This one starts off with a nice "groove" and builds with some synths spanning the decade. If you listen past the 80 seconds the Arp Odyssey briefly shows off its duo-phonic capabilities with a few 2 note chords that almost have a vocoder like effect with the phaser on it just after the 2 minute mark.
The following instruments were used and recorded as a 2 track with no editing or overdubs with each part being played into a pair of Arturia Keystep Pro sequencers. As always, AI free and made with real ingredients. Thanks for watching!
Oberheim DX Stretch - main drums
Korg DDD-1 - perc
Roland TR8-S - additional high hats, rim shot, crash
Berhinger - Model D - Bass
Roland Jupiter 4 - Arp
Korg PolySix - Synth Brass Pad 1
Roland Jupiter 6 - Synth layer 2
Yamaha DX7II - Bell 1
Roland D-50 - Bell 2
Arp Solina - Strings
Arp Odyssey Mkii 2810 - Lead"
Matt Barber - 80's in 80 seconds - Episode 3
video upload by Matt Barber - Sounds from The Sandbox
"80's in 80 seconds episode 3 is here to start of the New Year! I thought something "new" should be in 'order' after the busy holiday period. Several familiar sounds in this one that can most likely been dialed in on many synths of the era but this one builds with the hardware listed below. All natural...Certified AI and VST free. Thanks for listening!
Drums -
Korg DDD-1 to start with the first hi-hat
Oberhiem DX Stretch - Main kick, beat kick, snare, additional hi-hat, clap, and rim shot
Roland TR-8S - a little kick for attack, snare ghost notes, and high hat movement
Pad 1 - Oberheim OB-8
BASS - Berhinger Pro 1 and Poly D played with the arpeggio on on the Keystep Pro
Pad 2 - Roland D50 layered with Roland JX-8P and Korg DW8000
Bell - DX 7 ....of course it is!
ARP Chords - Roland Jupiter 4."
Friday, December 05, 2025
Not Just for Textures: 3 Grain Processing Techniques for Beat Makers
video upload by Oddment
"In this video, I walk through three practical grain-processing techniques for beat makers using granular synthesis. Instead of the usual pads and soundscape examples, I’m focusing on drums and rhythmic material — showing how grains can shape feel, create modulation effects, add tonal character, and even move into wavetable-style synthesis.
These examples use loops from Joshua Van Tassel, part of the upcoming Odd-1 factory library. The Odd-1 is a modular grain synthesizer we’ve been developing at Oddment, and all of these techniques can be recreated directly on the hardware.
Techniques covered:
• Tempo-locked grains for changing the feel
• Grain-size modulation and rhythmic dropouts
• Tonal effects using closely spaced grains
• Wavetable-like sounds from tiny slices of audio
If you’re interested in granular synthesis, drum processing, time-stretching, or experimental beat-making techniques, you’ll probably find something useful here.
We’re finishing up the first small production run of the Odd-1. If you’d like updates or want to join the waitlist, you can do that on our website: https://www.oddment-audio.com/waitlist
Follow us on instagram for more tips and demos: / oddmentaudio
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:56 Grain Synthesis: Just for textures?
01:29 Technique 1: Tempo-locked grains
03:33 Technique 2: Grain dropouts + rhythmic modulation
06:03 Technique 3: Tonal grain effects, including
06:53 Odd-1 Wavetable mode
09:25 Closing
Credits / Gear:
– Odd-1 Modular Grain Synth: https://www.oddment-audio.com/odd-1
– Drum loops by Joshua Van Tassel: https://www.joshuavt.com
– Intro/Outro music by Lee Clarke: https://leeclarke.bandcamp.com
– Ableton Live for comparison examples
If you have questions or want a deep dive into a specific part of granular synthesis or beat processing, feel free to leave a comment."
Saturday, November 29, 2025
Sid Station driven by Lightreft Monolit exploring SID textures and grit
video upload by HANJŌ
"Afternoon exploration session with 3 silver boxes, the Elektron Machinedrum handling the beat and the classic SID Station led by the Lightreft Monolit on the 2.0β firmware.
Machinedrum keeps things tight and mechanical while the SID Station focuses on texture. Bit-grit, noise edges, and shifting timbres.
Just experimenting, seeing how far the monolit can take Midi Automation over an IDM groove. #machinedrum #sidstation #idm"
####
The LightReft Monolit made its first appearance on the site earlier this month in another video by HANJŌ.
The following is a playlist featuring dditional demos, followed by some pics and details further below.
Lightreft Monolit Sequencer Demos
video uploads by Sasha DZA
Playlist (in most recent order - video 7 is from one year ago):
1. Monolit Sequencer
2. Machinedrum + Monolit : Simple Setup
3. MONOLIT x DECKARD'S DREAM MK2
4. Monolit: Quick Tips for Hardware Users
In this video, we demonstrate how Monolit connects seamlessly with synths, grooveboxes, and samplers — no computer needed.5. Monolit Firmware 1.2.0: Unlocking New MIDI Control Features!
No deep menus, no distractions — just a clean interface and immediate control.
We explore different scenarios where Monolit shines: real-time MIDI control, clock generation, note and CC mapping, automation, and even gamepad integration.
Hand-built in Japan, Monolit is a minimal yet powerful tool for artists seeking intuitive, hands-on control.
Chapters:
00:00 — Intro
00:23 — Octatrack MK2 DJ setup ideas
02:42 — Scratching on Octatrack MK2
03:07 — Note-sliders / Quantisation
03:56 — Monomachine Drone
04:45 — External controller macros setup
05:08 — Double Monolit setup
05:47 — Retro game controller
06:36 — Advanced Game controller
In this video, we dive into the new features introduced in Monolit firmware v1.2.0. From advanced MIDI routing to external slider control and dynamic button functions — Monolit just got a serious upgrade. We’re showcasing a dual-Monolit setup, where one unit controls the other, which is connected to an Elektron Monomachine.6. Monolit × Octatrack — Live Performance Control Demo | LightReft
7. LightReft - MONOLIT v.1.0.0
00:00 - INTRODUCTION
04:36 - EDIT MENU
07:22 - CC MODE
13:12 - NOTES MODE
17:26 - LFO MODE
20:33 - MOTION MODE
23:07 - SETTINGS
24:53 - PRESET MANAGER
26:13 - MAX/MSP
30:26 - TOUCHDESIGNER
33:29 - EURORACK MODULAR
41:29 - MODEL:SAMPLES
45:02 - CONCLUSION
Welcome to the first tutorial on the MONOLIT device! In this 40+ minute video, you’ll get acquainted with the essential settings, programming, and MIDI control on MONOLIT, while exploring the device’s unique capabilities. This session covers the key aspects of working with MONOLIT, making it an ideal guide for musicians and producers who want to master its full potential.
Main topics covered:
Initial setup and connecting MONOLIT
Programming and MIDI control
Using functions and operational modes
Dive into the world of sound with this introduction to MONOLIT! Tutorial by Tim Shatny.


"MONOLIT by Light Reft
A smart, modular MIDI computer built for live performance and smooth integration with any setup.
Monolit is not a controller you map once to forget.
It is a playable instrument - a physical interface that lets you shape sound through motion, record gestures as automation, and turn parameters into something alive.
Designed for those who don’t just adjust sound, but perform it.
WHY MONOLIT?
A motion driven MIDI instrument for live sound shaping, expressive sequencing, and gestural automation.
8 banks with 64 controls per preset
Real-time MIDI automation and parameter morphing
Seamless DAW + hardware integration
USB, TRS-MIDI, external device support
Customizable, minimal, and fast.
MEET MONOLIT, YOUR NEW MULTIFUNCTIONAL MIDI COMPANION!
MONOLIT by Light Reft is a cutting-edge, multifunctional MIDI-computer that transforms your music production experience. Designed for musicians who seek precision and flexibility, MONOLIT offers seamless integration with all DAWs and hardware devices, customizable presets, and an intuitive interface for effortless control and creativity.
Whether you're diving into your DAW or jamming out with external hardware instruments, MONOLIT has you covered. An endless library of presets at your fingertips—each one offering 8 banks, with 8 sliders and 8 buttons per bank. That's a whole lot of control!
For each slider and button, we present a range of versatile options. You can record MIDI automation, set delay times for slider movements, send notes and LFOs, and adjust various parameters directly within the device. This flexibility ensures that you have complete control over every detail of your setup.
But it doesn't stop there. MONOLIT is as versatile as you are, allowing you to connect other devices like Gamepads, Keyboards, Monome Grid , or any MIDI device you fancy. This means you can take command of your entire setup, all through one sleek, powerful interface. Whether you're crafting the perfect beat, tweaking synths, or anything in between, MONOLIT is the tool that brings your musical ideas to life with ease and style.
Designed and assembled in Japan, MONOLIT is ready to be shipped worldwide.
See dealers on the right for pricing and availability on gear.
LABELS/MORE: Elektron, Lightreft, New Controllers, New Makers, News
LABELS/MORE: Elektron, Lightreft, New Controllers, New Makers, News
Friday, October 24, 2025
Rhythm Machine Pedal From Recovery Effects Demo
video upload by recoverysounds
"The Rhythm Machine evokes the nostalgia of early 1970s preprogrammed analog drum machines, like those from Maestro, Univox, and Ace Electronics. It captures their charm and simplicity while delivering the classic sounds of later icons such as the Roland CR-78 and TR-606, all in a compact, easy-to-use pedal. Perfect for musicians chasing retro vibes without the hassle of bulky, temperamental units, it delivers instant, playable beats for live performance, practice, or recording.
The Rhythm Machine offers 10 versatile rhythms with the distinctive kick, snare, and hi-hat sounds of old-school drum machines. Each beat can be edited on the fly to mute voices, using clean switching for seamless, noise-free transitions. Modern features, such as tap-tempo control and a gate input, make it simple to integrate with your other gear. Pedalboard-friendly, sonically compatible with effects, and powered by a standard 9V supply, it delivers the iconic sounds of vintage drum machines in a stage- and studio-ready pedal that fits seamlessly into any setup."
www.recoveryeffects.com
See dealers on the right for pricing and availability on gear.
LABELS/MORE: New Drum Machines, News, Recovery
LABELS/MORE: New Drum Machines, News, Recovery
Sunday, October 19, 2025
Ambient Drone | AKAI S-950 & Make Noise Strega
video upload by Akihiko Matsumoto
"A cinematic atmosphere made of sound, not melody.
https://akihikomatsumoto.sellfy.store...
This is not a collection of loops. It is a carefully curated archive of long-form drone textures, each exceeding five minutes, sculpted for those who create without the need for rhythm, harmony, or resolution.
Designed for deep listeners and sound designers.
From seasoned ambient producers to experimental filmmakers, this pack speaks to those who understand that sound can live and breathe without a beat. Built from legendary hardware units and bespoke digital tools, these drones are not simply sounds. They are environments.
See dealers on the right for pricing and availability on gear.
LABELS/MORE: Ableton, Akai, iOS, Make Noise
LABELS/MORE: Ableton, Akai, iOS, Make Noise
Tuesday, October 14, 2025
Akai MPK mini IV Has Arrived
video uploads by Akai Professional
Playlist:
1. MPK Mini IV | Your Next Big Idea Starts with MPK Mini
2. MPK Mini IV | Overview
3. MPK Academy | Getting Started with MPK Mini IV - Quickstart Guide
KEY FEATURES
[NEW] Updated third-generation keybed for an expressive playing experience
[NEW] Push/turn rotary encoder for effortless function navigation
[NEW] Enhanced arpeggiator with Pattern, Arp Freeze, and Mutate functions to encourage experimentation
[NEW] Expanded DAW-mapped transport section for an uninterrupted workflow
[NEW] Two distinct colorway options to match your style
[NEW] Full-color screen for real-time feedback and easy navigation
[NEW] True pitch and mod wheels for tactile hands-on control
[NEW] Pre-programmed DAW mapping for Ableton Live, Logic Pro, FL Studio, and more, with 1-to-1 mapping for convenient control of preset parameters
[NEW] The Studio Instrument Collection, a VST/AU and standalone virtual instrument with over 1,000 sounds from AIR, Akai Pro, and Moog, plus MPK Mini IV integrated controls
25 velocity-sensitive mini keys with 10-octave up/down range
8 assignable 360° rotary knobs for tactile sound-shaping
USB Bus-powered for hassle-free connectivity
Scale and Chord Modes for playing in key, adding harmonies, and building progressions with ease
8 Velocity- and pressure-sensitive RGB backlit MPC pads for responsive, expressive feel
Connections:
Full-size MIDI output
Computer connection and bus power via USB-C
See dealers on the right for pricing and availability on gear.
LABELS/MORE: Akai, New Controllers, News
LABELS/MORE: Akai, New Controllers, News
Sunday, September 07, 2025
Woovebox 2.0: The Hi-Fi update
video upload by Floyd Steinberg
"Woovebox 2 is here, free for existing Woovebox owners, and I decided to focus on the real-world-implications of the updated and polished synth engine in this video.
00:00 the idea
00:57 creating a patch on Firmware 1
04:20 finished patch
04:41 updating or downgrading the firmware without Wooveconnect
05:14 A short and subjective overview on Woovebox 2
06:00 finally, filter sweeping with knobs ;-)
06:10 some patches played (synth sounds demo)
07:51 creating a short demo track
09:30 vocoder and sidechaining...
09:50 sounds comparison FW1 vs. FW2
11:37 some isolated sounds compared
13:16 conclusion
14:55 feedback from Ivo, Woovebox' creator: Listening to some high pitched saw waves ;)"
Links:
Woovebox: https://www.woovebox.com
SYX-LIB for Android: https://download.cnet.com/midi-sysex-...
@Freebeat 's video:"
The Best Budget Groovebox Just Got an INSANE Update! (Woovebox 2.0)
video upload by Free Beat
"The Best Budget Groovebox Just Got an INSANE Update! (Woovebox 2.0)
Woovebox 2.0 is HERE! The Woovebox was already an amazing piece of gear for the size and price, but this update turns it into a whole new beast. In this video I'll cover a few of my favorite features, but just know that there's so much more to the 2.0 update than what you see here. Be sure to head over to the Woovebox website to check out all the new documentation, and find out more of what this awesome little groovebox can do! Enjoy the video :)
Thanks to Woovebox for sponsoring this video!"
See dealers on the right for pricing and availability on gear.
LABELS/MORE: MATRIXSYNTH Members, New Updates, News, Woovebox
LABELS/MORE: MATRIXSYNTH Members, New Updates, News, Woovebox
Sunday, August 31, 2025
Adamsynths Warthog Modular Synth with Total Recall is Here
video uploads by Adamsynths
Playlist:
1. Adamsynths™ Warthog – Modular Music Miniatures
In this video, we present a series of short musical sketches, each created entirely with the Adamsynths™ Warthog modular synthesizer.2. Adamsynths™ Warthog – Real Time Snapshot Switching & Morphing
🎹 These compact compositions – each under a minute – showcase the expressive potential of Warthog patches in a musical context.
Adamsynths™ Warthog – where a patch is not just a moment, but a memory you can share.
Chapters
00:00 – Monkey – Rhythmic Pulse & Synced VCOs
00:29 – Bowland – Rhythmic Pulse & Synced VCOs
01:05 – Interstellar – The Magpie Lead
01:21 – Color TV - Keep calm and enjoy the Warthog
In this video, we showcase two key features of the Total Recall system in the Adamsynths™ Warthog modular synthesizer: Snapshot and Snapshot Morph.3. Adamsynths™ Warthog - Atmospheric Patches
🎛️ Snapshots are switched with incredible speed in real time. Using the Mood Wheels, snapshots can be morphed into one another with refined transitions. This allows patches to continuously transform, generating new sonic textures through the movement of the control wheel.
⏱️ Chapters
00:00 – Spooky – Restless Modulation
00:31 – Lost in Matrix 1 – Groovy Break Bassline 1
01:08 – Lost in Matrix 2 – Groovy Break Bassline 2
01:46 – Jono's Organ - Celestial Drift
02:21 – Lost in Matrix 3 – Groovy Break Bassline 3
🎧 In this video, we showcase a selection of patches from the Adamsynths™ Warthog modular synthesizer.Press Release Follows:
Expect:
🌌 Atmospheric textures
🐗 Analog basses
🔮 Modulated soundscapes
⏱️ Chapters
00:00 – Sacrifice Sequence – Audio Modulated VCF
00:47 – Horse – Pulse! Drive! Hypnosis!
01:26 – Low Pass Flight Object – Low-rate VCO, Morphing, Modulation
02:00 – Orbit – Talking Bass Moovement
02:32 – Rate & Cut - The Mating Call of Hogzilla alias Trufflorex
Your Awaited Companion Has Arrived: Adamsynths™ Warthog, the first analog modular synthesizer with TOTAL RECALL Now Available for Pre-Order at Early-Bird Price
See dealers on the right for pricing and availability on gear.
LABELS/MORE: Adamsynths, eurorack, News
LABELS/MORE: Adamsynths, eurorack, News
Tuesday, August 26, 2025
Back at it again- Live looping in the studio 2025 and an Interview with MR TUNA Music
video upload by MR TUNA Music
"My friends I am sorry to leave you hanging all summer with no jams, but its a beautiful sunny world out there and I've got to be out IN IT! So in the meantime I have a few jams backlogged that have **never before been released** and expect some weird b-sides that I was too embarrassed to post when I had content to spare !
Anyways- lots going on here, we got some Hydrasynth deluxe, classic analog pads from the JX-8P... and lots of super pump-jumping with the MX-1 sidechaining and doing some beat effects. Jupiter-80 muted trumpet is the funnest sound in the world.
Stay a while, and listen!"
---
And an interview with MR TUNA Music by Ivan Trajkovic aka deejayiwan editor and journalist (and sometimes producer and DJ):
Q: Have computers and DAWs, in a sense, destroyed creativity – why do we have so many “DAWless” setups today?
A: I think a really big part of it is a desire to get away from 'the screen'. Staring at a computer all day for work, clicking away on a mouse and keyboard can become exhausting after a long day, and to break away from the rigidity and comforts of software simply makes it more fun.... and thats a really big part of why I do what I do. There is some minor advantage to the near-unbeatable quality of analog circuitry you cant quite replicate working purely within a DAW, but that point is being made more and more moot by incredible emulations and virtual analog softsynths.
Q: Today we have apps like BandLab that are complete studios on a phone – have we reached “peak technology”?
A: It staggers me to think about what the future might hold now that music production can be with someone anywhere anytime so long as they have their phones. You can literally be on the bus making a hit track with your thumb. That’s crazy. But I don’t think it’s peak.... Tech is always moving and it doesnt stop for anyone... AI is going to be the next big thing whether we like it or not and we need to find a way to keep in check so we're still doing the creating and imagining and the technology is just an extension of that.
Q: Why are new producers so mesmerized with 80s synths and samplers, even though they’re obsolete tech?
A: Things were built differently. Things were built for professionals. Instruments had a quality of sound and build that is still unmatched today. Some of my gear is 40+ years old and sounds better than the stuff from 2025 thats trying its best to emulate it all today. Why dont we build synths like that anymore? Because its all about money and the manufacturers want to make as much of it as possible while spending the least amount.
Q: With so much new electronic music today, how can anyone “find” an audience?
A: Maybe it's lame to say, but the best path is to be authentic to yourself. When i started finally sharing my music it was more of a personal diary than something i was using to 'get famous' or 'find an audience', but by being true to what I wanted and my own personal vision (and having trust in that over some time), people started to see what I was doing and it all came together. People connect with personality, but it's obvious when you're not being yourself... not just tracks. Its routine to say because its true: be consistent, put your stuff out there. The internet is huge — your crowd is out there, just waiting to stumble onto your page at 3AM.
Q: You have one of the most interesting studios – what was the idea behind its creation?
A: My studio was built with one idea in mind... live looping. When I started dreaming up how I *wanted* to make music there wasnt even the right tools to do it properly.... sequencers were still fairly limited and there wasnt a lot of people in the live-looping jam space. I was really discovering it all and making it work on my own. It all came together with the introduction of the Squarp Pyramid sequencer--- what it allowed me to do, the freedom it allowed me to create with... it was the breakthrough piece of gear I needed to bring everything together and start building and building... and BUILDING. I love the music I get to create, but I am more proud of my studio as a form of art in the beauty of it's function and how it's designed to jam with friends, than I ever have been of the music that I create in it.
Q: What’s the future of electronic music – maybe apps and DAWs in virtual reality?
A: The virtual space is here to stay and it will only get more and more indistinguishable from the real world.... We might be already living in that simulation, but like I said earlier I think the real future is going to be (for better or for worse) in AI production techniques, editing, and complete song production. We're already at the point where AI can create a song for us instantly with our own voices, but how long will it be before AI is doing our chores and boring tasks so that we are free to be creative and put our energy into real art rather than the opposite world we live in now! AI should save us from the hard stuff and let us work on the 'fun stuff', the worthy stuff, the music stuff!
See dealers on the right for pricing and availability on gear.
LABELS/MORE: Roland, Squarp Instruments
LABELS/MORE: Roland, Squarp Instruments
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© Matrixsynth - All posts are presented here for informative, historical and educative purposes as applicable within fair use.
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MATRIXSYNTH - EVERYTHING SYNTH
© Matrixsynth - All posts are presented here for informative, historical and educative purposes as applicable within fair use.
MATRIXSYNTH is supported by affiliate links that use cookies to track clickthroughs and sales. See the privacy policy for details.
MATRIXSYNTH - EVERYTHING SYNTH



























