Magnolia Gain Staging Explained: 5 Gain Stages That Shape Your Sound

video upload by Frap Tools

"Gain is not just about volume — it directly affects tone, harmonics and filter behavior.

In this video, we explore Magnolia's gain staging architecture and analyze its four main gain points (plus a bonus one), showing how each stage shapes the sound.

From the mixer to the amplifier, drive and post-drive section, you'll hear how different gain levels impact filters, saturation and overall character.

If you want to unlock Magnolia's full sonic potential, understanding its internal gain structure is essential.

🎛 More on gain staging: • The wonderful world of gain staging, or: h... [posted here]

00:00 Introduction – Magnolia's Gain Points Overview
01:07 1) Mixer – First Gain Stage
04:23 How Mixer Gain Affects Filter Response
07:28 2) Amplifier – Main Level Control
09:45 3) Drive – Harmonic Saturation Stage
10:55 4) Post Drive – Final Volume Shaping
11:44 General Observations on Magnolia's Gain Structure
12:55 Bonus Tip – Using the Wavefolder as Extra Gain
14:18 Closing Remarks"

The Son of GX - Demo song, History and Details

video upload by R.O.T. Studios

‪"@marcbrasse747‬shows off his creation with a full demo song, plus the history and details of the 'Son of GX'.
Website with details: https://www.brassee.com/instruments.h..."

Timestamps:
0:00 - Demo song
7:23 - The history and story
14:37 - Explanation of the controls and sounds

"This is a heavily customized E-70 organ with the synth functions of all 3 orchestra sections (upper keyboard, lower keyboard, pedals) fully and independently programmable. Furthermore a 4th solo section has been added.

Although many people have compared converting Yamaha E-series organs into programmable synthesizers to turning them into CS80´s I have always looked much more towards the GX1 connection. The GX1 was the mother of all Yamaha CS´ and contained 1 analog solo synthesizer, 2 polyphonic sections and 1 bass pedal section. So how could the Son Of GX ever be really complete without the addition of such a solo synth?"

Read more here

Bad Gear - He tried his best to HATE IT

video upload by AudioPilz

[Funny side note: I just saw that episode of Myth Busters with the truck plowing through cars, just yesterday.]

"Welcome to Bad Gear, the show about the world’s most-hated audio tools. There are a few learnings to be taken from years of ploughing through music production gear like an 80s rock band shopping in a liquor store: don’t believe the hype, everything has been done before and never trust a stylish instrument sold with the promise to give you all you need in a compact form factor without compromising sound quality and usability.

Today we are going to talk about Dirtywave M8. This hardware tracker and mini DAW comes with more red flags than the average dating app experience like a cult-like following, a Game Boy-inspired workflow and believe me - I tried my best to hate it.

CLICK FOR MORE »

Fooling around with the Haxophone for the first time

video upload by MIDI IN

"This is a little music that I recorded as part of my vlog about building the Haxophone, a series that's on my second channel:"

Building a Haxophone : Part two - a working Haxophone!

video upload by shieladixon

"In part one of this vlog I had ordered and received the pcbs, 3d printed parts and most of the components. In this part I finish the first one and try it out."

Part 1 of this series:

CLICK FOR MORE »

Bad Gear - PROTEIN

video upload by AudioPilz

"Welcome to Bad Gear, the show about the world’s most-hated audio tools. Every once in a while we have to remind ourselves why we still prefer the luxury of tangible hardware to the unlimited possibilities of plugins: unique tones, ergonomic control surfaces and - ideally - a timeless piece of music history that effortlessly weathers the decades.

Today, however, we unfortunately need to talk about Protein."

Chapters:
00:00 Intro tune
00:45 Overview Waldorf Protein
01:28 One Problem becomes obvious immediately
01:50 Synth Architecture, Oscillators
02:28 Noise (Dirt), Filter Section
03:02 FX Section
03:14 The problematic Envelopes
03:46 Mod Matrix, LFOs
04:01 Synth Nerd Tic Tac Toe, Flavour
04:20 What else? (Scales, Chords, Arp, Seq, Multis, Thanks)
05:18 H*te Screen
05:38 Jam 1 ( Techno )
06:22 Jam 2 ( Downtempo )
07:27 Finale ( Dub Techno )
07:58 VERDICT

Howard Jones Revisiting the Jupiter 8, H'es had this since 1983 and it still excites him.

video upload by Howard Jones

"Revisiting the Jupiter 8, I've had this since 1983 and it still excites me. Short clip from a Dick Clark interview on American Bandstand. Daniel Arteaga artwork on the back wall"

http://www.howardjones.com/

Waldorf Protein Kaafi | Rageshri

video upload by Ebotronix


video upload by Ebotronix

Waldorf Protein,
Doepfer ,3x, R2m,
Mutable Instruments ,3x,MidiPal,
Intuitive Instruments Exquis,
Roland FC 200,
Iconnectivity Mio XL,
Lab4Music enJOY,
CME ,H4 Midi WC,
Yamaha MCS 2,
Hologram Electronics Microcosm Special Edition 2024,
Eventide H 90 ,
Strymon Big Sky MX, in Dual Mono Mode controlled with
Midi CC by, 16n Faderbank, AtoVproject ,
Rageshri Scale,
06.02.2026
video# 2605 & 2606

Buchla Format Model 416.3 Meta Expander by guyd2

According to guyd2, the Model 416.3 Meta Expander is:

"A sophisticated, stand-alone expansion unit for the Buchla Music Easel.
Contains several dedicated modules : Comparators, Dividers, Boolean, VC Slew Limiter, S/H & Noise, analog ultrastable VCO/LFO, advanced Mixer w/ Comparator, and an 8-step Sequencer.
Also expands on the 208 CV I/O's, pulses I/O and Switch inputs."

https://guyd2.com/416_3-order/

"What you get :

- Model 416.3 Meta Expander for Bemi/Busa/Buchla Easel, 208c, or clones.

- Custom-made enclosure (boat) + tilted support stand.

- Two Model 416 Edge Cards, 100% compatible with 208’s Ext/Prog Interface.

- Two 40-pin custom-made ribbon cable assemblies (one short, one longer).

- A printed User Manual.

- Internal power supply; its location (back or right-side) is adjustable by the user."

Waldorf Protein Riegel

video upload by Ebotronix

Waldorf Protein,
Doepfer ,2x, R2m,
Mutable Instruments ,2x,MidiPal,
Intuitive Instruments Exquis,
Iconnectivity Mio XL,
Lab4Music enJOY,
CME ,H4 Midi WC,
Yamaha MCS 2,
Hologram Electronics Microcosm Special Edition 2024,
Eventide H 90 ,
Strymon Big Sky MX, in Dual Mono Mode controlled with
Midi CC by, 16n Faderbank, AtoVproject ,
Bhairav Scale,
03.02.2026
video# 2604

Cosmotronic MESSOR PEDAL / a serious COMPRESSOR for the studio or the stage / extensive playthrough

video upload by BRiES

"In this video we discover what the reinvented MESSOR pedal by Cosmotronic can do to a variety of sound sources. We also have a look at all the controls.

Want to know more?
Cosmotronic Messor Pedal webpage: https://cosmotronic.nl/modules/messor...

0:00 intro
2:30 features explanation
17:07 drums and loops
34:47 sidechain example
41:53 full mix and stems
55:23 closing thoughts
57:09 thank you for watching!
57:22 outro"

A COMPACT ANALOG COMPRESSOR

Messor is a fully analog stereo feed-forward VCA compressor designed for studio, modular, and live systems. The architecture is derived from the original Cosmotronic eurorack module, with extended headroom, improved channel matching, and a revised sidechain topology optimized for wide dynamic ranges.

HIGH HEADROOM

The internal ±12 V regulated power rail provides substantial headroom and consistent operating conditions for both line-level and modular-level sources. It reliably handles high-transient material from synthesizers, drum machines, and percussion-heavy sources without premature clipping. High-impedance inputs and balanced outputs simplify interfacing with modular systems, samplers, and balanced studio equipment.

Signal flow begins with a low-noise stereo preamplifier offering up to 18 dB of gain, followed by a pair of matched VCA control blocks. The feed-forward topology provides predictable transient behavior, accurate envelope shaping, and stable stereo imaging. A post-VCA conditioning stage adds tube-like saturation, introducing controlled harmonic content when driven into overload.

CLICK FOR MORE »

Afrorack live at SUPERBOOTH25

video upload by Superbooth Berlin

"Afrarock (Brian Bamanya) performs live at the SB25.

AFRORACK
https://www.instagram.com/afrorack/?h..."

Also see Afrorack's SUPERBOOTH25 walkthrough video.

Bad Gear - It's a BEAUTY!!!

video upload by AudioPilz

Chapters:
00:00 Intro tune
00:24 Overview Waldorf Micro Wave XT
00:59 Oscillators
01:56 Wave Envelope, More Wavetable Features
02:35 EVEN more Oscillator Features
03:05 Filter Section
03:41 Envelopes, LFOs
04:00 Mod Matrix
04:13 Menu Deep Dive
04:26 FX Section, Arpeggiator, Multis
04:42 What else? (Polyphony, Presets, Pricing, Thanks)
05:38 H*te Screen
06:03 Jam 1 ( Techno )
06:53 Jam 2 ( Elektro )
07:57 Finale ( Downtempo )
08:27 VERDICT

Major Freaks

video upload by Ebotronix

Arturia, Micro Freak, Mini Freak,
Expressive E Osmose,
Haken Audio ContinuuMini,
Hologram Electronics Microcosm Special Edition 2024,
Eventide H 90,
Strymon Cloudburst,
Bastl Bestie,
Conductive Labs The NDLR V2,
22.01.2026
video# 2602

Melbourne Instruments announces advanced Logic Pro integration for ROTO-CONTROL

video upload by Melbourne Instruments

Roto-Control (Review): A Logic Pro Controller I Actually Want to Use

video upload by Why Logic Pro Rules

"I was skeptical when ‪@melbourneinstruments‬ sent me Roto-Control for Logic Pro. I've owned plenty of MIDI controllers that ended up collecting dust. But after using this for the past month, I actually reach for it.

What makes it different? Eight fully motorized control knobs with haptic feedback that adapt to whatever you're focused on in Logic Pro. You don't just see parameters change on screen - you FEEL them. End stops on a filter cutoff, notches on discrete values, center indents for faders, pans, and more.

In this review, I walk through the Logic Pro integration, the haptic feedback system, and what it's actually like to use day-to-day. I also cover the real limitations - manual plugin mapping and limited storage - that you need to know before buying."

Press release follows:

Melbourne Instruments announces advanced Logic Pro integration for ROTO-CONTROL motorised software and hardware MIDI controller

MELBOURNE, VIC, AUSTRALIA: Melbourne Instruments is proud to announce availability of advanced Logic Pro integration for its ROTO-CONTROL motorised software and hardware MIDI controller — creatively expanding upon its successful integration with Ableton Live and Bitwig Studio, demand for integration with Apple’s popular professional DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) for Mac having been strong since said controller launched to widespread critical acclaim a year ago — as of January 15, 2026…

ROTO-CONTROL readily packs eight touch-sensitive motorised knobs — brushless drone motors with Melbourne Instruments’ patented ultra-high-resolution contactless optical sensors offering a lifetime rating in excess of 50 million cycles that equates to 500 times more than conventional pots, precisely — alongside nine high-resolution IPS (In-Plane Switching) LCDs (Liquid Crystal Displays) and 16 backlit RGB (Red, Green, Blue) LED (Light-Emitting Diode) buttons into its classy, compact — 341mm/13.4” (W) x 112mm/4.4” (D) x 44mm/1.7” (H) — form factor to duly deliver haptic feedback and instant parameter recall, communicating with the outside world via MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) over USB (Universal Serial Bus) and 5-pin MIDI DIN (Deutsches Institut für Normung) IN/OUT/THRU connections. Constructed out of ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) and metal, it robustly weighs in at only 715g/1.58lb, making it the perfect portable production partner for encouraging artists to use sound and music in new and exciting ways — wherever their journey might end up taking them, both creatively and geographically. Get this, though: ROTO-CONTROL now introduces a fully-tactile, motorised workflow to Logic Pro, delivering fast, hands-on control of tracks, plug-ins, Smart Controls, and automation — all thanks to a new firmware update.

MIX mode mirrors Logic Pro’s session track names, colours, and order automatically, while providing high-resolution control of volume, pan, sends, and automation alongside instant access to track selection, paging, mute/solo/arm switching, and dedicated TRACK FOCUS.

Fast, powerful plug-in control comes courtesy of PLUGIN mode, allowing users to browse and select Logic Pro instrument and effect plug-ins instantly from ROTO-CONTROL using simple touch-and-learn mapping for any parameter, with up to eight pages of controls per plug-in stored directly on the device ready for any projects, plus bypass/select controls — all mappings being saved on ROTO-CONTROL and usable across all Logic Pro projects on any computer.

Cutting-edge control continues with Logic Pro’s Smart Controls being automatically mapped to ROTO-CONTROL, controlling up to 16 Smart Control parameters instantly — perfect for working with instruments, macros, and MIDI effects, available in both PLUGIN mode and the dedicated SMART mode itself.

And as if all that was not enough to be getting on with, ROTO-CONTROL can be used to customise labels, colours, haptics, and steps for each control, while integrated transport — play, stop, record, cycle, auto-punch, and playhead — controls are all accessible from any mode.

It is fair to say, then, that Logic Pro users owe it to themselves — and, ultimately, their sound and music — to consider making some space in their creative and physical world for ROTO-CONTROL. After all, motorised and morphing controls, instant recall, and intuitive hardware are only the beginning of their journeying.

ROTO-CONTROL is available to buy at its new North American price of $399.00 USD (excluding tax) in the USA and Canada, while its RRP (Recommended Retail Price) in Australia of $619.00 AU (including GST) and MSRP (Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price) in the EU of €372.35 EUR (excluding VAT), MSRP in Japan/Asia of $469.00 USD, and MSRP in the UK of £389.00 GBP remains unchanged — all via Melbourne Instruments’ growing global network of dealers here: https://www.melbourneinstruments.com/dealers [check with dealers on the right here on MATRIXSYNTH]

For more in-depth information, please visit the dedicated ROTO-CONTROL webpage here: https://www.melbourneinstruments.com/rotocontrol

The new (3.0.1) firmware update for ROTO-CONTROL with Logic Pro integration is downloadable for free from here: https://www.melbourneinstruments.com/roto

Hexdrums and friends

video upload by Richard DeHove

"Noodle the second. Hexdrums plus effects. The routing here has BD1 going to Gallows for a little dirt and reverb; BD2 going to the Boss DM-2w; the machine voice 3 to the Zen delay; and everything else to the Xeno filth machine. A six-minute drum machine solo is a challenge. You're essentially making an 'accompaniment' instrument take the lead.

Here I again use the mute/unmute to create variations. That's reasonably easy on machine with ten voices. I've often thought that four voices is plenty for me. So is ten voices with mutes better than two patterns with four voices; or four voices one pattern and parameter locks? Is one more efficient than another? Is there any way to quantify such things? Just for laughs I asked Grok this exact question. Predictably (just like any forum) it started with "It really depends...". Later it said that: "In the drum machine world, parameter locks (p-locks) on a single pattern are generally considered far more powerful and creative than having multiple patterns or more voices." Hmmm. maybe. P-locks might allow more voice variation on a single pattern but then you have to program that in. With multiple voice and muting you can create multiple 'scenes'. Of course AI isn't going to tell you anything profound, it's just scraping forums.

What really strikes me with Hexdrums is that it hits hard. It's easy to get a very solid bass drum in all sorts of flavors. Why can't cheap drum machines do that? Ah, so many questions...

Many thanks to my kind patrons who keep this channel ad-free
My website: https://richarddehove.com/"

Rare Theremin Docs Featuring Clara Rockmore, Lucie Bigelow Rosen, H.W. Abbott & More

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

via this eBay listing

"Original Theremin Documents Bundle

Theremin plans - Clara Rockmore - Lucie Bigelow Rosen - H.W. Abbott - RARE!

Clara Rockmore / Paul Robeson Concert Program

Lucie Bigelow Rosen Concert Program

Lucie Bigelow Rosen Advertisement

H. Whipple Abbott Concert Tickets

Theremin Cello article

Theremin plans

Optical Theremin plans"

CLICK FOR MORE »

KORG MS-03 SIGNAL PROCESSOR MS-Series w/ Original Box SN 181437

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

via this Reverb listing

"Features and Specifications:

Input: 1/4" Input

Input Sensitivity: 3 volts peak-to-peak maximum

Portamento: Minimum to maximum travel time

Output: CV Out Hertz/Volt Analog Pitch Control (0 ~ +8V)

Output: CV Out Octave/Volt Analog Pitch Control (+1 ~ +5V)

Output: Trigger High to Ground

Output: Trigger Ground to High (+15v)

Modes: 3 Levels of Tracking Response

Range: High and Low range of operation

Output: Envelope Control Voltage

Dimensions: 283 mm (W) x 195 mm (D) x 110 mm (H)

Weight: 2.4 kg, 4W


In the late nineteen seventies, Korg was apparently determined to open the world of synthesizers to more than just keyboard players.

Introduced in 1979 just a year after the classic MS-10 and MS-20 the MS-03 converts incoming audio signals into a range of control voltage signals. The MS-03 can drive just about any monophonic analog synthesizer, with outputs that support both the Moog/Arp/Eurorack standard of one volt per octave, and the less common Korg/Yamaha standard of hertz to volts. The unit also has two different types of gate outputs.

For users of the Moog/Arp/Eurorack standard there is a tuning and width control. The tune control is used to "tune" the MS-20 to the attached synth, and the "width" control adjust the precise range of one octave.

Korg MS-20: The circuitry of the MS-03 is similar to the Pitch to Voltage circuit in the Korg MS-20, but a comparison of the two converters shows the MS-03 is faster and more accurate than the MS-20.

Korg MS-03: The MS-03 has many of the same controls as found on the Korg X911 Guitar Synthesizer without the synthesizer components. Features found on both units include footswitch-operated Portamento, Synthesizer "Hold" and "Cancel" functions.

[Condition]

This MS-03 is in perfect working condition and in Very Good condition.
This unit was checked by professional technician.

with box and foot pedal, paper work(copy)"

CLICK FOR MORE »

Eventide H90 Granular Update ~ Cosmic Web ~ Glitch ~ GrainMod ~ Stutter

video upload by Ebotronix

"Eventide H 90 ,controlled by 2x Boss EV 30 and Yamaha MCS 2 with 2x FC7,( Midi CC),
Haken Audio ContinuuMini, controlled by Embodme Erae 2 ,
Korg Drumlogue,
Arturia Minifreak,
Roland Aira S1,
Conductive Labs NDLR,
Strymon Big Sky MX, in Dual Mono Mode controlled with
Midi CC by, 16n Faderbank, AtoVproject ,
Bastl Bestie,
Dorian Scale,
iconnectivity MioXL,
19.12.2025
video# 2587"

Bad Gear - Santa Says NO!!!

video upload by AudioPilz

"Welcome to Bad Gear, the show about the world’s most-hated audio tools.The best Christmas presents are the ones you buy for yourself - especially when you’re a synth nerd.

Speaking of which, today we are going to talk about Moog Messenger. This 2025 analog mono is a prime candidate for shameless self-gifting: Gucci-like brand identity that reminds you of simpler times, a price tag that hurts just right and features that help you convince yourself that the Moogs you already own are not enough.

But believe me: Santa says NO!!!

Chapters:
00:00 Intro tune
00:55 Overview Moog Messenger
01:38 Oscillators
02:19 Filter, The new RES BASS Feature
03:02 Modulators
03:19 Lack of FX, Menu-less Menu Diving, UI Pain
03:37 KB, S+H, Sequencer, Arpeggiator
04:13 What else? (Editor, Connectivity, Patches, Pricing)
05:11 H*te Screen
05:32 Jam 1 ( Classic Moog Tones )
06:28 Jam 2 ( Let's add a few FX )
07:25 Finale ( Pseudo Berlin School )
07:56 VERDICT"

Bad Gear - Snow

video upload by AudioPilz

"Welcome to Bad Gear, the show about the world’s most-hated audio tools. Today we are going to talk about TI Snow.

It is quite obvious why this menu-heavy, scaled-down and abandonware-reliant 2008 member of the otherwise revered Access Virus range made it onto this show but it also raises an unsettling question: has the market for electronic musical instruments become so irrelevant that this primordial Volca with a Napoleonic Complex is the final word in the history of one of the most successful synth families? Can it be that synths are over?


Chapters:
00:00 Intro tune
00:56 Overview Virus TI Snow
01:42 The Total Integration Concept
02:21 The Problem with the Software and a possible Solution
02:42 Synth Engine (Oscillators)
04:04 Filter Section
04:24 Modulators
04:42 Arpeggiator, FX Section, Vocoder
05:09 Presets (and a very special surprise;), Thanks, Pricing, etc.
05:59 H*te Screen
06:22 Jam 1 ( Preset Techno )
07:10 Jam 2 ( Menu Diving Electro )
08:07 Finale ( Old School Trance )
08:35 VERDICT"