Korg multi/poly: Tangerine Dream PPG Lead Sound

video upload by Ian Dixon

"In this Korg multi/poly tutorial I show how to build a Tangerine Dream-style PPG lead sound from an initial program, using the built-in digital wave tables rather than imported PPG waves.

The patch starts with a choir-like digital wave, then uses a second detuned oscillator, effects, wavetable position and morph settings to get that wider, vocal, classic electronic lead character.

Chapters:
00:00 Tangerine Dream PPG lead demo
00:57 Choosing built-in PPG-style waves
01:45 Shaping the choir-like wave
02:30 Detuning two oscillators
03:16 Chorus, compressor and tape delay
04:02 Wave morph settings
04:51 Combining the oscillators
05:37 Reverb, detune controls and sound pack info
06:23 CTA and requests"

Free Korg NX5R Editor Librarian | Web MIDI Patch Manager

video upload by Ian Dixon

"The Korg NX5R is a very 90s multitimbral sound module, and in this video I demonstrate my free browser-based editor and librarian for it.

The editor runs locally in the browser using Web MIDI, so there is no cloud upload or server-side processing. You can connect to the NX5R, read the user bank, browse factory and user sounds, manage multitimbral parts, edit program parameters, work with filters, envelopes, LFOs, effects sends and oscillators, then save libraries or export SysEx for later.

It is still a beta tool, but it already makes the NX5R much easier to use for sound browsing, patch editing and library management.

https://thedigitallifestyle.com/w/TDL...

Timestamps
00:00 NX5R demo track and intro
00:15 Browser-based Korg NX5R editor overview
01:29 Connecting Web MIDI and reading the bank
02:18 Multitimbral mixer and MIDI parts
03:28 Browsing and playing programs
03:46 Editing sounds from the browser
04:14 Program settings, effects and samples
04:55 Filters, envelopes, LFOs and amp controls
05:53 Oscillator 2 and edit buffers
06:23 Exporting SysEx from edited sounds
06:47 Searching factory sounds and loading patches
07:25 Saving and opening local libraries
07:43 Importing SysEx and workflow wrap-up
08:00 Free local browser editor CTA"

E-mu Emax II Rack: Why He Bought a Vintage Sampler

video upload by Ian Dixon

"The E-mu Emax II Rack is a 1990 vintage sampler with 16-bit sampling, digital resonant filters, 16 voices and that classic E-mu sample-library character.

In this video I explain why I bought an Emax II Rack, how it fits into the E-mu Emulator family, and what makes this 2MB version with a Gotek drive interesting today. I look at the history from the original Emulator through to the Emax II, load sounds from the Gotek/sample library, play through factory-style patches, explore the filter and envelope controls, and talk about why vintage samplers still feel different from modern software.

This is partly a first look, partly a vintage sampler demo, and partly the start of a new Emax II journey: building a usable sound library, tagging useful sounds, sampling my own material and finding out what this classic rack sampler can add to modern tracks.

Timestamps
00:00 Intro and music
00:15 E-mu Emax II Rack overview
00:39 Emax and Emulator history
01:03 Emax II specs and 16-bit sampling
02:06 Front panel and loading sounds
02:37 Gotek drive workflow
03:30 Sampling rates, filters, SCSI and MIDI
04:23 Exploring the sample library
05:08 Loading Grey Sounds Volume 1
06:45 Brass sounds and loading workflow
07:10 Emulator library sounds and synth-style editing
07:55 Digital resonant filter and Q
08:34 Filter envelope experiments
09:50 Synth-style modulation and envelopes
10:14 Sampling, looping and editing options
10:57 Piano, guitar, vocal and classic library sounds
14:26 Building a personal Emax library
15:08 Tagging sounds and using the library tool
15:48 Reflections on vintage digital samplers
16:26 Comments, resources and wrap-up"

The Sounds We Forget To Hear

video upload by Starsky Carr

"The joy of sound, before it becomes music. A wind chime looping in the woods at Superbooth, La Monte Young's Composition 1960 No. 7 in a Liverpool theatre, and one thick, warm tone from the AJH Synth RadioPhonic that I couldn't stop playing.. 🎧 Put this on headphones or big speakers - the bass is lovely.

Why do we remember a melody but not a sound? Why is Superstition not Superstition without the clav, or In the Air Tonight without those drums? And when did we stop just listening?

Which single sound gives YOU a physical reaction? Tell me in the comments - I read every one, and I'm collecting favourites.

🎛 GEAR IN THIS VIDEO
AJH Synth RadioPhonic: https://ajhsynth.com/
AJH Synth MiniMod (mentioned)
Ian Boddy helped design the Chance Delay on the RadioPhonic

🔗 MORE FROM ME
Presets, sample packs and Decent Sampler libraries: https://starskycarr.com"

Free Roland D-110 Editor Librarian | Web MIDI Patch Manager

video upload by Ian Dixon

"A hands-on walkthrough of my free Roland D-110 Editor Librarian, a browser-based Web MIDI tool I developed to make the D-110 much easier to manage and edit from a modern computer.
https://thedigitallifestyle.com/w/TDL...

In the video I show how the editor reads the D-110's tones, patches, rhythm setup and system settings, then saves everything into a reusable library. I also go through tone editing, partial mute/solo style workflow, PCM sample selection, synthesis partials, envelopes, filters, patch editing, multi-timbral setups, SysEx import and why the D-110 can be more flexible than a D-50 when you want layered parts and MIDI-channel based arrangements.

The editor runs locally in the browser, uses Web MIDI, and does not send your synth data to the cloud. It is part of my free editor/librarian tools for bringing classic synths back into a modern workflow.

Timestamps
00:00 Why I am building modern editors for vintage synths
00:47 Introducing the free Roland D-110 editor
01:17 Web MIDI setup and reading tones
01:48 Reading patches, rhythm and system settings
02:23 Saving and reopening a master library
02:47 Loading presets and sending sounds to the buffer
03:14 D-110 architecture, partials and PCM/synthesis structures
04:17 Editing PCM samples and synthesis partials
05:09 Filters, envelopes and shaping the sound
06:16 Saving edited tones back to the synth
06:39 Editing multi-timbral patches and MIDI channels
07:39 Layering D-110 sounds in a way the D-50 cannot
08:25 Why editing from the front panel is fiddly
09:21 Importing SysEx and expanding the library
10:06 Managing patches, running locally and wrap-up"

Roland D-50 vs D-110: Can You Hear the Difference?

video upload by Ian Dixon

"The Roland D-50 and Roland D-110 both come from Roland's late-80s Linear Arithmetic synthesis era, but do they actually sound the same? In this blind comparison I play similar D-50 and D-110 sounds side by side, including warm pads, Soundtrack, synth bells, electric pianos, synth brass, Fantasia/Fantasy style patches, and dual-layer sounds, then reveal which synth was which.

The D-50 is the classic performance synth behind so many iconic digital sounds, while the D-110 is the rackmount, multi-timbral workhorse built for MIDI studios. This test is about the real character of each instrument: the modulation, the shimmer, the effects, the PCM attack, and how close the D-110 can get to the D-50 in practice.

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Free Roland D-50 Editor & Librarian – Edit Patches in Your Browser

video upload by Ian Dixon

"My free Roland D-50 Editor Librarian is a browser-based Web MIDI tool for backing up, browsing, importing and editing D-50 sounds without sending your patch data to the cloud.

In this video I show the full workflow from the YouTube transcript: connecting the D-50 over MIDI, enabling SysEx, reading the current edit buffer, opening a patch library, sending sounds to the synth, receiving a full bulk dump from the D-50, saving a library backup, importing SysEx banks, and editing classic D-50 patches such as Fantasia. The editor also makes it easier to work with the D-50's upper and lower tones, partials, PCM and synthesis structures, ring modulation, filter and amp envelopes, reverb, tuning and patch management.

The aim is to give the Roland D-50 a modern librarian/editor workflow: build a large library of card sounds and custom patches, search for sounds quickly, send patches to the edit buffer when recording, and avoid constantly swapping cards or managing small internal banks by hand.

https://thedigitallifestyle.com/w/TDL...

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Vice Operators – Miami Vice-Inspired Synth Performance | Each Machine a Voice

video upload by Ian Dixon

"Vice Operators is a Miami Vice and Jan Hammer-inspired instrumental from my new album, Each Machine a Voice.

The track combines the Korg opsix and modwave, Uno Drum and a couple of other synths to create an atmospheric 1980s-style soundtrack featuring digital textures, sequences and expressive lead sounds. This video is a full performance of the track using the synths behind the music.

Each Machine a Voice explores the different character that every synthesizer brings to a piece of music. Some tracks focus on one particular machine, while others combine several synths as an ensemble.

Read about the album here:
https://thedigitallifestyle.com/w/202..."

Free Yamaha TX7 Editor Librarian | Web MIDI Patch Manager

video upload by Ian Dixon

"In this video I demonstrate my free browser-based Yamaha TX7 editor and librarian, built to make it easier to manage patches, load SysEx banks, edit voices and send sounds to the TX7 over Web MIDI.

The Yamaha TX7 is effectively a DX7 in a desktop module, originally designed as an expander for the DX7, but it has its own function memory differences that make a dedicated editor useful. This tool runs locally in the browser, reads voices from the TX7, saves full libraries, loads DX7 SysEx banks, edits six-operator FM voices visually and lets you send individual sounds when you need them.
https://thedigitallifestyle.com/w/TDL...

Chapters:
00:00 Yamaha TX7 editor librarian intro
00:26 What the TX7 is and why it needs a dedicated editor
00:45 Browser-based Web MIDI setup
01:08 Reading voices from the TX7
01:24 TX function memory explained
01:49 Saving the full TX7 library
01:58 Loading DX7 SysEx banks
02:20 Auditioning loaded patches
02:39 Visual TX7 / DX7 voice editor
03:05 Algorithm, feedback and operator controls
03:27 TX7 function editor and patch settings
04:04 Using it as your main patch library
04:27 Sending individual patches and editor requests"

Free Yamaha DX100 Editor Librarian | Web MIDI Patch Manager

video upload by Ian Dixon

"In this video I demonstrate my free web-based Yamaha DX100 editor librarian, which should also work with the Yamaha DX27. It runs locally in your browser using Web MIDI, so your patch data stays on your own machine.

The editor can read the internal voices from the DX100, show the selected patch in real time, edit algorithms, feedback, LFO settings, pitch bend, operator levels, envelopes and frequency settings, and then send edited patches back to the synth. I also show the librarian side, including saving and loading SysEx libraries so you can build up a bigger DX100 patch collection.

https://thedigitallifestyle.com/w/TDL...

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro and DX100 / DX27 compatibility
00:31 Web MIDI setup and reading voices
01:01 Real-time editor overview
01:34 Operators, carriers, modulators and envelopes
02:02 Velocity sensitivity and live parameter changes
02:32 Randomize and taming new patches
03:32 Editing and renaming a patch
04:01 Downloading and storing the patch
04:25 Saving the DX100 library
04:48 Loading SysEx and building larger libraries
05:15 Sending patches back to the DX100
05:45 More synth editors and wrap-up"

Free Korg MS2000 Editor Librarian | Web MIDI Patch Manager

video upload by Ian Dixon

"In this video I demonstrate my free browser-based Web MIDI editor and librarian for the Korg MS2000, built to make it easier to manage patches, audition sounds, load SysEx banks and edit programs in real time.

The MS2000 is a brilliant virtual analogue synth, but managing lots of patches from the front panel can be slow. This editor lets you enable Web MIDI, read the programs from the synth, save and reload larger patch libraries, load compatible MicroKorg SysEx banks, send sounds to the MS2000 without overwriting memory, tweak oscillator, filter, envelope, LFO, effects and motion sequencer settings, and try controlled randomisation for new happy-accident sounds.

https://thedigitallifestyle.com/w/TDL...

Chapters:
00:00 Korg MS2000 editor-librarian intro
00:31 Free browser-based Web MIDI tool
00:56 Enabling MIDI and choosing ports
01:08 Reading programs from the MS2000

CLICK FOR MORE »

Korg DW-8000 Editor Librarian

video upload by Ian Dixon

"In this video I demonstrate my free Web MIDI editor and librarian for the Korg DW-8000, built to make it easier to manage patches, audition sounds, edit parameters in real time and keep a larger library of DW-8000 sounds ready to use.

The DW-8000 is a brilliant hybrid digital/analogue synth, but managing lots of patches from the front panel can be slow. This browser-based editor lets you enable MIDI, read the programs from the synth, load SysEx banks, remove duplicates, build a large patch library, send sounds to the DW-8000, tweak filters and waveforms, view envelopes visually and save your own libraries without installing anything.

https://thedigitallifestyle.com/w/TDL...

Chapters:
00:00 DW-8000 editor-librarian intro
00:13 Why I built the editor
00:42 Browser-based Web MIDI setup
00:53 Choosing MIDI ports
00:59 Reading programs from the DW-8000
01:12 Selecting patches and sending to the edit buffer
01:25 Real-time editing
01:38 Filter, waveform and envelope controls
02:02 Viewing real-time parameter changes
02:13 Loading SysEx banks
02:42 Auditioning imported sounds
02:52 Removing duplicates and building a library
03:16 Working like a modern patch browser
03:25 Saving and loading libraries
03:44 Free browser-based tool
04:05 More editors planned and feature requests"

Kawai K1m Editor: Edit Patches, Manage SysEx & More

video upload by Ian Dixon

"In this video I show my free Web MIDI editor and librarian for the Kawai K1, K1m and K1r, designed to make it easier to manage patches, build libraries, send sounds to the synth and edit programs from a browser.

The Kawai K1 family is easy enough to program from the front panel, but the limited memory slots make patch management awkward once you start collecting SysEx banks or creating your own sounds. This editor lets you load and save libraries, import SysEx files, remove duplicates, read patches from the K1, send sounds back to the synth, mute individual sources and edit key parameters with a visual envelope display.

Get the editor at:

https://thedigitallifestyle.com/w/TDL...

Chapters:
00:00 Kawai K1 editor-librarian overview
00:37 Free Web MIDI tool and why I built it
01:00 Enabling MIDI and choosing ports
01:15 Reading patches from the K1
01:28 Importing SysEx and building a library
02:02 Loading a full patch library
02:13 Sending sounds to the K1
02:48 Editing patches and viewing envelopes
03:19 Muting sources for sound design
03:43 Choosing waveforms and samples
04:15 Real-time editing and saving changes
04:48 Searching patches
05:08 Free download, feature requests and DW-8000 editor preview"

The Gritty 80s Digital Synth Nobody Talks About | Kawai K1m

video upload by Ian Dixon

"The Kawai K1m is a 1988 digital synth module with no resonant filters and no built-in effects, but it still has a distinctive late-80s character that makes it much more interesting than the spec sheet suggests.

In this video I take a first look at my Kawai K1m, explore the four-source sound architecture, PCM samples, additive-style wave building, joystick control, factory presets, multi mode and external effects, then try building a new patch from scratch.

Chapters:
00:00 Why the Kawai K1m is interesting
00:24 K1m overview and why I bought it
01:38 Dry sound and synth architecture
02:28 Four-source patches and muting parts
03:20 Waves, PCM samples and additive-style synthesis
05:10 Drum samples and looped waveforms
06:55 Programming controls, envelopes and joystick
07:59 Polyphony and the gritty K1m character
08:56 Factory sounds and D-50-style bells
09:59 Vocal sounds, effects and Miami Vice references
12:56 Editing patches with the software editor
14:10 Multi mode and layered performances
15:02 Building a new K1m patch
17:57 Is the Kawai K1m worth buying today?
19:08 What should I do next with the K1m?"

The Man Behind Knobcon and STG muSonics

video upload by Ian Dixon

"Suit & Tie Guy joins me for a TDL Synth Chat covering STG muSonics, Knobcon, modular synth history, why he moved away from software-based music making, and the stories behind his hardware design work.

Suit & Tie Guy is the founder of Knobcon and the person behind STG Soundlabs / STG muSonics. In this long-form synth podcast we talk about early computer music, Numerology, hardware sequencing, the move from software to dedicated instruments, module design, the muSonics story, and why in-person synth events still matter.

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
00:49 Suit & Tie Guy joins the show
02:07 Early music work and Mac game scoring
06:31 Numerology and analogue sequencing ideas
08:46 Live rigs, Hammond-style controllers and Manchester
11:35 Moving from software to hardware
14:07 KiCad, modular design and prototyping
17:35 Why dedicated hardware matters
20:40 Building a video studio for music technology
23:20 The Lyall four-voice synth and rare hardware
26:43 STG Soundlabs, mythology and muSonics
30:55 What muSonics is and why the name matters
33:37 Finishing the Moog 900-series idea
36:34 Knobcon and planning a part two
39:32 Synth communities and real-world connections
42:01 Sound design plans for the next chat

Knobcon:
https://www.knobcon.com/

muSonics / STG muSonics store:
https://musonics.square.site/

Suit & Tie Guy’s site also links the muSonics newsletter:
https://suitandtieguy.com/

#SuitAndTieGuy #STGmuSonics #Knobcon #SynthPodcast #ModularSynth #Synthesizer #SoundDesign #TDLSynthChat"

Distinctive Blue – Original 80s Synth-Pop Instrumental

video upload by Ian Dixon

"Distinctive Blue is an original 80s-inspired synth-pop instrumental built around driving bass, bright digital textures, layered synths and the polished electronic sound of the mid-1980s.

The track was created using a mixture of vintage and new synthesizers, combining vintage-inspired sounds, rhythmic sequences, atmospheric pads and melodic synth lines.

For this video, I wanted to show the actual instruments behind the music coming alive as the arrangement develops — from the first synth parts through to the full final mix.

🎹 Written, performed and produced by Ian Dixon.

Let me know in the comments what Distinctive Blue reminds you of and which synth sound stands out most.

Available on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/3R1Pob...
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/dist...
Amazon: https://music.amazon.co.uk/albums/B0H...

#Synthpop #80sMusic #ElectronicMusic #Synthesizer #InstrumentalMusic"

nonlinear circuits spectrum shaper

video upload by cirtcele

"I'm still learning how to use this thing but here are some excerpts from a patch with Tinkle and FM OP via Product wavefolder both fed into the Spectrum Shaper."

via nonlinear circuits

"36 channel voltage controlled comb filter aka string filter.

This module has some history. In 2018, I was part of a team putting on a show with CellF at the Todays Art festival in Den Haag. I popped down to Rotterdam to visit Dennis (aka Mono-Poly) and his studio of vintage lab gear. Dennis had an incredible patch going centred around a Bruel & Kjaer 36 channel Spectrum Shaper. Listen to his album Testlab to hear how it sounds. I just knew I had to make something like it one day. This type of filter is often called a ‘String filter’, used to emulate stringed instruments tho don’t feel limited by that.

Fast forward to 2026, I read an AES paper by R. Burhans describing his 36 channel comb filter. It reminded me there were some designs in Electronotes, so I looked them up and discovered they were both inspired by and heavily influenced by Burhans, particularly in terms of the comb filter frequencies and spacing. One was a 40 channel version by Ian Fritz using transistor based filters. He had an interesting mod, originally suggested by Lester Ludwig, where each set of 6 filters had a feedback pot. Some screenshots from these articles are at the end of this build guide. The relevant Electronotes issues 107, 115 and 116 can be found online.

The Bernie Hutchins design used 39 regular op amp based filters, along with Ian’s feedback per 6 filters mod and added an inverter so the feedback could be positive or negative (so, centre off). Negative feedback ‘flattens’ the peaks somewhat and smears the sound, positive feedback makes the peaks narrower and higher (if tuned for it, you can make them self-oscillate, see notes). Bernie also added a noise gate on the output, summing 39 channels is always going to be noisy.

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How to Get That 80s Analog Bell Sound (Korg Multi/Poly Tutorial)

video upload by Ian Dixon

Follow-up to Turn the Korg Multi/Poly Into a Vintage String Machine

"In this tutorial, I'll show you how to recreate those classic 80s synth-pop analog bells on the Korg Multi/Poly. Taking inspiration from the legendary Roland JX-10 (which is essentially two JX-8P synths in one box), we’ll dive into how to layer oscillators and use component modeling to achieve that iconic hollow, phasing tone.

Whether you're using the Multi/Poly or any other analog synth, these sound design principles will help you nail that vintage vibe. We’ll start from an initialized program and walk through everything from pulse width modulation and detuning to filter shaping and adding that essential chorus and delay.

Key Topics Covered:

Setting up square/pulse waveforms for a hollow bell tone.
Detuning techniques to mimic analog voice cards.
Shaping the sound with 24dB low-pass filters and envelopes.
Adding stereo depth using chorus, cross-delay, and stereo filters.
Experimenting with octaves and subtle noise for extra texture."

Timestamps
0:00 - Introduction to Synth Pop Bells
0:49 - Starting from an Initialized Program
1:18 - Oscillator Setup: Pulse Width & Waveforms
1:35 - Detuning for Analog Character
2:25 - Shaping the Bell with Filter Envelopes
3:30 - Adding Effects: Chorus, Delay & Reverb
4:21 - Testing Ring & Cross Modulation
5:04 - Adding Subtle Noise Texture
5:24 - Layering Octaves for Depth
7:18 - Stereo Filter & Panning Tips
7:56 - Adding Pitch Drift & Final Touches
8:40 - Outro & Suggest Your Ideas!

Turn the Korg Multi/Poly Into a Vintage String Machine

video upload by Ian Dixon

"Turn the Korg Multi/Poly into a classic vintage string machine, complete with lush ensemble strings and a powerful split bass — using only the hardware front panel.

In this tutorial, I build the complete performance from an initialized sound, creating a Solina-style string layer with multiple oscillators, filtering, ensemble modulation, phaser and stereo delay. I then add a detuned synth bass on Layer B and use key zones to create a playable strings-and-bass keyboard split.

Everything is programmed directly on the Multi/Poly — no software editor required.

What you’ll learn
Build lush vintage string-machine tones from scratch
Layer oscillators across octaves for a richer ensemble sound
Use high-pass filtering to shape classic string textures
Add ensemble, phaser and stereo delay for width and movement
Create a detuned sawtooth bass on a second layer
Set up key zones for a strings-and-bass split
Balance the layers and add spacious reverb

Timestamps

0:00 – Introduction and finished sound
0:35 – Building the string layer
1:50 – Multi-oscillator octave layering
2:55 – Ensemble and modulation effects
4:15 – Adding stereo delay and width
5:00 – Choosing and shaping the reverb
6:40 – Building the bass layer
7:30 – Creating the keyboard split with key zones
9:30 – Final performance and wrap-up"

60 New D-50 Inspired Performances for Your Korg Wavestate

video upload by Ian Dixon

"In this video, I'm demonstrating my new 'D-50 Collection' sound pack designed for the Korg Wavestate, Wavestate Native, and Wavestate Module. Inspired by the late 80s LA synthesis of the Roland D-50, these 60 performances and 170+ programs use the Wavestate's native samples and 4-layer architecture to recreate that distinctive, bright hybrid sound.

I’ll be walking through some of the classic recreations like Fantasia, Staccato Heaven, and Soundtrack, as well as original sounds built using the same D-50 concepts.

Pack Details:

60 Performances & 170+ Programs
No external samples required (uses built-in Wavestate samples)
Compatible with hardware and native versions

[Link to Full Pack] – https://shopify.thedigitallifestyle.c...

[Link to Free Version] – https://thedigitallifestyle.com/w/dow..."

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