Maniac/Michael Sembello (Circuit Tracks Version)

video upload by Guinan

"Feeling a yearning for a bit of LinnDrum action I loaded up a bunch of samples and it occurred to me to try this song - a bit of a musical 'guilty pleasure' as it has such a distinctive rhythm. I put the song on, donned my legwarmers and had a bit of a 'spin' around the room to the track in my best 'Flashdance' impression. Straight away it became apparent it shouldn't be possible to do it on the Tracks as it has too many tracks. Bass, electric piano chords, arpeggio, melody...and a distinctive 80's guitar solo! Not to be deterred I shrank it down as much as I could and used the layering and extra voices hacks I've talked about elsewhere * and what you hear is the end result.

It was a fun challenge and I hope you enjoy the end result. All you hear was programmed into a single Circuit Tracks and played 'live' just recording the audio outs.

More details for synth nerds

The excellent ‪@CaptainPikant‬ had a great video breaking down how the rhythm track was constructed so I largely followed this guide.

• MANIAC - The most INSANE drum pattern of t... [below]

BPM 155bpm
Synth 1 - mono bass synth
Synth 2 - 'piano'ish patch playing chords, arepeggio and melody lines (at different velocities/ranges)
Drum 1- LM1 bass drum
Drum 2 - LM1 snare and sidestick
Drum 3 - LM1 hihats and combined HH and fake guitar (see below)
Drum 4 - LM1 cowbell and clap

The 'guitar' is faked I'm sorry. My lead guitar skills are not up to this (I did try!) and my friendly local 'shredder' was busy. I used instead the Native Instruments Electric Sunburst plug in instrument to fake a short solo and drenched it in guitar effects. I recorded to 4 bar loops with the hihat pattern duplicated along with them and then triggered the samples at the right moment on the hihat track."

MANIAC - The most INSANE drum pattern of the '80s | Drum Patterns Explained

video upload by Captain Pikant

"The drum pattern of Michael Sembello's 'Maniac' is positively insane. It's what you'd get if you made a Synthwave drum track, decided it wasn't complex enough, glitched it up with a tiny dash of Aphex Twin and then put a second drum track on top of that with over a dozen Tom fills for good measure. Pure '80s maximalism with two of the most iconic drum sounds of that era."

And the original:


video upload by Maniac

Top 86 Greatest Intros and Tunes on Sequential Prophet 6

video upload by jami.m

"Not all these were originally played on Prophet synths. These video clips are just for amusement - Enjoy -"

00:00 The Final Countdown - Europe
00:27 Bette Davis Eyes - Kim Carnes
00:52 Save a Prayer - Duran Duran
01:19 Blinding Lights - The Weeknd
02:02 Just Can't Get Enough - Depeche mode

CLICK FOR MORE »

Behind The Drums Ep 15 - Flashdance "Maniac" - Michael Sembello Linndrum

video upload by Controlled Voltage Sound Labs

"An in depth look at the making of Michael Sembello's number one hit 'Maniac,' from the Flashdance movie soundtrack. Video includes a re-cretion of the drum beat using a Linndrum."

Drum Processing
Kick - Teletronix LA-2A (No Reverb)
Snare + Tamb - Teletronix LA-2A + Lexicon 224 (Plate Setting)
Cowbell - Teletronix LA-2A (No Reverb)
Clap - AMS Reverb (Non Lin Short decay)
Stick - Teletronix LA-2A (No Reverb)
Hat - Teletronix LA-2A + Lexicon 224 (Room Setting)

Frap Tools Magnolia - A Bucchla Style Polysynth?.. from a modular manufacturer??

video upload by Starsky Carr

"A demo of the Magnolia from Frap Tools by the lovely Giovanni at‪@superboothberlin‬ 2025
Im, not doing a whole load of demos this year, just things that catch my eye, and this has been one of the stars of the show

It has such easy access to through zero FM and wavefolding, which enables it to go from very pleasant to a screeching maniac with a couple of twists!"

More famous PPG Wave Sounds

video upload by RetroSound

(c)2007-25 by RetroSound
supported by UVI: http://bit.ly/retrosound-uvi

❤️ Support #RetroSound​ channel: https://retrosound.creator-spring.com

Famous PPG Wave Sounds part 2

0:06 Grace Jones - Slave To The Rhythm
0:24 Marillion - Kayleigh
0:39 Saga - On The Loose
0:55 ABC - The Look Of Love
1:10 M. Sembello - Maniac
1:23 Depeche Mode - See You
1:37 Enigma - Principles Of Lust
1:59 Depeche Mode - Fools
2:12 The Twins - LoveSystem
2:30 Bronski Beat - Hit The Perfect Beat
2:40 Alphaville - Victory Of Love
2:55 Art Of Noise - Moments Of Love

Part 1 is here: [posted here]

The PPG wave 2.2 Synthesizer from the year 1982 is one of most fascinating synthesizers ever.
You can find a lot demo videos, sound tutorials about the Wave and the Waveterm in the PPG wave playlist. The PPG playlist:"

SH-101 // Djupviks The Qu // Sealegs // Gliss

video upload by LesjaMusic

"Djupviks The Qu proving it can do traditional phaser sounds as well as maniac dirt.L, with the help of Bela Gliss on modulation.

SH-101 reminding me no matter how many VCO/VCF/ADSR combos I buy, it’s still the ultimate monosynth.

Apologies for the sloppy playing - I’m better at programming synths than playing them.

Dirt and colour from Sealegs, Gen Loss, CXM 1978 and OTO Boum."

Moog Sub37/Subsequent 37: 64 Arp Presets/Patches. Sound Demo

video upload by Anton Anru

"'Analog Groove' is a collection of 64 Arp Patches for Moog Subsequent 37 and Sub 37.
The bank of presets is universal, the Arps are suitable for all genres of electronic music, including Techno, House, Trance, Lounge, Downtempo, Funk, Disco, Pop, Acid, Hardcore, IDM, Drum'n'Bass, Breaks, Breakbeat, Trap, Electro, Ambient, Dubstep, EDM, Synth-Pop and others.
The patches cover a variety of Arp tones: mild and aggressive, deep and bright, simple and complex, soft and punchy, musical and experimental.
🎧 Get the soundset: https://bit.ly/3x756yg

All patches are very dynamic: they have synced modulations, and they are velocity-sensitive. You may hold a chord and add accents to the arpeggio with velocity.
ModWheel is set in all patches, it adds brightness or movement. In sum, Velocity and ModWheel are nice expressive tools that will make any performance lively.
And, of course, you should play with ADSR, Filter Parameters, Arp and LFO Divisions, Arp Direction and Range, to get the best experience of the arps.

You may turn Arp Mode off and get basses, leads, plucks, keys. In this case, it's better to turn KB RESET on in MOD 1 and 2 sections.
Patches' volume levels are set close to each other, you won't get sudden volume spikes or drops while switching the timbres.

CLICK FOR MORE »

FM40P mkIII by NYZ

"Originally released January 17, 2022 available as limited physical edition CDr & name your price abridged digital on Psøma Psi Phi => pspsph.bandcamp.com/album/fm40p-mkiii

Unabridged digital only edition.

https://noyzelab.bandcamp.com/album/fm40p-mkiii

'In a third volume of his ongoing FM40P series of recordings, Dave Burraston continues to explore a myriad of tangents and timbres within the Yamaha V50, TX81Z and FB-01 machines - all of them uniquely apart from one another, their commonality being their identities as four-operator digital FM synthesizers. FM synthesis is well known for both its ability to convey otherwise impossible sounds and its general unapproachability as pure programming and sound design. Through this lens of context, Burraston's ability to direct these machines towards unforeseen and inexplicable pathways says much about the rarity of recordings like these. On a deeper level, Burraston is perhaps always testing, measuring, adjusting and analyzing, interacting with synthesis and its many vessels. Acting with the interests of both musician and scientist, NYZ brings us always to fresh perspectives and sonic locations that feel as if they are entirely new, often alien, but never predictable or repetitive. It's a lot to consider, as music and also as concept, but at the end of the day, you can always count on NYZ recordings for their utterly uncompromising sense of displacement and dizzying enchantment.'

released January 17, 2022

Generated during various sessions on 1-3 Jan 2021, 24 Feb 2021 and Oct 2013 at Noyzelab. Yamaha V50, Yamaha TX81Z, Yamaha FB-01 and MANIAC [custom sysex code for fractional note tuning/timings]. Mixed early Jan 2022 at Noyzelab in the hazement annex. Text and cover design by ABM&D. This is Psoma Psi Phi number NYZ-XVII. David Burraston and the Noyzelab logo appear courtesy of Noyzelab."

Roland VP-9000 How to create Daft Punk Vocals

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
video by #hardwareonly The MIDI Maniac

SN ZN85027 via this auction

"This a a very special sampler, that can do real time time stretching, pitch shifting etc. It works really well with vocals and drumloops, and can creat very special effects from any sound. It is in good condition, fully working, all encoders function flawlessly. Display 100%, and zip drive also fully functional. It comes with extra disks, the original sound library and original manuals, and I also expanded it to the full 136MB memory, see photo's. Of course it is most fmaous for being used by Daft Punk for their unique vocal effects...see video)"

CLICK FOR MORE »

Roland JX-10: Super JX Flash Module with Vecoven 3.22 Firmware and Soundboard ROM Install

video by thesrabbit

"This video documents my own experience with installing the Super JX Flash Module with Vecoven 3.22 firmware in my Roland JX-10. While there are other great videos about the Vecoven firmware, I wanted to make a video that showed the physical removal of all the old chips and installation of the new ones. Let me first say that I am a total amateur at DIY anything, as the video clearly demonstrates. I am not responsible if you try this and break your gear, hurt yourself, or die. For what it's worth, I did all but the latter. Fortunately the thing that I broke was the thing that I was replacing. That said, I'm hoping that the video gives you a clear understanding of what needs to be done if you decide to do this yourself. As for the actual tools and techniques, that's up for discussion. But this is the way. Or at least it's a way.

Background:
Shortly after purchasing the JX-10, I knew I needed to get the Vecoven firmware, just to have a proper MIDI implementation. I didn't realize there was a flash module option that allows future firmware updates over MIDI and provides an internal memory of 16 banks of patch storage. That's the equivalent of 16 M-64C cartridges, for a total of 1024 sounds. I contacted Fred Vecoven to inquire about my options and he recommend that I get the flash module with firmware 3.x and also the 2 optional sound board roms, so that's exactly what I did. Note: I don't have the PWM hardware mod, nor do I intend to get it in the future, so it's firmware version 3.x for me.

The idea of removing IC's from sockets and replacing them with new ones seemed on the surface to be a trivial task. But after watching one video, I was a bit intimidated, especially by the need to disconnect the flat white ribbon cable that obscures the firmware chip. This is not your average ribbon cable that is simply plugged into a socket. In fact, I don't even know if it is a ribbon cable at all, though that's what I call it in the video.

As it turns out, disconnecting the flat white cable wasn't too bad, though it was very scary when it came time to do it. I found that the best way was to gently wiggle it side to side while pulling (gently) backward. It came out pretty easy.

Far worse than anything was the removal of the IC's. Maybe the removal tool I have is not the appropriate size. It's possible that the one I have is made for small IC's only. It just feels like I couldn't get a grip on the chip at all. Like there was not enough tension. Looking back, I think a better technique would be to gently loosen the IC on each end from underneath with a small flathead screwdriver, and then use the IC removal tool to grab a hold of it and pull it out. But I'm not confident enough to actually recommend that approach. I would love to know if anyone knows the proper technique!

MIDI Mod: The Open MIDI RTC Schema didn't support the way in which the Vecoven firmware reads MIDI CC sequences. I made changes to the schema to support that and bumped its version up to 0.1.1, where it currently is at the time of this publication. I then just needed to make a couple small tweaks to MIDI Mod to support the new schema. MIDI Mod version 1.5.1 does that and therefore works with a JX-10 or MKS-70 that has the Vecoven 3.x or 4.x firmware installed.

Vecoven Super JX Flash Module: https://www.vecoven.com/superjx/flash...

A JX-10 Vecoven 3.x firmware and soundboard rom installation video that I used for reference:"

Roland JX-10 firmware upgrade

video by Simo Sainio

Here's a video that features the physical installation of the flash module in an MKS-70:

DIY INSTALL Vecoven 3.x SuperJX Flash Module for the Roland MKS-70/JX-10

video by #hardwareonly The MIDI Maniac

See the Vecoven label below for more.

Arturia & Noise Engineering Collaborate on New MicroFreak Firmware V3

MicroFreak - Firmware V3 | Performance by Tom Hall

"Experience MicroFreak’s wild new sonic capabilities first-hand with an immersive glitch-fuelled performance from renowned LA sound designer Tom Hall. For MicroFreak's latest firmware release, V3, we’ve teamed up with Eurorack visionaries Noise Engineering to push MicroFreak further into the digital realm with 3 powerful new oscillator modes."

Arturia x Noise Engineering | Collaborating on MicroFreak Firmware V3
Arturia

"Since its inception in 2019, it’s mad talents have grown exponentially. Numerous free firmware updates, new oscillator modes, fresh presets, and even a limited edition skin with 2020’s Vocoder Edition. This little hybrid maniac has become a living, breathing, ever-changing force of fluid creativity - and is showing no signs of slowing down now. For the latest firmware release, V3, we’ve teamed up with EuroRack visionaries @Noise Engineering to push MicroFreak further into the digital realm with 3 powerful new oscillator modes."

And the official press release:

"Arturia unleashes MicroFreak V3 firmware update, collaboration with Noise Engineering
MicroFreak's mad talents continue to evolve with every free update. Introducing MicroFreak Firmware V3, designed in collaboration with Noise Engineering to push MicroFreak’s sound further into the experimental digital realm. 3 razor-sharp new oscillator modes and a number of enhancements bring gritty digital character, workflow flexibility, and even more creative value to this wild hybrid synth.

3 Noise Engineering oscillator modes
Bass, SawX, Harm; 3 new algorithms that also feature in Noise Engineering’s flexible Virt Iter module, offering additive harmonic color, wavefolding, phase modulation, and more. Digital never sounded so dirty.

Unison mode
Up to 4-voice unison is now available for all oscillator types, with unison spread of up to 12 semitones that can also be used as a modulation destination. Make your basses bigger and your melodies more massive than ever.

More factory presets and slots
The number of preset slots has increased from 256 to 384, giving you more legroom to make MicroFreak your own - this even includes 96 more factory presets for more musical madness straight out the box.

Saving and loading presets
Enhancements to preset functionality makes MicroFreak easier and more intuitive than ever, including loading the last saved preset upon restart, and always retaining Chord Mode’s most recent chord within your saved preset."

Additional details and demos at https://www.arturia.com/products/hardware-synths/microfreak/update

And some pics grabbed from the site:

FEF by NYZ

"The delightfully titled FEF consists of pieces made on the Yamaha TX802 synth, driven by his self-designed MANIAC cellular automata sequencer. Glassy FM tones and microtonal tunings make for eerily melodic, playfully exploratory pieces.

NYZ is UK Midlands born, New South Wales based Dave Burraston, who also operates variously as Noyzelab, Dave Noyze and Bryen Telko. He's studied and worked with audio synthesis and computer science since the 1970s, culminating in a 2006 PhD thesis on Generative Music & Cellular Automata. Musical collaborators have included Oren Ambarchi, Russell Haswell and Aphex Twin (with whom he conducted the technically revealing 2014 'SYROBONKERS!' interview), and has had releases on labels such as Entr'acte, Fractal Meat Cuts and Important Records.

released May 1, 2020

Recorded Sept 2018 & Feb 2019 / Mixed January 2020 at Noyzelab.

Thunderstorm field recording on FM40P::cicFLUFFYCLOUDZ is an excerpt from Syracuse Storm, recorded July 2017 Syracuse, New York, USA in my guest bedroom at the house of Doug Quin & Peggy Droz.

Art by Graeme Swinton

Thanks : Paul Condon, Graeme Swinton, Sarah Last, Doug Quin, Peggy Droz

FEFNYZ / FEF88"

UVI Vintage Vault 3 - The Ultimative Vintage Synthesizer Collection with 65 instruments

Published on Jan 10, 2020 RetroSound

"VINTAGE VAULT 3

I think many of you guys know that I work since many years together with #UVI.
So I have sampled most of my #Vintage #Synths for UVI products like OB Legacy, String Machines 2, Synth Anthology 2 and more.

Now here is the brand new Vintage Vault 3 with 65 vintage instruments and over 500.000 high quality samples.
As synth maniac since a very long time I must that high quality samples are more realistic as virtual synthesis.
All the vintage synths I show in the video and a lot more are included in Vintage Vault3.

Check the new Vintage Vault 3 by UVI: http://bit.ly/retrosound-uvi"

The Seventh Wave Festival of Electronic Music #7 w/ Delia Derbyshire Collaborator David Vorhaus

David Vorhaus Analogue Electronic Music 1979 Published on Sep 13, 2009 JeffreyPlaide

Update: Festival info further below. Thought I would start with a couple of videos featuring David Vorhaus.

"In this historical video excerpt, David Vorhaus talks about two of his analogue inventions - the MANIAC analogue sequencer, and the Kaleidophon from 1979.

The MANIAC (Multiphasic Analog Inter-Active Chromataphonic (sequencer)) was an analogue sequencer having variable step lengths, and the ability to split sequences into several smaller groupings giving considerable sonic potentiality. Addition and subtraction of events was possible, as well as the possibility to chromatically correct the output during performance. David could program his MANIAC sequencer to play a background rhythm or combination of musical events, to then improvise over the top with another instrument or synthesizer.

The Kaleidophon was a double-bass-like instrument using four velocity-sensitive ribbon controllers instead of strings. The instrument is played entirely using the left hand, leaving the right hand free to manipulate the sound via a number of controllers and a joystick.

David speaks about the processes of making electronic music, and the developments that such possibilities can provide for the imaginative electronic musician. This excerpt is taken from the BBC 1979 documentary entitled "The New Sound of Music" hosted by Michael Rodd."

WHITE NOISE Electric Storm in Hell [not quite Full Album]

Published on Mar 9, 2013 musick2138

"The Seventh Wave presents

White Noise - a Fifty Years Celebration of An Electric Storm & Other Sonic Adventures

Voyd - live set / White Noise - live set / White Noise - talk and q&a

Friday 14 June 2019 Doors 6.30 pm.

Curfew 10.00 pm.

The Blue Orange Theatre, 118 Great Hampton Street, Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham B18 6AD.

White Noise - An Electric Storm - Review

When White Noise's debut album, An Electric Storm, landed on Island Records in 1969, it must have sounded like nothing else. Packaged in a striking black and white sleeve that pictured a spark of lightning streaking across a black sky, this was an album that - quite rightly as it turned out - resembled as much a scientific experiment as any conventional musical document.

White Noise came into being when David Vorhaus, an American electronics student with a passion for experimental sound and classical music attended a lecture by Delia Derbyshire, a sound scientist at the BBC's Radiophonic Workshop whose claim to fame was writing the original Doctor Who theme tune. With the help of fellow Radiophonic Workshop composer Brian Hodgeson, Vorhaus and Derbyshire hunkered down at Kaleidophon Studios in Camden to pen an album that reconciled pop music with the experimental avant-garde. The result is a set of eerie, delightful songs that, for all their surface simplicity, shimmer with vestigial synthesiser swells, strange echoes, disembodied voices, and distant music-box trills.

Outside of a few equally adventurous '60s releases - the debut album from US psychedelic pioneers The United States Of America, for instance - this is pretty much uncharted territory, particularly for a major label release. On ''My Game Of Loving'', a dozen multi-tracked voices built to a panting orgasm, while the closing ''Black Mass An Electric Storm In Hell'' ushers the record to a freeform close in a clatter of freeform drums, cavernous echo and chilling, animalistic screams. Perhaps unsurprisingly, An Electric Storm would struggle to find an audience on its release, and in the following years, great leaps in synthesiser technology somewhat diminished White Noise's experimental achievements. One thing that would remain timeless, however, were the songs themselves. An Electric Storm would later become a key inspiration on bands like Add (N) To X and Broadcast, synthesiser explorers who picked through these primitive, vestigial sound experiments, took careful notes, and eventually, set out to craft their own futuristic pop lullabies.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/pq9x/

The other two dates of the festival feature:

Banco de Gaia (Toby Marks) - he will once again be accompanied by Patrick Dunn on visuals (Patrick produces visual content for Tangerine Dream!!!).

The Black Dog is a British electronic music group, founded by Ken Downie along with Ed Handley and Andy Turner. The group are considered pioneers who, along with acts like Autechre, Aphex Twin, LFO et al came to define the UK techno movement in the early 1990's.

For further information email theseventhwave@btinternet.com

Tickets available at https://www.skiddle.com/groups/theseventhwave/"

Mad Soviet Prince - Novation Peak, Yamaha Montage

Published on Jan 20, 2019 Earmonkey Music

"So there were a few influences at work here. I really like how the Peak manages such a huge sound. Basses that cut. Pads that.... cut. It's all so fun. Also featured here is a drum kit from the Yamaha Montage. It never ceases to provide awesome, useful sounds. This reminds me of stuff we used to go dancing to in 1989. Oh, and don't smoke the reefer. It will turn you into a maniac."

"In this video the Peak is doing all the synth and the Montage is doing all the drums. There are really only three patches. One Peak pad, one Peak bass, and one Montage drum kit. My Montage was probably about 3x the cost of the Peak."

Vinyl Debut by NYZ - SHFTR FRQ - Featuring Aphex Twin's Sequentix Cirklon & PreenFM2

"+ [Special note for track A9 - SHFTR_CA#BB1] => A huge shout of thanks to Richard D James for gifting me a Sequentix Cirklon sequencer and PreenFM2 synth during my Regional Arts Fellowship in 2017! This was the first track I made using this gear. You can also read up more about my open source Farey Sequence FM programming tool for the PreenFM here =>
github.com/noyzelab/FareyPreenFM2

++ Folks interested in using cellular automata can also check out my open source Arduino based synth module here =>
github.com/noyzelab/uMANIAC"

NYZ of Noyzelab has a new release out on neon orange vinyl (limited to 300 copies) titled SHFTR FRQ which features PreenFM2 sequenced by the Sequentix Cirklon. You will find a track off the release above. Below you will find some exclusive pics sent my way from NYZ and info on the release from Forced Exposure where it is available in the US. The album is available in the UK from Boomkat here. Update: it's also available at Phonica Records, Norman Records, Juno Records, Redeye Records, and Bleep.

"The Death of Rave is honored to plate up the vinyl debut by NYZ; the cult, algorithmic/ generative music project of award-winning artist/scientist Dave Burraston (Bryen Telko, Noyzelab). The A-side revolves 14 succinct blatz, ranging from cranky percussive pieces to queered microtonal dissonance and SAW II-like atmospheres -- notably including one track made on a Sequentix Cirklon sequencer and PreenFM2 synth gifted him by Richard D. James. The B-side contains a steeply immersive spectral drone tract that (never) ends in a locked groove, especially cut at D&M, Berlin. The results are wholly unique and speak to the endless, playfully experimental variation of NYZ's art/research. They reveal visceral, alien microcosms of curdled microtonal tunings and proprioceptive chicanery bound to thrill and induce strange, new sensations in even the most hard-to-please fiend of electronic music. It's strongly recommended to followers of Russell Haswell's chaotic gnash, the mind-bending tunings of Aphex Twin, the visionary algorithmic scapes of Roland Kayn, and Eliane Radigue's microtonal meditations. In Dave's own words:

"SHFTR FRQ is a series of experimental studies into simple synth setups controlled by varying levels of generative complex systems [MANIAC cellular automata]. SHFTR FRQ was recorded over the last six years on an ever-changing hybrid of equipment encompassing the domains of modular and MIDI-based microtonal sound synthesis [analog and digital]. Setups were always ultra-minimalist, often with just the MANIAC cellular automata sequencer and one or two modules/synths to provide a consistent sensory focus. The studies range from ultra-short sequences, micro-ditties, investigatory motifs, to a full length high spectral drone meditation."

Burraston has previously collaborated with Alan Lamb on recordings of a mile-long telephone wire in the Australian outback, and more recently he issued nearly a dozen NYZ tapes and CDs with some of the most crucial modern music labels, as well as a number of releases under the Noyzelab and Bryen Telko aliases. In 2014, Dave self-published SYROBONKERS!, the most technical and in-depth interview ever given by Aphex Twin. Screen-printed jacket. RIYL: Russell Haswell, Aphex Twin, Eliane Radigue, EVOL/ALKU, Roland Kayn."

CLICK FOR MORE »

NYZ - NTE GDN => Behind the scenes with the Yamaha FB-01

Photo Credit: Calum Gunn * all other pix by NYZ *

"The new NYZ - NTE GDN tape on Conditional is just out [limited edition of 50 copies]! Matrix heard on the synth grapevine that it heavily featured the Yamaha FB-01 operating in a secret sysex mode, so he asked me if I'd write a little about how it was used. You can check the album out on the Conditional Bandcamp page here, release date July 6th =>

and have a listen while reading. Its also available from Boomkat [with track previews] =>

Boomkat review => "Blinding new batch of synth and computer music chaos from Dave Burraston’s cultishly regarded NYZ. With such a wild variation to his purist approach it’s perhaps silly to draw comparisons or contrasts, but these are patently some of NYZ’s sweeter treats, such as the curdled harmonics of ‘ARTOFNYZbitcompander’ and the funky lil’ vamps of ‘RLD syncs’ for more insatiable and curious listeners. In other words it’s fucking ace!"

and Norman Records =>

Norman Records review => "9/10 Conditional unleash this beautifully wild and playful tape from David Burraston aka NYZ. Here he harnesses the spectrum splitting potential of John Chowning’s FM synthesis to birth and animate ludicrously cute and cuddly synthetic creatures that come to life before our very ears. What even are these little mutant alien lifeforms? Where is this strange place in which they dwell?

The overall experience of imbibing these sounds is a lot like an experience I once had watching Teletubbies on acid, where I thought the little blighters were actually communicating directly to me. This world NYZ has created and its inhabitants are clearly fantasy, but it’s so brilliantly, vividly realised and skillfully executed that if you just let go of the shackles of reality and submit yourself, it can be an authentic place where these things live and breathe, eat and sleep and go through their life cycle. We get to hang out with them as they speak, sing, laugh and cry. I’d much rather hang out with these chirpy little fellows because humans are the absolute worst. For music to get a miserable, misanthropic, curmudgeon bastard like me to grin like a child holding a cookie the size of its head is quite an achievement.

This tape is just so much fun - it's like a little utopia for the most part, but there are occasional darker moments - at times it feels like the big bad wolf or some kind of predator is lurking with intent to gobble up our little friends. Burraston’s custom-built MANIAC Cellular Automata Sequencer is instrumental in giving life to these sounds - a tool that gives this work a unique voice and an unpredictable energy that seems to organically flow through his machines. This music is most certainly unconventional even by avant-garde standards, and although on the surface is definitely weird and kinda eccentric, it taps into something deeper. Like Victor Frankenstein’s unorthodox scientific experiment in Mary Shelley's novel where scientist becomes an architect of life. This place, it's lifeforms and their language seems bewilderingly genuine - a sonic virtual reality -- a hybrid analogue/digital world where what is “real” and synthetic is blurred."


So why am I interested in the strange and esoteric Yamaha FB-01, and what are these secret sysex codes? Well, first up its a nice little 8 voice FM synth, and I'm well known for being a bit obsessed with FM [see the NYZ - DRN4 Declassified article]. Secondly, its a kind of in-between synth, arriving after the first 4 operator synths, such the DX21, but before the TX81Z which featured a full microtonal tuning table. Its this inbetweeness that really interested me, and its really the only first gen sine wave only 4op that can be micro-tuned, albeit in a very roundabout way via some secret sysex codes.

CLICK FOR MORE »

RAINWIRE [Processed] AFXs Fairlight #40 [Excerpt]

"Fairlight CMI Series 1
MANIAC cellular automata sequencer
Zoom F8
MOTU Microbook II
MacBook Pro

Recorded February 2017 during my Regional Arts Fellowship. This Regional Arts Fellowship is supported by the NSW Government through Create NSW.

Thanks to Richard D James for use of the Fairlight."

Noyzelab At EMS Stockholm w/ Buchla, Serge, Aphex Twin/Richard D James Fairlight and More

Published on Apr 10, 2018 noyzelab

"A quick iphone recording during a session on the Fylkingen Buchla 200 at EMS Stockholm.

FM patch with my MANIAC cellular automata sequencer.

Recorded February 2017 at EMS Sweden during my Regional Arts Fellowship. This Regional Arts Fellowship is supported by the NSW Government through Create NSW.

http://elektronmusikstudion.se/

Thanks to absolutely everybody at EMS!"

SERGE@EMS MANIAC

Published on Apr 10, 2018

"A quick iphone recording during a session on the Serge modular with my MANIAC cellular automata sequencer at EMS Stockholm."



Playlist descriptions:

1. RAINWIRE [PROCESSED] AFXs Fairlight #11

Fairlight CMI Series 1
MANIAC cellular automata sequencer
Zoom F8
MOTU Microbook II
MacBook Pro

Recorded February 2017 during my Regional Arts Fellowship. This Regional Arts Fellowship is supported by the NSW Government through Create NSW.

Thanks to Richard D James for use of the Fairlight.

2. RAINWIRE [PROCESSED] EMS Sweden Settels+Buchla et al [Excerpt]

Roberta Settels diode transformer ring modulator
Noyzelab custom built diode transformer ring modulator
Buchla 200
MOTU Microbook II
MacBook Pro
Recorded in Logic Pro 10, excerpt mixed down using REAPER 5

Recorded May/June 2017 at EMS Sweden during my Regional Arts Fellowship. This Regional Arts Fellowship is supported by the NSW Government through Create NSW.

Thanks to absolutely everybody at EMS!!

3. RAINWIRE [PROCESSED] EMS Sweden Buchla 288v [Excerpt]

Buchla 200
MANIAC cellular automata sequencer
MOTU Microbook II
MacBook Pro
Recorded in Logic Pro 10 from a mix of the 288v Time Domain Processor outputs, excerpt mixed down using REAPER 5

Recorded May/June 2017 at EMS Sweden during my Regional Arts Fellowship. This Regional Arts Fellowship is supported by the NSW Government through Create NSW.

Thanks to absolutely everybody at EMS!!

4. RAINWIRE [PROCESSED] UNI of HULL VCS3 [Excerpt]

EMS VCS3 MKII
MOTU Microbook II
MacBook Pro
Recorded in Logic Pro 10, excerpt mixed down using REAPER 5

Recorded March 2017 at University of Hull, UK during my Regional Arts Fellowship. This Regional Arts Fellowship is supported by the NSW Government through Create NSW.

Thanks to Rob Mackay at University of Hull.

See the Noyzelab label below for more.

noyzelab EMS Sweden Residency

Another visit by noyzelab. This one was at EMS Sweden. Click through for the full post include more info and pics of the Buchla system and more.

"On Feb 1 - 12 I was Guest Composer at EMS Elektronmusikstudion in Stockholm, Sweden. I also had my Eurorack modular with Intellijel Shapeshifter, CycleboxII + Expander, Tiptop Z-DSP & Numberz, as well as my uMANIAC and MANIAC cellular automata sequencers and a MacBook Pro + MOTU MicroBookII.

For the creative outcomes I spent my time again working mainly with modulation synthesis such as FM, RM, PWM, AM, and wavetable synthesis via audio rate sequencing. I was also processing sounds from my Rainwire recordings through some pretty exotic effects modules/units, ranging from spring/plate reverbs, modular systems and high end DSP boxes. Some of these recordings appeared in my Rainwire [Processed] installation at Sound+Environment 2017 at Hull University, part of the UK City of Culture 2017..." You can find the full post at noyzelab.