Making New System Disks for Pete Townshend's Waldorf Wave

video upload by Really Nice Audio

"I had to make some new system disks for the Waldorf Wave that belongs to Pete Townshend."

"Luckily I was able to do it with amodern USB to Floppy drive. I made one that was the same version of Pets disk but was also able to make a newer version as well!" https://www.uwl.ac.uk/study/study-fac...

Also see: New Pete Townsend Synth Studio at the University of West London

Sequential Prophet 10 REV4 and Rhodes Piano | ambient improvisation

video upload by MIDERA

"My family and I went on vacation this week and had a great time. Some things came up at work and frustratingly, I feel I wasn't entirely as present as I'd have liked to have been. Kind of ruined a lot of things for me, but, despite that we had fun.

My oldest daughter, as usual, wanted a stuffy. We went to a store and she decided she wanted to wait to get something at a different place (because she usually liked the stuffed animals there. So later that day we drove down and - to her dismay - the new stuffed animals there were for little kids. We asked how she could tell, but she said she could. She did not want them. But we didn't have time to go back to the other place (since this was a restaurant and we were going to be eating dinner and the other place would be closed). I drove back up afterwards, looking for any place that might sell something similar, but nowhere did. The next day we knew a snow storm was coming in, a huge one. So she was very sad that we wouldn't be able to go back - but I was proud of her for two reasons: 1) She was able to hold off getting something now for the hopes of something better. 2) She didn't just grab something at the second place, because she knew she didn't want those. And although she cried and was very sad, she did not get something there. I was proud of her for that.

The next morning, we decided to go out in the storm and we did end up getting that stuffy for her. I got her something extra too because I was proud of her for waiting.

As for this track - well, I'm trying to see - do I really need that SX-240? Just because it's pretty? Basically, I have found the Prophet 10 actually does sound almost identical to the SX-240. As cool/nice as it is, I can't just keep all this stuff. There's just too much stuff here and I can make the same or better stuff without some of these synths in my studio.

Sequential Prophet 10 REV4
Rhodes Electric Piano MKI
Fractal Audio FM3 for FX"

Akai S1000 deep haul repair.

video upload by Really Nice Audio

"Join me down the gunky rabbit hole that is the Akai S1000.
What secrets are hidden in the dark corners?

Music by Moverz
Played on Akai MPC's

#synth #sampler #samplers #repair #akai #hiphop"

Inside an Akai S1000.

declassicfied birds: Korg KR-55 externally triggered and synced

video upload by ohm_studi_ohm

"The Korg Rhythm 55 (KR-55) is a very nice and punchy sounding rhythm unit that is also very easily modifiable. Adding clock sync, trigger inputs and audio outputs is really just a matter of soldering some wires in the right places and connecting them to sockets. (well if you want a proprer 24 PPQN DinSync you need to add some components for the clocking part).
Here is a demo of a unit that has 10 trigger inputs sequenced by the Roland TR-8s and which audio is running into the TR-8s too in order to add FX.
All drum sounds are from the KR-55.
You can also still have the built in KR-55 patterns running and play/record some more parts on top of them if you like. So sync and play at the same time.
By enabling external sequencing the trigger inputs mod broadens the KR-55 territory and you can hear that is can easily fit into contemporary musical genres.
One peculiar thing about this unit is that it has 12 sounds but only 10 trigger possibilities. Indeed the 2 toms and 2 congas share the same trigger so there is no way in this unit to have both toms and congas sound at the same time. There is a very nice technical article about this drum machine if you’re interested in such knowledge here: https://electricdruid.net/analogue-dr..."

Can the Sequential Circuits Prophet 10 Händel it?

video upload by Really Nice Audio

"Back to the old school of classical music played on synthesisers.
In this case 3 parts of a composition of George Frideric Handel on the Prophet 10."

Berlin School Ambient-ish Jam - Zoom R8, Gen R-8, ELZ_1 play, PSS-380

video upload by ChrisLody

"Full Disclosure: I occasionally take on freelance work at Sonicware and Stylophone on an hourly rate producing synth & sample sound design, beta testing, checking English text, video manuals, promo content etc. This video wasn't paid for directly but as a result of my work with Sonicware and Stylophone it is marked as Paid Promotion

So I feel very lucky this year to have worked with a few wonderful companies, mainly Sonicware and Stylophone. Obviously I've been sent the gear I've worked on for Sonicware as you'll see it all over my channel, but also Stylophone were very nice to me and sent me a Gen R-8 from their vaults!

I'm also lucky that my wife (and in-laws) appreciates my second job/hobby and buys me music gear for Christmas, that's where the Zoom R8 multitrack recorder I'm using here came from. I bought a Zoom Livetrak L-6 this year for my dawless jams which I love, but it records all it's channel simultaneously so layering is not possible. Layering is an interesting way of working which I've often used on the channel with a four track tape recorder, mixer and a send effect (most often a Zoom 1201), but this replaces the need for all that with a lot more features to boot.

What surprised me the most about the R8 is that you can record, mix and even master a whole track without relying on a DAW. All effects etc you hear are the R8 alone here. It has a send reverb slot, a send chorus/delay slot and then a single insert effects chain. The insert effect can only be doing one thing at once so you'll typically record through it onto an audio track or you can record dry and re-record (bounce) through it later if you prefer. There are a number of algorithms which are just a number of effects slots in a chain which can be configured to your liking. You switch algorithms, channel, contents and settings or preset of the insert effect depending what you need it for and when. This information is not well presented in the manual though so I geeked out and made a spreadsheet to show more simply which algorithms can contain which type of effect and which can be synced to tempo. That's available here: https://mega.nz/file/quxm3CoD#H1-u2Db... (I printed and laminated these, yes I know how to nerd)

Perhaps the only let down about the R8 is there's no sync options, though it's not really expecting you to work that way. You can have the metronome on headphones only which may be the way to do things, but I suspect I end up recording and panning a click from a Volca/Liven as a way around this.

By the way the small glockenspiel was part of my present from my in-laws. I've never had much luck recording them because of the huge spike in volume when the bar is hit (transient) so I almost gave up, but after studying the effects I saw the R8 has a 'slow attack' effect which was perfect for this as it completely kills the clackiness of the hit. Nice one. I'm recording through one of the two built in mics for that btw.

A quick word about the Stylophone Gen R-8, it's a dirty little beast. It's been kind of wild to get to grips with and I'm finding it's not suited to quite a lot of patches I'd normally make, smooth basses are out of the question for example because it sounds like the oscillator resets at the start of each new note (maybe the envelope, idk) so there's always a percussive click. Plus the filter sound is agro with settings that would normally tame it, it refuses to be calm. But for more aggressive tones it's very nice so I'll probably use it mostly for that!"

https://chrislody.bandcamp.com

X1L3 - ZXXN - radio / bluetooth receiver - eurorack module

video upload by X1L3

"Spec run down of ZXXN 📻🔈🔥
What it is and where to get it - below.....

Available at: https://x1l3.bigcartel.com/

ZXXN is a 4HP FM radio and bluetooth receiver. As well as Fm radio and bluetooth, it also has an SD card slot and a USB port for streaming audio files. It also has an audio aux input which when hit with a eurorack level signal will saturate at the output. A remote control comes with the module which on top of allowing you to be lazy, also lets you manually input FM channel frequencies and select a number of EQ presets.

The demo here was created using the ZXXN fed through a drail module. With several takes grabbed by hitting record at what i thought were prime moments that fit with the scene. A section in the second half is recorded using the bluetooth receiver and youtube streamed to it from my phone.

It's a nice compact module that for 4HP serves as a really versatile tool for sound design and the gathering of sounds. Or, you can just use it to turn your eurorack into an audio player if you fancy the inherent light show that might come with that 🙂"

OPL Studio + Korg NTS-3 + Phantasmal Force generative improvisation inspiration

video upload by Arman Bohn

"Phantasmal Force micro midi controller is available here:

https://distropolisgoods.com/

I haven’t posted in a little while … i’ve been working on the beta firmware for the Phantasmal Force for several months. Here is an improvisational demonstration of the new ARP button mode.

I’m triggering the OPL Studio with three different sequences sent from the Phantasmal Force. The OPL studio is multi timbral so it is capable of playing back different FM tones on each midi channel. It is an amazing device for those looking to explore 80s FM sounds within the context of a hypothetical OS developed to control all of the OPL chip parameters. Truly incredible.

https://www.cheerful.nl/index.html

The NTS-3 takes a bit of learning, but is slowly becoming a fave of mine for adding reverb, delays and interactive effects.  Such a great deal for what it costs.

I’m hoping to release a version 2.0 of the Phantasmal Force firmware within the next couple weeks … maybe even sooner. With that, I intend to release a kit version for sale as well."

"OPL Studio is the ultimate OPL2 / OPL3 synthesizer! It gives you almost limitless control over what you can do with the OPL3 synthesizer chip.

Features of OPL Studio

OPL Studio has a long list of features. To name a bunch of them:

Integrated patch editor to edit predefined instruments and create your own

Load and save instrument banks from popular formats such as *.BNK, *.SB, *.O3, ect.

Patch linking to layer up to 4 instrument patches for even more complex sounds

Polyphonic sequence editor to create up to 32 drum and 32 melody sequences
Quad sequencer to live play up to four sequences

Composer module that lets you create complete songs from your sequences
Midi channel mixer

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DO YOU WANT 30 EXPRESSIVE VOCODER SOUNDS? | NOVATION MININOVA | Demo of Vocoder Presets

video upload by Microflat

"This video will demo the absolutely amazing Novation MiniNova synthesizer's vocoder section that contains more than 30 presets. Many of the presets are expressive-aggressive base sounds highly suitable as really cool sound effects in movies - but also for rhythmic effects or experimental support of vocals and choirs in songs. Consequently, gently dosed compression and a little bit of reverb needed to be added in post production. That's all. The rest of the effects are straight out of the MiniNova. This versatile baby synthesizer comes in a nice blue color with 3 octaves and mini keys. Wow! Great sound engine.

Video clips were recorded in 4K (60 fps) on a Panasonic Lumix GH5 and were edited in Adobe Premiere Pro running on a HP Zbook 15 G6. Audio was recorded in 96 KHz 32 bit directly into the Solid State Logic SSL 2+ USB-C audio interface via an Apple iPad Pro running Cubasis 3. All audio output has been processed in Adobe Audition for optimal broadcasting."

🙏 Tiptop Audio RS909 🙏 🎧 (no talking) 🎧

video upload by Cutoff Frequency - gear stuff (no talking)

"This is a video demonstrating the sounds of the RS909 by TipTop Audio.

What can you expect from a modular rim shot? Well I was hoping for a high quality reproduction of the TR-909, which I got. It is a well put together sound module that cuts nicely through the mix. However, I was also hoping for some wildness, some creativity that goes well beyond the original. Unfortunately I didn't get that. The knob turning doesn't really inspire me to take the music to a new place. Still, a really nice rim shot though!

Artwork by a very young human being."

Super Lazy Sci Fi Soundtrack 3 - SmplTrek Liven MEGA Korg Volca Keys NTS1

video upload by ChrisLody

https://chrislody.bandcamp.com
https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/SymetriC...

"The Synth Tray 2 saga continues. It's now grown a little to include a battery bank to power the NTS-1 that you can see tucked under the cables behind the SmlpTrek. This has 2 outputs so it's also able to power my handmade midi thru box now I've made a cable for it, you can see it at the top right. I've also added a Little Bear MC5 mixer which is sat behind the ELZ_1 play. This is really just a temporary fix because I plan to replace it with a Bastl Bestie when I can justify dropping £200 on one.

So a bit about how this is all setup. The SmplTrek is controlling all the midi in this setup with multiple midi tracks set to different channels. The midi out goes to the midi thru splitter box which then connects into the Liven MEGA and Korg Volca Keys. The SmplTrek is also playing the deep pad from the beginning which was sampled out of the ELZ_1 play into it, and the drum loop. When I'm using this in a sofa session I mix the external gear on the Little Bear MC5 and monitor all the audio through the SmplTrek and usually add a little of my send effect to the output, but this time when I recorded it for this video I connected all the separate instrument outputs to my audio interface instead to give me a greater level of control over the final mix.

The Korg Volca connects through the NTS1 in this jam and I'm using the Hammond Eggs Music - Haze reverb. It contains a high pass filter so it's great for making top end pad/string type sounds. I checked this list of available plugins for the NTS1 recently and found loads of new stuff I didn't know about. Mine is absolutely full now :)

I'm using the ELZ_1 play to play the Liven MEGA here and using the LFO set to a speed of zero as a upward pitch bend. The current firmware of the ELZ_1 play has no 'local control off' function which makes it hard to use as a controller and sound module while composing in a setup like this as playing external midi channels also triggers the internal sound engine. I've suggested adding 'local control off' as an option, so fingers crossed for that one.

The MiniDisc player isn't really part of the setup I've been using, but it was nice to see it fit neatly with everything else :) I was planning to record the output down a global track on the SmplTrek, but they're mono so the ambience lost something when I did that, so I resorted to just playing it live and looping the track. The ambient recording is of my home town of Boston, Lincolnshire, UK.

The NTS1 is being used as an insert effect here (the Volca Keys is passing straight through) but once I buy a Bastl Bestie there is a way to use that in a send/return configuration which will be very useful from such a smaller mixer."

Noise + Chaos | MakeNoise Spectraphon & Mimeophon

video upload by Cinematic Laboratory

"I made this video on the 26th, 27th and today the 28th, so it's not a jam but a regular video. The main subject of this video is patching from scratch. With infinite possibilities, where do you begin? For me it's often a patchpoint I haven't used much or don't understand well. I had just finished the Mysteresis video and new ideas pop in when you're done and doing something completely different like cooking or cleaning. Since I've been working with Echophon feedback, I wondered if I could do something different with Mimeophon. Feedback doesn't really work, but how about clocking Mimeophon with Wogglebug, which is clocked by Mimeophon? I call it a clock feedback loop but don't know if there's a name for it. The fun obviously begins when you're going audio rate. The results were interesting, but not as spectacular as I hoped for. Second subject of this video is the Spectraphon Noise + Chaos mode which was added in the lastest firmware. The clock feedback delay and the SP were a nice combo and at the end of the session I finally got something worth sharing. I ended the video with a stock scene from a tibetan bowl player because it looked interesting and it had this relaxing vibe. This morning I patched up the Spectraphon to make bowls, so the stock video makes sense. It sounded very nice! So here's how one idea leads to another and adds up to your knowledge and experience. It's something you can't really learn from a book, you just need to let it happen and learn as you go. So it's noise and chaos from both Mimeophon and Spectraphon, and definitely in the patching process :).

Without a goal and without expectations, because a modular will always take a different route. So always keep that recorder running...."

240127 - Jamuary2024 - Kawai K4 Multi Mode Demo

video upload by ChrisLody

"Time for a bit of cheeeeese! Is this new age music? Something like that.

This is something I've been meaning to try for a while, the multi-timbral mode on my fairly recent accusation, the Kawai K4.

I really wanted to make a Sonicware free jam because I've been using their a hell of a lot across the channel recently, but the SmplTrek just seemed like the perfect fit for sequencing the K4. It's multi mode can be set up with 8 different channels for instruments plus one for drums and the SmplTrek has 10 slots which can all be loaded with midi tracks for sequencing. The K4 has an effects section which allows different send amounts per instrument in multi mode so all the audio is coming from the K4 here, nothing is being produced or effected by the SmplTrek.

All I'm using on the K4 are presets but even they are nice, it has a very nice tone for a synth that came out in 1989!

I'm using an overlay on the SmplTrek kindly sent to me by https://cremacaffe.shop/"

Quad Multimode Filter & Morphing Scanner Bank // Atlas by Vostok Instruments

video upload by DivKid

"I really love the approach of Vostok Instruments where they’re building out modules that not only sound great, but that offer multiple channels of the same functions. In modular you often need more, and not particularly more variety, but more of the same functions to push creativity and deeper levels of patching.

Atlas is a set of 4 multimode filters (low pass, high pass, band pass), with clever normalisations, dual modulation inputs per channel, a ‘classic synths of Japan in the 80s’ inspired sound PLUS you get an interpolating scanner bank that will morph between the four filter outputs. It’s an impressive thing that’s been a delight to play and patch with.

As always I hope the video provides you patches to explore Atlas and other filters and functions in your own systems."

Update: new video from Stazma:

Atlas Eurorack Module Demo | Gear Talk w/ Vostok Instruments

video upload by Stazma

00:00 Intro
01:14 Module Overview
04:46 Scan section
07:39 My first patch with Atlas
08:11 Four voice poly synth patch
11:23 Funky Bass & vowels
14:01 Ping it!
14:54 Stereo patch
17:17 Ambient w/ Torso T-1
18:14 Drum machine patch
21:34 End talk



Mini press release follows:

"Atlas is the latest addition to our range of multi-channel modules, a fully analog, four-channel multimode filter.

The cores are a modern approach to the gain-cell-based filters included in many of the classic Japanese synths of the 80s, with a vastly improved dynamic range, a super-accurate resonance compensation circuit, and a clean self-oscillation. It is perfect for recreating iconic TR-drum sounds by pinging the filters with fast envelopes or triggers.

In addition to the four filters, the module counts with a dedicated Interpolating Scanning Circuit that morphs between all the filter outputs to create new shapes and timbres."

User Manual

Additional details via Vostok Instruments:

When we talk about the sound signature of synths, filters are probably one of the first topics appearing.

On Atlas, we dive into the sound of the 80s Japanese classics with four gain-cell-based multimode filters that keep the silky and creamy sound of those legendary machines along with some technical improvements like a better noise floor, an accurate resonance compensation, and a daisy-chain input implementation that makes some patching techniques like parallel filtering a lot easier.

The filter cores have been carefully designed and tweaked to be pristine without losing character. With three filter modes available per channel, 4p-LP, 2p-HP, and 4p-BP, Atlas can cover almost any filtering technique, from superb filter sweeps to multi-slope resonant patches.

Thanks to its precise resonance circuit, each core creates a clean sine wave when self-oscillating. Excite the inputs with fast trigger or gate signals, and you will get TR-like drum sounds, from deep kickdrums to nice toms and congas.

In addition, the module counts with a CV-controlled Interpolating Scanner circuit that morphs softly between each filter output, creating new shapes and timbres as it fades between the channels.

Features
Four analog multimode, gain-cell-based VCF circuits.
Three modes per channel: 4p-LP, 2p-HP, and 4p-BP.
Resonance compensation circuit.
Daisy-chained audio and Freq inputs.
Secondary CV input, selectable between Frequency or Resonance.
CV-controlled Interpolating Scanner circuit.

What is The Vanilla Synthesizer? It's Ready, That's What

via the STG Soundlabs/muSonics Electronic Newsletter:

Is it The Vanilla Synthesizer or the muSonics TVS?

I started working on this project a year and a half ago.

Originally my thought process was to make a new American format synthesiser that could be sold as modules, kits, and bare boards. I was concerned about the future of the format, and I felt a new line of basic modules and infrastructure at a variety of price points was important. I still do.

STG Soundlabs was a failure because I made things that ultimately the eurorack market simply did not want. Yes, I sold some, and will continue to maintain the line as best as I can, but it's very hard to find photos of eurorack installations with STG Soundlabs modules in them, but rare to find a nice big man-sized synthesiser without my modules in it.

Another thing I wanted to do was teach myself how to do my own engineering. It didn't start that way, but it became that way. I'd been a hardware product developer since 2005 but never actually laid out a circuit board. That is no longer true, and I've done things beyond this project that I haven't even talked about.

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Exploring the Synamodec - Levitate Expansion

video upload by NOISEBUG

"The Synamodec Levitate Expansion will take your noisy distorted synth drones to new heights. Equipped with a bunch of droning oscillators, filters, delay, echo, phaser, distortion, fuzz VCA + LFO and a nice set of ins/outs, this bad boy is ready to get nasty. As a standalone machine The #LevitateExpansion is fully capable of creating novel landscapes of noise and wobbly Karplus-Strong effects. However, as an effects processor for external drum machines/audio sources; the expansion really comes to life. Push the internal oscillators mixed with external sources to the point of saturation and beyond. Feedback is also a main factor here. Thanks to the semi-modular features, you can reroute the signal paths to your hearts content."

https://www.noisebug.net/

Moog Sub 37 - Subtractive Vol 1 Vid 1 of 2

video upload by Scott McAuley Sounds

Vid 2 of 2 here

"Patches will be available at https://www.orano.co.uk/shop or http://www.synthsounds.co.uk

Demo of Patches 1 to 57
(Patches 58 to 100 will demo in Video 2)

I really had great fun creating this custom pack. a good mixture of sounds here to suit all genres of music from Film Scores to Funk, House, Techno, Boards Of Canada, Floyd, and much more.

All Sequence Data you hear in this demo is saved with each patch and supplied in the pack as a free bonus.

Enjoy!
SM

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A QUICK TEST : SOLTON DISCO 64

video upload by Vintage Audio Institute Italia

"Before the Solton Programmer 24 - the by now fairly well-known Italo Disco machine - there was the Solton Disco 64.

After picking up this beautiful and mega rare species in Perugia not too long ago I filmed the first 10 minutes of trying it out and reacquainting myself with its perks.

I needed to touch up on how these work - which maybe isn’t as straight forward as it should be.

I already have another unit here but haven’t used it in a long time since it started emitting smoke a few years back. The machine has some minor scratchy pots but is otherwise working fairly well - every time something we buy isn't completely dead is kind of a miracle.

The Wah chord sound doesn’t sound right so that will be taken care of - it's in the shop for a check-up and a re-cap of the power supply and a few other minor interventions as we speak.

This is a nice, heavy chunk of a machine (main unit Is 16 kilos) in a brown faux leather suitcase with saloon style wood details, this is not really a disco machine per se - quite a few machines featured Disco in their names for no other reason than the hype and coolness of the genre at the time.

But this is a unique auto-accompaniment beast none the less - with a great sounding analog string machine, an analog, monophonic bass synth with filters, different chord sounds and of course a drum machine with individual sound mute options.

You can play the string machine and bass synth alone and independently from the auto comp section."

The Game-Changing Roland Jupiter 4 Arpeggiator: A Must-Hear Demo

video upload by Andy Whitmore

"Unveiling the Hidden Power of Roland Jupiter 4 Arpeggiator
| HQ DEMO & TUTORIAL
This video demonstrates the sound and features of the Roland Jupiter-4 analog synthesizer. Enjoy!

The audio is DIRECT, 100% DRY, & IN STEREO - You are hearing the raw audio as it comes directly from the synthesizer. NO post processing (Effects, EQ, or Dynamics) whatsoever.

The Roland Jupiter-4 is a very strong, agressive, massive, but also sweet sounding synth. The sound is really incredible for only one VCO with one Sub-VCO. In this this Demo you will listen to this wide range of sounds.

The Roland JP-4 came out 1978, mine is from Nov. 1979 with the later filter board.

The great features of the JP-4 are:
- extremely fast envelopes
- ultra fast LFO and also slow LFO to get FM sounds and very slow filter sweeps as well
- fantastic sounding filter with ultra fat and sweet self resonance
- stereo chorus, not so strong like in the Juno 6/60, but very musical
- nice arpeggiator with triggering by a sequencer or drum machine
- random S/H filter modulation
- fantastic versatile bender board
- you can trim the 4 voices and slightly detune them on the back of the unit to achieve a really fat sound
- polyphonic portamento

Watch me bring that sound back to life!🎹🕺 "

Analogue Solutions New Synthesizer Teaser: AMPLE

video upload by Analogue Solutions

Update: demo by Starsky Carr posted here.

Ample can be as complex or as simple as you want it to be: We have given this synth a large and diverse number of controls, that alongside the patch sockets, will give even the best and most experienced synthesist endless possibilities.

We have presented the controls in a user-friendly and familiar synth layout that, together with this manual and other resources, enables even the new guy to get great sounds.

SYNTH – PERCUSSION – AUDIO PROCESSOR

"Ample is a compact analogue synthesizer. Analogue - as in really analogue. Aside from the MIDI chip (which has to be digital), everything else is totally analogue using real transistors and op-amps. There are no CPU-stabilised and quantised circuits, no DCOs, no digital LFOs and no digital EGs, as found on other so-called analogue synths. The circuitry is based on designs dating back to the mid-1970s. So Ample has a genuine old sound. The Best of all Ample combines the best elements of several of our recent products. -The sound elements of Fusebox -Jack patch points of Concussor Eurorack -Patch pin matrix of Vostok -Echo from Dr Strangelove -Sequencer and CV touch pads of Generator It shares all this yet still has its own sound!

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