Cherry Audio | Mercury-8 Synthesizer with SoundForce SFC-8 MIDI Controller

video upload by Cherry Audio

"Cherry Audio's Robert Saint John shares a brief overview and demo of Mercury-8 synthesizer with the SoundForce SFC-8 MIDI controller. The SFC-8 is specifically designed for JP-8 plugins, bridging the tactile feel of hardware with the capabilities of software instruments. With the latest updates to both Mercury-8 and SFC-8, they are a powerful and satisfying combination.

SFC-8 features a solid build and updated firmware already mapped to various JP-8 emulations like Mercury-8. With its full set of pots, sliders, and switches, SFC-8 utilizes Mercury-8's key features, including layered split and dual modes, drift/detune, the arp, and up to five user settings.

More details and the latest firmware update for SFC-8 are available on the SoundForce website at https://sound-force.nl/?page_id=4789, which also offers step-by-step documentation, a Mercury-8 template preset, and a Web MIDI Control Panel for loading the software-specific MIDI CCs and configuration.

SoundForce started in 2014 with a simple idea: "Wouldn’t it be cool to control software synthesizers with dedicated controllers?" Check out their website for more controllers, such as the newly updated SFC-Mini (for Minimoog emulations), SFC-60 for Juno-style plugins, and more."

Cherry Audio Introduces Mercury-8 - Virtual Roland JUPITER-8 Soft Synth

video uploads by Cherry Audio

"Mercury-8 synthesizer builds on Cherry Audio's renowned Mercury legacy with a passionate focus on detail and modern technical advancements. Every aspect of the original hardware has been carefully modeled to capture the sound and behavior that made the JP-8 so legendary. Furthermore, Mercury-8 goes "beyond Jupiter" by offering expanded polyphony, versatile modulation options, studio-quality effects, and expressive performance capabilities. It not only captures the distinctive essence of a JP-8 but can even exchange SysEx data with MIDI-modified hardware.

https://cherryaudio.com/products/merc...

Cherry Audio and @TimShoebridge have collaborated once again to share an in-depth introductory video for Mercury-8. This comprehensive guide demonstrates how simple it is to create powerful sounds from scratch, maximize the modulation matrix, and get the most out of splits and dual layers. Additionally, the video highlights the new effects and Mercury-8's remarkable capability to import original JP-8 patch bank SysEx data via a drag-and-drop feature.

00:00 - Mission Mercury! by Mal Meehan, James Terris, and Robert Saint John
01:16 - Introducing Mercury-8 with Tim Shoebridge
02:48 - A Little Experiment
05:20 - Music: "From Scratch"
07:26 - Front Panel: VCOs and LFO
11:45 - Music: "Two Notes"
12:05 - Filters and Envelopes
15:00 - Music: "Plucks"
15:20 - Mod Matrix
16:35 - Layers, Dual and Split
18:05 - Effects
25:45 - Music: "Lo-Fi"
26:27 - Quick Tour: Sequencer, Arp, Performance, Assign Mode, and the Digital Display
27:43 - Digital Display and Expanded Settings
34:41 - Mercury-8 and JP-8: Factory Presets and SysEx Data Exchange
37:37 - Conclusion and Music: 'Timeline'"

Playlist of videos (note the desciption above is for the first video):

1. Cherry Audio | Introduction to Mercury-8 with Tim Shoebridge
2. Cherry Audio | Mercury-8 Synthesizer - NEW! - Cherry Audio and Michael Oakley Official
3. Cherry Audio | The Grid Preset Pack for Mercury-8 by Michael Oakley
4. Cherry Audio | Mercury-8: A Tour of the Presets with Mike Martin
5. Cherry Audio | JUPITER-8 x MERCURY-8 - Factory Presets Compared
6. Cherry Audio Mercury-8: Artist Demo - James Dyson
7. Cherry Audio Mercury-8: Artist Demo - Jezz Woodroffe

And two user videos:

Cherry Audio Mercury-8 Jupiter-8 Strings Pads FX VST Virtual Analog Synthesizer Rik Marston

video upload by Rik Marston Official

"My Etsy store: AhnyxianSoundDesign
https://www.etsy.com/shop/AhnyxianSou..."

Cherry Audio Mercury 8 Synthesizer 'Mercury Sunset Riders'

video upload by James Dyson

"Cherry Audio Mercury 8 Synthesizer 'Mercury Sunset Riders'

Composed with just handful of the included 'James Dyson Collection' Factory Presets that come with Mercury 8. 'More than just a Jupiter 8'

All played live and multi track recorded.

Checkout Mercury 8 here https://cherryaudio.com/products/merc..."

Liam and the Pro Soloist V4

video upload by Alan R. Pearlman Foundation

"Liam and the Pro Soloist

Presented by:
Liam Duggan
Lucky Winner of an ARP Pro Soloist
Signed by Tony Banks

Liam has been active in the UK music scene since the late 80’s. From playing in punk bands in his teens, djing in Bristol’s early acid house scene to working in the studio with Mr Scruff and DJ Krust, touring as keyboard player for the reknowned Bristol band Breakbeat Era, and working as a synth programmer for Bryan Ferry.

Liam has a deep love of music and synthesizers. ARP Synthesizers in particular. His email address ends in 2600.

This raffle was made possible by:
Andrew Ward, Tony Banks and Machina Bristronica

Thanks also to: Alex Ball, Alison Cassidy, Bell Tone Synth Works, the Board of the Alan R Pearlman Foundation, Cherry Audio, Gino Wong, Korg UK, Mike M. Martin, Moog Music, Nick Carlisle, Robbie Puricelli,
Robert Saint John, Rupert Greenall,
Sweet Discrete and Vito Nando"

https://alanrpearlmanfoundation.org/

Next week in Bristol, the ARP Foundation will be bearing gifts...

video upload by Alan R. Pearlman Foundation

"Attending ⁨‪@MachinaBristronica‬ next weekend? The Alan R Pearlman Foundation will be there with a big surprise! Stay tuned!

(Many thanks to Robert Saint John of Cherry Audio for producing this vid)"

https://alanrpearlmanfoundation.org/

Cherry Audio Moog Series III VST Spotted

This one was spotted and sent in via electraumatisme.

Note the Cherry labels at the bottom of each module. It looks like Cherry/MRB

You can see it for yourself at 24:04 in this video.

Update: according to Atomic Shadow this actually appears to be the currently availabile VM900 Collection.

You can find videos dating back to 2021 here, intro video here. I'm not finding any videos mentioning the VM900 after 2021.

If anyone knows otherwise, feel free to leave a comment.

Update2 via Robert Saint John in the comments: "[Atomic Shadow] is correct, this is simply the Cherry Audio/MRB bundle of VM900 modules for Cherry Audio’s Voltage Modular platform, released in October 2021. We have not announced any plans to release this as a standalone or VST instrument"

Mega Killer - Carpenter Brut “Turbo Killer” cover with Sonicware Liven MEGA SYNTHESIS

video upload by Robert Saint John

"“Mega Killer” - a cover of @carpenterbrut’s #synthwave classic with the @SONICWARE Liven MEGA Synthesis #synthesizer / #groovebox."

Roland SH-4d ⦿ "There is a 4th Dimension" (4k)

video upload by Robert Saint John

"'There is a 4th Dimension,' a progwave (?) track created and performed with the Roland SH-4d Synthesizer. Pink Floyd meets John Carpenter, or something 😄 I love this little box. 🎹 ❤️ 🔥"

Giorgio Moroder’s “Paul’s Theme” Roland SH-4d #synthesizer

video upload by Robert Saint John

Roland SH-4d Synthesizer Demo

video upload by Robert Saint John

"A short demo of the new Roland SH-4d synthesizer. I created the sequenced tracks 2-5 (including drums) and left Part 1 open to play the lead. Good progress in a week, and I’m really enjoying it as much as I’d hoped. Great sounds, and very good navigation packed into a solid UI. I need to dig more into the EQ and effects, but I definitely rate it 👍 👍"

@1PWM Malevolent #synthesizer and Korg SQ-64 sequencer

video upload by Robert Saint John

"@1PWM PWM Malevolent continues to impress, and it’s even more fun when paired with a great sequencer."

Doctor Who Theme on SYNTRX

video upload by Robert Saint John

"Sooner or later, it’s inevitable that I’ll recreate the Doctor Who theme on any synthesizer I have. Multi-tracked with Erica Synths SYNTRX, painstakingly sequenced with Korg SQ-64, and Nu:Tekt NTS-1 for reverb and delay."

Short Waves - SYNTRX and Korg SQ-64, NTS-1 Synth Demo

video upload by Robert Saint John

"Here’s a short poppy piece summing up my weeks of experimenting with the ins and outs of the @EricaSynths Syntrx, the @KorgOfficial NTS-1, and the SQ-64 sequencer. Two paraphonic tracks from the chain-patterned SQ-64 via CV to Syntrx, and a third via MIDI to the NTS-1 equipped with @Sinevibes very cool GROOVE DSP drum machine engine. Ring mod on Syntrx with OSC3 and the messy input from a shortwave radio for some grit, all out to the NTS-1 for reverb and delay. Recorded direct with Roland GO:Mixer Pro X."

GX-80 Fantasia | Cherry Audio

video upload by Cherry Audio

"Somewhere in the Multiverse, an alternate Cherry Audio might release its flagship GX-80 as a hardware synthesizer. Perhaps this is what androids dream of?

In our universe, GX-80 is Cherry Audio's visionary virtual synthesizer, available now! Combining the unparalleled sound and features of Yamaha's fabled GX-1 "Dream Machine" and its renowned descendant, the CS-80, GX-80 is a transformative virtual instrument blending the essence of two groundbreaking classics to create a powerhouse hybrid.

To all of the fans and friends of Cherry Audio and the GX-80, HAPPY HOLIDAYS! Thank you for making GX-80 our most successful release to date by far. Stay tuned; we're just getting started!

CREDITS:
• 3D Modeling and Renders - "GX-80, The Nostromo Edition": by Mikko Niiranen // Nirude (Thank you!) - https://www.youtube.com/@niiranen
• Music: "Arriving Departure," composed entirely with GX-80, by James Terris, Cherry Audio Sound Design Team Leader - https://www.terrissounddesign.com/
• Original GX-80 design: Mitchell Sigman, Cherry Audio Lead Designer - http://mitchellsigman.com/
• Video edit: Robert Saint John, Cherry Audio Director of Marketing"

Synth Overlays for JUPITER-X and Xm - JUPITER-Xpert Review

video upload by Robert Saint John

"Here's a close look at a new set of accessories for the Roland JUPITER synthesizers, the JUPITER-X and Xm Overlays from Synth Overlays. Phil Roberts of Synth Overlays (synthoverlays.com) asked if I'd like to do a video, and I was happy to jump on the opportunity.

00:00 Introduction
00:32 What are overlays?
01:35 JUPITER-X/Xm and the Model Expansion challenge
02:28 Synth Overlays as a solution
03:52 Availability and pricing
04:27 Value proposition
05:15 One More Thing and Conclusion

Synth Overlays on the Web - https://www.synthoverlays.com/

#jupiterx #jupiterxm #synthesizer

This video is a review of the Synth Overlays JUPITER-X bundle, provided to me by Synth Overlays for early feedback and review purposes."

Roland #SYSTEM100 vintage #synthesizer and RE-150 #SpaceEcho

video upload by Robert Saint John

Smaller on the Inside! Music Studio Rebuild: A Look at My Latest Setup - Synths, Doctor Who, & More!

video upload by Robert Saint John

"It's my Holiday Special! I have some significant changes coming in the new year, so it was a good time to completely reorganize my studio office. This video is for you if:

- You like gear videos with lots of self-indulgent talking and no music
- You love Doctor Who and sci-fi toys as much as synthesizers, if not more
- You're curious about what gear I have other than my JUPITERs
- You want to see how *not* to acoustically treat a music studio
- You like to count how many times I say 'Ummm...'


Happy Holidays from this studio to yours, and may all of us have a very Merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous 2022! ~Robert"

Roland Announces Vocal Designer Model Expansion and Roland Cloud Connect

video upload by RolandChannel

And a user video by Robert Saint John - JUPITER-Xpert:

Roland JUPITER v2.0 - Vocal Designer & Roland Cloud Connect -New JUPITER-X / Xm Synthesizer Firmware

video upload by Robert Saint John - JUPITER-Xpert

The press release:

Powerful New Creative Tools for Owners of the JUPITER-X and JUPITER-Xm Synthesizers

Los Angeles, CA, November 16, 2021 — Roland announces two powerful creative tools for all JUPITER-X and JUPITER-Xm synthesizer owners. The Vocal Designer Model Expansion brings the company’s acclaimed vocal synthesis technology to the JUPITER-X range, opening up a new world of expressive possibilities with the dynamic character of the human voice. Roland Cloud Connect unlocks instant access to an ever-expanding universe filled with thousands of iconic sounds and expansions using just a mobile device and the included wireless adapter.

Vocal Designer Model Expansion
The most expressive instrument in the world is the one inside us all—the human voice. With the Vocal Designer Model Expansion, players can add the warmth and expression of their voices to synthesized sounds, complete with deep customization options to craft unique and memorable tones. Roland has a long history in vocal synthesis, including the famous VP and V-Synth keyboards. Now, the Vocal Designer Model Expansion brings the pinnacle of this powerful technology to the JUPITER-X and JUPITER-Xm.

After connecting a microphone to the rear panel of the JUPITER-X/-Xm, the Vocal Designer Model Expansion allows all types of synthesizer sounds to be controlled and modulated with vocal input. This enables the performer to create otherworldly textures that blend the organic expression of the voice (the modulator) with a synthesized tone or instrument sound (the carrier). The Vocal Designer Model Expansion includes 26 different vocal synthesis algorithms with a wide range of customizable options. And any ZEN-Core tone can be used as a carrier, offering a staggering number of sonic possibilities.

In addition to all-new sounds, the Vocal Designer Model Expansion offers classic vocoder sounds derived from the legendary VP series, including choir and ensemble tones, robot voices, and more. And despite its name, the Vocal Designer Model Expansion isn’t just for voice. It’s possible to use nearly any analog audio or USB input source as a modulator, including drum machines, guitars, circuit-bent toys, DAW audio tracks, or anything the user can imagine.

Roland Cloud Connect
Roland Cloud Connect is a powerful new system that revolutionizes sound expansion for the JUPITER-X and JUPITER-Xm, providing wireless access to new sounds on demand. After plugging the included WC-1 wireless adapter into their instrument, owners can use the iOS/Android mobile app to browse, audition, and install Sound Packs, Wave Expansions, Model Expansions, and more from Roland Cloud. There's a comprehensive search engine for compatible content, and selections automatically synchronize with the user's Roland Account and Roland Cloud Manager software on a desktop computer.

The purchase of Roland Cloud Connect provides an entire year of the Pro membership tier of Roland Cloud. Included is unlimited use of over 30,000 sounds, plus the Vocal Designer Model Expansion and other Model Expansions for hardware or software instruments. There’s also a full library of authentic Roland virtual instruments for DAW production, including ZENOLOGY Pro and Legendary series titles like the JD-800, JX-8P, JUNO-60, TR-808, TR-909, and many more. And for creating on the go, the Zenbeats and Zentracker music production apps are available as well. After the first year, users can renew or scale their membership up or down to meet their needs.

Support for the Vocal Designer Model Expansion and Roland Cloud Connect is included with the free Version 2.0 update for the JUPITER-X and JUPITER-Xm.

Availability & Pricing

The Roland Vocal Designer Model Expansion is available now as a Lifetime Key for $149 through Roland Cloud, or it is also included with Roland Cloud Connect Pro membership.

Roland Cloud Connect will be available in January 2022 through authorized U.S. dealers for $99 and includes the WC-1 wireless adapter as well as one year of Roland Cloud Connect Pro membership for hardware and software.

Roland JUPITER v1.50 - BIG Update Worth the Wait! New Firmware for JUPITER-X & JUPITER-Xm

video upload by Robert Saint John - JUPITER-Xpert

Robert Saint John - JUPITER-Xpert posts

"Introducing System Program 1.50 for the Roland JUPITER-X and JUPITER-Xm synthesizers! This latest firmware update includes fantastic new features created directly in response to feedback from the X/Xm user community. This will be the first of a few JUPITER-Xpert videos that I'll be posting about what's new in 1.50, so be sure to hit that SUBSCRIBE button to stay notified. This video is an overview of the latest features, and I'll soon go into more depth in future tutorials.

I'm also introducing The JUPITER-Xpert Guide, my free downloadable PDF that tells you everything you need to get started, whether you’re an experienced user or brand new to the synths - https://bit.ly/jxguide (direct link to PDF)

Get the 1.50 update and new docs at:
* JUPITER-X *
Updates and Drivers - https://www.roland.com/global/support...
Documentation - https://www.roland.com/global/support..."

[ Ver.1.50 ] AUG 2021:
Additional Functions
"SINGLE SETUP" has been provided, making it possible to change to the settings for only a single part and play tones. This is useful when selecting and playing individual tones from respective models.
"Step recording" has been added for using the keyboard to input notes for individual steps in STEP EDIT.
"Real time recording" has been added for recording notes played during playback in STEP EDIT.
Functionality Improvement
The display view in the scene select mode has been improved.
When selecting parts for a scene, it is now possible to check the settings for the respective parts and to change tones.
The interface for operating STEP EDIT has been improved to make it more intuitive.
Bug Fixes
The following bugs were fixed.
Minor bugs have been fixed.

Roland JUPITER-Xm Demo - “Save Your Tears” by The Weeknd using Step Edit as Sequencer

video by Robert Saint John

"My iMac is in for repairs and I can’t yet do this as a full tutorial, so it’s more of a quick demo. This rough cover of The Weeknd’s “Save Your Tears” is all JUPITER-Xm, contained in a single Scene, using pre-sequenced Step Edit patterns and live performance.

Part 1: live Juno strings lead
Part 2: sequenced bass
Part 3: sequenced pad
Part 4: sequenced pluck

Tricks in use:

Starting with all Parts selected, the Step Edit Grid Length is set to 16. Parts 3 & 4 start muted. I start the patterns, then I quickly unmute with SHIFT+8/9 after a measure, and change Grid Length back to full 64 steps with Knob 2, to create an intro.

Part 1 is not sequenced and is the only Part with KeySw on for live performance.

The synchronized Step Edit patterns are set to Step Mode: KeyShift so that I can briefly transpose it all and back with a tap of a key. This is a great and simple way to introduce variation into an otherwise static 64-step pattern."

Roland JUPITER-X vs JUPITER-Xm: FIGHT! Thoughts on the Two Synthesizers

video by Robert Saint John

"Can there be only one?
---
As you may have seen in my recent video, I just purchased the full-size Roland JUPITER-X synthesizer, despite already having the JUPITER-Xm. Now that I've had a few days with it, I wanted to do a video review talking about my first impressions, why I made the decision to go ahead and get an X now, and how I feel it compares to my JUPITER-Xm. This is just commentary, no music, and it's not a tutorial. There's no "sound comparison" to do with these virtually identical synths. But there haven't been many opportunities for reviewers to talk about both of them. I thought it might help those who are on the fence about whether to buy one, which one to choose and, if you already have one of them, should you consider switching?"

Also see JUPITER-Xpert - Roland Jupiter-X & Jupiter-Xm Tutorials