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

SONICWARE ELZ_1 play full tutorial

video upload by ChrisLody

To learn more about the ELZ_1 play please visit the Sonicware website here: https://sonicware.jp/pages/elz_1-play

0:00 Teaser
0:20 Intro
1:00 Elz_1 and play comparison
1:40 Layout overview
2:46 Getting started
3:29 Controls overview
6:10 MEM, PTN & LOOP saves contents
7:42 Save slots
9:08 Erasing presets vs selecting blank presets
9:34 Synth engines overview
10:29 Low bit osc
11:09 Using Mod type LFO
13:14 Using Mod type Envelope
14:50 Standard osc
15:15 PWM patch example
15:54 Custom osc
16:58 Super osc
18:50 8-Bit Wavemem
20:44 8-Bit Morph
21:55 8-Bit FM
23:51 8-Bit Warp
24:56 8-Bit ADASR
26:30 8-Bit Time
27:23 DNA Explorer
29:17 Recording a waveform for granular synthesis
30:50 SiGrinder
32:32 FM Synth (4-op)
33:50 FM patch example
34:46 Masked Noise
35:18 Sand Flute
36:39 Ztrings
38:29 STK Drummer
39:58 Amp envelope
42:30 Filter section
47:25 Effects section
58:40 Voice settings
1:02:28 Quick patch example
1:05:22 Save a patch
1:05:58 Sequencer section
1:08:36 Real-time sequence recording
1:10:17 Saving a sequence
1:10:27 Step recording sequence
1:11:42 Sequencer playback options
1:12:17 Looper
1:13:25 Looper overdubbing
1:14:03 Saving looper recordings
1:19:06 Recording external audio to looper
1:20:20 Mixer settings
1:22:37 Playing held notes using OK button
1:23:18 Menu and misc settings
1:26:18 Updating firmware

How To Make Dark Ambient Sounds with ELZ_1 play [Free Ambient Presets!]

video upload by SONICWARE

"ELZ_1 play" Now Available at SONICWARE Dealers Worldwide! [check with dealers on the right for availability]

This guide explains how to create dark ambient sounds using the ELZ_1 play. The sounds you'll create include four types: DRONE, PAD, ATMOS, and NOISE. After crafting each sound, we'll use the LOOPER function to put together a dark ambient track.

You can download the preset patches, including the sounds we created here, from the link below. Be sure to get them and give them a try!

https://yuendo.gumroad.com/l/dark_amb...

In this Dark Ambient Preset Collection, the four sound types—DRONE, PAD, ATMOS, and NOISE—are organized into palettes. There are nine palettes in total, containing 36 sound patches altogether. Each palette is carefully adjusted, including level settings, to work seamlessly with the looper function right out of the box.

CLICK FOR MORE »

Sonicware ELZ_1 play Unboxing with Andrew Longhurst

video upload by Pro Synth Network

"Courtesy of My Longhurst, here's an exclusive video for our Patreons & YouTube Members of him unboxing & exploring the Sonicware ELZ_1 play.

The ELZ-1 play builds on the success of Sonicware's first ever instrument, the ELZ_1 and benefits from the knowledge and experience gained by Sonicware whilst creating their LIVEN units as well as SmplTrek and the LoFi-12 XT."

Sonicware ELZ_1 play: Ambient Loop 01 - A Pro Synth Network Short

video upload by Pro Synth Network

"The first of our PSN shorts using the brilliant ELZ_1 play from Dr. Yu Endo and Sonicware!.

Andrew builds up a lovely, evolving ambient loop using the 4-track loop recorder built into the ELZ_1 play.

The ELZ-1 play builds on the success of Sonicware's first ever instrument, the ELZ_1 and benefits from the knowledge and experience gained by Sonicware whilst creating their LIVEN units as well as SmplTrek and the LoFi-12 XT."

Protolody - Song-a-day 2024 - SmplTrek Liven MEGA ELZ_1 play Volca Keys NTS1

video upload by ChrisLody

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

So just recently I've been a down about my musical output to be honest, mostly the quality of my jams that I've been putting up on YouTube. This came to a head last weekend when I got talking to someone about my 2014 album, listened to some of it and had the realisation that the contents of that album is better than my work now. I imagined I'd grown as an artist but that was not the case. The main culprit was that I was actually making decent arrangement back then, taking my time to build something over at least a few day. Here's the album in question: https://chrislody.bandcamp.com/album/...

Due to my recent workload I've been favouring making jams, recording them and uploading them immediately. Don't get me wrong, there's a lot that can be learned from this approach, but carry on too long and it's like eating a bag a crisps everyday for your main meal, not satisfying.

A lot of the album above was created on the Nintendo DS and PSP using Nitrotracker, Korg Ds10 and Beaterator. These are nice little closed systems and have the benefit of running on something you can sit with on the sofa and really dig in to get the most from the software and finesse your work. I don't really want to return to using those though as I've just about rinsed them and they're not easy to integrate with other gear as they have no midi capability.

So my thoughts turned to something I kind of made as a joke video but actually turned out to be really useful, the Synth Tray. My original one of these was made from a bit of scrap ply so it wasn't very big and I want to cram on my gear so now I've made a new one, 'Synth Tray 2 - Dawless Evolved'"

Sonicware ELZ_1 play // review and demo

video upload by Starsky Carr

"The Sonicware ELZ_1 play is finally here, but was it worth the wait? After a few delays following the kickstarter the updated ELZ_1 is now shipping. It's got the addition of a looper, velocity sensitivity, a shimmer effect, more connectivity and in-built speakers.

In this I go through the 17 voice modes, demo the effects, looper and sequencer. It's a little longer than anticipated, but that's because it's got so much in here it's hard to know what to skip over. I don't go into every detail but it'll give you a great overview of how it works and what it sounds like.

Check out my website for patches and samples: https://starskycarr.com

0:00 executive summary
2:44 Let’s GO!
5:22 The Interface
8:07 the 17 Osc Modes
9:54 A note on Modulation
11:12 Back to the Osc Modes
25:59 Enveloeps and Filters
29:03 Effects
32:51 Voice Modes
36:06 Looper
42:49 Pattern/Sequencer
48:11 Saving and Renaming
49:01 Round Up"

ELZ_1 play - Synth Engine & Looper Showcase

video upload by ChrisLody

"Full Disclosure: I occasionally take on freelance work at Sonicware on an hourly rate producing synth & sample sound design, beta testing, checking English text and videos like this. Any other shorter videos on my channel containing Sonicware products are not paid content.

So the ELZ_1 play is now shipping to its backers and will also go on general sale. Please see the following link for more information about that: https://sonicware.jp/products/pre-ord...

The black keys edition is shown here but is also available with white keys."

[ELZ_1 play] New synth engine "Super OSC" demo

video upload by SONICWARE

"About Super OSC (https://dr.yuendo.jp/pages/elz_1-play)

I have shoot a demo of 'Super OSC,' which will be additionally installed by taking advantage of the period of time created by the delay in FCC/CE certification testing that I reported recently.

Not only Super SAW, but also Super SIN, Super SQR, Super TRI, and other sounds can be created. The video also introduces sound making and simple jammin', so please take a look.

Thank you for your continued support.

Yu Endo

---------------
Super OSCにつきまして

先日報告させて頂きましたFCC/CE認証試験の遅延により生じる期間を活用して追加搭載する『Super OSC』のデモを撮影しました。

Super SAWだけではなく、Super SIN, Super SQR, Super TRIなどのサウンドを作ることが出来ます。
動画ではサウンドメイキングや簡単なジャムも紹介していますので、ぜひご覧ください。

引き続き応援のほどよろしくお願いいたします。

遠藤 祐

#SONICWARE #ELZ_1play #elz1play #elz_1 #elz1 #synth #synthesizer"

Sonicware ELZ_1 play - Zstrings Patches

video upload by ChrisLody

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

It's a short one this! So it's been a while since my last ELZ_1 play patch video and the Zstrings engine in now a lot more developed so I've made some patches for that too. A couple of viewers from before were interested in hearing what it sounds like and I'm glad to oblige :)

Zstrings is a physical modelling synth engine for making plucked/stuck string sounds and I think it's rather nice. It really comes alive when it's combined with the ELZ_1 play's other features like it's 4 part unison, arpeggiator, effects section etc so I've made liberal use of those here.

The next job for me is to practice using the looper so I can show how it works!"

Sonicware elz_1 Play Sound Demo (no talking)

video upload by Limbic Bits

▶ Sound Packs for Synths: https://limbicbits.com

▶ Book "Electronic Music Production": https://limbicbits.com/book-electroni...

0:00 Eternal Pad
0:39 Remain
1:03 Dub Chord 2
1:30 90s Trance
1:51 Escalate
2:31 Memories
2:58 Gater Pad
3:36 BitPro Pad
4:08 Crickets Arp
4:30 Ice Cold
5:03 Boarder Pad
5:23 Heavens
6:03 Fragile Pad
6:27 Hibernate
6:43 Tranquilo
7:16 Madagascar
7:46 Starburst
8:28 Moonshine Pad
8:55 Datastream
9:18 Halion
9:33 (LOOPER) Ambient Impro

Sonicware ELZ_1 play - My New Patches Demo

video upload by ChrisLody

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

I recently completed some new patches as part of the work I'm doing on the Sonicware ELZ_1 play so I thought it would be nice to demo them here as I've been asked quite a lot about it since it was first announced.

This is still prototype hardware though don't expect any radical changes at this point just refinements. Also this is unfinished firmware too so I'm not sure how many features will be added before release compared to what's shown here, but there are some nice additions like the unison setting that make playing around with the old synth engines fun too. The Super Osc is a one of the new engines so you'll see that throughout the video."

https://ja.sonicware.jp/

Here are some preset patches for ELZ_1 play

video upload by SONICWARE

"https://dr.yuendo.jp/pages/elz_1-play

Today I checked the preset patches that arrived from the sound designers.
There were a lot of great patches this time as well, and I had fun checking them out.
At that time, I shot videos of some Preset patches, so please take a look.


Thanks,

Yu Endo

---------------
今日はサウンドデザイナーさんから到着したプリセットパッチの確認をしました。
今回も素晴らしいパッチが多く、確認作業も楽しみながら行えました。
その際、いくつかのPresetパッチの動画を撮影しましたので、ぜひご覧になってください。

遠藤"

[ELZ_1 play] FM mode of an 8bit wave memory synth experiment

video upload by SONICWARE

"Today I experimented with the FM mode of the 8BIT WAVE MEMORY SYNTH engine.

This engine has a built-in 2-operator FM synth.
So an 8BIT WAVE MEMORY table is generated by specifying the RATIO and LEVEL parameters of the modulator.
These parameters can also be modulated with LFOs and envelopes.

In today's experiment, I'm modulating the FM RATIO and FM LEVEL parameters with various LFO waveforms.

Please take a look.

Thanks,

Yu Endo"

[ELZ_1 play] SiGRINDER - An Experiment in Generating Sounds from Your Own Voice

video upload by SONICWARE

"Today I experimented with "SiGRINDER," SONICWARE's unique synth engine that can generate sounds by decomposing and reconstructing audio data recorded on an ELZ_1 play.
The source audio was a recording of my voice speaking "A, I, U, E, O" and I used it.
SiGRINDER generates sounds by adjusting parameters such as the resolution of the generated waveform (RESO), the degree of waveform extraction (DIG), the direction of extraction (POSITION), and the length of the generated waveform (TIME).
In the video, I show how to generate sounds from voice recordings and a small performance example.
In today's experiment, the DIG parameter is modulated by LFO.
I hope you will enjoy the sounds that you can recognize the original voice and the new sounds that are not at all.
Please take a look.

Yu Endo"

[ELZ_1 play] CUSTOM OSC - An experiment switching between two waveforms at arbitrary period

video upload by SONICWARE

"Today I experimented with SONICWARE's own sound engine, CUSTOM OSC.

The CUSTOM OSC engine can play sounds while switching between two different waveforms at arbitrary period.

For example, it is easy to "switch between a sine wave and a square wave every 1.5 cycles," and the unique "undulation" and "overtone" sound is interesting.

You can also adjust the DUTY of the waveform.

As is common with all ELZ_1 play engines, you can control the synth engine parameters with LFO and ENVELOPE.

In the case of CUSTOM OSC, you can experiment with a variety of sounds by modulating the switching cycle between two waveforms, waveform type, DUTY, PITCH, and more.

In today's experiment, I created a sound that would be suitable for nostalgic, chill music, chiptune, and dance music.

Depending on the settings, it may be suitable for various genres of music. Please take a look.

Yu Endo

---------------
今日は二つの異なる波形を任意の周期ごとに切り替えて鳴らすことのできるSONICWARE独自のサウンドエンジン「CUSTOM OSC」の実験をしました。

例えば「正弦波と矩形波を1.5周期ごとに切り替える」といったことが簡単に出来て、独特の「うねり」や「倍音感」が面白いです。

また、波形のDUTYを調整することもできます。

ELZ_1 playのどのエンジンも共通なのですが、LFOやENVELOPEでシンセエンジンパラメータをコントロールできます。

CUSTOM OSCの場合、２つの波形の切り替え周期や波形タイプ、DUTY、PITCHなどをモジュレーションして多彩なサウンド実験ができます。

今日の実験では、ノスタルジックでチルな音楽や、チップチューン、ダンスミュージックなどに合いそうなサウンドができました。

設定によっては様々なジャンルの音楽に合いそうです。ぜひご覧になってください。

遠藤　祐"

[ELZ_1 play] SAND FLUTE - Experiments in creating a sound that is not flute-like

video upload by SONICWARE

"https://dr.yuendo.jp/pages/elz_1-play
Today I experimented with SAND FLUTE, SONICWARE's proprietary sound engine that extracts pitch components from noise to generate sound.
If ELZ_1 just extracted the pitch components normally, it would sound tasteless, like a measuring instrument, but we have devised an algorithm to create a musically pleasing sound.
I named it SAND FLUTE because it produces a flute-like sound in its normal state, but in this video I tried to create a sound that is not flute-like by adjusting various parameters.

Yu Endo"

[ELZ_1 play] 8Bit wave memory synth (Warp mode) demo

video upload by SONICWARE

"Today I experimented with 8-bit wave memory synth sounds. I also shoot the process of creating the sound shown at the beginning of this video. Please check it :-)

Yu Endo

---------------
今日は8bit wave memory synthのサウンド実験をしました。動画の最初で紹介しているサウンドを作っていく過程も撮影しましたので、ぜひご覧ください。

遠藤 祐"

ELZ_1 play will now also add the Shimmer Reverb!

video upload by SONICWARE

"https://dr.yuendo.jp/pages/elz_1-play

About 50 more units and Shimmer reverb

Thankfully, we have received requests from many people to increase production.

We are expecting a certain number of units, so we have decided to produce an additional 50 units for December shipment. If you are interested, please reserve your 'ELZ_1 play' as soon as possible.

Also, as a result of our recent survey, many of you polled for the Shimmer Reverb, but there were slightly more poll for the ZTRINGS, so we have decided to include the ZTRINGS.

However, thanks to your support, we will be able to increase production, and since many of you polled for the Shimmer Reverb, we have decided to include a shimmer reverb as well, as a token of our appreciation.

Thank you for your continued support.

Yu Endo

---------------
50台の増産とシマーリバーブにつきまして

大変有難いことに多くの方から増産のご要望を頂戴しました。

ある程度の台数が見込めそうですので、年内分として50台追加生産することになりました。ご興味のある方は是非お早めにご予約ください。

また、先日実施したアンケートの結果、シマーリバーブへ投票して頂いた方も多くいらっしゃったのですが、ZTRINGSへの投票が少し多かったため、ZTRINGSの搭載が決定いたしました。

しかし、皆様のご支援のおかげで生産量を増やすことができますし、シマーリバーブへ投票してくださった方も多くいらっしゃいましたので、感謝の気持ちを込めてシマーリバーブも搭載を決定致しました。

引き続き応援のほどよろしくお願いいたします。

遠藤 祐

#SONICWARE #ELZ_1play #elz1play #elz_1 #elz1 #synth #synthesize"

"ZTRINGS”, the new Physical Modeling Strings Engine for the ELZ_1 play.

video upload by SONICWARE

"Thank you for your cooperation in filling out the survey🙏
As a result of the tally, we have decided to implement the Physical Modelling Strings synth when the preorders reach 250 units!

We appreciate your continued support!
https://dr.yuendo.jp/pages/elz_1-play

"ZTRINGS” was coined by combining the symbol Z, which represents the delay elements used in the modeling, and Strings.

The ZTRINGS engine does not yet have a screen design, but this engine has been selected for use, and we have started brushing it up.

(There were a number of you who polled for the Shimmer Reverb, so I will be discussing this with my team some more🤔)

Thank you,
Yu Endo"