EDINBURGH, UK: readily representing its first ‘big’ release in over a year (when the temporarily out-of-circulation GLASS STRINGS was effectively re-released with a totally redesigned GUI and added features as the Edinburgh-based enterprise’s workhorse string library for a new era in more human-sounding music and scores, coinciding with rebranding itself with an aesthetic that truly realised company co-founder and composer Christian Henson’s heartfelt dream of encouraging people to make music and help them on their journey, regardless of whatever point they were at and wherever their journey began), The Crow Hill Company is proud to announce availability of ARCANE STRINGS — taking the sampling rule book and ripping it up, ultimately resulting in a string library featuring amateur players in order to achieve an arcane, primitive, dislocated, microtonal, loose, and sometimes savage sound duly designed for media composers wanting to leave a truly characterful imprint on their next drama score, or, indeed, composers who want to gain extra devilish bite out of their existing string collections — as of August 14…
[Note: although DiscoDSP gives credit to The Usual Suspects, it's my understanding TUS is not happy about it. From a forum:
"He basically took our source, put his own wrapper on it and is trying to sell it and use it to promote his own business. Can't prevent it, but frankly this is reprehensible IMHO.
Yes. He knows he cannot legally "sell" it due to the licensing model our code is published under. Therefore he sells "support" of "his development efforts" to include difficult things like "git clone" and other Arcane and extremely difficult stuff. sigh... I'd strongly advise anyone using it not to actually pay him for it, but that is just my opinion.]
What isn't clear is whether the UI is just the player above or includes the full editors by The Usual Suspects. I'm hearing it's just the player, which in effect might be an upsell for the full editors by The Usual Suspects.
That said:
"Retromulator brings legendary hardware cores back to life through authentic low-level emulation. The virtual analog synths are powered by a faithful recreation of the Motorola DSP 56300 processor, the Yamaha DX7 runs a full emulation of its original chip set, and the Akai S1000 sampler plays your SF2, SFZ, and Bliss sample banks with studio-quality interpolation. Each core runs its actual firmware or sample data — delivering the unmistakable character of hardware that defined electronic music from the early 80s through the 2000s.
Unlike traditional software emulations that recreate synthesizer behavior by approximation, Retromulator emulates the original integrated circuits at the hardware level. The virtual analog synths run on a cycle-accurate Motorola DSP 56300, the Yamaha DX7 runs a full emulation of its Hitachi HD6303R sub-CPU and Yamaha YM21280/YM21290 EGS/OPS chip set, and the Akai S1000 sampler runs on the SFZero v3.0.0 engine with 8-point sinc interpolation supporting SF2, SFZ, ZBP, and ZBB sample banks. Each core executes its authentic firmware or sample data exactly as intended.
Load the ROM firmware from your own hardware or sample banks from your library, place them in the designated folder, and Retromulator takes care of the rest. The result is not an approximation — it is the real hardware running inside your DAW.
Retromulator is built on Gearmulator, an open-source synthesizer emulation project by the dsp56300 team. We are grateful for their extraordinary work in bringing these classic instruments back to life."
"This series of studies explores an idea that Benge has been working on over the past year or so, namely that of Cybersynthesis. This involves programming self-contained patches on various modular systems which, once set in motion, will produce dynamic, evolving soundscapes, sometimes purely abstract in nature, at other times veering towards the more melodious
Many different methods were deployed in the patches, depending on the system being used, but normally multiple sequencer and switching devices were combined to give varying degrees of control over long time periods, often without repetition
Other things like random control signals and semi-random events were combined with the sequencers and switching units to bring variation to the performances the machines were making
The key idea at the heart of Cybernetics is the concept of bringing control to chaotic processes. To do this, some kind of feedback loop would ideally be established that can monitor and limit events that might otherwise spin out of control. The Serge and Modcan systems featured here each have various comparator circuits that can, to a certain extent, achieve this highly advanced synthesis feature
In the absence of such sensor paths, it is sometimes possible to use audio or voltage mixers and feedback chains to set various parameters to be on the very edge of chaotic behaviour, an approach used in many of the patches on display here
Other techniques such as the quantisation of voltages and the forcing of notes to play within certain predetermined musical scales were also employed in some of the pieces, which is another way of taming chaotic elements into into a more musical realm
Overall, a wholly experimental approach was applied to the various setups, with the intention of providing an insight into how these machines can behave. Of course, each system has an almost limitless depth to the complexity of patches available, and each track on the album provides just a single snapshot of each instrument used. But hopefully it provides an interesting glimpse into the wonders that these self-playing systems can achieve
Tracklist:
01 - Buchla 100 and EMS VCS3
02 - Serge Paperface
03 - Modcan A-Series
04 - ARP 2500
05 - Buchla 200 and DK Synergy
06 - Serge and LW Comparator
07 - Moog Modular 3C
08 - Roland Discrete System
09 - Buchla 200
"Afternoon exploration session with 3 silver boxes, the Elektron Machinedrum handling the beat and the classic SID Station led by the Lightreft Monolit on the 2.0β firmware.
Machinedrum keeps things tight and mechanical while the SID Station focuses on texture. Bit-grit, noise edges, and shifting timbres.
Just experimenting, seeing how far the monolit can take Midi Automation over an IDM groove. #machinedrum #sidstation #idm"
####
The LightReft Monolit made its first appearance on the site earlier this month in another video by HANJŌ.
The following is a playlist featuring dditional demos, followed by some pics and details further below.
Playlist (in most recent order - video 7 is from one year ago):
1. Monolit Sequencer
2. Machinedrum + Monolit : Simple Setup
3. MONOLIT x DECKARD'S DREAM MK2
4. Monolit: Quick Tips for Hardware Users
In this video, we demonstrate how Monolit connects seamlessly with synths, grooveboxes, and samplers — no computer needed. No deep menus, no distractions — just a clean interface and immediate control.
We explore different scenarios where Monolit shines: real-time MIDI control, clock generation, note and CC mapping, automation, and even gamepad integration. Hand-built in Japan, Monolit is a minimal yet powerful tool for artists seeking intuitive, hands-on control.
5. Monolit Firmware 1.2.0: Unlocking New MIDI Control Features!
In this video, we dive into the new features introduced in Monolit firmware v1.2.0. From advanced MIDI routing to external slider control and dynamic button functions — Monolit just got a serious upgrade. We’re showcasing a dual-Monolit setup, where one unit controls the other, which is connected to an Elektron Monomachine.
6. Monolit × Octatrack — Live Performance Control Demo | LightReft
Welcome to the first tutorial on the MONOLIT device! In this 40+ minute video, you’ll get acquainted with the essential settings, programming, and MIDI control on MONOLIT, while exploring the device’s unique capabilities. This session covers the key aspects of working with MONOLIT, making it an ideal guide for musicians and producers who want to master its full potential.
Main topics covered: Initial setup and connecting MONOLIT Programming and MIDI control Using functions and operational modes
Dive into the world of sound with this introduction to MONOLIT! Tutorial by Tim Shatny.
"MONOLIT by Light Reft
A smart, modular MIDI computer built for live performance and smooth integration with any setup.
Monolit is not a controller you map once to forget.
It is a playable instrument - a physical interface that lets you shape sound through motion, record gestures as automation, and turn parameters into something alive.
Designed for those who don’t just adjust sound, but perform it.
WHY MONOLIT?
A motion driven MIDI instrument for live sound shaping, expressive sequencing, and gestural automation. 8 banks with 64 controls per preset Real-time MIDI automation and parameter morphing Seamless DAW + hardware integration USB, TRS-MIDI, external device support Customizable, minimal, and fast. MEET MONOLIT, YOUR NEW MULTIFUNCTIONAL MIDI COMPANION! MONOLIT by Light Reft is a cutting-edge, multifunctional MIDI-computer that transforms your music production experience. Designed for musicians who seek precision and flexibility, MONOLIT offers seamless integration with all DAWs and hardware devices, customizable presets, and an intuitive interface for effortless control and creativity. Whether you're diving into your DAW or jamming out with external hardware instruments, MONOLIT has you covered. An endless library of presets at your fingertips—each one offering 8 banks, with 8 sliders and 8 buttons per bank. That's a whole lot of control!
For each slider and button, we present a range of versatile options. You can record MIDI automation, set delay times for slider movements, send notes and LFOs, and adjust various parameters directly within the device. This flexibility ensures that you have complete control over every detail of your setup. But it doesn't stop there. MONOLIT is as versatile as you are, allowing you to connect other devices like Gamepads, Keyboards, Monome Grid , or any MIDI device you fancy. This means you can take command of your entire setup, all through one sleek, powerful interface. Whether you're crafting the perfect beat, tweaking synths, or anything in between, MONOLIT is the tool that brings your musical ideas to life with ease and style. Designed and assembled in Japan, MONOLIT is ready to be shipped worldwide.
"A new album of experimental modular synthesiser music by Benge
'This series of studies explores an idea that Benge has been working on over the past year or so, namely that of Cybersynthesis. This involves programming self-contained patches on various modular systems which, once set in motion, will produce dynamic, evolving soundscapes, sometimes purely abstract in nature, at other times veering towards the more melodious
Many different methods were deployed in the patches, depending on the system being used, but normally multiple sequencer and switching devices were combined to give varying degrees of control over long time periods, often without repetition
Other things like random control signals and semi-random events were combined with the sequencers and switching units to bring variation to the performances the machines were making'
"Step into a new dimension of sound as Adam guides you through Behringer BM-13 PHASER – a true analog beast brought back to life. With a powerful 12-stage phasing circuit that can be switched down to 6 stages, this unit offers a massive range of sonic textures."
⏱️ Chapters:
00:00 It’s a Phase
00:14 The story of BM-13 Phaser
01:07 What’s a 12-stage Phase?
01:55 BM-13 demo
02:20 Features
03:14 The controls + demo’s
05:50 IO connectivity + demo’s
07:01 BM-13 in stereo
08:00 Phased drum demo
The Behringer BM-13 PHASER is your new go-to box of swirling, sweeping, analog goodness. Whether you’re chasing subtle vintage shimmer or deep resonant sweeps, BM-13 delivers timeless phaser tones with powerful controls for shaping the waveform the way you want.
A Control Freak’s Dream
With hands-on control over sweep, resonance, LFO rate and amount, BM-13 is as tweakable as it is musical. Want to slow things down to a hypnotic pulse? Crank that LFO down to a lazy 0.01 Hz. Feeling spicy? Flip it into high gear for warbly, out-there textures at up to 250 Hz. Add a little grit with the Drive knob, fine-tune your output level and explore either 6-stage or 12-stage phasing – each delivering its own flavor dimension and character.
Plug In and Lose Yourself
From funked-out guitar riffs to synth pads that melt into space, BM-13 is built for exploration. Guitarists and bassists will love how it adds motion without washing out your tone, while keyboardists and synth wizards can drench their patches in analog swirl. Even in the studio, it’s a secret weapon – run vocals, drums, or entire mixes through it for instant vibe and warmth. And with stereo output capability, your sound can stretch wide across the stage or mix.
Built to Play
Modulation doesn’t stop at the stomp switch. BM-13 comes equipped with expression pedal inputs, giving you full control over key parameters from modular gear or performance pedals. Whether you’re a traditional player or an experimental sound-shaper, the Behringer BM-13 PHASER invites you to dive in and make it your own.
"High-quality Wavetable Oscillators with Spectral Wave Morphing
Spline features three state of the art wavetable oscillators. The large selection of built-in wavetable sets can be morphed in new and in familiar ways. Freely combine wavetable sets and morph algorithms to create a vast sonic palette before ever leaving the oscillators.
Familiar Filters for any Occasion
You loved the filters in Odin 2 and they're back here! Including new variants not seen before.
Drag and Drop Modulation
Unhindered workflow: Simply select a modulation source, drag the target knob and things get moving.
Get Glitchy with Enablements
Enable or disable any processing module per note or as a running sequence. For example, swap oscillators mid-melody or sequence drastic sound changes to completely reshape your audio.
Shape Your Sound with Spline Modulators
All XY-Pads can be automatically driven by Spline curves. Just draw in your desired motion. Spline will handle the rest.
Big Selection of Internal FX
Spline features a comprehensive list of post-processing FX, all integrated into the internal modulation and enablements systems."
"Ample’s built-in sequencer is doing the heavy lifting in this synthpop-ready lead patch, driving a rhythmically pulsing pattern with just the right amount of motion. The touchpad brings the performance to life by modulating both oscillator pitch and filter frequency in real time, adding expressive nuance to an otherwise tightly quantized sequence. All routing and modulation are handled directly in the matrix, keeping things flexible and intuitive."
"Beauty comes easily to the Multipoly, but what about filth? Happy to say that is excels here too. With some cross-modulation, high resonance and a touch of internal drive things dirty up quickly. As always, less is more. Most patches use a single layer with two oscillators, guitar amp drive and master EQ.
For now I'm still in 'standard synth' land with the Multipoly and have yet to touch the mod process page or motion sequencer. I even find adding parameters to the four white knobs a pain. The manual also shows two small mixer sections but I've yet to find them. Meh. It's not an intuitive synth and the manual may be comprehensive at 130+ pages but it's not particularly instructive.
On the plus side it does do weird very easily. In that it does remind me of my beloved Mono/Poly. In fact it delivers weird so well - and of course with perfect recall - that it makes me wonder whether I need the SyntrxII anymore?
0:00 Radio Grit
1:42 Root Canal
3:34 Poker Bass
4:06 X-Mod
4:55 Sickly
Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
video upload by Con Brio Synthesizers
"This is my old Buchla Piano Bar - a very rare instrument interface from Don Buchla. Originally conceived and designed by Don - this is one of very few ever made (This one is serial #105 - they started at #100 - so likely the 5th made of 10 or so?)
I have only seen one other of these - it's in the Cantos Museum (NMC in Calgary Canada) but that one is a different model altogether. No others appear on the web at all currently.
The Buchla system works very well - it's placed (no mounting or drilling) across any 88-key piano keyboard. Optical sensors over each key convert these to note on/off of MIDI. The box generates programmable General Midi sound sets, and also has output of MIDI signals for recording or triggering external modules.
I have both the Moog and Buchla Piano Bars - they are quite comparable. The Moog is far more common, with a few hundred sold, but both are rare. Too bad - as it's an excellent design and works so well. Having the acoustic piano sound (and superb feel of any wooden piano keys) plus the richness of the layered sampled sounds - really is a blast to play this. Pedals sensors are down below, so sustain is also triggered.
It has full dynamic control, a very sensitive response. I reprogrammed most of the generic preset sounds into better sets of things - any General Midi manual will show you how this can be done. Splits and layers, effects, retuning, octaves, varied Midi channel outputs - all the basics are possible here."
"This is a very rare item, one of only two I can find currently in existence.
The Buchla Piano Bar was an ingenious invention by legendary synthesizer designer Don Buchla. It is placed across the keys of a standard acoustic piano, the height is adjusted at each end, and the stretch can be adjusted to fit slightly different size keyboards. Beneath you have a portable sensor to go under the pedals, this and the keyboard sensor connected to the back of the main box.
The main box is a converter to change the piano motion into midi notes, covering all 88 keys with full Dynamics. Inside the box is also a General MIDI device, a sound synthesizer chip with hundreds of preset sound options. These can be stacked, split, layered, retuned, and affected in different ways. These can be saved as presets which I have done for many sounds in here. (The original sounds were terrible general presets like Marimba etc.)
Bob Moog was given a license to change this design and sell his own version in 2004. It's a very similar device with the same types of sounds, but those are more common as they made 100 or more.
As you can see in the video it works very well, simply adjust the keyboard sensor as low as possible, and it just works. You can feed a sequence or a computer with the midi notes coming out, recording a midi performance along with the acoustic sound of your piano. Most people find an acoustic piano has a superb feel, so it also makes just a great controller for other midi devices.
I have changed one knob out on the front panel for a larger knob, as seen in the video, but I will include the smaller original knob as well. I received two original carrying cases, but no paperwork with the unit.
These are quite rare and valuable, please email me and discuss if you want to ship with insurance as an additional cost."
Today I'm auditioning my original patches made for the Kawai K1m. A very limited digital synth from the 90s. And yet after digging into the architecture was able to harness some very powerful and unique features that are really, I mean, REALLY surprising. You'll hear some cheesy things, some pads, basses. And then there's fat poly action, swirling digital synth soundscapes. And alive motion things that are frankly astounding for such an unassuming little black box. Try to keep in mind when you hear the Mesmerized patch - the K1m has no sequencer nor arpeggiator. No freely assignable LFOs, just a fixed vibrato and that's it. And NO filter ha! Be sure to watch the whole video, lots of my favorites are on the 2nd half starting @3:19. My favorites are Head East, LA Sunset, Liquide and Mesmerized...which ones did you like?
"Exploring one of our favourite features on Flurry 🌈
Rainbow mode gives you immediate access to all 16 of the digital noise algorithms on Flurry. The Morph control lets you scan through them manually, or you can patch in CV to modulate between Noise Types - and that’s where things get exciting! We’ve created 3 patches that put Rainbow mode to good use - helped along by Tangrams, Planar2, Sealegs and more!
The patches:
00:30 - Rainbow Rhythms 🌈
Noise type is sequenced and the output gated with the @KorgOfficial SQ-1, Tangrams and Amps. Planar mixes in S&H output with the sequence to randomise the noise type, as well as controlling delay & filter, to create fills. A great way to add playable rhythmic layers to your beats.
01:15 - Spectrum Steps 🌈
This patch uses sample & hold to randomly switch noise type with every note. Via tangrams VCA input, the digital noise swells and modulates the SVF cutoff frequency at audio rate. Imagine a prepared piano, but the objects inside are constantly moving between keys.
02:05 - Chaotic Dispersion 🌈
All hell is breaking loose in “Chaotic Dispersion”, and Planar2 is driving! With every joystick movement, a chain of events is set in motion - Noise type changes with position, as does the VCO pitch and delay settings. Gate from Planar2 triggers Tangrams which ramps up the pulse rate. The outputted pulse feeds Tangrams other envelope, which rapidly triggers the PLPG before slowing to a steady tick. This one is a lot of fun!"
So, I finally got round to making some Patches for the brilliant Waldorf Quantum and Iridium. While the Quantum has an Analog Filter, all of the patches use the Digital Filters only for compatibility with the Iridium.
There's 50 Patches in total for Flux Vol 1, however many use both Layers as well as using all the Synthesis Engines available. It does use some of my Custom Samples, which are Raw Oscillator Multi-Samples from my Moog One, Polybrute, Matriarch and many more. It also uses some of the Factory Sample Content.
The Sounds are very Atmospheric in the main, with a few other Categories of Sounds in the Bank, though Pads, Strings, Evolving and Motion Sounds, which is what I think the strengths are of this Synth.
I've turned "Off" the 'Bass Boost' and used the EQ FX instead as there's more control. Mod Wheel is assigned for all to multiple destinations for many Patches."
"We take a look at the brand new Baby Audio ATOMS - a physical modeling synth based on the Mass-Spring concept.
At a basic level: The specific physical model has been turned into an instrument by Silvin Willemsen and Baby Audio. There are masses (usually balls) connected by springs (virtually of course). These are excited by a bowing action and so the masses move and the springs react.
In its simplest form these are sine waves, but with additional parameters thrown in the algorithm they become more complex.
Weird, yes and sonically pretty pleasing when process by the rest of the ATOMS voice architecture - namely, a filter and a reverberator.
What you'll find are atmospheric, organic and certainly unusual sounds that share a common ground. Its an early release, with a couple of missing things - MIDI mapping for instance, but these we suspect will soon be added.
"Synthesis from the other side Atoms is a new kind of synth plugin that uses cutting edge physical modeling to generate an endless variety of organic and otherworldly sounds. Use it to build rich and alive textures the world hasn’t heard before.
COMPLEX PHYSICS IN A SIMPLE PACKAGE Physical modeling simulates the behavior of real life instruments. But Atoms takes you beyond what’s possible in the natural world. Its features are deep enough to explore the outer bounds of sound design, yet so simple that you can easily mangle, shape and create.
Atoms is powered by a simulation of interconnected masses and springs with tweakable properties and dimensions. The model is triggered by a virtual bowing action that excites the system and makes it vibrate to generate sound.
A LIVING ORGANISM Nothing in the natural world is ever truly static. Physical modeling mimics this by generating sounds with the same organic fluctuations as acoustic instruments.
Atoms takes it even further. Its six main parameters can be automated with a selection of powerful motion options to add extra life. This lets you create soundscapes that are constantly shifting and re-generating, like a natural organism.
If you’re used to working with sample libraries, Atoms will bring a new level of otherworldly realism into your tracks.
PROGRAM NEW PATCHES WITH A CLICK Atoms comes equipped with a powerful randomization engine. It’s a musically calibrated algorithm that selectively adjusts each parameter based on its relationship to the others, giving you usable patches with every roll of the dice.
You can narrow the algorithm further by limiting the random ranges for any knob or locking parameters from changing.
Finally, the Recycle button is a second randomizer that will create new patches similar to the current patch. Once you have a sound you like, click recycle to explore related options.
PHYSICALLY MODELED EFFECTS The bottom panel gives you a range of creative effects to further sculpt your sound. You can also choose between four sonic profiles, each offering a different structure of the mass-spring network simulation.
With the exception of Space (reverb), all effects in the bottom panel are created inside the physical model itself. This gives you a range of unique modulation effects that are an inherent part of the physical model and sound more natural than any separate FX chain ever would."
"Introducing the Modwave mkII! With unparalleled polyphony, hugely upgraded LFOs, and more."
Details follow.
"Synthesis powerhouse with distinctive wavetable timbres, Kaoss Physics, and Motion Sequencing 2.0.
Introducing modwave mkII - now with almost double the polyphony, expanded free-running LFOs, and more!
In 1985, KORG's DW-8000 combined digital wavetables with rich analog filters to give users sounds which were impossible to create with analog oscillators. It's still a cult favorite today.
modwave builds on the DW legacy and transforms it into a modern monster synth, featuring incredibly deep wavetable oscillators, gorgeous filters, wildly flexible modulation, unmatched polyphony, comprehensive pattern sequencing, and immediately satisfying hands-on control to deliver unique, powerful, and easily customizable sounds and phrases.
modwave also introduces two unique new tools for creating dynamic motion: Kaoss Physics and Motion Sequencing 2.0. Kaoss Physics combines an x/y Kaoss pad with modulatable game physics to create a responsive, interactive controller that is—besides being powerful— a lot of fun to explore. Motion Sequencing 2.0 brings the organic, continuously evolving patterns of the wavestate's Wave Sequencing 2.0 into the world of motion sequencing, including multiple lanes and real-time recording to help you create complex and evolving phrases that other step sequencers cannot.
Like Wave Sequencing 2.0 (wavestate) and altered FM (opsix), modwave’s evolved wavetable synthesis delivers its own brand of completely unique sounds and a knob-per-function layout that makes customizing those sounds fast and easy. There are hundreds of preset sounds empowered by this new architecture, organized by front-panel category buttons, and all instantly customizable via the four Mod Knobs. modwave's distinctive wavetable timbres start with aggressive basses & leads, and lush ambient pads which will add a new dimension to your tracks. But that is just the beginning.
Those who want to dig deeper will find an endless source of discovery; with the modwave’s unique synth architecture, you'll be finding new things for a long, long time. Save as many of your sounds as you like; there's room for thousands more. You can also load your own samples, import wavetables in standard formats, and create your own wavetables using the free WaveEdit software.
The new modwave mkII provides an astonishing 60 voices of polyphony - almost double the original modwave's 32, and an unprecedented number for a wavetable synth at any price. Responding to user requests, we've updated all LFOs with options for free running, delayed start, and retriggering. We've also added a pre/post switch for reverb sends, new modulation sources, and more."
"One complete Folktek Mescaline with frame power supply and collection of duPont patch cables. This is a hybrid of V2 Channel and V1 Motion and V1 Mental.
This unit is in great shape. The only blemish of note is 1 patch point that shows some wear but is fully functional. See pics for detail.
The power supply has a 3 part pigtail that powers all three modules from a single wallwart rated at 1500ma.
Includes original manual and some other info.
Mescaline is one of the finest times you'll have. It might seem intimidating at first but ultimately once you dive in, you realize there was nothing to fear and it's only here to help open you to extreme possibilities. It's capable of creating entire compositions and the possibilities are vast. -
Each of the 3 boards are eurorack compatible and can be installed in a eurorack system individually or all together. Each has its own eurorack power plug on the back. Each module is 44HP Each of these boards is capable of being powered on a standard 12v adapter. Each has a 2.1mm jack on the back. When used together, all power can be jumped to power all three boards off the same 12v power source or eurorack power source. A 12VDC power supply and 3 way jumper is included in this sale.
CHANNEL A 10 note polyphonic synthesizer with a sweet, warm sound and a huge custom designed reverb which also has an audio input and can be used to process external sound. Channel becomes a powerful effects processor with some very nice DSP designs we've been working on for the past year. -A touch-based synth which provides a sweet sounding 10 key oscillation based 10 filtered and reshaped analog square wave oscillators, each with a decay on the amp. -Each key is tuned individually and can be tuned to specific notes on the back via tuning trim pots so you can create intervals or pitch arrangements as you like. -Master pitch control (with control voltage) lets you change the tuning of all notes simultaneously. -10 note polyphony and all notes can be triggered. -Synthesis passes through any of 4 selectable custom DSP effects - reverb which is huge and near infinite, notated tight delay, pitch shifter delay and palindrome reverse delay. Each effect has mix, two controls over effect changes and a low pass filter or damping.
V2 has Gain stage adjustments on Channel V2 Noise filtering on Channel V2 pitch range trim pot added to allow for great control of the master frequency
-3.5mm jacks represent audio in, audio out (x2 = right and left), cv in. -Jumpable headers for all functions as well as power.
MOTION Motion is made up of two sequencers with simple but fully-capable function and some added function that other things don't/can't perform that help Mental to really shine. Both sequencers have clock division to break the rhythm but perhaps most important is how the trigger sequencer works - using opto-couplers (switches) to trigger parts within Mental to create sounds, textures and rhythms that voltage sources simply can't. It does this by directly connecting multiple parts within Mental. The CV does a great job of synching Channel.
Motion also has sine modulation (vactrol or cv), gate triggers, resets for the sequencers to determine sequence length, and can got into chaotic territory but jumping voltages into the clock inputs. -8 part CV Sequencer -8 part trigger sequencer with multi-add functionality -5 part clock division for each sequencer -vactrol-based sine modulation -3.5mm jacks represent clock in, cv sequencer clock out, cv sequencer cv out, modulation out, trigger sequencer clock out. -Jumpable headers for all functions as well as power.
MENTAL Capable of so many things. It's an incredibly unique drum synth that will create odd and beautiful beats for days. It's a Drone synth that's generates some incredibly rich drone with multi-oscillation and in-circuit filtering. It's an audio processor that can take any incoming audio and chop it into place, filter it, distort it and screw it in ways that nothing else does. -Based on the root synthesis of other Folktek instruments Materia, Mentalis and Matter. -17 input points to control synthesis and filtering via the sequencer trigger or cv points as well as the clock division points. -removable breadboard to allow for development and experimentation. -4 patchable pots to attenuate signals and gain more control *and/or* create direct patches to create drone scapes or use Mental as an audio processor. -volume control -3.5mm jacks represent audio out and two vacant with representative headers to input voltage or audio signals from external modules or audio sources. -send Mental to the input of Channel to add reverb to the signal. -Jumpable headers for all functions as well as power."
Update: two new user videos by Honeysmack and Marcus Schmahl added below.
"Combining the rich power of analog with the flexibility of digital, drumlogue provides the ultimate analog sound for your beats.
Featuring newly developed analog circuitry, drumlogue builds a solid foundation for your track; it also helps you stand out with an elevated harmonic richness and thick low end.
Important parameters for each part have dedicated controls on the front panel for quick and intuitive changes – without diving into menus. For even more creative potential, each part has a wealth of further parameters accessible through a powerful onboard editing suite. Even mixing is simple, with dedicated volume controls for the analogue and digital parts.
The track you hear in this video is by Dean Forrest"
Korg Drumlogue: New Hybrid Drum Machine - First Look- Just Sounds video upload by Korg Australia
New Korg Hybrid Drum Machine Drumlogue - Honeysmack's first encounter video upload by Honeysmack
"Get ready for a super nerd session, no talking just me tinkering with the Korg drumlogue for the very first time. Korg Australia were kind enough to give me a play with a sneak preview pre-production model of the drumlogue. Unfortunately I had no manual at the time, so please excuse me in advance. Hopefully this video provides some context to its sound. I feel this will be a winner for Korg, well done! Great sound, neat size, this could be a monster of a machine.
All the sounds and effects in this video are from the drumlogue, there are no external sounds or effects. Simple stereo output from the drum machine. No other drum machines were hurt in the making of this video.
0:00 Does this suit me? Oh what does this do?
2:23 Omph omph omph, ah I see, me likey the kick drum
5:59 Electro ratchets - why not take your time and build a track
9:30 Start with speed carnivale - exploring more latin percussion then I try to break the machine!"
Korg drumlogue drum machine & synthesizer demo - no talking - video upload by Marcus Schmahl
00:00 building drum sounds & a pattern
06:13 switching through preset patterns & sounds
Korg Drumlogue Sound Demo No Talking - no external effects or processing video upload by Limbic Bits
Korg DRUMLOGUE Review // Top Pros & Cons and All 64 Factory Patterns // Full Tutorial video upload by loopop
TIMELINE: 0:00 Intro 1:20 Overview 6:15 Connectivity 7:15 Sample parts 11:40 Analog parts 14:25 Multi engine 15:05 VPM 17:15 Noise 17:55 Nano 21:30 Sequencing 22:10 Live rec 22:50 Motion rec 24:45 Step seq 25:10 Groove 26:10 Probability 27:10 Ratchets 28:00 Ties 28:30 Motion seq 30:20 Shift buttons 31:00 Polymeters 31:35 Send FX 33:35 Master FX 34:45 Sidechain 36:25 Loop 37:10 Select 38:25 Randomize 39:00 Chains 39:35 Audio in and out 41:50 Misc settings 43:45 Pros & cons 49:10 All 64 patterns
Details and pics:
A paradigm shift in drum machines.
drumlogue marks a paradigm shift in drum machines. It offers the raw power and rich sounds of Analog, the flexibility of Digital voices, and drumlogue’s SDK for fully customizable User Custom Synthesizers.
On top of that, its heavy-duty, dynamic sequencer, customizable effects, and intuitive controls will make drumlogue a must-have in your studio to create music for any genre or style.
It’s time to take your beats and entire musical process to a whole new creative level with incredible sounds, effects, customization, and sequencing. Let drumlogue support your craft on your musical journey!
Raw Analog Power
drumlogue was conceived to provide the ultimate analog sound for your beats, and delivers fantastically; featuring completely newly developed analog circuits by legendary Korg analog synth team engineer Junichi Ikeuchi (ARP 2600 M, MS-20 mini, ARP Odyssey…) , the depth and richness of its sound is on a whole new level.
These new analog circuits - (Bass Drum, Snare Drum, Low Tom and High Tom) - will not just provide a solid foundation for your track, but make it stand out with an elevated harmonic richness and a thick low end.
Blending simplicity and ease of use, the most important controls for each of these parts have dedicated knobs on the front panel that can be tweaked at any time without any menu diving necessary, so you can quickly and intuitively fine tune your sound on the fly. For further sound exploration, each part provides many more parameters accessible through the powerful onboard sound editing system.
Last but not least, each part on drumlogue - analog or digital - has a dedicated volume knob that will make your mixing process incredibly smooth and easy.
Digital Flexibility
As the perfect partner for its analog section, drumlogue provides 7 digital parts; 6 sample based and 1 synthesis based (Multi-Engine). The sample based parts can play any of the preloaded PCM banks on drumlogue. You can also import your own User Samples to its memory, making drumlogue an extremely versatile machine with virtually limitless sonic possibilities.
To start with, the 64 preloaded drum kits of drumlogue will provide you with a wide variety of sounds spanning several genres so you can easily kick-start your tracks.
For additional sounds, samples can easily be easily loaded into the drumlogue just by connecting your drumlogue to your computer via USB and simply drag-dropping your samples onto the main memory.
Multi-Engine and logue SDK
The popular Multi Engine from prologue and minilogue xd is now more powerful than ever. In addition to the Variable Phase Modulation (VPM) and Noise generator engines, the Multi Engine features a new User Custom slot that can play full-fledged synth voices that provide vast sonic possibilities, never before heard on a drum machine.
Custom Synths
drumlogue’s synth voices are not simply static waveforms. Custom synths can be built to not only generate sound, even implementing built in filters, LFOs, MIDI controlled polyphony or other parameters is now possible The only restriction for third party developers is their creativity (and CPU usage!), giving you unbound sound exploration.
Exclusive Sinevibes Synth Plugin “Nano”
Korg has collaborated with popular logueSDK plugin developer “Sinevibes” to include a brand new synth plugin “Nano” as a factory preset on drumlogue. This exclusive plugin explores the power behind the expanded Multi Engine and will give all drumlogue users a taste of this new platform.
“Nano” is a full-fledged virtual analog synth with a wide array of features and plenty of customizable parameters. The synth engine has dual oscillators with optional ring modulation, a 4-pole state-variable filter with soft clipping distortion, built-in EG and built-in multi-waveform LFO.
Leads, basses, percussive sounds or cinematic effects, you decide how to use this incredible sonic potential!
A True Sequencing Powerhouse
drumlogue harnesses all of its sonic power to an extremely powerful internal sequencer that is flexible and easy to use.
Tired of the same old beats? drumlogue's heavy duty 64 step sequencer makes it easy and intuitive to create complex rhythm patterns and polyrhythms that elevate your music creation process with innovative features such as per-step probability, per-step alternate trigger patterns, per-step micro offsets, per-track groove patterns and much more.
Thanks to its clear OLED display, it is also very easy to visually follow and edit your sequences.
drumlogue is both great in the studio and playing live. With its Chain mode, creating long and interesting patterns is straightforward and clearly displayed. In Loop mode you can switch between several variations to play your sequence in new and interesting ways. The Motion and Accent recording functions are intuitive and fast and if you want to try new things on your track, the Randomization function is there to help you. These functions and many more on the drumlogue will support and spice up your live performances!
Effects and customization
drumlogue includes several high-quality effects across three categories that can be used simultaneously: Delay, Reverb and Master effects.
The send amounts for delay and reverb effects can be set independently for each part, and multiple return points are available. The master effects allow you to add that final polish to your sound and bring it all together. Master effects can be bypassed on a per-part basis, making it possible to send the effect to specific audio parts. A sidechain bus is also available to master effects which can make use of it.
Spitfire Audio collaboratively creates MERCURY library like no other by harnessing hotshot Hollywood instrument designer Chas Smith’s unearthly sounds for all
“Chas’ instruments have been a crucial part of all of my film scores, and although I’m a little sad that I will no longer have him all to myself, I am thrilled that he has finally succumbed to years of urging on my part and has at long last collaborated with Spitfire Audio.”
- GRAMMY® Award-nominated composer, keyboardist, record producer, and remixer Charlie Clouser (Saw, Wayward Pines, Nine Inch Nails), 2022
LONDON, UK: created in close collaboration with hotshot Hollywood instrument-builder Chas Smith, famed for transforming disused metal into Hollywood’s most menacing, most mysterious instruments for forty years (yet still sought after by blockbuster film composers needing to score the awe-inspiring, the mystical, the mechanical, and the alien), sound- specialising British music technology company Spitfire Audio is proud to announce availability of MERCURY — harnessing his unearthly sounds for all by sampling 14 of the hotshot Hollywood instrument-builder’s most celebrated acoustic instruments, then fusing, warping, and reinventing them in Solar, Spitfire Audio’s new eDNA-powered synthesiser, to deliver 600+ organic and synthesised textures, tones, and pads perfect for tweaking, twisting, and recombining to unleash the sinister, unshackle the industrial, and unveil the impossible worlds orbiting just beyond reach — as of August 25…
This post is developing. Check back for new videos and updates below.
Street price appears to be $999. See dealers on the right for availability. In via Alex Timchak.
"We are delighted to announce the release of Syntakt – the 12 track drum computer and synthesizer that fuses digital and analog synthesis together in one music megabox.
Enter this sonic metropolis and experience epic sounds from the past, while pulling others into existence from the future. Syntakt is a drum specialist, full of percussive possibilities, but its four analog and eight digital tracks can be used for melody, harmony, and bass sounds too, giving you a musical melting pot with dozens of machines at your disposal.
Affect the sound of each machine with the intuitive and playful graphics. Add analog distortion and filtering to your mix or separate tracks, using the FX block. Run wild and free with the four expressive modifiers. Access a variety of different scales via the keyboard mode. And create dynamic soundscapes with its phenomenal sequencer.
The streets of Syntakt are never-ending, the neon lights are never-dimming, its underground is fathomless. Discover worlds within worlds."
"Syntakt is a sonic metropolis of machines, fusing digital and analog synthesis together in one drum and melody megabox. A 12 track drum computer & synthesizer melting pot like Syntakt needs a majestic guide. Let the intrepid Elin Piel show you around the many features at your disposal."
Baseck Plays : Elektron Syntakt : 12 Track Analog & Digital Synthesizer / Drum Computer
"Elektron's newest device is finally here : The Syntakt ! A 12 Track Synthesizer and Drum Computer!
Let's see how far our friend Baseck can push this new machine.
Grab one NOW : https://bit.ly/3EEzgOE
"Our pal Mario from Elektron came down to the Perfect Circuit HQ and walked us through the ins and outs of their newest Synthesizer and Drum Computer : Syntakt
0:00 - Intro & overview
1:30 - Machines & Visual Language
3:27 - Beats To Melt Brains To
3:59 - Modifiers
7:40 - FX Track
11:50 - Outro Jams
"Elektron's new instrument, the Syntakt, is a powerful combination of analog drum sounds, digital synthesis, and new performance features not seen on any other Elektron product. In partnership with Elektron, watch as our host Fess breaks down these features."
"In this video I perform one of my new tracks using the Elektron Syntakt and the Octatrack MK2. All the sounds in this video are from the Syntakt, I am using the Octatrack with my performance template.
"Some patterns I’ve made with Syntakt. No processing.
Things I love: The machines! The flexibility!
It can be so many things.
8 tracks of Model cycles chord machines with deeper control, 2x LFO per track, full envelopes, dual filters, p-lockable FX track. Or half a Rytm , plus new digital drum synth and bass/lead synth machines.
Or a mix between.
All with a tasty chunk of analog Heat drive, filter, and EG, but p-lockable!
There is an inverted envelope shape in the analog fx that I use as a master compressor. The drive is lovely.
I also love using some of the analog kicks with a bandpass filter for textures. Can even get kinda of vinyl pops and clicks out of these.
Can have up to 3 simultaneous analog DVCO machines."
"The brand new Elektron Syntakt is here!
I'm doing a brief overview, followed by a SID emulation rendition of Rob Hubbard's theme music for the C64 game 'The Last V8' from 1985. Then it grows into a live jam, using all the 12 digital and analog tracks of the Syntakt, including the features such as analog distortion.
0:00 Intro
1:50 Song starts
3:57 Live jam!"
Full details:
12 Track Drum Computer & Synthesizer
Enter a sonic metropolis with Syntakt. Analog and Digital synthesis. Drum and melody. In full fusion.
All your sound crafting, sequencing, and performance needs are fulfilled, in an all-round music mega box that fits in your lap. Syntakt is a drum specialist, full of percussive possibilities, but its four analog and eight digital tracks can be used for melody, harmony, and bass sounds too. Experience epic sounds from the past, pulling others into existence from the future.
The streets of Syntakt are never-ending, the neon lights are never-dimming, its underground is fathomless. Discover worlds within worlds. Adore now. Explore forever.
Meet the machines There are 35 sound-generating machines to call on, covering a wide range of drum and melodic sounds. Some machines have been reimagined from Analog Rytm and Model:Cycles, with deeper sound control for the latter, while others are entirely new to the world.
For you to create and personalize your sound, we’ve made sure you’ve got a set of parameter controls tailor-made for each machine. They let you quickly tweak the nature of each type of sound, showing you just the relevant options. Comprehensive without being overwhelming. Let loose with analog or digital overdrive, depending on the tracks you’re playing with.
The graphics more than play their part too, with plenty of animated icons offering visual guidance and extra clarity on how each parameter affects the sound. The joys of tweaking shouldn’t only be for the ears after all.
Special effects Syntakt lets you route any of your synth tracks or external audio sources through the FX block. This gives you analog distortion and filtering, and a couple of LFOs to go to town with. Additionally, you can also call on Delay and Reverb as powerhouse send effects.
And all of the above effects can be sequenced with the FX track. Have them kick in at just the right moment. Add accents and dramatic changes to the selected tracks or external audio. Or use it as a master track for ducking and gating effects.
Modify the moment Wield a little extra trig craft using the four modifiers, offering four varied levels of expression. Configure the first two modifiers to give you the retrig or velocity behavior you desire, and use the other two to access custom intensities of other parameters. They’re ready for action regardless of which synth track you’re using.
And the best bit is that they don’t just give you that extra playability fun in the here and now, you can also capture the moment by recording to the sequencer.
The keys to the city Syntakt’s keyboard mode gives you a whole bunch of different scales to play with.
There are some familiar faces and some maybe a little less familiar for you to try out, helping you discover new places and taking things to another level.
Play across a single octave like on a piano keyboard. Or use fold, and have several octaves laid out in front of you.
Deep sound-shaping Syntakt comes full of filter and envelope goodness. All tracks have a Multimode filter to put to use allowing you to emphasize different parts of your sound, with the digital tracks also able to call on Parametric EQ and a Base-width filter – an additional filter giving you even more sonic control.
Choose from two amplitude envelope types to define the ideal contour of your sound. Try out the ADSR envelope – for your wicked synth lines – or the simpler AHD envelope – perfect for transient percussive sounds.
