Showing posts sorted by date for query exploring-notes. Sort by relevance Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by date for query exploring-notes. Sort by relevance Show all posts
Friday, May 30, 2025
Ambient Generative Music | Ableton Air & Roland JP-8080
video upload by Akihiko Matsumoto
"Generative Sequencer: Ableton Air https://akihikomatsumoto.sellfy.store...
Inspired by Timeless Techniques
"Air" draws its inspiration from Brian Eno's Music for Airports and the concept of overlapping tape loops. This Ableton Max for Live plugin translates these ideas into a modern generative sequencer, enabling you to explore infinite musical possibilities without repetitive programming.
Effortless Note Generation
Forget the constraints of the piano roll. 'Air' generates notes autonomously, creating endless variations of melodies, rhythms, and harmonies. Your music becomes a living, breathing entity that evolves over time, making each moment unique.
Perfect for Experimental and Ambient Music
Whether you're crafting immersive ambient soundscapes, exploring experimental electronica, or composing intricate minimal music, "Air" provides the tools to elevate your creativity. Its generative approach ensures that no two performances are ever the same, offering a fresh perspective with every playback.
Features Designed for Limitless Inspiration
Evolving Sequences: Generate infinitely unique patterns that never repeat.
Customizable Settings: Fine-tune parameters to align with your artistic vision.
Seamless Integration: Designed for Ableton Live users who value creativity and experimentation.
Create Music That Breathes
'Air' is more than a plugin—it's a partner in creation, designed for musicians who embrace unpredictability and seek to push boundaries. Unleash the power of generative composition and let your music take flight."
Thursday, May 22, 2025
Stylophone CPM DS-2: Dark Atmospheric Sounds. No Talk Demo
video upload by Anton Anru
"Obsidian is a collection of 50 custom presets for the analog synthesizer Stylophone CPM DS-2. In this pack, you’ll find drones, textures, FXs, rhythmical patterns and sequences, and immersive soundscapes.
๐ฎ I was fascinated by exploring this drone machine, and in this collection, I share the results of that journey. My goal was to extract a broad variety of timbres— dark, noisy, vintage/retro, cold, dull, distorted, metallic, tense, as well as atonal, non-harmonic, FX-like, evolving, moving, and sweeping sounds.
๐ฆ Get the soundset: https://antonanru.sellfy.store/p/cpm-...
๐บ The soundset draws inspiration from sci-fi movies, soundtracks, dystopian narratives, urban landscapes, noise ambient albums, experimental modern art, and innovative sound design.
๐ป Perfect for genres such as Dark, Noise, Ambient, Cinematic, IDM, Electronica, Dub, Deep, Techno, Industrial, Minimal, Garage, Experimental, and more. These timbres also work exceptionally well for movie soundtracks, games, apps, digital art, live sound art performances, and VR landscapes—anywhere a dark, atmospheric vibe is needed.
๐ The soundset is presented in a PDF document. Each page contains notes explaining how each patch works, which parameters to tweak during playback, and techniques to further develop the timbre during performance. By following these instructions and experimenting with the suggested settings, you’ll deepen your understanding of the synth and unlock its true potential.
๐ง Each patch also includes an audio example to help you grasp the intended sound.
๐พ The collection additionally includes 24/41000 WAV samples. You can use these samples as they are, or feel free to resample, edit, and apply effects in your DAW, sampler, or granular synth. They provide versatile material for your sonic experimentation.
๐ฒ The Stylophone CPM DS-2 is an analog synthesizer highly sensitive to both settings and performance. I’ve done my best to document all parameters precisely; however, expect slight variations, as this is a truly alive, analog instrument. This is especially true for pitch, tuning, and FM settings—and in some cases, on the delay. The PITCH/RATE and LFO DEPTH knobs are extremely responsive— even a slight movement can shift the pitch significantly.
Many presets don’t adhere to a strict tonal center, so feel free to experiment with frequency settings. If you need to hit specific notes, I recommend using a tuner when adjusting pitch and FM."
Vongon Replay | Seven Synth Sketches
video upload by Jay Hosking
"Please support my work on Patreon: / jayhosking
Exploring the Vongon Replay with... another Vongon Replay.
00:00 - Galloping and ghosts
02:34 - Solo, dry then wet
04:18 - Solo, cascading weird arp
05:07 - Solo, sentimental nostalgia
07:15 - High arp, low chords
10:49 - Slow arp, bass notes
15:28 - Rolling bassline, major-minor
I bought a Replay with my own money, a year or so ago. I find it useful to have around, and to travel with: it's small, what-you-see-is-what-you-get, sounds good, has a keyboard, and generally fits into a variety of setups.
Recently, MAS Distribution asked me if they could send over the new black Replay for me to play with. It's the exact same synth, but I thought it might be fun to get two Replays up on the table and just explore.
So that's what this is: seven improvisations or written-on-the-spot ideas using two Replays. For effects, I tried out the Ultrasheer (Vongon's reverb/vibrato combo) and my trusty Chroma Console (for colour/saturation/delay). The performance was recorded live to a stereo output with extremely gentle EQ & compression, plus limiting on the master.
I think it showcases why I like this synth: you sit down and noodle on it and you come up with ideas. It evokes nostalgic, sentimental sounds that are uncomplicated but pretty. I know there's a whole world of internet discourse about this synth, but ultimately what matters to me is how something works as an instrument. I think the Replay does its job pretty well.
Thanks for listening."
Thursday, May 08, 2025
Soma Lyra-8 Sounds: Dark Ambient Texture Pad FX No Talk Demo
video upload by Anton Anru
"Oblivion Glow is a collection of 50 patches for the analog synthesizer Soma Lyra-8, dedicated to dark, deep, and atmospheric sound.
๐ Lyra-8 is one of the most unique synthesizers of our time, both in terms of functionality and sonic character. It offers a radically different approach to sound design and performance.
Its true power lies in its dynamics and expressiveness—the instrument, its parameters, and controllers are highly sensitive to settings and playing technique, making its sound incredibly alive and constantly evolving.
๐ This quality has made Lyra-8 a beloved and almost essential tool for genres like ambient, techno, cinematic, IDM, industrial, and beyond—anywhere a blend of liveliness and innovation is required.
๐ฆ Get these presets: https://antonanru.sellfy.store/p/lyra...
๐ Exploring this instrument was a truly inspiring experience, and in this soundset, I share the results of that journey. My goal was to extract the broadest possible palette of timbres: warm and cold, soft and harsh, harmonic and distorted, modern and vintage, clean and noisy, smooth and rhythmic.
๐น I also explored different performance techniques, aiming to strike a balance between the experimental and the musical.
๐ฆ This pack includes drones, pads, textures, leads, FXs, strings, rhythmic patterns, and soundscapes.
๐ Some patches are designed to take the lead in a track or jam session, while others serve perfectly as supporting layers. While each sound is ready to use as-is, I highly recommend interacting with the controls during performance—modulating parameters in real-time reveals new sonic depths and greatly enhances expressiveness.
๐ The soundset is presented as a PDF document. Each page contains detailed notes explaining how the patch works, which parameters are key for real-time manipulation, and how to evolve the timbre while playing. Following these suggestions will not only expand your sound palette but also deepen your understanding of the instrument.
๐ Each patch comes with an audio example to guide you in understanding how it is intended to sound.
๐พ The collection also includes 24/41000 WAV samples. These can be used directly in your projects, or freely resampled, edited, and processed—offering a versatile library of material for further experimentation."
Wednesday, March 26, 2025
Of cyclotrons and sequencers: recreating a 1974 “probability controller” in Eurorack
video upload by Electrum Modular
"This is the first video in a new series exploring the University of Iowa’s Electronic Music Studio. In addition to presenting its historic instruments (including a 1968 Moog IIIP with custom-made modules), and the famous musicians who have used them, these videos will extrapolate ideas to use in your own modular systems. This episode examines a unique random sequencer that was developed in 1974 by Paul Dingman, an electrical engineering student at Iowa. It then shows how it might be recreated using the third lane ('time') on Make Noise’s 0-Ctrl. NOTE: several other Eurorack sequencers also have this feature, as indeed does the Moog’s own 960 sequential controller; alternatively, use an LFO to clock any sequencer and patch the sequencer’s second lane/channel (if it has one) back into that LFO’s frequency input.
0:00 University of Iowa's Electronic Music Studio
0:42 Introducing Dingman's Probability Controller
1:58 Demonstrating the Probability Controller
3:50 Recreating the Probability Controller in Eurorack
My new album:
CREDITS
Thanks to Paul Dingman for answering my questions over Zoom.
Film sequences:
'Atom Smashers' (Encyclopaedia Britannica Films in collaboration with the Division of the Physical Sciences and the Institute of Nuclear Studies at the University of Chicago, 1952)
'The Meaning of Time In Science' (Encyclopaedia Britannica Films, d. Kent Smith, 1973); both archive.org
Portrait of Peter Tod Lewis: https://composers.com/collections/pet...
Music: Peter Tod Lewis, 'Gestes II' (1974), from the Mnemothรจque Internationale des Arts Electroacoustiques (University of North Texas Music Library). Program notes for an EMS concert on April 13, 1979, described “Gestes II” as “the generation of musical gestures through coordinated operation of sequential controllers programmed to produce a large but finite collection of voltages, controlling variously oscillators, amplifiers, and filters” (University of Iowa Music Library)."
LABELS/MORE:
Dingman,
documentaries,
eurorack,
exclusive,
exclusive2025,
Make Noise,
MATRIXSYNTH Members,
MOOG,
New Old
Ableton Air & Ciat Lonbarde Plumbutter 2
video upload by Akihiko Matsumoto
Sequencer: Ableton Air https://akihikomatsumoto.sellfy.store...
Delay: Shoegazer Reverse Gate https://akihikomatsumoto.sellfy.store... "Ableton Air
Inspired by Timeless Techniques
'Air' draws its inspiration from Brian Eno's Music for Airports and the concept of overlapping tape loops. This Ableton Max for Live plugin translates these ideas into a modern generative sequencer, enabling you to explore infinite musical possibilities without repetitive programming.
Effortless Note Generation
Forget the constraints of the piano roll. 'Air' generates notes autonomously, creating endless variations of melodies, rhythms, and harmonies. Your music becomes a living, breathing entity that evolves over time, making each moment unique.
Perfect for Experimental and Ambient Music
Whether you're crafting immersive ambient soundscapes, exploring experimental electronica, or composing intricate minimal music, 'Air' provides the tools to elevate your creativity. Its generative approach ensures that no two performances are ever the same, offering a fresh perspective with every playback.
Features Designed for Limitless Inspiration
Evolving Sequences: Generate infinitely unique patterns that never repeat.
Customizable Settings: Fine-tune parameters to align with your artistic vision.
Seamless Integration: Designed for Ableton Live users who value creativity and experimentation.
Create Music That Breathes
'Air' is more than a plugin—it's a partner in creation, designed for musicians who embrace unpredictability and seek to push boundaries. Unleash the power of generative composition and let your music take flight."
Friday, March 21, 2025
The World's First Programmable Synthesizer and its Pulitzer Prize Winning Music
video upload by ITSPmagazine
"This synthesizer is the world's first programmable music synthesizer. The first piece of electronic music to win the Pulitzer Prize was made on it.
basically a two voice synthesizer with tone generation and composing in the left hand side and processing on the right hand side, including manual binary for the, uh, ordering of the effects processes. Um, which for its time, uh, essentially like a uh, touring computer. Um, uh, was it You know, one and a half tons, seven feet tall, 14 feet wide, it's quite a behemoth, but now it's a very large paperweight.
Watch the full video:" [The above comes in at 22:41 - vintage Buchla, Serge & more follow. See this post for the red Buchla LSD module]
How Technology is Changing the Way We Make Music | A Conversation with Seth Cluett
video upload by ITSPmagazine
"Guest: Seth Cluett, Director of Columbia University’s Computer Music Center | On LinkedIn: / seth-cluett-7631065 | Columbia University Computer Music Center Bio: https://cmc.music.columbia.edu/bios/s...
Host: Sean Martin, Co-Founder at ITSPmagazine and Host of Redefining CyberSecurity Podcast & Music Evolves Podcast | Website: https://www.seanmartin.com/
Show Notes
Music and technology have always shaped each other, and few places embody that relationship as deeply as the Computer Music Center (CMC) at Columbia University. In this episode of Music Evolves, Sean Martin sits down with Seth Cluett, Director of the Computer Music Center and Assistant Director of the Sound Art MFA program at Columbia, to explore the center’s rich history, its role in advancing music technology, and how it continues to shape the future of sound.
The Legacy and Mission of the Computer Music Center
The CMC is housed in the same 6,000-square-foot space as the original Columbia-Princeton Electronic Music Center, which dates back to 1951 and is one of the world’s oldest university-based electronic music research facilities. This was the birthplace of early electronic music, where pioneers learned to use cutting-edge technology to create new sounds. Many of those musicians went on to establish their own studios around the world, from Egypt to Japan.
The center has played a role in major milestones in music history, including the work of Wendy Carlos, a former student known for Switched-On Bach, the score for Tron, and The Shining. The first piece of electronic music to win a Pulitzer Prize was also composed here. Today, under Cluett’s leadership, the focus remains on creativity-driven technological innovation—allowing composers and artists to explore technology freely and push the boundaries of what’s possible in sound and music.
One of the center’s guiding principles is accessibility. Cluett emphasizes the importance of lowering barriers to entry for students who may not have had prior access to music technology. The goal is to make sure that anyone, regardless of background, can walk into the studio and begin working with 80% of its capabilities within the first 20 minutes.
Exploring the Labs and Studios
The episode also includes a tour of the labs and studios, showcasing some of the center’s groundbreaking equipment. One highlight is the RCA Mark II Synthesizer, the world’s first programmable music synthesizer. Built in the late 1950s, this massive machine—seven feet tall and weighing over a ton—was instrumental in shaping the sound of early electronic music. The system worked by punching holes into paper to control sound generation, similar to a player piano. While no longer in use, the CMC has collaborated with iZotope to model some of its effects digitally.
LABELS/MORE:
ARP,
Buchla,
documentaries,
exclusive,
exclusive2025,
Interviews,
mechanical,
RCA,
Serge,
test equipment
Tuesday, February 04, 2025
Stylophone DS-2: Seven Fun Patch Ideas to Spark Your Dronespiration!
video upload by Oscillator Sink
"From the comments on my last DS-2 video it seems that a lot of folks are having fun exploring sounds on this little box - me too! Because I'm a nerd, I've been making notes on some of the fun things I've found and I'll share seven with you in this video to try out on your DS-2!
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:52 Beautiful Sines
04:20 Filthy Filter Self Modulation
09:21 Stoopid Arcade Sound Patch
11:07 More LFO Shapes
14:00 Always Be Pingin'
19:11 Delay Pitch Shifter Sequencer Thing
24:01 The Inevitable Groovebox Patch"
Monday, January 27, 2025
Ambient | MEGA SYNTHESIS(Y.BR2) & Ableton Air
video upload by Akihiko Matsumoto
"Ableton Air: https://akihikomatsumoto.sellfy.store...
Inspired by Timeless Techniques
'Air' draws its inspiration from Brian Eno's Music for Airports and the concept of overlapping tape loops. This Ableton Max for Live plugin translates these ideas into a modern generative sequencer, enabling you to explore infinite musical possibilities without repetitive programming.
Effortless Note Generation
Forget the constraints of the piano roll. 'Air' generates notes autonomously, creating endless variations of melodies, rhythms, and harmonies. Your music becomes a living, breathing entity that evolves over time, making each moment unique.
Perfect for Experimental and Ambient Music
Whether you're crafting immersive ambient soundscapes, exploring experimental electronica, or composing intricate minimal music, "Air" provides the tools to elevate your creativity. Its generative approach ensures that no two performances are ever the same, offering a fresh perspective with every playback.
Features Designed for Limitless Inspiration
Evolving Sequences: Generate infinitely unique patterns that never repeat.
Customizable Settings: Fine-tune parameters to align with your artistic vision.
Seamless Integration: Designed for Ableton Live users who value creativity and experimentation.
Create Music That Breathes
'Air' is more than a plugin—it's a partner in creation, designed for musicians who embrace unpredictability and seek to push boundaries. Unleash the power of generative composition and let your music take flight.
Ambient Drone Sample Pack https://akihikomatsumoto.bandcamp.com..."
Monday, November 11, 2024
The Swarm by Atrium Instruments
video upload by DECIMA1



DESIGN PHILOSOPHY
Knob-For-Knob Functionality
We at Artium Instruments are committed to knob-for-knob functionality. Every feature of The Swarm is directly mapped to a knob, button, switch, or jack, ensuring effortless control. There's no need for menu-diving or complicated sequences of button presses to access features; everything is conveniently accessible at your fingertips.
Curated, Onboard Effects
With over a decade of experience in the effects industry, we have carefully curated a selection of effects that seamlessly complement the synth core. Unique to The Swarm is its capability to use the onboard effects with other equipment, allowing you to route external audio through the inputs on the back.
Plug and Play Functionality
The Swarm utilizes a USB-C MIDI host for simplicity and ease of use. Most modern class-compliant MIDI controllers with USB functionality should plug in and work immediately with zero setup. Additionally, The Swarm provides power to your controller, streamlining your setup process. For older controllers that only have DIN connections, a USB to DIN converter can be used to ensure compatibility. (These converters typically cost $10-20)
Quality Craftsmanship, Intentional Design
We've invested considerable thought into crafting the overall feel of the instrument. From the layout of the knobs to the choice of colors, artwork, and the weight of the enclosure, every detail has been considered. These details matter to us because we recognize that the connection a user forms with a piece of gear is almost as crucial in the creative process as the sounds it produces. We hope you can feel the love and passion we've poured into every aspect of The Swarm, from its sonic capabilities to its design aesthetics.
Open Source Platform
Artium desktop synths use an open source platform known as Axoloti or Ksoloti for development and implementation of its products. Click here for details on the open source platform being used.
SYNTH CORE
Oscillator
The Swarm features a SuperSaw oscillator with 8-note polyphony. This oscillator is composed of seven individual saw waves stacked on top of each other. The magic unfolds when you detune the waveforms by applying a frequency offset, resulting in one of the most massive synth sounds available.
Thursday, October 10, 2024
Euclidean Beats on DivSkip
video upload by Making Sound Machines
"Getting ready for Machina Bristonica 2024 in Bristol UK, coming up this weekend! We are having a workshop on Saturday starting 14.00 where you can build our DIY kits or a @plinkysynth with us! And on Sunday at 14.15, we will be on the DivKid stage chatting with Ben about Life, the Universe and Modular. Come meet us there, and bring your best questions!
In this last-jam-before-the-flight-leaves, we are exploring the Euclidean Modes built into DivSkip, our module collaboration with @DivKid.
Euclidean rhythms are a fun and intuitive way to generate looping musical patterns. #DivSkip has two modes that generate Euclidean rhythms. The one used here, Euclidean Split, always sets three steps and distributes them over a pattern length that can be adjusted using the knob.
In this patch, Enrica adjusts the length of the pattern which in turn advances alternating bass and chord notes played on the @WeAreElektron Model:cycles. This results in cool syncopated, rhythmic shifts throughout the sketch.
She adds a shifting pattern of ghost notes with a clock divider on DivSkip's channel 3, set to three steps. The sound is generated using Mutable Instruments Plaits, with the A and B outputs triggering alternating CV settings using @vaskiembedded's ECS-4 Triggered Switch module.
DivSkip's channel 1 is set to play a four-to-the-floor pattern on Out A and B, going to kick and snare on @VladimirPantelic's VPME QD quad drum voice.
Enrica mutes and unmutes each channel on the fly with a click of the push potentiometer.
DIY Kits are in stock at @ThonkSynthDIY (UK), @explodingshed5542 (EU) and @NightlifeElectronics (CAN - DIY and built)
Built modules are available at @signal-sounds (UK), @PerfectCircuit (US), @Elevator-Sound (UK+EU) and @schneidersladen_berlin (EU)"
Thursday, October 03, 2024
Behringer Proton Modular Patches. No Talking Sound Demo
video upload by Anton Anru
"Behringer Proton «Sound Diver» is a collection of 50 patches: 14 leads, 12 basses, 14 plucks, and 10 paraphonic timbres.
Exploring Behringer's new synthesizer was an exciting process for me. It boasts an impressive feature set, including two powerful oscillators capable of generating a wide range of tones, two advanced LFOs, two multi-mode filters, and a wavefolder that adds rich sonic textures. Additionally, it comes with two extra envelopes that can loop, essentially turning them into additional LFOs, and, of course, the patch panel, which opens up endless experimentation possibilities.
๐ Get the soundset: https://antonanru.sellfy.store/p/prot...
๐ง With this sound bank, I wanted to dive deep into these features and create medium to highly complex patches. The title «Sound Diver» reflects this desire to explore the sonic depths while keeping the sounds usable and adaptable for a wide range of music and performances. My goal was to strike a balance between experimental and musical sounds.
๐จ The presets cover a wide sonic palette, including warm, noisy, detuned, distorted, as well as soft, clean, punchy, dark, bright, deep, and airy tones.
Some timbres are designed to take the lead in a track or jam session, while others work perfectly as complementary elements. While the patches are ready to use as they are, I highly recommend tweaking the knobs during your performance to further develop the sound and enhance your creative experience.
♬ The pluck patches are excellent when paired with arpeggiators or sequencers. While the Behringer Proton doesn't come with a built-in arpeggiator, you can easily integrate your favorite arpeggiators or sequencers from your DAW or MIDI controller.
๐น I particularly enjoyed working in Paraphonic mode, which allows both oscillators to be split into two separate notes. While it doesn’t create full chords, it does give the illusion of one. The result is a collection of analog pads, textures, and keyboard sounds that are slightly detuned, filtered, or distorted using the wavefolder. This type of sound is hard to replicate on a digital polyphonic synthesizer, adding a unique analog character that feels rich and organic.
๐ฅ These presets are versatile and suitable for a wide range of genres, including ambient, electronica, IDM, deep techno, house, progressive, trance, lounge, downtempo, pop, chill out, new age, cinematic, breaks, synthwave, retrowave, dub, and more.
๐ The soundset is provided as a PDF document, with each page containing detailed notes that explain how each patch works, which parameters are worth tweaking during playback, and how to evolve the timbre during a performance. By following these notes and making adjustments consciously, you’ll not only get the most out of the patches but also gain a deeper understanding of the synth itself, uncovering its full potential and creative depth.
Tuesday, July 16, 2024
Meet MIDINA - 16 Track Polyphonic Midi sequencer and Recorder / Song Arranger
video upload by Meltchya
"Hi all... meet MIDINA :)
She's a 16 track polyphonic midi sequencer and recorder / song arranger that can record pitch bend, MIDI CCs, and aftertouch. She's got 128 songs, 16 blocks per song, and 16 tracks per block.
Each block can be up to 2048 steps, and each track can be up to 2048 steps. Blocks automatically sequence at the end of the previous block, and you can jump freely between any blocks by tapping them in the scroll menu. Each block can have its own set of 48 program change messages to trigger new programs in sync with the block changes. You can change songs with no load times and no hitch. She's got 30 NeoPixel MX switches that can be freely customized or changed, 8 push-switch rotaries, a 5" touch AMOLED screen, and the software is going to be fully open source from day 1. The unit seen here is the first tactile prototype, but I've started production run for the first batch and I'm getting ready to launch it next month.
It's been a year of hard work and this is the first tune I've actually gotten to make, I'm excited to be able to make music again and not have to focus so much on the software and hardware side of things. I'm a little bit out of practice, it's hardly a perfect performance, but it's always fun! Thanks for listening in and checking it out :)
Here's unit #002, with red anodized aluminum, black knobs, pudding keycaps, and smokey black sequencer key caps. All of this is fully customizable to taste, and each unit will be built and tested personally by hand."


Currently on Kickstarter
"What is MIDINA?
Midina is an open-source sequencer born from a passion for electronic music and technology, designed to be powerful and accessible.
Midina stands out with its ability to record pitch bends, aftertouch, and MIDI CCs, providing you with a versatile and expressive sequencer. There are easy ways to trigger program changes automatically or manually. The linear sequencer within each Song provides a clear Block Order, designed to help you make music that moves. It supports extended track and block lengths, enabling different creative methods of song building to be explored. Additionally, for those who enjoy a traditional approach, Midina offers robust step sequencer options that will only get better with time.
One of the core philosophies behind Midina is community engagement, iterative software development, and the support of customization through community contributions to both software and hardware. I believe that anybody who wants to contribute should be welcome to contribute. By opening the code, I hope to see others tailor Midina to their personal needs, enhancing their creative process and the project offerings along the way.
Midina is built on the versatile Raspberry Pi platform, making it an accessible and affordable choice. Its open-source nature means that you have the freedom to explore, modify, and expand its capabilities.
Midina is still young, but it is a project I am committed to developing and improving for the long haul. I set out to build a sequencer which fits my own production needs in a live environment, and I am happy with what it currently offers.. At the same time, I know it can do much more over time, and I am excited to iterate and improve as the days go on.
Thank you for exploring Midina. I look forward to hearing the music you create with it.
Thursday, July 11, 2024
Enter the Moog Labyrinth
video upload by Moog Music
Labyrinth | Moog Demo Library
video uploads by Moog Music
User videos:
Playlist (use the player controls to skip around):
1. Perfect Circuit: Moog Semi-Modular Comparison 2024: Labyrinth, Mother-32, & More (feat. Sarah Belle Reid)
2. Sarah Belle Reid: Moog Labyrinth Semi-Modular Synth: Overview + Explorations
3. Loopop: Moog Labyrinth // A Synth that’s a Generative Idea Machine // 13 patch ideas, review & tutorial
4. mylarmelodies: Moog Labyrinth Demo: Explanation & Generative Techno Jams
5. Reverb: Exploring Generative Synthesis with the Moog Labyrinth
6. Jorb: Moog Labyrinth // Generative Synthesis At It's Best
7. SUTURE SOUND: A ton of Moog Labyrinth sounds (no talking)
8. Bonedo Synthesizers: MOOG Labyrinth Sound Demo (no talking) - Preset Sheets
9. Limbic Bits: MOOG Labyrinth Sound Demo (no talking): 6 Improvisations on the Labyrinth
10. Starsky Carr: Moog Labyrinth // 3 Minute Manual + Full Review & Demo
AN UNEXPECTED PATH FORWARD
Labyrinth introduces a classic West Coast sound into the Mother Ecosystem experience rich analog synthesizer history in both surprising and recognizable sonic textures. Two generative sequencers bring to life sounds that bloom over time, letting you control their evolution and scale, then play them off of each other for striking polymetric melodies.
With parallel analog signal paths, this adventurous instrument shines when adding color to the steady backdrop of a drum pattern or bassline.
GENERATIVE SEQUENCER
The beating heart of Labyrinth is a robust dual sequencer, which uses chance calculations to generate two unique eight-step paths which twist and curve around one another.
SONIC WANDERING
A parallel voice processing path with a voltage-controlled blending allows you to morph sounds over time.
VOLTAGE-CONTROLLED WAVEFOLDER
A fresh interpretation of the Moog sound via a voltage-controlled wavefolder. Two oscillators drive duophonic melodic counterpoints, metallic FM tones, and analog synthetic drums.


The heart of the Labyrinth is the sequencer section. A dual 8-step sequencer gives you interactive quantized melodies that can affect various parameters, based on the labeled trimmers. These sequencers send out both notes CV and triggers and with a Trig Mix you can get rhythmic interplay that is quite satisfying. Each sequencer has a Length settings and a Bit Shift when adjusts the position of activated steps. The Bit Flip and Corrupt parameters present gives you more randomness and serendipity allowing you to create evolving patterns.
As with all of their semi-modular synths, Moog gives you access to 32 patch point patchbay with 12 outputs and 20 inputs. This gives you the option to self-patch and integrate it into your existing Eurorack ecosystem. Moog's Labyrinth is the perfect expansion to your existing system or a great starting point as an entry to modular synthesis, especially for those who are looking to get expressive rhythmic patterns quickly.
LABYRINTH FEATURES
- Parallel generative analog synthesizer
- Two oscillators, a sine-based and triangle-based
- Switchable wave folder to filter, filter to wave folder, or parallel processing
- Diode-transistor hybrid wavefolder with smooth Fold and Bias control
- Morphable Low pass to Band pass 2-pole filter
- Adjustable decay time for both decay envelopes
- Blend Sequence 1 and Sequence 2 triggers for complex rhythms
- Each sequencers has options to adjust length, per-step adjustments, adjustable randomness (Corrupt), and shifting the pattern on-the-fly
- Quantizable pitches to 16 different scales
- 32-Point patch bay, 12 outs 20 ins
Monday, May 27, 2024
Meska's 32 presets for Plinky
video upload by Meska
Here a sound demo of the 32 preset i have made for plinky, they are mostly on the 'noise' & 'wonky' side of plinky Plinky website : https://plinkysynth.com/
Linck to the preset : https://plinkysynth.com/presets/Meska... "
Explore the dark side of Plinky - 32 free presets by Meska
video upload by Making Sound Machines
"New sounds for your Plinky! This awesome new bank of 32 presets by @Meska_Statik draws focus to the "dark" side of #Plinky, exploring lush delay, cavernous reverb, pitch drift and gnarly saturation.
The bank includes the #preset file, 8 samples and individual links for the browser-based patch editor. It works for all generations of Plinky and is a #free download at https://plinkysynth.com/presets
We already gave a little sneak peek of these sounds at @superboothberlin, so for this little snippet we broke our #Superbooth setup back out to give you a little musical demo showcasing one of the sounds, Preset 4: Footstep. We recorded a couple of clips showing one sound each in musical context, as a companion to Meska's overview of all sounds at • My 32 presets for Plinky [Meska's video above]
In this patch, Plinky plays back a recorded sequence and is synched via MIDI clock to our Stolperbeats drum trigger sequencer for Eurorack. Enrica plays the touch surface to insert individual notes into the arpeggio, and tweaks the A knob to adjust sensitivity on the touch grid to get a grittier sound.
Plinky's pitch CV drives a @Befacosynth evenVCO through their clever A*B+C VCA for a warm, subdued bassline.
The drum sounds from the GRRL x Made of Oak Configuration sample pack on @splice - check out their EP GXM Inertia, and the 10 year @sylvanesso anniversary release for some amazing music.
The samples are played using the Samples II module by @soundforce_nicolas and processed through our Farbshaper and Farbhighpass modules. The shaper adds some extra dirt, the transistor ladder highpass is used with the kick envelope to get a ducking effect by modulating its cutoff.
The metering tool at the top right is the incredibly clever and beautiful @vaskiembedded 2HP Lights Stereo Visualizer #audio #visualisation module, engineered by our friend Lauri. The Eurorack case itself is a beautifully crafted FenixIV case made by our friends @thisisnotrocketscience3942 from Amsterdam.
Plinky is an #expressive #polyphonic #touch #synthesizer, designed by mmalex and available as a #DIY kit from @ThonkSynthDIY"
Wednesday, May 01, 2024
RYK Introduces ALGO - Complex Oscillator Eurorack Module
RYK ALGO Demo - eurorack Complex Oscillator module
video upload by RYK Modular
User videos below.
"All knobs and no menus, an FM synth engine with hands-on control
Introducing ALGO, from RYK Modular
ALGO's four oscillators can be configured in series or parallel combinations, to create Complex FM or additive sound textures.
A unique Algorithm Display indicates the signal flow from one oscillator to another - easy to understand FM with pretty twinkly lights !
CHAPTERS:
00:00 -- ALGO !
00:04 – The Algorithms of ALGO
00:11 – Drone with FM and Global Detune
00:36 – M185 Sequencing ALGO. Tweaking the Harmonic Frequency of the oscillators for various levels of wildness !
01:16 – Drone demo showcasing built in Chorus effect
01:30 – Alien Torture sounds ! Batumi modulating oscillator harmonics, and cross modulation amount
01:53 – Dual ALGO Dub action. RHS playing the chords with various tweaks to the amount of cross-mod and harmonics. LHS used for the bassline. Sequenced by split seq on M185, 3xFEG envelopes modulating the internal VCAs of the ALGOs
02:45 – String/Pad chord setup on ALGO. Batumi modulating Wave Warp. Gliss used for modulating cross modulation amount
03:17 – Dual ALGO Pam's sequence. Pam sequencing pitch and harmonic offsets on RHS ALGO, also slower melody notes from LHS ALGO. 3xFEG envelopes modulating the internal VCAs of the ALGOs
04:14 – Conclusion Drone !!"
"ALGO's four oscillators can be configured in series or parallel combinations, to create Complex FM or additive sound textures.
A unique Algorithm Display indicates the signal flow from one oscillator to another - easy to understand FM with pretty twinkly lights !
Each oscillator has controls for Level and Frequency, allowing easy adjustment of FM timbres, no menu diving snorkels needed.
Modulation inputs for Frequency or Level for each oscillator - patch in a couple of Envelopes, and you have an instant FM synth voice.
Bored of Sine waves ? A generous Wave Warp control bends things through Triangle to Pulse wave and back again.
Wave Warp can be applied to Carrier, Modulator or both types of oscillator.
For the more discerning mangler, Wave Folding is also available in three delicious flavours; Symmetric, Asymmetric and Soft Clip !
A Global Detune spread control with CV input is great for creating Netflix apocalypse drones that descend into the abys.
Lastly an onboard Stereo Chorus can add a vivacious 1980's shimmer to all your FM creations.
Oh, nearly forgot. It's Stereo !"
FM synths can be easy and fun: RYK ALGO Eurorack Module Demo
video upload by mylarmelodies
"This is a demo of the RYK ALGO: A 4-oscillator stereo FM eurorack synth module with waveshaping and wavefolding, stereo chorus, and with a bunch of algorithms to interconnect the VCOs with. FM & PANEL EXPLANATION: 1:55 / SOUND DEMOS: 14:06 Onwards."
CHAPTERS
00:00 A taste of what's to come
00:43 What is this?!
01:55 Algo (and FM) Explained
14:06 Jams: Fast Footwork
17:35 Aphex Bass
19:35 Plinktown
20:44 Low n Slow
23:49 Woof!
25:18 The Righteous Chord
29:13 Hellscape Acid
RYK Modular Algo improvised play with friends
video upload by Molten Music Technology
"My first play with the RYK Algo FM module. Using an 8-step loop from the Oct Tone, a bit of delay from the Milky Way, some reverb and cassette saturation from the Chroma Console. I then foolishly threw in a VCO from the Batumi II through the Sqwk Dirty filter and sequenced from the meloDICER, all of which I'm using for the first time. I'm not sure it gels all the time, but I was having a lovely time exploring."
video upload by RYK Modular
User videos below.
"All knobs and no menus, an FM synth engine with hands-on control
Introducing ALGO, from RYK Modular
ALGO's four oscillators can be configured in series or parallel combinations, to create Complex FM or additive sound textures.
A unique Algorithm Display indicates the signal flow from one oscillator to another - easy to understand FM with pretty twinkly lights !
CHAPTERS:
00:00 -- ALGO !
00:04 – The Algorithms of ALGO
00:11 – Drone with FM and Global Detune
00:36 – M185 Sequencing ALGO. Tweaking the Harmonic Frequency of the oscillators for various levels of wildness !
01:16 – Drone demo showcasing built in Chorus effect
01:30 – Alien Torture sounds ! Batumi modulating oscillator harmonics, and cross modulation amount
01:53 – Dual ALGO Dub action. RHS playing the chords with various tweaks to the amount of cross-mod and harmonics. LHS used for the bassline. Sequenced by split seq on M185, 3xFEG envelopes modulating the internal VCAs of the ALGOs
02:45 – String/Pad chord setup on ALGO. Batumi modulating Wave Warp. Gliss used for modulating cross modulation amount
03:17 – Dual ALGO Pam's sequence. Pam sequencing pitch and harmonic offsets on RHS ALGO, also slower melody notes from LHS ALGO. 3xFEG envelopes modulating the internal VCAs of the ALGOs
04:14 – Conclusion Drone !!"
"ALGO's four oscillators can be configured in series or parallel combinations, to create Complex FM or additive sound textures.
A unique Algorithm Display indicates the signal flow from one oscillator to another - easy to understand FM with pretty twinkly lights !
Each oscillator has controls for Level and Frequency, allowing easy adjustment of FM timbres, no menu diving snorkels needed.
Modulation inputs for Frequency or Level for each oscillator - patch in a couple of Envelopes, and you have an instant FM synth voice.
Bored of Sine waves ? A generous Wave Warp control bends things through Triangle to Pulse wave and back again.
Wave Warp can be applied to Carrier, Modulator or both types of oscillator.
For the more discerning mangler, Wave Folding is also available in three delicious flavours; Symmetric, Asymmetric and Soft Clip !
A Global Detune spread control with CV input is great for creating Netflix apocalypse drones that descend into the abys.
Lastly an onboard Stereo Chorus can add a vivacious 1980's shimmer to all your FM creations.
Oh, nearly forgot. It's Stereo !"
FM synths can be easy and fun: RYK ALGO Eurorack Module Demo
video upload by mylarmelodies
"This is a demo of the RYK ALGO: A 4-oscillator stereo FM eurorack synth module with waveshaping and wavefolding, stereo chorus, and with a bunch of algorithms to interconnect the VCOs with. FM & PANEL EXPLANATION: 1:55 / SOUND DEMOS: 14:06 Onwards."
CHAPTERS
00:00 A taste of what's to come
00:43 What is this?!
01:55 Algo (and FM) Explained
14:06 Jams: Fast Footwork
17:35 Aphex Bass
19:35 Plinktown
20:44 Low n Slow
23:49 Woof!
25:18 The Righteous Chord
29:13 Hellscape Acid
RYK Modular Algo improvised play with friends
video upload by Molten Music Technology
"My first play with the RYK Algo FM module. Using an 8-step loop from the Oct Tone, a bit of delay from the Milky Way, some reverb and cassette saturation from the Chroma Console. I then foolishly threw in a VCO from the Batumi II through the Sqwk Dirty filter and sequenced from the meloDICER, all of which I'm using for the first time. I'm not sure it gels all the time, but I was having a lovely time exploring."
Wednesday, April 24, 2024
Introducing Digitakt II
video upload by Elektron
Pics & details previously posted here.
"We are delighted to announce the release of Digitakt II - Send yourself to another sampling dimension, weaving splinters of sound in stereo, ripped from the moment and brought to your fingertips for marvelous audio manipulation and beat arraying. Preserve or distort reality as you so desire with 16 tracks ready for stereo or mono samples, or MIDI. Choose from several swappable filters for each track and utilize a wide assortment of effects and modulation, pull on massive processing power, and enough memory for a lifetime of samples. And with further tasty features like a Euclidean sequence generator, an extended 128 step sequencer, kits, trig modes, an extensive sample library, and a modular workflow to play with, your sonic-montage sculpting potential will know no beat-making bounds.
Digitakt II is available to purchase from the Elektron website or from retailers carrying the Elektron range of products. Pricing on elektron.se is 999 USD/1049 EUR."
Digitakt II — At A Glance
video upload by Elektron
"Digitakt II offers endless drum collage with 16 audio tracks all ready for stereo or mono samples or MIDI, swappable filters, 3 LFOs per track, a 128-step sequencer, expanded memory and power, and so much more. Here, Risa T talks through a bunch of the awesome features on offer, and takes us all on some sweet sonic escapades."
Review: DIGITAKT II vs OG Digitakt // Everything new in Digitakt 2 // Detailed tutorial
video upload by loopop
Timeline below.
Digitakt 2 - Beginner's MEGA TUTORIAL
video upload by True Cuckoo
Timeline further below.
Wednesday, November 29, 2023
Elmyra 2 - 2.2 Firmware Update: Exploring the new features
video upload by Oscillator Sink
"The new 2.2 update for the Elmyra 2 was recently released and it ticked off almost everything I had on my wish-list in terms of new features - so, that's nice! In this video, rather than just reading out the release notes, instead I decided to put together a patch which just happened to make use of all of the new features in the update - almost as if I planned it.
Transparency notice: the Elmyra2 was kindly provided to me by Neutral Labs for free for the purposes of making videos on it. No editorial oversight has been provided to Neutral Labs and no other payment has been received. As always I'm only interested in featuring instruments that I'm genuinely excited about on the channel.
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:00 Introduction
01:16 Magic numbers (and the need for cheatsheet)
02:31 Chord Mod Mode
05:09 Octave Shift
06:18 Sequencing some chords
09:55 Stepped/Smooth Random (S&H LFOs)
15:06 Signal Routing - Swapping the delay and filter order
17:47 Dual Filter Modes
22:55 New LFO Wavetables/Shapes
27:42 Complex Waves for LFO1
29:13 Patching some more because we can"
Saturday, November 18, 2023
SOMA Labs Introduces METACONFORMER Modular MIDI Processor
demo video upload by Vlad Kreimer



"Metaconformer is a modular MIDI processor designed to expand the capabilities of musical instruments and to simplify the interaction between a musician and their MIDI instruments. It offers new ways of playing music through innovative and groundbreaking MIDI message routing capabilities between multiple instruments.
The MIDI protocol is an efficient engineering solution used reliably for decades by musicians. However, in many situations it does not take into account the musical context, which is essential for the artist. Metaconformer changes this. Located between the MIDI controller and your instruments, it coordinates human ideas with the language of hardware.
Metaconformer’s capabilities provide new ways of playing instruments, by combining MIDI instruments and exploring their interaction . You will be able to play multiple instruments at the same time as if they were part of one larger instrument. Metaconformer also opens up the possibility of sound control through pressing the keys on your MIDI keyboard, instead of having to reach for the knobs on your gear. This will allow you to discover and unlock new facets and possibilities of your favorite instruments!
The idea behind the Metaconformer is to give musicians a new way of looking at their instruments and what else they can do with a little creativity in MIDI.
SOMA is closely related to the idea of organismic synthesizers . Each of our instruments aims to give the musician the experience of interacting with a system in which several independent modules can influence each other and create more than the sum of its parts.
Metaconformer is no exception. It breaks down at least two barriers that have stood in the way of all MIDI musicians for decades. It establishes a dialogue between different instruments, breaking the barrier of parallel universes of MIDI channels. And Metaconformer also allows you to enter the values of synthesis parameters not by turning knobs on your synths, but by pressing keys on your MIDI keyboard, breaking the barrier of the one- dimensional universe of notes and creating a multi-dimensional universe of parametric chords."
Sunday, October 29, 2023
Buchla Thunder + ASM Hydrasynth | Noise Improvisation
video upload by Ryan Gaston
"I recently took delivery of a vintage Buchla Thunder—a MIDI controller I've been dorking out over for years. In this video, I'm exploring a tiny bit of what it can do when combined with an ASM Hydrasynth desktop module...in the form of a mostly noisy/textural improvisation. (Note—the laptop is there purely for the sake of recording. All sounds and effects are coming from the Hydrasynth.)
Released in ~1990, Thunder is bonkers. Like many of Buchla's prior instruments, it uses touch-sensitive plates as a way of interacting with electronic sound engines. There's no "default" setup...you have to program everything that it does from scratch. It can translate touch directly into MIDI notes, or your touches can be used to initiate/conditionally influence programmed strings of events. Keys can even be used to conditionally modify one another's behavior—it's very deep, and things can become complex quite quickly. That's much of its charm: it's very easy for simple interactions to unwind into complex, unexpected flurries of sound.
So it's quite powerful...but given that I've had it for only a short time, I'm still barely scratching the surface. That said, it's already proving to be super inspiring to play, and I'm excited to keep digging in from here."
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© Matrixsynth - All posts are presented here for informative, historical and educative purposes as applicable within fair use.
MATRIXSYNTH is supported by affiliate links that use cookies to track clickthroughs and sales. See the privacy policy for details.
MATRIXSYNTH - EVERYTHING SYNTH