MFOS Soundlab with MIDI and other mods

YouTube Uploaded by clackbeetle on Apr 27, 2011

"I had some parts laying around from Various jobs at clacktronics, so rather than waste them I thought I would create a synthesizer. I had a PCB for the soundlab from a workshop I did and I tried to make it behave more like a performance synthesizer, this involved modding and calibrating it to behave properly.

It is for sale so email Ben@clacktronics.co.uk for enquiries and any questions - for thos of you interested I will be posting this mods shortly on clacktronics.co.uk

The Mods I have added to the Soundlab are as follows

An Octave Switcher - single switch that changes the pitch from a very low C and six octaves up, for both VCO's

Improvement to CV summing - the original Soundlab drags the CV's down to almost -15 for the filters and VCA, but with MIDI and an octave switcher this makes the LFO to VCO almost useless as the pitch drags right down and the switcher cant bring it up high enough. To fix this I made all CV's operate around GND and created a separate mixer that buffers and pulls the voltages down for the VCA/VCF. This means you can add the LFO or AR to the VCO's and they will modulate the pitch around the set note making vibrato sounds much easier.

The MIDI part of the synthesizer is a MIDImplant by Roman Sowa, The pitch CV directly controls the VCO's and the gate goes to the AR generator. The MIDImplant has 2 CV's though so I added a switch that allows the second VCO to be controlled by the second CV - the only problem is that it has to be controlled on a second MIDI channel as the Implant cannot do polyphonic assigning of the CV outputs. The second CV is normally connected to the VCA or VCF inputs this allows velocity or mod wheel control (this will be demonstrated in another video) All the MIDI settings are on the back of the Soundlab and the assignment of MIDI channel and parameters are all controlled by a single button.

The power supply - It runs of an AC adaptor that supplies Ray Wilsons wall wart supply inside at -/+15v, this means it can interact with normal synthesizers more easily taking CV's upto 10v and normal gate levels (the sockets are provided on the back)

Please note that I have only just finished this synth and there needs to be a bit more calibration!!

MIDImplant can be found here
http://www.midimplant.com/

the Soundlab here
http://www.musicfromouterspace.com/analogsynth/SOUNDLABMINISYNTH/soundlab.php...

My Page
http://Clacktronics.co.uk"

Update:

MIDI Soundlab Bassline

eurorack is the way to party

YouTube Uploaded by martinHETERJAG on Apr 27, 2011

"trying out some filter feedback stuff with the doepfer A106-1 and sound of shadows. modulated by some other cool modules. ulfo is the soundsource in this patch."

Demo Casio Casiotone CT-403 (analogue) 1982

YouTube Uploaded by susarom on Apr 27, 2011

"Casio Casiotone CT-403 (analogue) 1982

The CT-403, was one of the first keyboards with auto accompaniment.The Casiotone 400 series, including the CT-401 (first keyboard with auto accompaniment) and the CT-405 (quasi a MT-68 in wooden casing) can easily be identified by the solid wooden casing, high-quality finish and special design

The tone bank is pretty much the same one the MT-60 has (25 cool sounds!) and the auto accompaniment ranks among the best due to the very phat analog drums and a voluminous bass. The 16 unostentatious beat patterns are accompanied by very minimal chord & bass figures, clearly marking this device as a solo entertainer.

Sorry for some mistakes. Demo was played live and recorded. ;)

The CT-403 was accompanied by some Juno Strings"

Thavius Beck, Ultranova & Launchpad

YouTube Uploaded by NovationTV on Apr 27, 2011

"LA-based electronic musician Thavius Beck performs live with Novation Ultranova, Launchpad and Ableton Live, and talks us through how his set up lets him easily build up song ideas and experiment live, without ever pressing stop!

Filmed at Mush Records HQ in Hollywood, California.
www.mushrecords.com

Music performed live by Thavius Beck."

Roland Jupiter-8 "CS80" Improvisation: "The greatest love" by Danielle

YouTube Uploaded by TheSynthFreq on Apr 26, 2011

"Hi :) Here is my newest improvisation using the Roland Jupiter-8 (CS-80 lead) and the JV-880 (Jupiter-8 strings). Both patches were programmed by me. I tried to make the famous CS-80 sound on the amazing Jupiter-8. No FX used, just pure JP-8 synth. :)
This song is dedicated to my mother who is going through a lot right now.
I kept the chords simple and cheerful.

Please enjoy
:) Danielle (TSF)"

Also see this post.

MPC500 Aphex Twin

MPC500 Aphex Twin from nanonum on Vimeo.

"Nannou - Aphex Twin / finger drumming on AKAI MPC500

nanonum.com/​
twitter.com/​#!/​nanonum"

iPad MIDI on the Cheap

If you have an iOS device and have been considering using it with MIDI there are currently four options.

1) There's MIDI via the Line 6 MIDI Mobilizer which requires apps that support MIDI through their SDK. Apps that do not support their SDK but support CoreMIDI will not work with it.

2) There's OSC to MIDI which requires that you have a device between the iPad and destination MIDI device that converts OSC messages to MIDI. Not all apps support this. For apps that do, this is fine if you want to control things on your computer with your iPad over wireless, but not so good if you want to control external hardware synths, unless of course, you are fine with using your computer as a MIDI dongle. The Missing Link is an option for direct wireless OSC to MIDI, bypassing the computer all together.

3) There is MIDI Wifi via DSMidiWifi or a Network Session to your computer. Again, this is great if you want to use your computer, but not good if you want to go direct iPad to hardware.

4) Finally, and probably most importantly for us gear heads, there is CoreMIDI which is becoming the standard for most apps. You can go wifi with a computer as your MIDI device, or for use without a PC you need two things, one you need the USB Camera Connection Kit from Apple (if you pick up a used one, make sure it comes with the USB attachment/dongle and not just the SD card attachment), and two, you need a class compliant MIDI device that will support what you plan to use it for. For example you can use the KORG NanoKeys for MIDI IN to the iPad, but obviously not for MIDI OUT of the iPad. See http://iosmidi.com/devices/ for a list of devices and what they support.

As I already have the Line 6 MIDI Mobilizer and The Missing Link, I didn't want to spend too much for CoreMIDI, so I decided to go cheap and picked up the HDI MIDI Cable from Amazonfor $5 plus shipping for a total of $10.14. It works for me but some people are reporting various issues with it.

I hooked it up and it was instantly recognized by apps that support CoreMIDI. It uses the thin USB computer type cable as you can see. I wasn't sure if I would like it, but I do. For some reason, it feels thinner, lighter, and more flexible than some of the thicker MIDI cables I have. I should note the Line 6 MIDI mobilizer has even thinner, and flexible cables as well. Thinner is better with the iPad as the point is to be as unobstructed as possible. Length was also a concern for me and the cable is great at about six feet long. Again being light and thin is good and the device takes a very small profile compared to some other class compliant MIDI devices. One thing I did notice was when I accidentally nudged the Camera Connection Kit (the white square you see the HDI MIDI Cable connected to) and lost the connection, I had to completely remove it and re-seat it to get the app to pick it up again - the Camera Connection Kit that is, not the USB cable. The USB cable sits snug in the CCK. The only reason I mention this is to remember to keep the CCK snug if you are performing or recording! Another reason I have my fingers crossed for a wireless CoreMIDI device.

In short, if you are thinking of picking up or using your iPad with other hardware and/or software, research the apps you are interested in and make sure to note the method of connection they support. Most apps have a support site where you can also find out what they plan to support in the future. Check the http://iosmidi.com/devices/ list for supported hardware and those that are not supported. For example, older Midisport Uno USB devices with the solid blue enclosure will not work with CoreMIDI, while the new M-Audio Uno USB with the clear case will.

Apps pictured:
StepPolyArp - Midi Step Polyphonic Arpeggiator - Laurent Colson - great polyphonic sequencer and arpeggiator with some nice features. See the link for details on iTunes. Hooking it up with the KORG MicroKORG pictured or any synth for that matter is tons of fun. An interesting and obvious side note is you can use the iPad as a controller for your desktop synths that don't have keys. Setting up a small portable workspace with the iPad as your MIDI controller really can work. No you don't have full size keys but even setting up a mini keyboard in TouchOSC works surprisingly well.

Domestic Cat MIDI Touch - like TouchOSC but also supports Sysex and NRPN.

Not pictured but an alternative MIDI editor for the Line 6 MIDI Mobilizer is S1MIDI Trigger.

And some relevant links:
HDI MIDI Cable from Amazon
iPads on eBay
iPod Touch on eBay
Line 6 MIDI Mobilizer on eBay
Camera Connection Kit on Amazon
Camera Connection Kits on eBay - note some of these are big and 3rd party devices. I picked mine up from the local Mac store as I didn't want to wait.
Line 6 MIDI Mobilizer on eBay

Crumar Spirit Vintage Analog Synthesizer

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
via this auction

"The Spirit is a monophonic synthesizer which has two audio oscillators and two simultaneous signal paths, which can output in stereo....

here were supposedly less than 100 of these made - this one is Serial Number 80.


If you aren't already familiar with what this can do, you can see an excellent review and description of its operation here.

Includes all original gear:
Soft carry case
Owners manual
Schematics booklet
warranty card
manufacturing quality control sheet
2 line in/out cables
power cable
cleaning cloth

Input/Output connections:
External audio in
Shaped audio out
ADSR/mix audio out
Filter pedal input
Oscillator B pitch pedal input
Keyboard gate output
Keyboard pitch voltage output
External pitch input
External gate input

There is a covered port on the back labeled MIDI, but there isn't anything behind it. There have been Synhouse MIDIJACK adapters available for this synth in the past - you may still be able to find one."

CLICK FOR MORE »

Vintage Korg MS-50

YouTube Uploaded by lusydoebay on Apr 1, 2011

"one osc simple flow, delay"


Uploaded by lusydoebay on Apr 1, 2011

"simple delay"

via this auction

Circuit Bent Cleartone Three Tone Push by freeform delusion

YouTube Uploaded by eecouk on Apr 26, 2011
freeform delusion on eBay
"ClearTone Thee Tone Push

1/4inch Jack output

On/Off Toggle Switch
...
Two Knobs to shape the sound

Push button to add more playability

Three way toggle for tonal changes"