Live improvisation with MPC 1000, OP-1, and octatrack.

Published on Oct 1, 2015 j. tomes

"this is a trial run with a new workflow, using the OP-1's built in tape function to record elements, adding drum elements sequenced live on the MPC, then sampling and manipulating them both using the octatrack.

there are no premade patterns, though i did setup some scenes and some track recorders continually sampling the sampled samples. ha. those tracks have some pre-set parameters on effects and LFO's. apart from that, it's all improvised.

the process is still quite new, so it's not perfect! quite a long take, but some ideas are worth exploring. i bumped the camera at the start of filming so i accidentally framed the knobs on the octatrack out, so it's not too clear what i'm doing... will do another one soon so it's clearer.

around the 6 minute mark i am using the MPC to trigger 'slices' from the octatrack. (bit loose, still working on this! but it works! thanks to JJOS2XL and pattern mode)"

CBMods Korg 05R/W Digital Synthesizer Module

Published on Oct 1, 2015 Waz Radar (CBMods)

"Modifications:
3x Rotary Switches *
1x A/B Switch

Did the bending, switched the thing on, picked a random setting, pressed record and played for 5 minutes (on my trusty Yamaha QY-70).

I have been known to labour over every detail for some of my demo's, but this one was just an exercise in self composition.. the 05R/W will take you wherever it wants to go."

Roland Juno-106 Analog Synthesizer "Metropolis Boutique"

Published on Oct 1, 2015 RetroSound

"(c) 2015 vintage synthesizer demo track by RetroSound

all synthesizer sounds: Roland Juno-106 Analog Synthesizer (1984)
drums: Roland TR-808 (1982)
recording: multi-tracking without midi
fx: a bit reverb and delay"

Novation Introduces Circuit - New Stand Alone Grid-Based Groove Box

Uploaded on Sep 23, 2015 NovationTV

Novation reveals what's behind their "Start Something" campaign (previously posted here). Watching the videos I was expecting some sort of DAW software or controller. When I first saw the image of the Circuit, I thought my expectations where confirmed.  Well, it might look like another DAW controller, but it isn't. This is a stand alone production system with the synth engine built in. The engine includes two six voice Novation analog modeling synths with wavetables, a four-part drum machine, and built-in delay and reverb. Don't miss by Q&A with Novation at the bottom of this post!  The Circuit can be battery powered and has built-in speakers for full portability. All for a MAP of $329, available in October.  Full details follow.

"This is Circuit. In this performance video, Harry Coade takes us through just some of the functionality of Novation's latest release. Sequencing beats with the 4 part drum machine, playing in harmonic sections with 2 desktop poly synths, adding mixer and fx tweaks and browsing through 32 different performance sessions allows you to start something quickly."

"Sometimes, starting a track can be a difficult and daunting task. We're sure that like us, you've sat staring at a screen overwhelmed by the choice of plug-ins, struggling to write a beat that inspires you, a melody that doesn’t sound corny.

As our 'Start Something' series has illustrated, inspiration can come in many shapes and forms, from taking a break from the studio and just living life to digging through vinyl and hunting for that elusive sound to get the ball rolling.

We suffer from this problem too and wanted to create a solution. We wanted something small and portable, something that doesn't sound like a toy, something that gives maximum creative output from minimum input, something that encourages exploration and creates ‘happy accidents’. That's why we created Circuit.

Circuit is a standalone groove box that combines Nova-heritage synths with expertly sculpted drums. It’s all you need to make music anywhere. You don't need to buy three different things. With Circuit you can create an entire tune by combining up to 128 steps of synth and drum patterns, then add space, depth and energy to your music with built-in effects. It even has built in sidechain. When you’re done, save your tune to one of 32 slots.

The intuitive navigation delivers immediate results, scale modes ensure that you never hit a bum note and cleverly mapped macros deliver deeper personalisation, ‘happy accidents’ and moments of genius.

With Circuit, making a genuinely decent sounding track requires very little effort and takes minutes not hours. And because it’s battery powered you can do it all on the bus, then take it back to your studio and finish it in your DAW.

Make new electronic music quickly and easily with a standalone groove box that combines Nova-heritage synths with expertly sculpted drums.

Circuit is designed to inspire. Two Novation polysynths and a four-part drum machine, combined with an intuitive grid-based sequencer in a standalone box that will have you making electronic music in minutes. Hit some pads, tweak the knobs and your track will start to emerge, all locked in time and key. Play around with effects, patterns and sounds in real time, to produce your track, brimming with fat grooves and beats.

Compact and battery powered with a convenient built-in speaker, Circuit can be used to make music entirely on its own. In the studio it will work alongside your standalone synth gear and run in sync with your music software too. In short, it's all you need to inspire, create and play new tunes.

Ideas in Seconds. Tracks in Minutes
Circuit inspires, straight out the box. It combines a 2-part synthesiser and a 4-part drum machine with a 4x8 RGB velocity-sensitive grid sequencer, which will have you finding new musical directions and creating electronic grooves in no time.

Stand Alone
Compact and battery-powered, Circuit truly stands alone. You can create entire tunes from scratch without a laptop, then save them and play them back live. You don’t even need speakers, because it has a one built in. Of course, Circuit will plug in to your sound system and work with your computer and other synth gear too, via its Line outputs, USB and MIDI ports.

CLICK FOR MORE »

Rhythm Core Alpha for Nintendo DSi: How to do it!

Published on Sep 30, 2015 Rhythm Core Alpha

"Rhythm Core Alpha is a fun and powerful music creation system for Nintendo DSi. This video shows how to create your own music quickly and easily, explaining every step of the process. It starts with creation of a simple drum loop in a matter of seconds! Then it adds simple bass and melody parts, and shows how to build an automated chord progression. Finally, simply solo over the top of your backing tracks using the stylus.

Finally, a musical instrument for everyone!

Rhythm Core Alpha is available for 500 Nintendo Points in the Nintendo DSiWare shop.
For more info: http://www.rhythmcorealpha.com"

The Rising Zer0 (Volca Beats & Bass, Minifooger Drive)

Published on Sep 30, 2015 HardtekStudios

"A new Volca Jam featuring the Volca Beats & Volca Bass processed by the Moog Minifooger Drive pedal."

Elektron Analog Keys Factory Patches Part 1

Published on Sep 30, 2015 perfectcircuitaudio

http://www.perfectcircuitaudio.com/

Update:

Elektron Analog Keys Factory Patches (Part 2)

Published on Jan 15, 2016 perfectcircuitaudio

"This video series shows off some of the many factory patches available in the Elektron Analog Keys synthesizer/sequencer. This is Part 2."

New Moog Mother-32 In the Flesh

Update: you'll find the official announcement here.

On the day the Minimoog Voyager was discontinued, we now have an image of the upcoming Mother-32 in the flesh, sent my way via Soviet Space Child. Not a Voyager replacement of course, we weren't expecting that based on reports from Knobcon. Some of you were fortunate enough to see it in person there, the rest of us get to finally see it now. This appears to be more of a Werstatt on steroids.

The Mother-32 appears to be a single oscillator desktop or euro-rackable, patchable, monophonic synth, with a built-in sequencer. It's kind of fun to compare it to the mockups here and here.

What I was able to read off the panel (feel free to fill in the gaps):

Controls:

Frequency knob
Glide knob

Oscilator Controls:
VCO Wave Switch - Pulse or Saw
Pulse Width knob
MIX Knob - VCO to NOISE/EXT
VCO MOD Source switch - EG/VCO MOD or LFO
VCO MOD knob
VCO Dest switch - Pulse Width or Frequency


LFO/Modulation Controls:
LFO Rate knob
LFO Wave switch - Pulse or Triangle

Filter Controls:
Cutoff knob - 20hz to 20Khz
Resonance knob
VCF MODE switch - High Pass or Low Pass
VCF MOD Source switch - EG or LFO
VCF MOD AMT knob
VCF MOD Polarity switch - positive or negative

Volume knob

Envelope Controls
Attack knob
Sustain switch - On or Off
Decay knob

VC MIX knob - LO/MIX 1 to HI/MIX 2

MIDI in LED
MIDI in Jack

Temo/Gate Depth/(Swing) knob
Sequencer section

Extensive Modulation Patch Section:

EXT AUDIO | MIX CV | VCA CV | ?

NOISE | VCF CUT | ? | ?

VCO 1V/OCT | VCO LIK? | ? | ?

VCO MOD | GATE? | LFO TRI | LFO ?

MIX 1 | MIX 2 | VC MIX CTRL | VC MIX

MULT | MULT 1 | MULT 2 | ASSIGN

GATE | EG | ? | GATE

TEMPO | ? | RESET | HOLD

Innerclock Systems Re-Releases Sync-Gen IILE Limited to 25 Units

Innerclock Systems is re-releasing their Sync-Gen IILE in a limited run of twenty five units. They will come with a MIDI Solutions Merge unit as well at no additional cost.

Details from the left:

“A few years ago we ceased production of our popular Sync-Gen IILE unit because we felt it couldn’t really compete with the newer Sync-Gen IIPRO

As part of our cleanup and reset for 2016 we discovered enough cases, boards and accessories in the factory to build another twenty five brand new Sync-Gen IILE units.

These solid devices are identical to the Sync-Gen IIPRO in terms of timing precision, ease of use and they run the identical Sync-Gen II software as well of course. They have a single MIDI Clock and a single DIN-Sync output but these can be expanded easily if required.

They originally retailed for $495AUD. Our offer to include a MIDI Solutions Merge unit ($100AUD) at no extra charge to celebrate the clean up goes for these last twenty five Sync-Gen IILE units as well. Purchase links are on the website."

Roland Aira & Elektron Machines Live by Jens Aderholz

Published on Sep 30, 2015 Jens Aderholz

"Live with

Elektron Octatrack
Elektron Analog Four
Elektron Analog RYTM
Roland Tr8
Roland Tb3
Roland MX1
Korg Electribe2
Virus TI Polar"

http://www.roland.com/aira