Adventures in Synthesis: Patching on the Deck

Published on Oct 20, 2016 Chris Beckstrom


"An extended video: Usually I patch before hitting "record," but I thought it might be interesting to some folks to see the process of actually creating a patch, then playing it.

The groove gets going around 10:28

I'm no modular virtuoso by any means, but just as with any instrument the key is practice... so here I am!

I've been practicing and preparing for my very first live performance on my modular this Saturday. A part of that practice is transporting it, setting it up, patching it, then tearing it down. I used to play gigs every week on saxophone and keyboards and I know setting up unfamiliar gear in a dark room can be difficult! To practice, I've been moving my synth throughout the house, patching it in all sorts of different locations.

We're just about at peak color here in West Michigan; what better time to take the synth outside and do some patching.

No super detailed patch notes for this one, partially because I forgot what I did, and since I've already moved the modular I can't refer to the patch (it no longer exists!).

Basically, a drum machine I built in Pure Data is running on the fantastic MobMuPlat iOS app, which is sending drum sounds out one side and 16th note clock out the other. The clock goes through an amp and runs the sequencers and a shift register, which is sporadically causing some VCAs to open up. Later on I play with a saw wave being modulated by a few different things, those things routed through my matrix mixer.

I also make use of my arduino digital oscillator, which now has CV control of frequency, wave type, and wave tone (crossfades between different waves). It's a bit quieter because it's only 5 volts but I think it sounds pretty cool... I'm using small wavetables to get a lot of that delicious aliasing, which I happen to think sounds fantastic going through analog circuitry.

The drum sounds from the iPhone are built in a very similar way to the hardware analog circuits on the rest of the synth: basic waves are being generated (in numbers instead of voltage), then used to modulate each other in the software. I also find myself inspired by the stark limitations of an analog-style workflow, so that's how I code as well. That said, I also have a few samples from a TR-909 in there... cause they sound so good!

You can grab the drum machine here (FREE! iPad only for now):
https://github.com/chrisbeckstrom/pur...

The output of the modular goes into an Alesis Microverb for that 90's digital reverb goodness, then right into a recorder."

whisp

Published on Oct 20, 2016 Benjamin Kinsman

Dave Smith Instruments "In the Spotlight with the Prophet 12" with Colin Cameron Allrich

The fifth in the Dave Smith Instruments' "In The Spotlight with the PRO 2" series is currently up with Colin Cameron Allrich here.

"Colin Cameron Allrich is a musician, remixer and sound designer based at The Cell Studio now in Portland Oregon. He’s worked under many aliases on projects in genres ranging from club-friendly House and Breaks, to Industrial Rock and Cinematic Electronica with remixes and collaborations with Front Line Assembly, Future Funk Squad, 16Volt/Black December, STEREOSPREAD, John Girgus and more. His music has been licensed to many television programs, including FOX, NBC/Universal, HBO, Showtime, MTV and Lionsgate Films. Find out more at www.thecellstudio.com."

You can find links to all episodes of DSI's Spotlight series here.

OBERHEIM OBX - 8 Voices

Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

"Very rare OBERHEIM OBX - EIGHT voices fully expanded in GREAT conditions!
It has been professionally serviced before the sale, it come in near mint cosmetic conditions...
It's one of the most amazing polysynthesizer ever made, IMPRESSIVE sounds!!!"

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Synthesizers.com Thought Box Tour

Published on Oct 20, 2016 synthesizersdotcom

"Introduction tour to the Thought Box.

Hosted by Roger Arrick of Synthesizers.com"

Playlist:
Thought Box Tour
Thought Box 2 Osc. Patch
Thought Box 1 Osc. Patch
Thought Box Pattern Patch
Thought Box Arpeggiator Patch
Thought Box Delayed Vibrato

4th annual Bay Area Synth meet at @Robotspeak San Francisco this Saturday

via @dsiSequential

"4th annual Bay Area Synth meet at @Robotspeak this Saturday, October 22nd from 2 till 6PM."

Maschine Meets Analog - Beatmaking with Moog Sub 37 & Analog Keys

Published on Oct 20, 2016 BoBeats

"In this video I try a different style of video where I show you the process behind a recent beat I made. I am sorry that there are some odd cuts but I am not accustomed to editing videos like these.

Gear: Elektron Analog Keys, Native Instruments Maschine Studio, Komplete 10 (Polyplex and Giant piano used) as well as Moog Sub 37. Video recorded with a Canon 700D"

Sequential Circuits Prophet-5 REV 3.3 Keyboard Synthesizer With Midi SN 5469

Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

"A truly well kept Prophet~5 Rev 3.3 in near perfect condition... everything on this Prophet~5 has been thoroughly checked before listing... Please purchase this Prophet~5 #5469 only if you are prepared to treat it to a good and safe home."

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Macbeth Elements Synthesizer

Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

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Session AEM TWO - Disting mk3, Tides, Ripples, Clouds, Demora, Braids, Z3000mkii

Published on Oct 20, 2016 Alba Ecstasy

"Playing an old theme with new sounds and minimal setup plus improved Eurorack setup. Kind of session for testing my new Disting mk3 - what a beautiful module! System-1 (Private Collection) & Novation Circuit."