Novation Circuit / Bass Station 2 / Monomachine - Live

Published on Mar 20, 2017 Matt Greer

"Novation Circuit / Elektron Monomachine / Novation Bass Station II / Hall of Fame / Flashback x4 Delay - live melodic house, trance, techno:

Hi folks,

Just posting newest live hardware jam. This piece has elements of House, Techno, Trance and like many of my dance themed tunes, I'm really not sure exactly what genre to place it in (but does it matter?) Fusions are fun.

I played a show on March 11th and I wanted to add one more up beat tune to the set but for nearly the entire month leading up to the gig (since the last gig), I had zero ideas. That was until 2 days before the performance when this just spontaneously sort of came together very quickly.

This particular video is not the best arrangement job I did with it. As I got through the day, I tightened up my arrangement even more with better dynamics and tension and release but when this was really my last chance to record this for a while so I documented it while I could.

I hope you all like it and if you do, please click that thumb up icon and subscribe. There's always more coming.

Pause the video at 0:05 for a secret message ;)

Gear:
- Elektron Monomachine
- Novation Circuit
- Novation Bass Station II
- TC Electronics Flashback x4
- TC Electronics Hall of Fame
- Samson MDR 1688
- Presonus 1818 vsl interface"

Latest News from Behringer & A Response From The Curtis Family

The next chapter in Behringer synth development is in. We already know Uli Behringer announced plans to re-create classic synths. Behringer will be making new innovative synths as well, and we now have some numbers:

“We have 4 synthesizer development teams simultaneously working on 20 synths, drum machines etc..

We’ll be creating both innovative new synths as well as reviving classics.

We’re all in and the teams are on fire.'"

On reproducing vintage chips for the classics:

"We just received the first batch of our 3340 VCO chip.

It is a 100% exact replica of the Curtis CEM3340 which even includes the 40 year old, 8 micron manufacturing process. It was a difficult and expensive undertaking but we are very pleased with the result as this VCO is considered one of the best sounding oscillators.

We are continuing to invest in reviving other legacy Curtis and SSM semiconductors which will allow us to bring back classic synths - all in the most authentic way. We have also reissued the 3320 filter chip which should be arriving in a few months.

Uli"

It's worth noting the Curtis CEM 3340 has already been re-introduced by OnChip Systems, formerly Curtis Electromusic, and is currently available for makers. Behringer's 3340 appears to bypass Curtis Electromusic and is being manufactured by Behringer (via Coolaudio) directly. SSM chips and the CEM 3320, however, are not yet available. Although the chips will obviously be re-issued for use in Behringer synths, it does appear that some if not all may become available to the Synth DIY community as well. More info on that further below, but first a response on the re-creation of Curtis chips from the Curtis family:

"Many of you who are active on synth forums have recently contacted us regarding another company's claim of producing VCO chips that are the equivalent to the CEM3340 that was used in many legendary synthesizers.

To avoid any confusion, please know that there is only one manufacturer of the authentic CEM3340 designed by my late husband, Doug Curtis. Any claims, use of this product designation, and use of the name Curtis Electromusic by other companies are made without permission from OnChip Systems (our current company name) or the Curtis Family.

As much as Doug would be humbled and so very happy about the legacy his products enjoy, we can assure you that as a person of the highest integrity he would be deeply saddened by the attempt of others to trade on his name and to make unsubstantiated claims of equivalency to his original inventions.

In his loving memory and gratitude for the community of musicians and synthesizer enthusiasts, Doug's family is committed to making his authentic designs available as demand presents itself. Thank you for your continued support of Doug's analog synthesizer legacy.

Mary Curtis and our daughters, Ashley and Julia"

It's worth noting that many Dave Smith Instruments synths use Curtis chips and do so with permission from the Curtis family. Dave Smith was friends with Doug Curtis and has been buying parts from OnChip for over 15 years. OnChip was Doug Curtis' company and is now his wife Mary Curtis's company. These chips were used in the Evolver line, the Prophet '08, MoPho line, and the Prophet 12. The Pro 2, Prophet-6, and OB-6 use discrete designs.

The following is from another thread from Uli in German, translated into Googlish:

"Something clearer. Patent rights are generally 20 years, whereby the technology is freely available for everyone. This allows the inventor, on the one hand, to harvest the fruits of his invention, but also to ensure that no monopoly arises and, after the expiry of the protection, everyone has free access to the technology - without a bad conscience.

In the case of the Curtis or SSM chips, the patent rights of these 40-year-old components have run out for a long time and everyone can reproduce them today. Why this no longer companies do is simply because the mask costs are very high (6-digit USD range per chip) and on the other hand the minimum edition is about 300,000 - 500,000 pieces.

Curtis has registered the name rights for Curtis and CEM, but on the number 3340 etc. there is no protection. Therefore, there are other vendors who have revived these old chips:

Http://ericasynths.lv/en/shop/diy/diy-a ... er-as3320 /

Or look at how many manufacturers. The 074 Opamp.

Why are these 40 year old chips being rebuilt? Anyone who once belonged to an old Oberheim OB-Xa or a Prophet 5 will agree with me that the sounds of these Curtis and SSM chips are absolutely unsurpassed in their sound qualities. This specific sound is not easy to replicate with discrete technology and since we have an immense passion for analog synthesizers and believe that customers will appreciate these components, we are taking the financial risk of reviving these chips. Coolaudio has just produced the 3340 VCO successfully and the 3320 filter chip is now also under development - further building blocks will follow.

For more than ten years, the company http://www.coolaudio.com, which is affiliated with us, has specialized in restoring expired components. On the one hand the company produces the coveted BBD chips from the Panasonic times, but also VCA's, OTA's, Optocoupler, etc.

Our intention is to focus on the old Curtis and SSM chips, as we want to use them in our future synthesizers. At the same time, Coolaudio will also offer them for sale, which allows other competitors to build analog instruments as well as help people repair old synths. Many of the Coolaudio chips are already used today by our competitors and we are happy if we can make a contribution to the fact that these analogue components are made of music.

I personally consider VA for eyewash because this is ultimately digital technology. No digital synthesizer will ever be able to reproduce the 'unpredictability' and 'inaccuracy' of an analog synthesizer - no matter how much marketing is operated. Anyone who listens to analogue and digital synthesizers in comparison can easily find out. That is exactly why we will be specializing in analogue synths.

Perhaps our desire for analogue technology is simply that we humans are knitted by themselves analogously and the emotions associated with it determine our existence.

Greeting

Uli"

This one spotted and sent in via Soviet Space Child.

Update: And another update just in via Soviet Space Child:

Originally Posted by Uli Behringer:

"Allow me to share a thought.

Dave Smith Instruments (DSI) is using our SSM clones (V2164).
homemade polysynth — A quick tour of the Prophet 6 voice card

Elektron are using Coolaudio parts as well.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/psychl...7632621387322/

Many other leading manufacturers are using Coolaudio chips and by using these parts obviously have no concerns with cloning in general and with using our chips in their products.

If our competitors are not concerned then why should customers be?

Uli'"

The difference of course is currently available vs. not currently available.  The CEM3340 is currently available from Curtis Electromusic, and the Minimoog Model D is currently available from Moog Music.   You be the judge for yourself.

Artifact-Z "Somo-D" 8-Voice Polyphonic Digital Synthesizer Encased in Wood

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated. Somo-D Polyphonic Synthesizer Operation/Performance

Published on Mar 18, 2017 Artifact -Z

"Demonstration of the Features and Operations of the Somo-D 8-Voice Polyphonic Digital Synthesizer from Artifact-
Z"

via this auction

"8-Voice Polyphonic Digital Touch Synthesizer

32-Bit Cortex M-4 Processor producing Noiseless Stereo Audio at 44.1 kHz (Sample Rate)
500 WaveForms that can be Layered and Mixed 2 at a time across the 8 Voices (see video and guide below)
Built-In Sequencing Feature (Corinthian Mode)
Complete "Save" functionality of all Parameters/Current Settings
24k Gold-Plated 1/8inch - (3.5mm) - Audio Output Jack
Power: 3xAA Batteries for 12+ Operation Hours
Made from Mahogany, Black Walnut, Cambia Oak
Includes Hand-Crafted Matching Glass Pendant"

CLICK FOR MORE »

New Future Retro Transient Eurorack Module

Published on Mar 19, 2017 FutureRetroSynths

"A small sample of what the Transient drum module does. An Orb sequencer is triggering and sending CV and Accent to the Transient. A touch of reverb was applied from an Eventide Eclipse."

Update:

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ANGLE - Drops

ANGLE - Drops from Angle on Vimeo.

ANGLE - Drops

Playing Tiptop Audio "One" and piano samples

TIPTOP NEW FOLD PROCESSOR: SAW

TIPTOP NEW FOLD PROCESSOR: SAW from Station 252 on Vimeo.

"Testing the new Fold Processor module from Tiptop Audio.

Saw from Z3000 into the Fold, Inject is modulated by Math. Running through Z2040 - mostly fully open.

First dry, then with Z-DSP Halls Of Valhalla room reverb."

Magnetic Shield: tank drum + synths

Published on Mar 19, 2017 Miguel d'Oliveira

"recording a track for an EMI production music album coming out next month.

Started with just the tank drum and gradually added a few synths; Minimoog Voyager, Juno 6 and a bunch of soft synths.
Delays on the tank drum tracks came from a Strymon Timeline and reverb from a BlueSky.
TD ended up being background on this one.

[Magnetic Shield is working title. I don't name these things.]"

Ensoniq SQ-80

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

via this auction

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Moog Minimoog Model D

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

via this auction

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The First 20 Electronics Silver 20

20 music 20synthesizer body manufacturing

Published on Aug 2, 2016 20 Synthesizer

"This video is from the milling process of the 20 synthesizers main body. The entire instrument casing is milled from massive aluminium."

via 20's Axel Harmann

"It is a Sunday, and I am here at Design Box, finishing work on the first silver 20, that we have been building in the past few weeks. No matter, what you think about this project, the synth itself, or me doing something like this as a designer in this - our niche of the music-market; - I am really proud of how this machine is sitting in front of my camera lens right in this moment. Together with our genius mechanical engineer, Stephan Gries, we could overcome all the obstacles, that a project like this has in stock. I have to thank him a lot, but also all the people, that helped on the way - the company, that milled the massive casing out of the raw aluminium, the Waldorf people, and especially Stephan Stenzel, who let me have their soundengine, Hermann Gier and his team at SPL, for designing their highend op-amp especially for the 20, and last but not least, my friends from Studiologic around Marco Ragni, down in Recanati / Italy, for modifying the frontpanel of their sledge synthesizer, so it feels right for a high-end machine like this - and producing this special all back TP8 keybed for the 20. This beauty will make its way over to the US tomorrow - and I wish it a good journey, and its future owner a lot of delighted moments with it!"

See the 20 Electronics label for more.

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