New Beginnings | Ambient Eurorack Modular Synthesizer

Published on Apr 1, 2017 Lightbath

"The Fool Embarks on Another Journey

It feels good to be exploring a full 208hp system again. I spent the past two months without a proper case and finally this week, my Submodular Systems case arrived! Whew, this thing is a beauty. So well-designed and manufactured.

This piece emerged as I was experimenting with layout and choice of modules. I was so happy to be patching with two full rows that I didn't even take the time to screw any of the modules into the rails.

This patch features four parts played by arpeggiators in the Squarp Pyramid: a melody/counterpoint sort of situation with two STOs shaped by Just Friends, a semi-stochastic granular vibe with Rings into Clouds, and a Reich-inspired arpeggio with the PreenFM2 into OTO BAM. Noise/percussion is Dunst shaped by Just Friends. The thing hanging off the left side is a passive attenuator I'm using as level controls for Clouds and Dunst. Planar shapes the STOs via Belgrad and the DLD provides the space on those STOs."

Fast Demo Jam with the Prodigy ER-16

Published on Apr 1, 2017 Ensure Sound

"Prodigy ER-16, analogue synthesizer demo."

PORTABELLA filter sweeps

Published on Apr 1, 2017 Pin Electronics & Ramcur

"first impressions of the filter"

RIP Ikutaro Kakehashi, Founder of Roland

via Tommy Snyder:

"Ikutaro Kakehashi, founder of Roland, father of the TR-909, TR-808, Godfather of MIDI, and someone who I have collaborated with for 38 years, and also considered him as my 2nd father, passed away at the age of 87. He was a super funny, wonderful and gifted human being, and his contributions to the musical instrument world , and music, touched millions of people worldwide. RIP dear Taro.........."

This was shared only 5 hours ago. I am not seeing an announcement from Roland. I will update this post if anything new comes in.

Sad day today. Another legend and hero lost.

Update: added a few videos below including a pretty nice tribute. If you know of any other good videos featuring Ikutaro Kakehashi, send them in.

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Noise Techno With Drone Commander Siren Drone

Published on Apr 1, 2017 NoizeHack

"Frequency shifting, drone commandering, serge resonant eqing, plague bearing onto 1/4 inch tape."

$199.99 EMS "Synthi and the Composer" Album

This one is not an April Fools joke. You can actually find this album for sale behind the counter at Silver Platters Seattle. Call them if interested.

From the back cover
(note Peter Zinovieff is the man behind EMS):

"Synth and the Composer

Extracts of music realized with EMS Synths equipment.

SIDE A

Concert Music by:

Harrison Birtwistle
Peter Zinovieff
Tristram Cary
Delia Derbyshire
George Whitman

SIDE B

Television, Radio and Computer Music by:

Dudley Simpson
Delia Derbyshire
Malcom Clarke
David Vorhaus
Peter Zinovieff
Brian Hodgson

Demonstration record - Not to be sold or performed in public.

Stereo 33 1/3 rpm"

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Introducing the Sequential Circuits Prophet-15

via Retro Synth Ads where you'll find the full write-up.

Behringer Minimoog Model D Update - Working Prototype - Behringer to Donate All Proceeds to Moog

An update via Uli:

"Allow me to provide you with an update.

The Model D prototype is now up and running and all functions seem to be working well.

Next week our system engineer will go through a rigorous testing procedure and meticulously compare every stage with the MiniMoog reference sample.

Next is the MIDI software implementation which will take around 1-2 weeks.

We expect the metal, plastic and wood sample parts to come in within the next two weeks and provided all goes well, we should be able to showcase a complete working sample by middle of April.

Please bear in mind that we are still many months away from shipping this synth as metal and plastic tooling has not yet started.

We have also not done any EMC and safety testing which can possible delay the project; depending on the test result we might need another board spin.

Thanks for the great input many of you have provided.

Uli"

As for Behringer donating all proceeds to Moog? Um, what day is it today? Oh yeah... I guess not.

Update: Just to be clear, the bit on proceeds going to Moog was an April Fools joke on this site only, not from Behringer.

Hexinverter Unveils Groundbreaking Synthesis Technology

Published on Apr 1, 2017 Hexinverter Électronique

The Mutant Chicken's Design - a Labour of Love

Published on Apr 1, 2017 Hexinverter Électronique

"Research and development of the revolutionary Mutant Chicken has been quite a journey. There were times when the whole project seemed in doubt and only bloody-minded commitment kept us going.

Here are a few moments from the long and arduous path to this, our most ambitious project yet (this video contains heightened emotions and some bad language)..."

"Hexinverter Électronique is proud to announce the latest breakthrough in music and studio technology! A culmination of years of research and sonic experimentation have led us to this new method of sound synthesis.

You've probably already caught wind of the buzz surrounding modular synthesizers, but this innovative new product will probably change your mind if you've been on the fence about starting a modular system.

More information about this revolutionary product can be found here: http://www.hexinverter.net/mutant-chi...

Video: Johann Baron Lanteigne
Audio: Adam Ing"

Ableton Introduces Sax for Live

Published on Apr 1, 2017 Ableton

"Does your sax game need changing? Then get ready for your sax game to get changed. Download Sax for Live for free: https://www.ableton.com/blog/sax-for-...

After countless years on our most un-requested feature list, and more than days of detailed sampling, sound design, and engineering, today is the day that now sees Sax for Live proudly unleashed to the world.

What can Sax for Live do for you? In the words of beta tester Jazzy Terry, “I haven’t touched my sax in months.”
- Jazzy Terry

You too can discover a brand new, meticulously sample-based woodwind instrument that’s been pushed, prodded and processed into completely new saxophonic dimensions. Download it for free below and let a new wind blow through your music."