Teenage Engineering OP-Z jam and review - 3 days, 7 patterns, and first impressions

Published on Dec 4, 2019 Payton Carter

Teenage Engineering OP-Zs on Amazon

"I got an early Christmas present two days ago. I thought I would show you some of the patterns I’ve created so far, and give a quick 'first impression' review of the Teenage Engineering OP-Z.

I’m coming from the Novation Circuit, which I’ve loved, but I was starting to feel the limitations of the two synth tracks and canned presets. I chose the OP-Z so I could expand the number of synth tracks, allow full control of the synth engines without a computer, and use its awesome, esoteric sequencing capabilities.

I’ll start off with some of the things I like. First, the synth engines sound wonderful. They are very usable and musical sounds. I’ve found myself spending less time trying to find the right sound and more time writing music, because the sounds just work in almost every context. I feel like I could use the same set of sounds across diverse genres equally well. I’m able to focus more on melody and composition, rather than sound design, which helps me be a lot more productive.

The step sequencing and punch in effects are fantastic. I haven’t used it enough yet to be comfortable using the punch in effects live, but the step components are great at adding elements of variation and surprise. You can make it so you’ll never hear the same 16-step pattern twice, but the parameters have enough constraint that it never feels chaotic (unless you want it to).

It’s super portable, and the built in battery is convenient. I’ve only had to recharge it once in the two days of use. I don’t think it’s too small to use comfortably, and it’s actually quite nice to just use it on your lap. I can fit the whole thing in my pocket easily. The buttons feel good to play.

The interface is surprisingly intuitive. It took about 2 hours to feel comfortable with the interface, and now I feel like I can perform most of the tasks without consulting the manual. I only have to reference the step component parameters every once in a while. I have an Android phone and didn’t realize until the second day that TE had just released a beta app. Honestly, I didn’t find it too useful. I prefer using it without a connected screen.

The sampling capabilities are great, especially now that you can sample directly through the microphone or USB audio. I’ve been going through my music collection on my phone and building sample packs from them right into the OP-Z. You can use samples as one shots or sources for a synth track, so the sonic capabilities are now pretty much endless.

Here are some of the things I don’t like. First, the reverb is terrible. I don’t know what TE were thinking. There’s only one reverb algorithm, and it’s very digital and harsh sounding. There’s almost no tweaking of the sound. The maximum decay time is much too short. It’s almost useless at adding large space, so I’ve found it really only works as a stereoizer. It works in some cases, but I don’t find myself using it very often.

I’m slightly concerned about build quality. I bought mine used off Reverb, and when I received it, I was disappointed to find that the encoders were popping right out. I scoured the forums and found a little Teflon thread tape around the encoders should fix the problem. It worked wonders and I haven’t had problems with that since. The back panel is a little loose. The buttons do double trigger every once in a while, which makes me worried for their longevity.

The synth engines, while great sounding, are a little limited. There’s not much tweaking of the sounds, so everything ends up sounding pretty similar. This is less of a con than I thought, because the sounds are very usable and work across many genres. I’ve always held that composition much more important than sound design, anyway.

I wish an analog of the mixer interface on the app was available on the device. You have to go to the fourth page of parameters on each track to change its volume. That’s not very practical in a live setting.

There’s no excuse for how little memory is on board. 32 Mb is just unacceptable in 2019. As great as the sampling capabilities are, there’s only room for 4 different six-second samples per synth track, so you have to pick your favorites unless you want to constantly shuffle samples back and forth from your computer.

Despite its limitations, I’m in love with this thing. It’s my desert island instrument for sure. I am super productive while using it, I can take it anywhere and make music anywhere, and it’s just plain fun to use. Mine was supposed to get wrapped and put under the Christmas tree, but I don’t think I can let that happen."

KORG VC-10 Comes to Software in Full Bucket Vocoder

via www.fullbucket.de

"The Full Bucket Vocoder FBVC is a software plug-in for Microsoft Windows (VST) and Apple macOS (VST/AU) simulating the classic KORG VC-10 Vocoder from 1978. It is written in native C++ code for high performance and low CPU consumption. The main features are:

20 band full stereo vocoder
64 voice polyphonic built-in Tone Generator section
Accent Bending and Vibrato effects
Optional WAV file playback
Fully tweakable Analysis/Synthesis section
Tweakable Ensemble effect
Double precision audio processing
All parameters can be controlled by MIDI controllers
Plug-in supports Windows and macOS (32 bit and 64 bit)"

Morrowfaire | The forgotten memento

Published on Dec 4, 2019 MIDERA

Fender Squier (guitar)
Yamaha SY77 (strings)
Spectralis 2 (piano)
Virus TI (controller for spectralis)

Roland Juno-DS Pattern Sequencer still does NOT Transmit MIDI OUT Synthesizer Rik Marston

Published on Dec 4, 2019 Rik Marston Official

#rolandjunods #rolandjupiterxm #analogsynthesizersamples
"Roland Juno-DS Pattern Sequencer still does NOT Transmit MIDI OUT"
Synthesizer Demo by Rik Marston
***Watch in HD!!*** ***Turn it UP!!***

Holy crap they still haven't fixed this issue...
I am a loyal Roland user and this SUCKS and needs fixing ASAP!
PLEASE Roland! I love you! Help the JUNO-DS users NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Thank you for watching!
Please Like, Share & Subscribe!
More Synthesizer Demos
Ambient Chill Zen Music
Electronic Dance Music
Space & Meteorites
COMING SOON!!
Rik Marston
12/5/2019

miRack - Expanding On Your Simple Synth - Beginner Friendly Tutorial!

Published on Dec 4, 2019 Electronisounds Audio

Electronisounds Audio miRack videos

WEBSTORE ► https://www.electronisounds.com/
PATREON ► https://www.patreon.com/DeanDaughters

"miRack - Expanding On Your Simple Synth - Beginner Friendly Tutorial!"

FEATURING:

I'm very excited about the miRack modular synthesizer app on iPad!

In this video, I show how you can expand on your *very simple* 1 Oscillator Synthesizer,.

We connect a midi keyboard to play our synth, and add some more oscillators to it!

We also briefly explore some of the sound potential when using *FM SYNTHESIS* in the "Audible Instruments - Macro Oscillator", which is based on the real-world "Braids" module from "Mutable Instruments".

More **Beginner Friendly** miRack tutorials to come!

Whatever kind of music you are making - KEEP IT UP, Friends!

Don't stop making *YOUR MUSIC*!!"

Cat Full of Updates #4

Published on Dec 4, 2019 Cat Full of GHOSTS

"Monash Mini Maker Fair and robot joint v2 now with locking. #joint #mini #maker #fair #tech #robot #diy #3dprint #print #ee"

Cat Full of GHOSTS

Yet Another Late Night Analog Jam (Melodic Eurorack Improvisation)

Published on Dec 4, 2019 DreamsOfWires

"An impromptu recording whilst familiarising myself with the Beatstep Pro and experimenting with different sounds/uses for the AJH Fixed Filter Bank 914 (the first sound you can hear). All sounds from the AJH Synth Eurorack Modular system modules, including 3 VCO's, Ladder Filter,

Check out my music here, along with my latest all-analog synth live sessions album 'Grey Days & Old Ways: https://tomorrowthecure.bandcamp.com

You can also help support this channel here: https://www.patreon.com/dreamsofwires

Recorded into AUM on an iPad using Dubstation2 delays, with EOS2 and ShimmerFX reverbs.
Video edited on an iPad (because my MacBook is broken at the moment).
Melodies taken from this video: https://youtu.be/DE7W5kwkgt8

#ajhsynth #dreamsofwires"

Analogue Solutions Impulse Command with Drumbrute Impact

Published on Dec 4, 2019 Perfect Circuit

"The Analogue Solutions Impulse command is a semi-modular synth with a full analog synth voice, integrated effects, and an integrated sequencer. Paired here with Arturia's DrumBrute Impact, we put the Impulse Command through its paces to create a full track.

With a stereo filter and stereo digital effects, the Impulse Command can occupy a huge amount of space in a mix—this paired with its ability to create everything from trance leads to brutal percussion and all the sonic debauchery you'd expect from a full modular system. The Impulse Command is more than just a synthesizer: it's a dynamic, powerful tool for all sorts of studio and performance work.

Impulse Command available here: https://www.perfectcircuit.com/analog...

Drumbrute Impact available here: https://www.perfectcircuit.com/arturi..."

Waldorf Pulse+ (Pulse Plus) Synthesizer

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

via this auction

"First-generation Waldorf Pulse+ (Pulse Plus) synthesizer in mint used condition. This generation has the most extensive control voltage I/O of any Pulse or Pulse 2, so it's ideal for using alongside your analog gear."

CLICK FOR MORE »

Innerclock Shiftsync Mark II SN 0018

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

via this auction

"This is a never-used, built like a tank, Innerclock Shiftsync Mark II.

From manufacturer's website:

The Sync-Shift MKII is actually three totally separate and very useful devices in one package. Rather than making all the connections internally we designed the MKII so that all three functions can be used independently and simultaneously if required.

1: Midi Clock to Din Sync Conversion – connect your DAW or Hardware Midi Clock Master to your vintage TR-808/TB-303 for precision Tempo-Sync conversion.

2: The Sync-Shift Engine – set the start offset switches on the MKII to any combination for rhythmic syncopation and then use the real-time Sync-Shift control to fine the perfect feel sweet spot and lock it in.

3: Din-Sync to Midi Clock Conversion – less common these days but very cool all the same. Love the feel and control of your vintage sequencer or drum machine? Make your TR-808 the Sync-Master and drive your DAW or Midi Clock Hardware as Tempo-Slaves."

CLICK FOR MORE »