The Roland Paraphonic 505 - A Rare Synth Delicacy

video by Alex Ball

"A synth a lot of people have requested that I finally managed to borrow! Thank you to the owner.

The RS-505 or Paraphonic-505 was released in 1978 and was so called because it could make numerous sounds in parallel. The term "paraphonic" has been reappropriated in recent years to refer to instruments (like the 505) that were polyphonic, but that only had one filter and one amp.

0:00​ Intro
0:53​ Bass Sounds
3:02​ What Roland meant by "Paraphonic"
5:06​ Polyphonic Sounds
6:53​ All Sounds Together
7:35​ External Audio
8:02​ Thoughts & Summary
10:36​ Contextual Demonstration

Gear Used:
Roland Paraphonic-505
Roland System 100m
Roland System 500
Ryk 185
Korg SQ-1
Roland SH-2
Roland SH-1000
Musicaid Simmons SDS-3
Oberheim DX (used but not filmed)
Ibanez Jem 7DBK"

The Roland VP-330: Why is it so sought after?

video by Alex Ball

"The Roland VP-330 from 1979 is their most sought after vocoder. In this video we look at an original MkII and try to figure out why that is.

0:00​ Intro & Background
1:17​ The VP-330
1:47​ Vocoder Demo 1
2:38​ Vocoder Demo 2
3:15​ Vocoder Demo 3
4:27​ String Synth Demo
5:30​ Human Voice Demo
6:34​ Stack Demos
7:19​ Autobend
7:55​ Summary
10:00​ End Contextual Demo"

The Joy of the Roland SH-2 (Featuring Hainbach)

video by Alex Ball

"A quick look at the Roland SH-2 from 1979 , logically the 8th in the SH series ;)

Huge thanks to Hainbach for stopping by.

0:00​ Intro
0:18​ How The SH series got their names
2:07​ SH-2 Demo 1 Ware's Martyn?
2:46​ SH-2 Demo 2 Kettle's On
3:09​ SH-2 Demo 3 Hold My sample
3:39​ SH-2 Demo 4 Follow My Envelope
4:39​ Hainbach's Favourite Monosynth
5:50​ Hainbach Sound Demos
7:30​ Rounding Up
8:09​ SH-Twoet (Joint Demo)"

Wait, an affordable vintage, analogue drum machine?

video by Alex Ball

"Want a vintage, Roland, programmable, analogue drum machine but can't afford it?

Maybe you can....

One such machine remains cheap to this day, mainly because it was a little accompaniment unit for guitarists to practice along with and not a piece of serious studio kit. That machine is the Boss DR (Doctor Rhythm) 110 from 1983 and whilst limited, it's surprisingly cool.

Free sample pack and Kontakt patch (thank you EvilDragon for scripting)

Download: bit.ly/BossDR110

(copy and paste the above link into your browser)

Scans stolen from http://retrosynthads.blogspot.com"

ISLA S2400 - It's the mutt's nuts!

video by Alex Ball

"An overview for the ISLA S2400 that I've been asked about many times. I'm currently working through the video manual for the S2400 and that can be found here (new videos added weekly at the moment)."

Also see Isla Instruments S2400 Video User Manual: Firmware Updates, Hints and Tips.

The Peculiar World of Teisco Synthesizers

video by Alex Ball

"I borrowed two rare vintage Teisco synthesizers from the early 80s, the 110F and SX-400.

As the former has several videos about it on YouTube, I decided to focus on the latter, which doesn't.

We also look at a curious link to ARP Instruments which has (understandably) caused much confusion.

Thanks to the owner of these two instruments.Thanks also to Florian "Bead Gear" Pilz for the cameo. :)"

Darkroom | Extended generative ambient sci-fi soundtrack (Korg Radias and Toraiz Squid)

video by MIDERA

In a night, or in a day,
In a vision, or in none,
Is it therefore the less gone?


Gear used:
Korg Radias
Toraiz Squid
Eventide Blackhole VST
Canon 5D Mark II
Sears SLR 50mm f1.4 lens

#ambient​ #generative​ #radias​

Voice Panning mod on Prophet 600: demo

video by Valmont

"Really happy to have a true-stereo Prophet 600 now :p

It can go subtly stereo (Like a roomy presence) to some wide spread. A huge plus for mixing the modern way. https://www.musikding.de/Prophet-600-...​

The original mono output level was pretty low, but the new one with the stereo mod is much higher. I didn't even use a preamp!

The Prophet output is actually a stereo plug connector, with two contacts duplicated. So I didn't even have to drill another hole, I just reused the original output :) Tho to keep the mono mix out, my synth tech disconnected the filter-cv input, and made it a secondary out. A great tip to have a stereo Prophet for studio use, and a mono Prophet on the stage, without having to change all the trimmers!

0:13​ - Polymod synth
0:50​ - Arpeggio
1:25​ - Pad
1:48​ - Lil Brazz"

Rare One Off Grendel Drone Commander

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

via this auction

"Rare One Off Grendel Drone Commander synth clock input. See pics for physical condition. Clock input works with short audio sounds like drum machine rimshot output, or short pulses / clock signals. May require some fine tuning with level/pulse length if coming from modular, my BugBrand system gates are too hot for it, but short envelopes work well. Requires a 9 or 12v power supply - not provided."

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Ensoniq ESQ-1

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

via this auction

"Classic and cool Ensoniq ESQ1 from 1986! This is really amazing condition. Closet kept for decades and it shows!

It has OS 3.54, a new battery installed by a pro and a sequencer Cart is internally installed.

It ALL works and sounds as it should, also look at pics, it is in great condition.

This thing can emit some classic, Moog, Juno, Sequential type tones but can also get well into the PPG territory. Analog filters inside are supreme. This THREE oscillator synth is bold and at home in any synth freaks rig.

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