Offering a universe of rich, analog-inspired polyphonic tones in a small footprint, the SY-200 makes it simple for players to weave BOSS’s expressive guitar and bass synth technology into their musical journeys. Building on the fun, instant-gratification experience of the acclaimed SY-1 Synthesizer from the BOSS compact series, the SY-200 features an expanded sound set, more tone-shaping possibilities, and 128 memories for storing sonic creations. Two footswitches are available for real-time performance control, and users can take things even further with external footswitches, an expression pedal, and MIDI.
The SY-200 provides 171 total sounds organized in 12 intuitive categories and adjustable parameters for customizing the tone and response. Calling up great sounds is quick and easy, thanks to the informative display and hands-on controls. The SY-200 can be used with any guitar or bass via a standard 1/4-inch cable, and selectable modes are available to optimize the synth engine for either instrument type.
Mercury-4 🌌 | Cherry Audio video upload by Cherry Audio
"The new Cherry Audio Mercury-4 is a detailed emulation of one of the best-sounding and quirkiest polyphonic synthesizers of the late 1970's, the Roland Jupiter-4.
It’s the rarest and most sonically unique of the fabled Jupiter series, and we’ve gone to great lengths to recreate the subtle (and not-so-subtle) nuances and character of this beloved classic.
Every aspect of Mercury-4 has been expertly modeled upon a vintage Jupiter-4 originally owned by Greg Hawkes of the legendary 80’s new wave band The Cars, and played on their double-platinum 1981 album Shake It Up.
In Greg’s own words, Mercury-4 'sounds just like my old Jupiter! It’s nice to have it back.'"
Authentically modeled oscillator with sub oscillator All filter characteristics modeled, including powerful low-frequency resonance Up to 16-voice polyphony Over 400 presets, programmed by industry veterans Exactingly replicated unique arpeggio section w/tempo sync Carefully modeled wide-range LFO modulation with "inverted" mod characteristics Drift control for increased analog realism Precisely replicated stereo ensemble effect Warm and organic tape echo with multiple reverb modes Tempo-syncable LFO Detunable unison mode Single-key chord memory mode Highly optimized coding for high performance with ultra-low CPU load User-adjustable oversampling control Advanced one-click UI magnification Comprehensive MPE support Full MIDI control and DAW automation for all controls Mercury-4 is available in AU, VST, VST3, AAX, and standalone formats.
A free 30-day demo of Mercury-4 is available. This demo will play white noise periodically, but is otherwise unlimited.
macOS Requirements: macOS 10.9 or above (including macOS 12), 64-bit required. M1 processor compatible (via Rosetta 2). Quad-core computer with 8GB of RAM recommended.
Windows Requirements: Windows 7 or above, 64-bit required. Quad-core computer with 8GB of RAM recommended.
History:
Left: Greg Hawkes’s Jupiter-4, atop the Prophet-5 in the center, at The Cars’ Syncro Sound Studio, during the Shake It Up sessions, 1981. (Photo courtesy of Greg Hawkes)
Originally released in 1978, the Roland Jupiter-4 synthesizer was one of the earliest instruments to combine voice-assign polyphony with digital patch storage - that is, the ability to store and recall sounds to a digital memory and recall them at the touch of a button.
The Jupiter-4 rapidly became the go-to polysynth for numerous English and European acts in the 80's including Duran Duran, Thomas Dolby, The Human League, Simple Minds, and more, and for good reason: the Jupiter-4 sounded fantastic, with a raw, raunchy tone not found in any of the other beloved Juno and Jupiter synths. Its analog oscillators have a uniquely aggressive tone quality, the built-in sub oscillator adds girth, its oddly fast and deep LFO modulation capabilities allow it to create uniquely whacked-out modular synth-like tones, and Roland's famous stereo chorus "ensemble" circuit is beautifully implemented, adding a boatload of width and dimension.
Bottom Left: Greg Hawkes’s Jupiter-4 in the Cherry Audio lab, modeled for Mercury-4.
BOWIE STYLOPHONE - Limited Edition video upload by
Stylophone
"⚡NEW LIMITED EDITION BOWIE STYLOPHONE - OUT NOW ⚡
We are very proud to announce this unique collaboration with @davidbowie
celebrating a career long association between the legendary musician and
Stylophone.
The Bowie Limited Edition White Stylophone with analog sound comes with a
booklet celebrating David Bowie's career and featuring exclusive photos."
Update: the press release:
David Bowie celebrated with limited-edition Bowie Stylophone
David Bowie’s career-long association with the world’s first ‘pocket synthesizer’ is being celebrated with the launch of a Bowie Stylophone.
The limited-edition Stylophone commemorates Bowie’s longstanding association with the iconic instrument, which famously featured on his breakthrough 1969 single “Space Oddity” which was composed around the Stylophone’s unique sound.
The launch is the result of a collaboration between The David Bowie Archive and Dubreq, the British company that makes the instrument. Together they have released a selection of pictures of the music legend using the Stylophone. Whilst legendary American record producer Tony Visconti, who worked closely with Bowie over many years, has gifted the team a Bowie photo from his private collection. (Pictures available here)
“Space Oddity” appeared on Bowie’s second album which was produced by Tony Visconti – who recalls how the young Bowie was ecstatic to be chosen by the makers of the Stylophone to receive a complimentary unit.
Mr Visconti said: “He was one of the first to own one and to discover this new, quite radical way of making music. He immediately put it to work and wrote a song around the unique sound of the instrument, which was of course, Space Oddity.
“For many years to come Bowie and Stylophone were names that were matched in the same breath. He would be very proud of this new incarnation named after him.”
Regarded as one of the most influential artists of the 20th century, Bowie continued to use the instrument throughout his career. As late in his career as 2002 he recorded with the Stylophone for the song “Slip Away” on his Heathen album.
The limited-edition Stylophone goes on sale from www.dubreq.com on 17th September for £29.95/ €34.95/$39.95 and is accompanied by a commemorative booklet that explores Bowie’s music.
John Simpson, managing director of Dubreq, the British company that makes Stylophone said: “There’s a big resurgence in interest in the mini synthesizer from young musicians. This limited edition Stylophone is a great way to commemorate David’s affection for the instrument and to inspire the next generation of musicians to create even more great music with the Stylophone.”
Ground control to Major Tom: introducing the limited-edition Bowie Stylophone, a stylish reimagining of the original pocket synthesizer.
The ultimate collectible for any Bowie fan.
Limited-edition David Bowie-inspired synthesizer
Special white design featuring embossed Bowie logo
Full colour booklet celebrating David Bowie’s work and featuring exclusive contributions and archive photographs
Compact & battery-powered 3 way Octave switch / Vibrato switch Built-in speaker & headphone socket for playing on the go Batteries required: 3 x AA (not included)
"This was an estate auction find... very dirty, moldy, and broken. These are pretty collectable, so let's see if I can fix it up. It's a drum pad from outer space!"
Synthesizer Museum: Musician creates home for iconic instrument video upload by FOX 29 Philadelphia
"A former musician has created a home for the synthesizer -an instrument with a sound that defined 80's pop music.
Philadelphia news, weather, traffic and sports from FOX 29, serving Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware. Watch breaking news live or see the latest videos from programs like Good Day Philadelphia."
"Want a Subharmonicon, DFMA, Mother 32, Case, mount and other extras as a bundle?
Comes with Case, patch chord stand, mixer, and Moog Connections Card Game.
We spoke with Max Ravitz who gamely put a patch together and let the cards roll."
"New Song Called Ride. OUT NOW http://hyperurl.co/LMNCRide ------ Download the Wav of this version and the Instrumental :- https://www.patreon.com/posts/56143720 ----- LYRICS :- me and my friend suzy we can ride across the world and no one will ever catch cus we ain't a travelling heard me and my friend ruby we can travel time and speed and no one will ever catch us cus times lost count on me
we can ride across the tracks under power whilst it lasts far from all this world as we can be yeah yeah yeah far from your existence and the world that never sleeps yeah we can ride ride ride ride ride
me and my friend suzy we can tear out all the hearts and no one will ever stop us theres no heartbeat to kickstart and me and my friend ruby we can go against the breeze no never ever stop us no don't suffocate us please
dearly departed please don't go ride ride ride ride ride"
"Launched earlier this month the Expressive É Imagine is a collaboration between them and AAS who are the experts in physical modeling. The demo videos sound pretty good, so we thought we'd catch up with them here to see how it was.
Currently on offer at 40% (around €83 Euros), its simplified interface for physical modeling makes tweaking a lost more straightforward."
The SY-200 provides 171 total sounds organized in 12 intuitive categories and adjustable parameters for customizing the tone and response. Calling up great sounds is quick and easy, thanks to the informative display and hands-on controls. The SY-200 can be used with any guitar or bass via a standard 1/4-inch cable, and selectable modes are available to optimize the synth engine for either instrument type.
