CuteLab Missed Ops 1st Playdate

video upload by Todd Barton

"My first playdate with the CuteLab's Missed Opportunities module, a treasure trove of random gates and possibilities. Enjoy the playdate!
More info here: https://cutelab.nyc
My Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/synthtodd"

This is the first post to feature CuteLab NYC.

First jam with Novation Circuit Rhythm

video upload by motobor

"Had a first play with Novation Circuit Rhythm. It needs little bit of a different approach when creating tracks than Circuit Tracks, but it is fun machine nonetheless. Need to make my own sample pack for the Rhythm."

Novation Circuit Rhythm & Tokimonsta pack


"Checking out the Tokimonsta pack for Novation Circuit Rhythm. Little bit different style of jam than I usually make."

Superbooth2021 - Erica Synths PERKONS, instant favorite drumsynth

video upload by motobor

"9 minutes of techno fun with Erica Synths Perkons. Instant favorite drum synth. Nice big knobs and intuitive layout. built like a tank, sounds massive."

Erica Synths PERKONS

Superbooth2021 - first go with the Dreadbox Nymphes

video upload by motobor

"Checking out the NYMPHES by DREADBOX. It's a fun little 6-Voice analog polyphonic synthesizer. It has also a nice builtin reverb. It is capable of doing deep bass sounds and nice long pads."

Dreadbox Nymphes

Mayer Electronic Music Instruments MD900 Extended Virtual Analog (XVA) Desktop Synthesizer

via Mayer

MD900 is a polyphonic desktop synthesizer, multitimbral with 4 parts. A polyphony of 16 voices are shared by the 4 multi-timbral parts. All of these 4 parts have their own effect stack [Mod-Delay (flanger, chorus, vibrato), Reverb, Tube-AMP, EQ, LP-Filter, DYNAMIC (Limiter) , Stereo Delay ...].

The overall audio path is stereo. Rationally, the oscillator, mixer filter, amps and effects are all in stereo.

Four independent arpeggiator und step sequenzer assigned to each of the four synth parts. The trigger sequencer may trigger the built in transient sample player (Drum Kit .wav) or send triggers to MIDI-Out (USB-DIN or USB-MIDI)

The housing is made of aluminum with real walnut wood on the front and back.
All components are industrial grade. On the operator panel we use precision potentiometer with aluminum covered knobs.
For some parameter entries we use endless encoder without rest.
This kind of encoders feels like a potentiometer.
All of this feels very valuable and it feels great to work with.

The MD900 XVA engine is patch compatible with the M800-R2 synthesizer.

CLICK FOR MORE »

BOSS Introduces SY-200 Guitar Pedal Synthesizer

video upload by BOSSchannel

Priced at $299.99.

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.

CLICK FOR MORE »

Cherry Audio Introduces Mercury-4 - Detailed Roland Jupiter-4 Emulation

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.'"

Update: user video by Starsky Carr:

Cherry Audio Mercury 4 // Jupiter 4 plugin // review demo and walkthrough

video upload by Starsky Carr

via Cherry Audio:

Mercury-4 Features:

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.

https://cherryaudio.com/instruments/mercury-4

⚡NEW LIMITED EDITION BOWIE STYLOPHONE

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.”

www.dubreq.com/shop

BOWIE STYLOPHONE

$39.95

GET THE ‘SPACE ODDITY’ SOUND

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)

CLICK FOR MORE »

Gotharman's Urano: Pitch Shifter

video upload by gotharman

"Playing with the standard pitch shifter of Urano.
www.gotharman.dk"

Synare 3 by Star Instruments. A very broken analog drum synthesizer. Will it work again??

video upload by DeadKoby

"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!"