the Modern Easel unscripted

video upload by Joel Davel

"My informal look at the Modern Music Easel: what's new and why. (Skip to 3:23 if you want to skip my introductory improv). As I was waiting for an opportunity to make a quality video going over the new case and the EMBIO, I grew impatient and just threw the iPhone up and strung together these videos. I hope it's informative and entertaining."

Moog - Spectravox - Sound Demos

video upload by NOISEBUG

https://www.noisebug.net

See the announcement post here.

"The long wait is finally over. The Moog Spectravox has finally been released and we couldn't be more excited!

Spectravox, the newest member of the Moog semi-modular family, is a groundbreaking tool for sculpting sound. An analog spectral processor based around a 10-band filter bank, Spectravox creates lively drones and colorful tonal sweeps on its own and adds resonant depth and psychedelic spectral movement to any external sound. Hook up a microphone and Spectravox becomes a 10-band analog vocoder with innovative integrated modulation of all of its filters. An exploration and expansion of the topology of the vocoder and filter bank, Spectravox is a highly flexible instrument and signal processor with a comprehensive patch bay for integration into studios of all sizes.

Synthesists have delighted in playing with the spectrum of sound since the Moog 907 Fixed Filter Bank appeared in the 1960s, creating lush vowel tones and multicolored timbral animation with hands-on level control of each frequency band of a sound. Unlike earlier fixed filter banks, however, the unique filters of Spectravox are no longer fixed in place and will jointly shift around the frequency space, allowing for the creation of otherworldly voltage-controlled spectral animation and vibrant phaser-like sweeps. With 10 filters whose variable resonance can morph from soft precision to shimmering choral effects, Spectravox reshapes the sounds you love into surprising new forms and brings a new world of sonic possibilities to your studio.

Spectravox is a fascinating standalone sculptable synthesizer voice thanks to its built-in carrier sound source of a thick analog Moog oscillator and white noise generator. With its combo XLR/jack program input, Spectravox becomes a fully featured 10-band vocoder with a secondary filter bank for analyzing the spectral makeup of incoming sounds. In VOCODER mode its 10 analysis filters map the timbral characteristics of any external sound onto any other sound you can imagine. Shape the warm analog oscillator of Spectravox with the dynamics of your voice, or use a drum machine to animate guitar chords in a mesmerizing broadband percussive space.

Spectravox uses the pioneering vocoding work of Bob Moog and Wendy Carlos in the late 1960s as its inspiration—work which was based on Homer Dudley's original designs from the 1930s and which was used to prominent effect in Stanley Kubrick's 1972 film A Clockwork Orange. Innovating further from these early designs, Spectravox uses 10 state-variable filters for its filter bank, all 10 of which are capable of being shifted with its internal triangle wave LFO or external control voltage. With the ability to emphasize vowel sounds via the Hiss and Buzz functionality of the Moog 16 Channel Vocoder, Spectravox is both a major step forward for analog filter banks and a loving exploration of early music technology history.

Scramble the frequency spectrum and create wonderfully unpredictable textures with patch points for each filter in the filter bank and included patch cables. Add analog warmth and subtle phasing to digital synthesizers and sound sources. Integrate Spectravox with other Moog semi-modular instruments or Eurorack modules with an extensive patch bay providing control over almost all of its parameters. Spectravox is a boundary-pushing instrument that invites you to explore creative new ways of shaping and sculpting sound."

Joranalogue Introduces Cycle 5 - New Compact Powerhouse VCO

For those attending SUPERBOOTH, you'll find Joranalogue at our their spot: booth W435 in the gymnasium.

Coming in Q3 2024.

A small Eurorack oscillator that packs a punch: that’s the best way to summarise Cycle 5.

At its heart lies a refined high-stability triangle core voltage controlled oscillator (VCO), with performance matching or exceeding that of much bigger and costly oscillator modules.

Instead of a coarse frequency knob, a 7-position octave switch is provided. This in combination with a perfect fifth transposition switch and factory pitch tuning, makes Cycle 5 an exceptionally straightforward and musical VCO to use: simply centre the fine tune knob, and the module will be instantly tuned to reference C.

Meanwhile, its dual precision volt per octave inputs add a great deal of versatility. For example, one could be used for pitch sequencing and the other as a generic exponential FM input, or both sequenced together for transposition effects—the dual inputs serving as a built-in precision adder.

Sporting all the classic waveforms, ranging from sine wave, triangle, saw and square/saw, as well as a hard sync input and low frequency oscillator (LFO) mode, Cycle 5 makes for a real workhorse VCO. The novel trigonometric waveshaper results in a very clean sine wave, ideal for sub bass duty.

Cycle 5’s highlight however, is its vari-wave feature. By adjusting the vari-wave knob, the waveform on the matching output will smoothly morph from sine, to triangle, saw, square and finally a very narrow pulse. The vari-wave parameter can be CV controlled, up to audio frequencies for some intense timbres.

Equally at home as a modest modulation companion to big VCOs, as being in the spotlight in miniature or polyphonic systems, Cycle 5 might just be the most multi-talented tiny analogue oscillator yet.

High-stability precision analogue triangle-core VC(LF)O.
Octave and perfect fifth switches—all intermediate frequencies can be reached using the front panel controls.
Dual volt per octave FM inputs.
Outputs: sine, triangle, saw, square/pulse (PWM) and vari-wave, smoothly morphing between all waveforms.
Reset (hard oscillator sync) input.
Wide frequency range: 48 mHz (20 seconds) to 3.7 kHz.
Don't waste time tuning: pre-tuned for 0 V = C.
Impedance-compensated outputs with dual-colour vari-wave LED.
Trim potentiometers accessible from the front panel.
Precision-milled 2 mm anodised aluminium front panel with high-resolution, non-erasable graphics.
Bullet-proof design: polarised power header and MOSFET protection circuit.
Includes 16-to-10-pin Eurorack power ribbon cable.
Premium mounting hardware: black screws, black nylon washers and matching hex key.
High-quality components and assembly; designed and made in Belgium.

As always check with your favorite dealers on the right for upcoming availability of all new modules and synths.

Bill Wolfer Jams With The Legend HZ Synthesizer

video upload by Bill Wolfer

"Every sound in this video is coming from The Legend HZ.

I just got this thing a few days ago, and I've barely scratched the surface of what it can do. Here's a quick jam using 13 instances of The Legend HZ. I love this instrument. I was sold on a faithful Minimoog emulation with six oscillators and a Fixed Filter Bank. But wait! There's more! Ha! Sounds like a paid promotion, but I assure you that I bought mine just like anybody else.

This bass line popped out of my fingers the first time I fooled around with it, so I decided to expand it, trying to use only The Legend HZ for all the sounds and effects. It was a fun thing to do.

Music written and performed by Bill Wolfer.
©Wolftoons Music,ASCAP. All rights reserved."

See the announcement post for The Legend HZ Synthesizer here. The HZ, of course, stands for Hans Zimmer.

Knobula Introduces Echo Cinematic - Eq + Delay + Reverb Stereo Effects Eurorack Module

video upload by knobula

"Introducing Knobula's new stereo effects module, taking dub style performance echo to the next level with multiple modulation sources including a 30" knob recorder."

Press release follows:

"Knobula selects SUPERBOOTH24 to introduce Echo Cinematic as fully-featured, practical stereo effects Eurorack module inspired by influential dub culture

LONDON, UK: electronic music innovator Knobula is proud to introduce Echo Cinematic as the latest Eurorack module to embody its no-screen, no-preset philosophy — presented as a fully-featured, practical stereo effects unit that draws its inspiration from the influential dub music culture that emerged from Jamaica and made its mark on the London music scene in the early Eighties — at SUPERBOOTH24, May 16-18, FEZ-Berlin, Germany…

Actively appreciating Echo Cinematic as a fully-featured, practical stereo effects Eurorack module — as alluded to by its front panel- positioned descriptive (Eq + Delay + Reverb) wording — that draws its inspiration from the influential dub music culture that emerged from Jamaica and made its mark on the London music scene in the early Eighties surely benefits from fleetingly digging deeper into what, technically, made that scene sound so unique. Ultimately, then, analogue tape delays were routinely connected to mixing consoles via a spare channel strip in those iconic recording setups, so engineers were able to manipulate the resultant sound using EQ and effects send controls to create ever-evolving rhythm textures from feedback loops delicately balanced on the brink of self-oscillation. On the face of it, Echo Cinematic clearly eliminates the need for a complex mixing console; instead, it expands on those early- Eighties-developed dub music principals by beautifully integrating a versatile resonant filter with five distinct sources of automation. As such, Echo Cinematic consists of two independent LFOs (Low Frequency Oscillators) for both Eq and Delay modulation; looping 30-second Knob Record functionality, capable of simultaneously controlling every knob on the module’s clear-cut front panel; and two external CV (Control Voltage) inputs — CV A and CV B — for instant assignment to any control upon insertion of a patch cable.

Creatively, Echo Cinematic’s Eq section boasts three selectable filter types — namely, Shelf (high-/low-pass), Peak (peak/notch), and classic Comb; each can be patched into the Fback (feedback) loop (in so-called Dub Mode), Delay (output), or All (entire signal path), including the self-explanatory Dry or Effect signal. Simultaneous to that, the Delay section offers up to two seconds of stereo delay time, complete with Tap delay and grid Snapping functionality to ensure precise synchronisation with the beat or clock signal, while Reverb duties are handled by the same, lush-sounding 24-bit stereo processing found in Knobula’s other cinematic- sounding Eurorack modules — think: no screens, just big-screen sounds!

Says Knobula Technical Director Jason Mayo: “Before Knobula was founded, even, Echo Cinematic was intended to be our Eurorack debut. Duly envisioned as the ultimate dub-style echo module, its development was paused due to Poly Cinematic’s unexpected success; Echo Cinematic nonetheless now represents the culmination of a meticulous three-year developmental journey, the result of which has turned out to be even better than my original concept, so I’m immensely proud to finally introduce it to the Eurorack community.”

Anyone attending SUPERBOOTH24, May 16-18, FEZ-Berlin, Germany is invited to swing by Booth Z365 where Knobula is introducing Echo Cinematic as the latest Eurorack module to embody its no-screen, no-preset philosophy, proudly exhibiting and demonstrating it alongside its Poly Cinematic (8 Voice Polyphonic Synthesiser), Kickain (Kick Drum + Sidechain), Chord Pilot (Midi Chord Expander + Arpeggiator), and Pianophonic (Polyphonic Wavetable Synthesiser) siblings.

Set to ship in June 2024, Echo Cinematic will be available to purchase — priced at £320.00 GBP (including VAT)/€350.00 EUR (Net)/ $399.00 USD (MRP) — through Knobula’s growing global network of dealers"

Check with the dealers on the right for availability.

World's Most Unavailable Synthesizers

video upload by Doctor Mix

See the UVI Quadra Modular announcement post here.

"Join me on an epic trip to UVI in Paris! 🌟 Get an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of UVI's headquarters, where they create Quadra Modular 👉 https://www.uvi.net/quadra-modular?ru... and other super high-tech VST virtual instruments. Finally, enjoy a jaw-dropping visit to their legendary synthesizer shop, where I get to jam on the rare Prophet 20 and the colossal Colossus! 🎹✨"

The Center for Haptic Audio Interaction Research Introduces Analog Waveguide Eurorack Module

video uploads by The Center for Haptic Audio Interaction Research

'The Center for Haptic Audio Interaction Research presents the Analog Waveguide, a Eurorack module for physical modelling synthesis."

"Analog Waveguide is versatile stereo reverberation effect that feeds the signals into a rotation matrix. The matrix can be set to any angle. Its signal path is fully analog, and the delay lines are implemented with bucket brigade delays. The design was described in a concept by Michael Gerzon from 1971, but was only implemented digitally in 2011 by Miller Puckette. Our interpretation re-implements and extends the original concept as an Eurorack module with an analog signal path. The resulting resonator is an analog waveguide for vivid physical modeling sound synthesis . The integrated display shows the two signals in a Cartesian coordinate system. The resulting image visualizes the complex oscillating signal in the resonator. The wide range of forms and movements is mesmerizing to watch and allows for a synaesthetic experience of the instrument. The visual representation of the signal also assists the experienced user to remember and recreate parameter settings for specific sounds."

Erbe-Verb Lasers | Make Noise

video upload by MAKEN0ISE

"Lasers... with Erbe-Verb."

http://www.makenoisemusic.com

Percussa XMX - powerful new eurorack module in a smaller form factor, and lower price.

video upload by TheTechnobear

You can find the announcement post here.

"In this video we look at the new eurorack module from Percussa,
the new little brother/sister to their powerful SSP.
coming in a smaller form factor, thats lighter on your wallet.

what can it do? ... why am I so excited about it :) "

0:00 Intro
0:54 Hardware overview
2:44 Software
2:53 Percussa Synthor
3:25 Trax Overview
4:34 Trax Walkthru
5:43 Track and module view
6:55 Performance parameters
8:43 Midi learn
11:00 How to patch?
11:20 Load, Save, Init presets
12:00 Create a patch, loading a module
13:30 Connecting module to jack inputs
14:22 load another module
14:45 connecting its inputs and outputs
16:53 Summing up

Stranger Things main theme: how to sound design the main arp sound with the OB-6

video upload by EthanJamesMusic

EthanJamesMusic OB-6 videos

"This sound design tutorial will teach you how to approach the main theme of Stanger Things. The sound is a simple combination of a pulse wave with a sub oscillator to create the arpeggio.

The Sequential Circuits OB-6 can do a respectable job of coming close to the sound, because of the SEM filter that is borrowed from the original Oberheim that was used in the main theme.

Analog synthesizers have found a way back into film music, which has led to a lot of rich experimentation of what these instruments are capable of. I think my main takeaway is the heavy use of envelope, and setting the filter modulation much lower than a normal synth pluck would require. Also, having a really dry sound mixed in with lots of ambience really cuts through in a way that creates a strong effect.

I hope you learn something from this tutorial, and it gives you some ideas to try out! Please let me know if there are any questions, or if anyone knows what instrument was used on the film. I would guess a Minimoog or similar."