MATRIXSYNTH

HWJ Weekend Challenge - Tolkien Day jam (WIP)

video upload by SynthAddict

"Maschine+

All loosely inspired by Fellowship of the Ring:
An intro, a bit of Isengard and the Uruk-hai creation, and then Gandalf's fall at Khazad-dum"

Intellijel Xfade 1U: DJ-style Crossfader for Eurorack

video upload by Intellijel

Check with dealers on the right for availability.

"Xfade 1U is a classic DJ-style stereo crossfader, with a few extra tricks up its sleeve. The ‘A’ and ‘B’ sides both have L+R inputs. The crossfader blends two stereo input signals together — crossfading one into the other depending on the position of the slider and the selected Xfade Shape. The blended output appears at the MIX L and MIX R output jacks.

In addition, Xfade 1U can be used as a modulation source for controlling other modules, since the crossfader also outputs control voltages from the CV A and CV B jacks. A switch determines whether these voltages are unipolar (crossfading from 0V to 5V; and 5V to 0V), or bipolar (crossfading from -5V to +5V; and +5V to -5V). The two LEDs indicate the polarity and relative levels of the CV A and CV B signals.

Xfade 1U uses a precision Innofader™ crossfader submodule, with moving capacitance technology for smooth (almost frictionless) and precise control. This is the same part found on many high-end DJ mixers.

Features:

Smooth and ultra-low friction Innofader™ Mini-Innofader module with moving capacitance technology
Three crossfade shapes: DJ cut, Constant Power and Linear
Stereo or Mono operation
DC coupled inputs and outputs
Unipolar or Bipolar CV outputs
Output is chainable to intellijel Outs, Mixup, and Stereo Mixer 1U Modules via included 3-pin cable"

Roger Linn, Creator of the Original Namesake LinnDrum on Behringer's New LmDrum

The following is Roger Linn's statement on Behringer's LmDrum, written Jan 4, 2025, saved here for the MATRIXSYNTH archives:

In December 2024, Behringer released their "LmDrum", which is described on their site as:

"If you are looking for a drum machine that can recreate the classic sound of the 80’s, look no further than the Behringer LM DRUM. This amazing drum machine features an authentic 8/12-bit sampling sound engine that captures the essence of a hundred legendary 80’s drum sounds including those designed by Roger Linn such as the LM1*, LM2*, LM9000* and more. You can even record and store your own samples using the integrated line input."

Uli Behringer kindly sent me an LmDrum in August of 2024, giving me a chance to try it out. What do I think? I think it's a bit of a head-scratcher. It is clearly intended to evoke my 1982 "LinnDrum" drum machine, borrowing its visual style, control layout, colors and logo style, as well as copying its sounds and those of my LM-1 and Linn9000 drum machines. I took it apart and it even copies much of my LinnDrum sound generation circuit, even my bad ideas like the inability to tune any drums except the snare, toms and congas.

However, it uses an entirely different operating system and user interface, one that is based on earlier Behinger drum machines. Personally, I found it somewhat confusing and difficult to use, though I was given an unfinished manual. I'd imagine they will improve both the software and manual over time. I suspect the designers found it difficult to find a balance between 1) the impression of a LinnDrum clone, and 2) the addition of modern features, given that the 1982 LinnDrum's feature set is woefully inadequate by today's standards.

It's worth noting that Uli never asked my permission to either copy my visual design or my drum sounds. Though in 2020, he did kindly invite me to collaborate on a future drum machine, and I respectfully declined because of concern about Behringer's past business ethics and legal practices.

How do I feel about the LmDrum? My feelings are mixed. On the one hand, it's not unusual for companies to borrow ideas from older products in order to inspire a new and innovative design, which I've done in past. Plus, my old drum sounds are all over the web, controlling copying is difficult, and I don't enjoy legal stuff so I've generally ignored the issue so far. Also, the value in those old sounds is probably due more to Art Wood (the drummer who played the sounds, and my friend of many years), and to artists like Prince, Michael Jackson, and others, who made those sounds famous on their hits. Finally, I must admit that I've never cared much about the past, because I find the future far more exciting.

On the other hand, even if we discount the copying of the visual design, logo style and sound circuit of LinnDrum, the LmDrum copies my sounds. So I'd have preferred for Uli to ask my permission. Even if he thinks it is legal, I question whether it is ethical.

I find it interesting that the LmDrum is being sold in the U.S. for only $399. Having taken it apart and seeing how complex the copied old circuitry was to reproduce, I doubt Behringer is making any money from it. I suspect that they originally intended to sell it for much more, then discovered that while many people may say they want a LinnDrum clone, few are willing to pay more than a low price for it.

On a related topic, GForce Software has recently released their "IconDrum" software drum sound generator. Like the LmDrum, it copies the LinnDrum's visual design, logo style, and drum sounds, but has no sequencing. Unlike Behringer, GForce did say they wouldn't release the product if I objected, but they seemed like good people so I turned a blind eye. They also offered to pay me an insignificant royalty for my association with the product and perhaps to use "LinnDrum" name, but I declined because of the low compensation and because I thought it was misleading to call a product "LinnDrum" that wasn't a drum machine but rather only played my copied drum sounds.

One last comment. What's the big deal about nostalgia? I can understand that some people value analog synthesis, though I find the many types of innovative software synthesis created in recent decades to be far more capable, versatile and interesting. But even if people value vintage analog synths, why vintage digital drum machines? I ask this because an old bit is no different than a new bit. Our collective love of nostalgia brings to mind an old Douglas Adams quote from Salmon of Doubt:

"I've come up with a set of rules that describe our reactions to technologies:
1. Anything that is in the world when you’re born is normal and ordinary and is just a natural part of the way the world works.
2. Anything that's invented between when you’re fifteen and thirty-five is new and exciting and revolutionary and you can probably get a career in it.
3. Anything invented after you're thirty-five is against the natural order of things."

As a guitarist, I recall having endless discussions in my youth about "good distortion". :)

- Roger Linn

Battle Without Honor Or Humanity - Kill Bill - synthesizer version

video upload by jami.m

Yamaha MODX and Sequential Prophet 6.

Beginner-Friendly Generative Ambient patch from scratch

video upload by Omri Cohen

"You can find this patch, along with many others, available on my Patreon page.

00:00 - Introduction
00:32 - Random sequence
08:06 - Online courses
08:24 - Harmony
16:15 - Bass drone"

#Jamuary 6th 2025 - "Explaining Granular Synthesis to my Dog".

video upload by Captain Credible

"The #polyendtrackermini has a pretty poor granular engine :( I can never get it to do what I want. But nice stuff often comes out regardless. #jamuary2025 #jam #dawless #polyendtracker #microfreak #granular"

JAMUARY 2025 #6 - CHAOS GROOVE

video upload by FL3SHB4CK

"Happy new modular year!

Pamela's new workout
Battering ram
Noiswasp
2OPFM
Bean jelly
AHH, diff-rect, Noise, Quadratt, Line out

4U 50hp recorded live into Syntakt reverb and delay

#jamuary2025 #jamuary #jam #modularjam
@ShakmatModular @alizondevices @supersynthesis4943 @xodesnet"

Reverb's Most Popular Electronic Gear in the US by State in 2025

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

via Reverb

"You might've seen our recently published list of the best-selling electronic gear on Reverb in 2024... but what about the most popular electronic gear in every state?

While plenty of mainstays made the list—like the ever-popular Teenage Engineering OP-1—there are some state-specific preferences I thought you might enjoy:

Viva Las Vegas: Nevada's most popular piece of electronic gear is an Akai Force Standalone Music Production / DJ Performance System, likely a product of all the electronic shows that take place in Sin City.

More surprising? Alabama and Kentucky, neither of which are typically known for electronic music, love their DJ gear. Maybe the latter is the Jack Harlow effect?

The Eurorack Reigns Supreme: As modular synthesis becomes more popular, Arizona, Iowa, and South Dakota proved their love for Euroracks above all else.

The Postal Service: Washington, home to Death Cab for Cutie, was won by the Dirtywave M8 Portable Tracker Sequencer. The irony of The Postal Service's revival, 20-plus-years after Death Cab's Ben Gibbard sent digital audio tapes to Jimmy Tamborello via USPS, isn't lost on us!

The Border War: Much has been made of regional music over the past few decades, from southern rap to the Pacific Northwest's indie roots...but nowhere was that more strongly displayed than Kansas and Missouri, infamous "Border War" rivals, both of which chose variations of the Akai MPK.

You can check out every state's favorite piece of electronic gear here."

Oberheim OB-Xa 61-Key 8-Voice Synthesizer w/ Encore MIDI

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

via this listing

Presenting a beautifully maintained Oberheim OB-Xa with professionally installed Encore MIDI retrofit. This legendary analog polysynth is in excellent working condition and has just received a full service from the experts at Portland Pro Audio.

Specifications:
- 8-voice polyphony
- Encore MIDI kit (full MIDI implementation)
- Original CEM3320 filters
- Original CEM3340 VCOs
- All voice cards recently calibrated
- Fresh capacitors throughout
- Original keyboard in perfect working order

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