Introducing MONTAG-E – A New Granular Sampler for Reaktor 6.5

video upload by Antonio Blanca (antblanc)

https://antblanca.com/en-usd/pages/montag-e

Press release follows:

Antonio Blanca, creator of the Reaktor instruments NOD-E and DRON-E, is excited to present his new work, MONTAG-E, for NI Reaktor 6.5. This granular sampler is designed for those interested in microsound exploration and creating complex, unique sonic textures. With its particular approach, MONTAG-E offers a wide range of sonic possibilities for sound designers, experimental musicians, film composers and sound artists.

What is MONTAG-E?

MONTAG-E is a granular sampling tool that allows for detailed manipulation of audio, ideal for creating sounds ranging from microsounds to abstract soundscapes, sound effects, ambiences, glitch, noisy textures and more. With four simultaneous granular playheads, the instrument allows for deep exploration of samples, creating anything from minimalistic to complex grain clouds. Additionally, its individual audio outputs are designed to create quadraphonic material, providing flexibility for multi-channel sound creation.

MONTAG-E is also designed to be fully MIDI-controllable, allowing for real-time interaction. Whether you’re performing live or experimenting in the studio, you can easily control parameters on the fly, enhancing your creative process.

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New England Synth Fest at Northeastern University, Saturday, May 3

New England Synth Fest on Saturday, May 3 at Northeastern University in Ryder Hall (11 Leon St, Boston, MA 02115). Right next to the Ruggles T Station. DIY workshop starts at 11am. Performances, lectures, exhibits, and petting zoo are happening 12pm to 6pm.

Performances in QUADRAPHONIC SOUND from Switch Angel, David Dawson, Doug Bielmeier, A Campbell Payne, Bill T Miller, Bob Familiar, Andrew Neumann, Leftroman, Donald Martin, Snowbeasts, and Todd Reynolds. Schedule and artist bios here.

Bring your headphones to check out synths in the petting zoo in Room 354. Visit our vendors and exhibitors, Tall Dog, SynthCube, Stompbox Sonic, Source Audio, Circuit Happy, and the Alan R. Pearlman Foundation, also in Room 354. Join in the music making in the Jam Room in Room 458. Full day of lectures listed here in Room 429. Plus, a morning DIY workshop with Cram Audio: build a Eurorack Reverb or a Handheld Theremin!

FREE (except the DIY workshop). Follow on Instagram, Bluesky, and Linkedin for more info and updates.

Check Out the Noisette DIY Theremin | Zeppelin Design Labs

video upload by Musical Miscellany

"I've built a few kits from ‪@zeppelindesign‬ in the past and decided to try their latest offering, the Noisette. This particular kit allows you to build a DIY optical theremin. It's a fun little project that sounds amazing with effects.

You can purchase the kit here: https://zeppelindesignlabs.com/produc...

Intro - 0:00
Build Process - 0:57
Calibrating & Testing - 2:39
Demo with FX - 3:15"

"The Noisette Optical Theremin is really fun to play! The pitch and volume of the audio signal is controlled by 2 light sensors — you can alter the sound by shielding the amount of light that reaches the sensors. We offer the Noisette as a Build-it-yourself kit that’s fun and easy to assemble – soldering is required. For adults of all ages and kids as young as 8 years old, alongside a qualified adult.

Two Optical sensors to control pitch and volume

Two knobs to control master volume and wave shape

On-board speaker

Headphone or Line Out Jack

30 page, assembly manual, with over 100 assembly photographs

Only 18 parts that need to be assembled to the circuit board"

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Dream Plant - EDP Wasp Synthesiser, 2 x EDP Gnat Synthesisers, and an EDP Spider Sequencer

video upload by Frequency Central

"I've been out collecting insects and arachnids..."

Synapse Dune 3: 50 Ambient Atmospheric Presets. Sound Demo

video upload by Anton Anru

"🌄 Synapse Audio Dune 3 - Ocean Hollow is an atmospheric cinematic bank of 50 patches inspired by the sea, where you can find deep pads, bright strings, various synths and keys, as well as mysterious textures. The bank was also inspired by artists such as Jupi/ter, Brian Eno and Jon Hopkins, which gave a warm, atmospheric and serene sound.

📦 The soundset includes: 10 Pads, 10 Textures, 10 Keys, 10 Synths, and 10 Strings.
👤 The author of the soundset is skendi (Arseniy Pushkov).

📩 Get these presets: https://antonanru.sellfy.store/p/dune...

🔮 The soundset spans a wide range of tones, from warm, deep and atmospheric textures to soft, clean, punchy, dark, bright and airy timbres.
The sounds include different combinations of oscillators in different modes, such as wavetable and FM, as well as different types of reverbs, delays, filters, and modulations.

🎛 ModWheel adds expressiveness—brightening the sound, introducing vibrato, or adding extra movement for dynamic performance.

💎 The soundset is suitable for many genres: ambient, electronica, cinematic, retrowave, synthwave, darkwave, IDM, downtempo, pop, chill out, new age, progressive, techno, breaks, jungle, drum and bass, and others

💡 Ensure that you are using the latest software version.
To add presets to the collection, open the plugin Browser, click Menu in the upper left corner, then select Import Folder, and specify the folder on your computer.

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FIVE MINUTES WITH Roland XV-3080 128 Voice Multi-Timbral Synth

video upload by sonicstate

​‪@magicalsynthadventure3216‬ spends some quality time with the Roland XV-3080 - the 16 part multi-timbral 128 voice rackmount synth.

With a wide range of sounds, synthesis and effects plus the additional SRX PCM expansion cards. In this video the new Wi-Fi Rewritable SR-JV card from Connor Zheng is installed which allows you to flash the PCM cards over the network.

https://www.ddzheng.cc/?page_id=666
https://voguerenege.bandcamp.com/"

Grendel Grenadier RA-9

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

via this Reverb listing

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Akai EWI3030m Digital PCM Synthesizer SN A9415-00813

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

via this Reverb listing

Note the seller has additional units listed.

"The Akai EWI3030m is a digital PCM sound module designed specifically for use with Akai’s Electronic Wind Instruments — a family of cutting-edge controllers that have set the standard for expressive wind synthesis since 1987.

Whether you're an experienced wind player or exploring wind synthesis for the first time, the EWI3030m delivers a rich, dynamic playing experience. It features high-quality sampled waveforms and responsive real-time control, capturing every subtle nuance of your performance. Unlike many modern MIDI controllers that rely on quantized steps, the EWI system uses smooth, analog-style control voltages, allowing for seamless transitions in dynamics, filter sweeps, and articulation.

The EWI3030m offers:

Two sampled sound sources (digital oscillators) with 75 high-quality waveforms

Digital filtering, LFO, envelope shaping, and glide for deep sound design
Built-in reverb for added depth

128 fully programmable presets
Footswitch input for switching program chains hands-free

Audio input for EWI-controlled processing of external instruments

MIDI OUT to trigger other sound modules

Designed for expressive performance, the EWI3030m is a powerful tool whether you’re scoring, performing live, or exploring new sonic textures."

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Akai EWI3020M Analog Monophonic Synthesizer SN 19915-00149

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

via this Reverb listing, also on eBay

Note the seller has additional units listed.

"CEM Chip Power – Oberheim Xpander DNA – MIDI Capable

Step into vintage analog glory with the Akai EWI3020M, a rack-mounted monophonic synthesizer designed to pair with the EWI3020 wind controller—but just as capable when triggered via standard MIDI! Yes, it can be used without the wind controller, making it an incredible analog voice module for any MIDI-capable setup.

At its heart lies a Curtis CEM3394 voice chip—the same chip found in the legendary Oberheim Xpander—delivering warm, punchy, and expressive tones. Originally launched in the late '80s, the EWI3020M was part of Akai’s bold foray into wind synthesis, but its standalone capabilities and exceptional tone make it a sleeper hit for analog synth enthusiasts and modular-minded players alike.

Key Features:

Monophonic analog signal path with dual VCOs, VCF, VCA, LFO, and dual EGs
CEM3394 voice chip for rich, vintage sound
Wide modulation matrix: 7 sources, 10 destinations
50 patch slots (factory + user)
Waveforms include Triangle, Saw, Square, and Sync modes
Full MIDI In/Out for use with keyboards, sequencers, or DAWs
Rackmount format – a studio-friendly synth module with stage potential
Whether you're breathing life into it with a wind controller or sequencing it via MIDI, the EWI3020M is a versatile, expressive, and highly underrated gem in the analog world."

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Akai S900 MIDI Digital Sampler (1986) /// SERVICED + UPGRADED

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

via this Reverb listing

Pics of the inside below.

"The power cable is the original (rare).
The floppy reader has been removed, and replaced by a new Gotek just for the sale, coming from CPmagneticmedia UK (80 €). It is just perfectly fitting, and solid.

Gotek is a game changer. I decided to replace because the floppy reader was not always responsive.
Now you have 4 user banks of 500 slots each + the possibility to organize your data on 16 Go USB key + some installed Akai Libraries + last version system and a screen to read your file names.

See the complete manual online, here is a short list of features I am enthusiastic:

12 bits sampling 7.5-40kHz.

analog low-pass filter
3U format rack
backlight screen
super easy navigation ansy edit
individual transposing + general tuning
velocity sensitive + aftertouch behavior
MIDI in (16) / out
8 voices polyphony and separate outputs
According AKAI themselves, the S900 is their first professional sampler. I confirm the engineering and build quality is superior to other models I owned (S700, S1000 and S1100)."

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