MATRIXSYNTH

Sid Station driven by Lightreft Monolit exploring SID textures and grit

video upload by HANJŌ

"Afternoon exploration session with 3 silver boxes, the Elektron Machinedrum handling the beat and the classic SID Station led by the Lightreft Monolit on the 2.0β firmware.

Machinedrum keeps things tight and mechanical while the SID Station focuses on texture. Bit-grit, noise edges, and shifting timbres.

Just experimenting, seeing how far the monolit can take Midi Automation over an IDM groove. #machinedrum #sidstation #idm"

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The LightReft Monolit made its first appearance on the site earlier this month in another video by HANJŌ.

The following is a playlist featuring dditional demos, followed by some pics and details further below.

Lightreft Monolit Sequencer Demos

video uploads by Sasha DZA

Playlist (in most recent order - video 7 is from one year ago):

1. Monolit Sequencer

2. Machinedrum + Monolit : Simple Setup

3. MONOLIT x DECKARD'S DREAM MK2

4. Monolit: Quick Tips for Hardware Users

In this video, we demonstrate how Monolit connects seamlessly with synths, grooveboxes, and samplers — no computer needed.
No deep menus, no distractions — just a clean interface and immediate control.

We explore different scenarios where Monolit shines: real-time MIDI control, clock generation, note and CC mapping, automation, and even gamepad integration.
Hand-built in Japan, Monolit is a minimal yet powerful tool for artists seeking intuitive, hands-on control.

Chapters:
00:00 — Intro
00:23 — Octatrack MK2 DJ setup ideas
02:42 — Scratching on Octatrack MK2
03:07 — Note-sliders / Quantisation
03:56 — Monomachine Drone
04:45 — External controller macros setup
05:08 — Double Monolit setup
05:47 — Retro game controller
06:36 — Advanced Game controller

5. Monolit Firmware 1.2.0: Unlocking New MIDI Control Features!

In this video, we dive into the new features introduced in Monolit firmware v1.2.0. From advanced MIDI routing to external slider control and dynamic button functions — Monolit just got a serious upgrade. We’re showcasing a dual-Monolit setup, where one unit controls the other, which is connected to an Elektron Monomachine.

6. Monolit × Octatrack — Live Performance Control Demo | LightReft

7. LightReft - MONOLIT v.1.0.0

00:00 - INTRODUCTION
04:36 - EDIT MENU
07:22 - CC MODE
13:12 - NOTES MODE
17:26 - LFO MODE
20:33 - MOTION MODE
23:07 - SETTINGS
24:53 - PRESET MANAGER
26:13 - MAX/MSP
30:26 - TOUCHDESIGNER
33:29 - EURORACK MODULAR
41:29 - MODEL:SAMPLES
45:02 - CONCLUSION

Welcome to the first tutorial on the MONOLIT device! In this 40+ minute video, you’ll get acquainted with the essential settings, programming, and MIDI control on MONOLIT, while exploring the device’s unique capabilities. This session covers the key aspects of working with MONOLIT, making it an ideal guide for musicians and producers who want to master its full potential.

Main topics covered:
Initial setup and connecting MONOLIT
Programming and MIDI control
Using functions and operational modes

Dive into the world of sound with this introduction to MONOLIT! Tutorial by Tim Shatny.

"MONOLIT by Light Reft

A smart, modular MIDI computer built for live performance and smooth integration with any setup.

Monolit is not a controller you map once to forget.
It is a playable instrument - a physical interface that lets you shape sound through motion, record gestures as automation, and turn parameters into something alive.

Designed for those who don’t just adjust sound, but perform it.

WHY MONOLIT?

A motion driven MIDI instrument for live sound shaping, expressive sequencing, and gestural automation.

8 banks with 64 controls per preset
Real-time MIDI automation and parameter morphing
Seamless DAW + hardware integration
USB, TRS-MIDI, external device support

Customizable, minimal, and fast.

MEET MONOLIT, YOUR NEW MULTIFUNCTIONAL MIDI COMPANION!

MONOLIT by Light Reft is a cutting-edge, multifunctional MIDI-computer that transforms your music production experience. Designed for musicians who seek precision and flexibility, MONOLIT offers seamless integration with all DAWs and hardware devices, customizable presets, and an intuitive interface for effortless control and creativity.

Whether you're diving into your DAW or jamming out with external hardware instruments, MONOLIT has you covered. An endless library of presets at your fingertips—each one offering 8 banks, with 8 sliders and 8 buttons per bank. That's a whole lot of control!

For each slider and button, we present a range of versatile options. You can record MIDI automation, set delay times for slider movements, send notes and LFOs, and adjust various parameters directly within the device. This flexibility ensures that you have complete control over every detail of your setup.

But it doesn't stop there. MONOLIT is as versatile as you are, allowing you to connect other devices like Gamepads, Keyboards, Monome Grid , or any MIDI device you fancy. This means you can take command of your entire setup, all through one sleek, powerful interface. Whether you're crafting the perfect beat, tweaking synths, or anything in between, MONOLIT is the tool that brings your musical ideas to life with ease and style.

Designed and assembled in Japan, MONOLIT is ready to be shipped worldwide.

CLICK FOR MORE »

PlantsSystem-Mazeppa(Franz Liszt Transcendental Etudes No. 4)

video upload by plantssystem

"This is a cover of Franz Liszt Transcendental Etudes No. 4, 'Mazeppa'.

Mazeppa is a masterpiece combining overwhelming technique and drama, left behind by Liszt, one of the most representative composers of 19th century Romanticism.

The energy and scale of this masterpiece are captured using PlantsSystem unique sound approach, making full use of the Prophet-5."

"Recording equipment"

Conductive Labs Newsletter - NDLR On Sale

via the Conductive Labs newsletter:

"Hello lovely peeps, thank you for subscribing to our newsletter!
This issue brings news of an incredible The NDLR deal (and sweet new color scheme), availability and instructions for accessing the special edition The NDLR Rev1 to Rev2 upgrade kit, and a little bit of rehash of previous news.

Black Friday? Cyber Monday? The NDLR is On Sale Now!
The NDLR is currently on sale for the lowest price we've ever offered, at conductivelabs.com/shop and at Amazon.com, and Amazon.ca (colors vary by location and availability).
And is available at select retailers worldwide. See The NDLR product page at conductivelabs.com for a list of retailers, including Perfect Circuit, Thomann, Juno UK, Control Voltage, Moog Audio and more. [check dealers on the right]

If you have a The NDLR Rev2 with the red base, be sure to check out the Release 3 firmware at conductivelabs.com/download if you don't already have it. There's a fresh manual for it too.

The NDLR Rev1 to Rev2 Upgrade Kit
We did an upgrade kit crowd funding to enable NDLR Rev1 to have all of the great new features we've added to the Rev2 hardware with Version 3 firmware. We've fulfilled most of the crowd funded kits and have some left to offer to those who missed it.

This is a limited edition, 1 per person/NDLR/household offer. Proof of ownership by providing your NDLR Rev1 serial number is required.

CLICK FOR MORE »

Novation Circuit (OG)

video upload by Kuritar

"Novation Circuit Jam.

Thank you for watching.
I have gotten Circuit Tracks, but I still love to play the OG.
I set the exposure incorrectly, so the screen is dark. Sorry."

Dubreq Stylophone CPM DF-8 Unboxing and Demo #stylophone #synth

video upload by I Love Cats and Synths

"The Dubreq Stylophone CPM DS-8 Analog Dynamic Multi-Filter is out. In this video I unbox and demonstrate it.

00:00 Unboxing
00:38 Bella inspects the box
01:54 Gen R-8 Filter Notch mode
02:44 Gen R-8 Filter Highpass Mode
03:12 Gen R-8 Filter Bandpass Mode
04:02 Gen R-8 Filter Lowpass Mode
04:35 2045 Filter Lowpass Mode
05:10 2045 Filter (w/Gen R-8) in BP+ Mode
05:40 2045 Filter (w/Gen R-8) in Notch+ Mode
06:22 2045 Filter (w/Gen R-8) in Bandstop+ Mode
06:54 Making Percussive Sounds
08:05 Looping Envelopes
08:45 Tweety Bird!
08:53 UFO sounds w/Delay
09:08 Frankenstein?
09:39 Pew! Pew! Space Lasers!
10:17 Combining with the CPM DS-2
10:43 Sample & Hold
11:10 Stereo Mode
11:45 Envelopes through S&H
13:20 Fly like an Eagle?
14:05 Synthesizing Wind"

The Unique Superpower of the MONOPOLY's MICROTONAL DRONES

video upload by Element433 (a.k.a. Pere Villez)

"Full, deep dive into creating paraphonic microtonal drones on the Korg and Behringer Monopoly paraphonic synthesisers. This creates deep, mesmerising tones and textures. It's a ticket to space.

If you know of other synths that can do this please comment below and I will update this description for everyone.

Getting into Microtonality:
One of the easiest ways to enter the microtonal sphere is to learn to make microtonal paraphonic drones. Once you have the basics, there is an infinite number of microtonal texture to explore, either scales or chords. The Monopoly GUI architecture is unique amongst synthesisers for being able to doing this because of its "chord" store function. If you know of any other synths that can do this too, please comment below and I will update this description for everyone.

Inspired by the drones from the Tanpura and Shruti in Indian music and other cultures, which use drones.

WARNING!!! Once hear this, you can never unhear it.

Effects used on examples: Valhalla SUperMassive reverb
Recorded on location on a small planet off the arm of Orion

Gold listening:
Wendy Carlos 'Beauty in The Beast'
Terry Riley 'Harp of New Albion' (microtonally tuned acoustic piano)

Gold Resource: Scala ( Scala microtonal app on every platform )
https://huygens-fokker.org/scala/

Tutorial Steps
-----------------------

CLICK FOR MORE »

Electrocomp EML 400 401 Sequencer

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

via this eBay listing

Additional Tone Tweakers Listings

"This unit was previously modified to include an audio output jack for vco2. This allows frequency modulation (FM) of the oscillators or filter which nicely expands this examples sonic palette beyond a stock 400's.

We did the following work to this unit. The items at the top of the list are things we consider normal servicing. The ones at the bottom labelled preventative are future-proofing measures that other sellers rarely take (they often don't even service them either).

Cleaned inside and out.

Replaced power cable.
Cleaned and lubed switches and pots.
Replaced jack washer nuts.
Replaced some screws.
Replaced all electrolytic capacitors - preventative.
Calibrated vco1 vco2 cv exp cv - a must after a recap.
Replaced IC socket (14pin x 16) - preventative.
Replaced all pins inside multipin connectors on unit and inside connector cable - preventative."

CLICK FOR MORE »

Fender Rhodes Chroma Polaris II SN 500336

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

via this eBay listing

Additional Tone Tweakers Listings

"This Polaris 2 was fully electronically restored and is now in like new perfect working condition. And yes, of course the membrane panel that always breaks has been replaced with a brand new one so you won't have to worry about replacing it. We don't mess around here.

sn50033x

Here's what we did to this unit to make it perfect, along with some preventative stuff other sellers rarely do...because we want this unit to hopefully outlast others.

Replaced power supply electrolytic capacitors (future-proofing)
Reflowed some solder points as a preventative measure.
Cleaned unit inside and out.
Replaced membrane panel (we consider this a necessity even in the rare cases where they're fully working, as they eventually break - panel cost is $250 + installation labor, which is of course embedded in our price)
Cleaned and lubed all slide pots and levers.
Cleaned jacks.
Cleaned key contacts.
Removed original battery and replaced with new lithium battery (3v D type)
Recalibrated.
Replaced high and low output jacks.
Replaced operating system eproms with latest version 11 (originally was version 5)

This process took 11 hours of highly skilled vintage synth tech time, plus parts costs. The result is a perfectly working instrument that's ready to play, without having to pay another tech to do what we did and to wait months to years for another tech to do it."

CLICK FOR MORE »