Exploring the Roland Jupiter 6

Exploring the Roland Jupiter 6 | What did I get myself into? video upload by MIDERA

"I spent too much money on this. I told myself I shouldn't get it. I knew I didn't need it. I knew it wouldn't add anything to my setup. I knew it would be a project... And yet, I bought it. The Jupiter 6.

The Jupiter 6 belonged to someone I know and have bought other things from. When we started our discussion, only 2 issues were known. The Master 2 knob and the ENV2 keytracking weren't working. I figured I could fix this. Then VCO MOD ENV-1 tracking wasn't working. Then, the unit wouldn't power on at all. They managed to get the power working again (the switch itself wasn't working). So I decided to go ahead with the purchase.

I drove an hour to pick it up.

I got it home and, yes, those issues persisted, but I tested it out and decided right then that this was indeed a mistake. My Prophet 10 is a better synth with less issues. Anyway, a few days passed and I decided it was time to open it up. I replaced the power switch. I tore out the 2 faders that weren't working. I cleaned them and fixed them. I cleaned out a few others that seemed to have intermittent issues.

All seemed well... until I made this video. It was at the very end of this video when I realized that Oscillator 2 has one voice that isn't working correctly. The Pulse wave is silent. Digging deeper into this, I've found that IC36C pins 4 and 5 are not receiving any voltage. This is voice C (or 3). Unfortunately, so far this is beyond my skillset to fix, but it seems something (hopefully common between these two pins, both related to Pulse wave and PWM) is not working. It's not a bad chip, because I swapped chips and the issue persists on the same location, i.e., it didn't follow the chip. One possibility is that this location is not soldered properly, and those two aren't receiving any information. I'm not sure. I'd have to delve deeper, but again, I'm just out of my depths here.

So what are my thoughts now? I'm frustrated that I put so much money into something that really needed more work than I originally thought... But then again, I've also learned a lot, like how to repair faders, how to do some basic IC chip testing.

I am shocked by people saying it's 'cold'. I don't know what that is about at all. Doesn't sound cold at all to me. It sounds like a proper Roland synth. But wow it has a ton of range. I didn't properly capture it here, but a few sounds I have made sounded like hitting a stringed instrument... it's like you can feel the electricity, where I don't often feel that way with the Prophet 10. It's really a great sounding synth. To me, it retains everything I liked about my Juno 6 and added a lot more. The only thing I really miss about the Juno 6 is the better feeling faders and the smoother cutoff when modulated.

All I can say is - I can't wait to have this thing back to 100%.

Happy New Year!"

Nyle Steiner plays & talks, P-2 Demo of many Time Travel New Wind Sounds - Mark Steiner

video upload by Mark Steiner

"For the Holiday season I'm offering my Time Travel Collection (license to all my sound collections future and past). And this will include the new Nyle Steiner Historical Sound Collection. Sounds he sampled himself and used in Hollywood movie sessions and more.

The first 10 orders will also get a sound named after them. Cool or silly but fun for sure!

Cost during the holidays starting now is $250.

I'll very soon have a full list up. But it includes 100 or more sounds for EVI-NER, Lyricon 1 and 2, Arturia SEM V plugin, Moog Model D for iPad, and more...

Also around 30 to 50 sounds for Anyma Phi, Moog Sirin, Arturia MatrixBrute and Respiro (both for plugin and iPad/iPhone app)... A few of my Respiro sounds will also be free to anyone. I may do up to 100 of those but at least 50.

I am also preparing and will ongoing make new sample sounds for Logic and MainStage ($30 application for Mac). These include per-note sample instrument made from analog synths, rare and exotic modules/modular synths, tube synthesis, samples from vintage EVI and EWI modules and all kinds of things.

I would note, the Anyma Phi just had an update and added more oscillator types including multi-dimensionally morphing wave table oscillators that are frosty and glassy and sound unreal. This is one of the most amazing and diverse sounding instruments and made for wind synths. I'm dying over the sounds I continue to discover within. So 100% something to get if you have a chance. Analog in it sounds soooooo good, and then so much unreal digital and physical modeling... all mixable to 3 independently expressive layers. It's a technology creature of wonder. ---fully unpaid testimonial/bought my own unit :)

Anyone who has already bought any of my sounds can upgrade to this bundle during the holidays for $150.

More info coming soon. More videos of new sounds including the Nyle samples (including his Rapping from the EVI Concerto, his own trumpet playing sample instrument, and his own exotic flute sound he carved.)

Most of these are all ready now, the rest will electronically ship by Thanksgiving.

A few parts of this seem a bit odd. At times I like to keep unexpected things from sessions in the videos as they are unusual, interesting, funny, or whatever. This one had a few things rarely caught organically... some gibberish Tourette's that I don't understand a few times (from my brain injury I'm still climbing back from). I thought I'd never share that but it felt right tonight. So it's just a little something that is organic and personal. I was also just pretty out of it in some ways from being up so late, I'm usually this... um... gone lol. Anyway, an interesting little journal entry in a way.

Thank you so much, sincerely,

Mark"

Doepfer Musikelektronik MS 404: Modular at Heart

video upload by rejected synths

"Ah, the 90s! Those were easier days. No Covid, no masks, and sadly also...no 303s!

While this is an issue that has prevailed ever since, back in the 90s, when Techno ruled supreme, this lack of 303s also gave rise to a whole cottage industry of 303 cloners, companies small and tiny, set up to give ravers what they wanted: one of those shiny acid boxes or, a bit later, when techno production became more professionalized, handy 19 inch rack clones that integrated well into a studio setup, complete with midi and controls over parameters.

Dieter Doepfer, possibly best known for fathering the Eurorack standard, also tried his hand in the cloning business, or at least it seemed, because apart from the obvious naming reference, the MS 404 actually has very little to do with a faithful 303 emulation. Doepfer instead went ahead and created a far more capable machine, that can do about 101 things a 303 can‘t, but, ironically, also can‘t really do 303.

In this video, I will show you some of these things, also including this one thing it obviously can‘t.

So lean back and enjoy some fine German engineering!

Tracklist:

0:00 Intro
1:05 Introduction
3:39 Controls and Connectivity
6:50 Demo I: Not quite 303
8:45 Demo II: Noisy
10:35 Demo III: Does it PWM?
12:36 Demo IV: Dual LFO Mayhem
14:49 Demo V: Filter Input
16:32 Demo Jam
20:21 Concusion
20:59 Outro"

RS046.1 Doepfer Musikelektronik MS 404 'No Talking Edition'


RS047 Tech Support: Doepfer MS-404 - Some Simple Mods


"As a kid, growing up on shows like A-Team and Mc Gyver, I used to think that, with some knowledge, you could just hack things together, like they did on these shows, building useful gear from junk that happened to be around. This fascination never quite left me and led to me unscrewing broken electronics to have a peek inside, imagining I would be able to build something cool.

But, growing up in the 80s meant there still wasn’t any YouTube or even basic internet around just yet, so the only resources where I could have learned some basic electronics stuff were wildly confusing and much too complicated for me back then, so I resorted to Legos.

Much later, I learned how to (barely) handle a soldering iron and toyed around with some simple electronics projects, collecting some knowledge here and there. So when I finally ended up with the service manual of the MS 404 I knew the time had come to try some synth modding.

The Service Manual didn’t only provide me with schematics but even included some suggestions on how to mod the 404. Even better, during it’s very design, the synth had already been created with expandability/moddability in mind. And because it ain’t no tiny electronics Volca, even my limited soldering skills are suffice to realize some of these modifications.

The first, and probably easiest thing I did, was to tap into multiple jumpers layed out around the board, this way, it’s super easy to add switches for LFO waveform selection and filter envelope behavior.

The second mod is a little more demanding, it’s something I came about when trying to build a tiny crossfade mixer. Utilizing a pot, it’s actually possible, to mix the signals of the saw and square wave VCO outputs, so I did that as well as adding a second pot in order to be able to mix in some noise into the VCO signal, sh101 style.

I’ve tested my ideas thoroughly before going as far as drilling holes into the faceplate, and from what I’ve learned about electronics so far, which isn’t too much to be honest, they should be safe modifications when applied correctly. Still, I just want to make it a 100% sure that I will not take any responsibility when you damage your 404 while applying any of these mods."

Mark Steiner - Time Travel Wind Synth Sound Collection (incl. the Nyle Steiner Historical Patches)

video upload by Mark Steiner

"For the Holiday season I'm offering my Time Travel Collection (license to all my sound collections future and past). And this will include the new Nyle Steiner Historical Sound Collection. Sounds he sampled himself and used in Hollywood movie sessions and more.

The first 10 orders will also get a sound named after them. Cool or silly but fun for sure!

Cost during the holidays starting now is $250.

I'll very soon have a full list up. But it includes 100 or more sounds for EVI-NER, Lyricon 1 and 2, Arturia SEM V plugin, Moog Model D for iPad, and more...

Also around 30 to 50 sounds for Anyma Phi, Moog Sirin, Arturia MatrixBrute and Respiro (both for plugin and iPad/iPhone app)... A few of my Respiro sounds will also be free to anyone. I may do up to 100 of those but at least 50.

I am also preparing and will ongoing make new sample sounds for Logic and MainStage ($30 application for Mac). These include per-note sample instrument made from analog synths, rare and exotic modules/modular synths, tube synthesis, samples from vintage EVI and EWI modules and all kinds of things.

I would note, the Anyma Phi just had an update and added more oscillator types including multi-dimensionally morphing wave table oscillators that are frosty and glassy and sound unreal. This is one of the most amazing and diverse sounding instruments and made for wind synths. I'm dying over the sounds I continue to discover within. So 100% something to get if you have a chance. Analog in it sounds soooooo good, and then so much unreal digital and physical modeling... all mixable to 3 independently expressive layers. It's a technology creature of wonder. ---fully unpaid testimonial/bought my own unit :)

Anyone who has already bought any of my sounds can upgrade to this bundle during the holidays for $150.

More info coming soon. More videos of new sounds including the Nyle samples (including his Rapping from the EVI Concerto, his own trumpet playing sample instrument, and his own exotic flute sound he carved.)

Most of these are all ready now, the rest will electronically ship by Thanksgiving.

A few parts of this seem a bit odd. At times I like to keep unexpected things from sessions in the videos as they are unusual, interesting, funny, or whatever. This one had a few things rarely caught organically... some gibberish Tourette's that I don't understand a few times (from my brain injury I'm still climbing back from). I thought I'd never share that but it felt right tonight. So it's just a little something that is organic and personal. I was also just pretty out of it in some ways from being up so late, I'm usually this... um... gone lol. Anyway, an interesting little journal entry in a way.

Thank you so much, sincerely,

Mark"

Five 100% Erica Synths PERKONS Techno jams

video upload by Dave Mech

"Here's another video with a couple of jams. I left some of the parts in where you can see i'm experimenting a bit and trying to find where to take things. It's the parts where I landed on something great :). Now a matter of getting a feel for this instrument to more or less do this with eyes closed. I'm just experimenting right now to see how to get energetic grooves out of this thing quickly. To do it quickly will take some time to get the muscle memory in place. And much more to explore sound wise as well. You can really use the LFO in creative ways to take the sound pallet further.

Enjoy!

00:00 - Groove 1
00:39 - Groove 2
01:16 - Marker 3
03:00 - Marker 4
08:03 - Marker 5"

Roland Rando

video upload by zack dagoba

"Benge's Roland System 100

Just had this fixed up and discretely modified by LucidSounds. He serviced and calibrated it, got everything working right, and then added some of the mods I asked for - external PWM of the 2 VCOs, LFO jack outputs, extra cv/gate inputs with built-in comparators so that the clocks can be triggered from anything, S&H clock in, I think that was everything. Quite a job!

Now it can do some fun things that normal 100s can't do, but it has THAT sound!

I put the sound of the System 100 up there with all the other early 70s classics"

What remains | Spectralis II and Prophet 12 somber downtempo electronic music

video upload by MIDERA

"Today I spoke with my mom - and it's just... hard to see parents age (I lost my dad about 12 years ago now). Sometimes it seems like, maybe he was the lucky one to go when he was younger and didn't have these problems. Pain just seems to turn into the daily terror, haunting every part of your life. I sit here and know there's nothing I can do, except sit here and listen, and hope that things improve... and yet, we are all tending towards that end....

As for this track - well, I've been trying to get back into using the Spectralis in different ways. Here, I've taken all the drums, routed them into the 12db MM filter and used the HP filter with resonance at 100% And the cutoff around 30db, which really causes the bass to come out. Piano and strings from the Spectralis as well.

All sounds sent through Eventide Blackhole VST."

Surge XT Quick Minute

video upload by boxoftextures

"Well, this was not the video I was expecting to upload today but was surprised with the release yesterday of Surge XT. New and improved! I really liked the original (non-XT version) and I really like this one; can do all sorts of things with it as it's easy to use but super deep. This is just a minute or so, basically just a shimmering pad (my usual I suppose). Gimme a few weeks and who knows what'll happen! 100% Surge XT, nothing else.

https://surge-synthesizer.github.io

Audio routing done with BlackHole16
https://github.com/ExistentialAudio/B...

Screen capture, audio recording, and video editing all done in ScreenFlow
https://www.telestream.net/screenflow/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/selgart
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/boxoftextures"

Dream Machine/The Beast: Ex Bar-Kays Memorymoog SN 1493

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

via this auction

"This special and wonderful Memorymoog was a driving force behind the distinctive Bar-Kays super-funk sound, both on the road and in their recording sessions at Ardent Studios in Memphis.

Ownership History
When the music industry started going crazy for all things digital and the Fairlight Audio Workstation was all the rage, the ownership of this Moog went from the Bar-Kays to Ardent Studios, and then to me in 1985. It then continued on in recording sessions at Ardent, then from there to my Memphis home studio, and in the early 90s went into temperature controlled storage at my house, being occasionally set up and played over the past couple decades.

Now Fully Reconditioned
Thoroughly and meticulously reconditioned by the renowned analog synth experts at British Audio in Nashville, this Moog plays as new, right down to the newly felted key stops. The 100% original cabinet has not been altered in any way; the dings and scratches were all well-earned in its early Bar-Kays days, and I wouldn't want to do away with a single nick.
Model 345A w/Hold & Arpeggiator Functions
S/N 1493

Newly reconditioned to 100% as-new in all functions & operation, including quick 6 oscillator auto tuning from cold start, correct/consistent function and feel on all keys, all buttons, dials & wheels
Accurate, bright digital readouts

Includes:
Owners Manual in excellent condition
Memorymoog presets cassette for downloading all factory sounds
120 VAC power cord"

CLICK FOR MORE »

Voltage Modular VM900 System 35 Sequence

video upload by boxoftextures

"Built a Moog System 35 modular system using the VM900 Collection modules in Voltage Modular. Essentially the System 35 is one row of modules, but in this case I've also added the Sequencer Complement B Expansion Cabinet as well. I've also built the larger System 55, which adds another row of modules to the cabinet, and am planning to make the smaller Model 15 as well. Can't quite duplicate them exactly but they're darn close. One of the things that's not the same is the signal routing modules, which aren't in Voltage Modular, although to be fair you don't at all need them in the software version the way you do in hardware. Another difference is that there's "only" a selection of modules as opposed to everything Moog ever made. That's also not a problem either. As an example, the 921ABB dual oscillator module in the System 35 isn't included in the VM900 Collection, but the 921ABBB from the System 55 is, so while not 100% authentic you can just pretend your System 35 doesn't have those extra B oscillators. Another difference is the keyboard interface modules, but again, because this is software that's not really a problem. Lastly the half-height row of the cabinet, the one at the bottom with the Console Panels, isn't part of either Voltage Modular or the VM900 Collection. But once again, that's not really an issue as you do have the functionality of those modules in the software regardless.

This video was recorded uninterrupted from start to finish, with no cuts or edits in the video at all. Note that it takes a few minutes to patch together enough modules for the thing to actually make noises, perhaps around 5 minutes or so. Also, I start from the bare System 35 and patch it all from scratch, with captions and highlights to show what I'm doing. Downloadable patch files will be posted for my Patreon subscribers shortly, so if you'd like to grab those head on over there and join up if you'd like."

Twitter: https://twitter.com/selgart
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/boxoftextures

Throw out the Preset #2 - Bladerunner Sound with the Sequential Prophet-6

video by 100 Things I Do

"I thought today we could have a look and how we can take inspiration from the function of the CS-80 and how it makes a specific sound to drive easy patch creation of that classic Bladerunner Opening synth sound."

And the previous episode with Logic Sampler:

Throw out the Preset#1

video by 100 Things I Do

"In the first Video for this year I thought I would kick off what will hopefully be a new series of videos called 'Throw out the Preset'. The title is of course in jest but I really want to continuing encouraging you all to explore what can be done with your Synths, Samplers, instruments and studio software"

Further Synclavier Adventures

video by 100 Things I Do

"Its been a while since I did a Synclavier clip..... so here it is!

In some ways i'm going back to the beginning and explaining how to create patches and how to explore this unique implementation of FM :D"

100 Things I Do Synclavier posts

Soundsauca Modal Argon8 & Cobalt8 Soundsets

Modal Argon8 Presets - Daydrifta sound set demonstration by Soundsauca
video by Soundsauca

"Riding the wave of excitement surrounding the recent Modal Electronics Cobalt8 announcement. Soundsauca did what any dedicated but uninformed synth nut would do, create a bank for last year's hot potato! - and a fine one at that. Unfashionably late but dedicated to the synth party! Daydrifta is a 64 preset collection for the Modal Electronics Argon8.

The bank is available here: https://www.soundsauca.com/sounds/mod...​

Daydrifta is my offering to the gaseous synth god of Argon. An intricate and beautiful sounding synth, the Argon8 delivers shimmering sonics and glassy undulations in abundance.

Whilst the Argon8 is known as a majestic synth for ambient based genres, I also probed it's other side to see where it leads. And I found plenty! Crunchy crashes, kicks, analog renditions, tortured leads and arps and some wubs to keep those Cobalt cravings at bay!

But it's clear what the Argon does best and hopefully this sound set won't disappoint.

Nobility
As a bonus to all you Argon owners there will be an extra 36 sounds in the bank, rounding things out to 100."

Modal Cobalt8 Presets - Baltica sound set demonstration by Soundsauca
video by Soundsauca

"Baltica for the Modal Electronics Cobalt8 serves up an extended concoction of analog entwined pads, retro leads, old school stabs and ethereal effects. 100 patches are included (65 in the video and 35 more).

The bank is available for free either from:
– https://www.modalelectronics.com​
– https://www.soundsauca.com/sounds/mod...​"

Synth Demos by Lost Clouds

If ou are viewing this post from the front page you will see a more link directly below. Click it before you start to get to the list of videos plus descriptions for each. You can use the controls at the bottom of the player to skip around. You can find Lost Clouds music at https://lostcl0uds.bandcamp.com

CLICK FOR MORE »

Moog, Nord and Oberheim Noodle

video by 100 Things I Do

"Recorded live, no edits!

A quick one this week! It's been a while since I did a music only clip so here one is! :D"

Announcing Three Noise Engineering AAX Plugins

video by Noise Engineering

"Noise Engineering AAX plugins are available now! Our first three plugins are available now for Pro Tools users. They're called Basimilus Iteritas, Cursus Vereor, and Desmodus. For a limited time they are available exclusively at the Avid Store. Learn more about them and purchase at

What's this all about? Learn more at our blog post: https://www.noiseengineering.us/blog/aax"

CLICK FOR MORE »

Jamuary #19 - Track from scratch on the Spectralis

TheTechnobear

"Today's Jam is on the Radical Technologies Spectralis, a rare beast, yet one of the most powerful gooveboxes ever made.

I have to admit I dont use the Spectralis that often these days (though that could change after today) ... so really I just wanted to refamiliarise myself it ... as Id forgotten alot.

Then I realised its likely few have seen the Spectralis in action - so decided to do a kind of walkthrough to show it in action.


This is 100% Spectralis, all done on the fly.
the only thing Id prepared was which have some sounds loaded into each part (aka track).... even that I got wrong on last part ;)

So its a warts n' all , so forgive my 'rustiness'.

Coming back to the Spectralis I was struck by a few things:

The sound is fantastic, Id forgotten how good it was.
It has a reputation for complexity, and there is no denying that... but still I was surprised how quickly I got back into it.

As Ive not been using the Spectalis, I have been considering selling it... but have to say a few hours with it has reignitied my passion for it.
There is so much more it can do that I didnt even touch on today.
So, I think I need to put it somewhere where I can use it more again!"

Quantum Noodling - Quick patch creation fun!

100 Things I Do

"One of the great things about the Quantum is the speed at which you can create sounds. I thought I would share a quick Noodle that starts from the blank INIT patch and ends up in a beautiful Solina style patch.

The fun in patch creation is all about the Journey and exploration, I hope to kick off a series of Videos early next year called "Throw out the Preset". I get a huge amount of comments asking for me to sell patches and sounds but I would prefer I inspired you to make your own :D"

DSC - DIGITAL SOUND CHIPS OPUS MAX BOARD

DSC - DIGITAL SOUND CHIPS

From the creators of the Bluebox synthesizer comes a new project for DIYers. Currently on Kickstarter here.

"A short introduction to the OPUS MAX BOARD music computer and development board for making music gear with the STM32H750 micro controller. https://digitalsoundchips.com It will come with a profession grade synthesizer and audio effects unit to loop sounds through the board externally. And with information on how to make your own music gear like synthesizers and audio effect units."

"Back in 2011 the worlds smallest synthesizer DSC Bluebox was made, but vent by unnoticed. This time Digital Soundchips that made the synthesizer is back, and want to solve the problems that they once went through for you and others.

Now we a ready to present a single-board computer for audio plugins and music gear. And with one profession grade synthesizer plugin, and a multi effects unit to loop audio through. That uses a open plugin standard with plugins on microSD card.

Imagine making professional music hardware gear, based on a super simple audio plugin format. And develop music gear that can use several plugins simultaneously.

We want to make a pre-configured scalable solution, so you can start writing your audio code and run ready-made plugins. And lower the development time for new music gear from years or month's, to weeks.

Lets make it faster and fun to develop commercially viable professional music gear.

CLICK FOR MORE »

The Halloween Vibes

100 Things I Do

"Quoth the Raven nevermore! I don't know if Halloween in 2020 can be as scary as the rest of 2020 has been so far but its the perfect time to enjoy some spooky fun vibes from the Theremin! :D

I finally have a new camera, its going to take a while to learn how to get the best from it but today I thought I would have a play around with the workflow and see what came out. Hope this entertains you

If you want to hear more of my music please check out

Lander by Myself and Charles Urban available now @ Lander2.bandcamp.com"