MATRIXSYNTH: Search results for Alex Ball


Showing posts sorted by date for query Alex Ball. Sort by relevance Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by date for query Alex Ball. Sort by relevance Show all posts

Thursday, March 21, 2024

The YMO Music Computer


video upload by Alex Ball

"A look at the revolutionary Roland MC-8 from 1977 which was one of the earliest microprocessor-controlled digital sequencers. Around 200 of these units were made and they were extremely expensive.

As I've covered the history of this unit several times, I thought it would be interesting to follow in the footsteps of a band that made significant use of the MC-8, which was Yellow Magic Orchestra.

In the video we look at how the MC-8 works and use it to compose a track in the style of YMO using the techniques and (where possible) instruments that they used in the late 70s.

Thank you to my Patrons for their support. The track, stems and MC-8 data are available there.
https://www.patreon.com/AlexBallMusic

You can buy the track on my Bandcamp: https://alexball.bandcamp.com

0:00 Intro
0:47 YMO, Hideki Matsutake and the MC-8
2:25 The MC-8 Interface
5:12 Programming the MC-8
10:43 Transport and Saving
12:20 Overdub and Sync
13:15 MPX Programming
15:10 Summary
15:50 The Feature Track - Lovers in Tokyo"

Friday, March 15, 2024

Make That Gary Numan Synth Sound


video upload by Starsky Carr

"The easiest way to get the classic Gary Numan CARS Vox Humana sound is to download Alex Ball's sample pack. Sampled from a vintage PolyMoog, and all proceeds go to the Bob Moog Foundation. A worthy cause, so download it even if you won't use it!
https://bobmoogfoundation.myshopify.com

Here's Alex's demo... very nice as per usual: [posted here]

But if you want to have ago yourself, this is the second easiest way.. just follow these 10 easy steps. It's a simple enough tone to recreate, but to get it as close as possible you'll need 3 LFOs. If your synth only has 1 LFO you can get close enough for a bit of Numanesque electro synth hero action."

Friday, March 08, 2024

What Is All That Stuff Inside A Polymoog (by synthpro)


video upload by synthpro

"This is a video I felt it was time to make going over the polymoog more in depth technically to go hand in hand with @AlexBallMusic's post on the Polymoog synthesizer."

See Alex Ball's Polymoog video here: That Gary Numan Synth. Update:

Dillan's Polymoog 203a Demo (by synthpro)



SN 1244

Thursday, March 07, 2024

That Gary Numan Synth


video upload by Alex Ball

"A look at the Polymoog and how Gary Numan adopted one of the presets from one of the versions to help define his sound.

0:00 Intro
0:41 What is the Polymoog?
8:00 Vox Humana and Gary Numan
13:35 Cars Cover

The sample Instrument
https://bobmoogfoundation.myshopify.c..."

Thursday, February 15, 2024

Dalek Voice Tutorial


video upload by Alex Ball

"How to do the Dalek voice with a ring modulator."

With an ARP 2600 & KORG MS50.

Thursday, February 01, 2024

Cult German Music and a Japanese Sequencer


video upload by Alex Ball

"A look at how the Korg MS-20 and SQ-10 sequencer were an intergral part of the sound of a group of German musicians in the late 70s and early 80s.

0:00 Intro
1:09 Der Mussolini - DAF
5:02 Los NiƱos Del Parque - Liaisons Dangereuses
8:10 Minimal Tape 3/7.2 - Pyrolator
10:48 Sample Pack
11:38 Outro Jam / Patrons

Huge thanks to Brad Holland and my patrons and patreon.

The sample pack is available here: https://www.patreon.com/AlexBallMusic

Synth settings (these are my estimations, rather than certain):

Tuesday, January 30, 2024

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

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


via this auction

"Has the Encore kit which gives the OB-X midi in/out/thru, CC control over certain parameters, and 120 patch locations. PM to determine shipping options. This OB-X was featured in one of Alex Ball‘s videos, please check link." [posted here]

Thursday, December 07, 2023

The Oberheim OB-X (1979)


video upload by Alex Ball

"A look at the classic Oberheim OB-X synthesizer from 1979. Huge thanks to Steven R Sellick for the kind loan!

0:00 Intro
1:07 The Oberheim OB-X
1:30 Potted History
3:01 Demo 1
4:10 What's on an OB-X?
6:50 Demo 2
7:44 The Filter and Tom Sawyer
10:45 Demo 3
11:46 The Impact of the OB-X
13:19 Outro

Huge thank you to my Patreons.
https://www.patreon.com/AlexBallMusic"

Saturday, December 02, 2023

12/1/23 Roland (& RYK & E-licktronic) System 100m + Tapco 4400 + CXM 1978


video upload by Cfpp0

"The sequence and drum pattern are lined up differently in this take, with more emphasis on the upbeat. The E-licktronic 118a snare goes to the Roland 150 and gets a ring mod with one of the 112 oscillator outs, then that snare joins the kick in the 121 filter. The 112 oscillators are going to the other half of the 121, to the 172 phase shifter, to the 130 vca, enveloped by the 140. But the 112 oscillators also go to the 172 gate delay (thanks Alex Ball for the tip) for an extra sub oscillator layer, which goes back to the 112, but it’s not much of a feedback loop. CV from the RYK 185 and several LFOs modulate."

Thursday, November 23, 2023

ARP'S FINAL MONOSYNTH


video upload by Alex Ball

"A look at the last monosynth ARP made, the Solus from 1980.

This is the least known of the trio (Odyssey, Axxe, Solus) because it was only made for a few months before ARP went out of business.

0:00 Intro Demo
1:04 The ARP Solus
1:46 Demo: Solus System
3:06 VCOs
5:49 Things get interesting
7:17 4075 Filter Revelation
8:29 Demo: Solus Sines
10:06 You don't have to be rich...
11:27 Demo: Solus Friends"

Tuesday, November 14, 2023

70s synths baby! #synth #system100 #arpavatar #analogue


video upload by Alex Ball

"These things always deliver. Hardware jam, no processing. Reverb from an AKG BX15 captured as it ran, slowly blended in as the track develops."

Thursday, November 02, 2023

Depeche Mode Drums


video upload by Alex Ball

"A look at a specific drum setup used by Depeche Mode and Daniel Miller on their album, Speak and Spell, from 1981.

0:00 Intro
0:51 KR-55 Snare
1:55 Interfacing Setup
3:23 ARP 2600 Daniel Miller Kick
7:32 Roland MC-4
8:14 Test it out
8:43 Alternative Gear / Sample Pack
9:34 Outro Jam

Get the sample pack:
https://alanrpearlmanfoundation.org/p..."

Thursday, October 12, 2023

McCartney's Weird Sequence


video upload by Alex Ball

"I thought it would be fun to look at one of my favourite uses of the ARP Sequencer, which is in Paul McCartney's 'Temporary Secretary' released in 1980.

I also thought it would be interesting to see what the song would sound like if everything was done on synths, rather than guitars, bass and drums.

0:00 Temporary Secretary
2:00 Let's do our own version
6:01 The Result"

Introducing GForce Oberheim OB-X


video upload by GForce Software

"Beautifully classic, yet resolutely modern. Alex Ball introduces the official GForce Oberheim OB-X virtual instrument.

OB-X and Oberheim are Registered Trademarks of Tom Oberheim."


GForce’s Oberheim OB-X is the world’s first officially endorsed emulation of this famous 80s synth. Yet it sounds modern and lends itself superbly to Electronica, EDM, Drum and Bass, Ambient, Rock, Prog Rock, Hip Hop and more. The original synth was used by immense artists and groups such as Japan, Ultravox, BBC Radiophonic Workshop, Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Depeche Mode, Queen, Larry Dunn, Youth, Chris Franke, Styx and many more. GForce’s OB-X preserves the sound everybody loves and has been upgraded to offer new sonic possibilities.

AN AUTHENTIC OB-X WITH VAST SOUND DESIGN POSSIBILITIES

Oberheim OB-X provides an authentic experience but has been enhanced with powerful features designed for the modern setup. GForce’s OB-X features up to 16 voice polyphony, a vintage control for adding subtle analogue imperfections, four programmable Macros, new intro, retrigger, phase and smoothing features for the LFO, new level destination for the LFO, separate PWM1 and 2, discrete levels, discreet tracking, an arpeggiator, a chord mode with scaler, Chorus, Stereo Delay and Reverb effects, and more. Finally, the GForce’s OB-X has been augmented with X-Modifiers, dedicated LFOs and ADSRs for almost all parameters that take OB-X to the next level of sound design.

CREATE HUGELY COMPLEX, YET MUSICAL, SOUNDS WITH X-MODIFIER TECHNOLOGY

Using our unique X-Modifier technology, the scope of sound modulation possibilities is immense. The intuitive X-LFO and X-ADSR section enables you to work faster without having to set up modulation paths; they’re already set up for you. X-Mods provide you with the ability to create extensive modulations of almost every parameter, allowing you to create hugely complex, yet musical, sounds. So, while the tone and character at the heart of the synth remain authentic to the original, the additional features turn it into a true sonic canvas.

BEYOND THE ORIGINAL

INSPIRATION AT THE SPEED OF SOUND

OB-X, with its fully resizable UI, a powerful new Preset Browser, and over 400 brand new production-ready presets from top-level sound designers, is fully ready for modern production.

Oberheim OB-X features our new, highly flexible preset browser, giving you the power to organise your sounds in a way that suits your workflow. With extensive tagging, sorting and search possibilities, it’s quick and easy to find the presets you want. We’ve included more than 400+ brand new production-ready presets. We’ve enlisted an array of diverse sound designers and artists including Light Bath, GEOsynth, Christian Lafitte, Richard Veenstra and Ramon Kerstens (K/V), Tontario, Stuart Thomas, Zardonic, Drew Schlesinger, Drew Neumann, Noyzlab, Dave Spiers, Tom Wolfe, Graeme Rawson and more. The patches range from resolutely modern to passionately classic with a lot of recreation you might have heard on more than one hit.

https://www.gforcesoftware.com/products/ob-x/

Monday, October 09, 2023

A walking talking tour of Synthfest UK 2023


video upload by DivKid

"Freshly back from Sheffield and my second weekend of synth event here in the UK ... Here's a walking talking tour of Synthfest UK 2023.

You can play along with people and gear spotting as I show you the venue, layout and exhibitors at the show. I had to stop to take a picture of Alex Ball & RYK, as you do."

SynthFest 2023 walk through and poking about

video upload by Molten Music Technology

"Here's me walking through SynthFest 2023 with me 360 camera. It's full of fabulous distortion but should give you an idea of what it's all about.

Index:
Intro - 0:00
Main Hall - 6:10
Yamaha - 19:55
Korg - 21:03
Source - 21:46"

Wednesday, October 04, 2023

SEQUENTIAL Prophet-5 review with (Korg Drumlogue, KR-55 and loads of FX Pedals


video upload by Knobs & Switches

"Here is my first Review about the classic Sequential Prophet-5 full of audio, sampled P-5 Sounds and a bunch of FX Pedals.

https://www.sequential.com

Used Equipment: Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max, Sony ZV-1, Sony ECM-W2BT, Universal Audio Apollo Twin Solo, Steinberg Cubase 12 and Final Cut Pro X"

Also see Alex Ball's The History of the Prophet Synthesizer and related posts here.

Thursday, September 28, 2023

How the TRON Music was made


video upload by Alex Ball

"Back by popular demand, another filmscore breakown. This time we look at Wendy Carlos' 1982 score to Tron.

0:00 Intro
0:49 Wendy Carlos
2:04 Tron - The Instruments
4:44 The Recording Rig
6:39 Cue Breakdown - Tron Theme
9:10 Cue Breakdown - Tron Scherzo
10:22 Cue Breakdown - We've Got Company
11:40 Use of Choir
12:49 Other Music
13:46 Summary & Thanks

Wendy Carlos official page: https://www.wendycarlos.com/+tron.html

D.A Wilson: https://hideawaystudio.net/
Synergenesis: https://hideawaystudio.net/2014/09/26..."

Tuesday, September 19, 2023

Recreating Prodigy's "Smack My Bitch Up" lead sounds with a Frap Tools system.


video upload by Frap Tools

"The idea for this video comes from this excellent tutorial by @AlexBallMusic , thanks a lot!

Full video by Alex Ball here: [posted here]

00:00 Introduction and patch overview: BRENSO and CUNSA
03:25 Adding envelopes and modulation through FALISTRI
06:18 Adding a wild distortion with the CGM creative mixer
08:22 Automating the filter sweep with the USTA sequencer
11:47 The final Smack My Bitch Up patch and closing remarks"

Thursday, September 14, 2023

Tony Banks' Old Synth


video upload by Alex Ball

"Following on from our look at Genesis SP-12 sounds, here's a look at Tony Banks' Roland JD-800 that he used live throughout the 1990s.

In this video, we have a listen to the tour patches stored on the instrument and get a little glimpse into how Genesis did things in front of stadiums full of adoring fans.

Huge thank you to Andrew Ward for the loan of this historic instrument.
Andrew Ward: https://www.instagram.com/arpquadra/

For music from my videos, stems, sample packs and Q&As, please consider my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/AlexBallMusic

0:00 Intro
0:27 Patch 1: Invisible Touch
2:51 Patch 2: Home by the sea Pt 1
4:11 Patch 3: Home by the sea Pt 2
5:33 Patch 4: Domino
6:48 Patch 5: In the cage Pt 1
7:42 Patch 6: In the cage Pt 2
8:24 Patch 7: Mama
9:46 Patch 8: Follow you, follow me
10:31 Patch 9: Watcher of the skies
11:37 Quick Fire: Carpet Crawlers, Abacab, MB
13:04 Outro"

Thursday, September 07, 2023

What's on these GENESIS floppy discs?


video upload by Alex Ball

"This was a very special opportunity indeed, and I really hope you enjoy it.

In a nutshell, I got hold of an E-mu SP-12 from the 80s and then discovered that a friend, Andrew Ward, has some of Phil Collins and Mike Rutherford's original floppy discs for it that are part of his Genesis equipment collection.

Chris Poacher leant us a floppy drive and I fired up the discs, possibly for the first time in over 30 years. In this video, we find out what I discovered!

0:00 Intro
1:01 Extracting the sounds
1:46 Phil Collins custom samples
3:40 Phil Collins song data
4:14 It's alive!
6:24 Mike + The Mechanics custom samples
7:55 Bonus Sounds
8:28 Summary
9:20 Fake Genesis Jam"
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