The Infamous ARP Avatar

video upload by Alex Ball

"A look at the infamous ARP Avatar from 1977. This is the first proper guitar demo of it to be uploaded to YouTube!

0:00 Intro
1:48 The Guitar Setup
2:28 Hex Preamp, Hex Fuzz, Special Effect
5:15 Pitch to CV
5:53 Here's the problem
7:10 Workarounds
9:22 Use as just a synth
10:26 Summary
11:41 Feature Song 'Right Back Round'


Further reading and watching:

https://www.alexballmusic.com/arp-avatar

Alan R Pearlman Foundation: https://alanrpearlmanfoundation.org/ [See the ARP Foundation interview with Alex Ball here]

Thanks: Dina Pearlman, Dave Friend, Bill Singer, Rick Parent, Mary Lock, Paul DeRocco, Bob Hoffman, James Martin, Nathan @ Synthchaser, TC and Phil M."

ARPchivesLIVE!!! Episode I: Alex Ball

Published on Apr 29, 2020 Alan R. Pearlman Foundation

"Dina Pearlman (d'ARP) Executive Director of The Alan R. Pearlman Foundation visits (remotely) the studio of Alex Ball, documentarian and videoographer who created ELECTROMOTIVE: The Story of ARP Synthesizers." [posted here]

A Closer Look at the Jupiter-8

video by Alex Ball

"A closer look at the legendary Roland Jupiter-8, an iconic polysynth from 1981.

Huge thanks to Shadow Child for the generous loan.

The end track is available here:



0:00​ Intro
1:10​ Demo 1: Ramp & Sync
1:44​ Demo 2: Unison Twist
2:04​ The Jupiter-8 Concept
3:24​ Demo 3: Bells
3:55​ Demo 4: Soft Chords
4:17​ The Jupiter VCOs
5:00​ Demo 5: Drill Wah
5:25​ Demo 6: Espen Kraftwerk
6:17​ The Jupiter VCFs
6:51​ Demo 7: Four By Four
7:23​ Demo 8: Filmscore
8:23​ Comparison to a Prophet~10
10:25​ The Key Modes
11:32​ Summary & Thoughts
13:15​ Contextual Demo: 'The Power'

The Links I Cited:
https://www.roland.com/uk/promos/rola...​
http://www.florian-anwander.de/roland..."

Prophet vs Prophet - The Results (and what we discovered)

video by Alex Ball

Curious if he used the REV3 filter setting on the REV4 or the REV4 filter. Either way, they both sound great to me. Great comparision.
Update via Alex Ball: Curtis / rev3 throughout.

"This is a follow up to this video from last week: [posted here]

The answers were:
1A Rev 4 / 1B Rev 3
2A Rev 4 / 2B Rev 3
3A Rev 4 / 3B Rev 3
4A Rev 3 / 4B Rev 4
5A Rev 3 / 2B Rev 4
6A Rev 4 / 3B Rev 3
7A Rev 4 / 7B Rev 3
8A Rev 3 / 8B Rev 4
9A Rev 4 / 9B Rev 3


148 people gave a full set of 9 answers and out of 1,332 individual answers 740 (55%) were correct and 592 (45%) were incorrect.

In this video I explain that in a little more detail and talk about what we discovered that's of note.

Thanks for watching."

Grp Synthesizer A4 | Kid Gloves

Alex Ball

"The Grp Synthesizer A4 is an Italian analogue synthesizer originally released in 2012.

Combining classic subtractive synthesis with modern desires, it's got pretty tasty spec.

To save the longest video description ever, here's a link to Theo Bloderer's comprehensive breakdown: https://greatsynthesizers.com/en/revi...

In this video I tried to make use of the A4's architecture, whilst keeping things musical. It's very easy with this much power at your fingertips to overcook it and just make either a sonic mess, or a sound that only works in isolation. Hopefully I've struck the balance.

Examples of things I did:
Dual sequence utilising the playback and step repeat modes. I sequenced some chords in one section with oscillator 1 + 2 (tuned a fifth apart) following sequencer A and oscillator 3 following sequencer B.

For the lead sound I also used the sequencer as a modulation source sent to phase synched oscillators and the filters that also had its tempo CV'd from an envelope so that it sped up and down rollercoaster style.

I ran my Juno through the A4 via the external signal in and envelope follower. This allowed me to control the A4 from the Juno, but have the dual A4 filters on it. I also tuned in two of the A4's oscillators to complimentary intervals and they were coming through with the Juno every time it gated the synth.

The main riff was a blend of three oscillators and the ring modulator with a combination of linear and exponential modulation and oscillator sync.

There were also various stereo bass sounds - subby and round, sharp and phat, and driven and heavy. The distortion comes from the synth itself.

I also made some floaty, trippy sounds with the A4 in the middle eight, as well as various FX.

Hopefully this all gives a glimpse into what it can do.

Gear used:
Grp A4 (2012)
Arturia KeyStep Pro (2020)
Arturia MicroFreak (2019)
Roland System 100m (1979)
Roland Juno-6 (1982)
Roland TR-707 (1985)
Korg MS-20 (1978)
Korg KR-55B (1982)
Sequential Drumtraks (1984)
AMS RMX-16 (1981)
AMS DMX 15~80S (1978)
Ibanez RM-80 (early 80s)
Vocals recorded with an AKG C414S

Mixed by Alex Ball
Mastered by Jakob at Sonic Peak Studio"

Alan R. Pearlman Foundation Odyssey 50th Anniversary Celebration with Alex Ball !

video upload by Alan R. Pearlman Foundation

"As a kick-off for the November 5th celebration of the 50th anniversary of the ARP Odyssey, Alex Ball returns to YouTube to extoll everything ARP Odyssey, a little demo, a little music, a little tech-talk and as always, LOADS of FUN!

Join us for the 2022: A Fifty-Year ARP Odyssey Synthposium and Fundraiser. Go to bit.ly/2022-Odyssey to purchase tickets for the online event. All proceeds to The Alan R Pearlman Foundation's ARPs for ALL project.

Go to bit.ly/2022-Odyssey for tickets!"

Traveler: A Korg Retrospective

video upload by Alex Ball

Alex Ball Retrospective

"In 1963 two young men stepped into a factory next to the Keio railway line in Shinjuku, Japan. Their ambition was to make a new autorhythm machine, but over the next six decades their company would become one of the biggest players in music technology and would help define the sound of music around the world.

A huge thank you to all at Korg and to all the people who gave up their time and expertise to make this film film happen. A full list of credits is at the end of the film.

0:00 INTRO
1:34 FORMATION
6:19 SEVENTIES
19:34 EIGHTIES
32:38 NINETIES
40:21 NOUGHTIES
47:12 TENS
51:09 SO TO NOW
52:25 OUTRO / CREDITS"

How the Escape From New York music was made (feat. Alan Howarth)

Published on Apr 20, 2019 Alex Ball

Another great bit of synth history from Alex Ball who brought us Land of the Rising Sound | A Roland Retrospective.

"In 1981, John Carpenter and Alan Howarth worked on their first film score together; Escape from New York. This was the genesis of a fruitful decade of collaboration.

The film has gone on to become a cult-classic, but the score has taken on a life of its own and had great influence upon many musicians.

I was planning to break down how some of the cues were made and decided to try to contact Alan Howarth to ask him some questions. Amazingly, he responded and was gracious enough to be interviewed for this film.

A rare treat, we hear from the horses mouth how the whole collaboration came about, how the music was composed, what equipment was used and how on earth they sync'd things up in a pre-digital world.

Alan is still active and working on new scores and new technology, so we also get to hear what he's up to in 2019 and even get a peak at his current studio where some gear from Escape from New York still resides.

Massive thanks to Alan and thank you for watching."

The Linn LM-1: The Drum Machine that changed everything

Published on Jul 7, 2018 Alex Ball

"This is the story of the Linn LM-1, the world's first ever digital drum machine. Iconic and incredibly rare, you're unlikely to ever see one (only 500 ever made). One was on sale that had bizarrely been found in a communal bin! The seller was generous enough to let me test it and film it briefly before it went.

Here's a link to the samples recorded from it: https://www.dropbox.com/s/6lbofq90s54...

Some credits:
Many synth posters and images taken from this amazing archive: http://retrosynthads.blogspot.com/

CLICK FOR MORE »

2022: A Fifty-Year ARP Odyssey Odyssey Synthposium

video upload by Alan R. Pearlman Foundation

"November 5 we'll be having our annual Synthposium! Check out bit.ly/2022-Odyssey to learn more. Get your tickets now!

Music by Alex Ball
Video by Mary Lock
Artwork by Sharon Wasko (with art from original ARP artist Margaret Shepherd)"

ABOUT THE 2022: A 50 YEAR ARP ODYSSEY SYNTHPOSIUM

Location: Online, streaming from David Friend Recital Hall, Boston, MA

Date: November 5th, 2022 10:00am – 2:00pm (East Coast USA time)

*Please adjust your time zones accordingly*

Hosted by: The Berklee College of Music's Electronic Production and Design Department

CLICK FOR MORE »

Roland TB-303 | Push the Accent

Published on Apr 17, 2018 Alex Ball

"A song about the legendary Roland TB-303, performed on an original unit.

Featuring:
Roland TB-303 (Borg modded, although I just used the classic sound)
Roland TR-606
Roland TR-707
Roland SH-101
All clocked by an Arturia BeatStep Pro
Yamaha DX7 piano chord sampled and replayed
Some Loopmasters samples
TR-909 Kick and clap in places (samples)
Vocals recorded with an AKG C414

If you enjoyed this and want to support me, please check out my album (active links on YT):

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/fil...
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/3CD4wU...
Amazon Music: http://amzn.eu/gVXjtJL
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/music/a...
Napster: https://us.napster.com/artist/alex-ba..."

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."

Roland Introduces the SH-4d Desktop Synthesizer

Update: two more user videos (Alex Bell's & Starsky Carr's) added to the user playlist below.

video uploads by RolandChannel

"Lose yourself in a world of sound with the Roland SH-4d Synthesizer, a powerful desktop instrument featuring hands-on workflow and deep synthesis tools for in-the-moment magic. Watch as Detroit techno legend Carl Craig takes the SH-4d for a spin, bringing you on a sonic odyssey and diving headfirst into the unit’s array of sonic capabilities.

What’s inside the SH-4d? Command eleven OSC Models for a diverse range of sound-design possibilities, from vintage analog synths and PCM-based sounds to cutting-edge digital tones. Create custom kits with the rhythm part’s rich tone-shaping capabilities containing 26 unique drum instruments that can each be designed from scratch.

Spur spontaneous musical moments with the multitimbral sequencer, extensive effects, and plenty of polyphony. And with the loaded front panel, dynamic controls, motion recording, and more, you can transform ideas into short loops or complete songs as quickly as your ideas come."

User videos (ordered by shortest videos first - use the player controls to skip around):



Playlist:
Roland SH-4d : First jam - Freaky Tweaky
The Roland SH-4d In a Nutshell - Alex Ball
Roland SH-4d：基本機能・VISUAL ARPEGGIO・D-MOTIONの説明 - Freaky Tweaky
Roland SH-4D 1st Look - Sonic LAB - sonicstate
Roland SH-4d Demo & Review - musictrackjp
ROLAND SH-4d REVIEW // Rolands best synthesizer groovebox yet?! - BoBeats
Roland Synthesizer SH-4d Review // A Synth Groovebox with Vintage Vibes - Starsky Carr
Roland SH-4d Review: The multi-engine synth battle heats up! // Full SH4d tutorial - loopop
Roland SH-4d Mega Tutorial - True Cuckoo

And the press release:

Future Retro Desktop Synth with 11 OSC Models, Pro Sound Design Tools, Hands-On Workflow, and Multitimbral Pattern Sequencer

Los Angeles, CA, February 23, 2023 — Roland announces the SH-4d Synthesizer, a powerful new desktop instrument focused on synthesis and sound design. With 11 OSC Models and a hands-on panel filled with knobs, buttons and sliders, the SH-4d fuels on-the-spot creation and endless sonic discoveries. It also features a multitimbral sequencer with four synth parts and a customizable rhythm part, allowing users to compose intricate patterns with motion recording, extensive effects and more. Equally suited for studio, stage and traveling, the SH-4d is a fun and versatile instrument that will appeal to both modern electronic music creators and synth collectors everywhere.

Fifty years ago, Roland launched its first synthesizer, the groundbreaking SH-1000. The SH name has represented the company’s core synthesizer instruments ever since, merging innovative new technologies with tactile interfaces for quickly designing sounds in the moment. The SH-4d opens the next chapter in the long-running series, offering Roland’s latest analog modeling advancements and a deep-yet-inviting panel that catalyzes creativity and rewards exploration at every turn.

Detroit techno legend Carl Craig was so impressed with the SH-4d that he agreed to be the face of the launch video, delivering a spirited performance featuring new music composed solely on the unit. "That machine is a little monster,” he said after spending just a short time with the SH-4d. “So many options to not only shape sound but to shape the musical composition too."

Eleven OSC Models offer diverse sound-crafting possibilities, from vintage analog tones with SH-4d, SH-3D, Chord, Ring and Sync Models to cutting-edge digital textures with Cross FM, Wavetable and Drawing Models. Influential voices from Roland’s historic past include SH-101 and JUNO-106 Models and a PCM Model with a large selection of sample-based sounds. The SH-4d also features a flexible drum synthesizer with rich tone-shaping capabilities for creating custom kits from scratch.

The SH-4d puts everything creators need for pro sound design at their fingertips, with 32 knobs, four sliders and a massive array of multi-function buttons. The LCD, sliders and buttons automatically reconfigure their functions to follow the selected mode, eliminating menu-dive roadblocks that slow the creative flow. Dedicated Filter, Amp and LFO sections are always ready to shape any tone or pattern. And with the powerful Matrix section, users can create an even wider range of sounds by routing the output of the LFO or envelope generator to parameters in a Model.

Among its many tricks, the SH-4d features built-in motion sensors that allow the user to pick up the synth and adjust sounds with physical movements. D-Motion mode provides X/Y control for two parameters, while the unique Visual Arpeggio shapes note patterns via fun interactive displays.

The SH-4d sequencer is always a button press away, ready to transform sound ideas into compact loops or extended compositions. Up to 60 notes of total polyphony provide ample resources to develop complete musical ideas in the box. There’s also a versatile selection of renowned Roland effects to frost, finesse, rough up or mangle tones and patterns.

The SH-4d runs on a standard USB-C phone charger or AA batteries for up to four hours. There’s a two-plus octave button keyboard for self-contained composition, plus MIDI I/O for use as a sound module and controller in an expanded hardware setup. The SH-4d also functions as a USB-C audio/MIDI interface with 12 discrete audio channels for computer music production.

CLICK FOR MORE »

The super cool Korg Synthe-Bass from 1975!

Published on Nov 28, 2019 Alex Ball

"A Korg Synthe-Bass (aka SB-100) from 1975 stopped by for a quick demo. In this video I walk through what it does and then make a short track with it at the end.

The Synthe-Bass was used most famously by Dave Ball from Soft Cell and Röyksopp used it too, but it's generally not that well known and there's not many videos about it on YouTube, so hopefully this goes some way towards rectifying that as I think it's fantastic.

Thanks for watching."

ARP Odyssey | On The Wire - RIP Buena Pearlman

Alex Ball

Buena Pearlman is Alan R. Pearlman's wife. She passed away Friday, July 3, 2020.

"This is an original composition and performance I made with the ARP Odyssey from the mid-70s.

A few days ago as I was finishing this video I heard that Buena Pearlman had sadly passed at the age of 93. I had the pleasure of briefly speaking to her on a Skype call last year whilst we were recording with an ARP 2002 and she said 'I remember those' with a wry smile when we proudly showed the instrument.

https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obitu...

As a small gesture, I've put this song up on Bandcamp and any sales I generate from it will go to the Alan R Pearlman Foundation.

https://alexball.bandcamp.com/track/a...

https://alanrpearlmanfoundation.org/

Thank you"

Update: via Levine Chapels

"Buena (Alcalay) Pearlman, age 93, of Newton, passed away on Friday, July 3, 2020. Beloved wife of the late Alan R. Pearlman. Buena was born in Belgrade, then the capital of Yugoslavia, on August 1, 1926. The lives of Buena, her brother, Albert, and their parents, Lepa and Samuel Alcalay, were interrupted by the German invasion of Yugoslavia in 1941. She and her family fled Nazi-occupied Belgrade, where Jews faced near-certain death, and were eventually interned in the Ferramonti camp by Italy's Fascist government before it fell, allowing them an opportunity to escape Europe for good. Years later, she recounted her Holocaust survival story to the Shoah Foundation.

Buena was a bookkeeper for several Massachusetts-based companies including ARP Instruments and The Society of Arts and Crafts. She was a crafts-person in her own right, creating beautiful enamels on copper.

A friend to many, Buena’s humor and kindness will be missed by all who knew her.

Buena is survived by her only daughter, Dina Ruth Pearlman of Kingston, New York and many nephews and cousins."

Alan R. Pearlman passed away on January 5, 2019

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"

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."

Roland TR-606 | Component Exponent

Published on Mar 16, 2018 Alex Ball

"Found an old TR-606 in the back of a music shop. so here's a quick jam.

It's like a mini version of the 808 with very reduced features. It's entirely analogue and the sounds are great, but the kick drum is no match for its older brother. But for a 10th of the price of an 808, I can't really complain!

The other sounds are as seen - Juno-6 being triggered by the 606 and playing filtered noise and arpeggios, a 707 for some layering, the animal that is the Korg MS20 and a Baritone guitar with some vox wah and Tubescreamer distortion.

There's also some other bits and bobs going on, but I decided to keep it quite raw and minimal."

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"

Arp 2600 Synthposium Highlights

video upload by Alan R. Pearlman Foundation

"The ARP 2600 Synthposium was a success thanks to your contributions and participation! Thank you to all who attended. We are so pleased to announce we met our Summer Fundraiser goal!
Miss the live event? We’ve got you covered! Visit bit.ly/ARP2600-encorewhat you can and gain full access to the 8 hour day, packed with exclusive content from the leaders of the synthesis.

Music by Alex Ball

#ARPSFORALL

bit.ly/ARP2600-encore"