Yamaha SHS-10 - a mini FM keytar

video upload by Alfonse

"Music: 'Adventure Plank' (C) Copyright 2023 Alfonse
Download the track here: https://alfonse.bandcamp.com/track/ad...

Yamaha SHS-10 'Sholky' (1987)

This is a 2-op FM synth in the form of a mini-keytar, with pitch bend wheel and vibrato in easy reach of the left hand on the neck. It has a MIDI Out port, which allows you to use it to control other instruments.

The lead line uses voice 32 Horn, making use of the vibrato and portamento effects and the pitch bend wheel. The main drum pattern used was 03 Fusion 2. The track starts with 01 Rhythm and Blues 2, and 02 Fusion 1 is used for a fill-in at the middle and end of the final solo section.

Big thanks to @musicbroth for the loan of this keyboard. They're a fantastic community music resource in Glasgow, UK, lending instruments and running workshops with a mission to provide access to music for everyone. https://www.musicbroth.org"

Casio Casiotone CT-320 with analogue SuperDrums!

video upload by Alfonse

"Music: 'Loungewear' (C) Copyright 2023 Alfonse
Download here: https://alfonse.bandcamp.com/track/lo...

Casio Casiotone CT-320 keyboard (1985) with SuperDrums!!

All sounds you hear in the track were made using the Casio CT-320 and recorded to a DAW, where reverb was added. Two of the parts were played through a Boss DD7 delay pedal for some added interest. The aim of these videos is to see what you can create using sounds from ageing home keyboards together with current production tools.

A full-size version of the MT-52, the CT-320 wins points just as a beatbox alone with its Super Drums feature, which allows for individual drum elements (kick, snare, conga, hi-hat) to be switched to one of 3 different pattern variations within a rhythm selection, allowing for plenty of customisation.

ALFONSE Store: http://alfonse.bandcamp.com Twitter: http://twitter.com/alfonsemusic Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/alfonsemusic Soundcloud: http://www.soundcloud.com/alfonsemusic"

Roland JU-06A - Dive Into the Light

video upload by Alfonse

Music: "Dive Into the Light" (C) Copyright 2023 Alfonse
Download the track here: https://alfonse.bandcamp.com/album/di...

Roland Boutique Juno-06A
A recreation of the Juno 106 and 60 models in one tiny digital box. Packs a great sounding punch for a battery operated, mini-speaker-toting module. The Juno chorus is a classic sought-after sound in itself, which really adds thickness, width and life to the single oscillator sound of the Juno. In this track, I used a smooth brassy patch with added chorus for the main synth and a classic bass sound, making good use of the sub oscillator to fatten it up.

Drum samples were from Samples From Mars.

The track is a ghostly tale for Halloween, with a retro 80s goth-meets-synthpop vibe, featuring the ethereal vocals of Dora Lachaise. Find it on the link above or on Spotify, etc.
https://open.spotify.com/album/3Cb81a...

ALFONSE
Store: http://alfonse.bandcamp.com
Website: https://www.alfonsemusic.com
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/alfonsemusic
Soundcloud: http://www.soundcloud.com/alfonsemusic

Roland XP-10 Multitimbral Synthesizer Track by Alfonse

video upload by Alfonse

"Music: "Exponent" (C) Copyright 2023 Alfonse
Download the track here: https://alfonse.bandcamp.com/track/ex...

Roland XP-10 (1995)

The XP-10 is a General Midi / GS Format keyboard that can produce up to 28 notes simultaneously and can be used as a multi-timbral sound source with a sequencer. With very limited functionality as a synthesizer, the main value is in the ability to layer sounds, which can create some nice pad textures, as well as some interesting arpeggiator options.

You have limited control from the front panel over the initial filter cutoff and resonance; the vibrato rate, depth and delay; envelope attack, decay and release; chorus (+ delay) and reverb; as well as some keyboard, midi and arpeggio settings.

There are two “Combination Palette” sliders next to the volume control, which by default control filter cutoff and resonance, but can be set to control LFOs, attack and release, chorus and reverb, or portamento. The keyboard can be split into a lower and upper voice, or layered in Dual or X-Dual mode. In X-Dual mode, the sliders give you control over the relative volume balance of the ‘lower’ and ‘upper’ voices (alternatively, this can be assigned to the mod wheel or a pedal), as well as the overall left/right panning.

This video gives a flavour of some of the sounds on offer.

ALFONSE
Store: http://alfonse.bandcamp.com
Website: https://www.alfonsemusic.com
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/alfonsemusic
Soundcloud: http://www.soundcloud.com/alfonsemusic"

Yamaha SY22 Dynamic Vector Synthesis

video upload by Alfonse

"Music: 'Convolution' (C) Copyright 2023 Alfonse
Download the track here: https://alfonse.bandcamp.com/album/syfy

Yamaha SY22 Music Synthesizer (1990)

All sounds in this track are SY22 factory presets, including the drums. The SY22 was launched in 1990 and is effectively a hybrid of Yamaha's outgoing FM synthesizer technology with their new AWM sample-based engine, with 2 FM operators and 2 AWM oscillators. A joystick provides vector control to blend between the chosen waveforms in the patch in different ways, either by affecting their volume (Level) or their pitch (Detune).

Patches used:
P25 ICE FIELD
P28 THRILLER
P74 VCO SYNC
P62 SYN BASS
P23 SAD ANGEL
P27 VECTASEQ
P77 GROOVER
P32 PINPIANO
P14 DIST GTR
P81 SUPERPAD
P18 NOSTROMO
P82 PROPHECY
P88 DRUM KIT

Programming new patches via the front panel is a fairly thankless task, but there is a good editor out there: https://ctrlr.org/sy35-voice-editor/

Big thanks to @musicbroth for the loan of this keyboard. They're a fantastic community music resource in Glasgow, UK, loaning instruments and running workshops with a mission to provide access to music for everyone. https://www.musicbroth.org

Store: http://alfonse.bandcamp.com Twitter: http://twitter.com/alfonsemusic Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/alfonsemusic Soundcloud: http://www.soundcloud.com/alfonsemusic"

Yamaha Mk-100 Rare FM Portable Preset Synth/Drum Machine

Yamaha MK-100 Multi-Menu demo video upload by Alfonse

Spotted this one in this listing from a supporting member. Pics captured below.

"Yamaha Portasound MK-100 Multi-Programmable Stereo Keyboard (1984)
The MK-100 is a unique keyboard in the Portasound range, sharing a sound chip with the PSS-260 and 450. This video showcases the features of the rotating Multi-Menu, which allows you to modify the 12 preset tones via the envelope and waveform synthesizer functions, or add a second layer. You can also change the accompaniment and record a performance including a melody line.

All sounds recorded directly from the MK-100 with no extra processing.

0:00 Intro
0:07 Waveform Synthesizer
0:58 Envelope Synthesizer
1:45 Melody Mixer
2:23 Chord Voice
2:45 Bass Voice
3:05 Custom Drummer
3:43 Custom Bassist
4:06 Music Programmer"

via this auction

"A portable keyboard equipped with a feature that creates voices by combining waveforms and envelopes like a synthesizer.

The 'Custom Drummer' and 'Custom Bass' modes let you program your custom rhythms and bass lines.

The sound of MK100 are unique to this instrument and it remains very original.

It is unique and unlike any other PortaSound.

It is also in my opinion the most interesting of the series..."

CLICK FOR MORE »

Yamaha SY35 "Dynamic Vector Synthesis"

video upload by Alfonse

"Music: "Continuum" (C) Copyright 2022 Alfonse
Download the track here: https://alfonse.bandcamp.com/album/syfy

Yamaha SY35 Music Synthesizer (1992)

All sounds in this track are SY35 factory presets, including the drums. Most are from the "Internal" memory banks, which focus on synth sounds, with the bass in the verse coming from the "Preset" bank, which is aimed more at replicating acoustic instruments.

The SY35 was launched in 1992 and is effectively a hybrid of Yamaha's outgoing FM synthesizer technology with their new AWM sample-based engine, with 2 FM operators and 2 AWM oscillators. A joystick provides vector control to blend between the chosen waveforms in the patch in different ways, either by affecting their volume (Level) or their pitch (Detune).

Patches used:
drums = I88 DR:Kit
chorus brass synth = I53 BR*Fat
chorus bass synth = I51 BR*Punch
end chorus synth strings = I13 SP*Full!
chorus mellow synth = I22 SC*Elgnt
first chorus lead = I72 ME*Drama
end chorus lead = I38 SL*AnaSy
end chorus short notes = I32 SL:Squar
verse chords = I17 SP*Fog
verse bass = P53 BA*Slap
verse melody = I66 SE*Elect
verse bells = I24 SC*Coin
verse lead = I71 ME*Wide!

Programming new patches via the front panel is a fairly thankless task, but there is a good editor out there: https://ctrlr.org/sy35-voice-editor/"

Kawai K1r Rackmount Digital Synthesizer

video upload by Alfonse

"You can support the creating of these videos by buying the music: https://alfonse.bandcamp.com/album/ka...

All sounds in this track came from the K1r, including the drums. There are a few custom patches in here as well, which are available to download from https://www.alfonsemusic.com/Patches/

The Kawai K1r (1988) is a rack mount version of the K1 synth which uses Kawai's "VM additive synthesis tone generator", with a selection of 256 basic waveforms, including 52 PCM samples. Building a sound involves mixing up to four of the waveforms, with the ability to add ring modulation as well, but as with so many digital units of the time, it's a slow process diving through the detailed menus on that small LCD screen.

Fortunately, there's a VST available from Nils Schneider that's very close to the original sound (some envelopes sound a little different on my K1r compared to the virtual instrument) - you can find it here: https://www.nilsschneider.de/

Music: 'Jumping the Shark' (C) Copyright 2022 Alfonse"

Amstrad Computerphonic CKX-100 (1988) Recordable Mini Synthesiser with original box

video by Alfonse

previously posted - reposting for the listing below. You can find one more demo here.

"Amstrad Fidelity CKX100 Computerphonic keyboard (1988)
Well, who knew Lord Sugar made a keyboard...? All the sounds you hear in the track were made using the CKX100 and recorded to a DAW, where I added compression, EQ, reverb, delay and some light chorus as required. I sampled individual drum hits from slowed-down CKX100 rhythms, to allow me to build fresh beats, rather than using the rhythms found on the CKX100 itself."

via this auction

The design reminds me of an E-mu Emax.

"This really is a rare keyboard and is fully working in mint condition, still in the original box with original internal packaging, complete with 6 C Batteries! The 6 type C batteries will be included in the shipment only if the buyer resides in the European Union. In non-European countries it is NOT possible to send batteries for customs reasons.

The Amstrad CKX100 is a great vintage machine with loads of character and a unique sound! An unusual special feature of this instrument is the "playright mode", which switches the right keyboard section to pentatonic tone scales, those vary with the actual chord (selected with the left hand) to force the player to play what establishment considers harmonious (a bit like an Omnichord). There is also a MIDI-out jack and a simple sequencer with data storage on audio cassettes.

CLICK FOR MORE »

Simply Having a Wonderful Casiotone

Alfonse

"Reinterpreting a classic slice of seasonal cheese via the Casio MT400V (1984), with a brief appearance from the Casio SK-100 sampling keyboard (1987).

You're welcome.

The main synth sound is the Harpsichord voice with sustain switched on and using the envelope of the analogue filter in "Waw" mode to mimic the delay on the original recording. High string sound is the Violin voice with filter resonance applied to thin it out a bit further and the bass sound is the Clarinet, with a short envelope and resonance applied to the filter to add a nice gritty attack. The main part was recorded to tape and then to a DAW, where reverb was added.

Season's greetings to you all.

ALFONSE
Store: http://alfonse.bandcamp.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/alfonsemusic
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/alfonsemusic
Soundcloud: http://www.soundcloud.com/alfonsemusic"

Synthjam on Casiotone MT400V straight to 4-track tape

Alfonse

"Analogue drums ("Rock" rhythm) and synth sounds from the Casio MT400V, making use of the envelope on the analogue filter and the onboard stereo chorus to sculpt the sounds.

Everything was recorded straight to four-track tape on a Tascam Porta05 Ministudio at the western tip of Cornwall in late September 2020. I believe it was a Tuesday and I wore blue. Reverb was added during mixdown.

You can support the making of these videos by buying my music at http://alfonse.bandcamp.com

(C) Copyright 2020 Alfonse

ALFONSE
Store: http://alfonse.bandcamp.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/alfonsemusic
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/alfonsemusic
Soundcloud: http://www.soundcloud.com/alfonsemusic"

Casio MT-400V keyboard demo - "Electric Sunrise"

Alfonse

"Casio Casiotone MT-400V keyboard (1984)

One of Casio's most unique early experiments in the home keyboard arena, at its heart the MT400V has some fairly standard Casiotone rhythms and voices, but someone had the bright idea of giving the user control over the analogue filter envelope (attack, sustain and decay), cutoff and resonance. As well as applying this to the voices, you can also filter the rhythms and auto accompaniment. There's a stereo chorus with adjustable speed which can be switched to act like an LFO modulating the filter, an effect which Casio quite accurately describes as Waw. Add in bass and chord variations and analogue drums and you've got a great little lo-fi synth and groovebox.

All sounds you hear in the track were made using the MT-400V and recorded to a DAW, where compression, EQ, and reverb were added as required. Individual kick and snare drum hits were sampled from the rhythms in order to have more control over levels in the mix, and the Disco, 16 Beat and Bossa Nova patterns were then recreated in the DAW.

You can support the creating of these videos by buying the music at https://alfonse.bandcamp.com

Music: 'Electric Sunrise' (C) Copyright 2020 Alfonse"

Casio Spectrum Dynamic synths --- HT-700 + MT-600 = HT-1300???

Alfonse

"The MT-600 was a preset version of the HT-700 and has the same factory sounds, but without the opportunity to modify any of them. They're digital synths that use Casio's SD "Spectrum Dynamic" synthesis method, with digitally-controlled analogue filters. While the top of the range HT-6000 had up to 4 oscillators per voice, these each only have 1 oscillator per voice, but since I had both hanging around in my synth lair, why not string them together via MIDI and build myself a hybrid...?

Stereo outputs were recorded from each keyboard and reverb was added during mixdown. Drums were added courtesy of the Boss Dr Rhythm DR-110 (1983).

You can support the creating of these videos by a) buying my music at https://alfonse.bandcamp.com or b) making a donation via PayPal to alfonsemusic at gmail.com

(C) Copyright 2020 Alfonse

ALFONSE
Store: http://alfonse.bandcamp.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/alfonsemusic
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/alfonsemusic
Soundcloud: http://www.soundcloud.com/alfonsemusic"

Yamaha Portasound PS-1 - bonus demo

Alfonse

"Yamaha Portasound PS-1 keyboard (1980)

This tune was my first (or was it second?) attempt at writing something on the PS-1, before scrapping it in favour of the one I eventually put out a few months back: [posted here]

One of the first three portable keyboards that Yamaha produced for the home market in 1980, the PS-1 was the most compact, with only 4 voices and 4 rhythms to work with.

All sounds you hear in the track were made using the PS-1 and run through various single effects pedals (TC Electronic Sub Up octaver, the very synth-friendly Yamaha SDS CH-10MII chorus pedal, and the Vestax DDX vintage digital delay). Parts were recorded to a DAW, where compression, EQ, and reverb were added as required. Individual drum hits were sampled from slowed-down rhythms and processed to allow fresh beats to be built, rather than using the rhythms found on the PS-1 itself.

Music (C) Copyright 2019 Alfonse
Available as a bonus track on this Bandcamp release: https://alfonse.bandcamp.com/album/l

ALFONSE
Store: http://alfonse.bandcamp.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/alfonsemusic
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/alfonsemusic
Soundcloud: http://www.soundcloud.com/alfonsemusic"

Yamaha TX7, Roland SH2, Hohner Clavinet, Casio HT700, Boss DR110 - Synthjam

Alfonse

"Remote synth jam with Ed Bettella and the Yamaha TX7 (DX7 module), Boss DR-110 drum machine, Casio HT-700, Hohner Clavinet, and the Roland SH2.

More of Ed Bettella's own music can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgZQ...

(C) Copyright 2020 Alfonse and Ed Bettella

ALFONSE
Store: http://alfonse.bandcamp.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/alfonsemusic
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/alfonsemusic
Soundcloud: http://www.soundcloud.com/alfonsemusic"

Yamaha RX11, PSS-460, Casio MT-600 - "Starlight Champion"

Alfonse

"Yamaha RX11 Digital Rhythm Programmer (1984), Yamaha Portasound PSS-460 keyboard (1986), Casio Casiotone MT-600 keyboard (1987)"

Casio HT-700 keyboard demo - "Interplanetary"

Alfonse

"Casio Casiotone HT-700 keyboard (1987)

The HT-700 is from the digital-analogue hybrid "Spectrum Dynamic" synthesis family of Casio keyboards. It's a mini-key variant of its larger siblings the HT-3000 and HT-6000, and a slightly more sophisticated, editable version of the Casiotone MT-600, with the same basic presets. It has a DCO-VCF-DCA synthesis structure, but using initial waveforms that vary over time, with a resonant analogue filter and a stereo chorus effect with three modes. Parameters can all be edited, with control of ADSR envelopes, and one parameter can be tweaked in real-time using the data wheel.

All sounds you hear in the track were made using the HT-700 and recorded to a DAW, where compression, EQ, and reverb were added as required. Individual drum hits were sampled from the rhythm pattern editor mode and sequenced in the DAW; the sequences were based on the 16Beat1 and Disco1 patterns on the HT-700, but allowed panning and processing of the lo-fi PCM samples.

Music: "Interplanetary" (C) Copyright 2020 Alfonse
From new EP "F", available here: https://ffm.to/alfonsef"

House jam recorded straight to 4-track tape

Alfonse

"Fairly fat FM bass from a Yamaha PSS-580 played live over an 8-bar drum pattern from the Yamaha RX11, with overdubs from the Casio HT700, making plenty of use of its resonant analogue lowpass filter. A Zoom MS-50G multi-effects stompbox was used for a reverb send during mixdown. Everything was recorded to four-track tape on a Tascam Porta05 Ministudio.

(C) Copyright 2020 Alfonse"

Casio Casiotone MT-600 keyboard demo - "Owl Nebula"

Alfonse

"Casio Casiotone MT-600 keyboard (1987)
All sounds you hear in the track were made using the MT-600 and recorded to a DAW, where compression, EQ, and reverb were added as required. I also double-tracked a couple of synth parts (tuned fractionally differently each time) to give them a fatter sound. Individual drum hits were sampled from slowed-down rhythms and processed to allow fresh beats to be built, rather than using the rhythms found on the MT-600 itself.

The aim of these videos is to see what you can create using sounds from ageing home keyboards together with current production tools. The MT-600 was a preset version of the HT-700 and has the same factory sounds, but without the opportunity to modify any of them. It's a digital synth that uses Casio's "Spectrum Dynamic" synthesis method, but it also has a resonant analogue filter and stereo chorus, which on the HT-700 can be modified and even tweaked in real-time (although not in the most user-friendly way).

Music: "Owl Nebula" (C) Copyright 2020 Alfonse
Download here: https://alfonse.bandcamp.com/album/f"

Yamaha PSS580 Melody Memory and a Tascam Porta-05

Published on Jun 5, 2020 Alfonse

"Synth jam recorded straight to 4-track cassette tape on the Tascam Porta-05 Ministudio. Featuring a bass arpeggio recorded (slowly) in the Yamaha PSS-580 melody memory, then played-back at a higher tempo to tape, with occasional notes played live with another voice. The Casio HT-700 was used for the higher filtered synth riff and some classic filter-sweep chords. Effects were provided by a Boss DD7 digital delay and a Zoom MS-50G multi-effects stompbox (for reverb during mixdown).

(C) Copyright 2020 Alfonse

ALFONSE
Store: http://alfonse.bandcamp.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/alfonsemusic
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/alfonsemusic
Soundcloud: http://www.soundcloud.com/alfonsemusic"