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
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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"

Bontempi Minstrel Alfa keyboard demo

Published on May 29, 2020 Alfonse

"Bontempi Minstrel Alfa HB402 keyboard (1983)
All sounds you hear in the track were made using the Minstrel Alfa. All parts were recorded to a DAW, where compression, EQ, delay and reverb were added as required. I sampled the piano voice and played it as a virtual instrument in order to access lower notes than are possible on the Minstrel keyboard itself - otherwise these tunes end up being a bit heavy on the upper-mids. Individual drum hits were sampled and processed to allow fresh beats to be built, rather than using the rhythms found on the Minstrel.

The aim of these videos is to see what you can create using sounds from retro classic keyboards together with current production tools. The Minstrel is a super-simple keyboard from the early 80s with analogue drums and (I think...) analogue voices as well.

Music (C) Copyright 2020 Alfonse
A hidden bonus track on: https://alfonse.bandcamp.com/album/f"

Roland SH2 / Nord Electro - From the Live Room 8

Published on May 22, 2020 Alfonse

"Get the track here: https://alfonse.bandcamp.com/album/fr...

Live jam featuring Ian Bostic on drums and Alfonse on the Roland SH2 from 1979. All synth parts originated on the SH2. Two parts were recorded later: the lead part was routed through a Boss DD7 digital delay, while for the other part, single notes were sampled from the SH2, layered, and then downloaded as a custom patch to the Nord Electro to allow chords to be played.

Music (C) Copyright 2019/20 Alfonse and Ian Bostic

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 PSS-80 keyboard demo

Published on May 16, 2020 Alfonse

"Yamaha Portasound PSS-80 keyboard (1989)

The PSS-80 is a classic simple digital squarewave keyboard with a "voice variator" that allows the envelope and timbre of the preset sounds to be modified. It has no auxilliary or headphone output, so I recorded it with a dynamic mic to try to reduce the sounds of my fingers hammering the keys, with limited success.

All sounds you hear in the track were made using the PSS-80. All parts were recorded to a DAW, where compression, EQ, delay and reverb were added as required - the clarinet part was pitch-shifted down an octave to provide bass notes that aren't on the keyboard itself. Individual drum hits were sampled and processed to allow fresh beats to be built, rather than using the rhythms found on the PSS-80 itself.

Music (C) Copyright 2020 Alfonse
A hidden bonus track on: https://alfonse.bandcamp.com/album/f

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, Yamaha RX11, Novation BassStation II, Hohner Clavinet - Synth Jam

Published on May 12, 2020 Alfonse

"Synth jam with Ed Bettella and the Yamaha TX7 (DX7 module), Yamaha RX11 drum machine, Novation BassStation II, and Ed's self-restored Hohner Clavinet. Recorded January 2020.

(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"

Previous posts featuring Alfonse

Old Casio through Bass Station II filter

Published on May 8, 2020 Alfonse

"Best listened to on speakers or headphones with a good bass response. I love the analogue "super-drums" on this 1985 Casio MT-52, so I tried running them through the external input on the Bass Station II and hitting them with its filter section. On the high-pass setting, adding overdrive gave a nice saturated flavour and switching the slope from 12dB to 24dB with the resonance cranked up brought out the sub-bass in the kicks. Everything was recorded straight to four-track tape on a Tascam Porta05 Ministudio. A Zoom MS-50G multi-effects stompbox was used for a reverb send during mixdown."

Yamaha Portasound VSS-200 Digital Voice Sampler keyboard demo - "Auto King"

Published on May 1, 2020 Alfonse

"Yamaha Portasound VSS-200 Digital Voice Sampler keyboard (1988)
The VSS-200 is the big sibling of the smaller but somewhat better-known VSS-30 (as used by Sigur Rós and others). The sampler section has a number of effects, including fuzz, echo, frequency modulation, amplitude modulation, and an ADSR envelope. You can also sample the keyboard's own preset FM sounds internally and apply the effects to them.

All sounds you hear in the track were made using the VSS-200 sampler or its factory sounds and were recorded to a DAW, where compression, EQ, and reverb were added as required. Individual drum hits were sampled from the VSS-200 and sequenced in the DAW.

Samples used in the track are listed below:
RX11 Snare Hi Tune 5 (layered with VSS200 snare)
RX11 Snare Hi Tune 2 (in the middle section)
Internal voice 05 Bass Clarinet sampled and FM effect added (2)
Internal voice 08 Bowed Bass sampled and Fuzz and AM effect (6) added
Internal voice 97 Wind Bell sampled and FM (3), and Echo (2) effects added
Sampled guitar licks with added Echo (9), FM (1) and Fuzz
Sampled PSS-580 voice 58 (edited)

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

Bandcamp Is Waiving Fees for Artists Today!

In case you missed it, Bandcamp is waiving artist fees for the day. This means 100% of any purchases made on Bandcamp today will go to the artist. If you were holding out on picking up some music there, today is the day.

A ton of our supporting members have releases on Bandcamp. Be sure to check them out on the member page here. You'll find links to their Bandcamp sites.

Thank you to everyone who supports the site! :)

P.S. You can also check out the SYNTH ALBUMS label for posts featuring releases over time.


Update: Below is a list of supporting member Bandcamp sites. Check them out! :)  P.S.  If you are a supporting member and have a Bandcamp site not on the list, feel free to send it in.  Email matrixsynth@gmail.com.  Note this is for supporting members of the site only!  It takes some work to do this and run the site, so this is a member perk only, sorry.  :)  That said, if you do want to support the site and you sign up I will of course add you to the list.

https://nomansisland.bandcamp.com

https://omricohencomposer.bandcamp.com

https://petermmahr.bandcamp.com/

http://greaterthanu.bandcamp.com

https://alfonse.bandcamp.coma

https://verstaerker.bandcamp.com/

https://junklight.bandcamp.com/

http://ngarjuna.bandcamp.com/

http://vicmodcray.bandcamp.com/

https://ianrichter.bandcamp.com/

https://jamesnewman.bandcamp.com/

https://axondefecto.bandcamp.com/

https://fizzingfunksters.bandcamp.com/

https://evel.bandcamp.com/album/snyth

https://timecontrolledorganism.bandcamp.com/

https://artificialnoise.bandcamp.com/

https://moognase.bandcamp.com/

https://magicandsteel.bandcamp.com/

https://parmusic.bandcamp.com/

https://nobotake.bandcamp.com/

https://themanitou.bandcamp.com/

https://chronosmusic.bandcamp.com/

https://circuit3.bandcamp.com/

https://lecorbeau-poisson.bandcamp.com/

Yamaha TX7 (DX7) - Brian Eno patch - Yamaha RX11, Novation BassStation II - Synth Jam

Published on Apr 24, 2020 Alfonse

"Ambient synth jam with Ed Bettella and the Yamaha TX7 (DX7 module), Yamaha RX11 drum machine, and the Novation BassStation II. Ed was playing the "Glide" patch from Brian Eno's custom DX7 bank. Recorded January 2020.

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"

Casio SK-100 sampling keyboard demo - "Over Again"

Published on Apr 17, 2020 Alfonse

"Casio SK-100 sampling keyboard (1987)
The SK-100 is a larger version of the famous SK-1 and SK-5 with more keys and features, including the ability to store two custom drum sequences, which can include samples. The sampler function itself has a great 8-bit / 10.113kHz lo-fi sound; grainy and interesting.

This track features vocal samples from my 2011 release 'Time Over' featuring Ayika. https://youtu.be/HRPFzpa3mSA

All sounds you hear in the track were made using the Casio SK-100 sampler or its factory sounds and were recorded to a DAW, where compression, EQ, reverb, and delay were added as required. Individual drum hits were sampled from the SK-100 and sequenced in the DAW. I gave the clap some more depth by triggering multiple samples, slightly differently pitch- and time-shifted, through a short reverb.

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

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

Novation Bass Station II / Casio MT-600 / Yamaha PSS-580 - From the Live Room 7

Published on Jan 25, 2020 Alfonse

"Get the track here: https://alfonse.bandcamp.com/album/fr...

Live jam featuring Ian Bostic on drums and Alfonse on the Novation Bass Station ii and the Yamaha PSS-580 FM mini-synth from 1989, which was running through a TC Electronic Alter Ego 'vintage echo' pedal set to "Copykat" mode. The lead parts were overdubbed later on a 1987 Casio MT-600 with effects provided by the Yamaha SDS CH-10MII chorus pedal and the Boss DD7 delay.

Music (C) Copyright 2020 Alfonse and Ian Bostic

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

IAN
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX7V...

Novation Bass Station II / Casio MT-600 / Yamaha PSS-580 - From the Live Room 7 - Alfonse vs. Ian Bostic"

Novation Bass Station II / Yamaha PSS-580 / PSS-460 / TC Electronic Alter Ego - From the Live Room 6

Published on Dec 13, 2019 Alfonse

"Get the track here: https://alfonse.bandcamp.com/album/fr...

Live jam featuring Ian Bostic on drums and Alfonse on the Novation Bass Station ii, as well as the 1986 Yamaha PSS-460 and 1989 Yamaha PSS-580 FM mini-synths. The PSS-460 tracks were overdubbed later (the lead was double-tracked and slightly detuned to sound a little bigger), with effects provided by two TC Electronic pedals: Alter Ego delay on the Copycat and Specho settings and the Hall of Fame mini reverb.

Music (C) Copyright 2019 Alfonse and Ian Bostic

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

IAN
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX7V...

From the Live Room 6: Novation Bass Station II - Alfonse vs. Ian Bostic"

Yamaha Portasound PSS-460 FM keyboard demo - "Night Vision"

Published on Nov 30, 2019 Alfonse

"Yamaha Portasound PSS-460 keyboard (1986)
All sounds you hear in the track were made using the PSS-460; some were run through delay pedals (the Vestax DDX vintage digital delay and the more recent Boss DD7). All parts were recorded to a DAW, where compression, EQ, and reverb were added as required. I also double-tracked the lead synth part (each part tuned fractionally differently) to give it 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 PSS-460 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 460 was one of a few of Yamaha's PSS range to use the same YM3812 sound-generating chip used in the Soundblaster soundcards of the late 80s/90s.

Synth settings are editable via the sliders on the top right of the control panel. If you have one of these keyboards and want to recreate the sounds, here are the parameters:

Bluesynth (edited): 2 5 1 1 3 3
Synth 1: 2 3 5 4 5 3
Vibes (edited): 5 5 5 5 3 3
Synth 2 (bell): 3 5 3 1 3 3

Music: "Night Vision" (C) Copyright 2019 Alfonse
Download here: 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"

Technics SX-K200 keyboard demo - "Motion Capture"

Published on Nov 16, 2019 Alfonse

"Technics SX-K200 keyboard (1982)

All sounds you hear in the track were made using the SX-K200; some were run through a Boss DD7 delay pedal. All parts were recorded to a DAW, where compression, EQ, and reverb were added as required. I also quadruple-tracked the lead synth melody (with two layers of "Cosmic Wah" an octave apart and two layers of "Brass" at the lower octave, which I detuned slightly in the DAW to give it a fatter sound). Individual drum hits were sampled from slowed-down rhythms and processed to allow a fresh kick and snare pattern to be built, although the basis of the groove was the "Disco" rhythm on the keyboard (with a high-pass filter applied so that the hi-hats are mainly all you hear).

The aim of these videos is to see what you can create using sounds from ageing home keyboards together with current production tools. The SX-K200 was an evolution of Technics' electronic organs, which they had been building and developing since the '60s; its sounds are split into 8 "orchestral" polyphonic presets and 6 "solo" monophonic voices, with nods to various staple synth sounds of the era. There is also a great stereo chorus effect that can be applied to the orchestral sounds.

Music: "Motion Capture" (C) Copyright 2019 Alfonse
Download here: 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"