analog_techno_improvisation

YouTube Published on Jun 28, 2012 by YA YU

"It performed with this friend. ---------- roland tr909 tr808 tb303 sh101 sre555 moog minimoog analogue solution vostok ems vcs3 korg sq10 sherman filterbank2 and more"

Arturia Introduces Spark 2

Published on Apr 30, 2014 Arturia Web·127 videos

"Spark is an innovative drum production solution. Its cutting edge sound library, multiple synthesis engines and advanced sequencing functionalities will get you creative on your beatmaking tasks. Real-time performance tools and effects are here to explore new sonic territories, in the studio or on stage.

All sounds and patterns in this movie were made on Spark 2.

More info at:
http://www.arturia.com/evolution/en/p...

Arturia would like to specially thank the Arts Center MC2 in Grenoble for letting us shoot the movie in the Auditorium.
http://www.mc2grenoble.fr"

Spark2 Tutorials


And the press release:

"Arturia announces availability of outstanding SPARK 2 drum machine software

“I love the quick and easy ways to get results using SPARK 2. The ability to build up your own kit mixed with your own samples is very cool. My favourites to go for in SPARK 2 are the vintage drum machines. They have an analogue sound and no one hit is exactly the same, so you don’t get the ugly ‘machine gun’ effect — really useful!”

- Trentemøller, 2014 (electronic music producer and multi-instrumentalist)

GRENOBLE, FRANCE: having made its beat-making mark when premiered to critical acclaim at the 2014 NAMM Show in Anaheim, California, music and hardware company Arturia is proud to announce availability of SPARK 2 — bringing a new look, new feel, and new features to its premier sound- sculpting and performance drum machine software for Mac and Windows — as of April 30...

With the timely introduction of SPARK 2, Arturia has given its beat creation software a new look, new feel, and a whole host of new features fit to make it the premier sound-sculpting and performance drum machine on the market — all the more so when perfectly paired up with the award-winning SPARK Creative Drum Machine and SparkLE Creative Drum Machine controllers. It’s a match made in hybrid heaven that’s more flexible than ever before!

While SPARK has always been built on a fully-modular VA (Virtual Analogue) sound engine, originally only developers had access to this wonderful-sounding rhythmical power source. Not now. With the all-new MODULAR screen, SPARK 2 users are now free to add and subtract modules (including Oscillator, multimode Filter and Karplus-Strong Filter, Envelope, Lfo, MiniMixer, RingMod, and Bode Frequency Shifter); create their own patch routings; and assign up to six macro controls for immediate control. Clearly, it’s this truly modular, fully-accessible sound engine that makes SPARK 2 truly shine as the ultimate drum synthesizer!

With SPARK 2, Arturia has taken the opportunity to update the look and feel of SPARK to allow for faster workflow, while creating a layout that allows it to grow well into the future and secure its longevity — no easy feat in today’s here today, gone tomorrow’s world of rapidly disposable developments. New tabbed pages provide a cleaner look, more screen space, and faster access to the most needed features — features like an all-new MIXER window (with level, pan, and insert effects and sends — to 14 unique professional-grade effects, no less), expanded PATTERN edit screen, and enhanced LIBRARY page for better data management.

SPARK 2 also adds 50 new kits — including no fewer than 800 new instruments — that span many more musical genres than ever before, including trap, hip-hop, tech house, and nu disco, to name but a few modern electronic music styles, as well as acoustic drum kits capably spanning modern rock, funk, R ’n’ B, pop, vintage rock, and latin percussion. Vintage drum machine enthusiasts are also well catered for with ear-opening emulations of the likes of Roland’s TR-808, TR-909, TR-707, TR-606, and CR-78; LinnDrum, Linn 9000; Oberheim DMX; E-mu Drumulator; Sequential Circuits Drumtraks; Yamaha RX5; and Simmons SDS-V — analogue and digital classics all. And all kits come complete with 32 patterns that can be used by themselves or form the basis of user-programmed beats.

Bringing up the rear, SPARK 2 sees SONG mode updated, too. Song segments can now be configured and then replayed at the touch of a button. Users can create song sections that will play from one pattern to another and then recall these sections via the step buttons on the SPARK Creative Drum Machine and SparkLE Creative Drum Machine controllers — perfect performance enhancements!

Indeed, integration with the outside world works on multiple levels: as a 32- and 64-bit compatible virtual instrument for Mac and Windows, SPARK 2 can be run standalone or used as a plug-in with popular host DAWs (supporting 16 audio outputs that can be routed and assigned within the host); AIFF, WAV, REX2, and MIDI files can all be imported with drag and drop export of WAV format patterns and MIDI sequence formats into DAWs; and all parameters on SPARK 2’s MAIN screen are MIDI-assignable for control via any external MIDI device.

So why not get behind the wheel of a truly creative drum machine and let SPARK 2 help you create truly driving rhythms with minimum fuss and maximum musical output. No driving lessons required!

SPARK 2 can be exclusively purchased online from Arturia for an introductory promotional price of €129.00 EUR/$129.00 USD between May 1 and June 30, inclusive (rising to €169.00 EUR/$189.00 USD thereafter); alternatively, Arturia is also offering a promotional pricing of €199.00 EUR/$199.00 USD on the SparkLE Creative Drum Machine controller (with SPARK 2 included) between those same dates (rising to €249.00 EUR/$299.00 USD thereafter) from any authorised dealer or online from here: http://www.arturia.com/evolution/en/buy/spark2introductorypromotion"

analog techno improvisation 4

YouTube Published on Jul 19, 2012 by YA YU

"It performed with this friend. ---------- roland tr909 tr808 tb303 sh101 sre555 moog minimoog analogue solution vostok ems vcs3 korg sq10 sherman filterbank2 arp odyssey sharp GF858 and more"

All parts here.

HOW TO GENETIC SCISSOR WITH GLUE + DNA! Future Sound Systems // Superbooth 2019

Published on May 24, 2019 DivKidVideo

"Genetics influences oscillators? Analogue synth glue? DNA modulation? The new Recombination Engine from Future Sound Systems is a triple analogue oscillator that flips out the positive and negative portions of waves to impose other oscillators bringing into sync, rectification and tonnes of other 'sonic FX' to the sound. The 3 oscillators working together sounding like analogue vocal synthesis almost like a model of VOSM, super impressive.

There's also the Cyclical Engine we saw last year which has now had a four quadrant multiplier option so you can either AM or Ring Modulate each waveform individually, super sonic sculpting to come with that I'm sure.

FSS are also developing a new high end linear power solution and desk pin matrix devices for studio gear, guitar/pedals and more."

Arturia announces V Collection 3.0 software suite

"Arturia announces V Collection 3.0

GRENOBLE, FRANCE: music software and hardware company Arturia is proud to announce availability of V Collection 3.0, a classic collection of ten award-winning software instruments, as of July 25...

V Collection 3.0 is the ultimate reference solution for demanding musicians seeking the legendary analogue synthesizer and classic drum machines sounds that have defined modern electronic music-making. Those sounds are proving more popular than ever, and Arturia’s TAE® (True Analogue Emulation) technology-powered software instruments have proven themselves time and again on countless hit records and praised productions around the globe.

V Collection 3.0 includes no less than nine legendary synthesizers, one electric piano, and 30 classic drum machines, plus the award-winning Analog Laboratory synthesizer powerhouse, offering hundreds of musical scenes and thousands of presets conveniently organised by instrument and genre.

Joining Analog Laboratory in V Collection 3.0 is the recently-released Wurlitzer V EP 200 A electric piano emulation and 64-bit versions of Arturia’s acclaimed Modular V, CS-80V, Mini V, ARP2600 V, Prophet V, Jupiter-8V, and Oberheim SEM V soft synths — the de facto choice of professionals and amateurs appreciating meticulous modelling and computer convenience. With 400-plus presets apiece, inspiration is instant. Yet editing is easy, thanks to familiar-looking, beautifully- rendered user interfaces that are second to none. What’s more, all these legendary keyboards can also be accessed through the unique Analog Laboratory interface, making speedy editing even easier.

Rounding off the V Collection 3.0 package perfectly are 30 classic analogue and digital drum machine emulations spanning the influential ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s eras, all accessible through the unique interface of SPARK Vintage. More than 1,300 pre-programmed patterns are available to ignite rhythmical creativity while the performance features of Arturia’s SPARK Creative Drum Machine controller’s integrated software appeals to the most demanding beat-makers.

Not only does V Collection 3.0 offer musicians more software instruments than ever before to take their productions to the next level, but it does this at a lower price than before: €399.00 EURO/$399.00 USD (previously €499.00 EURO/$499.00 USD). So what are you waiting for? Treat yourself to an affordable and attractive classic collection... available now!

V Collection 3.0 can be purchased from the Arturia online store (http://www.arturia.com/evolution/en/buy/online-shop.html) for €399.00 EURO/ $399.00 USD or any dealer in a luxury boxed version for €399.00 EURO/$449.00 USD (MSRP)"

analog techno improvisation 7

Published on Nov 12, 2012 by YA YU

"It performed with this friend. ---------- roland tr909 tr808 tb303 sh101 sre555 sde-1000 analogue solution vostok ems vcs3 s-cat dubsta mackie cr-1604 and more

Japan Tokyo Shbuya @RUBY ROOM"

MFB Tanzbar Analogue Drum machine

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

via this auction

"MFB's Tanzbär drum-computer offers fourteen analogue percussion instruments as well as a synthesizer for bass- and melodic voices. Its integrated step-sequencer allows flashlight-programming and storage of up to 144 patterns. All parameters can be recorded per step! Because of its ability to control and call up all functions on the fly, while the unit is running, Tanzbär is ideally suited for live performances.

Using the fill-function, patterns can be chained for longer sequences. In addition, every pattern offers A/B variations that can be switched manually or automatically for further flexibility. Also, Tanzbär allows saving 16 flame and roll-variations.

The step-length is controllable per instrument, allowing easy creation of polyrhythmic structures. Possible resolutions are 32th and 16th steps as well as 16th- and 8th triplet-steps. The shuffle amount can be continuously controlled globally and per instrument.

Each instrument offers three accent intensities. Add the bend-function to create glides and LFO-like sweeps for bass drum 1/2, snare drum and toms 2/3.

In addition to the percussion-instruments, Tanzbär offers addressing external instruments using its two CV/Gate outputs; one being able to control dynamics via a third CV-output. The same tracks are routed to the internal bass- and melody-synthesizer voices. An ideal solution to pre-listen and program patterns without any need for external equipment.

The CV/Gate-sequencer offers a range of three octaves and is programmable using two methods. All parameters are output via MIDI, allowing control of external instruments. The drum-computer can be synchronized via MIDI- and clock-signals.

Finally, Tanzbär not only offers a master volume knob but individual level controls and mute-functions per instrument. The unit provides a stereo output as well as twelve individual outputs.

TANZBAER has the following dimensions: 330 x 170 x 60 mm. An external power supply is included.

analogue drum-computer with tight step-sequencer and 16 instruments
immediate control, integration of MIDI and CV/Gate
different step-lengths per instrument
programmable accent- and pitch-bend-functions
144 patterns with A/B-variations, fill-function to chain various patterns
3 CV- and 2 Gate channels
roll- and flam-recording
individual and global swing-quantization
recording of control-value per step
12 individual outputs, stereo output
MIDI- and clock-sync, MIDI-dump
metal chassis with wood side panels"

CLICK FOR MORE »

analog techno improvisation 10

Published on May 17, 2013 YA YU·15 videos

"It performed with this friend. ---------- roland tr909 tr808 tb303 sh101 sre555 moog minimoog analogue solution vostok ems vcs3 korg sq10 ms-20 mini sherman filterbank2 arp odyssey s-cat dubsta foster 3180 and more"

Analogue Solution Impulse Command - Studio Setup

Published on Aug 9, 2019 Sounds From The Shed

"This video gives an insight into how I have integrated the Impulse Command, Generator Sequencer and Fusebox into my setup."

analog techno improvisation 9

Published on Feb 25, 2013 YA YU·10 videos

"It performed with this friend. ---------- roland tr909 tr808 tb303 sh101 sre555 analogue solution vostok sherman filterbank2 s-cat dubsta mackie cr1604 and more

Japan Saitama Omiya @RUBY ROOM"

via Yuya Kosogawa on The MATRIXSYNTH Lounge

analog techno improvisation 5

YouTube Published on Aug 18, 2012 by YA YU

"It performed with this friend. ---------- roland tr909 tb303 sh101 sre555 moog minimoog analogue solution vostok ems vcs3 korg sq10 sherman filterbank2 fostex 3180 and more"

All parts here.

New Elektron Mystery Box NAMM Teaser

Elektron mystery box opened

Published on Jan 17, 2014 Elektron·43 videos

"See you at NAMM!"

Update:

CLICK FOR MORE »

Take Full Control Of Your Synthesizers with TA Programming Studio MIDI And CV Interface

Published on Jul 7, 2019 TA Programming

MPE's missing link: The Studio MIDI & CV Interface (at Octagon Studios)

"TA Programming announces availability of Studio MIDI And CV Interface full synthesizer control system debut

LONDON, UK: following a successful showcase in October at Sheffield’s Synthfest UK 2019, billed as being the UK’s biggest synthesizer event, advanced creative technology designer TA Programming is proud to announce availability of its inaugural Studio MIDI And CV Interface full synthesizer control system — capable of controlling multiple synthesizers simultaneously via voltage control outputs and MIDI/USB with extra-low latency while keeping analogue instruments, vintage or otherwise, perfectly in tune with each other — as of December 20…

According to TA Programming CEO/CTO Tim Aviss, 'We designed this interface to be not just a solution to problems that we’d encountered when controlling synthesizers in the past, but to unlock a whole new world of creativity with synthesizers from one interface.'

CLICK FOR MORE »

E-RM Introduces multiclock - Ultra-Reliable Multi-Channel, Multi-Format Sync Box

"E-RM effectively solves studio and stage sync and timing troubles with multiclock multi-format sync box

BERLIN, GERMANY: professional audio synchronisation specialist E-RM Erfindungsbüro is proud to announce availability of multiclock — an ultra-reliable multi-channel, multi-format sync box that builds a musical bridge between DAWs and external (MIDI, DIN Sync/sync24, and analogue modular) musical gear like no other by converting clock signals for tight integration into digital production workflow without troublesome timing issues, as well as providing helpful and creative realtime shift and shuffle controls to independently compensate for sloppy slave machine delays and also add groove to each creative channel — as of August 12…

multiclock’s ‘mission impossible’ is to therefore act as a one-stop shop for creatively synchronising all kinds of musical equipment to a master DAW with the greatest of ease and, obviously, precision. Put simply, it is built to overcome all of the well-documented problems associated with achieving tight synchronisation of sequencers, drum machines, arpeggiators, and other external equipment with each other and also within the workflow of a DAW. Doing this is easier said than done from a technical standpoint, so how has E-RM Erfindungsbüro apparently achieved the impossible with something so small and simple to use, then?

The key to multiclock’s reliability and innovation is its ability to acquire a variety of sync signals from an Audio Sync track, as opposed to relying on a MIDI Clock signal. Synchronising multiclock to a master DAW relies on a sample-accurate audio clock stream, which, in turn, guarantees gloriously-tight clock signals to within ±1 sample of jitter — jitter being defined as the undesired deviation of a periodic signal from the ideal timing. To put that fanciful figure into its rightful context, consider that jitter here is as low as ±20 μs (microseconds) and that one microsecond is to one second as one second is to 11.574 days! Do the math. multiclock makes such superlative synchronisation possible by providing an audio INPUT (1/4-inch jack socket) to process a special sync track generated from the company’s downloadable multiclock AU/VST plug-in (for Mac OS X/Windows) namesake. Alternatively, another way of simply synchronising multiclock to a DAW is to load the special sync sample downloadable from the dedicated E-RM Erfindungsbüro webpage (http://www.e-rm.de/support/downloads.php). Whichever route discerning users choose to take, the result remains the same: seamless integration of all external devices with the host computer, courtesy of those celebrated clock signals. Simply said, this thing is tight to within a gnat’s whisker of perfection!

Perfect DAW synchronisation notwithstanding, when acting as a standalone master clock generator for hardware-only setups multiclock means business by coming into its own as a seriously creative tool. Tempo ranges between 30-300 BPM, while time signature settings can be changed from 3/8 to 32/8, so slave machines always start in sync with the downbeat of the next bar. But there’s more… multiclock can cleverly shift all four of its output clock channels — conveniently labelled as channel 01, channel 02, channel 03, and channel 04 — back and forth in realtime against each other and also relative to the master clock. Connectivity comes courtesy of four corresponding DIN sockets, fully configurable to transmit MIDI Clock (MIDI), DIN Sync/sync24 (DIN) or analogue clock (Analog) on each channel. channel 01 even comes complete with an additional 1/4-inch TRS output jack to provide an analogue LFO (LFO) with various waveforms and a 0-5V range, while modular synth connectivity is easily accomplished via any channel using an E-RM modular whip to convert DIN sockets to two mini jacks for clock and signal runs. Up to ±300 ms of Shift Range ensures easy compensation of sloppy slave machine delay and audio buffer latencies can be compensated for by setting a constant Offset calibration for each channel, conveniently leaving more than enough headroom to get into the groove, whether working with or without a DAW (since it is always necessary to compensate for the starting time lag of external equipment). Elsewhere, those shift and shuffle knobs can be configured to emit MIDI Control Change commands, should a user happen to have any unused clock channels available on their multiclock.

More to multiclock than might first meet the eye, surely? Says E-RM Erfindungsbüro CEO Maximilian Rest, “multiclock is not only a perfect synchronisation solution for live and studio applications, but you can also use it as an instrument in itself. If you get your hands on this machine, you can start playing with the phase of your sounds, effectively changing the timbre of layered tones or setting the groove between individual drum tracks.”

Time to get into the groove, then! To start shifting clocks and shuffling beats with multiclock — also available with an additional class-compliant USB MIDI module add-on to enable other MIDI commands to be sent from a DAW to external slave devices while still syncing to the sample-accurate audio clock stream — is a musical game-changing experience like no other. Why wait to hit that perfect beat?

multiclock is available to purchase for €449.00 EUR (Classic version) and €519.00 EUR (USB version) — including 19% VAT — via E-RM Erfindungsbüro’s expanding global network of retailers listed here: http://www.e-rm.de/shops/shops.php

For more in-depth info about multiclock, please visit the dedicated webpage here"



Note there are two versions, one with, and one without USB.

NUSofting Strings Dream

You might remember NUSofting from the Broken Drum Machine, daHornet, Groove Analogizer, Harp Time, Peti and more.

"Strings Dream is able to reproduce the infinite array of rich, analogue pads from the most famous strings machines in synthesizer history. Emulate the classic Eminent Solina as well as its sister keyboards from Elka, Crumar and even their Japanese cousins.

"Strings Dream Synthesizer" will be released in May 2009 first as VST plugin and later as AU. Extimated price 89 USD

Nice intro to strings machines features and history Check it out! [excerpt below]
SDS GUI screenshot Check it out!
First beta recording Check it out!"

"'Strings Dream Synthesizer' writings for docs,
2009 Luigi Felici nusofting.com
Edited by Scot Solida and Cj

About Strings Machines.
A remarkable number of musicians recognize the desirable sonic character of “string machines”. String machines were unique to the Seventies and nearly every major manufacturer offered some variation on the theme. ARP’s biggest selling instrument was in fact their Omni, an instrument that combined a string machine with a simple synthesizer. Even Moog got in on the act with their Opus 3.

Just as the Rhodes piano and Hammond organs were intended as portable solutions to musicians who desired the sound of more cumbersome (and expensive) instruments, string machines were seen as the gigging musician’s alternative to the orchestra. Or, at the very least, it was easier to carry around than a Mellotron! Of course, the string machines didn’t sound like an orchestra, but had a character that today’s musicians find quite appealing on its own merits.

CLICK FOR MORE »

XILS-lab PolyM Polymoog Soft Synth Released

You can find a few videos previously posted here on the XILS-lab label (scroll down to previous posts).

via XILS-lab


"XILS-lab literally creates plug-in pleasure principal when recreating revolutionary polysynth

GRENOBLE, FRANCE: audio software company XILS-lab is proud to announce availability of PolyM — an authentic recreation of the pioneering Polymoog polysynth, dreamed up by American designer Dave Luce and produced by Moog Music between 1975-1980, but benefitting from finest French software skills to truly create a plug-in pleasure principal as arguably the best ‘virtual’ divide-down oscillator technology-toting soft synth available anywhere and teaching the old dog some new tricks in the process — as of July 3...

That’s today. Putting PolyM in its present-day context involves initially looking back. But back in the early-Seventies, setting out to create an analogue, functional voltage-controlled synthesizer that was polyphonic against a backdrop of monophonic mainstays proved problematic for many. Moog’s musical solution came quicker than most, making an appearance in 1975 in its extremely expensive ($5,295 USD), nine-preset original form as the Polymoog keyboard (model 203a). It included a front panel packed with an almost continuous row of slider pots (permitting presets to be fully modified into more individualised analogue sounds via various subtractive synthesis parameters, including a 24dB Moog ladder filter section — allowing modulation modulated from its own envelopes and low frequency oscillation — alongside a unique and flexible three-band resonant filter section with lowpass/bandpass/high-pass filter modes) before being joined in 1978 by a marginally more economically-viable ($3,995 USD), 14-preset stripped back version (with editing reduced to volume, tuning, high-pass filtering, and basic LFO — Low Frequency Oscillator — features), which was also (confusingly) called the Polymoog keyboard (model 280a), though the original fully-variable version was then rebadged, admittedly, as the Polymoog Synthesizer.

CLICK FOR MORE »

Vince Clarke Music Introduces New IMAGINATOR VCX-378 Eurorack Module for the Holidays

Vince Clarke Circuits - The Imaginator (Demonstration Video) from erasureinfo on Vimeo.

"Vince Clarke is proud to announce the second in a series of Eurorack modules, the Imaginator.

'I wanted a practical writing tool that would generate musical patterns based on user controlled variables'

With an ingenious use of high-level algorithms and a calculating time of less than two seconds, The Imaginator will produce inspiring musical phrases well beyond the 12 days of Christmas."

Official press release & pics below.


Vince Clarke Circuits - The Imaginator (Overview & Set-Up Video) from erasureinfo on Vimeo.


Vince Clarke Circuits - The Imaginator (User Video Manual) from erasureinfo on Vimeo.

On the heels of Vince Clarke's first eurorack modules, we have the IMAGINATOR VCX-378 musical phrase generator.


"Vince Clarke lets his musical imagination run riot with new namesake Eurorack module

'I wanted a practical writing tool that would generate musical patterns based on user-controlled variables.'
- Vince Clarke, 2015

BROOKLYN, NY, USA: synth-pop pioneer Vince Clarke is proud to announce availability of the IMAGINATOR VCX-378 — the second product release in an ongoing series of creative and utilitarian modules for the ever-present Eurorack small-format modular system under the namesake Clarke company name, designed and built to exacting standards in close collaboration with British ‘boutique’ analogue synthesiser and accessory designer/manufacturer Analogue Solutions — as of November 24…

Musical imagination is a wonderful thing. Synthesisers and associated modern-day music technology can help make that happen in wonderful ways. With an amazing number of hit singles and chart-topping albums to his Ivor Novello Award-winning songwriting name and an accompanying hard-earned and hard-working synthesiser collection to die for, synth-pop pioneer Vince Clarke clearly has it all in spades. So just imagine if you could call upon an amazingly musically inspirational device for assistance when seeking that defining elusive musical hook… well, you need not imagine anymore as the IMAGINATOR VCX-378 does just that, fresh from the imaginative musical mind of Vince Clarke! After all, sometimes serious songwriting synth-pop pioneers still need a helping hand (or Eurorack module): “I wanted a practical writing tool that would generate musical patterns based on user-controllable variables.”

Vince Clarke got what he wished for… the ingenious IMAGINATOR VCX-378 produces one-bar musical phrases based on either user-control of the Clarke company’s clever bespoke musical algorithm or a quasi-random solution. So anyone seeking to trigger their own musical imagination (and MIDI synthesisers) should simply add an IMAGINATOR VCX-378 to their Eurorack small-format modular system setup. The result? Almost unlimited combinations and permutations that will both inspire and amaze as it helps when searching for that defining elusive musical hook.

Housed in a 36 HP-width Eurorack module, the IMAGINATOR VCX-378 has a front facia-located one-octave ‘keyboard’ — with each ‘note’ having a push button and associated LED — alongside two Quantize sections, Octavize and Transpose sections, a Velocity treatment, plus internal (Sequencer) and external (Midi/Clock) clocking, as well as a full MIDI interface.

In most cases, users will want to sync to their sequencing software by sending the IMAGINATOR VCX-378 a MIDI note clock. This can be downloaded from the Clarke company website. The IMAGINATOR VCX-378 then references these notes and uses this information to clock the musical patterns it produces. With everything correctly connected, users can use soft synths or send those musically imaginative patterns out to an external synthesiser — something close to Vince Clarke’s musical heart.

Helpfully, Vince Clarke himself has taken time out from an always musically successful schedule to prepare some seriously user-friendly tutorials to transport the new IMAGINATOR VCX-378 user from novice to expert in no time. “For full operation of the unit, I suggest you make yourself a nice cup of tea and watch the user video,” he says, before later concluding: “Thanks for watching… and now I must get back to my day job.”

Jesting aside, while the IMAGINATOR VCX-378 makes for a musically imaginative holiday season gift for the seasoned synth lover in someone’s life, note that it will produce inspiring musical phrases well beyond the 12 days of Christmas! Let’s hand off here to ‘tutor’ Vince Clarke to blow our musical minds with some insightful IMAGINATOR VCX-378 note-related number crunching: “With one note there are 16 possible positions within one bar for the note to go. With two notes there are 120 possible positions. With three notes there are 560. This increases and then decreases exponentially. So, if we do the math, we can say that using one to 16 notes there are a possible 65,535 combinations. Remember: we are only talking about one note. Once you start adding pitch to this equation then the numbers really go through the roof. No wonder there seems to be an unlimited number of one-bar patterns.” Perhaps the IMAGINATOR VCX-378 is not just for Christmas, after all?

The IMAGINATOR VCX-378 is priced at £349.00 GBP (plus tax and delivery) and available to order online from Analogue Solutions here.

For more detailed information, please visit the Clarke webpage here."

New Batch of Synthfest UK 23 Videos

video uploads by sonicstate

Playlist: (you can use the player controls to skip around)

1. Synthfest UK 23: Sequential - Trigon 6 Desktop

At SynthFest UK 2023, we had the opportunity to chat with Chris from Sequential, a part of the Focusrite group. Chris introduced us to the Trigon 6 Desktop, the latest addition to Sequential's synthesizer lineup. This compact desktop version of the Trigon 6 packs a powerful punch, offering three oscillators and a distinctive Dave Smith ladder filter. Designed for those seeking a space-saving solution without compromising on sound quality, the Trigon 6 Desktop retains all the features of its larger sibling, including patch recall, a versatile effects section with various modulation possibilities, and the distinctive feedback control that allows you to sculpt sub-harmonic richness.

Trigon 6 Desktop Price: $2,499

https://www.sequential.com/

2. Synthfest UK 2023: Calc And the Prophet X

At Synthfest UK 2023, we caught up with Calc from Sequential, and he gave us the lowdown on the Prophet X. Now, you might be thinking, Prophet X? Haven't we seen that before? Well, you're right, but this hybrid instrument has been quietly making waves in the music world. It combines digital and analog elements, with digital oscillators and a unique twist in the form of multi-sample-based instruments. Yes, you heard that right, it's not just your run-of-the-mill synth; it's a full-on sampler too, boasting an impressive 50 gigabytes of memory for your custom samples. You can treat it like a rompler, a sample player, or even use those samples as oscillators, creating a whole new realm of sonic possibilities.

Plus, it's packed with stereo goodness, allowing you to explore a wide soundstage with ease. It's not your typical synth, and that's what makes its a favourute of Calc's

Looking for some more info on the Prophet X? Check out Sequential's official page: www.sequential.com/prophet-x/

CLICK FOR MORE »

Black Panel Infradeep PVX-800 Analog Synthesizer SN 00030220 w/ Original Box

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

via this auction

You can find demos of the Infradeep PVX-800 in the archives here.

"The PVX-800 is a duophonic compact analog synthesizer, it designed to effortlessly integrate into any performance and computer-based music solution. Synthesizer has analog sound engine with classical design and also have original Polyvox filter and basic circuit design solution ideas.

Duophonic compact analog synthesizer. It designed to integrate seamlessly into any performance or computer-based music workflow. PVX-800 sound engine uses a original circuit design ideas of a incredible Polyvox analog synthesizer from USSR. And also synthesizer has 1mm solid steel enclosure.

Two VCOs with five types of waves — Sinusoidal, Triangle, Shark, Saw and Square waves with PWM.
Two ADSR envelope generators
LFO with eight type of waves (square wave has midi sync)
True classical analogue sound engine
MIDI-DIN in/thru plug
USB-MIDI plug
Analogue CV control inputs
Ring Modulator
Audio input for processing external audio signal through filter and VCA section
Built-in Delay module
Arpeggiator function with sync from midi
VCF Cutoff assignable control from midi, velocity or aftertouch
Headphone output
Audio output: 6.3 mm mono jack, unbalanced
Power: 16 — 24V DC any polarity 600mA or more
Weight: 3.64lbs (1.65kg)
Dimensions: 12,95” x 5,31” x 2,87” (325 x 135 x 73 mm)"

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Arturia Dark Force Rising with BeatStep and MiniLab Black Edition

"The Dark Force is rising again at Arturia with two new Black Editions of BeatStep and MiniLab!!!

With its new design the BeatStep Black Edition comes charged with Oberheim SEM V, Analog Lab and Ableton Live 9 Lite. It also comes with the latest 1.2 firmware update.

MiniLab Black Edition is not left behind, we have packed it with Oberheim SEM V, Analog Lab, Ableton Live 9 Lite, and UVI Grand Piano Model D."

And the press release:

"Arturia announces availability of software-bundled black BeatStep and MiniLab controllers

GRENOBLE, FRANCE: music software and hardware developer Arturia revolutionised the concept of what a priced-to-go compact controller can be with both its award-winning BeatStep Controller & Sequencer and MiniLab Universal MIDI Controller truly turning heads at past NAMM shows; today, within weeks of stealing the show at The NAMM Show 2016, January 21-24 in Anaheim, California, USA with more major product launches, itis proud to announce availability of limited-edition black versions of both the BeatStep and MiniLab that represent better value than before bybundling them with award-winning Arturia and third-party software...

Like its original white namesake sibling launched at The NAMM Show 2014, the BeatStep Black Edition is a chameleon-like controller and sequencer that matches many musical environments effortlessly. Compact and rugged, it is the perfect companion on the road or in the studio, offering a degree of functionality and performance hitherto unheard of in a portable pad controller — certainly at its tempting ‘takeaway’ €99.00 EUR/$129.00 USD asking price!

Speaking of which, the BeatStep Black Edition is bundled with Oberheim SEM V— Arturia’s award-winning authentic software recreation of the original Oberheim Synthesizer Expander Module® (SEM), which was itself conceived back in the Seventies as a way of beefing up weaker-sounding compatible analogue monosynths of the time, thanks to its rich two-oscillator driven sound, soon after forming the muscular musical backbone of several subsequent trailblazing Oberheim polysynths — alongside Arturia’s Analog Lab, a n a b u n d a n t l y -powerful software synthesizer solution with 6,000-plus presets by internationally-renowned sound designers derived from Arturia’s award-winning Analog Classics, a range of authentic-sounding software recreations of classic analogue instruments. Included third-party software comes courtesy of Ableton Live 9 Lite, a customised version of the Ableton Live music-making software, featuring selected instruments and effects plus all the essential workflows to write music, record audio, and songs intuitively in an innovative way — thanks to BeatStep Black Edition, triggering clips in Live 9 Lite areas easy as exercising your trigger finger! — and Grand Piano Model D from fellow French developer UVI, a sample-based virtual instrument delivering the sought-after sound of the superlative Steinway Model D concert grand piano with all the warmth, expressiveness, and detail of the real thing.

To sweeten the deal further still, BeatStep Controller & Sequencer and its younger brother, BeatStep Black Edition, both benefit from a firmware update (to Version 1.2) with neat new features such as resetting factory presets — either everything or everything except pad calibration — particularly proving to be well worth the wait.

When launched in dazzling white at The NAMM Show 2013, the diminutive yet feature-rich MiniLab Universal MIDI Controller proved an irresistible draw as one of the most feature-packed, compact control systems on the market, marrying sought-after hands-on control with portability par excellence. Engineered for the musician on the go or the performer with limited space, it offers a comprehensive set of features in a portable package that is as sturdy as it is easy on the eye. Discover new melodies with 25-mini keys plus pitch and modulation touch-strip controls. Drum out incredible rhythms with two banks of velocity-sensitive backlit performance pads, and tweak software to your musical heart’s content with 16 full-size rotary encoders. When combined with the included Analog Lab it becomes a real hybrid synthesizer.

Still one of the most feature-packed, compact control systems on the market today, it too benefits from the triumphant back in black treatment to remerge refreshed and reinvigorated as the MiniLab Black Edition — even better value than before, thanks to also being bundled with additional software from Arturia (Oberheim SEM V), UVI (Grand Piano Model D), and Ableton (Live Lite).

Black or white, then, the choice is out there... but beyond the plain to see colour change there is so much more to the BeatStep Black Edition andthe MiniLab Black Edition than meets the eye. Even though they still respectively represent a compact control powerhouse and the world’s premier mobile keyboard solution, they are all the better for being bundled with that additional software. Now they represent really remarkable bang for the buck. Best be quick, though... they are limited-edition bundles, after all!"