Best Ambient Synth Shootout #82: Kawai K1r - Song 3

Published on Mar 15, 2020 Christian's Sonic Spaces

"This is the third song with the K1r. It's a 16 voice 8-part multitimbral synthesizer based on 256 PCM waveforms. One interesting feature is the ringmodulation (AM) between two oscillators.

I used for the recording the following FX chain:
K1r - Sony DPS V-77 - Pigtronix Echolution 2 Deluxe - GFI System Specular Reverb 2. Depending on the recorded track some FX are deactivated

The signal went through a Presonus StudioLive 16.0.2 into the PC for recording. To create the complete song I recorded consecutively several stereo tracks. The final song was then mastered with a bit EQ and compression on some tracks and some limiting on the master track."

Kawai K1r videos by Christian's Sonic Spaces

Best Ambient Synth Shootout #88: Casio VZ-10m - Song 2

Published on May 3, 2020 Christian's Sonic Spaces

"This is the second song with the VZ-10m. It's a 16 voice 8-part multitimbral digital synthesizer based on Casio's iPD Phase Distortion Synthesis.

I used for the recording the following FX:
Pigtronix Envelope Phaser - Pigtronix Tremvelope - DigiTech Polara - Pigtronix Echolution 2 Deluxe - GFI System Specular Reverb 2

The signal went through a Presonus StudioLive 16.0.2 into the PC for recording. To create the complete song I created and recorded consecutively several stereo tracks. The final song was then mastered with a bit EQ and compression on some tracks and some limiting on the master track."

Christian's Sonic Spaces Casio VZ-10m

Best Ambient Synth Shootout #66: preenFM2 - Song 3

Published on May 25, 2019 Christian's Sonic Spaces

"This is the third song with the preenFM2. It's a 14 voice 4-part multitimbral polyphonic DIY FM generator with 28 FM algorithms from 3 to 6 operators, 7 default and 6 user waveforms, filter, arpeggiator, etc.

I used for the recording the following FX chain:
preenFM2 - Alesis Ampliton - Pigtronix Echolution 2 Deluxe - GFI System Specular Reverb 2, Roland TR-8 (for sidechaining). Depending on the recorded track some FX are deactivated

The signal went through a Presonus StudioLive 16.0.2 into the PC via USB for recording. To create the complete song I recorded consecutively several stereo tracks. The final song was then mastered with a bit EQ and compression on some tracks and some limiting on the master track."

Christian's Sonic Spaces preenFM2 videos

Best Ambient Synth Shootout #99: Böhm Dynamic 4x9 - Song 3

Christian's Sonic Spaces

"This is the third song with the Boehm Dynamic 4x9. It's a German FM-synthesizer from mid-80s that were only available as DIY project. It uses 12(!) Yamaha ICs of the type YM2203, which were commonly used in home computers from NEC as well as in arcade games until the early 90s. Each of the ICs has 3 FM-voices for an overall 36 voices 4-part polyphony.

I used for the recording the following FX for the song:

DigiTech Obscura, Pigtronix Echolution 2 Deluxe, GFI System Specular Reverb 2.

Depending on the recorded track some FX are deactivated.The signal went through a Presonus StudioLive 16.0.2 into the PC for recording. To create the complete song I recorded consecutively several stereo tracks. The final song was then mastered with a bit EQ and compression on some tracks and some limiting on the master track."

Christian's Sonic Spaces Böhm demos

Best Ambient Synth Shootout #75: Korg M1R - Song 2

Published on Jul 12, 2019 Christian's Sonic Spaces

"This is the second song with the M1R. It's a 16 voice 8-part multitimbral synthesizer based on PCM waveforms. This time the outcome of the session was a minimal soundscape track.

I used for the recording the following FX:
Pigtronix Echolution 2 Deluxe, GFI System Specular Reverb 2

The signal went through a Presonus StudioLive 16.0.2 into the PC via USB for recording. To create the complete song I created and recorded consecutively several stereo tracks. The final song was then mastered with a bit EQ and compression on some tracks and some limiting on the master track."

Song 1 here. More videos by Christian's Sonic Spaces here.

Best Ambient Synth Shootout #79: Kasser DAFM Synth - Song 1

Published on Feb 10, 2020 Christian's Sonic Spaces

"This is the first song with the DAFM Synth [see here for details]. It's an FM synthesizer based on either the YM2612 yamaha chip (used in SEGA Genesis / Megadrive home consoles and various SEGA arcade game systems, including the Mega-Play, System 18, and System 32) or the cleaner sounding YM3438 chip without the crossover distortion in the output. Both sound chips has six channels with four operators per channel.

I used for the recording the following FX chain:
K1r - Alesis Ampliton - Pigtronix Echolution 2 Deluxe - GFI System Specular Reverb 2. Depending on the recorded track some FX are deactivated

The signal went through a Presonus StudioLive 16.0.2 into the PCfor recording. To create the complete song I recorded consecutively several stereo tracks. The final song was then mastered with a bit EQ and compression on some tracks and some limiting on the master track.

Well, I decided to go back to the basics, but at the same time make something useful for the synth community and do a kind of competition (I like competitions;-). What's my best synth for ambient music :-)"

Best Ambient Synth Shootout #80: Roland D-05 - Song 1

Published on Feb 16, 2020 Christian's Sonic Spaces

"This is the first song with the Roland D-05 Synth. It's a remake of the famous D-50 first released in 1987, a digital synth using the so called ‘Linear Arithmetic’ (LA) synthesis.

I used for the recording the following FX chain:
D-05 - Alesis Ampliton - Pigtronix Echolution 2 Deluxe - GFI System Specular Reverb 2. Depending on the recorded track some FX are deactivated

The signal went through a Presonus StudioLive 16.0.2 into the PCfor recording. To create the complete song I recorded consecutively several stereo tracks. The final song was then mastered with a bit EQ and compression on some tracks and some limiting on the master track.

Well, I decided to go back to the basics, but at the same time make something useful for the synth community and do a kind of competition (I like competitions;-). What's my best synth for ambient music :-)"

Best Ambient Synth Shootout #31: E-MU Morpheus - Song 2

Christian's Sonic Spaces
Published on Aug 2, 2017

"Another E-MU Morpheus song ;-) It's a Z-Plane Synthesizer which has an unique filter morphing technology that can create organic spacy sounds. So it's good for ambient too ;-)

I used for the recording the following FX chain:
Morpheus - Elektron Analog Heat - EarthQuaker Devices Afterneath - TC Electronic Mimiq - Pigtronix Echolution 2 Deluxe - DigiTech Polara. The used fx varied depending on the recorded track.

The signal goes via a small Behringer mixer straight into the pc.

To create the complete song I recorded consecutively several stereo tracks. The final song was then mastered with just a bit EQ and compression on some tracks and some limiting on the master track.

Well, I decided to go back to the basics, but at the same time make something useful for the synth community and do a kind of competition (I like competitions;-). What's my best synth for ambient music :-)"

Best Ambient Synth Shootout #40: Yamaha VL7 - Song 2

Published on Oct 1, 2017 Christian's Sonic Spaces

"This is the second song with the Yamaha VL7 Version 2. It's a monophonic synthesizer based on physical modelling algorithms. The song is a kind of noisy dark ambient drone. Yes, the VL7 can do otherworldly, industrial soundscapes as well ;-)

I used for the recording the following FX chain:
VL7 - Alesis Ampliton - Alesis Philtre - TC Electronic Mimiq - DigiTech Obscura- DigiTech Polara. The used fx varied depending on the recorded track.

The signal goes via a small Behringer mixer straight into the pc.

To create the complete song I recorded consecutively several stereo tracks. The final song was then mastered with just a bit EQ and compression on some tracks and some limiting on the master track.

Well, I decided to go back to the basics, but at the same time make something useful for the synth community and do a kind of competition (I like competitions;-). What's my best synth for ambient music :-)"

Part 1 here.

Best Ambient Synth Shootout #68: Modal Craft Synth 2.0 - Song 1

Published on Jun 7, 2019 Christian's Sonic Spaces

"This is the first evening and the first soundscape with the Craft Synth 2.0. Just tweaked some sound patches and tried to discover the sonic potential of this tiny synth. And got out some experimental, minimal ambient.

At first, I like the endless knobs, the smooth glas surfaced keyboard (perfect to slide your finger over the keys) and the harsh, digital, agressiv sound.

I used for the recording the following FX chain:
CraftSynth 2.0 - Alesis Ampliton - Pigtronix Echolution 2 Deluxe - GFI System Specular Reverb 2. Depending on the recorded track some FX are deactivated

The signal went through a Presonus StudioLive 16.0.2 into the PC via USB for recording. To create the complete song I recorded consecutively several stereo tracks. The final song was then mastered with a bit EQ and compression on some tracks and some limiting on the master track."

Best Ambient Synth Shootout #37: Korg Prophecy - Song 2

Published on Aug 28, 2017 Christian's Sonic Spaces

"This is the second song with the Korg Prophecy. It's a monophonic synthesizer with algorithms for Virtual Analog, Variable Phase Modulation similar to FM synthesis, and physically modeled brass, reed, and plucked string instruments. This song sounds like a scary zombie game soundtrack, nothing you would expect from a Prophecy synth ;-)

I used for the recording the following FX chain which I sparely used this time:
Prophecy - Alesis Ampliton - Elektron Analog Heat - Boss Tera Echo - TC Electronic Mimiq - Pigtronix Echolution 2 Deluxe - DigiTech Polara. The used fx varied depending on the recorded track but this time most tracks were recorded dry.

The signal goes via a small Behringer mixer straight into the pc.

To create the complete song I recorded consecutively several stereo tracks. The final song was then mastered with just a bit EQ and compression on some tracks and some limiting on the master track.

Well, I decided to go back to the basics, but at the same time make something useful for the synth community and do a kind of competition (I like competitions;-). What's my best synth for ambient music :-)"

Song 1 here.

Best Ambient Synth Shootout #125: Arturia MicroFreak - Song 3

video upload by Christian's Sonic Spaces

"This is the third song with the MicroFreak. It's a monophonic/paraphonic synthesizer with a digital oscillator section containing 12 different algorithms and an analog filter.

I used for the recording the following FX chain:
MicroFreak - Zoom MS-70CDR - Pigtronix Echolution 2 Deluxe - GFI System Specular Reverb 2. Depending on the recorded track some FX are deactivated

The signal went through a Presonus StudioLive 16.0.2 into the PC via USB for recording. To create the complete song I recorded consecutively several stereo tracks. The final song was then mastered with a bit EQ and compression on some tracks and some limiting on the master track.

Well, I decided to go back to the basics, but at the same time make something useful for the synth community and do a kind of competition (I like competitions;-). What's my best synth for ambient music :-)"

Best Ambient Synth Shootout #55: Roland M-VS1 - Song 1

Published on Sep 19, 2018 Christian's Sonic Spaces

"This is the first song with the Roland M-VS1. It's a 28 voice 8-part multitimbral ROMpler from the mid-90s with a focus on vintage synths.

I used for the recording the following FX chain:
Roland M-VS1 - Alesis Ampliton - Alesis Philtre - Pigtronix Echolution 2 Deluxe - GFI System Specular Reverb 2. Depending on the recorded track some FX are deactivated

The signal went through a small Behringer mixer into the pc for recording. To create the complete song I recorded consecutively several stereo tracks. The final song was then mastered with a bit EQ and compression on some tracks and some limiting on the master track.

Well, I decided to go back to the basics, but at the same time make something useful for the synth community and do a kind of competition (I like competitions;-). What's my best synth for ambient music :-)"

Best Ambient Synth Shootout #116: Arturia MicroFreak - Song 2

video upload by Christian's Sonic Spaces

Song 1 here.

"This is the second (quite minimalistic) song with the MicroFreak. It's a monophonic/paraphonic synthesizer with a digital oscillator section containing 12 different algorithms and an analog filter.

I used for the recording the following FX chain: MicroFreak - Digitech Obscura - Pigtronix Echolution 2 Deluxe - GFI System Specular Reverb 2. Depending on the recorded track some FX are deactivated

The signal went through a Presonus StudioLive 16.0.2 into the PC via USB for recording. To create the complete song I recorded consecutively several stereo tracks. The final song was then mastered with a bit EQ and compression on some tracks and some limiting on the master track.

Well, I decided to go back to the basics, but at the same time make something useful for the synth community and do a kind of competition (I like competitions;-). What's my best synth for ambient music :-)"

Best Ambient Synth Shootout #44: Red Sound Darkstar XP2 - Song 3

Published on Nov 11, 2017 Christian's Sonic Spaces

"This is the third song with the Red Sound Darkstar XP2. It's a table-top 8-voice polyphonic, 5-part multitimbral virtual analog synthesizer.

I used for the recording the following FX chain:
Darkstar XP2 - TC Electronic Mimiq - DigitTech Ventura Vibe - DigiTech Obscura - GFI System Specular Reverb 2. The used fx varied depending on the recorded track.

The signal goes via a small Behringer mixer straight into the pc.

To create the complete song I recorded consecutively several stereo tracks. The final song was then mastered with just a bit EQ and compression on some tracks and some limiting on the master track.

Well, I decided to go back to the basics, but at the same time make something useful for the synth community and do a kind of competition (I like competitions;-). What's my best synth for ambient music :-)"

All parts here.

Best Ambient Synth Shootout #122: Yamaha TX81Z - Song 1

video upload by Christian's Sonic Spaces

"This is the first song with the Yamaha TX81Z. It's an 8-notes, 8-part multitimbral FM synthesizer from 1987. In contrast to the DX-7 it use 4-Operators instead of 6 but supports additional waveforms other than just a sine wave.

This song is based on 'My Lord Willoughby's Welcome Home' by John Dowland who lived 1563–1626.

I used for the recording the following FX chain: TX81Z - DigiTech Ventura - Pigtronix Echolution 2 Deluxe - GFI System Specular Reverb 2. Depending on the recorded track some FX are deactivated

The signal went through a Presonus StudioLive 16.0.2 into the PC via USB for recording. To create the complete song I recorded consecutively several stereo tracks. The final song was then mastered with a bit EQ and compression on some tracks and some limiting on the master track.

Well, I decided to go back to the basics, but at the same time make something useful for the synth community and do a kind of competition (I like competitions;-). What's my best synth for ambient music :-)"

Best Ambient Synth Shootout #54: Quasimidi TechnoX - Song 1

Published on Aug 27, 2018 Christian's Sonic Spaces

"This is the first song with the Quasimidi TechnoX. It's a 21 voice 16-part multitimbral ROMpler from the mid-90s with a focus on techno, rave, electronic.

I used for the recording the following FX chain:
Quasimidi TechnoX - Alesis Ampliton - Alesis Philtre - Pigtronix Echolution 2 Deluxe - GFI System Specular Reverb 2. Depending on the recorded track some FX are deactivated

The signal went through a small Behringer mixer into the pc for recording. To create the complete song I recorded consecutively several stereo tracks. The final song was then mastered with a bit EQ and compression on some tracks and some limiting on the master track.

Well, I decided to go back to the basics, but at the same time make something useful for the synth community and do a kind of competition (I like competitions;-). What's my best synth for ambient music :-)"

Best Ambient Synth Shootout #47: Waldorf Blofeld - Song 3

Published on Feb 23, 2018 Christian's Sonic Spaces

"This is the third song with the Waldorf Blofeld. It's a table-top 25-voice polyphonic, 16-part multitimbral, digital synthesizer capable of wavetable synthesis and analogue modelling.

I used for the recording the following FX chain:
Waldorf Blofeld - Pigtronix Echolution 2 Deluxe - GFI System Specular Reverb 2 - Alesis 3630 - Elektron Analog Heat

The signal goes via a small Behringer mixer straight into the pc.

To create the complete song I recorded consecutively several stereo tracks. The final song was then mastered with just a bit EQ and compression on some tracks and some limiting on the master track.

Well, I decided to go back to the basics, but at the same time make something useful for the synth community and do a kind of competition (I like competitions;-). What's my best synth for ambient music :-)"

Best Ambient Synth Shootout #51: Olegtron 4060 MK2 - Song 1

Published on Aug 7, 2018 Christian's Sonic Spaces

"This is the first song with the Olegtron 4060 MK2. It's an experimental signal generator. Signals and sequences are generated by sticking all kind of electronical components to its patchboard. Pretty cool!

I used for the recording the following FX chain:
Olegtron 4060 MK2 - Alesis Philtre - Pigtronix Echolution 2 Deluxe - GFI System Specular Reverb 2 - Alesis 3630 (bassdrum on sidechains). Depending on the recorded track some FX are deactivated

The signal went through a small Behringer mixer with a Korg Kaoss Pad KP3+ in the FX bus into the pc for recording. The song was then mastered with noise reduction and a bit compression/limiting.

To create the complete song I recorded consecutively several stereo tracks. The final song was then mastered with a bit EQ and compression on some tracks and some limiting on the master track.

Well, I decided to go back to the basics, but at the same time make something useful for the synth community and do a kind of competition (I like competitions;-). What's my best synth for ambient music :-)"

Best Ambient Synth Shootout #45: Waldorf Blofeld - Song 1

Published on Nov 19, 2017 Christian's Sonic Spaces

"This is the first song with the Waldorf Blofeld. It's a table-top 25-voice polyphonic, 16-part multitimbral, digital synthesizer capable of wavetable synthesis and analogue modelling.

I used for the recording the following FX chain:
Blofeld - Alesis Ampliton - DigiTech Obscura - GFI System Specular Reverb 2. The used fx varied depending on the recorded track, while the internal fx of the blofeld were deactivated.

The signal goes via a small Behringer mixer straight into the pc.

To create the complete song I recorded consecutively several stereo tracks. The final song was then mastered with just a bit EQ and compression on some tracks and some limiting on the master track.

Well, I decided to go back to the basics, but at the same time make something useful for the synth community and do a kind of competition (I like competitions;-). What's my best synth for ambient music :-)"