White Arturia Polybrute 12 Incoming...

video upload by Dream Static Sounds

This one is in via Soviet Space Child.

A synth design masterclass by SOMA SYNTHS Vlad Kreimer.

video upload by mylarmelodies

"In this talk, Soma's Vlad Kreimer explains the unique difference behind 'organismic' synths like the Lyra-8 or Terra vs. everything else. He also explains how other synth brands could be more organismic - and why they may want to be. I believe ideas in this can inspire synth designers as well as anyone designing modular patches..."

This was delivered at Machina Bristronica 2023, check out the event and attend the next event in 2024 here:
▶︎ https://ra.co/events/1788966

CHAPTERS
00:00 Opening thoughts
1:50 What is 'Romantic' Engineering?
5:28 The need for imperfections
9:46 Static digital oscillator
10:22 ...vs analog oscillator
12:30 ...vs a violin.
15:47 Musician vs The Sound They Want
22:15 The secret of Lyra-8
25:12 Triggering Emotional Resonance
27:39 What is an Organismic synth?
31:08 Organismic: The Visual Analogy
32:31 Linear Synth vs Organismic
36:10 Vlad's Challenge to Synth Brands
37:19 Q&A: Macro controls vs Organismic
40:23 Q&A: What synths does Vlad admire?
41:47 Q&A: What is TOO MUCH 'organismic'?
43:02 Q&A: How do you know when a synth is done?
45:16 Q&A: Can we truly perform synths that aren't organismic?
48:19 Q&A: Beyond touch, what other ways can we control synths?
50:29 Q&A: Will people commit to learning to play instruments?
51:47 Q&A: Vlad's Dream: The brain-to-music interface!
53:10 Q&A: What is the Soma design 'difference'?

Novation Summit - A playing attempt at Brian Crain's "Imagining"

video uploads by eM

Playlist:
Novation Summit - A playing attempt at Brian Crain's "Imagining"

One of my favorite piano artists Brian Crain, his song 'Imagining' attempting to play it. IIt definitely takes some muscle memory, but I love this song, love to hear it sound on the Summit.

Novation Summit - "Morning Stroll" SM Plucked Keys

Took a walk outside with the family in our new neighborhood... beautiful sunny day. Much to be thankful for. a short inspirational piece from that played here. I hope wherever you are you will find an enjoyable stroll for yourself.

Novation Summit - SM Plucked Keys (Orano patch) - "Pirate's Beach"

Could pass for a guitar sound, do you think? Credit to Orano's patch again, some reverb from the flashback and hall of fame, subtle reverb and delay on the Summit, I know I know.. why not just use one or the other. Well, it's convenient to alternate, the HoF and FB pedals are primarily not adjusted as it's also sent thru my mixer as an FX channel for other instruments. Enjoy.

Novation Summit - "Aisle" - Multi Mode - 1. SM 5th Sense 2. Sm Who's Afraid (Orano's single patches)

Credit to Orano's Novation Summit single patches, I split them in multi mode, as you'll usually see me do. In this improvisation I'm playing with the delay timing effects on the #2 patch while playing pad on the #1. The onboard delay and reverb effects gives instant breaths for your creative atmospheres.

Novation Summit - "Crystal Falls" Multi Setting (SM Leviathan and SM Popcorn Arp)

Patch creation credit to Orano Music @ https://www.orano.co.uk/shop. Just having fun with blending his patches, very lush and enjoyable, highly recommended!

Novation Summit - SM Leviathan (patch Created by Orano Music)

This patch (along with many others) was created by Orano Music

Novation Summit - "Legendary Keys" - Solo Piano - Multi Mode

I like taking the same single patch and splitting them between both the A and B sections. There are a few minor tweaks between the two sections of course, the A section I'll use for solo piano playing with some slight filter manipulations while the B section is mainly conducting the arp in the play tick on the arp knob, this basically follows the key strokes and does a catch up, so to say, as there is also delay and feedback being added for dynamic effect. I like being able to create an immersivity effect to keep me going in my solo playing. The Summit never fails to conveniently produce this very basic task.

Since OBS has fixed their NDI plugin, it's less work around for me to set up these recordings again. Thanks for listening. appreciate any comments or tips for solo piano playing and any other recommendations to help me along this Summit playing journey.

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Original Waldorf Q Synthesizer

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

via this auction

"Every knob is original and works perfectly. No skipping or ghosting. The display is bright and clear, the output is clean and without static, and everything works as it should. I have owned every analog modeling synth, and the Q is by far my favorite. 3 OSCs, Noise, FM, complex matrix modulation, advanced arpeggiator and sequencer to drive the multitimbral voices. It is a programmers dream. And it makes for a very nice controller with great synth action and aftertouch."

Donner B1 Syn Bass Analog Synthesizer Unboxing, Tutorial, and Review

video upload by Dream Static

"For my very first hardware synth review on this channel, I take a look at the very first synthesizer from Donner, a company mostly known for cheap guitar pedals and digital pianos.

00:00 Intro
00:30 Unboxing
04:31 Sound Test
08:07 Sequencing Tutorial
19:54 The Software
21:10 How to Set Up for Using an External Midi Clock
21:44 My Review
32:21 A Mediocre Dawless Jam Featuring the Donner B1"

You can find the Donner B1 here.

ARP-2600, Moog Grandmother live cinematic Tangerine Dream inspired synthwave annotated performance

video upload by EthanJamesMusic

"I wanted to do a live synthwave performance with annotations that show what I'm thinking as I create these. Almost everything on my channel is an improvisation, so I'm thinking on both music theory and technical levels at all times. This starts with static arpeggios and utilizes modal shifting to create the chord progressions. I'm using a fairly simple setup of just the Moog Grandmother and the ARP-2600, so that the text can follow the music. The arpeggios are inspired by new Tangerine Dream electronic music. Since I'm a film composer by trade, this came out relatively cinematic and would work in certain movie score settings. I hope this is educational for you as well, in terms of how I put these performances together."

Rob Papen Introduces Blade 2

Rob Papen

And the press release:

Rob Papen sharpens soft synth breakthrough by bringing boosted BLADE-2 to existing bundle owners and wider world beyond


ECHT, THE NETHERLANDS: virtual synthesizer, instrument, and effect plug-in developer Rob Papen Inspiration Soundware is proud to announce availability of BLADE-2 — boosting its original BLADE soft synth with fantastic features making it a dream synth for synth lovers who like to think out of the box while working in the box, and available at no extra cost to existing owners of the company’s expansive eXplorer-6 and sure-fire SoundDesign-X bundles — as of October 28…

When the original BLADE was released back in 2012, it had a unique concept — controlling the waveform harmonics (HARMOLATOR) using its recordable XY PAD, which was a very different approach to additive synthesis, and remains so to this day. Indeed, it was the first Rob Papen soft synth to include this feature, facilitating flexible sound editing, recording, and tempo-based playback. Put it this way: when putting this extraordinary combination into action, BLADE users can creatively generate very different tones — far from the sound of the subtractive synthesis crowd, and even those of other additive synthesizers.

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MU - Dark Dream

Published on Aug 17, 2019 Precarious333 Music

"Stressful dream. Dark presence. Infinite dimly lit corridors. What does it mean?

Recorded as 4 tracks into Ableton Live 8. EQ, compression, panning and effects added in post.

Patch Notes:

BASS - Q106A saw wave and Corsynth C104 soft clipped saw sequenced by SymplSEQ 1 into Q105 low pass modulated by C106 channel B and AD ENV. C104 starts out static with no CV to pitch until 45 seconds in.

CHIME - Noise Engineering Basimilus Iteritas Magnus controlled by a second SymplSEQ.

MELODIC - Noise Engineering Ataraxic Iteritas Magnus through Q107A low pass filer modulated by AD ENV. Also sequenced by the second SymplSEQ. I love the Noise on this module. Not standard noise but adds instability to the pitch. It's a really nice effect.

GATED - Same Noise Engineering Ataraxic Iteritas Magnus but through Q107A high pass filer into Oakley Deep Equinox modulated by C106 A-B Out then VCA gated 16th notes.

The MELODIC and GATED components coming from the same source and running through the same multimode filter are balanced by the filter frequency knob with GATED high pass fading at high frequency settings and MELODIC fading as the low pass filter closes.

TIMING - MIDI to clock pulse supplied by Buchla 225e syncing Oakley LFO multed to SymplSEQ 1 and CGS01 Sub Oscillator acting as a clock divider/gate mixer creating the odd cadence of SymplSEQ 2. Irregular gate pattern from SymplSEQ 1 triggering an ENV and channel A of C106. Irregular trigger pattern from SymplSEQ 2 runs to sync of the other Oakley LFO re-triggering the cycle. This allows me to control the gate length by using the square out of the LFO at low rate and adjusting the pulse width adding sustain time to the ENV and NE BIM it triggers. The sine out of this LFO modulates wave shape on NE AIM."

Deckard's Dream - Expander test

Published on Jan 9, 2019 ljs8888

"Mucking around with the DD expander. Static noises are from my dodgy Roland GOMixer, not the DD."

Moby's Drum Machines For Sale

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

You can find them on Reverb here.

Don't miss the video here.

Update: some pics and details captured. I made the mistake of trying to capture them all and then realized how many were listed. :) I ended up switching to the more esoteric models. Quite a few have never been featured here on MATRIXSYNTH before. What's a little bit interesting, is only two new labels were needed, one for Domino and one for Side-Kick-Er. All other brands have been featured before. See the labels at the bottom of this post. Side note: Blogger limits the number of characters to 200 for labels, so I wasn't able to capture them all for this post. You can always search for the brand names featured for more. I assume most do this anyway. The labels are more for maintenance and for finding posts that may not feature brand names in descriptions.

Pictured:

Realistic Concertmate Electronic Accompanist-Metronome

"Fully analog rhythmic companion utilizing 5 beat buttons to combine how you wish. Features metronome, speaker and line out, and tempo control.

Serial: 42-2103. Works with no issue."

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MATRIXSYNTH Review and Overview of the Novation UltraNova

Hi everyone, you might remember, back in July I posted some pics of my newly acquired UltraNova, and mentioned that review posts would eventually follow. Well, I’m happy to tell you the first post is here. The UltraNova is one powerful synth, so to make the overall review a bit more consumable, it will be broken up over time. This first section includes an Overview, the Oscillators, and the Mixer sections. When new sections go up, I will be sure to let you know via a new post.

As with most of my reviews, I will say this one goes pretty deep into the synth engine and all editable parameters. If you are the type of person that likes to dissect and explore all of the available parameters on a synth, then this post is for you. I will touch on what each parameter does and will call out any interesting features and limitations as I do so. There are some pretty special parameters on the UltraNova that give you control beyond most other synths. Hopefully this review will give you some insight into what makes the UltraNova special.

Overview & Quick Comparison to Previous Nova Synths

The Novation UltraNova, released back in 2010, is a 20 voice virtual analog & wavetable synth with three oscillators, two ring modulators and one noise source per voice. The UltraNova also features two audio ins that can be assigned to the oscillator section and/or a 12-band vocoder. It’s worth noting that the Novation Nova from 1999 featured a 40-band vocoder, while the Supernova II from 2000 featured a 42-band vocoder. The UltraNova is a monotimbral synth while the 12 voice Nova was six part multitimbral and the Supernova II (24, 36, or 48 voice) was eight part multitimbral. The UltraNova supports up to 5 simultaneous effects per patch. The Nova supported 42 simultaneous effects, while the Supernova II supported up to 56. The Supernova II also supported FM synthesis while the Nova and UltraNova omit it.

The UltraNova, however, is the first Nova synth to feature wavetable synthesis. An interesting side note is that all of the oscillators on the UltraNova are actually stored as wavetables, including the standard waveforms. According to Novation, “The wavetables in the Supernova series are all calculated. The wavetables in the UltraNova, even the standard analogue waves are wavetable oscillators. This change in oscillator generation was first used on the A-Station and K-Station and subsequently in the KS series, X-Station and Xio.” This allows the UltraNova to have some advanced tricks when it comes to the oscillator section, which will be covered in detail below.

I asked Novation about the lack of FM synthesis and they told me, “FM would have been a lovely addition to the UltraNova, but it would have been asking too much of the DSP to be able to run everything the UltraNova can do and also add in FM. The wavetables were a really good way to introduce a new (to Novation) type of synthesis that is able to cater for some of the synth sounds that FM is known for and also to be able to create lush evolving pads.”

The UltraNova features two routable filters per voice with a total of 14 filter types to chose from including 6dB (no resonance), 12dB, 18dB, and 24dB with Lowpass, Bandpass and Hi-pass modes. The Nova and Supernova II lacked a 6dB mode.

As for hardware, although the UltraNova may have fewer knobs per function than its predecessors, it is extremely well laid out and super intuitive to use. Along with both keyboard velocity and aftertouch, the UltraNova has touch sensitive knobs. They literally respond to touch and can be assigned to various parameters. Worth noting, velocity is configurable, however, aftertouch is not. I found the aftertouch to be good, but it does require a little extra force than I prefer; it’s good for not accidentally triggering it, but not so good for subtle, natural performance.

Please note the above comparisons with the Nova and Supernova II were only for quick reference. The UltraNova of course is its own synth with a few tricks up its sleeves that are lacking in the original Nova line, including a level of control over the synth engine often only found in the modular realm. It sounds incredible, and for the price, currently only $599 new, it is an extremely flexible and powerful synth. You get the current top-of-the-line Novation Nova synth engine with new wavetables and more. The UltraNova is both a performance oriented synth as well as a synth programmers dream. It can be configured for easy access to specific parameters for a live situation, or you can dig as deep as you want with a clearly well thought out interface.

That said, let’s dig in.

The following review and overview will essentially go over the signal flow of the UltraNova followed by performance controls including the arpeggiator and the hardware interface. I’ll go into a little detail on what each feature can and cannot do in an attempt to give you a detailed idea of what the synth is capable of. Because my reviews tend to be a bit on the longer side, I will be posting the sections in chunks over time to make it easier on you to consume and for me to compose.

First we start with…

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Minimoog Model D Serial# 5699

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

via this auction

via the seller: "This Minimoog Model D is truly a rare find. Built in 1976, Serial Number 5699. I have owned this unit for well over 30 years. Very light use, and extremely well taken care of. ALL switches, dials, controls are fully functional and have ZERO static. The three oscillators are in perfect condition and well tuned. All waveforms are perfect. Glide, decay, sustain, cutoff frequency, filter emphasis all sound like a dream. Pitch and Mod wheels are a clear lucite material. This unit is fully functional and is in great condition. However, it does have two issues. One cosmetic (the very edges of B3 and C3 keys have a very small chip on the surface,), the other electronic (keys G3-C4 have an intermittent issue where they sometimes all play the same pitch as G3.). Both issues can be easily corrected by servicing the unit. I am not an electrical engineer so I didn't feel I could fix it myself. The asking price has been reduced by $500 to compensate for the cost of the repairs to the unit if desired. Other than those two minor issues, the unit is in fantastic condition. SUPER CLEAN control panel and the wood cabinet is intact with not a scratch on it. The winning bidder will own one of the best preserved original Minimoogs available today."

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Happy Birthday Commodore Amiga!

The Amiga Demoscene Mixtape Vol. 1 - mixed by DJ Arvy (The Old-School Classics Edition)

Published on Jun 11, 2013 DJ Arvy

The Commodore Amiga turns 30 today! via Boing Boing

Playlist:

1. The Amiga Demoscene Mixtape Vol. 1 - mixed by DJ Arvy (The Old-School Classics Edition)
"A non-stop DJ Continous Mix featuring some of the greatest and most popular Soundtracks from the early 90s Old School Amiga Demos.

Playlist:
0:05 "Deep Space" by Greg (from "Odyssey" by Alcatraz, 1992)
0:45 "Stardust Memories" by Jester (from "World of Commodore" by Sanity, 1992)
4:15 "Part6" by Greg (from "Odyssey" by Alcatraz, 1992)
6:35 "Hyperbased" by Firefox & Tip (from "Enigma" by Phenomena, 1991)
11:19 "Checknobankh" by Laxity (from "Desert Dream" by Kefrens, 1993)
14:25 "Elysium" by Jester (from "Elysium" by Sanity, 1991)
17:50 "Vite and Plack" by Virgill (from "Interference" by Sanity, 1993)
21:41 "Part3" by Greg (from "Odyssey" by Alcatraz, 1992)
23:21 "Overload" by Firefox & Tip (from "Voyage" by Razor 1911, 1991)
29:30 "Nagual Dance" by Jugi (from "Paradigma" by Complex, 1993)
33:35 "Demomodul#3" by Laxity (from "Desert Dream" by Kefrens, 1993)
37:55 "Cyberride" by Jester (from "Extension" by Pygmy Projects, 1993)
42:16 "A nice Day for a Walk" by Julius / Mad Freak (from "3D Demo II" by Anarchy, 1992)

Free MP3-Download at soundcloud:
https://soundcloud.com/deejay-arvy/th..."

2. The Amiga Demoscene Mixtape Vol. 2 - mixed by DJ Arvy (Old Skool) ft. Mods by Moby, Laxity and more

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Vintage Synthesizers | ARP Odyssey

YouTube Published on Jul 18, 2012 by MusicMarketingTV

"A voyage into the heart of the ARP Odyssey from the year 1972.
Exploration by Marko Ettlich

2 Osc per Voice I Saw, Pulse; PWM, FM, Sync, Noise
Filter - 24dB lowpass
static highpass filter
sample/hold

It has been used by Ultravox, Gary Numan, John Foxx, Vangelis, Elton John, Jethro Tull, Tangerine Dream, ABBA, Herbie Hancock and many more."

SEARCH /Broadcasting Tijuana Electronic Music to outer space

YouTube via pepemogt.

"Manglano-Ovalle transformed the bullfight ring of Tijuana located at the border in to a Radio telescope searching for "aliens". He suspended an antenna above the building and a receiving dish below, Live Electronic Music was brodcasted in the building, on the web, FM radio and into space. This project makes reference to the social situation of Mexican "Aliens".

In the video Pepe Mogt(Latinsizer, Fussible, Nortec), Ramon Bostich(nortec Collective) and Leslie(Dream addictive) were making music with digital and analog sequencers and synths(Arp Odyssey, Oberheim), the audio out of this machines was sent to Manglano-Ovalle Transmiter in real time in to outer space.

info about synths used:
The ARP Odyssey was and still is a very popular synth because it is a powerful lightweight version of the awesome ARP 2600. It was also ARP's response to the Minimoog and the Odyssey became the most popular synth ARP ever sold! The Odyssey is a 2-oscillator analog synth (with duophonic capability) which sounds really nice; the Minimoog has 3 oscillators and is considered fatter. The Odyssey comes well equipped with all the tweakable features you'd expect: resonant low pass filter, ADSR envelopes, sine or square wave LFO and even a sample-and-hold function. It also added a few new features such as a highpass filter in series with the lowpass, oscillator sync capability and pulse width modulation. It is a very professional and expressive machine that can create nice analog basses, interesting leads and great effects and sweeping sounds or noises!

There were many versions of the Odyssey over the years, each a little different. Pictured above is the Odyssey I (Model 2800). These original white-faced Odysseys used a tinny 2-pole VCF filter design (Model 4023) similar to old Oberheim SEM modules. They also used a rotary knob for pitch bending. These models were produced between 1972-74. Odysseys have been used by ABBA, Bomb The Bass, Ultravox, Gary Numan, LTJ Bukem, Air, Tangerine Dream, 808 State, Apollo 440, Nine Inch Nails, Astral Projection, Chick Corea, George Duke, Josef Zawinul, John Foxx, Vangelis, Elton John, Latinsizer, Jethro Tull, Fussible, Nortec Collective, Jimmy Edgar, DEVO, R.E.M. and Herbie Hancock

TR-808
The TR-808 is a classic drum machine that used analog synthesis to create its sounds. The sounds have a very thin and pure quality and aren't grungy like it's successor the TR-909. In fact, the 808 has become the signature beatbox used in most R&B and hip-hop as well as a lot of dance and techno music. Booming bass kicks, crispy snares and that annoying cowbell sound made famous during the 80's are all part of the 808 and its famous sound.

Its 16 drum sounds include the famous boomy low kick, snappy snares, low/mid/hi toms, low/mid/hi congas, rimshot, claves, hand clap, maracas, cowbell, cymbal, open hihat, closed hihat and accent. All of the sounds can be edited and/or tuned and have individual outputs. Unfortunately it is not MIDI equipped but it does use Roland's DIN Sync.

The TR-808 was OK in its time. It just didn't sound like real drums. When the Linn Drum machines appeared, the 808 seemed doomed. But its unique sound and analog allure have found it a long-lasting home in many forms of music. Clearly the 808 has been one of the more important and famous drum machines in the history of music, spawning imitators (ReBirth, DrumStation) and band names (808 State). Famous users include Orbital, Uberzone, Download, Aphex Twin, 808 State, BT, Bomb The Bass, Sense Datum, The Prodigy, Josh Wink, Faithless, Skinny Puppy, Bushflange, Jimi Tenor, A Guy Called Gerald, Eat Static, Dr. Dre, Jimmy Edgar, Nortec Collective, Freddy Fresh, Richie Hawtin, Jean Michel Jarre, Cocteau Twins, Bostich, Marvin Gaye, Latinsizer, Luke Vibert, Ice Cube and Puff Daddy."