Schtang & Aengus - Alluvium Part 1 (Ambient Jam) feat. Octatrack mkii, Sub37, E2, Microkorg, VKeys

Published on Jan 18, 2018 Schtang

Part 2 below.

"Schtang & Aengus return for another live studio hardware jam. Changed direction and worked this introspective ambient jam with some rainforest flavours. This is part 1 of 2 installments, with the second taking on a more percussive and driving feel.
This is a slightly developed studio jam and shows us experimenting with soundscapes before progressing it into a solid piece in the second installment. Still discovering our synergy together and working at using instruments and effects that complement our playing style and taste.

Studio Talk:
The Microkorg offers the central melodic pad and some intermittent bass sounds gluing the composition together. It is being processed by the TC Electronic M300 multi effects unit to give it some more space and eloquence in the mix.
The Elektron Octatrack MKII sets the mood with some rainforest soundscapes and acts as an effects unit for the Moog Sub37
The Moog Sub37 provides a surreal arp which intermingles with the other sounds and creates the rhythmic driving element.
The Electribe 2 is the central hub and acts as the midi clock while also sequencing and processing the Korg Volca Keys.
Everything runs back into the Mackie VLZ4 2404 and all mixing was done via the console"

Schtang & Aengus - Alluvium Part 2 (Percussive Jam) ft. Octatrack mkii, E2, TR08, Sub37, Microkorg)

Published on Jan 18, 2018 Schtang

"The second installment of Alluvium by Schtang and Aengus. Picking things up from the ambience of Part 1 and developing it into a more refined and rhythmic performance.

Very excited at our progress and we will continue to post our music whether it's well crafted or not. Keen to hear how you think of our progress!

Studio yarn:
The TR-08 is the driving percussive element of the tune with its signature kicks and hats driving the progression and mood.
The Korg Microkorg adds some warmth with wide, luscious pads.
The Electribe 2 provides some backup percussive elements and sequences and processes the dark tones from the Volca Keys.
The Octatrack sets the mood for the piece with some atmospheric percussion and forest ambience.
The Sub37 provides the panning growling bass patch which shuffles in and out of the piece."

VCS 3 - Mad Professor Moment

Published on Oct 21, 2017 100 Things I Do

"The VCS 3 is quite often referred to as having the look of a scientific instrument. I guess in some ways it makes sense as EMS were explorers of sound and high technology at the time.

I decided to do something different from drones or sound effects this week so here's the outcome.

I first created sounds I liked then arranged the audio into something that had some kind of progression/musical sense to it. It has that 60's electronic music vibe and a bit more exploratory than maybe something you would put on your stereo for a quiet evening at home!"

Rhino - FM Synthesizer using Arduino and Max Msp

Published on Oct 18, 2017

"To project αυτό έγινε στα πλαίσια εργασίας του μαθήματος Ηλεκτρονικά Μουσικά Όργανα του τμήματος Μηχανικών Μουσικής Τεχνολογίας και Ακουστικής.
Πρόκειται για ένα synthesizer που βασίζεται στην ιδέα του Theremin ως προς τον τρόπο διάδρασης με τον χρήστη, ενώ ως προς την δημιουργίας ηχοχρώματος του βασίζεται στην τεχνική Frequency Modulation Synthesis.
Ο χρήστης δηλαδή με την κίνηση του χεριού ελέγχει μια ακολουθία από νότες σαν εξέλιξή μιας μουσικής κλίμακας που θα επιλέξει. Ενώ ταυτόχρονα μπορεί να ρυθμίζει το φασματικό περιεχόμενο χειριζόμενος τα ποτενσιόμετρα. Το ηχητικό αποτέλεσμα που θα παράγει βασίζεται στους λόγους αρμονικότητας που θα ορίσει καθώς και το εφέ που θα επιλέγει να συνοδεύει την βασική γεννήτρια ήχου. Σκοπός είναι να δοθεί στον χρήστη η ελευθερία του να διαμορφώσει την χροιά του οργάνου με ποικίλους συνδυασμούς πειραματιζόμενος με το χειριστήριο.
Για την κατασκευή του χρησιμοποίησα ενα Arduino Mega 2560, και τον αισθητήρα κίνησης Ultrasonic Sensor HC-SR04.
Ο προγραμματισμός της γεννήτριας ήχου έγινε στο περιβάλλον της Max Msp."

Googlish:

"This project was done within the framework of the Electronic Music Instruments course of the Department of Music Engineering of Technology and Acoustics.

It is a synthesizer based on the idea of ​​Theremin in how to interact with the user, while in terms of its sound coloring it is based on the Frequency Modulation Synthesis technique.

The user, by moving the hand, controls a sequence of notes as a progression of a music scale he chooses. While at the same time it can regulate the spectral content by manipulating the potentiometers. The sound effect it generates is based on the reasons for its harmonicity and the effect it will choose to accompany the basic sound generator. The purpose is to give the user the freedom to shape the instrument's complexion with a variety of combinations by experimenting with the controller.

For construction I used an Arduino Mega 2560, and the Ultrasonic Sensor HC-SR04 motion sensor.

The sound generator was programmed into Max Msp's environment. "

Ambient Synth and Guitar Meditation - Poly-61 and Artcore AG86

Published on Dec 24, 2016 Stephen Hummel

"Volume 4 of the 'Circuits and Strings' series from subtractiveLAD aka: Stephen Hummel.

A peaceful, deep ambient meditation based on a chord progression performed on my Korg Poly-61 and a loop pedal jam on my Ibanez Artcore AG86.

I made the patch on the Poly-61 and ran it through my Boss RE-20 Space Echo, with a little Line 6 Verbzilla.

The ambient guitar is the result of effects from my pedalboard, mixing bus and DAW.

Signal path:

AG86
Keeley 4 Knob Compressor
Ernie Ball VP Jr.
Red Witch Medusa
TC Electronic Ditto
Strymon TimeLine
Walrus Audio Descent

Fender Hot Rod Deluxe Amp
Shure SM57 Mic

Boss RE-20 Space Echo
Line 6 Verbzilla

CLA Guitars (Waves)
Manny Marroquin Reverb (Waves)
Valhalla Shimmer
Arturia MiniFilter V

... some additional mixing in Reaper"

Kyma 7: LinnStrument & MPE Support

Kyma 7: LinnStrument & MPE Support from Symbolic Sound on Vimeo.

"Champaign, Illinois — October 21, 2015 — Kyma 7 now offers plug-and-play support for Roger Linn Design’s LinnStrument and other MPE-enabled MIDI instruments.

Kyma automatically puts the LinnStrument into MPE mode when you connect it via USB-MIDI or MIDI 5-pin DIN (or via your computer, using Delora Software’s Kyma Connect). Once connected, any keyboard-controlled Sound in Kyma automatically sets the polyphony and responds to the LinnStrument — no extra controllers are needed, and you don’t have to select a special mode on the LinnStrument — it’s literally, plug it in and play.

What is MPE?

Traditional MIDI note events have two dimensions — pitch and velocity — neither of which can be altered directly with the fingers once the key has gone down. But musicians performing with live electronics are driving the demand for new electronic instruments — instruments whose touch, reliability, sensitivity, and responsiveness can begin to approach those of traditional acoustic instruments.

Over the last 10-15 years, more and more instrument makers have sought to incorporate continuous control over pitch and velocity and to add a third dimension of continuous control: timbre. One of the earliest entries in this new category was the Continuum fingerboard from Haken Audio (which has had plug-and-play support in Kyma since 2001). More recently, Madrona Labs (Soundplane), Eigenlabs (Eigenharp), ROLI (Seaboard), and Roger Linn Design (LinnStrument) have been offering “keyboard-like” instruments that provide three dimensions of expressive, continuous control per finger.

But how is it possible to send these three-dimensional continuous polyphonic MIDI notes to a sound engine? Haken Audio first used a FireWire protocol before switching over to a proprietary, optimized MIDI protocol. Symbolic Sound and Madrona Labs used Open Sound Control (OSC) for Kyma Control and Soundplane, respectively. But the growing proliferation of new instruments and proprietary protocols was threatening to become a nightmare for soft-and-hardware synthesizer makers to support.

Enter software developer Geert Bevin who, in January of this year, started working with key industry professionals on a new, more expressive MIDI specification called MPE: Multidimensional Polyphonic Expression. The new MPE standard has already been implemented on Roger Linn Design’s LinnStrument, the Madrona Labs Soundplane, the ROLI Rise Seaboard, and several other instrument makers are currently in the process of adding an MPE-mode to their instruments.

With MPE, the music industry now has a standard protocol for communicating between expressive controllers and the sound hardware and software capable of sonically expressing the subtlety, responsiveness, and live interaction offered by these controllers.

Kyma — Interactive, responsive, and live

Kyma, with its legendary audio quality, vast synthesis codebase and deep access to detailed parameter control, is the ideal sound engine to pair with these new, more responsive controller interfaces for live expressive performance, and Symbolic Sound has a long history of working with instrument makers to provide tight, seamless integration and bi-directional communication between these new instruments and Kyma.

In addition to its graphical signal flow editor, file editors, and Sound Library, Kyma 7 also provides several environments in which you can create an instrument where the synthesis, processing, parameter-mapping, and even the mode of interaction can evolve over time during a performance:

In the Multigrid (displayed on the iPad during the video), you can switch instantly between sources, effects, and combinations of the two with no interruption in the audio signal. Perform live, inspired in the moment, with infinite combinatorial possibilities.
In the Kyma 7 Timeline you can slow down or stop the progression of time to synchronize your performance with other performers, with key events, or with features extracted from an audio signal during your performance.
Using the Tool you can create a state machine where input conditions trigger the evaluation of blocks of code (for example, the game-of-life displayed on the LinnStrument during the closing credits of the video is being controlled by a Tool).
Kyma also provides a realtime parameter language called Capytalk where you can make parameters depend on one another or control subsets of parameters algorithmically.
It’s easy to add a new parameter control, simply type in the desired controller name preceded by an exclamation point — a control is automatically created for you, and it even generates its own widget in a Virtual Control Surface which can be remapped to external controllers (through MIDI, 14-bit MIDI, or OSC). This makes it easy to augment your live MPE controllers with other MIDI and OSC controllers or with tablet controller apps.
System Requirements

Kyma 7.04
Symbolic Sound Paca or Pacarana
Computer requirements
Operating Systems:
Mac OS 10.6 or newer or
Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7 (SP1), Vista (SP2), XP (SP3)
Storage: ~1.7 GB
Memory: 1 GB or larger is recommended
Internet access is required
Availability

Kyma 7.04 is available today as a free update for Symbolic Sound customers who have a registered copy of Kyma 7.

More information

Multidimensional Polyphonic Expression (MPE)
expressiveness.org

LinnStrument
rogerlinndesign.com

Kyma 7
symbolicsound.com"

Signal Loss - DSI Prophet 08, Roland SP-404

Published on Apr 19, 2015 traxus12

"Percussion chopped with an SP-404 over a dense chord progression on the Prophet 08. Gets a bit industrial in the second half with some distortion and reverb/feedback. Kick drum is layered with a Korg ER1. Everything's controlled via MIDI through Ableton. Thanks for listening!

The spectrogram on the television is a visualization in foobar2000 with a component called foo_record to monitor incoming audio. Foobar doesn't use ASIO so the visualization lags behind the audio a bit. Haven't figured out a way to get around that yet...

Please subscribe, and feel free to post below if you have any questions or comments!

---Instruments---
DSI Prophet 08
Roland SP-404 SX
Korg ER1 mkii

---Effects---
Alesis MIDIVERB II
Alesis Quadraverb
A little black box I got from a thrift store a while back labeled "Realistic Electronic Reverb" but actually only produces distortion


---Other---
Mackie LM3204
RME Babyface
Ableton Live, Audacity
Foobar2000 spectrogram and the foo_record component to monitor incoming audio
Panasonic GH2 camera for filming"

Sunset Reversal & Prophet Acid II by traxus12

Sunset Reversal - DSI Prophet 08, Casio SK-1, Korg ER-1 MKII

Published on Nov 12, 2013 traxus12·8 videos

"A little sketch of a song! Really just jamming on a progression I've had rolling around in my head the past few days. Thanks for listening! Feel free to post any questions or comments.

The Prophet 08 patch is pretty simple. Triangle waves in a stacked two-layer patch with the arpeggiator clock divide set to eighth notes on one layer and sixteenth notes on the other. I was playing with the Boomerang III looper's "reverse"' feature near the end.

Gear: DSI Prophet 08, Casio SK-1, Korg ER-1 MKII, Boomerang III Phrase Sampler, Boss RE-20 Space Echo, Mackie LM3204"

CLICK FOR MORE »

A Progression of Angels

Published on Oct 2, 2013 davidryle·128 videos

"A new Encore Electronics Frequency Shifter prompted me to patch the modular synthsizer for this piece. This consists of a single vco (Synthetic Soundlabs 1200) with PWM from a Segwencer and CGS dual LFO. The pulse wave goes direct to the Encore FS and the Up and Down outs are routed to the Modcan 73B Dual Delay. The Frequency Shifter has a cv input from a Yusynth voltage controlled Quadrature LFO to make the bowed or pulsing sound.

The pitch voltage is from a synthesizers.com Q960 and Q119 sequencer pair. The Q960 is run into the Q119's ADD INPUT and the Q119 is shifted every 16th division of the Q960 by way of an SSL TTLFO and Moon Modular 554 Octal Divider. The divider also sends sync timings to the 73B delay

A final mix of the outputs of the FS are routed to the studio mixer through a panner and each channel is split off to a Strymon Blue Sky reverb. A final pair of reverbs are the Lexicon MX200 and TC Electronic D-Two.

Recorded in Cubase 6 and video processed by Apple Final Cut Pro."

Tone2 Soundsets

Published on Dec 19, 2012 Tone2Audiosoftware·31 videos

Playlist (descriptions for the first 5 below - click through a video for the description on YouTube):

1. The Futuron expansion for RayBlaster
2. Analog for Saurus
3. Vocalic for ElectraX
4. Ambisphere for Rayblaster
5. Wavetables expansion for ElectraX
6. Top of the Clubs for Saurus
7. Dark Toxic for Saurus
8. Chiptunes for ElectraX
9. Dance & Trance for ElectraX
10. Morphing for ElectraX
11. Voltage! for ElectraX
12. Drums! for ElectraX
13. Vintage for ElectraX
14. Dance & Trance expansion for Gladiator2 (pt.2)
15. Dance & Trance expansion for Gladiator2 (pt.1)
16. The Electronic expansion for Gladiator2
17. State of Art expansion for Gladiator2
18. Progression for Gladiator2
19. Workstation for Gladiator2 (pt.1)
20. Workstation for Gladiator2 (pt.2)
21. Workstation for Gladiator2 (pt.3)
22. Abstracts for Firebird+ (pt.1)
23. Abstracts for Firebird+ (pt.2)
24. Electricity for Firebird+
25. Spectrals for Firebird+
26. Uniquity for Firebird+

1. The Futuron expansion for Rayblaster - http://tone2.com/html/futuron.html

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Foundations of Synthesis Series by The Bob Moog Foundation

Published on Feb 11, 2013 moogfoundation·82 videos

Featuring Marc Doty, aka AutomaticGainsay

http://moogfoundation.org

Playlist:

1. The Synthesis of Synthesis - "This is the introductory video for the Bob Moog Foundation/macProVideo series "The Foundation of Synthesis." In it, Marc Doty sets the stage for the intent of these videos, which is an integrative instruction which not only describes synthesizer function and operation, but also gives a historical foundation for the functionalities and their implementation."

2. The Synthesis of Synthesis- Sound - "No instruction in synthesis would be complete without some explanation of the physics of sound! This video is one of several videos which outline the physical principles upon which synthesis is based."

3. The Synthesis of Synthesis- The Hammond Novachord - "The progression of devices which led to the modern synthesizer is diverse and interesting. The Foundation of Synthesis covers a number of them which portray a progressive development. One of these synthesizer precursors was the Hammond Novachord, a tube- based keyboard device whose groundbreaking technology is still present in some synthesizers today. More than most, this proto-synthesizer resembled what we came to think of as the modern synthesizer."

4. Foundation of Synthesis- Oscillator Introduction - "The Foundation of Synthesis dives into synthesizer technology with the Oscillator— the origin of sound in synthesis! Marc leads us through the history of this device from its beginning— as a lightbulb!— to its implementation in electronic musical instruments."

5. Oscillators- Pulse Width Modulation - "Pulse Width Modulation is a pleasing aural effect generated by the voltage-controlled adjustment of the width of a square wave. In this Foundation of Synthesis video, Marc demonstrates this function on several classic synthesizers. The video includes an oscilloscope, which shows you exactly what is happening when the width of the square wave output of the oscillator is changed!"

6. Filter- Introduction - "In this part of the 3rd Tutorial of the Foundation of Synthesis, Marc outlines the history of the filter from its origin in the telephone to its application in electronic devices in order to give a firm understanding of how the filter came to be an important part of modern synthesizers. The filter is a function which removes harmonics from a sound. Since harmonics define the timbre of the sound, this is a fast and easy way to create new timbres."

7. Filter- Cutoff Control - "Adjustment of the cutoff point of the filter is such a popular process that it has spawned whole genres of music. In this video, Marc shows the sound and functionality of this particular aspect of the most popular module in the modern synthesizer."

8. Filter-Voyager Serial Resonance - "The Moog Voyager design of Bob Moog includes some unique and useful functionalities. In this video, Marc explores the dual-filter nature of the Moog Voyager by demonstrating some unique ways to apply its filter arrangement."

9. Control Voltage Explanation Part 1 - "For the average musician, control voltage is an abstract concept. Of all the aspects of synthesis, it seems to be the most confusing. In this video, Marc gives a straight-forward and easy-to-understand description of the functionality using concrete examples. With a firm grasp of control voltage, synthesis becomes considerably easier and fun!"

10. Control Voltage Explanation Part 2 - "Here is part two of a video where Marc gives a straight-forward and easy-to-understand description of the process and application of control voltage. With a firm grasp of control voltage, synthesis becomes considerably easier and fun!"

11. The Amp Introduction - "In this video, Marc gives us a basic history of what can be the least-exciting module in the modern synthesizer, but then goes on to show what can be done when this module includes a fair amount of functionality. The Amp is the last step in the synthesis process, and can give you a variety of power over the timbre you create!"

12. The ARP Envelope Follower - "The Envelope Follower is one of the most fun control functions to exist. It takes the amplitude of a given signal and converts it to a voltage. As the amplitude rises, the control voltage rises. This can be used to control any function in the synthesizer which can be controlled via control voltage... which, in an analog synth, is most of them! In this video, Marc gives a demonstration of this under-implemented synthesizer function using the ARP 2600."

13. Designing Timbres- Introduction - "This video introduces the "Designing Timbres" tutorial by explaining exactly what is going to happen within it. It features some of the music and synthesizers used in the rest of the tutorial."

14. Designing Timbres: Major/Minor Chord - "'It doesn't play chords!' -This is the complaint most heard in regard to monophonic analog synthesizers... but wait... if you have three oscillators and some awesome functionality like the Moog Voyager, there is an answer to this complaint. In this video, Marc shows you how you can generate a sort of controllable polyphony using the monophonic Moog Voyager!"

15. Designing Timbres: Duality - "In this video, Marc demonstrates the the functional benefit of a synthesizer like the Yamaha CS-15, which is essentially two different synthesizers stacked together. By altering settings in each division, interesting timbres can be created."

Analogue electronica studio jam - rozz3r: Bonfire Calm

YouTube Uploaded by rozz3r on Nov 6, 2011

"Getting away from the Mac/PC to make music is a joy. In the last year or so I've been making gear purchases with the goal of writing electronic music 'live', with the computer doing nothing except acting as a glorified tape recorder. The whole rig is based around a Sequentix P3 sequencer which provides a gloriously stable midi clock as well as midi sequences. The nice thing about the P3 is it can do generative sequencing in quite a controlled manner, which suits my repetitive yet evolving music style.

My various synths and effect boxes are hooked up to a Soundtracs Topaz 24 track mixer, which allows me to do dub-style 'playing the mixer', riding faders and jamming with effects sends, feedback loops etc. The cast list is pretty much this:

- Sequentix P3
- Suzuki SX-500 (poly analog)
- Kurzweil PC3
- Moog Little Phatty
- Dave Smith Evolver
- Eurorack Modular
- Korg ER-1
- Kurzweil Mangler
- Eventide TimeFactor
- Eventide Space
- hand built dual 1176 compressor clone
- Golden Age Pre-73 Mic pre-amp

The video is really my first attempt at using all this together and performing a song live. It uses pretty much everything on the list above except the Kurzweil PC3 and the Evolver. The modular is doing the melody, the ER1 is on drums (going through the Pre-73 and the 1176 to give it some balls), the SX500 is doing chords and the Moog I play live. The Eventide Space is doing all the reverb work. I used Presonus's Studio One 2 to record everything to separate audio tracks and then did some basic mix tweaking. No additional effects were used. I'm new to Studio One and I'm impressed so far, I haven't had to look at the manual once, which means they got it right. It also feels solid and hasn't crashed once.

This experiment was proof of concept really, I have a Dave Smith Tempest on the way which will make drum performances a lot more fun and dynamic. I also need to use Parts on the Sequentix more in order to make more structured changes in the song progression. Expect more live jams soon :)"

Suzuki Omnichord System Two OM-84 synthesizer w Manual

via this auction
"From the manual:
The Omnichord system two by Suzuki makes it possible for you to sound like a pro, even if you've never played before. This electronic musicomputer provides you with the ultimate combination of musical instruments in a light-weight, portable and dynamic sounding package never before available.

Advanced microtechnology allows you to program all the background chords, rhythms, bass and drums to your favorite songs without knowing one note from another. And, as the background is played back automatically, you can add the melody line. The new Omnichord System Two can even be strummed like a guitar to add depth and expression to your music with the amazing SonicStings strumplate. Your pre-selected chrod is electronically matched to the 4 octave strumplate so you can actually strum any songs correct chord progression - just like a guitar! All of Omnichords functions can be used individually or in exciting combinations. There's no end to the music you can make! In just a few minutes you'll be playing guitar, organ, piano, bass and drums all at the same time! Imagine the music you'll make!"

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Rhythm Core Alpha: a Music Synthesizer / Sequencer on Nintendo DSi : How to do it!

YouTube via rhythmcorealpha | September 15, 2010

"Rhythm Core Alpha is a fun and powerful music creation system for Nintendo DSi. This video shows how to create your own music quickly and easily, explaining every step of the process. It starts with creation of a simple drum loop in a matter of seconds! Then it adds simple bass and melody parts, and shows how to build an automated chord progression. Finally, simply solo over the top of your backing tracks using the stylus.
Finally, a musical instrument for everyone!
Rhythm Core Alpha comes with 122 drum sounds and 166 instrument sounds from synths to orchestral instruments, allowing you to make many not just electronic trance music and chiptunes, but almost any style of music.
Rhythm Core Alpha is available for 500 Nintendo Points in the Nintendo DSiWare shop.
For more info: http://www.rhythmcorealpha.com"

Nintendo DSi on Ebay
Nintendo DSi on Amazon


Rhythm Core Alpha: Sequencer / Synthesizer on Nintendo DSi: Unrehearsed Jam at Kulak's Woodshed

rhythmcorealpha | September 30, 2010

"This was the very first ever live performance using the Rhythm Core Alpha music creation system for the Nintendo DSi. Performing at Kulak's Woodshed open-mike in North Hollywood, California, Timon creates a complete synth track out of nothing, and then solos over it with the stylus.
Rhythm Core Alpha is a complete music sequencer and synthesizer for the Nintendo DSi console gaming system. It includes a a 12 track drum machine with 122 drum sounds, an 8 track MIDI-style sequencer with 166 instrument sounds, and a live solo mode where you can play along with the stylus. You can make up to 100 loops of up to 64 beats and then sequence them in the pattern mode. You can even change the key and scale of any loop block live using the +Control Pad buttons.
http://www.rhythmcorealpha.com"

MIDIbox SEQ V4 Teaser #2

YouTube via ucapps

"MIDIbox SEQ V4 has reached beta state, let's celebrate this with a new demo!

[0:00] The electronic harp is played by Sculpture (part of Logic Audio) - a Physical Modelling Synth which I really like!
[0:00] MBSEQV4 plays the 16-step sequence with a new "step progression" feature: on each 4 step interval, the step is triggered twice. In addition, a customized groove template is applied on the velocity to accent the notes based on the master measure. This results into a more complex sequence which varies on each beat, but still sounds nice and not too random!
[0:01] to understand the "step progression" feature watch the GP LEDs - they are stopping each 4th step
[0:11] an Echo Fx is added with 64T delay. Note value is increased by +3 and forced to scale
[0:17] an additional VST synth is added which gets use of the new "step progression" feature as well
[0:21] Echo Fx: temporary increased to 6 repeats with +3 Note Value and +150% delay on each echo - let's scrub the harp!
[0:31] adding drums
[0:41] adding more synth lines, again with "step progression" to vary the sequence
[1:04] adding a chord sequence played by MIDIbox SID V2 (a typical arpeggio patch is used)
[1:48] probably you haven't noticed it due to the bad video quality, but I switched to another pattern which plays the electronic harp at C-3 on each step - the groove template is still enabled (boring?)
[2:05] now something completely different: a LFO is applied on the harp sequence with sine waveform and an interval of 4 steps. Force-to-Scale is enabled
[2:07] the LFO also sends a CC to Sculpture to vary the timbre.
[2:13] adding Echo Fx (1 repeat, 64ppqn delay, +150% tick) to this "modulated sequence"
[2:19] changing LFO waveform to Triangle
[2:31] changing LFO waveform to Sawtooth
[2:36] changing Echo Fx to 6 repeats
[2:46] slowly changing LFO the period to 16 steps (enjoy the change-over effects!)
[2:52] slowly changing LFO reset to 16 steps (enjoy the change-over effects!)
[3:00] changing LFO waveform to Sine, play drums again
[3:14] changing LFO waveform to Triangle
[3:21] changing CC offset of LFO
[3:33] unmuting the other instruments
[3:56] switching back to original sequence (my favourite moment ;-)
[4:16] muting/unmuting the toms...
[4:30] slowly muting the tracks
[4:40] thanks for listening! :-)

This track is the result of a rainy saturday afternoon."

AMIN BHATIA DEDICATES NEW ALBUM TO BOB MOOG

"Film Composer / Synthesist Amin Bhatia announces the release of 'Virtuality', the long-awaited sequel to his synth orchestral epic 'The Interstellar Suite', on the anniversary of synthesizer pioneer Bob Moog's birthday, May 23 2008.

The album is dedicated to Moog, who was a friend of the composer and is endorsed by the Bob Moog Foundation. Michelle Moog-Koussa, Executive Director and daughter of the late Bob Moog says:

'My father's genius and passion was taking the synthesizer out of the laboratory and making synthesis accessible to musicians, and through them, to the world. Amin Bhatia’s 'Virtuality' is another fine example of that accessibility.'

True to Bhatia’s obsession with orchestral music and science fiction, the first half of the album explores the micro-universe that exists inside the computer. Titles like 'World Wide Web', 'Virus' and 'Second Life' portray aspects of our modern virtual world through music and sound design. Artwork was provided by the award winning digital artist Alexander Preuss.

The second half of the album features 'Bolero Electronica', a one-of-a-kind journey through 75 years of synthesizers through an innovative realization of Maurice Ravel’s 'Bolero'. In Bhatia’s version, instruments as early as the Ondes Martenot and Theremin begin the work, and the piece progresses through generations of synthesizers from Moog, Roland, Yamaha and others chronologically. The work builds in size and power decade by decade ending in present day virtual instruments and technologies. Guest artists include veteran keyboardists Steve Porcaro and Patrick Moraz. Many of the instruments used were from the Cantos Music Foundation. The album was recorded and mixed by award winning producers David Greene and Jeff Wolpert.

Bob Moog had been scheduled to provide a special feature narration track for “Bolero Electronica” but sadly that recording never happened. True to Bob’s mission to document, celebrate and teach innovative thinking, Amin instead employed noted synthesizer historian Mark Vail to create additional liner notes. The result is an illustrated guide which allows the listener to follow along stanza by stanza through Bhatia’s elaborate rendition, complete with a timeline chart of every synthesizer used.

'The Timeline of synthesizers in Bolero Electronica looks like the Moog Legacy to me and I only wish Dad were around to hear this project come to fruition', says Michelle. 'I think he would be delighted in the artistry Amin used to employ so many different instruments.'

Says Amin 'Electronic music to me is like animation. It’s a portrayal of reality through an innovative use of non-reality. When done right it creates beautifully animated images in the mind of the listener. And Bob was the greatest animator of them all.'

'Virtuality' will be released via CD and download on the anniversary of Bob Moog's birthday, May 23rd 2008. A portion of each sale will be donated to the Bob Moog Foundation."

My Notes:
I have been fortunate enough to listen to the CD in full. I have to say the experience of listening to "Bolero Electronica" while viewing the "Timeline of Synthesizers" is an extremely rare and satisfying treat. I literally could not stop smiling throughout the piece. I do not want to spoil this track for anyone, but let's just say there is nothing I have experienced quite like it. The intro delivers in a way that is simply beyond cool and it just keeps on giving. It is an absolutely brilliant composition for the synth enthusiast. Trust me, you will be able to appreciate this one like no one else. Be sure to click on the timeline image in this post.

If you know "Bolero," it is a piece that starts with just a few instruments and then builds with layered instruments into a triumphant finish. When you listen to "Bolero Electronica" and watch the timeline, you instantly make the connection and realize that this isn't just Bolero done with synths, but literally a redefinition of Bolero as the triumph of synthesizers over time. "Commercial synths" essentially began with MOOG, Buchla, EMS and eventually grew into the myriad of synths we have today. Click on the image in this post that looks like a track listing. That is the actual progression of the piece. When you listen to it, you can literally listen to the evolution of synthesizers over time. Utterly amazing. There are very few tracks that will go down as pivotal in the history of synths. I honestly believe this will be one of them considering what it conveys, the history it speaks. You simply have to hear it to experience it in full. You will find yourself going back to focus on different synths and sound evolution through time via synthesis. It is simply just brilliant.

You can find more info including clips and how to get this CD via The Bob MOOG Foundation.

Update 4/27/17:

The Making of The Interstellar Suite

Published on Apr 27, 2017 Amin Bhatia Composer

The Making of The Interstellar Suite
Directed and produced by Byron Kent Wong
Additional Interviews directed by Saul Pincus
This 18-minute featurette of Amin Bhatia's epic album The Interstellar Suite features interviews with noted artists and engineers:
Steve Porcaro, Patrick Moraz
Frank Morrone, James Porteous, David Greene and Mark Vail
Roland’s esteemed president, the late Ikutaro Kakehashi
The Carolina Crowns Drum Corps!
and many others…

This video is a bonus feature from the The Interstellar Suite Anniversary Limited Edition
Remixed by Frank Morrone from the original multi-tracks.
Under exclusive license from Capitol Records, Inc.
Publishing Bhatia Music Inc.
DVD & Blu-ray Dual Pack and Companion Guide Book available only until May 7, 2017 at http://aminbhatia.com/is25mayday/