Future Retro Transient Kicks*Hats*Snares Presets

Published on May 15, 2017 FutureRetroSynths

"Here the same Gate/CV/Accent signals are sent from the Orb sequencer to two Transient modules. One plays the kicks, the other the hi-hats. Then a short example of variations for snare rolls."

Transient Tweak'a Preset

Published on May 15, 2017 FutureRetroSynths

"Exploring the Rhythm possibilities of a single preset."

Future Retro Transient triggered with a Microphone and Oscillator

Published on May 15, 2017 FutureRetroSynths

"For fun I hooked up a microphone to a little mixer, then ran the output of the mixer into the Transient's Trig In jack. After adjusting the output level of the mic, why yes you can trigger the Transient sounds with audio such as clapping or snapping your fingers. If that works, why not try talking into the mic? Well at times it is almost intelligible, and would probably sound better mixing the dry signal of my voice with the Transient's output.

And then I test out just how fast the Transient will respond to audio rates using the Oscillator from the XS routed to the Transient's Trig In. Often more interesting if the oscillator is being modulation by some additional source, as I am doing here with the LFO from the XS.

And finally I show it can be fun to take and LFO syncing to our clock, and change the rate of the LFO controlling the mix of voices in the Transient.

I'm sure there are lots of interesting results you will obtain with the Transient being controlled by the plethora of modules you already have in your Eurorack system."

All parts here.

Future Retro Transient ForeverOn Preset

Published on May 15, 2017 FutureRetroSynths

"This video starts out with the RUOK preset. This preset is entirely randomized, producing a different sound each time a new Trigger is received. The ForeverOn preset is partially randomized with more control over other aspects of the sound. Both of these presets show some of the capabilities for use in "glitch" type music."

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Future Retro Transient Demos

Published on May 14, 2017 FutureRetroSynths

Playlist:

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Futureretro Transient and Revolution at the Synth Expo SXSW 2017

Published on Mar 20, 2017 FutureRetroSynths

"Here's some footage filmed at the Synth Expo SXSW 2017. 2x Orb sequencer units were triggering 2x Transient drum modules, while the Revolution synced to the Orb and provided the baseline.

Unfortunately the volume levels were mixed on headphones in a noisy environment so apologies for the Revolution being a bit loud in parts."

Futureretro Transient drum module - playing with presets

Published on Mar 20, 2017 FutureRetroSynths

"During the SXSW Synth Expo we shot some footage while playing with some of the Preset sounds currently in the Transient drum module. Eventually there will be 216 preset sounds to get users started quickly, and for use as templates when creating your own custom sounds that can be stored in any of the 40 user memory locations.

Listen to presets like CL-CL-CLAPS, ZAP!, and SPIKEPHASE… and notice the humanization the Transient provides to ordinary samples.

All sounds recorded direct from the Transient output, no further effects have been applied."

All parts here.

New Future Retro Transient Eurorack Module

Published on Mar 19, 2017 FutureRetroSynths

"A small sample of what the Transient drum module does. An Orb sequencer is triggering and sending CV and Accent to the Transient. A touch of reverb was applied from an Eventide Eclipse."

Update:

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FutureRetro 512 Touch Response Adjustments & Interface Cables for Moog, EMS, & Buchla

Making 512 touch response adjustments. Future Retro

Published on Jun 24, 2016 FutureRetroSynths

"All 512 owners should watch this video, as I describe 3 hidden adjustments you can make to the touch response for aftertouch, mod wheel, and pitch bend… that is not explained in the owner's manual.

The 512 provides more personalization parameters than any other touch keyboard we know of. With it's Velocity and Aftertouch Curves and Ranges, Pitch Bend and Mod Wheel response rate, and now touch response sensitivity adjustments for Aftertouch, Mod Wheel, and Pitch Bend."

Interface cables for Moog, EMS, Buchla with Future Retro 512

Published on Jun 24, 2016

"In this video we take a look at the V-trig to S-trig cable for Moog synths, the Keyboard cable for EMS, and talk about 1/8" to banana cables for Buchla and trimming the V/Oct output."

Future Retro 512 touch keyboard Layering MIDI and CV synths

Published on Jun 18, 2016 FutureRetroSynths

"The 512 allows you to play MIDI and CV/Gate synthesizers simultaneously. In this video we show some of the possibilities."

Future Retro 512 touch keyboard Capture MIDI Scales

Published on Jun 17, 2016 FutureRetroSynths

"Here is a simple demo of how the 512 can be used as a MIDI to MIDI converter. The Orb sequencer is generating the patterns, the 512 processes this MIDI information and sends it to the XS. The 512 can create a custom scale based on the notes received from the Orb (or any external MIDI devices), and this scale can be used to perform scalar transpositions, or applied to other sequences. You can also apply other forms of transpositions, add mod wheel, pitch bend, aftertouch, chords, or change the MIDI channel on the fly. This allows you to add new functionality to your existing sequencers and patterns you have already created."

Future Retro 512 touch keyboard in Poly Mode

Published on Jun 17, 2016 FutureRetroSynths

"In this video we show a couple examples using the 512's Poly mode to play individual monophonic synths polyphonically. Up to 16 monophonic synthesizers can be played polyphonically using the 512's Poly mode."

Future Retro 512 touch keyboard Arpeggiator Overview and Tutorial

Published on Jun 7, 2016 FutureRetroSynths

"In this video we will discuss the Arpeggiator section of the 512 touch keyboard, and cover topics including: Playing the arpeggiator, using the Hold mode, Transposing arpeggiations, applying Scales, applying Chords, and how Chords are applied while in the Poly mode, as well as changing the MIDI channel on the fly."

Future Retro 512 touch keyboard Sequencer Overview

Published on Jun 7, 2016

"In this video we take a look at the 512's sequencer, show how to select different sequences, apply Scales, Transposition, Chords, change the MIDI channel, direction and octave reiterations, and write our own sequences."

Future Retro 512 touch keyboard Overview and Tutorial

Published on Jun 5, 2016 FutureRetroSynths

"In this video we will discuss the features of the 512 keyboard and how to use them. Including getting started with connections, selecting scales, scale mapping, writing scales, using the Hold function, selecting and writing chords, chord inversions, using linear, octave, and scalar transpositions, setting the MIDI channel, velocity curves, aftertouch curves, bend range, turning aftertouch off/on, and even touch on the Poly mode.

Other tutorials will cover the arpeggiator, sequencer, MIDI to CV conversion, and MIDI to MIDI conversion."

Future Retro 512 touch keyboard plays the EMS Putney, Minimoog Model D, EML 101, & Eurorack

Published on Jun 3, 2016 FutureRetroSynths

"Just a quick video to show the Future Retro 512 can play the EMS Putney, Synthi, VCS3 just fine with their .32V/Oct CV standard. All you need to do to make this happen is route the 1/8" gate output of the 512 to the Gate In of the Putney's Keyboard-In cinch-jones connector, and the 1V/Oct CV out of the 512 to the Control In 1. You can then adjust the Control 1 level to scale this CV so the oscillators in the EMS track properly. Start with Control 1 level at "4" then play octaves to dial in the oscillator tracking.

Notice I could have routed the 512's mod wheel, velocity, or aftertouch to Control 2's input to add even more control over the EMS"

Future Retro 512 touch keyboard plays the Minimoog Model D

Published on Jun 3, 2016

"Quick test to show that the Future Retro 512 can play the older Moog synthesizers with their S-trig type gate inputs. For the 512 to control the S-trig synthesizers, you simply need a 1/8" to cinch-jones connector with a transistor and resistor wired into the cable. Simple to do, schematics can be found online."

Future Retro 512 touch keyboard plays the EML 101

Published on Jun 3, 2016

"Quick demo of the Future Retro 512 playing the EML 101 synthesizer. Although the EML does not follow the 1V/Oct CV standard you can trim the 512's CV output to conform to the EML CV standard, and have your oscillators track pitches correctly."

Future Retro 512 touch keyboard plays a Eurorack modular

Published on Jun 3, 2016

"Here's a quick video to show the Future Retro 512 keyboard can play all the various Eurorack modular gear as well.

Special thanks to Switched-On music store here in Austin for setting up this Doepfer system for us, and their time and space while we shot this video in their store."

Follow up to New Future Retro 512 Touch Keyboard Playing the Arp 2600 & Buchla Music Easel

Future Retro Introduces the 512 Touch Keyboard Playing the Arp 2600 & Buchla Music Easel

Future Retro 512 Touch Keyboard Playing the Arp 2600

Published on Jun 2, 2016 FutureRetroSynths

"Simple test to show the Future Retro 512 keyboard controlling the Arp 2600 modular synthesizer."

Update: New video with the Buchla Music Easel added:

Future Retro 512 touch keyboard playing Buchla Music Easel:

Published on Jun 2, 2016

"Simple demo of the Future Retro 512 keyboard controlling the Buchla Easel. The 512 has an adjustable CV output so you can achieve .469V to 1.34V per octave control voltages to control a wide variety of synths including the common 1V/Oct synthesizers, and this 1.2V/Oct Buchla. Works with EML and EMS synthesizers too!"

New demos here: Future Retro 512 touch keyboard plays the EMS Putney, Minimoog Model D, EML 101, & Eurorack

Previous posts featured the assembly of the new 512 Touch Keyboard from Future Retro. We now have details and what it looks like completed.

Details via Future Retro

"The 512 is a capacitive touch keyboard, packed with a unique blend of truly musical features to enhance your creative experience. The 512 is available with or without the optional rack ears that allow it to fit in a standard 19" rack enclosure, taking up only 4u spaces.

Why is capacitive touch better? Quite simply, eliminating mechanical moving parts found in traditional keyboards makes a product that will never wear out, as mechanical keyboards do. No more intermittent key contacts, or failed aftertouch circuits to worry about! In addition, capacitive touch provides a much faster response time for playing notes, and allows multiple forms of expression to be executed by the performer.

There are five main functions of the 512. It can act as a keyboard, arpeggiator, sequencer, MIDI to CV converter, and MIDI to MIDI converter. The 512 can control both MIDI and CV/Gate synthesizers simultaneously. Pitch, Pitch Bend, Mod Wheel, Gate, Velocity, Aftertouch, and Clock are all available in both their MIDI and CV form. CV's follow the 1V/Oct standard with positive polarity Gate signals, allowing the 512 to control the majority of analog synthesizers both past and present.

KEYBOARD
The 512 provides 9 octave ranges for the 29 full-sized keys (although shorter in length than typical keys) with response to Velocity and Aftertouch. Users can define one of five different Velocity and Aftertouch curves to apply to the keyboard, and dial in the range for each curve to customize the response. The Pitch Bend provides positive and negative pitch bends, and the bend range can be adjusted for full or half range. Mod Wheel is also provided as a modulation source.

ARPEGGIATOR

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Future Retro 512 main PCB surface mount component assembly

Published on May 15, 2016 FutureRetroSynths

"Here's a quick look at the surface mount components being placed on the Future Retro 512 main PCB."

Perfect track for the video.

Future Retro FR-512 Jack Board SMT assembly

Published on Apr 25, 2016 FutureRetroSynths

"Production has officially started on the 512 keyboard. Here you can see the SMT parts being placed on the 512's jack board.
All FR products are manufactured in Austin Texas."

XS Tips and Tricks Exploring amplitude modulation

Published on Jul 1, 2015 FutureRetroSynths

"XS Tips and Tricks:
Yes, the XS also offers several ways to create amplitude modulation as well.
Be sure to watch the full series of XS Tips and Tricks tutorials to get the most out of your XS synthesizer."

All parts here.

XS Synthesizer Tips and Tricks: More Audio Treats - Chaotic Patch & Recreating TR-808 Style Drums

Published on Jul 1, 2015 FutureRetroSynths

"XS Tips and Tricks:
Lots of goodies in this one.
Be sure to watch the full series of XS Tips and Tricks tutorials [playlist here] to get the most out of your XS synthesizer."

XS Synthesizer Tips and Tricks: Chaotic patch I

Published on Jul 1, 2015

"XS Tips and Tricks:
Learn how to setup a self generating chaotic patch using just the XS."

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