The Strangest Mellotron Library Ever?

video upload by HAINBACH

"I love the Mellotron. Playing this 1960s tape sampler for the first time 15 years ago was mesmerizing - the feel of all those motors spinning under your fingers is magical. Now I collaborated with Gforce Software to create my own Mellotron library, and it is rather odd. I sampled all my favorite and rare synths, some broken, some just strange on their own, and acoustic and electro-acoustic instruments, ran them through mountains of even stranger equipment and out came the Hainbach Expansion Pack. https://www.gforcesoftware.com/produc...

From Japanese poetry trainers to soviet synths, broken Italian organs to french pianos, American test equipment and German Kalimba guitars, there is a lot to keep you playing on and on. It is like being in the studio with me, minus the coffee and ceaseless anecdotes."

Also see Streetly Tapes For M-Tron Pro - Volume 5 featuring Alex Ball.

OB-E Oberheim 8 Voice - GForce Software Overview

video upload by sonicstate

"Our friends over at GForce Software sure take their time over their instruments, so its surprising that the rate of release this year has been positively light-speed compared to previous years. Just a couple of weeks back the OB-E V2 was released, which adds PC support and is M1 silicon native, as well as new features including Drum Mode, Vintage control and other tweaks."

Tom Oberheim on GForce OB-E

video upload by GForce Software

Also see Bright Sparks - Tom Oberheim

"'I was pretty amazed by OB-E, it was pretty damn close right out of the shoot. It was “wow!'. I like listening to that." Tom Oberheim.

In 2021, during the release of OB-E®, we were contacted by Marcus Ryle on behalf of Tom Oberheim. Marcus is a co-founder of Line 6® but also a former Oberheim Developer who contributed to the OB-Xa, DSX, DMX, OB-8, Xpander and Matrix 12. Via Marcus, OB-E had found its way to the ears of Tom Oberheim and they were both impressed enough to suggest a collaboration to refine the instrument and release an update carrying their full endorsement.

Working under the guidance of Tom and Marcus, we further enhanced OB-E, Refining the Detune feature and adding a new Vintage knob, which dials in more realistic musical inaccuracies in line with the original instrument for a truly authentic 8-Voice experience.

The 8-Voice is not simply eight identical SEMs put together. The interaction of those 8 independent, and slightly different Synthesizer Expander Modules, plays a major role in making the 8-Voice’s sound special and the injection of these authentic inaccuracies into each of the eight SEMs in OB-E takes it to another level.

But don't listen to us - listen to two of our heroes, and bonafide industry legends, talk about their opinion of OB-E.

Find Out More: https://gforcesoftware.com/products/ob-e

Legal Notice.
All trademarks, service marks and company names are the property of their respective owners. Oberheim and SEM are registered trademarks of Tom Oberheim."

OB-E Version 2 Enhancements

video upload by GForce Software

"The latest version of OB-E is the first ever software instrument to be endorsed by synthesizer pioneer, Tom Oberheim. It is also PC compatible and both Mac & PC versions contain several enhancements developed in collaboration with Tom that make it even closer to the original. As if that's not cool enough, we've also added several new features including a comprehensive Reverb Effect and a Drum Mode. This video focusses on what's new.

00:08 - Introduction.
00:27 - Interface Resizing.
00:43 - Vintage Knob & Detune Knob.
02:11 - A=440 Tone.
02:26 - Shift = Fine Adjustment.
02:40 - Reverb Effect & Controls
05:46 - Sequencer Zoom & Scale Modes CC control
06:45 - Drum Mode.


Oberheim is a registered trademark of Tom Oberheim"

GForce Oberheim OB-E v2 on a Surface Pro 8

video upload by Molten Music Technology

"Here are some thoughts and sounds on the OB-E v2 running on a Microsoft Surface Pro 8 where it has multi-touch support." Additional GForce OB-E posts

Bright Sparks - Tom Oberheim

video upload by GForce Software

"After the 2015 release of our Bright Sparks Documentary & Album collaboration with I Monster, while we were elated at the critical acclaim the project received, we always felt it would have been enriched by the inclusion of one person in particular, Tom Oberheim.

On the instrumental version of the Bright Sparks album, I Monster had created a bonus track, Beneath The Planet Of The Oberheim and while we'd reached out to Tom Oberheim and asked him to appear in the accompanying documentary, for various reasons it wasn't possible.

Then in Feb 2021, after the release of our OB-E 8-Voice emulation, we got the chance to talk with Tom whereupon our second question was 'Can we persuade you to be filmed for a new Bright Sparks Chapter?'

Tom agreed and while covid put our plans on hold temporarily, we carried on communicating, and in October 2021 we sat at the UK end of a zoom call while cameraman Sam Graydon filmed Tom in the comfort of his California home. Additionally, ex-Oberheim engineer (and industry icon), Marcus Ryle, joined us from his studio and imparted his experience of working at Oberheim in the 80s and how, over 30 years later, he was pivotal in Tom regaining the use of his name and logo.

The result is a new Bright Sparks chapter dedicated to Tom Oberheim. A fascinating journey through the life and career of one of the most revered synthesiser pioneers, whose work has graced the tracks of everyone from Joe Zawinul to Stevie Wonder, Lyle Mays, Jam and Lewis and countless others.

Camera - Sam Graydon.
Edit Producer - Jeff Boult.
Executive Producer - Dave Spiers for GForce Software.
Artwork - Jarrod Gosling
Animation - Luke Highet
Photos - Dave Spiers, Ian Legge, Robert Rosen, Marcus Ryle, Tom Oberheim & Sequential Circuits
Music - I Monster (Bright Sparks Instrumental). Jeff Boult. Dave Spiers.
Archive - Internet Archive. Prelinger Archives.

Huge thanks to: I Monster's Dean Honer & Jarrod Gosling, Chris Macleod, Marcus Ryle, Jill Oberheim, Susan Wolf, Hugo Brangwyn, Graeme Rawson, Jerome Meunier, Robert Rosen, Alex Abajian, Ian Legge, Kent Spong, Les Pressure and David Gibbons.

www.oberheim.com
www.gforcesoftware.com
www.imonstermusic.com"

Bright Sparks

GForce Software M Tron MkII Song Demos

video uploads by GForce Software

Playlist:

1. M Tron MkII - Watcher Of The Skies intro

Using the M-Tron MkII, ace keys player Nigel Hopkins has recreated some legendary MkII parts. Here, he tackles Watcher Of The Skies intro originally recorded by Tony Banks for the Genesis album Foxtrot in 1974. This sound made use of both MkII Manuals with Accordion Bass Notes & Organ Notes in the left manual, and a layered MkII Violins and Brass sound in the right manual.

2. M Tron MkII - Strawberry Fields Forever

Using the M-Tron MkII, Nigel Hopkins has recreated some iconic Melly parts originally played on the hardware MkII. Here, he tackles the Strawberry Fields Forever flute part.

3. M Tron MkII - Starless

Nigel Hopkins has kindly recreated some legendary tracks using the M-Tron MkII. Here, he tackles King Crimson's Starless string part.

4. M Tron MkII - Nights In White Satin

Again, our good friend Nigel Hopkins has recreated some legendary tracks using the M-Tron MkII. Here, he tackles The Moody Blues Nights In White Satin string part.

M-Tron mk II - Celebrating the Mellotron

video upload by Marius Leicht

See GForce Software Introduces the M-Tron MkII for details on the new release.

GForce Software Introduces the M-Tron MkII

video upload by GForce Software

"The GForce M-Tron MkII is a celebration of the insanely rare and highly coveted original dual manual ’trons, namely the Mellotron® MkI/MkII and Chamberlin® Musicmaster. M-Tron MkII is a new and distinct product from M-Tron Pro, yet part of the family.

Originally conceived as the ultimate Home Entertainment Console, the UK made 1963 MkI/MkII was a dual manual tape based instrument where the left manual’s 35 notes replayed a combination of 18 Rhythms and Accompaniments (66 on the GForce M-Tron MkII *) and the right manual (also 35 notes) replayed 18 lead sounds (66 on M-Tron MkII *).

M-Tron MkII was designed specially for producers and composers who want access to the evocative tones of the original dual manual Chamberlin®, Mellotron® MkI & MkII instruments with special emphasis on the Rhythms and Accompaniments which capture a moment in time between the 1950’s and late 1960’s.

If you are looking for a truly authentic MkII dose of nostalgia and host sync potential, you’ve found it."

M-Tron MkII Tutorials


Playlist:
M Tron MkII Tutorial 1 - Intro & Lead Mode
M-Tron MkII Tutorial 2 - Dual Rhythm & Accompaniment Mode
M-Tron MkII Tutorial 3 - Under The Hood.
M Tron MkII - Track Assembly

GForce Software January 2022 Teaser

video upload by GForce Software

"Something new this way comes. The culmination of several years work."

GForce Software Christmas 2021 - We gotta lotta groovy things for you in 2022.

video upload by

"A rare upbeat Xmas tune from all of us at GForce Software, to say 'Thank you for all your support during 2021 and all the very best for 2022'."

GForce Software OB-E vs. Oberheim SEM Pro - Nachtblau

video upload by Marius Leicht

"The sound is alternating between the OB-E and the SEM-Pro. In the bottom left corner of the video the letters A and B are displaying the audio of which corresponding synth you hear, regardless of which one may be pictured in the video at a given moment. Can you guess it right?

The Oberheim Four Voice Synthesizer always fascinated me - both for its heart-melting sound and for its unusual (for todays standards) concept of having a completely distinct monophonic synthesizer module for each voice.

From time to time I take the effort to build some Four Voice type pad sounds by multitracking my Tom Oberheim SEM Pro, which is a reissue of one of those monophonic synthesizer modules the Four Voice is built of.

Of course, I was excited when I heard about the GForce Software OB-E and as soon as I got my hands on it, I was inspired to compose some music with it, resulting in this piece called "Nachtblau". To make this comparison video, I took the MIDI track of the piece, split all the notes into 8 Channels (Yes, the OB-E is not only emulating the already unobtainable Four Voice, but the even more rare and expensive 8 Voice, consisting of 8 individual SEMs) and run them through my SEM Pro one after another. Due to the nature of the unconventional architecture and my multitrack trickery, it was impossible to be reasonably precise about the matching of the sounds and realtime adjustments. So don't take this as a scientific test on the question if the OB-E can match the sound of the 8-Voice I don't even have at hand..."

EMS Founder Peter Zinovieff Has Passed Away

Update: Image of Peter Zinovieff (previously in via Brian Kehew).

"Circa 1975: A photo from the Frankfurt Music Fair

Peter Zinovieff in the EMS synthesizer booth.

They are featuring the rare SYNTHI P model, just announced on the left side and stand. Underneath the board listing EMS musical artists is a SYNTHI HI-FLI effects unit is barely seen. Another unusual/prototype model is next to the Hi-Fli."


Peter Zinovieff and Electronic Music Studios video upload by JeffreyPlaide


Peter Zinovieff: Synth Pioneer video upload by Sound On Sound magazine Jul 21, 2016


Peter Zinovieff talks about modern musical interfaces video upload by Expressive E Jan 6, 2016


Peter Zinovieff feature uploaded by Erica Synths on Nov 23, 2020. This was the latest video to feature Peter Zinovieff that I am aware of.


Peter Zinovieff interview 2015 video upload by 香港電子音樂社 Hong Kong Electronic Music Society Jun 30, 2015


Dr Peter Zinovieff intro & performance excerpt - Deliaphonic 2017 video upload by Deliaphonic Aug 29, 2018

And a few perspectives from others:

Bright Sparks Behind The Scenes - The Brits video by GForce Software published Feb 16, 2021

Cosmic Tape Music Club Podcast hosted by The Galaxy Electric - E1 Peter Zinovieff

video by The Galaxy Electric published Jan 27, 2021

Peter Zinovieff Electronic Calendar

video by Mark Jenkins published Dec 9, 2019 - Electronic Calendar available through this post.

You can find a history of posts mentioning Peter Zinovieff here.

via The Guardian

"Peter Zinovieff, a hugely influential figure in British music whose early synthesisers helped to change the sound of pop, has died aged 88. He had suffered a fall at home earlier this month.

With its marketing slogan 'think of a sound – now make it', his company Electronic Music Studios (EMS) was one of the first to bring synthesisers out of studios and to the public. With products such as the portable VCS3 and Synthi A, EMS customers – including David Bowie, Kraftwerk, the Who, Tangerine Dream and Pink Floyd – were often taught to use the instruments by Zinovieff.

In 1967 he collaborated with Paul McCartney on Carnival of Light, a performance of a 14-minute avant garde composition created between Beatles sessions for Penny Lane that has never been released.

He was also a respected composer of his own work, including early experiments with AI composition and sampling – he claimed to have invented the latter technique." You can read the full post here.

via Wikipedia:

"Peter Zinovieff (26 January 1933 – 23 June 2021) was a British engineer and composer, whose EMS company made the VCS3 synthesizer in the late 1960s. The synthesizer was used by many early progressive rock bands such as Pink Floyd[3] and White Noise, and Krautrock groups[4] as well as more pop-oriented artists, including Todd Rundgren and David Bowie. In later life he worked primarily as a composer of electronic music.

Zinovieff was born on 26 January 1933;[5] his parents, Leo Zinovieff and Sofka, née Princess Sophia Dolgorouky, were both Russian aristocrats, who met in London after their families had emigrated to escape the Russian Revolution and soon divorced.[6] During World War II he and his brother Ian lived with their grandparents in Guildford and then with their father in Sussex. He attended Guildford Royal Grammar School, Gordonstoun School and Oxford University, where he earned a doctorate in geology.[7][8]

Zinovieff's work followed research at Bell Labs by Max Mathews and Jean-Claude Risset, and an MIT thesis (1963) by David Alan Luce.[9] In 1966–67, Zinovieff, Delia Derbyshire and Brian Hodgson ran Unit Delta Plus, an organisation to create and promote electronic music. It was based in the studio Zinovieff had built, in a shed at his house in Putney. (The house is near the Thames, and the studio was later partially destroyed by a flood).[10][11] EMS grew out of MUSYS, which was a performance controller operating as an analogue-digital hybrid.[12] It was a synthesiser system which Zinovieff developed with the help of David Cockerell and Peter Grogono, and used two DEC PDP-8 minicomputers and a piano keyboard.[13] Unit Delta Plus ran a concert of electronic music at the Watermill Theatre in 1966, with a light show. In early 1967 they performed in concerts at The Roundhouse, at which the Carnival of Light was also played; they split up later in 1967.[11] Paul McCartney had visited the studio, but Zinovieff had little interest in popular music.[14]

In 1968, part of the studio was recreated at Connaught Hall, for a performance of pieces by Justin Connolly and David Lumsdaine.[15] At the IFIP congress that year, the composition ZASP by Zinovieff with Alan Sutcliffe took second prize in a contest, behind a piece by Iannis Xenakis.[16]

In 1969, Zinovieff sought financing through an ad in The Times but received only one response, £50 on the mistaken premise it was the price of a synthesiser. Instead he formed EMS with Cockerell and Tristram Cary.[17] At the end of the 1960s, EMS Ltd. was one of four companies offering commercial synthesizers, the others being ARP, Buchla, and Moog.[18] In the 1970s Zinovieff became interested in the video synthesizer developed by Robert Monkhouse, and EMS produced it as the Spectron.[19]

Jon Lord of Deep Purple described Zinovieff as "a mad professor type": "I was ushered into his workshop and he was in there talking to a computer, trying to get it to answer back".[20] Trevor Pinch and Frank Trocco, in their history of the synthesizer revolution, see him rather as aristocratically averse to "trade".[21]

Zinovieff wrote the libretto for Harrison Birtwistle's opera The Mask of Orpheus,[22] and also the words for Nenia: The Death of Orpheus (1970).[23] The section Tristan's Folly in Tristan (1975) by Hans Werner Henze included a tape by Zinovieff."

Update:

Peter Zinovieff: A Tribute by CatSynth TV

video upload by CatSynth TV

"We look back at the life and work of Peter Zinovieff, who passed away last week at the age of 88. His work at Electronic Music Studios (EMS) was a major influence on musicians of the 1970s and beyond. At EMS, he co-created the well-known and coveted VCS3 and Synthi series. But he was also a composer in his own right, working on pioneering electronic music in the 1960s and returning to active composition in the 2010s with several collaborations with artists in other media and exploring massive sound spatialization.

Additional background music provided via the Arturia Synthi V as a tribute."

You can find additional posts featuring Peter Zinovieff here.

Alan Pearlman - Philip Dodds & Close Encounters (Bright Sparks Outtake)

video by GForce Software

"In an outtake from the Bright Sparks Documentary, ARP founder Alan R Pearlman talks about Philip Dodds and the story behind the use of the ARP 2500 on Close Encounters Of The Third Kind.

Originally released in December 2015 to critical acclaim and created to compliment the I Monster album of the same name, Bright Sparks documents the human stories of eight musical instrument pioneers, - Robert Moog (Moog), Alan R Pearlman (ARP), Don Buchla, Harry Chamberlin, The Bradley Brothers (Mellotronics), Adrian Wagner (Electronic Dream Plant), Peter Zinovieff (EMS) and Ken Freeman.

'An engrossing and fascinating documentary that pays tribute to the modest but amazing innovators who changed the face of electronic music' Vince Clarke

https://www.gforcesoftware.com/blog/b... www.imonstermusic.com
Alan Pearlman Foundation: https://alanrpearlmanfoundation.org"

You can find additional Bright Sparks Documentary posts here.

Update: see this post for the actual order invoice for the 2500.

ARP's Dennis Colin - Ladder Filter & Hyperphase Pedal (Bright Sparks Outtake)

video by GForce Software

"An outtake from the Bright Sparks Documentary where ex-ARP engineer (and the creator of the SEM filter) Dennis Colin talks about how the Ladder Filter was the inspiration for his lauded and obscenely rare Hyperphase pedal.

Sadly, Dennis passed away just after we filmed him at his home in New Hampshire, but his legacy lives on in the ARP 2500, ARP 2600, Aries 300 and the legendary Oberheim SEM filter.

Originally released in December 2015 to critical acclaim and created to compliment the I Monster album of the same name, Bright Sparks documents the human stories of eight musical instrument pioneers, - Robert Moog (Moog), Alan R Pearlman (ARP), Don Buchla, Harry Chamberlin, The Bradley Brothers (Mellotronics), Adrian Wagner (Electronic Dream Plant), Peter Zinovieff (EMS) and Ken Freeman.

'An engrossing and fascinating documentary that pays tribute to the modest but amazing innovators who changed the face of electronic music' Vince Clarke"

You can find additional posts featuring Bright Sparks here.

Streetly Tapes - Volume 6

video by GForce Software

"A no-talking, no-nonsense run through of the Streetly Tapes Vol6 tapebanks, with a few patches thrown in for good measure.

https://www.gforcesoftware.com/produc...

Volume 6 provides yet more sonic superfood for your M-Tron Pro, via another 23 rare tape banks. For the first time ever, this Volume includes the CHAOS Banks, originally created to afford users different recordings of the same instrument across the 35 note range.

CLICK FOR MORE »

GForce Software OB-E Demo - OBERHEIM 8 Voice Emulation

video by Oblivion Corner

"A song made entirely with GForce Software OB-E VST synthesizer (apart from drums). This is the synth music-only version (no talking) of a video I made about supermarkets. [below]

The OB-E is an emulation of the Oberheim Eight Voice (EVS) vintage analog synthesizer which was released in the late 70s.

Presenting and framed artwork by Isabel
Stock footage from Storyblocks
Typewriter footage made with a Smith Corona personal word processor
3D modelling made on Caligari trueSpace 5


If you'd like to support this channel with a one-off purchase, please check out our affordably priced music: https://synthandsundry.bandcamp.com"

SUPERMARKETS - A Guide

video by Oblivion Corner

"This Reality Window-Watcher's Guide provides incisive information about Supermarkets, helpfully divided into byte-sized chapters for your own convenience. We answer all the key questions on the topic at your leisure.

The music was composed using GForce Software OB-E, a virtual emulation of the Oberheim 8-Voice polyphonic synthesizer.

Credits:
Presented by Isabel
Text written by Reality Guides
Continuity announcement by Alix Austin
Production by Oblivion Corner
Music by Alpicat for Oblivion Corner
Framed artwork by Isabel
Stock footage from Storyblocks

Isabel's paintings can be found here: http://isabelpirillo.com/​

Furthermore, the 3D modelling and animation was executed on Caligary trueSpace 5.
The typewriter used was a Smith Corona Personal Word Processor.
The computer is a BBC Micro Model B. Most of the keyboard has stopped responding recently, I must get it repaired."

Dennis Colin - Significant Events (Bright Sparks Outtake)

video by GForce Software

"A fascinating and touching outtake from the Bright Sparks Documentary where ex-ARP engineer Dennis Colin recalls two of the most significant events of his life.

Dennis was a joy to film and listen to and even though his health was poor, his mind was super sharp. Sadly Dennis passed away shortly after we recorded this at his home in New Hampshire. However, his work lives on in the ARP2600, Aries 300 Modular and the legendary Oberheim SEM filter.

Originally released in December 2015 to critical acclaim and created to compliment the I Monster album of the same name, Bright Sparks documents the human stories of eight musical instrument pioneers, - Robert Moog (Moog), Alan R Pearlman (ARP), Don Buchla, Harry Chamberlin, The Bradley Brothers (Mellotronics), Adrian Wagner (Electronic Dream Plant), Peter Zinovieff (EMS) and Ken Freeman.

'The result is a documentary that isn’t merely well informed, it’s definitive.'
Gordon Reid (Sound On Sound Magazine)

https://www.gforcesoftware.com/blog/b...
www.imonstermusic.com
Alan Pearlman Foundation: https://alanrpearlmanfoundation.org"

You can find additional posts featuring the Bright Sparks documentary here.

GForce Software OB-E | Overview and Demonstration

video by Alex Ball

"An overview of the new synthesizer OB-E from GForce Software.

Based on the God-tier Oberheim Eight Voice, OB-E is a new plugin for Mac that brings all the features of the original with a raft of additions that would make original Eight Voice owners jealous. Well, relatively jealous, they own an Eight Voice after all.

A note - I was using a Beta version of the software in October of last year so the final release version may have some changes and improvements.

0:00​ Intro Track
0:22​ This is OB-E
1:05​ Demo 1: Bread & Butter
2:22​ Demo 1: Explanation
3:33​ Demo 2: Return to SEM-der
4:43​ Demo 2: Explanation
6:02​ Demo 3: Off to Uni Son
6:40​ Demo 3: Explanation
7:08​ Demo 4: Expander & Chief
8:02​ Demo 4: Explanation
8:46​ Summary"

M-Tron Pro - Twenty Tapebanks (No Talking)

video by GForce Software

"M-Tron Pro comes with nearly 200 Tapebanks as standard but we thought we'd ask the super talented Alex Ball to do a no-talking, run-through of 20.

That leaves something like another 180 tapebanks to discover at your leisure."

GForce Software OB-E Tutorials

Playlist:

OB-E Quick Start Tutorial
OB-E Interface Sizes Tutorial
OB-E Edit Buttons Tutorial
OB-E Global Controls Tutorial
OB-E Keyboard Modes Tutorial
OB-E SEM Controls Tutorial
OB-E Sequencer Tutorial
OB-E Delay Tutorial
OB-E MIDI CC Tutorial
Dubby OB-E - A demo of GForce's OB-E.
OB-E MPE SET-UP
OB-E VCO3 LFO Modulation Tutorial
OB-E LFO MOD - AUDIO RATE

Octaphonic synth? - GForce OB-E recreates the classic #Oberheim​ #SEM8​

video by Nu-Trix The Synth Guy

"@GForce Software has come up with a great 'creamy' sounding synth recreating the very special #octaphonic​ SEM-8 from Oberheim. It's can be polyphonic and so much more!.

Check the video to hear how an octaphonic synth is different from a polyphonic synth.

00:00​ intro
00:53​ Octaphonic VS polyphonic
02:49​ SEM 8 presentation
03:36​ OB-E Zoom on 1 SEM
07:42​ Keyboard section
11:19​ Vibrato
12:38​ Grouping SEMs
13:05​ Stereo Delay
14:12​ Preset sound demo Part 1
16:25​ MIDI Sequencer
18:50​ Preset sound demo Part 2
25:31​ Conclusion"

See the GForce label below for more.