Hawkeye - Realm of Robots (8x C64 SID in MB6582, midiphy LoopA & MatriX)

video upload by Hawkeye

"Only SIDs make it possible! :)
(Sound provided by 8x 8580 in a MB6582 and some FX, no other synths used).

Sequenced by midiphy LoopA in song mode.
Composed with midiphy MatriX in grid notes mode.

https://www.midiphy.com/en/shop-detai...

Thanks for watching and listening!

Best regards,
Hawkeye/Maelstroem Records"

midiphy LoopA Song Mode (and other features of new firmware v2.10)

video upload by Hawkeye

"Introducing Song Mode and other new features of midiphy LoopA firmware release version 2.10.

LoopA Full kits are available in the shop :
https://www.midiphy.com/en/shop-detai...

Contents:
00:00 Song Mode: Clip Preparation
01:07 Song Mode: Pattern Basics
06:13 Song Mode: Pattern Length & Pattern Restart
08:22 Song Mode: Tempo & Tempo Fades
09:27 Song Mode: Pattern Probabilities & Jumps
14:07 Song Mode: Cueing a Pattern
15:23 Song Mode: Copying & Pattern Import
17:14 Song Mode: Force-to-scale & Beatloop
20:14 Force to Scale: White Keys Mode
22:10 Tap Tempo

LoopA firmware download:
https://www.midiphy.com/en/loopa-v2/

Best regards and enjoy!
Peter/Hawkeye"

midiphy LoopA v2.09 - New Features

video upload by Hawkeye

"midiphy LoopA v2.09 firmware has been released! :)

Features:
0:05 Integrated midi keyboard mode
0:48 New stave notes display mode
1:28 Force-to-scale mode
2:24 Integrated keyboard live transpose
3:05 Clip extension with note duplication
3:53 Reversing clip notes
4:40 Integrated six track volume mixer
5:23 LoopA remote control via MIDI Program Change and CC
and MIDI Program Change synth patch loading after session loading

LoopA kits:
https://www.midiphy.com/en/shop-detai...

LoopA firmware download:
https://www.midiphy.com/en/loopa-v2/

Best regards and enjoy!
Peter"

midiphy MatriX and LoopA Features (Graphical MIDI Sequencer and Isomorphic Keyboard)

video upload by Hawkeye

"After more than three years of development we're proud to announce the release of midiphy MatriX. Thanks for waiting!

This feature video showcases the midiphy MatriX enhancing our LoopA. Enjoy!

midiphy MatriX product page containing a handbook and additional information:
https://www.midiphy.com/en/matrix

Essential DIY kits are available in the shop (you will need a midiphy SEQ v4+ or midiphy LoopA) to use the midiphy MatriX:
https://www.midiphy.com/en/shop-detai...

Chapter Table:
00:03 Introducing the midiphy MatriX
00:50 Graphical Sequence Composition
01:44 Editing Notes and Joystick Composition
02:38 Clip Navigation and Grid Modes
03:34 High-Res Edits and Quantization
04:20 Isomorphic Keys: Pentatonic Intermezzo
04:51 Macro Screen (LoopA Comannd Center)
08:02 Force-To-Scale (and Note Color Labels)
09:01 Scale Mode
10:01 Isomorphic Keys Tip: Geometric Playing
10:48 Keys Mode Controllers
12:29 Outro: Six Track Jam

Thanks for watching!
Best regards,
Peter from midiphy.com"

midiphy MatriX Mechanical Grid: Graphical Sequencing with the SEQ v4+

video by Hawkeye

The midiphy MatriX is currently in development.

"Quick graphical sequencing demo of the upcoming midiphy MatriX in conjunction with the midiphy SEQ v4+.

Using the MatriX, polyphonic sequences can be entered graphically, including force-to-scale "auto-correction".

The MatriX extends both the SEQ v4+ (legacy 16x16+X BLM Mode), as well as the LoopA (with an upcoming firmware extension).

https://www.midiphy.com/​

Thanks for watching and best regards,
Peter"

"midiphy is a eurozone-based online shop for a new generation of hardware designs and is an official supplier of MIDIbox hardware platform modules. In the shop, you will find PCBs, essential kits and parts for your builds. On this page, we'll inform you about recent news and developments."

midiphy SEQ v4+ Enhanced Edition - Introduction (Hardware MIDI Sequencer)

"After about two years on the market, the midiphy SEQ v4+ has finally received a facelift: https://www.midiphy.com/en/shop-detai...

This newest version comes complete with a 19 inch rack mount kit and an optimized case that allows to optionally remount all PCBs/ports to the case bottom to save rack space. It features the unique midiphy L4 superellipse keycaps and the new light|shields, that protect keys from receiving unwanted "stray light" from their neighbors.

All existing SEQ v4+ sequencers can be refit with this upgrade kit:
https://www.midiphy.com/en/shop-detai...

If you can't DIY, but would like to own a midiphy SEQ v4+, you can ask one of our Trusted Builders to build one on a commission basis for you:
https://www.midiphy.com/en/builders

Hope you enjoy!
Best regards,
Hawkeye/Peter"

midiphy LoopA Features (Hardware MIDI Looper and Sequencer)

Hawkeye

"Essential features of the midiphy LoopA hardware MIDI looper and sequencer: this video also shows how you could integrate your LoopA in your creative workflow and music productions.
https://www.midiphy.com/en/loopa-v2/

Also: the midiphy LoopA firmware v2.07 has been released! :)

Timetable:
01. Polyphonic Step Recording 00:04
02. Step Recording Tricks 00:35
03. 1024 Step Polyphonic Sequences 01:45
04. Cutting a Clip 02:31
05. CC Recording on top of prerecorded Notes 03:30
06. CC Recording while recording Notes 04:00
07. CC Transformations with Algorithms 04:26
08. Manually Drawing CC Waveforms 06:04
09. CC Waveform Generators 06:57
10. Full Scene and Selective Track Progression 07:55
11. MIDI Live Effects 8:37
12. Footswitch Actions 10:09
13. Polymetric and Polyrhythmic Sequences 12:15
14. Tempo and Time Signatures 13:15
15. User Instruments and Track Setup 14:28
16. MIDI Router and MIDI Monitor 16:14
Appendix: Ask a Trusted Builder to build your LoopA, if you can not build it on your own 17:26

Hope you enjoy! :)
Best regards,
Peter/Hawkeye"

Hawkeye - Fractal Floater (midiphy LoopA and the six synths)

Published on Apr 18, 2020 Hawkeye

"Back in time, when we were surfing the skies...


Made with six polyphonic tracks on the midiphy LoopA.

Synths used in the order of appearance:
1) Pad: Alesis Andromeda

2) Bassline: MFB Dominion I through DIY Polivoks

3) Lead: Waldorf Microwave 1

4) Drums: E-MU 6400 Ultra

5) Lead: Erica Synths Fusion VCO & Polivoks filter
6) Drums: Vermona DRM1


FX: Strymon Timeline and Big Sky, dbx 1066 compressor on drum bus - directly recorded with a Tascam WAV recorder, no DAW used.

The video footage is back from 2015 and was found on some old harddisk :).

Hope you enjoy!

Thanks for watching and listening!
Hawkeye / Maelstroem Records"

midiphy LoopA: revealing the new pro metal case! :)

Published on Mar 28, 2020 Hawkeye

"The new midiphy LoopA Requantizing DIY Sequencer kit is now available with the pro metal case proudly made by Hallik Engineering! :) https://www.midiphy.com/en/shop-detai...

Also, you can ask a trusted builder to create one for you, if you don't want to do DIY: https://www.midiphy.com/en/builders/

Hope you like it! :)
Stay safe and many greets!

Peter"

midiphy LoopA posts

Hawkeye - Looped Happiness (midiphy LoopA launch demo)

Published on Nov 23, 2019 Hawkeye

"With the launch of the midiphy LoopA just around the corner and just in time for the upcoming holiday season, here is another quick demo video - it is not focussed on musical finesse :), but on some of the new features integrated in the launch software version of the LoopA.

In the beginning of the track, the LoopA is launched with "Beatloop" mode active, a new non-linear time progression model, which has different modes. Some modes scan the sequence while retaining an identical sequence playback time. It is great to create new melodic progressions while retaining harmonies and is also interesting for scrambling up recorded drumloops.

Later on, we explore some 'live transposition' features, where multiple selectable tracks (e.g. to exclude drum tracks) are transposed via a single live encoder action. Live transposition is measure-synchronized to occur "always just in time".

Also, scene progression is fully synchronized to the recorded loops, so you can confidently proceed to a new scene at any time in your performance.

The midiphy LoopA is inteded to be used as a "musical note pad" or an "idea generator", it has been designed to be easy to use and has different features than its bigger 16-track brother, the midiphy SEQ v4+. Depending on your musical style, it should normally be easily able to hold a whole song in a session, which contains up to 36 looped note clips (these are arranged in 6 tracks x 6 scenes). Sessions are fully storable and recallable on/from a removable SD card within seconds.

We have released the user manual, you can preview it over here:
https://www.midiphy.com/files/468/mid...

You can obtain a fully documented DIY kit of the midiphy LoopA here (or subscribe to it becoming available, it should be available soon):
https://www.midiphy.com/en/shop-detai...

Hope you enjoyed the demo - and thanks for watching and listening!
Best regards and many greets,
Peter / Hawkeye"

Hawkeye - Chiphead (Stereo SID Acid)

Published on Apr 13, 2019 Hawkeye

"It has been a while - we have moved and i had to do a quick new studio test - using some original MB6582 'acid' basslines created by TK./Thorsten Klose. Many, many thanks! :)

This was done in only about two hours and is not really a full track (thus the new midiphy SEQ v4+ was mostly unused). It is more of a SID stereo bassline audio demo, highly repetitive. I've also added both video takes, i am not sure which one is better or if both are bad, please tell me what you think :).

In this video, most sounds are created by DIY devices:
* MIDIbox MB6582 for a pair of 8580 SIDs in stereo bassline mode
* Mutable Instruments Anushri for the lead
* midiphy LoopA prototype for sequencing
* DIY polivoks stereo VCF to filter the drums

Recorded directly onto a Tascam audiograbber, no DAW was used, only slight audio compression added in post production.

Non-DIY equipment used:
* Vermona DRM 1 for drums
* MFB Dominion I as a secondary bassline synth

Many greets and thanks for listening and watching!
Hawkeye/Maelstroem Records"

Building a MIDIbox SEQ v4+

Published on Jul 27, 2018 Hawkeye

"Welcome to the first part of the video build tutorial of the new MIDIbox SEQ v4+!
[ UPDATES/ERRATA - IMPORTANT! ]
1:35:18 - use 20 MHz crystals for the PIC 16F88s! Value/part in the BOM has been corrected.
1:37:00 - the 100N caps are for C3, C6, C9, C12 (not C1-C4). The BOM was correct. Thanks, Keir!

This is a detailed step-by-step build video tutorial with additional notes, tips and tricks. While the SEQv4+ build is targeted towards intermediate DIYers, it is our firm belief, that everyone being able to hold a soldering iron with a fine soldering tip should have a fair chance of building it, therefore the detailed documentation.

Please refer to the above UPDATES/ERRATA and the below NOTES sections before starting building, in case some some errors did sneak into the video - thanks! :)

CLICK FOR MORE »

LoopA - DIY MIDI Looper Introduction (MIDIbox platform)

Published on May 7, 2018 Hawkeye

"After about three years in the pipeline, we are proud to announce the LoopA v2 [you can find a post from 2015 here]. Thanks to Andy, there are now PCBs - and we have also finished a DIY acrylic case. Public availability (PCB and essential kit for hard-to-get parts) is expected somewhen in June/July, also John from Modularaddict.com did show interest and wants to resell those boards for the U.S. based folks!

The LoopA will definitely not be a beginner DIY project, as some SMD soldering and somewhat precise board interconnection work is needed, but a BOM and a full documentation about the build process will be released, so it should be doable :-). On the plus side you will receive a very compact unit (only 38mm height packing three stacked PCBs), a lot of MIDI interface functionality and a very responsive system that is designed to be "easy to use" and inspirational. Like not starting up your DAW and updating drivers but just sitting at your favourite synth and hacking in some lines! :)

Here are the main features:

* six polynote tracks linked to individual MIDI configurations
* six scenes, allowing for a total of 36 in-memory MIDI clips
* graphical note display on an OLED, that shows clip notes and also edit changes like transposition in realtime
* four MIDI OUT ports, two MIDI IN ports, one OUT port is configured as an optional BLM expansion port (later)
* non-step sequenced recording, clips can be dynamically requantized during live sessions
* note-editor for fixing recording errors
* transposition, scrolling and time-scaling of clips
* disk operations (full recall), storage to SD card
* BPM setting and MIDI sync from "upchain" devices like a master MBSEQ

MIDIbox master thread: http://midibox.org/forums/topic/20833...

Shop link: [not yet publically available yet, this will change]

Thanks for watching!
Peter/Hawkeye"

Upcoming DIY midiphy LoopA MIDI Sequencer - Hawkeye - Microwaved (Waldorf Microwave 1, SID 8580 and friends)

Published on Apr 28, 2018 Hawkeye

"Hi, it has been a while...

This song sat on the sequencer for far too long - there were too many different melody lines going on and it was really difficult to bring it together - while i am not 100% convinced, it is the best possible effort with the midi clips i came up with, i hope you still like it - it had to be finished at some point, otherwise it would have occupied the sequencer for another few months :)

It was live sequenced on the midiphy LoopA - this small 'inspirational MIDI sequencer' will be available as an affordable DIY kit soon.

Other hardware used:
Dreamy string: Waldorf Microwave 1
Simple Lead: SID 8580 in MBSID/MB6582 synthesizer
Arpeggiated synth: Alesis Andromeda
Bass: MFB Dominion I
Second Lead: Roland V-Synth
Drums: Elektron Machinedrum
Audiograbber: Tascam DR-100
FX: Strymon Timeline and BigSky

Recorded directly from the hardware, only audio-compressed in post-production, but no DAW was abused during recording :).

Many greets to all DIY folks out there, you know who you are, thanks for your support and time!

I might be uploading a few DIY videos (e.g. how to build the LoopA sequencer used in this song) in the next time, if you are here only for songs, please don't go away, there will be more, later on :).

Thanks for watching and listening,
Hawkeye / Maelstroem Records"

Hawkeye - Zero Circuit (C64 SIDs vs Ensoniq ESQ-M, live)

Published on Jan 12, 2018 Maelstroem3

Note the yellow Waldorf micro Q Rack with custom chrome knobs.

"The MBLoopA is a fun tool to record ideas, while it lacks quite a lot of features of its bigger brother, the MIDIbox sequencer, it focusses on the essentials, offers an easy workflow and is totally sufficient to record smaller tracks - the graphical noteroll display helps a lot to visualize what is going on.

This live jam (recorded directly from the synths) also features the MBProgramma, that controls the Ensoniq ESQ-m (bassline).

The MBLoopA has six MIDI looping tracks, that can be independently muted and unmuted - also, it offers eight "scenes" that can be switched through, once again, this is used for transposing.

Synths used:
Yamaha FS1R: First lead
2x C64 8580 SIDs (in a MB6582): Second lead
Ensoniq ESQ-m (ESQ-1 in rack): bassline
Elektron Machinedrum: drums
MFB Dominion I: percussive synth voice
Alesis Andromeda + Kawai K5000R: Pad

Hope you enjoyed it!
Thanks for watching and listening!
Hawkeye/Maelstroem Records"

Hawkeye - Patch of Light (live MBLoopa & Synths)

Published on Nov 12, 2017 Maelstroem3

"A little techdemo/song of what is possible with the MBLoopA v2, a MIDI sequencer, that will be hopefully openly available as a DIY project in spring 2018! :-)

Features: 6 polynote channels with stepbased or unquantized note data, eight "scenes" (here used for transposing) and note editing, visual/graphical clip/note display and measure-synchronized muting/unmuting of tracks and scene switching, all running on a tiny 192kb ram microcontroller and a rather nice 256x64px OLED using the great MIDIbox hardware platform!

Synths and gear used:
* Alesis Andromeda for the intro lead
* Moog LP/MFB Dominion hard left/right mapped for the bassline
* Roland JD 990 for delay lead
* Yamaha FS1R for the kickdrum
* E-MU E6400 Ultra for drums
* Strymon Timeline/BigSky and a DIY Polivoks VCF for the phasing effect

Everything was recorded live to a Tascam wavegrabber, no DAW or other sequencer was abused during recording, only used a "real" computer for audio compression after the session :-).

Hope you enjoyed and thanks for watching and listening!
Many greets,
Hawkeye/Maelstroem Records"

Hawkeye - One Voice in the Galaxy (Alesis Andromeda, MFB Dominion 1)

Published on Sep 3, 2017 Maelstroem3

"After lots of rain and not enough summer, finally a new track! :-)

This one features an audio sample from Buck Rogers (Season 2 from 1981), the Alesis Andromeda for the ambient strings/pad, the Roland V-Synth for the primary lead, the MKS 50 (Roland Alpha Juno) for the secondary lead, the MFB Dominion 1 for the bassline and some Elektron Machinedrum percussion. All was recorded live, directly from the mixer, no DAW in use :-). Pattern changes and filter sweeps were done manually, the MIDIbox sequencer V4 and two Strymon FX units helped out a little ;-).

Hope you enjoyed it
and thanks for watching and listening!
Hawkeye/Maelstroem Records"

Hawkeye - Analogia (Alesis A6, MFB Dominion 1)

Published on Jun 10, 2017 Maelstroem3

"The local analog synth gang and a few of their digital friends teamed up for this near-midsummer-night-live-session :-).

All was sequenced live on the MIDIbox Sequencer V4.

In order of appearance:
Poly Lead #1: Alesis Andromeda
Pad: Yamaha FS1r
Bassline #1: MFB Dominion I
Drums: Elektron Machinedrum
Mono Lead: Mutable Instruments Anushri
Poly Lead #2: Ensoniq ESQm
Bassline #2: Moog Little Phatty through Polivoks DIY VCF
FX: Strymon BigSky and TimeLine
Directly recorded to a Tascam DR-100 wavegrabber, no DAW was abused :-).

Hope you enjoyed it!
Thanks for watching and listening!
Hawkeye/Maelstroem Records"

Hawkeye - Going Up (MFB Dominion 1, Kurzweil K2000, Virus C Vocoder)

Published on Apr 11, 2017 Maelstroem3

"Dawless vocoding! :-)

We experienced an incredible evolution of speech synthesis over the last decades - the voice used in this track was artificially generated by an online text to speech tool, sampled by the E-MU E6400 Ultra and was then transformed by the vocoder of the Access Virus C. You can hear the original synthesized voice at the end of the track.

Big thanks to my YouTube friend "oscillator", who sent me his great Kurzweil K2000 patches, the patch starting at 03:05 is pure Kurzweil bliss from his patch bank! He also helped me to upgrade my old K2000 to modern standards. It is a fantastic synth!
Here is his channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCz8o...

Gear used (in order of appearance):
00:00 Kurzweil K2000 piano (a classic)
00:13 Moog Little Phatty Bassline through Polivoks DIY VCF
00:26 Elektron Machinedrum Drums
00:40 Mutable Instruments Anushri Chip Arpeggio
01:13 MFB Dominion I - dirty bassline :-)
01:15 Dave Smith Evolver - growling, evolving bassline
01:39 Vocoder voice (E-MU 6400 Ultra - Access Virus C Vocoder)
02:05 MFB Dominion I - lead in paraphonic mode
03:05 Kurzweil K2000 "Solo" - Patch from oscillator, THANKS! :-)
04:17 Alesis Andromeda - arpeggiated happy poly string

FX: Strymon Timeline and BigSky, DIY Polivoks VCF

All was sequenced live using the fantastic MIDIbox Sequencer (v4), the synth outputs went directly into a 16-channel Mackie 1604 for analog mixing - the master output of the mixer was captured using a Tascam DR-100 wave recoder - no DAW was abused during recording, only slight audio compression was added during video editing.

Hope you enjoyed it and thanks for watching and listening!
Hawkeye/Maelstroem Records"

Hawkeye - Neutron Blender (MFB Dominion I and friends - live)

Published on Jan 27, 2017 Maelstroem3

"Test-driving the MFB Dominion I and some friends, live-sequenced on the MIDIbox sequencer V4! :-)

I recently removed my computer/DAW from the synth setup, as I don't use it any longer (indeed i never used it, since the MBSEQ was finished many years ago :-)). The space that was occupied by the display was now available for another synth. After some long research and considerations, i chose the MFB Dominion, as I think it offers something new for me. In short words: it is fantastic! I still have to explore it more in-depth, as has a really powerful synthesis/modulation engine, but the first weeks with it were awesome! Thanks, MFB! :-)

Gear used:
Mono analog lead #1: Dominion I
Mono analog lead #2: Alesis Andromeda
Mono analog wall of noise: Moog Little Phatty, live controlled by the MBProgramma Patch Editor
Dry FM bassline: Yamaha FS1R, live modulated with the onboard encoders
Warm analog-ish (but fully digital) portamento pad: JD-990 through Polivoks DIY VCF (the left filter knob in the video... Thanks, J! What a deal, both of these are truly awesome!)
Drums: Elektron Machinedrum UW
FX: Strymon Timeline and Bigsky
Mixed through a Mackie 1604, directly recorded on a tascam .wav-recorder.

Thanks for watching and listening!
Hawkeye/Maelstroem Records"