Sequential Prophet 6 Demo by INHALT

Published on Apr 27, 2015 INHALTVIDEO

"When the team at Dave Smith Instruments called us to take a look at their new synth, we had no idea that the words 'Sequential' and 'Prophet' were going to be proudly displayed. One note later through the Meyer Sound rig at the DSI Office and we knew that there was no doubt that the Prophet 6 was the most genuine and true successor to the Prophet 5.

The Prophet 5 has a very important place in our gear arsenal. It’s heavily featured on our EP 'Occupations' and is one of the few synths we have that simply doesn’t need much post processing. It takes to multitracking effortlessly and exudes pure analog 'aliveness'. Not to mention the fact that it doesn’t take much to get it into the moody and dark John Carpenter film score sound. In short, the Prophet 6 had a lot to live up to. Fortunately, it does so in spades, going beyond what the Prophet 5 could do both in sound and programmability.

From the Prophet 5 rev 2 style SSM filter (it’s a discrete take on this design) to the brand new, discrete voltage controlled oscillators, the new high pass filter, dual fx engine, and output distortion, the Prophet 6 builds upon everything good from the 5 and then goes much, much further. Coupled with a fully polyphonic step sequencer and standard issue arpeggiator, the Prophet 6 is the perfect, discretely analog, polyphonic synthesizer. And it’s as much at home on a stage as it is in the studio.

The sounds that you hear are from the factory bank patches we’ve submitted to Dave Smith Instruments/Sequential. We intentionally focused on more standard, instantly usable sounds, rather than ones that showcase some fancy programming trickery. Reason being is that the Prophet 6 is all about immense raw sound quality and immediate, tactile programmability. Everything you are hearing was performed using the onboard facilities of the Prophet 6. There are absolutely no external FX or sequencers used. If you hear a reverb or a delay, it’s coming from the built in dual FX engine on the 6. We simply recorded the stereo output via a Precision 8 mic pre amp into Pro Tools HD, normalized the clips and bounced the track."

Arp Odyssey by Korg INHALT Line Level NAMM Recording

Published on Jan 30, 2015 INHALTVIDEO

"At NAMM 2015 we had the wonderful opportunity to play the new Arp Odyssey by Korg. Though smaller than the original it is just as much playable and the sound instantly reminded us of the pure analog Arp punch, grit, and weirdness. Nothing says minimal synth like the Arp Odyssey. Wether in the hands of Billy Currie, John Foxx, or D.A.F., the Odyssey has been a part of some of the most cutting edge and culturally important music.

While, admittedly, it was very difficult to play the synth with lot's of people bumping into us and various onlookers gazing over our shoulders, we did manage to record some raw sounds of the new Arp Odyssey. You can immediately tell that this is a genuine analog synthesizer and that it has THAT Arp sound we know and love. We hope this demo gives you just a little taste of what the Odyssey can do. Once we take delivery of our own, we will do a much more detailed recording especially utilizing analog sequencers (which the Odyssey was begging for). A massive thanks to Rich at Korg USA. We're looking forward to a White Face ;-)

The occasional clicking that you hear is the switching of the three different filter types. On the new Odyssey all three filters are available and a switch allows you to choose the different low pass types. Two are 24db and one is 12db. This was recorded direct to a Sony PCM M10 at 96k/24 bit and edited in Pro Tools HD."

Dave Smith Instruments Prophet 08 Demo by INHALT

Published on Oct 16, 2014 INHALTVIDEO

"If you like what you hear and would like to hear more please like our page on Facebook at:
https://www.facebook.com/INHALT.US

The Dave Smith Instruments Prophet 08 has been a mainstay in both our live and studio rig for many years now. It is one of the very few truly analog, modern, polyphonic synths and its tone, compact size, and instant playability contribute to the reason why we've used it time and time again.

However, we've always been puzzled why in certain parts of the web, the 08 catches a bad rap. It is neither thin, nor harsh, unless of course you want it to be. It has a wonderful brassy tone characteristic that can instantly remind of the Oberheim OB8, but with the dynamics, tightness, and bravado innate to the best Sequential Circuits offered in their heyday.

These are all our custom INHALT patches we've programmed on the Prophet and recorded straight into Pro Tools HD in stereo. You'll notice on some sections that there is strong modulation on the panning and that comes courtesy of the "Pan Spread" parameter on the 08. Absolutely no external effects processors or MIDI was used. It's just what you can do on board the synth with either straight playing or employing the step sequencer and arpeggiator built into the Prophet! For sound design enquiries/requests please email: contact@inhalt.us"

E-MU Emulator III Demo by INHALT

Published on Sep 8, 2014 INHALTVIDEO

"If you like what you hear and would like to hear more please like our page on Facebook at:
https://www.facebook.com/INHALT.US

The E-MU Emulator III Sampler has to be our top pick for the warmest, most synth-like vintage sampler. It's big, it sounds like a dream, and is stuffed with 16 voices of pure analog filter goodness. INHALT approves.

These are all custom patches that we constructed from sampling direct into the EIII. None are from the factory bank. Most make heavy use of the filtering and other "synth" parameters on the EIII. This was all played by hand and recorded in Pro Tools HD via a Neve Portico preamp."

Dave Smith Instruments Pro 2 Demo by INHALT

Published on Jul 1, 2014 INHALTVIDEO·28 videos

Update: INHALT just released a new remix EP. You'll find it here.

"If you like what you hear and would like to hear more please like our page on Facebook at:
https://www.facebook.com/INHALT.US

Dave Smith Instruments asked us to return to the sound design world and join a stellar team to create some of the patches for their upcoming super synth: the Pro 2. Since we're avid and long time users of the Pro One, the name alone peaked our curiosities. Once we got the absolutely stunning synth back to our studio, we were blown away not just by the raw sound quality of the new voice architecture, but also by the sheer number of possible control options. If there is a synth out there that is truly the best of all worlds and that is almost intentionally designed to sit right in the middle of a full studio set up, it most certainly is the Pro 2. 4 CV outputs (that can be used as gate outputs too), 4 CV ins, audio input, dual MIDI outputs ... it's exactly the kind of thinking a professional studio and live musician would employ in synth design.

As a sound designer, what was most interesting was the arrangement of the new filters. Not only do both the SSM and SEM inspired analog filters sound fantastic on their own, but they can be used together to create very complex effects. Since their routing (serial, meaning one filter into the other, or parallel, meaning both filters running together) is completely user assignable and modulatable (all parameters regarding the filter can be accessed via the modulation matrix and modulated by pretty much anything) incredibly rich and complex effects can be created. The first patch (first string sound you hear in this video) takes full advantage of this new architecture to create a very sophisticated and distinct jet phasing effect.

The same tonal integrity can be found on the digital delays. This time around there is a new BBD style analog modeling delay that is warm and lush. When combined with delay time modulation from an LFO, an extremely rich chorus effect results. I might also mention that the audio input itself is of very high quality and presents a clean and full bodied pre amplifier stage that just sounds good. The last two sounds in the video use this input with a bass guitar.

Absolutely no external fx or sequencing were used when recording this demo of our patches for the factory bank. Everything you hear was done with the internal sequencer, live playing, and employing the abundant set of controls on board the Pro 2. Also, these are all single patches, so no multitracking was involved. The sounds were tracked via a Precision 8 mic pre using both outputs from the Pro 2 and straight into a Digidesign 192 IO feeding Pro Tools HD."

Roland AIRA TB 3 Sequencing External Synths

Published on Mar 21, 2014 INHALTVIDEO·27 videos

"If you like what you hear and would like to hear more please like our page on Facebook at:
https://www.facebook.com/INHALT.US
iTunes EP Available at:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/inh...
Vinyl Available at:
http://www.darkentriesrecords.com/sto...

When the TB3 was announced, one of our requisite must haves was the ability to sequence external synths. We're happy to report that not only does it do it, but all the weird nuances that are innate to the TB3 carry over on the MIDI out. It has a remarkably weird groove and that really comes through. Unfortunately the slide does not transmit portamento but it can function as a perfectly good "tie note" to give any other synth that TB feel. Here we used the Studio Electronics Boomstar analog synth and were really thrilled with the possibilities. The TB3 can chain up to 8 patterns in a row which is really wonderful for a step sequencer!"

Roland Aira's on eBay

Roland TR 808 vs Aira TR8 by INHALT (HiQ)

Published on Mar 21, 2014 INHALTVIDEO·26 videos

"If you like what you hear and would like to hear more please like our page on Facebook at:
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iTunes EP Available at:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/inh...
Vinyl Available at:
http://www.darkentriesrecords.com/sto...

Here is a head to head comparison between our beloved Roland TR 808 and the brand new Roland Aira TR 8. I've used the TR 808 for close to 12 years on almost every production I've been involved with. I know the sound in and out. The AIRA is incredibly close to the original 808 but there are certain differences. Chiefly I cannot tune the AIRA to my 808 in terms of the cymbals and hi hats. The AIRA seems much higher in pitch. There are more minute differences that when stacked up definitely reveal what's a real analog workhorse and what is digital but all that aside, Roland have to be commended for this achievement. There are few digital instruments that sound as good as the Aira range and that have the kind of tactile user interface that's present here.

We recorded the 808 and the TR8 into Pro Tools HD at 96k/24 bit via a Precision 8 mic pre. Each sound was tracked independently and then general levels worked out in Pro Tools. There is no compression or EQ present here at all ... these are the machines completely dry. The video starts with non accented versions of the instruments and then moves to accented versions."

Roland Aira's on eBay

Studio Electronics BoomStar 5089 (HQ) Demo by INHALT

Published on Feb 11, 2014 INHALTVIDEO·25 videos

iTunes EP Available at:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/inh...
Vinyl Available at:
http://www.darkentriesrecords.com/sto...

"Every single sound is the Boomstar 5089 analogue synthesizer. This Boomstar has the Minimoog Analogue Filter inside of it and it sounds absolutely convincing. Stunning form factor and a sound that is classic!"

Novation Bass Station 2 Demo by INHALT

Published on Dec 19, 2013 INHALTVIDEO·24 videos

"If you like what you hear and would like to hear more please like our page on Facebook at:
https://www.facebook.com/INHALT.US
iTunes EP Available at:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/inh...
Vinyl Available at:
http://www.darkentriesrecords.com/sto...

We recently bought the Novation Bass Station 2 and have been in a sort of love affair with this little wonder. It does so much of the old Roland SH sound but it provides so many features from the modern era. Everything from patch recall to automation is present. But really, what it comes down to, is the pure sound quality and variety. Here the Bass Station 2 is unmatched. It just sounds amazing.

We multi tracked everything and recorded it into Pro Tools HD. Every sound you hear is the produced by the Novation Bass Station 2."

Novation Bass Station IIs on eBay

Dave Smith Instruments Prophet 12 Demo # 2 by INHALT (HQ)

Published on Jul 9, 2013 INHALTVIDEO·22 videos

"If you like what you hear and would like to hear more please like our page on Facebook at:
https://www.facebook.com/INHALT.US
Digital Available at:
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Vinyl Available at:
http://www.darkentriesrecords.com/sto...

For this next installment of demonstrations, I've recorded the more atmospheric, etherial, vocal, and ambient patches from the Prophet 12. What's wonderful about this synth is the fact that envelope times have been designed to give a wide range of times. This means anything from the most percussive sounds to absurdly long release times are possible. As such, making evolving tonal beds is a breeze and they are sure to find a home in any sound designers tool box when working for film, television, and experimental sound.

Just like the previous demonstration, no sequencing nor external effects have been used. Everything you hear was recorded through a Neve Portico Pre Amp into a Digidesign 192 HD io and assembled in Pro Tools."

Dave Smith Prophet 12s on eBay

SCI Prophet 5 vs DSI Prophet 08 Test by INHALT (HQ)

Published on Jul 8, 2013 INHALTVIDEO·21 videos

"If you like what you hear and would like to hear more please like our page on Facebook at:
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Digital Available at:
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Vinyl Available at:
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This is the comparison I think most of our friends have been interested in. Our Sequential Circuits Prophet 5 is a revision 3.2 and has factory midi. It's in incredibly good condition and has been calibrated fully, thus the tuning tends to be a lot more stable than on unserviced Prophet 5's. Because of the MIDI interface we have been able to send the same MIDI sequence from the MPC 2000XL to both the Prophet 08 and the Prophet 5 simultaneously. Both synths were recorded straight into Pro Tools HD via a Precision 8 mic pre and a 192 HD IO audio interface.

Unlike the Oberheim OB 8 comparison, getting patches to sound similar between the Prophet 08 and the Prophet 5 was a lot more work. It felt many times like chasing a moving target--you would modify one synth a little and then bounce to the previous one to get it closer ... so on and so forth. However, we were again surprised by the Prophet 08's ability to get remarkably close to the general tonal characteristic of the infamous Prophet 5.

A couple of observations became apparent during the comparison: it's very very obvious that the Prophet 5 uses analog components. The VCO's move around a lot more, especially on held chords and it's not a linear movement. Even with programming, the Prophet 08 has a more predictable frequency movement. We used the slop function set to the max and it still wasn't quiet enough to get it close.

Also, this can be observed with envelope times as well. The Prophet 5 feels like each voice is somewhat discrete and exhibits slightly different envelope times for each stage (i.e. ADSR). I've simulated this somewhat by routing sample and hold to modulate the envelope stages on the Prophet 08 but it still feels somewhat "obvious" as a programming trick rather than the true discrete voicing as on the Prophet 5. That is not saying anything bad about the Prophet 08, but rather, that the 08 is a lot more precise (digital envelopes vs CEM3310...) in this department than the 5.

The UNISON mode on both synths is very very different. On the 5, it sounds a lot more dialed in especially considering gain staging whereas on the Prophet 08, provisions have to be taken to bring the VCA envelope modulation down so as not to create internal clipping. It also feels like the envelopes work differently on the 08 when in UNISON mode than on the Prophet 5. This is not a comment regarding legato/non legato modes but rather the "feel" of the envelopes themselves. However, I have heard commentary that the 08 unison is like the unison mode on the Roland Juno 106, and as a former user of a 106, I can safely say that it is nothing like that. It's just a different feeling unison mode that requires a little bit more work on the programming end.

We hope you enjoy this comparison. It was a lot of fun to record and program this."

Vermona Mono Lancet Audio Demonstration (HD) by INHALT

Published on Jun 28, 2013 INHALTVIDEO·20 videos

"If you like what you hear and would like to hear more please like our page on Facebook at:
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Digital Available at:
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Vinyl Available at:
http://www.darkentriesrecords.com/sto...

This was a set of recordings done entirely on the Vermona Mono Lancet analog mono synthesizer. All the sounds you hear were generated on the Mono Lancet save for the 707 kick and snare on the very first clip. This was recorded as part of a review for DV 24/7 Magazine in London, England in 2011. I used a Fireface 400 firewire interface and Logic Audio for this recording.

The reasoning for using multitracking and effects processing was to show real-world applications of an analog monophonic synthesizer. The Vermona Mono Lancet, due to its discrete design, provided a rich sound palette that could easily be tamed with minor compression and equalization."

Oberheim OB 8 vs DSI Prophet 08 Test by INHALT

Published on Jun 26, 2013 INHALTVIDEO·19 videos

"If you like what you hear and would like to hear more please like our page on Facebook at:
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Digital Available at:
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Vinyl Available at:
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It has to be said that the Prophet 08 is one of our favorite modern polyphonic synthesizers. It's got a feature set that no other poly synth has ever had and is incredibly inspiring to play. Because of the 8 voices it lends itself very well to song writing as bass notes, complex chords, and leads can be played in one go. It also has a sound that is firmly planted in the Curtis IC Chip lineage that other famous polyphonics are in.

Our main intention was to use the Prophet 08 for upcoming live INHALT performances because it has a great tone color that is capable of approximating a lot of our signature sounds made on vintage synths. To our surprise (and delight), the resemblance is rather uncanny to the Oberheim OB 8, which is one of the main polyphonic synths we use.

This little test isn't exactly perfect in terms of one to one patch programming. But I feel as though the individual patches are close enough to each other to drive the point home. That point being: the Prophet 08 is more than capable of generating sounds very similar to the Oberheim OB 8.

Our interests are not in the raw sawtooth with no filter comparisons because frankly, we rarely use such sounds in our compositions. Instead, this comparison shows patches we would use in a musical context. The sounds follow the photographs: The OB 8 is first followed by the Prophet 08."

Dave Smith Instruments Prophet 12 Demo by INHALT and The Bunker Studio

Published on Apr 23, 2013 INHALTVIDEO·18 videos

"It's been several months since we last had the Prophet 12 at our studio, and now, the Dave Smith Instruments team has given us a second run to create more factory bank patches. Much has changed, and all for the better, with the Prophet 12.

Firstly, it sounds much larger than before and there are more wavetables. Secondly, the stereo field is incredible. We were able to use very subtle panning modulations to create a strong and wide sense of space with the patches we've programmed. Also, the user interface has been incredibly streamlined providing us with a very speedy workflow while assigning very complex modulations. Lastly, the new arpeggiator is unbelievable.

Our many thanks go to everyone at DSI. It's an honor to be making patches for the next Prophet synth.

This demo was recorded via a Neve Portico Preamp into a Digidesign 192 Pro Tools HD interface. We recorded this synth no differently than we record all of our other synths. Also, there is no MIDI on this demo. Everything was played by hand and used the onboard controls and modulators present on the Prophet 12. And there are absolutely zero Emerson, Lake, and Palmer impressions nor any keyboard equivalents of the "Stairway to Heaven" solo. Nor will there ever be on this channel.

http://www.darkentriesrecords.com/sto...
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/veh...
https://www.facebook.com/INHALT.US"

NAMM 2013: Korg MS-20 MINI Audio Line Level Recording by INHALT

Published on Jan 30, 2013 INHALTVIDEO·12 videos

"At Winter NAMM 2013 we were very privileged to have the opportunity to play the new Korg MS-20 MINI. We use an original Korg MS-20 with the Korg 35 filters and were very pleasantly surprised just how close this new MS-20 sounds to the original.

This recording was made with a Zoom H4N portable recorder and we took the direct line output of the MS-20 into the Zoom's line input. It was a small miracle we were able to get a recording in as the show floor was packed and hundreds of people stopped by to check out the new MS-20.

https://www.facebook.com/INHALT.US"

NAMM 2013: DSI Prophet 12 Demo by INHALT

Dave Smith Instruments Prophet 12 Hybrid Digital Analog Synth Demo by INHALT
Published on Jan 24, 2013 INHALTVIDEO·11 videos

"When asked by Dave Smith Instruments if we would contribute to the sound design for the next Prophet synthesizer, of course, our response was a resounding yes. However we were not prepared for exactly what was in store for us. When first encountering the units 4 wavetable and wave generation oscillators coupled with Curtis Analog Filters and VCAs it became clear that the sound palette on offer was complex and wide.

As such, our intention with the sound design for the factory bank programs we produced was not only to showcase the expanded architecture but to make something that was reflective of the serious tonal integrity of the instrument before us.

This new Prophet, while firmly rooted to the legacy established by the 5, 600, VS, and 08, offers a sound that is characteristically dark and smooth and does not overlap with the sonics of the past. We discovered just how well the prototype model recorded and just how elegant the on-board delays sounded and matched the sonic identity of the raw synth engine.

Our hope with the sound design was that the user would be able to actually play and perform with the patches we've programmed. While some of these programs may sound somewhat standard in isolation, we hope you listen in stereo and hear the richness, detail, movement, and uniqueness of the raw sound palette inherent to the Prophet 12.

Please note that this is a prototype unit we have worked with and is what you are seeing and hearing in the video.

http://www.davesmithinstruments.com/
https://www.facebook.com/INHALT.US"

Roland Jupiter 8 1983 Demonstration by INHALT & Bunker Studio SF

Published on Nov 7, 2012 by INHALTVIDEO

"This is the first part of an upcoming series of videos showing some of the instruments used by group INHALT. This is our Roland Jupiter 8 14 bit Revision from 1983.

12" Vehicle EP Available on Dark Entries Records
http://www.darkentriesrecords.com/bands/inhalt/

12" Single Walking on Glass Dance Mix
available on World Unknown Records
http://www.phonicarecords.com/product/view/103204

Digital Available:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/inhalt/id524892048
http://boomkat.com/downloads/528908-inhalt-vehicle

contact/booking:
contact@inhalt.us

www.inhalt.us"

Arturia Minibrute analog gate trigger with Boss DR55

Published on Sep 11, 2012 by INHALTVIDEO

"Arturia Minibrute analog gate trigger with Boss DR55"

Minibrutes on eBay

Roland SH 7 Trigger Sequence Test

Published on Jul 17, 2012 by INHALTVIDEO

"Triggering the Roland SH 7 via a CR-8000 and testing the response and timing of the synth. Absolutely SOLID :-)"

Moog Minitaur Sequence Test

Published on Jul 17, 2012 by INHALTVIDEO

"Sequencing the Minitaur via the Akai MPC 2000 XL and putting it through a faster tempo sequence to test timing."