Moog Minimoog Model D | First pass experimental ambient sound design

video upload by MIDERA

"I've wanted a Minimoog for some time, but it was 'always out of my price range' (and it still is - 0% financing for the win?). When the new version was released at $5000, I laughed and said, well, that's not going to happen. After the mass layoffs at Moog - I guess I was somewhat compelled to get one. I'm sure this is, by itself, a fairly irrational reason to get it. At the time, I didn't know (or maybe it's still not 100% certain) whether Moog would make more Minimoogs in the US. Originally the thought/fear was that everything would be produced elsewhere. So yes, that played probably an unhealthy role in my decision making process. I've heard the Mini would still be made in the US. I guess I'm not entirely proud to say that maybe by buying it under InMusic, I wasn't doing Moog any favors. I honestly don't know.

If you remember when I got my Sequential Prophet 10, I remember being let down. I wasn't sure it was as good as I thought it should be for the price. While I have come around, it was a major fear I had after buying the Minimoog. I'm quite happy to report that these misgivings were not in my head at all when I first turned on the Mini. Of course, there are some things that confused me. First, I didn't hear any sounds and that made me nervous (turns out my mixer wasn't on). It does take a little reading in the manual to know what switches and knobs are doing exactly what. It's less immediate than one would think on first glance.

It's hard to know what to say. I don't really want to fetishize the instrument - but I think that it's a bit impossible. It's a cool synth. It's one of the most iconic synths - so in that aspect, I will fail this immediately. But it does LOOK and FEEL very impressive... and elegant. In a way that the Matriarch doesn't. The keybeds seem the same though. Getting to the sound - it's got such a rich sound. I would love to A/B it with my Matriarch (which has other benefits such as paraphonic mode, arp/seq, patching), but I think the pure tone from the Minimoog is better (again, I want to test this).

So what I did here was send the output to the Strymon Volante and then added Eventide Blackhole VST. I didn't prepare anything except the original sound. Honestly, I didn't even know what I was going to play throughout. This is just me fiddling around after playing it for 5 minutes to get my bearings straight.

Before I forget. The first sound you hear is actually just the filter with some noise modulation on it. I later add oscillators.

I hope you enjoy."

Studio Electronics SE-1 | Borrowing a friend's SE-1 while I contemplate getting a Model D

video upload by MIDERA

"I probably was wrong thinking the SE-1 was anything like a Minimoog (Model D). Come to think of it, I haven't really figured out why it's called the Minimoog and Model D. Or maybe it's Minimoog Model D? Well. I don't know why I want one in the first place. I guess it just looks cool. I've been wondering why I want it, given that I already have the Matriarch and have enjoyed how it sounds. Anyway, after talking with a friend, they offered to let me test out their SE-1. The first thing that stuck out to me is how wildly steppy the cutoff knob is. In some ways, it can actually be interesting what sounds you get out of it, but it's pretty prominent. Another thing that baffles me is that there doesn't appear to be a true 'menu'. You seem to access menu items by pressing a button or twisting a knob. I end up lost at times thinking "There should just be a simple global button to access all the parameters" but there isn't.

Beyond that - it does sound quite lovely. I can tell it's very punchy and 'thick'. It's interesting in that you can activate saw, triangle, and square waves at the same time. Something I don't think the Minimoog can do. It sounds like the pulse width can affect even saw waves, which was surprising. Maybe I was just hearing things, but it sounds like it does. It has something of a mod matrix, but kind of not really how I'd describe it, just that you can take LFOs and ENVs and assign them to various things. The filter itself does sound great - and you're able to use a 24db LP filter or a 12db LP or BP filter. I found myself enjoying the 24db filter more.

After I finished this demo, I sat down with my Matriarch and thought "Wow, this is such a great synth." I'm not sure I'd feel the same way about the Minimoog, as it lacks a lot of things I like including an arpeggiator/sequencer (which the Matriarch has). I found both the SE-1 and Matriarch kind of have similar flavors apart from their obvious differences.

The Minimoog would probably get me 1-5% more 'minimoog' sound that would without a doubt get lost in all the FX I have. But still, it's hard not to want one. I bet it will end the same way the Prophet 10 ended - I was deeply unsatisfied with it for years, and then started to really open it up for some interesting sounds. The Minimoog seems a bit more... simple.

The plan has been to sell a bunch of stuff towards a Minimoog though:
System 8
EMU XL7
Chroma Polaris
Something else I don't quite have on the chopping block yet.

That's the plan. Not sure how it will end.

On that note - here's me playing the SE1 using the DSI Prophet 08 as a controller. It went into the Strymon Volante to my mixer, with Eventide Blackhole VST for reverb. Not my best work, but it was fun to noodle on it.

#Studioelectronics #Minimoog #moog"

Spectralis 2 Tutorial: Turn any digital poly synth into a paraphonic hybrid analog synth.

video upload by MIDERA

"Do you have a Spectralis 1 or 2 (they are identical for this tutorial)?
Do you have a polyphonic synth that you'd like to do something new with?
With a Spectralis, you can use it's internal filters to create a paraphonic hybrid synthesizer by sending the external audio inputs into the Spectralis. Here I'm bringing the Access Virus TI Polar into the Spectralis 2 and processing it with the analog (and digital) filters. The Virus is using a very basic initialized patch that you will hear at one point during the video.

Now, WHY would you want to do this? Simple. Let's say you have a digital synth with no analog filters and want to give it new punch. What if you WANT to have a 'paraphonic-like' sound? This is one way to achieve that. Perhaps, for no other reason than to do it, because it sounds good. Mixed with the internal oscillators, it sounds a lot like my Yamaha SK30. You can do so many things - why would you not want to try this if you have a Spectralis?

I say that this is creating a paraphonic 'hybrid' analog synth - but if you use an analog synthesizer going into this, I guess it would no longer be hybrid, it would be a fully analog paraphonic synth. I don't think it matters either way.

Is it paraphonic in the first place? I don't want to get into this debate. Frankly because I don't care about full or partial articulations. To me, it just means multiple voices that go through a single filter and VCA. That's all I mean.

This requires you to have your synthesizer with Local ON, on the same MIDI channel (1) as the internal part you are using.

I think you could do something similar with the Elektron Analog Heat. BUT - I think the Spectralis does a lot more, because you can sequence the sounds you are creating, you can add internal oscillators, you can FM the filters using the oscillators, and a LOT more. It may seem complex, but it's feasible to do and hopefully this video helps guide you on how to approach that.

Given that the Spectralis 1 and 2 seem to go for around $800-$1200 (in 2022), and all that it does - it's really worth it's price. This does mean it's twice as much money as an Analog Heat (which probably does other things really well - I've never used it and fully understand why you'd go for that instead of the Spectralis - BUT if you already have a Spectralis, this is a great way to experiment with it. Furthermore, I found using this setup to sound VERY similar to my Moog Matriarch. You've got multiple filters, that can be panned and modulated in a ton of ways. I'm not saying Spectralis + another synth = Moog Matriarch, they're different. BUT the sound seemed very similar to me, with the paraphonic aspects.

I fumbled around a bit - because I had to learn things on the way as well, which goes to show that even after owning this thing, I'm still not a true master of using it."

Roland Juno-6 (with Juno-66 Tubbutec mod) VCF audio rate modulation by Moog Matriarch

video upload by MIDERA

"My friends and I lamented the fact that my Juno-6 Juno-66 mod was not entirely completed, in that it does not have access to the LFO shape functions. One of my friends suggested sending the S/H OUT from the Matriarch into the VCF input in the Juno-6. So... I did, and then switched it to WAVE output and... well, this is the result of that.

The Matriarch LFO goes into audio rates and it brings the Juno-6 into new territory. Not only can I access S/H LFOs, but audio rate manipulation. I can also sync the LFO manipulation if I use the Arpeggio sync input in the back of the Juno.

At some points I do utilize the Tubbutec mod with its power arp (i.e., sequencer). Also, the voices are all slightly detuned. Enjoy the noodling.

0:00 Audio Rate modulation
1:33 Tubbutec "Power Arp"
3:00 Square wave modulation
4:25 S/H modulation
7:55 Sine wave modulation
12:25 High Resonance modulation and effects
15:56 Pad with S/H modulation
20:47 Bass arpeggio with S/H OUT to VCF and WAVE OUT to Clock in

Eventide Blackhole VST used for reverb."

During this time | A Rhodes piano, Moog Matriarch, and Monomachine track

video upload by MIDERA

"Hooked up my Matriarch and Elektron Monomachine up to play with the Rhodes. The Matriarch was sequenced by the Monomachine and the Moog EP-3 was used to affect the cutoff frequency. The Monomachine was used for drums.

Hologram Microcosm used for FX on the Moog Matriarch and Eventide Blackhole VST used on most parts for reverb."

Remnants of Mars | IDM Elektron Monomachine and Moog Matriarch

video upload by MIDERA

"Latest track - written yesterday, recorded today.

Enjoy"

Deprivation | IDM synthwave Moog Matriarch and Elektron Monomachine

video upload by MIDERA

"Another track using the Matriarch and Monomachine. Eventide Blackhole VST used for reverb.

Only had a few hours as my oldest daughter is at daycare while my wife has the newborn.

The other night, I woke up and my brain said 'Your heart has stopped.' I checked and couldn't feel a pulse. I jumped out of bed and ran to my wife (who was in another room). I found my pulse. I'm certain there was no way I had no pulse (and had the ability to jump out of bed and run), but wow, that was scary. Sleep deprivation is crazy."

Hyperia | IDM Elektron Monomachine and Moog Matriarch

video upload by MIDERA

"Only had a few hours between breaks with our newborn at home and our 4 year old taking a nap. This is the 'result' of that work.

Enjoy.

Eventide Blackhole VST used for reverb."

Moog Matriarch: Here on Earth - an ambient demo

video upload by MIDERA

"My daughter turned 4 today. She's very much into Octonauts, so I have to be Captain Barnacles, Peso, or Shellington (and I think my impressions are pretty spot on). She got her wish - which was to have Shellington put her to bed tonight. There's nothing I enjoy more than being with her and reading books or pretending to be octonauts (which happens to take up probably 80% of our time together). When I ask her who her favorite person is, it's no longer Papa. It's 'Barnacles' or 'Shellington.'

I imagine, years in the future, she'll call me from college and I'll say, 'Kwazii, sound the octo-alert,' And she'll just say 'Daaaaad....'

Anyway, this track just sort of represents those lucid moments I have with her, with my family, just enjoying what really is the best part of being here on Earth.

Eventide Blackhole VST used for reverb."

Moog Matriarch: The Tenth Passing - coming back around

video upload by MIDERA

"Tonight I sat in my studio, making patches on my Yamaha AN1x (and getting a bit bored of the tedium of trying to make patches). I decided to switch on the Matriarch and just mess around with it. If there's one thing I love about the Matriarch, it's the strange types of arps and sequences you can come up with the independent oscillators that can independently be switched to different octaves. It's just so easy to come up with interesting sequences with it. The ratchet feature is also one that cannot be ignored - really, more sequencers need a 'ratchet' feature. The only other sequencer with this feature that I own is the Toraiz Squid.

Anyway, this is long over-due. I had originally planned to record 10 videos of the Matriarch by itself, but stopped for some reason after the 9th (on October 6th, 2020). Why I stopped then, I don't really know. Ah, yes, I remember. The Prophet 5/10 reissue came out around then and I started wondering what I should part with to make room (hint: I parted with nothing).

Anyway, Eventide Blackhole VST was used for reverb."

Matriarch & MIDERA

Primordium | IDM - Virus TI, System8, Moog Matriarch, Prophet 10, Spectralis 2, Machinedrum, DIG

video by MIDERA

Gear used:
Access Virus TI (keys/pluck)
Roland System 8 (soft pads)
Moog Matriarch (Bass)
Sequential Prophet 10 (Drone/pads)
Radikal Technologies Spectralis 2 (Sequencing, Filterbank)
Elektron Machinedrum (Drums)
Strymon DIG
Boss MD500
Eventide Blackhole VST

MIDERA | Mind friction

video by MIDERA

Rhodes Mark I
Moog Matriarch
Strymon DIG
Strymon El Capistan
Eventide Space
Vintage Vibe Stage Vibe preamp

MIDERA | Amberstone

video by MIDERA

"Oberheim Matrix 1000
Elektron Monomachine
Moog Matriarch
Korg Electribe EMX
Eventide Blackhole VST

Today I talked to a friend I hadn't talked to in almost 30 years. All that time, just seemingly gone. Weird to come across someone you knew when you were 10 years old. Completely different people now. Parts of your life shattered, others built up. Condensing my life story into a few minutes just reminds me how quickly it goes. We all know that - it goes and it goes and it's gone.

What about this track? Well, this track started when I decided I was going to sell my Matrix 1000. I made a mistake though. I plugged it in. That's the first sound you hear. Now, this is particularly a weird patch, because only this one voice chip sounds this way. All 5 of the others don't. I'm guessing it was a replaced chip at one point. I used the Matrix in mono mode - which is a setting within the MIDI menu. I thought I could replicate this patch in my Matriarch (nope) or my Prophet 10 (nope). Something super haunted about it. I think that's the best way to describe the Matrix.

It's haunted."

MIDERA | I hope you like monotony

video by MIDERA

Roland SH-101
Moog Matriarch
EMU PX7
Eventide Blackhole VST

Yamaha SK-30 | Imaginary Video Game Soundtrack

video by MIDERA

0:00​ Sunset After Rain
5:50​ Maps and Dungeons
9:30​ Ice Caverns
14:10​ Wanderings
18:00​ Chrysalis

"Just a bit of fun using the SK-30 to create an imaginary soundtrack to... a video game? I came up with some titles, but I’ll admit it was late at night when I did all of this, now my right eye is incredibly bloodshot.

Maybe it’s the novelty of the SK-30. Normally I write and write and write with a new piece of gear (I did this with the Moog Matriarch too), and soon enough it’ll wear off and I’ll move on - maybe that’s just part of being human, or maybe I will continue to find great value in the SK-30. Something I really do value here (and could possibly do with other gear, but don’t) is just how easy it is to write music with, all by itself. It just works, of course, my keyboard skills leave a lot to be desired (I mess up plenty here, unfortunately, as this would have been fun to put into an album).

These tracks ONLY USE the organ and the monosynth. I still find the organ to be a pretty fun little part of it, surprisingly. I don’t understand organs at all, or why there are tones at regular and fraction intervals, but they’re all cool in different ways.

Eventide Space and Strymon El Capistan used for FX."

Yamaha SK-30 demos by MIDERA

Sequential Prophet 10 | An exploration of the Poly-mod section

MIDERA

MIDERA Prophet 10 posts

"Warning: This video uses FX like reverb that may upset purists. Additionally, the sounds you will hear are exploratory. Please bear that in mind when listening.

So - my first day with the Prophet 10 was frustrating. I just don’t think I understood it for what it was (I thought - wow this doesn’t sound 10x better than my other synths), but mostly because I was making a lot of the same sounds I normally make with it. Not that it does those sounds poorly, but that I just didn’t think that was worth the money per se.

But I suppose one does not buy a Prophet 5/10 purely for its sound, but also it’s looks, build quality, etc. Also - after I published my last video I sat down with it and had way more fun. I was probably mostly in a bad mood.

So today - this is my exploration of the Polymod section. I just sat and messed around with it. Maybe it’s not good. I dunno. Was fun though, going through it.

Towards the end I discovered a loose knob... you can see I end up testing all the knobs - I suppose it’s funny to leave in something like that, the moment of realization. Hopefully it’ll be a simple fix.

Finally, my studio session ended with me dropping a camera battery on my Moog Matriarch and causing a small divot in the overlay. So that was fun..."

---
Update: See this post for a change of opinion. I actually posted the above because I thought it sounded pretty amazing.

Sequential Prophet 10 REV4 | The surface

MIDERA

MIDERA Prophet 10 posts

"Warning: This video contains FX and may not be suitable for synthesizer purists.

Finally got this home. I have a lot to say about it... I was really underwhelmed when I first started playing with it. I'm used to spending a few hundred dollars on gear that sounds great. this time, i paid far more. the build quality is amazing, but the sound isn't something THAT much better than what else i have. I’d say more but I’m way too tired...

Ok - I have had more time to think about it. Here are some of my thoughts from the next day: For me to be blown away by the sound of a synthesizer, I want to hear it 'push air'. Only a few synths have really done that for me, the OB-Xa and the Polaris. I do not hear that from the Prophet 10. That doesn't mean it doesn't do it, or that it's a bad synth if it doesn't, but that's usually the first thing that makes me go 'wow' and I didn't hear that here.

I didn't play ANY presets. I threw it into the front panel mode because I'm more interested in what I can do with a synth than what others have done with a synth. Maybe that was a mistake? I tried desperately to come up with cool sounds, but I feel personally like I failed (whereas, I felt like I immediately connected with the Moog Matriarch). The Matriarch, however, had a sequencer and arpeggiator which made interacting with the unit far more immediate for me - I made 9 videos within 9 days with that, and I could listen to those videos over and over. I liked what I did. I tried to not use FX... but I didn't like anything I came up with (on the Prophet).

The reality is, I think I hit my limitations here. I am not a great sound designer, I rely on FX. I am also not a good pianist. While I am very good at playing some Vince Guaraldi jazz music - I can't do much of anything else. This synth is among the pinnacle of synthesizers, and I am not capable of bringing out the most. This speaks to the reality - I need to improve my skills, both sound designing and music theory. I could have come up with these lame sounds on any synthesizer I have. In fact - when I first played this, I complained to my friends that it sounds no different than my Virus TI, which I think says a lot about the Virus, but also says a lot about me. My capabilities are the limiting factor.


Eventide blackhole VST and Strymon DIG used for FX."

---
Update: See this post for a change of opinion. I actually posted the above because I thought it sounded pretty amazing.

Near the whispers

MIDERA

Radikal Technologies Spectralis 2
Moog Matriarch
Access Virus TI
Elektron Machinedrum
Eventide Blackhole VST

Reading of the stones - Matriarch, Virus, Spectralis, Machinedrum

MIDERA

Moog Matriarch
Radikal Technologies Spectralis 2
Elektron Machinedrum
Access Virus TI
Eventide Blackhole

And a playlist of Moog Matriarch demos by MIDERA:

Moog Matriarch and Ambika ambient: The sleeping fields

MIDERA

"Moog Matriarch and Mutable Instruments Ambika
Eventide Blackhole VST


Virus KB used for controlling Ambika"