Zulu SCSI Drive Review: Plus Emulator III Demo

video upload by Off The Matrix

"Zulu SCSI drives are a great alternative for storing samples with vintage samplers. The Symphonic Library will be available soon for EMU samplers.

Zulu drives can be found at: samplerzone.com"

Are A.I. Generated DX7 Sounds Good? Digital God or RoboBozo?

video upload by Off The Matrix

"There's a lot of hype and anxiety over the development of A.I. The A.I. generated DX7 sounds expose the limitations. Much of the hype is fueled by a childish want for new toys without a maturity of developing skills of tools one already has. In the terms of Steve Jobs, it's creation of B and C players.

Off The Matrix DX7 patches can be found at: https://www.offthematrix.net/product-...
Stock footage came from PexBell, Digital_Expert and spacetrip of pixabay."

Pin Electronics Modular Introduces the PORTELLO - a Compact Portable SYNTHI Based System

via Pin Electronics

A compact portable matrix modular system based on Synthi 100, Putney and Portabella modules. The 8 modules will be connected via a 10×10 high quality Ghielmetti pin matrix similar to the Portabella.

MODULES & SPECIFICATIONS

OSCILLATOR 100

Frequency Range: 1-10 Khz

Waveform 1: Square & Pulse shape variable via pot and matrix. Waveform 2: Sawtooth & Triangle shape variable via pot only.

OSC Sync via Trapezoid or external source.

FILTER / OSCILLATOR P1969

A multi-purpose filter & sine oscillator

Range: 8Hz – 18KHz

Modifications: slew / unslew switch

18dB / 24dB switch (latest circuit design!)

ENVELOPE GENERATOR

Attack: 2ms – 1 sec

On time 0 – 2.5 sec

Decay: 2.7ms – 15 sec

Repeat/Off: 10ms – 7sec. (max. rate 60Hz)

Trigger: +4V

Modifications: attack/decay time extension, inverter pot

SPRING REVERB

Decay time: 1.75 – 3.0 sec.

Springs: 3

Voltage control of mix “wet/dry” via matrix.

INPUT AMPS CH. 1 & 2

Inputs for audio or CV (Ch.1 1V/oct. pre-calibrated)

ENVELOPE FOLLOWER

external input socket

SLEW LIMITER

ext. input socket

OUTPUT AMPLIFIER

with Filter.

GHIELMETTI MATRIX 10×10

including 10 white 2K7 pins

OUTPUTS

1 x Mono sockets

1 x Scope out

INPUTS & CONTROLS

1 x CV/ via CH1 pre-calib.1V/oct.

1 x Audio Input

1 x Gate socket

1 x OSC Sync Input

1 x Envelope Follower Input

1 x Slew Limiter Input

EXT. POWER SUPPLY

18 V/DC 1670 mA 30W 90-240V

DIMENSIONS

37x27x12cm (closed)

WEIGHT

2.8 Kg

SUPERBOOTH24: Tiptop Audio Art Series

video upload by Sound On Sound magazine

"Tiptop Audio are showing off the latest modules to join their Art line-up, a series of modules that make it possible to build a polyphonic Eurorack rig."

00:00 - Intro
00:45 - Polyphonic Wavetable Modules
01:53 - Triax 8 Polyphonic Oscillator
04:18 - Octovert, M Module & Z8000 Matrix Sequencer
06:23 - VC-Resonator
07:41 - A Polyphonic Eurorack System?
10:15 - Price & Availability

Melbourne Instruments DELIA // It's got motorised faders!

video upload by Starsky Carr

"From Superbooth 2024 DELIA is Melburne Instruments latest synth. The Nina was a desktop fuly analog synth, this one is a hybrid with keys.

Just a quick demo from Superbooth, but if I can get my hands on one :).

FYI I spoke with Signal Sounds - the distributor - while I was there so hopefully we can sort something soon."



Additional details and pics via Melbourne Instruments:

Motorized Morphing Polyphonic Synthesizer

49 Key Velocity and Aftertouch Sensitive
DELIA is a bi-timbral polysynth inspired by the motorized control panel and voice architecture of the original Melbourne Instruments’ Nina. Delia introduces a 49-key velocity and aftertouch sensitive keyboard, new multi-mode analog filters, high pass and low pass resonance control, 3-stage overdrive, and even more modulation possibilities.

Analog soul with a computerized brain

Using a combination of true analog filters and virtual analog modelling, DELIA retains the vital sound of massively overdriveable analog ladder filters, while using a digital front end to run modelled VCOs, wavetables, high pass filters and more. The powerful combination of analog plus digital is harnessed by Delia’s unique 12 note mode, using 12 complete oscillator banks into the 6 filters, limiting note stealing without compromising the sound, and fully unleashing Delia’s bi-timbral operation.

Discrete Multi-mode Filters

DELIA’s true analog low pass filter is the heart and soul of the sound engine — warm, full and sweet or fearfully aggressive. It is complemented with a high-pass modelled ladder filter, which can be linked for bandpass and notch operation. With 12 and 24dB slopes and separate high/low pass resonance control there is huge scope when shaping sounds, from the most delicate plucks and pads to the wildest overdriven bass and lead sounds imaginable. Delia is an inspiring creative companion and dependable instrument for musicians and composers, no matter what their level.

Know your Filters! Analog + Digital

DELIA’s filters have an analog and a digital section per voice. The analog filter is the classic discrete transistor ladder filter offering a choice of 24dB or 12dB per octave operation. Prior to this filter is an analog variable overdrive circuit that can push the filter from normal operation to complete distorted collapse of the transistor ladder, adding richness, aggression and body to your sound.

The HP filter is a digital transistor-level mathematical model of a 24dB ladder filter, based on the gold-standard Ebers-Moll transistor equations. This gives an almost perfect match to the response of the analog circuit, including the overdrive response, resonance and natural filter frequency variations.

The High Pass filter is less important sonically, so the choice of digital instead of analog reduces cost without compromise. Having the Low Pass filter second gives true analog character where it counts.

The filter is Multi-mode with 3 ways to configure. The High Pass and Low Pass cut-off frequencies are separately controlled with 2 knobs, so the overall operation can be High Pass, Low Pass or Bandpass. The separate HP and LP resonance controls offer flexibility to shape the sound including vocal-style formants. Delia’s LINK function locks the distance between the Low Pass and High pass knobs, setting a constant width Bandpass for both manual control and sweeps using the VCF envelope or other Modulation Matrix controls.

Total Recall. It’s not a dream!

The motorized journey does not end at Recall and Morph; Delia’s ‘MOD Mode’ automates the Modulation Matrix setup. As you move between the 20 modulation sources, every knob changes position to display its modulation amount. No need to tweak the panel every time you switch sources or destinations, no matter how many modulations or slots are active. Delia gives you a sound design workflow that truly flows - combining the flexibility of a soft synth with the tactile experience of a classic hardware synth.

Morph every parameter, then Mod it!

DELIA’s A/B Morph function lets you explore and sweep through timbres like no other. The A/B Morph sound is an actively calculated change in parameters between the A and B patches including the entire modulation matrix. This provides the ability to instantly create a new preset based on the Morph position that is neither the A or B patch, but instead a totally new sound. Morph is also a ‘MOD destination’, giving you even more creative control via Aftertouch, Mod Wheel and Expression.

Step into an infinite matrix of sound

The motorized journey does not end at Recall and Morph! Just like Nina, Delia’s ‘MOD Mode’ automates the Modulation Matrix setup. As you move between the 20 modulation sources, every knob changes position to display its modulation amount. No need to tweak the panel every time you switch sources or destinations, no matter how many modulations or slots are active. Delia gives you a sound design workflow that truly flows - combining the flexibility of a soft synth with the tactile experience of a classic hardware synth.

Building on innovation

DELIA inherits many of the acclaimed features of Nina, including 4-Quadrant Analog VCAs, Morphing, Digital Effects and Digital Wavetable Oscillator. Adding to these features are the inclusion of Sequencer Phrase Looping and Overdubbing, and the ability to assign your favorite effects parameter to the Effects Macro control.

Under the hood Delia is a beast! Virtual Analog Oscillators model Nina’s discrete circuitry but add cross-modulation, and Delia’s 20 modulation sources and 40+ mod destinations with unlimited slots gives sound designers an almost endless spectrum of sounds. Two digital effects processors paired with classic effects presets and the option to run in series or parallel offers creative freedom. And with the ability to save more than 16,000 presets inspiration and artistry will never be limited by available memory or slots

Waveform, Envelope and Wavetable Visualizers

Delia’s high definition LCD also provides useful Waveform and Wavetable visualizers, as well as instant feedback and display for almost every function as you interact with the control panel.

Black Corporation Kijimi SN 1209 w/ Original Box

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this listing

CLICK FOR MORE »

Yamaha V50: Under the Radar Review

video upload by Off The Matrix

"The V50 was Yamaha's first synth workstation. It's the best choice of the FM 4 operator models."

Yamaha DX7 vs V50 vs SY35 vs SY99: Deep Synthesis Review

video upload by Off The Matrix

"This video compares the synthesis capabilities of vintage Yamaha FM synths.

Patches for all the vintage FM synths can be found at:
www.offthematrix.net"

Sixty Four Pixels Noodlebox Desktop Hardware Sequencer

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

Additional SYNTH CITY Listings

You can find demos of the Noodlebox in previous posts here.

"Tested in great working condition, super fun sequencer! Includes AC power supply.

Noodlebox is a four part sequencer for making electronic music. It has analog CV/Gate outputs for each part and supports MIDI.

There are independent sequencer layers, each with a CV/Gate output. Each layer runs separately to the others (although staying in sync) and has its own step count, clock division etc.

Each layer has four pages of up to 32 steps each. Pages can be used for A/B/C/D type pattern variations, for verse/chorus type song sections or chained to make a single pattern of up to 128 steps. You can cue up lists of pages for automatic cycling (up to 32 pages). Arranging pages is designed to be quick and easy to do creatively in a live setting.

CLICK FOR MORE »

Korg M1 Setup Tutorial: Find Out What the M1 Can Do

video upload by Off The Matrix

"This video covers setups to get sounds you may not expect from the M1, from FM method inspired patches to tips on using the phaser effect to simulate resonance."

Paul McGowan of PS Audio Explains the Moog Synthesizer

video upload by Paul McGowan, PS Audio

"The classic Moog changed the world. Paul helps us understand what all the wires and modules actually do."

https://www.psaudio.com

Fascinating bit at 1:50. Paul McGowan actually created his own synthesizer, The Infinitizer. Curious if there are any images of it out there. He almost sold one to Wendy Carlos. It gets a mention in his book 99% True: Almost a National Bestseller which you can find on Amazon here (note this is an affiliate link - see the site's privacy policy for more info).

Update: I asked Paul if he had any pics of The Infinitizer. Unfortantely he didn't, and he no longer has any of the parts, but he did send over the following additional info:

"I don’t have any photos of the Infinitizer, unfortunately. I remember a very sad day back in 1995 or so when I was cleaning out my lab and had to own up to hauling it off to the dump (it was a mere skeleton of PCBs, a keyboard, and lots of wires and didn’t work)."

"The idea was to make 10 synthesizers into one unit that was easy to use. This meant it would be the world’s first polyphonic synth, since musicians only have 10 fingers.

I designed a complete analog chain of 10 modules (the usual: VC filters, oscillators, envelope generators, amplifiers, etc.). Then, I hired an engineer out of Vandenburg Air Force Base who was a whiz at this new thing called “digital”. He designed for me a multiplexed keyboard that constantly scanned all the keys looking for ones that were pressed. The keys were all internally numbered and when pressed, the multiplexer would find an available VC oscillator and assign that number to the oscillator. Because we know the number of the key, the appropriate voltage was sent to that oscillator and it produced the appropriate frequency for that key. In order to have the entire keyboard voltage move up and down (like if you wanted to bend the notes or modulate the frequency with a LF oscillator) the master voltage (that got divided by the individual keys assigned to it) could be accessed as one might normally do through the patch bay.

I also wanted to have the keys pressure sensitive so for that, I invented the use of conductive foam under each key (and that too could manipulate the master voltage to the oscillator banks) and could be assigned to modulate any of the other modifiers too. My patch bay was a switch matrix and pots kind of like ARP used to do.

It was a very cool device which I wrote about extensively in my memoirs, 99% True."

-------

As for the first non organ based poly synth, currently that honor likely goes to one of the following depending how you define it:

1975 - Buchla 502 - six voice polyphonic with minicomputer and ability to save patches to tape drive. Development on the 500 series began in 1969.

1975 - Oberheim FVS - four voice polyphonic with Polyphonic Synthesizer Programmer. Not sure if the 502 or FVS was released first.

1977 - Yamaha - CS50/CS60/CS80 - first single enclosure polyphonic keyboard synthesizers, with the CS80 to be the first synth with poly aftertouch

1978 - Sequential Circuits - microprocessor control the SCI prophet 10 (briefly) and the P-5 --- again based on existing E-mu tech stuff

via The First Synth to...

Korg M1 vs Roland D-70 vs Yamaha SY77 vs Kurzweil K1000: Synth Review

video upload by Off The Matrix

"The Korg M1 was the most popular synth of the late 80's, about 250,000 were made. But how does it stack up against other synths of the era? This video will compare patches of the Korg M1, Roland D-70, Yamaha SY77 and Kurzweil K1000 in a song.

0:00 Overview
2:05 M1 introduction
2:46 Kurzweil 1000 Series Introduction
3:07 Roland D-70 Introduction
3:53 Yamaha SY77 Introduction
4:39 Reason to use M1 Drum Kit
5:40 Korg M1 Factory Patch Mix
6:50 Roland D-70 Factory Patch Mix
8:00 Yamaha SY77 Factory Patch Mix
9:10 Kurzweil K1000 Factory Patch Mix
10:20 Closing

Patches for the SY77 can be found at:
https://www.offthematrix.net/product-...

Thanks to Chip for letting me borrow his EX M1R, his channel is:
https://www.youtube.com/@folkrock4u"

OP-X PRO-3 | Famous 80s Sounds | Presets | Reloads

video upload by SonicProjects

"SonicProjects OP-X PRO-3 virtual Oberheim OB-X Jupiter-8 Prophet-5 clone demonstrating some of the 3'000 built-in presets.

Setup:
E-MU Xboard 61 MIDI keyboard
MacBook Pro M1 2020 with macOS Ventura 13.4
Apple Logic Pro
OP-X PRO-3 version 1.0.3 with blue skin installed

The stereo output of OP-X PRO-3 is directly recorded to disk.
No external treatment of any kind involved.

Rough video division:

00:00 Famous 80s
05:05 Strings
06:38 Brasses
09:14 Pads
11:27 Basses
12:52 Effects
15:50 Leads
18:18 Arpeggios
19:17 Reloads
31:02 Jupiter-8
31:20 Matrix-12
33:22 Sweeps

Reloads:
The new sounds demoed in the "Reloads" section ("3_RELOADS" folder) can be downloaded here ("New Sounds" button): https://www.sonicprojects.ch/opxpro3/...

Famous 80s sounds:
Just demoed a few to show off their general quality. There's a total of 475 famous 80s patches included!"

The Secret of Great DX7 Bells: For the DX11 also

video upload by Off The Matrix

"Tips on getting realist bell patches with FM. The intro also featured Off The Matrix patches on the V50."

New Minifreak Firmware 2.0 - Wavetables, Super Unison and More!

video upload by Arturia

"Firmware 2.0 take your MiniFreak further with new ways to sculpt, accentuate and shape your sound. This update delivers a significant dose of new features and sonic possibilities for existing Mini Freak hardware and software users. With a new wavetable engine, Super Unison effect, Favourites Panel, LFO modulation and more."


video upload by Oscillator Sink

"Merry Minifreak 2.0 Firmware Day! In this video we'll be taking a look at the new features in this firmware including the new Wavetable oscillator type and Super Unison FX and building a patch using these new featrues.

Transparency Notice: Arturia kinda provided this unit to me for free for the purposes of making videos. They have not asked for, neither have they been given, any editorial oversight into the contents of this video.

Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:54 Sound Store
01:46 New Effect - Super Unison
02:48 Super Unison - Controls
07:19 Super Unison - Sub Types
12:19 Super Unison - Compared to other FX
14:14 Mod Matrix Macros
17:25 LFO Waveshaper Improvements
20:24 Wavetable Oscillaor
20:35 Wavetable Oscillator - Caveats
21:42 Wavetable Oscillator - Controls
24:09 Selecting Wavetables
24:48 Auditioning the Wavetables
30:39 Building a patch with the new features
44:32 Outro"

MiniFreak V2 // Wavetables, Superunison. and other delights!

video upload by Starsky Carr

0:00 intro
0:58 Superunison
4:30 Wavetable Oscillator
10:40 LFO Shaper
12:45 Favourites Panel
14:01 Assigning Mod Matrix to Macros

Arturia Minifreak OS V2.0 Update! FREE UPDATE! | No Talking | #minifreak #minifreak2

video upload by DKS SYNTH LAB

_Introducing MiniFreak firmware 2.0 and MiniFreak V 2.0

MiniFreak update delivers a significant dose of new features and sonic possibilities for existing hardware and software users, with an expanded sonic palette, new FX and more.

Here’s what’s included:

New engine: Wavetable
Including 32 wavetables and 64 new patches to extend the raw potential of your sound, this update brings one of the most powerful engines to MiniFreak (available for Oscillator 1 only).

New FX: Super Unison
Transform a simple patch into a Supersaw monster with Super Unison FX. This chorus-type effect can stack up to 6 copies of a sound on top of a dry signal, for unmistakable width.

Enhanced Custom LFO Users can now decide if the LFO rate corresponds to a single step, or the entire Shaper curve, empowering you to create more nuanced, evolving, and expressive modulations.

A favorites panel for hardware user
Save up to 64 of your favorite presets and access them with ease. Enter the favorites panel by pressing shift + save, store a patch by pressing save + selecting a sequencer slot and recall a saved patch with a step button press.

New sound store for MiniFreak V
Software users can make the most of a brand new Sound Store with two paid banks with 64 patches and three free banks with 32 patches at launch.

And more
Minifreak update also comes with additional enhancements to Macro Edit mode for greater real-time control over modulation amounts. As well as Osc Freerun OFF, which now apply to Bass, Harm and SawX. Clock Send and Transport Send for hardware users, which can now be toggled on and off. Finally, you can now control the instrument volume with MIDI CC7"

Discover more

OP-X PRO-3 released ! Semi-modular dream synth | Trailer | Tutorial

video upload by SonicProjects

Chapters:
00:00:00 Intro Trailer
00:02:12 Change Interface Size
00:02:20 Playing Factory Presets
00:29:20 Famous 80s Presets
00:34:10 Create Presets
00:39:00 Mark Favourites
00:40:38 Search Function
00:41:40 Modulation Matrix
00:46:34 Unison Note Priority
00:46:58 Modulation Effects
00:48:52 Voice Boards
00:50:17 Multimode Filter
00:57:55 Wheel Modes
01:01:21 Arpeggiator / MIDI Processor
01:06:06 Outro

https://www.sonicprojects.ch/opxpro3/

SonicProjects OP-X PRO-3 released! 12-voice semi-modular monster synth which fullfills virtually all requests and wishes from users collected over the recent years. The synth offers:

CLICK FOR MORE »

Sequential Take 5 Elements Soundset - 128 New Patches

video upload by Creative Spiral

"The ELEMENTS soundset features 128 new patches for your Sequential Take 5 synth. This soundset includes vintage Prophet style sounds, famous song patches, and modern sound designs taking advantage of the mod matrix and more advanced features. Available now: https://sounddesign.sellfy.store/p/el...

CLICK FOR MORE »

String Samples Tutorial: How a Vintage Sampler can Blow Away Vienna Instruments

video upload by Off The Matrix

"Vintage samplers are capable of great dynamics that were never realized with the old patches. Much material is covered in this video. A brief review of the Vienna Instruments Chamber Violins, how to send samples to the Sy99 and more. Near the end I provide an Oberheim Matrix 12 strings sample to layer with acoustic strings.

0:00 Introduction
1:20 Vienna Instruments Chamber Strings review
3:05 EMU Emulator III Chamber Violins
3:29 How to dump samples to the Yamaha SY99
5:29 Vienna Instruments EG compared to the SY99 EG
6:03 Setting up string samples
7:25 Setting the envelopes.
9:40 New card for SY77
10:12 Oberheim Matrix 12 strings sample
12:53 Closing"

Free K250 Power Drum Samples: Plus Emulator Demo

video upload by Off The Matrix

"The the legendary K250 had a powerful set of classic 80's drum samples. The dry samples can be layered with the ambient samples, a shorter decay of the ambient samples will have the effect of less reverberation. The kit is really versatile, it works well for many styles.
The video ends with a demo of the Emulator Symphonic Library that will be available sometime next year. Just go to the page and download the samples. No baloney!

https://www.offthematrix.net/s-projec..."

Sequential Pro 3 Explorations

video uploads by David Falcon

Playlist:

1. Generator v1 // Generative Ambient // Sequential Pro 3

"Some say that it is a modular system within itself and well, it is amazing all the modulation options with the Mod matrix. I started with a generative patch and progressively added modulators to the modulators, on an Eurorack kind of way to (hopefully) make a more interesting pattern. The sequencer is on paraphonic mode with 3 independent lines on random mode, over G minor and D minor chords."

2. Opening // Sequential Pro 3, Elektron Digitakt, Guitar

This track to me sounds like the opening of a horror show or a thriller. Nearly a year since the last of these videos. Many proyects and a kid after I can sit and play again, make little pieces with no objective in particular.

3. Android Dreams // Digitakt, Pro3, Push, Minilogue xd

Pro 3 is mostly holding a chord with its sequencer moving the filter cutoff around as well as other parameters. On the Digitakt I have loaded a bass line and sparse notes from Pro 3, as well as the usual stuff. Small improvisation on a Minilogue xd off camera, and towards the end I activate the Arp Latch to continue playing. The push is controlling the Arturia Pigments on a preset that reminds me pretty much to the Binding of Isaac's soundtrack.

4. Dark Drones for darker times // Sequential Pro 3

We will never learn from the mistakes of the past, there is always a minority who will jeopardize everything we fight for every day...

5. Ambient Glitches // Digitakt + Sequential PRO 3

Love making these glitch beats to build pieces on top. The Sequential Pro 3 is so good for these genre! Also, shining lights.

6. NEW SYNTH DAY // Sequential Pro 3 + Digitakt + Pigments

"I finally took the plunge and got one of my dream synths, the Sequential Pro 3. A mono/paraphonic beast that makes every other synth I've owned look like a toy. The only complaint is that I didn't go for it much sooner.
Of course one of the first things that I had to do was to put it to work in conjunction with the Elektron Digitakt. Of course they get along great.
There are several sounds like the pluck and the sub bass that come from Arturia Pigments, the first improvised with the Digitakt chromatic keyboard, and the second sequenced. There is also a choir sound from Ableton Live sequenced from Digitakt.
The beat in Digitakt has a "hidden layer" with conditional triggers assigned to the fill button, which triggers a sub kick, as well as several extra percussive sounds.
The first of many videos with this keyboard.
Enjoy."