New FREE Sample Pack! DRM-1: Four Ways

Oscillator Sink

"Get the samples here: https://gumroad.com/products/LOYBo/

The Vermona DRM-1 is a wonderful, all-analogue, 8 voice drum synth with a wonderfully unashamed raw, electronic tone and a startling versatility. In this sample pack I have captured 113 samples, and processed them 4 different ways: raw; a punchy in-the-box plugin chain; processed through a gritty characterful germanium pre-amp on low and then high gain.

The samples cover the standard kick, snare, clap, cymbals and "other" drum sounds, but also takes advantage of the fantastic "multi" voice on the Vermona for metallic plinks, zaps and techno chord stabs. Additionally, as many of the voices allow you to remove the "drummy-ness" from the sounds, there are a range of "tone" samples which showcase the raw synth sounds and are great for melodic and harmonic parts."

Arturia Minibrute 2S - Let's Build a... West Coast-y, Buchla-ish, Music-Easle-eque Patch!

Oscillator Sink

"The mysterious world of Buchla synths is a quiet fascination for me - one that, out of necessity is conducted from a distance - as the instruments that make up their catalogue are eye-wateringly expensive.

For me, the Buchla Music Easel, seems to typify the whole mysterious vibe; it looks like some kind of retro-futuristic control panel in an alien spaceship - and sometimes sounds like one, but if we look at the specs on paper we have: two oscillators, a wave folder, a low pass gate, an envelope, a source of randomness, a 5 step sequencer and a cool pressure sensitive keyboard…. Well the Minibrute 2S has a lot of that, and I reckon we can bodge the rest of it so… Let's see if we can apply some Music Easel magic and build a 'West Coast Brute" of sorts!

Here's a video about establishing an "initialised patch" as a starting point:"

Arturia Minibrute 2 / 2S - Let's Build an... Initialised Patch


"In 'Episode 0' of the series where we build patches from scratch on the Arturia Minibrute 2 and 2S, we discuss how we set up a good starting point for all our future patches!

Transparency Notice: The MicroBrute 2S and DrumBrute Impact were kindly provided to me by Arturia."

[Archived Stream] Let's Make Some Microfreak Patches Together

Oscillator Sink

"In which I make some patches on the Microfreak with the help of suggestions from the chat, and also drink rum."

Gravaeris - A Digitone Cyber-Punk Dronescape

Oscillator Sink

"The sounds for this dark Digitone cyber-punk drone came about in one of my recent live-streams (you should come hang out!). I particularly liked the vibe of this one, so here's a more structured performance of it."

Sleepytime Synths June 03rd (Elektron Digitone)

Published on Jun 3, 2020 Oscillator Sink

"Here's a chill little jam made with sounds from my free Digitone Patch Pack. You can download it here:
https://gumroad.com/l/rBeNY"

New FREE Microfreak Patch Pack: "Nostalgia and Reminiscence"

Published on Apr 23, 2020 Oscillator Sink

"Get the patches here: https://www.arturia.com/products/hard...

Today I'm excited to share with you my brand new patch pack for the MicroFreak which is being released for free by the good folks at Arturia.

The pack is called "Nostalgia and Reminiscence" and my idea with this pack was not to try to recreate any classic sounds per se, rather to create patches of how they sound in my head, through rose-tinted glasses and years of sitting on old tapes, cassettes, and VHSs.

The patches in the pack tend towards the fuzzy, wobbly and lo-fi without trying to sound obviously retro. I've also put a big emphasis on taking advantage of the MicroFreak's special playing surface, with almost all of the patches reacting to your playing pressure - so don't be afraid to lean in on these sounds to feel how they shift under your fingertips."

Conductive Labs NDLR: Creating Generative Music

Published on Apr 10, 2020 Oscillator Sink

"The NDLR can be a tricky device to classify. It is not a traditional sequencer, but it certainly does sequence. To call it an arpeggiator would be to undersell it significantly, but arpeggios are very much an intrinsic part of its DNA. It is obviously far away from a traditional midi controller but it offers hands on control over midi instruments.

So I think that maybe it's better to think about the NDLR in terms of how it influences your relationship with your instruments. When you use a keyboard controller, you are playing the role of performer. When using a sequencer your job is more that of composer, with the sequencer then in charge of the actual performance.

With the NDLR you are more acting like a band leader during a jam. You set up a musical environment with rules, and as the performance happens, you direct the flow of the music with broad strokes; the details are left up to the performers jamming away inside the NDLR.

This blurring of the line between composer and performer really speaks to my interest in generative music so in this video, starting with a blank slate, I look at how you can use the NDLR to create generative music, taking an in-depth look at some features that I think are really cool when working in that kind of environment.

Here's Loopop's video on the NDLR:" [posted here]

You can find additional posts featuring the NDLR here.

Korg NTS-1: Exploring Lead Sounds

Published on Mar 14, 2020 Oscillator Sink

"Korg's NTS-1 is a fantastic little digital mono-synth with built in FX. It's teeny-tiny, but with a sound that belies its size. In this video we spend some time exploring lead sounds, getting a feel for the synth's character and how to get to those sounds. We'll also explore the FX section and, naturally, drench some of our sounds in big ambient delays and reverbs.

In this video we only look at the default oscillators and FX that come with the synth - we'll dive into some of the 3rd party user oscillators and FX in a future video."

#jamuary2020 Day 25 - Elektron Digitone

Published on Jan 25, 2020 Oscillator Sink

"Preparation is everything, and in this case of today's jam that couldn't be any truer. This is a generative pattern on the Digitone that I spent a few hours putting together just to hit play and let it do its thing.

This is the soundtrack to a dark place; music to be unsettled to...'

#jamuary2020 Day 23 - Arturia Microfreak (Feat. TC Flashback 2 and Digitech Polara)

Published on Jan 23, 2020 Oscillator Sink

"I was actually going to skip on jamming today as I felt totally wiped out this evening, but then I started tinkering with editing Toneprints on the Flashback 2 and came up with a couple of lovely, wide, dark and crunchy delays that were crying out for a pad sound to be played through them.

Enter the Microfreak and a patch I put together especially for the delay sound (which is probably doing things backwards really, but whatever!). I then added the Polara for good measure because things weren't floaty enough as it was.

I think I could lose a whole day to this setup..."

Arturia MicroFreak 2.0 Firmware Update Adds a New Oscillator and More

Playlist:
Tutorials | MicroFreak - Episode 6: Update 2.0 - What's New
NAMM 2020: Arturia MicroFreak v2 Update - CatSynth TV
Arturia Microfreak - 'Noise Osc' soundsets. 10 free presets for Firmware 2.0 - Anton Anru
Arturia MicroFreak Noise Oscillator demo - Hunart©
MicroFreak V2 0 NAMM 2020 - Pedals4Synths
Arturia MicroFreak v2.0 firmware update - what's new? - Molten Music Technology
Microfreak 2.0 - New Firmware! New Oscillator Type! New Features! - Oscillator Sink

"MicroFreak receives new oscillator and more in 2.0 firmware update

On top of announcing KeyLab Essential 88 and KeyStep Pro at NAMM 2020, French audio pioneers Arturia have also revealed a surprise update to their incredibly popular MicroFreak digital synth.

The MicroFreak 2.0 update adds several exciting new features and functions, refines some existing ones, and fixes a few minor bugs.

New Features
New Noise oscillator: morph between particle noise, white noise, and a metallic noise that’s reminiscent of a synth cymbal. An exciting new voice that will open up powerful new drum and percussion possibilities in MicroFreak.


Chord Mode: by holding the Paraphony button and playing some notes, you program the chord, then replay the shape with a single key.

Scale quantization: In the Utility settings, you can activate scale quantization to your favorite scale. When activated, the “white notes” on the keyboard play whichever scale you have selected. No more wrong notes!

Sequencer streamlining: in 2.0 firmware update, you’re now able to easily copy Pattern A to Pattern B in an instant.

Matrix initialize: before 2.0 firmware update, if you wanted to clear the Matrix of all routings, you’d have to manually do it. Now you can just hold the Shift and perform a long press on the encoder, and it will clear!
64 New Presets: Loads of exciting sounds to explore using the new oscillator and features.

Improvements
MicroFreak now displays visual feedback even when Local Control is off.
The synth’s Local Control now also translates USB to MIDI Out.
The release of currently playing presets are now cleared when switching to a new one.
The Record LED now blinks on each beat, instead of on 16ths.

Thanks to MicroFreak’s digital mind, the team at Arturia will be able to offer more exciting updates and improvements like this over time, ensuring that MicroFreak is always fresh and relevant.

To update your synth, simply connect it to your computer, load up the Arturia MIDI Control Center, and hit the 'update' button for MicroFreak."

#Synthuary2020 / #Jamuary2020 - 12

#jamuary2020 Day 12 - Elektron Digitone, Artuiria Minibrute 2S, Korg Volca Modular

Published on Jan 12, 2020 Oscillator Sink

See the Synthuary label for more. Synthuary because these are the Jamuary synth videos. More below.

"It's been a long old week hasn't it? Well Sunday is Droneday so if you're not keen on notes that last the whole jam, low frequencies and reverb (LOTS OF REVERB) probably step away now. Otherwise lie back turn off the lights and drone on friends."

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#Synthuary2020 / #Jamuary2020 - 10

#jamuary2020 Day 10 - Elektron Digitakt

Published on Jan 10, 2020 Oscillator Sink

See the Synthuary label for more. Synthuary because these are the Jamuary synth videos. More below.

"Oh wow this one was fun to make.

It has been a good few months since I last sat down with the Digitakt and, like its FM cousin, it remains just so inspiring and fun. This one was a real head-bobber while I was recording.

The project I was working in was the same one as my Digitakt set from last year, so the samples used are the same, but the result was quite different from anything in that set.

Anyway, I had a big dumb smile on my face the whole time I was working on this one, so I hope that comes across in the finished product."

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#Synthuary2020 / #Jamuary2020 - 09

#jamuary2020 Day 9 - Arturia MiniBrute 2S, Korg Monologue and Volca Kick

Published on Jan 9, 2020 Oscillator Sink

See the Synthuary label for more. Synthuary because these are the Jamuary synth videos. More below.

"There was another jam all ready to record before this one came about, but at the last moment I pulled a creative hissy-fit, tore the patch down and went in a very different direction.

The Minibrute is heading through the trusty Zoom MS-CDR70 providing two lots of delay (to add rhythmic interest) and a reverb (because reverb). The Monologue is heading through the Digitech Polara reverb (because reverb) and the Volca Kick is dry as a bone (because I ran out of pedals)."

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#Synthuary2020 / #Jamuary2020 - 07

Deep Space Chordal Loneliness // #JAMUARY2020 Day 7

Published on Jan 7, 2020 DivKidVideo

See the Synthuary label for more. Synthuary because these are the Jamuary synth videos. More below.

"For day 7 of Jamuary I delved into some deep space ambient and chordal loneliness. Channelling feelings on loneliness in ourselves or within the random chord shifting ... romantic, emotional discussions aside I really enjoyed creating and then sitting within it's sound world for some time letting it play."

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#Synthuary2020 / #Jamuary2020 - 06

#Jamuary2020 Day 6: Shine on crazy Diamond (free interpretation with MicroFreak)

Published on Jan 5, 2020 VolcaNiced

See the Synthuary label for more. Synthuary because these are the Jamuary synth videos. More below.

"I love this Song.

I remember myself walking thru a park in my hometown Frankfurt years ago and found some Vinyl Records in a bush. One of this vinyls was "Animals" in Pink and "Wish you where here". I was 19 and had no clue what the hack Pink Floyd is. So I put the record on the player and then I was .... infected. Man, that moment first time hearing their music wihtout knowing who they are was unbelievable.

So in tribut to that great moment I am playing some leads from this great Song "Shine on crazy Diamond". Thanks @Waveformer for your influence on this with his video here: https://youtu.be/1OAETuz_8uM

Unfortunately I didnt own the Monologue so I had to build this Lead patch with the Microfreak. This took me about 2 hrs to get this. And it is still not perfect.

The backround sound comes from the Ipad and the App #DigitalD1 from @AudioKit. One of the best apps I own on the Ipad by the way. I build this sound with the PCM Moduls "Epic Pad" and "Glory Organ" and a little bit of tuning.

Enjoy the short trip into the 70th and dont be to sensitive with the mistakes I did. It's #Jamuary2020. Let's do music."

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#Synthuary2020 / #Jamuary2020 - 05

Basslines & Pedal Tones, Punching Tripods & Big Stereo Mixes in 6HP // #JAMUARY2020 Day 5

Published on Jan 5, 2020 DivKidVideo

See the Synthuary label for more. Synthuary because these are the Jamuary synth videos. More below.

"Here's some Eurorack beats and bass that came from wanting to build up a big sounding stereo mix from a small Eurorack mixer, which was the ST. Mix by Befaco. The piece built around that but quickly went into working basslines with moving pitches against a static pedal tone that plays an octave higher. Hints of chord tones develop as the bass moves and the pedal tone stays static. The beats shift with random probability and I'm just playing around with this live.

Full patch note exclusive on www.patreon.com/divkid for this and all the Jamuary uploads."

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#Synthuary2020 / #Jamuary2020 - 04

Surfing on the grains on Glasgow // #JAMUARY2020 Day 4

Published on Jan 4, 2020 DivKidVideo

See the Synthuary label for more. Synthuary because these are the Jamuary synth videos. More below.

"For Day 4 of #JAMUARY2020 I wanted to create a more realised musical piece. If you get the "Surfing on the grains of Glasgow" leave a comment ... I thought that was a fun (or totally lame - let me know) title.

This piece is based on the audio left in the buffer of arbhar from this video - [posted here] - with lots of modulation from ochd that keeps the audio grains shifting through the buffer, in drifting intensities, with vary lengths and grain shapes we get a beautiful repurposing of 3 basic guitar chords with a few plucked strings in-between. There's 3 FX chains running from this that's all brought together as a stereo mix in the Eurorack system before recording."

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#Synthuary2020 / #Jamuary2020 - 03

#Jamuary2020 - 03 - Streets of Rage 2 jam - Performed on the #Deluge

Published on Jan 2, 2020 True Cuckoo

See the Synthuary label for more. Synthuary because these are the Jamuary synth videos. Synthuary also reminds me of a synth sanctuary. :)
Note some late entries came in for 01 & 02. Be sure to check them out. And if you are coming through the main page and see a "CLICK FOR MORE LINK" below, click it for additional entries.

"This time it's a quick game cover of the epic soundtrack in the Megadrive/ Genesis game Streets of Rage 2/ Bare Knuckle 2."

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#Synthuary2020 / #Jamuary2020 - 01

Published on Jan 1, 2020 True Cuckoo

"The idea with Jamuary is to get going with what you have, and to help get comfortable sharing and performing little jams, and to get to know each other and appreciate what everyone is doing in the electronic music independent scene. Post a little music snippet every day of jamuary, or for as many of the days that you have the energy to. Browse the hashtag and get inspired. Get to know musicians you had never heard about, and perhaps even make some friends along the way."

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