Artist Picks: Best Music Gear of 2023 Part 2

video upload by Perfect Circuit

Part 1 here

"2023 is soon drawing to a close—so, we're taking a look back at the year, and taking account of all of the weird and wonderful instruments that gave us some inspiration this year. Synthesizers, drum machines, and Eurorack modules to samplers and effects, this year had no shortage of inspiring instruments.

So, we reached out to some of our friends and content creators to fill us in on their year, asking one simple question: what was the coolest piece of gear you got this year? For some, that meant brand new releases, but for others, it meant sitting down and digging into classic instruments.

In this video, we hear from:
00:00 Red Means Recording on the Elektron Syntakt
01:07 Midlife Synthesist on the Akai MPC X SE
03:20 DivKid on the Intellijel Cascadia
06:30 Jorb on the Roland S1
09:13 Bo Beats on the Teenage Engineering OP-1 Field
12:45 Trovarsi on the Anti-Kulture Precision Disruptor

Read more about all of this gear on our blog, Signal: https://bit.ly/3MEhpfE"

Perfect Circuit Artist Picks: Best Music Gear of 2023 Part 1

video upload by Perfect Circuit

Part 2 here

"2023 is soon drawing to a close—so, we're taking a look back at the year, and taking account of all of the weird and wonderful instruments that gave us some inspiration this year. Synthesizers, drum machines, and Eurorack modules to samplers and effects, this year had no shortage of inspiring instruments.

So, we reached out to some of our friends and content creators to fill us in on their year, asking one simple question: what was the coolest piece of gear you got this year? For some, that meant brand new releases, but for others, it meant sitting down and digging into classic instruments.

In this video, we hear from:
0:00 Mylarmelodies on the Nord Micro Modular
4:14 Sarah Belle Reid on the Fairfield Circuitry Roger That
8:07 Molten Music Tech on the Blukać Endless Processor
14:04 Liam Killen on the OXI One
17:24 Oora on the Meris MercuryX

Read more about all of this gear on our blog, Signal: https://bit.ly/3MEhpfE"

Best Synth Gear of the Year : Perfect Circuit Staff Picks

video upload by Perfect Circuit

"Read all about our staff's picks here : https://bit.ly/3HbbSvv

It's almost a wrap on 2022, the end of another monumental year in synthesizers and pro-audio.
We live for music gear here at Perfect Circuit, so we talked to our staff about their FAVORITE gear of the year !

Softpop 2 : https://bit.ly/3P09CZF
J-6 : https://bit.ly/3H7GRZc
H90 : https://bit.ly/3FkfY2Y
Syntonie Video Synths : https://bit.ly/3VNVWDc
Syntakt : https://bit.ly/3VrCVH5
XPO : https://bit.ly/3P05CZo"

Best Gear of the Year : 2022 Artists Picks Part 4

video upload by Perfect Circuit

"It's nearing the end of another great year in synthesizers and pro-audio, and we look back with our friends on some of our favorite pieces of kit we tried out in 2022!
Read more on our Blog : https://bit.ly/3EGmiA3"

Best Gear of the Year : 2022 Artists Picks Part 3

video upload by Perfect Circuit

Perfect Circuit Artists Picks posts

"It's nearing the end of another great year in synthesizers and pro-audio, and we look back with our friends on some of our favorite pieces of kit we tried out in 2022!

Read more on our blog : https://bit.ly/3WU4DNK

Check out our friends :
Venus Theory : https://www.youtube.com/@VenusTheory
Surco : https://www.youtube.com/@SURCOlive
Miles Kvndra : https://www.youtube.com/c/MilesKvndra
Get Offset : https://www.youtube.com/c/GetOffset
Noir Et Blanc Vie : https://www.youtube.com/c/NoirEtBlancVie
Midlife Synthesist : https://www.youtube.com/c/TheMidlifeSynthesist


The Gear :
Syntakt : https://bit.ly/3EEaYWI
Play : https://bit.ly/3WZOzKm
Mother-32 : https://bit.ly/3U3W3t0
TR-8S : https://bit.ly/3VkFABN
JX-08 : https://bit.ly/3AFJrBP"

Perfect Circuit Best Gear of the Year : 2022 Artists Picks Part 2

video upload by Perfect Circuit

Perfect Circuit Artists Picks posts

"It's nearing the end of another monumental year in synthesizers and pro-audio, and we look back with our friends on some of our favorite pieces of kit we tried out in 2022!

Read more on our blog : https://bit.ly/3WU4DNK"

Perfect Circuit Best Gear of the Year : 2022 Artists Picks Part 1

video upload by Perfect Circuit

Perfect Circuit Artists Picks posts

"It's nearing the end of another monumental year in synthesizers and pro-audio, and we look back with our friends on some of our favorite pieces of kit we tried out in 2022!

Read more on our blog"

Elektron Officially Introduces the New Syntakt 12 Track Drum Computer and Synthesizer

video upload by Elektron

This post is developing. Check back for new videos and updates below.

Street price appears to be $999. See dealers on the right for availability. In via Alex Timchak.

"We are delighted to announce the release of Syntakt – the 12 track drum computer and synthesizer that fuses digital and analog synthesis together in one music megabox.

Enter this sonic metropolis and experience epic sounds from the past, while pulling others into existence from the future. Syntakt is a drum specialist, full of percussive possibilities, but its four analog and eight digital tracks can be used for melody, harmony, and bass sounds too, giving you a musical melting pot with dozens of machines at your disposal.

Affect the sound of each machine with the intuitive and playful graphics. Add analog distortion and filtering to your mix or separate tracks, using the FX block. Run wild and free with the four expressive modifiers. Access a variety of different scales via the keyboard mode. And create dynamic soundscapes with its phenomenal sequencer.

The streets of Syntakt are never-ending, the neon lights are never-dimming, its underground is fathomless. Discover worlds within worlds."


video upload by Elektron

"Syntakt is a sonic metropolis of machines, fusing digital and analog synthesis together in one drum and melody megabox. A 12 track drum computer & synthesizer melting pot like Syntakt needs a majestic guide. Let the intrepid Elin Piel show you around the many features at your disposal."

Baseck Plays : Elektron Syntakt : 12 Track Analog & Digital Synthesizer / Drum Computer

video upload by Perfect Circuit

"Elektron's newest device is finally here : The Syntakt ! A 12 Track Synthesizer and Drum Computer!
Let's see how far our friend Baseck can push this new machine.
Grab one NOW : https://bit.ly/3EEzgOE

Read our Signal article dissecting the Syntakt : https://bit.ly/37Cj446

0:00 - TUFF ACID TECHNOLOGY
1:19 - GLITCHIN' N FINGER RIPPIN'
2:24 - DETUNED DRUM DESTROYER
4:39 - SYNTAKT STEPPPPUHH
6:10 - THE ENCHIRIDION LIVE"

Elektron Syntakt : Analog & Digital Synthesizer and Drum Computer : Walkthrough with Mario !

video upload by Perfect Circuit

"Our pal Mario from Elektron came down to the Perfect Circuit HQ and walked us through the ins and outs of their newest Synthesizer and Drum Computer : Syntakt

0:00 - Intro & overview
1:30 - Machines & Visual Language
3:27 - Beats To Melt Brains To
3:59 - Modifiers
7:40 - FX Track
11:50 - Outro Jams

Elektron Syntakt Analog & Digital Drum Machine

video upload by Reverb

"Elektron's new instrument, the Syntakt, is a powerful combination of analog drum sounds, digital synthesis, and new performance features not seen on any other Elektron product. In partnership with Elektron, watch as our host Fess breaks down these features."

Getting Started With The Syntakt

video upload by EZBOT

"In this video I show you how to use the Elektron Syntakt. This tutorial requires no prior experience with an Elektron product.

Get yourself a Syntakt here and help support the channel at no extra cost to you: https://shrsl.com/3hm0m

Step up your game with 1 on 1 lessons: https://www.ezbot.live/"

Syntakt and Octatrack Performance - The Ultimate Duo

video upload by EZBOT

"In this video I perform one of my new tracks using the Elektron Syntakt and the Octatrack MK2. All the sounds in this video are from the Syntakt, I am using the Octatrack with my performance template.

Get my Octatrack performance template (among other rewards) by joining my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ezbot"

Syntakt Demo and Overview

video upload by Patchwerks

Learn more about the Elektron Syntakt here: https://bit.ly/pw_syntakt

Elektron Syntakt. Techno and Electro Patterns

video upload by Adam Jay

"Some patterns I’ve made with Syntakt. No processing.

Things I love: The machines! The flexibility!

It can be so many things.
8 tracks of Model cycles chord machines with deeper control, 2x LFO per track, full envelopes, dual filters, p-lockable FX track. Or half a Rytm , plus new digital drum synth and bass/lead synth machines.

Or a mix between.

All with a tasty chunk of analog Heat drive, filter, and EG, but p-lockable!

There is an inverted envelope shape in the analog fx that I use as a master compressor. The drive is lovely. I also love using some of the analog kicks with a bandpass filter for textures. Can even get kinda of vinyl pops and clicks out of these.

Can have up to 3 simultaneous analog DVCO machines."


video upload by loopop

TIMELINE:
0:00 Intro
1:35 Overview
4:35 Connectivity
5:30 Project scope
7:05 Panel layout
10:10 Digital machines
17:45 Analog machines
23:10 Analog FX Block
25:15 FX sequencing
26:45 Trig mods
28:50 Sequencing
29:30 Patterns & scales
30:50 Grid rec
31:30 Live rec
31:50 Step rec
32:45 Param locks
34:20 Conditional trigs
35:40 Filters
37:05 LFOs
38:45 Digital FX
39:55 Mixer
40:10 MIDI sequencing
42:00 Sound banks
42:35 Expression
43:20 Misc combos
44:05 Pattern chains
44:45 Pros & cons
48:05 Factory patterns

Elektron Syntakt : Live remake of "The Last V8" - C64 SID chiptune

video upload by tubesockor

"The brand new Elektron Syntakt is here!
I'm doing a brief overview, followed by a SID emulation rendition of Rob Hubbard's theme music for the C64 game 'The Last V8' from 1985. Then it grows into a live jam, using all the 12 digital and analog tracks of the Syntakt, including the features such as analog distortion.

0:00 Intro
1:50 Song starts
3:57 Live jam!"

Full details:


12 Track Drum Computer & Synthesizer

Enter a sonic metropolis with Syntakt. Analog and Digital synthesis. Drum and melody. In full fusion.

All your sound crafting, sequencing, and performance needs are fulfilled, in an all-round music mega box that fits in your lap. Syntakt is a drum specialist, full of percussive possibilities, but its four analog and eight digital tracks can be used for melody, harmony, and bass sounds too. Experience epic sounds from the past, pulling others into existence from the future.

The streets of Syntakt are never-ending, the neon lights are never-dimming, its underground is fathomless. Discover worlds within worlds. Adore now. Explore forever.

Meet the machines
There are 35 sound-generating machines to call on, covering a wide range of drum and melodic sounds. Some machines have been reimagined from Analog Rytm and Model:Cycles, with deeper sound control for the latter, while others are entirely new to the world.

For you to create and personalize your sound, we’ve made sure you’ve got a set of parameter controls tailor-made for each machine. They let you quickly tweak the nature of each type of sound, showing you just the relevant options. Comprehensive without being overwhelming. Let loose with analog or digital overdrive, depending on the tracks you’re playing with.

The graphics more than play their part too, with plenty of animated icons offering visual guidance and extra clarity on how each parameter affects the sound. The joys of tweaking shouldn’t only be for the ears after all.

Special effects
Syntakt lets you route any of your synth tracks or external audio sources through the FX block. This gives you analog distortion and filtering, and a couple of LFOs to go to town with. Additionally, you can also call on Delay and Reverb as powerhouse send effects.

And all of the above effects can be sequenced with the FX track. Have them kick in at just the right moment. Add accents and dramatic changes to the selected tracks or external audio. Or use it as a master track for ducking and gating effects.

Modify the moment
Wield a little extra trig craft using the four modifiers, offering four varied levels of expression. Configure the first two modifiers to give you the retrig or velocity behavior you desire, and use the other two to access custom intensities of other parameters. They’re ready for action regardless of which synth track you’re using.

And the best bit is that they don’t just give you that extra playability fun in the here and now, you can also capture the moment by recording to the sequencer.

The keys to the city
Syntakt’s keyboard mode gives you a whole bunch of different scales to play with.

There are some familiar faces and some maybe a little less familiar for you to try out, helping you discover new places and taking things to another level.

Play across a single octave like on a piano keyboard. Or use fold, and have several octaves laid out in front of you.

Deep sound-shaping
Syntakt comes full of filter and envelope goodness. All tracks have a Multimode filter to put to use allowing you to emphasize different parts of your sound, with the digital tracks also able to call on Parametric EQ and a Base-width filter – an additional filter giving you even more sonic control.

Choose from two amplitude envelope types to define the ideal contour of your sound. Try out the ADSR envelope – for your wicked synth lines – or the simpler AHD envelope – perfect for transient percussive sounds.

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New Nanobox Mini Synths Coming from 1010Music

video upload by 1010music

Looks like the price will be $399 for each. Note the Line In for each for processing external gear. Curious if sampling will come to the lemondrop.

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OoraMusic Favorite Analog Synth: Vermona PerFOURmer MKII // Four Independent Synthesizers in One

video upload by OoraMusic

"Today I will walk you through the amazing Vermona Perfourmer MKII. This is my favorite synth and I believe is a powerful and fun machine.
From melodies to drums to drones this instrument really is a beast!

00:00 Introduction
03:40 General Description
07:30 Channel / Voice strip description
14:45 Percussions sounds
16:55 Play modes ( Mono , Duo and Poly )
27:06 Evolving sequences with Octatrack
29:30 Voice synchronizations and FM
36:38 Drone fun !
41:56 Conclusions"

OoraMusic was featured in this Perfect Circuit Best Gear of the Year post.

Perfect Circuit Best Gear of the Year : Artist Picks Part 2

video upload by Perfect Circuit

Perfect Circuit Artists Picks posts

"Even more of our favorite friends and artists share some of their favorite gear they got their hands on in 2021.

We went even more in depth on Signal, check out the article here : https://bit.ly/31ffY30

Check out more of the gear here : https://bit.ly/32jEZKD

and give all our friends a follow ! !

@Starsky Carr
@BoBeats
@Noir Et Blanc Vie
@Red Means Recording
@Knobs
@OoraMusic
@Liam Killen"

Perfect Circuit Best Gear of the Year posts.

Perfect Circuit Best Gear of the Year : Artist Picks Part 1

video upload by Perfect Circuit

"Wow! We got a hold of some of our favorite content creators to talk about their favorite piece of gear they got in 2021. Stay tuned for part 2 coming next week!

Check out more of the gear here : https://bit.ly/32jEZKD

Check out our in-depth article about the gear: https://bit.ly/32uu151"

Perfect Circuit Best Gear of the Year posts

Perfect Circuit Best Gear of the Year : Part One : Staff Picks

video upload by Perfect Circuit

"It's been a massive year for hardware instruments, modular synthesizers and as we approach the end of this year we've decided to take a look back at some of our favorite new synths, modules, and more!

In part one of this series we asked the crew in the office what they were most excited to see arrive in 2021 in the category of synthesizers and modules!

Visit Signal for more info and write-ups from the Synth-Squad here : https://bit.ly/3HwZVxT

Check out more of the gear here : https://bit.ly/32jEZKD"

Lot of 9 Moog Synthesizer Factory Service Manuals; Original, complete 1977-79

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

via this auction

"'Eight of these nine manuals are in original bindings, not photocopies. Seven of them are in 'pristine' condition, but will have occasional (and helpful) handwritten annotations by the Moog Custom Engineering team (including myself) circa 1978-1979. One of them (MicroMoog/MultiMoog) is a little more well-used than the others, but still excellent! All manuals are 100% complete with no torn or missing pages. Two original Moog logo'd 3-ring binders are in perfect condition. These manuals were retired from service and sold to me in Moog's Buffalo, NY Custom Engineering Lab as part of our annual refresh cycle when they were replaced with newer revisions in late-1979. As such, they were only used for a year or two and have been carefully preserved by me for the last 39 years.'

Seeing beat-up copies of a single Minimoog service manuals priced at hundreds of dollars, it's hard to guess what these are worth. I'm having no small amount of emotional turmoil in deciding to sell these, the quicker they are gone the better!

Please read my description and make an offer.

History: During the years I worked in factory test/tune and in the Custom Engineering group for Moog Music in Buffalo, NY, the company would hold a (more or less) annual sale of unused, retired or otherwise un-needed equipment, parts and documentation. I bought these manuals shortly before leaving Moog to go back to school to get my E.E. degree. At the time, I'd planned to (someday) go to work repairing electronic musical instruments.

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Hataken Interview

Back on March 31, I put up a post on Hataken, a Japanese DJ artist who primarily uses analog synths. At the time, Shane Chisolm, the manager of Don Juan Dracula mentioned Hataken was working on a remix version of DJD's "Take Me Home". Shane asked me if I'd be interested in doing an interview with Hataken, and I thought why not. It would be interesting to hear his perspective on the world of synths as a live DJ artist. The following is the result of that interview. Note, this is a long one. You will want to use page down to scroll through. If it is too long for you, I recommend reading one or two questions each time you visit the site. Each DIY item below would typically have been a separate post. There is a lot of interesting stuff here. That said, I start with an introduction followed by asking Hataken how it all started for him. Note the focus is primarily on synths as this site is about everything synth, and Hataken delivers. The gear he has both worked with and designed to meet his specific needs is overwhelming. There's also an interesting interlude on experimenting with frequency counters to produce specific frequencies of sound known to have healing properties, and of course there is a bit of the age old discussion of digital and analog.

Before we start the interview, I want to thank Hataken for taking the time out for this, and I want to thank Shane for suggesting it. It's a fascinating history of a DJ synth artist with interesting perspectives that I'm sure I will come back to over time. Be sure to check out the video and link to more at the end. And of course be sure to check out Hataken's website.

1. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

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