Vangelis ~ Prelude ~ electro-acoustic cover

video upload by Piano in a Living Room

"Vangelis' Prelude, from the "Voices" album released in 1995.

Composed by Vangelis
Performed by Olivier Lebra / October 2022 x April 2024

Instruments:
Klavins Una Corda acoustic piano + Lewitt 040 mics + Extinct Audio BM9 mic
Dexibell S9 sampled electric piano + Strymon NightSky reverberator
Waldorf Blofeld synth + Elektron Analog Heat saturator
Behringer Solina String-Ensemble synth + Strymon Volante echo machine
KORG ARP 2600 M synth"

Vangelis: La petite fille de la mer (cover)

video upload by Piano in a Living Room

"Acoustic piano: Klavins Una Corda
Master keyboard/sampled electric piano: Dexibell VIVO S9 + Strymon Volante echo machine & Nightsky reverberator
Analog strings: Behringer Solina String-Ensemble
Digital strings: Waldorf Blofeld + Elektron Analog Heat"

Vangelis - Chariots of Fire [Switched-Off cover]

video upload by Piano in a Living Room

"The iconic soundtrack composed by Vangelis in 1980. Playing the famous Titles theme and some of the variations (last track of the album).

Acoustic piano : Klavins Una Corda
Digital wind: Haken EaganMatrix ContinuuMini"

Pink Floyd - Shine On Your Crazy Diamond Part 9 [cover]

video upload by Piano in a Living Room

"Shine On Your Crazy Diamond Part 9, composed by Rick Wright of Pink Floyd in 1974 for the album Wish You Were Here.

Master keyboard / piano: Dexibell VIVO S9
Synthesizer / white noise intro: Sequential OB-6 + Strymon NightSky reverberator
Strings: Waldorf Streichfett
Additional phaser synth: Yamaha reface CS + Source Audio Lunar Phaser + KORG NTS-1 reverb
Drums: Elektron Rytm
and a bunch of expression pedals
Better sound: https://soundcloud.com/didlybom/pink-..."

Vangelis - Chariots of Fire [cover]

video upload by Piano in a Living Room

"The iconic track composed by Vangelis in 1981.

Piano / Orchestra / Electric Piano echoes : Dexibell VIVO S9
Brass: Yamaha reface CS
Mr Bean: Sequential OB-6
Beat: Elektron Rytm

Apologies for the flashing lights on the master keyboard, blame the iPhone camera..."

Vintage Mid-70’s Hammond Auto-Vari 64 Analog Drum Machine SN 441984

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

via this auction

"Designed for little old ladies to plop on top of their mid-70’s solid state Hammond organs and borrowing from early Roland technology, the controls are accessible, easy to operate and indeed, quite varied. You have 16 basic beats grouped by musical style with names like “Liverpool, Western Shuffle and Afro Latin. Once Eunice got her basic groove going she could then jazz the beat up by punching the A,B,C or D buttons which add new sounds and get more complex, with “A” being the simplest and “D” the most complex- hence the “Vari.”

More modern users are now running effects through the signal of these things are are coming up with some very creative loops. There’s also a mute switch (Silent Sound) a “Measures” dial running from 1/2 to 16, an “Auto-Vari on/off function and tempo and volume control dials. Best of all are those famous ‘70’s “boom-chic” drum sounds! The single 1/4” out on the back opens up a world of possibilities beyond grandma’s living room.

Everything operates as it should. Cosmetically there’s some scuffing on the end trim and heavy scuffing on the bottom. (I think this thing may have seen a piano bar or two in it’s day.) All in all though it works beautifully and still looks pretty darn good."

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SOUNDMIT 2020 - LIVE STREAMING - DAY 1

SOUNDMIT

Check this post for updates throughout the day.

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Kanye West - Runaway (piano electro cover)

Published on May 2, 2020 Piano in a Living Room

"Runaway, from Kanye West's Dark Fantasy album released in 2010.

This is the piano version transcribed by Ramin Djawadi for the Westworld TV series.

Piano: Nord Piano 3 using a sampled Steinway Model B grand piano ('White Grand') with delay and flanger effects
Electro: Sequential Oberheim OB-6

Better sound:"

Piano in a Living Room · Kanye West - Runaway (piano electro cover)

Ryuichi Sakamoto 坂本 龍一 andata [live cover]

Published on Jan 3, 2019 Piano in a Living Room

Nord Piano 4, Sequential OB-6 Desktop Module, Elektron Octatrack.

"andata, the first track of Ryuichi Sakamoto's async album, released in 2017.

Better sound:"

KOMA's Field Kit launched on Kickstarter!

"After a year of development, testing and prototyping, KOMA Elektronik is proud to present the latest addition to the KOMA family: the KOMA Elektronik Field Kit! On Kickstarter now! The new KOMA Elektronik Field Kit is the perfect tool for everyone who would like to experiment with electroacoustic sound. Use everyday objects, amplify them and use them to make sound, like our heroes John Cage and David Tudor used to do!

The Field Kit is optimized to process signals from microphones, contact microphones, electromagnetic pickups and able to run DC motors and solenoids. On top of that it can receive radio signals and convert signals from switches and sensors into control voltage. The Field Kit boasts 7 separate functional blocks all focussed on receiving or generating all types of signals. They are designed to operate together as a coherent electroacoustic workstation or alternatively together with other pieces of music electronics with the ability to use control voltage signals:

Four Channel Mixer
Envelope Follower
DC Interface
Analog Switch Interface
Analog Sensor Interface
AM/FM/SW Radio
Low Frequency Oscillator
You can easily interface the Field Kit with a Eurorack modular system. At the backside of the PCB you will find a power connector you can use to power the unit from your system. The total panel width is 36HP. You can buy the Field Kit as a finished unit or build one yourself with the DIY Version."



"All audio has been recorded straight from the Field Kit, using a DC Motor, Solenoid Motor, a DC powered fan, Roland TR-8 and Berlin's local radio station Antenne Brandenburg as audio sources."

Additional details via Kickstarter.

"The KOMA Field Kit

The new KOMA Elektronik Field Kit is the perfect tool for everyone who would like to experiment with electroacoustic sound. Use everyday objects, amplify them and use them to make sound, like our heroes John Cage and David Tudor used to do!

The Field Kit is optimized to process signals from microphones, contact microphones, electromagnetic pickups and able to run DC motors and solenoids. On top of that it can receive radio signals and convert signals from switches and sensors into control voltage!

We have finished development of the Field Kit, are ready for production and we need your support to make it happen!

[Pictured:] The final Field Kit prototype, ready for production!

It's all about the things you connect to the The Field Kit! To get you started we decided to offer an Expansion Pack with a bunch of different sources that you can use and connect to create your own signature sounds.

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An Introduction to The Mellotron (1965)

Published on Apr 13, 2014 British Pathé

"The personalities Eric Robinson and David Nixon introduce us to the musical instrument the Mellotron, London.

Various shots of large country garden. L/S of swimming pool. L/S of garden with white doves on the grass. M/S of large country cottage. The narrator introduces us to the personality Eric Robinson who explains to us from his living room armchair the new instrument we are about to see which can make all the sounds of an orchestra, but can be played by one person - The Mellotron.

The camera pans as Eric walks to introduce us to his son-in-law the magician David Nixon. M/S of David Nixon seated at the Mellotron that looks very much like a piano or organ. Eric and David talk about the complexities of the machine. Then David gives a demonstration and lets rip with two fingers only to produce an awesome sound!. C/U of Nixon's hands as he twists a few knobs to add a trombone sound, and starts to play again.

M/S of Eric asking David what other rhythms the machine can play. David replies by launching into a French accordion with a Viennese waltz. C/U from inside the machinery of the Mellotron. We see the various components at work as David plays.

Finally, Eric introduces us to Geoff Unwin an expert pianist to show what the machine can really do. M/S of Geoff playing great piece of music, the Mellotron produces a variety of amazing sixties musical sounds. M/S of Geoff finishing the piece. He turns to the camera and smiles.

Note: this is one of the best! A rare Colour Pic almost completely in natural sound, and what funky natural sound it is! - SL."

via Retro Thing

An Interview with Barry Schrader

Hi everyone! As you know Barry Schrader will be giving his farewell concert at CalArts on September 26. The following is the beginning of my interview with him. I opted to post the questions and answers as they come in.  New QAs will get a new post so you do not miss them and they will be added to this post so we have one central post for the full interview. This should make it easier for all of us to consume in our busy lives, and it will allow you to send in any questions that may come to mind during the interview process.  If you have anything you'd like to ask Barry, feel free to send it in to matrixsynth@gmail.com.  This is a rare opportunity for us to get insight on a significant bit of synthesizer history, specifically with early Buchla systems, and I'd like to thank Barry for this opportunity. Thank you Barry!

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Solfelectro [Solfeggietto by C.P.E. Bach]

Published on Aug 7, 2015 Piano in a Living Room

Thought this was an interesting one. Note the "laser harp" sound comes from the Analog Rytm.

"Solfeggietto in C minor (H 220, Wq. 117: 2) (yeah they used to name music like we name software) composed in 1770 by C.P.E. Bach, son of J.S.

Skinny Pete plays it in the music store scene in Breaking Bad season 5 episode 3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQlAmt...). [below]

The instrument is a Kawai VPC1 controlling a Clavia Nord Stage 2 using a sampled Clavinet D6, a simulated Farfisa organ, and a few touches of dark virtual analog synth. The beat and "laser" sounds are from an Elektron Rytm controlled via a Yamaha MFC-10 pedal board.

Better sound: https://soundcloud.com/didlybom/solfe..."



Skinny pete piano C.P.E. Bach - Solfeggietto Breaking Bad

f r y d e r y k [Nord Stage 2 + Analog Rytm]

Published on Jun 12, 2015 Piano in a Living Room

"Attempt to dance music on the chords of Chopin.

The instruments are an Analog Rytm using a slightly modified Mysko preset and a Nord Stage 2, using a slightly modified Arpamed preset."

Serge Gainsbourg - Pull Marine [Nord Stage 2 + Elektron Analog Four]

Published on Jun 20, 2014 Piano in a Living Room·57 videos

"Pull Marine composed by Serge Gainsbourg in 1983 and performed by Isabelle Adjani.

The instruments are a Clavia Nord Stage 2 using a sampled Rhodes Mark V electric piano, a sampled Mellotron flute I tried to make cry and some synth. The beat is from an Elektron Analog Four."

Philip Glass - Metamorphosis Two [piano + synth]

Published on Jun 11, 2014 Piano in a Living Room·55 videos

"Metamorphosis Two, from Philip Glass' Solo Piano album composed in 1989. This part is also the theme from the film The Hours.

The instrument is a Clavia Nord Stage 2 using a sampled Yamaha C7grand piano, with reverb, delay, and some dark synth.

Better sound: https://soundcloud.com/didlybom/phili..."

Modal Pro for iPad

iTunes: Modal Pro - dango Inc.

"Modal Pro is a powerful app that allows you to build your own synthesizers and effects by connecting various modules together. Inspired by classical modular synthesizers, Modal Pro is nevertheless designed specifically for the iPad with touch controls that allow you to tweak the sound just the way you want it.

More than a tool for building and playing, Modal Pro is also a great learning companion. Each module is documented in detail and an extensive tutorial is included to help even absolute beginners discover the world of synthesizers. Modal Pro allows you to explore the world of sound in your living room, on the train, at school or on stage.

[Features]

* Flexible and Intuitive Patching
Modal Pro allows you to connect modules whichever way you want. You can use any module to control any other module. You can even connect a module to itself. You’re not guaranteed to get an interesting sound, or even any sound at all but you’re guaranteed not to break anything. The touch interface allows you to rapidly connect and disconnect modules so that you can easily explore all sonic possibilities.

* Easy-to-Use Touch Controls
Modal Pro features interface elements such as its custom “double sliders” that allow you adjust each detail of the sound intuitively and accurately. Controls are adjusted specifically for each type of parameter.

* Analog Modeled Oscillators
Modal Pro’s oscillator modules are built to emulate the sound of classic analog synthesizer. The traditional waveforms sound rich and warm but because they are modeled rather than sample-based you can modulate them freely, in real-time and at audio rate. Go ahead, build an FM synth with bite, with sawtooths!

* Two Workspaces
Modal Pro features two workspaces where you can build instruments or effects. The “Polyphonic Workspace” is typically where you build instruments, and offers up to 8 voices of polyphony. (Actual polyphony will vary depending on your iPad’s speed and complexity of the instrument.)

The Polyphonic Workspace is connected to the “Monophonic Workspace.” As the name implies, instruments that you build here can only play one sound at a time. This is the perfect place, however, for building effects that process the output of the Polyphonic Workspace.

The two workspaces are entirely separate. You save and load work on these workspaces independently so that you can easily change the effects that are applied to your polyphonic instrument.

*The Preset Slider
The state of an instrument or effect can be saved as a preset. These presets are stored in the “Preset Slider,” which not only allows you to recall these states but also interpolate between them, making fluid and sometimes surprising transitions between presets possible.

*The Keyboard
Modal Pro features a keyboard optimized for the iPad’s screen. The standard chromatic piano keyboard is complemented with many fixed-scale keyboards. Adjustable portamento allows you to slide notes individually.

*Comprehensive Help
Feeling lost? Touch any module and the “Live Help” window will display a detailed description featuring not only an explanation of the module’s features but also advice about how to use it to get great sounds.

Modal Pro also comes with a lengthy tutorial to guide you through every feature, building your own simple synthesizer and effect along the way. In following releases, more tutorials will be added to help you learn the basics of sound design.

[Specifications]
* Modules
- Oscillators
Sine/Square/Triangle/Sawtooth/White Noise/Pink Noise
- Controls
ADSR(Envelope)/Simple Curve
- Modulators
Amplifier/Mixer/Crossfade/Ring Modulator/Sample & Hold
- Effects
Triple Filters/Delay/Lo-Fi
* MIDI Controls
Note/Volume/Preset Control
* Keyboard
Width : 9 octaves(scrollable)
Portamento : 3 presets(None/Legato/Glissando, intermediate value selectable)
Scales : 24
* Outside-App Communication
CoreMIDI, Inter-App Audio, AudioCopy
(Audiobus to be supported in next release)"

Philip Glass - Metamorphosis Two [piano + synth]

Published on Feb 27, 2014 Piano in a Living Room·47 videos

via Olivier Lebra on The MATRIXSYNTH Lounge

"Metamorphosis Two, from Philip Glass' Solo Piano album composed in 1989. This part is also the theme from the film The Hours.

I skipped some repetitions, and as usual I made several mistakes, although I'm proud to say this take was my 4th take of this piece ever, it's pretty simple (and so repetitive that playing it is like practicing it haha, it's like these exercises my piano teacher made me do over and over - it's paying off!) I may rerecord it with all the repetitions and hopefully less mistakes.

The instrument is a Clavia Nord Stage 2 using a sampled Steinway Model D grand piano, with reverb, delay, and some dark synth.

Better sound: https://soundcloud.com/didlybom/phili..."

THE MUSIC OF ChAnGEs - Event Celebrating John Cage

"Our Variation VII is a program focusing on Cage's most pioneering experimental, electronic, and noise music. Starting with early works utilizing 'non-musical' objects to generate sound [ Living Room Music (1940) and Radio Music (1956) ], we move to Cage's music for amplified objects from the early 60's. These works, epitomized by Cartridge Music (1960), feature graphic scores written on transparencies arranged by performers to realize various "events" amplified with contact microphones and phonograph cartridges. Although Cage was famously opposed to improvisation, these works require musicians who can make musical decisions based on real-time listening -- a skill honed by all the sfSound players!

Balancing out the program are two acoustic works: Music For ________ (1984-87) for chamber ensemble and a new work for improvisers by sfSound's Christopher Burns.

PROGRAM

Living Room Music (1940)

household objects and voice

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