Dreadbox Erebus - Tidbits and Tips for Patching the Erebus Synth

Published on Apr 5, 2015 ProckGnosis

"Just four basic patching examples on the Dreadbox Erebus Synth Module. As mentioned in the video, though having some experience programming synths, I'm fairly new to working with physical patch cables.

For me, there is a nice immediacy felt with working with patch cables versus a digital modulation matrix with menus you have to dig through just to decide what source is modulating what destination. With real patch cables and a semi-modular synth, adventurous exploring is much more promptly rewarded, though the problem can be trying to go BACK to some really cool sound you did an hour earlier, but can't remember how.

Cheers!"

Dreadbox Erebus on eBay

Arturia Keystep - Playing with the Step Sequencer

Published on Sep 2, 2016 ProckGnosis

"Just a bit of playing around with the step sequencer on the Arturia Keystep MIDI Controller, using it to sequence a Yamaha CS5 analog mono synth.

Really had 3 goals with this:
1. Playing with the Keystep sequencer
2. Testing the Waldorf Pulse 2 for translating MIDI to CV
3. Sequencing an old mono, analog synth that had no MIDI

The Keystep is a great piece of hardware at a decent price (around $115-120), with velocity and aftertouch sensitive keys, an arpeggiator, and a step sequencer. Can store up to eight, 64-step sequences. MIDI in/out and CV and gate outs for controlling analog equipment.

The Keystep has CV and gate out, but the Yamaha CS5 doesn't use the normal, Moogish-volt-per-octave standard, so I had to use the Waldorf Pulse 2 to translate the midi from the Keystep to the Hertz-per-volt CV standard older Yamaha synths frequently used."

Sequential Prophet 6 - Step Sequencer Overview

Published on Dec 27, 2015 ProckGnosis

"Basic overview of the step sequencer from the Prophet 6 module, which, I'm happy to report, is AMAZINGLY simple to use, and it's fairly similar to the Moog 37 for easy programming. And according to Dave Smith, the module offers the EXACT same capabilities as the keyboard, minus the keys and bit of the price.

Not addressed at ALL in the video, is how AWESOME sounding this synth is! If I had one dream synth as a young'un it was a Prophet 5. For a VERY thorough review of the Prophet 6, check out a series of vids from Marc Doty at AutomaticGainsay. [you can find them here.]

I actually got the Sequential Prophet 6 a few weeks ago (an early Christmas present), but I couldn't leave it under the tree, and I've been playing with it instead (new Dreadbox Hades synth DID arrive to go under the tree and opened on Christmas morn!! Review of that is in the works).

Cheers!"

Dreadbox Revisited

video upload by ProckGnosis

Update: New Nymph sighting at 6:08. Screenshot captured here.

"Was able to drop by and visit the new Dreadbox office and workshop on a recent trip down to Greece. Pay attention because Yiannis drops some subtle hints about products in the pipeline. And yes, some of them might not be monosynths.

Video timeline:
00:23 - Introduction (beer and band babble)
03:38 - Touring the new offices
13:19 - Touring the new workshop

Minus the drums, 96% of the sounds in the music in this video is the Dreadbox Nyx v2.

The last visit to Dreadbox was in 2018, and here's the link to that video:" [posted here]

New 8 Voice Dreadbox Abyss MK2, 6 Voice Nymph, & Semi-Modular in the Works

A few teaser pics floating in from Dreadbox on Facebook. A glimpse of the Nymph is pictured below. It's the NY synth first mentioned here.

Don't miss the recent Dreadbox office visit with ProckGnosis here. The new semi-modular is mentioned just after 14:45. The Nymph screengrab below comes in at 6:08.

CLICK FOR MORE »

Dreadbox Hades and Erebus Synths - Quite the Team

Published on Jan 15, 2016 ProckGnosis

"A demo showing the Dreadbox Hades Bass Synth married up to and running through the Dreadbox Erebus Synth and filter. For me, the two work quite well together, with the Hades nicely complementing the Erebus, giving you the extra benefits of:
1. A third oscillator to do paraphonic 3-note chords
2. A third Oscillator to fatten up your mono leads and basses
3. A variable PW waveform (for folks who own the Erebus first edition, which has no PW capability)
4. Two sub oscillators

All of that combined makes for one aggressive, mix-cutting analog synth that is a definite pleasure to play. Cheers!"

New Dreadbox Murmux v2 Arriving in October

Dreadbox Murmux v2 - First Look Coming in October

Published on Sep 25, 2016 ProckGnosis

"Yes, got the Murmux v2 days before I left for vacation, so an in-depth look will be delayed a bit, but first impressions are VERY good. Yes, that is the Murmux v2 shrieking in the video (as well as the rest of the sounds).

And yes, I am available for voice work! : ) Cheers!

dreadbox murmux v2 - first impressions of the semimodular, analog synthesizer.

Published on Sep 25, 2016 Rickinger B.

"Here are my first impressions with the new murmux V2. I've recorded the raw sound, no FX, only the build in echo. Dreadbox has made a lovely beast, i think. More stuff is coming, if you want. Tell me what you think ;-)"

The Korg ARP Odyssey Song

Published on Dec 8, 2017 ProckGnosis

"Skip to 03:36 to bypass the beer and synth babble and hear the song. Skip to 06:50 to hear the isolated clips, tracks, and different combined bits from the song.

As I expressed in the ARP Odyssey Tidbits and Tips for Drum Sounds video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tZxn...), I have been VERY impressed with this synth. Just really like the sound quite a bit, and it really is a well-made copy of a classic from the 70s.

The song is nothing great in demonstrating it's range, but it seemed perfectly appropriate for that 70s-ish, synthy vibe this thing inspires. As I pointed out with the Yamaha CS-5 video, I'm still blown away by what you can do with just one synth and some multitrack recording options.

If I had to sell large chunks of the synth collection, this would be one of the last to go I think."

The E-MU Proteus 2000 Song

Published on Aug 15, 2019 ProckGnosis

"Another one-synth song (the song starts at 02:23) from a synth I'm considering selling. Got this a LONG time ago, and never really used it much. Was a lot more into classic analog sounds when I bought it, and I never really got into the variety of samples and patches it offered so much. After I picked up a Yamaha Motif Rack a couple years after, I hardly ever touched the Proteus 2000.

Sadly I appreciate it a lot more now than when I bought it. Despite it being a fully digital product, it offers some seriously cool features for programming that a lot of ROMplers can't compete with, and as you can hear, it's fully capable of producing some great sounding stuff.

Isolated clips from the tune and some facts about the Proteus 2000 start at 06:38."

Alesis Andromeda A6 Patch Review - Preloaded User Bank

Published on Jul 16, 2016 ProckGnosis

"As described in the opening, I've had the A6 for a while but only recently got it up and mostly running again. Lots of phantom knob changing problems. ("SHOW MORE" for more commentary below)

Despite what I say in the opening, there are actually 21 patches demoed...User Patch 000 through 020.

The five things that make this synth so awesome sounding, ignoring even the MASSIVE modulation possibilities:
1. 24db and 12db filters that can run serial or parallel - really lets you sculpt the harmonic content of the sound down to a gnat's ass.
2. Unison Mode - with 16 voices, you can do a unison 2 voice patch (giving you 4 oscillators per note), and have some very lush chords, still having 8 notes of polyphony to work with.
3. Ring mod - very similar to the Yamaha CS-80, the best brassy patches on this thing incorporate the ring mod, to varying subtle and not-so-subtle degrees.
4. The pre and post filter mixing sections - lets you entirely control the oscillators amounts before and after being filtered. Never thought this was that useful until I started breaking down some of the patches I really liked, and found it really lets you move so beyond just a standard LP-filtered sounding synth.
5. 16-note polyphony!! Nothing else analog can touch it (don't know of a single analog keyboard with as much or more polyphony). Sure you can daisy chain 3 Dave Smith Prophet 8s for 24 voices of polyphony, but that's about your cheapest option.

Pluses?
It really does sound phenomenal. I would say its real strength is pads. It does bass and leads fairly well too, but I have other synths that do bass and leads as well as or better than the A6. I would say I DON'T have another analog synth that does pads as well.

Minuses?
It is intimidatingly deep. Things that would be quite simple to program on other synths, often take more steps, and time just to find out WHERE it is in the menu-driven operating system. Yeah, there are fortunately lots of knobs, but behind every knob action, there is usually a menu needing attention. Trying to understand even how a patch is programmed is like tracing a wire diagram...it's do-able, but tiring after a while. And that's when it's working perfectly with no self-changing, phantom knob problems. MASSIVELY frustrating when values just start changing by themselves.

Skip to 15:55 to hear/see the Andromeda rocking out with me on the drums. Was trying to come up with a new video opening...not sure if I'll finish it or not."

Moog Little Phatty Song

Published on Jul 26, 2015 ProckGnosis

Music starts at 1:15.

"When I learned the Moog Little Phatties (is that even the proper plural form??) were being discontinued, I ran out and bought a limited edition white Moog Little Phatty. Then not long after, the Sub 37 hit the market, and I realized that was REALLY what I wanted (I wasn't so much interested in the Sub-Phatty because of the 2 octave keyboard). As I wanted to do SOMEthing with the Little Phatty before I sold it, I recorded this song in Propellerhead Reason. All synth sounds and one synth kick drum are from the Little Phatty. All the other percussion is from assorted Propellerhead Reason drums synths.

MIDI was only used for the drums parts...all the synth clips were played in real time (no timing correction) and arranged in Reason."

10 undervalued 80s synths | Most bang for the buck

video upload by Espen Kraft

Top-10 undervalued vintage 80s synths. With a watchful eye on local ads and garage sales, all of these can be had for way less money compared to a lot of other 80s synths. Some can even be had for coffee money if you're lucky. I've seen it happen many times. Including some of my own buys.

1. Yamaha TX7
2. Casio VZ-10M
3. Elka EK22
4. Roland Alpha Juno 1/2/MKS-50
5. Kawai K1 (k1m/k1r)
6. Sequential Six-Trak
7. Siel Cruise
8. Yamaha SK20
9. Korg Poly-800
10. Commodore 64

https://www.patreon.com/espenkraft

Demos for each linked by Espen Kraft:

Playlist:
DX7 Original Patches TX7 (Yamaha TX7 - Zé Osório) - José Osório de Souza
Casio VZ-10M - Exploring the Synth and Sounds - ProckGnosis
Elka 22 analog synthesizer | Demo and review - Espen Kraft
Roland Alpha Juno 2 | The best Roland synth ever? - Espen Kraft
Kawai K1 | A Digital Lo-Fi Beauty! - Espen Kraft
Sequential Six-Trak | Fun as a Prophet! - Espen Kraft
SIEL CRUISE Analog Synthesizer 1979 | HD DEMO - AnalogAudio1
YAMAHA SK20 String Machine 1979 | HD DEMO - AnalogAudio1
Korg Poly-800 | Multitrack - Espen Kraft
Commodore 64 - Let's Make Some Music! - Espen Kraft

Futuresonus Parva Synth - Playing Around With

Published on Dec 4, 2016 ProckGnosis

"Just some playing around with the Futuresonus Parva Synth. Not in-depth at all. The Parva is an 8-voice, 3-ocillators-per-voice, analog synth, and "each voice contains two two-pole multi-mode filters in series, which can be combined to form various low-pass, high-pass, and bandpass filter topologies" (from the manual).

Great sounding synth, but Futuresonus is still getting a few of the wrinkles ironed out with some final firmware tweaks. Looking forward to doing a more extensive look at it this when the last bits get worked. Cheers!"

Revisiting the Futuresonus Parva

Published on Sep 8, 2019 ProckGnosis

"We're revisiting the Futuresonus Parva after last playing with it almost 3 years ago. The firmware for the OS and the voice cards has been updated a few times since then, and now at v0.7, it appears (according to some feedback from online forums) that it might not be getting any more updates.

I like the way it sounds quite a bit, and the intent of this video was to highlight how good it can sound, but it's far from a smooth operating, problem-free synth. There are still some common problems multiple units still have, and then individual units seem to suffer from varying problems too. I'm pretty lucky that mine operates fairly well under basic operating conditions. With a great mod matrix, lots of source and destination modulations, 4 LFOs, and 4 envelopes (all 4 assignable to whatever mod), it's also fairly programmable (the menu diving doesn't slow it down too much). Add to that, it's MPE-capable, so it's pretty playable too (as long as all your voice cards are working fairly well).

You'll hear over the course of the video, the oscillators or filters started adding a slight buzz beyond the normal over driving of the filter. Though that slight additional buzz can sound cool under some circumstances, it's better to be able to control when that happens. Usually doing a reboot of Parva and calibrating the filters fixes any problems like that, that can develop. There's no excessive buzzing during the filter sweeps in the video because that was recorded the following day, after I had powered the Parva off and on.

As mentioned in the video, supposedly Brad (the creator of the Parva) has moved on to other projects, which is unfortunate. It would have been great if similar to how the Exodus Valkyrie synth was adopted by Waldorf (and rebranded Kyra), the Parva had been picked up by a more established company and supported/developed into a full-up, finished product. Hopefully whatever new project he's involved with will be able pick up where this left off.

I had a blast programming it the last week, so if I come up with even more interesting patches or if there IS another firmware update, I'll likely do another video."

Kinematic and Hydrasynth

video upload by ProckGnosis

"Just some playing around using one of the Hydrasynth's CV outputs to control the Kinematic's filter cutoff frequency, which in turn nicely warms up the oscillators of the Hydrasynth. IMO, the pedal and synth sound their absolute coolest on a mono patch with some compression, distortion, and filter cutoff control all nicely beefing up the Hydrasynth's core tone (as demoed after 17:00).

00:00 - Intro music and beer plug
01:44 - What's covered in the video and how it was set up
03:54 - Demoing CV control of the Kinematic filter cutoff
11:40 - Paraphonic polyphony and "drive" distortion
13:49 - Playing with the Kinematic's "Auto Wah" mode
16:15 - Switching on the compressor with distortion and filtering

The opening theme arrangement (in the quite dance-able time signature of 11/8) was composed with EVERYthing running through the Kinematic, including a track of the Arturia Drumbrute Impact and 4 or 5 tracks of the Hydrasynth."

The Dreadbox Tour and Interview

Published on Sep 2, 2018 ProckGnosis

"Dropped by the Dreadbox Workshop a couple months ago, and Yannis and Dimitra were nice enough to play host and let us bug them and talk about making synths, including the new Erebus v3 and the Medusa. First part of the video is the tour through the shop and the second part is the interview with Yannis and Dimitra.

01:32 - Shop Tour
09:20 - A Little Dreadbox History
10:20 - Interview (with Yannis and Dimitra)

Hadn't intended on doing something this big, and initially it was only supposed to be an interview (and a shorter one at that). Once we got into it though, we were having fun and just went with it, deciding to do the tour as well.

As a side note, all the synth sounds in the video come from the Dreadbox/Polyend Medusa, which I have to say is WAY cool!"

Tricks for the Dreadbox Nyx - Synched Oscillators

Published on Mar 17, 2018 ProckGnosis

Playlist:

1. Tricks for the Dreadbox Nyx - Pulse-Width Modulation

"Yeah, it's not so much a trick, as it is a mini-tutorial on how to patch Mod 2 to modulate the pulse-width on oscillator 1. Skip to 03:00 to jump the explanation.

The Dreadbox Nyx can be a bit intimidating and take a little time to figure things out, so I thought I'd throw this out to assist folks with a starting point at least. I would suggest going back to my previous "Dreadbox Nyx Routing Examples" video as well to help get a better understanding of the synth layout as a whole.

The Nyx is still probably my favorite "less-than-a-$1000" mono synth right now (with the Korg ARP Odyssey being a close second). I know I'm a broken record on this, but it bears repeating. This is a uniquely designed and unique sounding synth in the field of "a lot of the same" analog monosynths, and fun as hell to play with once you get your head around it a bit."

2. Tricks for the Dreadbox Nyx - Synched Oscillators

"And here's Nyx "Trick #2" or a mini-tutorial on how to synchronize Osc 2 to Osc 1 and use Mod 2 to enhance the effect. Jump to 01:30 to skip the intro.

For a much more thorough explanation on how synchronizing oscillators works, check out:
"Murmux Semi-Modular - Tidbits and Tips for Creating a Good Synched Oscillator Patch" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yH-bD...)

Though I love a good synched oscillator patch, I would have to say this sounds best towards the end of the video, where I've mixed in the remaining saw wave (Osc 1), and used Mod 1 as a little AD envelope to modulate the filter.

Another point not mentioned in the video is I could have used the Modulator II "LVL" setting to also alter the amount of the Mod 2. It is actually additive to the amount of the "M2" value set by the "Depth" trim knob.

Lastly, this is only an example/tutorial of the most common way to get a standard, synched-oscillator sound (IMO). The Nyx being semi-modular gives you LOTS of other options and ways to produce and screw around with the synched sounds. The Nyx routings could be set to let Mod 2 modulate the HP or LP filter while it's also modulating the Osc 2 pitch."

3. Tricks for the Dreadbox Nyx - Making an ADSR Envelope

"And here's Nyx 'Trick #3' or "some info how to create an ADSR or 4 or 5 stage envelope using MOD 1 and MOD 2." If you like math, but are newer to synths, I would watch "Part 2" at 07:07 first and THEN go back to Part 1 at 02:14.

Part 1 - The Examples (02:14)
Part 2 - The ADSR Academics (07:07)

This is likely my last "Tricks for the Nyx" video for a while. The video is split into 2 parts: part 1 gives a worked through example of setting up a 4 or 5 stage envelope, and part 2 gets a bit more basic (the academic part), explaining how envelopes are usually shaped and how different envelopes can be shaped on the Nyx by adding the smaller MOD 1 and MOD 2 envelopes together.

I'm probably turning off some newbs by showing how the Nyx is a bit more complicated than most normal synths, but for me, that's a large part of what makes it cool. If you're a newb and you bought a Nyx, be patient...it is WORTH the investment of time to learn. Cheers!"

Murmux Semi-Modular - Tidbits and Tips for Creating a Good Synched Oscillator Patch

Published on Jun 20, 2015 ProckGnosis

"Another Tidbits and Tips video, this time covering how to create a good patch for synchronizing oscillators, using the Murmux to help explain and give examples.

I LOVE the sound of some good old synched oscillators!"

Dreadbox Nyx Routing Examples

Published on Jan 21, 2018 ProckGnosis

Great shirt.

"Wanted to better understand the routing options for the Dreadbox Nyx, so I mapped out some different configurations. Then I thought it might be worth sharing in a video. For easy reference, the parts and times of the video are outlined below.

There is a bit more talking and explaining than playing on this video, so probably not the video to watch if you ONLY want to hear the synth. If you want to better understand the routing, then this IS the video to watch. Cheers!

00:21 - A little info about the video (with the normal beer and babble)
03:17 - Explanation/Introduction
05:30 - Nyx Routing Example #1 (24 db LP filter)
09:36 - Nyx Routing Example #2 (24 db HP filter)
11:40 - Nyx Routing Example #3 (12 db LP filter)
14:00 - Nyx Routing Example #4 (12 db split LP and HP filters)
19:30 - Nyx Routing Example #5 (12 db filter with 4 stage MOD/envelope)

And if this helps even one person better understand and appreciate this very cool synth, then it was worth the effort."

Dreadbox Hades Bass Synth Review

Published on Dec 29, 2015 ProckGnosis

"Review of the Dreadbox Hades Bass Synthesizer, broken down into 4 parts:
Part 1. Oscillators (02:29)
Part 2. The Filter (04:29)
Part 3. The Drive Knob (08:06)
Part 4. The Rest (09:46)

Included in Part 4 is some screwing around with some bass sounds that starts at 11:04.

I mention it a couple times in the video, but this synth is in no way limited to just bass synth duties, though it does fill that niche quite well. And unlike the Moog Minotaur (which is strangely limited from playing in higher ranges), you CAN play higher octaves with the Hades.

Great construction quality, great sound, and great price (around $300 or 300 euros), and (not shown in the video) it excellently complements my Dreadbox Erebus, even connecting as a third paraphonic voice."