Super Lazy Sci Fi Soundtrack 3 - SmplTrek Liven MEGA Korg Volca Keys NTS1

video upload by ChrisLody

https://chrislody.bandcamp.com
https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/SymetriC...

"The Synth Tray 2 saga continues. It's now grown a little to include a battery bank to power the NTS-1 that you can see tucked under the cables behind the SmlpTrek. This has 2 outputs so it's also able to power my handmade midi thru box now I've made a cable for it, you can see it at the top right. I've also added a Little Bear MC5 mixer which is sat behind the ELZ_1 play. This is really just a temporary fix because I plan to replace it with a Bastl Bestie when I can justify dropping £200 on one.

So a bit about how this is all setup. The SmplTrek is controlling all the midi in this setup with multiple midi tracks set to different channels. The midi out goes to the midi thru splitter box which then connects into the Liven MEGA and Korg Volca Keys. The SmplTrek is also playing the deep pad from the beginning which was sampled out of the ELZ_1 play into it, and the drum loop. When I'm using this in a sofa session I mix the external gear on the Little Bear MC5 and monitor all the audio through the SmplTrek and usually add a little of my send effect to the output, but this time when I recorded it for this video I connected all the separate instrument outputs to my audio interface instead to give me a greater level of control over the final mix.

The Korg Volca connects through the NTS1 in this jam and I'm using the Hammond Eggs Music - Haze reverb. It contains a high pass filter so it's great for making top end pad/string type sounds. I checked this list of available plugins for the NTS1 recently and found loads of new stuff I didn't know about. Mine is absolutely full now :)

I'm using the ELZ_1 play to play the Liven MEGA here and using the LFO set to a speed of zero as a upward pitch bend. The current firmware of the ELZ_1 play has no 'local control off' function which makes it hard to use as a controller and sound module while composing in a setup like this as playing external midi channels also triggers the internal sound engine. I've suggested adding 'local control off' as an option, so fingers crossed for that one.

The MiniDisc player isn't really part of the setup I've been using, but it was nice to see it fit neatly with everything else :) I was planning to record the output down a global track on the SmplTrek, but they're mono so the ambience lost something when I did that, so I resorted to just playing it live and looping the track. The ambient recording is of my home town of Boston, Lincolnshire, UK.

The NTS1 is being used as an insert effect here (the Volca Keys is passing straight through) but once I buy a Bastl Bestie there is a way to use that in a send/return configuration which will be very useful from such a smaller mixer."

Noise + Chaos | MakeNoise Spectraphon & Mimeophon

video upload by Cinematic Laboratory

"I made this video on the 26th, 27th and today the 28th, so it's not a jam but a regular video. The main subject of this video is patching from scratch. With infinite possibilities, where do you begin? For me it's often a patchpoint I haven't used much or don't understand well. I had just finished the Mysteresis video and new ideas pop in when you're done and doing something completely different like cooking or cleaning. Since I've been working with Echophon feedback, I wondered if I could do something different with Mimeophon. Feedback doesn't really work, but how about clocking Mimeophon with Wogglebug, which is clocked by Mimeophon? I call it a clock feedback loop but don't know if there's a name for it. The fun obviously begins when you're going audio rate. The results were interesting, but not as spectacular as I hoped for. Second subject of this video is the Spectraphon Noise + Chaos mode which was added in the lastest firmware. The clock feedback delay and the SP were a nice combo and at the end of the session I finally got something worth sharing. I ended the video with a stock scene from a tibetan bowl player because it looked interesting and it had this relaxing vibe. This morning I patched up the Spectraphon to make bowls, so the stock video makes sense. It sounded very nice! So here's how one idea leads to another and adds up to your knowledge and experience. It's something you can't really learn from a book, you just need to let it happen and learn as you go. So it's noise and chaos from both Mimeophon and Spectraphon, and definitely in the patching process :).

Without a goal and without expectations, because a modular will always take a different route. So always keep that recorder running...."

240127 - Jamuary2024 - Kawai K4 Multi Mode Demo

video upload by ChrisLody

"Time for a bit of cheeeeese! Is this new age music? Something like that.

This is something I've been meaning to try for a while, the multi-timbral mode on my fairly recent accusation, the Kawai K4.

I really wanted to make a Sonicware free jam because I've been using their a hell of a lot across the channel recently, but the SmplTrek just seemed like the perfect fit for sequencing the K4. It's multi mode can be set up with 8 different channels for instruments plus one for drums and the SmplTrek has 10 slots which can all be loaded with midi tracks for sequencing. The K4 has an effects section which allows different send amounts per instrument in multi mode so all the audio is coming from the K4 here, nothing is being produced or effected by the SmplTrek.

All I'm using on the K4 are presets but even they are nice, it has a very nice tone for a synth that came out in 1989!

I'm using an overlay on the SmplTrek kindly sent to me by https://cremacaffe.shop/"

Quad Multimode Filter & Morphing Scanner Bank // Atlas by Vostok Instruments

video upload by DivKid

"I really love the approach of Vostok Instruments where they’re building out modules that not only sound great, but that offer multiple channels of the same functions. In modular you often need more, and not particularly more variety, but more of the same functions to push creativity and deeper levels of patching.

Atlas is a set of 4 multimode filters (low pass, high pass, band pass), with clever normalisations, dual modulation inputs per channel, a ‘classic synths of Japan in the 80s’ inspired sound PLUS you get an interpolating scanner bank that will morph between the four filter outputs. It’s an impressive thing that’s been a delight to play and patch with.

As always I hope the video provides you patches to explore Atlas and other filters and functions in your own systems."

Update: new video from Stazma:

Atlas Eurorack Module Demo | Gear Talk w/ Vostok Instruments

video upload by Stazma

00:00 Intro
01:14 Module Overview
04:46 Scan section
07:39 My first patch with Atlas
08:11 Four voice poly synth patch
11:23 Funky Bass & vowels
14:01 Ping it!
14:54 Stereo patch
17:17 Ambient w/ Torso T-1
18:14 Drum machine patch
21:34 End talk



Mini press release follows:

"Atlas is the latest addition to our range of multi-channel modules, a fully analog, four-channel multimode filter.

The cores are a modern approach to the gain-cell-based filters included in many of the classic Japanese synths of the 80s, with a vastly improved dynamic range, a super-accurate resonance compensation circuit, and a clean self-oscillation. It is perfect for recreating iconic TR-drum sounds by pinging the filters with fast envelopes or triggers.

In addition to the four filters, the module counts with a dedicated Interpolating Scanning Circuit that morphs between all the filter outputs to create new shapes and timbres."

User Manual

Additional details via Vostok Instruments:

When we talk about the sound signature of synths, filters are probably one of the first topics appearing.

On Atlas, we dive into the sound of the 80s Japanese classics with four gain-cell-based multimode filters that keep the silky and creamy sound of those legendary machines along with some technical improvements like a better noise floor, an accurate resonance compensation, and a daisy-chain input implementation that makes some patching techniques like parallel filtering a lot easier.

The filter cores have been carefully designed and tweaked to be pristine without losing character. With three filter modes available per channel, 4p-LP, 2p-HP, and 4p-BP, Atlas can cover almost any filtering technique, from superb filter sweeps to multi-slope resonant patches.

Thanks to its precise resonance circuit, each core creates a clean sine wave when self-oscillating. Excite the inputs with fast trigger or gate signals, and you will get TR-like drum sounds, from deep kickdrums to nice toms and congas.

In addition, the module counts with a CV-controlled Interpolating Scanner circuit that morphs softly between each filter output, creating new shapes and timbres as it fades between the channels.

Features
Four analog multimode, gain-cell-based VCF circuits.
Three modes per channel: 4p-LP, 2p-HP, and 4p-BP.
Resonance compensation circuit.
Daisy-chained audio and Freq inputs.
Secondary CV input, selectable between Frequency or Resonance.
CV-controlled Interpolating Scanner circuit.

What is The Vanilla Synthesizer? It's Ready, That's What

via the STG Soundlabs/muSonics Electronic Newsletter:

Is it The Vanilla Synthesizer or the muSonics TVS?

I started working on this project a year and a half ago.

Originally my thought process was to make a new American format synthesiser that could be sold as modules, kits, and bare boards. I was concerned about the future of the format, and I felt a new line of basic modules and infrastructure at a variety of price points was important. I still do.

STG Soundlabs was a failure because I made things that ultimately the eurorack market simply did not want. Yes, I sold some, and will continue to maintain the line as best as I can, but it's very hard to find photos of eurorack installations with STG Soundlabs modules in them, but rare to find a nice big man-sized synthesiser without my modules in it.

Another thing I wanted to do was teach myself how to do my own engineering. It didn't start that way, but it became that way. I'd been a hardware product developer since 2005 but never actually laid out a circuit board. That is no longer true, and I've done things beyond this project that I haven't even talked about.

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Exploring the Synamodec - Levitate Expansion

video upload by NOISEBUG

"The Synamodec Levitate Expansion will take your noisy distorted synth drones to new heights. Equipped with a bunch of droning oscillators, filters, delay, echo, phaser, distortion, fuzz VCA + LFO and a nice set of ins/outs, this bad boy is ready to get nasty. As a standalone machine The #LevitateExpansion is fully capable of creating novel landscapes of noise and wobbly Karplus-Strong effects. However, as an effects processor for external drum machines/audio sources; the expansion really comes to life. Push the internal oscillators mixed with external sources to the point of saturation and beyond. Feedback is also a main factor here. Thanks to the semi-modular features, you can reroute the signal paths to your hearts content."

https://www.noisebug.net/

Moog Sub 37 - Subtractive Vol 1 Vid 1 of 2

video upload by Scott McAuley Sounds

Vid 2 of 2 here

"Patches will be available at https://www.orano.co.uk/shop or http://www.synthsounds.co.uk

Demo of Patches 1 to 57
(Patches 58 to 100 will demo in Video 2)

I really had great fun creating this custom pack. a good mixture of sounds here to suit all genres of music from Film Scores to Funk, House, Techno, Boards Of Canada, Floyd, and much more.

All Sequence Data you hear in this demo is saved with each patch and supplied in the pack as a free bonus.

Enjoy!
SM

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A QUICK TEST : SOLTON DISCO 64

video upload by Vintage Audio Institute Italia

"Before the Solton Programmer 24 - the by now fairly well-known Italo Disco machine - there was the Solton Disco 64.

After picking up this beautiful and mega rare species in Perugia not too long ago I filmed the first 10 minutes of trying it out and reacquainting myself with its perks.

I needed to touch up on how these work - which maybe isn’t as straight forward as it should be.

I already have another unit here but haven’t used it in a long time since it started emitting smoke a few years back. The machine has some minor scratchy pots but is otherwise working fairly well - every time something we buy isn't completely dead is kind of a miracle.

The Wah chord sound doesn’t sound right so that will be taken care of - it's in the shop for a check-up and a re-cap of the power supply and a few other minor interventions as we speak.

This is a nice, heavy chunk of a machine (main unit Is 16 kilos) in a brown faux leather suitcase with saloon style wood details, this is not really a disco machine per se - quite a few machines featured Disco in their names for no other reason than the hype and coolness of the genre at the time.

But this is a unique auto-accompaniment beast none the less - with a great sounding analog string machine, an analog, monophonic bass synth with filters, different chord sounds and of course a drum machine with individual sound mute options.

You can play the string machine and bass synth alone and independently from the auto comp section."

The Game-Changing Roland Jupiter 4 Arpeggiator: A Must-Hear Demo

video upload by Andy Whitmore

"Unveiling the Hidden Power of Roland Jupiter 4 Arpeggiator
| HQ DEMO & TUTORIAL
This video demonstrates the sound and features of the Roland Jupiter-4 analog synthesizer. Enjoy!

The audio is DIRECT, 100% DRY, & IN STEREO - You are hearing the raw audio as it comes directly from the synthesizer. NO post processing (Effects, EQ, or Dynamics) whatsoever.

The Roland Jupiter-4 is a very strong, agressive, massive, but also sweet sounding synth. The sound is really incredible for only one VCO with one Sub-VCO. In this this Demo you will listen to this wide range of sounds.

The Roland JP-4 came out 1978, mine is from Nov. 1979 with the later filter board.

The great features of the JP-4 are:
- extremely fast envelopes
- ultra fast LFO and also slow LFO to get FM sounds and very slow filter sweeps as well
- fantastic sounding filter with ultra fat and sweet self resonance
- stereo chorus, not so strong like in the Juno 6/60, but very musical
- nice arpeggiator with triggering by a sequencer or drum machine
- random S/H filter modulation
- fantastic versatile bender board
- you can trim the 4 voices and slightly detune them on the back of the unit to achieve a really fat sound
- polyphonic portamento

Watch me bring that sound back to life!🎹🕺 "

Analogue Solutions New Synthesizer Teaser: AMPLE

video upload by Analogue Solutions

Update: demo by Starsky Carr posted here.

Ample can be as complex or as simple as you want it to be: We have given this synth a large and diverse number of controls, that alongside the patch sockets, will give even the best and most experienced synthesist endless possibilities.

We have presented the controls in a user-friendly and familiar synth layout that, together with this manual and other resources, enables even the new guy to get great sounds.

SYNTH – PERCUSSION – AUDIO PROCESSOR

"Ample is a compact analogue synthesizer. Analogue - as in really analogue. Aside from the MIDI chip (which has to be digital), everything else is totally analogue using real transistors and op-amps. There are no CPU-stabilised and quantised circuits, no DCOs, no digital LFOs and no digital EGs, as found on other so-called analogue synths. The circuitry is based on designs dating back to the mid-1970s. So Ample has a genuine old sound. The Best of all Ample combines the best elements of several of our recent products. -The sound elements of Fusebox -Jack patch points of Concussor Eurorack -Patch pin matrix of Vostok -Echo from Dr Strangelove -Sequencer and CV touch pads of Generator It shares all this yet still has its own sound!

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Introducing Beetlecrab.audio - Makers of Vector and Tempera

via Beetlecrab.audio

Dear friends,

as hot summer months are slowly passing by, our Prague workshop has been pretty busy working on all axes. Since there's now two products to care for, there's more things to do, more PCB wiring and more code to siphon through, but there's a silver lining in that when we're too deep in one thing and need some respite, there's always something to do on the other :)

We are Beetlecrab.audio

Another thing we're slowly dealing with is the inscrutable situation about our branding, which we have gotten ourselves into. Vector, VectorSynth Tempera, TemperaSynth Vector, Vectora Synth Temper. It's a mess. To get out of all this confusion we decided to adopt an umbrella for both existing and new upcoming projects: beetlecrab.audio. We couldn't quite figure out a suitable name but many of you started using this, so let's go with it. For now the website is a simple crossroad and will be improved over time. Both Vector and Tempera newsletters will be merged into one at some point, so if you're subscribed to both you may have received this email twice. Please ignore the other.

Now to the actual news. There's two parts here -- an update about how Tempera production is going, and announcement of the new Vector v2.9.1 firmware update. Let's start with -

Tempera Production Update

New upgrades

There's a few changes made to the hardware that we're comfortable sharing, now that they are verified. First, a great quality of life improvement: the TRS MIDI sockets are compatible both with Type A and Type B wiring ! This means that you don't have to worry and fiddle with unmarked adapters -- both types will work.

Next, we were still a bit unhappy with the powder coat finish of the metal case. It's difficult to get right: each attempt at different color and paint structure takes a lot of time to test and verify because at least a piece of metal needs to be painted and sent to us for examination, and it takes even longer because of course the metal case manufacturer doesn't have all the paints in stock, and sometimes they have to buy a whole bottle just to use a few drops. A sample palette exists but as we already learned with Vector, these give some idea but in the end look nothing like what you think on the actual metal, on the bends, crevices and so on.

Having said all that, I think we found and verified a finish that we're really happy with . It's less glossy and has a finer and more granular (hah) structure. It's very nice to the touch and I think looks much better. See for yourself, how the light interacts with the old vs new powder coat on top. Noticeable are also the beautifully laser etched graphics. (Tempera in old finish, plate on top in new finish. The light is angled in such a way to highlight the grain, the new finish is in fact even blacker than the old.)

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VIVALDI - Summer Part 2 on SIX Arp ODYSSEYS

video upload by Richard Payne

Part 1 here

"Summer Part 2 (side B?) is great. Lovely melody. Nice and slow. There's a musical term for that tempo. Al Dente I think.

Added a little more filth from the Odysseys here. There's a nice fuzzy / crackly sound you can get from sending white noise from the sample & hold section to the filter. I chucked some of that on and a bit more white noise on the noisey bits.

As before. I grabbed hold of the score, whittled it down into 6 tracks for the Odysseys and programmed the MIDI into Ableton. Well, 5 tracks really. The Odyssey FS on it's side is doing the Doof.

Ableton is spitting out MIDI to the six Odysseys here over USB and I'm fidgeting around with them and recording the audio back into Ableton. I added a bit of Reverb and EQ from Ableton and there you have it. Filmed on my iPhone.

Boom! So Part 3 is up next and that's a flippin' doozie! Giddyup!!"

ROLAND S-1 - ONE SYNTH CHALLENGE

video upload by Alba Ecstasy

"3 BANKS / 196 PATCHES for Roland SH-01a 👉https://www.albaecstasy.ro/roland-sh-...

I think (therefore I am!) I never used a synth that much - seven parts! - to make a One Synth Challenge episode!
What can come out of this little box, you won't believe!
And it's only day two since the S-1 arrived!

Each part is programmed (patch & sequence) and recorded one right after each other.
It took me longer to compile all the videos (almost the entire day), than to make and record the actual song!

All you hear is Roland S-1. And of course, drums from the Roland SH-4d. I could make some percussion sounds with the S-1, but I considered the track deserves some really nice drums!

Please keep in mind, if there any audio-video mismatching (especially that last lead that starts at 4:40), is because my very-very old Macbook Pro (11 yo!) can't handle very well 9 video parts and I kind of had to guess the timestamps!

Enjoy!

#RolandS1 #Ambient #sequencer
❤️, ae"

FILTRON: free filter from Polyverse

video upload by DATABROTH

"pick it up here: https://polyversemusic.com/products/f...

read my brief review here: https://www.databroth.com/blog/polyve..."

STATE OF THE ART DIGITAL FILTER

Filtron is a 12dB state variable filter that can smoothly transition between lowpass, bandpass, and highpass. It is capable of self-oscillation with resonance levels that can reach up to 11! Filtron also features a fat sounding internal saturation algorithm and a sizzly post overdrive with two modes to choose from: cold and hot.

Polyverse have released a new free filter plugin, Filteron. I normally wouldn’t write about a simple filter, but I did want to at least share some news about a new freebie. This one sounds particularly sweet, the cutoff is nice and smooth, and resonance goes into self feedback range. The drive alone sounds very nice and is a reason to grab Filtron. Things get a bit more interesting when you open the modulation window for each control. All controls can be modulated by either the input audio, or signals from sidechain inputs, this modulation happens at audio rate, meaning you can get some insanely squelchy modulated filter tones. The UI is a bit on the skeuo-alien side of things, but it’s simple and looks nice. There’s not a whole lot more I can say about a filter, give it a try, it’s free and sounds great. Filtron has me wishing Polyverse would create a synthesizer, this filter built into a synth with the right oscillator and enough of that Polyverse flavor could actually be really interesting."

Vintage Roland Promars Synthesizer

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

via this auction

"It's in very nice condition for its age with only a few scrapes and marks here and there. It plays very nice but does have a little noise in audio...sounds like it is before the filter but its not terrible. everything does function as it should and has a great sound. This is basically a monophonic Jupiter 4 but has a extra VCO which really makes this thing powerful.

It's one of my favorite Roland synths and does use the same filter found in the Jupiter 8 so it has a very warm organic resonance unlike some of the other Roland models after this era.

This unit is corrosion free, caught this one before the memory backup battery leaked and I modified the circuit to use a Panasonic BR1/2AA instead of the original battery style."

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The Musical Gameboy // Sonicware SMPLTREK with V2.0 update

video upload by Starsky Carr

"GREAT FUN.. The SMPLTREK is now on firmware V2.0 and it's a very welcome update. I've had the Smpltrek for a while now, and have waited to demo it as although it was a great little unit I needed time to understand how it worked, which was not mean feat with a 186 page manual, and to be perfectly honest I thought it was a little clumsy in some places.

The V2 firmware update tipped it over the edge into being much more fun and useable. I've now been really enjoying it - particularly its portability. A few evenings sitting in the garden with just this and a glass of something cool.. very nice.

Although it looks like a throwback to 1980's handheld games the smpltrek's got great connectivity options for the studio, with full sized MIDI, 6.35mm Jack ins and outs, plus its a USB audio interface. All very useful."

PTERODACTYL / Joranalogue Audio Design DELAY 1 / karplus strong sound processing / eurorack jam

video upload by BRiES

"Something I really only realised after making a few vst plugins (running on the Decent Sampler platform) is that karplus strong effects with a delay can create these wonderful outerworldly sounds. Something about the harmonics speak to me when you tune the delay line just right... I hadn't actually tried this type of synthesis (aka running a sound through a delay and then finding the right frequency on the delay). Instead of creating plucks I've never tried karplus strong as a processor.

So that's what I did with this prototype of DELAY 1 and I'm glad I did.

The newly annouced ROUTE 4 is taking care of the pitch sequence for both the lead and the bass (transposing, muting and gating a 6 note sequence coming from Moskwa 2. They all play really nice together, I think they're going to be friends."

New CLANK Eurorack Modules Coming to SUPERBOOTH

PROTEO

Constantly evolving waveform stereo oscillator:

Two independent time-based acquiring paths transform incoming voltages into sounds, casting a mold for the oscillator waveform.

The sonic result is a constant evolving waveform which can be frozen and blended with a sine wave.

The two oscillators are tied together from the common pitch, the span control lets you set the pitch distance inbetween.

Dimensions: 12hp

Price and availability: tba

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Nord Electro 6D Can Do Vintage & Lofi Synth [Sounds Only Demo] |No Talking|

video upload by gstormelectro

"Audio + Video by G-Storm Electro c. 2023

The Nord Electro 6D. It's not just for organ/piano/EP sounds. There's a plethora of sick vintage + esoteric + obscure + lofi synth sounds in the Synthesizer Engine. Yes, it's not actually synthesis but rather samples. But IMHO very very nice samples very well done. A lot of these samples aren't even assigned in the factory presets! It's up to you to load them up and give them a whirl. And there's even more to download into the synth on the Nord website. Today my playing is not really up to par for me, but hopefuly you'll still enjoy auditioning these tasty sounds.

I have an album coming out May 23, 2023. Be sure to follow my bandcamp page https://gstormelectro.bandcamp.com/

0:00 PPG Choir
0:25 Polychrome Choir
0:50 Yamaha CP80 + Ditial Air Pad
1:14 Massive Pad from the Nord Lead 2X
1:49 Polymoog Pad
2:24 Mellotron Guitar
2:39 Chamberlin Solo Violin
3:13 Polychrome Piano
3:42 Mellotron Guitar my favorite
4:09 ELKA Rhapsody
4:40 Hohner/Logan String Melody II
5:07 Optigan Strings
5:35 Chamberlin 3-Violins"

Build a DIY Waveshaper Effect (easy 2-component circuit)

video upload by

Follow-up to Building a DIY Touchplate Controller (it's easier than you think)

"I was doing some research on wave shapers and came across an article that describes a way to build one with just 2 components (a 100K linear taper pot and a 1N7000 transistor). I decided to give it a shot and it came out really nice.

Intro & Design - 0:00
Parts Needed - 1:02
Building the Circuit - 1:53
Summary of the Build - 3:57
About Analog Waveforms - 4:52
Audio Demo - 5:29
Conclusion - 8:35

You can find the original webpage here: https://note.com/solder_state/n/nfdc2..."