Playing with my Sonicware ELZ_1 8 Bit FM Synthesizer

Published on Feb 6, 2020 J. Dylan Proctor

"A simple video that shows some of the features of the Sonicware ELZ1. This does not show all of the features of the ELZ1, its just a simple overview of its sequencer and some different modes you can use to design sounds and waveforms. #ElectronicMusic #synthesizer #ELZ_1 #Sonicware #FMsynthesis"

Cave Paintings - Sonicware Elz_1

Published on Feb 1, 2020 J. Dylan Proctor

"Sonicware Elz1, Korg Volca Kick, Korg Volca FM, Synthesizer, Synthesis Music, electronic music, 8 bit music, fm synthesis"

Knights of the Logos (8bit)

Published on Dec 11, 2019 J. Dylan Proctor

"Sonicware Elz_1, MicroKorg, Korg Volca Kick, Korg Volca Keys. Some electronic music put together using these little tabletop synthesizers.
#ElectronicMusic #Electronic #Synthesizer #8bitmusic #8bit #Fmsynthesis #Korg #Sonicware"

SONICWARE Introduces the ELZ_1 Multiple Engine Hardware Synth

"SONICWARE announces the ELZ_1
Reinventing the synthesizer

The ELZ_1 synthesizer can be seen and heard at the 2018 NAMM Show.
Find us at booth 1456 in Hall E.

Become a sound adventurer with the ELZ_1
The ELZ_1 synthesizer engines, which were all developed from the ground up, include the FM SYNTH, the 8BIT WAVE MEMORY SYNTH that allows editing and morphing, the DNA Explorer that can work with waveforms from captured audio, and the SiGRINDER granular synthesizer.


Synthesizer engines
FM SYNTH (4 operators with 31 algorithms, feedback and detuning)
8BIT WAVE MEMORY SYNTH (waveform editing and morphing with FM mode)
DNA EXPLORER (extract and generate waveforms from audio)
SiGRINDER (granular synthesizer engine)
STANDARD OSC (sign, square, triangle and saw waves)
LOW-BIT OSC (sign, square, triangle and saw waves)

Additional features
Envelopes: ADSR
Filters & EQ: LPF, HPF, BPF, Peaking EQ, LO EQ, HI EQ, Graphic EQ
Effects: Overdrive, Distortion, Fuzz, Chorus, Vibrato, Phaser, Tremolo, Auto-pan, Delay, Tape Echo, Room, Hall, Arena, Spring, Plate
Arpeggiators: Up, Down, UpDown, DownUp, Up&Down, Down&Up, Random
USB functions: Firmware updates, USB MIDI
Power: 4 AA batteries, 5V DC (center positive, 5.5mm (outer), 2.1mm (inner) jack)
Outputs: stereo line outputs (standard jacks), headphone output (stereo mini jack)
Speaker
AUX IN (stereo mini jack)
Compact: 399×130×47 mm (15.7″×05.2″×1.8″), about 1 kg (2.2 lbs.)

Our goal for the ELZ_1 was to create a synthesizer capable of producing unique sounds, so we developed synthesis engines, including FM, 8-bit wave memory and granular, from the ground up with the SONICWARE mindset. We hope you will make the most of this variety of original synth engines to create new sounds, new performances and new music.

Whether playing live or recording, the ELZ_1 will back up your performances with unique sounds when you need them. Use battery power and the built-in speaker to play the ELZ_1 anywhere.

Expand possibilities and experience new sounds with USB. Connect the ELZ_1 to a PC or Mac to use it as a sound source.

The ELZ_1 synthesizer engines are evolving daily. Enhancements and other functions are planned through firmware updates.

Release date and price are still being finalized.

Who We Are
The SONICWARE mission is to contribute to the creation of new musical compositions and culture by constantly inventing and advancing new instruments. We believe in making distinctive instruments that delight their users and allow them to create previously unknown sounds and expressions."

Super Lazy Sci-Fi Soundtrack 2 - Sonicware ELZ_1 Only

video upload by ChrisLody

"I finally got round to recording something in my new studio! Just the amount of work I've had to do in my spare time to get my studio up and running was enough to wear me out but I've also been suffering from some pretty bad hay-fever so I've spent quite a lot of time just hanging out in here and refining things without really having the time or energy to use it for anything.

A week or so ago though a package arrived at my house completely unexpectedly. Sonicware had managed to find me an old back stock ELZ_1. This was a very nice surprise as I didn't think I'd ever get to try one out. They are currently not being manufactured but they are still being supported, both from Sonicware directly and through the Facebook group so I now have the chance to learn how it functions so I can help out out and answer questions where necessary.

What better way to test it and my new studio than a quick and dirty jam that explores the ELZ_1's cinematic potential then. This jam uses the Dig oscillator algorithm that generates tones from a single sample by looping and shifting along a small section that the user can define. So far it seems like a pretty unique way to design sounds. It also has quite a few built in effects that can be stacked so here I'm altering the cutoff envelope depth at the start and then tweaking a bit crusher with chorus and reverb added onboard. No external FX were used. The ELZ_1 has a lot of potential it seems :)"

Additonal Sonicware ELZ_1 posts

Sonicware ELZ_1 @ NAMM 2018

Published on Jan 25, 2018 Bedroom Producers Blog

"Checking out the impressive Sonicware ELZ_1 portable synthesizer at the 2018 NAMM Show."

See this post for full details on the Sonicware ELZ_1.

Funny side note / trivia: It is ELZ_1, and not ELZ-1. Curious if it's the first synth to use an underscore rather than dash in the model number or name.

Sonicware ELZ_1 w/ Original Box & Materials

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

via this auction

You can find demos of the Sonicware ELZ_1 in previous posts.

"The ELZ_1 is proudly Digital and Dangerously Different

Eleven unique sound engines, each built from scratch, supercharged by 32-bit floating point math.

Enjoy ultimate sonic freedom, from organic FM tones to gritty low-bit textures, the ELZ_1 has the flexibility to meet your needs.

Equally useful at home and on the go, the ELZ_1 is ready for your next sound adventure.

This Synthesizer is Rugged, Compact, and battery powered, the world is your stage, especially with its built in speaker."

CLICK FOR MORE »

Sonicware ELZ_1 Synthesizer Demo

Published on Apr 16, 2019 Gear4music

"Unique soundscapes.

The Sonicware ELZ_1 synthesizer is a powerful synthesizer with a particularly distinct sound. Sonicware has developed their own synthesis engines which include FM, 8-bit wave memory, noise-engine, and granular all from the ground up. For a fresher look at the world of sound creation and design. This incredibly original synthesizer allows you to develop your own defined voice, the way you want to.

The ELZ_1 is very portable and allows you to synthesize any type of sound - from the beautiful to the gritty, from the wide to the focused. The ELZ_1 features a wide array of 17 different send effects from distortions, to delay, to reverbs. Any sound that you imagine, you can now create."

I Believe (Sonicware Elz_1 & Korg Volca Kick)

Published on May 2, 2020 J. Dylan Proctor

"I Believe (Sonicware Elz_1 & Korg Volca Kick)

Electronic Music made with two of my favorite table top synthesizers, the Sonicware Elz_1 and the Korg Volca Kick"

Sonicware ELZ_1 play - My New Patches Demo

video upload by ChrisLody

"Full Disclosure: I occasionally take on freelance work at Sonicware on an hourly rate producing synth & sample sound design, beta testing, checking English text, video manuals etc. This video wasn't paid for directly but as a result of my work with Sonicware it is marked as Paid Promotion

I recently completed some new patches as part of the work I'm doing on the Sonicware ELZ_1 play so I thought it would be nice to demo them here as I've been asked quite a lot about it since it was first announced.

This is still prototype hardware though don't expect any radical changes at this point just refinements. Also this is unfinished firmware too so I'm not sure how many features will be added before release compared to what's shown here, but there are some nice additions like the unison setting that make playing around with the old synth engines fun too. The Super Osc is a one of the new engines so you'll see that throughout the video."

https://ja.sonicware.jp/

Sonicware LIVEN 8bit Warps on Kickstarter

Playlist:
LIVEN 8bit warps Intro
Synth engine demo ( WARP, ATTACK, MORPH, FM )
LIVEN 8bit warps x DRUMBRUTE IMPACT Jam & Looper demo

Sonicware previously brought us the ELZ_1 Synthesizer. They now have a LIVEN 8bit Warps synth on Kickstarter.

"Hi! I'm Endo from SONICWARE. We released gadget synth ELZ_1 last year. Our next challenge is the LIVEN series of instruments that we are designing with a focus on live electronic performance. The first in this series is the LIVEN 8bit warps.

LIVEN 8bit warps is combined an 8-bit waveform memory synthesizer with a step sequencer, that we are designing with a focus on live electronic performance.

We are seeking your support to produce the LIVEN 8bit warps through KICKSTARTER crowdfunding. Please help us bring the LIVEN 8bit warps to life!

Carefully selected preset waveforms and editable user waveforms along with high-quality filters and effects can be used freely to create a wide spectrum of sounds. The LIVEN 8bit warps can generate classic retro game sounds of course, but its unique 8-bit sound can also be used in a range of music genres, including EDM, hip-hop, techno and rock.

Powerful functions for live electronic music performance include 16 physical control knobs, parameter locking for each sequencer step, a looper, and SYNC IN/OUT and MIDI IN/OUT connectors to make synchronized performance with other equipment easy.

All these powerful functions are in a device that weighs only 790 g. Play it anywhere at any time.

CLICK FOR MORE »

Sonicware ELZ_1 play // review and demo

video upload by Starsky Carr

"The Sonicware ELZ_1 play is finally here, but was it worth the wait? After a few delays following the kickstarter the updated ELZ_1 is now shipping. It's got the addition of a looper, velocity sensitivity, a shimmer effect, more connectivity and in-built speakers.

In this I go through the 17 voice modes, demo the effects, looper and sequencer. It's a little longer than anticipated, but that's because it's got so much in here it's hard to know what to skip over. I don't go into every detail but it'll give you a great overview of how it works and what it sounds like.

Check out my website for patches and samples: https://starskycarr.com

0:00 executive summary
2:44 Let’s GO!
5:22 The Interface
8:07 the 17 Osc Modes
9:54 A note on Modulation
11:12 Back to the Osc Modes
25:59 Enveloeps and Filters
29:03 Effects
32:51 Voice Modes
36:06 Looper
42:49 Pattern/Sequencer
48:11 Saving and Renaming
49:01 Round Up"

Image of the Beast (Sonicware Elz_1)

Holy Moonlight Crusader

"Enjoy this Chiptune and 8-bit styled track made with a Sonicware Elz_1, Korg Volca Kick, and Korg Volca FM. These tabletop synthesizers are a lot of fun! The Sonicware Fm 8bit synth makes great electronic music, and so do the Korg Volcas.#EDM #8Bit #Chiptune #ElectronicMusic #Korg #Volca #KorgVolca #SonicwareELZ1 #Sonicware #Synthwave #Synth #Synthesizer #FMsynthesis #Synthesismusic"

Sonicware ELZ_1 play - Zstrings Patches

video upload by ChrisLody

"Full Disclosure: I occasionally take on freelance work at Sonicware on an hourly rate producing synth & sample sound design, beta testing, checking English text, video manuals etc. This video wasn't paid for directly but as a result of my work with Sonicware it is marked as Paid Promotion

It's a short one this! So it's been a while since my last ELZ_1 play patch video and the Zstrings engine in now a lot more developed so I've made some patches for that too. A couple of viewers from before were interested in hearing what it sounds like and I'm glad to oblige :)

Zstrings is a physical modelling synth engine for making plucked/stuck string sounds and I think it's rather nice. It really comes alive when it's combined with the ELZ_1 play's other features like it's 4 part unison, arpeggiator, effects section etc so I've made liberal use of those here.

The next job for me is to practice using the looper so I can show how it works!"

SONICWARE ELZ_1 - Jam with TR-808 & TB-303

Published on Jun 21, 2019 Masaki Takada

"TB-303をサンプリングし、オシレータタイプ：SiGRINDERで加工した音色を、TR-808からのクロックと同期した内部シーケンサーで演奏しています。

SONICWARE ELZ_1
https://www.sonicware.jp/elz-1-2"

Forging Squares (Sonicware Elz_1)

J. Dylan Proctor

"Fabricating some square parts out of TPU rubber on a Snapmaker 3d printer while making electronic music with a Korg Volca Kick and a Sonicware Elz_1 8 bit fm synthesizer. #korg #electronicmusic #fmsynthesis #sonicware #elz1 #8bit #8bitmusic #korgvolcakick #edm #music #synth #synthesismusic #synthesizer"

Amethyst Beast (Sonicware Elz_1)

J. Dylan Proctor

"This 8bit sounding track is made with a Sonicware Elz_1 8bit FM synthesizer and a Korg Volca Kick. The Snapmaker 3d printer is making a TPU cat that slips on flashlight, I'm making it as a toy for my niece. #sonicware #elz1 #korg #electronicmusic #fmsynthesis #korgvolcakick #edm #music #8bitmusic #gamemusic #8bit #videogamemusic #chiptune #3dprinting #snapmaker"

Crocmane (Sonicware Elz_1 & Volca Kick)

Published on Feb 13, 2020 J. Dylan Proctor

"8 bit boss music that never was, brought to you by a Sonicware Elz_1, Korg Volca Kick, and a Microkorg. #korg #microkorg #electronicmusic #korgvolca #korgvolcakick #sonicware #elz1 #8bit #8bitmusic"

5 Custom Synth Patches for Sonicware ELZ_1 Digital Synthesizer: Soundset #5 by Ascetic Wires

Ascetic Wires

"5 Custom Synth Patches for Sonicware ELZ_1 Digital Synthesizer: Soundset #5 (more will come... ) with the following synthesizer engines:

CUSTOM OSC
8BIT WAVEMEM SYNTH (FM MODE)
FM SYNTH

Recorded with Zoom Q2n

Thanks for watching

asceticwires@gmail.com"

5 Custom Synth Patches for Sonicware ELZ_1 Digital Synthesizer: Soundset #3 by Ascetic Wires

Ascetic Wires

"Ascetic Wires #13 YouTube Video

5 Custom Synth Patches for Sonicware ELZ_1 Digital Synthesizer: Soundset #3 (more will come... soon!) with the following synthesizer engines:

8BIT WAVEMEM SYNTH (MORPH)
LOW-BIT OSC

Recorded with Zoom Q2n

Thanks for watching

asceticwires@gmail.com"

Gone Now (Sonicware Elz_1 and Microkorg)

Published on Jun 2, 2020 J. Dylan Proctor

"Gone Now, inspired by Geroge Gershwin's piece My Man's Gone Now from the opera Porgy and Bess.

Microkorg, Korg Volca Kick, and Sonicware Elz_1 synthesizers are used."

ELZ_1 New firmware v7.0 update!

video upload by SONICWARE

"ELZ_1 New firmware v7.0 update!
https://sonicware.jp/pages/downloads?...

New functions
- Added UNISON to the VOICE MODE.
- Added TUNNEL and INFINITY reverbs.
- B bank has been added to the synth memory, allowing a total of 256 patches to be stored.
- 53 new sounds created by five ELZ_1 masters have been added to the BANK B.
https://www.sonicware.co.jp/DL/ELZ_1/..."