SONICWARE LIVEN 8bit Warps Eight-Bit Wave Memory Synthesizer

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SONICWARE LIVEN XFM Digital Synthesizer / Groovebox

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Mega Synthesis Demo 6 [Sega Genesis Music Machine]

video upload by sushiboots

"Writing some more Sega Gensesis/Sega Mega Drive music. Please enjoy."

With the Sonicware Liven Mega Synthesis.

XFM Analog Waveform Pack - 50 Free Waveform Presets

video upload by ChrisLody

Download the free waveform pack from here:
https://www.sonicware.co.jp/DL/LIVEN_...

"I've been using the XFM in this Virtual Analog mode for quite a while but I've only recently thought of a good way of using a naming system that will fit into the X.X.X.X format available on the Livens that shows a decent amount of information about what the presets contain. It's a bit harder to read than I was originally hoping but it does contain all relevant information to show how all the analog style oscillators are setup across the different operators."

0:00 Intro
0:16 XFM as a virtual analog synth

Preset name code:
1:12 Envelopes types
3:17 Waveforms

4:27 Filtering
5:15 Acid example
5:42 Pulse example
6:49 Pad example
8:08 Sync waveforms
8:55 How to import presets
10:08 Outro

SonicWare Liven Mega Synthesis - Sonic LAB Review

video upload by sonicstate

"Sonicware Liven Mega Synthesis is inspired by and emulates the classic sound of the Sega Mega Drive from gaming's yesteryear. many people will have a fondness for the crunchy PCM , FM and reduced bandwidth of those cartridge games. @SONICWARE have been n a roll with their specialized groovboxes and this one takes that sound world and fully inhabits it.

With input from legendary game soundtrack composer Yuzo Koshiro, the Renowned Composer known for the "Ys", "The Streets of Rage" and "Etrian Odyssey", who has Contributed Sound Banks and Patterns.

Who better to look at this than @magicalsynthadventure3216 who's deep into retro digital synthesis? Thanks to @Kim_Justice for the game footage

The Mega Synthesis is battery powered or PSU,has 320 FM game sounds, sorted into 20 categories, and 64 diverse drum kits for the PCM track.

- 128 patterns - Up to 128 steps per pattern
- Step length can be set from 1/1 to 1/32
- Real-time recording

Sound Engines:
4-operator & 8-algorithm FM sound module with precise sound editing in Edit Mode
Including extra features like fine-tuning operator ratios, which was impossible at the time.

8-bit PCM sound part of YM2612
Recreate the sound of PCM playback controlled by the Z80 microprocessor used at the time. Sampling capabilities (8-bit - 12kHz: upto 8 secounds / 24kHz: 4 seconds / 48kHz: 2 seconds, 96 stored samples)

PSG (Programmable Sound Generator) sound module
Synthesize basic waveforms and white noise to recreate iconic retro-game-sounds.

Available for pre-order in batches priced at $329

https://sonicware.jp/pages/liven-mega..."

Mega Killer - Carpenter Brut “Turbo Killer” cover with Sonicware Liven MEGA SYNTHESIS

video upload by Robert Saint John

"“Mega Killer” - a cover of @carpenterbrut’s #synthwave classic with the @SONICWARE Liven MEGA Synthesis #synthesizer / #groovebox."

SEGA GENESIS MUSIC TOOLKIT | Free sounds and samples

video upload by Woody Piano Shack

"All the sounds used to make every SEGA MEGADRIVE / SEGA GENESIS game ever made, and all for free! I'll show you how to download all the classic FM sounds and samples for the games console that used the legendary YAMAHA YM2612 4-operator sound chip (also used in arcade cabinets such as Outrun, Paperboy).

We'll also explore using FM8 on NATIVE INSTRUMENTS MASCHINE+ for a standalone groovebox device to rival the Sonicware LIVEN MEGA Synthesis.

The Sega Genesis/Sega Mega Drive Music Archive
► https://project2612.org

For all you FM lovers out there...
► https://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewto...

FM8 Sega Genesis Collection
► https://github.com/hunterbridges/gen-fm8"

A Handful of Patterns on the Sonicware Liven Mega Synthesis

video upload by Robbeken

"When I was a kid my family got a Sega Genesis (Megadrive) at Christmas.

I’ve been cursed by a love for FM synths since…

I’m so dang nostalgic for the sounds and music of that era that when this little groovebox was announced I ordered right away!

Liven Mega Synthesis…
M-Sega S-Genesis… ?

I got the flu right when it arrived so I hadn’t spent as much time with it as I planned.
I got better!

It’s battery powered so I take it with me sometimes to play on work lunch breaks, or chilling on the sofa with family.

Here are a handful of patterns I’ve been playing on it. You may recognize couple from games!

Not only do I love the gritty crunchy sounds of this thing, I like how the sequencer works; especially its stutter and random modes. They’re great for fills on drums and grooves on bass.

🦔

For great justice."

First melody on the Liven Mega Synthesis

video upload by Q Noise

"Just got my Sonicware Liven Mega Synthesis and I'm having a lot of fun with it."

https://sonicware.jp/pages/liven-mega...

Protolody - Song-a-day 2024 - SmplTrek Liven MEGA ELZ_1 play Volca Keys NTS1

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

So just recently I've been a down about my musical output to be honest, mostly the quality of my jams that I've been putting up on YouTube. This came to a head last weekend when I got talking to someone about my 2014 album, listened to some of it and had the realisation that the contents of that album is better than my work now. I imagined I'd grown as an artist but that was not the case. The main culprit was that I was actually making decent arrangement back then, taking my time to build something over at least a few day. Here's the album in question: https://chrislody.bandcamp.com/album/...

Due to my recent workload I've been favouring making jams, recording them and uploading them immediately. Don't get me wrong, there's a lot that can be learned from this approach, but carry on too long and it's like eating a bag a crisps everyday for your main meal, not satisfying.

A lot of the album above was created on the Nintendo DS and PSP using Nitrotracker, Korg Ds10 and Beaterator. These are nice little closed systems and have the benefit of running on something you can sit with on the sofa and really dig in to get the most from the software and finesse your work. I don't really want to return to using those though as I've just about rinsed them and they're not easy to integrate with other gear as they have no midi capability.

So my thoughts turned to something I kind of made as a joke video but actually turned out to be really useful, the Synth Tray. My original one of these was made from a bit of scrap ply so it wasn't very big and I want to cram on my gear so now I've made a new one, 'Synth Tray 2 - Dawless Evolved'"

SEGA SPACE HARRIERより”MAIN THEME" MEGA SYNTHESIS Ver.

video upload by NOZ MUSIC

"SEGAの体感ゲーム「SPACE HARRIER」のMAIN THEMEをSONICWARE LIVEN MEGA SYNTHESISでステップシーケンス演奏です。 MEGA SYNTHESISは、SEGAの家庭用ゲーム機「MEGA DRIVE」の内蔵音源をそのまま再現したレトロ・ゲームミュージック・コンポーザーです。

・YM2612 FMシンセ x 3トラック (6ボイス)
・SN76489 PSGシンセ x 2トラック (4ボイス)
・8-bit PCMサンプラー x 1トラック (3ボイス)

ステップシーケンサーで4小節ずつ打ち込み25パターン作成、手動でパターンチェンジしながら最後まで演奏してみました。 パターン切換した時に音がブツ切れるのは、仕様です。
FM音源パートの音色は全てMEGA SYNTHESIS本体で作成、PCMドラムはYAMAHA RX21からMEGA SYNTHESIS本体でサンプリングしました。
MEGA SYNTHESIS本体だけで、ここまで再現出来るなんて、本当に素晴らしくて楽しい商品ですね♪"

Googlish:

"Step sequence performance of the MAIN THEME from SEGA's experience game "SPACE HARRIER" using SONICWARE LIVEN MEGA SYNTHESIS. MEGA SYNTHESIS is a retro game music composer that directly reproduces the built-in sound source of SEGA's home game console "MEGA DRIVE."

・YM2612 FM synth x 3 tracks (6 voices)
・SN76489 PSG synth x 2 tracks (4 voices)
・8-bit PCM sampler x 1 track (3 voices)

I created 25 patterns by inputting 4 measures at a time using a step sequencer, and played them all the way to the end while changing the patterns manually. It is by design that the sound cuts out when switching patterns.
All the tones for the FM sound source parts were created using the MEGA SYNTHESIS itself, and the PCM drums were sampled from the YAMAHA RX21 using the MEGA SYNTHESIS itself.
It's a really wonderful and fun product to be able to reproduce so much with just the MEGA SYNTHESIS itself♪"

SONICWARE MEGA SYNTHESIS & Ableton PUSH 3

video upload by Akihiko Matsumoto

Sequencer (Telequencer): https://akihiko-matsumoto.gumroad.com...
Synth: https://sonicware.jp/pages/liven-mega...

How to UNLEASH the Potential of the Sonicware Liven XFM in 2024

video upload by Dylan Ferno

The Sonicware Liven XFM is a great synth but also has its share of limitations. Here are some workaround solutions for these limitations as well as some hidden features to help unlock its potential:
text-align: center;
text-align: center; 0:00 Extra Voices
text-align: center; 1:20 Recording chords (Using 1 voice)
text-align: center; 1:45 Double Pattern Length
text-align: center; 2:02 Sidechaining
text-align: center; 3:08 LFO Sync
text-align: center; 4:25 Virtual Analog
text-align: center; 5:15 WaveShaping
text-align: center; 5:54 SubOscillators
text-align: center; 6:55 Detuning
text-align: center; 7:53 PWM?
text-align: center; 8:15 Bass and Melody on same track
text-align: center; 9:35 Wavetable basics
text-align: center; 10:10 Custom Wavetables
text-align: center; 11:16 More Wavetable options
text-align: center; 15:00 Modulation Matrix
text-align: center; 17:17 More Sources & Destinations
text-align: center; 18:55 4 LFOs
text-align: center; 20:01 Layering Kick and Snares
text-align: center; 20:40 Unquantizing
text-align: center; 20:50 Increasing grid resolution
text-align: center; 21:04 Kick and Snare on same beat
text-align: center; 21:35 Drum and Bass Drum pattern
text-align: center; 21:50 Extra Tracks
text-align: center; 22:45 High hat sound design
text-align: center; 23:22 Multi-Effects
text-align: center; 25:09 Full Track (Drum and Bass)
text-align: center;

MEGA SYNTHESISでSPACE HARRIERのINTROを作ってみました♪

video upload by NOZ MUSIC

"SONICWAREのLIVEN MEGA SYNTHESISの練習で、SEGAの体感ゲーム「SPACE HARRIER(スペースハリアー)」のイントロ部分を作ってみました。 FM音源の音色は自作で、
MEGA SYNTHESISはメガドライブの内蔵FM音源YM2612を再現してるとはいえ、パラメーター値が異なるので、原曲の音色に寄せるのが苦労しました。 ドラムはYAMAHA RX21をサンプリングしまして、鍵盤スイッチに6音色を設定してます。
4小節ずつパターンを作って、手動でパターンチェンジしながら演奏してます。
パソコン使わず単体で音色作りとサンプリング、音符の打ち込みが出来て、ここまで再現出来るなんて、素晴らしいですね♪"

Googlish:

"While practicing SONICWARE's LIVEN MEGA SYNTHESIS, I created the intro to SEGA's hands-on game ``SPACE HARRIER.'' The tone of the FM sound source was created by myself.
Although MEGA SYNTHESIS reproduces the Mega Drive's built-in FM sound source YM2612, the parameter values are different, so it was difficult to get it to match the tone of the original song. The drums are sampled from YAMAHA RX21, and 6 tones are set on the keyboard switches.
I create a pattern of 4 bars each and play while changing the pattern manually.
It's amazing that you can create tones, sample, and input notes without using a computer, and that you can reproduce this much."

Liven MEGA SYNTHESIS - Tutorial Part 2 - FM Edit Deep Dive

video upload by ChrisLody

Part 1 here

"Full Disclosure: I occasionally take on freelance work at Sonicware on an hourly rate producing synth & sample sound design, beta testing, checking English text and videos like this. Any other shorter videos on my channel containing Sonicware products are not paid content.

As promised, here is part 2 of the tutorial for the Sonicware Liven MEGA Synthesis, this time covering everything you need to know about using the FM Eit mode with a bit of FM theory thrown in to get you going.

CLICK FOR MORE »

240114 - Jamuary2024 - PSG Tracks Only Liven MEGA Synthesis

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

So someone asked me in the comments (@ArtFluids) If I could make a demo track on the Liven MEGA Synthesis using just the PSG tracks, so here it is. Using the Liven MEGA like this makes it sound quite a lot like the 8 Bit Warps, but I'm only using a very small part of it's feature set. I've restricted myself to not playing notes with the square below an A2 like the original hardware, but it can actually play lower than that. Also no FX at all.

The Liven MEGA Synthesis seeks to recreate the audio capabilities of the SEGA Mega Drive / Genesis. So the Sega Mega Drive was built upon the hardware in Sega's previous console, the Master System / Sega Mark III. The sound capabilities of that machine were 4 channels of audio consisting of 3 square wave channels and 1 noise/pulse (under quite specific restrictions). So the Mega Drive / Genesis contained that sound chip too and was mostly used during music to add layers of square waves to the sound or noisy percussion, it was rarely used up front.

The MEGA Synthesis emulates that chip and users can program it from 2 dedicated tracks. So you're a little restricted in the fact that a track can only play one sound at once, though using automation you can change the sound on the fly. Using automation, Track 5 is playing drums and a pulse bass (on even steps only but somehow that still sounds fine 🤷‍♂️) while Track 4 plays everything else which must use the same envelope, modulation settings etc at any one moment. So it's more restrictive in some ways than original hardware, but also it's less restrictive in other ways like allowing 4 voices of noise, square or pulse to play at the same time. So like most of the features on the MEGA, it captures the overall sound without being overly concerned about super specific technical restrictions."

Liven MEGA SYNTHESIS - Tutorial Part 1 - Pattern Editing Deep Dive

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 and videos like this. Any other shorter videos on my channel containing Sonicware products are not paid content.

More about the Sonicware Liven MEGA Synthesis:
Sonicware's Website: https://sonicware.jp/pages/liven-mega...
Trailer & Yuzo Koshiro's Patterns: [posted here]
My quick overview video: [2nd video here]

So as promised here is my Sonicware Liven MEGA Synthesis deep dive video. This video will look at pattern editing including everything that's available to make your own music. The next video will focus on the FM sound editing overlay so will cover how to make your own sounds

Sonicware and I have both noted how many customers have bought the Liven MEGA Synthesis who have never bought an instrument before, so I've done my best to make this video as beginner friendly as possible which is why this video is quite long. If you're more experienced please use the chapter markers so skip through to relevant sections.

CLICK FOR MORE »

Music For Moons - A Psychedelic Ambient EP on the Sonicware Liven XFM

video upload by Dylan Ferno

"Music For Moons - A 5 track Psychedelic Ambient/Psybient EP on the Sonicware Liven XFM groovebox/synthesizer, with a brief discussion on the creative process. This is music to chill out to, relax, stretch, meditate, focus, work, or sleep to. Whatever makes sense.

0:00 Exiting Gravity
2:15 The Feeling of Weightlessness
4:22 Deep in Craters
7:00 Deranged Orbits
10:10 Crescents"

240107 - Jamuary2024 - Liven MEGA Synthesis Jam

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

7 days into Jamuary 2024 and I've only managed 2, not really what I'd planned! But at least now the reveal of the Liven MEGA Synthesis is out of the way I can upload some jams using it. Plus this isn't an official Sonicware video, so I can mention the fact that it's designed to emulate the experience of making music on the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis hardware unlike in my last video, hopefully to the surprise of almost nobody 😄

I didn't create any fresh patches for this jam, it's all just presets and there's plenty to choose from (including my work of course).

From this video you should be able to hear that the general lo-fi vibe of the YM2612 has been replicated nicely. Part of that is due to a design flaw in it's 9 bit DAC which distorted the sound at quite volumes, often called the Ladder Effect. You can turn that on and off per track on the MEGA.

Apart from the delay on the lead sound I'm not using any effects here, the distorted guitar lead sound is created using just FM synthesis. On the original Mega Drive/Genesis adding delay would have had to be done by duplicating notes onto another channel of the chip using up polyphony, but the MEGA has an effects section so this is a regular guitar pedal like delay effect."

Sonicware LIVEN MEGA Synthesis User Demos

video upload by Limbic Bits

Two demos - audio only demo from Limbic Bits above, and an overview from ChrisLody below. See the announcement post here (directly below if you are coming off the main page)

Sonicware Liven TextureLab Sound Demo (no talking)

0:00 Stage 5-1
1:10 Club
1:47 Soil
3:00 Void
4:23 Cammy's Impro
5:08 Ambient
6:13 Sea
7:35 PADS
11:58 BASS / LEAD
14:37 Mallets / Bells
17:03 EFX / Drones / Percussion
18:58 Some Drum Samples

Liven MEGA SYNTHESIS - Retro Game Music Production Machine

video upload by ChrisLody