Synthesizer Show & Tell: Korg MS-20 Mini

Published on Jul 13, 2018 Steve Learson

"Synthesizer Show & Tell EP: 4 Covers the Korg MS-20 Mini.

Each week I challenge myself to write a piece of music using only one synth from my collection, and share some tips and tricks on how to use the instrument.

The Korg MS-20 Mini is a fully analog monophonic synth and is a clone of the 1978 classic.

00:00 - Intro
1:20 - Total Control Overview
1:40 - Frequency Control Overview and Example
2:00 - HPF & LPF Overview and Example
2:55 - Total Patch Overview and Example
3:20 - Frequency Patch ideas
4:00 - Sample & Hold Overview and Example
4:46 - External Audio Overview and Example
6:28 - EG1 Overview and Example
7:13 - Kick Drum Sounds
7:43 - Snare Drum Sounds
8:43 - HiHat Sounds
9:32 - Tom Sounds
10:22 - Bass
11:00 - I Yeah Sound
11:44 - Final Notes
12:22 - Original Track"

Synthesizer Show & Tell - Roland Juno-60

Published on May 22, 2018 Steve Learson

Synthesizer Show & Tell EP: 3 Covers the Roland Juno-60.

Each week I challenge myself to write a piece of music using only one synth from my collection, and share some tips and tricks on how to use the instrument.

The Juno 60 is a 6 note DCO polyphonic synth from 1982 with memory storage, designated slider controls, and an arpeggiator. It has been used in many recordings from the 80’s to today.

00:00 - Noodling
00:24 - Introduction
1:14 - Track Intro
1:30 - Arpeggiator Sync
2:07 - Drum Sounds
2:26 - Chord Memory
2:52 - Mono Mode
4:38 - Hidden Patch Banks
5:25 - Saving Patches To An External Device
6:32 - Chorus
8:13 - PWM
9:30 - Original Track, “None Of This Is Really Happening”

Synthesizer Show & Tell

Synthesizer Show & Tell - Roland JX-8P & iPG-800

Published on May 6, 2018 Steve Learson

"Synthesizer Show & Tell, EP: 2 covers the Roland JX-8P and the iPG-800 App for iPad.

Each week I challenge myself to write a piece of music using only one synthesizer, and share some tips and tricks on how to use the instrument.

The JX-8P is an analog 6 note polyphonic synth made in 1985. It is well built with a solid metal casing, stable DCO’s, and 64 programmable patches.

0:00 - Noodling
0:25 - Introduction
1:30 - Track intro
1:51 - Drum sounds
3:08 - Leads
3:40 - Bass
4:35 - Stabs and clicks
5:02 - Ear candy and twinkles
5:38 - Pads and strings
7:35 - Juno 60/106 comparison
8:08 - Chorus
8:55 - iPG-800 Live application
9:40 - All Because of a Girl: song made using the JX-8P and vocals.

To connect the iPad to the JX-8P I use the IK Multimedia iRig MIDI 2, via MIDI IN & OUT.

iPG-800 is developed by Kentai and can be found in the App Store."