Synthmas '21 w/ Synthfluencer

Door #6: Lasst uns froh und munter sein (Let us be happy and cheerful) - Synthmas '21
video upload by Synthfluencer

"The gear:
This song is played on the Casio CZ-5000 digital synthesizer. With the CZ series Casio stepped into the professional music market after getting famous with the VL-1, PT-1 and other casual instruments. All CZ synths used a synthesis technology called phase distortion. Some preferred PD before FM synthesis, since it can create bell-like sounds as well as warm analog sounding pads. Even though missing velocity and aftertouch as built in the CZ-1, the CZ-5000 was the second best equipped synth of the family. The two DCOs are capable of playing 8 different wave forms, can be ring modulated and formed by 3 envelopes for each DCO (DCA = VCA, DCW = VCF, DCO = VCO). The envelopes can have up to 8 stages what gives huge possibilities for sound design. Key split, layer sounds, a sequencer - not really easy to operate but unique in the price range at the time - and a really good sounding chorus made the CZ-5000 a dream synth for many electronic music enthusiasts.

Because operating the internal sequencer is a fiddly job I used a Korg-SQD1 for sequencing the song. The simple multi track sequencer was very popular in the 80s Detroit techno scene.

Trailer material: Pexels.com (image @seurafrancis99, video @cottonbro)"

Door #5: Morgen, Kinder, wird’s was geben (Tomorrow, Children, Something Will Be) - Synthmas '21
video upload by

The song:
Originally named "Die Weihnachtsfreude" (The Joy of Christmas) the song occured first in the 18th century. It describes the childrens thrill of anticipation awaiting Christmas Eve.

The gear:
For this song I used the Yamaha MODX. The modern digital synth is basically using two synthesis engines: AWM2 is a sample based engine while the FM part is an enhanced version of legendary DX-7 engine that shaped 80s pop fundamentally. As the AWM2 synthesis allows an instrumentation in any thinkable fashion, the song's version presented here makes use of original DX-7 factory patches only. That gives the desired retro touch.

FM synthesis was a giant leap in synth architecture. Not only that digital synthesis was available for a broad customer base; the DX-7 put cutting edge expression technologys into play like breath control and MIDI and made upper class features like after touch available for the ordinary synthesist. The (then) unique e-piano patch defined a new standard and became a mandatory element of 80s synth ballads. The possibility of adding a (digital) filter and effects to the FM engine's sounds makes the MODX kind of a 'super DX7'. Hence the name MOreDX?

Trailer material: Pexels.com (image @seurafrancis99, video @cottonbro)"

Door #4: Es ist für uns eine Zeit angekommen (Unto us a time has come) - Synthmas '21


"The song:
The melody came up in the 19th century as a traditional Swiss star boys' singers Christmas carol. From it's origin, the Wiggertal in the Canton of Lucerne it found it's way to Germany. While first sung with the original lyrics, under the reign of the Nazis a secular version was created. Like years later the communist GDR regime, the Nazis tried to remove the christian aspects from Christmas - our celebration of commerce we all love so much today. Nevertheless, this version is the most common used for the song today.

The gear:
The song is played by a Roland JV-1010. Sometimes derided as a "ROMpler", this multi-timbral digital synth is equipped - like it's bigger brother the JV-1080 - with many legendary sounds of Roland's 80s flagship D-series (10/20/50). Like Roland D-synths the JV-1010 creates it's sounds using LA-Synthesis. Therefore calling it "ROMpler" is simply wrong. LA-Synthesis was Roland's bold move to finally break the success of Yamaha's FM-Synthesis intruduced in early 80s with the legendary DX-7. The idea behind LA-Synthesis is that real instrument sounds (back then synths aimed most notably to imitate real instruments) are recognized by the very first parts of a sound. So LA or linear arythmethic synthesis using very short samples at the beginning of a sound continued with subtractive synthesis.

For this song I only used factory presets. I think the JV-1010/1080 has a wonderful warm sound. A Roland D-10 was my very first synth that broke a few years ago and I always thought about replacing it by another one or a D-50. But the JV-1010 turned out to be much more than a makeshift. Love it!

Trailer material: Pexels.com (image @seurafrancis99, video @cottonbro)"

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Theme from Doctor Who (1963) - Synthfluencer

video upload by Synthfluencer

"I made the "Doctor Who" theme from the first season using analog gear only (plus digital effects)."

Kawai Synthesizer-100F for the lead.

Depeche Mode - Photographic / Some Bizzare Version (Cover by Synthfluencer)

video upload by Synthfluencer

"'This is Photographic!' - Depeche Mode fans know these words Dave Gahan yelled when playing live in Hammersmith Odeon in 1982. Actually, Photographic is a song from the very, very early days of Depeche Mode and might be created when they still called themselves 'Composition of Sound'. The 'Some Bizzare Version' is actually the first song they officialy released ever on a compilation named 'Some Bizzare Album'.

The song is one of the darker, harder DM songs and this version is even more raw and gritty. It is very reminiscent of the transitions from punk to wave, and the DIY aesthetic of punk in particular comes to the fore here with the hand-played synthesizers. Well before Depeche Mode redefined the genre of synth pop this early version of 'Photographic' is recorded on the gear they could afford back in the days: A Kawai S-100F, a Yamaha CS5, a Moog Prodigy and a Korg KR-55 drum machine. In my cover version I use two of the original synths, the Kawai and the Yamaha to recreate an authentic sound. The role of the Prodigy is taken over by a Behringer Model D, some support sounds by Pro-1 and Pro-800."

Kraftwerk - Spacelab (1978) [Cover by Synthfluencer]

video upload by Synthfluencer

""Spacelab" was published by Kraftwerk in 1978 on their 7th studio album 'Die Mensch-Maschine' (The Man Machine). The album is one of Kraftwerk's best-known and most successful releases and is considered a milestone in pop history. Alongside the top hits 'Die Roboter' and 'Das Model', 'Spacelab' is also one of Kraftwerk's most iconic songs. The song received special attention when Kraftwerk performed it during their 2018 tour in Stuttgart together with German astronaut Alexander Gerst, who was live from the International Space Station (ISS).

With the cover, I stick to the original version as far as possible. I only added the radio announcements at the beginning and in the middle of the song. The musical structure is not very complicated: I play the lead voice with the Kawai S-100F synthesizer, which is about as old as the song. The prominent pad is played by the Behringer Pro-800. The strings I played with the Waldorf Streichfett. The bass arpeggio is a layered sound I created with the Behringer Model-D, the deep filter bass with the Behringer Neutron. The vocoder voices are self-recorded with the help of the Yamaha MODX. At the beginning you can hear the Behringer PRO-1.

In addition to my own recordings, I use audio, video and picture material from the NASA archive (https://images.nasa.gov/)."

The Vermona Synthesizer. Part 3 MIDI control with VS-MIDI

video upload by Synthfluencer

Synthfluencer Vermona posts

"I MIDI-fied my Vermona Synthesizer using the VS-MIDI kit from CHD Elektroservis. In this video I demonstrate how the VS-MIDI interface can used to control the Vermona Synthesizer with an external keyboard. If you like the video please give a thumbs up & subscribe to my channel!

-----------------------------------------------
0:00 - Intro
0:11 - Overview / MIDI-kit integration schemes
1:20 - Activating external MIDI-mode
1:46 - Operation modes explained
3:22 - Operation mode demonstration
4:44 - Velocity & Keyfollow
5:50 - Aftertouch
7:20 - Demo track 'VS-80'"

Chariots of Fire - A tribute to Vangelis by Synthfluencer

video upload by Synthfluencer

"For me Vangelis was more than an inspiration. I knew his music before I knew about him. His fantastic sounds belong to my earliest musical memories. Now he left this world and he will leave quite a gap that can't be filled - not in the world of music and not in our hearts. But we will keep his wonderful musicial legacy."

Vangelis

Karussell - Als ich fortging (When I left) - 1987 | Cover by Synthfluencer

video upload by Synthfluencer

"This song by German pop/rock group 'Karussell' became quite famous around 1989 when revolution started in the eastern part of Germany and many people left the country. The main instruments I'm playing here are the Vermona Synthesizer and the Vermona Piano Strings."

The Vermona Synthesizer. Part 2 VCOs, VCA, VCF and other features

Synthfluencer

Part 1 calibration below.

"The Vermona Synthesizer is one of only two synthesizer models developed and officially produced in the German Democratic Republic (GDR). In my video series I want to intruduce this rare synth. Second part dives into the VCOs, comparing the wave forms of the Vermona Synthesizer with a Behringer Model D.

0:24 VCO1 Wave forms demo and comparison
2:30 VCO2 Wave forms
2:58 VCO1 + VCO2, "PWM", tuning, octave range
4:52 "Hacks", combining octaves and wave forms
6:23 LFO
7:32 Pitch wheel and glide function
8:36 VCF
11:12 Envelope (VCA/VCF), playing around"

The Vermona Synthesizer. Part 1 calibration


"The Vermona Synthesizer is one of only two synthesizer models developed and officially produced in the German Democratic Republic (GDR). In my video series I want to intruduce this rare synth. First part shows the VCO calibration process. The complete process (VCA, Envelopes, base voltage etc.) needs soldering and an oscilloscope. VCO calibration should be applicable to 90% of all calibration work so we focus on that."

Bastl's Microgranny Gets a Facelift

video upload by Bastl Instruments

Microgranny Monolith - The Final Form of the Microgranny

"Granny’s back with a brand new lid: our classic desktop granular sampler gets a facelift, bringing her into the modern age with enough usability upgrades to last another lifetime, rehomed in sleek black PCB-material to help it look the part amongst the latest in the Bastl range.

Music by the one and the only:
Bogdanraczynski.com
instagram.com/bogdanraczynski
@bogdan"

"Granny’s back with a brand new lid: our classic desktop granular sampler gets a facelift, bringing her into the modern age with enough usability upgrades to last another lifetime, rehomed in sleek black PCB-material to help it look the part amongst the latest in the Bastl range.

The Microgranny 2.0 that you know and love is still there under the facelift: lo-fi sound full of character packed into a hands-on monophonic desktop sampler that is a joy to experiment with. Plug in your microSD card loaded with 8-bit samples, or record them live through the in-built mic or line input, and jump into play with 6 samples right under your fingers, or instantly recall up to 60 saved presets."

Playability is paramount
The two-tier menu lets you dart between editing grain size or warping the playback speed, and the new-look tactile knobs grant better control than the previous model. The hazy plastic case is gone, and the PCB case’s sharper text makes the modes under the new and improved buttons more enticing – delve into Randomized mode, Legato playback, or the Instant Loop function to extend the virtually limitless possibilities of the surface controls yet further.

MIDI Control? Yep: play specific grains with keys, control the CC values remotely, even clock-sync loops and grains. Take your Granny for a walk in the park with the battery power, or run it through a wired 9V supply.

Granny comes with gifts
To celebrate the revival of one of our most loved instruments, we pestered Rephlex Records regular and modern-day Synthfluencer Bogdan Raczynski for a custom sample pack full of his trademark weird and wonderful sounds. Granny Reloaded comes with it pre-installed, giving you a fun and formidable toolset from the moment you power up.

Features
monophonic mono sampler
microSD card (storing + recording samples, storing presets)
6 sounds with full adjustments storable in a preset at once
60 presets in 10 banks (6 preset per bank), stored as .txt files on the microSD card
wav sample playback from microSD card (mono, 22050 Hz, 8 or 16 bit, two letter file name)
8-bit 22050Hz wav recording via line input or onboard microphone
hold button
sample rate (tuned or free run)
crush
start, end position with repeat, instant loop
granular settings: grain size and shift speed (positive or negative)
amplitude envelope attack and release
MIDI Input – responds to note, cc, and clock (synchronize loop and grains)
MIDI sidechain envelope restart
copy, paste
input & output volume knob
power switch – plug/battery
hackable – arduino based

Door #17: Sind die Lichter angezündet (When The Lights Are Lit) - Synthmas '21

video upload by Synthfluencer

"The song:
This song was the best known Christmas carol in the former GDR and also named a Christmas album that was played in almost every family on Christmas eve. The text written as a poem contains all the ingredients for a typical Christmas celebration: The lights, a tree, gifts, joy and peace.

The gear:
What else can I use for this arrangement than the Vermona stack: Vermona Synthesizer and Piano Strings. Both instruments have been made by VEB Klingenthaler Harmonikawerke, a large instrument manufacturer of the former GDR based in Klingenthal/ Saxony. More than 3.000 employees produced accordions branded "Weltmeister" and later electronic organs and synthesizers under the brand Vermona until 1990. Today the brand name Vermona lives on hold by the company HDB electronic that still produces high quality electronic instruments.

The synthesizers lead voice is routed through a TC Flashback unit adding it's wonderful Mod Delay effect. The Piano Strings goes through a Zoom MS-70 CDR end is enriched with a stereo delay and a very neat Small Stone Phaser simulation. You see in other videos on my channel the Vermona Phaser 80, but in this case I preferred the silky dreamy Jean-Michel-Jarre-signature sound of the Small Stone over the harsh Vermona phaser. Here I compare the sound of the effect units: https://youtu.be/yraACszuvAA

Vermona Synthesizer is controlled via MIDI (I built in a VS MIDI device some time ago, video showing that will follow) and play the Piano Strings by hand cause it's lack of any external control input.

Trailer material: Pexels.com (image @seurafrancis99, video @cottonbro)"

Kawai S-100F: First check up of basic functions

video upload by Synthfluencer

"I recently purchased a new friend for the Synthcave: The Kawai Synthesizer 100F. This gem was born around 1980 and for many synthesists it is an instrument they would never give away because of its unique sound. Basically my device is in a good overall condition but it desperately needs a service. Many faders don't work as they should and I'm not sure if I want to know what I'm going to find when I open it up 😳 In this video I'm checking some basic features and try to figure out how the signal flow works."

Door #24: Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht (Silent Night, Holy Night) - Synthmas '21

video upload by Synthfluencer

"Ho-Ho-Ho! This is Synthmas '21, the virtual calendar presenting a Christmas carol played by synthesizers - every day from 1st to 24th of December.

The song:
Maybe the best world's known Christmas carol, this song premiered in 1818 in Salzburg/Austria on the 24th. Unesco made it into intangible cultural heritage in 2011.

The gear:
I wanted to add something special to the last performance of my Synthmas calendar. What else could I choose than the Moog Claravox Centennial theremin. I was in doubt if I really should do a performance; we got that instrument 3 weeks ago and I could'nt really practice since then. So, I'm absolutely far away from being able to play the theremin in a decent manner. But so what, please don't be hard on me judging my very first steps with this tricky to play instrument.

In the second part as a littel redemption, the Yamaha CS-5 and Kawai S100F take over the lead voice. The Japanese duo is routed through the MODX fattening the sound with some bread & butter effects. Also this time I got the Kawai in tune, in a recent video the synth's tuning drifted away beyond measure. Instead I lost focus on the levels when I recorded the track. Sorry for the distorted pieces.

I wish all of you a peaceful Christmas time and I hope you enjoyed my cheesy little Synthmas calendar '21

Trailer material: Pexels.com (image @seurafrancis99, video @cottonbro)"

Das Model

video upload by Synthfluencer

"I do a quick performance of Kraftwerk's "The Model" trying out my new backing track. The Vermona Synthesizer has an issue with the upper G, I need to fix this.

Lead Synths: Vermona Synthesizer, Behringer Deepmind 12, Yamaha MODX
Backing Track: DAW/Reason"

Door #19: Am Weihnachtsbaum die Lichter brennen - Synthmas '21

video upload by Synthfluencer

"Ho-Ho-Ho! This is Synthmas '21, the virtual calendar presenting a Christmas carol played by synthesizers - every day from 1st to 24th of December.

The song:
Also a secular Carol, 'Am Weihnachtsbaum die Lichter brennen' (On the Christmas tree the lights are burning) is about the Christmas vibes and puts a view especially on the Christmas tree. Christmas trees are mentioned for the first time in German historical documents of the 15th century. The tradition of having a decorated Christmas tree in private homes started in 18th century but was a privilege of the rich. When mid of the 19t century The Illustrated Londons News published a picture of queen Victoria and prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha celebrate Christmas showing a decorated tree, it started a trend. By deliberated culturing firs and spruces Christmas trees became available for a broader public.

The gear:
This arrangement is played by one synth only, the Waldorf Blofeld but using different sound patches. Synths that can play more than one patch at a time are called multi-timbral. Four different patches are used for this song. I wanted to give this song the touch of a music box. My great grandfather built a music box when he was a war prisoner in WW1 that plays this song. So I always have this familie's heirloom in mind when the song is played.

Trailer material: Pexels.com (image @seurafrancis99, video @cottonbro)"

Door #16: Jingle Bells - Synthmas '21

video upload by Synthfluencer

"Ho-Ho-Ho! This is Synthmas '21, the virtual calendar presenting a Christmas carol played by synthesizers - every day from 1st to 24th of December.

The song:
This well known winter's song was made by american composer James Lord Pierpont around 1850. The song is actually about a horse sleigh race and has no context to Christmas.

The gear:
Before technology made digital multi track recording available there was tape recording. And before polyphonic synthesizers where were mono synths. In this arrangement I walk on the paths of history doing a multi track recording track by track on a loop station. All sounds come from the Yamaha CS-5 mono synthesizer. The challenge of multi track recording is timing. The loop station BOSS RC-202 represents state of the art technology that helps to synchronize the tracks. I can imagine how much work it was to record albums like "Switched on Bach" by Wendy Carlos when everything had to be done by hand and ear.

PS Sorry for the bad video quality

Trailer material: Pexels.com (image @seurafrancis99, video @cottonbro)"

Johann Sebastian Bach: Invention No. 1 (Synthsunday 2020-12-20)

Synthfluencer

"I play Bach's Invention No. 1 on two analog synthesizers: 1979 Yamaha CS-5 (lead voice) & 1983 Vermona Synthesizer (bass accompaniment). Some effects added by Yamaha MODX."

[Kawai S-100F] 40 yo japanese beauty gets intense cleanup & service

video upload by Synthfluencer

"In this video I show how I cleaned and serviced the Kawai Synthesizer-100F. The 100F is a mono synth from the late 70s. It has one oscillator with sawtooth and square waveform, white noise (that can't be mixed), two envelopes and a LFO speeding up to audio rate, a lowpass and a highpass filter. The lowpass filter can be modulated by LFO, envelope and waveforms that gives pretty unique sound design possibilities.

The unit was very dirty when I purchased it. Almost all faders were banged, resonance didn't work at all. I decided to give it a deep clean-up and a fresh calibration. I didn't want to do a makeover but rather bring back the vintage beauty of this wonderful synth without removing all of its patina.

Background music was made usind the 100F among the Vermona Synthesizer, Yamaha CS-5, Waldorf Streichfett, Behringer Deepmind, Model D & Neutron and Elektron Model:Samples.

See the first review of the synth before cleanup: [posted here] See the 100f in action: [Dr. Who theme posted here]"

Door #20: O Tannenbaum (O Christmas Tree) - Synthmas '21

video upload by Synthfluencer

"Ho-Ho-Ho! This is Synthmas '21, the virtual calendar presenting a Christmas carol played by synthesizers - every day from 1st to 24th of December.

The song:
This song was first mentioned around 1550. In the first place a tragic love song, it describes the ever-green and steady fir tree as the opposite to a unsteady philandering lover. In late 19th Century verses were changed and made this one of the most famous German Christmas Carols.

The gear:
I play the lead voice by hand using the Yamaha CS-80 and the Kawai Synthesizer 100F. Both built in the late seventees, these mono synths formed together with a Moog Prodigy, ARP-2600 and Roland Jupiter-4 the basic setup of Depeche Mode's Speak & Spell era. The Kawai 100F (also branded "Teisco") is a mono synth with a very unique sound. At first the synth seem to be quite basic but it has some very neat modulation options under it's hood.

Both synths sound is passed through chorus / delay effects and backed by Deepmind pad and Blofeld arpeggio sound.

Trailer material: Pexels.com (image @seurafrancis99, video @cottonbro)"

Intuitive Instruments Exquis Hexagonal Keyboard

video uploads by dualo by Intuitive Instruments

Playlist:
Exquis - The smartest way to create expressive music
Loïc, accordeonist and du-touch player, is testing Exquis
Knarf, synthfluencer at LesSondiers.com testing Exquis

Currently on Kickstarter

"Making music is all about finding the right notes and assembling them in rhythm. But whatever the instrument, device or software, it still takes time and effort to master theory and technique.

At Intuitive Instruments, we have figured out a smarter way to play and compose today’s music, that makes it intuitive and logical for anyone.


Explore, have fun, surprise yourself, find inspiration. Above all, composing music is about emotion. Exquis provides an intuitive way to lead you to the right path, still allowing you to play out of it. No need to think: just choose a scale and follow its illuminated path.

Thanks to our patented layout, making chords is easy; Exquis puts notes that sound well together right next to one another. You’ll be amazed how harmony falls under your fingers.

Your notes, your chords, your music

Beginner, amateur or professional musicians, we all want to shorten the time between an idea and its execution. Exquis gives you the fastest access to the rules of harmony, so you can improvise with or without any theoretical background.

Then, thanks to Exquis’s unique and spontaneous creative workflow, just pick a sound, play, record your own loops and create a full song in minutes!

Expressivity at your fingertips

There is no need to play lots of notes when you can bring them to life. Exquis’s expressive keys are designed to be mastered in minutes while offering a huge potential for expert gestures. Inspired by the finesse of acoustic instruments, Exquis keys are both firm enough to play percussion and short notes with precision, and soft enough to modulate long notes with sensibility.

Sculpt your music with emotion; hit, press, and bend the keys independently thanks to the MIDI Polyphonic Expression protocol (MPE).

And in addition, use the 4 clickable potentiometers and the touch slider to increase the possibilities of sound and music control: effects, note/beat repeat,...

The Exquis multi-platform app is the perfect companion for the keyboard, as well as an autonomous MIDI-compatible DAW. Compose entire songs within seconds thanks to a unique workflow we have been perfecting for 15 years, which is approved today by thousands of musicians worldwide for its spontaneity and efficiency.

The app and the controller work in symbiosis to provide an easy and chronological music production logic. From left to right, pilot the essential actions with simple gestures, directly on the keyboard and/or in the app:

Settings : prepare your song (tempo, scale, default quantization…)
Sounds : pick a sound plugin and preset to create a new “track”
Record : record “clips” and preset the recording behavior (start condition, length, overdub)
Tracks : just like a director in an orchestra, decide which clips to launch and stop in real time
Scenes : save and launch states of your song (e.g: intro, verse, chorus…)
Play/Stop : play/stop your song, and select another project"

We designed the Exquis’s workflow by taking into consideration two temporalities: you can both play live safely and take your time to create in your bubble. Most usual actions only require handling the keyboard, whereas advanced actions taking more time like programming (clip/scene duration, follow actions…) are to be made via the app.

The interface of the app is designed following the same logic, turning your device into a customizable heads-up display and an alternative interface to all your actions, especially if you play with another MIDI controller.

In order to allow musicians to create new rhythms and moods, the Exquis app natively includes exclusive functionalities never seen in a DAW before. For example, as we were inspired by the workshops of Jacob Collier, the app provides an easy way to play with tuplets: uncommon beat divisions such as 1/5 or 1/7, useful to create grooves with a drunk feel."

See the kickstarter campaign for additional details.

Door #22: O du fröhliche (O, how joyful) - Synthmas '21

video upload by Synthfluencer

"Ho-Ho-Ho! This is Synthmas '21, the virtual calendar presenting a Christmas carol played by synthesizers - every day from 1st to 24th of December.

The song:
The lyrics by German orphanage founder Johannes Daniel Falk are combined with an italian folk song creating one of the best known German Christmas carols. The text has a Christian background.

The gear:
Once more I choose the Casio CZ-5000 for this job. I found the organ patch in the depths of the internet. It was posted by a chap called Mike Cripps in a newsgroup (the elder among us may remember) and is dated 1989. Since I couldn't get the CZ-5000 receiving patch files via sysex, I programmed the patch by hand. The pipe organ sound becomes way more convincing by adding a suitable reverb (Zoom MS70 CDR, 'Church Hall')

Trailer material: Pexels.com (image @seurafrancis99, video @cottonbro)"