The SynthSummitShow Episode 20: Taiho Yamada Synth designer

Streamed live on Jun 11, 2017 Flux302 of Fluxwithit.com

"The SynthSummitShow brings you interviews and discussion on the people who are responsible for the synths and gear we love. Taiho Yamada is a Synth designer and is responsible for many synth designs we know and love today. His new Company MOK has a new synthesizer released with Tracktion and is available now!
Host Ken Flux Pierce is a sound designer, synthesist and all around music tech lover."

http://fluxwithit.com/synthsummitshow-episode-20-taiho-yamada-mok-giveaway/

Taiho was the project manager behind the Alesis Andromeda A6, M-Audio Venom, as well as other synths. A search on Taiho here on MATRIXSYNTH will bring up previous posts featuring him and his work.

New M-Audio Venom Blog & Alternate Designs of the Venom

Taiho Yamada, Product Manager for the M-Audio Venom.

"My dad is cool.

One day when we were getting out of the car to visit my grandparents, my dad and I heard the sound of someone playing a synthesizer from an open window of a nearby apartment building. The sound twisted and morphed and made music in ways I’d never heard before. My dad asked me if I liked it and I said, 'Yes.' That one word changed the course of my life.

A short time later, I had my first analog synthesizer. My dad bought it for me, but I’m pretty sure that he secretly played with it after I’d gone to bed. It was a budget synth, but designed by the master himself, Bob Moog. On this instrument, I learned about Oscillators, Filters, LFOs, Envelopes, Pitch Wheels, Mod Wheels, Portamento, and Sync. I was nine years old."

Taiho Yamada, M-Audio's Venom Project Lead, has started a new blog on the Venom. Currently there are two posts up. One with an interview of Taiho and one with alternate designs of the Venom, pictured. Did you know the original color was going to be purple? According to the post it was a color not often used in the synth world and would have made the Venom stand out. "The problem with this purple was that the iridescence in the paint caused it to turn pink under certain lighting conditions, which we felt would not really help us reach our target audience."

See the direct links above for further details in each post. You can find the main feed for Venom posts on M-Audio's main blog here.

Finally, don't miss MATRIXSYNTH's exclusive review and interview with Taiho Yamada which includes a tips and tricks section as well as a custom iPad editor.

CLICK FOR MORE »

M-Audio Venom 49 Key Analog Modeling Synthesizer

via this auction

"Awesome Bit Of Info:
The Designers Used Some Various Eurorack Modules As Source Sounds For This Synth.
This Is The First Synth That Has Some Harvestman Zorlon Cannon Sounds Included....

'Rather than rely on digital synth modeling, M-Audio has used raw samples of the original instruments to give the Venom its voice. Taiho Yamada, the designer of the Venom, wheeled out dozens of specimens from his vast synth collection (and called in a few favors from friends) to gather samples. These samples of vintage synths — Moogs, Arps, Oberheims, Rolands and the lot — form the foundation of the Venom’s sonic palette. Yamada’s team also sampled some bizarre old hardware. A Harvestman Zorlon Cannon, which employs the same kind of tone generator used in the Atari 2600, was used to achieve some chiptune flavors. An old, tube-driven Hewlett-Packard test oscillator yielded a pure and glassy sine wave. A circuit-bent Roland TR-808 supplied some crunchy drums.'"

Check out my review and interview with Taiho Yamada here. You can find an M-Audio Venom iPad editor here for TB MIDI Stuff, and a wireless one here for TouchOSC and The Missing Link.

CLICK FOR MORE »

One day | M-Audio Venom Patches

video by MIDERA

"I decided to test out an M-Audio Venom. It was shipped to me for $5 (the Venom itself cost more, of course). When it arrived, it was in a guitar case. No packaging. Just the synth against the cardboard. I would say that this ranked top worst packing I've ever seen as a synth. However, the Venom survived the trip, which suggests the plastic that held it is strong.

When I plugged it in and realized just how little you could edit it on the front screen - I was utterly shocked. I thought it couldn't be a worse interface than the AN1x, which shares its tepid UI. No, it is in fact much worse. You can edit some very basic things like ADSR, filter settings, and some LFO rates, but... you can't edit the oscillators (of which there are a ton).

Anyway, I created these sounds using the software which does in fact still work on Windows 10. And you know - if it had a UI where you could edit every parameter on the synth, it would be pretty amazing. It sounds very good, but the fact that I have to use a computer to truly edit it, means it's not for me to keep.

Used Eventide Blackhole VST for reverb

0:00 Crystals
2:37 OBwave
5:00 Bored of 2
6:01 Wonders
7:25 Vacant
8:36 Pelog
9:47 Alone"

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NOTE: Click here for a review and interview I did with the main designer of the Venom, Taiho Yamada back in 2011. You'll find the interview, followed by some tips and tricks. Taiho also worked on the Alesis Andromeda A6, and the DSP developer of the Venom worked on Radikal Technologies' Spectralis as well as the Accelerator. Taiho Yamada's most current projects are at MOK.

Mutato Muzika Meets The Waverazor Dual Oscillator Module

Published on Nov 23, 2019 MOK

"In August 2019, MOK traveled to Mutato Muzika, Mark Mothersbaugh’s music production company. Among a treasure trove of Devo’s most precious musical instruments, Taiho Yamada demonstrates the Waverazor Dual Oscillator module from MOK and 1010music.

Thank you Mutato Muzika! http://mutato.com/

Mark Mothersbaugh
John Enroth
Albert Fox
Ray Plaza
Ethan Obbema

And
Adam Barber

Thank you Aaron Higgins of 1010music! https://1010music.com/

MOK is Rob Rampley, Taiho Yamada and Chris Compton.

For more information, visit the MOK website at:

https://mok.com/"

Tracktion BioTek - New Organic Virtual Instrument from Wolframe Franke & Taiho Yamada

"This is a selection of demos from the new Tracktion BioTek virtual synthesizer. Each cue was performed live using a single BioTek patch in order to demonstrate the playability and expressiveness of the instrument. Wolfram Franke's powerful synth engine completely transforms sound between nature and technology via the central XY controller. It was an honor and pleasure to direct sound development for this project, and to contribute what I consider to be some of my best sound design work to date.

Special thanks to the entire BioTek sound design team, including Wolfram, Mike Wall, Sendy, justin3am, and Randy Lee. Check out electronic music from Wolfram Franke, Sendy and justin3am here on SoundCloud:

@wolfram-franke
@sendy
@justin3am"

Wolframe Franke was previously with Waldorf. He was the developer behind Largo, PPG Wave 2.V & 3.V, Attack and Steinberg's V1. He also created Stroke Machine for the iPad.

Taiho Yamada was the Project Manager and Head of Sound Design at Alesis. He worked on the QuadraSynth, QS series, A6 Andromeda, Ion, Micron, and the Fusion HD workstations. He was also the man behind the M-Audio Venom.

Anyone know who the girl with the whisky bottle is? [Update: it's Kristina Childs who designed the UI for BioTek. Thanks to Lima in the comments for the info and Anonymous for the link!]

You'll find more info on Tracktion's BioTek on their website here. They also have a Micro Synth Pack.

CLICK FOR MORE »

DSI Pro 2 - Taiho Yamada Demo

"This is a small selection of sounds from a bank that I just completed for the Dave Smith Instruments Pro 2. At the time of this writing, the Pro 2 has not yet been released. I hope my sound submissions eventually make it into the factory preset banks. Thanks to everyone at DSI for allowing me to contribute!"

Taiho Yamada worked on the Alesis Andromeda A6 and was the man behind the M-Audio Venom (click through for a review, interview and tips & tricks on the Venom).

DSI OB-6 - Taiho Yamada Demo

"In February, I completed a set of patches for the Dave Smith Instruments OB-6, and I’m happy to report that quite a few of them made it into the factory preset banks. I’m so proud to have been a part of this project! The OB-6 is a monster synth from two legends of our industry (Dave Smith and Tom Oberheim), and it was a ton of fun to program. I hope you enjoy this audio demo of my work…"

Taiho Yamada worked on both the Alesis Andromeda A6 and M-Audio Venom.

SCI Prophet 6 - Taiho Yamada Demo

"I just completed a bank of sounds for the upcoming Sequential Circuits Prophet 6. I’m not sure how many of my sounds will make it into the factory preset banks at this point, so I’ve got my fingers crossed… Either way, I’m still very happy to have been a part of this project. The Prophet 6 is a wonderful sounding synth and a blast to program! I hope you enjoy this audio demo of my work…"

Taiho Yamada was the man behind the M-Audio Venom. He also worked on the Alesis Andromeda A6.

MOK Wavewazor Eurorack Module

Published on Aug 20, 2019 CatSynth TV

"We explore the new Waverazor Eurorack Module from MOK. The module features the same patented waveslicing oscillators found in the Waverazor software plugin, complete with a multitude of controls for manipulating the waveslices via the touch screen, knobs, or CV inputs.

We discuss the concepts of waveslicing synthesis, explore the interface, check out some presets, create our own sliced waveform, and go wild with the CV inputs, culminating in a performance with CV sequencers and external drum machines.

00:40 About Waveslicing Synthesis and The Razor
01:34 Exploring the module's controls and various presets
05:50 Editing your own waveforms
08:08 Clock-based wave slicing
12:15 Going wild with CV
12:45 Putting it all together with CV, sequencers, and external drum machines!

External CV via the Arturia MiniBrute 2, and Make Noise Rene and Tempi.
Drum accompaniment for the final section provided by a Korg Volca Beats and Mutant HiHats from Hexinverter.net.

External audio: "Proportional Fish" by Amanda Chaudhary, available at https://amandachaudhary.bandcamp.com/...

For more information, please visit mok.com. Full press release below.
For more synthesizer reviews, please subscribe to this channel and visit www.catsynth.com.
___________

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M-Audio Venom Review and Interview with Product Manager Taiho Yamada

A quick note: This review is long. You can jump to sections that interest you vs. reading it straight through if you prefer. This review focuses primarily on the synth engine for one single patch on the Venom. The Venom supports Multi mode with up to four multitimbral parts. Not only can you layer sound programs but you can set global parameters for the set. Be sure to see the Multi mode section of "Tips and Tricks via Taiho Yamada" at the end of this post. Taiho is the Lead Project Manager of the Venom and served as my contact during the review. I want to thank Taiho for his help and enthusiastic generosity. He is a true synthesist and the Venom is his baby.

Synth connections: Taiho previously worked at Alesis on the Andromeda A6. The DSP developer of the Venom worked on Radikal Technologies' Spectralis and the Accelerator. People that contributed to the presets via sound design include Richard Devine, Francis Preve, Mark Ovenden (Avid's AIR Instruments, ProTools VIs), Joerg Huettner (Waldorf, Access, Alesis), and of course Taiho Yamada.

*Don't miss the "Q&A with Taiho" section towards the end of the review. Also keep an eye out for "Taiho's Tips and Tricks" throughout the review in grey. You can find the consolidated list below the Q&A section.

CLICK FOR MORE »

NAMM 2012: M-Audio Venom Booth Pics

A couple of pics of the Venom at the M-Audio booth at NAMM. Below is Venom Project Manager Taiho Yamada. It was great to finally meet Taiho in person. Be sure to see my M-Audio Venom review and interview with Taiho. You'll find a tip and tricks section. Also see: New M-Audio Venom Blog & Alternate Designs of the Venom.

NAMM 2019: MOK Waverazor Innovative Eurorack Oscillator Module

Published on Jan 30, 2019 SYNTH ANATOMY

"Taiho showed me at NAMM 2019, it's new innovative Eurorack oscillator Waverator which is based on a modified 1010music Toolbox platform."

Kind of reminds me of the rotors on the John Bowen Solaris. Taiho Yamada was one of the lead designers at Alesis and M-Audio. He brought us the Alesis Andromeda and the M-Audio Venom. You can find posts featuring him in the archives (by date or by relevance).

M-Audio Venom Synth Keyboard

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

via this auction

Side note: check out my review and exclusive interview with the Venom's product manager Taiho Yamada here.  You'll find some trips and tricks.  Also see this post for some alternate color designs of the Venom and a link to Taiho's Venom blog where you'll find additional tips.

via the listing:

"New and unopened M-Audio Venom Synthesizer/Midi controller/USB Audio Interface...



49 full-size keys with velocity
12-voice polyphony
Features 512 single patches and 256 multi-sound patches
41 oscillator waves and 53 drum sounds sampled from vintage analog and digital FM synths and drum machines
Three oscillators per voice
FM, sync, and dynamic wave-shaping
Three LFOs and three AHDSR envelopes
Four-part multitimbral
Four independent MIDI-syncable phrase sequencers
Two global bus effects and one inset effect per part
Classic arpeggiator
Tap tempo and top-panel BPM control
Built-in USB 2.0 2-in, 2-out 24-bit audio interface
Microphone, instrument, and stereo line level inputs
MIDI in and out via 5-pin DIN connections
Large custom LCD display
Four rotary encoders for editing and performance control
Assignable pitch bend and modulation wheels
Vyzex Venom software editor for Mac and Windows included"

Cool cat not included.

Waverazor Intro Videos

Published on Apr 29, 2017 MOK

"All sounds, including drums, produced by Waverazor. Music by Taiho Yamada. Video by TracktionSoftware. Visit www.mok.com for more info."

Playlist:
Waverazor Intro Movie
Waverazor Oscillator Intro
Waverazor Multi-Sync Intro
Waverazor Mutant AM Intro
Waverazor User Interface Intro
Waverazor - Getting Started

You can find more posts on Waverazor here, and Taiho Yamaha here.

Alpha Quadrant "The Synthesis Principal" Waverazor Performance at NAMM 2019

Published on Nov 20, 2019 MOK

"Alpha Quadrant performs 'The Synthesis Principal', a song made using MOK’s Waverazor synthesizer plugin, live at NAMM 2019.

Written, programmed, and produced by Casey Baldwin and Kayla Bee

“The Synthesis Principal” is available as a pay-what-you-want digital download here:



The Waverazor synthesizer plugin (Mac, PC, Linux / AAX, AU, VST) is available for purchase through Tracktion:

https://www.tracktion.com/products/wa..."

MOK's Taiho Yamada filming in the background.

M-Audio Venom 49-Key 12-Voice Synthesizer w/Built-In USB Audio Interface

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

via this auction

See this post for a review on the Venom, including an interview with creator Taiho Yamada as well as some tips & tricks. For those that want to access deeper editing on the Venom sans computer, check out the Venom iPad editor here.

CLICK FOR MORE »

M-Audio Venom Virtual Analog Synth

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
via this auction
Perfect Circuit Audio (RSS)

You'll find a Venom iPad editor here You'll find an extensive review and interview with Taiho Yamada, the man behind the Venom, here. Don't miss the tips and tricks section at the bottom of the review.

CLICK FOR MORE »

Sequential Prophet X - Taiho Yamada Demo

"I’m extremely grateful to have contributed a set of patches to Sequential for their new Prophet X synthesizer. It was super fun to program, combining advanced sample playback oscillators (with modulatable looping parameters) and warm analog filters for a truly unique sound. I’m so proud to have been a part of this project! I hope you enjoy this audio demo of my work."

https://www.davesmithinstruments.com/product/prophet-x/

M-Audio® Venom: Multi-tracked

YouTube Uploaded by avid on Sep 9, 2011

"A nearly six minute-long audio demo using the M-Audio Venom synthesizer as both a synth and an audio interface, with Pro Tools and Ableton Live."

Catch my review and interview with Venom Product Manager Taiho Yamada here. Also see this post for my iPad editor including video. Funny coincidence is I was planning on playing my Venom this afternoon/tonight. I can't wait after watching this video.