Phonosomes Genomics Sonification Workstation (teaser)

video upload by

"Phonosomes is my personal software for DNA sonification experiments.
It reads file from my genome (or any other standard genome FASTA file) up to 20000 nucleotides or 6666 codons and uses them to control the Waldorf Iridium. The Ammino Acids sequences control notes' pitch, velocity, scale, transposition, probability as well a synthesis parameters.
This is the evolution of my genomics soundart started in 2018/19 at the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission.

I'm working at performances for 2024/25 and fundrising for scientific equipment I need to further evolve the process.
If you are interested in donations, please write me at giorgiosancristoforo.net"

Waldorf Introduces Largo 2 Synthesizer Plug-In

Waldorf Largo 2 Teaser video upload by WaldorfMusicChannel

Waldorf Largo 2 Trailer - Synthesizer Plug-In

video upload by WaldorfMusicChannel

"The UI has been redesigned and now enables continuous scalability.
Available as full version or Largo upgrade.

3 fat oscillators per voice (two of them with sub oscillators) with classic waveforms and 68 Wavetables taken from the legendary Microwave and Wave synthesizer and also the Q and Blofeld.

Largo 2 offers comprehensive 64-bit support for Apple silicon/macOS and Windows machines.
and is fully compatible with all existing soundsets."

"LARGO 2 has been redesigned and now offers a scalable user interface for use on modern 5K or FHD laptop monitors and is also fully compatible with existing sound libraries and available sound sets.

oscillators & wavetables
3 fat oscillators per voice (two of them with sub oscillators) with classic waveforms and 68 Wavetables taken from the legendary Microwave and Wave synthesizer as also Q and Blofeld. Up to 4 layers per sound and 4 stereo outputs

lfos
3 fast LFOs syncable to MIDI Clock and note retrigger with adjustable start phase, freely drawable LFO waveform with 16 steps (LFO3)

envelopes
4 ultrafast Envelopes with selectable types and different Loop Modes

huge mod matrix
extremely versatile modulation matrix with 16 Slots, freely programmable, speed far into audio range make for a sound designer’s dream.

powerful arpeggiator
Largo’s arpeggiator is one of the most advanced of its kind. In addition to the standard functions, you can create your own patterns with up to 16 steps.

2 fx slots per layer
High quality Chorus with four and six stages to create lush pads and strings.

filter
Largo 2 offers 2 independent multimode filters and we have added a variety of 3 formant filter types which mimic the frequency response of the human vocal tract. By using the cutoff parameter you can morph between the vowels a-e-i-o-u for all your favorite choir and voice-like modulations.

powerful soundbrowser
Drag and drop sounds between the File Browser and the Program Manager for loading and saving, rearrange sounds on disk or in the current bank, copy and paste, and much more.

https://waldorfmusic.com/largo-2/

OPLoid FM-Synthesizer — Recreating the sound of the MS-DOS era in Ableton Live (Teaser)

video uploads by Leise im Kran

Playlist:
OPLoid FM-Synthesizer — Recreating the sound of the MS-DOS era in Ableton Live (Teaser)
OPLoid FM-Synthesizer — Prototype Demonstration (OPL2, OPL3, YM3812, YMF262, AdLib)
Leise im Kran — Döbeln Nord | Waldorf Blofeld + OPLoid | early 1990s 3D visualisation

"░░░░░░░░░░𝙾░𝙿░𝙻░𝚘░𝚒░𝚍░░░░░░░░░░
▒▒▒𝙵▒𝙼▒-▒𝚂▒𝚢▒𝚗▒𝚝▒𝚑▒𝚎▒𝚜▒𝚒▒𝚣▒𝚎▒𝚛▒▒▒

◆◇◇◇◇

The OPLoid will go on sale on 31st March 2022 at:
https://leiseimkran.gumroad.com/

◇◆◇◇◇

The OPLoid is an instrument for Ableton Live.

It adopts the synthesis principles of the Yamaha YM3812 (OPL2) and YMF262 (OPL3) FM chips. These chips were widely used on IBM PC-based sound cards in the late 20th century (e.g., AdLib and Soundblaster) and defined the sound of the "MS-DOS era".

The OPLoid is not an accurate emulation of the OPL 2 or 3, but rather a synthesizer on its own. It closely mimics the OPL 2 and 3 in their principles of operation to stay true to the original chips' characteristic sound and to make it accessible in a modern music production environment. Nevertheless, some parameters have been slightly modified to allow for more flexibility in sound design.

While the OPLoid might be useful for all genres of electronic music, it is probably especially suitable for genres from the Vaporwave spectrum, Dungeon Synth and Chiptune.

◇◇◆◇◇

Features:
- close imitation of the 2-operator FM algorithm from the Yamaha OPL2 and OPL3 sound chips
- 8 waveforms
- monophonic and polyphonic mode
- up to 64 voices of polyphony (depending on CPU power)
- 4 LFOs (vibrato, tremolo, FM depth, panorama)
- pitchbend and modwheel support (up to 6 parameters independently mappable to modwheel)
- over 100 factory presets
- cloud patch database for sharing patches among users

◇◇◇◆◇

Demo track: Awareness Boys - Awareness Theme (arranged for OPLoid by Leise im Kran)

◇◇◇◇◆

More from Leise im Kran:
Streaming: https://bit.ly/3FDakpN
Physical release: https://monikereggplant.bandcamp.com/...

#Soundblaster #AdLib #OPL2 #OPL3 #YM3812 #YMF262 #FMsynthesis #OPLoid #Vaporwave #Maxforlive #Abletonlive #MaxMSP #msdos"

New Waldorf Iridium Keyboard Synthesizer w/ Polyphonic Aftertouch

Sounddemo video upload by WaldorfMusicChannel

"Trailer & sound demo for our brand new Waldorf Iridium Keyboard Synthesizer with polyphonic aftertouch – no external effects and processing were used."

Waldorf teaser revealed.

Update:

Matt Johnson Jamiroquai Exclusive!! Waldorf Iridium Synthesizer keyboard version

video upload by

"This new synth is an absolute beast with 2 synth engines and amazing poly aftertouch!

All rights reserved."

And the press release:

Waldorf widens range of high-quality synthesizers with polyphonic aftertouch pressure-providing Iridium Keyboard

REMAGEN, GERMANY: having introduced Iridium as a high-class synthesizer in a compact desktop form factor with welcomed added extras building upon the high-quality synthesizer developer’s demanding design standards set by its Quantum keyboard flagship’s futuristic functionality and advanced tonality, Waldorf Music is proud to take the concept further forward by announcing availability of its Iridium Keyboard counterpart — radically redesigning its desktop synthesizer namesake around an all-new 49-key FATAR TP/8SK semi-weighted polyphonic aftertouch pressure-providing keyboard as the first such implementation of that keyboard in the world, with an expanded front panel proffering one-knob-per-function control as a workflow-raising result of this high-class synthesizer’s palpable physical makeover, also allowing for six freely-programmable Macro buttons with which users can define functions from a wide range of features for additional performance control — as of March 4…

It is, however, hardly surprising that Waldorf Music has chosen to name its latest high-quality synthesizer Iridium Keyboard since the instrument in question is physically designed around award-winning Italian digital piano, organ, and synthesizer keybed manufacturer FATAR’s all-new TP/8SK keyboard, configuring 49 semi-weighted sensitive keys with polyphonic aftertouch and three contacts as possibly one of the best synthesizer keyboards money can buy. Best of all, tremendous tonal changes flow freely when playing the Iridium Keyboard live since polyphonic aftertouch is transmitted individually for each note played. Performers can conceivably play and hold down any number of keys simultaneously, subsequently moving each finger individually. In other words, individual keys are affected by the pressure applied by each finger, thereby creating, for instance, individual data streams for modulation purposes, whereas with monophonic (Channel) aftertouch all notes played will respond in the same way. With a powerful Mod Matrix offering 40 independent modulation assignments, each with individual settings for Source, Amount, and Destination, Iridium Keyboard far from disappoints when it comes to powerful modulation options, of course — just like its Iridium desktop synthesizer namesake. Notably, Iridium Keyboard is also capable of processing MPE (MIDI Polyphonic Expression) data, duly making multiple parameters of different notes separately controllable to effectively enable it to behave more like an acoustic instrument in terms of spontaneous, polyphonic sound control.

Clearly, the 851 mm (W) x 355 mm (D) x 110 mm (H) physical dimensions of Iridium Keyboard has resulted in some marked differences to the original Iridium desktop design, with a one-knob-per-function control approach afforded by its naturally expanded front panel, albeit aided still by its industrial-grade highly-responsive touchscreen display to provide an interactive overview of the Mode page selected (via associated LFOS, OSC 1, OSC 2, OSC 3, FILTERS, MOD, and EFFECTS buttons), parameter changes, and additional information. Indeed, Iridium Keyboard also incorporates six freely-programmable Macro buttons adjacent to the Pitch and Mod (modulation) wheels with which users can define functions from a wide range of features for additional performance control, combining to further enhance its performance pedigree.

Put it this way: while Iridium Keyboard — duly described by Waldorf Music as “...a high-class synthesizer with an extraordinary polyphonic aftertouch pressure keyboard featuring a wide range of unique sounds with approved Waldorf quality — made in Germany!” — ships with specifically created new sounds and samples in addition to all those included in the Iridium desktop from the likes of Kurt Ader, BT (Brian Transeau), Richard Devine, Thorsten Quaeschning (Tangerine Dream), and Howard Scarr, to name but a notable few, its impressive specification otherwise mirrors that of the original Iridium — itself described by Waldorf Music as “...a high- class desktop synthesizer featuring a wide range of unique sounds with approved Waldorf quality — made in Germany!” — as a 16-voice digital synthesizer. Sounds from Waldorf Music’s Quantum synthesizer flagship — an eight-voice, hybrid affair as a result of offering two analogue low-pass filters per voice — can conveniently be loaded into Iridium Keyboard and vice-versa.

As another entry fit for Waldorf Music’s rich history, Iridium Keyboard — with its industrial design bearing the high-class hallmarks of Axel Hartmann, one of the most respected synthesizer designers in the industry who was also responsible for the company’s wavetable synthesis-based Microwave debut back in 1989 — takes pride of place in the high-quality German synthesizer developer’s distinctive family tree as another direct descendent of the legendary PPG Wave synthesizer series that made their mark throughout the Eighties by bringing the distinctive sound of wavetable synthesis to the musical masses. Musically, though, the Iridium Keyboard — like its Iridium desktop synthesizer sibling — brings much more to the production table than its acclaimed ancestor, featuring five different synthesis models for each of its three oscillators (OSC 1, OSC 2, and OSC 3): Wavetable — a table consisting of single-cycle waveforms; Waveform (virtual analogue) — a standard oscillator model to create typical analogue waveforms; Particle (sampling and granular sampling) — allowing for extensive manipulation of sample-based sounds; Resonator — manipulates multi- samples from the internal (2GB) sample flash memory or noise via an exciter and various spectral parameters that can be modulated, matchless for generating awe- inspiring animated sounds and drones, which can, for example, easily be integrated into a Eurorack modular synthesizer environment via the Iridium Keyboard’s integrated control voltage connections (CV In1, CV In2, CV In3, and CV In4); and Kernels — effectively enabling one oscillator to become up to six sub-oscillators that can be interlinked through FM at audio rate and arranged in user-definable constellations. Clearly, Iridium Keyboard can create a wide range of unique sounds like no other.

Other fanciful features include three true stereo path digital filters per voice that convincingly cover all conceivable classic filter variants — various digital filters are additionally offered by the FORMER section, such as Comb, classic Waldorf high- and band-pass, and notch filters from Waldorf Music’s Largo and Nave software synthesizers, plus PPG models, alongside signal enhancer effects, such as Drive and Bit Crusher, and more; six envelopes, six LFOs, and much more besides are available for use as sources in the Mod Matrix, routable to almost any numerical value in Iridium Keyboard.

Connectivity-wise, the well-spec’d Iridium Keyboard communicates well with the outside world, thanks to two audio inputs (for processing external signals); CV inputs as well as Gate In and Trigger In connections (for forwarding external signals to the Mod Matrix); Clock In and Clock Out connections (to synchronise with other gear); USB and DIN MIDI connections; USB Host port (provided for MIDI devices and also handling data exchange); Control and Sustain Pedals inputs; a headphone output (with dedicated volume control); and last, but not least, two audio outputs.

On the face of it, then, with a performance pedigree fit for taking its wide-ranging unique sounds further forward, the reassuringly-weighty (12.0 kg) Iridium Keyboard certainly more than lives up to its billing as “...a high-class synthesizer with an extraordinary polyphonic aftertouch pressure keyboard featuring a wide range of unique sounds with approved Waldorf quality — made in Germany!”

New Waldorf Teaser

New Waldorf Teaser #3 spotted by Soviet Space Child.

"Very soon! The final countdown is running! #waldorf #synthesizer #keyboard"

Additional teasers posted here.

New Waldorf Synth Teaser

Follow-up to this post.

Push.Play.Perform.


Anotherr one spotted and sent in via Soviet Space Child.

New Keyboard Synth Teaser from Waldorf

"Something is coming our way! #waldorf #synthesizer"

At least we assume it's a synth.

Working. Under. Pressure.

This one was spotted and sent in via Soviet Space Child.

BEST OF SUPERBOOTH21: Dreadbox Nymphes, Erica Synths PERKONS, Waldorf M, RK008 & much more!

video upload by BoBeats

"Today we are at SUPERBOOTH21 checking out the latest and greatest in synths & music tech. Become a Patron and support videos like this here: http://www.patreon.com/bobeats

00:00 intro
00:18 Waldorf M Sound Demo & Overview
02:57 Finegear Exclusive Teaser
03:58 Expressive-E OSMOSE first look
09:35 SUPER 6 DESKTOP
12:18 Dreadbox Nymphes Analog Poly
14:03 Erica Synths PERKONS drum machine (its crazy!)
15:46 Freds Lab Töörö & MORE
19:20 BEFACO Plethora (Yeah, I can't pronounce that!)
21:51 Enjoy Electronics GODFATHER (MUST SEE!)
24:37 Vermona DRM1 MK4 (can I justify getting one?)
26:20 ZAPS eurorack module (crazy cool!)
27:29 RetroKits RK008 MUST SEE
33:33 Patching Panda Modules
35:00 AE MODULAR and MORE!!
40:17 BONUS PERKONS SOUND DEMO"

New Waldorf Teaser - Red Spice For Your Music

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Waldorf Music (official) (@waldorfmusic_official)

Octave, Wave, and LFO 2 labels visible.

Follow-up to this post.

This one was spotted and sent in via Soviet Space Child.

"Looks like concentric knobs, the inner for selecting a wave and the outer for the wavetable."

miniMO synth - MIDI Sequencer Teaser

Published on Dec 19, 2017 enveloop

"miniMO is a low-cost programmable module based on the ATtiny85 8-bit microprocessor.

This is a teaser showcasing the features of the MIDI sequencer's Play mode: change tempo, reverse sequence, add octaves, and transpose. miniMO is connected to a Waldorf Blofeld synthesizer, and running on a coin cell battery. Also, miniMO sports a new case design!"

See this post for details on the miniMO.

New KORG Volca Wave Wavetable Synthesizer & Volca VC-1 Vocal Processing Synthesizer?

These don't quite match the teaser for Nov 1.

Real or not?

Thoughts?

Update: some commentary regarding the Volca Wave:

Note the Volca Wave wavetable synth appears to have a vector joystick more akin to the SCI Prophet VS (Vector Synthesizer), Yamaha SY-22/TG-33, and Korg Wavestations. There is a difference between classic wavetable synthesis and vector synthesis. Wavetable synths typically have a number of single cycle waveforms in a wavetable oscillator that you can modulate through, while vector synths allow you to use a joystick to crossfade through four different waveform oscillators. The KORG Wavestation added the ability to sequence through waveforms, while the Prophet VS and Yamaha incarnations only allowed you to  crossfade between the individual oscillators, each with a single waveform loaded vs. a wavetable of multiple waveforms like on PPG and Waldorf wavetable synths.  An interesting side note is I believe the John Bowen Solaris is the only synth that blends both Vector and Wavetable synthesis. You get four oscillators with wavetables (including other waveform types), and the Vector joystick to crossfade between oscillators - meaning you can transition both within individual oscillators and between multiple oscillators.

If the Volca Wave is real, it will be interesting to see what synthesis they employ.

On a side note, some people have labeled synths like the Korg DW-8000 as employing wavetable synthesis. In this case, yes there is technically a wavetable holding the different waveforms available for each oscillator, but the behavior is more like your standard PCM or rompler based synth (or Vector synthesis minus the ability to crossfade between oscillators).  You simply select a static waveform for each oscillator.   Think of the DW-8000 as having sixteen distinct waveforms available per oscillator, while on the Waldorf Wave line of synths you instead have wavetables consisting of 256 waveforms each per oscillator. Depending on the synth, you can then set the start wave and the end wave and then use a modulation source like an envelope or LFO to sweep through them.

Another Waldorf NAMM Teaser: The Cheese Speaking Vocoder?

Another via sequencer.de.

OK, now it's just getting silly, or dare we say... cheesy? Teasers of the teaser.  Nice Cheeze knob.   There's also a "mauldunst" labeled one below.

"Sprechkäse (talking cheese)
makes not even sense in German, but..

White noise generator
Pulse oscillator (0-1 khz).
16 Filters
14 x 6th order active bandpass
1 x lowpass
1 x highpass
16 Envelope followers and modulators.

looks like some1 had real fun! ;) we start not to believe it or some1 wants to confuse us and think.. noooo, that’s not real.. huh?

sprechkaese

since you can so more nonsense with it..
is that an anagram? ask your german friends – this isn’t even a name, it’s just something you might want to clean your teeth after.."

20 Electronics ECHT - New Hardware Keyboard Synthesizer Design from Axel Hartmann

A couple of renders by Axel Hartmann, sent my way via Soviet Space Child.

You might remember the previous teaser pic here, which kind of mixed design cues from both Moog and Waldorf. That was no surprise as Axel Hartmann designed the "look" of Waldorf and Moog synths as well as numerous others.

Axel Hartmann's first self branded synth was the Hartmann Neuron.

The question is what will 20 Electronics produce? Is it a new design house similar to Design Box, or is it a new hardware manufacturer like Hartmann?

ECHT appears to translate into a number of meanings. As a noun it is marriage. (strike that. I accidentally grabbed the Dutch translation). In German it translates into "real", "authentic" like in "the real deal".

Update via Holger Steinbrink of Waldorf:

"Only 20 black and 20 silver will be made | Waldorf / Sledge Synthesizer Engine | SPL Supra Op-Amp audio technology | Wavetables | Hartmann Neuron Synthesizer Sampleset | Pure aluminium shell, milled from a massive block | Collapsable, milled ultra thin aluminium panel | Custom-built pure aluminium knobs and wheels | Custom-built acrylic-glass switches | Highest quality, custom-built, all black Fatar TP 8 Keybed"

Update via Soviet Space Child.

New Teaser Synth Pic from Waldorf, Moog, Access Interface Designer Axel Hartmann

This one spotted by Soviet Space Child.

Note the Modulation section with three selectable buttons and Speed & Depth knobs.  The next section appears to have an octave pitch switch and semitone knob.  You can see what looks like a pulse with graphic below the orange label to the left of the bottom knob.  The large white knobs is reminiscent of wavetable knobs on Waldorf synths.  If you can make out more, feel free to comment.

You can see a few the designs Axel Hartmann's Design Box was responsible for here.

Meet the Arp Odyssey : SYNTHFEST 2015 - Teaser for India's First Synth Event

Published on Jul 14, 2015 SynthFest

"When Bob Moog introduced the world to the Minimog D, he had a clear picture in his mind – create an electronic musical instrument which sounds beyond the realm of it's acoustic bretheren. An instrument that used only electricity to produce sound. Sounds that would power electronic music for generations to come and create new genres of music that were both unimaginable and outright
radical at the time.

Synthesizers have since been used on an unfathomable number of hit records ranging from grimey hiphop, pounding psychadelic trance, dirty acid house to facemelting drum 'n' bass, ultramelodic
synthpop and cosmic ambient journeys. Thanks to popular artists like Brian Eno, Kraftwerk, Daft Punk, Keith Emerson, Jordan Rudes and Georgio Moroder, synthesizers of various makes and types
started becoming a household name and ruled the minds and speakers of music enthusists and musicians alike.

45 years later, we want to celebrate what synthesizers have been to us - a means to communicate our music in a way that wouldn't quite be possible without them. We want to celebrate their sound,
their quirks, their secrets, their analogness, their digitalness, their madness and uncanny ability to make people smile.

We call this celebration – Synthfest.

Two days of playing, tweaking, patching, filtering, sequencing, resonating, syncing and best of all – enjoying synthesizers to our heart's content. Great synths from the likes of Roland, Moog, Waldorf,
Korg, Arp and more will be present to make these two days impossible to forget and full of sonic ferocity.

Music by Akshay Rajpurohit
Video shot and edited by Shadaab Kadri"

New Waldorf 2-pole Analog Filter Teaser

Published on Mar 6, 2014 WaldorfMusicChannel·6 videos

"The 2-pole Analog Filter box is giving the guitar player, the DJ, or the keyboard player access to the heart of the Waldorf sound - with an inspiring user interface with a one knob/one function philosophy."

There is also word of a new Waldorf Streichfett?

"'There's actually not much to say, except maybe Joy Division, Bee Gees, Vangelis or wide, fat soundscapes.' and it seems to be at least partly analog."

via Soviet Space Child

Update: details on the Waldorf Streichfett posted here.

Details on the the Wadorf 2-Pole below:

"For some decades now, analog filters have had a deep impact on contemporary music. Since its very beginnings, Waldorf has been renowned for the quality of their excellent sounding analog filters.

Whether these were integrated in stand alone units, such as the 4-Pole, X-Pole or the AFB16, which enabled the world's first analog plug-Ins, or were found inside our synthesizers such as the Wave, the Q+ or the Pulse - Waldorf filters have influenced the world's sound for over two decades.

As a logical consequence, our exclusive analog filter technology is now available in this novel square box (unexpectedly matching the Rocket synthesizer). 2-Pole is giving the guitar player, the DJ, or the keyboard player access to the heart of the Waldorf sound - with an inspiring user interface with a one knob/one function philosophy. Spice up your live performances with dramatic filter sweeps that really cut through. Funk up your guitar licks by hooking a pedal controller to 2-Poles' cutoff CV In or using the integrated envelope follower. Animate your pad sounds using 2-Pole's LFO. But beware - no matter what you do with this tiny black box, make sure you set the levels to your amplifiers and speakers correctly, as 2-Pole is yet another beast from Waldorf - with love!"

Specifications
Specifications

Fully analog signal path: Preamp -> Filter -> Overdrive
Award winning Waldorf analog multimode filter technology
Filter can be modulated by LFO, envelope follower or external signal
Preamp with overdrive capability for direct connection of instruments like bass or guitar
Post-filter overdrive with adjustable gain
LFO with different ranges, rate up to several kHz
Envelope follower with trigger section and different modes
True Bypass
Cascadable to stereo (for two 2-pole units)
Controls

Input Gain with level LED
Rectify pot for mixing-in the rectified input signal
Filter Cutoff pot
Filter Resonance pot
Bipolar Filter Env Mod pot
Filter Type switch
Overdrive pot
Activation switch
Output Level pot
LFO Range switch with 3 positions
LFO Rate pot with LED
LFO Mod Depth pot
Trigger Button with LED
Trigger Threshold pot
Trigger Hold pot
Envelope Follower Source switch with 3 positions
Envelope Follower Attack pot
Envelope Follower Decay pot
Connections

Audio In
Audio Out
Cutoff CV In
Envelope Follower CV In
Trigger In
Power DC 12V"

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year everyone!!!  I hope 2012 treated you well and I wish you the best in 2013!

As I do each year, I thought I'd reflect a little on the past year.  These posts are always difficult to write, and I always wing them, so bear with me.  It's impossible to justify a whole year's worth of synth coverage in a single post.  The following is just a small bit of what comes to mind when looking back.  You'll find a top ten list of posts with the most page views followed by my picks for the year further below.  Apologies if I miss anything, and of course, if you have anything to add, feel free to leave a comment below.  I'm curious what you, the readers of the site, felt stood out in the world of synths this past year.

First, I want to begin this post with a HUGE THANK YOU!!!  If you are reading this it obviously means you have come to this site and some of you have been coming here for years! Thank you for sticking with me. This site is a journey I hope to continue for years to come. Thank you to everyone that has taken the time to showcase their synths, and thank you to those that share what they find! Thank you to those that link to the site and help spread the word on MATRIXSYNTH via Twitter, Facebook, Google+ and your own websites! And of course, THANK YOU to all the sponsors on the right who believe in the site enough to support it!

A nod to previous New Years posts, pictured to the left is the MATRIXSYNTH world domination map. :)  I always think it's worth taking a look at who's watching the site.  Synths are global and you are looking at a map of the readers of MATRIXSYNTH.  Everything you see in green represents a visit from that country.  The darker the green, the higher the number of visits.  This is just for the year, but for the life of the site, we still haven't gotten a single hit from North Korea!   I don't know what they have against synths!  ;)   You'll find the top 10 visits by country further below.

This is the eighth New Year the site has gone through!  The focus for the site this year has been the same as previous years, and I plan to keep it that way.  This site is about showcasing specific synths, not just synths in general, and not just news and press releases.  The focus is on the individual synths that have existed throughout history, the technology behind them, and the lives they lead with their odd owners, myself included.  :)  Yes it is about the gear, their makers, and their players.  It has always been my opinion that synths in general have a tendency to be undervalued. Compared to say collectible guitars, they are often discarded and devalued in favor of next year's model, next year's technology.  It has always been my opinion that every synth has something of value to offer,  something specific and something unique that gives it its character. I built this site to showcase that.  This site is about the history of synths as their history unfolds - videos and images of synths being played and used, by both those that make them and those that play them.  Vintage synths being offered in the second hand market, being exchanged from one sonic explorer to the next. It really is a wondrous thing. Think of the magic synthesizers bring into your world. That is what this site is ultimately about.  Some posts may not seem to make sense now, but they will in time, because they will be a look back in time. A day in the life of a particular synthesizer.  I love analog and I love digital. I love all synths and this site celebrates that.

And now for a little reflection on the year. This year we had a total of 16678 posts including this one.  That comes out to roughly 45.69 posts a day.  Not a single day of the year went without a post.  So what dominated the synth year?  Mobile, modulars and a few dedicated hardware synths.

CLICK FOR MORE »

MATRIXSYNTH NAMM 2012 MEGAPOST

Just thought I'd consolidate everything into one post. First is the flickr set of pics I took (288 in total) in the order taken, followed by the videos in the order taken. Links to the individual posts at the bottom.

CLICK FOR MORE »

Sebastien San Darker Shades With Waldorf Wave

YouTube Uploaded by sebastiensan1 on Jun 13, 2011

"Short Teaser of the recording of Darker Shades at Bass Park Studio"

NAMM & NOT NAMM - New Products on the Synth Front

Well, it's that time of year again. Keep an eye out on the NAMM label (added to top right menu) for everything NAMM and more. More in that anything new will get the label whether it's shown at NAMM or not. It's about new gear. Updates in this post will be preceded in red. Some already in below. See "The NAMM List!" link under the Twitter, Facebook, and RSS labels on top of the right to get back to this post later.

(A note on the top site menus: I removed the iPhone and iPad labels as they go up in posts every day now so you can find them there. eBay links are on the right, so I removed it as well.)

That said, the following are some of the things to look out for. If you have any NAMM info feel free to comment and/or send it in. If I missed anything, let me know! If you are going to NAMM, feel free to send pics and video in.

On the list:

CLICK FOR MORE »