Billy Cardine: Looking Forward, Looking Back & The Moog Lap Steel

Playlist:
Billy Cardine: Looking Forward, Looking Back
Improvisation for Moog Lap Steel, Synthesizers & Effects
Billy Cardine on the Moog Lap Steel & the MakeNoise René (previously posted)
The Moog Lap Steel (previously posted)
The Moog Lap Steel [2nd vid]

"Moog Lap Steel powers groundbreaking EP exploring uncharted expanses of Ameritronica

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (September, 2011) Mix cutting-edge electronic vibration control technology with an instrument born on a train track, put it in the hands of musical omnivore Billy Cardine and the result is music with one foot in the past, one foot in the future and both ears wide open. Refining a lifetime of musical influences and liberating them with a combination of string and studio wizardry, his new EP Looking Forward, Looking Back shines a light on a musical future true to its roots yet constantly growing and evolving.

To know where you’re going though, you have to know where you’ve been…

The story goes that the lap steel guitar was invented in the 1880s by seven-year-old Joseph Kekuku as he walked along a Hawaiian railroad and experimented with playing his guitar using a metal bolt he found. By the 1930s, Hawaiian music had become one of the first waves of American interest in exotic “world music” and the lap steel became the first stringed instrument to be electrified, predating Les Paul’s first electric guitar. Also in the ‘30s, the Sacred Steel tradition was born in African-American House of God churches, fueled by the low cost and highly expressive nature of this new instrument. From there it spread to many far-flung homes, including Indian classical music and American country and bluegrass, the genres in which it and its musical progeny, the dobro and pedal steel guitar are most closely associated.

Fast-forward to the present… While a spin across the radio dial today results in very little country music featuring the lap steel, the instrument has been embraced by a number of innovative players pushing musical boundaries, including U2 producer Daniel Lanois and Wilco guitarist Nels Cline.

The lap steel guitar itself is now even more suited to “boundary pushing” with the introduction of The Moog Lap Steel, an instrument that brings state-of-the-art control technology to the instrument born on a 19th century Hawaiian train track. It incorporates the same electronics that earned The Moog Guitar numerous industry accolades including Guitar Player Magazine's Reader's Choice Award, Electronic Musician Magazine's Editor's Choice Award, NAMM "Best In Show" honors, a “Best of What’s New Award” from Popular Science magazine and a Mix Foundation TEC Award.

Billy Cardine is an Americana/Bluegrass phenomenon who has performed everywhere from Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center to the Ryman Auditorium and Bonnaroo. He is a member of the renowned Americana band Acoustic Syndicate and leader of the new music ensemble The Billy Sea. He also studied in India and will perform at the 2011 Bangaluru International Arts Festival with chitravina master Ravikiran. Billy was instrumental in the development of the Moog Lap Steel and played an early prototype for its debut at Moogfest 2010.

“In one of those moments of wonderful synchronicity, I met Billy about the same time I finished the first Moog lap steel prototype which I had dubbed “The Monster” said Moog Music’s Chief Engineer, Cyril Lance. “Billy and I got together and the first music he made on this crude instrument was stunning. It was immediately clear that not only was Billy perfect for this instrument, but the instrument was perfect for Billy. This began an extremely rewarding collaboration that resulted in the current Moog Lap Steel.”

Combining the unique expressive qualities of the lap steel with the innovations of the Moog Guitar results in an instrument with unlimited sonic potential. Like the Moog Guitar, it is in not a guitar synthesizer, but features an onboard Moog filter (with control voltage input) that places it firmly in the Moog family tree and allows for some amazing creative connectivity with devices ranging from theremins to massive modular synthesizers.

"For me the Moog Lap Steel represents the invention I've worked on for so many years finally taking flight on its own.” said Moog Guitar inventor Paul Vo. “Cyril Lance had the inspiration that really drove this project home. He expertly placed the same vibration control technology that I developed for the Moog Guitar into this beautifully crafted instrument, co-designed by luthier Wes Lambe. I mostly just watched. Now Billy Cardine, virtuoso of the lap steel and dobro, brings it all together and takes it to heights of musical expression that completely amaze me. I am a very grateful spectator!"

“Looking Forward, Looking Back”, the historic first EP of music for the Moog Lap Steel, is the creation of a composer and player at the height of his powers in control of an instrument that extends those powers like no other innovation since it was first electrified.

The EP kicks off with the opening track “Moolodious” whose soaring melodies and pulsating beats sweep the listener along so thoroughly that it is easy to miss the technology behind the magic. While the Moog Lap Steel plays long anthemic notes that seem to defy the laws of physics, its big brother The Moog Guitar cranks out rhythms that, although created using advanced modular synthesis techniques (routing beat-synced control voltage signals from ProTools to The Moog Guitar’s onboard analog filter), are still very much the product of strings, a pick and a guitarist’s callused fingertips… in this case, the fingertips of Moog’s Cyril Lance.

“Jet Li”, the second track moves from Americana to Asiana. Inspired by the fluid movements of martial artist Jet Li, it starts with the low rumble of Moog Taurus Bass Pedals and a unique melody created with a two-handed phrasing technique impossible on an instrument without the precise sustaining abilities of The Moog Lap Steel. This may be the first recording in history in which a lap steel gets mistaken for an erhu.

The title track “Looking Forward, Looking Back” takes the Moog Lap Steel and Moog Guitar in a new direction. As it unfolds, the Lap Steel’s timbre is more reminiscent of a dobro while the Moog Guitar takes on a surreal, funky banjo-like role. When the long, sustained-note melody comes in, being played on the same instrument with the same strings creates a pleasing timbral cohesiveness.

“Stacks”, the most electronic of the tracks, showcases the instrument at play with its other Moog siblings. Built on an analog filtered drum beat, the Moog Lap Steel intertwines with the sounds of the Moog Guitar and Slim Phatty synthesizer while a Little Phatty synth generates a beat-synced control voltage making the Lap Steel’s filter dance in time with the rhythm. Meanwhile other keyboards and vocal processors fill out a soundscape proving that analog and digital can get along quite nicely.

The closing track, “The Curious Boo” was written on the original Moog prototype and combines sacred steel feel with an Indian approach to slide guitar phrasing. A Moog MF-102 ring modulator adds a unique metallic edge to these fluid lines.

The Roman god Janus, for whom the month January was named, is depicted as having two heads, one looking into the past and the other into the future, making him the archetype of beginnings, transitions and gateways (and New Year’s parties). When listening to “Looking Forward, Looking Back”, it’s hard not to hear the music in a similar light… as a harbinger of new beginnings, transitions and gateways… as a new voice… as “Ameritronica”. It’s also hard not to hear it as just damn good music.

Looking Forward, Looking Back is available from Indidog Records through bandcamp at:

http://billycardine.bandcamp.com/album/looking-forward-looking-back



Visit billycardine.com for more information."

Via Chris Stack of experimentalsynth.com

Ensoniq FIZMO and Synth Dreams

via this auction

BIN: $999

"There were only 500 of these ever made, and many didn't survive due to an engineering flaw in the earlier production runs. This unit is one of the last ones produced and does NOT suffer from that flaw. It left the factory with the fix in place and has operated perfectly its entire life, and should continue to for many years to come. It's a beauty." See The Fizmo Fix on Carbon111 for more info.

BTW, this reminded me of a crazy synth dream I had last night. In my dream I was heading to some synth gathering and spotted a pawn shop when I parked. I went in not expecting much and then saw a bunch of stuff in different sections of the shop. I had that "yes!" feeling. To the right there was a two octave Fizmo! I have a Fizmo and debated whether I should pick it up as a lap synth. I then walked over and there was a Blue SH-101 in pristine shape for $400!!! I was definitely going to get that. I then started to see what else they had and Computer Controlled dropped in. I ran to the SH-101! :) Anyway he was coming in from the synth gathering to check things out. If only he dropped by beforehand. I took a bunch of shots for the blog and then woke up thinking well at least I got the shots! Yep... if only. :) The other night I had a crazy synth dream with Tom Cruise. He was on Oprah and then the show switched over to Letterman. He was talking about how he was all into synths now and he then performed some prog rock electronica. He kind of looked like a cross between Gandalf and this guy. Glad that one is over.

Real life synth dream: a few years back I went to Maui and on the last day after giving up on synth hunting from one jewelry pawn shop to another, my wife and I went to a Taco Bell to get something to eat. I snuck into one last pawn shop by the Taco Bell. I saw guitars and amps and got that feeling, "yes!". In the back corner was a TR-909 with a sticker on it that read 220, no dollar sign. I asked if that was the price. They said they'd give me $30 off of it!!! I got it for $190. Problem was they only took cash, I didn't have any and they were closing shop. I ran across a fourway highway as fast as I could to hit up the ATM. When I got back they were outside closing the door. I had that sick feeling in the pit of my stomache, but when they turned around they had the 909 in their hands. I bought it, cleaned it up and it's in pristine condition. True story.

CLICK FOR MORE »

Synclavier Lap Synth and Possible Soft Synth

Thought this shot was kind of funny. The Synclavier isn't exactly the sort of synth I think about taking with me out to play on my lap in the woods. I guess if someone is bold enough to bring that out along with the computer, there could be a power generator sitting just outside that shot.

Via Failed Muso where you can find more shots. As for a soft synth, he also found this intersting blurb on the Synclavier site:

"I am researching the possibility of creating a Synclavier® "plug-in" for several hardware platforms that would recreate the "Synclavier® Sound" by accurately modeling the actual operation of the original Synclavier® hardware. I am convinced that, by utilizing 96/192 Khz 24-bit technology, such a plug-in could faithfully reproduce the sound of a variable sampling rate digital audio system. This project will take between 12 and 24 months."

New Lap Synths

I posted the following on Twitter and thought I'd capture them here as well.

"Huge thx to @Perfect_Circuit for scoring me a brand new @accessmusic Virus TI2! Fired it up for the first time last night. Blown away. Incredibly diverse. That's it on my lap with an @ArturiaOfficial KeyStep. :) Also with my new @dsiSequential OB-6! Two amazing synths!"

They both are truly amazing.  The OB-6 replaces my OB-Xa and in my opinion, it is just as warm and full sounding, more-so actually.  It's easy to get engulfed in the raw sound of it, and it can actually take a little work, or rather will power, to mellow it out like the OB-Xa.  The OB-Xa, an amazing synth in its own right, of course, is actually a very simple synth in architecture.  The OB-6 appears just as simple on the surface, but I'm finding it capable of so much more.  That said, it does lack the silkier 4-pole filter of the OB-Xa.  The 2-pole SEM based filter sizzles, but it can be tamed.

The Virus TI2, on the digital side of things, is an absolutely astounding sounding synth.  I was expecting it to have that typical sheen that colors many other VAs, but it doesn't - it sounds incredibly  direct and present. It has that certain clarity you typically only find in higher end synths.  I've always wanted one new but I kept holding out for the latest model. They are getting harder to find, so I figured it was now or never. I checked the shop sites on the right, here on MATRIXSYNTH, and saw that Perfect Circuit Audio was the only ones that had them listed as available for order. I reached out to them and they ordered one directly from Access for me. It took a couple of months as they are on back order, but mine finally arrived! P.S. Huge thanks to Meryam and Brad at Perfect Circuit - they were great to deal with!

As you can see below, I also picked up a few other lap synths as well.  Why lap synths?  I've been finding I'm having less and less time to make it into the studio, so I'm spending more time with smaller synths on my lap.  :)

CLICK FOR MORE »

Pink Floyd cover collection on Korg M3 M50 synth workstation by S4K team space4keys

YouTube Uploaded by Space4Keys on Aug 27, 2011

"http://www.space4keys.com/component/virtuemart/?page=shop.product_details&...

0:00 SHINE ON pt.1
split Pad / Synth
1:14 SHINE ON pt.1
split S4K Hammond Clone / Synth
2:17 SHINE ON pt.2
split Pad / Synth
Ch Trigger 1: Wind
2:45 WISH YOU WERE SYNTH
2:56 HAVE A CIGAR
split Wurly / Synth & String sw1
3:24 LAP STEEL
3:40 ON THE RUN
Arpeggiator: C2
Drum Track: Ch Trigger 1
Y-: LFO 1
Y+: LFO 2
Real time control 1: Env. Flanger
Real time control 2: Flanger
Real time control 3: Detune
Real time control 4: Common LFO
Ch Trigger 2: Thunder!
5:01 TIME Intro
split Bass / Strings / Rhodes
5:33 WURLY WAH
sw1: On/Off
Y-: Wah
5:44 US AND THEM
split S4K Hammond Clone [+ Piano (sw1)] / Piano
6:39 ANY COLOUR YOU SAW
7:33 BRAIN DAMAGE
split: Guitar -- S4K Hammond Clone -- Synth (octave up on sw2 for playing it polyphonic)
8:29 HEY YOU
split Pad / Bell
8:49 HIGH HOPES
Bells on Ch Trigger 1
9:13 ECHOES LESLIE GRAND
9:42 COMFORTABLY NUMB
split Pad 1 / Pad 2

Patched and performed by Carlitos

http://www.space4keys.com"

Teenage Engineering OP-Z jam and review - 3 days, 7 patterns, and first impressions

Published on Dec 4, 2019 Payton Carter

Teenage Engineering OP-Zs on Amazon

"I got an early Christmas present two days ago. I thought I would show you some of the patterns I’ve created so far, and give a quick 'first impression' review of the Teenage Engineering OP-Z.

I’m coming from the Novation Circuit, which I’ve loved, but I was starting to feel the limitations of the two synth tracks and canned presets. I chose the OP-Z so I could expand the number of synth tracks, allow full control of the synth engines without a computer, and use its awesome, esoteric sequencing capabilities.

I’ll start off with some of the things I like. First, the synth engines sound wonderful. They are very usable and musical sounds. I’ve found myself spending less time trying to find the right sound and more time writing music, because the sounds just work in almost every context. I feel like I could use the same set of sounds across diverse genres equally well. I’m able to focus more on melody and composition, rather than sound design, which helps me be a lot more productive.

The step sequencing and punch in effects are fantastic. I haven’t used it enough yet to be comfortable using the punch in effects live, but the step components are great at adding elements of variation and surprise. You can make it so you’ll never hear the same 16-step pattern twice, but the parameters have enough constraint that it never feels chaotic (unless you want it to).

It’s super portable, and the built in battery is convenient. I’ve only had to recharge it once in the two days of use. I don’t think it’s too small to use comfortably, and it’s actually quite nice to just use it on your lap. I can fit the whole thing in my pocket easily. The buttons feel good to play.

The interface is surprisingly intuitive. It took about 2 hours to feel comfortable with the interface, and now I feel like I can perform most of the tasks without consulting the manual. I only have to reference the step component parameters every once in a while. I have an Android phone and didn’t realize until the second day that TE had just released a beta app. Honestly, I didn’t find it too useful. I prefer using it without a connected screen.

The sampling capabilities are great, especially now that you can sample directly through the microphone or USB audio. I’ve been going through my music collection on my phone and building sample packs from them right into the OP-Z. You can use samples as one shots or sources for a synth track, so the sonic capabilities are now pretty much endless.

Here are some of the things I don’t like. First, the reverb is terrible. I don’t know what TE were thinking. There’s only one reverb algorithm, and it’s very digital and harsh sounding. There’s almost no tweaking of the sound. The maximum decay time is much too short. It’s almost useless at adding large space, so I’ve found it really only works as a stereoizer. It works in some cases, but I don’t find myself using it very often.

I’m slightly concerned about build quality. I bought mine used off Reverb, and when I received it, I was disappointed to find that the encoders were popping right out. I scoured the forums and found a little Teflon thread tape around the encoders should fix the problem. It worked wonders and I haven’t had problems with that since. The back panel is a little loose. The buttons do double trigger every once in a while, which makes me worried for their longevity.

The synth engines, while great sounding, are a little limited. There’s not much tweaking of the sounds, so everything ends up sounding pretty similar. This is less of a con than I thought, because the sounds are very usable and work across many genres. I’ve always held that composition much more important than sound design, anyway.

I wish an analog of the mixer interface on the app was available on the device. You have to go to the fourth page of parameters on each track to change its volume. That’s not very practical in a live setting.

There’s no excuse for how little memory is on board. 32 Mb is just unacceptable in 2019. As great as the sampling capabilities are, there’s only room for 4 different six-second samples per synth track, so you have to pick your favorites unless you want to constantly shuffle samples back and forth from your computer.

Despite its limitations, I’m in love with this thing. It’s my desert island instrument for sure. I am super productive while using it, I can take it anywhere and make music anywhere, and it’s just plain fun to use. Mine was supposed to get wrapped and put under the Christmas tree, but I don’t think I can let that happen."

Elektron Officially Introduces the New Syntakt 12 Track Drum Computer and Synthesizer

video upload by Elektron

This post is developing. Check back for new videos and updates below.

Street price appears to be $999. See dealers on the right for availability. In via Alex Timchak.

"We are delighted to announce the release of Syntakt – the 12 track drum computer and synthesizer that fuses digital and analog synthesis together in one music megabox.

Enter this sonic metropolis and experience epic sounds from the past, while pulling others into existence from the future. Syntakt is a drum specialist, full of percussive possibilities, but its four analog and eight digital tracks can be used for melody, harmony, and bass sounds too, giving you a musical melting pot with dozens of machines at your disposal.

Affect the sound of each machine with the intuitive and playful graphics. Add analog distortion and filtering to your mix or separate tracks, using the FX block. Run wild and free with the four expressive modifiers. Access a variety of different scales via the keyboard mode. And create dynamic soundscapes with its phenomenal sequencer.

The streets of Syntakt are never-ending, the neon lights are never-dimming, its underground is fathomless. Discover worlds within worlds."


video upload by Elektron

"Syntakt is a sonic metropolis of machines, fusing digital and analog synthesis together in one drum and melody megabox. A 12 track drum computer & synthesizer melting pot like Syntakt needs a majestic guide. Let the intrepid Elin Piel show you around the many features at your disposal."

Baseck Plays : Elektron Syntakt : 12 Track Analog & Digital Synthesizer / Drum Computer

video upload by Perfect Circuit

"Elektron's newest device is finally here : The Syntakt ! A 12 Track Synthesizer and Drum Computer!
Let's see how far our friend Baseck can push this new machine.
Grab one NOW : https://bit.ly/3EEzgOE

Read our Signal article dissecting the Syntakt : https://bit.ly/37Cj446

0:00 - TUFF ACID TECHNOLOGY
1:19 - GLITCHIN' N FINGER RIPPIN'
2:24 - DETUNED DRUM DESTROYER
4:39 - SYNTAKT STEPPPPUHH
6:10 - THE ENCHIRIDION LIVE"

Elektron Syntakt : Analog & Digital Synthesizer and Drum Computer : Walkthrough with Mario !

video upload by Perfect Circuit

"Our pal Mario from Elektron came down to the Perfect Circuit HQ and walked us through the ins and outs of their newest Synthesizer and Drum Computer : Syntakt

0:00 - Intro & overview
1:30 - Machines & Visual Language
3:27 - Beats To Melt Brains To
3:59 - Modifiers
7:40 - FX Track
11:50 - Outro Jams

Elektron Syntakt Analog & Digital Drum Machine

video upload by Reverb

"Elektron's new instrument, the Syntakt, is a powerful combination of analog drum sounds, digital synthesis, and new performance features not seen on any other Elektron product. In partnership with Elektron, watch as our host Fess breaks down these features."

Getting Started With The Syntakt

video upload by EZBOT

"In this video I show you how to use the Elektron Syntakt. This tutorial requires no prior experience with an Elektron product.

Get yourself a Syntakt here and help support the channel at no extra cost to you: https://shrsl.com/3hm0m

Step up your game with 1 on 1 lessons: https://www.ezbot.live/"

Syntakt and Octatrack Performance - The Ultimate Duo

video upload by EZBOT

"In this video I perform one of my new tracks using the Elektron Syntakt and the Octatrack MK2. All the sounds in this video are from the Syntakt, I am using the Octatrack with my performance template.

Get my Octatrack performance template (among other rewards) by joining my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ezbot"

Syntakt Demo and Overview

video upload by Patchwerks

Learn more about the Elektron Syntakt here: https://bit.ly/pw_syntakt

Elektron Syntakt. Techno and Electro Patterns

video upload by Adam Jay

"Some patterns I’ve made with Syntakt. No processing.

Things I love: The machines! The flexibility!

It can be so many things.
8 tracks of Model cycles chord machines with deeper control, 2x LFO per track, full envelopes, dual filters, p-lockable FX track. Or half a Rytm , plus new digital drum synth and bass/lead synth machines.

Or a mix between.

All with a tasty chunk of analog Heat drive, filter, and EG, but p-lockable!

There is an inverted envelope shape in the analog fx that I use as a master compressor. The drive is lovely. I also love using some of the analog kicks with a bandpass filter for textures. Can even get kinda of vinyl pops and clicks out of these.

Can have up to 3 simultaneous analog DVCO machines."


video upload by loopop

TIMELINE:
0:00 Intro
1:35 Overview
4:35 Connectivity
5:30 Project scope
7:05 Panel layout
10:10 Digital machines
17:45 Analog machines
23:10 Analog FX Block
25:15 FX sequencing
26:45 Trig mods
28:50 Sequencing
29:30 Patterns & scales
30:50 Grid rec
31:30 Live rec
31:50 Step rec
32:45 Param locks
34:20 Conditional trigs
35:40 Filters
37:05 LFOs
38:45 Digital FX
39:55 Mixer
40:10 MIDI sequencing
42:00 Sound banks
42:35 Expression
43:20 Misc combos
44:05 Pattern chains
44:45 Pros & cons
48:05 Factory patterns

Elektron Syntakt : Live remake of "The Last V8" - C64 SID chiptune

video upload by tubesockor

"The brand new Elektron Syntakt is here!
I'm doing a brief overview, followed by a SID emulation rendition of Rob Hubbard's theme music for the C64 game 'The Last V8' from 1985. Then it grows into a live jam, using all the 12 digital and analog tracks of the Syntakt, including the features such as analog distortion.

0:00 Intro
1:50 Song starts
3:57 Live jam!"

Full details:


12 Track Drum Computer & Synthesizer

Enter a sonic metropolis with Syntakt. Analog and Digital synthesis. Drum and melody. In full fusion.

All your sound crafting, sequencing, and performance needs are fulfilled, in an all-round music mega box that fits in your lap. Syntakt is a drum specialist, full of percussive possibilities, but its four analog and eight digital tracks can be used for melody, harmony, and bass sounds too. Experience epic sounds from the past, pulling others into existence from the future.

The streets of Syntakt are never-ending, the neon lights are never-dimming, its underground is fathomless. Discover worlds within worlds. Adore now. Explore forever.

Meet the machines
There are 35 sound-generating machines to call on, covering a wide range of drum and melodic sounds. Some machines have been reimagined from Analog Rytm and Model:Cycles, with deeper sound control for the latter, while others are entirely new to the world.

For you to create and personalize your sound, we’ve made sure you’ve got a set of parameter controls tailor-made for each machine. They let you quickly tweak the nature of each type of sound, showing you just the relevant options. Comprehensive without being overwhelming. Let loose with analog or digital overdrive, depending on the tracks you’re playing with.

The graphics more than play their part too, with plenty of animated icons offering visual guidance and extra clarity on how each parameter affects the sound. The joys of tweaking shouldn’t only be for the ears after all.

Special effects
Syntakt lets you route any of your synth tracks or external audio sources through the FX block. This gives you analog distortion and filtering, and a couple of LFOs to go to town with. Additionally, you can also call on Delay and Reverb as powerhouse send effects.

And all of the above effects can be sequenced with the FX track. Have them kick in at just the right moment. Add accents and dramatic changes to the selected tracks or external audio. Or use it as a master track for ducking and gating effects.

Modify the moment
Wield a little extra trig craft using the four modifiers, offering four varied levels of expression. Configure the first two modifiers to give you the retrig or velocity behavior you desire, and use the other two to access custom intensities of other parameters. They’re ready for action regardless of which synth track you’re using.

And the best bit is that they don’t just give you that extra playability fun in the here and now, you can also capture the moment by recording to the sequencer.

The keys to the city
Syntakt’s keyboard mode gives you a whole bunch of different scales to play with.

There are some familiar faces and some maybe a little less familiar for you to try out, helping you discover new places and taking things to another level.

Play across a single octave like on a piano keyboard. Or use fold, and have several octaves laid out in front of you.

Deep sound-shaping
Syntakt comes full of filter and envelope goodness. All tracks have a Multimode filter to put to use allowing you to emphasize different parts of your sound, with the digital tracks also able to call on Parametric EQ and a Base-width filter – an additional filter giving you even more sonic control.

Choose from two amplitude envelope types to define the ideal contour of your sound. Try out the ADSR envelope – for your wicked synth lines – or the simpler AHD envelope – perfect for transient percussive sounds.

CLICK FOR MORE »

Critter & Guitari - Arp-II & Arp-III for Organelle

Published on Nov 20, 2018 Critter & Guitari

"Today we released two arpeggio patches that use probability to control whether or not an arpeggiated note plays.
Arp-II has two independent arpeggiators that feed notes into a multi-synth. Choose one of nine synth voices from the multi-synth and let the ocean of arpeggiated notes lap onto your beach and/or capsize your boat!
Arp-III has three independent arpeggiators that are fed into a subtractive synth. While not as 'synth-y' as Arp-II, the additional arpeggiator makes up the difference!

Both patches are Link enabled for tempo syncing with other devices on a shared wireless network. (WiFi adapter required; sold separately.)"

Sinister Strumming (2X4 Lap Steel Meets Modular Synth)

video upload by poorness studios

"I've been wanting to pair one of my 2X4 lap steels with my modular synthesizer for quite some time. I decided it was time and the result is pretty crazy. It sounds like a Halloween soundscape.

See the 2X4 lap steel build video here:"

DIY Project #41: Red 2X4 Lap Steel

AION MODULAR Introduces a Mini Model 15 - Legendary Modular Synth in 3H Eurorack Format

Only 16 inches tall!

A Mini classic Moog Model 15 in eurorack format.


"AION MODULAR is introducing the legendary SYNTHESIZER MODEL 15 in 3HE format! It is ready for shipping.

Kind regards from AION MODULAR, CLUB OF THE KNOBS, and Kazike & team!"


Curious how deep it is.

Could make for a great couch / lap synth.

Update:

"The case is 11 cm (4.3 in) deep without front cover, and 14 cm (5.51 in) with front cover closed.

Launch price is 2900 euros (plus VAT, plus shipping)." 2900 euros currently comes out to $3,243.50.

ReSynthesizer (Autonomous Synthesizer Installation at MIT's PSFC, Spring/Summer 2018)

video upload by ParadisoModular

"In December of 2017, as part of the 50’th anniversary celebration for MIT’s CAVS (Center for Advanced Visual Studies), I was invited to install my large, custom built-and-designed modular synthesizer system into the experimental hall where Alcator C-Mod was residing, MIT’s most recent tokamak reactor used in plasma fusion research. Known as being a pioneering melting pot for art and technology during the 60s, 70s and 80s, the CAVS was a place where scientific fields like physics would commune with performance and music. Modular synthesizers, as used there by early adopters like Paul Earls, were part of the Center’s original vernacular, and after many decades they are being enthusiastically re-discovered, re-embraced, and in many way re-invented by the current young generation of electronic musicians. Such reflected synergy into the present led to my invitation (as well as this installation’s name), as did the match between the aesthetic and technical grandeur of a large heavily-patched modular synthesizer and the huge mélange of custom, elegantly-kludged electro-mechanical systems that surrounded the tokamak. Similarly, the researchers’ quest to manage the chaotic nature of an energetic plasma (as expressed inside the tokamak’s torus during the peak of plasma confinement) resonated with my efforts to ‘sculpt’ my autonomous and likewise chaotic huge synthesizer patch into a definable aesthetic.

As I have my PhD in high-energy physics (having worked at CERN at various times between the late 70s and early 90s) in addition to having designed, built, and used electronic music systems of various sorts over the last 45 years, I was anticipating having access to actual Alcator data and using it in the patch that I would compose when the installation would go live in late March of 2018. My plasma physics colleagues resonated with this idea, and I was provided with several waveforms coming from various sensors on the tokamak acquired during its record-breaking run from a few years ago, when Alcator C-Mod had attained the largest recorded plasma pressure. Listening to this data as audio, I was immediately transfixed. This didn’t sound like bland digital noise, but instead felt alive – some strange kind of muted rattlesnake here, burbling life forms on a weird water planet there, perhaps other samples evoked the barely scrutable control room of an alien spaceship. These sounds, played at various rates and filtered into audible bands, were strongly otherworldly. This dictated the flavor that I’d strive for in my patched composition. Accordingly, I loaded banks of Alcator’s waveforms into an array of Eurorack samplers that I could control from processes running in my synthesizer. While most of these signals were used as direct audio, some were adopted for modulation envelopes and slow control – the tokamak cycle exhibited a variably noisy build-and-release structure as the magnetic fields were ramped up to concentrate the plasma before it went terminally unstable, which worked well here.

My patch evolved considerably during the installation, which ran from late April through late August of 2018. I worked on it weekly, and it achieved its ultimate balance between form and complexity by the beginning of July. At the end, I used every patch cord that I owned (on the order of 700) and nearly all modules in the synth, in addition to an assortment of outboard effects and commercial Eurorack modules that I coaxed to work with my system. Towards the end, when I was starting to run out of cords and hardware capacity, I resorted to kludging in simple wires and electrical components hanging in the air between modules to attain effects and sounds that I still wanted but didn’t have the modules available to make. This was the most extensive and ambitious synthesizer patch that I’ve yet composed – it pushed me to extremes of being simultaneously a composer, synthesizer musician, engineer, and scientist. Having designed, built or custom-modified nearly everything in my setup creates a special rapport for me that goes deeper than interaction with commercial synthesizer equipment – my system has its own unique capabilities and quirks that reflect my personal audio nuances and what I want to achieve with them.

At various stages during the 4-month run of this installation, I digitally recorded the patch’s stereo mix – in all, I have archived probably on the order of 60 hours of audio. The excerpts provided in this video all came from different sections of this long set of recordings. Aside from cross-fading between different excerpts, there was no manual intervention or overdubbing in these clips – the sound was made entirely from the patch running on its own after I set it on its way, with updates and augmentations I made every week or two based on ideas I got while listening to it stream online. The video also features a brief example of some of the raw plasma data sounds that I used."

And in the studio:

Synth Patch For Chaos Unit, Sitar Pedal, and NightSky'ed Keyboard (August 2021)

video upload by ParadisoModular

"In the summer of 2021, I put in a synth patch to test out my newly-arrived Sitar Pedal as well commemorate the tweaking/repair of my voltage-controlled chaos module. This was a very simple patch compared to my usual - nothing too deep or thought out, and the master sequence is a bit shallow - but it has its vibe. Plus, at 2:30 in, I added a keyboard line over what the patch was doing. This was all live - the synth patch ran autonomously and I just recorded as I played - no preparation, overdubbing, or refinement here - hence it's raw and not even close to what I'd term finished or a 'demo' - but I kinda like its intrinsic 'hopeful' feel.

The basic sequence is running through the sitar pedal, which locks on fine (it can separate the drone sounds and re-synthesized lead into separate channels). I'm running a fixed tone also through my chaos generator, which I move in a complex way into and out of stability - it locks onto subharmonics or devolves totally/partially into noise as it sweeps. This sound goes through several signal processing paths that periodically fade in, involving filters, unstable phase-locked loops, and a Boss guitar synthesizer pedal (which does wonderfully noisy gyrations as it tries to lock onto the chaos signal between stable moments).

At that time, as opposed to collecting Eurorack modules, I was slowly accumulating and modifying pedals - pedals are all about modifying an input sound in interesting ways, and which generally appeals to me (I hack them, of course, to accept voltage control in different ways).

The only keyboard sound here (aside from one chord and arpeggio at the end) is from the little cheezebox Casio 'toy' that the Minskys gave me at a Media Lab event some years ago - I abandoned my more sophisticated synths for this one in this piece, as it fits easily on your lap (that's how I played it in the excerpt here) and it sounds amazing if you feed it through one of the new complex reverb/echo/delay pedals like the NightSky or Micropitch (those pedals can put any sound into an evocative space).

The video is indeed of this patch and me playing atop it (shot while I was holding the phone in my other hand), but it's not the live segment that you hear in the piece, so pardon if things don't line up entirely, but you get the vibe.

OK - I figured I'd let this one get a bit of air in case it hits some resonance... It radiates a bit of melancholic positivity, which is something we all relate to these days."

Opening Box and Functions Demo - Yamaha REFACE DX Portable Synthesizer

Published on Jun 3, 2018 Sangah Noona

"I just received my Yamaha Reface DX! In this video I'll be opening the box and going through a demo of some of the sounds and functions on this portable synthesizer."

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Lap synth.

Soundscape "White Lodge"

Published on Jan 16, 2017 Jurren Mekking

"Improvised ambient music by Bart Knol & Jurren Mekking

Arpeggiator synth:
Dave Smith Instruments OB-6

Pad/soundscape synth:
Korg ARP Odyssey
Strymon Timeline
Strymon BigSky

Bass synth:
Moog Sub37

Guitar:
Recording King Lap Steel
TC Electronic Sub'n'Up octaver
EHX Soul Food
Xotic SP compressor
Strymon Mobius
Strymon El Capistan
Strymon BigSky
Thermionic Culture - Culture Vulture"

Behringer Introduces the POLY D - 4 Voice Paraphonic Polyphonic Minimoog Keyboard Synthesizer

Published on Nov 24, 2019 BEHRINGER

Apparently Behringer is on Amazon now.

Update2: Playlist with three user videos (you can skip around on the top right or bottom left):



Sonic Lab: Behringer Poly D! - sonicstate
Behringer Poly D -solo sonidos / only sounds - FutureMusic.es
Behringer POLY D - MrFirechild
Behringer POLY D: Review, Tutorial and Patch Ideas // Auto-damp explained - loopop

Update: post updated with larger pics. Click them for the detail.

Note the POLY D is more like a Mono/Poly in how you stack/route the oscillators. There are 4 VCOs, so you can set them to trigger one at a time for 4 voice paraphonic polyphony. Paraphonic in that they share the same filter, envelopes, etc. You can't have a fully separate voice with independent filters, envelopes, etc like on a truly polyphonic synth. This is not a Memormoog or Moon One. That said, it is a step ahead of a standard Minimoog - 4 vs 3 VCOs with the ability to play paraphonically. If it's light enough, you might even be able to kick back on a couch with it. An original Minimoog on the lap would get heavy fast.

Side note: Apparently Behringer is on Amazon now.

Details from Behringer:

"Analog 4-Voice Polyphonic Synthesizer with 37 Full-Size Keys, 4 VCOs, Classic Ladder Filter, LFO, BBD Stereo Chorus, Distortion, 32-Step Sequencer and Arpeggiator"

The 1970s spawned the first truly portable analog synthesizer, and while it was quickly adopted by lots of renowned musical artists including Jan Hammer, Chick Corea, Rick Wakeman, Jean-Michel Jarre, Isao Tomita and Keith Emerson to name a few, it was somewhat temperamental and very expensive. An ultra-affordable homage to that iconic synthesizer, with all the features of the original and then some, the Behringer POLY D lets you conjure up virtually any monophonic or polyphonic sound imaginable with incredible finesse and ease. The pure analog signal path is based on authentic VCO, VCF, VCA and ladder filter designs in conjunction with a dedicated and fully analog triangle/square wave LFO. Owning a POLY D is like having your own personal time machine, enabling you to freely embrace the past – or shape the future!

CLICK FOR MORE »

Synthesizers.com Box11 Pics & Overview

Update: video here.
Some images of my new Synthesizers.com Box11 System. Click on the pics for the supersize / wallpaper shots.

Three things stood out when unpacking this beauty: build quality, attention to detail, and oddly, how surprisingly svelte the system is. Yes svelte. It's thin, beautiful and sleek. As most of you know Synthesizers.com modular systems are in the larger 5U Moog format which are not typically known for being sleek. The Box11 is and it is beautiful.

As for length and width 5U systems do take up more space, and the Box11 is no exception, but what you get in return is a solid system that feels more substantial in terms of build quality and interface.  You get full size knobs and full size 1/4" jacks with zero cable movement when you patch them. There is no give, no patch wobble, just a rock solid connection. The knobs feel substantial and there is plenty of space not only to see things, but to also feel what you are doing, whether you have larger or smaller hands. Some people swear by the larger 5U/MU format. I understand why. [BTW, if you are confused by the 5U vs. MU format. 5U refers to 5 units of height. Think of a thin rackmount unit like the Yamaha TX81Z, or the various Emu Proteus line of racks. They are 1U, so 5U is the same height as five of them stacked one on top of the other. MU is 5U in height, but the M stands for Moog format which means modules in MU format like Synthesizers.com are compatible. There's also Synthesis Technology/MOTM's 5U format which has the same height but different horizontal spacing for the mounting screw holes. To see them side by side along with other modular formats, click on the image in this post.]

From left to right, the Box11 comes with the following modules:

One Q174 MIDI Interface which includes some interesting advanced functionality for a MIDI module: "Three modes of operation offer a variety of outputs for one or two MIDI channels. Outputs include standard 1V/Octave Pitch outputs with 10-octave ranges, 5V Gates, Trigger pulse, On and Off Velocity, Channel Pressure and several Continuous Controller outputs. Complete control over Note Priority and Gate modes provide virtually any type of keyboard response emulating virtually all vintage and modern keyboards along with some that are unique."

Two Q106 Oscillators which include Sine, Triangle, Saw, Ramp, and Pulse waveforms with pulsewidth modulation from any patchable modulation source. There's Hard Sync to synchronize the oscillator to other sources, not only to have oscillators in sync to prevent beating, but also to produce some interesting effects. There are two frequency mod sections, Linear Frequency with one input jack and level knob, and Exponential Frequency with two 1V/Octave inputs and a third input with level knob. The Q106 will also go into LFO range to act purely as a mod source.

One Q150 Transistor Ladder Filter which is based on the famous Moog ladder filter. Both 12db and 24db slopes are available via a switch and one pole and three pole settings are available via a jumper internal to the module. What's interesting is there are two audio inputs and two CV inputs with level knobs for each. This allows you to bypass a mixer for the two oscillators on the Box11 and plug each directly into the filter with the ability to adjust the levels for each. In addition to the two CV inputs with controllable level, there is a third input for 1V/OCT. This allows you to use a keyboard to scale the filter while still having two additional modulation sources adjustable by each level knob.

Two Q109 Envelope Generators with standard ADSR (Attack Decay Sustain Release) settings. The release is set for 12 seconds at max value but can be set to 30+ seconds via a jumper internal to the module. Attack and Decay can also be extended to 30+ seconds. A nice added feature to the Q106 is a Gate button which allows you to trigger the Envelope on it's own. This will be great not only for sonic exploration of drones sans MIDI controller, but also for manually triggering envelop effects on things like filter cutoff or pitch. Note the top Gain knob in the VCA will also bring in volume without the need of a trigger.

One Q108 Amplifier with two audio inputs, two CV inputs, and two audio outputs (one inverted). There's a switch for linear vs exponential response curves of the control inputs. The top Gain knob can be used to open the VCA without a trigger for drones.

Finally we have the Desktop Box11 case with two sets of four way multiples. There is also one blank panel where you can install an additional module of the same width.


Note the above is just a high level overview of each module and how you might make use of them out of the box. For a more detailed overview of each module as well as additional modules see Synthesizers.com

BTW, you might notice one of the pics has the system lying flat on a table.  Call me crazy, but one thing I wanted to try is using the Box11 as a lap synth up close while relaxing on the couch/recliner.  With the wood panels attached it was about an inch or two too wide for mine.  When you remove the wood panels the sides are exposed so I used some construction paper to cover them.  One other thing to note is the power cable connects to the back of the unit so you will need the side panels or other for support if you plan to lay it flat on a table (I'll be using a pillow for the recliner).  Synthesizers.com does offer straight panels in addition to the angled panels I have.  Personally I prefer the angled panels as that allows the Box11 to stand upright while patching in the studio.

A few side notes: in one of the pics you can see an iPad.  That's an iPad Mini Retina, not a full blown iPad for scale.  I love the iPad for sequencing on the fly so I was testing out the system with StepPolyArp (a nice feature with the app is it has a built in keyboard you can play with the sequencer off).

In regards to attention to detail, be sure to see the pics of the cables and packaging.  The cables are high quality and have Synthesizers.com logos on them. I thought this was a nice touch and added to the overall cohesiveness and quality of the system.

The packaging included detailed notes on each module.  Many manufacturers would just refer you to the website, so  I thought it was worth calling out as a nice added touch.

Sticky rubber feet to put under the wood panels so you don't scratch them were also included.  Note the panels do ship intact, so you do not need to do anything but plug the Box11 in and patch it up when it arrives.

The Box11 truly is a beautiful system.

CLICK FOR MORE »

Music And More (MAM) ADX 1 Demo

YouTube via zibbybone

"Quick demo of a compact and inexpensive drum synthesizer. It has 5 voice channels: Bass, Synth, Snare, Hi Hat and Metal (in ascending order on machine). One cool feature about this machine is that the Snare and Hi Hat channels feature both "open" and "closed" variants. You can here the "closed" snare on notes 5 & 13 (on a typical 16th note Roland x0x style pattern) and the "open" snare on note 8 (same note step I have the "synth" sound programmed on). Only real compaint I have with this instrument is that the MIDI note numbers are fixed and cannot be reassigned. The MIDI Channel is assigned using 4 dip switches on the rear panel. The rear panel has stereo outs (which I used with the front panel pan pots in this demonstration) and individual outs for outboard processing and/or mixing. The LED for the Metal channel is out on this particular unit. The sounds are sequenced via Roland TR-909 External Instrument mode. If you''re craving some fresh drum sounds and cannot afford the Vermona DRM-1, this is a great alternative. The bass on this demo is pretty low and cannot be heard on my crappy lap top speakers. Enjoy and be sure to check out my other videos of synths, drum machines and effects."

Teenage Engineering OP-1 (Part 1): Kidding around with a simple loop

Published on Jan 22, 2019 Synth & Sundry

"The Teenage Engineering OP-1 (which I hear is relatively in-demand these days) on its own on my lap. I put together a simple drum loop that ran through some delay for syncopation, then just added bass layer and other melodic elements courtesy of the Dr Wave, Pulse and String modules. Additionally, everything is run through the Grid Effect.

Here are three more OP-1 based videos:"

Wonky Sketch w/ Teenage Engineering OP-1
Teenage OP-1 Adventures
OP-1 Voltage Synth (loud!)

2X4 Lap Steel Meets Drum & Bass Machine (with some organ for good measure)

video upload by Musical Miscellany (Poorness Studios)

"I meant to do something like this for Jamuary but just didn't get around to it and I don't want to wait a year to try it. Here's a little improv with a 2X4 DIY lap steel and Volca Beats/Bass/Mix trio. I also threw in a little Hammond B3 organ via soft synth."

The Om Guitar

Published on Jun 20, 2013

"An introduction to the 'Om Guitar'. A modified lap steel guitar played with an unusual technique.."

I almost didn't post this one as it is a guitar and not a synth, but listen in at 1:29. It sounds like a drone synth. It also sounds very Dead Can Dance. It's almost like Lisa Gerrard coming in at 1:39.

Of course the Moog Guitar and Vo-96 Acoustic Synthesizer also come to mind.

1986 Linn Electronics LinnDrum Midistudio Ad

via Retro Synth Ads where you'll find the full write-up.

"Linn Electronics LinnDrum Midistudio 'Put a complete studio in your lap.' colour advertisement from page 19 in the February 1986 issue of Keyboard Magazine."