Video Introduction of the New MacBeth Elements 1

Published on Dec 27, 2013 macbethsynthesizers·100 videos

"During a break from the Nexus synth that is coming......I played with ideas of doing a Brit Look/Japanese sounding synth. Here it is- Element One- the first of 5 Elements! All 3U, 84 HP!
Not shown on this vid- MC1469 Ring Modulator......or the VCO2 Crossmod.........or other stuff! Another video to follow!"

Follow-up to this recent post. Also see Ken MacBeth Elements....? from Dec 16.

Update: you can find some pics and details on the Dewtron synth Ken mentions in this post.

MacBeth - A headless man.....or headless chicken!

Published on Dec 17, 2013 macbethsynthesizers·99 videos

"Ok- final vid on just the Diode Ladder filter here!......I added a 'no volume drop' circuit that takes into account the deminishing volume that happens once Resonance kicks in..............hope you enjoy, KM"

Surfing the edge of the Diode Ladder

Published on Dec 17, 2013 macbethsynthesizers·99 videos

"Just before work today- I switched on the experiments again! Here we have a new filter type that I've been working on- it's very squelchy at the poit of self oscillation. I've used a Korg SQ-10 sequerncer as a modulating oscillator, a function generator sweeping a low freq triangle waveform and a Macbeth X-Series Oscillator for the audio......also- I'm using my experimental 'tape delay simulator' stuff! I just wanted to record this before I take it down for work again...one of those patches!"

Ken MacBeth Elements....?

Published on Dec 16, 2013 macbethsynthesizers·97 videos

"I've been experimenting with Diode Ladder Filters.......I've attemted to design something that is not harsh or RaWkus when it hits a resonant peak! I made one awful one, but learnt from it- here are two- one based on the English Magazine from the seventies- the Minisonic Diode Ladder, and secondly, loosly based around the rather fantastic Roland System 100 Diode Ladder filter!........at the end of a long few days- I present!..........apologies for the low volume audio here.......but you'll get the idea, none the less!"

MacBeth NEXUS: Joysticks and the Fifth Element!

Published on Nov 19, 2013 macbethsynthesizers·96 videos

"Well I thought is was the last video of the nexus prototype!......but as I finalize things here- I changed a key element of the unit- the performance LFO that started as a straight low frequency oscillator- got Voltage Control. That was fine- but now I'm finishing things off- I've now made it a temperature controlled VCO/Frequency Modulator! In this vid- you can hear it most of what's going on- I also wanted to demo the dual joystick controls! This vid was shot on my burnt up kitchen table....! The taking lens was a Nikkor 85mm F2 on a Nikon D600"

MacBeth Nexus: By Request, No Tape Delay Simulators!

Published on Nov 15, 2013 macbethsynthesizers·95 videos

"Hi there- well, I thought that the last video that I did from the prototype NEXUS project was the last one- but I received comments, and some messages to play the synth without out the buyilt in tape delay simulator effects! So- here it is. This must surely be my last demo of the prototype- I'll be working over the next two days to get this out for factory production next week! Please excuse my random mutterings on this video- if you can hear what I say/explain....then fine! I hope that you enjoy this one........it's a big sound!"

MacBeth Nexus, before manufacture, final act!

Published on Nov 14, 2013 macbethsynthesizers·94 videos

"Working today, and infact the last week or so on the Nexus touch keyboard analogue synth I'm doing- I left it to run by it'self today, in the background, ambient!

I posted this message on facebook!

'Hi All, well for those following my up and coming next *new* synth- the Nexus- I have spent just over a week working with some slight changes here and there, as well as a couple of circuits too. Basically, all that I have designed so far is top. I have been working most of the last couple of days, now applying what I've designed into the layout of the PCBs and front panel. Over today, I've just let this thing run it's self in the background. I must say, it's been playing some of the most depressing sounds that I've heard in a long time. Melancholics will delight! This thing is coming straight out of the cold war!'
I can't be straight- well not all the time!"

MacBeth Bomber Demo 2

Published on Nov 6, 2013 macbethsynthesizers·93 videos

"Here is another demonstration of the M3 x MacBeth Mk1 modules configuation that I call Bomber! 'Bomber'......to bomb the bas with! IUt's worth noting that this mini system is comprised of just one oscillator- Mk1 Oscillator 'B', 1 x Filter 'B' and the Dual EG Module! Here I experiment with this time a Roland MC505, using the D-Beam controller- going to a Kenton MIDI to CV controller.....the infamous Pro 4!"

Demo 1 here

The MacBeth Bomber

Published on Nov 5, 2013 macbethsynthesizers·92 videos

"I call this minimal 3 module Macbeth Mk1 synthesizer the Bomber! Specifically put together to Bomb that Bass! The single Mk1 Oscillator 'B' gives you 1 x Sawtooth, 2 x Pulse Width (Square) Waveforms, 2 x Sub Octaves, one below the other whi...ch all go into the discrete Mk1 Filter 'B' - State Variable Filter that loves Overdrive! Gated and controlled by the Mk1 Dual EGs with built in Utility VCA. As a modification- there is a Noise Generator normalized into Audio Input 3 on that Filter! This first vid shows the more melodic side, second to follow. I'm hopeless at keys, so please excuse my French!
...and remember- this is just one Oscillator!"

via Ken MacBeth on Facebook

MacBeth NEXUS Prototype Dual Analogue Joystick Test 1

Published on Oct 21, 2013 macbethsynthesizers·91 videos

"This video is a quick demo of the two joystick controllers that I've implemented on the NEXUS analogue synth controller section. One joystick controls Modulation (X-Axis) and Pitch (Y-Axis), the other joystick is controlling the Dual State Variable Filters Left Filter (X-Axis), Right Filter (Y-Axis) Hard to demo everything in a short space of time! The big full on sound eminated from the 4 Voltage Controlled Oscillators!"

Micromac D Part Two: Oscillators

Published on Oct 7, 2013 macbethsynthesizers·90 videos

"This is the second video aimed to demonstrate the diverse capabilities of the three oscillator desktop sized MacBeth X-Series Micromac-D analogue synthesizer. In this video, we get to hear what the Oscillator section does, plus a few extras! As always, when things get going- hows does one adequately show what the potential of this thing has? Watch on...........there's some Trio-phony too!"

Also added to Part 1 here.

Micromac D Part One: Introduction

Published on Oct 4, 2013 macbethsynthesizers·89 videos

"This is the first video aimed to demonstrate the diverse capabilities of the three oscillator desktop sized MacBeth X-Series Micromac-D analogue synthesizer. In this video, I briefly explain the functionality of the unit. Next video to follow..Thanks for watching!"

Micromac D Part Two: Oscillators

Published on Oct 7, 2013 macbethsynthesizers·90 videos

"This is the second video aimed to demonstrate the diverse capabilities of the three oscillator desktop sized MacBeth X-Series Micromac-D analogue synthesizer. In this video, we get to hear what the Oscillator section does, plus a few extras! As always, when things get going- hows does one adequately show what the potential of this thing has? Watch on...........there's some Trio-phony too!"

MacBeth 100k test mpeg

Published on Oct 1, 2013 macbethsynthesizers·88 videos

"Here's a video in response to a couple of clients that have experienced 'drift' with the micromac-r unit! in triophonic mode........I too noticed this.............and here's a resultant video of the 100K fix!"

MacBeth Oscillator 'B' Demo 1

Published on Sep 19, 2013 macbethsynthesizers·87 videos

"There has been quite an interest in the 5U format MacBeth Mk1 Oscillator 'B' Module- so I did this quick demonstration! Oscillator 'B' features Sawtooth output, 2 Pulse Width/Square outputs and 2 sub Octaves, one below the other. On this demo- I have 2 Function Generators(tese are like laboritory LFOS) at Triangle Waveforms modulating both Pulse widths on the Osc'B'- the go into 2 Mixer 'A' (one for left, the other for right) and the mixers are pushed to full on- implying a mild distortion. The Sub Octave are going left and right as well- this also goes into 2 Mk1 Filter 'A' modules and there are 2 Mk1 Dual EGs at play here! Considering this is effectively just one oscillator playing- I reckon that Ocillator 'B' is a bit of a beast!"

MacBeth Mk1 Modular and Prophecy 1

Published on Sep 17, 2013 macbethsynthesizers·86 videos

"Here is (1 of 2) videos that I've made demostrating the MacBeth Mk1 Modular and two Korg Prophecy Synthesizers. The Mk1 Modular has 5 Oscillators and 2 Sub Octaves going into a Mk1 Low Pass Filter 'A'...the Prophecies provide ambient sounds and Tenor Saxaphone sounds. The Tenor Sax is a reeds algorythm model.........it all makes for a very interesting mix. I've tried to reproduce the kind of sound from the Bowie/Berlin seventies days! This is the first video..."

MacBeth Pre-Factory Final Test- Touch Keyboard

Published on Jul 29, 2013 macbethsynthesizers·85 videos

"Seen here- Prototypes of MacBeth NEXUS and INFERNO synthesizers. On the left I am playing a 1 Octave final test Touch Keyboard Assembly. I have this setup to check everything! The repetative rhythmic sounds are coming from the INFERNO prototype- the more lead/wash is coming from the NEXUS!"

elsa lanchester Featuring MacBeth NEXUS & INFERNO Prototype Synthesizers

Published on Jul 6, 2013 macbethsynthesizers·84 videos

"Here is a mildly absurd video featuring 2 x Prototypes- those being NEXUS and INFERNO synthesizers. I'm particularily enjoying a Radiophonic Workshop like feel to this number!"

MacBeth NEXUS Test #5

Published on Jun 24, 2013 macbethsynthesizers·83 videos

"As I finalize the design of the NEXUS synthesizer for production- I took it the prototype through to the work bench. Basically- the work/refinements are complete. This recording has no external effects- the only sounds are from the NEXUS itself! I've designed a synthesizer that has the type of sound, similar to that used on the David Bowie trilogy that was recorded in Berlin in the seventies- see what you think!"

NEXUS TEST (5) WITH KORG SQ10 SEQ

Published on May 8, 2013 macbethsynthesizers·82 videos

"When I'm testing gear that I'm designing- it's quite exciting!....sometime I have to record/vid. Here is three of the NEXUS (prototype) being driven by a Korg SQ-10 sequencer- the fourth osc is cross modding the higher pitched square wave osc. It's great fun running a three track analogue sequencer into this thing! Spacey effects are as usual with this device- the Dual Tape Delay Simulators- no other effects! Today- on screen- I basically finished the synthesizer. I'm looking forward to submitting the data to manufacture next week...! This btw is basically two different experiments filmed at different times..."

MacBeth NEXUST TEST 4) PWM

Published on May 6, 2013 macbethsynthesizers·81 videos

"Here's a short burst of dual, independant Pulse Width Modulation on Oscillators 1 and 3 of the NEXUS prototype. Also listen out out for modulatiuon effects from the main LFO- in this instance- it's working Voltage Controlled from the Keyboard CV. The frequency of modulation changes as you go up and down the keyboard. This LFO/Modulator has now been re-design to be totally Voltage Controlled if required!"