Pro Synth Network LIVE! - Episode 208 - 4th Anniversary Episode - SPECIAL GUESTS!

video upload by

SynthAddict's MATRIXSYNTH cap from 19:05 on gets the post. :)

"Music Technology Discussion with Kent Spong, Andrew Longhurst & Rob Puricelli!

It's our birthday!! 4 years ago, we decided to start doing a livestream and here we are, 4 years and 208 consecutive episodes in! Join us as we celebrate 4 years of mayhem, nonchalance, sarcasm, wit, vim and vigour and the occasional discussion about synths and music tech!"

Polymoog 203a Demo (by synthpro)

2n video added to this previous post: https://www.matrixsynth.com/2024/03/what-is-all-that-stuff-inside-polymoog.html

Godwin Symphony SC849 Demo & Pics

In case you missed the video it's back in this post:

https://www.matrixsynth.com/2024/02/super-rare-godwin-symphony-sc849-mod849.html

Pics have been added as well.

Patchwerks - Community Hub & Music Store Fundraiser

You can find the GoFundMe here.

Patchwerks is more than a synth shop. They host local synth events in the Seattle area, share performances online, publish tutorial videos, and help promote artists [many featured here on MATRIXSYNTH]. Now they need some help on their end. The following was sent my way via a friend, via Patchwerks's news letter. You'll of course find additional details on their GoFundMe.

"WE NEED YOUR HELP

We’ve proudly watched as the community that developed around Patchwerks has grown through a shared passion for the joy and magic of electronic instruments. All of our staff feel so much gratitude when people come to our store to play, learn, and connect with each other.

We’ve been so humbled by everyone who has come through our doors – whether you’ve been a first-time synth-curious explorer who trusted us to guide you, or whether you’ve been one of our own musical heroes who has consciously decided to purchase your instruments from an independently-owned and operated business.

Unfortunately, due to economic pressures beyond our control, the community we built at Patchwerks is at risk of losing its home… and we’re reaching out to ask for your help.

If you're willing to help us survive, a donation of as little as $25 can help Patchwerks continue our operations in a healthy way.

The years 2022 and 2023 made it difficult for us to operate, and now we're at the point where we need to ask for help or cease operations. We have a strong plan to get healthy, but we can't do it without you. Please consider donating to our GoFundMe campaign today."

Latest Showroom Sessions: Sherman and Limanjaya

video upload by Patchwerks

"Join us for Showroom Sessions, a monthly series of curated electronic music. Hear some of the region's boldest voices in ambient, experimental, dance music, and more. Proudly presented by Patchwerks with generous support from the community. This month, we host the talents of Portland-based Limanjaya and local head Sherman.

Sherman / Selector Records on Capitol Hill in Seattle.

Sherman’s been dabbling with gear since around 1997, and after many years of trying out different pieces has settled on a couple Critter & Guitari Organelles running custom patches, running through a Memory Man (w/ Hazarai, of course) delay pedal, building bizarre polyrhythms that on occasion sound good. On the spot beats intricately twist around each other, get manipulated, finagled, and fade into more intricate grooves.

Sherman has releases on Telomere Plastic, iLLikoi, Basement Sounds, and new local label Basement State.

Limanjaya:

Joshua Limanjaya Lim is a modular synthesist and producer residing in Portland, OR. He uses sample flips, glitchy beat repeats, and infectious melodies to craft his sound. Whether he is performing ambient, hiphop, or house music, the goal is always to get people moving. His latest album, UNTITLED 2023, is out now on all streaming platforms.

IG / _limanjaya
Bandcamp: https://limanjaya.bandcamp.com
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1W5Ff...

0:00 Sherman
32:24 Limanjaya"

Hohner Stringvox Repair Notes

This one is in via supporting member, zasm.earth.

"I completed a repair of a Hohner Stringvox (ELEX K2) revision 3 Piano & Strings keyboard, and have posted an extensive, technical, multi-page article on the subject, with pictures and new schematics. If anyone’s interested they can have a look, starting at:

https://zasm.earth/hohner-stringvox-repair-notes-1

Different K2 versions have previously been mentioned at:

https://www.matrixsynth.com/2008/01/hohner-stringvox.html

https://www.matrixsynth.com/2009/03/hohner-roland-string-vox-arp-string.html

https://www.matrixsynth.com/2011/09/1970s-hohner-stringvox-string-vox.html

https://www.matrixsynth.com/2014/07/rare-italian-elex-vintage-analog.html

https://www.matrixsynth.com/2019/09/hohner-string-vox-super-rare-string.html

https://www.matrixsynth.com/2021/06/elex-k2-1970s-rare-italian-vintage.html"

Soundtoys Black Friday Sale

Soundtoys is offering a number of discounts on their various plugins from now until Dec 1.

You can find all the details on Soundtoys' website here.

Also, you'll notice some new banners here on MATRIXSYNTH. You can click on them anytime to get to the sale.

Two Takes on Behringer - Which Do You Fall Under?

The following videos feature two perspectives on Behringer. I was going to skip both of them, because honestly, I'm kind of tired of the whole thing, but I figure it was worth posting for those unaware of the toatality of it. Jorb does a good job summarizing it all. Note, this will be the last post on the topic, unless something else new and stupid happens.

I do want to clarify what goes up here on MATRIXSYNTH and why. Firstly this site is about the gear, not people. People can have whatever opinions they want. Secondly, this site does factor in how people including manufacturers treat each other. I post what I want to post, and after running this site for over 18 years, I've come to appreciate those who appreciate the site and what I do. Supporting members let me know they appreciate the site by supporting the site. Banner sponsors on the top and right of the site let me know they appreciate the site by sponsoring the site.

Behringer does not support or sponsor the site, and I am aware that they pose a significant and existential threat to some of my supporters and sponsors. So, why do I sometimes feature Behringer? Because this is a synth news site and is meant to be an archive of synth gear over time. I can't just ignore that. So what do I feature? I limit Behringer posts to new product announcements, significant news, and supporting member videos and content only. I skip everything else.

As for sponsors and supporting members, I share whatever they want me to share, within reason, as a thank you for supporting the site. As for non supporting members and sponsors, I share what I want to share. Some clarity on that: when I first launched the site in 2005 I posted everything anyone sent in and everything I came across. Everything was new. YouTube launched in 2005. This was the first time we were able to see people messing with their synths, and this site was the first to cover it. Eurorack and modular was in it's infancy back then and botique manufacturers had limited exposure, mainly on forums and email lists. I remember going to NAMM and someone working for one the manufacturers asked me if I thought eurorack would take off or was just a fad. It was that new. I thought it would take off, and it did. That said, it's no longer possible to post everything that goes up as it would just become too much noise in the end. I'm sure the amount I post daily is already noise to many. So, now I post what I want to post, and yes, how a manufacturer treats others is always factored in.

That said here are the two takes on Behringer. Where do you stand?

Let's Talk About Behringer.

video upload by Jorb

0:00 Intro
3:27 The Clones
10:17 Antagonism
19:52 Wasted Potential

LET'S TALK ABOUT BEHRINGER SYNTHESIZERS... AND JORB | THAT SYNTH SHOW EP.45

video upload by SYNTH SAMURAI

Beanie Bunnie - Moo Moo Dual Oscillator

video upload by Jeanie

You might recognize Jeanie and her Buchla performances from previous posts here on MATRIXSYNTH.

Timestamps:
0:00 - Set up for Sync / Through Zero and Ring Modulation
5:57 - Melody / Kick and Metallic Percussion
7:54 - Kick / Snare / Bass and Percussion
9:20 - Square Bass / Kick / Snare / Metallic Percussion
11:19 - Jazz Drum Kit / Bassline and Noise
13:19 - Jazz Drum Kit and Bassline
15:18 - Drums and Noise



"Moo Moo Dual Oscillator is available now!

I’ve been working on analogue designs since I got asthma during pandemic and had to take a break from singing…

This multiple layered dual oscillator produces a wide array of sounds from pure tones to complex noise and has some unique qualities that I’m really happy with. And today, finally ready to release…

There are some module introductions below. Please contact me for more details if you’re interested. Thank you so much for your support!

The Moo Moo Dual Oscillator from Beanie Bunnie features:

2 x Fully featured through zero analogue oscillators.
1 x Analogue Noise source with dedicated analogue state variable filter.
2 x 2 input mixers with inverted outputs for extra wave shaping options, plus CV and manual controls for crossfading between each input.
2 x Octave controls with 5 octave range and CV control.

Each oscillator section features:
Individual outputs for Sine, Triangle, Saw, Square and Pulse wave forms (+/-5V).
1 x Through zero linear frequency modulation (TZ LIN FM) input which is normalled to the output of the opposite mixer/crossfader and a TZ LIN FM amount control.

1 x TZ OFFSET control that offsets the through zero modulation 0 crossing point and also acts as a coarse tune for the oscillator frequency.
1 x Large fine tune control that has a 1 octave range for precise setting of the frequency.
1 x Octave with CV input that has a 5 octave range.
1 x Pulse Width Control and with CV modulation (PWM) input.
1 x Noise amount control that sends the output of the filtered noise section directly into the through zero modulation of the oscillator (this is in parallel with TZ LIN FM input).
1 x Sync control with option of setting both oscillators to hard or soft sync via the mode button.
1 x Exponential Frequency Modulation Input for V/Octave connection from a keyboard. The right input is normalled to the left so both oscillators can follow keyboard pitch with only one connection.

Each mixer section features:
2 x Inputs (A and B) for audio or CV sources.
1 x Crossfader control plus CV input that can also act as a volume control or VCA when only one of the mixer inputs is used.

The noise section features:
1 x Analogue noise source (sent into the filter).
1 x Analogue state variable filter with selectable Low Pass, Band Pass and High Pass modes.
1 x Mode select button with hold function to switch the oscillator sync between hard or soft sync.
1 x Filter resonance control.
1 x Filter frequency control.
1 x Filter frequency CV input.
1 x Filtered noise output.

The other modules shown in the video are the Tiny Tot Utility and the Huhu 4 Att-Verter.

The Tiny Tot Utility features:
2 x 2 input mixers with bipolar attenuverters for each input and one input normalled to +5V.
2 x Manual or CV controlled dividers with setting for /2, /4, /8 and /16.

The Huhu 4 Att-Verter features:
4 x Attenuverters with dedicated outputs.
1 x Mixed output for channels 1 and 2.
1 x Mixed output for channels 3 and 4.
1 x Mixed output for all channels.
Channels 2 and 4 are normalled to +5V.

www.beaniebunnie.com"

Update: you can find an overview video by Todd Barton here.

RIP Barry Schmetter aka Resonant_Space

The following is in via Supporting member, Poorness Studios.

"I have some more bad news. My friend Barry Schmetter passed away earlier in the week. He died of a heart attack in his home. It's hitting me really hard so I just can't find the energy to sing a Sunday Song this week, but I will play a snippet from one of Barry's art installations."

Curium (a tribute to Barry Schmetter)
video upload by Musical Miscellany (Poorness Studios)

"Resonant_Space, aka Barry Schmetter is a Washington DC-based artist creating ambient and experimental electronic music using modular synthesizers and field recordings. He also creates sound and video installations, and video art."


The following is a playlist of Barry's synth related videos followed by his works on SoundCloud.

video uploads by resonant_space

matrixsynth · Resonant_Space

Paul T Schreiber of Synthtech / MOTM Retires From The Synth Business

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Paul T Schreiber (@synthesistechnology)

"After 27 years, I have retired from the synthesizer business. I still have a #day_job which will last until Dec 1st. The last set of 16 modules shipped to Patchwerks in Seattle, including the last E520 Hyperions.

Is there a chance someone will buy my IP and continue the product like? I keep hoping. Thanks to everyone who were friends and customers."

---

The man behind MOTM and Synthtech/Synthesis Technology retires. Paul Schrieber was making modular synths in the MOTM 5U format before eurorack took off. He essentiall started his own format, 5U in height like Moog's MU 5U but different. See this old post for a pic of different modular formats. He made his modules available in both DIY and finished form. You all should be familiar with MOTM and Synthech if you are regulars of the site. If not, see the MOTM and Synthech labels for posts over the years.

Since the launch of this version of MATRIXSYNTH back in 2005, there have been a total of 831 MOTM posts, and roughly 367 Synthtech posts, including this one. I say roughly as there was another Synthtech that made the Chroma Cult - Rhodes Chroma MIDI Interface, that shares the Synthtech label I used to get the count. The first post to mention MOTM dates back to This EAR post on July 30, 2005, the second to MOTM Madness - Featuring Yamaha GX1 Filter clone on August 4, 2005. Sadly the mp3 linked there is gone. People let their sites go unfortunately. The first post to mention Synthtech is the Epic Son video by John L Rice from back on August 2, 2011. His designs also made it into non modular synths like this Studio Electronics Omega 8 w/ MOTM CS80 & 440 Filters.

The Complete Yamaha CS Black Series! CS-5 CS-10 CS-15 CS-30

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

via this auction

"All have full function and are setup for 120v (though I think the CS-10 needs to be double checked). The CS-15 and CS-30 come from our friend Ko (Modeless) in Japan. Someone posted a CS-30 mod design of Ko's on Matrixsynth [some posts here - found the 5 and 15 but not the 30] and I asked if he would do the same for mine. It is all installed (except) the Osc Sync board (unfortunately he didn't have the parts, put the switch in place - but that's where it ended) - it has, for instance, Din Sync for the sequencer. The mods do not interfere with or remove any of the original function. I have the list and may add it here later. The CS-5 was a reverb purchase for me, and the CS-10 came from a synth tech/collector friend in Sacramento (he can't precisely remember if he converted the CS-10 to 120v - hence should be checked)."

CLICK FOR MORE »

SIEL CRUISE Vintage Analog Italian Synthesizer

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

via this auction

From the listing "The last one sold on Reverb was 4 years ago." Not sure about that. You can see a few posted here. Remember, you can search for any synth + auction here on MATRIXSYNTH to bring up previous listings.

You can find a demo of the Siel Cruise in the 2nd playlist here.

CLICK FOR MORE »

The Ciat Lonbarde Peterlin - Peter Blasser Meets Benjolin

Chaos Patterns with the Ciat-Lonbarde Benjolin / Peterlin Synthesizer

video upload by Duskmos

Note the "Peterlin" made it's first appearance with Hainbach on May 7 here on MATRIXSYNTH. This post features a few examples from others, and additional details and pics below.

Above: "In this Signal Colors Palette video, I'm taking a first look at the Ciat-Lonbarde Benjolin / Peterlin, a tiny wooden synth featuring a nod to synthesis history by putting the focus on sound creation with a circuit design inspired by the 'Rungler' by Rob Hordijk.

Hang out while I coax some cool sounds from this wildly experimental sounding synth!"

Quirky little groove machine: Ciat-Lonbarde Peterlin first impressions

video upload by NoctopolisMusic

"Listen to albums, download tracks and support me at https://noctopolis.bandcamp.com/
I was lucky to get a Ciat-Lonbarde Peterlin (why not Blassolin though?) from the first batch at PatchPoint and these are clips from my first don´t-know-what-I-do-sessions with it. First one: solo. Second one: with Lorre Mill Double Knot 3. Third one: with Moog Subharmonicon."

Ciat Lonbarde Peterlin meets Serge VC Resonant Equalizer

video upload by La Synthèse Humaine

This is the first post to feature the Peterlin.

"first patch ring modulates peterlin xor to vcfq with a sine wave - both controlled by rungler. this is mixed with the peterlin audio output in the vc res eq and its bands get modulated by various peterlin outputs

second and third patches have a bit less and a bit more going on... all gets a little confusing and knotted up

check out my newest album Contraluz here: https://critiqueofeverydaylife.bandca..."

"Dressed in their signature banana jack-laden wooden enclosure, the Peterlin is Ciat-Lonbarde's take on the Benjolin: a tribute to the synthesizer designs of Rob Hordijk. Deceptively simple in appearance, the Peterlin is a highly interconnected instrument containing two oscillators, a resonant lowpass filter, and Peter Blasser's take on the infamous Rungler circuit. Clocked by one oscillator, the Rungler is a shift register feeding upon not only its own output, but also listening to the output of the other oscillator to further influence its data with feedback chaos. As the Rungler's CV output is then fed into the oscillators and filter, a range of hefty drones and chaotic noise is possible. Of course, the Ciat-Lonbarde take on this classic experimental instrument is filled with its own mysteries.

CLICK FOR MORE »

Sequential Circuits Multi-Trak - recently serviced with battery leak fix installed

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

via this auction

"Check out the MATRIXSYNTH article on the battery leak fix mod and how it's done. If it's not my Multi-Trak you end up with, you'll want to inspect yours to make sure that's taken care of.

The Multi-Trak has a character that is particularly unique, especially when compared to other polysynths of the mid 80's. Some will immediately think of the matrix editor, a somewhat trendy synth interface at the time. If you can come around to matrix patching, I've found 3 things that mostly distinguish the Multi-Trak: its precocious and self-contained sequencer, the oscillator envelope, and the somewhat snarly Curtis CEM3394 voice chip.

The sound is a bit brash and brassy, sweet, snappy, something like sour candy, but it can be sculpted into lush and hazy sounds, just like any subtractive synth. The Multi-Trak fits naturally in many styles of music; techno, disco, dance rock, hip hop. It's sibling, the Six-Trak, was used on the 2017 album GT Ultra by Guerilla Toss. This classic Sequential Circuits synth certainly boasts an intimidating feature set, but it is fairly easy to get used to. With a bit of patience, you'll find plenty of play and ideas."

CLICK FOR MORE »

MORTON SUBOTNICK • SIDEWINDER • PERFORMED LIVE FROM TOOL'S STUDIO (4K)

video upload by Peter Grenader

"MORTON SUBOTNICK'S SIDEWINDER:

Part 1 : in four movements (9 minutes 45 seconds)

Part 2: in three movements (6 minutes 45 seconds)

Performed live from Tool's studio Hollywood, CA by Jill Fraser, Shiro Fujioka, Peter Grenader, Thomas Klepper

Filming/Editing: K. David

Recording Engineer: Tim Dawson

Title Graphics: Hyejin Sunwoo

Produced, arranged and mixed by Peter Grenader

Morton Subotnick's seminal 1971 electronic work Sidewinder performed live at Tool's studio in Hollywood CA on March 26th, 2023 by Jill Fraser, Shiro Fujioka, Peter Grenader and Thomas Klepper, at the invitation of Joan LaBarbara, in celebration of his 90th birthday.

The idea of an adaptation of Sidewinder has been on the radar of zZyzx Society's Jill Fraser and Peter Grenader - both CalArts alumni who worked with Subotnick, for years. The process began with an abridged orchestration drafted by Peter Grenader, where the quartet was encouraged to both replicate his soundscapes and develop more interpretative timbres for the individual parts. With that, two general rules applied:

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Williams Synthesiser?

video upload by matrixsynth via Andrew

Update: video above added along with new pics below, via Andrew.

"Explored the internals and it doesn't appear to be a Maplin kit, but looks like a DIY/Handmade."

Andrew went on to mention "It looks like a Dewtron DIY system. The controls are similar to that of the Apollo." [see this post]

This one is in via Andrew.

Note the WilliamSynthsizer on the top right, the 7 x 10 patchpay on the lower right, the massive 12 x 19 patchbay on the left, and the keyboard controller. I thought it might be a Maplin. If so, some massive custom work went into it. It could also be ralated to this synth from 1973's Wireless World magazine. There was also a custom white 5600s which has a larger patchbay compared to the standard square found on most Maplins. Note the one on this Williams Synthesiser is much larger. I could not find a matching keyboard controller.

Andrew plans to open it up and take a look at the inside. He also plans to take more pics. I'll put up a new post when they come in. Until then, if you know what this is, or have any guesses, let us know!

CLICK FOR MORE »

Ryuichi Sakamoto Has Passed Away

via @KorgUSA

"We are deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Ryuichi Sakamoto. He was a trailblazing composer and producer who scored films such as the 'Last Emperor' and 'The Revenant' to name a few. He was a pioneer of electronic pop music by founding the 'Yellow Magic Orchestra' which produced hits on synthesizers and sequencers in the 70s and 80s. He will be missed 😔"

Indeed. He created magic.

Two of my favorites below.

via Wikipedia:

"Ryuichi Sakamoto (坂本 龍一[a], Sakamoto Ryūichi, January 17, 1952 – March 28, 2023) was a Japanese composer, record producer, and actor who pursued a diverse range of styles as a solo artist and as a member of Yellow Magic Orchestra (YMO). With his bandmates Haruomi Hosono and Yukihiro Takahashi, Sakamoto influenced and pioneered a number of electronic music genres.

Sakamoto began his career while at university in the 1970s as a session musician, producer, and arranger. His first major success came in 1978 as co-founder of YMO. He concurrently pursued a solo career, releasing the experimental electronic fusion album Thousand Knives in 1978. Two years later, he released the album B-2 Unit. It included the track "Riot in Lagos", which was significant in the development of electro and hip hop music. He went on to produce more solo records, and collaborate with many international artists, David Sylvian, Carsten Nicolai, Youssou N'Dour, and Fennesz among them. Sakamoto composed music for the opening ceremony of the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, and his composition "Energy Flow" (1999) was the first instrumental number-one single in Japan's Oricon charts history.

As a film-score composer, Sakamoto won an Oscar, a BAFTA, a Grammy, and 2 Golden Globe Awards. Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence (1983) marked his debut as both an actor and a film-score composer; its main theme was adapted into the single "Forbidden Colours" which became an international hit. His most successful work as a film composer was The Last Emperor (1987), after which he continued earning accolades composing for films such as The Sheltering Sky (1990), Little Buddha (1993), and The Revenant (2015). On occasion, Sakamoto also worked as a composer and a scenario writer on anime and video games. In 2009, he was awarded the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres from the Ministry of Culture of France for his contributions to music."
Ryuichi Sakamoto - Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence

video upload by Decca Records

"Official music video for Ryuichi Sakamoto's 'Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence'."

YMO Technopolis Live

video upload by matrixsynth

The most underrated Analog Synthesizer - Oberheim Matrix-1000

video upload by RetroSound

"(c)2007-23 by RetroSound
supported by UVI: http://bit.ly/retrosound-uvi

❤️ Support #RetroSound​ channel: https://retrosound.creator-spring.com

I have the Oberheim Matrix-1000 analog synthesizer since the 90s. He was one of my first synths ever. It is a very powerful polyphonic analog synthesizer with a variety of options for influencing the sound. Analog sounds are a lightness but also sounds that one would rather attribute to a hybrid synthesizer.

You hear a single sound demo without additional effects. The chords are similar in order not to be distracted by playing technique and you can fully concentrate on the sound character. The sounds are all from the RetroSound Set that I programmed a few years ago. It includes 100 new sounds for the Matrix-1000 and Matrix-6/6R

00 - 39 Pad & Strings
40 - 43 Choir & Vocal
44 - 50 Brass
51 - 56 Bass
57 - 71 Lead
72 - 75 Organ
76 - 83 Acoustic
84 - 93 Effect
94 - 99 Sequence

You can load the midi file in your sequencer software, play the file and the synth received the sound data and overwrite the the first sound bank (0-99) with the new sounds.

You can buy the soundset here with paypal:
https://py.pl/1XL1gf"

Common sense tip: always check the date of posts before purchasing anything. If it's an older post it may no longer be available.  Check with the seller before buying to be safe.  MATRIXSYNTH share's what's out there.  The point of this post is the demo not the presets.  The presets are there for those interested.

Moog Sub Phatty (disassembly and filter pot repair)

video upload by John L Rice

Checkout additoinal posts featuring John L Rice & the Moog Sub Phatty here.

"When I dove into this repair I had no idea how it was put together but I thought "how hard can it be?"! 😅 Now that I know, it would take me less than half the time I spent to do this repair so I hope someone else finds this video useful. 😎

Index:
0:00 - Beginning With Demo Of Control Defect 👶
0:56 - Introduction 👋
1:36 - Knob Removal 🤏
3:06 - Adventures With Control Panel Removal 🙄
6:06 - Adventures With PCB Replacement 🤓
13:06 - Adventures With Reassembly 😤
14:06 - What You Need To Know In A Nut Shell 👍
15:36 - Finishing Up 😅
16:46 - Post Repair Test 💪
17:56 - End 👴

For more information on Moog Music's fine instruments and activities: https://www.moogmusic.com/

For information on Everything Synth related check out MATRIXSYNTH: https://www.matrixsynth.com/

For a wooden upgrade to your plastic synth cheeks check out SynthCraft: https://synthcraft.co/

Thanks for watching, rating, sharing, and commenting! 🥳"

XILS-lab PolyKB III Gets a New Hi-Res UI & More in Version 3.6.3 Update

video upload by matrixsynth

The press release follows.

XILS-lab lovingly lavishes virtual makeover on acclaimed PolyKB III virtual instrument plug-in, providing new hi-res UI and more with Version 3.6.3

“Since starting XILS-lab, the rarified and revered RSF PolyKobol II analogue polysynth from France has always held a special musical place in our hearts — the true destination of our ongoing journey to create one of the best-sounding virtual analogue synthesizers available today. Tweaking our algorithms for a better sound with less CPU load, we’ve never stopped working on PolyKB III, always adding new features.”

- XILS-lab CEO Xavier Oudin, 2023

GRENOBLE, FRANCE: XILS-lab is proud to take PolyKB III to Version 3.6.3 status — lovingly lavishing the virtual instrument plug-in par excellence with a new hi-res UI (User Interface) and associated faster UI engine alongside full Apple Silicon compatibility and VST3 support, while ensuring that it remains one of the best-sounding virtual analogue synthesizers available, thousands of development man-hours after first being launched in its original PolyKB incarnation as the then-fledgling virtual instrument and effect plug-in-specialising software company’s second product release way back in May 2010 — as of March 14…

Like its predecessors, dating all the way back to a May 2010 release in its original (PolyKB) incarnation, the latest Version 3.6.3 of PolyKB III truly captures the sound and spirit of the rarified and revered RSF PolyKobol II analogue polysynth from France — one that surely should have made more of a musical mark in its own right with advanced analogue waveform-morphing oscillators well ahead of their time, yet sadly saw the demise of its innovative creators, completely out of touch with 1983’s untimely arrival of Yamaha’s digital dominance-triggering DX7 super- seller (shifting upwards of 200,000 units, compared to the miserly 40 units, each costing several times that of a DX7, managed by RSF before it ran into financial difficulties) — to include its most revolutionary feature: analogue waveform-morphing oscillators.

On the face of it, then, those analogue waveform-morphing oscillators — providing instant access to hundreds of different analogue- modelled free-running oscillator waveforms, which is far more than those provided by other virtual instrument plug-ins, including those that switch between oscillator sets — are available for all to see clearly now in Version 3.6.3 of PolyKB III, thanks to its new hi-res UI. Ultimately, they can be dynamically modulated by a number of sources.

When working with the latest Version 3.6.3 of PolyKB III, there are also two gorgeous, creamy-sounding multi-mode filters — VCF 1 and VCF 2 — to play with, each of which is self-resonating in all modes while also making use of XILS-lab’s proprietary 0df (Zero Delay Feedback) technology. There are also three analogue-modelled envelopes — ADSR1, ADSR2, and ADSR3 — with time multiplication and looping facilities, all working together with two LFOs (Low Frequency Oscillators) — LFO1 and LFO2 — to deliver a fat, warm, and instantly inspiring ‘analogue’ sound like no other.

Of course, even when first released to the musical masses in December 2016, PolyKB III would not be worthy of joining XILS-lab’s ever- expanding virtual instrument lineup if it did not include innovative and exclusive features — features like each voice having its own modulation engine or, indeed, using the polyphonic SEQUENCER as a giant 128-step, four-line/16-destination so-called ‘Step Sequencer Modulator’ making it fit for being propelled well and truly into the 21st Century! Creatively, this allows users to sculpt not only the most detailed trance- gate patterns, but also slides and incredible rhythmic patterns. Put it this way: with PolyKB III it is possible to modulate anything with anything!

And it is also possible to make each note sound different: the Voice XY module acts as a single-note quad XY modifier — with total control over the creation of subtle or wild variations for each note in a 2D window with four different parameters, while the Space XY module makes creating a 3D space a breeze — users can freely place each note in a three-dimensional space to build otherwise unachievable ‘stereoscapes’ with movement induced by inbuilt chaotic functions. It is fair to say that users have never had so much creative control over the stereo field! Furthermore, both modes can be combined with the True Unison engine, producing dazzlingly deep sounds that will musically take anyone’s breath away and immediately take pride of place in any mix.

Meanwhile, with its new hi-res UI and associated faster UI engine alongside full Apple Silicon compatibility and VST3 support vying for attention and distinguishing the latest Version 3.6.3 of PolyKB III from its acclaimed predecessors while it readily remains one of the best-sounding virtual analogue synthesizers available, XILS-lab CEO Xavier Oudin is justifiably proud of how far it has come and where it is going: “Since starting XILS-lab, the rarified and revered RSF PolyKobol II analogue polysynth from France has always held a special musical place in our hearts — the true destination of our ongoing journey to create one of the best-sounding virtual analogue synthesizers available today. Tweaking our algorithms for a better sound with less CPU load, we’ve never stopped working on PolyKB III, always adding new features.”

The latest Version 3.6.3 of PolyKB III is available to purchase as an iLok-protected virtual instrument plug-in (including computer-based authorisation), priced at an introductory promo price of €59.00 EUR until April 16, 2023 — rising thereafter to its regular price of €199.00 EUR — directly from XILS-lab via its dedicated webpage, which also includes more in-depth information, here: https://www.xils-lab.com/products/polykb-iii-&-ii-p-159.html

The latest Version 3.6.3 of PolyKB III can be directly downloaded in 64-bit AAX-, AU-, VST- and VST3-compatible formats for macOS (10.9+) and 64-bit AAX-, VST-, and VST3-compatible formats for Windows (7/8/10) from here: https://www.xils-lab.com/products/polykb-iii-&-ii-p-159/download.html#FullInstallerPK3"