Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Ahmet and Dweezil Zappa perform with John Tesh
YouTube via chemtrails78. "song is "The Wizard" by Black Sabbath"
https://twitter.com/johntesh
http://tesh.com/
http://www.dweezilzappa.com
Appendage and WaveThing CMOS Divider Test
YouTube via ScottStites
"This is the Appendage controlling a single VCO. The VCO is processed by an experimental circuit that multiplies the sawtooth output of the VCO by 8. That signal is then divided down and shaped with resistors and diodes to form pulse and sawtooth waves. I recorded this video as a record of the experiment - I have Wave Thing circuits that work better."
Radikal Technologies Spectralis OS Update
PDF here
Update COD binary
http://www.spectralis.de/
Some highlights from the PDF:
"Version 1.0 Preliminary Info
New Sample Managment
The Spectralis now allows exchanging the sample set without rebooting. Samples, set to dynamic loading will be loaded on songselection. Samples, not used in the current song will be removed from memory. Memory cards will be enumerated automaticly. As soon as you insert a new samplecard, the sample-names will be added to the sample list in the oscillator section.
But the new functionality goes even further. Sometimes when arranging a new pattern you want to check other sounds by selecting a sample in the oscillator menu, selecting a preprogrammed sound or by using the randomize sound function. After loading a couple of samples the RAM memory just for testing if they fit the current arrangment would fuel the RAM very quickly. The Spectralis new sample managment will unload samples, which are only temporarily loaded automaticly. The Spectralis will hold samples, that are already in use by patterns of the current song but will unload samples, that have been choosen but discarded by selecting another one. That all works in background. With the Spectralis you simply don’t need to care about „Load-Sample“-menus or unload sample functions like on other samplers. By default, Spectralis 1 samples are set to „Fix loading“. That means that they get loaded on startup and will resist in
memory until you shut down the Spectralis again. This setting only makes sense, if a sampleset is in use in almost all songs. Fixed loaded samples resist in memory and the consumpted memory is not available for dynamic sample loading. For that reason, you should set your samplesets to „dynamic-loading“."
"FX Editor and FX-2
FX-2 has been added to the soundengine and both FXs are now editable. FX2 offers the same functionality like FX1. The FX’s algorithm is at the moment a Digital Delay with some nice extra features. Beside tempo synced delays and ping pong echoes the Spectralis FX section allows very cool moduation FX’s like flanging and chorusing as well.
On the Fly Realtime Recording
Realtime Recording can now be started without stopping the sequencer. The Spectralis must run in Pattern-Mode to start this function. Just select Record and start playing. For orientation you can view the bar position at the LEDs of the numbuttons. After selecting another part, you will be asked if you want to keep the new recording or if you want to jump back to the original recording. Pressing of „Play“ stops the recording but not the sequencer. Play just changes from recording to playback mode without any stopping. As soon as you left the recording loop, the dialog for discarding or keeping the recording appears.
Recording of MIDI controllers
Version 1.0 of the firmware allows for record pitchbend and modulationwheel data in realtime recording mode. The opportunity to assign the modulation wheel and the pitchbend wheel to different parameter targets allows for recording your filtersweeps and other parameters as well. However - the upcoming next version will also record the knob movements of the Spectralis panel.
Quicksound Selection
The new quicksound gives a direct and quick acces to your favorite sounds and drumsets. The quicksound function creates a new file on the internal flash rom called „FAVORITS.SBK“. This is a special mixed format soundbank that holds 32 Hybrid synth sounds, 32 DSP synth sounds, 16 drumsounds for each category kick, snare, closed.hihat, open hihat, clap, tom and percussion, 16 complete drumsets and 16 FX programs.
The randomize function creates new sounds by taking different elements from a number of sounds and mixing them together into new sounds. Furthermore, the randomize function copies the new sounds into a list with 16 entries. After creating some random sounds you can step backwards through the list to check always the last 16 random sounds you created. Going forward into the list creates new random sounds as soon as you have reached the end of the list.
Additionally the randomize function comes with a buffer sound memory. You can hold one of your best randomize results inside this buffer and recall this buffer later. By pressing prev and recall, you can compare the current selected randomized sound from the list with the one, you have saved temporarily into the buffer.
The Spectralis sports a Shuffle function that allows for bringing some nice groove feeling into your tracks. The Shuffle function can be assigned to 8th, 12th, 16th, 24th and 32th notes. The shuffle function always delays the second and the fourth note of a 4 note group by an selectable amount between one and nine 192th notes. The Shuffle Function can be enabled for different tracks independently and you can assign the groove quantize function to step sequencer lines as well.
Shift button latching
The Spectralis allows for latching and temporarily latching the [SHIFT] button now. That is a very usefull feature especially in Live situation, where you have to manage some shifted functions with one hand. Another improvement changes the menu navigation. You can set the edit menus now into a turnaround mode, where the last page in a menu flips to the first page by pressing the [PAGE-UP] button. Both new features can be activated in the System menu.
MIDI SYNC OUT
The Spectralis sends now Start, Stop and Continue in pattern mode and Start and Stop in Songmode and MIDI-Clock.
Easy Triggergroup editing menu access
This button opens directly the menu pages for the triggergroup definition of the Hybrid synth when the hybrid Synth is selected and opens the Part Mixer Channel strip when a DSP part is selected.
Easy envelope bypass control menu
The envelope bypass settings of oscillators and filters can now additionally edited in an extra menu with two menu pages.
Bugfixes
Beside long awaited new features, the latest Spectralis Firmware release contains a lot of bugfixes:
-Extern Sync was not working correctly with songchains.
-Default System settings were not saved.
-MIDI Controllers werde not fed into the engine, if the Arpeggiator was running.
-Under some wired circumstances the sequencer started to eat polyphony.
-Some circumstances caused note hangings at some tempos.
-Init Sound in Hybrid Engine created inaudible settings caused by cleared triggergroup settings.
-Arpeggiator Resolution above 96th notes caused note hangings.
- Missing samplesets caused delayed pattern changings.
- Stepsequencer target DSP part Kick was not memorized.
- problems when using more than one memory card with USB access."
Update COD binary
http://www.spectralis.de/
Some highlights from the PDF:
"Version 1.0 Preliminary Info
New Sample Managment
The Spectralis now allows exchanging the sample set without rebooting. Samples, set to dynamic loading will be loaded on songselection. Samples, not used in the current song will be removed from memory. Memory cards will be enumerated automaticly. As soon as you insert a new samplecard, the sample-names will be added to the sample list in the oscillator section.
But the new functionality goes even further. Sometimes when arranging a new pattern you want to check other sounds by selecting a sample in the oscillator menu, selecting a preprogrammed sound or by using the randomize sound function. After loading a couple of samples the RAM memory just for testing if they fit the current arrangment would fuel the RAM very quickly. The Spectralis new sample managment will unload samples, which are only temporarily loaded automaticly. The Spectralis will hold samples, that are already in use by patterns of the current song but will unload samples, that have been choosen but discarded by selecting another one. That all works in background. With the Spectralis you simply don’t need to care about „Load-Sample“-menus or unload sample functions like on other samplers. By default, Spectralis 1 samples are set to „Fix loading“. That means that they get loaded on startup and will resist in
memory until you shut down the Spectralis again. This setting only makes sense, if a sampleset is in use in almost all songs. Fixed loaded samples resist in memory and the consumpted memory is not available for dynamic sample loading. For that reason, you should set your samplesets to „dynamic-loading“."
"FX Editor and FX-2
FX-2 has been added to the soundengine and both FXs are now editable. FX2 offers the same functionality like FX1. The FX’s algorithm is at the moment a Digital Delay with some nice extra features. Beside tempo synced delays and ping pong echoes the Spectralis FX section allows very cool moduation FX’s like flanging and chorusing as well.
On the Fly Realtime Recording
Realtime Recording can now be started without stopping the sequencer. The Spectralis must run in Pattern-Mode to start this function. Just select Record and start playing. For orientation you can view the bar position at the LEDs of the numbuttons. After selecting another part, you will be asked if you want to keep the new recording or if you want to jump back to the original recording. Pressing of „Play“ stops the recording but not the sequencer. Play just changes from recording to playback mode without any stopping. As soon as you left the recording loop, the dialog for discarding or keeping the recording appears.
Recording of MIDI controllers
Version 1.0 of the firmware allows for record pitchbend and modulationwheel data in realtime recording mode. The opportunity to assign the modulation wheel and the pitchbend wheel to different parameter targets allows for recording your filtersweeps and other parameters as well. However - the upcoming next version will also record the knob movements of the Spectralis panel.
Quicksound Selection
The new quicksound gives a direct and quick acces to your favorite sounds and drumsets. The quicksound function creates a new file on the internal flash rom called „FAVORITS.SBK“. This is a special mixed format soundbank that holds 32 Hybrid synth sounds, 32 DSP synth sounds, 16 drumsounds for each category kick, snare, closed.hihat, open hihat, clap, tom and percussion, 16 complete drumsets and 16 FX programs.
The randomize function creates new sounds by taking different elements from a number of sounds and mixing them together into new sounds. Furthermore, the randomize function copies the new sounds into a list with 16 entries. After creating some random sounds you can step backwards through the list to check always the last 16 random sounds you created. Going forward into the list creates new random sounds as soon as you have reached the end of the list.
Additionally the randomize function comes with a buffer sound memory. You can hold one of your best randomize results inside this buffer and recall this buffer later. By pressing prev and recall, you can compare the current selected randomized sound from the list with the one, you have saved temporarily into the buffer.
The Spectralis sports a Shuffle function that allows for bringing some nice groove feeling into your tracks. The Shuffle function can be assigned to 8th, 12th, 16th, 24th and 32th notes. The shuffle function always delays the second and the fourth note of a 4 note group by an selectable amount between one and nine 192th notes. The Shuffle Function can be enabled for different tracks independently and you can assign the groove quantize function to step sequencer lines as well.
Shift button latching
The Spectralis allows for latching and temporarily latching the [SHIFT] button now. That is a very usefull feature especially in Live situation, where you have to manage some shifted functions with one hand. Another improvement changes the menu navigation. You can set the edit menus now into a turnaround mode, where the last page in a menu flips to the first page by pressing the [PAGE-UP] button. Both new features can be activated in the System menu.
MIDI SYNC OUT
The Spectralis sends now Start, Stop and Continue in pattern mode and Start and Stop in Songmode and MIDI-Clock.
Easy Triggergroup editing menu access
This button opens directly the menu pages for the triggergroup definition of the Hybrid synth when the hybrid Synth is selected and opens the Part Mixer Channel strip when a DSP part is selected.
Easy envelope bypass control menu
The envelope bypass settings of oscillators and filters can now additionally edited in an extra menu with two menu pages.
Bugfixes
Beside long awaited new features, the latest Spectralis Firmware release contains a lot of bugfixes:
-Extern Sync was not working correctly with songchains.
-Default System settings were not saved.
-MIDI Controllers werde not fed into the engine, if the Arpeggiator was running.
-Under some wired circumstances the sequencer started to eat polyphony.
-Some circumstances caused note hangings at some tempos.
-Init Sound in Hybrid Engine created inaudible settings caused by cleared triggergroup settings.
-Arpeggiator Resolution above 96th notes caused note hangings.
- Missing samplesets caused delayed pattern changings.
- Stepsequencer target DSP part Kick was not memorized.
- problems when using more than one memory card with USB access."
MFB 522 into Schippmann "Ebbe und Flut" Filter
YouTube via nirvanabeach
"Jam Session with Mastermind Carsten Schippman and MFB Demonstrator. Setting: MFB 522 Mono Out into Schippmann Filter IN (incl. Patchbay)."
Breath (made with EMU Orbit)
YouTube via beckhusen
"The sound is made with EMU Orbit 9090 V2, only the beat comes from the MC-909.
The video of the chamaeleon is filmed in Hagenbeck's Tierpark Tropenhaus, Hamburg."
Alesis Andromeda A6 vs. GMedia / GForce Minimonster
via sequencer.de
I'll do my best at translating the German :)
The following can be heard:
1) sequence with a filter-Env-Sweep
2) bass with manual filter-Env-modulation
3) polyphonic chords with LFO sweep
4) FM filter demonstration
5) Bass sequence
6) lead-melody
7) resonant filter sweep with resonance
8) Polyphonic 80ies chord sequence
9) Osc FM demonstration
The sequence is always the same: First, Andromeda, followed by MiniMonsta.
MP3 here
I'll do my best at translating the German :)
The following can be heard:
1) sequence with a filter-Env-Sweep
2) bass with manual filter-Env-modulation
3) polyphonic chords with LFO sweep
4) FM filter demonstration
5) Bass sequence
6) lead-melody
7) resonant filter sweep with resonance
8) Polyphonic 80ies chord sequence
9) Osc FM demonstration
The sequence is always the same: First, Andromeda, followed by MiniMonsta.
MP3 here
Premium Theremin on Maker SHED
MakerSHED"Invented in 1920 in Russia, the Theremin is the original electronic instrument and has been used in albums by artists from the Beach Boys to the Flaming Lips to add a unique sound to their track. It's easy to handle, but difficult to master, as you use your hands proximity to the volume and pitch antennas to create music. The new Gakken Premium Theremin is a compact version that produces quality sound at a reasonable price. Use your right hand to adjust the tone, and your left to change the volume, but no need to touch! The small speaker will provide ample sound, but you can also connect the theremin to external speakers, or even mix it with other instruments such as Gakken's Analog Synthesizer!
This kit is easy to build and play! Instructions are in Japanese but feature highly detailed assembly pictures (sorry, no English translation at this time). MAKE is proud to be the exclusive distributor in North America for these brilliant kits from Gakken.
Features
* Includes: Body kit, antennas, earth band, adjusting driver, manual (Japanese)
* Size: W220 x H36 x D120mm (8.5 x 1.5 x 4.7)
* Weight: 345g.
* Power: AA battery x 4"
via https://twitter.com/Miaousse
Also see these posts - scroll when you get there...
VIVACE - One Person Band
via Yanko Design were you'll find more images."Music aficionados rejoice. The idea of having only 1 device that combines multiple instruments, track recording, equalizer, sound editing, internet connectivity, and a touchscreen interface all into one compact package is drool worthy. The Vivace makes it all possible. Information is scarce on how the interface works but I have no doubt up-and-coming artists like FrankMusik and Bjork could do a lot with such a device.
Designers: Young-Shin Lee & Hae-Jin Jung"
via https://twitter.com/Miaousse who brought us the Poly.Touch - Synthesizer
NUMUS & EML
via vgermuse"Here are a couple of scans. The first [bottom] scan is the cover of a vintage electronic music magazine, Numus West, the May, 1974 issue with a lead article by John Cage, "the future of music". The second scan is an advertisement in that issue of the EML 101. Enjoy!"
John Cage - Water Walk
YouTube via holotone. No synths, but I'll take advantage of the John Cage flyer to post this video. :) Love it when that happens.
"1960 on the popular TV show I've Got A Secret.
via WFMU:
http://blog.wfmu.org/freeform/2007/04...
"At the time, Cage was teaching Experimental Composition at New York City's New School. Eight years beyond 4:33, he was (as our smoking MC informs us) the most controversial figure in the musical world at that time. His first performance on national television was originally scored to include five radios, but a union dispute on the CBS set prevented any of the radios from being plugged in to the wall. Cage gleefully smacks and tosses the radios instead of turning them on and off.
While treating Cage as something of a freak, the show also treats him fairly reverentially, cancelling the regular game show format to allow Cage the chance to perform his entire piece. "
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MATRIXSYNTH - EVERYTHING SYNTH
© Matrixsynth - All posts are presented here for informative, historical and educative purposes as applicable within fair use.
MATRIXSYNTH is supported by affiliate links that use cookies to track clickthroughs and sales. See the privacy policy for details.
MATRIXSYNTH - EVERYTHING SYNTH
