MATRIXSYNTH

Korg Korgasmatron II Stereo patch examples

Published on May 28, 2015 bigcitymusic

"We are utilizing the Korg Korgasmatron II as a Stereo Filter.

00:00 - Both filters set to self-resonate as two oscillators in unison

00:23 - Both filters set to self-resonate to track two independent pitches

00:44 - Filter FM delay

01:07 - L/R Cutoff offset filter modulation"

http://bigcitymusic.com

Erica Synths Sequential Switch CV Generator Teaser

Published on May 28, 2015 Erica Synths

via Erica Synths

"Erica Synths SEQUENTIAL SWITCH CV GENERATOR is an expansion module for the Sequential Switch that turns a sequential switch into powerful, feature-rich 8 step sequencer.

Both modules combined generate CV and gate signals with all functionality that Sequential Switch has – merging, pausing, skipping and manual select of steps, random play, and piano mode. CV Generator generates CV for the each step in range from 0 to +5V, the three position range switch allows to select optimal maximum range: 1, 3 or 5V.

If you plug some patch cable in any of Sequential Switch input jacks, CV Generator internal patch is automatically disconnected and it works as conventional Sequential Switch.

The CV Generator internally connects to the Sequential Switch with ribbon cable supplied with the module.

Price 90EUR, +21% VAT for individual customers in EU without EU VAT registration number.

Shipping in EU - 6EUR, elsewhere in the world - 8EUR, cost will not increase, when ordering several modules."

Squarp Instruments Pyramid Polyrhythmic Sequencer Now Accepting Preorders - Additional Details

You might recall the demos and intro post with initial details on the upcoming Pyramid Polyrhythmic Sequencer. The following is the latest press release:

"Squarp set to revolutionise hardware sequencing workflow with polyrhythmic Pyramid

PARIS, FRANCE: avant-garde musical hardware researcher and developer Squarp Instruments is proud to announce that it is already accepting preorders on its inaugural Pyramid Polyrhythmic Sequencer breakthrough — an advanced hardware standalone sequencer running proprietary PyraOs realtime processing firmware and boasting (multiple) MIDI, USB, CV/Gate, and (Sync48- and Sync24-configurable) DIN Sync connectivity, together with a host of fanciful features belying its compact and bijou form factor — as of May 21...

Most notably, and arguably an absolute rarity in this day and age, Pyramid Polyrhythmic Sequencer is fully polyrhythmic, meaning different and unusual time signatures can be set for each of its 64 tracks to cleverly create shifted-beat sequences — set a track to 4/4 and add other tracks to simultaneously run with it in 5/4, 6/8, 15/8, or whatever — to bring stirring new musical flavours to productions. Pyramid Polyrhythmic Sequencer... it is incontestably an appropriate appellation, after all! Apart from that, though, what makes this standalone sequencer so special and also why resolutely return to hardware in this day and age of commonplace software-based sequencing solutions, courtesy of all-singing, all-dancing DAWs (Digital Audio Workstations)?

Well, to truly get a feel for the flexible future of state-of-the-art and easy-to-use hardware sequencing in the present, perhaps it pays to look to the past? Which is exactly what the forward-thinking research and development team at Squarp Instruments did. “Our aim was to create a hardware sequencer in ‘sync’ with the new styles of electronic music being written nowadays,” notes company co-founder and R&D engineer Tom Hurlin. “There’s a huge gap in the market for this, which is kind of weird, because most popular music from the early-Eighties to the late-Nineties was produced using sequencing hardware. Hip-hop, for example, originated on the MPC series, which actually revolutionised all kinds of music — Madonna to Bryan Ferry to Whitney Houston. How come these machines were suddenly replaced by the computer?”

Good question. One which Squarp Instruments musically meditated on while dreaming up the knockout conceptual design of Pyramid Polyrhythmic Sequencer. So, by cleverly combining computer, sequencing software, controller, and interface, the robust result is an amazingly accomplished sequencing solution that is as practical in use as it is easy on the eye while its road-ready aluminium casing merely measures 268 x 206 x 44 mm. Muses Tom Hurlin: “We felt that we had to create a machine that you could really feel — one that could satisfy any musician from any musical background. We wanted to have nice and playful controls, such as a multipoint touchpad, which was inspired by Korg’s Kaoss Pad and Kaossilator, and to be able to go from basic four-on-the-floor house beats to very experimental rhythms. Really, the important thing is that if you go from the computer to Pyramid then you don’t feel frustrated. The machine should enable you to do exactly what you had in mind when you started working with it, but also allow for some happy accidents along the way when tweaking!”

Two years of research and development, three prototypes, and multiple musical dialogues with various live and studio-based artists later, the cutting-edge electronics and advanced (updatable) firmware — the realtime processing PyraOS operating system allows any parameter to be controlled on the fly and any changes to be listened to immediately — implemented in the production Pyramid Polyrhythmic Sequencer makes for a standalone sequencer par excellence, enabling users to agilely access a wide-ranging workflow based around 64 tracks. Each track can be up to 64 bars in length and acts as a loop that contains polyphonic or monophonic notes, automations and effects, plays repeatedly and controls one of the electronic musical instruments connected to the MIDI 1, MIDI 2 +sync (DIN Sync), CV, and USB outputs. Of course, those instruments could be hardware (such as drum machines, synthesizers, and modular synth systems), virtual instruments (running on a connected computer or even an iOS device, such as Apple’s all-pervasive iPhone smartphone or iPad tablet), or combinations thereof. The full flexibility of CV, G (Gate), and ENV — useful for sequencing any voltage-controlled parameter, such as an envelope generator or filter — connectivity will absolutely appeal to modular synth system aficionados, all the more so since the ever-present Eurorack small-format modular system is increasingly being popularised (and heavily populated) by an ever-growing band of merry ‘boutique’ manufacturers now numbering hundreds worldwide!

With Pyramid Polyrhythmic Sequencer’s high-precision clock, rest assured that the sequencer itself is a superlative synchronisation tool for vintage and modern devices alike. All connected instruments will always remain perfectly in time, however rhythmically complicated those polyrhythmic sequences end up being — by grand design or happy accident! And with whatever users choose to connect to wherever, workflow is cleverly conceived for both stage and studio use, courtesy of four clear-cut, colourful (and colour-coded) modes. Make musical patterns from scratch and program MIDI effects and automations in (red) LIVE or (green) STEP modes by recording performances using the built-in one-octave keypad and so- called smartpads — each configurable as a chord harmoniser, advanced beat repeater, or scaled piano — or creating rhythms and melodies with the self-explanatory step sequencer, then manage and arrange tracks in (yellow) TRACK or (blue) SEQ modes by muting/un-muting tracks on the fly to build songs live or arranging and linking sequences — groups of muted/un-muted tracks — to create complete, structured songs.

Similarly, Pyramid Polyrhythmic Sequencer’s hands-on hardware user interface includes six accurate and clickable encoders, a wide, multi-finger touchpad, and an accelerometer — all of which can easily be assigned to an effect parameter, a MIDI CC message, or even the two CV inputs! Beautifully backlit, the white LCD clearly highlights all functions, fanciful or otherwise. One particularly noteworthy mention must go to the algorithmic euclidian sequencer engine available to each track to auto-generate atypical and rich rhythmic patterns... plucky users can change the number of total steps, the number of filled steps, the step width, and rotate the pattern — again, all on the fly!

For the keyboardist seeking a powerful performance partner to get the most from their chosen instrument, the live performer looking for a complete sequencing solution to help handle their set, or the studio musician making music from scratch, Squarp Instruments’ innovative Pyramid Polyrhythmic Sequencer surely delivers. Hardware sequencing is back with workflow advancement and flexible features to musically die for. Vive la standalone sequencer!

100 Pyramid Polyrhythmic Sequencers are available to preorder online for €699.00 EUR/$799.00 USD/£524.00 GBP (including VAT) from the Squarp Instruments Store here: http://www.squarp.net/store.html (Shipping is scheduled to start in June 2015, including free delivery to 28 European Union member states, with a second batch becoming available worldwide in early Q4 2015.)

For more in-depth info, please visit the dedicated Pyramid Polyrhythmic Sequencer webpages here: http://www.squarp.net

Watch Squarp Instruments’ informative series of Pyramid Polyrhythmic Sequencer demonstration videos here."

Analog Synthesizer Drone | Olden X.2

Published on May 28, 2015 Iteration and Discord

"I used the small monophonic analog synthesizer know as the microbrute by arturia to make layers for this drone [music] style track. Download the track from my website http://iterationanddiscord.com/
use the bandcamp or soundcloud link."

Arpeggist For iPad Now Available

Arpeggist for iPad has been released. You'll find a video previously posted here.

Full details via iTunes: Arpeggist - VirSyn

"Arpeggist is a MIDI Note arpeggiator with a very flexible step matrix editor for programming and a unique “rolling dice” random arpeggio generator. You can build arpeggios from scratch or use one of the factory arpeggios as foundation. You can also create an unlimited number of user arpeggio presets. 
Just play a chord or a single note and it gets transformed into a grooving monophonic synth line or a rhythmical chord pattern.

### introductory offer 50% off ###

Full featured programmable Arpeggiator
• User programmable sequences with up to 32 steps.
• Can trigger single notes and chords.
• Unique randomizer generates Arpeggios with 100% usability.
• 40 Factory arpeggios included, unlimited user arpeggios possible.
• For each step you can program tie (bound notes), accent, transposition and note order
• Use to control MIDI compatible Synthesiser

Live
• Play trigger notes live with the onscreen keyboard.
• Optionally use CoreMIDI compatible hardware keyboard.
• Chord generator plays complex chords on one finger playing.
• Internal sound generator.
• Selectable Arpeggiator MIDI Output port.
• Dozens of scales selectable
• Variable Keyboard layout for scale optimized playing

Global
• Audiobus 2 compatible (Input slot) with Preset saving.
• Inter App Audio
• Exchange user presets with File Sharing in iTunes.
• Support for virtual MIDI input/output connections."

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MeMe Antenna Three Day Weekend Sale

"15% off Verbos Electronics & Sputnik Modular.
5/29 (Fri) - 5/31(Sun)

with promo code: vs-may15"

http://memeantenna.com/

$3500 Buchla 249e DARF Synthesizer Module

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

via this auction

In case you were wondering what a $3500 module looks like...

via the seller: "Shown for sale is a near-pristine (screw wear only) Buchla 249e Dual Arbitrary Function Generator, lovingly referred to by many as the DARF.

This incredibly rare sequencer module was made in very limited quantities during the earliest era of the e-series Buchla Modular Synthesizer. Two tracks of 24-steps with multiple pulse and CV outputs, sequence scanning inputs and all sorts of other wild tricks!

This module has been thoroughly tested and is working properly.

This auction includes only the module as shown."

Vintage ARP 2600 Synthesizer with Keyboard SN 0054 Pro-Restored

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

via this auction

"This ARP 2600 is in perfect working condition and was lovingly restored last month by the world famous The Analog Lab here in New York City. Over $2000 was spent to do the job thoroughly and correctly.

You may find one in better cosmetic condition, but not one that functions better than this unit.

They did the following:

Unit disassembled All broken sliders repaired (10)
All tantalum decoupling caps replaced on panel
PCBs All controls cleaned
Bad solder joints repaired
Momentary switch repaired
Voltage processor repaired
Replaced blown LM301 left output
Keyboard LFO repaired
Keyboard connector replaced
Keyboard CV out repaired
Controls cleaned
Connectors cleaned and resecured
Key contaccts cleaned and regulated
Grounds tightened
Housing resecured
Full calibration
Full function check - OK
New 4021 VCO module from CMS ordered and fitted plus V/Oct trimmer"

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ARP Odyssey 2800 Whiteface Pro-Restored

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

via this auction

"Good vintage condition. Full recent professional restoration. This item is dialed in to factory specifications. Expect a great playing synthesizer with some normal cosmetic blemishes. This is an extremely early odyssey. Production number sub 1000. This is an amazing piece of early ARP history.

Recent full restoration and maintenance including:
-New keyboard bushings and complete cleaning of contacts and key-tops.
-All I.C.s have been placed in sockets.
-Control faders have been removed, dissembled, cleaned, reassembled, and remounted. They slide very smooth.
-Failure prone aging caps have been replaced (the filter has not been worked on and is still all original within it's potted enclosure.)
-Complete calibration to factory spec. This item preforms at a professional studio quality level."

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