Talko VCO1

"Testing a new VCO mode for the Talko #arduino based #modular #eurorack #speechsynth"

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You might remember the Talko by Deladriere in this previous Ninstrument post.

Vocoders Comparison

"A comparison of the four vocoder-equipped MIDI synths I own. I haven't spent a lot of time fiddling with the settings on each synth, so these are by no means the only vocoder sounds they can produce. However, it is possible to tell that each has its own distinct character.

The Redsound Vocoda has a nice grunge to it, but has the disadvantage of only being monophonic, when using its own oscillator.

The Nova's 40-band vocoder is the smoothest, unsurprisingly, but as a result doesn't really have that robotic sound I like in a vocoder.

The Nord Modular, being a virtual modular is by far the most flexible, so the example only hints at the range of vocoder-type sounds possible with this synth.

The DVP-1 is a surprise. It sounds pretty bad in this example. I suspect it will need a bit more pre/post-processing work to get the best out it. Though all these vocoders are digitally modelled, I have a feeling the DVP-1 is less closely based on the traditional analogue vocoder setup than the others, which could explain the lack of the kind of controls you'd expect from an analogue vocoder on this unit.

I've added an example of the DVD-1s Harmonise mode at the end, just for fun.

With apologies to Leftfield and Africa Bambaataa"

Redsound DarkStar Synth with Vocoda Chip

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"Really nice, quirky synth/FX box. Has Vocoda chip installed, so run a mic into it for for great robotic vocal effects. The basic 11-band vocoder with internal oscillator, to me ears, sounds great, with a lovely grittiness to it. There 4 other modes, providing more options than any other vocoder that I know of, software or hardware! If you love Kraftwerk, and early Electro tunes, you'll love this!

Here are a couple of quick examples of the kind of sounds it can make:

Vocoder mode, compared to some other vocoders.
And the unique Sequence-Coder mode, that allows you to program your own sequence of preset vowel/consonant sounds. Excellent when tweaking that joystick.

Of course, if you tire of manic android effects and formant effects (it's also capable of some pretty cool synth sounds in Vocoda mode), you can always swap Vocoda chip for the original 5-part-multitimbral virtual-analogue synth chip. Don't be fooled by the RCA sockets on the back (legacy of Redsound's roots in the DJ equipment market), this thing can hold it's own against many synths from more well-known manufacturers. It's capable of producing some great analogue-type sounds, and editing is a breeze, as it's almost one-knob-per-function.

This desktop box style is coming back into favour in a big way, too. The DarkStar comes in a very convenient package. It doesn't take up too much desktop real-estate, but the controls are nicely laid-out, with enough space to feel your way around easily."

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Roland SH-101

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Moog sub 37+jupiter 8 sound (JSR 'unknow song ??)

Published on Feb 8, 2016 graal7

"original song created in 1980 year's by jsr
played on jupiter 8."

Teenage Engineering "Pocket Mixer"... Say What?!

Published on Feb 7, 2016 djthomaswhite

"The demo explains everything really, but to make it quick I made a mixer and sync distribution device to use all 6 currently available Pocket Operators at the same time with an audio mixer and 1/4" out jack. Fun! If you like what you see let me know in the comments. With enough demand I may make these with powder coated case, silk screen and color coded knobs.

For the curious - Technically this is a passive summing mixer with 100K Pots and 10K summing resistors. The sync is simply split from the input jack to the output jacks with one single copper wire. Easy peasy. I will use Log (audio taper) pots in the final design. Pan and stereo outs would be hard without adding active circuitry.

Don't be afraid to get your hands dirty. You can do it! Thanks for stopping by to check out another one of my projects captured on video."

Red Roland SH-101

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Oberheim OB-X Vintage Analog Synthesizer with MIDI

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"Ultra-rare Oberheim OB-X Vintage Analog Synthesizer for sale. This is the 4-voice model and in beautiful cosmetic condition with only a few minor scratches. The area around the pitch and mod levers are a little worn. This OB-X sounds incredibly fat, organic and beautiful unlike any other synth. Only 800 of these were produced back in 1978 and it is estimated that only about 200-300 are 'alive' today.

This OB-X is fully functional and rock-solid reliable. It was serviced about 1.5 years ago by a former Oberheim employee. Service included the addition of new OS-Eproms, rebuilding/recapping of the power supply, new ribbon cables, adding new key bushings, as well as adding a MIDI-Kit."

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Ensoniq Fizmo Realtime Transwave Synth

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Arturia Dark Force Rising with BeatStep and MiniLab Black Edition

"The Dark Force is rising again at Arturia with two new Black Editions of BeatStep and MiniLab!!!

With its new design the BeatStep Black Edition comes charged with Oberheim SEM V, Analog Lab and Ableton Live 9 Lite. It also comes with the latest 1.2 firmware update.

MiniLab Black Edition is not left behind, we have packed it with Oberheim SEM V, Analog Lab, Ableton Live 9 Lite, and UVI Grand Piano Model D."

And the press release:

"Arturia announces availability of software-bundled black BeatStep and MiniLab controllers

GRENOBLE, FRANCE: music software and hardware developer Arturia revolutionised the concept of what a priced-to-go compact controller can be with both its award-winning BeatStep Controller & Sequencer and MiniLab Universal MIDI Controller truly turning heads at past NAMM shows; today, within weeks of stealing the show at The NAMM Show 2016, January 21-24 in Anaheim, California, USA with more major product launches, itis proud to announce availability of limited-edition black versions of both the BeatStep and MiniLab that represent better value than before bybundling them with award-winning Arturia and third-party software...

Like its original white namesake sibling launched at The NAMM Show 2014, the BeatStep Black Edition is a chameleon-like controller and sequencer that matches many musical environments effortlessly. Compact and rugged, it is the perfect companion on the road or in the studio, offering a degree of functionality and performance hitherto unheard of in a portable pad controller — certainly at its tempting ‘takeaway’ €99.00 EUR/$129.00 USD asking price!

Speaking of which, the BeatStep Black Edition is bundled with Oberheim SEM V— Arturia’s award-winning authentic software recreation of the original Oberheim Synthesizer Expander Module® (SEM), which was itself conceived back in the Seventies as a way of beefing up weaker-sounding compatible analogue monosynths of the time, thanks to its rich two-oscillator driven sound, soon after forming the muscular musical backbone of several subsequent trailblazing Oberheim polysynths — alongside Arturia’s Analog Lab, a n a b u n d a n t l y -powerful software synthesizer solution with 6,000-plus presets by internationally-renowned sound designers derived from Arturia’s award-winning Analog Classics, a range of authentic-sounding software recreations of classic analogue instruments. Included third-party software comes courtesy of Ableton Live 9 Lite, a customised version of the Ableton Live music-making software, featuring selected instruments and effects plus all the essential workflows to write music, record audio, and songs intuitively in an innovative way — thanks to BeatStep Black Edition, triggering clips in Live 9 Lite areas easy as exercising your trigger finger! — and Grand Piano Model D from fellow French developer UVI, a sample-based virtual instrument delivering the sought-after sound of the superlative Steinway Model D concert grand piano with all the warmth, expressiveness, and detail of the real thing.

To sweeten the deal further still, BeatStep Controller & Sequencer and its younger brother, BeatStep Black Edition, both benefit from a firmware update (to Version 1.2) with neat new features such as resetting factory presets — either everything or everything except pad calibration — particularly proving to be well worth the wait.

When launched in dazzling white at The NAMM Show 2013, the diminutive yet feature-rich MiniLab Universal MIDI Controller proved an irresistible draw as one of the most feature-packed, compact control systems on the market, marrying sought-after hands-on control with portability par excellence. Engineered for the musician on the go or the performer with limited space, it offers a comprehensive set of features in a portable package that is as sturdy as it is easy on the eye. Discover new melodies with 25-mini keys plus pitch and modulation touch-strip controls. Drum out incredible rhythms with two banks of velocity-sensitive backlit performance pads, and tweak software to your musical heart’s content with 16 full-size rotary encoders. When combined with the included Analog Lab it becomes a real hybrid synthesizer.

Still one of the most feature-packed, compact control systems on the market today, it too benefits from the triumphant back in black treatment to remerge refreshed and reinvigorated as the MiniLab Black Edition — even better value than before, thanks to also being bundled with additional software from Arturia (Oberheim SEM V), UVI (Grand Piano Model D), and Ableton (Live Lite).

Black or white, then, the choice is out there... but beyond the plain to see colour change there is so much more to the BeatStep Black Edition andthe MiniLab Black Edition than meets the eye. Even though they still respectively represent a compact control powerhouse and the world’s premier mobile keyboard solution, they are all the better for being bundled with that additional software. Now they represent really remarkable bang for the buck. Best be quick, though... they are limited-edition bundles, after all!"