Roland JX-8P Demo #3 - Skywriter

Published on Jul 21, 2016 gstormelectro

"Audio and video by G-Storm Electro c.2016

This is the Roland JX-8P, possibly one of the most under-rated synthesizers. This time I have multi-tracked live takes with Big Sky and Timfactor effects-fueled production chock full of EQ, compression and a few dubious mastering techniques. The TR-8 drum machine is barely breaking a sweat, churning out a painfully simple beat. There are some factoids relating to the JX-8P along the way. What is this music? I call it a cheesy 80's dream pop rendition in 3/4 time with almost a two step feel. I know, I'm scratching my head too...I was very tempted to scrap this during recording. But it was too fun to see it through, too odd not to post, too catchy for me to easily dismiss."

All parts here.

Yamaha Introduces and FM Synth for iOS and New Music Synthesizer MX BK/BU Series

Published on Jul 21, 2016 yamahacorporation

"Great for stage, studio and everywhere in between."

Playlist:
Yamaha Music Synthesizer MX BK/BU Series Official Movie
FM Essential Introduction
iOS Application FM Essential Voice demo

Update: Details via Yamaha (Details on FM Essential here):

"The MX BK/BU series synthesizers feature carefully selected sounds taken from the Yamaha MOTIF XS. That powerful sonic palette is packed into sleek packages (available in 49- and 61-note versions) that fit today’s on-the-go life style. But the MX BK/BU Series aren’t just synthesizers; they are designed to bridge the gap between hardware and software. By adding extensive audio and MIDI USB connectivity, advanced DAW and VST controller features and a suite of powerful music production software, the MX BK/BU integrate hardware reliability with controller flexibility to give you the best of both worlds at a ground breaking level of affordability.

Features:

Over 1000 Sounds from the MOTIF Series – The MX BK/BU series contains more than 1000 Voices derived directly from the Yamaha MOTIF XS music production synthesizer. From realistic acoustic sounds like piano, electric piano, strings and drums to complex 8-element synth sounds, the MX BK/BU puts favorite MOTIF XS Voices at your fingertips. The newly designed category selection makes it easier than ever to find the Voice you need. You can even edit and store your own sounds right onboard.

Class-compliant, “plug and play” USB audio/MIDI – The MX BK/BU series features class-compliant, “plug and play” USB audio/MIDI with iOS, Mac and PC. Just plug it in and your MX BK/BU synthesizer becomes your audio and MIDI interface for the rest of your music studio. Monitor all the sounds from your computer via the headphone output of the MX BK/BU or listen to your DAW tracks by connecting the MX BK/BU to external studio monitors or PA gear. The audio converters on the MX BK/BU are made for professional music applications so everything on your computer — even games — will sound better when using the MX BK/BU as the output. The MX BK/BU interface is bi-directional for digitally recording your MX BK/BU directly to your computer or iOS device resulting in high-quality audio.
Plug and Play, “FM Essential” – “FM Essential” is an FM synthesizer app for iPhone and iPad with real-time synth performance and editing. Connect your iOS device to the Yamaha music synthesizer MX BK/BU, and you can do following:

Play all 271 high-quality Voices consisting of preset sounds from the V50, TX81Z and DX100 Legacy FM PLUS presets and combination Voices specially made for the MX BK/BU series.

Change Voices of FM Essential and control various parameters via the MX BK/BU onboard controllers.
Store your changes

Easy Split /Layer Performance Mode – Performance Mode on the MOTIF has always been the place to find instant inspiration and the MX BK/BU is no different. You can easily combine two Voices to play on the keyboard using the dedicated Split and Layer buttons each with their own intelligent arpeggiator and a dedicated Part for a drum track to create evocative Performances that feel like a whole band is playing. The 128 Performances on the MX BK/BU are all user editable so you can customize them for your style of music.

16-Part Multi Timbral and 128-note Polyphony – In addition to Splits and layers, the MX BK/BU features full 16-Part MIDI for creating entire arrangements using DAW software. This also lets you create live performance sets where you can switch between parts without any sound cutoff.. With 128 notes of polyphony there are plenty of notes to play even the densest sequences from your DAW. These features make the MX BK/BU the perfect tone generator solution for live performance and live playback of DAW MIDI tracks.

Extensive Hands-On Controls for VSTs and DAWs – The MX BK/BU also features solid knobs and durable buttons for controlling internal sounds, DAW parameters and VST instruments. The deceptively simple interface is combined with a remote template editor on your computer so any VST you own or any new VSTs you buy can be easily setup to be controlled by the MX. There are advanced integration templates for use with a variety of DAWs. When used with Cubase, there is even an AI knob so any parameter can be controlled by the large rotary encoder just by mousing over it. It’s never been quicker to take full control of Cubase.

Complete Suite of Music Production Software Included – The MX BK/BU series is the only hardware synth in its price range to come with a complete suite of music production software tools. The included Steinberg Cubase AI features 48 audio tracks and 64 MIDI tracks, notation, built-in VST effects, so with just the MX BK/BU and AI you can do complete productions. But we didn’t stop there; it comes bundled with Steinberg Prologue and the Yamaha YC-3B organ emulator so you have some compelling VSTs to get started. Plus there are Remote Template editors for setting up controls of VSTs.

Cubasis LE – In addition to Cubase AI, the MX BK/BU series is compatible with Cubasis LE, a DAW app for iOS. Connect MX BK/BU to your iOS device (requires Lightning to USB Camera Adapter) and unlock USB audio and MIDI recording between MX BK/BU and Cubasis LE.

Complete Analog and Digital Connectivity – In addition to the USB audio/MIDI port, the MX BK/BU has a USB TO DEVICE port for external data storage to USB flash drive. You can even play back .WAV data from the flash drive. If you want to add a tablet or an MP3 player to your system just connect to the AUX input using a mini stereo cable and you are ready to go.

Lightweight Design with a Quality Keyboard – While almost all other keyboard controllers use inexpensive OEM keyboards, the MX BK/BU series features an expertly crafted keyboard that only Yamaha — the world’s largest keyboard manufacturer — could produce. Weighing only 3.8kg (MX49 BK/BU) or 4.8kg (MX61 BK/BU), either synthesizer can be carried easily with one hand. MX synthesizers have a compact design so they are easy to carry to the gig and also fit easily into today’s compact home music production studios.
VCM Effects – MX BK/BU synthesizers come equipped with VCM (Virtual Circuitry Modeling) effects, which simulate vintage effectors at the circuit level. The sounds of the ‘70s are brought back to life, through simulating the hard-to-find vintage sounds of equalizer, flanger, phaser, and wah effects introduced by the keyboard legends of the era."

iTunes: FM Essential - US - Yamaha Corporation of America

"Featuring an FM tone generator, FM Essential is a synthesizer app for the iPhone and iPad that provides for real-time synth performances and also lets you edit voices.

[Spec]
-FM sound
・Tone Generator: FM
・Part: 1
・Polyphony: 16
・Preset Voice: 271
・Arpeggiator patterns: 64
・Chord pads: 20
・Scales: 25

-Drum Part
Tone Generator: Audio
Part: 1
Drum Pad: 16
Drum Pad Set: 3

Functions
Plug into MX!
-You can play full 271 voices and voice store function if you connect your iOS with Yamaha music synthesizer MX BK/BU series.

Effects/EQ edit
-You can adjust parameters to edit effects and equalization.

Ball controller
-Touch and drag in ball controller to modulate the sound by simultaneously changing multiple parameters based on the ball position.

Step sequencer
-We can store the ball position in the currently selected scene box.
Arpeggiator and chord pads
-You can play Arpeggiator and Chord pads in addition to keyboard with various scales.

What's MX BK/BU/WH series? Find more here:
http://jp.yamaha.com/products/music-production/synthesizers/mx_bk_bu/?mode=series

[Support]
-Compatible with Audio Bus、Audio Unit Extentions

-Compatible devices:
iPhone 5S, 6/6 plus, 6s/6s plus and SE, iPod touch 6th Generation or later, iPad Air 1st Generation or later, iPad mini 2nd Generation or later,iPad Pro"

iPad screenshots below.

CLICK FOR MORE »

Peter Zinovieff: Synth Pioneer

Published on Jul 21, 2016 Sound On Sound magazine

"Peter Zinovieff has been described as Britain’s Bob Moog. A renowned composer from the mid ‘60s to the present day, he was also one of the founders of EMS who produced seminal synthesizers such as the VCS3 and the Synthi AKS, as used by Brian Eno, Pink Floyd and the Chemical Brothers. We met him in his home studio to discuss half a century of technological innovation and musical development, from his first experimental studio, to his use of early computers, as well as his compositions and the latest music production software."

Switched On: OB 6 vs Prophet 6

Published on Jul 21, 2016 Switched On

"Dual sequencing of the Dave Smith Instruments OB-6 and Prophet 6 Module. No added effects to the audio, everything you hear is directly from the two Synthesizers. Visual enhancements provided by the BPMC Basic Cable."

https://www.davesmithinstruments.com

Unboxing the 2016 Minimoog Model D #23

Published on Jul 21, 2016 fredturd

"Hello world! 2016 Asheville Minimoog Model D Serial # 0023 Watch in double speed for best results.
With special guest appearances by: my cat"

https://www.moogmusic.com

Hyaedra "Stay" Cabaret Beware 2016

Published on Jul 19, 2016 Hyaedra

"Live clip from Hyaedra's debut at Cabaret Beware July 9th 2016"

This one in via supporting MATRIXSYNTH member, Manecolooper. He is on guitar in the video. The track features the KORG iMS-20 on iPad, triggered by audio in from the electric cello using MIDImorphosis - Polyphonic Audio to MIDI Conversion.

Remember, the site is synth demos only, however supporting members can promote their music as a thank you for that support! Thank you!!!

Summer Synth Impro Arp Odyssey MKI+Arp Solus+SQ1

Published on Jul 21, 2016 SYNTH GURU

"sequence by Korg SQ1 Arp Solus,bass pad and synth solos Arp Odyssey MKI restored and modified"

Tiptop Audio: Mantis 360 VR esperience

Published on Jul 21, 2016 Tiptop .Audio

You'll need a browser that supports 360° video like Firefox or Chrome for the full effect. When is Safari going to support 360° video?

"Tiptop Audio presents:
Mantis (Eurorack Modular Synthesizer Cases) 360 VR esperience.
Music by Angle
Video by Jacopo Cosmelli & Luca Ruggeri

An immersive 360 ° view in the universe of modular synth, between the cables and connections of the patch.
All modules are connected within the new case of Tiptop Audio thanks to the new "Mantis" model.
The patch and the music video are made from Angle while the video that takes advantage of the new technology 360 VR is created by Jacopo Cosmelli and Luca Ruggeri."

CAprile

CAprile from Christine Aprile on Vimeo.

Moog Sub 37, Sequential Circuits Six-Trak, Roland Juno-60. ARP 2600, TR-606 & Machinedrum present but not used from what I can see.

New Eurorack Manufacturer Tsyklon Labs

Published on Jul 21, 2016 Sean Pendleton

"Clocking many things Tsyklon Labs Chaos Dividers. I'm clocking my Klee, triggering various drums, triggering bleeps, bloops, and synthesized fart noises. This video is probably 5 minutes too long."

Details on each module via Tsyklon Labs for the archives:

CHAOS DIVIDER HV Eurorack Clock Modulator Module

"A clock signal. A serial chain of pulses. Some wide, some narrow. Some pulses are taller than others. Others, not so much. A clock may not the most exciting signal that gets passed around a modular synth, but it is certainly a useful signal. Take that clock pulse and pass it back out. But maybe instead of high fidelity, you drop every other pulse. Or maybe every third, or fifth, or eighth. By dividing your clock train, you can run an entire “drum set” of modules with one input and many outputs. But what happens when you add unpredictability, chaos if you will, to a normally pedestrian module? You get a CV controllable, multi-divisor, revolutionary clock modulator we call the CHAOS DIVIDER HV:

It is easy to be distracted by the glow of the Mode indicating Nixie tube (HV means HIGH VOLTAGE), this is a hard module to miss. But look past the neon beauty, and you will see a module with brains too. Front panel or CV selectable divisor mode, 9 outputs (inverted or normal outputs selectable with front panel toggle switch), division reset via push-button or trigger/gate input, and front panel and CV controls for Intensity and Interval chaos variables. Oh, and a clock signal.

The Mode control lets you select the divisor sequence from the list displayed to the left of the Nixie tube. In CHAOS mode, the divisors change at random according to the Intensity and Interval chaos variable selectors. The Intensity variable changes the range of the randomly selected divisor and the Interval variable changes how often divisors are recalculated. In non-CHAOS mode, the Interval variable introduces slip (or delay) to the outputs. This causes the outputs to be delayed from the incoming clock signal. Similarly, in non-CHAOS mode, the Intensity variable selects whether the slip applied to all outputs is the same (low Intensity) or varies across the outputs (high Intensity).

A few technical details: CV input allowable range is 0-10VDC. Anything over 10VDC is limited to 10VDC. The output pulses can be individually configured from 5-10VDC with a twist of a trimpot. Front panel controls behave as an attenuator for CV inputs.

Add our expander module, the CHAOS DIVIDER SPUTNIK (by the way, Sputnik means “Companion” in Russian), and unleash all the features that make the CHAOS DIVIDER a clock modulator for the people, Comrade!

Technical Specifications:
– 129.4mm (5.095″) Front Panel Height (3U Eurorack format)
– 12HP Module Width
– 51mm Module Depth
– Power Consumption: +12V = 165mA, -12V = 0mA, +5V = 0mA

Front panel graphics were designed by the inimitable Hannes Pasqualini @ Papernoise

Assembled modules retail for $400 USD, and Front Panel/(3)PCB/Rare Parts sets sell for $85 USD."

CHAOS DIVIDER SPUTNIK Eurorack Clock Modulator Expander Module

"In Russian, SPUTNIK means “Companion” – and that is exactly what the CHAOS DIVIDER SPUTNIK module is. A companion, or more accurately, an expander module for the CHAOS DIVIDER.

Want to change your CHAOS DIVIDER clock divider into a frequency divider? Flip the “Division” switch, Comrade! Would you rather have twice as many clock outputs and go half as deep with the divisions? The “Split” switch was added just for you. Do you need Gate outputs instead of Trigger outputs? There is a switch for that too. There is also a front panel control and a CV input for dialing in Gate Length.

Can you keep a secret, Compai? Each CHAOS DIVIDER comes with a 4HP blue acrylic place holder panel. Our shpiony report that this place holder is nearly identical to the CHAOS DIVIDER SPUTNIK panel. So you can use the place holder to save 4HP in your rack for the CHAOS DIVIDER SPUTNIK, or, if you are an enterprising Udarnik, you can use the place holder panel to make your own CHAOS DIVIDER SPUTNIK! #diyforthepeople

Technical Specifications:
– 129.4mm (5.095″) Front Panel Height (3U Eurorack format)
– 4HP Module Width
– 29mm Module Depth
– Power Consumption: +12V = 0mA, -12V = 0mA, +5V = 0mA

Front panel graphics were designed by the inimitable Hannes Pasqualini @ Papernoise

Assembled modules retail for $80 USD, and partial kits sell for $25 USD."

CORE Eurorack Passive DI Module

"Do you need to connect your Eurorack synth to a balanced audio Live or Recording rig? Find the solution with our Transformer-Based Passive DI module called CORE.

CORE is a passive transformer coupled direct injection unit for connecting a Eurorack synth to the microphone/line levels in mixers and recording equipment as well as passing the Input signal directly to the Thru connection. CORE features a Sowter 8044 12:1 DI Transformer with a Mumetal core and an XLR connector from Neutrik. Signal Attenuator and Ground Lift controls (both pre-transformer) help you trim the signal as needed. While the audio portion of this module is passive, it can be connected to a Eurorack power supply to provide LED indication of Ground Lift mode – BLUE halo around the transformer for ground connected and a RED halo for ground lift.

While the audio circuitry of CORE is passive, if you connect CORE to your rack’s power supply for the backlighting/ground lift indication, expect that it will draw 4mA or less.

Technical Specifications:
– 129.4mm (5.095″) Front Panel Height (3U Eurorack format)
– 8HP Module Width
– 35mm Module Depth
– Passive Audio Path
– Power Consumption: +12V = 0mA, -12V = 4mA, +5V = 0mA

Front panel graphics were designed by the inimitable Hannes Pasqualini @ Papernoise

Assembled modules retail for $220 USD, full kits are priced at $149 USD, and “Supply your own Transformer” kits sell for $70 USD."

BELKA and STRELKA Eurorack Germanium Fuzz Module

"Start with CV control over two stages of gain powered by Russian Germanium transistors. Dose the circuit with 4 different types of diode clipping. Top it off with a power starve pushbutton, a feedback circuit, and a squirrelly transistor derezzing circuit. Take all of these components, give them three orbits around a dying star, and you have our fuzz singularity, the BELKA and STRELKA.

Named after the first two Stardogs to fly into space and return safely to earth, BELKA and STRELKA is a Germanium Fuzz module with selectable clipping modes and CV control over Gain Stages 1 and 2. BELKA and STRELKA features NOS Russian Germanium transistors in the gain stages and NOS Russian Germanium and Silicon diodes for clipping. The clipping section also features hard and soft LED clipping as well as a purposefully mis-biased transistor that sounds so squirrelly that we had no choice but to name it after the Stardog Belka (squirrel in Russian). The BELKA and STRELKA fuzz module also has an adjustable feedback function that blends a portion of the output straight back to the input of the module. Lastly, the Starve pushbutton, when pressed, disconnects the first gain stage from the +12VDC supply and lets it fizzle out as the charge on the starve capacitor discharges.

Technical Specifications:
– 129.4mm (5.095″) Front Panel Height (3U Eurorack format)
– 8HP Module Width
– TBD Module Depth
– Power Consumption: +12V = TBD, -12V = TBD, +5V = 0mA

Front panel graphics were designed by the inimitable Hannes Pasqualini @ Papernoise

After building our first set of prototypes and reviewing them at our test facilities, we have made the difficult decision to delay the release of this module until later this year. It is so very close, yet we know we can make it much better."