MATRIXSYNTH

How to make a Berlin School track in a few minutes and with minimum gear

Published on Jan 12, 2017 Alba Ecstasy

"How To make a Berlin School track in a few minutes and with minimum gear. Sure, this is a simple track, but starting from here you can add layers of sounds.

I used:
- for sequence: Volca Keys in different modes. Volca Keys is sequenced by the Circuit in Cmin. For reverb I used Clouds.
- for pads: Volca Fm - and I played on it with the Beatstep Pro, because the keys are very small to play nice pads. For delay I used Roland Demora.
- for drums: Novation Circuit.
And this is it! I even not played the internal sounds of the Circuit, so if I'm adding a new (bass) sequence from it, the track can be improved a lot!
All the above gear are directly recorded into the Logic Pro X via my audio interface Echo Audiofire 12. No other FX were added."

Announcing Bitwig Studio 2

Published on Jan 12, 2017 bitwig

"Today Bitwig GmbH is proud to announce Bitwig Studio 2 - the new version of the highly acclaimed music creation software for Windows, macOS and Linux."

I almost skipped this announcement as Bitwig of course is a DAW, not a synth. However, it does include a few synth features and they added VST3 support. As you can see in the video above, the current release has a big focus on the modulation capabilities of Bitwig. Below is an excerpt from their site.

As for specific soft synths included in Bitwig, they list the following 11 Devices: Drum Machine, E-Clap, E-Cowbell, E-Hat, E-Kick, E-Snare, E-Tom, FM-4, Organ, Polysynth, Sampler.

"A WORD ON MODULARITY

From the beginning, the idea of modularity has been central to Bitwig Studio. While digital audio workstations (DAWs) aren’t known for taking a modular approach, creating Bitwig Studio from the ground up allowed us to rethink previous assumptions. This led us to focus not just on individual devices but on strengthening the ways they interact with and support one another. And this ideal has born interesting, user-friendly fruit.

BITWIG STUDIO 1

Nested Device Chains

The first outcome was nested device chains, which allow you to house devices within other devices. A seemingly simple benefit of this is that device presets can now contain multiple devices, but this also opened up novel signal routing possibilities. For example, what if any device or plug-in could be used in a multiband configuration? Or if it was easy to add effects to just the wet signal? Or if devices could be added to a feedback loop..?
A core principle of modularity is that different users with different wants and needs can use the same tools in equally accessible and unique ways. Nested device chains allow newcomers to focus on richer sounds while initiated users can use additional devices as a way of extending their sonic palette. Win, win.

Modulation Sources

Another powerful outcome of modular thinking in a DAW was modulation sources. First, we created an elegant, efficient way for modulation signals to be assigned — simply clicking an arrow to go into routing mode, and then using parameter knobs themselves as attenuators. With a clean interface, it became possible to create and manage an unlimited number of modulations, all operating at audio rate.

And from there, all nested devices can be modulated as well. So instead of putting an LFO on our synth’s cutoff filter and then spending a lot of time trying to rebuild a synced LFO-effect on the distortion amount, we just assign the synth’s LFO to both the cutoff and the distortion amount. Additionally, Bitwig Studio 1 had devices made just for modulating other devices (like a standalone LFO, or a routable audio sidechain effect). A lot of freedom was provided by these early modulator devices, but at the cost of having to nest any devices you might want connect to each other.

BITWIG STUDIO 2

Modulators

The idea of modulators has been reclaimed in Bitwig Studio 2. Instead of using a standalone “modulator” device to modulate a single device, each device now has slots that can house true modulators. This means any device (or plug-in) you are using can now have an envelope added to some of its parameters. Or a stepper, or audio sidechain effect. Or 12 LFOs. As modularity dictates, how you use the tools is completely up to you.
This also serves to make things more efficient for both CPU cycles and screen real estate. Instead of building an arbitrary number of control devices onto each instrument — say, two LFOs — the user can now add and subtract these options as they see fit. And again, presets from Bitwig Studio 1 and 2 will load properly, with modulators added as needed.
We don’t add a chorus to every instrument just in case the user wants it. Instead, we create a good chorus device that you can add when you want it. We are just applying this concept to modulations now, and we look forward to what you will do with this extra flexibility.

LOOKING AHEAD

Modularity will continue to play a key role in our upcoming releases, both for users and under-the-hood. Additional devices are always under development, including some which will bring modular concepts more directly to the user. And a little bit down the road, our internal development tool for programming Bitwig Devices will be available to anyone who wants to go down that road. (You’ve probably seen some older screenshots of that environment; new paint and programming languages are coming.) We look forward to inviting you in for these enhancements and much more…
Thank you for having read this far. If you don't own Bitwig Studio yet, then come join us on our journey. We’d love to welcome you as part of the Bitwig community.

Best wishes,
The Bitwig Team"

Red ROLAND SH-101

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ROLAND Vocoder VP-330 MK1 SN 951350

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Reaktor Blocks - Controlling & Expanding A Modular Synth Voice

Published on Jan 12, 2017 DivKidVideo

"Here's a similar patch to the Blocks ES-3 AJH jam video I put up earlier this week. Native Instruments Reaktor Blocks is controlling the entire voice with pitch information, modulation, rhythms and triggers etc. Everything. The focus is around the Pitch CV Out Block which gives out pitch and gate CV and offers calibration of your oscillator (and other things that oscillator but don't track) to give pitch perfect and reliable tracking."

Live take on a trance classic - no DAW, 100% hardware

Published on Jan 12, 2017 Tony Horgan

"Live with a Korg Volca Kick, Volca FM, Volca Keys, Cyclone Analogic TT-303 Bass Bot and a Roland Aira TR-8. Mixed and recorded live on a Tascam DP24 SD. If you want to master the Volca series, try my guides for free, available from the iBooks store. https://geo.itunes.apple.com/us/book/... https://geo.itunes.apple.com/us/book/... https://geo.itunes.apple.com/us/book/..."

Wavestudios ARP 2500 Vintage Modular Synthesizer SN 70 035 For Sale

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via this auction

Holy cow, prices have gone up. Click through to see for yourself. I remember when these went from only $35,000 to $100,000. ;)

Update: this same one was listed back in Dec 2014. You'll find additional pics there. Regarding my comment on price, that was in jest. Price doesn't really apply when it comes to a system as rare as this.

Listing details: "Here is a rare chance to get my beloved Arp 2500. This one is a thing of beauty. It has the original wooden cabinet. In superb condition. It has never left my smoke free studio.

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Six KORG UNIVOX Mini-KORG 700s in Custom Rack Enclosure

This one in via Sunao Inami, spotted on this Japanese auction site (Googlish here). You can find an additional set of pics here while up.

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Arturia DrumBrute Analog Drum Synthesizer Demo by Kraft Music

Published on Jan 12, 2017 Kraft Music

"Check out great deals on DrumBrute at Kraft Music:
http://www.kraftmusic.com/brands/artu...

Providing 17 distinct, fully analog drum and percussion instruments with an intuitive sequencer, massive connectivity, a two-mode Steiner-Parker filter, and dynamic performance controls, DrumBrute will take your beat production to the next level. Create energetic and exciting drum beats with a single, user-friendly device. With its vast sonic potential and smooth workflow, DrumBrute meets and exceeds the expectations of demanding musicians. Bridging the gap between inspiration and technology, DrumBrute offers punchy analog drum sounds, advanced 64-step / 64-pattern sequencing possibilities and ultra-effective performance controls."