MATRIXSYNTH

Analogue Renaissance ACID SCREAMER TS-303-GT: Morphing Distortion 2nd Prototype

The Acid Screamer morphing distortion eurorack module by Analog Renaissance utilizes the Sound Semiconductor SSI2164 QUAD VCA (see this post for some notes form Analog Renaissance on the SSI2164).

Details via Analog Renaissance who will be at SUPERBOOTH, booth H254:

"The shape by which the waveforms are bent, can go seamless from distortion (hard clipping like the DS-1) to overdrive (soft bend the waveform outward like the TS-808) and also in the opposite direction to what I call underdrive (bend the waveform inward) and looks a bit like wave folding + anything in between.

The shape can be seamlessly adjusted from perfect symmetric (like the OD-1) to assymetric (like TS-808) and beyond to one side of the waveform being overdrive and the other distortion.

This bending is frequency adjustable: You can select the part of the audio spectrum that is bent and the selectivity. This is somewhat related to a filter, but in this case it only affects the bent part of the signal and has interesting effects like isolating out the sequencer noise of a 303 or turning it into a bassdrum. This frequency selectivity is constructed around a SSI2164.

Like the previous MK2 version this one is remains capable of restoring the signal dynamics associated with overdrive and distortion effects.

Contrary to the previous version, the whole design is done from the ground up with voltage control taken in mind and a full modular version is in the works with CV-control for all parameters.

Do drop by if you're interested in more about these things. I'm at booth H254"

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Propellerhead RE Eurorack Module Powered by MIND Music Labs ELK MusicOS

Yesterday, we were introduced to the MIND Music Labs ‘Powered by ELK’ Retrologue 2 Desktop Synth. Pictured left in the rack you can also see a Propellerhead RE eurorack module powered by ELK MusicOS. Check out what appears to be a prototype desktop VST host unit in orange. The following is the MIND Music Labs press release for SUPERBOOTH 19:

STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN: Swedish startup MIND Music Labs lets loose by showcasing several super-cool applications of its award- winning ELK MusicOS — the world’s first ultra-low-latency music operating system developed specifically for audio applications, ushering in a new era where the power, flexibility, and selection of audio and music software can be run in real time on embedded hardware with full MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) support — at SUPERBOOTH19 in Berlin, May 9-11…

Further fulfilling its ambition of creating new ways to bridge the gap between musicians and technology, changing how to learn, create, record, and share music, MIND Music Labs will be demonstrating the potential and flexibility of its seminal ELK MusicOS by showcasing a number of hardware product prototypes based on existing VST (Virtual Instrument Technology) and RE (Rack Extension) releases from world-class developers at SUPERBOOTH19, Europe’s first and largest trade fair for electronic musical instruments.

First stop: media production products provider Steinberg’s stand on owner Yamaha’s booth (H310). Here the German giant continues its partnership with MIND Music Labs in making VST a standard for hardware by showcasing the co-developed ‘Powered by ELK’ Retrologue 2, a proof-of-concept prototype desktop synth running Retrologue 2, Steinberg’s VST Virtual Analog Synthesizer — successfully emulating the warmth and fatness of classic analog synthesizers — on hardware.

However, ELK MusicOS is not only VST compatible but also runs RE plug-ins from fellow Swedish company Propellerhead, creators of innovative and affordable music software. Supporting the Propellerhead partnership, MIND Music Labs will be showcasing a Eurorack format synth module running the RE-compatible Polysix for Reason — utilising Korg’s proprietary CMT (Component Modeling Technology) to precisely model the circuitry of an analog polysynth classic from 1982 — on booth (O504).

Other must-see SUPERBOOTH19 showcases scheduled to take place at MIND Music Labs’ location there include several contrasting conceptual collaborative projects with the likes of plug-in developer Stefano D’Angelo, former DSP engineer at Arturia; Italian music and audio software company Audio Modeling, creators of the SWAM (Synchronous Waves Acoustic Modeling) engine; HISE, an open source framework for sample-based instruments; and Igor Nembrini of Nembrini Audio, creator of some of the most revered guitar amp plug-ins under the Brainworx brand for Universal Audio's UAD (Universal Audio Digital) platform.

Concludes MIND Music Labs CEO Michele Benincaso: “The different hardware prototypes we will be showcasing at SUPERBOOTH19 are all great examples of what ELK MusicOS is capable of. With ELK MusicOS you add the feel of playing an actual physical instrument — without losing the benefits and qualities of desktop plug-ins. I am very excited to show everyone at SUPERBOOTH19 what we have been working on.”

Percussa SSP Recap - Superbooth 2019

via Percussa:

Come by at booth W210 and get a demo of the SSP featuring the latest software! Below is a recap of everything that happened since last superbooth and what's new.

Launch of the Percussa SSP community and forum (May 2018)
Started shipping the Percussa SSP (May 2018)
Major eurorack dealers started selling the SSP (Feb 2019)
In-depth SSP presentations at several dealers (videos posted on youtube in Feb/Apr 2019)
New preset collection with 60 patches, including polyphonic and multitimbral wavetable and granular (Mar 2019)
We released 19 software updates since last superbooth covering:

new modules:

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Rossum Electro-Music Announces Linnaeus Thru-Zero State-Variable Filter

(Scotts Valley, CA, May 8, 2019) — Rossum Electro-Music has announced that they will be previewing their new Linnaeus Thru-Zero State-Variable Filter Eurorack module at Superbooth in Berlin, Germany from May 9th through the 11th.

Following in the tradition of Evolution and Morpheus, Linnaeus represents yet another Dave Rossum innovation in filter technology.

Linnaeus is a stereo state-variable filter that provides the unique ability to linearly modulate its resonant frequency through zero into negative frequency, while maintaining stability. With extensive voltage control of nearly every parameter, Linnaeus lets users manipulate the filter’s natural response curve in new ways, to create both subtle and dramatic timbral effects. And with a “one-knob-per-parameter” interface, LINNAEUS inspires sonic creativity that invites (and rewards) real-time interaction.

Linnaeus’s cutoff/resonant frequency is exponentially voltage controllable from sub-audio to ultrasonic frequencies, while its resonant gain (Q) is exponentially voltage controllable from 0dB to greater than 60dB.

Linnaeus’s channel output response characteristics are independently and continuously variable from Lowpass, through Bandpass, Highpass and Notch, to Low and High Shelving characteristics. Voltage control of the response characteristics are independently selectable for each of the two channels.

The linear thru-zero modulation is provided by an integrated modulation oscillator and/or an External Linear FM modulation input.

The voltage-controllable modulation oscillator can track the filter’s exponential frequency or operate independently. The modulation oscillator’s output waveform is continuously variable from Off through Sine, Triangle, and Sawtooth, to Square. The modulation oscillator output is summed with the external linear FM input and applied to the modulation index VCA, which controls the linear thru-zero modulation index from zero to 8X. The modulation index is, of course, also voltage controllable.

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Bastl at Superbooth 2019 - New Products and Updates

The Press Release:

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SOUND BLAST FROM THE PAST: THE YAMAHA QY-70

Published on May 7, 2019 Audio Wanderer

"A demostration of the capabilities of the most beloved portable machine from Yamaha QY series. Not so small like a VHS (QY-10) not too big like a brick (the QY-100) just the right size to call it portable and the right function to be a full MIDI studio. Crispy sound and lots of instruments to create a complex music with it.
You can listen the complete version of the tracks featured on this video here:
https://walkstationer.bandcamp.com/ (All tracks composed on the QY-70)"

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Side note: Be sure to back yours up if you own one. I owned one and brought it along on my honeymoon, yes I did. :) I created a minimal Joy Division, New Orderish track on it waiting for a ferry. I socked it away for a few years, and when I decided to check it out again, the track was lost because the internal battery died! Couldn't believe it. I had to recreate an approximation of it.

Sequential Circuits Prophet VS

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

via this auction

"Prophet VS fully serviced from Switched On Austin, about a year ago. Key action works great, with aftertouch fully functional, chorus intact, etc..

There are surface scratches that can be seen in the images, but nothing that effects the actual instrument. Still looks quite stunning and suitably cold in any studio setting."

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