Just a few pics of my new Synthesizers.com Patcher Jack T. It arrived in the mail last week with a couple of extras - a magnet knob, sticker, and an A series patch cable. The T is super soft. I can't wait to wear it. Synthesizers.com has been a sponsor of the site for years. I'll be wearing this one with pride.
"Ensoniq made some of the best synths and samplers of the 80s and 90s, hands down. They just did things in a smart way. I bought a used Ensoniq VFX-sd a few months ago and I've been enjoying exploring its ability to create patches that use up to six waveforms ranging from standard "analog" type waveforms, to sampled waveforms and what Ensoniq calls "transwaves" (pretty much wavetables from my experience).
The VFX-sd gets a little hit from synth users because it does not have analog filters like its predecessors, the ESQ1 and SQ80. But it is still capable of creating some very warm sounding patches. Another thing that Ensoniq did with most (all?) of their keybeds was to give them polyphonic aftertouch. This adds so much the expressive abilities of the synth it really takes it to a different level.
I've really been wanting to record a video showing this synth but time restraints haven't really allowed that, so here's a really quick and dirty video. This video features my first three patches I created after acquiring the VFX-sd. They all use the polyphonic aftertouch feature to varying degrees, mostly in this case to affect filter, and maybe LFO rate.
I find the VFX-sd to be quite intuitive for a menu-based synth. Ensoniq always designed interfaces that made sense, even though there is only one data slider and a lot of buttons to select parameters for editing.
A couple of notes:
1. The noise floor seems rather high here, and this is not a quiet synth, but I can do better on future videos by working more with the levels.
2. The reverb and delay on this are from Valhalla and I designed the patches to work well with those because I use them all the time. I specifically created elements in the patches that would give nice results with the FX. This is not a "dry demo" by any means.
"Aries Modulars are quite rare. They were designed in the 1970s by Dennis Colin (RIP), the designer of the ARP 2600 (which we’re selling too), and they sound incredible. You can find the original demo record for the Aries here: [posted here]
And here are a few sound effects demos we did on another system we sold ages ago: [embed above]
This Aries system is in great shape for a used item of its type and age. It was assembled by a Bell Labs engineer (in other words, someone who was very qualified to assemble electronics from kits) and contains more modules than most Aries modulars we’ve seen, with a total of 14 modules. Our tech spent over 24 hours fully cleaning and overhauling it and the end result is a perfectly working example and perhaps the most beautiful Aries system out there. We have 32 photos of this system, but eBay only allows us to post 12, so please contact us for a link to the rest.
We feel this system should make anyone looking for a used Aries System very happy. It's a real pleasure to play. If it doesn’t sell soon, we will either end up trading it for another rare vintage modular synth or it will end up in The Synth Sanctuary vintage synth recording studio, along with the 33 module Aries system and tons of other amazing gear that’s already there. Finally, we have recently begun restoring vintage synths for others, so if you’ve got a synth you’d like restored to the highest standards, we may be able to help."
Update: MATRIXSYNTH readers can get 25% off by using this link. Additional audio demos below. Also, via SonalSystem: "**We have teamed up with our friends over at Audio Damage to offer new Quanta users 40% off their regular price of $99 Click Here. Or use code SENSELQUANTA on the Audio Damage Checkout page.**"
"Granular Vol. 1: Strung
Strung is the first in our series of audio collection presets featuring granular synthesized sounds. This alluring collection of 50 presets is a godsend for serious producers on the hunt for unique, irreproducible sound forms.
INCREDIBLE SOUND SOURCE
We began by sampling from a hi-res string source in the form of electric guitars, rich in tonal character. These textures were profoundly moving on their own but were given a fresh quality when imported into Audio Damage’s Quanta. Our presets made for Quanta are more than ready to be stretched and manipulated in the way only granular synthesis allows.
TOTALLY YOUR OWN
Today’s producers and sound designers shrug off stock sounds as recognizable and irrelevant. The meaningful stories influential composers tell with sound cannot rely on the reproducible, whether it be for a 30 second commercial slot, a two hour cinematic journey, an otherworldly game, or a memorable indie pop production. With immediate note accessibility on any MIDI controller, composers of all kinds will find it takes just one touch of the key to tackle that twist in the plot line, or to reveal that underlying meaning inexpressible with words. Far-thinking modern pop creatives will discover an endless supply chain of sound for impulsive moods or ambiguous motives.
ORIGINAL AND EXPRESSIVE
Strung flourishes in a way that even the same preset gives and keeps on giving. Each of these presets begs to be further morphed into something personally interesting and uniquely yours. By taking expressive control of each note using a Sensel Morph controller with their collection of overlays, you can “play” every note. MPE technology allows every iteration to be dimensionally altered in real time, resulting in a palette of truly expressive and suggestive sounds.
Strung is available in iOS and Mac/PC versions.
These 50 presets work in any instance of Audio Damage's Quanta and are especially expressive with our mappings for the Sensel Morph.
Tech Specs
290+ MB
50 Presets categorized by type
Compatible with both iOS and Desktop versions of Audio Damage Quanta
*These 50 presets will only work in Audio Damage's iOS and Desktop versions of Quanta and are especially expressive with our mappings for the Sensel Morph."
