What's so cool about the Microfreak Keyboard?

video by Synth Diy Guy

Website: https://www.quincasmoreira.com/

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/quincas

Yamaha SK-30 | Dreams in Prague

video by MIDERA

follow-up to this post

"Day 2 I think. Well, third day. I mean - technically I got it on Friday? So spanning 3 days, but less than 24 hours. Anyway.

Maybe this was more fun to play than it will be to listen. Only way to find out is to see how many little smiters come out to smite me with their dislikes. They're cute.

Monosynth - Ok, that's the part of this that I think really makes this instrument stick out. I mentioned in my previous video (or the comments) - the SK-20 just doesn't seem that interesting, since it contains everything minus the monosynth. The SK-50 has, what, a second keyboard? Crazy. That seems huge. And apparently it lacks the mixer section... but that must be wrong. I can see it in the photos. Anyway, it's too big. The SK-30 is too big too, but it's got a cool look to it.

Where was I? The Monosynth section, yes. Ok - aftertouch on the monosynth is really fantastic. I use it here with "brillance" which like, opens up the filter? At least that's what it sounds like. Really really love how it sounded here. It was also mixed with the organ and sometimes strings to make it stand out.

I like playing a nice 'pad' sound on the lower octaves and then use the mono part for a lead, because I'm not a good keyboardist and couldn't use the monosynth for bass - although it would be wonderful with that if I was capable. Others are no doubt.

I had a lovely conversation with someone about the Yamaha SK-30 versus the Korg Trident, a synth I have longed for for quite a while. The Trident wins as a polysynth because it has 8 voices, each able to articulate with the filter (it has 1 filter per voice, unlike the SK-30 which has 1 filter for all voices). Still - they seem different, the two synths. The SK-30 with it's monosynth for leads on top of pads, seems like it makes sense to me. But obviously, given the two, I'd go for the Trident. If only because it looks cooler, but also I suppose because it has MIDI kits available and that polysynth section seems worth it. Anyway -

Monosynth. That to me is where this shines. I probably would have (within days) gotten rid of the SK-30 if it weren't for that 1VCO SOLO section.

Now, if only I could figure out how to make it sound in tune when using the Analog keys to sequence that... Right now, it works, but it's waaaaay out of tune. Maybe I'll figure it out some day.

Eventide Space used for reverb."

Erica Synths Pico System III Desktop Modular Synth

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via this auction

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Roland SH-5 vintage Analog Synth

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Sequencer gate, 64 step, 16 channels, analogue, for synthesizer

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Univox miniKORG K-2 700S Vintage Analog Synthesizer SN 00577 w/ Original Box & Extras

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via this auction

"1976 Univox miniKORG K-2 700S Vintage Analog Synthesizer. (Lead sound of most early Cars hits and a favorite of Greg Hawkes). Discovered in the back of a music store storage room where it sat for over 40 years. Pristine cosmetic condition. Duet/Osc2 and Ring modulation 1-3 doesn’t affect sound. Possibly dirty switch or component out of spec due to age. Functions fine otherwise. Sheet music stand still wrapped in plastic.

Includes box, hang tag, promotional card, and sheet music stand."

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Elektron Machinedrum MKII SPS 1 UW+

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Zlob Modular VnIcursal VCA version 666

Playlist:
Żłob Modular VnIcursal VCA v666 Drone 1
Żłob Modular VnIcursal VCA v666 Drone 2 "Ring Mod"
VnIcursal VCA v666 demo 1 by Andy Ortmann
[2nd demo on Zlob Modular here]

via Zlob Modular

"The VnIcursal VCA is an 8hp 6 Channel VCA Eurorack Module available as a Eurorack DIY Kit, PCB and Panel, or Built Module.

It is the smallest, most compact Voltage Controlled Amplifier in the Eurorack market. It provides 6 OTA(LM13700)-based DC Coupled Linear VCAs for Audio or CV. The 6 VCAs are summed together so it can also be used as a voltage controlled mixer. Each VCA out is normalled to the SUM out so they can be removed from the mix and used on their own, they are not cascaded outputs. The potentiometers control the amount of gain and when a voltage is inserted into the CV in the potentiometers act as attenuators. With a control voltage of 5 volts the VCA will be around unity gain, above 8v can clip the input. LED brightness with or without CV in provides constant feedback of each channels amount of gain.

The newest VnIcursal version 666 now uses mostly resistor arrays(meaning multiple resistors in one long SIP package) as opposed to 90+ single resistors with v5. Upgrading to resistor arrays greatly simplifies the build and reduces the build time by 30 or 40%. Now the VCA is much more DIY friendly with new detailed build docs and should have less part placement headaches resulting in overall less troubleshooting and problems.

Version 666 also reduces bleed and cross talk sometimes apparent with version 5. But keep in mind analog VCAs can only close so much, or be so silent. In certain situations based on power supplies and gain stages the VCA can experience some bleed or noise mainly at the sum out as all channels are passively summed then buffered. Inputs above 1K Hz will experience more bleed than lower frequency signals.

Also version 666 now comes with all red leds.

Width: 8hp
Panel Material: PCB
Reverse Power Protected
Current Consumption: +12v 30 mA, -12v 20mA.
Depth: 35mm
Ships with M3 black nylon screws
Build Difficulty: Intermediate/Advanced
Expandable: no"

February Filter Sweep YouTube Protest & a Call to any YouTube / Google Employees

Youtube claimed copyright on a synth filter sweep video by ranzee

"I can't believe we are now getting copyright claims just for performing tests on synths! Yep - all I did was a filter sweep - and BAM! Copyright Claim police came on in and took my video away (partially) from the world. This is ludicrous!"

This one was sent my way via supporting member, Synth Addict.

For those not aware, YouTube has algorithms that scan audio in videos for copyright infringement. If something is found in violation, the video is automatically unpublished. The problem? Apparently certain filter sweeps are triggering take downs. This is becoming a problem for synth demos (per ranzee above, and previously mentioned here for example). I am curious what sample is being used for the comparison. Rush's Tom Sawyer? :) Actually, Synth Addict mentioned it being a Chemical Brothers track, which does sound familiar. Anyway, if anyone out there reading this has any connections, maybe you can reach out to someone that can fix this?

For the rest of us, not sure how the following will help, but if anything it will bring some attention to the problem amongst the synth community.

via Synth Addict:

"What users can do:

Post a video on YouTube of yourself demonstrating a filter sweep on a synth or synths of your choice and tag it #FFS

Attached image created by Andrew Brooks on FB [the image directly above, in this post], as a joint effort with the chat community of Pro Synth Network, GEO Synths, and SonicState.

bogus YT claims received so far by:

Pro Synth Network
GEO Synths
ranzee
Andrew Brooks
Starsky Carr
…and growing"

Update: and the first #FFS video:

FFS - February Filter Sweep

video by Vague Robots

And a couple more:

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Kids and Their Synths

via @byronkentwong

"Building an army of KraftJerks

#synth
@matrixsynth
#krafftwerk"