Elektron Talk: Performance Template, Fractal Bits, Scene design

video by EZBOT

"In this video/stream I am sharing how I use my 'Remixer' performance template, playing with Fractal Bits, and going over how I design my scenes."

The Synclavier, Michael Jackson and a Copyright Conundrum

video by Alex Ball

"Who wrote the intro to "Beat It"? Michael Jackson?

Let's find out...

One correction: I misspelt Jon Appleton in the video, apologies to Jon.

Root Studio's Synclavier demo video mentioned:"

NED Synclavier I Demo
video by rootstudio

"This rare New England Digital Synclavier Model I plays from its internal sequencer what is probably a factory demo.

To find out more about this instrument, watch my history video:"

Synclavier I - the first digital synthesizer you could buy
video by rootstudio

"One of the rarest musical instruments, this historic computer controlled synthesizer is as flexible as you want it to be and sounds like nothing else. Video includes high definition close ups of the insides and demo sounds.

Listen to some experimental music created on this Synclavier:
http://www.root-music.com/products/ot...​"

Update via gridsleep in the comments: "Triadex Muse was released in 1972, five years before the Synclavier."

And you could buy it. The Synclavier 1 would be the first *programmable* digital synth you could purchase, but only via the included DEC VT100. via 120years.net: "The synclavier 1 was an FM synthesis based keyboard-less sound module, and was only programmable via a DEC VT100 computer supplied with the system."

So I guess it depends on how you define a synthesizer - programmable or not. Note there were at least two earlier digital "synths". See The First Synth To post for more.

GForce Software OB-E | Overview and Demonstration

video by Alex Ball

"An overview of the new synthesizer OB-E from GForce Software.

Based on the God-tier Oberheim Eight Voice, OB-E is a new plugin for Mac that brings all the features of the original with a raft of additions that would make original Eight Voice owners jealous. Well, relatively jealous, they own an Eight Voice after all.

A note - I was using a Beta version of the software in October of last year so the final release version may have some changes and improvements.

0:00​ Intro Track
0:22​ This is OB-E
1:05​ Demo 1: Bread & Butter
2:22​ Demo 1: Explanation
3:33​ Demo 2: Return to SEM-der
4:43​ Demo 2: Explanation
6:02​ Demo 3: Off to Uni Son
6:40​ Demo 3: Explanation
7:08​ Demo 4: Expander & Chief
8:02​ Demo 4: Explanation
8:46​ Summary"

Korg's Weird Joystick Synth

video by Alex Ball

"A look at the Korg Σ (Sigma / KP-30) from 1979, a rare and strange monophonic performance synthesizer with two joysticks.

We discuss its features and history and listen to its suprising sound.

Gear used:
Korg Σ (1979)
Korg MS-20 Mk I (1978)
Korg KR-55B (1982)
Korg KPR-77 Samples (1983)
Korg DDM-110 (1985)
Korg SQ-1 (2015)
Seekers Voice Spectra Vocoder (00s)
Squier Jagmaster Vista (1997)
Evans Sound Creator Nova 400 (70s)

If you enjoyed the music and/or wanted to support me in making future videos then the outro song from this video can be bought here: https://alexball.bandcamp.com/track/k..."

A Closer Look at the Jupiter-8

video by Alex Ball

"A closer look at the legendary Roland Jupiter-8, an iconic polysynth from 1981.

Huge thanks to Shadow Child for the generous loan.

The end track is available here:



0:00​ Intro
1:10​ Demo 1: Ramp & Sync
1:44​ Demo 2: Unison Twist
2:04​ The Jupiter-8 Concept
3:24​ Demo 3: Bells
3:55​ Demo 4: Soft Chords
4:17​ The Jupiter VCOs
5:00​ Demo 5: Drill Wah
5:25​ Demo 6: Espen Kraftwerk
6:17​ The Jupiter VCFs
6:51​ Demo 7: Four By Four
7:23​ Demo 8: Filmscore
8:23​ Comparison to a Prophet~10
10:25​ The Key Modes
11:32​ Summary & Thoughts
13:15​ Contextual Demo: 'The Power'

The Links I Cited:
https://www.roland.com/uk/promos/rola...​
http://www.florian-anwander.de/roland..."

The Roland Paraphonic 505 - A Rare Synth Delicacy

video by Alex Ball

"A synth a lot of people have requested that I finally managed to borrow! Thank you to the owner.

The RS-505 or Paraphonic-505 was released in 1978 and was so called because it could make numerous sounds in parallel. The term "paraphonic" has been reappropriated in recent years to refer to instruments (like the 505) that were polyphonic, but that only had one filter and one amp.

0:00​ Intro
0:53​ Bass Sounds
3:02​ What Roland meant by "Paraphonic"
5:06​ Polyphonic Sounds
6:53​ All Sounds Together
7:35​ External Audio
8:02​ Thoughts & Summary
10:36​ Contextual Demonstration

Gear Used:
Roland Paraphonic-505
Roland System 100m
Roland System 500
Ryk 185
Korg SQ-1
Roland SH-2
Roland SH-1000
Musicaid Simmons SDS-3
Oberheim DX (used but not filmed)
Ibanez Jem 7DBK"

The Roland VP-330: Why is it so sought after?

video by Alex Ball

"The Roland VP-330 from 1979 is their most sought after vocoder. In this video we look at an original MkII and try to figure out why that is.

0:00​ Intro & Background
1:17​ The VP-330
1:47​ Vocoder Demo 1
2:38​ Vocoder Demo 2
3:15​ Vocoder Demo 3
4:27​ String Synth Demo
5:30​ Human Voice Demo
6:34​ Stack Demos
7:19​ Autobend
7:55​ Summary
10:00​ End Contextual Demo"

The Joy of the Roland SH-2 (Featuring Hainbach)

video by Alex Ball

"A quick look at the Roland SH-2 from 1979 , logically the 8th in the SH series ;)

Huge thanks to Hainbach for stopping by.

0:00​ Intro
0:18​ How The SH series got their names
2:07​ SH-2 Demo 1 Ware's Martyn?
2:46​ SH-2 Demo 2 Kettle's On
3:09​ SH-2 Demo 3 Hold My sample
3:39​ SH-2 Demo 4 Follow My Envelope
4:39​ Hainbach's Favourite Monosynth
5:50​ Hainbach Sound Demos
7:30​ Rounding Up
8:09​ SH-Twoet (Joint Demo)"

Wait, an affordable vintage, analogue drum machine?

video by Alex Ball

"Want a vintage, Roland, programmable, analogue drum machine but can't afford it?

Maybe you can....

One such machine remains cheap to this day, mainly because it was a little accompaniment unit for guitarists to practice along with and not a piece of serious studio kit. That machine is the Boss DR (Doctor Rhythm) 110 from 1983 and whilst limited, it's surprisingly cool.

Free sample pack and Kontakt patch (thank you EvilDragon for scripting)

Download: bit.ly/BossDR110

(copy and paste the above link into your browser)

Scans stolen from http://retrosynthads.blogspot.com"

ISLA S2400 - It's the mutt's nuts!

video by Alex Ball

"An overview for the ISLA S2400 that I've been asked about many times. I'm currently working through the video manual for the S2400 and that can be found here (new videos added weekly at the moment)."

Also see Isla Instruments S2400 Video User Manual: Firmware Updates, Hints and Tips.