Friday, January 27, 2006
The Roland ProForm Series
Beautiful scan sent my way via Javier Zubizarreta. Title link takes you to a much larger image. Thanks Javier!
More NAMM 2006 via One Blue Monkey
I totally forgot about One Blue Monkey. They have some coverage including pics, notes and video, including the Akai EWI4000S. Title link takes you there.
Le Synthi V3 and Synthi AKS Schematic
Keith Seaman was doing some research on the EMS Synthi and ran into this schematic of the Keyboard Sequencer for the Synthi AKS. He sent it my way along with a link to a free Synthi emulation. Title link takes you to where you can download the software. Click on "logiceils" when you get there, scroll down and pick your flavor. Thanks Keith!
Musicians and Their Synths
Title link takes you to a site sent my way via André Bihler, of various musicians and their synths. Enjoy. Thanks André!
Jean Michel Jarre
Jean Michel Jarre
Thursday, January 26, 2006
Weird Noises That Blossom Into Symphonies - NY Times
Title link takes you to an interesting article in the New York Times on the Yamaha Tenori-On, the theremin, and Buchla. Regarding the Tenori-On: "It's a digital instrument in a new form," said Toshio Iwai, a 43-year-old interactive artist and University of Tokyo professor who created the device. "It plays light as well as sound." ... "The aim of this project is to create a musical instrument for nonmusicians," Mr. Iwai said. "I'm not a musician, but I had a dream to play an instrument on the stage." This is later countered with, "The potential in such an interactive system is finite," Dr. Winkler said of the tenori-on. "It's a cool thing for kids to play with, but I don't know any musician who would want to be stuck with this guy's music."
The Funk-A-Duck and MIDI Trumpet
Click here for the techno geeks page of the NAMM Oddities 2006 site. You'll recognize some others there as well. BTW, Frostwave makes some amazing filterboxes. I have the Resonator, and MS-10 filter clone. Build quality is outstanding and the filter on that thing will rip the paint off walls. Via CDM.
Brand New Micro Q Spotted for Sale at Thomann
Now this is kind of interesting consider Waldorf has been gone for some time.
Famous Sounds on Synthmania
Title link takes you to a page on Synthmania that has a long list of samples of famous sounds. Ever wonder what the Hoover sound everyone refers to actually sounds like? Check out "mentasm.mp3" when you get there. The Lucky Man solo? Also there.
Mindtrip - Moog MG-1 and Roland SH-1000 Tune
Title link takes you there. Posted by macman on the-gas-station.
Whacked Pro One Demo
Title link takes you to a post on VSE with a crazy Pro One demo by Jabberwalky. It's worth checking out if you want to hear a wide range of some of the quirky sounds a Pro One can make. There is also a super fat sounding Roland Jupiter 4 demo doing the THX theme by premieklovn in the thread.
Synthesizers.com Review - Build a Modular for $120 a Month
Title link takes you to a synthesizers.com review posted by tunedLow on the VSE forum. It's a good overview of his first impressions. At the end of the review he mentions, "If you're daydreaming about going modular, the entry level at 100 bucks a month can't be beat. Their descript of the plan sounds pretty flexible too." I totally forgot about this. Synthesizers.com has a deal where you send them $120 a month and they send you an item a month. In a year you have a usable modular. You can find more detail here: http://synthesizers.com/system-entry1.html. Hmm... If I remember correctly, I'd be finishing up my modular just about now if I signed up when they started this deal.
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
Gregg Janman's Modular Noodlings
Gregg recently posted this MP3 on the Analog Heaven mailing list, as an example of the Metalbox 8008, a Roland TR-808 kick drum clone. The MP3 also includes a Blacet and Wiard modular. I asked him if it would be ok to post the sample as I thought it was really good, it's very clean so you can hear each instrument clearly. He gave me the go ahead and a whole lot more. Below are some notes by Gregg and a few more samples and descriptions of each. Very, very cool. Thanks Gregg! "i post a lot of info about my modular to the black dog forum here.
i have a 37 module (and still growing but nearly complete i feel) frac
rack system with a mobius and fat controller sequencer, and a
moogerfooger mf-101 lpf. apparently it's the only frac rack modular in
japan ;)
that dimension c track is two modular voices (one blacet pwm wave into
moog filter, one blacet/wiard miniwave into blacet stonz phaser into
wiard boogie filter, both sequenced by the same cv from the mobius) plus
effects (2 blacet time machines plus a boss dimension c pedal) tweaked
and recorded live in one take and then post processed digitally with a
little reverb, compression, limiting and eq. the weirdest thing is that
if you listen to it for a while, it REALLY sounds like a grand piano!!!
here are some other modular noodlings:
- http://darkflame.hermetech.net/Musick/Babaluma-ChineseLantern.mp3
an example of putting the feedback signal of a delay through a phaser.
the main patch is the wiard noise ring output quantised by the miniwave
to a pentatonic scale set to "play" the vco's randomly, through the
above mentioned effects. - http://darkflame.hermetech.net/Musick/OneDropDrums&Acid.mp3
slow and dubby acid with the heavily modded tr-606. - http://darkflame.hermetech.net/Musick/Babaluma-VeryPhat.mp3
an excercise in phatness. - http://techno.dogsquad.co.uk/darkflame/DoubleDelaySweep.mp3
how BIG can those blacet time machines sound? - http://techno.dogsquad.co.uk/darkflame/3SquDroneEndorphin.mp3
a long drone, nice but boring? would make a good "bed" for other stuff. - http://techno.dogsquad.co.uk/darkflame/Babaluma-TheKindThatWinds.mp3
techno track, lots of modular, 606 and 8008. - http://darkflame.hermetech.net/Musick/Babaluma&Decadnids&Elf-Maggie-YamatoFluteMix.mp3
splitting a stereo mix digitally into m/s components, then processing
the m and s signals through DIFFERENT modular patches, back into the
digital realm where the m and s signals are recombined into stereo...
mmmmm.... - http://darkflame.hermetech.net/Musick/Babaluma-HymnForJohn.mp3
a complete track featured on the http://www.darkwinter.com/ album "full
cold moon", a tribute to john balance of coil, and featuring tangerine
dream/coil style modular sequencing. - http://darkflame.hermetech.net/Musick/Babaluma-TsunamiTidalWaves(PowerAmbientRemix).mp3
a full track, and one that i'm very happy with, even though it's old and
was made almost entirely in the digital domain (audiomulch on the pc). i
hope to be able to make stuff like this with just analogue gear in the
future.
anyway, feel free to post any of this stuff on your site. i'm always
looking to collaborate or master other people's stuff when my schedule
allows.
best wishes and thanks for listening and commenting, i really appreciate it!
gregg janman."
Thank you Gregg!
Roland SH-201 Video on Sonic State
Almost missed this one. According to the video it uses the same analog modelling section of the VSynth. Title link takes you there.
Metasonix Wretch Video on Sonic State
Title link takes you there. That is one nasty sounding synth. 1950s technology. : )
Analogue Haven Booth Videos Pt 2 on Sonic State
Title link takes you to Part 2 of the Analogue Haven set with Ken MacBeth, Dieter Doepfer, and ModCan. I just started on Ken MacBeth. I'm not going to spoil it, but man... It has to be seen to be believed. Absolutely amazing.
Also check out another batch of Sonic State videos including Line6, Nord, Waves, Analog stuff, Quantum Leap, Korg, Muse Research.
Also check out another batch of Sonic State videos including Line6, Nord, Waves, Analog stuff, Quantum Leap, Korg, Muse Research.
Future Retro XS Just Might Get MIDI Afterall
Via Jared on the yahoo group.
"We will try and add MIDI input for control of the XS before the unit goes
into production. This would allow a stock Revolution to control the accent
times of the XS. For those who prefer to control the XS with the CV and Gate
outputs, we have come up with a simple modification which allows the output
of a gated accent signal. We will post more information on how to do this as
we finalize the designs of the XS.
We will try and add MIDI input for control of the XS before the unit goes
into production. This would allow a stock Revolution to control the accent
times of the XS. For those who prefer to control the XS with the CV and Gate
outputs, we have come up with a simple modification which allows the output
of a gated accent signal. We will post more information on how to do this as
we finalize the designs of the XS."
"We will try and add MIDI input for control of the XS before the unit goes
into production. This would allow a stock Revolution to control the accent
times of the XS. For those who prefer to control the XS with the CV and Gate
outputs, we have come up with a simple modification which allows the output
of a gated accent signal. We will post more information on how to do this as
we finalize the designs of the XS.
We will try and add MIDI input for control of the XS before the unit goes
into production. This would allow a stock Revolution to control the accent
times of the XS. For those who prefer to control the XS with the CV and Gate
outputs, we have come up with a simple modification which allows the output
of a gated accent signal. We will post more information on how to do this as
we finalize the designs of the XS."
NAMM 2006 via Retrosynth
Title link takes you to the report. Link to the picture set is at the end of the post.
Roland SH-201
Roland SH-201
Synth pr0n - Flickr Set
Title link takes you to very nice Flickr set by gentle bakemono. Korg electribe on the left.
Buchla and Buchla NAMM 2006 - New Flickr Set
Don Buchla at NAMM 2006. Title link takes you to more in bdu's set.
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
Roland System 700 Shots
Title link takes you to shots pulled from this auction.
Update via the comments: "beware of this guy, wavstudios. he misrepresents the condition of some of his items and he's extremely rude. check his feedback on toolhaus.org."
Update via the comments: "beware of this guy, wavstudios. he misrepresents the condition of some of his items and he's extremely rude. check his feedback on toolhaus.org."
Analogue Haven Booth Video on Sonic State
Looks like two of more to come. Videos includes EAR and Synthesis Technology. Title link takes you there.
PSP Rhythm 3.0 Released
Update: There is hope for 2.6. I emailed psprhythm and got the following back: "for 2.6 we'll have to wait for Fanjita to get his new eboot loader working. once he does then it should work."
Now supporting PSP OS 2.0. I knew I shouldn't have upgraded to 2.6. They also put a sample up so you can finally hear what it sounds like. The track is very Daft Punk. Title link takes you there.
"For use on the Sony PSP with Firmware ver. 1.0, 1.5 or 2.0
PSP Rhythm is a homebrew drum machine for the Sony Playstation Portable.
Inspired by classic drum machines such as the Linndrum and Roland TR-series, PSP Rhythm has been created to use the simple, yet effective 16 step style drum sequencer. PSP Rhythm incorporates the use of audio sample playback instead of drum synthesis. PSP Rhythm has been directly influenced by one of our favorite modern drum machines, the Elektron MachineDrum. The most significant is our use of "parameter locks" (as used by the MachineDrum). Parameter locks enable you to change the pitch, volume, balance, start and end time per step to create moving, changing melodies and effects. This control over your sounds will give you much more creative freedom and allow you to not only use drums, but to use instruments in your music.
The new features include: Wave file output, Reverse Drums, Start and End times per drum hit."
Now supporting PSP OS 2.0. I knew I shouldn't have upgraded to 2.6. They also put a sample up so you can finally hear what it sounds like. The track is very Daft Punk. Title link takes you there.
"For use on the Sony PSP with Firmware ver. 1.0, 1.5 or 2.0
PSP Rhythm is a homebrew drum machine for the Sony Playstation Portable.
Inspired by classic drum machines such as the Linndrum and Roland TR-series, PSP Rhythm has been created to use the simple, yet effective 16 step style drum sequencer. PSP Rhythm incorporates the use of audio sample playback instead of drum synthesis. PSP Rhythm has been directly influenced by one of our favorite modern drum machines, the Elektron MachineDrum. The most significant is our use of "parameter locks" (as used by the MachineDrum). Parameter locks enable you to change the pitch, volume, balance, start and end time per step to create moving, changing melodies and effects. This control over your sounds will give you much more creative freedom and allow you to not only use drums, but to use instruments in your music.
The new features include: Wave file output, Reverse Drums, Start and End times per drum hit."
Lemur Software Update
Title link takes you to more on Sonic State.
"Most intriguing are the new messages for switching among the Lemur's multiple interface ‘pages’ from the host computer. This means, for example, that a composition could automatically change the interface presented to a performer as a piece progresses. Other new features include new graphic designs for many of the UI objects, six new functions for the Lemur's powerful built-in mathematical expression language, and new ways to customize the appearance of the standard objects."
"Most intriguing are the new messages for switching among the Lemur's multiple interface ‘pages’ from the host computer. This means, for example, that a composition could automatically change the interface presented to a performer as a piece progresses. Other new features include new graphic designs for many of the UI objects, six new functions for the Lemur's powerful built-in mathematical expression language, and new ways to customize the appearance of the standard objects."
Waldorf Microwave I Manuals
No title link. Links to manuals below, courtesy of Rasmus via AH.
http://rasmus.nuovoinizio.se/Performance_Manual_E.pdf
http://rasmus.nuovoinizio.se/Programming_Manual_E.pdf
http://rasmus.nuovoinizio.se/Performance_Manual_E.pdf
http://rasmus.nuovoinizio.se/Programming_Manual_E.pdf
TC Electronic Quintet - Elhardt Sings
From the man who brought us The Bahn Sage and some of the most amazing samples from the Alesis ION and MOTM & Andromeda A6, a demo of the TC Helicon Quintet vocal processor. Click here for small 1.4M demo. Trust me, it's worth listening to. Enjoy. : )
Arturia Prophet V Hands On via CDM
Title link takes you to the post. The thought of mixing and matching the two synth engines as one is indeed appealing. I can't wait for the demo to come out.
Via the Arturia Site (three simple demo mp3s are up):
"The modulation matrix of the Prophet Hybrid allows you to add modulation inputs impossible to add with the PROPHET 5 alone. The velocity, after touch, or the numerous other modulation sources presented on the VS that can now be used on the PROPHET 5."
Via the Arturia Site (three simple demo mp3s are up):
"The modulation matrix of the Prophet Hybrid allows you to add modulation inputs impossible to add with the PROPHET 5 alone. The velocity, after touch, or the numerous other modulation sources presented on the VS that can now be used on the PROPHET 5."
Manufacturers and Their Faces - MESI
I was poking around the MESI website and started looking at the different manufacturer pages. After a few, I realized a pattern - many featured a shot with the key people behind the gear actually in the picture. Brilliant idea when you think about it. So... If you were ever curious about the face behind your manufacturer of choice, check it out. Title link takes you there. Click on the "Produits" link on the top of the page to get to the manufacturer list on the left nav. Enjoy.
MINOD Systems VORGA
Interesting mono synth sent my way via André Bihler. Title link takes you to the site with samples and more info.
Features:
# Live realtime Interface
# DCO - with analog waveshaper
# VCF - special mode analog 4-pole filter
# LFO - low frequency oscillator
# ENV - ADSR envelope generator
# SEQ - analog type 8-step sequencer
# MIDI - MIDI control input and output
# Stylish case
Features:
# Live realtime Interface
# DCO - with analog waveshaper
# VCF - special mode analog 4-pole filter
# LFO - low frequency oscillator
# ENV - ADSR envelope generator
# SEQ - analog type 8-step sequencer
# MIDI - MIDI control input and output
# Stylish case
Mini-Monsters and MESI
Title link takes you to a site sent my way via André Bihler. The Mini-Monster is a tiny self contained modular synth made up of your modular manufacturer of choice. They have configurations like the Doepfer Moog and MS20 Styles, and an Analogue Systems tiny EMS and tiny Vostok. Title link takes you there. Also track back to MESI for a ton of gear. MESI looks like THE analog shop for France. Very nice. Thanks André.
Monday, January 23, 2006
NAMM: Street Boxx and Rockers Mints
Title link takes you to a hillarious video by the Sonic State crew on what looks like the NAMM 2006 after party. There's a couple of plugs including the Street Box SB-246 (a repackaged Zoom Rhythm Trak they claim to be "Hip-Hop's first real beat machine. For the streets......By the streets"), and Rockers Mints. Enjoy. Man I miss LA at times. That's sparkle. : )
Blacet Sound Clips
Update: Title link was pointing to one of the MP3. It's now updated and points to the forum post. Sorry about that.
Title link takes you to a post on HC with some impressive sound clips. Below are the current samples. Make sure to check back for more over time.
"One is some FM craziness using the filter in self-oscillation to modulate a sine wave from the VCO, with the filter frequency modulated by the LFO. The other is a simple saw-tooth bassline, with some standard filter sweeping."
http://home.comcast.net/~r3cogniz3r/BlacetSineFM.mp3
http://home.comcast.net/~r3cogniz3r/BlacetSweep.mp3
"Here is a quick loop I whipped up. The drums are Battery, the lead sound is Vanguard, the bass is the modular. It's a simple pulse-wave patch with PWM."
http://home.comcast.net/~r3cogniz3r/BlacetShortLoop.mp3
Title link takes you to a post on HC with some impressive sound clips. Below are the current samples. Make sure to check back for more over time.
"One is some FM craziness using the filter in self-oscillation to modulate a sine wave from the VCO, with the filter frequency modulated by the LFO. The other is a simple saw-tooth bassline, with some standard filter sweeping."
http://home.comcast.net/~r3cogniz3r/BlacetSineFM.mp3
http://home.comcast.net/~r3cogniz3r/BlacetSweep.mp3
"Here is a quick loop I whipped up. The drums are Battery, the lead sound is Vanguard, the bass is the modular. It's a simple pulse-wave patch with PWM."
http://home.comcast.net/~r3cogniz3r/BlacetShortLoop.mp3
Blacet/Wiard/Doepfer Live - The Picture is Dead
I posted about The Picture is Dead back on Nov. 26. Some truly bizarre and interesting music reminiscent of the old 4AD and Fac bands. Well, they will be playing live in the DC area on the 25th of January, and they will be performing with their Blacet, Wiard, and Doepfer modular; you don't get to see that every day. More info below. Title link takes you to their site with a couple of mp3s.
"This message is to inform you that THE PICTURE IS DEAD will be performing at DC9 on Wednesday the 25th of January at 9 PM. The band members are BRYAN CORNELL, SAM SERAFY, PATRICK TIMONY, and JAMES WOLF. To hear what we sound like, visit www.pictureisdead.com or www.myspace.com/thepictureisdead. The band will play along with projected images by PAT PADUA. Joining us will be the bands SPANORB (aka DJ Panic) and JAKUTA AND CARL.
DC9
1940 9th Street, NW, (9th & Florida)
Washington, DC
http://www.dcnine.com
Hope to see you there!"
"This message is to inform you that THE PICTURE IS DEAD will be performing at DC9 on Wednesday the 25th of January at 9 PM. The band members are BRYAN CORNELL, SAM SERAFY, PATRICK TIMONY, and JAMES WOLF. To hear what we sound like, visit www.pictureisdead.com or www.myspace.com/thepictureisdead. The band will play along with projected images by PAT PADUA. Joining us will be the bands SPANORB (aka DJ Panic) and JAKUTA AND CARL.
DC9
1940 9th Street, NW, (9th & Florida)
Washington, DC
http://www.dcnine.com
Hope to see you there!"
Synths Make the Sunday Paper
In the UK that is. Note this is in a Newspaper, not a music publication. Pretty cool. Title link takes you to more via Chris Strellis.
Korg Radias on Sequencer.de
Title link takes you to Moogulator's page on the Korg Radias including several screenshots of the editor.
Silky T and the Juno G - Video up on Roland
Title link takes you there. Tired of the standard techno demos? Well here you go.
To get to the video, click the little video icon on the bottom left of the juno image.
To get to the video, click the little video icon on the bottom left of the juno image.
KORE Portability?
Title link takes you to a good post about KORE on CDM. The one thing that stood out to me was the following:
"Portability: Because KORE will store all this patch information and performance and control settings, you'll be able to take your whole KORE setup anywhere you want -- move from Logic to Live, SONAR to Fruity Loops, from your Mac to your PC, from your studio tower to your stage laptop, whatever. Of course, you'll have to have the same plug-ins on both systems, but at least you won't have to manually move over plug-ins."
This along with seamless integration of your plug-ins seems one step closer to soft synths bridging that final gap with dedicated hardware synths. I just prefer the directness of hardware, but you can't deny the apeal of having a hundred different synths under one hood; this just might be the solution.
"Portability: Because KORE will store all this patch information and performance and control settings, you'll be able to take your whole KORE setup anywhere you want -- move from Logic to Live, SONAR to Fruity Loops, from your Mac to your PC, from your studio tower to your stage laptop, whatever. Of course, you'll have to have the same plug-ins on both systems, but at least you won't have to manually move over plug-ins."
This along with seamless integration of your plug-ins seems one step closer to soft synths bridging that final gap with dedicated hardware synths. I just prefer the directness of hardware, but you can't deny the apeal of having a hundred different synths under one hood; this just might be the solution.
Knobs on The Packrat
January's strip of The Packrat is out. Title link takes you to The Packrat page.
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© Matrixsynth - All posts are presented here for informative, historical and educative purposes as applicable within fair use.
MATRIXSYNTH is supported by affiliate links that use cookies to track clickthroughs and sales. See the privacy policy for details.
MATRIXSYNTH - EVERYTHING SYNTH
