Synplant – useless or fantastic
I played around with the new Synplant this weekend and I cannot really make up my mind if I like it or think it is just weird – at present I am inclined towards that it is quite cool in a strange kind of way.
Synplant is a software synthesizer with a genetic approach to sound creation. Instead of creating patches the conventional way by turning dials and knobs, Synplant lets you explore a world of organic sounds by planting seeds that grow into synth patches. The purpose of this product is to move focus away from the sometimes intricate and difficult process of sound synthesis and instead let you develop sounds by simply using your ears.
It returns you to the experience of exploring sound directly. Many user interfaces have tried to do that, but because the interface allows subtle and even fine-tuned exploration and not just randomization, and because the sounds themselves are so exotic it feels good.
Using vocoder in Reason 4
Found a good tutorial today on how to get the most out of the Vocoder in Reason, make sure to try it out.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anAC4Xd31q8]
Short on Reason’s vocoder below:
BV-512
Besides being a 4 to 512-band vocoder capable of modulating sound in both old-school analog style and digital FFT fashion, this unit also doubles as a fully automated equalizer with a twist. The BV-512 can be used for everything from classic robot vocals to weird harmonic effects.
To Vocode
A vocoder takes two input signals, the carrier, which provides the pitch, and the modulator, supplying the characteristics.
Traditional vocoders require you to sing into a microphone while playing a keyboard. Not this one – with the BV-512 you can combine any two sound sources. Try vocoding your percussion track with the bass line or the string pad with the rhythm guitar.
The Bands
A vocoder splits the incoming audio into a number of frequency bands. More bands gives you more control and more detail. Where most vocoders max out at eight to sixteen bands, the BV-512 gives you up to, you guessed it, 512 bands. In 4-band mode, the BV- 512 provides a gritty, analog, lo-fi sound. The 512- band setting is another beast altogether. In this mode, a digital 1024-point FFT-based algorithm provides the clearest, most detailed and most audible vocoding you ever heard from a computer.
The EQ
Hitting the EQ switch on the front panel calls up a handy parametric and low shelving equalizer for additional tweaking of your reverberated signal. Combine this section with the HF Damp and HF Smooth knobs on the front panel, and be the master of your wet signal’s every frequency.
The Gate
A flick of a switch turns the BV-512 into a 4 to 512 band stereo equalizer. Use the higher settings for detailed control of the spectrum.
Or try the four and eight band modes for a decidedly more lo-fi sound that adds an unmistakable vocoder “color” to your input signal.
Automation
Like all other Reason devices, the BV-512 Vocoder can be fully automated, band level settings included. Record your front panel actions, or use the pen tool to draw in layers upon layers of wild frequency changes. The Shift knob is just one example of a control that’s dying to be automated. One session with BV-512 and you’re hooked for life.
MK Digital Keys – Retro Keyboard Sampleset Released
Hi all Nucleus has a released a new Refill that is definately worth checking out and as a bonus there is also a free demo Refill below….
MK Digital Keys is a new retro keyboard sample library by Nucleus SoundLab.
Bring the 80s keyboard sound to your productions with this faithful sampling of Roland’s MKS-20 keyboard synthesizer. MK Digital Keys is available in three format packages: Reason Refill, WusikEngine, and Kontakt/EXS/SFZ.
Back in 1986, there weren’t many good ways to take a good keyboard sounds with you while touring. Sampled pianos were in their infancy, with extremely low samplerates and small ROM sizes. One answer to this problem was SAS synthesis. This unique form of synthesis uses no samples whatsover, and produces a very realistic sound. Still, its not a ‘real piano’, so these days the sound is more useful for its retro character. It still sounds great!
MK Digital Keys brings this retro sound to your modern sampler, while removing original limitations like low polyphony and noisy outputs. This is an extremely comprehensive sampling, with 6 samples per octave, 7 octaves, and 6 velocity layers per note. All 8 tones of the MKS are represented (3 pianos, 2 EPs, Clav, Harp and Vibes). All of this comprises a total of nearly 2100 mono 24-bit 44khz samples!
MK Digital Keys is also built to be scalable. At times, you won’t have need for the full extent of the sampling described above, due to CPU/RAM constraints. For those times, 3 alternate smaller versions of each tone are contained inside – L, M and S sizes. The S versions weigh in at under 50mb and can fit into even the most RAM-starved projects. Details:
* 3.6+ GB of 24-bit 44khz samples
* 8 different classic keyboard tones
* 20 Combinators and 32 NN-XT patches inside the Refill
* 78 WusikEngine presets, including 46 custom presets by Daniel Stawczyk
* Kontakt/EXS/SFZ format pack contains raw .wav files plus patches for all 3 formats.
Listen to what MK Digital Keys offers by downloading the MP3 demos below.
In addition, a Demo Refill is available for free download.
http://www.nucleus-soundlab.com/mp3s/mkdigital/burnweaver.mp3
http://www.nucleus-soundlab.com/mp3s/mkdigital/Asian%20Toys.mp3
http://www.nucleus-soundlab.com/mp3s/mkdigital/Fading%20City%20Lights.mp3
http://www.nucleus-soundlab.com/demos/MK%20Digital%20Keys%20Refill%20Demo.zip
Popcorn – Worlds first electro pop song to hit the charts
I guess most of you heard the song Popcorn at one point. But which version have you heard? Originally composed and recorded in 1969 by Gershon Kingsley on his album Music To Moog By. Though in 1972, it became a huge hit in many countries when it was rerecorded by the goup Hot Butter. “Popcorn” has since been covered by a great number of artists. In fact Wikipedia states that 500 versions exists… You can find 79 of them at http://blog.wfmu.org/freeform/2007/03/79_versions_of_.html although I doubt that all reference to artists are correct.
The version by Hot Butter reached no. 1 in Australia, Germany, Norway and Swizerland, 5 in UK and 9 on US Billboard Pop singles in 1972. It’s been re-released on unumerous compilations albums since then. More recent chart success are made by Crazy Frog which reached no. 1 in Belguim, France and Spain 2005.
Listen to the version by Hotbutter here (video is not original):
[youtube=http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=9N4ckFN96-k]
Solid Sounds new live pack for Ableton Live
Solid Sounds is an exclusive Live Pack created in collaboration with premier content provider Loopmasters. This free download includes over 400 MB of content, featuring 400 loops, 128 Simpler presets and 12 creative instrument Racks in a variety of musical styles.
Samples are loaded under “Samples->Loopmasters”.
Simpler presets are under “Instruments->Simpler->Loopmasters”.
Racks are under “Instruments->Instrument Rack->Loopmasters”.
The racks are setup so that Macro knob 1 allows you to quickly scroll through layers in a rack. Very cool!
In the mood for some fresh electro / synthpop acts
Wonderland records are promoting some of their artists before the upcoming electro event in december and as a bonus there are several songs that are available for free and it is good stuff if you are into synth music – make sure to check it out!!
Below is a snapshot of the artists that you can download 1 or 2 songs from their released or upcoming albums:
Finally I can buy the KORG NanoSeries…
….they are finally launched in black 
Well joke aside I have tried these for some time now and I believe for the frequent flyer musician they are a must have. NanoKontrol looks great, with a good number of knobs, buttons and sliders, useful (if rubbery) transport controls. It’s hard to overstate how cheap and plasticky these things are. The faders are tiny and toy-like, the cases would need to be taped down to stop them moving across the table.
KORG NANO CONTROLLERS
nanoKEY Slim-Line USB Keyboard
nanoPAD Slim-Line USB Controller
nanoKONTROL Slim-Line USB Controller
The nano Series from Korg – Serious Music Production in a Seriously Small Space
Meet the most compact family of USB-MIDI controllers ever! Introducing the new Korg nano Series USB powered slim-line controllers – so small you can put them on your workstation, in front of your laptop, on a recording console or anywhere else you need versatile control over your DAW, virtual instrument/effect or DJ software.
Three Flavors to Satisfy Your Creative Palette
Despite their small size, all three controllers go HUGE when it comes to functionality, yet their intuitive layouts provide extremely easy operation for any user. The nanoKEY features a great-feeling 25-key velocity-sensitive keyboard that’s ideal for song production. The keys can also be set to send MIDI control data, further expanding its power. The nanoPAD features 12 highly responsive trigger pads, also capable of sending both notes and MIDI control data, plus an X-Y pad with roll and flam functions giving you a unique interface for realistic drum programming. The nanoKONTROL offers nine faders, nine knobs and 18 switches plus a full transport section for expansive control; plus it features a note input mode to help you lay down your next big groove!
Also available in black later this year
What’s a Controller Without Software?
Even if the Korg nano Series controllers are your first foray into MIDI control, you can rest assured that you’ll be able to get connected to software quickly. As an added value, the nanoKEY includes a download code for the full version of Korg’s M1Le, which faithfully recreates the legendary Korg M1 workstation. Plus, an upgrade path will let you graduate to the Legacy DIGITAL EDITION software suite, which has an even more expansive version of the M1, the renowned WaveStation and 19 great MDEX effects. The nanoPAD comes complete with a download code for Toontrack’s EZDrummer Lite, offering super-realistic, highly responsive drums in a convenient plug in, plus you can upgrade to the full version of EZDrummer for a special price. The nanoKONTROL includes a discount coupon for Ableton Live LE software. What’s more; a free downloadable Editor/Librarian will help you create setups to suit your specific control needs in all three models.
Obama has won :-)
…and of course this needs to be celebrated.
Barack Obama wallpaper, LOL
By a strike of good fortune I came across this Combinator skin for Reason 4, which I believe is most appealing.
It can be downloaded from here >>
Long awaited return – new album from Elegant machinery
I don´t buy very many albums these days, I used to though, but this album I would really like to recommend for those into synthpop music. After 12 years they are back with a brand new album, so make sure to check it out. I have blogged about their first single from the upcoming album, so logically I will also post the second one, enjoy.
The new elegant MACHINERY album “A Soft Exchange” is set for release on November 28th on the German label Out Of Line Music.
The new elegant MACHINERY album “A Soft Exchange” is set for release on November 28th
The album will contain the following ten tracks:
01. With Grace
02. Move
03. Do You Know
04. A Soft Exchange
05. Feel the Silence
06. Path of Angle (Instrumental)
07. Bleeding Words
08. Hold On
09. Firm
10. Is This the Way
» For preorders, please follow this link.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccxtSGmU2xA]
Oscilloscope
Cool oscillator waveforms come to life
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhZb_TTXSJI]
The GAS music can be found here >>
An oscilloscope (commonly abbreviated to scope or O-scope) is a type of electronic test equipment that allows signal voltages to be viewed, usually as a two-dimensional graph of one or more electrical potential differences (vertical axis) plotted as a function of time or of some other voltage (horizontal axis). The oscilloscope is one of the most versatile and widely-used electronic instruments. [1]
Oscilloscopes are widely used when it is desired to observe the exact wave shape of an electrical signal. In addition to the amplitude of the signal, an oscilloscope can measure the frequency, show distortion, and show the relative timing of two related signals. Oscilloscopes are used in the sciences, medicine, engineering, telecommunications, and industry. General-purpose instruments are used for maintenance of electronic equipment and laboratory work. Special-purpose oscilloscopes may be used for such purposes as adjusting an automotive ignition system, or to display the waveform of the heartbeat.
Originally all oscilloscopes used cathode ray tubes as their display element, but modern digital oscilloscopes use high-speed analog-to-digital converters and computer-like display screens and processing of signals. Oscilloscope peripheral modules for general purpose laptop or desktop personal computers can turn them into useful and flexible test instruments.
Lissajous figure on an oscilloscope
Lissajous figure in three dimensions
In mathematics, a Lissajous curve (Lissajous figure or Bowditch curve) is the graph of the system of parametric
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Gas 0095 with free Minimoog!
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Free 10 minute Electronic track.
Gas 0095 remastered.
DATAMASKIN
