Vintage synth demo by RetroSound
analog pad and sync sounds: Oberheim OB-X 8-Voice Analog Synthesizer
(I recreate these legendary pad sound. He is very similar to “Love Like Blood” from Killing Joke. I ever love this sound)
bass: SCI Pro-One
drums: Roland TR-707
more info: http://www.retrosound.de
Easy-to-use, VST analog-style synthesizer
The FreeAlpha is a highly flexible, easy-to-use, VST analog-style synthesizer. The FreeAlpha is 12 note-polyphonic and features a classic subtractive design that includes two versatile oscillators, a fat, rich-sounding filter, two envelopes, an LFO, a chorus effect, as well as numerous processing and modulation options. Special attention has been paid to recreating the warmth and feel typically found in early-1980s analog synthesizers.
The FreeAlpha’s oscillators provide an extensive range of waveform types from classic analog to hardcore digital. Both oscillators have a unique BAL (Balance) control that lets you create a waveform that is a hybrid of two others giving the user almost limitless timbrel possibilities. Special attention has been paid to the design of the FreeAlpha’s filter so that it replicates the rich sound of a true analog filter. The filter is highly flexible with lowpass, highpass and bandpass options available.
A key feature of the FreeAlpha is its Modulation Matrix. This virtual “patchbay” allows the creation of four custom routings from any of fifteen modulation sources to twelve different modulation destinations. The FreeAlpha also includes a chorus effect and a sophisticated portamento section that offers three portamento modes including a pre-set bend mode. And for true analog sound, the FreeAlpha includes a Precision control that allows you to introduce small inaccuracies into the FreeAlpha’s signal chain. This allows you to fine-tune the synth’s sound, creating anything from analog-style warmth to cold, digital hardness.
All these features make the FreeAlpha the perfect and free introduction to the world of analog-style VST synthesis.
Visit: linplug.com
Who’s the top drummer?
Roland U.S. is looking for the nation’s best drummer with the 2010 V-Drums Contest. Here’s their press release with all the details…
Co-sponsored by DRUM! magazine, Remo, Drum Workshop, and Blue Man Group, the V-Drums Contest gives drummers the chance to compete at the local, regional, and national level with solo drum performances on the TD-20SX V-Pro® Series V-Drums, and win professional percussion gear and swag along the way.
Start by submitting a digital audition to qualify for one of 28 preliminary competitions to be held at a local music retailer, and the result could be a slot in the regional competition, or even the National Finals in Las Vegas, Nevada. Entries will be judged and selected by Roland U.S., who will be looking for musicianship, stage presence, and creative uses of technology in drum performances.
Digital auditions are being taken now through August 31, 2010, at www.RolandUS.com/VDrumsContest
Digital Audition – August 1st – August 31st
Visit www.RolandUS.com/VDrumsContest
to enter at one of 28 preliminary locations.
15 contestants per location will be chosen to compete in preliminary round
Preliminary Round – September 14th
- One winner from each preliminary location will be chosen to compete in regional round
Preliminary Winner Prize:
- RMP-5 Rhythm Coach®
- PDS-2 Pad Stand
- Goodie Bags sponsored by Remo, Drum Workshop, DRUM!, and Blue Man Group
Regional Round – October 5th
- One winner from each regional round will be chosen to compete in the National Finals
Regional Winner Prize:
- OCTAPADâ„¢ SPD-30 Percussion Pad
- PDS-10 Pad Stand
- Gift Bags sponsored by Remo, Drum Workshop, DRUM!, and Blue Man Group
National Finals – November 4th
- Sam Ash Music – Las Vegas, Nevada
- Celebrity Judges from Co-Sponsors, Drum Artists
- Guest performances by Blue Man Group and Thomas Lang
Grand Prize Winner
- TD-20SX V-Pro Series V-Drums Kit
- PM-30 Personal Monitor Amplifier
- DW 9000-Series: Hi-Hat Stand, Snare Stand, Double Pedal, Throne
- Remo Custom shell wraps
Second Place
- TD-9SX V-Tour® Series V-Drums Kit
- DW 5000-Series: Double Pedal, Throne
More information:
Exploding electronics
Nice weekend fun 
Eddie Kramer on building the Jimi Hendrix studio
The 40th anniversary of Jimi Hendrix’s legendary Electric Lady studios in New York. To celebrate the event the Audio Engineering Society will host an event in recognition of the guitar legend and his incredible legacy.
In this video, Jimi’s sound engineer, Eddie Kramer, talks about the construction of the studio which started way back in 1969. He reveals the original plans for Electric Lady to be a night club, and his involvement in turning the project into the first artist led recording studio.
Acts such as Bowie, The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Patti Smith and The Strokes have all recorded at Electric Lady. Guests at the anniversary celebration will include Janie Hendrix, and Eddie Kramer himself.
The new Roland GAIA SH-01
Sound designer & composer Richard Devine discusses and demos the new Roland Gaia SH-01 keyboard synthesizer at the 4/24/10 Keyz’n’Beats event.
Das Ich goes macarbre
Out on Danse Macabre in the next few weeks is the first new album from Das Ich since “Cabaret” (2006). It will be the first all new material since the limited “Kannibale” EP from 2008. “Koma” comes in a ‘Manga’-styled concept, combining cultural influences from the Far East with Das Ich’s mixture of classic- and electronic sounds.
“Koma” will also be released as a collector’s edition boxset (strictly limited to 500 copies only) which has undergone a Manga styled design as well. The boxset contains an extensive MangaComic-book, the CD, an exclusive T-Shirt, button and sticker.
Circuit bending using a Super Nintendo coupled with a Bliptronic 5000.
The versatility of the cue point and performance effect features in Traktor
In this official Native Instruments video, DMC champ DJ Shiftee performs an advanced turntablism tricknology routine, using the combination of Traktor Scratch Pro, the X1 controller and Maschine.
Shiftee creates a live dubstep remix of the Dead Prez track Hip Hop using Caspa’s Dub Warz, showcasing the versatility of the cue point and performance effect features in Traktor.
See the video below for an explanation of the techniques used in the routine.
touchAble – Control Ableton Live from your iPad
touchAble is a new iPad app that makes it possible to control Ableton Live from your iPad!. Really cool!
“WHY THE NEXT LEVEL CONTROLLER IS NOT JUST A CLIP LAUNCHER? BECAUSE LIVE HAS MUCH MORE TO OFFER, TOUCHABLE PROVIDES A COMPLETE CONTROL SOLUTION.
Navigate around your live set with the touch of a finger, tweak Lives mixer, instruments and fx with full automapping and unlimited tracks & parameters.
touchAble allows live users to walk away from their computer and perform live from anywhere within Wi-Fi range while keeping latency at a minimum.
Play your favourite synths with the unique double keyboard or record your rhythms with the 16 drum pads, including 5 velocity steps & octave selectors.
Access the most important transport and clip functions without losing focus on your set and tweak the same set with two iPads with the unique Dual-User-Mode. Do you need to adjust volume, launch a new clip and play a device? Don’t worry – a smart and intuitive screen menu empowers the user to arrange and switch modules on the fly.”
DATAMASKIN
