Transition X – free sample library
Transition FX Demo by Bronto Scorpio
Bronto Scorpio Music has released a free sample library, Transition FX;
Almost everyone needs them but there aren’t many good ones out there (at least not for free).
I’m talking about transition effects like “Boooooom”, “Whoooooosh” and “Tsssssssssh”.
Some time ago I thought I might just design some of these FX from scratch to share them with you.
After some days I came up with 33 samples. Some of them are simple and some of them are quite unique.
I’ve given my best to ensure the best possible quality and usefulness.
The sample library is a free download.
Analog Lab brings you a tour of TONTO
The Original New Timbral Orchestra designed and built by Malcom Cecil. The TONTO features such synths as:
2 Moog Series III Modular Synthesizers
2 Arp 2600s
Serge Modules
4 Oberheim SEMs
and many more…
Making music on the iPad – BBC talks to 6 artists
The iPad is hot and BBC has made interviews with several artists around creating music on tablets:
“Mike Skinner and Bjork have also used Apple’s tablet computer on their latest records.
Largely, they are using software synthesizers to make loops and riffs, which can be expanded upon in the studio.
In that sense, says Nate Lanxon of wired.co.uk, the iPad is being used much like Yamaha’s Tenori-On, popularised by Little Boots a few years ago.
“That was basically a sequencer,” Lanxon explains. “You could sit on a plane and tap out a riff then use that in a recording in a studio environment when you get off the plane.”
So why has the iPad superceded “professional” synthesizers and sequencers? Is it really a viable tool for making music? And are there other devices that musicians should consider?
6 Music’s Mark Savage found out more. “
Monster Yamaha Double DJX Freakout!
The DJX-II is a Groove Machine and entry-level keyboard designed for great sounding techno and dance music. Features include an on-board but limited 8-bit sampler and Yamaha’s AWM synthesis technology for sounds similar to the AN1x, CS2x, and CS6x. Designed for DJs and budding musicians, the DJX-II is a live groove-machine, no keyboard skills required! The keys are primarily used to select patterns, mute parts, add preset hits or fills, and shift the key of the patterns playing. But in voice mode, you can play any of its 202 sounds or drums across the keyboard like a regular synthesizer.
The DJX-II is chock-full of DJ style features that suit this keyboard for live use in clubs, raves and other dance parties! There’s a Bass Boost System to add extra ‘oomph’ to your sounds, especially bass-lines. An Audio bpm Counter will sync the DJX-II up to your vinyl records or CDs via the RCA line inputs. The Pattern Player can generate about 700 various dance-oriented patterns and variations, available at the press of a key! Additionally there are dynamic filters, digital effects like reverb and chorus, Isolator – a 3-band EQ, tap-tempo, a ribbon controller, a key shifter, and built-in speakers.
In this video:
I’ve created a monster by MIDIing a Yamaha DJX mk I with a Yamaha DJX II. These beasts maybe be from the same family, but they are quite different and fun for making all sorts of sonic mayhem.
Sounds from the upcoming new David Sylvian album
I Should Not Dare by Samadhisound
“I Should Not Dare” taken from David’s new album Died in the Wool, which is out next week (31st May in USA). ‘I should not dare’ sets Emily Dickinson’s poem to music accompanied by Christian Fennesz and Jan Bang. Read more about “Died in Wool” by David Sylvian on the official release page at http://www.davidsylvian.com/…
Teaser: Cableguys MidiShaper Alpha
A quick presentation of our upcoming effect Cableguys MidiShaper, which is currently in public alpha.
Midge Ure interview on the Ultravox reunion and audio music production
Midge Ure became famous with Ultravox (“Vienna”, “Dancing With Tears In My Eyes”) and as a solo singer (“If I Was”), but he has also worked as a producer and songwriter for artists such as Thin Lizzy, Visage and of course Band Aid. In this video, he talks about the reunion of Ultravox, their first album in 26 years, and the use of the Melodyne software in his work.
Saul Williams – “Dance” – goes Bollywood :-)
Saul Williams, who has collaborated with Nine Inch Nails, Will Oldham and Janelle Monae, is now issuing his fifth album, Volcanic Sunlight. On the single “Dance” he samples the soundtrack to the Indian Bollywood film Khuda-Daar of 1982.
In this video:
“Dance” video from the album “Vocanic Sunlight”
Demo of the Catgirl CGS01 Suboscillator/Harmonic Sequencer module
Another demo of the Catgirl CGS01 Suboscillator/Harmonic Sequencer module. A Ken Stone design.
This time the module was repaired and working correctly. I demonstrate the Harmonic Sequencer aspect of the module. I have Channel A and B receiving a low range LFO pulse width waveform from two Q106 VCO’s. Using the Multiplier mode on the CGS01, I sent both the normal and inverted outputs to a pair of signal processors, then two a quantizer and then on to two more Q106 VCO pitch inputs. Messing around with the suboscillator divisions knobs created moving voltages for the two final VCO’s. I filled in with some sketchy keyboard notes on a Yamaha DX7II. Reverse echo and reverb were added.
This module is very musical and astonishingly useful as a sequential device. There are so many things that can be done with it besides just this demo but I really enjoy this feature.
Naive Lead – polyphonic synthesizer instrument plugin
xoxos has announced the release of Naive Lead, a polyphonic synthesizer instrument plugin for Windows.
Naive Lad is a concept synth.. oversampling is used to antialias (to an extent) trivially rendered oscillators. This may offer some benefit in contrast to other methods (especially if you like aliasing!). This VST is presented to offer some insight into dsp to promote informed application of synthesis. If you know what you’re using, you’ll know when it’s best used.
Up to five filter algorithms are available (fast, Stilson/Smith Moog, Karlsen, SV, biquad) for four modes. The licensed version has 6 voices of polyphony (or more at request). Two banks of presets contributed by ten sound designers are included.
Naive Lead for Windows (VST) is available to purchase bundled with W VST for $10 USD.
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