Chronicle of a Summer of Invention
Sonic wizard Jeff Blenkinsopp and guitarist Alan McSeveney have been collaborating on the software/hardware system that is going to create the sound of Kino Live for the upcoming psychedelic experience.
Drift Box – analog
In this video:
“this movie i play the “drift box” reon’s synthesizer with analog electronic instruments.”
Featured hardware Jomox XBASE 999:
The XBase09 was a legend already but a little limited though. 3 instruments haven’t been too small at all, but some situations may have stayed unexplored. For this reason we brought out an appropriate follower.
XBASE999 steps into a new analog age.
· 9 Instruments
Bass Drum, Snare Drum, Lo Tom, Hi Tom, Hi Hat, Clap, Rim, Crash and Ride. All instruments are polyphonically playable and have individual outs. From HH section onwards it’s short 8-bit samples played back with an analog envelope as on the AirBase99. The sample flash ROM is bigger than ever: per instrument there are 31(!) samples.
· Real analog sound production
on BD, SD, LT and HT with digital control, means storeability and midi-controlability of all parameters. To make the disturbance of analog circuitry as small as possible, all D/A converters are specially adapted to the circuits and being integrated – with proven XBase/AirBase technology.
· 16 knobs
Sound editing is done by endless rotary encoders for every analog parameter which lets you edit the sounds without any jumps or awkward turning jobs.
Close to each knob there is a 3-color LED indicating which parameters for the selected instrument are editable.
· Improved kick drum
The most famous sound of the XBase09 is actually the kick drum. We have even put a parameter on top and provided the most wicked bass drum in the world with a compression value that lets you decide between a 909-style ultra compressed envelope or an 808-ish exponential curve (hint: MBase01).
· Analog tom toms
For the beat freak there is also some extremely good sounding and widely editable analog tom toms included – as with the AirBase99.
· Internal step sequencer
As usual, the XBASE 999 has the genious step sequencer build in already. There are some improvements now: all patterns are A/B patterns, and it’s your choice if it’s 2 alternating 16 step patterns ore one 32 step pattern. The sequencer is made up by 3-color LEDs to indicate the individual step edit modes known from the XBase09 even better and more intuitive.
The micro shuffle can now be edited for each instrument individually.
Bank select has now an own switch. 4 banks with each 16 A/B patterns are made available, which results in 128 actual 16 step patterns.
· Analog step sequencer with X-filter
As an additional feature, the XBASE 999 has also an inbuild 16 step analog sequencer for the included external filter.
Each of the 16 rotary knobs has a click function to activate an analog step which controls the X-filter cutoff.
The filter is a stereo 2-pole multimode filter with an interdependent resonance and Q-control which sounds great for external audio signals and that can be used as a signal source in resonant modes, too. If resonance is low, Q control can make it narrow but never starts to oscillate. Only when resonance is then applied, the filter starts to whistle, and the bandwith can still be controlled (within certain borders) through Q.
· Filter Modes
Each of the 2 filters can be individually arranged as lowpass, highpass, bandpass and notch. Plus, the 2 filters can be programmed as stereo, in parallel or in series or with cross feedback.
Each instrument and the external input can be individually routed into the filter or being spared out. The stereo filter signal is mixed into the stereo bus with a VCA or can be purely led out via the ring of the stereo output jack.
The LFOs can also control the filter to make it a real internal FX section.
All this runs along with the beat sequencer…
· Analog input
A stereo signal can be inserted and sliced by a VCA with an own envelope over the step sequencer. Or an external effects being inserted into main mix. Or just being filtered by the X-filter over the analog sequencer.
· Stereo mix with pan control
all instruments except for kick drum can be panned in the stereo bus. If a plug is inserted to an individual input, the signal is spared out of the stereo bus.
· External midi tracks
There are 4 additional Midi tracks to control external devices. The encoder knobs program the 12 halftones and octaves.
· 2 LFOs
Of course the XBASE 999 has again two phat LFOs that can be beat syncronized or run freely and can be routed to any destination.
· Hi Hat Filter
The Hi Hat section contains a great sounding analog band pass filter with independend lowpass, highpass and resonance controls. Other than the 8-bit HH samples, analog noise can be the sound source as well.
Nice cover of Brian Eno’s “Here comes the warm jets”
Background info:
Equipment: Korg Electribe EA1, EM1, ER1, ES1 & KP3 Kaoss pad.
Hardware only. Synths just as they are.. no overdubs.
‘Here Come The Warm Jets’ written by Brian Eno (1974).
Publisher: UMPG Publishing (Witchsphere has tried to contact these people).
This cover version is recorded and played by Witchsphere.
Video: Witchsphere and Public Domain sources.
Trip to the moon courtesy of NASA and Apollo 17.
This published content copyright Witchsphere 2011.
All rights reserved.
Inspiring! Just when you thought nothing could be new in the world of sampling, along comes SampleWiz
I have posted some teaser videos of this new sampler before and now it has finally been released:
From the creators of the award-winning iOS app MorphWiz comes SampleWiz!
Capture your sonic universe!
Listen… Record… Create…
Jordan says: In creating this instrument I wanted to create something that would appeal to the sonic explorer in all of us. Creating a sampler for iOS devices has allowed us to push the boundaries of traditional sampling instruments. From playing a selection of my signature sounds on the SampleWiz keyboard (JR lead anyone?) to getting up close and personal with sounds by playing directly on the waveform screen, our mission was to blow your mind, put a smile on your face, and expand your creativity. In creating SampleWiz, we have created partnerships with leading sound developers in addition to my personally selected onboard presets.
“Inspiring! Just when you thought nothing could be new in the world of sampling, along comes SampleWiz to fire up the neurons of our creativity in new ways. I love the the new realtime interactive noises I can get by ‘touching the sound’…the crazy and unique stuff you can do with it is really expressive and fresh!” – Eric Persing, Founder of Spectrasonics
“SampleWiz gets you playing instantly, and if you like to sample, there’s no quicker or more fun way to go from recording to playing your own samples. Amazing controls, easy to understand yet deep enough to let you create musical voices! And it comes with a library of great sounds from Jordan Rudess. SampleWiz is a wiz if ever there was!” – David Mash, VP of Technology and Education, Berklee College of Music
We have poured our hearts and minds into this and driven our families, bandmates, and friends insane by sampling everything that moves. I hope you enjoy this very expressive and wild music app creation!
*Choose from three different sampling modes: classic, granular, and modern.
*Classic – the traditional method of sampling where the sound will speed up and slow down as you go higher or lower than the recorded pitch.
*Granular – Wizdom Music’s own take on a granular synthesis engine. Adjust grain size and speed while the entire range of notes maintain the same speed.
*Modern – explore new sampling possibilities using Dirac technology to allow formants and time to be adjusted automatically over a device-selected range.
*Up to 10 seconds per sample.
*Jordan Rudess presets from his private collection.
*Resample anything that you play on the playing surface to create all new samples derived from your existing presets!
*Three playing surface modes allow you to play on the keyboard, wave-edit screen, and the ADSR window.
*Wizdom Music’s Advanced Pitch Rounding for initial attack as well as after a slide.
*Every note you play is an independent event allowing powerful, expressive control of pitch and amplitude.
*Finger vibrato effect allows you to achieve vibrato even when pitch lock is activated!
*Unique visuals for each sampling mode. A glow tracks your fingers and respond to the amount of amplitude of every note you play.
*Choose from many different scales and customize your own.
*Play your samples forward or reverse!
*Looping options include standard looping as well as back-and-forth looping.
*Allows trimming of samples.
*Unique visualization of the amplitude envelope on the ADSR page.
*FX include delay with a choice of tap-tempo, BPM, and seconds control over the rate.
*Have two keyboards on the screen, each with its own range and scale!
*Unique hold mode where every held note can be in a different synthesis mode!
*Share your presets with friends by mailing them as SampleWiz files or standard audio files.
*Play directly on the waveform and hear the audio that is right under your finger. Slide each finger separately in any direction to change pitch and position in the sample.
*MAPI AudioCopy/AudioPaste allows sharing of audio with top audio apps.
*Load your own audio files with iTunes file sharing.
*Onboard help screens explain every parameter. Touch the question mark to activate.”
First picture of a new keytar for the iPhone
Ztar developer Starr Labs has introduced iTar, an upcoming controller app for iPhone and iPad:
We here at Starr Labs have been working on the iTar, a MIDI guitar/instrument application for the iPhone and iPad.
The more we labor over what we want the iTar to accomplish, the more we expand its scope of control, programmability, customization, and interactivity. Think pages of customizable control screen surfaces with dozens of controller and trigger types, arranged and implemented however you like.
That said, we invite any serious programmers/developers to join us in the iTar conversation.
Seriously, contact Harvey Starr harvey (at) starrlabs.com and be a part of the Starr Labs team that unveils the best MIDI guitar/instrument application onto the world, the iTar!
More info here: site.
Rob Fabrie using Rob Papen plug-ins
Artist testimonial by Rob Fabrie aka Waxweazle, aka Headbanger. Rob Papen’s virtual synthesizers define the cutting edge of contemporary music production: powerful instruments and plug-ins that bring together innovative design, uncompromising sound quality, and musical, production-grade presets to make your tracks shine. At the age of 15 Rob started with the Korg MS-20 synthesizer and a SQ-10 sequencer. On these machines he learned how to program synthesizers and they inspired him to compose music. He did study also electronic organ and b.t.w. loves Bach….Through groups like Tangerine Dream, Kraftwerk and artist like J.M. Jarre, Georgio Morroder, Vangelis and Klaus Schulze he started making electronic music, also at the age of 15.
www.robfabrie.com
Beatie Bop New Demo
Some sounds of the new Beatie Bop analog drum synth. Now in a silkscreened diecast aluminum enclosure. Powered by a 9v DC adapter (negative center) or a 9v Battery.
Want one?
Contact mracidmachine@gmail.com if you are interested in ordering one.
MacBeth and some filters in action
Here is what he has to say about it:
…here’s a taster for tommorow of the X Series prototypes that are currently away in production! while I have them- I thought I’d build a demo system of this stuff! Featuring the X-Series Dual SV Filter, the X-Series Dual EGs, the X-Series Audio Mixer and two X- Series Oscillators- one (!) being used for audio- the other for complex triggering……..and A Korg SQ-10 for good measure. Yes – it is one filter module you are listening to- and one audio oscillator! Looking forward to a full demo tommorow!
Featured hardware:
A very good old-school sequencer from Korg. Designed for the MS series synthesizers and using Korg’s CV / Gate control the SQ-10 sequencer can really surprise you with some groovy basslines. Use the knobs to adjust and build up a sequence. Sure it’s limited to 12 steps (with a max of 24) but when you hook that up to your MS-10, MS-20 or MS-50 you can get some pretty cool TB-303 like stuff happening. Because the SQ-10 outputs CV (Control Voltage) it can be connected to the Oscillators, VCF filters or LFO’s of your MS synths for even cooler tricks. Using a CV / Gate converter allows you to use the SQ-10 with other Roland, Moog, Sequential and even MIDI synthesizers. It’s definitely a fun instrument which allows you to program basslines like they did back in the early days!
On a journey with the Moon Modular
The M 551 is a module, which transforms an attached Midi signal into a couple of analogue control voltages. Thereby modular synthesizers can be integrated into a Midi-network and controlled by Midi-master-keyboards or Midi-hardware- or software-sequencers/DAWs.
The M 551 derives the following six control voltages from the fed Midi-messages:
– Keyboard CV (from Midi-note-number) Depending on the ‘Priority’ switch, the lowest, highest or last received note-on message is getting transformed. Voltage range: 0-10,53 V
– Gate (from the current Midi note-on/note-off commands)
– Velocity (transforms the key velocity [note-on velocity] of the current note-on message) Voltage range: 0-10 V
– Mod. Wheel (derives a control voltage from Midi-modula- tion messages [Controller 1]. Voltage range: 0-10 V
– Pitch Wheel (control voltage from the Midi pitch bend commands, bipolar) Voltage range: ±5 V (If “Add Bend CV” is active, a pitch bend voltage of ±0,5 V is added internally to the keyboard control voltage).
– Controller (transforms a selectable Midi controller into a control voltage [0-10 V])
Available are: – After touch – Breath controller (CC 2) – Foot pedal (CC 4) – Sustain pedal (CC 64) – Panorama (CC 10) – Main volume (CC 7), – the unspecified parameters CC 20, CC 21, CC 22.
The functions of the three toggle switches are:
– Add Bend CV
In ‘on’-position the Midi Pitch bend voltage (attenuated to ±0.5 V) is added internally to the keyboard voltage to ease pitchbending the oscillator
– Priority
Keyboard control voltage/gate signal/velocity voltage are derived from the hightes/lowest/last received note-on message
– Keyboard Mode
Retrig triggers a new keyboard control voltage/gate signal combination at any struck key
Legato starts a new event not before all keys are released
To select the Midi-Channel: Dial the rotary switch to the„Channel Select” position and initiate a MIDI-channel message (e. g. strike a note on a keyboard); the module sets itself to the most recently received MIDI channel (this setting is saved even if the unit is switched off).
http://www.moonmodular.com
Ambient Injection – Evolving Energy
‘Ambient Injection: Evolving Energy’ from Bluezone Corporation gives you among the darkest and unheard sounds in Sci-Fi film scoring. This exceptional sample pack contains intenses soundscapes, unreal atmospheres, deep drones, processed Sci–Fi sound effects, finely crafted transitions, falls, impacts and more. This ultimate sample pack is suited for Ambient, Dubstep, Drum & Bass, Breaks and film’s background music.
With over 400 MB of textured sounds, ‘Ambient Injection: Evolving Energy’ is an incredible selection of 114 pro audio samples thoroughly selected. Some samples go up to 1 minute recording. To add a clear and remarkable panoramic stereo, each sound has been designed with high quality hardware and software effects. This collection has it all.
This sound library delivers a large choice of static and heavy drones, a massive range of analogue soundscapes, layered elements and many more. This expertly processed sample pack is all the audio tools you need to start a new professional production. Just listen to the demo to have an idea of this downloadable pack’s potential. ‘Ambient Injection: Evolving Energy’ is 100% royalty free. You can use it in your music productions without any additional costs.
Suitable for style such as: Breaks, Dubstep, Ambient, Hardstyle, IDM, Drum & Bass, TV, Film & Soundtrack.
Ambient Injection: Evolving Energy Contents:
• Sound FX / Drones / Soundscapes / Textures
Technical Specifications:
• 398 MB Data / 118 Files
• Format : WAV
• Instant Download
• Requires Winzip or similar utility to unpack
• Suitable for use in all major sequencers
• Royalty-Free with no extra cost
• Ready to use in commercial production
Price : 14.95 €
DATAMASKIN
