Celebrating Detroit Techno with Carl Craig, Mike Huckaby and Kyle Hall
This year Moog went to Movement Electronic Music Festival to celebrate Detroit and had the opportunity to speak with 3 Detroit techno innovators. Watch Carl Craig, Mike Huckaby, and Kyle Hall talk about the beginnings of Detroit techno, the influence their beloved city had on the music, and how the Minimoog affected their sonic landscape.
Music courtesy of Mike Huckaby.
Want to use their sound?
These three DJs, plus Juan Atkins, the originator or Techno, lent their talent to Moog to create the Movement pack, free downloadable presets for Animoog.
Get the Movement Pack at:
http://www.moogmusic.com/content/animoog
and learn more about Moog’s iOS synth Animoog at:
Moog showcases the MF-104M Analog Delay
The MF-104M features an all-analog signal path with 800ms of all analog delay time, 6 Waveshape LFO, Dedicated Tap Tempo switch assignable to Delay Time or LFO Rate, MIDI control and recall of every function, and Spillover Mode which has been the most popular modification to the MF-104.
The Classic MF-104 was designed by synthesizer pioneer Bob Moog and released in 2000. It utilized a special “Bucket Brigade” delay chip that allowed the effect to remain completely analog. Unfortunately, the supply of these chips was limited and the final MF-104 was sold in 2001.In 2005 there were two limited reissues of the Classic MF-104; the MF-104Z and the extremely rare MF-104SD, of which only 250 were made.
The new MF-104M Analog Delay utilizes the same vintage Bucket Brigade chips found in the Classic MF-104 and faithfully recreates the sound of its coveted predecessors. In addition, the MF-104M includes a number of customer requested feature and function upgrades.
Learn more at:
http://www.moogmusic.com/products/moogerfoogers/mf-104m-analog-delay
Pet Shop Boys – new album in September – listen to new track
Invisible: The new video by Pet Shop Boys. Video by Brian Bress. Invisible is taken from the new album Elysium to be released in September. Produced by Andrew Dawson and Pet Shop Boys
The band has announced a new studio album to be released in September. The new album, titled “Elysium” will be the band’s 11th studio effort so far. The material has been recorded in Los Angeles together with producer Andrew Dawson.
Andrew Dawson is a Grammy-Award winning engineer and producer. He so far worked with Kanye West, Common, T.I., Jay-Z, Destiny’s Child, Lil Wayne, Drake, Rick Ross, Erykah Badu and more. Not really the music you’d link with Pet Shop Boys.
http://www.petshopboys.co.uk
http://www.facebook.com/petshopboys
Music video by Pet Shop Boys performing Invisible. (P) 2012 The copyright in this audiovisual recording is owned by Pet Shop Boys Partnership Ltd under exclusive licence to EMI Records Ltd
Analog – new soundset for the Saurus software synthesizer.
Tone2 has announced Analog, a new soundset for the Saurus software synthesizer.
Taking you on a journey through an analog world, the Analog soundset digs deeper into Saurus’ offerings with a strong emphasis on authentic vintage sounds.
A collection of 200 classic synth sounds including emulations of the Moog, Oberheim, Jupiter, Arp Solina, Clavinet and many others that suit almost every style of Electronic music. Let Analog take you back to a time when these machines were at the center of every studio and now be the source for your creative productions
Enjoy its warm strings, expressive brass, dirty leads, squelchy basses, screaming synths, vibrant pads and just let it inspire you.
Analog for Saurus is available to purchase for 39 EUR.
Finally the KORG PolySix has been released as a Reason Rack Extension
Korg Polysix for Reason is the latest addition to Propellerhead’s Reason Rack Extensions store. As mentioned before I still feel that the Reason Rack Extensions are pretty hefty in price, ranging from 30-60€ each, personally and before this beauty came along I was most eager to get the Bitspeek, but now I guess that has to wait 
The instrument uses Korg’s Component Modeling Technology to model the company’s classic ’80s six-voice analogue synth of the same name.
Along with the features of the original, the Reason version adds 32-voice polyphony, 16-voice unison (with detune/spread function), flexible external modulation settings, MIDI clock synchronization, and a spread function to the features list.
Polysix for Reason is available now from the Rack Extensions Store priced €39.
Original press release below:
Korg USA Announces Polysix for Propellerhead’s Rack Extension Plugin Format
MELVILLE, NY, June 21, 2012 – Korg’s original Polysix programmable six-voice polyphonic analog synthesizer was introduced in 1981. With a full-sounding voice structure, classic effects and performance functions, the Polysix became a world-wide hit. Its distinctive string and pad sounds are still often heard to this day.
Now Korg announces the Polysix for Reason, a software version developed for Propellerhead’s new Rack Extension Plugin format for Reason. In addition to faithfully replicating the original sounds, the Polysix for Reason also adds enhancements such as 32-voice polyphony (max), up to 16-voice unison (with detune/spread function), flexible external modulation settings, MIDI clock synchronization, and a spread function that adjusts the spaciousness of the effects. This new functionality brings the classic Polysix up to date for use in modern music production.
The software interface provides reorganized knobs and switches that resurrect the Polysix in a contemporary “rack-mountable” form for intuitive operation and sound-creating versatility.
Polysix for Reason will be available for download at Propellerhead’s web-shop shop.propellerheads.se on June 21st for U.S. $49.00 (additional product information can be found at: www.korg.com/polysixforreason).”
Rebel Technologies – Stoicheia
Rebel Technology, a new Eurorack module manufacturer, has introduced Stoicheia – a Eurorack format Euclidean trigger sequencer. Stoicheia algorithmically generates rhythmic sequences from an input trigger signal. The name comes from the title of Euclid’s book Elements, in which the algorithm was first described.
“Martin’s prototype euclidean sequencer, it’s excellent fun. It has two channels which send triggers to whatever you like. Each channel has the same three knobs and a switch. Importantly for me it makes rhythms that are really useful in a dance floor kind of way. Useful patches are often hard to come by on modulars And you can hear the same sort of patch, over a beat from the computer, on sound cloud here:
http://soundcloud.com/voodooinsomnia/stoicheia-test
Eventually I’ll finish my drum modules so the beats can come straight out of the modular. “
You can find out more here:
http://www.rebeltech.org/2012/06/stoicheia-video/
Modular Synth Live Performance
Gregg Wilson shows off his nice modular in this live performance, enjoy!
“Live performance on my modular. No edits or overdubs. I adjusted levels and added some reverb and delay plugins afterwards to improve the mix. Let me know what you think.”
Teaser: Bitwig Studio – Demo Song for the upcoming Beta
Bitwig Studio. The new music production and performance system. Below are a list of key features as they were mentioned when we posted about this product back in January.
Here are the features for this new live performance and production DAW:
- Multitrack recording – Record and produce your music in an intuitive workflow. Bitwig Studio’s arranger is a mix of editing power, ease of use and flexibility.
- Arranger clip launcher – A non-linear environment that lets you trigger clips in real-time.
- Mixer clip launcher – An alternative view of the clip launcher aligned with the mixer, optimized for live performance and DJing
- Generic tracks – Tracks accept any kind of material. Audio and notes can live on the same track. You can bounce note clips to audio in place.
- Clip automation – In addition to traditional track automation, automation can also be recorded and packaged inside clips, both on the clip launcher and the arranger.
- Per-note automation – Pitch variations can be applied to individual notes directly in the piano roll. You can also edit a note’s panning, timbre and volume curves.
- Simultaneous multitrack editing – Edit contents of multiple tracks together. You can see them all juxtaposed and isolate only the ones you want to edit
- Multiple audio events per clip – An audio clip can contain multiple audio events. You can chop and edit audio files inside a clip non-destructively and loop it all as a package.
- Real-time time stretching – Bitwig Studio’s proprietary technology lets you match any audio material to the document tempo and get everything in sync.
- ‘World-class’ sound devices
- Device nesting – Devices can contain other devices, and the whole package can be saved as a preset. Many of preset instruments and effects use nesting in new and powerful ways.
- 32/64 bit VST support – Use your VST plug-ins. In case of a plug-in crash, a protective mechanism prevents the application from crashing and you from losing your work.
- Metadata-based browser – Find your musical material quickly. Add tags and search by content type.
- Open multiple documents – Exchange musical material between documents. Drag and drop, copy and paste back and forth.
- Multi-monitor support – Bitwig Studio offers flexible screensets to take full advantage of your monitor configuration
- ‘Slick’ user interface – Bitwig Studio’s user interface has been designed with the goal of making your music creation experience ‘fun and intuitive’.
These are the key features for Bitwig 1.0.
Bitwig has several more interesting features under development. These are planned for a later release:
- LAN multi-user jamming – Multiple users can jam on the same document, and everything can be captured in the document’s arrangement
- Multi-user music production over the internet – Multiple users can compose music on the same document from different locations. Bitwig Studio keeps everything in sync.
- Native modular system – Create your own instruments and effects or modify existing ones. Design their appearance and share them with the world.
(Music by Eugenijus Kostantinovas)
Darklight IIx – The virtual Fairlight synth
Yesterday we all had the chance to grab a free virtual version of the VERY expensive MiniMoog via Arturia’s website. Another expensive piece of equipment is the Fairlight, and although not free in its virtual version now you have the chance to discover this classic synth:
UVI Darklight IIx is the latest UVI product, inspired by the most mythical Computer Music Instrument of the 80’s.
Costing upwards of $100 000, the dream machine of the 80’s was unattainable by most. Used by countless prominent artists including: Peter Gabriel, David Bowie, Michael Jackson, Kate Bush, Herbie Hancock, Jean Michel Jarre, Thomas Dolby and many more, it remains a highly regarded and sought after instrument.
Nearly thirty years later, no one has accurately captured the essence of this digital monster.
Today, UVI is proud to say all of that is about to change… Introducing UVI Darklight IIx.
We took our obsession to the next level, creating a complete set of instruments, sounds and sonic tools deeply inspired by the original digital monster. A unique, hybrid process of exhaustive multi-sampling, analysis, and advanced audio processing allowed us to not only capture the original character of this machine but to enhance its ability with a host of today’s most powerful analog modeled filters, LFOs, envelopes and effects–packaged beautifully in an old-school interface.
Darklight IIx offers several ‘Pages’, each an instrument on its own :
PAGE P – “Organic” Digital Sound
• Immediate access to hundreds of sounds and instruments including: Bass, Brass, Bells, Strings, Guitar, Orchestral Hits, Synth, Drums, Percussion, FX, Keys, Piano, Organs, Winds, Reeds and Voices
• Efficient and versatile control set allows for everything from quick tweaks to deep sonic exploration
• Accurate reproduction of aliasing characteristics
• More than 250 ready-to-play presets
• A multitude of effects, including the new UVI SparkVerb™, allow you to create sounds like the original machine and process them to sound like your favorite cult records from the 80’s or something totally new!
PAGE B – Digital Drum Machine
• 80’s-style beatbox with step sequencer
• Hundreds of authentic vintage drums and percussion sounds
PAGE U – Creative Multi-Phraser
• UVI exclusive multi-phraser; 3 parts with 3 sounds and 3 smart step sequencers
• Create 3-track arrangements or moving drones, let your imagination run!
All of these combine to present you with the authentic sound and soul of this mythical machine. Packaged in an easy-to-use interface with modern controls for enhanced expression and musicality, Darklight IIx gives you control over one of the most coveted computer musical instruments ever.
Download • http://bit.ly/darklight-iix_download
Buy DVD • http://bit.ly/darklight-iix_DVD
Further info, artwork & audio demo • http://bit.ly/uvi-darklight-iix
PULSE – bass mayhem for Kontakt
Stretch That Note has announced the release of PULSE, a bass instrument for Native instruments Kontakt.
The idea behind this particular module was quite simple: to create a bass module that not only boasts some very distinct oscillators but also provides ‘layers’ to ..er…layer the primary oscillators with. These layers have been processed with comb filtering and some specific phase cancellation to provide acres of scope for layering sounds.
Married to this 7 oscillator facility comes a ton of warping and mauling tools. Ring, Scuzz, Chrome, Colour and so on, describe beautifully what the functions do and they came from a very disturbed place. And if that wasn’t enough, well, I threw in a detailed WOBBLE section for those of you that are into Dubstep. The rest is sheer saturation and distortion mayhem but in a clear kinda way…if you know what I ..er mean…
The Pulse library is available to purchase for $30 USD. Through June, 2012, a free bass module (LEWD or PULSE) is included with a purchase of the EPIC Series 1 bundle.
DATAMASKIN
