The Heineken Scenthesizer
Heineken are using scent with music to improve the experience of dance. With the Scenthesizer, the two claim to be ‘pushing boundaries in music and scent’.
In a nutshell, the system allows on-the-fly mixing of scents, which are then delivered on cue into the audience. The idea is to take DJing, which already incorporates sound and light, and add controlled scents to the experience.
Circuit bent Casio PT-50
Hand built framework and additional panel design for the modifications.
This was the only Casio keyboard with ROM-Pack slot but no key lighting; instead it can load the ROM-Pack musics into an internal sequencer, and with the optional Casio TA-1 module it can even save them on audio cassettes. Even a RAM-Pack cartridge Casio RA-1 was made for this thing to save sequencer data – I never saw any other Casio keyboard designed for using it.
Despite this keyboard looks almost like a twin of the Casio PT-30, there are many small differences. 3 of the 8 preset sounds are changed, the chords and bass timbre is different and also the rhythm set is completely different and includes fill-in. Even the LCD has different segments and shows e.g. a “J” for major chords. Also the sequencer of this thing was changed and is horribly awkward like with Casio MT-70, because it apparently neither can record note lengths in realtime nor melody and chord together, thus everything has to be entered in different modes step by step. But by the general similarities I only explain here the differences to the PT-30.
Main features:
- 8 OBS preset sounds {piano, harpsichord, organ, violin, flute, clarinet, trumpet, celesta}.
- 16 preset rhythms {rock, rock’n’roll, disco, 16 beat, samba, latin rock, bossa-nova, beguine, tango, march, waltz, rock waltz, slow rock, ballad, swing 2beat, swing 4beat} made of analogue percussion + bass & piano accompaniment (contains no arpeggio).
- tempo +/- buttons (19 steps, counts 1..20)
- different editable sequencer (no realtime recording, terribly awkward!)
- transpose buttons (12 semitone steps)
- different LCD display shows pressed keys and chords (only important for the sequencer)
- ROM-/ RAM- Pack slot (but no key lighting/ melody guide feature)
- demo button (plays musics from the inserted ROM-Pack when present)
- multi-chip hardware:
- CPU= “NEC D1868G 004, 8314EK, Japan” (80 pin SMD)
- 2x SRAM= “HD B, 61914, 3D, 23” (44 pin SMD)
DIY MIDI CONTROLLERS
Just a quick rundown of some MIDI controllers ‘otemrellik’ has built recently for ios music making fun.
Here are some helpful links:
https://github.com/unsymbol/teensy-mi…
http://little-scale.blogspot.com/2012…
I use the 2.0 Teensy board for all my projects:
http://www.pjrc.com/teensy/
Cross DJ – the ‘first pro DJ app’ for Android
MixVibes has released Cross DJ for Android, an app they call the ‘first pro DJ app’ for the platform.
Features:
- Mix in Sync
- Accurate BPM detection, right down to the last decimal.
- Sync button: one-press, and the 2 tracks never go out of phase.
- Manual pitch & pitch bend.
- Beat-grid editing, to sync your old tracks correctly.
- Parallel waveforms: to visually check if your tracks are synced.
- Quantize mode: set hot cues & loops automatically on the beat.
- Smart-seek: Tap on the waveform to fast-forward & get a seamless jump.
- Audio Performance
- Low latency: music reacts instantly to your actions.
- Extremely realistic scratch sound.
- 15 effects (Bi-filter, Low-pass, Hi-Pass, Delay, Echo, Phaser, Flanger, Cut, Crush, Bliss, Brake, Roll, etc.)
- No loading time when starting-up the app.
- Interface
- 1 crossfader, 2 turntables, 3-band EQ mixer.
- Direct access to your device’s music( MP3s, AAC & more.)
- Multiple music sorting options: title, artist, album, BPM or length.
- Large control pads: XY effect pad, 16 hot-cues pads.
- HQ live recording of your mixes.
- Optimized for display on 4″, 7″ & 10″ devices.
- Minimum Configuration
- Android 4.1
- Android 4.3 for recording
- 4″ screen
- RAM: 1GB
- Dual-core processor
Cross DJ for Android is $4.99 – Get it here >>
Hyperdrive – first Reason ReFill created specifically for Parsec
The first additive synth for Propellerhead Reason is now available – the Parsec Spectral Synthesizer. Now, Nucleus SoundLab has released Hyperdrive, the first Reason ReFill created specifically for Parsec.
Here’s what they have to say about it:
Hyperdrive contains a full palette of new sounds for Parsec, suitable for a variety of electronic music genres – such as ambient, IDM, trance, or filmscore. Nucleus SoundLab has employed five experienced sound designers to produce a ReFill of truly varied scope. Inside Hyperdrive you’ll find their work has produced Blade Runner-esque FX, piercing psychedelic leads, glassy sweeping pads, hybrid Parsec/Thor duets as well deep sci-fi atmospheres.
The same quality customers have come to expect from Nucleus SoundLab is well-represented in Hyperdrive: Unique Combinators with unique Combinator controls; Parsec patches that make up each Combinator are individually available; full categorization of both Combinators and device patches; careful volume-balancing for every single patch. Together, Parsec and Hyperdrive are the perfect combination to propel your electronic music productions to vast new aural galaxies!
Features:
- 128 unique Combinators across eight categories
- 178 Parsec device patches
- 2 demo songs packed inside the ReFill
- All Combinator rotaries/buttons/modwheel uniquely mapped.
- Patches designed by veteran Reason sound designers – Adam Fielding, Shaun Wallace, Lewis Osborne, Navi Retlav, James Miles and Jeremy Janzen.
- Requires: Parsec Rack Extension.
Having Fun with Electrix Filter Factory and MoFX
Background video description:
Almost finished setting up my “electro rig” which features these classic, but inexpensive effect units from Electrix. One fun thing to do with the MoFX is turning the delay feedback to 100% and “sampling” a measure of a beat and manipulating that sample with the delay time. Be sure to listen with headphones if you’ve got them handy and hear the “ping pong” delay!
Free Ableton Live Easy Multi Band FX Rack
Easily create your own Multi Band FX by dropping them into this Ableton Live Audio Effect Rack. Free Download of 4 Audio Effect Racks for Ableton Live.
Download Link: http://bit.ly/freesynth97
Colangelo Ascension Synthesizer
Here is a synthesizer Gtechture has designed called the Colangelo Ascension, unfortunately only still images in this video but you can listen to the sound, details below:
So far it is in an research and development phase and may never go into production. It is a virtual analog synthesizer with an analog post processing section featuring an analog filter, and a tube drive circuit. It features a powerful 8-track sequencer that can be used to sequence notes or parameters. In multi mode sequences can be layered. If you have any questions or would like to contribute, please email me at giancolangelo@gmail.com
Chaos Nand Synth Synthrotek
Synthrotek Chaos Nand Synth: with added capaciter bank so you can switch between different caps to get different sounds. The enclosure is 10 gauge perforated steel on top and bottom, and the case is 18 gauge steel.
Sounds from the Oberheim OB-X
Vintage synthesizer track featuring the classic Oberheim OB-X
all synthesizer sounds: Oberheim OB-X Analog Synthesizer (1979)
drums: LinnDrum
recording: multi-tracking without midi
fx: reverb and delay
DATAMASKIN
