Time machine: CASIO CZ-101 performing “COSMOSYNTH”
Vintage synthesizer demo track featuring the Casio CZ-101
all sounds: CASIO CZ-101 phase distortion synth (1986)
recording: multi-track
fx: reverb and delay
It’s small, it’s cheap, and it’s good! This is the pea-size version of the CZ-1000 with a mini-keyboard. The CZ-101 is a digital synth and although the programming is somewhat limited there are plenty of analog-like traits and sounds to interest most anybody. It has a good 8-stage envelope design and uses Phase Distortion (PD) synthesis which gives it some pretty great sounds. The sounds are very similar to the Yamaha DX synthesizers, and they’re much more affordable. PD is Casio’s own take on digital synthesis from the mid-eighties and is found in all of their CZ series. You basically modify digital waveforms (sine waves) to create various sounds. It can create wild new sounds, notably percussive sounds. But it’s not too easy to program if you don’t know much about waveform theory and design.
Make no mistake, the CZ-101 is no toy although it can be considered very entry level. Three sets of 8-stage envelope sections are used to modulate your sounds extensively. The first is used to modify the DCO pitches over time. Another 8-stage envelope section in the DCW is used to modify the Phase Angle over time (like filtering). Finally the DCA amplifier also has an 8-stage envelope to modify the volume of sounds over time. For further tweaking the CZ-101 employs some surprisingly analog effects. Four types of Vibrato make up a simple LFO-type section with triangle, square, ramp up or down waveforms as well as rate, depth and delay settings. Portamento adds that classic glide effect from one note to the next. Double up on the oscillators with 4-note polyphony. Built-in noise and ring modulation. It’s also MIDI equipped with 4 monophonic multitimbral parts. However, with only 32 patches (16 preset, 16 user) storage is a bit slim.
The CZ-1000 is a full-size keyboard version of the CZ-101 for a slightly more practical edge. Later CZ-series models like the CZ-3000 and CZ-5000 used this new Phase Distortion synthesis in more professional instruments. But none are as small and portable as the CZ-101 is! It can even be strapped on like a guitar and run on battery power.
LegoTechno 2.0 – Sliding Puzzle Sequencer (littleBits Synth + Arduino + CV + NI Maschine + Lego)
A Lego Sliding Puzzle Sequencer Controls NI Maschine to sequence three littleBits Synth Kits through control voltage (CV) from an Arduino.
Also sends out OpenSoundControl OSC and audio to control reactive visuals on different computers.
Interacting with rythmic patterns through a tangible sliding puzzle allows for some interesting polyrythmic adventures.
What’s going on there?
Lego bricks can be placed on a eight transparent Lego base plates (16×16) to create rhythmic beat patterns.
Each of the eight baseplates holding the patterns can be moved around on a transparent surface. Whatever pattern (or part of a pattern) is placed in the center of the surface is filmed from below using a Webcam. The image of the brick pattern is analyzed and converted into Midi and OSC Messages that are sent to an Ardunio board, the Maschine Software (and another computer that generates dynamic visuals from the OSC Messages and the audio). An Arduino board turns the Midi Messages into control voltages to control three littleBits Synth kits that generate the sounds. Additional sounds can be injected from the Maschine software.
Made at Music Hack Day 2014 at the Sonar Festival, Barcelona.
https://www.hackerleague.org/hackatho…
http://new.musichackday.org/2014/barc…
See the original LegoTechno Sequencer in action here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5uwn…
The Team:
Kristian Gohlke / Bauhaus-Universität Weimar
Michael Hlatky / Native Instruments
Tobias Baumbach / Native Instruments
Mickael Le Goff / Native Instruments
http://bauhausinteraction.org/
http://www.native-instruments.com/
SampleTank 3 – rebuilt from the ground up
IK Multimedia has announced SampleTank 3 – an updated version of their software sound module.
According to the company, SampleTank 3 has been rebuilt ‘from the ground up’, offering 33 GB of sounds, over 4,000 instruments, over 2,000 MIDI files and 2,500 loops.
Key Features:
- 33 GB of professionally recorded and painstakingly hand-crafted samples
- Over 4,000 instruments in 22 instrument categories
- Over 2,500 drum, percussion and complete groove loops, and over 2,000 MIDI patterns
- Updated interface
- New sounds with “round robin” and multiple articulations
- New patterns player with MIDI patterns
- 55 effects, with 22 new effects derived from the analog-modeled algorithms and convolution technology found in AmpliTube and T-RackS
- New loop management feature
- New filters, a new Live mode and more.
SampleTank 3 will be available for download in July. From now until its release, it can be purchased at discounted pre-order prices.
Mark Verbos @ Centralmusic/Schneidersladen Berlin
Techno producer and DJ since the early 1990s. After completing a degree in recording from Florida’s Full Sail in 1995, Mark became a recording engineer in Chicago. In 1999 he has founded Simple Answer.
Erica Synths MATRIX MIXER teaser
A sneak preview of the upcoming Erica Synths Matrix Mixer – a new Eurorack module, designed to bring the classic matrix patch bay into the 21st century
Erica Synths has been developing the Matrix Mixer for over 6 months, and the main challenge was to get analogue mixer part working perfect.
The module basically replaces 3 persons and 11 hands during live performances.
Features:
- 10 inputs
- 8 outputs
- 3,2” touchscreen
- DC couped mixer connects any input to any output and mixes input signals
- Routes any input to several outputs
- Use the Matrix Mixer for audio and CV signals
- Input signals: up to 10V ptp or up to 10V DC
- Mixer gain: 1
- PATCH and PERFORMANCE mode
- Chain multiple patches into performance and sync it to external or internal clock
- 256 patch and performance memory, each patch accessible instantly
- Upgradable firmware
- Extention modules planned
The Matrix Mixer launch is scheduled to mid July.
::vtol:: “string theory” workshop
necomimi brainwave ears were hacked to get raw data which is converted to control DIY robotic instruments with servo motors using Pure Data and max/msp.
more info – vtol.cc/filter/ws/string-theory
3rd International festival of media performances at “Platforma”, Moscow 09-10.06.2014
New music video from Varick titled Boundless
Available now at http://keithvarick.bandcamp.com
Artist: Varick
Track name: Boundless
Album name: Boundless
Written, performed, co-produced by Keith Varick
Co-produced, recorded, mixed by David Sisko
Mastered by Mike Tucci
Production company: Cut Rush Creative Labs and Motion Blur NYC
Director: Carlos Almonte
Art Plastiqu new album in the pipes from Celluloide
Confirmations that the French electropop act Celluloide is working on a new album. Titled “Art Plastique” it will be released somewhere in Fall 2014 (the artwork is from that new release). Sure thing is that a first single will be out in September.
The band has recorded 16 tracks for this release and they will be selecting which ones will be included on the album after the mixing is done. And that very mixing is in the hands of Laurent Cristofol, one of the founders of the Modelisme Records label. You can expect the band to develop a sound and sound structure that will be different to their previous work, so that promises!
“Tip Top Cafe 1” – Z8000 Matrix Sequencer / Programmer
Stacking sequences in a polyrhythmic manner with the Tip Top Audio’s Z8000 Matrix Sequencer.
Patching used in this video shown in screen shots.
The Z8000 is sending pitch cv to the Analogue Solutions VCO Sub Oscillator. Which is being filtered with the 12dB Doepfer A124 Wasp VCF. Make Noise Maths 2 is sending Clock to the Z8000. No effect processors used
New beta versions of the freeware Synth1
Ichiro Toda has released new beta versions of the freeware Synth1 plug-in for Windows and Mac OS X.
The Windows v1.13 Beta 1 release adds a 64-bit VST version whilst the Mac v1.13 Beta 7 release adds an Audio Unit version (32-bit only for now).
Changes in Windows v1.13 beta1:
- 64-bit version is available.
- VST version up to 2.4 (both 32-bit & 64-bit). There is no change to the previous version in functionality.
- Bug Fix: Fixed a problem that occurred is petit noise on MusicMaker.
DATAMASKIN
