Home made theremin: Optical synth + KORG Emx + Kaoss pad
A home made theremin by Gavin Howe, description below:
Made my first “synth theremin” yesterday, sending it through the audio in+comb on the emx with flanger pitch shift (-12) and some short delay, then into kp3 for stereo delay, just playing around with different capacitors and korg effects. All sounds originate from the optical synth.
KOMA Elektronik announces the RH-301 Rhythm and Utility Pedal
KOMA Elektronik announces the RH-301 Rhythm and Utility Pedal!
New pedal features master clock with tap tempo, versatile LFO, envelope generator, MIDI and 14-point CV patch bay.
Berlin based musical instruments manufacturer KOMA Elektronik are very happy to announce a brand new pedal: the KOMA RH-301 Rhythm Workstation / Utility Tool! The RH-301 is KOMA Elektronik’s solution for a problem many musicians are struggling with: analog and digital equipment that needs to run side by side in sync without running out of control, which is not always an easy task! That is why KOMA decided to build a ‘Master Sync Station’ that helps electronic musicians get the most out of their equipment by properly syncing (a large amount of) devices in many different ways and add some cool tricks along the way…
Master Clock
The beating heart of the pedal is the master clock, of which the tempo can be set by turning the tempo knob, by tapping a tempo on the tap button, by syncing it to MIDI or to an external CV clock signal. Besides the normal clock output the user can also divide the signal with the Divisions knob and send a faster or slower clock signal via the two Division Outputs. The generated clock signals can be passed on via CV with the two Clock Outputs, two Division Outputs or via the MIDI Output. An incoming MIDI signal can also be passed through via the MIDI Through and Out jacks.
LFO
The second feature of the RH-301 is the LFO, which can be synced to the master clock or run freely from 0,25 Hz to 260 Hz in five different shapes: sine, triangle, square, S&H and noise. This means the pedal can also be used as an oscillator, when the user turns the LFO up into the audible ranges. When the LFO is in Sync-Mode the user can choose the same divisions as the divisions of the master clock. The LFO has two separate outputs on the patch bay: LFO Out and LFO Inverted Out. All the features of the LFO are also controllable via control voltage, the pedal boasts CV inputs for LFO Speed, LFO Reset and LFO Symmetry.
Envelope Generator
The third feature of the pedal is an Envelope Generator that can be easily synced to the master clock as, or run in loop mode. Besides the normal controls for Attack, Decay, Sustain and Release the pedal comes with a Range knob to set the range of the envelopes created. The Envelope Generator comes with a normal Envelope Output, but also an Inverted Output. The Envelope Generator can be triggered by an external Gate CV Source through the Envelope Gate Input.
Besides all these features, the RH-301 also comes with a built-in KOMA Elektronik sensor, which has a separate CV Output on the patch bay as well.. Plenty of functions to get creative with, because no matter what your setup is, digital or analog or all mised together, if you use a Modular synthesizer, DAW, drum computer, synthesizer or KOMA’s own BD-101 and FT-201 effect pedals, the RH-301 is a effective tool to make sure they all walk in line!
The RH-301 will be on display and ready for testing at NAMM’13 at booths 1170 in Hall E (Analogue Haven) and 6735 in Hall A (Big City Music).
MRSP: To Be Announced! The RH-301 will be available in the beginning of Q2 of 2013 at KOMA Elektronik dealers worldwide and directly from KOMA Elektronik’s webstore at www.koma-elektronik.com.
Follow the updates concerning this product on http://www.facebook.com/KOMAelektronik !
PPG WaveMapper – Show and Tell
An extensive show and tell of the new PPG WaveMapper app from Wolfgang Palm.
For more info visit http://www.wolfgangpalm.com
PPG WaveMapper is the second next-generation iOS based synth from Wolfgang Palm, who in 2012 released the PPG WaveGenerator to critical acclaim from both press and public.
In final development the PPG WaveMapper offers iPad users a second synthesiser to compliment the already loved PPG WaveGenerator from Wolfgang Palm. PPG WaveMapper allows the user the opportunity to create limitless sounds from this unique and powerful new technology.
PPG WaveMapper features the Sound Map, which maps the various sounds in a way to easily access and experiment with them, more importantly the PPG WaveMapper features a new synthesis system which maps the waveforms of a sound into a new kind of wavetable which preserves the sound characteristics better than classic Wavetable synthesis and at the same time allows for the manipulations which make WT synthesis so unique.
The Mapping window is the visualisation of a pool of programs on which “modules” float. Those modules represent certain parameters of the synthesiser engine and each module can be placed on one of 32 programs. The moment an item is placed on map then the parameters of that module will take on the settings of those parameters in the underlying program on the Mapping window.
People who do not posses synth-programming skills can use this mapping technology as a starting point to create complex sounds. For example a user can drag a string sound source onto a drum envelope, or a guitar sound onto a string envelope – the concept is simple, yet incredibly powerful.
Korg Monotron – LFO Sync Mod Compilation
This is a compilation of the possibilities of a LFO-sync modded Korg Monotron analog synthesizer.
In this mod (see also http://stevewoodward.posterous.com/lfo-reset-point-on-korg-monotron), the low-frequency oscillator (LFO) of the Monotron (sync slave) can be retriggered by pulse signals in this case from a Roland TR-626 rhyrtm computer (sync master). The trigger signals sent by the TR-626 can be programmed by its rimshot pattern. Shuffled notes of the sync master are directly introduced into the Monotron LFO, to give also a shuffle effect.
Advantages of this mod is the low-budget (~2$, only a few cables and a 3.5 mm plug are needed) and the possibility to sync other music devices to the TR-626 via MIDI at the same time. Like shown here a Nanoloop (http://www.nanoloop.de/gameboy) cadtridge for Gameboy Classic, can also be synced with the same pulses.
This LFO-sync Mod enhances the possibilities of the Korg Monotron significantly.
It allows to use the synchronized Monotron analog filter LFO for external audio, as well as for the internal voltage controlled oscillator (VCO).
If the Monotron LFO frequency is tuned higher the retrigger frequency of the sync master, there is also the possiblilty of cross-modulation effects, like for the unsynced version.
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https://sites.google.com/site/synthaquarium/
Cyclone Analogic BassBot TT-303 & Roland TR-909
The new Cyclone Analogic BassBot (TT-303) is a spitting image of the original Roland TB-303. It also sounds just like it, and some 21st century innovations! A 64 step sequencer, MIDI, and Arpeggiator to name a few. To put it to the test we brought out the 303’s partner in crime, the Roland TR-909. Also the blue pedal you see is a vintage DOD analog delay with the TT-303 being processed.
You can find more info and purchase the BassBot here:
http://www.switchedonaustin.com/products/cyclone-analogic-tt-303-bass-bot
Synthesizers – KORG Z1
A voyage into the heart of the KORG Z1 MOSS Synthesizer from the year 1997.
Exploration by Marko Ettlich (RetroSound)
12 voices
2 oscillators per voice (13 osc types) 1sub-osc, noise
resonant filter LP, HP, BP, Notch
61 keys (velocity and aftertouch)
arpeggiator
used by Gary Numan, Orbital and many more
The Z1 is like a polyphonic Prophecy in a workstation! It does all the analog sounds and more. This is a great analog modeling synth with 12-voice polyphony, thirteen waveforms, four LFOs, two resonant filters, two effects units and more. The ability to create unique sounds is endless. The factory patches could use some help, but overall the sound is very nice! It has a fully polyphonic arpeggiator that blows all others away. It has five preset arpeggio patterns and fifteen user patterns. Unfortunately there is no on-board sequencer. There is incredible real-time control available with knobs to control the two resonant filters, and a touch controlled ‘XY’ pad for tweaking patches in real-time.
Get your on robot voice with Robovox
RoboVox – Transform your voice!
Transform your voice with RoboVox and have your voice sound scary or funny, musical, evil or like a robot! RoboVox is a voice recorder and voice changing app using vocoder technology. Choose among 24 different voice styles and jam with the pitch and modulation settings by sliding your finger across the X-Y control field. Modify your voice live with your headphones on, record your voice and play it back transformed or use the parrot mode that repeats your altered voice automatically.
Save your recording, send it via email or share it directly on Facebook* or SoundCloud. Get it now and alienate your voice!
RoboVox Features:
– 24 voice models such as Pitch Shift (Chipmunk, Helium voice), Discobot, Badman, Exorcist, Bionic, Croack, Singing Robot, Dark, HAL, Stephen, Prophet
– X-Y control field for modifying pitch and modulation
– 3 different modes: real-time, parrot and recording
– Real-time mode (with headphones)
– Voice recording
– Share your results directly on Facebook* or SoundCloud
– Email your creations as WAV files
– Play RoboVox by connecting a MIDI keyboard
– Vocoder with real-time FFT spectral analysis
* Please note that your messages on Facebook are hosted publicly on soundcloud.com. Please note also that your direct Facebook uploads might be deleted after a certain time.”
NAMM 2013: The most powerful synth Casio have ever built…
It looks like Casio has a new synth to introduce at the 2013 NAMM Show!
This image has leaked out of a new full-size Casio keyboard that looks a bit like one of their digital pianos crossed with the XW-P1 synthesizer, introduced at the 2012 NAMM Show.
The new Casio synth is also rumored to be ‘the most powerful synth” that they’ve ever built.
Men Without Hats announce first European Tour in 20 years
30 years ago, Men Without Hats told the world “You can dance if you want to”. The world listened. Since then, the Canadian electronic rock new wave group has continued to create pop music. In February, they embark on their first European tour in over 20 years, performing all their classic hits including “The Safety Dance”, “I Got The Message”, “Pop Goes The World”, “I Like”, “Living In China”, plus songs from their new studio album “Love In The Age Of War”.
The European tour starts Friday 1st February at the London’s Islington o2 Academy (only UK show), followed by dates across Germany, Austria, Denmark, and Sweden. Led by front man, lead singer and songwriter Ivan Doroschuk, in 2011, MWH performed a breakout show at SXSW, followed by an extensive 2012 North American tour alongside the B52s and Human League.
Produced by Dave ‘Rave’ Ogilvie (Skinny Puppy, Marilyn Manson), “Love In The Age of War” marks MWH’s their first studio album in 10 years, and includes ten original songs. Since forming in the late 70’s, the band has released six studio albums. (Via SL)
Airplay Soundcheck Test 1 (MaxMsp, Audulus (iOS), Airserver)
Using the software Airserver Airplay to send the audio from iPad Audulus to MaxMsp. Soundflower for Audio Routing.
“Please ignore the audio Mic Input, in fact I just want to try whether I can Mic Input and Airplay at the same time.”
http://www.airserverapp.com – Airserver Software
http://cycling74.com – MaxMsp Software
AirServer is an AirPlay receiver for Mac/PC. It allows you to receive AirPlay feeds, similar to an Apple TV, so you can stream content or Mirror your display from your iOS devices or Mountain Lion
AirServer now delivers full 1080p HD mirroring and is faster and more powerful than ever. The update for AirServer is free for existing users, and gives you more features to make the things you do every day even better. AirServer for PC hits version 1.0 and is now feature complete, with audio, movie and photo streaming. All good things come to those who wait.
DATAMASKIN
