Bass Kleph shares his tricks for Maschine performances
Austrialian tech house producer, live remixer and finger drummer Bass Kleph shares some of his tips and tricks he uses when building a performance on his Maschine.
Learn more about Maschine here: http://bit.ly/PjED9I
Check out Bass Kleph’s site here: http://www.basskleph.com/
Nuclear Musicians: Radioactive Orchestra
Radioactive orchestra is a cross-boundary collaboration of nuclear physicists, a DJ and one media artist. The project wishes to inspire young people to learn about the natural sciences, but it also has an artistic aim to find new musically interesting patterns. By giving every radioactive isotop its own sound based on scientific algorithms they turn nuclear science into music, hence making a world available to us that our senses can not otherwise percieve.
SCRAPHEAP SYMPHONY
Interesting experimental video from Chris Cairns, details below:
So glad to be able to share this!
We, and by we I mean isthis.gd, built a MIDI orchestra from old computer junk. Photocopiers, scanners, fax machines, printers,hard drives, modems and the like.
We thought it’d be most fun to do it for real.
We were really inspired by Tristram Cary, James Houston, BD594 and other radical tinkerers. Making cold stuff warm is fun.
We found loads of old machines destined for landfill, took them to bits and reverse engineered them to make noises that we could control via MIDI.
Badman Will Cohen made an arrangement of Bob Dylan’s ‘The Times They Are A-Changin’ but the orchestra can play any MIDI arrangement, or indeed be performed live.
Maximum respect to Neil Mendoza, Marek Bereza, Will Cohen, Stefan Dzisiewski-Smith, Justin Pentecost, Mike Harrison, Mat Holloway, Bonnie Anthony, Jason Oakley and all at Partizan, Liat Wassershtrom, Ben Joffe, Tim Leask, Jack Ellis, Ozzie Pullin.
Awesome cinematography by Denzil Armour-Brown and Daniel Lowe. Tight edit by Ross Hallard.
“Shake the Disease” cover on a Yamaha DX7 (Martin Gore demo)
Shake the Disease (Martin Gore demo) cover.
“I noticed he recorded it mainly with a Yamaha DX7. In fact, he used six cartridge preset sounds (that I switched live). So I decided to recreate it. None of the backtrack sounds were recorded with MIDI or other clock resources.”
All sounds (*unless stated): Yamaha DX7.
Bassline synth: Roland Promars MRS-2
Drumbox: Boss DR55 (sampled)
Backtrack recorded on a Revox B77 MkII.
Composed by Martin L. Gore
Synapse Audio releases Antidote – new synth for the Reason Rack Extension
Synapse Audio has released Antidote, a new Rack Extension for Propellerhead Reason. Here’s how they describe it in their own words:
Antidote is an exclusive virtual-analog synthesizer, which combines highest audio quality, flexibility and a fast work flow in an easy-to-use plug in. Antidote has been specifically developed to complement Reason, and to integrate well into its environment. It can be used both as an instrument, and as a powerful multi-effect unit.
Antidote comes with two stereo oscillator banks, each emitting a stack of high quality oscillator waveforms. The oscillators pass through the filter stage, which employ the latest zero-delay feedback designs. Envelopes and LFOs further shape the sound, and the powerful modulation matrix, which can modulate almost any sound parameter, adds the necessary depth to realize complex sounds.
The output of the synthesis stage finally passes through a big effect chain with Distortion, EQ, Phaser, Chorus, Delay, Reverb, Compressor and a unique Bass enhancement effect, which models the bass frequency response of some vintage analog gear.
Antidote ships with 300 Presets and 10 Combinator patches, covering a wide range of music genres.
Pricing and Availability:
Antidote is available at an introductory price of €79 until December 31st, 2012 (the regular price will be €119).
More information:
Martyn Ware – Heaven 17: Rig Rundown
Filmed earlier this week at Bristol O2 Academy, Sonic talked to Martyn Ware from Human League BEF and Heaven 17, as well as a general chat about the tour, the band and synthesizers.
Audiobus: Looping Sunrizer with Loopy HD
iOS developer Audiobus has now released a proper teaser video demonstrating the workflow of its potentially revolutionary inter-app audio routing device. Audiobus is an app designed to allow audio to be streamed between multiple iOS music making apps. No release date has been announced yet, but the app has been approved by Apple. For more info on the app, check out the Audiobus official site.
Synthwerks FSR-1T Quick Overview
This is just a quick overview of the FSR-1T, the producer of this video was using it to control some TipTop Drum modules so you can get an idea for how the various gate outs and modes work.
The FSR-1T is a single channel FSR module, based on the FSR-1N, but has a large square Force Sensing Resistor sensor that translates the pressure the performer applies to its sensing pads into a user adjustable scaleable control voltage, and an adjustable threshold dependent gate signal. The FSR-1T also adds a section with an electronic bi-directional switch that toggles one input/output between two other inputs/outputs (A & B) or visa versa. This toggle action is driven from the standard gate out from the FSR’s gate out. An internal jumper chooses whether the drive gate is pre or post the level threshold circuitry. A front panel switch can choose whether the switch operates in toggle (on-off-on) or momentary modes. The electronic switch is bi-directional and able to pass DC and AC voltages. The IN/OUT jack is normalize to a +V and its output at A & B in toggle mode, will act as a toggling gate at one half the frequency of the standard Gate out. LEDs indicate the active state of all gate outputs.
The FSR-1T is 10HP in width and has a MSRP of $195 (US)
Roland introduces easy-to-transport TD-4KP V-Drums Portable electronic drum set
Roland has announced the TD-4KP V-Drums Portable, a compact, easy-to-transport electronic drum set with a unique and innovative folding design. They tell us that this new set offers players the industry leading V-Drums sound and performance with maximum mobility and ultra-quick setup time.
The TD-4KP features a kick pad, a snare pad, three tom pads, and three cymbal pads (crash, ride, and hi-hat). An FD-8 Hi-Hat Controller pedal is included as well. Roland says that the 7.5-inch snare and tom pads feature a cushioned rubber surface that provides a sensitive, accurate response and natural playing feel.
All the drum and cymbal pads are mounted on a durable, integrated stand that folds into a surprisingly small size for transport and storage. To put the kit back into playing position, the user simply unfolds the stand and pads.
Roland tells us that the included TD-4 Percussion Sound Module delivers a wide range of expressive drum and percussion sounds that can be easily edited, allowing players to quickly customize their kits. Ambience effects optimized for drums are included for lively, dynamic performances. The Coach and Quick Rec/Quick Play functions are ideal for effective practice, providing drummers with valuable feedback for rapid improvement.
An optional CB-TDP Carrying Case provides a convenient way to transport and protect the TD-4KP. The custom-designed bag features a shoulder strap and detachable pouches for the FD-8 and a kick pedal, plus handy pockets for a kick beater, drumsticks, and other accessories. Users can also swap out the snare pad with an optional PDX-6/8 for a true mesh head feel and dual-triggering capability.
A Roland spokesperson told us, “With its extremely portable fold-away design, great V-Drums sound, and expressive playing feel, the TD-4KP is a perfect fit for a wide range of users, from young students to drum teachers to gigging players. Its versatility and small footprint makes it ideal for many different environments, including bedrooms, apartments, lesson studios, rehearsal spaces, and more.”
Pricing and Availability:
TBC
More information:
Demo of the music chopper app “iterator” for iPad
New iPad audio chopper app. See http://www.touchsynth.com for more information.
iterator is an inspiring sample based musical instrument with a stylistic interface. The premise is simple: The x-axis controls the sample playback position. The y-axis controls the repeat speed. The result is surprisingly musical.
Create your own soundscapes using any of the built-in 75+ samples from over 25 artists, including Richard Devine, Parallel Worlds, Toppobrillo, Atomic Shadow, and many more. Or, supply your own .mp3s through iTunes.
DATAMASKIN
