STRINGSTATION | I N T R O D U C T I O N
http://youtu.be/ybh5BqHVMzI
Comprehensive look into a new40-stringed musical instrument called the StringStation.
Demo of the unique Chamberlin Rhythmate
Demonstration of a very unique and rare object – the first ever drum machine
The Chamberlin Rhythmate has the distinction of being the first drum machine ever produced. Only around ten were made by Harry Chamberlin from his Upland, California garage back in 1949. Some have said that the Wurlitzer Sideman was the first drum machine, but Chamberlin’s invention preceded it by ten years.
The Rhythmate uses a 1″ magnetic tape loop which is read by a tape head that can be moved up or down to play back 14 separate drum patterns. The tempo is adjusted by moving a spindle up or down which affects the speed of the tape moving across the head. The Rhythmate has a built-in amplifier and 12″ speaker.
In 1951, Harry Chamberlin used his idea of magnetic tape playback (samples) to create the Chamberlin Model 200 keyboard. The Model 300/350, 400, 500 and 600/660 models followed.
In the mid 1960’s, Harry’s concept was used by Mellotronics to create their now famous line of Mellotron keyboards. Mellotronics did not ask Mr. Chamberlin for permission to use his idea and he was not at all happy about it. But they agreed to pay Harry $30,000 in compensation, which was quite a bit of money in 1966.
iPad Music App Demo: Synthtastic
Here’s a nice demo of the experimental app Synthtastic, which actually I also downloaded a couple of weeks ago and it is really fun to play around with and creating ambient synthish sounds
“Demo of Synthtastic. A great sounding app that needs an update to get rid of the constant crashing. Works on Iphone as well.”
NOTE: For me it hasn´t crashed any time yet 
Know more about BeatMaker 2 for iPad
“BeatMaker 2 DOES support MIDI learn! Sweet! I just found the learn button in the MIDI menu for each instrument.”
It’s now on the list:
http://www.iosmusician.com/2011/10/list-of-midi-learn-apps-for-iphone-and.html
BeatMaker 2 on the App Store:
http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/stat?id=3ABOFs3RXgc&offerid=146261&am…
Combining music production tools that were behind the success of countless artists, BeatMaker 2 is a powerful, easy-to-use composition interface for amateurs and professionals alike.
Build your own virtual home-studio, create multiple instruments and connect them to a full-range of audio effects.
Compose, record, arrange and transform your ideas into complete songs, ready to be shared with others.
Import your own sounds or use the sound library provided: more than 170 high-quality instrument and drum presets from synthesizers to realistic orchestral sounds. You can even import songs from your iPod library!
Connect your MIDI accessories for an external control of BeatMaker’s instruments, effects and mixer, ideal for home-studio productions and live performances.
BeatMaker 2 is an universal application, with specifically designed interfaces for iPad and iPhone platforms.
Works on all iPhone, iPod and iPad models starting with third generation devices (iPhone3GS, iPod3G 32GB, iPad 1 & 2).
The Sonic Adventure Game
The Sonic Adventure Game
featuring Hans Zimmer
From the makers of the 4 million download smash hit “Inception the App” comes the incredible new sonic adventure game “Dimensions”. This unique augmented sound gaming experience transports you to amazing new dimensions using your reality as the interface. With an array of exhilarating new sound effects and stunning use of sensor input the gameplay sets new standards for alternate reality games.
Available in the App Store Fall 2011.
Elektron Sidstation 100% sounds demo mix
For more demo sounds and information, please visit the sidstation page here:
http://www.polynominal.com/site/studio/gear/synth/sidstation/index.html
A strange mix of analog and digital technology fully Based on the famous Sound Interface Device “SID” 6581 created by Bob Yannes who did also the ENSONIQ MIRAGE project. Elektron boasts to have pushed the SID to new limits with new paramaters optimized for lighting response.
Additional:
MACHINE the silver box has four encoders for paramaters in real time (assignable and transmit MIDI CC) called DC1-4, a retro design numeric pad for parameters entry and finally a big rotary encoder for data change value.
Behind there is a power DC input (common 6v with negative center) the 2×16 LCD contrast backlight pot, Audio OUT and IN (for filter process) and classical midi I/OVOICE two main modes: polyphonic or monophonic with possible Legato play with Portamento
A total of three Oscillators are available each with five different waveforms: Triangle, Sawtooth, PULSE PWM, mixed or Noise. The three Oscillators have their own DETUNE ratio and can be all pitch hard synched and Ringmodulated (if flagged for an oscillator it will modulate the previous one) and each has a Delay Start to give a kind of Echo effect.
The original SID had a high noise-level for various reasons, the sidstation isolated SOME of this using some dedicated buses, but still prepare to have some background noise.
Dirty Electronics Mute Synth has been released
Mute has announced the release of the Dirty Electronics Mute Synth, a specially created analogue electronic instrument, which will be available at select shops, including Rough Trade East (London) and Schneiders Buero (Berlin) and online.
Originally created for the legendary Short Circuit presents Mute event at the Roundhouse, the Dirty Electronics Mute Synth is a hand-held touch and tilt instrument with copper etched artwork and contoured printed circuit board that was designed in collaboration Mute and long time associate, graphic designer Adrian Shaughnessy.
The instrument combines sound synthesis with a sequencer/pulser, and is controlled by the conductivity of the human body which completes the instrument’s circuit when the copper etching is touched. Designed to be played with thumbs and fingers, there are touch points on both sides of the circuit board and two tilt switches on different planes allow for gestural control of the sequencer.
Since 2003, John Richards has been exploring the idea of Dirty Electronics, focusing on face-to-face shared experiences, ritual, gesture, touch and social interaction. In Dirty Electronics, process and performance are inseparably bound and a large part of the Dirty Electronics experience is the workshop, which premiered the Mute Synth in the Roundhouse earlier this year.
Features:
- Copper etched PCB artwork
- Touch and tilt control
- Two oscillators
- Feedback network
- Distortion
- Filter
- Sequencer
- Contoured shape
- Battery powered – coin cell included (CR2032)
- Requires amplification
- Jack output
Pricing and Availability:
£60 GBP
More information:
Soundplane Demonstration at Robotspeak
Here’s a new video from synth.me featuring a demonstartion of the Soundplane device:
Thanks to Robot Speak for hosting Randy Jones and his Soundplane controller. He was really great sharing the intimate details on his controller and the technology behind it. Get a look at the controller, calibration software and other details presented by Randy himself.
The Soundplane A is a computer music controller with the sensitivity and feel of an acoustic instrument. It detects a wide range of touches on its walnut playing surface, from a light tickle to a very firm press. The Soundplane A can be configured as either a 150-note keyboard with position and pressure sensing on each key, or as one continuous surface.
The playing surface is a material custom developed for us, an articulated sheet of walnut veneer bonded to a fiber backing for strength. The case is milled out of alder, a sustainably harvested Northwest hardwood. We have sourced all of the construction locally and test and assemble Soundplanes by hand here in Seattle. The entire instrument is about 28 inches wide by 8 inches deep by 1 inch thick.
Included with the Soundplane is Aalto for Soundplane, a custom, signal-driven version of our patchable software synthesizer. The Soundplane client software can send MIDI and OSC messages to control other software and hardware.
See this Soundplane onesheet PDF for specifications: [3 Mb PDF]
StringStation | Laboratory Demo
A ‘fly on the wall’ video of a personal StringStation demonstration and talk about the 3D instrument by musician/inventor Jim Bartz.
It further introduces an intricate and truly amazing 3D resonance factor that reveals an atmospheric, dimensional soundfield never known before. Fingertips on strings instantly have a detailed nuance and dynamics allowing extreme expressiveness in music and sound creation- The StringStations 40-strings are programmed in distinct groups (bass, melody, rhythm, orchestration…) that when captured together with its innovative surround pickup matrix, pulls pure 3D tone resolution that delivers an ultra wide, exceptionally dimensional panorama. It captures in vivid 3D, a ‘fractal lattice of interpolations’. The powerful sonic force of its natural string tones layered with any sound imaginable via digital sound modeling and computer control are the beginning of an extreme level of surround music innovation…
Zx Plectrum retro application à la C64
A short video introducing ZX Plectrum.
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/zx-plectrum/id477244691?ls=1&mt=8
Universal app available on ipod and iphone! Play the ZX Specturm loading sounds as a musical instrument on your iPhone/iPod/iPad!
Relive the crisp sounds of your youth!
Change the loading phase and pitch to make some weird but familiar sounds!
>> “Made this video with an ipod and nothing else, maybe I’m getting old but that impressed me!”
DATAMASKIN
