Grendel RA-9 Grenadier – Trading 8’s
Video demo of Grendel RA-9 Grenadier. An 8-bar phrase is traded back and forth between the synthesizers to show a variety of tones and filterbank modulations. Sequenced by CV-Gate with Vermona MIDI-CV converter.
http://rarewaves.net/products/grendel…
The Grendel RA-9 Grenadier is a 1-oscillator analog monosynth with CV-Gate control. It has a semi-modular design in a tabletop enclosure with 1/4? audio output.
The Grenadier can be played stand-alone by using its keypad with 4 independently tuneable keys, or you can activate its onboard sequencer for rhythm loops and tone sequences. Patch in a 1v/oct MIDI-CV converter (not included) and the Grenadier can play sequences from a MIDI workstation or computer.
The Grenadier’s palette of analog tones comes from its triple bandpass filter bank with syncable modulation. Its voice is designed for electronic basslines and melodic sequences, as well as slow drones, electro percussion loops, bass drums and more.
The filter bank can also become a tone source by setting it to self-oscillate with warm low frequency overdrive.
The Grenadier’s VCO offers square and triangle waveform. Its pitch can be modulated by the envelope generator for bass drops and other tuned analog percussion effects. The VCO waveform is synced to gate, for better bass output with staccato sequences.
The decay envelope generator offers a wide range of decay times up to 60 seconds. The contour of the envelope can be reversed with the bipolar Envelope Depth knob, putting it solidly in the electro funk zone. The Grenadier’s LFO covers a wide range of 0.05 Hz (that’s once cycle every 20 seconds) up to 60 Hz, and can be reset by gate events for tempo-sync effects.
The patch bay allows semi-modular control and multiplies the creative options when patching to itself, another Grenadier, MIDI-CV converters, and modular systems.** Fourteen patch points are provided including CV and gate in and out, clock in and out, LFO rate CV, and external audio input. It accepts Eurorack-type 1/8” (3.5mm) mono phone plugs.
The Grendel Grenadier has a straightforward knob-per-function layout. Each switch on the front panel has a red status LED. The case is built of laser-cut steel with durable powder coat and silkscreened graphics.
Pricing and release date for the Grendel RA-9 Grenadier are to be announced, but Rare Waves says it is coming ‘spring 2015′.
LF1 Monosynth – new machine for your iPad
LF1 Monosynth is a new mono synth for your iPad. Here are the details …
Experience and create the classic vintage synth sounds with the LF1 Monosynth.
The LF1 Monosynth is a fully featured analogue–modelling synthesiser, featuring:
- 2x classic–sounding analogue style oscillators with sin, sawtooth and square waveforms and a four octave range. The frequency of the second oscillator can be adjusted by ±7 semitones.
- Analogue–modelled resonant filter with invertible envelope.
- Amplitude envelope.
- LFO with 5 selectable sources (including Sample + Hold), assignable to pitch or filter.
- Glide & Glissando controls.
- Pitchbend Wheel.
- 8 user–preset locations.
- Slick, retro-styled UI.
The LF1 is ideal for lovers of classic synths, or indeed for beginners looking to get a taste of analogue synthesis. This app is packed with vintage mojo and ready to go.
LF1 costs $2.99 on the app store:
Moogfest: Moog Werkstatt Analog Synthesizer teaser image
Moogfest has released this sneak preview image of the new Moog Werkstatt Analog Synthesizer, with a couple of interesting features:
- Along the right-hand side, there is a break-out patch-bay, allowing modular patching of the Werkstatt; and
- Along the bottom, there’s a button-style keyboard.
“Werkstatt” means “workshop” in German, so the DIY function is probable. The architecture is a single-oscillator monosynth, switchable between saw waves and PWM. Both the filter and oscillator mod can be set to either an independent LFO or the envelope. Attack / Decay / sustain switch controls the envelope. The most interesting feature is the analog patch bay along the right-hand side of the unit, implemented as a simple header strip. This should suggest semi-modular capabilities by patching with jumper wires. A prototype shot shows those jumpers in action and a 1/4″ jack plug for audio coming out the back.
FutureRetro XS semi-modular monosynth demo
Background video description from ‘alternatingbitmusic’: I think its cool how a monosynth can spit out such an array of sounds at once. I started a sound that had a percussive element to it and I thought I’d share with you all. Everything you hear is live from the FutureRetro XS, with CV in from a sequencer for voltage & gate only. The final output has a touch of delay for flavor. Enjoy.
Check out the Atmegatron – a new 8-bit monosynth
Soulsby Synthesizers has released the Atmegatron – a new 8-bit monosynth. It’s the debut product from Soulsby Synthesizers.
The Atmegatron combines the sounds of 1980s home computers with the flexibility and power of a modern synthesizer.
The Atmegatron is built on the open source Arduino platform. This means that the synthesis engine can be completely changed by uploading software to the synth. One minute it’s a monosynth, the next it’s a drum machine. Soulsby Synths plans to relese new and completely free software versions over the coming months.
Features:
- 32 waveforms
- 15 digital filter types
- 2 ADSR envelopes
- 1 LFO with 16 waveforms
- an arpeggiator with 15 patterns and
- loads of fx including phaser, distortion and the unique Wavecrusher.
- 16 preset sounds and unlimited preset expandability via the Atmegatron Librarian software available for Mac or PC.
The Atmegatron is available in two versions:
- Atmegatron Complete – £255 ex VAT & delivery.
- Atmegatron Synthesizer
- Power Supply
- Printed 32 page colour manual
- Quick reference guide
- The Atmegatron Complete is housed in a beautiful white aluminium chassis with real walnut side panels.
Atmegatron PCB – £127 ex VAT & delivery.
- Atmegatron Synthesizer PCB
- Power Supply
- Quick reference guide
- The Atmegatron PCB comes with nylon pillars to keep the PCB raised from its resting surface. The PCB is perfect for programmers and hackers, but is not suitable for outside of the home due to its fragility.
Xenophone – New Monophonic Analog Hardware Synth from HyperSynth
Here are all the details:
Synth-Engine:
Xenophone is an advanced analog mono-synth with 100% analog signal path. It has three oscillators, two subs, three ring modulators, one multimode VCF and analog distortion, all based on discrete analog circuits followed by a high quality stereo digital delay and reverb. The extensive modulation capabilities of the sound engine plus the warm and unique character of Xen’s filter enriched by built-in analog distortion make it the best choice for creating deep basses, aggressive leads, transparent and crisp synth lines, acid sequences, complex arpeggios, punchy percussive sounds, extreme SFXs and more. Besides the synthesis capabilities, it can be used as a powerful audio processor to colorize an external input signal by analog filter, distortion and DFX.
Control and User Interface:
26 encoders and 27 buttons put all the major parameters easily reachable with no menu diving. The Encoders smoothly turn and provide you 96 steps per rotation that mimic pot’s feeling and sweep range. The layout is designed in a way to be simple and intuitive. Using 88 LEDs and a free-angle OLED display, it is easy to get the idea of the current preset at a glance. Master Tempo and all LFOs have blinking LEDs that show the BPM and rates. The presets can be previewed without external keyboard using 3 buttons in 3-octave range or pre-defined notes. User interface is easy to learn and creative with no useless bells and whistles. You can get a huge sound out of the box only with a few tweaks and changes.
Enclosure and Connectivity:
Xenophone has a rigid Aluminum enclosure that comes with a pair of vintage style hand-made wooden side panel that made out of maple wood in two options: flat and tilted.
The box connects to the outside world using 2x balanced outputs (stereo), 1x headphone jack, 1x external input, 1x CV input, MIDI in/out, USB and DC power in.
MIDI and DAW Integration:
Xenophone can function as a standalone instrument or fully programmable synth. It responds to the standard MIDI messages plus dedicated CC and NRPNs. The maximum implemented resolution in NRPN mode is 12bit, 4096 steps for filter frequency that provides super smooth sweep over the frequency range in compare to 127 steps CC standard!
The computer integration is an important feature of a modern synth that plays vital role in the studio. Xenophone comes with a software editor called: XEditor. Using this editor you can control and automate every parameter of the sound engine remotely via MIDI and storing your patches on your PC and vise-versa. It also helps you in deep and precise editing the patches. “XEditor” will be available as standalone and VST plug-in.”
http://www.hypersynth.com/xenophone.html
Novation Bass Station II – World Exclusive
Background video description from Sonic:
Novation were keen to give us another opportunity to see the new analog monosynth in the flesh in the altogether calmer and more forensic environment of our own studios. An extra bonus being we got time with Nick Bookman, a long time Novation guy who is also deep into the development of the instrument, and knows it intimately.
Bass Station II is an analogue mono-synth based on the classic original Bass Station but re-worked for the 21st century. It has two filters, two oscillators plus a third sub-oscillator, patch save and a fully analogue effects section. Add a step sequencer, arpeggiator, full sized keys and a powerful modulation section and you have the makings of a synth that is built for bass, but capable of so much more.
Bass Station II is an analogue mono-synth with a talent for bass, but a sound-engine that is versatile enough to kick out sharp leads and crisp arpeggios. It brings the best elements of the original Bass Station into a brand new design with re-worked modulation, effects, filters and more; like the Bass Station, but a much much bigger sound.
The signal path is pure analogue – including the effects section. The hardware has been laid out in modules with dedicated pots, switches, sliders and buttons for all major parameters. Critically, you can store and recall patches on Bass Station II. It comes with 64 killer factory presets, space for 64 of your own sounds on the hardware, and you can store more on your computer.
The key-mech consists of 25 full sized keys that are velocity sensitive with assignable aftertouch. It has been developed as a ‘synth-action’ keyboard, where each key is individually sprung so it is light to the touch and highly responsive to the synth engine. Bass Station II is a fully class compliant MIDI device with MIDI I/O on 5 pin din ports – for connecting to other MIDI outboard – and with your computer over USB. You can even connect an external instrument and run it through Bass Station II’s analogue filter and effects.
Time machine: KORG 770 Analog Synthesizer 1976
The Korg 770 is a great little monophonic synth from 1976. It has 2 Oscillators, 2 Filters, Ringmod, White & Pink Noise, Scale Noise, 2 LFOs and external signal input. Small but very flexible!
“I played the Korg 770 along with a Lexicon MPX 500 for reverbs and a Roland DEP-5 for delays.”
An ancient synthesizer from Korg. Aside from being very old, there isn’t much else to say about the 770. It was released in 1976, is monophonic, very limited in design, flexibility and sonic possibility. It can make some weird noises largely due to its retro-cool ring modulator. You can also run external sounds through it. Bass, string and lead sounds are ok. It’s got a fast envelope, auto bend, and LFO re-trigger too. An ole’ classic that’s fun to play with and useful if you’re in the mood for buzzy analog sounds.
Hack My Bits Up – Commodore and Atari – Kompositkrut
Atari 520 ST 512kb RAM running the tracker Maxymiser. The Atari is hooked up to a composite to vga scaler and then to a LCD monitor.
The Commodore 64c is running MSSIAH and the monosynth program. and is not hooked up to any monitor during the movie. since the screen is black during “play-mode” it’s not necessary to have it hooked up ^^
The audio is connected to my Proton Stereo 520 amplifier, therefore the quite hard paining on the computers 
I have composed the song myself and play a little extra bass on the c64.
Anushri build final – glamour video
“My final results from my Mutable Instruments Anushri build. Sound is all Anushri with a generous helping of reverb. Great kit, well engineered, fine for newbies like me. Get yours today, way fun.”
Anushri is a monosynth like no other. In addition to its analog VCO/VCF/VCA and digital modulation sources, it includes a fun and immediate note sequencer with step-by-step recording, and a gritty 8-bit drum machine with a truly original control interface.
Just like its elder sister the Shruthi, Anushri is not designed for industrial assembly but is instead sold as a kit – you can assemble it, modify it, expand it and service it without any specialized expensive equipment. Open source firmware and schematics give you full access, control and ownership of its circuitry and code.
DATAMASKIN
