REVIEW: Soundcells’ Analog Signatures v3
Analog Signature v3 – Trigger your music creativity
We have had the pleasure of reviewing the latest Reason Refill from Soundcells, based out of Germany. Soundcells definitely belongs among our absolute favorite providers of high-quality Reason refills, and for other formats as well for that matter. The nice thing about Soundcells’ Refills is the variety and complexity provided covering everything from chip tunes to ambient to synthpop music.
This time we have taken a closer look at the recently released Analog Signature v 3, which is a follow up version 1 and 2 containing some 40 nicely crafted Combinator patches (CMBs) and an additional set of Thor, REX, Scream modules. Being slightly biased, based on the type of music Steelberry Clones are making we must say that the real treat is the MS20 Combinator patches included, all perfectly balanced and with that right low-bass “knorrrr” sound typically for the MS20. The sounds of the Waldorf Microwave and Pulse are so genuine in their sound structure that you can even spot the original pre-sets and inaccuracies that portrayed the original hardware synthesizers. I have added some sample snapshots in the SoundCloud player below, so that you really can see what we mean:
Reason refill sound demo – Analog Signatures v3 by Stereoklang Produktion
So based on the type of music you are in to, and judging from the fact that you are reading this blog, probably indicates that you enjoy the same type of music as we do, this Reason Refill will add those vintage sounds that often are fairly hard to come by. KORG MS20, Waldorf Microwave and Moog are all in there and perfect for punchy bass lines, leads and pads. The Combinator section is probably the one you will use the most, but there is more…
Another thing we really like about the Refills from Soundcells is the fact that they also put in some time to work with some of the effect modules in Reason, such as the Scream Sound Destruction unit, which in our personal view is something often neglected by other Refill providers and even by Propellerhead themselves (judging from the quite poor sets provided with the off-the-shelf Reason package). Soundcells offer smooth and beat enhancing capabilities to your music through the Scream unit that we have not come across anywhere else.
So is everything but glory in this Reason Refill? Well the only part of this Reason Refill that we possibly would have hoped more for is the REX loop section, which in our mind is fairly basic and not so inspiring. If you are looking for standard vintage drumbeats to accompany your tracks, then you will definitely find what you are looking for, but if you are hoping to spice up your tracks with something unique, then you need to look elsewhere.
Overall verdict
Soundcells has done it again, that is delivering a high-quality product that triggers your music creation process
NOTE: We hope to be able to feature the creators behind Soundcells in a later post, so stay tuned
“MS-step” dubstep demo
Korg iMS-20 on iPad: “MS-step” dubstep demo
A short but interesting dubstep track made with iMS-20 app on the iPad. I use automation to change the tempo-based LFO speed on the bass to create the typical wobbling effect.
KORG adds MIDI in from external devices to iMS20
Version 1.1.0 of the Korg iMS-20 synthesizer app for iPad nows supports MIDI in from external devices. The synth and the drum machine can now be played from other MIDI devices!
MS-20 Synth and Drum machine can be played by external MIDI devices (via Apple iPad Camera Connection Kit)
Hardware MIDI support is one of the most requested features we’ve heard for iMS-20. The update alls brings improved compatibility with iOS 4.2 and other minor updates.
Modding the Monotron
Korg Monotron modded for darkness: The patch on the side leaves the key on and changes the filter frequency, almost like a high-pass (which makes it even more like an MS-20 ). The photoresistor reacts to different spectrum of light.
Making a track from scratch with iMS20
VJFranzK has shared this video featuring the iMS20 with the iPad
iPad iMS20 new KORG! Making track from scratch – Zoltan’s March
iMS20 Xmas orchestra
One man recording by Korg iMS-20
Jingle Bells was created by the Electric Holiday Orchestra, featuring the iPad running Korg iMS-20
Routing tips for the KORG iMS20
With the new KORG iMS20 for iPad out now I thought it be good to revisit the original synth the MS20. Many who will download the iMS20 has probably never owned or used the original synth and how to go about routing it to make the sounds it has become famous for. Therefore I have uploaded a couple of tutorials with the original synth to give you an idea how to go about creating those sounds on your iPad version. Since that really is the beauty with the iPad version that it functions very close to the original.
If you have more input on the topic please leave your comments:
About the original machine:
The MS-20 was one of Korg’s first major successful portable analog monosynths and even today it is still a great little machine! The MS-20 is the big brother to the MS-10. It is an analog two-oscillator monophonic lead and bass synth with hard wired and patchable connections. The hard-wiring can be overridden however, using patch-cords. This type of hard-wired but patchable design was similar to the ARP 2600 of the late seventies. Of course the 2600 was much bigger and better. But the MS-20 offered a lot of flexible control and great sounds at a more affordable price.
In addition to two analog oscillators, the MS-20 featured two resonant VCF filters, two VCAs, sample and hold, a noise generator, an assignable mod-wheel and lots of knobs! The VCF filter section is capable of high-pass, low-pass, notch and band-reject which is unique and different than your basic lowpass style filter. External sound sources can be routed through the filter section as well. In fact William Ørbit uses the filter in his MS-20 relentlessly to filter and tweak his samples, beats, delay returns, vocals, etc.
There’s also a Pitch-CV converter for triggering sounds from external sources. Aphex Twin makes quite a bit of use of this, feeding the input stage of his MS-20s with drum sounds and other untrackable audio to get the synth to make a wide variety of crunch/squawp/screech noises by mistracking the filters, etc.
As for its sounds, the MS-20 sounds great! It makes a great alternative for Minimoog-seekers. The MS-20 is great for just about any type of analog synth sound you could want! Fat round bass sounds, percussive bass or sounds, noise effects, squiggly-bubbly sounds or sinuous-worm leads are all waiting to be unleashed from inside this classic beast. The MS-20 is not only a great sounding instrument, but a great learning-synth. It is fairly easy and intuitive to operate but in doing so you can learn and understand more about synthesis and signal-flow. It is used by William Ørbit, Aphex Twin, Hardfloor, Air, SkyLab, Stereolab, Vince Clarke, Astral Projection, Biosphere, Apollo 440, Mr. Oizo, Jimi Tenor, The Prodigy, OMD, Freddy Fresh, Luke Vibert, Einstuerzende Neubauten, Add N to (X), Daft Punk, Coldcut, Die Krupps, Skinny Puppy, Electronic Dream Planet, Jimmy Edgar, Front 242, Front Line Assembly, The Legendary Pink Dots, KMFDM, Severed Heads, Royksopp, The Faint, The Shamen, Jean-Michel Jarre, and Portishead.
Korg iMS20 vs original MS20 – by modul8tor
Live demo & comparison between the Korg iMS20 for iPad versus the original analog synthesizer, the MS20.
Not an academical approach, just some playing to get you the idea with some tunes.
So what’s the verdict, you may ask?
Well, its simple: if you happen to have an MS20 laying somewhere, go with that, else, buy the iMS20 and enjoy the drums section. 
Please leave some feedback….
Go create some music!
modul8tor(–at–)gmail.com
http://www.modul8tor.com
Nice review of the KORG iMS20 for iPad
ipaddj has provided us with a review of the recently launched iMS20, check it out and see if you agree:
Anyone who has used the Korg Legacy plug-in will know what they are in for and the fact that you can grab patch cables and route them using the touchscreen is almost mind-melting. Like a childhood fantasy come true.
The huge sound of the MS-20 is totally there and I couldn’t stop making Daft Punk patches for the first few hours using the beast.
Korg just released an iPad version of their classic MS-20 analog synth. It is amazing. The only thing is, I don’t know what I am going to use it for…
The Overview
The virtual hardware included in the iMS-20 consists of an analog monosynth (the MS-20), an analog sequencer, a drum machine based on MS-20 patches, a drum step sequencer, a song sequencer a virtual keyboard, two virtual kaoss (x-y controller) pads and a mixer. I guess the word I would use to describe this setup is cool. It all looks and acts like you have a classic monosynth sitting in front of you. However, I wouldn’t exactly describe this as utilitarian. Just as with the iElectribe and even Rebirth (which was also just released as a dedicated iPad app) sometimes the decision to emulate analog hardware in an electronic, touchscreen, software environment is questionable. For example, the analog sequencer is totally cool, but it would have been much more conducive to songwriting and workflow to use a real multi-touch based sequencer. I understand that Korg is trying to keep it real, so to speak, but I want something that I can use more than something that is just totally cool.
Full KORG iMS20 feature list
KORG iMS-20 (App Store link) is virtual analog synth studio for the iPad.
Korg iMS-20 offers a complete recreation of the Korg MS-20 analog synth, an analog sequencer, a drum machine, a mixer, and even Korg’s Kaoss Pad technology.
Korg iMS-20 Details
iMS-20 is a complete music production app for iPad. It consists of a complete recreation of the Korg MS-20 analog synth with the patching capability, plus a 16-step analog sequencer based on the Korg SQ-10, a six-part drum machine which can create drum parts by simply tapping the buttons, and a seven-channel mixer with 14 types of effects.
In addition, iMS-20 offers dual Kaoss Pads allowing you to generate music by simply stroking the pad and moving your fingers over it. And with access to the SoundCloud audio platform, you can publish your songs, or collaborate on ideas with people anywhere in the world from within the app.
The regular price is US$ 32.99; a special introductory price of US$ 15.99 is being offered until January 31, 2011.
Korg iMS-20 Specifications
Components:
- MS-20 monophonic synthesizer: 1 unit
- Analog sequencer: 1 unit
- 6-part drum machine: 1 unit
- Mixer: 1 unit
- Song/Pattern composer: 1 unit
MS-20 monophonic synthesizer:
- Analog modeling synthesizer (MS-20 modeled by “CMT” Component Modeling Technology)
- 2 VCO / 2VCF / 1VCA / 2EG / Patch Panel
- Additional functions: Modulation Key/Tempo Sync
- Insert effect (selectable from 14 effect types as below)
Analog sequencer:
- 16-step analog sequencer
- Control notes, volume, pan, parameters, and voltages via knobs
- Configurable steps (1-16) and sequence mode (6 types)
- Trigger out per channel or step position
6-part drum machine:
- 6-part/16-step drum machine
- Create sounds by sampling a single note from a built-in MS-20
- Controllable notes, volume and pan by knobs
- Configurable steps (1-16) and sequence mode (6 types) per a part
Mixer:
- 7-channel mixer
- Double needle meter indicates VU level
- Master effect (selectable from 14 effect types as below)
Song/Pattern composer:
- Compose a song or select a pattern, built-in mixer
- 16 patterns and 256 bars per a song
- Tempo setting (20-300 BPM) and Swing function
Effect type:
- 14 types: Short Delay, BPM Sync Delay, Reverb 1, Reverb 2, Chorus/Flanger, Equalizer, Compressor, Tube Simulator (Valve Force), Low-Pass Filter, High-Pass Filter, Band-Pass Filter, Talking Modulator, Decimator, Grain Shifter
Controllers:
- Keyboard: Recording function, Variable width (22, 26, or 29 keys)
- Kaoss Pad: 2 units, Recording function
- Performance pad: Key/Scale (31 types) settings
- Parameter control pad: X-Y axis parameter settings
Other:
- Audio export function (Bouncing a song or pattern, and Real-time recording a performance: 16-bit/44.1 kHz stereo WAV format)
- Publish and share songs online with the SoundCloud audio platform
- Various template patterns by music genre are included
- Various template sounds by sound category are included
Note: KORG iMS-20 is a dedicated iPad app ( iOS 3.2 or later) and cannot be used with iPhone and iPod touch
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