Not just another simple VA synthesizer – Alphatron
Alphatron is not just a simple VA synthesizer instead in using a 3rd oscillator with digital waves it does offer a lot more variation. Thus it can do analogstyle sounds reminding of the old Moog and Prophet days but also merge this with the digital realm in various ways to achieve sounds beyond.
Another big highlight of Alphatron is the versatile step sequencer with 8 + 4 pattern slots which can be selected at realtime for instant pattern switching.
Plus Step Variation which is in fact aonther 16 step sequencer to set different number of steps to be played in succession. Two alternating semitone offsets can be set e.g. for each 2nd, 3rd or 4th loop.
Main features (based on Pro version):
Note: Both EG have 3 modes: exponential, reverse exponential, and linear; and optional control for Attack and Decay by velocity
Walk around the Thor step sequencer
Propellerhead guru James Bernard takes a look at Reason’s Thor step sequencer, in the latest of his weekly series of tips for Reason + Record:
Have you ever loaded up a really neat Thor Step Sequencer patch that sounds great? Have you then done all sorts of automation to make it behave the way you want it to in your track? Well in this week’s tip I’ll show you how to tame the Thor Step Sequencer so you can trigger it, transpose it, and use note on/off messages from a controller to “play” the pattern exactly how you want.
You can view the full series on Propellerhead’s YouTube channel.
Link:
Step sequencing with a Doepfer MAQ16/3 & a Synthesizers.com Q60 step sequencer
Martin Peters demonstrates step sequencing with a Doepfer MAQ16/3 & a Synthesizers.com Q60 step sequencer.
This is an attempt to try to show you how a sequence can be made. I found out making an instruction video is not that easy but I just wanted to share this with you. After making the video I noticed my voice was a bit soft so I tried to emphasis it with a little EQing; hope you can understand what I am saying. I did not want to redo the video because it wouldn’t be improvised anymore and I think the sequence worked out quite well. Making sequences is not an exact science so this is just an example and I do not always do it as shown. And I am not an expert in sequencing. If you have any questions, feel free to ask.
Dutch electro synth heat
Very impressive :-), here´s what he has to say about it:
Its quite warm in the Netherlands these last few days and the attic, were my equipment is, is even more warmer. But I managed to video this improvisation. Row 1 of the Doepfer MAQ16/3 has an 8-step sequence for the self-built Modular. Row 2 is used to gate the Ian Fritz All-In EG which envelope is connected to the Resonant LoPass Gate clone. The Formant noise is fed to the input of the LPG clone. Row 3 of the MAQ16/3 is shifting the Synthesizers.com Q960 sequencer which has sequences on row 1 and 3 which are alternated by the Q962 sequencer switch. Row 2 of the Q960 is connected to the Q150 Transistor Ladder Filter to modulate the frequency level. In the second part of the video the Waldorf Q Keyboard joins with chords and the Clavia Nord Lead 1 and the Roland XP-80 performs some improvised solo’s. The original video is somewhat more than 12 minutes so I skipped the first 2 minutes because I did not want to cut off the end. You can view the original video on my website soon.
My daughter Tessa is on a school trip to Paris for a few days and this evening she phoned from the top of the Eiffel Tower, which explains the title.
Morbius demonstrates pattern bussing with Moog-style modular step sequencers.
This is NOT a music-video. It’s a patching demonstration ONLY.
After more requests for additional info, I’ve made ‘another’ “Pattern Bussing” demo. (Sorry- no hi-def or someone to operate the cam for close-ups). I suggest that you simply watch the sequencer lamps and listen to the pattern changes, to get an idea of what this technique can do for you, either LIVE ‘on-the-fly’, or in the studio.
This patch allows you to change the sequenced patterns heard to many different-sounding patterns, and even changing the time-signatures (and back again) WITHOUT loosing either the ‘pulse-sync’ between the two Q960’s, or the ‘time-signature sync’, musically speaking… like- changing from a 4/4, to a 6/4, to a 3/4, to a 2/4, and back to any one, including the original 4/4. You can make it sound like you have a large number of ‘DIFFERENT’ patterns (and you could use these different patterns in different songs, or sections of songs)… and all, “ad-Lib”, improvised, on-the-fly, or any way you want.
None of the patching needs to be done DURING the performance… so everything can be preset and tuned, and you can use a written chart for specific changes you may want at specific places in the music.
Yeah… digital sequencers have some advantages, without any doubt. But- none will let you control, and actually ‘play the instrument’, like this. If you wanted to change the usual patterns played, in an improvisational way, live on stage… a digital will be extremely limiting, only allowing what has been preloaded. With this analog technique, you decide and alter any part, in any way, at any time, backwards, half back & half forward… your creativity is the only limitation.
After many months of experimenting, I found that using only FOUR return buses back to the Master sequencer are needed, even though, from one through eight are possible.
This is not a Moog Modular, but rather a Synthesizers.com Analog Modular system, and I’m using the Q960 Sequencers (2) (clones of Moog’s 960). There are several ways and modules which work well for switching the buses. The Q963 is ideal, and to do this, you’ll need two Q963’s, ‘daisy-chained’ in series, BOTH connected to the ‘SLAVE’ Q960.
Other modules that either WILL work, or will LIKELY work (and this would be for using FOUR buses, as I do here): a ‘patchable’ A/B trigger Bus; two Q149 Signal Selectors; two Q113 Mixers (or four Q112 Mixers); two Q962 Sequential Switches (although there are advantages, there CAN be some unexpected results when used manually); four Multiples (using the switch between the upper and middle jack groups; or- just build your own on a ‘blank-panel’.
Introducing the Archangel – analog step sequencer
![[Archangel Image]](http://www.det3.net/images/a12/aa-prodimg1-450.jpg)
Archangel at its core is a 4-row 16-step analog sequencer with integrated 16-pad touchplate controller. The layout of the sequencer allows for instant access to every function available. Archangel can be its own timing master as well as slave to MIDI, DIN sync or an external clock pulse. The sequence length can be set from 1 to 16 stages, and step size can be adjusted from 1/32nd note to two bars. To speed composition and improvisation Archangel has an integrated multi-scale quantizer.
Control
The sequencer has five direction modes and three integrated sequential switches. There are two 2:1 switches on the top and bottom pair of rows as well as a single 4:1 switch for all 4 rows. Altering the step size and number of steps per row does not take effect until the start of the next pattern. The Archangel sequencer can free-run or operate in one-shot mode, which will stop when the pattern reaches the last step. The pattern can be restarted with the start/stop button, the external stage 1 gate, or via the touchplate keyboard.
As well as operating as a standard sequencer, Archangel can be played with the touchplate keyboard. Each sequencer stage will be activated when the corresponding key is touched. Each touchplate key is both pressure and position sensitive, giving 2D control of any parameter in your synthesizer system. Finally, there is an external CV addressing input that allows Archangel to be used as either a CV-controlled sequencer or a low-frequency step-based waveshaper.
Android music apps gears up
This video captures a demo of a step sequencer application, Monotroid, running on an Android mobile phone-controlled Korg Monotron:
- Android is connected with Arduino by Bluetooth.
- The Arduino is connected with Monotron.
Adding the iPhone app to the Monotroni creates a surprisingly potent combination.
GrooveStep Digital Music Studio for Nintendo DS
GrooveStep Digital Music Studio is a revolutionary ultra portable music making application for the Nintendo DS. GrooveStep features an easy to use step sequencer for pattern based music making. You can make beats, melodies and full songs with GrooveStep.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LaBy4cvbRAk]
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