Oberheim Matrix 1000 demo
It’s time for a second short demo from the Oberheim Matrix 1000. Maybe a good alternative for a cheap and good sounding polyphonic rack synth.
As always a multitrack recording with some FX.
The analog Matrix 1000 is essentially 1,000 Matrix 6 patches in a single-space compact rackmount MIDI module. It has the same synth architecture as the Matrix 6. Each of its 6 voices have two DCO’s (digitally controlled analog oscillator), a low pass filter, 2 VCA’s, 3 envelope gens, 2 LFO’s, and 2 ramp gens. The sounds are plentiful and good enough, however sounds can only be edited via MIDI, so you’ll need an external MIDI editor (such as MOTU’s Unisyn) or Access’ Matrix Programmer to edit parameters. You can also load sounds from the Matrix 6 via SysEx or software.
The Matrix 1000 provides an excellent source of pads, textures and ambient sounds. It has 195 “keyboard” sounds, 118 “strings”, 130 “woodwinds & perc”, 239 “synthesizer”, 119 “bass”, 74 “lead” and 125 “effects”. For the price, there is no better way to find genuine analog Oberheim Matrix sounds in a compact and very in-expensive rack module that is loaded with more sounds than you’ll ever need! The older versions of the Matrix 1000 have a black front-panel. The newer models in the ’90’s have a cream colored face-plate.
Pulsar – new dual LFO and mono synth for Reason 6.5
Propellerhead today announced Pulsar LGM-1, the second “Rack Extension” instrument, to be available with the launch of Reason 6.5 and Reason Essentials 1.5 in Q2 2012. Pulsar is a dual LFO (low frequency oscillator) and mono synth with cross-modulation, lag, shuffle and a flexible envelope, and is said to offer “a fresh take on modulation — from rigid and predictable to groovy and evolving.”
Pulsar integrates perfectly with all Reason devices, opening up new possibilities for creative modulation within the program — i.e. with Pulsar it’s reportedly easy to create a shuffled tremolo that changes speed as different notes are triggered, or come up with ever-changing wobbles that respond to playing. Using its audio outputs, Pulsar transforms from a low frequency oscillator to a synth. The waveforms designed for modulation, combined with the unique lag and shuffle controls, reportedly result in tons of unique synth tones. For users that are not versed with the modular aspects of Reason, Pulsar also comes with a set of pre-made patches, containing everything from lush evolving pads to gritty bass.
To celebrate the release of the Rack Extension platform, Pulsar will be gifted to everyone who is using Rack Extension compatible versions of Reason and Reason Essentials for the first three months after release — a $49 value. Click for more information about Rack Extensions and Pulsar LGM-1.
FL SynthMaker 2 | FL Studio Synth, Effect & Controller Tool
Learn more – http://www.image-line.com/documents/synthmaker.html
FL SynthMaker 2, included FREE with FL Studio Producer Edition, is an audio programming application that is used to create virtual instruments and effects without the need to write basic code. The instruments and effects you create in SynthMaker can be used in FL Studio as ‘native’ plugins and shared with other SynthMaker users. FL Synthmaker 2 loads all Synthmaker 2 projects from the stand-alone version.
Music ‘Earth’ used with permission – Toby Emerson & Tom Day
http://www.image-line.com/documents/powerusers.php?entry_id=1287670312&ti…
Fun stuff: Bananaphone TouchSynth
Playing the Bananaphone
Project details at: http://www.gadgetgangster.com
I was recently inspired by a Kickstart project which used Bananas as sensors to control a video game on a PC. I’ve done some video game controls using the Propeller in the past, but I thought this would make an interesting synthesizer project.
Parts List:
- Your favorite Propeller board. (I used a Quickstart board w/Terminal Module)
- A couple packs of alligator jumper wires. (Radio Shack)
- Nine Bananas (8 notes & 1 to snack on)
- A 220ohm resistor (Radio Shack)
- An amplified speaker w/connector
- The spin source archive
Modular Pedal Test – 18 Mooger Fooger modular synth
You can never have too many 😀
Session #3, Take #2 with the Shout Out Mooger Fooger modular table top synth.
http://www.shoutoutoutoutout.com
http://www.auxgang.tumblr.com
Combining all of the Shout Out Out Out Out collective mooger foogers to make one biggish, patchable tabletop synth.
iYM2151 synth for iPad – first impressions
Here are the background details:
“I bought iYM2151, the FM synth for iPad. this is my first music with iYM2151, sequencing w/o reading manual, w/ only preset sounds. Its SEQ is very easy for KORG M01 users.
http://www.detune.co.jp/detune/iym2151”
The world’s first FM synthesis music workstation app,iYM2151.
80’s game and computer sound is back!
YM2151, aka OPM is a single-chip FM synthesis implementation, an eight-channel four-operator sound chip. it was used in many 80’s arcade games and home computers.iYM2151 is the The world’s first FM synthesis music workstation app using YM2151 simulator engine for iApp.
[iYM2151 for iPad]
-uses YM2151 simulator engine for iApp
-4 operators per 8 Algorithms
-8 voices
-3 software LFOs
-max 99scenes (1scene with 64 steps)
-easy FM edit mode
-MML mode : programable huge FM parameters in every steps
-DUMP mode : realtime all FM operator parameters viewer
-song data file sharing and mail attachment
-good old days 80’s design user interface
S.709 Synth for iPhone and iPad
Intuitive synthesizer using four multitouch points on the screen and the accelerometer to give a large amount of control over a sine wave output.
Controls
——-
Orange – Volume and Pitch (radius control pitch range)
Pink – Ramp speed and note length
Blue – Delay Length and Pitch (hold down for delay)
Green – Delay Filter and Feedback
Accelerometer controls pitch and wave shape.
Review of the Nord Drum Virtual Analog Drum Synth
The four channel virtual analog drum synthesizer from Nord gets a good seeing to.
- Virtual Analog Drum Synthesizer
- 4 inputs for Electronic Drum Pads / Acoustic Drum Triggers
- MIDI In/Out
The Nord Drum is designed with the performing musician in mind and its extreme dynamic range and super-fast triggering add to the feeling of playing a real instrument. 4 high-sensitivity inputs and MIDI lets you play the Nord Drum with a wide range of Electronic Drum Pads, Acoustic Drum Triggers and MIDI-pads/Sequencers for easy integration into any existing drum-kit or the starting point for something completely new…
Create classic retro-futuristic percussion with analog waveforms or use the harmonically complex waveforms together with different colors of noise for results that both sound and respond stunningly organic.
Zira Demonstration
A quick run through of Zira and it’s features.
Background data:
Zira came out of an idea I had to see how small I could build a synth and still get it to sound good. The prototype is based on the Korg NJM2069AD Filter/VCA chip, the reason for this being I had 8 lying around I bought a while back from Korg to build a polysynth with.
There are a small number of these being made, I will be selling these as fully assembled modules with a case.
However, I fully intend to try and replace the NJM2069AD with a discrete filter and VCA of some kind (currently a 2 pole State Variable Filter based VCF and simple VCA is looking good) and turn this into kits in much the same way as I did with GorF.
A quick summary of it’s features;
- Two oscillators, each with 48 waveforms
- One Sub oscillator
- Hard Sync of oscillators
- Two ADSRs, one VCF, one VCA
- One LFO
- Multiple routing options
- 64 patch memories
- MIDI updatable firmware
For more detail see the specifications page and for demo sounds, see the sounds page.
iZotope Iris Synth Plug-in Review
In this video see an extended explanation and review of the amazing Iris synthesizer plug-in from iZotope.
Description:
Unearth a world of sounds you’ve never heard before. Driven by iZotope’s award-winning visual selection technology, iZotope Iris™ is a groundbreaking sample-based synthesizer that harnesses the power of both your eyes and your ears. Fuel your creativity with Iris’s new spin on sound design: a “visual instrument” that’s perfect for musical inspiration and sonic experimentation.
KEY FEATURES
- Discover what’s inside any sound: Load audio into Iris and explore spectral details that a regular waveform locks away.
- Highlight what intrigues you: Extract and isolate the most interesting sonic components with a full suite of visual selection tools.
- Combine the unthinkable: Layer completely diverse sound sources into totally unique combinations… what do a tattoo needle and a swamp bird and a slot machine sound like together?
- Stay musical: Rely on intelligent root note detection to help shape musical material from noise, ambient textures, soundscapes… even mistakes!
- Enhance and invigorate your sound: Apply world-class iZotope reverbs, distortions and delays, then take advantage of extended synth features like amp envelopes and LFOs.
- Get amazing sounds immediately: Spark your imagination with over 500 patches by world-class sound designers, or design your own with Iris’s 4 GB library of diverse sound samples.
DATAMASKIN
