Casio PT80 – Today´s vintage synth exploration, from 1986
The PT-80 consists of a 2 octave monophonic keyboard with the sounds: piano, harpsichord, organ, violin, flute, clarinet, trumpet and celeste. The small keys on the left side is an auto chord section that is synchronized to the rhytm section. The rhytms are: Rock, disco, 16-beat, 2-beat swing, 4-beat swing, samba, bossanova, beguine, slow-rock, march, tango, waltz.
The rhythms are good and a useful thing is the ability to make fill-ins. If you, for instance, have choosen a disco rhythm and it is running, then press the disco button again and the fill-in comes.
Another feature of this model is the changeable ROM-pack that contains 4 melodies. These melodies can be played by the instrument alone or as a two way act: The instrument supplies the accompaniment, you do the melody.
In this video:
Casio PT-80 is routed via Radias as a external input to add vibrato and delay.
Virus Ti2 used for arpeggiator just to show the capability of Casio PT-80 for leads.
Not the very best demo, but I just received this cute little synth toy!
Alba Ecstasy
Vintage synth exploration – Oberheim OB-SX
Introduction to the OB-SX, a very underated synth that is a hybrid between the OB-X and OB-Xa. The OB-SX shares the voice architecture of the OB-X, but uses the discreet CEM chips later found on the OB-Xa. The OB-SX first appeared in 1980 as a preset/variable version of the OB-X.
A short demo demo of the brass sounds from A1, B1 and C1, using the variable controls. If the sounds in your OB-SX are different to mine, you could have a rare machine, as OB-X users could send in a tape of their favourite sounds to be burned into the OB-SX EPROMs. Also mine will have slightly different tunnings and voice calibrations to yours.
More vids will follow, so I hope this gives you an idea of the sounds and capabilities of this great “little” synth.
This was recorded using the inbuilt mics on the video camera, so please don’t expect pristine 24 bit audio … not yet anyway. Also this is unscripted.Note that the key clattering is normal on machines of this vintage, mine is from1982.
Cheers
Pete
Lo Mount Sound – TASMANIA
Basic overview of Edirol visual synthesiser
Here is how Roland describes this product:
The CG-8 was awarded the Best New Video Product Award 2006 by Club Sytems International, a trade magazine in North America for the Night Club Industry, at the Club System Awards.
Just as synthesis in music prompted new waves of musical creativity so the CG-8 is set to do the same for the visual artist. A sampling synthesizer takes audio in or regenerates it from a wave generator and then modulates it with filters and amplifiers before outputting the sound. In a similar fashion the CG-8 can take in still images, create motion pictures from these and then modulate them with Modifiers and Fade Controller. It’s easiness to grasp, and user-friendliness allows artists to concentrate on making stunning visual displays without getting caught up in complicated operations.Starting with picture files (JPEG’s) as the prime source, overlay files (PNG) used for overlays and built in Computer Graphics, all stored on the internal hard drive, the CG-8 can add any of more than 200 Photo effects and then from more than 60 Overlay effects before finally passing the output to the image modifiers which let you add further motion along X/Y/Z axes and control background colour/hue shifting. This final modulation can be set for rate, depth and waveform just like the LFO in an audio synth.
- More than 200 Photo effects and more than 60 Overlay effects .
- 16 trigger pads, a twin D-Beam controller, an assignable X-Y pad, control knobs or an optional foot switch.
- Adjustable frequency and peak detection provides graphic modulation based on the incoming audio.
- VGA, S-video or composite video (NTSC or PAL) output.
- MIDI compatibility with support for V-LINK enabled instruments.
Unique optical synthesizer
Electronic music pioneer Daphne Oram’s Oramics Machine – a unique optical synthesizer – has been recreated as software.
Testing the Oramics Machine iPhone App which will be released very soon! Also look forward to the Interactive Exhibit as part of the special exhibition on Daphne Oram in the Science Museum of London during the Fall. The Oramics Machine is a device of great importance to the development of British electronic music,” says Mick Grierson, Director of the Daphne Oram Collection, Goldsmiths, University of London. “It’s a great shame that Daphne’s contribution has never been fully recognised, but now that we have the machine at the Science Museum, it’s clear for all to see that she knew exactly how music was going to be made in the future, and created the machine to do it.
Coming soon to the AppStore
Roland demonstrates the powerful Jupiter 80
Scott Tibbs from Roland demonstrates some of the amazingly expressive sounds of the Roland Jupiter 80. The Jupiter 80 takes synthesis to whole new levels, with an intuitive architecture and Roland’s SuperNatural sound playback technology. Enjoy the demo, then learn more here: http://bit.ly/sw_jupiter80
The JUPITER-80’s expressive, organic approach to synthesis makes a new world of sound design possible with multilayered SuperNATURAL textures under the control of a full-color touchscreen and creative hands-on controllers. Experience the metamorphosis of a legend with the all-new JUPITER-80!
- Powerful integrated SuperNATURAL synthesis engines designed for legendary vintage synth sounds to realistic organic acoustic sounds and more
- Single Tone is equivalent to the performance of powerful single synthesizer—stack four of these to create a mind-blowing “Live Set”
- Tone Blender tweaks multiple parameters of tones in realtime for complex, emotive sonic movement during performance
- Fast, friendly operation with intuitive front panel and color touchscreen optimized for live performance
- 76-note semi-weighted synth keyboard, and 256 polyphonic voices (varies according to sound-generator load)
- USB-memory Song Player/Recorder for backing tracks or quick idea capture
- Easy integration with computers via built-in USB-MIDI/Audio interface
GrainBender – sculpt your new sound directly in realtime
GrainBender is a new iPad synthesizer that makes designing new sounds easier than ever before. Just tap the bend button and sculpt your new sound directly in realtime. GrainBender is capable of making a wide range of sounds, from traditional analog favorites to exotic digital effects.
Key features:
– unique, intuitive sound design interface
– versatile oscillators with analog & digital waveforms
– audio clip recording and export to other apps via AudioCopy
– extensive but easy-to-use modulation
– effects ranging from chorus and delay to digital grunge
Capable of making a wide range of sounds – here are the features:
- intuitive sound design interface
- versatile oscillators with analog & digital waveforms
- audio clip recording and export to other apps via AudioCopy
- extensive but easy-to-use modulation
- effects ranging from chorus and delay to digital grunge
It’s available for $4.99 in the App Store.
Audio demos:
GrainBender sound demos by kuniklo
Review of the Addictive Synth for iPad
Addictive Synth is an Additive Synth for the iPad, by VirSyn. The depth of this synthesizer is both taunting and inviting. With so many morph and modulation options there is a lot of fun to be had.
For more information on Additive Synthesis, this guy gives a great tutorial: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsZKvLnf7wU&hd=1
Features:
Dynamic wavetable synthesizer
- Six dynamic wavetable oscillators per voice, up to 48 total.
- Continous morphing between two oscillator sets.
- Realtime editing of up to 128 partials (overtones).
- Realtime editing of filter structure to create arbitrary body resonances.
- Extensive modulation possibilities using up to 4 LFOs and 4 Envelopes.
- Control matrix allows real time control of five parameters using the X/Y touch pad, the modulation wheel and the tilt sensors of the iPad.
- Monophonic or polyphonic with 8 voices.
- 128 factory presets, unlimited user presets can be shared.
- Up to three effects concurrently usable selected from: equalizer, phaser, flanger, chorus and stereo/cross delay.
Live
- Play melodies live with the onscreen keyboard. Drag fingers for slides and vibrato.
- Optionally use CoreMIDI* compatible hardware keyboard.
Full featured programmable Arpeggiator
- Uses programmable sequences with up to 32 steps.
- Can trigger single notes and chords.
- Unique randomizer generates Arpeggios with 100% usability.
- 32 Arpeggios included, unlimited useer arpeggios possible.
- For each step you can program tie, accent, transposition and note order
Vintage synth demo – Split Eight in action
Around 1983-84 Sequential Circuits, in order to break into the Japanese market, shipped the Curtis SENTE (CEM 3394) chip and the firmware for the Sequential Six-Trak to an other Japanese manufacturer. It was their plan to have that that manufactuer design a synthesizer more targeted at the Japanese buyer. This Japanese company created an 8-voice bi-timbral version of the Six-Trak. They added a 5-octave, 61-note (C-C) keyboard to it and sold it in Japan, calling it the Pro-8. Sequential, liking what the Japanese manufacturer had done with their design and worrying that they might market their synth with one of their competitors (ie. Korg), asked for some design changes and a name change, and sold the Japanese-made synth as the Split-8.
The Split 8 makes for a very nice programmable polyphonic analog synthesizer with complete MIDI implementation. With 8 voices and 8 oscillators (Curtis 3394 SENTE chips) the Split 8 is a heavy contender against the Roland Juno-106! However programming the synth, while straight forward and intuitive, is limited to adjusting one parameter at a time assigned to one Data knob. This limits performance ability but is no problem during studio use.
The keyboard features splits and layers, all of which can be saved with patch data. Choose between 8 voice polyphony with 1 oscillator per voice, 4 voice polyphony with dual oscillators per voice, 2 voice polyphony with a mega 4 oscillators per voice, or the unison mode which is just a fat 8-voice solo mode for trance bass and lead heaven! Similar to the Juno-106, the Split-8 uses a Chorus effect to liven up the sounds. Sonically the Split-8 sounds much ‘thinner’ than a Roland Juno-106, however this ‘thin’ sound is characteristic of Sequential and is quite nice.
How to make a basic synth
Here are two tutorials on how to build your own basic synth using Synthmaker. SynthMaker is an audio programming tool that allows anyone to create their own sounds, virtual instruments and effects without having to write any code. These instruments and effects can then be used for playing live via MIDI or as VST plugins for use in making music using any of the popular recording software. SynthMaker allows you to program without writing a single line of code. This is achieved by linking together components. Components are simply building blocks that perform some action. All changes take effect instantly with no build time.
* Build your own instruments and effects without writing any code
* Use them to play live or in your own compositions
* Share them with friends or others
SONiVOX TWIST – Spectral Morphing Synthesizer
Introduction to SONiVOX’s TWIST – Spectral Morphing Synthesizer:
Spectral Morphing Synthesizer, an innovative new approach to synthesis and sound design from SONiVOX’s Nemesynth Audio Research Group. TWIST offers unmatched, yet almost effortless control over some of the most unique sounds you will ever design.
Spectral Morphing Synthesis
A whole new approach to synthesis, Spectral Morphing Synthesis produces a striking, rich, controllable, and constantly evolving sound, perfect for use in pop, hip hop, and even avant-garde electronic music production.
Sound Design Made Easy
The innovation found in TWIST doesnt stop with its sound. Users will delight at the speed and ease of sound sculpting and sonic personalization afforded by TWISTs unique design. Rip, stretch, and contort with a simple TWIST of a knob. Making your own signature sounds have never been so easy!
Realtime Performance Features:
In addition to being completely unique sounding and easy to manipulate sonically, TWIST also includes a nifty pattern generator that transposes to your whim on the fly, as well as SONiVOXs I.R.C. (Intelligent Rhythm Control), putting your performance in perfect time in realtime.
Factory Sound Bank:
SONiVOXs world-class team of sound designers and synth tweakers have programmed up a bevy of over 200 mind-blowing patches that you can easily TWIST away into thousands and save as your very own.
Feature list:
- New Patent Pending Spectral Morphing Synthesis engine
- Ultra-user-friendly graphical user interface that makes sound creation
and personalization easy - SONiVOX’s Intelligent Rhythm Control (I.R.C.) technology
- Over 200 factory presets that can be easily personalized into thousands
- Onboard tempo-synced variable resolution pattern generator
- MIDI Learn & Save Function – Lock TWISTs controls up with any midi
controller. - Onboard chorus, tempo sync delay, and reverb fx
- PC Standalone, VST and RTAS Compatibility.
- MAC Standalone, AU, VST, and RTAS Compatibility.
DATAMASKIN
