The Accelerator – full featured polyphonic synth
The Accelerator, Radikal Technologies’ new flagship instrument, is a full featured polyphonic synth with eight powerful subtractive voices (expandable up to 32). With the introduction of its Radikal Spectralis synthesizer back in 2004 Radikal’s R&D department already had established a reputation for having created the best sounding synthesis engine in the world. Six years later the Spectralis’ sound quality remains unmatched – until now! Recent advances in DSP performance and the designer’s relentless perfectionism in the development of sound synthesis algorithms have taken things up yet another level. The result is this brand new polyphonic instrument sporting a sound quality never heard before from digital synthesizers.
Psychic Modulation unveils Dubtron, a bass synth for Windows
Dubtron is an Experimental Bass Synth designed for dubstep wobble bass, and more obscure bass sounds. Dubtron’s two oscillator sections utilize a special Unison detune feature where each voice has it’s own width control as well as drifting for a slow phasing effect. The filter’s each have a ‘Wub’ generator, which is the main feature responsible for that wobble effect. Layer in a sub oscillator and you’ve got a serious bass machine. These features along with various randomizers and FM capabilities give an experimental edge to your basslines, allowing for Dubtron to be used not only for bass, but also for unexpected, even atmospheric sounds.”
Features:
- 2 Unison Pulse Oscillators with multiple wave shapes
- 1 Sub Oscillator with FM capabilities
- 2 Filters with Graphical Envelopes
- Wub section for each filter, produces the classic dubstep wobble
- Randomizer for wub rate, filter cutoff and Sub FM
- FX section ranging from flanger to bathtub style delay
- Wub speed is set to key range and can be reversed
- Wub can be retriggered by each bar to ensure beat matching
Robert Rich at NAMM 2011
Robert Rich will be traveling down to Anaheim for the NAMM show to help demo some new modules on the Synthesis Technology MOTM modular synth and he is working on some new music. If you’re down at NAMM, be sure check out the MOTM booth to see Robert and their great synthesizers.
Robert Rich demonstrates the MOTM 730 Clock Divider, showing how to make the style of syncopated rhythms he’s known for on albums like Bestiary and Electric Ladder.
Via SM
Exploring the possibilities of microtonal and xenharmonic music making
Xen-Arts has released Xenharmonic FMTS – a 4 Operator FM Synthesis VSTi with a specialized set of features for musicians interested in exploring the expressive possibilities of microtonal and xenharmonic music making.
Xenharmonic music is music based on tuning systems other than the standard 12-tone equal tempered scale.
Xen-Arts says that the VSTi is “a gift to the xenharmonic and microtonal community, as well as to musicians and composers who are interested in exploring the exciting possibilities of microtuning in their music.”
FMTS is a free download from the Xen-Arts site. Details below.
Microtuning Features
- Internally loads and externally receives both MTS (MIDI Tuning Standard) Bulk Dump and Single Note Microtuning Files.
- Operator ratios can easily be set to values that are coincident with the microtuning being used, thereby producing tuning related FM sidebands in the timbre of the instrument.
- Isoharmonic spacing of the operator ratios.
- Precise values may be set for microtonal pitch-bends.
- Arbitrary microtonal period shifting makes it possible to pitch transpose in both octave and non-octave increments.
FM-RM Oscillator
- 4 Operator FM Synthesis with Ring-Modulation.
- 57 Operator Algorithms.
- 11 different Operator Waveforms.
Phase & Pulse-Width Oscillator
- 22 Waveforms.
- Phase & Pulse-Width LFO Modulation.
Envelope Generators
- 6 independent Envelope Generators dedicated to modulating Operators A-D, Filters and VCA.
- Velocity sensitive.
- Keyboard tracking.
Filters
- 2 State Variable Filters with 12 and 24 dB response.
- Cutoff frequencies modulated by Velocity, Envelope Generator, LFO and Keyboard Tracking.
- Low Frequency Oscillators can be set to modulate the cutoff frequencies of the filters at audio rates, thereby producing sidebands in the signal.
Effects
- Saturator for subtle to extreme distortion.
- 6 dB LPF Warm Filter.
- 4-Voice Stereo Ensemble Detuner.
via Dubbhism
Free VSTs from Samasara Cycle Audio
New free virtual instruments from Samsara
Here’s what they have to say about it:
Samasara Cycle Audio is dedicated to bringing quality products for the creation of music and sound since being established in 2003. We provide 100% FREE Virtual instruments, effects and soundfonts. We rely on donation to help support our projects. Please enjoy! Check out their latest offerings of VMP1 – Virtual Mono Poly Analogue Synth, RMS1 – Virtual Rackmount Synth, E.S.P. – Enhanced Soundfont Player and Big Beauty – Multi Effects Unit. All of these VSTs can be downloaded for free now at http://samcycle.blogspot.com…
17 000 USD for a Fairlight, come on…
Got some spare cash? Well then this one might be for you
Peter Vogel and the Fairlight Family are proud to announce the arrival of the first CMI-30A. Our new baby has already left the nest and is currently winging its way to the US in readiness for a first performance at NAMM. Its parents are recovering well and are looking forward to receiving visitors in the near future.
Here are a couple of early pics, but more baby photos and recordings of first words will be posted in time. We thank our friends and loved ones for their support during the gestation period.
Happy New Year and Happy Fairlight!
The first CMI since 1989. Awaiting transport to US for NAMM
All packed and ready to go on 31st Dec 2010 with Peter Wielk (left) and Peter Vogel (right).”
Reco-Synth ::: The Phonedrone :::
Shared by arthur joly
Introduction to an awesome DIY Phone Drone synth
Shruthilogy
Playing around with the nice playable build in sequencer in the lovely DIY Shruthi-1
The developer describes it as a “best of both worlds” design:
Digital…
An 8-bit microcontroller plays the role of the two main oscillators + sub-oscillator. This allows the generation of (aliasing-free) classic analog waveforms, but also wavetable/transwave synthesis and a trove of weird digital algorithms (sinewave bitcrushing, formant synthesis, phase distortion, bit toggling, XOR modulation).
… and Analog
Beyond this point, everything is analog. Most of the Shruthi-1s are built with the SMR-4 filter, a warm 4-poles “modern analogue” low-pass (no vintage IC). But you are in no way limited to this! The filter section of the Shruthi is on its own board and can be easily replaced. We currently offer 2 alternatives filter boards, one with the CEM3379 VCF/VCA chip of the Ensoniq/Waldorf fame ; and one with the classic SSM2044 VCF. More to come, based on vintage chips or modern OTAs and VCAs! From silky-smooth to squelchy or fat: pick the filter that matches your personal taste best.
The Shruthi-1 has an audio input: external signals can be processed by its analog section, under the control of the digital LFOs, sequencer and arpeggiator for crazy gating and re-enveloping effects. A perfect way of warming up the sound of your favorite VA or… cheesy organ!
The kit includes everything needed for building the Shruthi-1 synth, except for the enclosure:
- PCB for the digital section and the filter
- All electronic parts / ICs
- Pre-prgrammed ATMega644 and patches/sequences storage EEPROM
- Switches caps / knobs
- Blue backlight LCD display
- Connectors
- A pack of screws / spacers / nuts for holding the two boards together
Capture the characteristics of the legendary EDP Wasp synthesizer
Vespine is a free sound a Micropack from Puremagnetik that includes over 30 expertly tailored programs that fully capture the characteristic charm of the legendary EDP Wasp synthesizer. Owners of Ableton Live 8.2.1, Kontakt 3.5 or Logic 8 can load up an arsenal of sounds derived from the classic analog hardware. Get the Vespine Micropak now from http://www.puremagnetik.com/…
The Wasp is a quirky little synthesizer that, despite its toyish look, is quite capable of funky analog sounds. It really is black and yellow too, just like the insect it is named for. Probably its most distinguishing feature is the keyboard and its non-moving touch-sensitive keys. That’s right, the flat little keys are only sensitive to your electro-static touch. It’s a nifty technology for 1978, but in reality they are difficult and unreliable to play. The WASP is powered by two digital oscillators supported by analog filters, envelopes and controls. This makes it one of the earliest digital/analog hybrid synthesizers to come in such a compact package, and it sounds great! The Wasp offers flexible and traditional synthesis of cool bass, synth, and other classic monophonic sounds. Its designer, Chris Hugget, also designed the Oxford Synthesizer Company’s OSCar Synthesizer. The Wasp has been used by 808 State, Dave Holmes, Vince Clarke, WhiteHouse and Add N to (X).
Vespine comes packed with a variety of programs that fully exhibit the characteristic sound of the Electric Dream Plant’s Wasp synthesizer.
Vespine Features:
• Close to 600 hi quality 24-bit multi-samples
• Programmed with modern sampler features for voice layering & polyphony variations
• Live version includes over 30 expertly designed rack instruments
• Kontakt version includes native Kontakt effects and a custom KSP GUI for easy editing
Granular synthesizer for iOS
Curtis Heavy, first Granular Synthesizer for iPhone, from app maker The Strange Agency LLC. Now there is Curtis for iPad version 2.0. The first granular synthesizer for the iPhone comes to the iPad.
Granular synthesis works by combining many tiny grains of sound from an existing recording, creating new sounds with the texture of the original, now with endless temporal possibilities. Play the sound forward, backward, or even a single point. Unlike scratching a record, pitch doesn’t depend on how quickly you move through the recording. Try with spoken word, singing, synths. Mangle your recordings or create soft, gentle textures!
This release allows you to record audio with your iPad or add your own WAV files via iTunes. No more in-app server setup; just drag-and-drop! Available at the app store at http://itunes.apple.com/us/a…
DATAMASKIN
