New version of SynthMaker is out
Outsim has released version 2.0.2 of SynthMaker, an audio programming tool for Windows.
This release contains some final corrections to the automatic stage conversion.
Most of the changes apply to Assembler components so if you’re not using these then you won’t be affected. The main point of the corrections made is to ensure that older files containing Assembler components will have any stage1 declarations automatically changed to the new default of stage2.
Also in this update they’ve brought in a new component which was previously on the R&D list. The Save Wave component allows you to save to a wave file. They’ve improved this component compared to the R&D version by adding sample format options and fixed the few remaining bugs too.
Finally the automatic update check had a few issues with the last release. These should be resolved now although anyone moving from version 2.0 or those who grabbed an early 2.0.1 may see an incorrect product name on the update dialog box. This has no effect on the process and has been corrected in 2.0.2 ready for 2.0.3.
SynthMaker for Windows is available to purchase starting at £95 GBP for the Enterprise edition. A free version is also available to download from the Outsim website.
More information: SynthMaker
Vince Clarke is back with his 5th episode
The fifth webisode in Vince Clarke’s increasingly irreverent series of ‘Analogue Monologues’ on online now for your viewing pleasure. Dedicated to the Syrinx this is a video that will appeal to you who like vintage synths or just music history in general. Here´s the link check it out!
The Analogue Monologues is a new series of mini video documentaries. In each webisode Vince talks about one his analogue synths and explains where the on/off switch is. This series proves, once and for all, that he really doesn’t know much about anything (a must see!).
Sign-up to the Vince Clarke mailing list if you want to receive news of the next Analogue Monologues webisode…
Creating Drum Sounds on the Telemark Synthesizer
HOW TO: Create analogue drum sounds on an Analogue Solutions Telemark synthesizer.
This brief demo features a demonstration as well as custom patch sheets for how to create basic analogue drum sounds. The resulting drums are then combined to produce a small tune featured in the video.
Note: If recreating these sounds, PAUSE the video on the patch sheet page and dial in the settings on your Telemark. It would be helpful to maximize the video to full screen and to turn on HD for clarity (and better audio).
Headphones are also recommended to hear the sub frequencies of the kick drum and other deeper percussion.
The Oberkorn 16 step sequencer was used to create the various patterns via its X/Y gate outputs. Occasionally, CV A was used to dynamically change an attribute of a sound (and is noted in the video).
An Analogue Solutions Telemetry pin matrix synth provides the aggressive, unprocessed synth line under the drums.
Synth spotting: MARK JENKINS “Berlin” Unicorn Studio, London 1993
“Berlin” is from my 1993 CD “Thunder at Midnight” which remains available worldwide. Around this time my London studio featured a wide selection of analog and MIDI keyboards which formed the basis for my book and sampling CD “Analog Synthesizers” which is available worldwide through Amazon.
In the studio;
MOOG Polymoog & MiniMoog, KORG DSS1, EX800 & VC10 Vocoder, ROLAND SH101, TB303, MSQ700, Sequencer & VP330, AKAI S950, GREENGATE DS3, EMS Synthi HiFli, OBERHEIM SEM & Sequencer, SEQUENTIAL Drumtrax, YAMAHA CS80 & KX5, electric guitar
Also Recorded;
SEQUENTIAL Prophet T8, EMS Synthi Aks, E-MU Emulator
Track available on the CD “Thunder At Midnight” worldwide through www.groove.nl
www.markjenkins.co
Tone 2 – Electra X is out
This sure looks interesting, if you have tried it please leave us your thoughts
ElectraX means not only having four powerful synthesizers in one interface – it’s the next generation of high-end audio equipment.
Explore the vast musical universe of multi-synthesis oscillators, analog modeled filters, chaotic fractals, samples, psychoacoustic processing, flexible modulation and an immense sonic range.
Combine multiple polyphonic or monophonic synthesizers and 13 different synthesis methods to create incredible results.
All this comes with an easy-to-use interface, high-end sound quality and remarkable low CPU usage for an instrument as feature-rich as ElectraX.
The comfortable preset management provides instant access to a large library of sounds by professional designers.
Oscillators
At the heart of ElectraX are the multi-synthesis oscillators with up to 18 oscillators per voice. With ElectraX you combine classic synthesis types like Virtual Analog, FM, Phase Distortion, Ultrasaw, Sync, Waveshaping, Wavetables, AM, and completely new oscillator types. It also opens unheard acoustic possibilities with its exclusive Fractal synthesis, which can be used to mimic the behavior of organisms or analog circuits.
Samples and Wavetables
You can use ElectraX’ sample oscillator to import your own waves, a quick import option is available to create custom patches or vocoder sounds based on your own samples with a mouse click.
ElectraX ships with a large selection of licensed wave content, including morphable analog and digital wave types.
In addition to this you can automatically resynthesize your own waveforms from samples or import custom wavetables.
Filters
Each synth’s filter section consists of two multi-mode filters with 23 unique filter types and multi-mode distortion.
ElectraX comes with excellent analog modeled filters, high precision digital filters, vocal filters, comb filters, phasers, equalizers and other exotic types.
The warm sounding filters are able to self oscillate and deliver a wide range of timbres due to the variable degree of analog behavior.
A dual distortion unit offers six different modes. It can produce tube sound, known from analog pre-amp boxes, model a fuzzbox or do waveshaping.
Effects
ElectraX’ master and insert effects sections include 18 high quality effect processor, built and fine-tuned specifically to compliment the synth’s sound such as: High-end Reverb, Multitap Delay, Vocoder, Chorus, Ensemble, Phaser, Flanger, Rotary, Surround encoder, Trancegate,…
Modulation
ElectraX’ modulation makes use of punchy, analog sounding envelopes. Its high quality LFOs are syncable to BPM and can modulate up to the audible range. You can create rhythmic sequences or custom wave shapes with the step LFO.
The flexible Modulation Matrix is easy-to-use and provides a good and instant overview of the active modulations.
With the built-in ‘midi-learn’ feature it is possible to assign controllers with a single click.
Arpeggiator
One preset setup can handle up to four full featured synthesizers with four independent arpeggiators and step sequencers. The arpeggiator supports autochord, swing, glide and keyboard splitting. This allows you to create impressive sequences with several instruments playing at the same time, providing a creative and hands-on experience for a life performance.
Features – summary
- Four synthesizers in one interface
- High-end sound quality
- Huge sonic range
- High flexibility
- 13 different synthesis methods which can be combined
- Psychoacoustic processing
- Low CPU, multicore processor support
- Easy to use
- 4x multitimbral
- 555 presets by professional sound designers
- 23 exclusive analog modeled filter types
- 45 oscillator types
- 18 effect types; Master effect section with Equalizer
- More than 1000 waveforms
- 64×4 voices
- Midi learn
- Customizable user interface with 4 skins
- Expandability
- Standalone version for PC
- Flexible preset management
- Context sensitive help
Vintage synth exploration
This guy has released a whole bunch of demos, comparing classic synths:
This is a side by side comparison betweeen my Minimoog D from 1978 (featuring the new oscillator board introduced after SN 10175) and my Synthesizers.com modular, equipped with 3 VCO’s and the Moog 904-A filter clone produced by Mos-Lab in France. Of course this is just a rough demo, because it’s not that easy to set the 904-A and the Mini’s filter exactly the same in real time because of their different architecture. I used the Mos-Lab 904-A instead of Dotcom’s Q150 for no particular reason, they sound almost identical (see my demo about those filters). The VCO’s also are set with the same waveforms (equal wide square wave) and octave intervals. The Dotcom is on the left, the Mini on the right channel, some delay added (be sure your speakers or earphones are correctly connected…).
Another short demo of those great vintage and contemporary analogue synthesizers. The Minimoog is the one performing in the higher register. Direct board take, only delay added.
Roland SH-09 (1980) Demo
Various sounds and settings of my little vintage Roland SH-09 (vco with and without suboscillator, waveform and octave changes, various filter cutoff and resonance settings, s/h filter modulation). Sequenced by a MFB Step 64, delay added. 30 years ago, this was one of the cheapest monosynths on the market, just a low-cost Minimoog alternative. Anyway, even if it lacks a second vco for oscillator beatings, compared to actual digital and virtual analogue synths this little thing rocks! The SH-09 was one if not the last Roland monosynth entirely build with discrete electronic components so it is also easy to repair.
Two free virtual Minimoog synthesizer instruments for Windows
VoltKitchen has released version 2.3 of MinimogueVA and MinimogueLUXUS, two free virtual Minimoog synthesizer instruments for Windows.
Changes in MinimogueVA/MinimogueLUXUS v2.3
- New 24dB filter and a button to switch between the old 12dB filter and the new 24dB filter. The new filter is very advanced with built-in distortion, so it will use much more CPU. The old 12dB filter did not open up completely, but now you can enjoy the bright sound like the orignal when cutoff set to max when 24 db filter is selected. All sounds in the factory bank are set to the old filter, but I hope we can upgrade the synth with some new 24dB filter sounds later. Many of the old sounds have high resonance, and I advice you to reduce resonance level when switching to the new filter.
- Osc drive(offset) has been changed. It still has a little bit of offset just like the original, but much less than the 2.2 version.
- 10 new sounds by Sinisa Lupis.
- Added midi learn for bar-sync and the 16 gate off/on buttons.
- LUXUS version has got a new layout of controls to look similar to the new controller by Mario Jurisch of Synth-project.de.
MinimogueVA and MinimogueLUXUS are available to download as freeware VST instruments for PC.
More information: Gunnar Ekornås
CONTROL – Synthesizers Sequencers & Drum machines
Cool video from synthjuk – pure synth jam
Produced with analog sounds.
Jomox drums, Moog Bass, Sh101 controlled by csq600
Monopoly triggered by TR707 . MPC sequencing / master clock.
Doepfer gate pulses . CV DCB Midi interfaces & sync devices.”
Oberheim OB-Xa as well. More vids by synthjunk here.
Synthesizer 76 by Jonas Eriksson
Hopefully more than an idea. Before it might have called a mockup until proof of concept. Jonas Eriksson is the artist behind the design and concept of the Synthesizer 76 iPad App 2010. Nice clean graphics.
My name is Jonas Eriksson, an award winning Designer / Developer who is currently located in Sweden and Los Angeles, USA. I’m a Pixel-bitch Swede who love minimal things, good typography, grid based sites and who prefer solid coloring over gradients. Besides having a thing for clean design I am also into retro synthesizers, adventures, talented photographers, illustrators and creative copywriters. With six years of experience in both design (interactive, UI, digital illustration) and development (html/css, Flash Actionscript 2/3)
Holiday synth bundle special from LinPlug
The Holiday Music Gear Deal list has been updated with a special from LinPlug – the Synth Bundle XMas Special – at more than 50% off the price of the individual synths.
The Synth Bundle Includes:
- The LinPlug CronoX 3 Sample Synthesizer ( 129€ / 149US$ )
- The brand new LinPlug MorphoX Synthesizer ( 99€ / 129US$ )
- The Rob Papen Albino 3 Synthesizer ( 149€ / 179US$ )
- The Octopus FM Synthesizer ( 99€ / 129US$ )
- The Alpha Classic Synthesizer ( 79€ / 99US$ )
- The LinPlug ElementP Percussion Synth ( 29€ / 39US$ )
- The Ian Boddy Soundset for the Alpha Synthesizer ( 39€ / 49US$ )
- The Summa Soundset for the Octopus Synthesizer ( 39€ / 59US$ )
- including altogether more than 5500 preset sounds
The Synth Bundle is available for $399/299 EUR through December 31st, 2010.
DATAMASKIN
