"It's an instrument based on eight lightbulbs, with a microphone carefully placed inside each one. By tapping the lightbulb, the internal filament vibrates and makes a very nice sound, and each one sounds different because of the size of the filament and placement of the microphone."
Saturday, March 31
Diego Stocco - Luminopiano Preview
Recently Sound Designer/Composer Diego Stucco was invited to guest lecture at the Art of Sound in Santa Monica, CA, where he previewed his new Luminopiano custom instrument:
Rheyne - 3/30/12 - Live Jam #40
Rheyne performing a live improvised jam with only iOS apps and Ableton Live:
Apps used: Physynth by Simian2, AffinityBlue's NodeBeat, Lemur by Liine, and two instances of Moog's Animoog.
"Four of the devices are producing sound, and Lemur is wirelessly controlling effects and live looping in Ableton Live. Nothing was pre-recorded or pre-sequenced for this performance."
Apps used: Physynth by Simian2, AffinityBlue's NodeBeat, Lemur by Liine, and two instances of Moog's Animoog.
Friday, March 30
FXpansion Etch Tutorial
"FXpansion's Etch is a versatile filtering effect based on DCAM circuit-modelled technology. Etch's dual filters let you switch between 4 models for all manner of fat and warm subtractive tone-shaping, with a comb filter type providing mind-bending psychedelic effects.
Additional distortion and compressor stages are provided for beefing up signals, and FXpansion's TransMod modulation system lets you animate Etch's circuits over time. Use inter-modulating LFOs, envelopes and more to drive the filter cutoffs, distortion level, compression amount or any other parameters. Etch does amazing things to all kinds of audio material and is great for subtle warming, deep tone sculpting, wild sweeps, special effects and experimental sonics." -FXpansion
Mini Kaoss Pad 2 and Kaossilator 2 - Korg
Overview and Comparison -- In The Studio with Korg:
"Join Korg USA's James Sajeva for an in-depth look at the Mini Kaoss Pad 2 and Kaossilator 2. Building on their predecessors, the Mini KP-2 offers dazzling performance effects and on-board MP3 playback while the Kaossilator 2 boasts 150 built-in sounds with all new Dual Loop Recording. What else is new about these second generation KAOSS products? Join us in the studio to find out!" -Korg
"Join Korg USA's James Sajeva for an in-depth look at the Mini Kaoss Pad 2 and Kaossilator 2. Building on their predecessors, the Mini KP-2 offers dazzling performance effects and on-board MP3 playback while the Kaossilator 2 boasts 150 built-in sounds with all new Dual Loop Recording. What else is new about these second generation KAOSS products? Join us in the studio to find out!" -Korg
The Rack Extension Logo Photoshop thread...
There's a great thread on the Propellerhead User Forum called The Rack Extension Logo Photoshop thread..., that's well worth checking out! Here's a few of my favorites:
Wendy Dunham:
reason2dance:
Ryan Harlin:
Rhythm Envelopes - Experimentalsynth.com
Rhythm Envelopes - with the Moog Voyager & MF-101 Low Pass Filter:
"An exploration of rhythmic control voltages generated by the Moog MF-101 Low Pass Filter when processing beats and rhythms."
-Experimentalsynth.com
"An exploration of rhythmic control voltages generated by the Moog MF-101 Low Pass Filter when processing beats and rhythms."
-Experimentalsynth.com
Coming Soon...
Like many of you I'm checking iTunes daily for "Propellerhead Figure" to no avail... So I was happy to see this twitter on PropellerheadSW this morning:
"We're working some things out with Apple, can't give you an exact release date but soon."
I can't wait to get my hands on Figure! How's about you?
Thursday, March 29
Ableton Live Pack - Hip Hop Drums Tour 1
The Loop Loft is now releasing Partner Instruments with Ableton Live! The first one out of the gate is Hip Hop Drums, below Ryan Gruss gives us a tour of the new Ableton Pack:
Earl Scruggs R.I.P.
Bluegrass legend and founder of the Foggy Mountain Boys, Earl Scruggs passed away yesterday from natural causes. Earl was born in Shelby, North Carolina on January 6, 1924 and first became famous when Bill Monroe hired him to fill the banjo slot in the Blue Grass Boys band. Like most people of my generation I primarily knew Earl Scruggs from his recurring role, and of course the theme song, of the 60s show The Beverly Hillbillies, which was on reruns in the afternoon during my youth. Earl invented a three finger picking style on the Banjo that is now referred to as the "Scruggs style". R.I.P.
Video courtesy of Gatorrock787
Wednesday, March 28
Sigur Rós - Ekki múkk
Sigur Rós is back with Ekki múkk from the upcoming album Valtari. Video by Jónsi's sister, Inga Birgisdóttir:
Ned Rush presents SupaCut Live
New Max4Live effect from Mr.Ned Rush - Supacut:
Check it:
"Inspired by the classic beat effect plugins LiveCut and SupaTrigga, Ned Rush designed Suparcut for Max for Live. Suparcut's parameters, including beat loops of various lengths and classic stretching and pitching effects, can either be sequenced or controlled by probability sliders."
Check it:
Minimoog Voyager Old School + ValhallaFreqEcho = Delay Improv
n3bsvid jamming on the Moog Voyager Old School with delay from the free ValhallaFreqEcho plug-in. Dig it:
Tuesday, March 27
Hammond organ: how to measure the tonewheel generator
This is the kind of thing I picture Peff doing in his free time:
"This short video shows how you can obtain values out of a Hammond organ's tonewheel generator with the use of a digital oscilloscope. Values are expressed in milliVolts peak-to-peak.
Starting from version 2.03 of GSi VB3 Crumar Edition II, it's now possible to add a custom generator with actual values in mVpp that match the organ from where they got measured.
Please visit www.crumar.it for more informations." -zioguido
"This short video shows how you can obtain values out of a Hammond organ's tonewheel generator with the use of a digital oscilloscope. Values are expressed in milliVolts peak-to-peak.
Starting from version 2.03 of GSi VB3 Crumar Edition II, it's now possible to add a custom generator with actual values in mVpp that match the organ from where they got measured.
Please visit www.crumar.it for more informations." -zioguido
Reason - How to expand your modulation possibilities
It's a double dose of Propellerhead news today with a brand spanking new Reason Sound Design video with Mattias Häggström Gerdt! In this video Mattias demonstrates "how to use the Combinator to access more modulation options in Reason's synths and how you can control this with CV."
Check it:
Check it:
Propellerheads Rack Extension Developer Interview
SonicState.com interviews Magnus Lidström, of Sonic Charge fame, about his thoughts on Propellerhead's new Rack Extensions technology:
Sunday, March 25
Doepfer Dark Energy II - musikmeese 2012
I haven't posted many videos from musikmeese this year, because honestly it seems like most international companies showcase their best new stuff at NAMM and then show up at meese with a 25 key midi controller... But Doepfer brought out something special and that's the Dark Energy II:
via sonicstate.com
via sonicstate.com
Friday, March 23
Feels Like Home Ep 44 - AU "Solid Gold"
This is dope:
AU performing "Solid Gold" via Into The Woods
"Directed by Hannah Gregg
Edited by Steve Wyshywaniuk
Audio by Jeff Hylton Simmons
Camera by Steve Wyshywaniuk, Rodrigo Melgarejo, Jaclyn Campanaro
Words by Will Giardino
8pm. Inadvertent home intrusion. Nobody wanted to miss this one, so our crew is overbooked – we show up in triplicate.
Brief salutations in the doorway, and Loki the pitbull is in a full-body wag, patiently anticipating all the new friends he’s about to make. Next, to the inevitable case of brews – that delicious fermented stuff with hops in it.
The house is teeming with nervous energy, so we shuffle out onto the patio, feeling like that bulky Tetris piece without a clean interlock. Back inside, line check is taking forever. One of our sound engineers argues with a 17 year-old girl about how many points there are on a marijuana leaf. Feels like home.
AU = Luke Wyland (vocals/multi-instrumentalist) + Dana Valatka (drums/percussion). They’re working through an updated arrangement of “Solid Gold.” A group of local musicians make up the backing band, rounding out the detailed phrases of Luke and Dana’s telepathic interchange.
Luke’s cornered now, so we spend a few minutes throwing questions at him and dodging the emphatic hand gestures that accompany his answers. He’s stretching his arms wide, trying to convey the size of the space where they created their new release, Both Lights (out April 3rd on Hometapes/The Leaf Label).
To be clear, that space—a rectangular quadrant that Luke built inside Dana’s old garage—is where the entire album was recorded. (Luke confirms this detail, emphasizing, “EVERYTHING”).
“I think what really got into me was that everything was so internalized,” Luke explains. “We got the drum tracks down relatively quickly, and then it was just me re-structuring songs and getting layers on top. I re-wrote numerous songs many times - it was this real knotted process.”
In total, Luke spent more than ten months working everyday in The Room; trashing songs, writing new ones, and oscillating through self-doubt before finally pausing to get perspective on the net result of a three-year gap between full-lengths.
“Yeah it’s true, I did go crazy. Well maybe not crazy, but certainly it sucked. There were months where I was just in the studio working on one song for days on end - I just couldn’t get it out of my brain and into the songs.”
Eventually, persistence won out. In “Solid Gold,” the ideas from Luke’s brain have finally been translated into a multifaceted and unique piece of music. We find them fully realized here in the big-band arrangement.
Voice bellowing over soft piano chords, the tempo shifts rapidly and Luke is trading vocal lines with Holland Andrews (Like A Villain) over a rolling, frenetic bustle. Reed Wallsmith (Blue Cranes) and Nick Sweet drop staccato melodies via alto sax and trombone, and Dan Duval is on guitar, doubling horn riffs and tossing jazz chords over the mix. Luke’s keyboard falls into the Konono-inspired crunch of a distorted mbira, and the whole group reunites for sixteenth-note blasts before clearing the floor for Holland’s symbolic purge, allowing the piece to dissolve into a victory lap of African-laced progressive pop.
I hear the song as a triumph over negativity, an assurance against doubt, and a confidence in off-kilter art. It’s the illusion of this kind of safety net—one that takes years to erect—that forms the fine line between creativity and insanity. AU have focused their career on the repeated construction and destruction of this safety net; constantly testing the boundaries of their audience and pushing the limits of their own physicality. The process takes a toll, but the rewards are tenfold. So maybe it’s insensitive to ask this question so soon after Luke came to terms with his epic struggle, but fuck it:
Could the bar be raised any higher?" -Into The Woods
AU performing "Solid Gold" via Into The Woods
"Directed by Hannah Gregg
Edited by Steve Wyshywaniuk
Audio by Jeff Hylton Simmons
Camera by Steve Wyshywaniuk, Rodrigo Melgarejo, Jaclyn Campanaro
Words by Will Giardino
8pm. Inadvertent home intrusion. Nobody wanted to miss this one, so our crew is overbooked – we show up in triplicate.
Brief salutations in the doorway, and Loki the pitbull is in a full-body wag, patiently anticipating all the new friends he’s about to make. Next, to the inevitable case of brews – that delicious fermented stuff with hops in it.
The house is teeming with nervous energy, so we shuffle out onto the patio, feeling like that bulky Tetris piece without a clean interlock. Back inside, line check is taking forever. One of our sound engineers argues with a 17 year-old girl about how many points there are on a marijuana leaf. Feels like home.
AU = Luke Wyland (vocals/multi-instrumentalist) + Dana Valatka (drums/percussion). They’re working through an updated arrangement of “Solid Gold.” A group of local musicians make up the backing band, rounding out the detailed phrases of Luke and Dana’s telepathic interchange.
Luke’s cornered now, so we spend a few minutes throwing questions at him and dodging the emphatic hand gestures that accompany his answers. He’s stretching his arms wide, trying to convey the size of the space where they created their new release, Both Lights (out April 3rd on Hometapes/The Leaf Label).
To be clear, that space—a rectangular quadrant that Luke built inside Dana’s old garage—is where the entire album was recorded. (Luke confirms this detail, emphasizing, “EVERYTHING”).
“I think what really got into me was that everything was so internalized,” Luke explains. “We got the drum tracks down relatively quickly, and then it was just me re-structuring songs and getting layers on top. I re-wrote numerous songs many times - it was this real knotted process.”
In total, Luke spent more than ten months working everyday in The Room; trashing songs, writing new ones, and oscillating through self-doubt before finally pausing to get perspective on the net result of a three-year gap between full-lengths.
“Yeah it’s true, I did go crazy. Well maybe not crazy, but certainly it sucked. There were months where I was just in the studio working on one song for days on end - I just couldn’t get it out of my brain and into the songs.”
Eventually, persistence won out. In “Solid Gold,” the ideas from Luke’s brain have finally been translated into a multifaceted and unique piece of music. We find them fully realized here in the big-band arrangement.
Voice bellowing over soft piano chords, the tempo shifts rapidly and Luke is trading vocal lines with Holland Andrews (Like A Villain) over a rolling, frenetic bustle. Reed Wallsmith (Blue Cranes) and Nick Sweet drop staccato melodies via alto sax and trombone, and Dan Duval is on guitar, doubling horn riffs and tossing jazz chords over the mix. Luke’s keyboard falls into the Konono-inspired crunch of a distorted mbira, and the whole group reunites for sixteenth-note blasts before clearing the floor for Holland’s symbolic purge, allowing the piece to dissolve into a victory lap of African-laced progressive pop.
I hear the song as a triumph over negativity, an assurance against doubt, and a confidence in off-kilter art. It’s the illusion of this kind of safety net—one that takes years to erect—that forms the fine line between creativity and insanity. AU have focused their career on the repeated construction and destruction of this safety net; constantly testing the boundaries of their audience and pushing the limits of their own physicality. The process takes a toll, but the rewards are tenfold. So maybe it’s insensitive to ask this question so soon after Luke came to terms with his epic struggle, but fuck it:
Could the bar be raised any higher?" -Into The Woods
Thursday, March 22
Robot Koch "Autodreams"
Official Video for Robot Koch's "Autodreams" from The Other Side on Project: Mooncircle. Directed by Lukas Feigelfeld. Produced by Retina Fabrik. Dig it:
Wednesday, March 21
Rack Extensions and Figure App Tech Preview
Propellerhead uploaded this video of yesterday's presentation this morning:
Update: Thoughts
1. The Figure iOS app looks fantastic! Propellerhead really looked at the market and realized that people want a music making app for their iDevice that will be immediately engaging, quick and most importantly FUN! The sequencing seems like a great marriage between the Kaossilator and Reason's Swedish design sensibilities. Can't wait to get my hands on Figure!
2. Rack Extensions might finally be the thing that makes me give up other music software and just use Reason ;-). WIth companies like Korg, Sugar Bytes, U-he, and Sonic Charge on board the quality of extensions is assured. But what I'm really excited about is to see what Peff comes up with ;-).
Update: Thoughts
1. The Figure iOS app looks fantastic! Propellerhead really looked at the market and realized that people want a music making app for their iDevice that will be immediately engaging, quick and most importantly FUN! The sequencing seems like a great marriage between the Kaossilator and Reason's Swedish design sensibilities. Can't wait to get my hands on Figure!
2. Rack Extensions might finally be the thing that makes me give up other music software and just use Reason ;-). WIth companies like Korg, Sugar Bytes, U-he, and Sonic Charge on board the quality of extensions is assured. But what I'm really excited about is to see what Peff comes up with ;-).
Tuesday, March 20
musicradar interview with Leo Nathorst Böös!
musicradar, the parent company of Computer Music and Future Music magazines, has the first videos on-line concerning Propellerhead's new Figure and Rack Extension technology! Dig it:
musicradar first look at Figure:
Leo explains Rack Extensions:
musicradar first look at Figure:
Leo explains Rack Extensions:
This Is the Day We've All Been Waiting For...
Propellerhead Software introduced two new developments at a pre-MusikMeese announcement today:
1. Figure a $1 iOS app designed for creation on the go, featuring a Multi-touch interface with Reason under the hood! iOS app is awaiting Apple's approval for sale ;-).
2. Rack Extensions! Last year around this time Propellerhead copyrighted the name ReRack, well today we've finally found out what ReRack is all about... With Rack Extensions third party developers (Korg, Sugar Bytes, Peff, Softube, GForce and SonicCharge are already on board) will design new devices to integrate into Reason! Propellerhead CEO Ernst Nathorst Böös says this is different than plug-ins for a number of reasons - multiple levels of undo, ability to share files, integrates perfectly into the Reason rack! But this is where it really gets cool: CV ins and outs on the third-party devices! Rack Extensions will hopefully be out this summer and will be sold in the Prop shop with an "audition" feature (allowing interested parties to actually try out the device for 30 days.)
For the full twitter rundown on today's event go to CDM
UPDATE: Press Release from Propellerhead
Propellerhead unveils Rack Extension technology for Reason
New technology opens up the Reason rack to third party developers
Stockholm, Sweden, March 20, 2012 — Propellerhead introduces Rack Extensions: a new technology that opens up the Reason rack, enabling third party developers to create instruments and effects for the award-winning music making software Reason. Through this new technology—built into the next version of Reason and Reason Essentials—users can expand their collection of instruments and effects with the Reason devices they want.
“Musician's from all corners of the planet keep telling us that Reason is the best thing that ever happened to their musical creativity,” says Ernst Nathorst-Böös, Propellerhead CEO. “With Rack Extensions we rocket it into another dimension, by inviting a world of creative and talented developers to bring their designs to the Reason rack. Rack Extensions have everything you love about Reason, from the cables on the back and integrated patch browser to its world-renowned stability and ease of use”.
Available to third parties as a software development toolkit, the Rack Extension technology is not just another plug-in format. Rack Extensions are full Reason rack citizens, giving users the same great experience with third party extensions as with any other Reason device—including the ability to load them in Reason’s Combinator, route audio and CV cables on the back, automation of all parameters, copy/paste devices and signal chains, and experimentation with the safety of unlimited undo.
Propellerhead also announces the Rack Extension Store, an online store where Rack Extensions from all Rack Extension developers can be purchased and downloaded directly into the Reason rack, as many times as needed. All Rack Extensions are Mac and Windows compatible, and can be tried with users’ own song files in Reason before purchase. The automatic installation and authentication ensures that users keep the focus on being creative and finding the right sounds for their music.
Pricing and availability
The Rack Extension technology will be introduced in version 6.5 of Reason and version 1.5 of Reason Essentials to be released in Q2, 2012. The upgrades will be available for free download for all owners of Reason 6 and Reason Essentials. Users of previous versions of Reason can upgrade to Reason 6 today and download the upgrade for free once it becomes available.
For more information and continuously updated news on Rack Extensions, visit www.propellerheads.se/news/rackextensions/
FXpansion Etch!
New From FXpansion:
FXpansion's Etch is a versatile filtering effect based on DCAM circuit-modelled technology. Etch's dual filters let you switch between 4 models for all manner of fat, warm subtractive tone-shaping, with a comb filter type providing mind-bending psychedelic effects.
Additional distortion and compressor stages are provided for beefing up signals, and FXpansion's TransMod modulation system lets you animate Etch's circuits over time. Use inter-modulating LFOs, envelopes and more to drive the filter cutoffs, distortion level, compression amount or any other parameters. Etch does amazing things to all kinds of audio material and is great for subtle warming, deep tone sculpting, wild sweeps, special effects and experimental sonics.
Availability & Pricing
Etch is available as a download-only product from the FXpansion web shop!
Pricing is USD $99.00, EUR €79.00, GBP £69.00 inc VAT where applicable
Introductory Offer: Etch is USD $70, EUR €55, GBP £48 inc VAT for all registered owners of Geist, DCAM: Synth Squad, Tremor, BFD2 and BFD Eco (and customers purchasing Etch at the same time any of these products) until 30 April 2012.
Monday, March 19
Refill - The Theory II - Arcanum
3rd Floor Sound recently released The Theory II - Arcanum a companion to the fantastic ReFill: The Theory. Check it:
The Theory II - Arcanum continues where The Theory left off, by including every possible pentatonic, hexatonic, and heptatonic(5, 6, and 7 note) scale, and all the chords that match them. All told there are 189 scales on each root note, for a total of 2,268 scales. When broken up into modes that's 1125 on each note, or 13,500 scales. It's likely there are scales in this refill that no one's ever written songs in.
-286 total Reason 6 song files or 572 reason 5
and record 1.5 song files, 286 for each program.
-36 Scale files containing 330 pentatonic, 462 hexatonic, and 462 heptatonic scales in individual clips,
which are then organized in modes, and 189 full scale maps that contain the scales plotted across the entire keyboard.
-189 Chords In Scales files, one for each scale, containing the scales and chords transposed for each root note.
-36 Chords In Scales files organized by root note that contain all the chords transposed and plotted across the 189 scales they fit into.
-7 Scale Map files containing every possible scale mapped across the entire keyboard.
-18 scale map Cross Reference files showing which scales fit into others, allowing you to broaden the range of chords you can use.
This refill is also available at 10% off as part of The Theory Bundle.
The Theory II - Arcanum continues where The Theory left off, by including every possible pentatonic, hexatonic, and heptatonic(5, 6, and 7 note) scale, and all the chords that match them. All told there are 189 scales on each root note, for a total of 2,268 scales. When broken up into modes that's 1125 on each note, or 13,500 scales. It's likely there are scales in this refill that no one's ever written songs in.
-286 total Reason 6 song files or 572 reason 5
and record 1.5 song files, 286 for each program.
-36 Scale files containing 330 pentatonic, 462 hexatonic, and 462 heptatonic scales in individual clips,
which are then organized in modes, and 189 full scale maps that contain the scales plotted across the entire keyboard.
-189 Chords In Scales files, one for each scale, containing the scales and chords transposed for each root note.
-36 Chords In Scales files organized by root note that contain all the chords transposed and plotted across the 189 scales they fit into.
-7 Scale Map files containing every possible scale mapped across the entire keyboard.
-18 scale map Cross Reference files showing which scales fit into others, allowing you to broaden the range of chords you can use.
This refill is also available at 10% off as part of The Theory Bundle.
ABSOLUT GREYHOUND
New ABSOLUT Vodka ad featuring sound design by Richard Devine and music by Swedish House Mafia:
Animoog on a Voyage
Chris Stack of ExperimentalSynth.com using the Animoog app with the Moog Voyager:
"Showing some of the many possibilities when using the Moog Voyager as a MIDI controller for the Moog Animoog app and feeding the iPad audio back into the Voyager's filter."
The Arturia Minibrute- Part 1- The Oscillator
Marc Doty, of Automatic Gainsay, takes a look at Arturia's Minibrute - this video is Part 1 in the series and specifically explores the Minibrute's Oscillator.
"That's a Triangle wave!"
Saturday, March 17
ExperimentalSynth Video Preview
Preview of a new video in the works from Chris Stack @ Experimental Synth:
"A quick preview of a new video in the works. If you watch (and listen) closely you'll see that there is more that just the Moog Voyager involved... any guesses?"
Friday, March 16
PROJECT MOONCIRCLE 10TH Anniversary Compilation!
The Project Mooncircle 10th Anniversary Compilation is being released today in both a digital version and 4 lp white vinyl boxset! With a digital download price of $10.99 USD for 46 tracks there's no reason not to pick up this fantastic release today. Here's the press release:
V/A: 10TH ANNIVERSARY COMPILATION (ALBUM, BOX 4XLP, DIGITAL)
Project: Mooncircle, as the name reveals, has been on a journey to the moon since day one, exploring the frontiers of music and art, always looking for new discoveries and giving a different perspective to look at the earth. In it’s 10 year history the label has published roughly 100 releases by equally as many artists from all corners of this globe and, therefore, the selection of sounds on this compilation represents the development of the label from the past, present and going into the future.
Some of the artists featured on this compilation have been a part of the label from its very beginning, like CYNE, Manuvers and Jahbitat, whose song will be the last one he produced and published under this moniker, while others, like Robot Koch, fLako and Long Arm, are outstanding examples of its growing popularity and success. Furthermore, the box also features an exceptional selection of close musical friends and inspirational artists like Jehst, Dday One, Kwala and Ichiro_, just to name a few.
The logo and artwork represent someone who was very close to the label, especially in the early years but unfortunately passed on and whom this box is dedicated to. Featured on the compilation are artists such as Mike Slott x Diane Badié, CYNE, Sweatson Klank aka Take, Jahbitat, Robot Koch, fLako, Jehst, Beat Butcha, Long Arm, Kelpe, Pavel Dovgal, Blossom, Daisuke Tanabe, Dday One, Inner Science, Substantial, Arts The Beatdoctor, Rain Dog, Kidkanevil + Microkorg by Dorian Concept, John Robinson, Sorrow, Rumpistol, The Red Baron, Christoph El’ Truento, 40 Winks, Sina., 1000Names, DZA, Ichiro_, EAN, Tom Dicicco, Headshotboyz, Graciela Maria, Gards From KC, Sekuoia of Kilimanjaro, Sense of The Q4, Sneaky, I.V.A., Empt, John LaMonica, Mike Gao, Bambooman, Manuvers, Krts, Kwala, Soosh, Memotone, Sun Glitters, Called Understandable Souls & Szenario.
Thursday, March 15
Soundcells Greenhouse ReFill Version 2!
Soundcells has updated their Greenhouse ReFill to Version 2! As some of you may remember I reviewed Greenhouse back in August of 2011 and from the looks of it this update has made a fantastic refill even better:
"Greenhouse v2 is an awesome ReFill based on samples coming from the popular Synplant software synthesizer; without doubt, one of the most innovative plugins of recent years. Greenhouse contains 155+ combinator patches that provide an insight into the highly characterful sound capabilities Synplant has to offer. In addition, some One-Shot-FX kits are included to let you produce some glitchy electro beats. Greenhouse also includes 35+ drum samples (as well as 11 Rex files highly processed with additional EQing, compressing...) from the MicroTonic plugin. Version 2 is adding 30 combinator patches based on 370+ new Synplant samples..."
Greenhouse v2 Contents:
• 159 combinator patches full of the typical and widely acclaimed Synplant character.
• 135 NNXT patches containing the basic sounds which were used for the combinators, 7 Redrum kits.
• 850 Synplant samples, 830 MB uncompressed.
• 37 drum samples and 11 Rex loops coming from the MicroTonic plugin.
Greenhosue v2 is available for 19.90€ until April 10th!
Wednesday, March 14
Reason ReFill - Everything But Sticks
Looks like another winner from Ryan Gruss @ The Loop Loft...
Everything But Sticks Reason ReFill:
Reason ReFill - Everything But Sticks
"Let's be honest. 99% of the drum loops in existence use sticks. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but isn't it time to do something different? This is why we set out to produce Everything But Sticks, a ReFill that take a new and fresh approach to grooves on the drum set.
By using a wide variety of brushes, mallets, bundles, kitchen utensils and even our bare hands, we were able to pull out an entire range of timbres and dynamics from the drum kit that sticks simply can't produce. For fans of our Cinematic Drums and Art of Brushes ReFills, Everything But Sticks will be a welcome addition to your arsenal of loops and samples. And if you're not familiar with some of our non-stick offerings, Everything But Sticks is the perfect place to start."
ReFill Specs:
- 261 REX2 Loops
- 87 WAV Samples
- 32 Dr Octo Rex Patches
- 6 Kong Patches
- 6 ReDrum Patches
- 3 Combinators
- High Quality, 24-bit 48 KHZ Audio
- File size: 300 MB
$49 USD @ The Loop Loft
Everything But Sticks Reason ReFill:
Reason ReFill - Everything But Sticks
"Let's be honest. 99% of the drum loops in existence use sticks. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but isn't it time to do something different? This is why we set out to produce Everything But Sticks, a ReFill that take a new and fresh approach to grooves on the drum set.
By using a wide variety of brushes, mallets, bundles, kitchen utensils and even our bare hands, we were able to pull out an entire range of timbres and dynamics from the drum kit that sticks simply can't produce. For fans of our Cinematic Drums and Art of Brushes ReFills, Everything But Sticks will be a welcome addition to your arsenal of loops and samples. And if you're not familiar with some of our non-stick offerings, Everything But Sticks is the perfect place to start."
ReFill Specs:
- 261 REX2 Loops
- 87 WAV Samples
- 32 Dr Octo Rex Patches
- 6 Kong Patches
- 6 ReDrum Patches
- 3 Combinators
- High Quality, 24-bit 48 KHZ Audio
- File size: 300 MB
$49 USD @ The Loop Loft
Inside Synthesis Teaser!
This is the best news I've heard all week.... William H is starting up Inside Synthesis again, but this time the new "series will have better audio, better and more clear visuals, and more detailed reviews of newly released synthesizers, focusing on providing plenty of sound examples."
Check the teaser:
Check the teaser:
Tuesday, March 13
Kill Paris - Abeton Tutorial-Glitch Hop with Drum Rack
Ableton Certified Trainer Kill Paris uploaded a brand new tutorial on using Ableton's Drum Rack for "something other than just drums. We'll sample some sounds, slice them up, drop them in the drum rack, and play them back with the launchpad." Dig it:
Monday, March 12
EMS Synthi AKS MKII (VCS3) on Ebay - $17, 500 USD!
EMS Synthi AKS MKII (VCS3) Cleanest on Planet!
Seller: deutsch-industries
100% Positive Feedback
Item#: 230759599004
Buy it Now Price: $17, 500 USD
Time left: 6d 10h (Mar 18, 201212:23:56 PDT)
"Super nice, no damage at all. Everything works (OSC 1 freq pot is scratchy). I've never sprayed the pots out, just used it a lot when I first got it. It hasn't been used in a while now so it needs to find a new home. Included but not pictured: all three presto patches (in mint condition), power cable and sequencer cable (both original), original user manual, and original book of sounds. Free US shipping (Buyer must pay insurance costs only)"
Speaking of Synth Pron...
On the off chance you're not familiar with the incredible EMS Synthi here's a couple of amazing videos from youtube uploaded by theNetWt, around this time last year, of Alka improvising on an EMS Synthi AKS Mk1:
Alka - Improvisations On The EMS Synthi AKS Mk 1 (Pt 1/2)
Alka - Improvisations On The EMS Synthi AKS Mk 1 (Pt 2/2)
Alka operates the Synthi A
Filmed and edited by Todd Steponick.
Animation by Nice, with additional sound design by At Work.
Sunday, March 11
Phi Sequence Dark & Light!
Rob over @ Reason101.net has a pair of new cds out, called Dark & Light! Dark is an original album featuring 16 tracks and clocking in at over 67 minutes of the glitchy ambient IDM Phi Sequence is known for creating. And Dark is also a great showcase of what is possible with Reason, Rob says that "90% of this album was made entirely with Reason 6 and the Reason 6 FSB". The second LP, Light is a remix record of Dark featuring tracks by James Hopkins, Mr Meeks, BashCoder, Mick Comito, Dig Team One, Holly Nelson, Epigenetik, and Rob even remixes himself!
Dark & Light are available for $9.99 each in either a download format or CD!
Dark:
Light:
"Art is not solitary. In order to grow, we must listen to others and open ourselves up to reinterpretations of our work. This project comprises the work of 8 musicians and producers who provided their talents and skills to reinvent my work. The concept was simple. I provided 20 songs they could remix in any way they chose. This is the outcome.
When I started this project, I had no idea how far it would reach, how much I would learn, nor how much feedback
I would get. What I received in return was innovative and inspiring. The work speaks for itself. And I am truly grateful to call them my friends. My eternal appreciation to them for providing their time and artistic vision. I am humbled for the experience."
- Rob / Phi Sequence – February, 2012
Dark & Light are available for $9.99 each in either a download format or CD!
Dark:
Light:
"Art is not solitary. In order to grow, we must listen to others and open ourselves up to reinterpretations of our work. This project comprises the work of 8 musicians and producers who provided their talents and skills to reinvent my work. The concept was simple. I provided 20 songs they could remix in any way they chose. This is the outcome.
When I started this project, I had no idea how far it would reach, how much I would learn, nor how much feedback
I would get. What I received in return was innovative and inspiring. The work speaks for itself. And I am truly grateful to call them my friends. My eternal appreciation to them for providing their time and artistic vision. I am humbled for the experience."
- Rob / Phi Sequence – February, 2012
CycliC: a new step sequencer!
The new CycliC Step Sequencer from Defective Records, the makers of Major Malfunction and Klee, looks pretty sweet:
work-in-progress #1
work-in-progress #2
CycliC is an entirely new step sequencer, with six independent subsequences cycle through a 32-note array. It represents a collaboration between Defective Records Software & Mutable Instruments.
Features:
• 32 note array
• 6 independent subsequences
• independent MIDI output from each subsequence
• internal or MIDI clock
• 20 presets, controllable by mouse or MIDI program change, can be saved to disk
• note constraint to user selectable scale
• note randomization (note value and location)
• adjustable GUI size
$40 USD from defectiverecords.com
work-in-progress #1
work-in-progress #2
CycliC is an entirely new step sequencer, with six independent subsequences cycle through a 32-note array. It represents a collaboration between Defective Records Software & Mutable Instruments.
Features:
• 32 note array
• 6 independent subsequences
• independent MIDI output from each subsequence
• internal or MIDI clock
• 20 presets, controllable by mouse or MIDI program change, can be saved to disk
• note constraint to user selectable scale
• note randomization (note value and location)
• adjustable GUI size
$40 USD from defectiverecords.com
Saturday, March 10
Long Arm vs Ruslan Gadzhimuradov
When Children Sleep / Key Door / The Ashes Live
Project: Mooncircle's Long Arm is quickly becoming my favorite new artist, check out this jam with Ruslan Gadzhimuradov:
Project: Mooncircle's Long Arm is quickly becoming my favorite new artist, check out this jam with Ruslan Gadzhimuradov:
Snapshot Madness: How to Use Native Instruments REAKTOR's
Brent Kallmer of Bluewater VST posted a fantastic video this morning to youtube pairing Reaktor's Vectory ensemble with the snapshot sequencer Snapper:
Friday, March 9
How to Easily Make Complex Sounds with Combinators
Reason Sound Design - Propellerhead's product specialist James Bernard with a new tutorial on creating complex sounds and morphing between them with Reason's Combinator. Dig the new intro:
"Propellerhead's product specialist James Bernard shows you how to use the Combinator to control multiple parameters on a Reason synth to give you quick access to complex sound manipulation. Assign a few knobs and buttons and you'll be able to quickly morph your sounds on the fly in your music!" -Propellerhead
Download linke of James' Combinators:
http://www.propellerheads.se/stuff/RSD6.zip
"Propellerhead's product specialist James Bernard shows you how to use the Combinator to control multiple parameters on a Reason synth to give you quick access to complex sound manipulation. Assign a few knobs and buttons and you'll be able to quickly morph your sounds on the fly in your music!" -Propellerhead
Download linke of James' Combinators:
http://www.propellerheads.se/stuff/RSD6.zip
Thursday, March 8
Introducing The Ladder
One of the most interesting things about this video is announcing The Ladder as the first in the 500 Series! Having played with a Moog Modular in college this idea has me fired up ;-). Dig it:
"The Ladder brings a new dynamic dimension to the 500 Series. It smooths out the harshest of tracks and adds warmth and body to any sound. The Ladder excites dull or lifeless tracks, and has the power to shape sound in a way that is excitingly unique." -Moog
"The Ladder brings a new dynamic dimension to the 500 Series. It smooths out the harshest of tracks and adds warmth and body to any sound. The Ladder excites dull or lifeless tracks, and has the power to shape sound in a way that is excitingly unique." -Moog
Wednesday, March 7
MOOG SOUND LAB Season 2: Megafaun-Hope You Know
Have to admit I'd never heard of Megafaun before, but I'm digging this track, "Hope You Know", performed live in the Moog Sound Lab last year shortly after Moogfest:
Tuesday, March 6
Drum Synthesis 101 with FXpansion Tremor - Realistic Snare
Episode 4 of FXpansion's Drum Synthesis 101 series deals with creating realistic snares. While this tutorial is using FXpansion's killer Tremor Synthetic Drum Machine much of the information is useful for creating sounds in other programs, like say Kong! Check it:
Monday, March 5
Moog Minitaur Analog Bass Synth with Critter and Guitari Pocket Piano
Big City Music triggering the new Moog Music Minitaur analog bass synthesizer by the Critter and Guitari Pocket Piano MIDI:
Reaktor Keyed Melody Gin
Here's a Reaktor ensemble based on the Dewanatron Melody Gin available to download from the Reaktor Library. Ensemble designed by Trevor Gavilan of Nematic Labs. Check it:
Sunday, March 4
Ai Weiwei - Ordos 100 REMIX by DJ Spooky
Ordos 100 Remix by the legendary DJ Spooky! Watch the original Ordos 100 documentary for more information on this amazing project. Check the remix:
Dataline - Wait Till End...Elektron Trinity Performance
Incredible live performance by Dataline on Elektron's Octatrack, Machinedrum and Monomachine with Teenage Engineering's OP1:
Saturday, March 3
Slew Harmonic Modulated Lush
kuxaansum posted this exceptional video of a Roland TB-303 being fed into an Eventide PItchfactor (using the HarModulator & Diatonic effects), the Line 6 Pocket Pod is being used only for monitoring and recording. Cool:
Skywarp V.1 Reaktor Additive Synth!
New Additive Synth for Reaktor made by anagram:
Skywarp is the second ensemble of the Transformers series. It is a polyphonic additive synthesizer that can morph between four sounds for each preset. The morphing capabilities are inspired by FM8 and by Stephan Schmitt’s ensemble Scanner and can be controlled by hand, by MIDI or via automation using the same modulation network as Optimus Prime.
Download Skywarp today @ salamanderanagram.wordpress.com/
Friday, March 2
Reason Basics - Mastering
Here's a 40 plus minute tutorial on mastering in Reason with the M-Class Mastering Suite, the Reason 6 Mixer and finally mastering with Reason in Ableton Live using Rewire! Big ups to reasonmastaa who shot and shared this video youtube. Dig it:
Thursday, March 1
Prophet-5 rev 2
lesingemonotone stroking the Prophet 5:
"Testing out a newly restored Sequential Prophet-5 rev 2. Korg Polysix provides background arpeggio." -lesingemonotone
"Testing out a newly restored Sequential Prophet-5 rev 2. Korg Polysix provides background arpeggio." -lesingemonotone
MOOG SOUND LAB Season 2: Little Dragon - Little Man
I've been in love with Yukimi Nagano ever since hearing SBTRKT's "Wildfire", here she is fronting Little Dragon in the Moog Sound Lab:
"Little Dragon came by the Moog Factory in Asheville, NC to reinvent their song Little Man from their latest album Ritual Union.
Little Dragon came in for a session during Moogfest 2011. Sadly, their bass player fell ill during the festival and they were unable to perform their full set that evening. Luckily, their soundman filled in on bass parts with the Little Phatty for the Moog Sound Lab session and we got a gem of a performance.
Little Dragon front-woman Yukimi Nagano sings through an Analog Delay Moogerfooger, adding warmth and a low-fi slap-back to her sultry voice.
Keyboardist Hakan Wirenstrand masterfully plays the Minimoog Voyager XL. Using an Analog Delay Moogerfooger, he doubles the sound of the XL to make a rhythmic doubling effect, as he opens and closes the 2 Moog Ladder filters with the cutoff knob.
Little Dragon's sound man, Crispin Anderson sat in for bassist Fredrick Kallgren for this session. He holds down the song with thick bass lines on the Little Phatty
Drummer Eric Bodin plays a driving beat with 3 Minimoog Voyager Rack Mounts using Trap-Kat drum pads to control each Voyager separately
See more of the sound lab series at http://www.moogmusic.com/sight-and-sound/sound_lab/"
-Moog
"Little Dragon came by the Moog Factory in Asheville, NC to reinvent their song Little Man from their latest album Ritual Union.
Little Dragon came in for a session during Moogfest 2011. Sadly, their bass player fell ill during the festival and they were unable to perform their full set that evening. Luckily, their soundman filled in on bass parts with the Little Phatty for the Moog Sound Lab session and we got a gem of a performance.
Little Dragon front-woman Yukimi Nagano sings through an Analog Delay Moogerfooger, adding warmth and a low-fi slap-back to her sultry voice.
Keyboardist Hakan Wirenstrand masterfully plays the Minimoog Voyager XL. Using an Analog Delay Moogerfooger, he doubles the sound of the XL to make a rhythmic doubling effect, as he opens and closes the 2 Moog Ladder filters with the cutoff knob.
Little Dragon's sound man, Crispin Anderson sat in for bassist Fredrick Kallgren for this session. He holds down the song with thick bass lines on the Little Phatty
Drummer Eric Bodin plays a driving beat with 3 Minimoog Voyager Rack Mounts using Trap-Kat drum pads to control each Voyager separately
See more of the sound lab series at http://www.moogmusic.com/sight-and-sound/sound_lab/"
-Moog
Synchronicity II
Growing up one of my favorite bands during my grade school years was The Police. Their mix of reggae beats with new wave seemed so different and fresh compared with the majority of music being played on commercial radio in the 1980s... Now I have to admit The Police aren't on my regular rotation any more, but this morning I ran across audio from the 1983 Synchronicity Tour rehearsal on youtube (thanks POLICEchout!) and it got me thinking about music I enjoyed in my youth. Guilty pleasure or musical DNA? What are some of your early favs and do you still listen to them on a regular basis? Synchronicity II:
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