Analog Theory!

 

A few months back I reviewed Korg's Monopoly Rack Extension for Rack Extension Review.com, giving the Monopoly 4 out of 5 stars. One of the main reasons being it's lack of Combinator patches, "and with 4 CV inputs on the back this was a real missed opportunity to showcase what the Mono/Poly could do in the Reasonverse." Well, Nucleus SoundLab has filled that void today with the amazing Analog Theory ReFill for the Monopoly RE!

Nucleus SoundLab CEO Jeremy Janzen shares the backstory:

"Back at Winter NAMM 2014 I had the pleasure to meet Kazuhito Inoue, a talented synth designer that works for Korg Japan. He is responsible in part for the wonderful Korg Rack Extensions MonoPoly and Polysix, as well as the incredible Reason-esque iOS synth workstation Korg Gadget. What really struck me was how passionate Inoue-san was about synthesis, and about trying new approaches like Gadget.

That meeting inspired me to create a ReFill for Korg MonoPoly that we are releasing today - Analog Theory. MonoPoly is such an amazingly immediate synth to work with - it's actually somewhat hard to make a bad sound! But we didn't settle for quick, average sounds. Analog Theory is filled with Combinators that are very advanced and really show off the modular power of the Reason environment. Of course, it's much easier to hear this, than describe it in text, so be sure to check out the audio/video demos!

Well, there isn't much more to say on this topic. I hope you enjoy Analog Theory!"

The reFill comes with over 100 unique combinators designed by veteran Reason sound designers, including two of my favourites - Tom Pritchard and Adam Fielding! I also designed a number of patches for this project, one of which can be heard in the promo video at around 4:30:

 

 

Analog Theory can be yours $39 USD today from Nucleus-SoundLab.com!

 

 

The DS-10 is Back!

 

Jetdaisuke checks out the new Korg DSN-12 for Nintendo 3DS:

 

 

Mono/Poly RE Review on REReview.com!

Posted a brand new article on RackExtensionReview.com today on the mighty Korg Mono/Poly RE for Reason! Check it out!

Korg MS-20 mini (Part II & III)

The new Korg MS-20 mini just may be my X-mas gift to myself:

 

Korg Volca Keys - Sonic Lab Review

Sonic State finally looks at the Volca Keys box from Korg:

"The last of the Volca reviews, be sure to check out our other reviews. Volca Keys is a 3 voice analogue synth capable of the 3 voice poly operation. astonishing in such a small, cost effective package."

 

Random Volca Vids

Like many of you I am looking forward to getting my hands on the new Korg Volca series, particularly the Beats and Keys boxes. Below are a couple of new videos uploaded to youtube from users PerseusTraxx and Maochi Hanayagi. Dig it:

 

Korg Volca Beats and XOXBOX with effects. Acid recorded to tape:

 

Korg Volca Beats + Keys:

 

Korg Volca Bass - Sonic LAB Review

Sonic State checks out the Volca Bass - Analogue Bass Machine:

"We take a look at the Korg Volca Bass, a three oscillator analog mini synth. Part of the impressive Volca range that has been rocking the synth world."

SonicLab look at the Korg Volca Beats

The first in depth look at the new Korg Volca Beats comes courtesy of SonicState.com:

"First of the three Volcas to come under our beady eye, its a low-cost analogue drum machine with 6 analogue voices and 4 PCM."

Sonic State's Korg Volca Preview

Korg's Volca series has myself and many people I know excited, here's Sonic State's preview of the boxes:

 

UJIIE demos the Korg Volca series and OP-1!

Katsunori UJIIE posted a couple new demos on the musictrackjp youtube page, further showing why his demos are the best on the web, even if you have no idea what he's saying:

 

 

 

how-to KORG MS-20 mini - Part3:オシレーター -

Part 3 in the Japanese language MS-20 mini tutorials:

"アナログ・シンセサイザー MS-20 mini のハウトゥをご紹介。Part3「オシレーター」編"

 

KORG RHYTHM 55 KR-55 Vintage Rhythm Box 1979 | HD DEMO

AnalogAudio1 showcasing the classic Korg KR-55 Rhythm Box:

"The Korg Rhythm 55 (KR-55) is a non programmable analog rhythm box from 1979. The KR-55 and its little brother KR-33 were the successors of the Korg Minipops series. Same knobs as on the MS/PS-series. The sound of the hi hats is more complex - similar to those on the Roland TR-808/606.

The KR-55 has some special features: a TRIG OUT jack including several triggering modes, SHUFFLE function and volume faders for the most drum sounds.

The rhythms are not mixable like on earlier Korg rhythm boxes (Minipops series). TEMPO and VOLUME controls. It was used by Jean-Michel Jarre (Magnetic Fields) and Depeche Mode (Speak and Spell) among others. It has a very characteristic sound - it sounds fantastic!"

 

Introducing Volca

Korg posted a trio of introductory videos for the forthcoming Volca tribe:

Bass:

Beats:

Keys:

MS20 Mini Filter and Modulation Generator HD Demonstration

DV247, a UK based music retailer, checks out the Korg MS20 mini's filter and modulation generator in this new video:

 

Update:

KingKorg Demo!

The Korg MS-20 mini has seen a lot of love on youtube, so it's great to see Rich Formidoni show off the new Korg VA synth for Kraft Music:

Sonic Lab Korg MS20 mini Review!

Nick Batt takes a look at the Korg MS20 mini:

"Korg's latest analog baby is actually something we've seen before (in 1977!) The MS20 Mini is an exact replica of the classic monosynth - lets see how it compares."

how-to KORG MS-20 mini - Part1:ノーマル・セッティング -

Korg has started making how to videos for the coming MS-20 mini, this one below in Japanese. Which is a good thing, because let's face it, these are going to sell like hotcakes and then messageboards are going to be lit up with people saying "I don't get it, it only makes three sounds?"

Korg MS20 Mini Processed by Elektron Analog Four

Mr.Dataline pairs the MS20 mini with an Elektron Analog Four, a match made in heaven:

"There are 5 improvisation sessions in this video using this setup.

Analog Four is sending out CV sequence for pitch tracking, low pass filter and high pass filter on the MS20 mini. The output of the MS20 is then fed through the Analog Four's input using Filters, Overdrive and Digital effects. With this setting, the MS20 mini can be taken lot further by sequencing and adding automation to parameters. And when the Analog Four's Filters and Digital FX are added...well, its fun :) Using the Analog Four's extreme LFOs on MS20 Mini's filters results in some very interesting sounds which are not possible on the MS20 mini itself.

Track 1 is used for Analog four's input processing MS20. It also triggers the CV track controlling MS20's Pitch.

Track 2 is used for Kick

Track 3 is set for HiHats and Snares

Track 4 is used for Additional Analog Four synthesis."

MS20 mini VCO & VCF Test

Rishabh Rajan tests out the new Korg MS20 mini with Ableton Live's Push Controller:

"Testing out the oscillators and filters on the new Korg MS-20 Mini. The notes are not played in realtime. Its coming from Ableton via the USB-MIDI input on the MS-20 mini."

Global Sounds - Wavedrum

The new Korg Wavedrum looks like it would be a lot of fun to play! Just wish it had MIDI:

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