Otamatone Jumbo!

I picked up an Otamatone in Japan earlier this year (now available at Amazon and as an iPhone ap), but I wish they had one of these - the Otamatone Jumbo!.......

"Otamatone Jumbo!" > read the full post

Korg iMS-20: Transform your iPad into a complete analog synth studio

Korg has just released another virtual instrument for the iPad - the Korg iMS-20, a software recreation of the classic Korg MS-20 analog synthesizer.......

According to Korg, the Korg iMS-20 "transforms your iPad into a complete analog synth studio."

Product Highlights:

- A complete recreation of the legendary Korg MS-20 analog synth

- Built-in 16-step analog sequencer to control the sound

- Music production studio with the MS-20 mono synth, a six-part drum machine, and a mixer

- Kaoss Pad function allows intuitive performance and control

- Publish and share your iMS-20 songs online with the SoundCloud audio platform

More details on specifications here, and buy it here.



"Korg iMS-20: Transform your iPad into a complete analog synth studio" > read the full post

All Glory to the Hypnotoad

This guy has figured out how to get that hypnotoad sound - and written a pretty cool article about how he did it. Well worth a read for the synth heads and Futurama fans among you.....

And for the rest of you, here's a classic episode of Everybody Loves Hypnotoad......

"All Glory to the Hypnotoad" > read the full post

Native Instruments - The Mouth

Really cool, or the end of all civilisation?....

New from Tim Exile, the Mouth is the sequel to the Finger. A cross between a harmoniser, a vocoder and a synth, it tracks the pitch of the incoming signal, and uses it to create very cool effects.

Check out the details here, but not before watching this video!

"Native Instruments - The Mouth" > read the full post

SampleTank Free

It's back!

For a free version of a synth, it's packed with features:

• Over 500 MB samples for over 200 sounds included
• 16 part multitimbral with easy layerable/mixable parts
• 3 synth engines: 
- STRETCH™ (formant preserving pitch-shift/time-stretch)
- Polyphonic Pitch-Shift/Time-Stretch (PS/TS)
- Resampling
• The most powerful multi-effects section in a virtual instrument:
- 5 insert effects per Part
- 5 Send effects
- Master effects
• 33 built-in DSP effects derived from award winning audio processors like T-RackS and AmpliTube
• Part and Master Loop Sync
• Can be expanded with: SampleTank 2.5 L and XL sounds and any "Powered by SampleTank" sound modules including Miroslav Philharmonik, Sonik Synth 2, SampleMoog, SampleTron
• Can be expanded with any Xpansion Tank 2 sounds
• Imports WAV, AIFF, SDII, AKAI S-1000/3000, SAMPLECELL
• Available both as a standalone application as well as a plug-in
• VST, RTAS, and AU on Mac OS X/Windows

Head here to download.

"SampleTank Free" > read the full post

Slim Phatty

Oooh, it looks nice....
Check out the Moog site for details, or watch this video.....





"Slim Phatty" > read the full post

Native Instruments Komplete 7 Players - for free!

Native Instruments are giving away Kontakt Player, Guitar Rig 4 Player, Reaktor 5 Player and Kore 2 Player for free.......

Just head here to start your download.

They're obviously all cut down from the full versions (e.g. Guitar Rig 4 Player only has one amp and one cab), but you can't complain at this price!

Their server seems to be having a few difficulties at the moment, so it might take a while to get through, but keep on trying, it'll be worth it.....

"Native Instruments Komplete 7 Players - for free!" > read the full post

Korg M01 Music Workstation sequencer for the DS

Though it's not the first music sequencer for a hand-held gaming console (I remember spending hours playing with Pocket Music for the Game Boy Advance - with real Eminem samples!), but the Korg M01 Music Workstation looks like something special....

Check out the vid to see it in action.
The specs include:

300 original M1 PCM Sounds

8x multi timbral

8 track 16 step sequencer

1 sequence max 64 pattern,

max polyphonic sound 12

master reverb, delay effect

track overview, sound browser, sequence edit, mixer and keyboard.

Simple and functional display

notes/chords,/drum input mode by touch control

data exchange by wireless transmit

drag & drop transpose

sustained notes

No UK release date, (it's an amazon.jp exclusive at the moment), but we can hope!

"Korg M01 Music Workstation sequencer for the DS" > read the full post

Free Commodore 64 Synth (Windows only)

De La Mancha created Basic 64: a free software synth inspired by the 8-bit sounds of the classic Commodore 64. It's available as a free VST download for Windows. No Mac version, so I haven't tried it yet... but if you do, feel free to comment! Read on for details.




Features include:

• 6, 8, or 16 bit sound quality
• 3 oscillators, with individual ADSR envelopes
• Oscillators can be sync'd and ring-modulated by each other
• Pitch envelope modulation
• Pitch wobble option
• 2 tempo-sync LFOs to modulate pitch, cut-off and pulse width
• LFOs have attack/release curves
• Tempo-sync arpeggiator
• Flexible routing to state variable filter (LP, HP, BP)
• Envelopes can be reset or continuous at retrigger
• Monophonic / polyphonic option
• MIDI learn / MIDI CC support
• 128 presets by sinkmusic & WhiskeyPriest

Get Basic 64 here.

"Free Commodore 64 Synth (Windows only)" > read the full post

Pay what you want, for Planet Earth

Camel Audio has released Planet Earth: a new sample library featuring sounds for electronica, ambient, and dance music producers. Until the end of August you can choose what you want to pay for it - as little as £1! By default, the amount paid is split equally between Friends of the Earth charity, and Camel Audio - but you can tweak the split any way you like.

You get 150 sounds + Alchemy Player VST/AU instrument offering a further 150 sounds.

For audio samples and details, visit Camel Audio.









"Pay what you want, for Planet Earth" > read the full post

Max Fuel, the First

Puremagnetik has released Max Fuel, the First, a bundle of ten highly refined Max For Live devices, created to work in Live for production & performance, bringing the deeper potential of Max For Live to the end-user without the need to learn Max. The devices fall into three categories: Software Instruments, Audio Effects, and Control Devices. Presets, devices racks, and clip examples are all included in the package.

Retails for $38 (£24).

To learn more, and watch the introductory video, go here.




"Max Fuel, the First" > read the full post

iVoxel Singing Vocoder for iPhone and iPad

Here's the rather cool singing vocoder from VirSin. It comes with a stack of samples, with the ability to record your own. Instant Daft Punk vocals!

Pretty awesome, but I so wish this was available as a plug-in!

"iVoxel Singing Vocoder for iPhone and iPad" > read the full post

Herbie and Quincy...sound like geek names?

I just came across this and I must say there's been quite an improvement from the early days for fans of the wonderful Synthesizer... Just watch this nerdy pair get excited over electric signal shaping and manipulation, the legends that are Herbie Hancock and Quincy jones here and talking about the user interface of a synthesizer and experimenting with a patch or two haha...and that was then imagine what they'd be like now!

"Herbie and Quincy...sound like geek names?" > read the full post

GrainCube: Free Granular Instrument (Reaktor, Lemur)

GrainCube is a free 4-part granular processing instrument with numerous randomizing functions and modulation capabilities. Built on sound designs and conception by sonic renegades Richard Devine and Josh Kay (DevineSound), development by Rick Scott (Rachmiel), with additional programming and GUI tweaks by Igor Shilov (Twisted Tools). An additional version is also available for the JazzMutant Lemur, re-imagined by Antonio Blanca (absoundscapes.com). A dream tool from a dream team!

The tool is free, a gift to people in the Reaktor and Lemur communities: Reaktor 5.x is required, Lemur isn't necessary (but fun).

Seeing work like this is inspirational. I love the sounds, alien and twisted. At its heart, it is a sample map of 400mb of sample material, the sonic raw material for the work. An all-stops-pulled array of randomization and modulation then warps and melts and smelts that into audio ore.

For a sense of the tool in action, read on for the video and download link......



If you're a Reaktor user, grab it here (see "Library").

Lemur template @ Jazz Mutant


"GrainCube: Free Granular Instrument (Reaktor, Lemur)" > read the full post

Build your own valve synth!

The Phantastron is based on a World War 2 radar circuit, and it's available in kit form! Looks cool, and sound pretty cool too, as you can see in this demo video (no expense spared!)......

Only around $195, and comes in 110V and 220V versions. Check out the home page here!

"Build your own valve synth!" > read the full post

Korg Monotron, most hackable synthesizer

"Good news for circuit benders. This is the most hackable synthesizer ever."

Denkitribe pairs the Korg iElectribe for the iPad with the new Korg Monotron analog synth. Check out the video.......




"Korg Monotron, most hackable synthesizer" > read the full post

DIY wireless midi from ADAFRUIT

Two videos here

The first is a demonstration of an inexpensive wireless midi kit which you can build with a kit and instructions from the lovely people at ADAFRUIT Industries (makers of my amazing xOxbOx tb303 clone, among many other things).

The second is an interview with the founder of Adafruit, Limor Fried.
It's worth watching just for the zen enjoyment of wide open space, uncluttered emptyness that you can sense in the presenter's head. Watch her eyes as she tries to keep up with Limor, or when she looks at a circuit board.



This takes a while to appear, slow server I imagine. If you don't see a video below this paragraph, just wait.



You can get more details (full step by step instructions in fact) from http://www.ladyada.net/make/xbee/midibee.html

This interview instead comes from www.rocketboom.com – go there to watch more pretty people talk about technology while wishing they had a job at MTV reporting gossip.



"DIY wireless midi from ADAFRUIT" > read the full post

Turn your iPhone into a Tenori-On style matrix synthesizer

Whether you are an experienced musician or don't have a musical bone in your body, you can make good(?) music on your iPhone or iPod touch, with Aurora - a pattern based, Tenori-On style musical sequencing software.

No details on pricing or release date have been announced yet. Stay tuned for updates, and check out the (very rough) demo video........




"Turn your iPhone into a Tenori-On style matrix synthesizer" > read the full post

Maize Sampler v2.0 - Create Your Own Virtual Instruments

Maize Sampler 2 is a new cross-platform tool for sound developers that lets you create sample-based virtual (VST and Audio Unit) instruments. Read on.....

Maize Sampler v2.0 is now available for $89. You can download a demo for free, and the license unlocks its full feature set. More details and the demo download link are available at the MaizeSoft site.

If you've used it, leave a comment with your thoughts.


"Maize Sampler v2.0 - Create Your Own Virtual Instruments" > read the full post

FM Synthesis Video Tutorials

Brian Trifon presents a 3-part video series of FM synthesis tutorials using Native Instruments FM8. Great videos, and very helpful for anyone interested in FM synthesis, or synthesis in general. They can be easily applied to other synths as well (i.e. not just FM8).

Read on to watch the videos........










"FM Synthesis Video Tutorials" > read the full post