Synth Geekery 184

In episode 184 we are talking about Groove Boxes! Plus all the usual segments! Funny Side, News from the Geekery, Price Watch, Name that Synth …

Show contents:

About the Synth Geekery Show

Synth Geekery is a weekly podcast/live stream (YouTube) show about everything synthesizers, drum machines, samplers, sequencers, eurorack and music technology. We take the “one of the masses” viewpoint, where we are also users of gear just like you (read: we’re not influenced by commercial product placement).

The show relies on the generous contributions of the synth community. You can contribute in many ways including supporting us via our YouTube Channel Membership or Patreon. We also have regular and special video guests: if you would like to take part in future shows – please contact me via email on the about page here.

Guests

This week’s video guests are:

Daren T. Housse

Bandcamp Link: https://darenthousse.bandcamp.com/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLPHxpZgFKKE1wkG9ndto3A

Daren resides in the UK and is one of the first video guests on the show since 2019. He has a large amount of tracks on his youtube channel plus a great album collection over on BandCamp.

Andrew Brooks

Main link https://www.youtube.com/user/sunhoney1uk

BandCamp link: https://andyvonal.bandcamp.com/

Andy resides in the UK and has been a regular member of the show since 2020. He has performed live and offers a wealth of knowledge for live electronic music setups and small studio configurations.

SynthAddict

Andy is a musician and technologist from the bay area in California. He has an amazing collection of music tech gadgets and a large knowledge of synthesizers.

Youtubehttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUtABvP7q29uvLKi73zIjFQ

Ian J. Cole

Ian is a musician, composer, sound designer and producer currently producing solo ambient electronic music. He also runs Sinners Music which is a Record Company and Online Music Retailer in East Yorkshire, England

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/IanJCole

Video replay

Funny Side

The funny side segment is a collection of memes that are somewhat relevant to the synth geekery community. Some of these images are taken from Facebook, Instagram and other social media sources. Please respect the creators. Hope you enjoy this week’s selection:

News from the Geekery

This week we have a big list of new synths and gear:

Eventide H90 Harmonizer

The latest hardware effects pedal from Eventide. The H90 Harmonizer is a vast upgrade to the previous H9 series offering the following features:

  • Preloaded with 62 effect algorithms:
  • 10 new effect algorithms: Polyphony, Prism Shift, Bouquet Delay, Head Space, WeedWacker, Even-Vibe, Wormhole, Instant Flanger, Instant Phaser, and SP2016 Reverb
  • Includes all 52 effect algorithms from the H9 Max Harmonizer with enhanced features and improvements
  • New low-latency Polyphonic Pitch Shifting with SIFT (Spectral Instantaneous Frequency Tracking) technology
  • ARM-based architecture lays the foundation for new and exciting creative effects
  • Use two algorithms at once per Program
  • True spillover between Programs
  • Route effects in series or parallel
  • Instrument or line-level operation
  • Two mono inserts or one stereo insert can be positioned anywhere in the signal chain
  • Dual-mode for processing two independent stereo signals at once
  • Five push-turn knobs for more tactile control
  • Two expression inputs for pedals, up to 3-button auxiliary switches, and CV signals
  • Use H90 Control software to edit Programs, create lists, and update firmware on a Mac or PC
  • Built-in tuner

The notable benefits are large – but so is the price. For those who must have the Eventide digital effects algorithms on a flexible/portable stompbox – this is a no brainer. For those who are more in the studio, perhaps not. Either way – the price may come down in the following months.

Price: $899

Link: https://www.eventideaudio.com/pedals/h90/

Teeneage Engineering Wooden Choir

These products just keep getting weirder … However, someone who like art and music may like these. What are they? They’re wooden figures that produce music from a set of pre-programmed songs, or you can create your own.

Nothing like a smack to get you going? You’ll need to give them a tap, tilt or smack to wake them up and start producing music. They have an inbuilt sensor that reacts to vibrations or movements

Price: $249 each or get all 8

Link: https://teenage.engineering/

Izotope Audiolens

Ian takes us through Izotope Audiolens. A free plugin from Izotope that lets you master your music with reference audio.

Price: Free

Link: https://www.izotope.com/en/products/audiolens.html

Korg Minilogue Bass

It’s a Korg Minilogue with a new paint job and new presets – so really nothing new hardware-wise. Well, there’s also the price:

Price: £649

Link: https://www.korg.com/au/products/synthesizers/minilogue_bass/

Price Watch

This week – we visited a number of auctions, here are the screen grabs:

Saturday Sonority

This week’s Saturday Sonority we were talking about Groove Boxes!