Synth Geekery 234

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In episode 234 we talked about the latest products that have been release prior to NAMM2024! 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.

Your Host

Ranzee (Ranz Adamson) is your show host. He’s based in Perth, Western Australia and has been a hobbyist musician and technologist for most of his life. More information can be found about him here.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/ranzee

BandCamp: https://ranzee.bandcamp.com

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.

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.

Youtube: https://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

Chris – Maikshifter

Chris is a musician and technologist from Perth, Western Australia. He’s always had a love for creating and tinkering with music electronics and has recently embarked on a new journey creating eurorack modules.

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Maikshifter

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

Yamaha SEQTRAK

The latest offering from Yamaha, the SEQTRAK is a groove box style music production system. It features 11 tracks – 7 Drums, 1 x FM Synth, 2 x WMS2 Synth, and 1 x Sampler Plus Effects and Mixer/Performance features. It is a mobile device with built-in speakers, plus a rechargable battery which lastes 3-4 hours. There are extensive sounds with samples, 4 Operator FM synth and huge AWM2 sounds with over 2000 presets (392 can be added via the App). Plus there’s an inbuilt sampler with microphone. You can also record via the audio input at 44.1/16-bit format. The inbuilt sequencer enables you to create 11 tracks 8 bars of up to 128 steps which can be arranged into patterns, remixes and performance play – up to 8 projects (via the App). Built-in FX include 12 types of Reverb, 9 types of Delay, plus 85 types of Master FX including EQ, Filters for each track. There’s a companion sound editing App which also has a visualizer. Connect to the SEQTRAK via Bluetooth MIDI, Wifi for file transfers, MIDI I/O, USB-C and AUX connections. Maximum polyphony AWM2: 128 and FM: 8.

Price: $599 USD

Link: https://au.yamaha.com/en/products/music_production/music-production-studios/seqtrak/index.html

BlueCat Audio Fader Hub

Jam or collab with your music pals using the new fader hub. It is a network mixing and streaming software that provides an easy solution to play and record with other musicians on a local network or thru the Internet in real time.

Price: $79 USD

Link: https://au.yamaha.com/en/products/music_production/music-production-studios/seqtrak/index.html

Korg KR-11

A new compact rhythm box from Korg. The KR-11 offers 126 patterns and 252 fills. It has two pedal controls and runs on battery or DC power. The main selection knob lets you choose 9 rhythm modes plus a metronome and a user mode. Each genre has 14 variations for a total of 126 distinct patterns. The user mode lets you save up to 14 unique patterns.There are 16 velocity sensitive pads which trigger sounds – with two fill pads. There’s also an inbuilt speaker with Acoustage Bass* technology, plus a headphone/line-out jack for external audio output.

Price: $110 USD

Link: https://www.korg.com/au/products/drums/kr_11/

Korg MicroKorg 2

A new microKORG with 8 voices, a new vocal engine, looper, new effects and a 2.8 OLED display for editing.

Price: $699

Link: https://www.korg.com/au/products/synthesizers/microkorg2/

Korg KingKorg Neo

New compact size – XMT sound engine, vocoder. 300 programs (100 user). Multiple OLED displays. 24 voice poly. 3 oscillators types: analog, noise, DWGS, PCM and MIC IN (138 types to choose from). 1 filter with 18 Modelled filters types: MS-20, TB-303, MiniMoog, SEM, Prophet 5. Virtual patch systems. Split/layers. Arpeggiator, FX. AND 2 LFOs!!

Price: $999 USD

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

Boss Vocal Performer VE-22

Create Harmonies, vocal FX and standard FX with the 3 foot switch pedal from Boss.

Price: $599

Link: https://www.boss.info/us/products/ve-22/

Korg NTS-3 Kaoss Pad Kit

It’s an effects unit with the Kaoss XY pad. Enabling you to play up to 4 effects at the same time. It has editing options enabling you to customise the effects.

Price: $170 USD

Link: https://www.korg.com/au/products/dj/nts_3/

Korg NTS-1 MkII Digital Kit

The new NTS-1 boasts a new keyboard, built-in sequencer, fresh sounds, and expanded MIDI capabilities. There’s a new processor and new SDK. The keyboard is 18-key multitouch.

Price: $170 USD

Link: https://www.korg.com/au/products/synthesizers/nts_1_mk2/

Korg Modules: Wavestate, Modwave, OPSix

Blurb

Price: $649 USD

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

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

Link: https://www.korg.com/us/products/synthesizers/opsix_module/

Erica Synths MegaRack

8 Rows of 126 HP with 12Amps of power!

Price: $1699 USD

Link: https://www.ericasynths.lv/shop/enclosures/studio/erica-synths-megasystem/

Price Watch

Find below images and links to the items we showed for the price watch segment.

Electronic Music Laboratories EMS 500 Electrocomp Synthesizerhttps://reverb.com/item/78251963-electronic-music-laboratories-ems-500-electrocomp-synthesizer-70s-aluminum
Custom Korg Poly-800 with Filter and Chorus Modshttps://reverb.com/item/78247254-custom-korg-poly-800-with-filter-and-chorus-mods
Sequential Prophet 2002 Rack Mounthttps://www.ebay.com/itm/225965705984
Roland GR-500 Guitar Synthesizer with GS-500 Guitar and 24 pin cablehttps://www.ebay.com/itm/176190146039
KORG 800DVhttps://www.ebay.com/itm/186260319843
Moog Sonic Sixhttps://reverb.com/item/78207346-moog-sonic-six-1972-1979-blue

Name That Synth

No name that synth this week – send one in!

If you are after more information about Name that Synth – please check out this page here.

Saturday Sonority

This week’s Saturday Sonority we might talking about …..