Synth Geekery 248

In episode 248 we talked about synths, eurorack, sequencers, drum machines, samplers, effects and software! 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.

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

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

Elektron Digitakt II

Improved memory and stereo samples. 400MB internal sample memory and 20GB of internal storage.
Features:
————
Digital drum computer & stereo sampler
16 audio tracks – for stereo or mono samples, or MIDI
Swappable filters: 1 Base-width filter and then 1 from Multi-mode, Low pass 4, Comb, EQ, or Legacy LP/HP
3 assignable LFOs per track
Delay, reverb, chorus, bit reduction, sample reduction, and overdrive per track
Updated modular workflow
Euclidean sequence generator
128-step Elektron sequencer
Expanded memory and power
4 × Trig modes
Song Mode

Check out the differences:

More information on this article here.

Price:

Link: https://www.elektron.se/en/digitakt-ii-explorer

Behringer CU1A – Eurorack Audio Interface

Audio interface connects your modular setup with your computer for recording and playback
High-resolution 48 kHz converters for high-end audio quality
Works with your PC or Mac computer—no setup or drivers required
Stereo headphones output with dedicated Level control lets you monitor both input and output
Powered via USB Type C – no power absorbed from your modular system
Eurorack specs: 6 HP, 0 mA +12 V, 0 mA -12 V

Price:

Link:

Mantee

4-part 10 to 16-voice spectral synthesizer module, with full support of MPE (MIDI Polyphonic Expression).

This instrument offers original & innovative synthesis options thanks to the spectral engine, a smart blend between additive and wavetable synthesis, granting the adventurous musician the possibility to sculpt and articulate his sound from the tone spectral level.

Manatee also includes more traditionnal – Virtual Analog, Waveform and 2-Operator FM – algorithms to either complement the spectral oscillator or to be used solo.

Each voice holds 2x oscillators, an advanced noise & ring modulator, a multimode resonant filter (12, 24 dB / Octave) with extra RC section, a wild saturator module, 2x meta-envelopes + 1x custom-LFO and a classic modulation matrix. In addition to the hardwired routing, each modulation source can target many parameters and the intensity of the modulation be controlled by any available expressor (MIDI CC, Aftertouch…).

Each part carries the spectral maker, 2x custom-LFOs, a versatile stereo delay and finally 2x adjustable stereo equalisers.

A master quality reverberation module with several models (hall, plate, room …) is also included as an insert mixing effect.

Price: €799

Link: https://fredslab.net/en/manatee-module.php

OsTIrus – Access Virus TI emulator

Access Virus TI emulator VST synthesizer. You’ll need an OG firmware (Access owners only).

Price: Free (requires firmware ROM)

Link: https://dsp56300.wordpress.com/ostirus-downloads/

PolyUAnalog

DIY analog polyphonic synthesizer project.

Price: Free (DIY Build)

Link: https://github.com/PhysicsDptAngers/polyUAnalog/

Korg Kaoss Replay – Firmware 2.2

Version2.2 :

[Kaoss Pad Effect]

The number of programs has been increased (128 -> 209).

[Trigger Pad]

Trigger Threshold parameter was added. (off , 1 , … , 127).

[VARIABLE PITCH] Specifications changed. When Variable Pitch Mode is ON, the pitch changes for the Trigger Pad for which Variable Pitch is specified.The Pitch changes according to the ratio of the Native BPM to the BPM Out value.

[SYNC] Specifications changed.The ON/OFF toggle of [SYNC] is immediately reflected.

Pads can be pre-assigned to specific Group/Mute/Solo/VariablePitch even when there is no audio clip registered in the Trigger Pad.

The value range of Quantize Resolution has been expanded.

Added a parameter to set the time signature.

The Value range of the Level parameter in Trigger Pad Edit has been expanded.

In addition, the Level parameter of Audio Clip can be edited directly on the KAOSS PAD screen without having to go to the edit screen.

[Trigger Pad Utility]

Extended TRIGGER PAD COPY functionality. Normalize, Reverse, and PitchChange functions added.

Extended Import Audio Clip function. Import of 44.1kHz/24bit and 48kHz/24bit WAV is supported. PlayMode (1-SHOT/LOOP/SONG) and GateON/OFF settings for import can now be set in advance.

[Sampling/Resampling]

Added Sampling Precount parameter.

A Free Beat setting has been added to start Loop Sampling without having to decide on the number of beats in advance.

Press the [QUANTIZE] key to turn it on, quantize is also effective for sampling.

A metronome sound function is added during sampling.

A parameter has been added to allow the user to set whether or not to transition to playback at the end of Loop Sampling.

Improved the Sampling/Resampling workflow.

[Other]

Wallpaper display function added. To display a specified BMP file as wallpaper when in KAOSS PAD mode.

[LINE/Phono] and [MIC] Key settings are recalled on boot.

Price: Free

Link: https://www.korg.com/us/support/download/product/0/930/

BlueARP DM Firmware 2.5.3

BlueARP DM Firmware update containing all the new features and fixes from BlueARP plugin version 2.5.x: drum sequencer mode, chain variations, various GUI and workflow improvements.

Price: Free

Link: https://omg-instruments.com/wp/?p=537

Price Watch

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

Moog Satellitehttps://reverb.com/item/81775328-moog-satellite
Moog Micromooghttps://reverb.com/item/81760172-1970s-moog-micromoog-synthesizer-serial-no-5591-serviced
Korg 770https://reverb.com/item/81762138-korg-770-analog-synthesizer-1970s-black
Roland TB-303https://reverb.com/item/81756589-roland-tb-303-bassline-original-no-mods-with-extras

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 …..