Tuesday, January 31, 2012

In Case You Missed It: Madeon's Live DJ Set


In case you missed out on Madeon's incredible live show this weekend, you can listen to it here.  The French wunderkind laid out an awesome 20 minute set which demonstrates perfectly why he's so popular globally.  He closed the set out with his awesome Pop Culture remix, which might be his most well known work currently-- but there is plenty more in store for Madeon this year.  I'd hope he'd make his way over to the US this summer, but we can only dream for the time being.  Listen to the set above.

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

The MiniBrute: Has Arturia stolen the NAMM 2012 show already?


Pocket Piano MIDI = Round 2


Always love n3bsvid's videos over on YouTube and this one has got me impressed with the Critter and Guitari Pocket Piano, which is the little digital synth on the left side being controlled via MIDI by a Moog Little Phatty.  Check out the serene sounds of this sick little synth.  You can get it over at the Critter and Guitari website if you're so inclined (don't be afraid to mention this blog sending you there!)  This synth definitely shows that great things can come in small packages, and that digital synths can sound warm as anything.  Don't forget to hit up n3bvid's youtube channel for more great synth demos.

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

How To Make Skrillex's Summit Lead


I've been following YouTube user PhortySiks for some time now, checking out his videos where he breaks down how to make certain synth sounds (mainly rave and dubstep type stuff).  He's actually pretty talented at getting it close, and he uses all soft synths from what I can see.  Here he is making the new Skrillex track's lead in Massive.  This is a pretty great track and features Ellie Goulding.  Compare the PhortySiks' to the original below.  I tried this sound out on a standard analog synth, and you can get pretty close as well.

Nord Drum Synth Revealed

Via Matrixsynth


Nord Drum
4 Channel Virtual Analog Drum Synthesizer

"Clavia releases Nord Drum Virtual Analog Drum Synthesizer

The Nord Drum is a revolutionary 4-channel drum synthesizer that is the result of a creative collaboration between Clavia and drum/music technology enthusiasts Bruniusson & Berg. With an amazingly vast sonic palette and an astounding level of playability it is guaranteed to change your perception of what’s possible with synthetic, sample-free percussion.


The Nord Drum lets you create classic retro-futuristic percussion with analog waveforms or use the harmonically complex waveforms together with different colors of noise for results that both sound and respond stunningly organic. The Nord Drum is designed with the performing musician in mind and its extreme dynamic range and super-fast triggering add to the feeling of playing a real instrument.


4 high-sensitivity inputs and MIDI lets you play the Nord Drum with a wide range of Electronic Drum Pads, Acoustic Drum Triggers and MIDI-pads/Sequencers for easy integration into any existing drum-kit or the starting point for something completely new…



The Nord Drum will be shown at the AM&S Nord Booth #6464 at NAMM Show 2012"


I gotta be honest, it's not quite as cool as I was hoping it would be, but it still has potential.  I was hoping for a full on digital version of the Tempest... but apparently not everyone is on to the genius of Dave Smith and Roger Linn.  I'd have to try one before I made a judgement though.  I wish it had some step programming...

Monday, January 16, 2012

Five G Synth Shop, Harajuku


Here's an awesome synth/ electronic musical instrument in Japan called Five G.  This is their website, although I can't read any of it.  I'm not sure how many Japanese readers I have, but I know that synthesizers are very popular in Japan.  Looks as though they have just about everything.

Via Reddit r/synthesizers

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Reaching Out (Fred Falke remix)



Fred Falke does it again with this awesome remix of Nero.  Check out the great Hall and Oates sample.  There's also apparently a Kano sample, but I've never heard them.  Falke hasn't lost any steam after years of great production.  A great way to kick of 2012, I think...

Reaching Out (Fred Falke remix)

The Year of the Drum Machine: Clavia Nord releasing a new drum machine?


Clavia Nord released this teaser image for NAMM coming up, which shows off a new piece of gear that looks alot like our friend Dave Smith's Tempest.  Could this be a lower cost drum machine?  Is Nord taking a stab at DSI?  More importantly, will it be a standard drum machine type, or some sort of machine playable with sticks, as one of their other images hints at?  I hope it's a standard drum machine-- not all of us can afford fancy Tempests, and Nord would certainly be cheaper if it were digital.


news/images via MATRIXSYNTH

SynthMania quick tip #3 - the 1980s bouncy octave bass



Ever wondered how to get easy 80s style bass octaves? This quick video from SynthMania showcases the easiest way to perform those classic bass octaves.

Monday, January 9, 2012

ARP Odyssey


I haven't mentioned ARP much on this blog, but not because I'm not a fan-- just way out of my price range.  The 2600 is a legend of epic size, sound, and price.  Here's the Odyssey, famously used by Daft Punk, among many others.  Would love to see someone make a modern day equivalent of it.

Sunday, January 8, 2012

Ra Ra Riot in the Moog Sound Lab

Ra Ra Riot Oh La from Moog Music on Vimeo.

I'm an old Ra Ra Riot fan, and this performance in the Moog Sound Lab is stellar.  Check it out.

The Way (Lightwaves Remix)

The Way (Lightwaves Remix) by Shes the Queen

Check out a newly released remix by Lightwaves of She's the Queen's "The Way".

Thursday, January 5, 2012

First Moog Minitaur Videos


Minitaur Quick Demo from Moog Music on Vimeo.

You'll see the Minitaur now up on Moog's Official site with a full press release, but I prefer this video showing off the beast being used.  Awesome!


Wednesday, January 4, 2012

New Moog Module: The Minitaur


Not much to say here.  Just found out through the vintagesynth.com forums (via TheKeytarist via Mr. Arkadin on the Moog forum) ... should be properly announced at NAMM.  Rumored price: $600.  Let's hope-- This could mean a Moog for almost every producer!

More Info via ProAudioStar:

Product Description for the Moog MINITAUR

The MINITAUR is a compact table-top monophonic MIDI-and-CV-controllable analog bass synthesizer module with a 100% analog audio signal path, based on the design of the Taurus 3 bass synthesizer.

SCI Prophet VS + Roland Juno-60 + Moog Source



I'm a sucker for the Moog Source. What Can I say.

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Minimoog Model D vs Moog Voyager Comparison



Now, I'm a big Moog fan, but I wonder if the day came where I wanted to buy a Minimoog, if I would go vintage or new. This video shows off a nice demonstration of the two compared side by side. The MIDI and additional options on the Voyager are great, but the Model D will always win out for its fuzzier sound. Even so, both would sound great. I did find an article comparing the actual waveforms along with the Little Phatty, but can't seem to find it now... hrm...

Master Drum Pad Playing


I've always wondered how performers get really good at the drum pads.  They're kind of unusual as they don't really equate to any other instrument so easily... a bit like keyboards meets drumming for your fingers.  I found this excellent video through Reddit that I thought I'd share.  Try it out on your new drum machine gifts!  Perfect for anyone who got a Tempest recently...