Saturday, March 30, 2013

Fred Falke In The Studio With Future Music [Full Video]


Here's a classic Future Music In the Studio episode with Fred Falke.  Fred is one of my favorites, and getting to see him work is exciting.  He's got the Yamaha CS-80 in his studio, the holy grail of synthesizers.  Check it out.

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

More Korg MS-20 mini videos to count down to release



There's not much in the way of news this week on releases, but the Korg MS-20 mini's first batch is rumored to be headed out next around April 4th.  It's also slowly making the rounds on the typical YouTube synth channels as well, which is a good sign, and an excuse to post more videos.  Here's hoping for few or no delays!



Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Eleven:Eleven - "Escape" (The Sanfernando Sound Remix)



I've absolutely fallen in love with this remix of Eleven:Eleven by The Sanfernando Sound. TSS's patch creation on this track is fantastic- each sound seems to click together so well, yet leave room and not overcrowd one another.  He's taken off some of the intensity of the original as well, which contrasts it well as a remix.  Also, who can't love that warm fat bass?

Sunday, March 24, 2013

KORG MS-20 mini vs. MS-20 vintage


If you're still not sold on how comparable the new MS-20 sounds to the original, watch this video.

Saturday, March 23, 2013

New Daft Punk Album- "Random Access Memories" appears on iTunes store for release on May 21st, 2013



The new Daft Punk album is officially called "Random Access Memories" and will be released on May 21st, 2013, according to iTunes.  No track titles yet, but the name is an obvious play on the band's digital style- "Random Access Memories" is a slight change from "Random Access Memory," or RAM as we all call it.

Super excited for this!

UPDATE: You can hear a snippet of a new track and preorder the album here.

More news as it develops.

Native Instruments Monark Demonstration from Dubspot Video



If you've been curious about Native Instrument's new softsynth Monark, here's a full 15 minute video on it.  If you recall, a few weeks ago they were acting as if this synth was revolutionary... but it turns out, it's a Minimoog recreation, so you won't find any crazy unheard of features.  That said, it's a pretty good emulation.  I'm sure if you're a big NI user, you'll eat this up, but I have the feeling most other people who are interested in the Minimoog have already picked up a different emulation.

New Korg Interview with original MS-20 Engineers hints at more analog to come


If you're one of the many who were hoping that the MS-20 Mini wouldn't be the last of the new analogs from Korg, you'll find an exciting quote from a PDF interview with two of the engineers of the original and new MS-20 on Korg's site:

"Do you have any plans for reviving other MS series models in the future, such as the SQ-10 or the MS-50?
'We want to give people who have never actually touched an analog synthesizer the chance of experiencing how much fun it can be. Just how necessary such a device would be in the present day is something that we'll decide after seeing the response from MS-20 mini users.'"


While that quote certainly doesn't guarantee anything, I think it's worth it to say that the past few years have shown a trend within Korg, and that's that they give consumers what they want, if it sells.  What started as a fun little toy on the Monotron led to the more capable Monotribe, and the overwhelming demand for bigger, better, and more feature-fledged has led us to the MS-20 Mini.  The MS-20 is in high demand with all the buzz of the recent videos and reviews, so there should be a ton of sales of the new synth worldwide.  But what could come after the MS-20?  I've already outlined some ideas in this article.

Other topics discussed in the article include challenges in the MS-20's design, why the Mini lacks full MIDI implementation, and if schematics will be released.  The interview is pretty short, so why not read the whole thing over on Korg's website?

Shook - "Tonight"



Here's some new funk by way of Shook, one of guests last year.  "Tonight" features his trademark funky styles, with some smooth piano and robotic vocals.  The strings are a great touch too.  Always good to hear a non-remix from Shook too, as impressive as his remix catalog.  Hopefully we'll be seeing a full EP or even album sometime sooner than later.

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Tesla Boy - "1991"



After the last post and this one, we might as well call today "90s Wednesday".  Tesla Boy gets the "last century" feel on hardcore with synth stabs and lady back up vocals, and it feels so right.  Perhaps you'll be reminded of some of Alphabeat's "Heatwave" at moments too-- and that's nothing but a good thing.  Here's hoping we hear more artists breaking out of the awesome, but currently crowded, 80s, and into the decade of Ace of Base.

Patrick Baker - "This Love (Higher)"



Patrick Baker's latest offering is the free "This Love (Higher)", an incredible percussion driven track with breathy vocals.  Killer sound and production-- PB's tapped into this "dirty 90s music" scene, and hits is so perfectly.  Awesome to hear such a unique influence-- perhaps we'll be seeing more and more 90s stylings from other artists soon, but Baker's marking his ground first.

Sunday, March 17, 2013

Tesla Boy Live TV Rain 2012



I sniped this video from Dave Smith Instruments' Facebook and had to share it here because it's so good.  Tesla Boy, a great Russian new wave band, playing a 22 minute set with a Prophet 08 and a Korg MS-20 (I don't think it's the legacy controller, but I'm not positive.)  Tesla Boy has some awesome synth breakdowns around the 10 minute mark as well.

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Makup and Vanity Set - Praxis



Here's a fresh track from one of my new favorites, Makeup and Vanity Set.  This is some pure dance music right here, with big stabbing synths.  Full EP 7.25.2148 coming 3/28/13.  Can't wait.

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Madeon - Triple J Mix



Madeon's Live Triple J Mix just hit SoundCloud, and has already racked up an impressive collection of plays.  The French teen wonder seems to get bigger and bigger with every release.  Enjoy the mix.

Dave Smith & Roger Linn Interview with Ean Golden


Dave Smith and Roger Linn interview.  Nice and lengthy.  Need I say more?

Don't forget to check out my interview with Dave back in 2011.

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

KORG MS20 & Doepfer Dark Time Sequencer


Here's a cool video using a Doepfer Dark Time Sequencer with the Korg MS-20.  Nothing like a little MS-20 action to rev up for the reissue coming sometime next month.

via Matrixsynth

Russ Chimes - Turn Me Out



Russ Chimes' new track "Turn Me Out" was supposedly just a live DJ track, but it ended up on the radio, according to his SoundCloud, so now it's getting a full release.  Russ is in fine form here, with a perfectly produced beat and a fantastic sample.  This guy can't miss.

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Free Alan Braxe EP - Moments In Time



If you're an Alan Braxe fan, you can grab a new free EP featuring Alan and the Spimes over at Scion AV. This EP has top-notch production, with four songs and a set of remixes featuring some other favorites like Lifelike.  I'm surprised such a quality EP is free.  Be sure to listen over at Scion AV.  I can't seem to post it here, otherwise I would embed it.  Check it out!

Box of Wolves & Christa Vi - Boy


Here's a new Single from everyone's favorite up-and-coming label, Electronic Rumors.  The new EP is from Box of Wolves & Christa Vi, and the title track "Boy" is an awesome big beat dance hall jam with warm pads and great vocals.  Also included is a set of remixes and a lovely B-side called "The Machine".  Be sure to grab the EP on March 11th.

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

What should Korg remake next? Here's 4 Picks


While I don't have concrete preorder numbers (I don't work for Korg!), the MS-20 Mini is already a hit thanks to preorders by many synth enthusiasts.  The promise of retro look, feel, and sound combined with modern reliability has made the MS-20 Mini this year's Arturia MiniBrute, which sold out for months after last year's NAMM show.  Fortunately for Korg, their larger infrastructure should mean more people are buying sooner-- and increasing Korg's incentives to take the remakes further.  Here's a few choices for Korg to consider.

New Arcades - Dreamers



Here's a cool little track from the New Arcades out of London.  Really love the way this track sounds like the end theme of an old 80s flick.  It's odd how there's a ton of emotion here, but with no words.  Simple, but sweet.

Sunday, March 3, 2013

Daft Punk's New Sound Emerges on SNL


Daft Punk's new sound was heard on Saturday Night Live's commercial break this weekend.  This is actually super exciting as far as news goes because it confirms something is on the horizon, and likely will be here before the year is over-- but hopefully the wait won't be that long.  Full Nile Rodgers influence is here as well, and if you wanted DP to step away from the harder house of Human After All, you will likely be stoked to hear a more Discovery-era sound.  LIVE INSTRUMENTS!  When was the last time you heard live funk instruments like that from an electronic group?

Don't forget, the original date rumored of something new was 3.13.13 (or 13.3.13 for you non-Americans.)  Let's hope we get the full details, or even single, then.

EDIT: Apparently they took down the video... but I'm sure a quick YouTube search will show you the clip!

Friday, March 1, 2013

Wild Belle - "It's Too Late [Anoraak Remix]"



Anoraak, an old blog favorite, strikes again with an awesome remix of Wild Belle.  Full French influence here, and it's nice to hear some Anoraak as we wait patiently for that new record, which is shaping up to be fantastic.  Rock on.

Aimes - Beautiful Decay Remixed out March 5th



Brooklyn based The Synth Symp homey AIMES has a new remix EP coming out on March 5th. featuring some global talent mixing up AIMES' 2012 EP.  There's some fresh edit and synth work on here you can't miss.  And of course a special shoutout to Jules Schimmer's remix on the EP as well-- more catchy beats from a blog favorite.