Synthesizer Programming - Episode 3 - Harpsichord

YouTube via Thalassa77. Episode 2, Episode 1.
"How to create a Harpsichord Sound. From a basic patch to 18th century Harpsichord ;) This sound is very useful in a lot of music styles, just add some effects and you will get for example, funky clave sound.

The parameters values are approx. Values are expressed in %. The synthesizer is synth1 a free vst synthesizer"

Synthesizer Programming - Episode 5 - Bell sound

YouTube via Thalassa77. follow-up to these posts.

"http://switchedonsynthesizer.blogspot.com

Episode 5 - Bell Sound
How to create a bell sound using FM modulation. The parameters values are approx. Values are expressed in %. The synthesizer is synth1 a free vst synthesizer but you can get similar sounds using similar parameters with other synts ( hardware or software )

If you like this video remember to subscribe to be updated of my new uploads "

Synthesizer Programming - Episode 1

YouTube via Thalassa77. via fischek.
"This is the first of a series of videos where I will show how to program different kind of sounds on a synthesizer. I'm going to work with Synth1, a free VST synthesizer. This first episode is about how to program a simple bass line. The parameters values are approx. Values are expressed in %.
http://switchedonsynthesizer.blogspot..."

Synthesizer Programming - Episode 4 - Trance / Dance gated / polysynth sound

YouTube via Thalassa77
"How to create a Trance / Dance gated / polysynth sound. From a basic patch to a powerful dance sound using supersaw wave . The parameters values are approx. Values are expressed in %. The synthesizer is synth1 a free vst synthesizer but you can get similar sounds using similar parameters with other synts ( hardware or software )"

Synthesizer Programming - Episode 2 - Trance Lead

YouTube via Thalassa77. Episode 1 here.
"How to create a trance lead sound. Starting with a sequence using a basic patch I'll show how to get a typical trance lead sound. The last version of Synth1 has some kind of supersaw that you can get it detuning oscillator 1. This feature make this synth perfect for dance sounds.

The parameters values are approx. Values are expressed in %.
http://switchedonsynthesizer.blogspot..."

ESQ-1 Digital / Analog Synthesizer (Episode 2 Preview)

YouTube via williamenroh.

"This is a preview for Inside Synthesis Episode 2. It will demonstrate LFO programming on synthesizers that lack real-time phrase/drumbeat triggering, such as the ESQ-1.

While the ESQ-1 has a built-in sequencer, there's no way to dynamically control the sequences. To make matters more challenging, the ESQ-1 lacks a modulation sequencer of the MS-2000 (as seen in Episode 1).

But that doesn't mean you can't do real-time drumbeats and arpeggiations.

Episode 2 will be finished soon. I had a small setback."

Serge Modular Analog Synthesizer & Processor w 8 Preamp Detectors & N Comparator

via this auction
"Up for auction is a beautiful condition Serge Modular Fully Loaded Panel! As you can tell from the photographs, the synth is in immaculate shape and feels exactly like it did straight from Rex Probe at Sound Transform Systems! This Serge is a 1996 Serge and features the build quality and routing of the older more expensive (and expansive) Serge designs. For anyone looking to expand on their Serge rig or their current modular system, this is a great panel to buy. Because this panel features balanced line level inputs it can also be used as a standalone studio/live processors. It's particular strength in this arrangement is multichannel audio processing, but due to the versatility of the modules included, it could also be used for generative and trigger synthesis work. This Serge has had only one owner and I was in charge of maintaining and programming it while I worked for Asphodel Studios and Records/RML. I can assure you that you will not find a better Serge panel unless you order a new one straight from STS. Everything is in mint working order physically and electronically. Scroll towards the bottom to see a video in which the Serge made an appearance in ;-) Also, the information on each module below has been quoted from the original Serge product catalogue. One last important note is that there is no power supply included with this panel. One will have to be ordered from STS if the highest bidder does not already have one.

Preamp Detector:
The new Serge preamps and envelope detectors provide an exceptionally responsive link between external audio signals and the Serge synthesizer modules. The key to this responsivity comes from the fact that our detector was designed to respond to the POWER rather than to the AMPLITUDE of a sound. No other synthesizer system offers this sophisticated capability. Human perception of loudness is proportional to the POWER content of a wave, rather than to its AMPLITUDE. Detecting the AMPLITUDE of a signal produces an inaccurate envelope, sometimes too soft, and most of the time too loud. The new Serge detectors are exceptionally accurate, responsive devices which output a control voltage envelope that is directly proportional to the perceived loudness of an input signal. It operates over a very wide dynamic range, in excess of 70 db, (or the difference between a whisper and a subway train at IS feet!). The output is accurately log--linear at 12 .5 db per volt, a taper which mates perfectly with the. control characteristics of our newest VCA's. Thus it is possible, for example, to control the loudness of a synthesizer sound by the sound envelope of a locomotive, a dog barking, or a voice going from a whisper to a shout. The effect is especially remarkable because of the accuracy of the responses the whisper is really a whisper, and the shout a shout. The PREAMP DETECTOR (PRNV) allies a Serge detector with a multi - purpose preamp suitable for a wide variety of inputs. The LO - Z input accepts high output microphones in the 200 t o 1000 Ohms range (such as most electret microphones), with a sensitivity suited for close - mitring applications such as instrument or voice pickup. The H I - Z input accepts transducers such as guitar pick-ups and contact microphones. It is also suited for- amplifying low level signals from tape machines, tuners, etc. Detector and Preamp can be switched to work separately or Coupled. Sensitivity for the various microphones and audio sources can be adjusted over a very wide range using the Preamp's gain control. Please note that it will not cut the gain to zero. With the Dual Comparator Module, exceeding a pre-set loudness level can be used to provide a trigger pulse to initiate any number of activities within the synthesizer.

N Comparator and Voltage Divider:
The NCOMPARATOR (NCOM) consists of two sections: a comparator and a voltage-control led pulse divider. The divider section outputs a pulse once every "N" comparator pulse, where "N" is a number from 1 to 31, settable with a control voltage at the divider's VC input (or manually via the divider's control knob). Additionally, the Divider outputs a staircase wave with "N" steps. This will produce whole-tone steps when plugged into the 1 V/Oct input of a VCO. This module has two distinct areas of use (in addition to the normal functions of the comparator). For audio frequencies, the divider can be set to Output sub-divided frequencies with digital precision. Output frequency depends on "N". If "N"= ` . 3,4, etc., the output frequencies will be an octave, an octave and a fifth. Or two octaves below the input, respectively. Because "N" is voltage controllable, arpeggios and various melodies can easily be programmed. The nature of this type of division (integer division), results in frequencies that fal l along the sub--harmonic series, a series that has great tonal charm. For sub--audio frequencies, the divider acts like a counter, outputting a pulse only after "N" number of input Pulse. Input pulse's can be fairly random, or regular . This capability is especially powerful for determining tempos and rhythmic patterns when using several sequencers (especially if the "N" vc input is taken from one of a Sequencer's rows of controls). In a more random Situation, using a microphone preamp/detector as input, the divider might be set to count how many times a sound of a certain loudness will have occured, and be set to trigger an event upon reaching the count . Since the Count can be made variable (from 1 to 31), fairly complex and subtle interactions can be generated.

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Altair Sequencer Project - How I did it - #00 hello world

How I did it - #00 hello world from Giorgio Sancristoforo on Vimeo.

"The altair says hello to Max!

The idea is simple: to make music with the Altair 8800
The first commercial Personal Computer made in 1975.
In the following episodes I will
• Interface the Altair with MaxMSP via serial port
- programming a drum machine in assembly
- program a generative orchestra in assembly and or MBASIC
- Explore OSC routing to other software (Processing), upd comms.
• Interface the Altair with an analog synthesizer: a Buchla Music Easel by using arduino and a breadboard.
The quest for controlling Max will be the first step, later I will dedicate the project to analog synths.
I'm going to post every episode here and on my website (giorgiosancristoforo.net)
I will explain every single byte and strategy of programming and share the Max patches for Windows and Mac OS.
so that 8080 enthusiasts could replicate the whole process.
It will be also a nice opportunity for electronic musicians to understand simple and fun microprocessors' programming techniques.
Any help, comments and critics from retrocomputing and assembly lovers, is more than welcome.
more here:
giorgiosancristoforo.net/2015/02/15/music-with-the-first-pc-ever-the-ultimate-8-bit-machine/"

Ploytec PL2 - Synthesizer Review - MIDIVERSE - TV

Published on Jul 28, 2015 MIDI-VERSE TV

"In this episode of MIDIVERSE - TV we're going to take a look at the Ploytec Pi L Squared Synth. First we'll be unboxing the synthesizer and taking a quick listen to some of the preset sounds. Then we'll be heading over to Ploytec's website to download the editor for the PL2 to dive a little deeper into the programming side of things. Next we'll download the free iOS application "Ploytec PL2 Editor" so we can control the synthesizer directly from the touch screen of an iPad. Lastly, we'll quickly show an example in Ableton Live about how the synthesizers parameters can be automated via MIDI CC data in a MIDI clip."

Erika on Analog Synthesis | Red Bull Music Academy

Published on May 23, 2018 Red Bull Music Academy

"In this episode of Studio Science, recorded in her home studio in Detroit, Erika uses the same Roland SH-101 synthesizer she was first tasked with upon joining Ectomorph two decades ago to break down her approach to analog synthesis. She details how synthesis lies at the root of her creative process and explains how she uses it to create sketches of songs, as well as improvised performances.

From an early age, Erika showed an affinity for technology and using it to express herself. At age 13 she was running a Bulletin Board System from her bedroom. In 1997, after moving to Ann Arbor, Michigan, she joined local techno outfit Ectomorph and “went to bootcamp,” as she recalls, learning about programming and performing live electronic music. Two years later, in 1999, she set up erika.net, a freeform streaming radio station that ran for 17 years. Today, the producer and musician continues to perform and release music both on her own and as one-half of Ectomorph alongside Brendan M. Gillen, with whom she also runs the Interdimensional Transmissions label.

The Red Bull Music Academy is a global music institution committed to fostering creativity in music. We celebrate music, its culture, and the transformative minds behind it. Begun in 1998, the Academy has taken the core principles that underlie its annual workshop for selected participants and applied this curatorial approach to events, lectures, and city-wide festivals throughout the year."

Volca FM: Deconstructed Electric Piano [Episode 53]

Published on Apr 27, 2018 CatSynth TV

"We demonstrate some of the programming features of the Korg Volca FM synthesizer by deconstructing the factory preset E Piano (from the original DX7 as well as every wedding and bar/bat mitzvah in the 1980s).

We go through some basic information of FM synthesis, show some deep-parameter editing, as well as real-time control and sequencing of algorithms. In a future video, we will show how to control such parameters from an external sequencer, something which was very challenging on the original Yamaha FM instruments.

For more synths (and cats), please visit http://www.catsynth.com"

Ian Helliwell's Tone Generation

[Note: I'm not seeing how to skip episodes in the player above aside from sliding the progress bar to the end to get to the next one.]

You might remember Ian Helliwell mentioned in previous posts on the site here, including his book Tape Leaders. Atomic Shadow wrote in to let us know about his 34-part history of electronic music titled Tone Generation [player above/episode list below], as well has his work on SoundCloud.

The following is a short blurb from his website, http://www.ianhelliwell.co.uk:

"Leaving school and full time education aged 16 armed with six O-levels, Ian is a self-taught and self-funded multi-media artist, working in music, film, animation, analogue electronics, instrument building, collage, installations, live performance, light show projection, graphic design, writing and film programming.

Ian coined the term ‘creative soldering’ to best define his ‘intuitive electronics’ approach, and since the 1990s he has designed and built a unique range of electronic tone generating machines – Hellitrons and Hellisizers – which he uses to realise his compositions."

"The Tone Generation is Ian's audio series looking at the early period of electronic music history, focussing on experimental tracks mostly drawn from his CD and record collection.

TG 34 - Louis & Bebe Barron
TG 33 - Cybernetic Serendipity
TG 32 - Electronics in Space
TG 31 - Synthetic Sound
TG 30 - Beaver & Krause
TG 29 - Electronics in Rock 2
TG 28 - Electronics in Rock 1
TG 27 - Edinburgh Festival Concert 1961
TG 26 - Electronic Odyssey 1967
TG 25 - QEH Concert 1968
TG 24 - Analogue Synthesizers
TG 23 - Electronics for Feature Films
TG 22 - Moog
TG 21 - Buchla
TG 20 - Electronics and Voice
TG 19 - Women in Electronics
TG 18 - Computer Music
TG 17 - EMS
TG 16 - Electronics for Expos
TG 15 - Electronic Music Authors
TG 14 - Electronics for Dance
TG 13 - Electronics in Jazz
TG 12 - The RCA Synthesizer
TG 11 - Expo 58
TG 10 - EM Worldwide
TG 9 - Canada
TG 8 - USA
TG 7 - Soviet Union & E. Bloc
TG 6 - Scandanavia
TG 5 - Holland & Belgium
TG 4 - Italy
TG 3 - Germany
TG 2 - France
TG 1 ..."