Dear Waveshapers - here's the latest book update!
LFOs have had a dedicated chapter in my book for a while, while envelopes only got a brief mention in the intro. Time to fix that!
Envelopes can be one of the more powerful and yet confusing aspects of synthesis: user interfaces treat time and level the same way; polarity makes them sound completely differently; sustain can seriously mess things up; ADS...
2021-12-31 15:06:16 +0000 UTC
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Hi there!
The M is Waldorf's attempt to throw its hat in the lo-fi ring. Hey, as long as people are bringing back vinyl, tape, lo-fi and analog, why not do their share and bring back 8-bit, aliasing wavetables? Oh and while we're at it, why not throw in a distorting ASIC bug from the original Microwave?
Hardware synths are all about focus, simplification and choices - plugins can do pretty much anything, but when designing a hardw...
2021-12-21 23:23:42 +0000 UTC
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Hi!
I thought I was going to review a polyphonic synth (which it is...), but to my surprise, Nymphes from Dreadbox turned out to be one of the most interesting mono / duo / tri / unison synths I've seen in a while.
Yes, it's a poly synth, kind of like a Juno in a small box without a chorus, but what makes it stand out and innovative IMHO is the interesting unison chord feature and how it can be set up as a mod destination.
More information in the video, and ...
2021-12-08 17:26:11 +0000 UTC
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Hi there!
If you search "RC-505 Beatbox" on YouTube you'll encounter an amazing explosion of talent - enabled by a looper that takes the "record-play-overdub" workflow (playflow?), brings it to the desktop and extends it with effects, programmability, and more.
BOSS recently released the RC-505 MK2 and it extends the OG RC-505 quite a bit. They've also released the pedal version of the same technology - the RC-600.
This video takes a look at...
2021-12-01 18:37:56 +0000 UTC
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Dear WaveShapers!
Cyber Monday is over, might as well celebrate Tips and Tricks Tuesday... with this month's book update!
As usual, you can search and skip between the updates by looking for the string "NOV2021" in the document, and SEP2021 and OCT2021 updates are still highlighted in there in case you missed them. Here's what's new:
- Added Attenuverter coverage to the Eurorack for Beginners section (I got asked what one is, and what are the pros and co...
2021-11-30 15:07:10 +0000 UTC
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Hi there!
UPDATE: I've added to this post two Patreon exclusive downloads:
- Here's a link to download 8 multisample instruments of the 2600M - the idea was to give you usable samples and a taste of both the gentle and aggressive sides of the 2600M. These are available both in NKI format if you own the full (paid) version of Kontakt, or in the .dspreset format for use with t...
2021-11-12 16:25:32 +0000 UTC
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Hi there!
OK, with the contest fun and excitement over, quite a few things have been piling up as I was listening to playlist tracks, so expect a slightly busier than usual November.
And it starts with two new versions of Hydrasynth - Explorer and Deluxe. I had a look at my old review and it stands the test of time quite well, except for a few complaints I had that were addressed in firmware updates, so I spend most of my time in ...
2021-11-07 20:57:17 +0000 UTC
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Hi!
Grab your recreational treat of preference and join me for a look at some of the most interesting entries to the Superbooth 2021 mega contest - the video will premiere later today and is a 45-minute listening party to celebrate a handful of excellent entries into the contest. Prizes will be raffled live on my Instagram after the show.
2021-11-01 10:30:59 +0000 UTC
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Dear Waveshapers!
This has been quite a month - much most of which was consumed by the overwhelming response to the Superbooth Mega Contest. While I miss digging into flashy music tech (and looking forward to getting back to that tomorrow!), this contest has certainly been a highlight for me, so if you participated or listened to the many excellent tracks - it's much appreciated!
It's not just the quantity of tracks, but also their quality - so many people didn't just finish a tra...
2021-10-31 21:08:03 +0000 UTC
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Hi there - I hope you're doing well!
While I spent the first days of the mega contest chilling with coffee listening to 5-10 tracks a day, the last 72 hours have been the longest binge I've had since, well, not that long actually, maybe Squid Game, but way, way, less depressing... as a matter of fact, quite the opposite - like any good binge, I just couldn't stop it was so enjoyable, so I'm really thankful to everyone that participated, it was a true privilege.&nb...
2021-10-26 10:39:04 +0000 UTC
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Hi there!
The original SP-404 is a much-beloved sampling / beat-making / lo-fi "thing" - it's simple, immediate, and has a ton of effects. However, considering it has been around for many years, it has been up for a modern update, and that's exactly what Roland did with the SP-404 MKII - satisfy a long list of requested features, but still remaining true to the original.
It's nice to see this kind of approach - where most sampler/groovebox manufacturers seem to be...
2021-10-13 10:19:25 +0000 UTC
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Hi there!
Hopefully, you're spending time making beautiful music with unreleased Superbooth synths, so for future reference, here's the September 2021 update...
Here's what's new (jump from update to update by searching for SEP2021):
- I cut my multi-sampling teeth quite a bit this month both creating and packaging multisamples, and the learnings from the experience went right into the book: Multi-sampling was expanded into a whole chapter based on...
2021-09-30 10:38:30 +0000 UTC
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Hi!
EDIT: the contest is over. Patreon downloads are here - I'll leave this post for nostalgic purposes.
Sometimes one thing just leads to another...
In my pre-Superbooth post you asked me to go check out a list of booths. So I did (*almost* all of them!) - let me know if you have any further questions.
Then I figured, why not take a sampler with me to bring some samples bac...
2021-09-28 18:25:19 +0000 UTC
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Hi!
No, this isn't the post-Superbooth post yet - what started with a small idea grew into something that will take a little more time to bring to life - watch this space...
Plus this got in the away: it's hard to say no to launch day videos :)
Akai has something new: MPC STUDIO MK2 is clearly aimed to give Native Instruments a run for their Maschine Mikro MK3 money.
While both Akai and NI now make standalone production boxes, both com...
2021-09-21 14:05:06 +0000 UTC
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Hi there!
A preflight PCR test just gave me the green light to get on a plane, so off I go tomorrow to the greatest synth party of 2021 (so far!)
Since there's no way I can film at all the booths, I'm giving Patrons priority in terms of what I cover so please comment below now or during the show if there's anything you want me to check out!
I also have a fun idea for exclusive content, so stay tuned for that...
Be sure to follow on
2021-09-13 15:04:33 +0000 UTC
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Hi there!
Korg just issued a massive update to Wavestate. Back when I reviewed it I thought it was a unique synth, and 2.0 does away with many of my "cons" (needed an editor, needed to be able to load custom samples, performance hold issues). Here's my review along with 4 tips to extend its capabilities.
It's not an easy synth to program if you want to make the most of what makes it special, but it can do things no other hardware synth that I know of can.
2021-09-02 07:53:06 +0000 UTC
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Dear WaveShapers!
Attached is the August 2021 book update - as usual, search for AUG2021 throughout the document to jump from update to update, and look for JUL2021 and JUN2021 for updates from previous months.
A summary of what's new:
- A while back, I wrote an entire chapter inspired by Olafur Arnald's Stratus software and how it controls player pianos. Since then, he released a sample library based on the concept together with Spitfire Audio. Unfortun...
2021-08-31 13:59:04 +0000 UTC
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Hi!
I've taken a look at quite a few instruments that let you write apps, scripts or create patches. Some companies, like Empress with ZOIA and Critter & Guitari with Organelle, have nurtured an active community contributing patches to the platform, but I've not seen anything that compares with the amount of effort, creativity, and quality of the contributions by the Norns community.
In this video, I explore the pros, cons, and hopefully soul of Monome Norns, ...
2021-08-26 18:44:05 +0000 UTC
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Hi!
It's modular inception! There have been a few attempts at programable modules, and Hector (and Beebo) are on the review table today.
Hector absolutely nails ease of use, and having a bunch of ported Mutable Instruments modules, an Echoplex Digital Pro style looper, and convolution reverbs doesn't hurt.
One may say, if you're going to be patching on a screen, why not just do it on an iPad or computer? A good point of course.
The ans...
2021-08-15 16:34:57 +0000 UTC
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Dear WaveShapers!
A major recent event inspired this month's book update.
No, it's not the trip to space by the suggestively shaped Blue Origin rocket (it looks like a mushroom, right?), but rather the fact that Apple announced Spatial Audio with support for Dolby Atmos in Apple Music, which is anticipated to become even more immersive when head-tracking is added in iOS 15 and AirPods Pro/Max.
I've been passionat...
2021-07-31 11:12:45 +0000 UTC
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Hi,
If you enjoyed my generative "sampler trick" video showing how to implement Steve Reich-style phased-loops using samplers, Cosmos from SOMA Labs will be right up your alley.
Cosmos takes the same idea (Steve Reich's, not mine...) and kicks it up a notch - making it work in real-time, mixed in with a bunch of other interesting generative audio tools.
More in my review, a...
2021-07-25 16:23:07 +0000 UTC
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Hi there!
I've received a few requests over time to open a Patreon discord, and another option is a web-based forum (using a web-based platform called discourse, like the Elektronauts or Lines forums).
I've not done it so far because it would take some of my attention away from book updates and channel videos and my concern is that only a small number of Patrons will end up participating in either one, ultimately not benefiting most suppor...
2021-07-16 13:01:10 +0000 UTC
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Hi!
Modwave from Korg is a very capable synth. It says "wavetable synth" on the box, but with FM, sample playback (with a 2 gig sample library, no user samples, though you can load up your own wavetables), filters and effects, it's hardly limited to just that.
The motion sequencer and kaoss physics make it even more interesting - the motion sequencer can pretty much do everything WaveState can except f...
2021-07-06 23:10:58 +0000 UTC
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Hi there!
I'm increasingly treating book updates as "exclusive written videos" for Waveshaper Patreon supporters, devoting more time to these updates (often at the expense of another video on the channel, but frankly, you deserve it!)
Anyway, on to this month's update...
If you're looking for inspiration in your electronic music-making - rather than trying a new synth or plugin - maybe try a different controller? ...
2021-06-30 10:42:53 +0000 UTC
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Hi there!
What's the value of a hardware-based and fast sampling, slicing and sequencing workflow? If you've ever used a Maschine (+ or regular) or MPC - you'll know it's a ton of fun.
Circuit Rhythm is Novation's hat in a ring for a relatively low-cost ($400...) sampler sequencer.
This is my in-depth review and comparison to Circuit Tracks!
All my best,
Ziv (back to making VS. videos on youtube as "Loopop"...)
2021-06-22 15:13:39 +0000 UTC
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Hi!
I'm loving this new trend: music tech that lets you easily create your own instrument, synth or groovebox.
I mean, Eurorack has been doing that for a while, but making your dreams come true may cost more than a car. And you could try coding your own digital instrument, but that has quite a high learning curve.
Then along come pedals like ZOIA, Beebo and MOD DUO X/Dwarf - and offer an alternative - a patc...
2021-06-14 19:14:48 +0000 UTC
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Hi!
Don't let Plinky's cute panel icons fool you - under the hood is a synth engine with granular, wavetable and multisample capabilities, a mod matrix with several hundred slots, 4 LFOs, a pressure sensitive surface with polyphonic aftertouch, and a user interface that makes managing all of at quite doable.
Oh and if you're into a bit of through-hole soldering, it doesn't cost much more than a volca (around $260).
So, what's the catch? It i...
2021-06-03 18:24:40 +0000 UTC
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Hi there!
My book started out as a summary of all the tips and tricks shown in my videos - and as you may have noticed, increasingly I'm adding content to it that's exclusive to the book and not found in my videos.
In some cases, the thinking is that a topic is worth covering, but the medium of video doesn't add much to it, and in others, it's something I want to get to but haven't yet, and I'm eager to share the idea.
Frankly, it's ...
2021-05-31 14:57:39 +0000 UTC
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Hi!
The Continuum is one of my favorites synths - it's a true instrument with an amazing control surface, powerful synth engine, and brilliantly crafted presets.
The new Slim Continuum addresses many of the flaws of the original Continuum - controlling any of the parameters or swapping presets without an external MIDI controller or computer was a pain; you couldn't create splits or layer presets; IO was limited and more.
I reviewed the original Continuum thr...
2021-05-25 19:42:05 +0000 UTC
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Hi there!
I had been working the last few days on a review of a product that was supposed to be released soon - and in what now seems like a recurring theme, the "global semiconductor shortage" has delayed things for a few weeks at least.
So, before I move on to the next thing ... I took out a few pink/red friends and had a little jam to take a breather. I've posted it on Facebook and Instagram, but here it is in case you're not into being tracked, er sorry, active on either netwo...
2021-05-09 20:53:40 +0000 UTC
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