-=[THE SYNTH ZONE]=-

Does anyone understand fm? Change values and algorithms until it feels good.

I find it very hard because there's much less of a 1:1 relationship between parameters and the resultant sound compared to analogue synthesis.

I understand FM a little bit because I think of it like having a few 4+ with separate ASDRs and usually that helps - but yeah, tons of twiddling

4+ oscs, I meant

the messiness of that sentence is probably a good example of how I think about FM. no grammar, but a syntax I can guess at and sometimes get right

this is probably a good place to start?

http://www.burnkit2600.com/manuals/fm_theory_and_applications.pdf

The thing that most freaked me out about Dexed was not seeing any ADSR, but apparently they're just unmarked (kvraudio forum to the rescue):

am i too stupid? i cannot find the ADSR knobs? :/

They are not there as such.. they are called 1234 each with its own level and time(rate:1=slow 99=fast) to reach set level :scared:
Just call 1 attack, 2 decay, 3 sustain, and 4 release.

i spent last night plugging these into the fm manually. i don't know that i recommend it or even understand any more about fm than previously but i can now get around the edit menu faster

http://s3.amazonaws.com/factmag-images/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/brian-eno-dx7-patches.jpg

Oh cool, I will give that a shot. What synth are you using?

volca

For some reason I always thought that Volca FM was 3-op, but I looked it up again and it's actually 6-op but 3-voice. Is it possible to poly-chain two of them together?

I'm still torn on the D05 as i suspect it'll be a real pain to programme. Given that the VST is already available, it seems a shame not to have done what they managed with the boutique JX3P and include a bunch of the PG1000 controls on the front panel.

naus you could chain multiple if you use this - https://www.retrokits.com/shop/rk002/

oh that site is just full of "your terrible ideas" fodder

https://www.retrokits.com/rk-004/

Ports can be defined as sync-only You can change the MIDI connector into sending out sync signals. With the use of a MIDI to Mini-jack converter (as provided with e.g. the Arturia Beatstep) in reverse to the RK-002, this enables you to use the MIDI-connectors as sync output. This way you can also use the RK-004 to drive a bunch of (example given) Pocket Operators.

Tempo manipulation Every port can be set to run relative to the midi or sync master clock (or discard the master clock alltogether). This way you can creatively use sequencer machines to run in different tempo’s with each other.

I mean that in a good way obviously, but I could easily see myself breaking out scratch paper and designing an unworkable $12,000 one-man-noise-wall around just that contraption

the tempo thing is pretty cool

D.T.M.C.A. (discard the master clock altogether) would make a decent band name

Has anyone tried the Digitakt? The fact that Elektron haven't gotten around to releasing the DAW linking software about eight months after the hardware unit is a bit of a concern but it looks pretty cool as a drum machine / sampler.

i recently got one and i like it, still getting used to it, but it seems fairly straightforward and fun to use. has a better feel to it than some similar machine's i've had in the past and it sounds great. i don't care about the DAW linking software, though, so i didn't know it still wasn't available.

similar machines like? mpc? i've been mulling over digitakt/octatrack recently as the only thing i have close to it is the rudimentary sp404. kinda want volca sample also

tbh part of the reason I have been looking at the Digitakt is that the Volca Sample is kind of a pain to use.

I might wait and see if there any upgrades to the sampling functions in Ableton 10, though.

i used the mc-909 for quite a while and i'm enjoying the digitakt more, the workflow is just more intuitive and feels more flexible. i've also used an sp404, a volca sample, an electribe 2... and on my first impressions i find the digitakt more immediately appealing than all of those.

good to hear. the volca sample not being able to record and requiring a device for transfer is a no-go for me but the rest of it at that pricepoint is appealing. sp404 is kind of underrated but the sequencer is weak. elektron seems like they have the interface and build quality figured out on all their shit. too bad digitakt isn't stereo

Juno has ten per cent off everything released before the first of October. The phrasing makes it sound like it is just for records but it works on equipment too - bringing the Monologue down to £215, the MS20 Mini to £405, Digitakt to under £500, etc.

It's been indispensable since I got it but now the Octatrack has the Digitakt-style conditional trig conditions it's... uh... even more so.

Did anyone else perhaps not-so-cleverly lay down for the Tasty Chips GR-1? Been something I've dreamed about since first learning about granular synthesis.

https://vimeo.com/244477638

Why not-so-cleverly, are they not getting produced or something? It looks dope but too expensive.

Overbridge is going to be free from February and will be compatible with Digitakt!

I got a Digitakt yesterday!

Cool.

I've finally almost finished rebuilding my studio (old "studio" is now a nursery) and reconnecting my Analog4 to my computer and loaded Overbridge. To be honest I still find the A4 super easy to program and mostly happy to be able to automate stuff and be better able to mess with the sound library because I do find that bit confusing.

What I find REALLY cool about the new upcoming overbridge is that it will be freestanding and not just a plugin.

I also just bought myself a Yamaha Reface DX. Just really wanted some simple FM stuff and it seems like a great deal.

In my quest to create a fun DAW-less jamming setup, I ordered a Circuit yesterday. Not a lot of people seem to be using these with external gear, but I think it might be perfect for my setup. Anyone have one of these? The various firmware updates have made them pretty sweet! You can now add your own samples, and edit the synth patches with a pretty powerful web-based editor.

i was checking out reface dx recently, looks cool. baffling that it can't load og dx patches cuz of 4 ops but the interface editing looks way better than volca. found an ms-20 and sq-1 for 20% off from some generic store called "music & arts"

I'm freaking out a bit, I got excited when I saw a good price, figured I'd save 50 bucks by buying the DX from some store called Unique Squared. After ordering I look at the yelp reviews and it's all these people going on like "they sold me an open box/return as new and it came DOA and they won't let me return it without a 15% restocking fee". Anyway, supposed to arrive tomorrow, fingers crossed.

Playing some more w/ the A4 and I have to say, it's a fucking beautiful and deep beast and if the mk1 comes down in price, esp used due to the new one, people should get it. Very flexible and easy routing, just made a sound with a slow LFO that changes the oscillator waveform, while the other LFO turns key tracking on and off. Even before you mess with parameter locks and the sequencer and conditional trigs there are so many simple ways to make really cool and complex sounds.

I also have it's inputs patched into the aux sends of my mixer, so I can not only use it as an effects box, but via overbridge, use it as a soundcard.

The Arturia Buchla emulator looks pretty interesting:

http://www.musicradar.com/news/arturia-adds-buchla-dx7-clavinet-and-fairlight-instruments-as-it-releases-v-collection-6

Did you guys see this thing?

http://truenosynth.com

Haha, that's great. If it was a little cheaper and I didn't have the Microbrute I would definitely buy it.

http://www.synthtopia.com/content/2017/12/13/behringer-teases-arp-2600-wasp-synthi-clones/

Behringer have subsequently taken the info down but it looks like they will be turning out cheap clones of a wide range of vintage synths and drum machines, including the Wasp.

VCS3 as well!

Yeah man that would be fun to have a physical vcs3. People say behringer stuff is not very sturdy though and tends to break down?

I blew up a mixer of theirs once (although I was doing no input mixing through it which might have had something to do with it) and although all their pedals look and feel really flimsy they all still work despite getting them second hand and paying under £5 for each of them. The bigger problem is that only one out of the four is any good (the equaliser) and it's not exactly transparent when not in use.

a line of drum machines well, a Linn, a DMX, an 808 and 909 and something new-ish.

It's pretty boring, I get why it's exciting, but like, there's already a cheap good MS-20, Korg makes it. And why on earth would you make a Linn and a DMX? Why not just make one that has the sounds of both?

And no real spring reverb on the 2600 clone? FAIL.

just fyi the behringer "leaks" are confirmed vaporware. i mean i already knew that cuz im smart but wanted to make sure u knew

consumer electronics holiday marketing stunts 2017

yeah i saw that haha

Was buying some cables at Guitar Center today and noticed that the Deepmind 12 is on sale for $700

red microbrute on sale for $200 on amazon today: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074F373RW/?tag=toysj-20

0-coast is quite good, y'all.

not quite the total relearning of synthesis that some would have it as, but lots of cool sounds can be wrung out of it.

recently got rid of an 0-coast. it was fun to play with but i couldn't really get into its sound for some reason. good for unearthly bass tones

behringer made a VP-330

https://www.facebook.com/BEHRINGER/posts/10156087215783914