Sunday, January 17, 2016

Korg PolySix Mojo Machine



This is the Korg Polysix with the Kiwisix upgrade. This demo features both original patches and factory presets. The main advantage of the Polysix is the 3-BBD chip ensemble effect, which shares the likes of ARP Solina and many others.

Another really cool feature is the external filter control input. No, it cannot filter external sounds. But it can take voltages from external devices like a sequencer and use that to step-modulate the filter.

The Polysix is also good at arpeggios and bass. What's better than bass?...more bass!...you can stack all six voices in unison mode for insane bass action.

There is a trick you can do to achieve filter high-resonance self-oscillation, and nothing else. To defeat the main oscillators, set the OSC to Pulse Width and set the Width to maximum. Make sure the sub osc is also turned off.

0:00 Choir sound, filter self-oscillation FX
0:28 to 2:24 Filter is being modulated, via the external filter control jack, by a control voltage coming from the Beatstep Pro
2:24 to 3:22 String Ensemble

ALL synthesizer sounds originate from the Polysix. A Volca Beats provided rhythm backing, Big Sky and Timefactor for effects. All tracks were recorded direct to Cubase SX3 via E-mu 1616. NO additional production, eq, compressors, mastering, etc. was used.

Friday, January 8, 2016

Maestro Phase Shifter PS-1B demo w/ a Synthesizer


Demo of the Maestro PS-1B Phase Shifter. This is the rarer version with the Variable Speed knob. The knob does exactly what the switches do, with the ability to set the speed anywhere in between. The knob only works when the slow phase switch is set. As the switches OR knob settings are changed you will notice a smooth and gradual transition in speed.

The synthesizer is the Korg reissue ARP Odyssey. If you're interested in the patches hopefully the footage shows the patch settings to some degree. I added a small amount of delay for stereo widening. During one section I use the Moroder delay trick to change simple 8th notes to stereo-panned 16-th notes, and then apply the phaser. I was recording levels pretty hot, sorry there is some clipping in parts of the audio.