G-STORM ELECTRONICA

VSP-330 Version 2.0 String Test

2012-03-11T20:17:00.000-07:00

I've revived my VSP-330 project and rebuilding it from the ground up in a different environment. The VSP-330 is an emulation of the VP-330 strings and choirs using synthesis methods just like on the original. I've whipped-up a Quad Delay ensemble effect plus the string filters. Check out the preliminary sound test of the strings. This is an A/B comparison of the plugin strings against an MK I with various chords across the keyboard range. Can you guess which is which?

Many Irons In the Fire, VSP-330, Synth Demos, Polar

2012-03-10T11:29:00.001-08:00

Quite a few little projects happening at once:

VSP-330 VOICE SYNTH PLUS, VERSION 2
I have returned to my VP-330 synthesizer strings/choir plugin project with some goals in mind:
- This time I am re-creating the VST from the ground up using a different platform, SynthMaker. SynthMaker boasts much more efficient use of the CPU so maybe latency issues and audio dropouts can be minimized over the first version.
- I will A/B comparison this version with the real MK I model for a more faithful reproduction. There have been some comments from those wishing the sound was even closer to the original.
- Hopefully users of many different systems and DAWs will not have issues w/ the GUI this time either.
- And to retain all the great improved features and GUI layout in my first version.
- If all goes well, there will be a small cost with the new version. Anyone who has donated already with the first version will get the new version free of charge.

HOHNER STRING MELODY II DEMO 2
Recently finished rebuilding the power supply and some other electronic restoration items. It sounds quite a bit better than the first video I made, and now planning a post-restoration-work sound demo video.

TX81Z DEMO IN THE WORKS
The Venom has given me thirst for a digital/FM synth lately, after having sold my DX21 and SY55. So I picked up another TX81Z after selling the first one I owned some years ago. Started programming some patches and running them through the RE-20 Space Echo pedal. I am filled with the impression there will be plenty of uncharted sonic territory with this little gem. When I have a few patches there will be a demo video of that.

ANDROMEDA A6 DEMO COMING SOON
After 10 years I feel very fortunate to say I have gotten some big breakthroughs getting my head around this beast recently, close to posting my first video demo of the absolutely wicked sounds coming from this dream machine.

POLAR
About to start recording a new track soon. It will be a chilling spine-tingler.

Venom Reactivator Synth Demo 4 M-Audio/Avid

2012-03-05T14:38:00.000-08:00

Download these patches from this post..
Here are some new original Venom patches I've made recently.
- 73 Tines. A smoother EP like Rhodes, Wurlitzer with a digital character.
- SuperJuVee. Thick Roland JV-1080 Soundtrack strings with soft Venom grit.
- Tank!: A loosely Atari-2600 sound effect inspired by the tank game in 'combat' and 'Pole Position'.
- Novachord. Ancient Hammond synthesizer from the 1940's used in eerie old sci-fi movies.
- The Chills. A real spine-tingler that will be used in my upcoming track 'Polar'. (Unreleased patch.)
- Sex Object. Digital or FM-based bowed string inspired by a Kraftwerk track.
- Deep Sweep. Thick analog atmospheric pad.
- Dy$on. Venom does Hoover-style rave genre sounds. Mod Wheel controls suction.
- WoodblkRok. Highly addictive percussive hollow sound for dance music.
- FullChoir. There are a few little tricks to get some male/female formants going.
- SuperGate. Percussive 'thwonk' taking full advantage of the Venom's reverb gate. For dance and pop music."

Roland Jupiter-6 Signature Sounds

2012-02-21T16:52:00.000-08:00

A quick demonstration of the Roland Jupiter-6 vintage analog synthesizer. Showing some of the signature sounds that are its claim to fame, and some sounds that may be not so familiar.

Not since 1983 has Roland produced anything quite like it. What sorts of things set the Jupiter-6 apart from its peers?
- Its wild multimode filter capable of Lowpass, Highpass, and Bandpass
- Like a handful of other synths, compound waveform selections are possible for each of the oscillators.
- A feature called Cross Mod: it's like a third 'virtual oscillator' which is a frequency modulator for affecting OSC1. The beauty is that you still have OSC2 to do as you wish.
- Very stable oscillators, and the autotune routine takes about a second to execute! Memorymoog takes around 8 seconds.
- Envelopes: the attack transients are most unique. They aren't extremely fast, nor syrupy, but I haven't been able to get any other synth attack to sound the same.

What are these signature sounds the Jupiter-6 does well?
- Buzzy things
- Creamy Sawtooth, silky pad sounds
- Ambient Drones
- Gritty, Dirty, Raw, Nasty, Edgy sounds
- Blippy arpeggios
- Aggressive stabs/leads
- and very rude filter sweeps

New Track: Aerial

2012-01-23T09:52:00.000-08:00

Download for free on Bandcamp. Click > Download > Buy Now, and enter zero or donate to my cause if you like :)
Aerial by g-storm

Going into Aerial it was conceived as merely an ambient synth pad excursion. But it was evolving into something else that generated structures and energies all its own. This would include some basic analog drum machine loops and a heavy bass synth: elements that would counter a soaring lead synth part. There HAD to be this super-sonic high soaring lead synth part unlike any other, but I didn't know what IT was yet and it would prove the most difficult element to realize. The lead almost always ends up being legato, as is my thing. Then suddenly it occurred the lead didn't have to be the typical single note affair, but rather like two parts in duet. And ever since then I haven't been able to get that sound out of my mind.

Equipment:
- Oberheim Matrix-12
- Alesis Andromdeda
- Korg Kaoss Quad
- Mr Ray electric piano plugin
- Boss RT-20 Rotary Ensemble
- Elektron Machinedrum SPS-1 MKII
- Lexicon MPX-550
- E-mu Emulator X2
- Cubase SX3
- iZotope Ozone 3

Venom Patches Availabe Again, For Now

2012-01-22T09:35:00.000-08:00

There was an article in the paper the founder of Megaupload, Kim Dotcom, was arrested over the weekend in New Zealand and the website was shut down. Apparently authorities are cracking down on them for the content their users are uploading. This data seizure would include my original Venom synthesizer patches I was legally sharing with the general public. And just think about all legitimate uploads affected by others, too. It is a very sad day because this demonstrates the far reaching censorship powers authorities already possess, and without need of the SOPA bill. Freedom of speech, access to information, and integrity of legitimate artistic expression on the internet is in the process of going away forever. Previously I uploaded to yousendit.com but they have a 7-day upload limit which I wasn't very good at maintaining, and they may next in line to meet a similar doom as Megaupload.

UPDATE: The patches are uploaded on a different site now. The download is found on this post. Thanks for your patience. -g

New track 'Aerial' January 24th

2012-01-16T15:38:00.000-08:00

Aerial sneaks its way into your subconscious. Opening with huge layers of spacious vintage pads, you will be escorted by a drum machine groove into analog synthesizer bliss. Off we go, into the wild blue yonder....

Korg MS-2000 Key Repair Project

2012-01-12T21:12:00.000-08:00

I recently picked-up a Korg MS-2000 for a bargain. The bad news: it had not only a broken E key but a busted keybed retention prong. Armed with an exacto knife, 'Welder' brand professional contact adhesive, and some spare parts laying around I get to work bringing this beast of a synth back to fully operational condition.

Akai Miniak sounds

2012-01-09T14:49:00.000-08:00

Here are some sounds made on the Akai MINIAK. Most of them are factory presets, a few sounds are original patches.
Akai MINIAK sounds by gstormelectro

Preview: MS-2000 key repair

2012-01-09T14:45:00.000-08:00

Taking a break during recording 'Aerial' to work on a recently acquired Korg MS-2000 synthesizer. Got an exceptionally good deal since there were only a couple of issues. The major issue being a broken key AND the keybed key retention prong was busted off the key frame. I am documenting the reconstructive surgery with a video at this time.

New track preview: Aerial

2011-12-19T12:18:00.000-08:00

Recording on the new original track 'Aerial' has started. Here's a quick snippet of what it will sound like. No mixing or mastering at this stage. A6 and Matrix-12 will be all over this.
A teaser preview of Aerial by gstormelectro

Droid Razr 'Strong Blade' Commercial BASSLINE - by Venom

2011-12-14T11:55:00.000-08:00

***I have no affiliation with the ad company nor Verizon*** I originally set out to re-create the cool tech-y bass sound from the Droid commercial

...but realized - I ALREADY HAD something very close! Just download my patches for the Venom and there's one called 'Deep Bass', and turn up the delay amount. That's it! I think they're playing a D-note in the commercial.
BASSLINE by Venom - Droid Razr Commercial "Strong Blade" by gstormelectro

Callate Gate update

2011-11-27T14:30:00.000-08:00

The Noise Gate soldering of the PCB is complete. In looking for the 500k pot for 'sensitivity' control, I was lead to believe the Radioshack 'Volume Pot' rated 500k would work even with a missing solder connector. Turns out not to be the case, there is no third solder lug nor conductor trace to be found - so be warned - it does not behave like a normal potentiometer (voltage divider fashion). To remedy this I went to the only kind of place in this one horse town that stocks a 500k pot: a guitar store. There I dropped $10 on a fancy Fender brand-name pot, my buyers remorse being offset by having solved the problem and moving forward once again. After my initial tests of the Noise Gate, it does not appear the 'Q3' MPF102 N Chanel RF Amp is working out. Audio is simply passing through without being gated, no matter what the settings. I have tried the Q3 transistor in both orientations, since a couple of builders on the tonepad.com builder's report log describe the transistor being shown in the incorrect orientation. Looks like this project is going on the shelf until my next order from Mouser.

Building a Callate Gate 2

2011-11-25T18:43:00.000-08:00

It's well known the Hohner String Melody II has a pretty high noise floor. One of the most popular solutions is to run the synth through a decent noise gate. Noise gates are very simple: when there is no sound the gate closes and the noise goes away, when you play the synth the gate opens allowing the sound through. I've found plans to build a clone of an MXR Noise Gate at tonepad.com for a design called Callate Gate 2, this second version having mods for attack/release times plus an input attenuator. Today I rounded-up all the parts, etched a PCB, and drilled holes. I'll be soldering it together tonight and, with any luck, will have it boxed tomorrow. For anyone building this I would like to note Radioshack does not carry the "Q3" N Channel RF Amp 2N5485, but they DO carry an MPF102 with similar specs and same pinout. Let's see how it does.

Boss RE-20 Space Echo with a Venom Synthesizer

2011-11-16T15:34:00.000-08:00

Firstly, this video is unveiling my new 10-second opening title. Pretty shnazzy, eh?

Anyway, it's a demo of my favorite effect pedal, the Boss/Roland RE-20 Space Echo. The RE-20 is a savagely beautiful emulation of the tape-delays from the 70's, and the typical sound has been used countless music acts from Pink Floyd, Portishead, and Radiohead. This video isn't a full review, just showing some quick sound flavors if you're thinking about routing a synthesizer through it.

Synthesizer: M-Audio Venom
Synth Patch: Europa_JP can be downloaded here
Mixer: Mackie 402-VLZ3
Audio recorder: Tascam DR-05

Some thoughts about the Akai Miniak Synthesizer

2011-11-15T14:33:00.000-08:00

So yeah I traded my Microkorg for the Miniak synthesizer. Now that I've had a chance to mess with programming it a bit I just wanted to share some initial thoughts. Please don't think as this as a full review of the Miniak. There are many good reviews out there and I just wanted to supplement them with my own findings at this moment. I'll also compare the Miniak to the Microkorg and the Venom as well.

Miniak Filters
Having two filters per program, in addition to the pre- and post- mixer sections is the best thing about having Alesis/Micron DNA in your Miniak synthesizer: the Andromeda filters were setup in that exact kind of architecture! So the range of sounds that become possible don't only multiply, but increase exponentially. The filters are interestingly phat and flexible. The filters that are represented like oberheim 2-pole, moog, arp mostly sound very convincing and useable. The TB-303 filter not-so-much. To me the JP filter sounds more like JP-8000 than say a Jupiter-8, which is fine on a synth of this price range - not looking for miracles here.

Miniak sound quality.
Miniak does vintage synths sounds very well to a degree, like say the VCO digital/analog hybrid synths from the mid-80s. To me this makes it ideal for bass sounds. There is some great mojo about the Miniak that makes basses sound really full, thick and in-your-face. And to me that's a beautiful thing, and ideally suited to a synth that has only 37 keys just like the wonderful bass synths of yesteryear. It bears to mention the Venom can serve bass synth duties very well, but I have been maxing-out polyphony generating the other song parts so that a second synth became necessary. So, on the Miniak after auditioning presets and programming original sounds, it can either sound completely amazing OR can turn bad and cheesy on a dime. The trick seems to be a finesse game. The effects are not that great as the reverb gets these snap-crackle-pop artifacts going if you load the input to the effects section too much. But I've noticed some of the presets behaving this way. The compressor doesn't sound anywhere near as good as the Venom, either. So the way to go, it seems, is to do things in moderation: keep the wet/dry signal around 50/50 or below, keep the oscillator levels away from the 100% mark, and not to go overboard with the modulation amounts.

Programming the Miniak.
So the biggest drawback with the Miniak: the process of editing is a bit slow and tedious. Turns out its editor method is taken almost directly from the Roland Alpha Juno-1/2 whereby all the actions have to pass through a single data wheel. I've always felt it was widely understood this programming method was a shortcoming of the wonderful sounding Alpha-Juno synths, only to see history repeating itself once more unfortunately. It turns out there are some nice software MIDI editors available for price such as from hypersynth.com. But when you lump the costs of editors together with the initial price of the synth itself I think this defeats the cost effectiveness of the Miniak. If you're going to edit a hardware synth with a computer I would rather recommend something much greater sound-quality-wise such as the Venom for the money. Before getting Miniak I thought very seriously about getting a second Venom. All that said, I'll not be getting an editor and just endure the editor data-knob.

Some comparison to Microkorg
My main reason for trading the Microkorg for the Miniak is to get away from those miniature keys. The Miniak has rewarded me greatly for that decision having a sturdy full-size keybed. Sound-wise I think Korg has a better overall sound quality especially with their effects on the Microkorg. Both synths have the vocoder, but the mic for the Miniak seems to be a little more sturdy. MicroKorg has only two oscillators per voice whereas the Miniak has three. For bass synth duties I would have to defer to the Miniak, it really knows how to perfectly rumble the monitors in a sweetly desirable manner. As far as hardware editors go, I would rather have the mod matrix of Korg - and a big plus - Korg offers their excellent software patch editor for free on their website. It's been my hope that manufacturers would stop going to the data-dial mode of editing operations altogether.

So, the result.
I am thinking about the Miniak as a bass synth in my setup, a very capable and versatile bass synth is where it excels. I'll definitely be using Miniak that way in future live video performances. So, As long as you don't mind the editing method being slightly more laborious I can recommend the Miniak as a good alternative to Micorkorg.

Switch-a-roo

2011-11-10T17:53:00.000-08:00

The small mini-keys on the Microkorg are a thorn in my side no more. Enter this little beastie.

Hohner String Melody II Demo (Logan)

2011-10-25T10:22:00.000-07:00

Here is a demo of my recently acquired (and revived) Hohner String Melody II. It is a beautiful sounding string machine from the 70's. This video hopefully supplements some of the information that is currently available out there.

Synth Meet 2011 - Sights and Sounds

2011-10-24T11:27:00.000-07:00

A video of yesterday's Synth Meet Oct. 23, 2011.

Thermion (live)

2011-10-16T20:20:00.000-07:00

At last, here is my first live performance video featuring the track 'Thermion'.

Synths
- M-Audio Venom lead, pads
- Korg Microkorg bass
Sampler
- E-mu ESI-32 samples, drums
Sequencer
- Roland MC-50 mk-I
Main FX Chain
- Kaoss Quad, Custom GSSL Compressor, BBE
Pedals
- MXR Phase 100, Boss RE-20, RT-20
Mixer
- Alesis Multimix-8

New Setup

2011-10-07T20:42:00.000-07:00

The new setup is pretty close to done. I've replaced the EFX-500 with a Kaoss Quad for live looping and other realtime effects. The MC-50 has also taken the place of the MMT-8 sequencer. The MMT-8 was a breeze to use but had severely limited memory storage even with the midi data skimmed way back. I've also needed to bring in a MicroKorg to help with the synth tracks as the Venom can only do so much. Here are some updated pics. Live performances are soon to commence and post on youtube!

^ A look at the rack case: ESI-32 sampler (top), power strip, BBE, and a couple of custom built units - the GSSL mixbus compressor and JH Triple Chorus (bottom).

^ The Alesis Multimix-8 is working out really well with 2 effects sends/returns and 3-band eq.

^ Suitcase starting from top corner: RE-20, RT-20, Phase-100, Kaoss Quad, MC-50.

Transformations

2011-09-02T18:20:00.000-07:00

Update on what's going on around here. It has been quite inspiring to see many interesting YouTube videos of electronic musicians sharing their live music-making processes. So much so that now I am building a small live rig to generate some live videos of my own. In that endeavor it is my hope to fuel some exciting new creative processes. It is very much in the spirit of breaking away from my comfort zone to discover something unrealized, untapped creative potential. I know it's a vague notion but it has been my experience the process of discovery often leads to new and rewarding places and ideas. Some quick photos showing a glimpse of the live rig layout with my new rack and suitcase....

The suitcase was an interesting project that took about a week including shopping hardware parts. The 'box' structure is recycled wood taken from old kitchen cabinets I am currently re-facing. I had put to good use my experience re-covering Rhodes electric pianos for this black vinyl-covered beauty. It's built more like a pedalboard on the inside, with a slightly elevated "pegboard" platform where power cables raceway underneath out of the way of signal cables. The power strip resides in the back right corner pit where all the 'wall-wart' transformers seemed to collect ad infinitum.

Not pictured is the primary synth I'll be using, the new Venom. Also not shown, Korg Kaoss Pad Quad that has just been put on order and should get here next week, and it will be going in place of the computer keyboard (in photo). No computer pc or laptops will be part of this rig. Instead there will be a vintage sampler, sequencer, and plenty of effects. The general idea being a simplified slice from the studio with capability to easily re-patch various components, the ability to freestyle the outcome with every performance (remix on-the-fly), and introduce live DJ effects-style shenanigans.

Oberheim Matrix-12 Demo

2011-08-02T22:27:00.000-07:00

This is sound demo of the Oberheim Matrix-12 synthesizer. All but two of the patches are my original creation and hopefully shows some of the ridiculously flexible sound architecture that is possible with this board. I'm playing some riffs both of my own original music and from some of the bands that have influenced me. The last bit, Intro to Gunslinger, while it is short it DID take a couple of weeks practice to get it right and is backed by a Machinedrum.

A summary of song riffs played:
G-Storm - Miranda (By The Sea)
Radiohead - All I Need
Depeche Mode - Enjoy The Silence
G-Storm - Cerulean Deraileur
Jimmy Van M ft. Terra Deva - bassline from Love Like Sleep
G-Storm - Spaced Out Beauty
New Order - Blue Monday
G-Storm - Aerial
808 State - breakdown from In Yer Face
Garbage - You Look So Fine
Sasha - Mr Tiddles
Go West - intro to Call Me
G-Storm - untitled track
G-Storm - Expectations (a really old unrecorded track of mine)
Spaced Out Beauty
M83 - You Appearing
Expectations
Immersion Domain - 1000 Images (I used the same Limuidz factory patch on the Xpander for that track)
Van Halen - I'll Wait (Eddie used an OB-Xa, I believe)
G-Storm - Descendant
Vangelis - Blade Runner (Opening Titles)
G-Storm - Gunslinger
G-Storm - intro to Gunslinger

Recorded via Alesis Multimix-8 and into Macbook w/ only occasional additional effects from the Multimix added for select sounds.

NEW TRACK - Spaced Out Beauty

2011-07-14T17:49:00.000-07:00

Download this track for free in any format you like at bandcamp.
I've always been fascinated by vintage analogue choir sounds. You know, the ethereal stuff sprinkled in the background soundtrack of sci-fi films like Blade Runner. I've especially been interested in doing a track where the analogue choirs are right up in your face. 'Spaced Out Beauty' is such a track, and it is extra-special since I also created the free VSP-330 plugin that is making those analogue choir sounds. As an extra treat I have dropped the track behind some recently unearthed interesting film footage of a squirrel fighting yellow perimeter tape used in construction. Makes for some fine film making I must say, enjoy. -g

Bye-bye Flakestick Channel

2011-07-09T10:35:00.000-07:00

I have retired my YouTube channel user name Flakestick. The new channel user name is now gstormelectro. This is little bit of a long story.

That Flakestick channel was created to feature silly nonsense like Xtranormal skits and funny squirrels. However, I started posting my audio experiments there, and eventually deleted the Xtranormal things. Now it was amusing to me to keep the Flakestick user name, to make folks type funny things when going to my channel. But it's gotten old and doesn't identify what the channel is about.

YouTube could not allow me to simply rename my user account. They required me to close that user channel and open a new one. So I have gone through the process of re-uploading all of my videos painstakingly, one-at-a-time. It sucks now, especially losing all those views, but I think it will be better in the long run. Visit my new channel here and thanks for watching! -g

Synth Demos: Korg DW-8000 and Delta

2011-06-27T12:51:00.000-07:00

Here is a re-post of my old demos of two synths that unfortunately I no longer own: the Korg DW-8000 and the Delta.
The DW-8000 sounds great but it is a heavy space-monger in the studio. A lot of folks opt for the rackmount version: the EX-8000.

The Delta has the flexibility of having both a synth and stringer all-in-one, even if the synth osc is a simple square. Albeit the string sound is a little cheesy organ sounding, too. The warm multi-mode filter and joystick help make this one a favorite of synth fans.

NEW TRACK: 'STAR KILLERS'

2011-06-22T08:11:00.000-07:00

Ahhh, here it is - the brand new track 'Star Killers'. The first track following quite a hiatus. Spacy psychedelia meets modern sonic textures. The title is a slight variation of the original, but recently discovered George Lucas might come after me if I used the original title. I have compiled an interesting art video for it as well. The track will also be available for for no-minimum name-your-own-price as usual at bandcamp.

DEATH BY VENOM: Avid/M-Audio Synth Demo III

2011-06-22T07:42:00.000-07:00

Another quick-n-dirty youtube demo showing the sonic versatility of M-Audio's new synth, the Venom. All patches are my original creation.

All original patches in this vid are by me:
Atlas Sound - Sonics inspired by the band w/ the same name. RE: Quick Canal
Sinister FM - Evil FM bass sound
Whirrrrr - FX sound, like a computer fan
OBStringz - Gritty Obie String Sound
OBLimuidz - Recreation of probably my favorite factory patch from the Oberheim Matrix Synths
Gunslinger - Recreation of a Memorymoog lead patch I made for my track 'Gunslinger'
Organ Drive - Distort-y Organ going through a guitar amp
Wavepunkd - Steampunk sound from the Korg Wavestation or PPG Wave
MS-TRON - MS-20 lead used a lot on Ladytron's stuff
USA Muscle - Classic Minimoog lead sound
JunoBass01 - Classic Roland Bass
Vintage Vibe - Nostalgic 70's keys
LatelyBass - Yamaha DX-series (DX7, TX81Z, etc) bass heard on countless recordings
System 100 - Nice chunky Roland sequence bass
Comeback - Super-chunky Oberheim Matrix bass like on my track "Miranda By The Sea'
Short&Long - Minimoog bass w/ fast attack and swell RE: FSOL 'Calcium'
DeepFM - Entrancing progressive house harmonics
Poly6Bass - Korg Polysix unison bass.
MingLovesU - A cross between Ming the Merciless theme and Prince's 'Lets Go Crazy' organ sound.

Recorded straight into Macbook w/ no additional effects - ALL VENOM.

Download the single patches Venom Patches on this post. The zip file contains all the previous patches I created before, and all the new patches I made to date.

Quick update

2011-05-31T12:23:00.000-07:00

May has been so unkind. Thankfully still here after 5 tornado warnings went off last week. Also, my Oberheim has developed some issues and requires service. This probably means no new music this month since it was to get heavy use on the forthcoming tracks. On the bright side I have some new Venom patches and video cued-up for posting soon. Stay tuned.

Happy Cinco de Mayo, New Tracks, HV-330 plugin update

2011-05-05T12:02:00.000-07:00

All the more reason to celebrate. I'm happy to announce two unreleased recordings have been completed since the last posting.

- Starkiller -
The results are 'stellar'. :) The idea for this track came out of my Venom synth demo which can be heard at 1:38 in this video.

- Spaced Out Beauty -
A serendipitous track based heavily on an ethereal, haunting VSP-330 choir synth demo I made called Solemn Beauty I had generated back in February. Be sure to read my other postings about the VSP-330 project.

These tracks should come available soon. I'm pushing myself to finish one track a month, but as always not rushing things and taking my time to make this album to my complete satisfaction. Just as long as it's not a whole year between tracks that's okay.

And lastly I have had some requests that I make a plugin version of my HV-330 Choir Filter. It would allow any signal to be routed through the 7-band choir filter for interesting results. It basically amounts to the VSP-330 plugin without it's own oscillators, and allowing external signals to be routed through it. More to come on this project soon.

Back in the studio

2011-04-01T09:51:00.000-07:00

It's great to be back in full swing in the studio this past two weeks recording new material (it's no April fools joke). The hiatus has been far too long - since November 2009. During that time I've been playing around with a lot of new song ideas and creating sounds. The first new track picks up where the first five tracks left off, without skipping a beat, and must say is sounding 'stellar'. With any luck my goal is to finish the new album this year.

M-Audio Venom: 48 patches for download

2011-03-21T18:20:00.001-07:00

I have uploaded 19 original selected patches to venomsynth.com. These are patches featured in my youtube videos and soundcloud demos. Unfortunately the venomsynth site is still fresh and doesn't appear to have a way to navigate all the available patches yet. But their home page assures "As a brand new website there are bound to be a number of little gotchas in the design that are sure to cause mild annoyances, but rest assured we are not asleep at the switch"

UPDATES
The Vyzone feature on Venomsynth.com still doesn't have a way to navigate all of the available patches so I will make them available here as a zip file.
Venom Patches from demos 01-03: Download here
10 New Patches from Demo 04: Download here
Thanks for checking out my free use patches and I'd definitely be interested in hearing any tracks that are using them.

VSP-330 Voice Synth Plus r1.0

2011-03-09T12:59:00.000-08:00

Full Size Synth UI

NEW! Optional Compact UI Version

***UPDATED DOWNLOAD LINK***
Now available: download VSP-330 r1.0
be sure to read the 'readme.rtf' for useful bits.

M-Audio Venom Synth: No Antidote For The Sickness

2011-03-07T13:34:00.000-08:00

This is a third impromptu sound demo showing more of my original patches from M-Audio's new synth, the Venom.
M-Audio Venom Demo 3 by gstormelectro
All original single patches in this audio demo are by me:
aXiOn+On - a synth hit that sounds like something I've heard in Orbital's Out There Somewhere.
***GHX*** - self explanatory.
5 Millenia - inspired by a distinctive sound heard in 5 Millenia Later from the 5th Element Soundtrack. Turns out that it makes a nice melodic patch.
Funky D X - Sounds exactly like a DX27 I used to own. Oh the memories!
Fizzy Pad - Sounds just like an Ensoniq Fizmo I used to own. More memories.
B3-8'-4' - By request I conjured a Hammond patch. The initial transient clicks supplied by the "09 Tom Hi" waveform assigned to oscillator 3.
Europa JP - My first attempt at a Jupiter-6 synth sound with a high pass filter. Sounds flat in the headphones since the real JP-6 was mono output, so in keeping with that I turned off the Venom FX so we can hear the oscillators and filters for what they are. First chords are played, then a nice arpeggio.
Space Port - Another crazy weird synth lead patch as the result of happy accidents. Amazing!

Recorded straight into Macbook w/ no additional effects - ALL VENOM. See the first two Venom demos I made at http://www.youtube.com/flakestick

VSP-330 Voice Synth Plus beta r2

2011-02-28T22:32:00.000-08:00

New screenshot

Version 2 beta sound test of my Voice Synth Plus VST plugin.
Ready for download soon here - stay tuned!

Added Features:
- Stunning new GUI looks more like a vintage instrument
- "pitch set" knob for the pitch shift slider
- "tune" knob like the original, global detuning by +/- 50 cents
- ensemble controls: rate, depth, amount
- power button!
- and a wicked new feature....OSC2 detuning! OSC2 is the source for Male 8' and string Bass 16'. Instead of OSC2 being restricted to one octave below OSC1, pitch intervals can now be set. You can also make OSC2 be very close to OSC1 tuning, resulting in two voice unison detuned-type sounds. It takes the classic VP-330 sound to a whole new level - you will not believe your ears!

The audio was recorded in Cubase on four tracks w/ no other processing added - ALL VSP-330!

VSP-330 Voice Synth Plus beta (VP-330)

2011-02-23T13:33:00.000-08:00

A beta version sound test of my Voice Synth Plus VST plugin. It's not going to replace the original Roland VP-330 strings and choirs, but it's the next best thing and then some.

Features:
- Choir selectable Male 8', Male 4' and Female 4' across all keys.
- Strings selectable 8' AND 16' Bass (the 16' string was not on original)
- Built-in ensemble mod can be switched on/off for choir and strings.
- Envelope attack for each Choir and String. Env release is shared like on the original.
- Choir and String level controls.
- Up to 16-voice polyphony depending on your computer.
- Of course MIDI and patch save.

This is a beta version so the GUI is minimal. Better graphics will come w/ future versions.

The audio was recorded in Cubase on three tracks w/ no other processing added - ALL VSP-330!

VSP-330 Voice Synth Plus (Roland VP-330 Choir/String clone)

2011-02-21T14:31:00.000-08:00

A preview of my Voice Synth Plus VST Plugin I'm working on. It's not going to replace the original VP-330 strings and choirs, but it's the next best thing and then some.
VSP-330 Teaser (Roland VP-330 Choir/String clone) by gstormelectro
Here is a preliminary screenshot.

Features:
- Choir selectable Male 8', Male 4' and Female 4' across all keys.
- Strings selectable 8' AND 16' Bass (the 16' string was not on original)
- Built-in ensemble.
- Envelope attack for each Choir and String. Env release is shared like on the original.
- Choir and String level controls.
- I've got it set at 8-voice polyphony but will probably bump it up.
- Of course MIDI and patch save.

Cloning the ROLAND VP-330 "Vocoder Plus"

2011-02-20T10:19:00.000-08:00

I have spent a lot of time being preoccupied with cloning the string and choir sounds of the Roland VP-330 synthesizer. It's a fantastic, old-school instrument with a very distinct sound most notably used by Vangelis in the Blade Runner soundtrack. Here is a video by retrosynth showing what it sounds like.

I have had success at building an audio processor that can change the sound of an ordinary synthesizer to the choir sound as seen in my video.

The shortcoming of the audio processor is that it doesn't have the classic chorus ensemble sound the original instrument is known. The chorus is made possible with a rare and obsolete chip known as the SAD BBD. I'm currently working on a software VST version that uses the power of the computer to mimic those beautiful choir sounds. The software clone would go beyond being a mere choir filter by having its own oscillators, a string synth and hopefully that nice quad ensemble chorus. I'm having a lot of fun with it and making good progress. -g

More Venom In Your System M-Audio/Avid

2011-02-14T11:15:00.000-08:00

Here's another demo of the Venom Synth. Just messing around, nothing serious.

A Taste of Venom Demo M-Audio Avid

2011-01-30T22:24:00.000-08:00

Recently picked up a new instrument, the M-Audio Venom synthesizer. Here is a rough demo of my first sounds I made this weekend. Fantastic piece of kit. I'll be using the sounds at 1:38 in a track to come for sure.

A First Time For Everything The Thirteenth Time

2011-01-15T13:46:00.000-08:00

Hello and welcome to the information hub of my latest musical endeavor, G-Storm Electro. Here you will be able to keep up with the happenings and track releases. A few quick tidbits. It has been thirteen months since my last track, and I'm going quite stir-crazy. But I'm determined to overcome much adversity to make this musical journey to resume again. Plagued with job losses and selling off most of my studio gear, a major studio computer crash claiming two hard-drives, and relocating the studio to a somewhat chaotic and cramped environment - it has been no easy thirteen months! As of this moment the studio computer has been re-built, all apps re-loaded, much synth programming has taken place on what I do still own, and the studio is once again taking shape. Whew! I am here to finish the new and yet untitled album that I started so long ago and know deep down it will be worth my renewed efforts. I am looking forward to a new year once again full of musical possibilities.