Auditioning Akai Samples on the Vintage 12-Bit X7000

Today I am exploring selected standard library samples on Akai X7000. The sounds came w/ my Gotek USB floppy emulator. Recorded direct on iPhone via EPM6 mixer via Go:Mixer:Pro-X. Industrial basses, strings, synths, plucky things, a couple of weird sound fx. This sampler, other gently pre-owned gear, and my hand-made eurorack modules are all currently available for sale in my Reverb store.

AKAI SOUND LIBRARY
0:00 Electric Bass
0:08 Hi String
0:23 Haunting Fifths
0:37 EMS
AKAI VARIOS
0:47 BBrass
0:54 Big Anna (+Eutopic glitched loading)
1:15 CMI Atmosphere
1:29 CMI Choir
1:37 CMI Sararr
1:42 D50 Fantasia
1:56 Depeche
2:05 DX7 Funk Bass
2:13 Eminent
2:23 Eutopic
2:35 Juno Max
2:45 Mega Bass
2:54 PPG Bass
LA STUDIO
3:03 Classical Guitar I
3:15 Double Bass
3:23 Armageddon

Decadent Atmospheric Pads & Soundscapes on Roland XP-30

The Roland XP-30. Loaded w/ tons of decadent atmospheric pads and soundscape presets. Still relevant after all this time. Yes, yes, I hear using presets = bad. But sometimes you just want to kick back and let the imagination ride and give the left brain much needed rest. Headphones, dim lighting and candles recommended.

0:00 | XP-A-015 | Silky Filter
0:30 | XP-A-070 | Nylon + Str
0:52 | XP-A-017 | Slow Str Sect
1:34 | XP-A-050 | Legato Flute
2:03 | XP-C-147 | Dense Floor
2:41 | XP-C-146 | Liquid Sky
3:18 | PR-E-097 | Analog Drama
3:48 | PR-E-099 | Silky Way
4:12 | PR-C-091 | Dawn to Dusk
4:51 | XP-A-058 | Cosmic Flute

I make some sweet Eurorack Synth Modules! Check out my inventory in my Reverb Store.

Behringer Wave Digital Synthesizer User Review [Demo 01]

Today I am giving a user review of the new Behringer Wave. My personal thoughts and opinions. I bought this synth with my own tax refund money. So nobody has input into what I'm posting here today. The Wave is promoted as a faithful reproduction of the PPG Wave 2.3 digital synthesizer in all its lo-fi glory. With a touch of some modern feature additions. While I have tried a friend's original PPG, this is not a comparison to the original. Nor is this an exhaustive how-to, nor covering all features.
Is the Behringer Wave right for you?
What makes the Wave stand out from other synths?
Is the Wave a good value for the money?
Can I recommend the Wave to others?

0:00 Introduction and Brief Overview
1:01 Build Quality
2:23 Features, Sound
4:39 User Interface and the Synthtribe App
6:10 Final Thoughts
7:59 One more thing

Be sure to check out my cool Eurorack modules I make in my Reverb Store

Casio CZ-1000 Synthesizer Demo

Today the Casio CZ-1000 is giving me the feels with an Eventide Timefactor. Original patches, recorded direct via Roland GO:Mixer Pro-X. Be sure to check out my Reverb Store for gently pre-owned gear and the cool Eurorack modules I offer.

Kawai K1m Retro Digital Synth Euphoria Desktop Module

Today I'm auditioning my original patches made for the Kawai K1m. A very limited digital synth from the 90s. And yet after digging into the architecture was able to harness some very powerful and unique features that are really, I mean, REALLY surprising. You'll hear some cheesy things, some pads, basses. And then there's fat poly action, swirling digital synth soundscapes. And alive motion things that are frankly astounding for such an unassuming little black box. Try to keep in mind when you hear the Mesmerized patch - the K1m has no sequencer nor arpeggiator. No freely assignable LFOs, just a fixed vibrato and that's it. And NO filter ha! Be sure to watch the whole video, lots of my favorites are on the 2nd half starting @3:19. My favorites are Head East, LA Sunset, Liquide and Mesmerized...which ones did you like?

0:00 Steamy
0:22 StringSyn
0:32 MicroMacro
0:45 Meekly
1:04 Spokes
1:18 Bedtime
1:39 SynViolin
1:49 Deep State
1:58 ChordLock
2:08 Sunrays
2:21 StringPad2
2:40 Sine Tones
2:51 ReedyBass
2:57 LectroKeys
3:18 TreeOfLife
3:45 Worn Tape
4:09 Ramp Me!
4:27 Italio
4:42 Hunter Bass
4:52 FlrscntBass
5:02 LA Sunset
5:43 Liquide
6:27 FuturChopz
6:42 Big Chill
7:10 Digipad
7:22 Fat Poly
7:43 Fat Punch
7:50 Head East
8:21 Night Sky
8:37 Artifakt
9:10 Mesmerized

Recorded direct, only the onboard effects are used. No other mastering or effects have been added.
Be sure to check out my Reverb Store for cool eurorack modules and gently owned gear for sale.

Korg SDD-1200 Dual Delay Rack FX w/ a Synthesizer Demo

This is the Korg SDD-1200 vintage effects unit. Featuring two completely independent digital delay lines. You can patch up the delays any way you like: In series, parallel, internal or external feedback loops. Today I'll be auditioning a few selected patches with some sounds with my Korg Poly-61 Synthesizer.

0:00 | Intro
0:54 | Stereo Flange
2:20 | Stereo Chorus
3:01 | Rhythmic Stereo Delay
4:09 | Feedback Loop
5:25 | Stereo Chorus + FX Feedback Loop

Sequential Drumtraks Drum Machine Repair

Today I'm investigating issues with a Sequential Drumtraks. While it is making sounds, the display is glitching out and the control functions are not working. In the end it was only incidental I was able to get it working again, for reasons I don't fully understand. The same phenomenon happens with my Drumulator, that's how I knew what to check for. It's my hope posting this video, that someone more knowledgable will be able to comment about this phenomenon.

This video is posted for general information about my experiences. Always observe safety working on electronics, and never tinker around inside power supplies without first unplugging the power cord. If you're not sure about anything, there's no shame in taking your instrument to a qualified service technician.

Since filming the video, I've discovered the batteries are still made in Japan. Also, the numbers on the battery may or may not necessarily be a date code. My new battery says 2132, so maybe it was made in 2021? Since the manufacture date and date installed may differ by a couple of years, I now write a date on the battery with a sharpie when I install it.

Timestamps
0:00 Intro + Symptoms
0:28 Power Supply investigation
2:10 Battery
2:28 Data Bus Check
4:08 About Cleaning IC pins
4:28 Last ditch effort and suddenly it's working???
5:38 Short demo

I design analog Eurorack modules, check my Reverb store for availability.

Arion DDS-1 Delay [Pedals w/ Synthesizers #15] Demo No Talk

Arion DDS-1 is a vintage digital delay pedal. Recorded direct, no other mastering or effects. Just the Arion Pedal and various synths one at a time.

0:00 Roland Jupiter-6
2:03 Cheetah MS6
3:40 Korg Poly-61

Be sure to check out my cool eurorack modules available in my Reverb Store.

TC Electronics Transition Delay [Pedals w/ Synthesizers #14] Demo No Tal...

Transition is a discontinued digital Toneprint series delay pedal. Recorded direct, no other mastering or effects. Just the Transition Pedal and various synth type devices one at a time. This video was not sponsored by TC Electronic. The Transition was purchased out of pocket for my own fun.

0:00 Korg MS-20 | Mode: Duct
2:18 Crumar Bit99 | Mode: Faty
2:59 Roland Juno-60 | Mode: Dyn
3:21 Korg Polysix | Mode: Morf
4:25 Roland Juno-60 | Mode: Morf
4:58 Crumar Bit99 | Mode: Morf
5:46 Korg Polysix | Mode: Ping-Pong
6:30 Crumar Bit99 | Mode: Loop

Roland JX-08 Synth Demo | 3 Vignettes in 3 Minutes

Ah the Roland JX-08 Boutique Synth module.
Sold my JX-8P some time ago and was pining for some of that vibe.
The JX-08 does very well, and a fraction of the studio space :D
Making use of the on-board sequencer and/or Keystep Pro.
Patches are derivations of factory presets.
Recorded direct, only the onboard effects are used.
No other mastering or effects have been added.

Be sure to check out my JX-8P synth videos
Demo #1
Demo #2
Demo #3

Can I Revive Kenwood DX-7030 DAT Machine Recorder?

Today I'm investigating issues with a Kenwood DX-7030 DAT Recorder.
The door opens and closes, but doesn't play the tape.
There's not a lot of mech service video content on this model.
And I have no service manual.
Can I get this thing working?

This is just a summary of about 10 hours of inspection, fiddling, proding, and poking.
Not including watching a load of DAT mech cleaning content.
Big shout out to 12voltvids
There you can see more detailed tips for cleaning DAT mechanisms.

Timestamps
0:00 Intro and Symptoms
0:37 Tape Mech Breakdown
2:25 Take-up Rollers
3:10 Switch cleaning
4:14 Results?

Be sure to check out my cool eurorack synthesizer modules in my Reverb store.

Granular Synthesis - Pulse Synthesizers Load Runner Module Demo

Today I am checking out the Load Runner Granular Synthesizer Module by Pulse Synthesizers.
Back in 2018, Youtube user John Crombie was uploading these prototype videos of a sampler in development.
It started out life as a 4-channel sampler
And evolved into the granular processor we now know
How does it differ from Mutable Clouds, Akai S612, and Erica Sample Drum?
Let's take it for a spin and see how it sounds.

Recorded direct, no other mastering or effects.

0:00 | Intro
1:41 | Audio demos

My demos of the Erica Synths Sample Drum
Part 1
Part 2

Akai S612 FPA Front Panel Animator upgrade
Demo Contact hideaway studio, see About page
I make the JP6-VCF and other cool analog eurorack modules...
Check my Reverb store for availability

GSE Patches for ASM Hydrasynth [Demo03:Patches021-030]

Auditioning more of my original ASM Hydrasynth patches available soon.

Timestamps
0:00 021 Diginoise | Lo-Fi Tones + Atmosphere
0:28 022 Blades | Edgy Synth
0:53 023 Sine Tones | Pure + Smooth the way you like it
1:14 024 Voices + Chimes | Choir + Morricone Chimes
1:40 025 Hackspander | Obie Sweep
2:00 026 Ghosted | Dissonant + Creepy Choir
2:22 027 Pulsing | Sawtooth Synth Arp
2:44 028 Hydrix-8 | Another Obie Sweep
3:10 029 Darkscape | Sci-Fi Noir FX
3:43 030 Tickin' Clock | Modulated Delay Percussion

Erica Synths Sample Drum USER REVIEW Eurorack [Pt. 1/2]

Today I am giving another new product user review, this time the Erica Synths Sample Drum Eurorack Module. The Sample Drum is described as an easy-to-use, two voice, modular sample player designed with percussion and loops in mind. So how does the Sample Drum perform as a loop playback sampler? Can it be as crunchy as your Akais or Emus? Let's see.

Recorded direct to Tascam DR-05. No outboard effects nor processing of any kind.

Yamaha TX81Z FM Synthesizer Patches Bank 2 [Demo #4] (no FX)

Some new selected patches on the TX81Z FM Synthesizer.
Dark soundscape, dreamy, indie synthwave stuff.
This time without the Big Sky Reverb.
Using a single TX81Z unit.
Raw, naked, mono, FM synthesis goodness.

Timestamp
0:00 cold opening
0:10 Bangzwap!, noise stab
0:22 Dream4Days, breathy pad
0:46 Vaporware, choral pad
1:11 Vinyl Tone, bell tone + vinyl crackle static noise
1:30 ChorusSyn, swirly synth
1:45 Warm Poly, big ol' fat poly
2:11 Poles, smooth metalic tones
2:32 Harmonix, glitchy pad + EP
2:47 $ummer Cola, dreamy pad
3:03 Retrofit, 80s synth
3:36 Love Scene, soundtrack
4:06 Icewave, chilly brooding soundscape
4:40 Ruination, dark soundtrack

Recorded direct to Tascam DR-05.
No other effects nor processing of any kind.

Get the free patch download.
Check out the sidebar >>>
Look for "download links" :D

Pittsburgh Modular DNA Symbiotic Waves More Tips-N-Tricks [Demo 3]

Once again we are looking at the DNA Symbiotic Waves dual oscillator: a cornucopia of naked digital synthesis anarchy. Today I will drill down on some more tips for edgy and gritty sounds.

Topics
Supersaw! + Detuned Oscillators - Layer Processor
Trying Other Processors with these settings
Small Processing Amounts
Using DNA with a Filter Module
Oscillator #2 Tuning
Modulating Oscillator Mix Balance
The Bizarre FM Delay Processor
Maxxing Out Processor Amounts - FM Reduce
Setting the Mix fully to One Oscillator
Reduce Processor
Switch Processor - Dubstep Wobble

Recorded Direct to Tascam DR-05, no effects.
VCA - Bastl Skis
LFO - Pittsburgh Synthesizer Box
Filter - my SH2-VCF
Note Triggering - Arturia Beatstep Pro

First Go w/ Basimilus Iteritas Alter Eurorack Module

The Basimilus Iteritas Alter module by Noise Engineering just arrived. It's an aggressive percussion/voice module, and it's intense. I'm starting a row of percussion modules in my rack and felt this would start it off with a nice edge.

In this demo I turn out the BIA in a full frenzy of CVs and triggers from Varigate 4, S/H from Pittsburgh Modular Toolbox, a couple of Attack/Release envelopes. Getting some help from the 4MS Rotating Clock Divider. There's other tutorial vids out there, just wanted to show the module in the extreme going full throttle. Not for the squeamish or faint - you've been warned.

My assessment: this thing is SICK! and has a tendency to take over the whole mix if you allow. I will probably take things down a notch or two when making my patches - just so there will be room to bring in other elements. I love this thing, and it takes fun to a whole new extreme.

DRE4MTR4CK Eurorack Sequencer User Guide

The DRE4MTR4CK is a simple and intuitive Pitch CV sequencer. It has 4 steps, and it has 4 Individual tracks. Each track has its own clock input, clock output, and Pitch CV output. In this way, it can behave like 4 completely independent sequencers.

In this video I show how to use the DRE4MTR4CK in more detail.
0:00 Introduction
1:23 Installation Options
Correction: the graphics say -5v when it should say +5v (positive 5v).
3:06 Boot-Up Defaults
3:32 Connections and Operations

DRE4MTR4CK is a custom module built by hand. Full specs available on my previous post.

Something Wicked Fun This Way Comes

For the past two months I have been designing something mysterious and interesting. In this somewhat misleading teaser video I am tweaking its extreme aspects, a series of acid tests meant to discover its limits. The design intent is quite different from what you see here. It will still do these things if that's the sort of things you are into. I hope to have more to show very soon. Stay tuned.

Synthesis Technology E560 Deflector Shield Demo Eurorack Module

Today I demonstrate the Synthesis Technology E560 Deflector Shield module. It is a digital effects module that has Frequency Shifting, Ring Modulation, and Phase Shifting. There's not as much talking in this one. I read the documentation and still don't fully understand everything that is going on. But it sounds absolutely wicked.

I show what effect all controls have on the sound. This demo uses a simple sawtooth from my Pittsburgh Modular Synthesizer Box as the sound input. Each knob has its own dedicated CV input, as demonstrated by passing a triangle LFO also from the Synth Box to each CV input as an example.

There are a tonnage of little sweet spots. Paul Schreiber has done an amazing job on this one. This module stereo outputs were sent to my Mackie mixer and panned hard left/right, and recorded direct to a Tascam DR-05 w/ no other effects or production so the E560 can shine in all its glory.

Contents: 0:22 Frequency Shifter
5:04 Ring Modulation
6:23 Phase Shifter