A series of video tutorials that covers the Ensoniq Mirage Octophonic Mod.  This allows for eight individual outputs, one per voice and filter for the famous Ensoniq Mirage 8 bit sampler.

A few short tutorial videos visualizing the octophonic output mod for the Ensoniq Mirage. The mod routes the output of the eight CEM3328 filters (one per voice) to an individual output. The original modification instructions appeared in an issue of Transoniq Hacker and allows you to create an output for each voice played.

You can view the full modification tutorial playlist here:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLloG2n9QkpF2gJc_wszA4tsHGFjCySgWn

You can find the original modification instructions here:

http://web.archive.org/web/20040318150810/http://www.synthzone.com/midi/ensoniq/Mirage/StereoMirage.html

there’s a noticeable improvement in the Mirage’s signal-to-noise ratio, even when the signals are mixed back to mono. Folks, the hiss is gone! By bypassing the final VCA and summing circuitry in the Mirage, the perpetual quiescent hiss that used to pervade my system is now at a quarter of its former strength — a noise reduction of over 6 dB in the newer Mirages and 10 dB in the older ones.

You can also download the Ensoniq Mirage Service Manual Here:

Mirage Service Manual Ensoniq Mirage Octophonic Mod Audio Demo

Does anyone else have any other demos of the Octophonic mod?  I would love to hear more. 

Joel Bisson has uploaded Yamaha TX81Z bass samples as a new SFZ Instrument to the Downloads section.

The SFZ Instrument was recorded from the first ever preset he made for a Yamaha TX81Z.  Just loaded it up into Plogue sforzando and it’s classic FM Bass sound. Perfect for those with a soft spot for FM Bass!

The JB1STBass download includes 10 samples in 16bit 44.1k sample format.  Roughly 5.5 MB decompressed.

Download JB1STBass If you are looking for more classic FM Bass Sounds don’t miss out on the other free sfz patches here:

Free SFZ Instruments Downloads

Dataline has shared: Strom for iPad and Analog Rytm

Strom is an iPad app developed by Jakob Penca (Username void on Elektronauts forum).  Strom allows you to sample from your iPad.  With powerful resampling, editing, and slicing features.  Then you can transfer the samples directly to the Elektron Analog Rytm.

The app also boasts sequence beat generating capabilities with the Analog Rytm along with parameter changes and parameter locking features.  Control AL similar feature from the MachineDrum!  Very very cool! 

Watch the intro video here:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/stromapp
Elektronauts discussion: http://www.elektronauts.com/topics/view/7514/page:1

Strom is an advanced iPad App, providing unprecedented integration with the most powerful drum machine available, the Elektron Analog Rytm.

Strom makes uploading samples from iPad to Rytm easy.
Its quirky monophonic sampler can can also be used stand-alone.

Furthermore, Strom offers a kick-ass interface to enhance your live performance.
The App is designed to quickly and efficiently bend Rytm’s vast sonic space, and to generate and mutate your beats.

Strom will be available at the App Store very soon.

Elektron has released a new and exciting Sound Pack for their Analog Rytm.  Presenting the SID Redux Sound Pack for the Analog Rytm! 

Check out the promo video here:

From Elektron:

The spirit of the Sidstation lives on – and it has found a comfortable home in the Analog Rytm. We have programmed and sampled our first-born machine and are proud to present the SID Redux Sound pack: a collection of gnarly, home computerish, and totally wonderful percussive sounds. This Sound pack will give your beats a lovely digital edge of the rusty kind.

You can find out more about the SID Redux Sound Pack here:

http://www.elektron.se/content/sid-redux

Interested more about the Analog Rytm – Superb Hybrid Drum Synth Sampler check it out here:

http://www.elektron.se/products/analog-rytm

Roger Linn posted two new demos of his Linnstrument using Synful Orchestra as the soundsource virtual instrument.  LinnStrument Violin and Cello Performances and demonstrations showing LinnStrument controlling the virtual instrument Synful Orchestra.  The pressure sensitivity of the LinnStrument has been assigned to vibrato for Synful Orchestra.  This can be very expressive combination. 

“Manhã de Carnival”, performed by Roger, sound source by Synful Orchestra.

Along with Cello performance. 

There is also an hour long interview and demonstration from Sonic Talk below. Worth watching if you are interested in hearing more about the development of the Linnstrument.

Bass City – Free Synth Bass Samples!

Proudly presenting Bass City – A Free Synth Bass Sample Library by 99 Sounds and PatchArena. Bass City is a free collection of vintage bass synthesizer samples, availible in Kontakt .NKI and .sfz Sforzando format. Designed for any type of electronic music production. EDM, old school, Electro, House, Dub, Techno, you name it.

This sample pack started as a collaboration between 99 Sounds and PatchArena. We started by sampling a few bass sounds from our favorite vintage synthesizers. We kept on sampling more and more custom bass patches. It started with our favorite raw FM Bass sounds from the one and only TX81Z 4 op FM rack mount synth. Then sampling excellent juicy tones of the Korg Poly800 and EX800. The stacking oscillators of the 800 series going thru the analog filters sound perfectly sweet. The built in chorus on these two units is absolutely superb. After months sampling and playing these bass instruments we selected our favorites and combined them into Bass City.

Special thanks to Tomislav Zlatic from 99 Sounds for all of his effort on this collection. The cover art and the custom NKI programming is top notch. You should check out some of the other quality sample collections being curated by Tomislav here:

http://99sounds.org/

Also check out Tomislav’s blog BedroomProducersBlog news on electronic music production and free developer goodies. You can also find a few nice sample packs there already such as the Cassette 909 Pack, as well as the BPB Mini Analogue Collection.

http://bedroomproducersblog.com/

The KORG EX800 on the “Chopping Block”.

Bass City Contents and Details

This Free Synth Bass Library is available in Kontakt and SFZ formats, so these instruments will load/import in just about every available sampler. The NKI files have a custom GUI with LowPass, HighPass, Attack, and Release controls. If you load up the SFZ instrument files in Plogue sforzando you will also have the same controls! Pretty sweet!

Bass City in Native Instrument’s Kontakt.

Bass City in Plogue’s Sforzando.

Bass City – Free Synth Bass Samples Contents & Stats:

• 399 audio samples
• 26 instrument patches
• Kontakt 5 support
• SFZ format support
• 24-bit WAV format
• 44.1 kHz Stereo
• 581 MB size on disk
• 336 MB download size (RAR archive)

Download

Bass City is available for free, head on over to the 99 Sounds page to download:

http://99sounds.org/bass-city/

Send over any comments or music you make with the Bass instruments!  Enjoy!

Moog Sub 37 Analog Architecture Overview

We had a chance to play the alpha version of the Moog Sub 37 at last winter NAMM, it’s amazing to hear how this synth and features have developed!  This new video of the Moog Sub 37 featuring Cory Henry sounds great!  Moog tones are very sweet!  Love the overview and details to the duo para-phonic modes.

Moog Music Chief Engineer Cyril Lance gives an overview of the technical effort and advancements made during the design of the Sub 37 analog synthesizer. This video includes insights on the Sub 37’s new VCO design, mixer architecture, filter topology, as well as the implementation of paraphonic functionality via Duo Mode. Sonic exposition of the Sub 37’s performance potential is presented by formidable multi-instrumentalist Cory Henry. Henry is also a member of the Grammy Award Winning group Snarky Puppy.

The Sub 37 Bob Moog Tribute Edition analog synthesizer is shipping now.
To learn more, go to:

http://www.moogmusic.com/sight-and-sound/product_demo/sub-37-analog-architecture

64 New z3ta+ 2 Electro Presets for the one and only z3ta+ waveshaping synthesizer!  CHE has shared his latest SoundSet which includes 64 Electro presets organized in 9 sound categories.  Don’t miss out on these free synth patches!

Screen shot of one of the new presets. 

Browsing through these presets the one thing to notice is the modulation sources.  CHE uses lots of Morphing LFO Modulation Sources for the Electric Energy SoundSet.  LFO Morphing is one unique feature of z3ta+ not found in very many synthesizers.  Two LFOs waveforms are mixed together with controls over how fast the two waveforms mix, fade, and morph. Check it out while playing these patches.

Download z3ta+ 2 Elecro Presets

Download Electric Energy SoundSet

More About z3ta+ 2.0

Find more resources, presets, and downloads for z3ta+ 2 on the page here:

http://patcharena.com/synth-resources/cakewalk-z3ta-2/

Rheyne Live Jam #101

Excellent new Live Looping performance from Rheyne.  Featuring iOS apps an synths, recorded into Ableton Live.

Live looping with analog keyboards, USB controllers, iOS devices, and Ableton Live. Recorded in one take with no pre-recorded loops or samples.  Download or stream the audio at SoundCloud:

https://soundcloud.com/rheyne/live-jam-101/s-v7TGg

Find more excellent Live Jams from Rheyne here:

http://patcharena.com/tag/rheyne/