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Articles by Replicant's Dreams
Junkie XL On His Massive Buchla Modular System
Composer and synthesist Tom Holkenborg, aka Junkie XL, has restarted his Studio Time video series, where he offers a behind-the-scenes look at the tools and techniques he users in doing his work. It’s been several years since his last season of Studio Time. And in that time, Holkenborg sold off most of the gear in his LA studio, and has set up a new studio in his birth country of The Netherlands, in Amsterdam. In this video, Holkenborg gives a tour of his massive Buchla modular system.
New Album, ‘Live Wires’, Celebrates 50 Years Of The Buchla Music Easel
Composer and synthesist Steve Horelick, the Emmy-nominated composer of the Reading Rainbow theme and numerous TV and film scores – has released a new album, Live Wires, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Buchla Music Easel. It’s Horelick’s first solo album release. Live Wires commemorates the 50th anniversary of Donald Buchla’s pioneering electronic musical instrument, the Music Easel. The album also honors Horelick’s grandfather and father’s contributions to power transformer design.
Game Boy Ambient Music
VIDEO Synthesist Akihiko Matsumoto shared this Game Boy Ambient music performance, replete with ersatz succulent. Here’s what they shared about the technical details:
Rhodes Music V-Pan Effect Free For A Limited Time
Rhodes Music has introduced V-Pan, a new effect plugin for Mac & Windows, based on the classic ‘vibrato’ stereo panning effect of ’70s Rhodes pianos. And, for a limited time, it’s available for free. Features: Directly modeled from the unique Rhodes MK8 hardware Vari-Pan circuit. Left/Right panning LED’s. Continuously variable waveform for maximum sonic flexibility. Rate goes from super-slow right up into audio rates for synth-esque and ring mod-like effects. Deep depth control.
Ben Burtt On The Iconic Sounds of Star Wars
VIDEO Off-topic, but interesting: In his latest Tested video, host Adam Savage talks with Academy Award-winning sound designer, film director, editor, screenwriter and voice actor Ben Burtt. Burtt is probably best known for his working creating the iconic sounds of Star Wars, from R2D2’s bleeps and boops to Chewbacca’s roars to Darth Vader’s heavy breathing. Burtt shares the stories behind the sounds, and the story of how he got started in film making.
World’s Smallest And Worst MIDI Synthesizer Now Supports USB-C
VIDEO This video, via mitxela, demonstrates the “smallest and worst MIDI synthesizer’ – which now supports USB-C. It’s an open source project, so you can get the details and the source code at Github.
Manecolabs Intros Pikoloops Eurorack Module
Manecolabs has introduced Pikoloops, a new Eurorack module, based on the Pikocore loop mangler from InfiniteDigits. Pikoloops adds 5V compatible clock in and out, quarter note trigger output and Eurorack compatible output level. Features: A lo-fi music mangler based on the Raspberry Pi Pico Holds 8 minutes of 8-bit 33 kHz monophonic samples. Tempo-synced with a selectable BPM between 60 and 300, with samples mangled by beat-synced effects (stutter, retrig, gate, tunneling).
New Nibbler Eurorack Module From Schlappi Engineering
Schlappi Engineering has announced that The Nibbler, a new module for exploring the musicality of counting in binary, is now available to pre-order. It is a CMOS-based four bit accumulator, which means it counts from 0 to 15 in binary and overflows above that. It has separate gate outputs for each of the bits, as well as two stepped analog voltages made from adding those bits together. It also has inputs for each of the bits as well as shifting, resetting, and changing the direction of the counter.
Sinevibes Switch Gate Sequencer For Mac & Windows
Sinevibes has released Switch v3, the latest version of their gate sequencer effect plugin for macOS & Windows. Here’s what they have to say about it: “At its core foundation is a high-precision step sequencer that’s running in sync with the host transport and driving a gate pattern – a series of on/off switches that define whether the input audio will be passed through (gate open) or will be muted (gate closed).
Modular Synth Kids Rock The Popella Music Festival
The Modular Synth Ensemble, a project designed to get groups of people experimenting and performing together on modular synthesizers, shared this video, capturing a session with kids at the Popella music festival in Graz. Here’s what the organizers had to say about the performance: “Popella is a music festival for young and old in Graz. A children’s music festival that is primarily dedicated to modern styles, responds to the lifestyles and interests of today’s children and also appeals to parents.
‘Torrents Of Destruction’ On The LinnStrument
This series of videos, by thoughtForm Max, explores using the LinnStrument with feedback and expression pedal. The first video captures a live performance of The Torrents of Destruction Overwhelmed Me. Here’s what they shared about the technical details: “DAW is Ableton, sound source is Serum, played in channel-per-row through an effects-laden amp sim. I also mic’d the room and ran that through the FX as well for some extra feedback and liveliness.
Spitfire Audio Intros MG Soft Acoustic Guitar Virtual Instrument
Spitfire Audio has introduced MG Soft Acoustic Guitar for macOS & Windows, described as “a beautifully recorded, meticulously crafted acoustic guitar with emphasis on the soft and delicate”. Spitfire says that, with MG Soft Acoustic Guitar, they aim to set a new standard for virtual guitar libraries, offering a remarkably authentic sound out of the box, and helping to demystify the workings of the guitar for non-guitarists.
UVI Intros Free Cinematic Soundscape Synthesizer, Noctua
UVI has introduced Noctua, a free ‘cinematic soundscape synthesizer’ for MacOS & Windows. Here’s what they have to say about it: “Noctua combines the worlds of hardware synthesis and boutique effects to deliver an exquisite collection of sprawling soundscapes and evocative cinematic worlds. With a featured design, per-layer microtonal sequencers, custom single-knob effect chains, and master bus processing, Noctua is a rich and detailed cinematic instrument and sound design tool.
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