ARTURIA virtual semi-modular synth.
Download the free demo here: https://www.arturia.com/products/analog-classics/arp2600v
It has a built in step sequencer, a built in sample and hold unit, and it can use sound from your DAW (vocals, synth, drums … any audio track).
I wanted to figure out how to use these features. Here are my findings:
Though my demo is in Logic Pro, many or all of these features can be integrated into other software.
This is so cool.
So, I had this idea this morning, and have spent hours creating and exploring the possibilities!
My thoughts were:
I’m sure you can do similar things with other DAWs.
You have got to hear this!
If after the intro you get the general idea, you’re welcome to fast-forward to the 7:45 mark to hear the fully modified template.
Love the sound of analog synths? Me too.
Love the flexibility and recall of digital? Me too.
Here are some ways to combine an analog synth with a computer environment.
Get additional oscillators into your Minilogue!! Connect your minilogue and use it as a modular system in your computer!
You’ll need either a 5 pin MIDI to USB, or a USB cable to connect the Minilogue to your computer.
Download drivers, and firmware updates http://www.korg.com/us/support/download/product/0/544/
Correction in the video! I said that for your MIDI tracks in your DAW, use the MIDI OUT option (you’ll see in the video what I mean). When in fact you’ll need to use the MIDI SOUND option provided by the driver.
Audio Examples
All royalty free (no need to pay for a license to use them in your music commercially).
As of today, this archive has 36,328 files uploaded!
There are samples of voices, drums, percussion, organ, guitar, bass, sax, world music, and more!
Perhaps you’ve already heard of Converse Rubber Tracks, this amazing library! Converse, in collaboration with http://www.Indabamusic.com have provided this incredible resource.
Sample types include full tracks (stems), loop files, and single hit “one-shots.”
Personally, I just downloaded Seth Haley’s samples of analogue synths (Juno, and a Modular). Thanks Seth, these are very cool!
Here is a link to the library, you should check it out:
https://www.conversesamplelibrary.com/
You can easily collect and organize your favorite samples into a custom “Kit” (See the video, to see how).
Give your electronic production a sonic boost! And what an UNBELIEVABLE price point ($499)!!
Product Overview
In the past few weeks, the Korg Minilogue has gone public. Perhaps at NAMM 2016 last week.
I’ve worked with virtual synths for hours within days, days within weeks, weeks within years. And when I turn to watch films or listen to records that contain synths, instruments that create real voltage, the sound quality is significantly more pure.
I love my virtual synths, and will certainly continue to use them (Serum, Spire, U-he, Curve2, Omnisphere, Arturia, etc.).
But it bothers me that I have so much $ tied up in digital ones and zeroes. I don’t have something physical, that I can sell if I need, loan to a friend, or that somebody will inherit when I die. Those plugins …. who knows what will happen to those? When I die, the licenses will probably just disappear into the internet chasm forever, unclaimed access.
Anyway, check out the features on this Minilogue, and the sound quality; I’m amazed and will probably buy one this week.
5-Pin Midi for integration with your DAW.
In depth look:
Sweetwater offers free shipping on all products! If you don’t have a sales rep. ask for my guy; Jim Swain.
In the quest for creating new and interesting sounds, I wanted to figure out how I could run my audio/MIDI tracks through a virtual synth, and use the effects to creatively alter the sound. It took some time, but I have it figured out and wanted to share the secrets!
If you own the Moog Modular (version 2.8+) or download the free demo, you can try this!
I don’t know that I have very usable results yet with the patches I’ve designed and the sound sources I’ve tried them with, but I can hear the potential. And it sure is fun experimenting with this!
For enthusiast of analog synthesizers, those curious about the history of these beastly and awesome instruments that came out in the 60’s-90’s.
But I appreciate that in this series the british host and writers add a bit of humor, a bit of randomness that reminds me of some of the Monty Python films.
Some of these old machines can be now found on eBay now for under $100, while others are worth tens of thousands of dollars.
You can learn about the instruments, what famous tracks they were used on, what was unique about each one.
Highly entertaining! I highly recommend!
Link to Episode One of the series:
http://www.sonicstate.com/news/2007/02/14/top-20-greatest-synths-episode-one/
See the whole series here:
http://www.sonicstate.com/top20/
If you loved “I dream of wires” you should also check out this interesting and highly entertaining series of documentary videos. Great interviews, and great information here.
AKA – “When is Komplete 11 going to be released?”
Komplete List of Release Dates
Komplete 1 2003 (at AES)
Komplete 2 2004
Komplete 3 2005
Komplete 4 2007
Komplete 5 2008
Komplete 6 2009
Komplete 8 2011
Komplete 9 2013
Komplete 10 2014 (October)
Komplete 11 September or October of 2016 ??
This topic was of interest to me, because I definitely WANT to upgrade to Reaktor 6. Specifically because of Blocks, the cool new modular synth!
Some users complain that the number of blocks that come with Reaktor 6 is smaller than expected. But the good news, is that there are PLENTY of new blocks available in the Reaktor User Library!
Have you seen Deadmau5 explore Reaktor 6 and Blocks for the first time? I’m not a huge Deadmau5 fan, but knowing his expertise and experience with modular synthesis, watching him explore Blocks was pretty cool (fast forward to 14:00 in the video!)
(Deadmau5 Modular, just a portion of it!)
But if I pay the 99 bucks to upgrade to Reaktor 6, isn’t this just a product I’ll get when I upgrade to Komplete 11 ? And since I just bought some new Arturia synths, I did not want to spend money needlessly. I have enough synths to play with for a while! Even the modular Moog Modular and the Arp 2600 which both allow me to connect modules with virtual patch cables.
Product pages for Arturia Moog Modular and the (semi-modular) Arp 2600.
https://www.arturia.com/products/analog-classics/modular-v
https://www.arturia.com/products/analog-classics/arp2600v/overview
Komplete is usually released in September or October of a given year. Usually there is a new version every year, except between versions 5-6, 8-9, and currently version 10-11.
If history repeats itself, we can expect Komplete 11 to be released in September or October of 2016.
In 2009 Native Instruments announced that they would no longer attend the trade shows (AES, NAMM, etc). Before that time, the public could expect a new release of Komplete to be unveiled at the trade shows. But NI seems to be continuing the practice of releasing their new products in September or October. Sometimes the release is foreshadowed by a ridiculous sale of the former version, the drastic reductions in price has sometimes indicated that the release of a new version is imminent.
BTW – If you haven’t seen I Dream of Wires on Netflix yet. Watch it! Or buy the DVD/Blu-Ray!
SOURCES
Komplete 1 2003 (at AES) http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/oct06/articles/nifeature.htm
Komplete 2 2004 http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/oct06/articles/nifeature.htm
Komplete 3 2005 http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/oct06/articles/nifeature.htm
Komplete 4 2007 http://www.emusician.com/gear/1332/native-instruments-komplete-4/38368
Komplete 5 2008 http://forum.recordingreview.com/f8/native-instruments-komplete-5-reviews-8215/
Komplete 6 2009 http://www.amazon.com/Native-Instruments-Komplete-Virtual-Collection/product-reviews/B000WU4L1C
Komplete 8 2011 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hp2Qgdmw4JQ
Komplete 9 2013 http://www.controllerism.com/native-instruments-to-release-battery-4-monark-and-komplete-9
Komplete 10 2014 (October) http://www.synthtopia.com/content/2014/09/02/native-instruments-komplete-10-adds-6-new-instruments/
No Longer at AES, Namm, etc http://www.loopinsight.com/2009/07/07/native-instruments-pulls-out-of-namm-aes-musikmesse/
Creative-Audio-Production.com 