Indholdsfortegnelse for April 2022 i Electronic Musician

If you’ve ever been tempted by the DIY side of the modular scene, but too intimidated to take the plunge, Erica Synths and Moritz Klein’s new DIY Kits might be the perfect introduction you’ve been waiting for. As pairings go, it’s a tantalizing offering. For the uninitiated, Moritz Klein is one of DIY modular’s most popular personalities, known for their thorough but easy-to-follow tutorial videos. Latvian brand Erica Synths, meanwhile, is responsible for some of our favourite gear of recent years, including the excellent Black Series and Pico Eurorack modules. Designed to teach people with little or no experience how to design analog synth circuits from scratch, these kits – which will be known collectively as mki x es. EDU – will be arriving every four to six weeks (nine…

PreSonus has released Studio One 5.5, the latest version of its excellent DAW. While this does offer some new production features, the headline additions are related specifically to mastering. You can find these on the mastering-focused Project Page, which now offers track volume, master volume and insert effect plugin parameter automation. This can be written in real-time or using the Paint Tool. You’ll also find Clip Gain Envelopes, which are designed for fixing gain issues without having to pull up your dynamics plugins. The Listen Bus, meanwhile, enables you to monitor through room correction plugins or headphone monitoring tools without affecting the master output, while you can free up processing power for complex mastering chains using Track Transform. When the time comes to export your master, you can now do…

If you'd asked us about it this time last year, we probably would have told you that we still don’t think that mobile music making offers all the flexibility of a decent hardware and software studio. We would have told you that iPads just couldn't match the capabilities of a powerful music making computer. How a year changes everything! Apple’s latest Pro iPads have the same M1 chips found in the company’s desktop and laptop machines, so are on par power-wise with your standard computer. Plus, most of the latest iPads have USB and even Thunderbolt compatibility, so you can plug in and play a range of interfaces, keyboards and more. Of course, iPhones also offer the same kind of music making power – the latest iPhone 13 chips are…

Mads Brauer’s Copenhagen home isn’t far from the beach. Even in the middle of this busy, 21st century city with its 10 million tourists, he likes the idea that there is still a small connection with nature. “Something as simple as the smell of the sea can make that connection for me,” explains ‘electronics’ chief Brauer. “The salty air… the strong breeze. Without it, I think the music of Efterklang would suffer.” Along with Casper Clausen and Rasmus Stolberg, Brauer is part of the core trio that has existed at the heart of Efterklang for 20 years. The experimental soundscapers have been friends since school, growing up in a pre-internet rural Denmark that was dominated by the Top 40 and daytime radio. “When you think back, it’s amazing how limited…

If you’re reading this mag, there’s a fair chance that you’ll have some sort of MIDI or piano keyboard nearby. Take a look at it, and you’ll notice the one thing about its iconic and functional design that’s remained true throughout its centuries-long history: the fact that it’s arranged with white keys at the front, and black keys to the rear. When first starting out on the keyboard, the white keys are usually the ones we tend to deal with first, with the result that the black keys can sometimes seem a bit intimidating. Without these sharps and flats though, music would be a very bland affair indeed, so what exactly are they, and why are they there? In Western music, an octave is comprised of 12 distinct notes, all…

Strengths + Itlookslikea(small) 2600 – and sounds like a 2600 + Extremelyflexiblesound design tool + Integrateswellwith modular gear Limitations - NodedicatedLFO - Limited envelope options - Smallslidersonthedark case can be tricky to see Just where do you start a review of a legendary synth on which everyone has an opinion? Perhaps not by trawling the internet to find out what defines the 2600 sound, or why a particular make of clone is/isn’t true to the original. In fact there are likely more views on this matter than there are original working ARP 2600s in existence. Let’s also remember that the ARP 2600 itself went through a host of design changes (not always representing improvements) and it’s impossible to travel back in time to hear what one of them sounded like…

Berlin-based DJ and producer Cinthie (her real name – there’s nominative determinism for you) Christl has been immersed in the German city’s electronic music scene since forever, not just as a music maker but as a label owner and, right at the opposite end of the scale, working for music software icons Ableton as a day job. Since being inspired by early electronic tunes in the mid ’90s, she has become an in-demand DJ, touring all around the globe, but her passion also lies in music production and she has built a stunning studio merging the best hardware – described asawidespectrumofsomeofthe most noteworthy vintage drum machines and synthesizers in existence – with the latest plugins available to produce her own unique house and techno tunes. These have appeared on her…

We’re not sure what we were expecting when Casio started teasing a new keyboard late last year, but it wasn’t quite what we’ve got with the Casiotone CT-S1000V. This is billed as the first vocal synthesizer that can turn any text you give it into a musical phrase, which can then be played polyphonically on the keys. Of course, we’ve seen this kind of thing in software before, but when it comes to hardware, vocal synthesis of this sort does feel like something new. Casio says that the technology behind it hasn’t been used before, while also adding that it doesn’t necessarily sound exactly like a human voice (which, to be fair, no vocal synthesis we’re tried does at this point). What you do get is convenience: there are 100…

Antelope Audio has unveiled a USB version of its Zen Q Synergy Core audio interface. This sits alongside the previously released Thunderbolt version. Functionally, this appears to be pretty much the same; we’re promised high-quality AD/DA conversion, two discrete ultra-linear mic preamps, and recording, mixing and playback up to 24-bit/192kHz. The 64-bit AFC (Acoustically Focused Clocking) technology and Jitter Management algorithm, meanwhile, is said to deliver increased sound width, separation and detail. This is a 14-in/10-out interface with pairs of headphone outputs, preamps and instrument inputs, and you can add an extra eight channels via ADAT. There’s stereo S/PDIF I/O, too. The Zen Q Synergy Core can be bus-powered and promises low-latency performance, while the onboard software enables you to control signal routing, sub-mixes and monitoring. Said software can also…

When Mackie released its first mixer, way back in 1989, ‘live streaming’ wasn’t even a twitch in a YouTuber’s eye, but the latest product to bear the company’s name is designed to be used for that very purpose. Said to have been designed from the ground up for content creators, the M• Caster Live is a portable live streaming mixer designed for social media types, gamers, podcasters and DJs. This can connect directly to your smartphone’s headphone jack (if it has one, that is) or via USB to a computer, and can be powered from the mains or an external battery. As well as offering mic, headset and media player inputs, you can sweeten the sound of your vocals with the onboard, preset-based ContourFX, using just a single knob. The…

Akai MPK Mini Mk3 PRICE $120 WHAT IT IS 25 Key velocity-sensitive mini keyboard CONNECTIVITY USB-C POWER USB A very well spec’d keyboard for the money. It’s also great for adding melodies, basslines and simple chords to projects, and eight encoder knobs can be mapped to practically any parameter, plus those eight full-sized MPC style drum pads really make a difference. It’s small enough to be thrown in a backpack, yet contains enough useful features to make it a highly useful addition to any studio. You’ll need a USB-C or Lightning adapter though. akaipro.com IK Multimedia iRig Keys I/O 49 PRICE $367 WHAT IT IS 49 full-size key, velocity-sensitive keyboard CONNECTIVITY USB POWER USB or batteries IK has great controllers for iPad use, like iRig Keys 2 and iRig Keys…

“There is a track on the new album called ‘House On A Feather’. It’s based on a simple sketch that I made on the OB-6. As you know, it’s an analog synth and sometimes the tuning is not so perfect. Basically, you need to calibrate it… tune the oscillators. But in this case, I actually chose to keep it in this detuned state as it has a special atmosphere. It turned out to be quite a challenge to record the song because we had to tune everything else using Melodyne and by ear. The results were very surprising. I was fascinated by how the voice can so easily adapt to different tunings, whereas the piano and bass guitar weren’t so happy in this new setting. I really like the slightly…

The final word in analog sequencing, ARP’s 1600-series Sequencer was a pulsating parameter-packed powerhouse and a powerful musical partner TECH SPECS Year of manufacture 1976 Original sale value $795 Current price $1,770+ Number made unknown In the initial analog era, sequencers were just what the word implied – a means by which a short sequence of events could be generated. Those events were, in fact, merely voltages that could be used to control pitch, fire off triggers, or even other sequencers. ARP’s standalone Sequencer (model numbers 1601, 1613, 1623) module was a jam-packed tabletop affair with two sets of eight vertical sliders. A single pattern of up to sixteen steps could be played back, or it could be made to generate two simultaneous eight-step patterns. An ingenious gate bussing system…

Strengths + ThenewDolbyAtmos features are as incredible as they are easy to use + 2800extraproducer samples are nice + Actuallythe improvements to Step Sequencer are right up there too Limitations - You’llneedtogoto macOS 11 which might present its own challenges After Logic Pro 10.5 – where Apple introduced, among other things, Live Loops, to add a somewhat ‘Live’ slant to the software – we know that an Apple point update can be as dramatic as a full integer update for other DAWs, and the latest Logic Pro 10.7 certainly backs this thinking up. The headlines might well be yet more top-line producers spreading their mixes and samples across the software – 2,800 new samples from the likes of Mark Ronson, Boys Noize, Tom Misch and TRAKGIRL, being the bulk of…

Strengths + Beautiful, greatsounding package + Variedon-boardsample material + Creativetimbralcontrols + Plentyofgreatpreset content + It’sasubstantialsuitefor the price! Limitations - RequiresfullNIKontakt - Parameteraccessisn’t always obvious Zero-G founder and producer Stefano Maccarelli has a passion for scoring; as a successful composer in his own right, he knows a thing or two about adding suspense and tension to a trailer cue. Elements calls itself a Modern Scoring Synth, built on a Zero-G concept which will be reminiscent to anyone who has used previous Zero-G Kontakt instruments. It’s a three-layer format, with substantial partial control, derived exclusively from sampled content. Even the synth-based sounds are sample-based, which is the Kontakt norm, but the big difference here is the volume of supplied content. A full 23GB of all-new samples ship with Elements, some of which…

Blue Cat Audio has released the Connector plugin, which could be one of the most comprehensive audio and MIDI routing solutions for your DAW. This enables you to transmit audio and MIDI signals in real-time between multiple computers and applications, and you can also create your own routings within a single application. This is all said to be done at extremely low latency; in fact, when used in a single application, Blue Cat reckons that this can be brought as low as 0 samples. The applications for Connector are pretty much only limited by your imagination: audio/MIDI streaming, DAW routing, remote plugin processing, feedback loop creation, remote monitoring and remote MIDI control are just some of those suggested by Blue Cat. Connector runs on PC and Mac in VST/AU/AAX formats…

Arturia has revealed new ‘Noir’ editions of its Mini Brute 2 and 2S synths and the DrumBrute Impact drum machine, giving potential purchasers a stealthier color option for a limited time. Whereas the standard versions of the instruments have splashes of color, the special-edition models sport completely black exteriors, making them particularly suitable for emo kids and Bruce Wayne. Internally, these analog beasties are the same as the regular Brutes.…

The world of alternative tuning systems is one where most musicians fear to tread. Once you venture out of the world of 12-tone equal temperament, though, there are huge communities of microtonal musicians who use a world of new tunings. Plugin synths sometimes help with the ability to load Scala files, and some DAWs have custom tuning systems, but Entonal Studio aims to provide a bridge for any synth to play microtonal tunings. Entonal Studio is currently in Early Access at reasonable pricing, and it’s this early version that we’re exploring in this article. One purchase nets you plugin and standalone versions of this easy-to-use software, and it can act as a plugin host too, making microtonal tunings easier for everyone! 1. Tuning up Entonal Studio’s plugin version works as…

SIX AMAZING SYNTHS Audiokit Synth One $Free AUV3 (COMING)/AB/AL/IAA | 300 presets | Hybrid Analog/FM 6-voice | sequencer They say “completely free, fully functional, and ad-free – the ultimate free iPad music instrument app”… And we’re not going to argue. Synth One is an open source tool to develop but is actually one of the best synths out there. A unique tone, brilliantly flexible UI and of course it’s free! No brainer… audiokitpro.com Synthmaster One $Free AUV3 | 950 PRESETS | VARIOUS VOICE SETUPS | ARPEGGIATOR & SEQUENCER KV331 has ported the multi-award-winning Synthmaster – in its feature-packed entirety – to the iPad. Brimming with sonic potential, this is a fantastically creative tool for sound design on the move as well as a go-to for quick idea generation. One of…

Ask any of the major old-school synth soloists and they all will likely point to the playing of Jan Hammer as one of their foremost influences. Jan first recorded with a synthesizer (a Minimoog) in 1972, on the Mahavishnu Orchestra’s second album, Birds Of Fire, which was released in 1973. Speaking to Keyboard in 1976 he said, “I was searching for an expressive melodic instrument, and the synthesizer was perfect… I learned about the instrument by fooling around. I used my ears and trial and error.” In so doing he developed much of the note bending vocabulary that we use to this day. I would point to three aspects of his playing that are important: 1) His fluent and varied pitch bend technique 2) His use of many unique scales/note…

Arturia 2600V $149 Needless to say, many ARP Sequencers were purchased by owners of ARP synthesizers looking to expand their instruments’ capabilities. As such, it was often paired with the company’s semimodular 2600. Arturia know this and their bang-on emulation of the legendary 2600 comes with an equally spot-on copy of the 1601 Sequencer.  www.arturia.com Anthony Saunders midiSequencer FREE/$6.99 This slider-laden affair is available both commercially and in a free ‘Lite’ incarnation. Sixteen sliders offer quantised access to the pitch on each step for a faux ARP experience, with more advanced features (ratcheting, swing and mordents) on offer as well. Use it to sequence external hardware or iOS synths. apps.apple.com u-he Podolski FREE This one combines a synth with a sixteen-step sequencer. The engine is based on a single oscillator,…

RHIZOMATIC Plasmonic $149 This synth goes deep into physical modeling, with some interesting features you won’t find anywhere else, but still retains some of the functionality of a familiar, subtractive synthesizer. The user interface has a bit of a learning curve, but those who want original sounds without reading a textbook will be well served. rhizomatic.fr APPLIED ACOUSTICS Chromaphone 3 $199 One of the friendliest physical modelers, Chromaphone keeps your head clear from distractions but still lets you get into the weeds of constructing the exact sound you’re after. With version 3’s new two-layers-of-layers system, Chromaphone is double the power. www.applied-acoustics.com MADRONA LABS Kaivo $129 A combination of physical modeling and granular synthesis, Kaivo opens up its special talents to the sound designer with enough time to get the hang…

Built from keening detuned pads, soaring synth lines and crunchy, lo-fi percussion, Nathan Fake’s tunes convey a psychedelic melancholia that’s become something of a signature sound in the near-two decades since his Border Community debut. The 2020 LP Blizzards melded the hyper-melodicism of Fake’s early work with a renewed percussive vigor that prompted many to declare it as his finest work. When did you start making music? I first started ‘making’ music when I was around 15. I had a Boss DR-550 drum machine and a Casio keyboard, and I used to record beats I’d made onto tape. Then I got a SP-202 and started making ‘tracks’, ie, just little jams made of loops I’d sampled off my drum machine, and also random samples and sampling myself playing the keyboard…