New Fenix XL Modular> 2009!

New Fenix XL Modular> 2009!



serious modular lust here

unattainable due to cost- but lovely

Macbeth Modulars Announced

I've always wanted to get back into modular synths (I had some ARP and Roland Modular gear in the past). Macbeth is a company that makes wonderful semi-modular synths- albeit VERY expensive ones. Still... a Macbeth or Cwegman has always been on my "win the lottery" wishlist.
Now Macbweth announces they will be making Modular Synths (http://www.macbethstudiosystems.com/).

If the price is right- it could mean an entry into good modular sound for me.

Update> these are *VERY* expensive- not saying they aren't top quality, they probably are.. it's just cost prohibitive to pay $1300 for a dual oscillator module itself.

Ultimate Support Systems- favorite stands

Love the Ultimate support systems stands- they are so configurable.
always wanted one of these desks- and finally got one.
With the slim metal support bars (pictured under the gray shelf) it is possible to add a shelf like the one seen here -to any ultimate support stand (just get some wood screws and 90 degree metal brackets to secure them from a hardware store).

Using Roland PG-1000 as a Midi Controller

interesting....
Processor hack for Roland PG-1000 Controller:
http://timara.con.oberlin.edu/~jtalbert/Roland/roland.htm

from an Ebay Auction of someone (not me- mind you) selling the chip preloaded:

Turn your PG-1000 into a MIDI fader controller "At the heart of the PG-1000 there's a chip with an OS custom made by Roland to only control the D-50 or D-550 synthesizer via Sysex. By exchanging this eprom chip with the original roland chip you'd be able to turn your PG-1000 into a MIDI fader box capable of sending 127 MIDI continuous controller messages on any of its faders. This will allow you to control other synths in your collection and also computer base soft synths. No soldering needed. Just pop the roland chip out of its socket and pop this one in instead. You can have up to 64 saved configurations inside the chip. That covers most people's needs (unless you have over 64 synths in your collection)"

Or one could just buy a BCR-2000 for $95-$120. Nice if you already have the PG1000 and want to change its' function for other gear.
hmmm.....

VST hardware boxes

Have considered VST hardware boxes for some time-

only aware of 3 that are small(ish) that could be nice....

1. Muse Receptor (super expensive- $1,400+ ... cost of a great laptop) * saw ex- Dead Can Dance singer's band using this in 2006/7
2. Use Audio Plugiator ($399 but limited polyphony, box specific plugins, and goofy copy protection)
3. SM Pro Audio V Machine (this one could look promising if it drops to $400)

:update> price has dropped from $599 to $510!!

VMachine at americanmusical.com

http://www.smproaudio.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=73&Itemid=105

It’s a $599 box that allows you to load a few VSTs into it and then play without a computer. (like a Mini MUSE receptor).

I have had my PPG 2.2 VST for years and never used it on my Mac (not AU and no wrapper)- plus Korg Legacy Digital collection is still on my radar.
- would love to have an inexpensive box ($350)- just to use the PPG-that just loads and goes..
** have heard the processor on the VMachine is "underpowered" and that there may (in the future) be a processor upgrade available- I really can't imagine the Vmachine doesn't have a processor powerful enough for legacy (old) VST's... it says it has a 1GHz 'dedicated' processor- sure doesn;t sound fast enough for newer VST's :-(

update: MUSE (the company who makes the 'Receptor' VST box- an unbeleivably $$expensive$$ VST box- (one of the first...if not the first on the market) have announced a desktop model at NAMM 2009 (National Association of Music Manufacturers- convention where new products are announced in the music instrument industry).
***the BAD news... it is reportedly less than $1000. HAH!! might as well call themselves digide$ign. still way pricey.
If the 'copy machines' at Behringer ever sit up and take notice- I'd bet we'd see a VST box for under or at $400. will have to wait.....

update: Looks like there is also a V-Rack- with knobs!:

Roland D-50 Mod Wheel Hack

From what I've heard, the late Bob Moog did not patent the Mod Wheel- though he is reported to have been the first to have one on a commercially available synthesizer (not sure this is fact).
- and then *everyone* used it (this part is much more certain).





But Roland (in their own kind of wisdom) went with a "pitch stick"- which is actually a single wheel mounted horizontally (instead of the industry standard Vertical Mod wheel) that alters pitch, and then allows Modulation to be applied simultaneously by bending the wheel up vertically.
Yes it was a good shot at a new design (not saying new things should not be tried) but for me I will have to say "FAIL"..... as in- this does not work for me (their new design is one I'd more closely compare to an Edsel... but I cannot make that comparison, because Roland keeps making them this way- and people keep buying them, so I *must* be in an extreme minority with this opinion.
Let me explain why I don't like their design....

The modulation bend upward is too restrictive (on Roland's design), and does not allow the same large range as a regular Mod Wheel, and hence does not allow me to introduce precise modulation amounts, nor does it let me introduce and remove modulation in a smooth manner (which I like to do- ..... to "play" a synth patch and affect the 'life' of the sound in real time- at least that's how I describe the modulation I do).

Given that I love the keyboard action on the Roland D-50, and I don't care for the 'handcuffing' that Roland's pitch stick imposes- I could really use a Roland D-50 Mod Wheel Hack- to remove the Roland pitch stick, and wire in two Potentiometers on Vertical plastic wheels (traditional Pitch and Mod wheels). I thought someone has surely done this- but thus far I have only found folks swapping out regular Mod wheels with Acrylic Mod Wheels (and backlighting for the Acrylic Mod Wheels provided by colored LEDS- which does look very nice... in the right color). Mod Wheel Lava Lamp culture anyone?

So I guess I have to open up the D-50 and figure this out for myself (I must be really alone on my opinion of the Roland pitch stick if no one has this mod available- or even documented).

yet another project I can completely avoid - by just selling the D-50 and buying a synth with good keyboard action, Mod wheels, and decent sound that justifies the space it takes up.
nope... not likely to find that... so a Hack is in order.

I'd like to see the Roland pitch stick Schematic before I open the D-50.

wait a minute.
it may be possible to ...












somehow rig Aftertouch to be on full (at alltimes) and use the slider/fader (labelled Aftertouch Amount) as a makeshift Modwheel.



















Make a Modwheel Box (to sit over the pitchstick) and run a 1/4" jack out of the modwheel box and into the "exp pedal" or "ext control" input on the back of the D-50.


I think Aftertouch control on a Modwheel is what's really useful, as Filter cutoff is what I'd really like control over. (Routing Aftertouch to Filter Cutoff will give me Manual sweep control).

gonna have to investigate this more...

Update: after a good while of 'googling', it seems someone has reported success with a 10K potentiometer used as an external Modwheel sent to a stereo 1/4" jack into the "Ext Control" jack in the back of the D-50.(running Aftertouch>>Filtercutoff) .....just what I wanted. Will have to try this and confirm.

another Update: I just realized that Roland made a controller keyboard (A-50) which features the Roland pitch stick AND a pair of Modwheels! - one could say that illustrates the need for a real set of mod wheels (and lack of Roland's pitch stick design superiority) eh?

Studio Ergonomics- Part 1

In a never ending quest for an Ergonomic workspace... I have come across a few articles on general ergonomics (rules about *where* to put things so you don't have bad posture/strain), but no article speaks to this with the addition of ...

• clever placement of gear for accessibility- using specific amounts of gear and specific studio furniture/stands to achieve the ergonomic goal
  

saying things should be "easily accessible" is quite general, and I've found making this happen is challenging when you have more than a few pieces of gear.

For a real (solution taking into account a multitude of instruments/tools), I consider the following 4 paths...

1. Airplane Console: attempt an "Airplane console Gear cockpit" with *all* the gear.
2. Mini Stations: create discrete (separate) ergonomic "mini stations" (Studio A, B, C approach)- but within the same room.
   
3. Minimal approach: minimize by selling off (or storing) all but the essential pieces
4. Rotation: minimize by storing all but the essential pieces- and 'rotate' in the other items in a 'guest spot' for specific projects.

what I've heard about "Minimal" design> Quality over quantity. 'Instead of having a lot of stuff, a minimalist would choose just a few really good things (he or she) loves and uses often.'

Could that really be the key to an enjoyable and productive workspace?

It certainly is how I started out- with just a few pieces. Of course I had a lot of time then, and was very productive. Not sure if that was due to just the "few" pieces, or a factor of oodles of time. I do know I pushed each piece to the limits of its ability- which smacked me right up against a ceiling when I wanted to do more (yes- there was voice robbing, and patch switch delays). That's what led to the acquisition of more gear.

I have heard many speak of "doing More with Less"- and hence the accompanying phrase "Less IS more"- and I can see that perspective.... but will it work for me? Will *any* of these approaches work for me? I will have to try them to find out.
-though from the 'minimalist' approach I remember an interview with a musician that stated he had *never* sold any gear (and he had some *great* stuff- even to this day). I know I've let go of instruments I do not miss- and those I truly missed, I bought again (quite troublesome to waste time with those transactions). Don't want to go that route again- so I suppose I should go with option # 4 Rotation: minimize by storing all but the essential pieces- and 'rotate' in the other items in a 'guest spot' for specific projects. - yep... that one sounds like a good compromise that can produce the reward I seek (inviting and productive workflow) next I'll have to get to the details.. What gear.. and Where.