This is a demo for Drawdio – a pencil that lets you “draw” instruments.

While creator Jay Silver compares it to a theremin, it’s closer to a Tannerin or Electro-Theremin. Read more…

This is Paul Shillito’s Tomita-style version of Stravinsky’s The Rite Of Spring Introduction.

Shillito calls this his classitonic style – influenced by the electronic interpretations of classical music done by Isao Tomita and Wendy Carlos in the late 60’s and 70’s.

He plans a complete version of The Rite Of Spring.

Soft synths used on this included the Arturia Minimoog V2, Arturia Moog Modular, Arturia Jupiter 8V, Arturia Yamaha CS80V and soundtoys effects. Read more…

Way Out Ware’s Jim Heintz demos iSample 2 (App Store link), and makes some pretty freaky sounds along the way.

Here’s what’s new in iSample 2:

• sample trimming with pinch to zoom, two finger scrolling and scrubbing
• sample length quantization
• loop positioning/viewing screen
• mixer
• delay effect
• a reverb effect,
• step sequence pattern editor with 12 separate pattern buffers
• a song mode that allows you to build songs out of patterns
• WIFI sharing
• tempo control with tap to set tempo

iSample 2 retails for $9.99. Read more…

Official – Mark Knight & D.Ramirez V Underworld – Downpipe Read more…

This is a demo video for a video theremin, created with Max For Live in Ableton Live 8.  Read more…

The Sherman Filterbank is a powerful, real analogue, solid hardware instrument, with a unique sound. In this interview from Electronic Beat’s Slices, Herman Gillis talks about origin of the Sherman Filterbank and more. Read more…

[BLOK] is a new modular synthesizer for Windows, originally designed as a platform for teaching audio synthesis to students.

Features:

• Classic synthesizer modules such as Oscillators, Filters, Envelopes and Effects
• Easy to use interface. Blok was originally created as an educational program to teach audiodesign principles. This means that each module is simple to understand.
• Connect everything. There are no limits on connecting blocks together.. if a block generates a signal, connect it up!
• Versatile DSP engine. Additive, Subtractive and FM synthesis are all possible. Let Blok be your synthesis swiss army-knife.
• Full undo/redo. Dont like what you have done? Go back to a time when you did!
• Low in cpu. Blok was made to run well even on low-end computers. On today’s machines, it tears up the track! This will let you make more complicated setups and get more bang for your synthesis buck.

[BLOK] is currently a free download, but the developer notes “only the buzz version is officially supported at this point! the standalone and VST versions are under heavy construction, use at your own risk.”

Developer Eric Archer is now shipping his Andromeda MK-1 and MK-2 drum machines, DIY minimal drum machines “designed as an experiment of making the most minimal drum machine possible using analog circuitry”.

In the video above, Archer demonstrates the two new drum machines, how they can interact and how you can control them in real time.

The Andromeda MK-1 and MK-2 drum machines are available for $55 each as DIY kits. Read more…

Propellerhead has released a new funk-flavored ReFill, Soul School, that features the soul sounds of the 60’s and 70’s.

To introduce Soul School, Propellerhead put together several very nicely done videos that introduce the library and the people behind it.

The Reason Soul School ReFill is available for download through Propellerhead’s web shop for EUR €79 / USD $99. Read more…

Here’s a bit of ambient goodness to start of Free Music Friday – Herzog’s First Summer And The Running Dream:

first summer and the running dream” contains 5 tracks with a complete duration of 30 minutes. Compared to his earlier works “first summer…“ has a more droning, a bit distorted character. The sounds are layered very softly and sublime to a very harmonic composition. The overall mood is quite laid-back with noisy, distorted splinters. The noisy elements are getting stronger to the end of the EP but it leaves still a very harmonic picture.

You can preview the album with the music video above and download the tracks at the Resting Bell label site.

via disquiet