Hacker & Commodore 64 expert Jeri Ellsworth wowed visitors to the Bay Area Maker Faire with her Commodore 64 Bass Guitar.
Ellsworth noted via Twitter that it uses the SID chip and is based on an FPGA - a re-implementation of the Commodore-64 computer using reconfigurable logic chips. See the video below for an overview of the instrument from Ellsworth.
This series of video tutorials, via dv247, takes a look at Native Instruments Maschine.
The set of three video tutorials looks at the Maschine interface and basic beatmaking.
Textile designer Lara Grant is giving ‘soft synths’ a new meaning.
This soft interface is made from metallic wools, Velostat (a resistive material), conductive fabrics, sheep’s wool and acrylic craft felt. It is connected to the circuit with snaps soldered to wires and alligator clips.
Reader Gordon Charlton sent word about Grieg Stewart, aka Theremin Hero, who will be appearing in the semi-finals of Britain’s Got Talent on Thursday, playing classic game tunes on hacked video game consoles, controlled by a laser harp.
That’s right – he’s got frikkin’ lasers controlling 8-bit synth chips.
Unfortunately, the video can’t be embedded – so check it out on YouTube.
His complete semi-final performance will be broadcast on Thursday on ITV1 between 7:30pm and 9:00pm British Summer Time.
This video offers a preview of a new instrument from Slaperoo, the ‘Lap Slap‘.
The Lap Slap is a smaller version of the original Slaperoo, which is designed to be held like a stand-up bass. The Lap Slap is 26″ long and designed to be played in your lap.
Both instruments are based around a tensioned steel strap on a rigid aluminum tube.
This is a sneak preview of the Eowave Metallic Resonator prototype, inspired by the Martenot Métallique.
In the video, it is demonstrated with the Eowave Persephone Mark II.
Remember the Miselu Neiro keyboard, introduced at SXSW?
The Miselu Neiro is a portable, net-enabled social music device. It offers a keyboard, a wide multi-touch display and a variety of musical apps and cloud services.
At SXSW, Retronyms announced that they would be bringing apps to the Neiro platform. Here’s a sneak preview of one of these apps, XOX Drum Deranger:
This video doesn’t include all the final features and polish yet, but can provide you an idea of the final product that Retronyms is building for the neiro. It is only the first device they are bringing to the neiro with much more to come.
Check it out and let us know what you think of it!
Haken Audio has released a firmware and software update for the Continuum Fingerboard. Version 5.01 includes additions to the programmable synthesizer in the Continuum Fingerboard, the EaganMatrix.
The EaganMatrix design was inspired by classical modular matrix patching synthesizers such as the ARP 2500 and the EMS Synthi 100. However, unlike those analog predecessors, the EaganMatrix doesn’t use pins to make patch point connections. Instead, a dynamic formulaic equation can be placed inside a selected patch point, replacing that static pin, creating a simple to amazingly complex relationship between the Continuum playing surface and the flow of sound from patch point source to destination.
The EaganMatrix is a modular digital synthesizer, allowing the user to craft their musical sound by digitally connecting audio and control modules via a patching matrix. The EaganMatrix synthesizer is internal to the Continuum Fingerboard, utilizing the Continuum’s internal DSP engine. No external hardware is required. The synthesizer is edited by using an external cross platform editing program, the Continuum Editor.
The download for version 5.01 is available in the downloads section of the Haken Audio site. Full details are available (pdf).
AfroDJMac sends word this week of a free Live Pack, Monotron Mods, inspired by the Korg Monotron:
Greetings Synthtopia!
This week I am releasing a collection of three free Ableton Live Packs. Two are instruments created with Korg Monotron samples and one is a useful delay effect rack.
I hope you and your readers find them useful!
Sunday Synth Jam: Here’s a subtle synth jam, Hard Talk, via reader Andrew Current, that makes clever use of a Roland MC-303.
Here’s what he has to say about the MC-303 and his track::
It gets a lot of flack as a groovebox and for good reason. But if you dig deep, you can squeeze out a lot of beautiful sounds from it.
I think this track shows how first, you can make interesting and pleasing music on almost anything and second, even out dated equipment like the MC 303 can perform well in modern contexts.
The track was entirely done on the MC-303, even using the built-in effects. Time to take another look at some of that old gear, eh?
You can check out and download Current’s music from his SoundCloud page.