Category Archives: User Reviews

Gear and software reviews by Synthtopia readers.

The PPG Wave 2 Synthesizer

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This set of videos, via 12bitrec, demonstrates the PPG Wave 2 digital synthesizer.

The PPG Wave 2 was a digital + analog synthesizer created by Wolfgang Palm, of the German company Palm Products Gmbh. The PPG Wave combines digital waveforms with analog filters and VCA’s, creating a “warmer” sound than was then possible with digital synthesis.

Three versions of the PPG Wave 2 were produced:

  • Wave 2: 1981-82
  • Wave: 2.2 1982-84
  • Wave 2.3: 1984-87

Waldorf has released a virtual version of the PPG Wave 2, PPG Wave 2.v Classic Wavetable Synthesizer.

The PPG Wave 2 was used by Tangerine Dream, Jean Michel Jarre, Gary Numan, Art Of Noise, Thomas Dolby and Ultravox. Continue reading →

The Korg microKORG Synthesizer/Vocoder

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This is a demo video for the modern mini-synth classic, the Korg microKorg synthesizer.

Description:

State-of-the-art analog modeling and multi-band vocoding are available in a compact, portable instrument. With 37 keys and 128 user-rewritable programs, the microKORG Synthesizer/Vocoder is designed for the performer, producer, computer musician or beginner looking for an affordable synthesizer.

Korg microKORG Synthesizer/Vocoder Features:

  • 128 user-rewritable programs
  • 37-key mini keyboard
  • Powerful synthesis
  • Classic vocoding
  • A full range of effects
  • Great sounds and expression
  • Flexible arpeggiator (6 types)
  • Clear control and classic looks
  • Can serve as a compact MIDI controller

EM’s David Battino had this to say about the Korg microKorg:

It’s easy to slip into critic mode and forget that making music is supposed to be fun. The MicroKorg is frustrating if you expect to play and program it like a full-size keyboard synthesizer, but as a portable, creative gadget, it stands alone. If you can justify spending $500 on a terrific-sounding musical toy (and I use that word in a very positive sense), you won’t go wrong with the MicroKorg.

The Korg microKorg retails for $399.

If you’ve used the Korg microKorg – leave a comment with your thoughts!

Continue reading →

The Yamaha CS-50

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The Yamaha CS-50, a vintage synthesizer from 1976,  is a scaled down version of the classic Yamaha CS-80 and CS-60 synths.

It offers 4-voice polyphony, with 1 oscillator per voice.

While it has a much simpler architecture, it offers a relatively inexpensive option for getting the classic Yamaha CS sounds.

If you’ve used the Yamaha CS-50, leave a comment with your thoughts!

Resources:

Sony Sound Forge Pro 10

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sony-sound-forge-pro-10Sony has introduced Sound Forge Pro 10, the latest version of its professional digital audio production suite for Windows.

Update features include event-based editing, the élastique time stretch and pitch shift plug-in, interactive tutorials and a mastering effects bundle.

Details below.

If you’ve used Sony Sound Forge Pro 10, leave a comment with your thoughts! Continue reading →

Free Software Synth For Windows, Anubis

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B. Serrano has released Anubis, a free polyphonic software synthesizer for Windows.

Features:

  • 16-notes polyphony
  • 2 oscillators with X-Mod and Sync
  • Randomizable ADSR
  • Graphical modulation envelopes up to 32 stages
  • 2 LFOs; host BPM syncable
  • 1 multi-mode filter (same as Adonis 2); Randomizable
  • 7×7 modulation-matrix
  • Vibrato
  • Tremolo; host BPM syncable
  • Delay
  • Chorus
  • MIDI learn
  • CPU friendly

If you’ve used Anubis, leave a comment with your thoughts!

Akai Miniak Synthesizer Now Available For $500

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Akai Professional has announced that the Akai Miniak is now available.

The Miniak combines Akai’s control surface with Alesis’ synth engine.

The Miniak lets you create programs with up to eight multi-timbral voices, each with three oscillators. You can create complex sounds using the Miniak’s two multimode filters, three envelope generators, two LFOs, stereo effects and 40-band vocoder with gooseneck microphone. The MINIAK also has a comprehensive sequencer with step and dynamic real time phrase sequencing, a drum machine/rhythm sequencer and an arpeggiator.

The MINIAK is available from musical instrument and professional audio retailers and has a U.S. Retail Price of $699.00 with an estimated street price of $499.00.

Details below.

If you’ve used the Akai Professional Miniak synthesizer, leave a comment with your thoughts. Continue reading →

The Simmons SDS 8 Drum Synthesizer

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Remember those classic electronic drum sounds of the 80s?

There’s a good chance that what you remember is the sound of the the Simmons drum synthesizer.

The video above captures some manual tweaking of a Simmons SDS 8 Drum Synthesizer.

If you’ve used the Simmons drum synthesizer, leave a comment with your thoughts! Continue reading →

Apple Logic Express 9 – The Best Entry-Level DAW?

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apple-logic-express-9Apple has released Logic Express 9, the entry-level version of its industry standard DAW, Logic Pro.

Like the new version of Logic Pro Studio, Logic Express 9 adds a variety of features for guitarists and flex time, Apple’s tools for editing the timing and tempo of recorded audio.

Features include:

  • More than 70 studio-quality effect plug-ins, including vintage and modern compressors, delays, reverbs, and more;
  • New Amp Designer plug-in to help you re-create the sound of 25 legendary amps and 25 speaker cabinets;
  • New Pedalboard plug-in with an assortment of 30 virtual stompbox pedals inspired by the classics;
  • 36 software instrument plug-ins, including the Ultrabeat drum synth and beatbox, ES2 synth, and EXS24 sampler.

At$199.99, and featuring most of the power of the very competitively priced Logic Pro, Logic Express 9 may be the best deal in entry-level DAWs.

If you’ve used Logic Express 9, leave a comment with your thoughts!

Get 100+ Free Impulse Response Samples

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irMeatscience has introduced the Open Impulse Response Library, a free impulse response library for users of all convolution reverbs.

Library Features:

  • Free for users of ANY convolution reverb.
  • Easy to upload.
  • Supports WAVE/AIFF/SDII/FLAC (libsndfile).
  • Clean, attractive user interface.
  • Onsite playback of convolved IRs.
  • Coming soon : Batch upload / 4 Channel Support.

If you’re a convolution reverb users, check it out and leave a comment here on your impressions.

via Rekkerd