mik300z makes a triumphant return to the Synthtopia Sunday Synth Jam with a Giorgio Moroder inspired electronic disco improv:

Based on “here to eternity”. This was all going swell until the ESQ1 drifted out of pitch near the end (not my bum notes for a change lol) Some Human league influence here too:)

It’s hard to overestimate the influence Moroder has had on electronic dance music, isn’t it?

Sunday Synth Jam: Here’s another nice synth jam via mik300z, a cover of Vangelis’ We Were All Uprooted, From Earth:

A piece from Vangelis’ first solo album Earth.

Thanks to a certain youtuber (cheers Phil) who sent me the album at the beginning of the summer, It just grows on you, the unique unworldly atmospherics of organ and percussion.

Hope you like the video, tried to keep everything like 1974!

• Akai s3000- percussion and rain effect
• Juno G- organ, jamisen ,percussion, whistle, thunder
• Microkorg and Juno 106 -bassJuno 6 -haunting lead
• Korg x5 – mandolin
• Drum sequence- ESQ1

Sunday Synth Jam. Plastic Stars is a synth fest, via mik300z:

inspired by some great analogue percussion from the akai s3000 sampler., i hope you like this electronica jam, got it done and dusted in about 3 hours,…:) Bass; Juno 106Drums: akai s3000Analogue strings: Juno 6synth lead : ESQ 1arpeggiator : MicrokorgFX;;Korg x5opening voices : Juno G

Sunday Synth Jam: This is an awesomely atmospheric synth jam, in the style of Desolation Path, from Vangelis’ Blade Runner soundtrack.

via mik300z:

Uploaded this a couple of weeks back, and removed it, apologies!! Anyway , here it is, the feedback from my other vangelis covers prompted me to take another view…

mik300z is back, with another synth jam, channelling Vangelis’ orchestral electronica sound palette.

This synthprovisation is inspired by Vangelis’ Chariots of Fire soundtrack album, “side two”.

That’s the ‘make out” side, in case you didn’t know. None of that tch-tch-tch-tch-tch–tch.

Leave a comment with your thoughts!

Sunday Synth Jam: Desolation Path-Bladerunner Atmosphere Part II is a luscious bit of symphonic electronica improvisation, via mik300z:

You guys seemed to like my other BR video so thought I would share this. Far as i am concerned I should have called it “Demolition path” for what I have done to this beautiful Vangelis piece! It was quite difficult , way beyond my ability, but enjoyable.

ESQ 1 comes in here again as a Yamaha CP-80 electric piano, did quite a good job for the chords at the beginning. A lot of this is nonsense, but fun all the same:)

In this video, like Bladerunner Atmosphere Part 1, mik300z really channels Vangelis’ sound palette. Check out his other Vangelis covers on YouTube.

Leave a comment with your thoughts!

Update: Removed on account of synthtoxication. : (

Here it is – the Vangelis Blade Runner cover that will make you weep.

This is the first time I’ve seen someone really nail the lushness and quirkiness of Vangelis’ soundtrack for Blade Runner. It’s not an exact sonic match, but it’s extremely close, it’s live, it sounds great and and it’s a very musical performance, too.

Give it a listen, crank it up and let me know what you think!

Gear-geek details below.

via mik300z:

The Stars of this video are the ESQ 1 for the Cs80 brass leads and the Juno 6 for it’s authentic sounding electronic beeps. The bells and percussion from the Korg x5 and Juno G. Microkorg on strings.

Really enjoyed this and amazing how a few affordable synths can re-create the unique bladerunner sound.

The Ensoniq ESQ-M is a vintage synthesizer, the rackmount version of the ESQ-1, that offers eight voice polyphony. It can do basic splits and layers which can be saved as part of a patch.

Each voice features three digital oscillators, an analogue filter (a Curtis chip) three LFO’s, four envelopes, and four Digitally Controlled Amplifiers and a very serious modulation routing ability.

Ensoniq ESQ-M Resources:

• Ensoniq ESQ-1 page at VintageSynthExplorer
• Ensoniq ESQ-1 samples
• SoundQuest Ensoniq ESQ M Editor/Librarian and Virtualizer
  for Windows and Macintosh OS X
• Ensoniq ESQ-1, ESQ-m, SQ-80 patches at Patchman Music

via denha

The Chase, club version, from Midnight Express.

via mik300z:

I made this track on a 22 year old 8 track sequencer, 4 synths and recorded directly onto a cd. No software used.Instruments/equipment used: (all Hardware) Ensoniq ESQ 1-Midi controller, sequencer (8 tracks )JUNO G- strings and drums JUNO 106-bassline (run through zoom effects unit for delay) JUNO 6 – melody Microkorg – melody

via mik300z

Just a little track which demonstrates the wonderful sequencer from the Esq 1, I was able to put this together in about 4 hours. Bass from the Microkorg and Theremin sample from the Juno .

The MCDISK-2 is a solid-state Media Card drive that has no moving parts and makes no noise during operation. It comes in a small beige case that is 8.5″ x 6.75″ x 2.25″ and can be used in any orientation, flat or on its side. It is very sturdy and solid, equally at home on the road or in the studio. The case has a fan in it but we ship the drive with this fan disabled in order to keep the unit completely noise-free. The fan is not needed in this configuration because the internal MCDISK drive puts out no heat at all and the internal power supply puts out only a very small amount. The case stays cool internally from natural air flow.

The MCDISK-2 has two PCMCIA slots which enable you to use Compact Flash or Smart Media cards for storage (with the correct PCMCIA adapters). 

The MCDISK-2 is compatible with a wide range of samplers:

• Korg Triton Classic, Triton Studio, Triton LE, Triton Rack, Triton Pro
• Akai MPC60, MPC60 II, MPC2000, MPC2000XL, MPC3000 (requires the Vailixi 3.50 OS), S1000, S1100, S2000, S2800, S3000, CD3000, S3200, S3200XL, MPC4000, S5000, S6000, Z4/Z8
• Yamaha Motif 6, Motif 7, Motif 8, RS7000, PSR9000, EX5, EX7
• Ensoniq EPS, EPS 16+, ASR-10, ASR-88, ASR Rack
• EMU Emax SE/HD, ESI-32, ESI-2000, ESI-4000, E4k, E5000, E6400, E64, EIII, EIIIxp, EIV, E4XT Ultra, E-Synth
• Roland XV-5080, S750, S760, S770
• Kurzweil K2000, K2000VP, K2vx, K2vxS, K2000R, K2000RS, K2500X, K2500XS, K2500S, K2500R, K2500RS, K2600X, K2600XS, K2600S, K2600R, K2600RS, K2661

The case has two SCSI-2 HD-50 connectors (SCSI-1 Centronics connectors are available instead – see Related Products below), front power LED, status/activity LED and a SCSI ID selector switch. The unit ships internally terminated can ship unterminated at your request. The drive has an internal power supply that is auto-switching so it works with any power system in any country.

An internal version of the MCDISK-2 SCSI card reader drive is also available.

The MCDISK-2 retails for $145.

Note: SCSIforSamplers has ceased trading.

mik300z has posted a sort of cheesetacular YouTube video, his version of Rodrigo’s guitar concerto, played Vangelis style! The video is pure synth porn.

Here’s a live video of him doing one of his originals, Far Away Cafe:

Here’s what he has to say about the track:

I’m using the Korg X5’s choir , Microkorg some sweeping and beeping using its arpeggiator at the slowest speed. The Ensoniq Esq1 is making that lovely old piano sound, synthesized as it is, it has a lovely warm tone. ESQ is also making the “Vangelis” type leads . The Junos are doing the rest.

ESQ-1 Digital / Analog Synthesizer (Episode 2 Deleted Scene)

via williamenroh:

This is a deleted scene for Inside Synthesis / Episode 2. http://www.insidesynthesis.com has the full video.

It demonstrates the use of LFOs triggering sounds on and off, emulating arpeggiators and sequences. It’s useful for any synthesizer that lacks real-time phrase/drumbeat triggering, such as the ESQ-1.

I didn’t use it since the timing was off. If you play too many notes on an ESQ-1, the LFOs slow down. But it works well for at least 4 notes.