Tag Archives: microtuning

Synthanola, A Punch-Tape Synthesizer, Plays Bach

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The Synthanola punch-tape sequencer & synthesizer – an entry in the 555 contest – does its own version of Bach’s Inventions # 8 & 13.

The Synthanola is a three channel music synthesizer, not so well-tempered, capable of four octaves per chanel.

555′s are used to generate each octave for each voice (or channel). There are twelve 555 timer IC’s used for the synthesizer section and two more for tempo control and paper speed. It is sequenced by a Heathkit H-10 paper tape unit and programmed with a 486 PC running QBasic.

Details at retroarchive.

Microtonal Synth Jam – Autumnal Modulations

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This set of videos, via Carlos Serafini, capture a laid-back micronal synth jam on a hexagonal control keyboard, Autumnal Modulations.

Here’s what Serafini has to say about the piece:

This song is both the first one I compose employing extensive modulations (with Carlos Gamma tuning system) and the first one completely transnotated.

Transnotation allows me to analyze my own compositions. To demonstrate that, I have recorded 2 short movies where I perform the ?lead guitar? part of portions of the original tune while listening to the pre-recorded ?bass? and drums parts and reading my transnotated score.

This guitar sound by Spectrasonics Omnisphere has already been featured on many songs of mine. I love it!

See Serafini’s site for details on the piece and his setup. Continue reading →

Garriton Offers Personal Orchestra 4 For $149

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garritan-personal-orchestra-4Garritan has released Personal Orchestra 4, a state-of-the-art virtual orchestra.

Garritan Personal Orchestra 4 is now powered by the ARIA Instrument Engine and adds new features, new instrument sounds, updated programming and a lower price.

Details below.

Garritan Personal Orchestra 4 is available for Windows and Mac (VST/AU/RTAS) as a download for $149.95 USD.

Existing users of previous versions of Personal Orchestra can download the upgrade for $49.95 USD. Continue reading →

Intelligent Gadgets’ Mandala Music

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mandala-musicInspired by instruments like the Hang drum and other idiophones, Intelligent Gadget’s Mandala Music is a virtual percussion instrument for the iPhone.

The instrument consists of eight notes arranged in a circle or Mandala around a central note (called the ding on a Hang).

The sound, which is generated by an FM synthesizer, is varied by four controls: octave, frequency, modulation, and decay.

The notes are based on the scale selected in the settings window. Thirty-three different scales from around the world used in first-generation Hang drums are provided.

A tuning setting allows the player to change the key of the instrument.

Mandala Music is $.99 in the iTunes App Store.

If you’ve used Mandala Music, leave a comment with your thoughts.

Classical Organ Music Performed On The Bizarre Tonal Plexus Keyboard

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This video captures Lassus’ Ave Regina Coelorum, performed on the Hi-Pi Tonal Plexus keyboard.

This excerpt by Lassus (16th century composer) presents a puzzle for tuning with pure intervals, where the closing chord should be the same as the opening chord, but if strict theoretical rules are followed the closing chord will fall about a quartertone lower than the opening chord. The passage is played twice here on a 2 octave Tonal Plexus keyboard, showing how this pitch shifting occurs.

Details on the two performances below. Continue reading →

Microtonal Music On a Gameboy

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This is a quick demo of microtonal Gameboy synthesis – 18-TET Tuning with NanoLoop (Hacked ROM).

via littlescale:

18-TET = 18 divisions of the octave instead of 12 (which is standard for western tuning). Special, special thanks to Abrasive for his help and his idea with this – all of the credit goes to him of course. On left, the original ROM with its frequency lookup table intact, and on the right the edited ROM with the 18-TET lookup table.

Continue reading →