Shade is scheduled for release on March 23rd, 2009, and looks like it will be a treat for fans of synth music.

Sirros notes:

This album is full of analogue modular synths, including the Serge modular music system, Analogue Systems RS-Integrator modular, Doepfer A100 modular, Arp 2600, EMS VCS3, Technosaurus Selector system D, Livewire/Plan B/Harvestman modular, Metalbox/CGS modular, Analogue Solutions Concussor modular, Korg MS50, Oberheim 4 Voice modular, etc…

Shade is the studio album follow-up to Obsessive Surrealism (DiN26 – 2007) and is the fifth CD release by Parallel Worlds (the main musical project of Greek electronic musician Bakis Sirros).

via Bakis Sirros in the synth forum

Bakis Sirros, above in his studio, is a synthesis and composer and DIN recording artist, as Parallel Worlds. 

Sirros’ work is in the tradition of classic synth music artists like Klaus Schulze, Robert Rich, Steve Roach and Tangerine Dream. 

He talked about his love of modular synthesizers, especially Eurorack modules, in a recent interview with Analogue Haven:

The Eurorack format modular, at this point, has the biggest and most interesting variety of modules available.

You can have ’standard’ analogue subtracitve synthesis modules, countless different filters and oscillators, plus wierd and extreme modules to really ‘warp’ your patch! Also, you have a greaty variety of hybrid modules (like the Analogue Systems additive and wavetable module, the Harvestman modules, the latest vc bit crusher from Doepfer, vc sampler modules, etc.). All these give me so many soundshaping tools that i cannot find in big jack format modulars. Also I need as much space as possible, to fit the dozens of modules i use in my patches and this would require a huge space to accomplish with big jack format modulars.

I like the smaller format modulars because they allow you to have many modules in a small space. I would not want to go back and forth in the studio to patch a gigantic modular having big jacks. So the Euro format, the Frac Rack format and the Banana modulars (Serge) are my choice.

Btw, I also have a Technosaurus Selector System D that is a big jack modular and use it very often. but i only have one of these. All my other modulars are more compact to allow for complexity within a manageable space. apart from the euro rack format, i also really like my lately aqccuired serge modular. banana jacks give me so much patching freedom, being able to mult a signal countless times within a patch! especially useful for trigger and gate signals.

For the gear porn freaks – here’s another look at Sirros’ studio:

Sirros also moderates the Yahoo Doepfer group.

You can find out more about Sirros and his music at his MySpace page and at the Parallel Worlds site. 

via Bakis Sirros; images by antonis chaniotis

It should be a great opportunity for Greek synth fans to see some live electronic music action.

Here’s a link to our review of Sirros’ recent release as Parallel Worlds, Obsessive Surrealism.

In additon, Bakis Sirros of Parallel Worlds will offer a 3-hour analogue modular synthesis workshop with his A-100 on the 14th of June, Saturday evening on Bios building, Athens.

The workshop is focused on the application of the basic methods of synthesis (Subtracti ve, FM, AM) on analogue modular synthesizers (the Doepfer A-100 analogue modular synthesizer will be used as an example).

Application of analogue VCOs, LFOs, Envelopes, VCAs, Ring modulator, Waveshapers, Sample and Hold for the creation of simple and intricate sonic tones, drums and sound effects in the modular environment. Connection with cv / gate keyboard controller. Application of analogue step-sequencers and analogue modular synths as real-time sound manipulation tools (interactive link between sound source and analogue modular). Practical application of analogue modulars and MIDI.

via Doepfer

They’re worth checking out – the rs370 is something different for the world of analog modulars and isn’t easy to wrap your brain around, as a result.

Analogue Systems rs370 Polyphonic Harmonic Generator

• 6-voice polyphonic harmonic generator and wavetable synthesizer (currently with 16 wave banks), 4 generator per note additive synthesis engine.
• Additional features include fully functional multi-channel MIDI to CV converter with 4 programmable controller outputs and assignable gate function for programming S-trigger and standard triggers, mixed triggers and MIDI clock.
• A useful arpeggiator and the ability to travel through the custom user-stored harmonics and factory-stored waveforms via voltage control.
• 2 independent LFOs that can be free-running or synced to MIDI with multiple step divisions. Six 10-stage envelope generators (with full voltage control of each parameter) which are available as outputs to control external filters.
• User can view harmonic changes during additive programming and during morphing of wavebanks. Excellent array of outputs and inputs for complex patching within the module itself as well as other voltage sources within a modular system.

Check out the rs370 demo below by Bakis Sirros (Parallel Worlds). There are more demos at the Big City Music site.

The rs370 retails for $1,249.

The release is the fourth CD by Parallel Worlds, the first on the DIN label. We’ve been impressed by previous DIN releases, and Obsessive Surrealism is no exception. The CD is a dense blend of very electronic-sounding elements with very organic-sounding ones.

Parallel Worlds is the performing name for Greek musician Bakis Sirros. He’s been active in the Greek music scene for about 10 years, and has performed at a variety of electronic music events. He’s also collaborated with other musicians on other projects, including Interconnected (IDM) and Memory Geist (ambient/experimental).

Sirros’ music on this CD emphasisizes synthesis, using electronic gear and software to create new sounds and effects. His music is melodic and is very effective at creating various moods, but what really sets it apart is Sirros’ creative sound work.

Sirros puts a huge variety of gear to use, including: Doepfer A100 modular, Analogue Systems RS-Integrator modular, Technosaurus System D modular, modified EMS VCS-3 x2), ARP 2600, Odyssey, Roland System 100, System 100m, modified Oberheim 2-voice, Korg MS50, MS20, SQ10, Trident, PE1000, Analogue Solutions Concussor modular, modified TR606, Nord modular, JP8000, Microwave XT, MS2000R, S750, Emax 2, Korg ES1, Roland Space Echo, Korg SE500 and additional sound manipulators.

While this is an impressive gear list, Sirros appears to be most interested in wringing the most out of traditional synthesis. As a result, the music doesn’t sound like the result of intense studio editing, but more like he’s captured studio performances.

The music itself is pure synth music, leaning towards the dark ambient. It shares some elements with synth artists of the 70’s, but also with the work of contemporary synth music masters, like Robert Rich and Ian Boddy. The pieces are relatively short soundscapes that emphasize sequenced elements, along with synth-strings, “vocal” pads and quirky glitch percussion effects.

In addition to the creative sound design, Sirros makes very effective use of stereo space; listening to the CD on a set of monitors revealed the depth of the music’s range, while listening on earbuds highlighted a lot of creative stereo effects.

One of the highlights of the CD is the track Increasing Complexity. At its heart, it’s a simple melodic sequence on piano. Sirros treats the piano so that it’s muted and bathed in reverb, giving it an distant, underwater sound reminiscent of the piano effects on Brian Eno & Harold Budd’s collaborations. Over this, Sirros layers strange echoing birdlike noises, synthesized percussion effects, a sequenced bassline and evolving synth pads, building the piece to a dense jungle of sound. By the end, the piano fragment that holds things together has almost disappeared, leaving just the organic synth effects.

Another great track is Pale Yellow Sky. Like Increasing Complexity, the track uses a minimal melodic fragment as a framework for organizing a collection of uneasy sounds. Halfway through the track, the music dies down to almost nothing, focusing your attention on water-drip percussive effects, before building up again. Towards the end of the track, the melodic elements die out, leaving just drones, effects and ambience. Throughout, Sirros frequently shifts the focus of the music from background to foreground and back, highlighting the layers of creativity in the mix.

Parallel Worlds’ Obsessive Surrealism is full of very original sound design, but also makes effective use of synth music staples like sequences, synth-strings and vocal pads. The combination draws you quickly into the pieces, where the depth of the music’s quirkiness slowly reveals itself. Highly recommended.

You can preview Sirros’ music and download several tracks as free MP3s at the Parallel Worlds site.

Tracks:

• Beneath Fear ( 6.06 )
• Different Pathways ( 5.18 )
• Empty Human Cells ( 3.38 )
• Increasing Complexity ( 5.52 )
• Into the Caves of the Mind ( 4.50 )
• Interlude ( 2.09 )
• Reflective ( 9.32 )
• Mindmists ( 8.49 )
• Pale Yellow Sky ( 5.42 )
• Distracted ( 6.57 )
• Crying Spells ( 4.15 )

Total Time 63.29