DX7 Disasters!, via elmosexwhistle, is the fourth installment in the DEM JAMZ series, which explores the possibilities of vintage synths:
This one focuses on the much maligned and misunderstood Yamaha DX7, a synth who’s complexity and abilities few ever managed to discover, most people instead relying on it’s preset cartridge sounds, including a little electric piano patch…
It also offers a rare glimpse of hardcore ‘jazz hands’….
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HerrMueller’s DX7 is a free Java-based editor for Yamaha’s popular DX7 synth and compatible software synths. Continue reading
iK Multimedia has released iLectric Piano, an electric piano app for the Apple iPad.
iLectric Piano offers over 40 “classic” electric pianos, electric grands and clavinets, all sampled from the original instruments.
Key features:
Here’s a demo of iLectric in action: Continue reading
Has the iPad made digital synths obsolete?
That’s the question raised by a recent MatrixSynth post:
All digital synths are software based. I’ve stopped lusting after them ever since I picked the first gen iPad and Sunrizer and compared it with my Roland JP-8000.
I picked up the JP-8000 new for about $1100 back when it came out. I picked up Sunrizer when it was called Horizon Synth for $4.99. $4.99 for a full blown VA and it sounds great.
You can’t replicate analog, so maybe we will see more of that. As for full blown digital, I can see each having it’s flagship synth for the pro musician on the road, a flagship controller for the iPad, and apps to go along with it.
I think there will always be an audience for each, but there is no denying the iPad has become the new breed of digital hardware synthesis.
This echoes predictions we made when the iPad was introduced:
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This video, via insidesynthesis, presents a method of understanding FM synthesis.
The discussion is tailored for those who know subtractive synthesis.
A lot of people struggle with understanding FM synthesis. Much of this confusion may come from the poorly designed interfaces of most FM synths.
Check out the video and let us know if it helps you make sense of FM synthesis!
See, too, this set of videos that looks at some of the Secrets of FM Synthesis.
Sunday Synth Jam: This retrotastic synth jam celebrates the 80′s, with a little Italo-disco and three classic 80′s synths: the Roland Jupiter 8, Oberheim OB-Xz, Yamaha DX-7 & Drumulator.
via SynthManiaDotCom