Axial is a new online platform where you can download sounds for your ROLAND synthesizer. And Axial is free of charge! From recreations of vintage analog classics to modern, cutting-edge tones that are perfect for the latest music styles and beyond, Axial is a basis for an expanding selection of new sounds for Roland synthesizers.
Author Archives: >Theo Bloderer<
New Solaris Report by Robert Wittek
Robert Wittek is one of the best keyboard players and sound programmers around today. Fascinated by any wavetable synthesizer (e.g. the Prophet-VS), he has now set his sights on the Solaris. His report is in German only (sorry about that), but we wanna point to the audio-workshop which comes with it. The 6 Solaris audio parts are recommend to all synthesists around the globe.
Book Recommendation: The A-Z of Analogue Synthesisers
There’s not much to say. The Bible of knob-synth lovers. The Holy Grail, so to speak. “The A-Z of Analogue Synthesisers” is a comprehensive encyclopedia with so much information about all the great and not so great synthesizers specs and history.
Trax RetroWave R-1
- from Model Trains to Synths
As so often the case, chance and a bit of luck played a big role in my discovery of the following hitherto unknown instrument.
It’s the beginning of May 2013, and a routine visit to eBay brings me eye to eye with the Trax RetroWave R-1. A quick search for the website, contact with the selling agent, and within a few days the Trax RetroWave R-1 was settled into my local studio.
And (again), as is often the case, my instinct was right: the Trax RetroWave R-1 is a high-quality, fun-to-use analog synthesizer with outstanding sound potential. But, one thing at a time…
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The Pyramid Synth
30-year-old David Cranmer of London is an artist in the true sense of the word. He combines a wealth of ideas, design, sounds and performance into works of art. Take the Pyramid Synth, for example. He created two analog synths with the characteristic appearance of egyptian mausoleums in cooperation with Peter Fowler. But he’s also been working on a large modular system on his own for several years …
Moog Voyager White Edition
You have to leave it to them: Moog has invented product design. The instruments of the Voyager series are simply elegant – take the Voyager Performer White Edition, for instance.
Trax RetroWave R-1 – British analog synth with MIDI/CV
The Trax RetroWave R-1 desktop monosynth was designed for musicians who want the warmth and power of classic analog synthesizer sound, created by a real analog instrument. Handmade, of course.
Create electronic music from scratch. The RetroWave pots are huge, a joy to use. And, of course, there are no menue screens or hidden functions … Continue reading
Roland Juno-60
- a classic with lots of charme
It’s getting a little embarrassing talking about another “unbelievable” classic synth, another “must-have”. Nevertheless – the Juno-60 synthesizer is no ordinary cheap polysynth, we rather think it’s a real substitute for the sought-after flagship Jupiter-8. At least in many ways …
Sure, the timeless and extremely balanced design of a Jupiter-8 IS unbeatable. And there will be NO FX-soundtracks produced on a Juno-60. But still, basic sound on both instruments is very similar. Considering sonic warmth and earthy richness, the Juno-60 is on the same level as the nice Jupiter-8, maybe it’s even a little above (!) the Jupiter. Continue reading
Musikmesse Frankfurt 2013 Report – Part 2
Continuing Report Part 1 – now to Doepfer. The A-100 monster modular system was stuck in a back corner of the Alex4 stand. Just looking at a system like this is food for the eyes, of course. And discovering even most of its musical potential would take a life time.
Musikmesse Frankfurt 2013 Report – Part 1
Well, the Frankfurt Musikmesse 2013 was a remarkable experience. Some say it wasn’t as large as it has been in past years, but there were still lots of new goodies. Since the big news about Yamaha, Korg and Roland was released at the NAMM Show, our report will concentrate on the European market with all of those special products which have enriched the synthesizer landscape for years. And we’ll be meeting some remarkable people along the way …
