TDL Show #984

This week on the TDL Show, we have a synth modulation master class from Peter “Ski” Schwartz, an expert sound designer and the creator of many classic synth sounds, including many of the presets on Korg synths like the Wavestation, Z1, Modwave, and the Multi/Poly.

Using Modwave Native, Peter explains the principles of synth modulation and how you can use the Mod Processors on synths like the Modwave, Wavestate, and Multi/Poly to create rich and evolving sounds. Peter knows all the tricks and gives us a live demo of expert synth design.

Unfortunately, Teams reduced the audio quality (and the stereo field) of the Modwave, but it’s still a great lesson in synth design.

Thanks to my Patreon supporters. https://www.patreon.com/c/IanDixon

Listen Here (download mp3)

If you want more information about how to subscribe to podcasts read our Podcast How To page. Follow us on twitter @isdixon @garrywma @Thedigitallife

Welcome to my latest sound pack for the Korg Multi/Poly! This set re-creates the classic Korg Mono/Poly—the synth that inspired the Multi/Poly.

Released in 1981, the Mono/Poly features a unique four-oscillator, single-filter design that gives it its distinctive sound. You can stack all four oscillators for a thick, powerful tone or set them to play individually, each with its own waveform and tuning. The synth also offers great cross-modulation options and a warm, characterful filter.

Since the Multi/Poly is inspired by the Mono/Poly, I’ve created a sound set that brings back its magic. By leveraging the advanced features of the Multi/Poly, I’ve faithfully recreated some of the oscillator techniques unique to the Mono/Poly, including single-layer oscillator rotation.

This collection features 58 performances and 55 programs, covering leads, pads, string ensembles, pianos, and more.

There are two versions available:

• Full set – £9
• Free cutdown pack

Mono/Poly-Inspired Sound Pack for the Korg Multi/Poly - Free Download

1 file(s) 23.22 KB

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So, fire up your Multi/Poly, import the sounds, and take a trip back to 1981!

In this tutorial, I’ll show you how I go about re-creating classic vintage synths on the Korg Multi/Poly. Over the years, I’ve recreated many iconic synth sounds on instruments like the Modwave and Wavestate, and a few of you have asked me to share the process I use for replicating the sound of vintage gear.

In the video, I’ll walk through some of my techniques for sound reproduction, whether you have the original gear or a plugin you want to recreate.

If you have suggestions for synth tutorials, let me know in the comments, and I’ll see what I can do!

TDL Show #976

Welcome to this week’s TDL Show! Garry talks about low-cost home security cameras and how to integrate them into your home security system. I explore a new plugin that recreates the classic Jen SX1000 and compare it to my own Jen. I also discuss the new MIDI stack in Windows 11 and revisit my old Korg NX5R. Plus, I launch my new community sound bank project and much more!

Links from this week’s show:

• Join the Multi/Poly, Modwave & Wavestate Community Sound Bank Project!

• Mastering Ratcheting Sequencing with Korg Wavestate: A Berlin School Tutorial

• Jen SX1000: Vintage Analog vs. AudioThing Plugin – How Close Is It?

• Classic Prophet Sounds for the Korg Multi/Poly – Now Available!

Thanks to my Patreon supporters. https://www.patreon.com/c/IanDixon

Listen Here (download mp3)

If you want more information about how to subscribe to podcasts read our Podcast How To page. Follow us on twitter @isdixon @garrywma @Thedigitallife

I recently released a ratcheting sequencer tutorial for the Multi/Poly and many of you asked about doing the same thing for the Wavestate. So, here it is!

In this video, I dive into the fascinating world of ratcheting sequencing, a technique popularized by the Berlin School of electronic music, including the legendary Tangerine Dream.

What you’ll learn:

The basics of ratcheting sequencing and how it adds complexity to your music.
How to use the Wavestate sequencer to retrigger steps within a sequence.
Tips on using mod controls with probability to add control over the subdivisions.
Layering multiple sounds to achieve the iconic Tangerine Dream sound on the Wavestate.
Bonus: The performance created during the video is available as a free download!

Download my example performance

Mastering Ratcheting Sequencing with Korg Wavestate: A Berlin School Download

1 file(s) 3.77 KB

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Modwave, multi/poly & Wavestate Community Sound Bank

I’ve created plenty of sound banks for the Korg Wavestate and Modwave over the years, and I’ve been fortunate to receive many amazing patches from the community in recent months. This inspired me to bring everyone together and launch a collaborative project: a community-created sound bank for the Korg Modwave, multi/poly and Wavestate, available for free to everyone!

Here’s how it works: You can contribute by sending me a Performance (or Program) for either the Modwave, multi/poly or Wavestate. I’ll collect all submissions, bundle them into a cohesive set, and host the files on TheDigitalLifestyle.com. To accompany the release, I’ll create a walkthrough video showcasing the performances.

If each of us submits just one Performance, we could build an incredible collection of community-designed sounds. This initiative not only supports new and existing Modwave, multi/poly and Wavestate users but also gives you a chance to showcase your sound design skills to a wider audience.

I hope you find this idea as exciting as I do! To get involved, simply email your file(s) to youtube@thedigitallifestyle.com, and I’ll start putting the set together.

Let me know in the comments what you think—I’d love to hear your feedback!

The Jen SX1000 is a budget monophonic synthesizer launched in 1978. While it was affordable (and even sold via catalogues in the UK), it remains an interesting mono synth and a great tool for learning analog synthesis.

It features a single oscillator with saw, square, and PWM waveforms, along with a single filter that has its own envelope, plus glide and noise options. Its simplicity made it something of a classic.

I picked up an SX1000 in 1988 for £30 when nobody wanted analog monosynths. Though it was a bit battered when I got it, I still have it today.

Recently, AudioThing released a recreation of the Jen SX1000, and I thought it would be a great opportunity to compare the virtual version side by side with the real thing. AudioThing has also added some interesting enhancements to the SX1000, including a poly mode, an arpeggiator, and a sub-oscillator mod. Additionally, four effects have been included: Tape Echo, Spring Reverb, Wave Folder, and Flanger.

In this video, I compare the virtual version with my original Jen SX1000 to see how close the plugin comes to the real thing.

The plugin costs €49, and a free demo version is available.

TDL Show #975

Welcome to this week’s Synth Chat!

This week on the show, I’m joined by keyboard player MarQ Speck from SWEET CRYSTAL. He’s celebrating 50 years with the group and has played an incredible range of synths over the years.

We discuss his journey, from starting out with organs to acquiring his first Minimoog and other classic synths. We also talk about the regret of letting go of potential classics and the differences between studio needs and live performance requirements.

Plus, we dive into synth clones, new synths, and much more!

Links from this week’s show:

• www.sweetcrystal.com
• Classic Prophet Sounds for the Korg Multi/Poly – Now Available!

Thanks to my Patreon supporters. https://www.patreon.com/c/IanDixon

Listen Here (download mp3)

If you want more information about how to subscribe to podcasts read our Podcast How To page. Follow us on twitter @isdixon @garrywma @Thedigitallife

Welcome to my new sound collection for the Korg Multi/Poly! This collection features performances and programs inspired by the iconic Sequential Prophet-5 and Prophet-10.

The Korg Multi/Poly includes a Prophet-5 template with envelopes, filters, and a VCA modeled after the classic synth. I’ve taken full advantage of these models to recreate the signature sounds of the Prophet-5, including many of its original factory presets.

This collection includes classic sync sounds, pads, sweeps, and sequences. The factory preset recreations are faithful to the originals, while other sounds use the Prophet-5 or Prophet-10 model to achieve an authentic character. Additionally, I’ve designed some sounds that are inspired by the Prophet-5 but push beyond what the original hardware could do.

The factory preset recreations are dry, while the rest of the sounds include onboard effects for added depth.

The premium set features 65 performances and 63 programs, and there’s also a free set available.

In this video, I demonstrate the sounds and dive into the sound design process behind them.

Welcome to my new Korg Multi/Poly tutorial! In this guide, I’ll attempt to recreate the iconic sounds from Depeche Mode’s classic track, Enjoy the Silence. The original was crafted using a modular system, but I wanted to see if it could be faithfully recreated using the multi-layer capabilities of the Multi/Poly.

I begin by building the bass sequence, then layer in the vocal parts, kick drum, and pads. While my recreation may not be 100% accurate, this video serves as a great tutorial on how to use the Modwave and Multi/Poly sequencer and layering techniques.

Download the performance I created in the video for free!

Recreating "Enjoy the Silence" on the Korg Multi/Poly - Download

1 file(s) 5.34 KB

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Hope you enjoy the process!

The Elka Synthex was an Italian polyphonic analog synthesizer from 1981, featuring 8 voices, two filters, and a ring modulator. Shane Parker kindly sent me a set of Synthex samples, which I’ve imported into my Modwave to create an exciting new sound set.

In this collection, you’ll find some of the classic Synthex sounds, including the iconic Laser Harp famously used by Jean-Michel Jarre, along with many other timeless tones.

Elka Synthex Sounds for the Wavestate

1 file(s) 94.94 MB

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This pack includes Shane’s samples and my custom performances designed for the Modwave—and best of all, it’s a free download!

Welcome to my new Korg Multi/Poly and Korg Modwave tutorial. In this tutorial, I am going to look at ratcheting sequencing as popularized by the Berlin School of electronic music, including Tangerine Dream.

Ratcheting sequencing is a technique used in music production, particularly with modular synthesizers, to add more complexity and interest to repetitive sequences. The technique involves retriggering individual steps in a sequence multiple times at a faster rate, creating a rolling or trilling effect.

The Multi/Poly’s (and Modwave’s) motion sequencer is ideal for this technique, especially using the shape lane to retrigger steps within a sequence.

In the video, I show how to create ratcheting sequences and how you can use the mod controls with probability to add control over the subdivisions.

I also then go on to show how you can layer multiple sounds to complete the Tangerine Dream sound on the Multi/Poly.

The performance I created during the video is available as a free download.

Mastering Ratcheting Sequencing with Korg Multi/Poly - Berlin School Download

1 file(s) 5.18 KB

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Welcome to this week’s podcast, where Garry and I are joined by musician and DJ Kelly Myers to talk about his passion for synths, drum machines, and music.

Kelly has an interesting collection of electronic music gear, including the classic Roland TB-303. He shares how he got into music, talks about his gear collection, and explains why he uses both modern and classic synthesizers.

Links from this week’s show:

• earlandmajors.com

• Exploring the Large Magellanic Cloud: My New Synth Album

Thanks to my Patreon supporters. https://www.patreon.com/c/IanDixon

Listen Here (download mp3)

If you want more information about how to subscribe to podcasts read our Podcast How To page. Follow us on twitter @isdixon @garrywma @Thedigitallife

In the latest build of Windows 11 for Windows Insiders on the Canary Channel, Microsoft has introduced the new Windows MIDI Services public preview.

This preview includes MIDI 2.0 support, ARM64 support, improved USB MIDI for MIDI 1.0, multi-client support, MIDI diagnostic tools, and much more. This is an exciting development for Windows, and it’s great that Windows Insiders can try it out.

For more information on MIDI 2.0 in Windows 11, check out my interview with Microsoft’s Pete Brown, recorded at the end of last year.

Highlights of the new MIDI service:

• Full support for the MIDI 2.0 standard, including high-speed data transmission, higher-fidelity messages, increased resolution for controller values, and full in-service MIDI 2.0 endpoint discovery and protocol negotiation.
• Faster transports, leading to improved timing and reduced jitter.
• Enhanced USB MIDI driver with full support for both MIDI 1.0 and MIDI 2.0.
• Multi-client support, allowing multiple apps to use a device simultaneously.
• In-service scheduling of outgoing timestamped messages and timestamped incoming messages for apps using the new Windows MIDI Services App SDK.
• Built-in loopback and app-to-app MIDI support.
• Automatic translation between MIDI 1.0 and MIDI 2.0 based on API, application, and device needs.
• More device metadata available to applications.
• Improved device add/update/remove notifications.
• Backward compatibility with the WinMM (MME) MIDI 1.0 API (and future support for WinRT MIDI 1.0), enabling applications to leverage new features without changes and access MIDI 2.0 devices at a MIDI 1.0 feature level.
• Open-source: The MIDI Service, all its transports, tools, tests, and SDK are MIT-licensed open-source projects developed in collaboration with hardware and software partners worldwide.

Check out Microsoft’s blog post for all the details.

This is my new album, Large Magellanic Cloud. The Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) is a dwarf galaxy and a satellite of the Milky Way. Located around 163,000 light-years away, the LMC is one of the closest galaxies to the Milky Way.

Inspired by the LMC, I created an atmospheric synth album that takes you on a journey across this distant galaxy.

Each track is built around a performance from the Korg Wavestate (which I’ve made available as a free download), with additional sounds from the Korg Modwave, Multi/Poly, and Uno Drum.

I hope you enjoy this synth-powered journey across the Large Magellanic Cloud!

Listen now on Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Music, Youtube Music

Track List

• Tarantula Nebula – Part 1
• Cluster R136 (solar2)
• Supernovae 1987A (solar3)
• Black Hole MNC X-1 (solo4)
• Carbon Star (solar5)
• Tidal Interactions (solarSong)
• The White Ox (solar6)
• Remnants of SN 1987A (Solar8)
• Tarantula Nebula – Part2 (Solar7)

Equipment used

• Korg Wavestate (all the main sequences, strings and leads)
• Korg Modwave
• Korg Multi/Poly
• Uno Drum
• Korg ER1 plugin
• Solina String Ensemble

This is a new collection of performances for the Korg Wavestate called the Solar Collection.
Inspired by a journey across space, this set forms the foundation of my new album, Large Magellanic Cloud, named after a dwarf galaxy and satellite of the Milky Way.

Listen now on Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Music, Youtube Music

The performances are atmospheric, featuring multi-layered sequences that take full advantage of the Wavestate’s unique capabilities. In addition to the sounds used on my album, this collection includes several performances created specifically for this release.

The set is available for free at TheDigitalLifestyle.com.

Solar Collection: A Free Atmospheric Sound Pack for the Korg Wavestate

1 file(s) 28.33 KB

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In this video, I demonstrate the sounds and break down how they are constructed. Be sure to check out my new album, available on most streaming services.

BTW I used Distrokid to upload my music, if you want thinking of trying it out please use my referral code

At the end of last year, I got the new Korg Multi/Poly, an amazing analog modeling synth. I’ve had a lot of fun creating sounds on it, and with its modular design, you can craft complex sounds and authentic reproductions of classic synths.

Go back twenty-five years, and Korg released their first virtual analog synth, the MS2000. With its distinctive blue design and hands-on controls, it kick-started Korg’s virtual analog range. Since I still have my MS2000, I thought it would be interesting to see how far virtual analog synths have come over the past twenty-five years.

In this video, you’ll get a look (and listen) at the architecture of the Korg MS2000 alongside the new Korg Multi/Poly.

Welcome to this week’s podcast! Garry and I catch up on the latest tech news, including the smart home gadgets he’s been testing—such as using AI to control heating. I also talk about my new Korg sound packs and the latest Windows 11 builds.

Links from this week’s show:

• Laser Harps and Beyond: Elka Synthex Sounds for the Modwave
• Mastering Vintage Synth Templates on the Korg Multi/Poly
• Building Tangerine Dream Soundscapes with the Korg Multi/Poly

Thanks to my Patreon supporters. https://www.patreon.com/c/IanDixon

Listen Here (download mp3)

If you want more information about how to subscribe to podcasts read our Podcast How To page. Follow us on twitter @isdixon @garrywma @Thedigitallife

The Elka Synthex was an Italian polyphonic analog synthesizer from 1981, featuring 8 voices, two filters, and a ring modulator. Shane Parker kindly sent me a set of Synthex samples, which I’ve imported into my Modwave to create an exciting new sound set.

In this collection, you’ll find some of the classic Synthex sounds, including the iconic Laser Harp famously used by Jean-Michel Jarre, along with many other timeless tones.

Elka Synthex Sounds for the Modwave

1 file(s) 94.94 MB

Download

This pack includes Shane’s samples and my custom performances designed for the Modwave—and best of all, it’s a free download!