Program to Program Midi Dump in Mac OS X Tutorial

There may be special situations where you need to perform a midi dump between two programs. When one program won't load a saved sysex file off the hard drive (due to formatting issues etc.) but it will accept a traditional midi dump from your instrument that you no longer have, you'd want to do a program to program midi dump. Whatever the situation, here is the tutorial.

What you need:

-Sysex Librarian (Mac OS X)

-A saved Midi sysex program file. This could be a program dump or a bank dump you need to open in another program but can't directly

-Librarian for your specific synth (I used SoundPac. It could be something like MidiQuest XL or even the Manufacturer's Editor/Librarian)

Step One:

Open Sysex Librarian. Under the drop down menu, selec "Act as source for other programs" This initializes an internal midi driver that will become available to other programs. Have your sysex file imported and selected.

Step Two:

Open your host Librarian program. Try to select "Sysex Librarian" as a midi I/O driver. It should be available along with any other midi ports you have connected.

Step Three:

Set your Librarian program, in my case SoundPac, to receive the midi dump. It should be waiting for data.

Step Four:

Press Play in Sysex Librarian. Now the data will have transferred properly between the programs. You should hit OK in the host program and now be able to view / edit that data. Your done!

With this method you don't have to worry about any program specific formatting that incurs. Hope that helped someone!

Dance Video

Found on BoingBoing.net

Walker Bass (Mp3)

Walker Bass, a short chillout MP3

Download Link (MP3) 2 min

Created with JX-8p, Audio Bassline, Ohm Force, FM8

Moog Prodigy Groove

Worlds Biggest Drum Machine

Roland JX-8p Patches Final Archive ($20)

Get the sysex of my JX-8p final archive. 50% Techno 50% Vintage/Moog/80s/Funk! Its an entire internal memory (32) plus almost a cartridge full (with room for blanks / templates), for a total of 61 presets. These are all my techno basses, pads, strings, and moog sounds. Not all are re-releases, as many have not been heard or have been reworked or tweaked. All sounds are guaranteed useable for modern productions.

Only $20!

A list of presets below the cut:

Synthesizer Cakes

via chelseagroundflyer

via nuclearwar77

via flickr.com

Confetti Controller

found on sadgirlporvida

Juno 60 Watercolor Art

found on tews

When will they make scratch and sniff Junos?

Moog Voyager XL

Is this real?

Page Link

found on gearslutz via MC202.com

Novation UltraNova

Novation's new 37 analog modeling keyboard with 14 filter types and wavetables.

Check out the specs on this page

It also has pre-filter distortion and 5 effects slots!

Lazy DJ

http://lazydj.mixcloud.com/

Lazy DJ is a cool music recommendation service.

NES CHIP Collection ($30) Now For Ableton

The NES Chip Collection is now available as an Ableton Live Pack! Only $30

Product Info:

Do you want to make chip tunes? Or integrate the sound of the NES into your music? You do not have to buy the NES or mess around old gear and software that doesnt quite emulate that natural sound 8 bit sound. These are profesionally recorded samples at 24 bit 96khz bit rate directly from the NES output on the back of the machine. People will actually think you have an NES with midi. Every Square wave, Sine, Noise, and even 8-bit percussive samples.

8 Bit Drum WAVE sound files
NES Square Waves files

The NES Sine wave

Individual NES Noise WAVE files with integrated refill patch!

Custom NES FX WAVES Files

Ableton Live Project

Demos:

1. Zelda Rave A remix done in Reason 3.0

2. Second Player An original composition by Sammy Taters

3. Tendo A demo mastered in Reason 3.0

Pay and receive the samples now!

New Comment System

I finally got around to enabling a better comment system. You should be able to login using your Facebook, Twitter, Open ID (aol etc), and Yahoo accounts.

Open Labs For Sale

NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE OPEN LABS, INC. MUSIC PRODUCTION EQUIP. Notice is hereby given that substantially all of the assets of Open Labs, Inc. will be sold at a public foreclosure sale

Classified Link

I guess nobody wanted their 24k gold Lux edition workstation. Maybe having artists set fire to their products didn't work out either.

Yamaha Motif "XF"

The New Yamaha Motif XF! Coming Oct. 2010!

Inspiration Comes In A Flash
A high-quality collection of Voices, including powerful piano Voices provided from an enormous 741MB of waveforms
Up to 2GB of additional content available through flash memory expansion modules
Sound engine that increases the expressiveness of instrument sounds
VCM effects that reproduce the unique, natural, warm sounds of vintage instruments

Facebook Bad For Music Industry, Creativity.

The shift to Facebook as the prime source of social networking is a disaster for music, art, and culture. Myspace, while a corporate goon of a website filled with advertisements, at least allows for a canvas of creativity and open networking, and even (mp3) media uploads. Despite a nasty front page it was decent. The freedom to control your own profile and content was a source of individuality. Facebook, with its privacy concerns and violations replaced individuality with conformity. Conformity is no place for art and music cultures to thrive and evolve their style.

Another setback for artists is that only people within your social network will find and "LIKE" your music. The system itself makes it harder to find friends with similiar interests, which could have grown your fanbase. Every artist becomes an indie artist. Google will not index your facebook profile very well because the friends added are only internal links and not highly valued external links. Facebook is no way to promote art and culture. Nothing new will evolve from it.

Do you want a boring, closed, elitist, harvard born social net weaving itself into the fabric of your individuality and music? Its the formula for stale culture with no change. Thats not the essence of art and music. Mark Zuckerburg is a sociopath. During a recent televised interview, he hardly blinked. He's definitely not concerned with the growth of music and art culture.
Its too bad the masses have settled on closed circuit convenience and conformity. The first website to offer both convenience and cultural evolution will prevail over Facebook and usher in a new era of musical connection.

Delays as Cabinet & Room Emulation

Here is a quick tip: Add several short delays to your sound to fake a mic'ed guitar cabinet sound. The delays must be very tight to emulate small room and speaker reflections (1-110ms). Try two short delays (nearby objects), and one long (back wall). Also you could look at impulse responses, and guess the time and amplitude (amount) and set your delays time and amplitude to each spike to fake a sound. Also don't forget that filters are basically EQ control and can be adjusted to fake different sound responses. Tuned feedback and Resonance can fake the natural resonance of a speaker, room or mic. The more you listen the better and fatter your results will be. These techniques will make your bass patch less boring. You will also use less CPU power.

JX8P Patch Correction

Awhile back I released some patches for JX8p. It was a bulk sysex file. Well JX8p doesn't use bulk sysex. It saves each file individually if you aren't using a memory cartridge.

Here is the correct file for all the JX8p Patches: http://www.chipcollection.com/JX8PSoundsroland.zip

Instructions: Open with Sysex Librarian or other program. Set your JX8p to midi Channel 6!!!!

Eiffel Tower (Youtube Music Video)

This is a great sequence!! Found on Matrixsynth.

303 iTalo (Mp3)

Here is very quick track by Stealthgear made with the Future Retro Revolution, JX-8p (Brass), and an 808 beat.

Download: 303 iTalo (Mp3)

Title: 303 iTalo

By: Stealthgear

Enjoy.

Music Industry On Verge Of Collapse?

http://blogs.chron.com/celebritybuzz/2010/06/radiohead_frontman_music_indus.html

Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke is warning the music industry is on the brink of collapse, insisting young musicians should resist signing record deals because the major labels will "completely fold" within months.

Article Link

Vermona Lancet Anounced

The Lancets approach for landing and finally will arrive internationally in August/September 2010.

Mono Lancet

• 2x VCO (triangle, sawtooth, square / sawtooth, rectangle, noise)



• 24dB lowpass filter



• ADSR envelope generator (VCF, VCA, VCO)



• LFO (triangle, square, s/h)



• MIDI

There is also a module called the kick, based on their previous drum machine. More Info: http://www.vermona.com/

Kong Drum on Reason 5

The next version of Reason 5 includes actual drum synthesis along with the usual REX format and samples.

New Roland JX8p Patches (Sysex Dump)

32 New JX-8P Patches. These are my favourite patches of all time. It contains leads, basses, hoovers, strings and chimes. You can see many of these demoed in my youtube videos. Enjoy.

Updated:

Download Link:

http://www.chipcollection.com/JX8PSoundsroland.zip

Captured with Sysex Libarian on the mac. Comes with SYX and MID files. SET YOUR JX8P to Midi Channel 6

SabaTwoTiga VST Released (free)

[caption id="attachment_855" align="alignnone" width="199" caption="SabaTwoTiga"][/caption]

SabaTwoTiga is a free VST instrument for powerful electronic leads. The 4 voice selector knob allows you to quickly find a tone. 2-way switches modify the sound in an all or nothing fashion, eliminating time spent mousing for a new sound. It is a beefy and musical synth.

Download: SabaTwoTiga.rar (1.5MB, Windows)

Features:

• 4-Way Voice Selector (1, 2, 1+2, Ring Mod)



• Mono Mode (glide)



• Two Tuneable Sub Saws



• Filter Control



• Tempo Sync-LFO (Wobble Mode)

Installation: Place in your VST or Steinberg VST folder.

Signed JoMoX Sunsyn

http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/msg/1732118035.html

Drunk Ebay

The description is even worse.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Practilly-brand-new-studio-must-have-/130388344924?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Keyboards_MIDI&hash=item1e5bc0405c#ht_500wt_924

Is it a "phantom" or a 61 key yamaha? WHAT IS IT?

Future Retro Revolution mk2 Demo Patterns

Playing After Forever's "Follow in the Cry" by chaining in pattern mode along with some other patterns being demoed.

Future Retro Revolution mk2 Demo from Chip Collection on Vimeo.

Studio Electronics 303 Filter ATC1 Demo

Trying out the Future Retro Revolution (Mp3)

I made a cheesy dance track, with a 3 chord progression using the awesome pattern sequence and remix mode.

LINK: Trees (MP3)

Red Korg microKorg XL

Here is a great demo of the microkorg xl....in red.

Using Oscilliscopes to Emulate Analog Gear in Reason

This tip can work with any software or hardware. The point of this tutorial is to learn how to use an oscilloscope for the first time and experiment by making matching waveforms.

1. Download Smexoscope a free oscilloscope plugin for Mac and PC.

2. Open your DAW

3. Create an input for your hardware synth, and add Smexoscope on it.

4. Create a software synth track and add another copy of Smexoscope. (you can use Subtractor and Rewire or any plugin you can think of)

5. Choose which will be the source and which will be the target. (hard or soft synth)

6. Play the same note on each synth. Loop it.

7. Adjust the timing knob. Hit freeze mode on the target track in Smexoscope. (the one you want to copy)

8. Now play with waveshaping and synthesis in your software, like reason over rewire, or any plugin and match the pictures you see. You will want to experiment a lot to get similiar shapes, and you may not get it exactly.

Tip: Start with the basic shape on one OSC, then add modifying OSCs and filters. If your software uses subtractive synthesis (like reason Subtractor) you can get pretty close to the basic wave shape.

Now you can use both your eyes and your ears to get similiar sounds in your plugins and patches.

Kaossilator Pro Demo

Hammond Teebee

"What are those honey?"

"Small versions of adults."

Korg MicroPreset Video

Now that is bass.

New: Radikal Technologies Accelerator

Subtractive synth with 3 OSCs and two External inputs, multimode filters, arpeggiator and much more.

The Accelerator features the first motion tilt controller in a full size keyboard. Some people initially thought this was poorly imagined as shaking or hitting an expensive keyboard could lead to damage in the longterm. I wouldn't want to buy a used synth from these people! Clearly, the Accelerator its meant to be picked up for onstage showmanship during solos etc. I think its cool!!!

Dark Energy Online Patch Creator

Save and share your analog patches with the flash Dark Energy Patch creator. Twist knobs and create connections. Allows you to print when your done.

Future Retro UV Orb Limited Edition Sequencer

Only 40 units will be produced with the UV paint scheme. The future retro can control 303 clones with CV and midi. Link

Video: Electron Octatrack

Unrelated Picture #1

Takkyu Ishino - Anna Letmein Letmeout

Great Sounds: Jomox Dr. Walker Xbase09 & Dj Puzzle Jam

Korg PS60 and Microstation found

Via Sequencer.de

Images of the Korg PS60

and MicroStation extended synth

Also: Devilfish XoxBox and another Roland Keyta GO HERE

(another shot of the microstation)

Video: Korg Monotron

The monotron runs on two AAA batteries, and is small enough to hold in your hand. TechnaBob

Roland GAIA Pictures

Look at it in 3d! Its kind of fat/cool. Check out more of the product Specs

Some people were saying it was real analog, but it appears to be Virtual.

Triple-Fat Virtual Analog

Sink your teeth into the new triple-stacked virtual analog engine, comprising three complete synths for incredibly thick, powerful sound. Unleash the beef of three oscillators that drive a trio of multimode, resonant filters, multi-shape LFOs, and amplifiers, plus nine envelope generators. It’s like having three synthesizers in one! With 64 polyphonic voices onboard, the GAIA SH-01 makes it possible to play massive sounds without experiencing note drop-out.

Very portable (10lb) w/ a phrase recorder. Allows 3 different tones layered onto itself.

Video + Audio Demos On Roland Connect

Mix in 5 Channel "Super Prologic" With Leftover Home Amplifiers

Got an extra home amplifier that use Dolby Prologic? What about three?

The human ear can easily tell where sound is coming from. With only two (stereo) or three (prologic) front speakers, we haven't yet gone far enough to trick the brain into believing we are in a natural sound field. We need five front speakers! When digital surround standards added more rear channels, they were neglecting our front-ward listening abilities. Thankfully its still possible to enjoy this setup with a only a stereo source (mixer, keyboard, dvd, cd, or workstation) and common analog dolby prologic amplifiers.

Goal: To use three Dolby Prologic home amplifiers to spread an audio signal across five front speakers for improved sound imaging

You Need:

-Three Amplifiers With Dolby Prologic Mode (Two with discrete RCA outputs)

-RCA Cable & Speaker Cables

-Five Speakers (Left, Mid Left, Center, Mid Right, and Right)

Note: if you have surround speakers & sub, you can hook those up normally for 8 or 9 channel dolby prologic.

NEW SYNTHS: Korg Monotron, Roland GAIA SH-01, Lucina AX-09

Sonic State seems to have leaked the news on incoming gear....but no images or real info yet. I'll post when they are available.

http://www.sonicstate.com/news/synths/

Ultra-light Roland Lucina AX-09 features an intuitive user interface

Korg announce the Monotron battery-powered synth featuring MS-10 and MS-20 analog filters

Roland GAIA SH-01 makes its debut in Frankfurt

Korg PS 60, a performance synthesizer

UPDATE:

AsiaGeoff on Twitter says "New Roland Gaia sounds fab. Encrusted with lots of knobs, it's an analogue beast of immense potential. Only small, but sleek white & cool." Link

-So its got knobs, its analogue, and its white!

Thanks to gearslutz and harmony-central forum members for spotting the page.

Update:

From OnTheRun:

Is this the Roland Gaia?

Update: SonicState seems to have removed the articles :FacePalm:

At least this blog is the first to post this stuff this time around ^_^ I will try to get some photos later on.

Jexus Blofeld Keyboard Video

Tutorial: Installing Windows On Partitioned Mac Without Bootcamp

In case you have got an intel mac, and already have your drive partitioned in Mac OS X, here is a guide to add a new windows partition without deleting any of your data or using a backup drive. These are tricks that go beyond Apple's Bootcamp utility, which wouldn't work in this situation anyway. For people into music, windows on a mac gives access to many audio tools and drivers.

This is an overview of what you need to do and not a step by step tutorial. I am only providing this information because Apple won't and many people on the internet have no clue how to do this. Do not ask me for support. Make sure you have all this stuff before you get started.

You need:

-An Intel Mac

-A Functioning Windows Install Disc

-Up to date intel versions of both iPartition and iDefrag on a boot cd (Coriolis CDmaker software lets you create a custom boot cd).

-Boot Camp drivers from apple's website, so when you do get windows running it finds all your hardware.

-Mac OS X drives that are already partitioned. This tutorial is NOT for people with a single partition (who should use regular bootcamp instructions).

-Know how to hold Option on your keyboard when restarting to select boot CDs.

Always backup your important data before messing with drive formatting...

1. Make sure Mac OS X's hard drive partition map is using GUID . iPartition (Mac OS X), on a boot cd, can convert it to GUID if it happens to be by apple. Oddly the "Apple" partition map is out of date and no longer used by apple. This happened to me, and I found iPartition is the only software that can change it.

2. In Disk Utility, select the partition you want to chop in half. Create a Fat (MS-DOS) version. It will do this nondestructively and your data will stay intact. Make sure you have enough GB for the windows install and software you might want to use later. Note: It is likely that when you get to this step that DiskUtil will fail. This may be because your disk is too fragmented with large files. If that is the case then do this:

Run iDefrag, choose the "Compact" algorithm, to free up space. This will allow DiskUtil or iPartition to make the partition without running into weird errors. You don't have to do this if the partition was created okay.

Once you have an MS Dos partition created, without bootcamp I might add, you might think you can just load your windows install CD on startup. NO! The problem lies with the Windows installer. It won't be able to see the new partition you made. It is possible to destroy your drive in the windows CD installer if it is only showing your one hard drive.

3. Boot iPartition's CD on your mac. Run iPartition from the Launcher. Select your MS-DOS partition. Go to the inspector window, then partition. Click "visible in windows." Click GO This will allow the windows CD installer to see your partition. This also prevents it from destroying all the data on your drive and breaking your Mac OSX install.

4. Run the Windows installer CD. If it sees the partition you created on the C: drive, with the appropriate amount of GB space then you may proceed. If it doesn't you have to boot back into Mac OS X or iPartition and troubleshoot. At this step you can reformat your drive to NFTS if you want, or leave it at Fat32.

5. Once the Windows installer CD finishes it will restart itself. Unfortuneately it won't do it properly. It might come up with a missing folder icon and boot you into Mac OS X. If this happens, go to your startup disk preference panel and choose the Windows install CD again. This time it should start to finish the install procedure.

6. When you have windows working, download the appropriate windows (XP/Vista) boot camp driver pack (its an exe) and put it on the desktop of your windows install. Run it. Now you should be able to do things like connect to the internet with airport express etc. TIP: If Apple's EXE doesn't run at all, you can make a driver cd in Mac OS X by clicking on the Boot Camp Utility app---->right click--->show package contents----->Contents----->Resources---->DiskImage.dmg Mount that image and make a CD copy of it with disc utility. Insert the CD when you've booted into windows.

The reason this ends up being so complicated is because Apple does not provide a disk utility that is compatible with its own hacked together drive scheme; it is only currently supported by 3rd party software (iPartition). The original Bootcamp utility works, but only in one narrow situation (a single GUID, HFS+ partition) that forces you to delete everything.

Hopefully this information helped someone. I am just posting it because I didn't find these tips anywhere on the internet. Now I can run windows audio software on my intel mac (once again).

Is PreSonus Studio One better than Logic?

Presonus Studio One has a great interface, but does it work better than Apple's Logic Pro? The layout is very similiar to Logic and more-so like Garage Band, but there are differences which make it a more streamlined and powerful music making experience.

Drag and drop audio instruments make it instantaneous to add a VST or AU in Studio One. No longer do you have to 1. add track 2. select audio instrument 3. scroll through a list 4. create a midi section in the sequencer 5. double click it to get it to work. With Studio One all you have to do is find the instrument from the list on the right, drag it over and double click the sequencer. Everything necessary to get working on the audio instrument comes up like the instrument's editing window and its piano roll.

Transport controls differ slightly. Studio Ones aren't as big and are not colored. Logic Pro's transport controls are easier to look at and use.

Studio One's piano roll is better than Logic's. Create note tool won't get mixed up, but is easily accessible by pressing command (apple). Quantize also instantly adjusts the spacing you want notes will snap to. In logic, notes are harder to grab and adjust often giving you weird note lengths. Velocity on studio one is also easily accessible under each note like other Daws.

Dragging and dropping FX is easy, but knowing where to edit them once they are set up is not immediately apparent. Double clicking the track brings up Mixer Mode and the insert panel, which features all FX.

Last but not least, Regions are easier to grab and edit than Logic's. No longer will you have to make sure the measure bar is perfectly aligned when copying and pasting. Odd copy & paste behaviour is a big problem with logic. Studio One, again makes it easy to paste regions and get them aligned with the snap feature.

Overall the interface is easier to read graphically, tools don't get mixed up, and midi instruments/audio devices seem to set get up properly. I find this software better than my copy of Mackie Traktor, and at first use, better than Logic. PreSonus Studio One is worth checking out!

Frequency Tests For Speakers

If you need to test out your new speakers or get the levels right on an audio system with no input, try these tests.

http://www.burninwave.com/

This free downloadable CD seperates tones on different tracks in case you are equalizing levels one by one:

http://virtuelvis.com/archives/2004/09/audio-test-cd

Rebuilt Korg M50

...we at Purplelover's saved the synth section of this M50 by removing the busted up parts, revamped its package and housed it in a very cool free standing pine box.

Auction LINK

Roland SP-808ex Synth Engine Demo/Overview Video

Sp-808 Synthesizer Engine Tutorial from Chip Collection on Vimeo.

This is an overview of the SP-808ex synth fx engine where I play a few patches and talk about the synthesizer editing capabilities. I think the synth engine itself sounds very good and can add a special touch to your mix even when its only monosynth. When you are using the synth engine, make sure you have your midi controller set to ch. 11 and that effects are turned on. If the patch uses the d-beam, then turn on the appropriate button near the d-beam. Press FX INFO or Shift-FX Info to get into the editing features, and use the appropriate knobs for live tweaking.

The SP-808ex has something for everybody. Check out my tutorial on using its vocoder.

SP-808 Vocoder Tutorial

SP808 Vocoder Tutorial from Chip Collection on Vimeo.

This machine is not always immediate without a manual, but you can get good results. The Vocoder is one of those things that you need to know how to set up. Make sure you don't have anything connected to input "L" !!! Unplug it (unless your using an externally preamped MIC)

This is not a demonstration of its capabilities, just a tutorial.

Video: 52 Reason Tricks by James Bernard

52 Reason and Record Tips by James Bernard Week 1 from James Bernard on Vimeo.

http://vimeo.com/9558969

Smile.DK, new album coming.

February 18, 2010

Smile is back in the studio!

Announcing the recording of a new album...

The Smile Team would like to announce that SMiLE.dk is back in the studio recording their new album "The Make-Up Collection".

More details about the album will be announced soon.

~The SMiLE Team

from facebook:

Aaaa so much fun!!Just arrived home from the studio! There is alot of exiting things going on!!Lots of love

Blog Link or Facebook Link

Drumaxx Public Beta4

We will release it as "pay what you think it's worth" with a €9 minimum of which we give €1 to a charity in Haiti.

http://forum.image-line.com/viewtopic.php?t=48128

Drumaxx emulates real drum membranes & mallets.

I couldn't get the mac version to run in Logic 8. However it did load in other programs.

One suggestion I would have is to have dimensional values on each knobs so the user could write them down then build an approximation of their drum in real life. Like a drum shell designer. Also snare springs on / off, tightness, and size would be an interesting suggestion beyond the mallet noise knob. Searching the internet I couldn't find any software that lets you hear or design acoustic drums.

Link

Perhaps this is similar to the Jomox M.Brane 1_1?

Roland Juno 106 Blue Led Mod

To top it off, the plastic side panels have been replaced with nicely figured pieces of quilted maple.

Pictures and auction here.

Acidlab Bassline 2 TB-303 on Ebay

AUCTION LINK

Handmade in germany by a true underground electronic music enthusiast. Its not exactly like a 303, I believe only the real thing can be, but this one has its own unique voice that's just as rewarding.

Prophet T8 on Ebay

Auction Link

Roland W30 on Ebay

Comes with original factory and 10 professional disks from midi mark.

Auction Link

Vintage Sample Archives

Instead of new samples of vintage gear, how about some OLD samples all created and archived before 2001, when this decade went to crap. Some of these directories haven't been changed since 1995!!!!! It is a miracle they are still available! I imagine files sitting on some old hard drive, in the dark, probably covered with dust, still running. The are owners mummified in the next room and utility companies to big to bother to cut the power. Oh well, free samples!

Netboy "W30"

http://gamelay.usami.com/~netboy/w30/samples/

Obviously a guy, maybe japanese who used a W30. Last modified March 2000. Contains samples created in 1997 etc. Lots of roland, drum machines, and old breakbeats.

Mirror of "Hornet"

http://www.club.cc.cmu.edu/pub/scene.org/mirrors/hornet/music/samples/

Descriptions of these sample packs available on this website which must be the original location (with non-working links).

Internet Trash

Internettrash "sample direct" Probably another mirror with some of same packs and description.

Some of the samples are in .XI format which are capable of being opened in Fast Tracker 2 and Milky Tracker. To open .XI wavs in OS X, Use Milky Tracker load the sample, hit 16 bit, then "NO" when it asks you to convert.

Roland JX-8P Analog Synthesizer

Ebay: Circuit Bent NES & RX7

Circuit Bent Modularized Yamaha RX7 and Nintendo NES

More pictures and ebay auction here.

Korg DS-10 Plus golden out next month

"The music synthesizer lets anyone make music and you'll get more bang for your buck if you use KORG DS-10 Plus on a DSi rather than a DS. Playing the game on the DSi will get you 12-voice polyphony, four tracks for the analog synthesizer simulator, two drum machine and more. Additionally, up to eight units can be linked together to play music or exchange songs with on either the DS or DSi."

Found on Destructoid

New Italo Music: Cosmoride By Dreamtime

This guy makes crazy music.
Check out ANySyNTH's channel

Just in case: TR-808 OSC Frequencies

http://www.flickr.com/photos/alh84001/4317053702/in/pool-71814279@N00

finally got around to measuring the oscillators in my tr808 hihat clone circuit:
263, 400, 421, 474, 562, 660 Hz....

Simple Drum Programming Tips: Samples

This tip will make your drums sound more dynamic and natural will work in software, sampler, or korg/roland grooveboxes.

1. To make single drum samples sound more natural make a random +8 depth pitch mod. Set to random oscillation. This attempts to make multiple hits less predictable.

2. Use accents in your step sequencer.

3. Route the bass and snare to a guitar distortion pedal. Use the EQ and gain to subtley tweak the sound. This works well if your drum sample rom is too clean.

4. Layer multiple snare samples. On accents both samples are triggered; Non-accents a single, main snare sample will suffice.

Alesis Micron SE - BLUE

Found on Synthopia