Stacked Polysynths Part 1

Today I updated my studio with the inexpensive yet feature rich MOTU Audio Express interface. I haven’t had time to put it through its paces yet, but I did manage to get it configured in time to use it for the synthesizer sound of the day. Creating this sound would have been more difficult prior to owning this interface because I did not have as many available inputs with my M-Audio Firewire 410. To create this sound I stacked two polysynths – the Roland D-50 and the Roland MKS-80. With the Audio Express I was able to plug in both instruments in stereo and play them simultaneously using the D-50 as the controller, then record them on separate tracks. Here’s the first out of a series of these stacked polysynth experiments.

Stacked Polys Part 1

Resonator Study

I built this Ableton resonator study around the same time I posted Synth Bass Through Resonators, but didn’t post it because I’m not satisfied with the drums that I put in as a temporary placeholder. If this gets used l’ll be replacing the drums with something more fitting and less conventional.

Resonator Study

Quickly Dialed in Lead Patch

I dialed in this lead patch on the Roland MKS-80 Super Jupiter in a matter of a few seconds. I set the pitch and mod wheels how I like them, then quickly tested it through some delay and reverb.

Quickly Dialed in Lead Patch

Evolving Roland D-50 Arpeggio

I isolated this sound made with the Roland D-50 from a track I’m working on. While sending the D-50 an arpeggio via MIDI I manipulated the filter using the control joystick on the machine in a similar fashion to what I did for Roland D50 Automation.

Evolving Roland D-50 Arpeggio

John Foxx on Electric Independence

A fantastic new episode of Electric Independence features an interview with synth-pop pioneer John Foxx in his amazing East London studio. Some of the gear he demos in his studio includes an Arp Odyssey a Moog Modular, a Korg Mono/Poly, and the Roland CR-78 drum machine.