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Synthesizers

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    Gmedia ImpOSCar

    Virtual Instrument Plug-in: Mac & PC

    Gmedia continue their quest to render the best of the world's keyboards in software form. But will it give OSCar fans a case of the grouches?

    Reviews May 2004
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    Creative Synthesis With Yamaha XG (Part 2)

    XG Masterclass

    Layering voices is one of the best ways to maximise the potential of your XG sound module, so here are a variety of ingenious ways you can use this technique — you can even turn your synth into a high-spec step sequencer!

    Techniques May 2004
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    Creative Synthesis With Delays

    Synth Secrets

    Effects can play just as important a role in sound creation as the elements in a synth's signal path — provided you have access to their constituent parts. We take a closer look at effects synthesis using simple delays.

    Techniques May 2004
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    Elektron Monomachine

    Multiple-Synthesis Keyboard & Sequencer

    Elektron maintain their reputation for producing unusual, innovative instruments with the bizarrely shaped Monomachine; it features six types of synthesis engine, a versatile sequencer, and effects. Is it refreshingly original, or a step too far?

    Reviews Apr 2004
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    Creative Synthesis With Yamaha XG (Part 1)

    XG Masterclass

    There are lots of XG-format synthesizers in home studios, but their General MIDI heritage discourages many owners from using them. However, there's life in your XG module yet if you're willing to explore its hidden depths.

    Techniques Apr 2004
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    From Analogue To Digital Effects

    Synth Secrets

    When synthesizing sounds, the effects you place after your synth's output are often as important as the synth itself (just think of last month's Leslie). As we near the end of Synth Secrets, we consider how a digital effects processor works.

    Techniques Apr 2004
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    Q. How do I get more polyphony from Roland D-series synths?

    I'm considering buying a second-hand Roland D-series workstation to get those classic D50-type sounds. I recently borrowed an old D-series synth from a friend and was using it in multitimbral mode, hooked up to my computer sequencer, but I  experienced some problems with the sounds, so I'd like to get your advice before I shell out any cash.

    Sound Advice Apr 2004
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    Synthesizing The Rest Of The Hammond Organ: Part 2

    Synth Secrets

    We conclude our analysis of the fabulously complex beast that is the Leslie rotary speaker.

    Techniques Mar 2004
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    Steinberg Hypersonic

    Virtual Workstation Synth [PC/Mac]

    If you could have one VST Instrument that emulated a hardware workstation, giving you enough polyphony to produce a complete arrangement with a fairly standard computer, would you be interested? Steinberg and Wizoo think you would...

    Reviews Feb 2004
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    Synthesizing The Rest Of The Hammond Organ: Part 1

    Synth Secrets

    As with so much surrounding the Hammond organ, there's much more to the Leslie rotary speaker than meets the eye, and synthesizing its effects involves considerably more than just adding vibrato, as we find out in this installment.

    Techniques Feb 2004
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    Roland XV & JV Power User Tips: Part 4

    Programming Masterclass

    In the final part of our series on Roland's family of sound modules, we show you how the more advanced synthesis parameters can breathe life into your patches.

    Techniques Feb 2004
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    Q. How can I use the drum sounds on my Novation KS4 synth?

    I have just purchased the new Novation KS4 keyboard and want to have a complete drum kit playing in performance mode but there's nothing in the manual explaining how to do this! Can you program full kits to sound like the keyboard demo or must you use an external sequencer?

    Sound Advice Feb 2004
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    Clavia Nord Lead 2X

    Virtual Analogue Performance Synth

    The follow-up to Clavia's Nord Lead 3 is not the Nord Lead 4 (well, not yet), but a beefed-up version of the Nord Lead 2! We find out why, and how it improves on the original.

    Reviews Jan 2004
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    Roland XV & JV Power User Tips: Part 3

    Programming Masterclass

    We show you how to edit and save your synth's Patches, and help you maximise the effects potential of your multitimbral setups. Plus there's advice on troubleshooting thorny panning problems, and tips on automating levels without changing your individual sounds.

    Techniques Jan 2004
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    Yamaha Motif ES

    Music Production Synthesizer

    Two and a half years after the launch of Yamaha's impressive Motif workstation synth, the range has been further enhanced and upgraded. How much better can it get? We find out...

    Reviews Jan 2004
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    Synthesizing Hammond Organ Effects

    Synth Secrets

    So, you can synthesize a Hammond's tonewheel generator -- but what about its all-important effects? This month, we look at recreating the Hammond's percussion, vibrato, overdrive, and reverb -- and find that it's harder than you might think...

    Techniques Jan 2004

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