Name: Monoculture: The Story of the Bass Station @AlexBallMusic
Uploaded: 2026-09-22T08:17:00-05:00
Duration: 8 min 17 s
Description: Monoculture: The Story of the Bass Station

Monoculture: The Story of the Bass Station

Alex Ball 2026-09-22 | Monoculture: The Story of the Bass Station

Things you can do with a 6-Track

Alex Ball 2024-10-17 | I wanted to make some videos about recording to tape and the first port-of-call is multitrack cassette recording. I found a (kind-of-working) Sansui WS-X1 and it seemed an interesting option for the video as there's not a lot of videos about it.

Cassette recording was the only option available to me when I started and I used to borrow the school 4-track over weekends. As soon as I could get a computer and a DAW, I left it behind and haven't touched it since probably 2000. Funnily enough, the only cassette I had lying around was one with my old A-level compositions on it.

It was a lot of fun going back to it with a fresh vantage point and it felt strangely familiar, despite the decades in between.

Music, sample packs, Q&As and general support:
patreon.com/AlexBallMusic

0:00 Intro
0:37 Audio Processor
2:35 Multitrack Cassette Recording
5:41 Tape Speed Processing
8:30 Use it as an instrument
11:35 Summary and Sample Pack
13:01 Patreon Thanks

The Plantasia Moog Modular Synth - An Untold Story

Alex Ball 2024-10-03 | In 2023, Anthony Marinelli aquired a 1969 Moog IIIc modular synthesizer that has a very interesting history. In this video, we tell that story for the first time.

Huge thanks to Anthony and team for collaborating with me to make this film and thanks also to my Patrons on Patreon.

One small correction: Mark was indeed at UCLA, but was a math/computer science major rather than electronic music major as I mistakenly said in the video. He discovered the EM lab whilst studying there and then bothered Jim Cooper " till he couldn't stand me anymore".

Please look out for related videos on Anthony's channel:
youtube.com/@anthonymarinellimusic

The KORG PS-3300 Returns!

Alex Ball 2024-09-20 | A look at the reissue of the mysterious Korg PS-3300, first released in 1977, along with some history about it and footage of its creator, Fumio Mieda.

Huge thanks to Korg for letting me snaffle their prototype to make this video and for letting use some of their interview footage.

NOTE - Korg have asked that I make it clear that this unit is their working prototype and that the release date and price of production units is still to be finalised at the time of uploading and that they will announce that officially themselves in due course. Thanks for your understanding.

0:00 Intro Jam
1:38 A little history
3:54 Demo 1
4:53 Overview
7:38 Resonators
10:50 Temperament Adjust
14:35 Semi Modular Polyphony
15:08 Demo 2
16:22 Legacy
17:58 Demo 3
18:39 Summary
19:34 Outro Jam

PS details:
The nerdy details that I didn't expressively cover in the video are as follows:
The output section has discrete outputs for each channel, but there's an S-Trig controlled switch for each, so they can be sequenced on and off, (as well as just switched on and off).

They've added a balanced main/mono output at the end, the original had x2 unbalanced/mono mix outputs.

There's two CV inputs to control the overall level of all channels simultaneously. One is pre the channel switches and the other is post.

There's 2x4 junctions (mults).

There's a sample and hold circuits with input, output and clock speed. The 'syncro' control locks the S&H frequency to the wave cycle of a sampled voltage.

The General Envelope Generator (GEG) is a single envelope with Delay, Attack and Release times. There's two trigger inputs, an auto switch and three outputs; inverted, non-inverted bipolar and non-inverted unipolar.

There is one voltage processor (the original had two, but MIDI has replaced one on the reissue). There's an input and output and two limiters with a -/+5v range each.

The keyboard has a lot of controls! Firstly, a damper output. Next comes an S-Trig output with an associated trigger select knob (off, 1 - 5). Like the 'Silence note trigger select' I discussed in my Trident video, this is the number of keys you need to hold down before a trigger is fired.

Next, there are trigger outputs for both detached and legato playing (aka single, multiple). There are then three trigger outputs with switches (an obvious thing is to use these to control the three channel switches in the output section). There's then a momentary switch with trigger output, aftertouch CV (an update) and a joystick ('X-Y Manipulator') with X and Y trimmers for CV level.

The updates include patch memory (originally found on the PS-3200), which also saves temperaments. There's USB to dump in and out patches and temperaments. MIDI in/out/thru have been added, as has channel after touch with a CV output in the keyboard. The original was 48 key, the reissue is 49 too. The envelope generators have been simplified to ADSR and the old damping control is now in the keyboard. There's also a balanced mix out, as discussed above. The unit is as wide as the original, but slightly shorter and a lot thinner (the original was about 40cm deep!)

One minute with the Oberheim TVS-1 from 1975 #synth #oberheimtvs1 #oberheimtwovoice

Alex Ball 2024-09-17 | ...

Talking Synth Tutorial!

Alex Ball 2024-09-12 | A LOT of people have asked me to do this tutorial, so hopefully it's useful!

0:00 Intro
0:23 The Human Voice
2:42 The best way to do it
7:41 An alternative way to do it
9:42 Another alternative way to do it
10:48 VSTs
11:49 Outro Jam

Joe Satrianis Drum Machine

Alex Ball 2024-07-25 | Whilst the E-mu SP machines are most famous for their use in Hip-hop, they were used by numerous artists in different genres and in different ways.

To that end, I thought it would be interesting look at why and how it was used on Joe Satriani's 1987 album "Surfing with the alien".

A note - I am aware that playing Joe Satriani songs on an Ibanez JEM is like doing a video about Spider-Man whilst dressed as Batman, but the JEM is the guitar I have. 😀

0:00 Intro
0:58 References
1:24 Custom Samples
3:29 Hi-Hat Shenanigans
4:21 Computer Games
5:01 The SP-12 Setup
6:31 Live Cymbals
6:54 Outro and Surfing with the alien cover

References:
musicradar.com/news/joe-satriani-talks-surfing-with-the-alien-track-by-track

vintageguitar.com/40628/pop-n-hiss-joe-satrianis-surfing-with-the-alien

repforums.prosoundweb.com/index.php?topic=25380.0

Bongo Bob NAMM Oral History:
namm.org/library/oral-history/bongo-bob-smith

70s Computer Sequencing

Alex Ball 2024-07-11 | Roland MC-8 driving the 100m. TR-808 on drums.

The Stunning Korg Trident

Alex Ball 2024-06-27 | A look at a wonderful vintage synth, the Korg Trident Mk I from 1980.

0:00 The Intro
1:45 The Synthesizer
3:29 The Brass
5:37 The Strings
8:27 The Flanger
9:16 The Trident
10:55 The Rear Panel Experiments
15:48 The Legacy
17:33 The Outro Jam

Huge thanks to my Patrons for their support. Thanks also to you for watching.

Fixed the Juno

Alex Ball 2024-06-19 | A happy ending to the Juno kicking incident.

Studio Tour!

Alex Ball 2024-06-13 | A lot of people have asked for a thorough studio tour and so I finally did one!

There's a LOT of info in this, so use the chapters to skip to the bits that are relevant to you.

0:00 Studio Tour Song
1:41 Computer / Cubase / Kontakt
6:03 Midi Inputs and Outputs
7:05 Audio Interface / Patch Bay
9:46 The Great Pedal Solution
18:25 Monitors / Acoustic Treatment / Cable Management
20:32 Korg Corner
31:02 303 / 8606 / 808 / 103
34:16 Ise-Nin / Prophet~10
35:40 System 100
37:44 S2400 / SP-12 / MPC-60
40:14 Guitars / Amps
46:45 Strings / Piano
49:55 System 100m - The Godular
55:24 My First Analogue Synth
56:44 Summary / Outro

Thank you to my Patrons of Patreon for their support.

Louis Cole Chord Tutorial

Alex Ball 2024-05-30 | I thought it would be interesting to work out a few Louis Cole chord progressions and learn a little about how he makes his awesome music.

0:00 Intro
0:56 F It Up
4:23 Thinking
7:40 Let it happen
11:30 I'm Tight
14:45 Outro

Thank you to my Patrons who help me to keep making videos.
patreon.com/AlexBallMusic

Why I bought the most famous drum machine of all time

Alex Ball 2024-05-15 | Like most people, I've always wanted to own an original Roland TR-808 but it's always been the wrong price or the wrong time or both. Earlier this year my time finally came.

I wanted to make a video showing why it's still a very relevant and useful instrument in a modern studio and that it's not just purely about nostalgia, whilst that obviously plays a part!

0:00 Intro Jam
1:38 Individal Outs & FX
5:14 Trigger Outs and Synths
9:16 Sampling and Synching
12:52 Boutique Comparison
14:39 Sample Pack
15:15 Summary and Outro Jam

Sample pack, stems and music from the video:
patreon.com/AlexBallMusic

The Sounds Of HALO: Combat Evolved

Alex Ball 2024-04-04 | A look at some of the equipment used by Martin O'Donnell and Michael Salvatori to score Halo: Combat Evolved, released in 2001.

Huge thank you to Neo Te Aika, Frostbyte, Booey, Noelle, Yewlyn, Python Blue, Jafet Meza, RenSFX, meowsandstuff, Fleetwire, AtlyxMusic, PunkGalFuryn and anyone else at Project Odyssey for their incredible work identifying many of the sounds that I showed in this video.

Check out Project Odyssey:
odysseyaudio.org/odyssey.html

Thank you also to my Patrons on Patreon.

0:00 Intro
0:50 Halo
3:21 Terminate
5:27 India Garden
7:12 TarzansDance
8:41 St. Choir
9:14 Beauty Vox
10:12 Kit 424
11:06 Symphonique
12:25 Biosphere
12:53 Cascade
14:09 Albion
15:01 Oasis
15:51 SoundtrkDANC
16:38 Summary

The YMO Music Computer

Alex Ball 2024-03-21 | A look at the revolutionary Roland MC-8 from 1977 which was one of the earliest microprocessor-controlled digital sequencers. Around 200 of these units were made and they were extremely expensive.

As I've covered the history of this unit several times, I thought it would be interesting to follow in the footsteps of a band that made significant use of the MC-8, which was Yellow Magic Orchestra.

In the video we look at how the MC-8 works and use it to compose a track in the style of YMO using the techniques and (where possible) instruments that they used in the late 70s.

Thank you to my Patrons for their support. The track, stems and MC-8 data are available there.
patreon.com/AlexBallMusic

You can buy the track on my Bandcamp: alexball.bandcamp.com/track/lovers-in-tokyo

0:00 Intro
0:47 YMO, Hideki Matsutake and the MC-8
2:25 The MC-8 Interface
5:12 Programming the MC-8
10:43 Transport and Saving
12:20 Overdub and Sync
13:15 MPX Programming
15:10 Summary
15:50 The Feature Track - Lovers in Tokyo

That Gary Numan Synth

Alex Ball 2024-03-07 | A look at the Polymoog and how Gary Numan adopted one of the presets from one of the versions to help define his sound.

0:00 Intro
0:41 What is the Polymoog?
8:00 Vox Humana and Gary Numan
13:35 Cars Cover

The sample Instrument
bobmoogfoundation.myshopify.com/products/alex-balls-polymoog-soundbank-digital-download

Dalek Voice Tutorial

Alex Ball 2024-02-15 | How to do the Dalek voice with a ring modulator.

Enjoy!

Cult German Music and a Japanese Sequencer

Alex Ball 2024-02-01 | A look at how the Korg MS-20 and SQ-10 sequencer were an intergral part of the sound of a group of German musicians in the late 70s and early 80s.

0:00 Intro
1:09 Der Mussolini - DAF
5:02 Los Niños Del Parque - Liaisons Dangereuses
8:10 Minimal Tape 3/7.2 - Pyrolator
10:48 Sample Pack
11:38 Outro Jam / Patrons

Huge thanks to Brad Holland and my patrons and patreon.

The sample pack is available here: patreon.com/AlexBallMusic

Synth settings (these are my estimations, rather than certain):

Der Mussolini
VCO 1: Pulse wave with PW set to around 10 o'clock
VCO 2: Off
HPF: Not used
LPF: Cutoff at 0 and peak at 2 / EG2 modulation set to 10
EG 2: Hold 0 / Attack 0 / Decay 3 / Sustain 0 / Release 3
Then guitar amping / stereo reverb

Los Niños Del Parque
VCO 1: Pulse wave with PW set to around 1 o'clock
VCO 2: Off
HPF: Not used
LPF: Cutoff at 0 and peak at 2 / EG2 modulation set to 7.5 / T.EXT mod set to 8.5
EG 2: Hold 0 / Attack 0 / Decay 1 / Sustain 4 / RElease 3.5
Channel C Sequencer lane to T.EXT and VCA Initial Gain
Then guitar amping / stereo reverb

Minimal Tape 3/7.2
VCO 1: Pulse wave with PW set to around 10 o'clock
VCO 2: Square wave up an octave
VCO 1 level 4 and VCO 2 level 3 (to allow envelope and filter clicks to be heard)
HPF: Not used
LPF: Cutoff at 0 and peak at 4 / EG modulation set to 8.5 / T.EXT mod set to 7.5
EG 2: Hold 0 / Attack 0 / Decay 2 / Sustain 0.5 / Release 2
Channel C Sequencer lane to T.EXT
Then a tape echo with minimal feedback at around 30 - 40ms with dry and echo panned left and right respectively

Juno what Im saying #rolandjuno6 #synthesizer #akgbx15 #hologrammicrocosm #isenin

Alex Ball 2024-01-05 | Got some great videos in the works, but here's a little music.

Prodigy Synth Patch #theprodigy #rolandjd990 #emlwobbler

Alex Ball 2023-12-14 | I turned the EML wobbler patch (as used by Liam Howlett) into a sample patch. It's free to Patrons on tiers 1, 2 or 3 on my Patreon.

patreon.com/alexballmusic

YouTube won't let me change the thumbnail btw, so you're stuck with the mid-blink. Lovely.

Anyway, Merry Christmas!

OB-X TOM SAWYER SOUND #rush #tomsawyer #oberheimobx

Alex Ball 2023-12-08 | Oberheim OB-X Tom Sawyer sample patch available on Patreon.

patreon.com/AlexBallMusic

The Oberheim OB-X (1979)

Alex Ball 2023-12-07 | A look at the classic Oberheim OB-X synthesizer from 1979. Huge thanks to Steven R Sellick for the kind loan!

Check out Steven's track "Do Androids Dance to Electro Beat":

unts-untsplinksandplonks.bandcamp.com/track/do-androids-dance-to-electro-beat

0:00 Intro
1:07 The Oberheim OB-X
1:30 Potted History
3:01 Demo 1
4:10 What's on an OB-X?
6:50 Demo 2
7:44 The Filter and Tom Sawyer
10:45 Demo 3
11:46 The Impact of the OB-X
13:19 Outro

Huge thank you to my Patreons.
patreon.com/AlexBallMusic

New Album Out Now!

Alex Ball 2023-11-29 | New album out now! Thank you.

Bandcamp:
alexball.bandcamp.com/album/sproing

Or Pick your streaming service:
share.amuse.io/sDS2Mv-NlbRF

ARPS FINAL MONOSYNTH

Alex Ball 2023-11-23 | A look at the last monosynth ARP made, the Solus from 1980.

This is the least known of the trio (Odyssey, Axxe, Solus) because it was only made for a few months before ARP went out of business.

0:00 Intro Demo
1:04 The ARP Solus
1:46 Demo: Solus System
3:06 VCOs
5:49 Things get interesting
7:17 4075 Filter Revelation
8:29 Demo: Solus Sines
10:06 You don't have to be rich...
11:27 Demo: Solus Friends

Thank you to my Patrons who keep me making videos.
patreon.com/AlexBallMusic

Bolt Solus Sample Instrument:
alanrpearlmanfoundation.org/product/bolt-solus-the-sound-of-the-arp-solus

70s synths baby! #synth #system100 #arpavatar #analogue

Alex Ball 2023-11-14 | These things always deliver.

Hardware jam, no processing. Reverb from an AKG BX15 captured as it ran, slowly blended in as the track develops.

Depeche Mode Drums

Alex Ball 2023-11-02 | A look at a specific drum setup used by Depeche Mode and Daniel Miller on their album, Speak and Spell, from 1981.

0:00 Intro
0:51 KR-55 Snare
1:55 Interfacing Setup
3:23 ARP 2600 Daniel Miller Kick
7:32 Roland MC-4
8:14 Test it out
8:43 Alternative Gear / Sample Pack
9:34 Outro Jam

Get the sample pack:
alanrpearlmanfoundation.org/product/beat-and-spell

Huge thank you to my Patrons.
patreon.com/AlexBallMusic

END OF TERRAIN REMIX OUT NOW!

Alex Ball 2023-10-13 | My remix of Nick Carlisle's "End of Terrain" is out now.

Buy “End Of Terrain (Alex Ball Remix)":
nickcarlisle.bandcamp.com/track/end-of-terrain-alex-ball-remix

McCartneys Weird Sequence

Alex Ball 2023-10-12 | I thought it would be fun to look at one of my favourite uses of the ARP Sequencer, which is in Paul McCartney's "Temporary Secretary" released in 1980.

I also thought it would be interesting to see what the song would sound like if everything was done on synths, rather than guitars, bass and drums.

0:00 Temporary Secretary
2:00 Let's do our own version
6:01 The Result

Huge thanks to my Patrons.

How the TRON Music was made

Alex Ball 2023-09-28 | Back by popular demand, another filmscore breakown. This time we look at Wendy Carlos' 1982 score to Tron.

0:00 Intro
0:49 Wendy Carlos
2:04 Tron - The Instruments
4:44 The Recording Rig
6:39 Cue Breakdown - Tron Theme
9:10 Cue Breakdown - Tron Scherzo
10:22 Cue Breakdown - We've Got Company
11:40 Use of Choir
12:49 Other Music
13:46 Summary & Thanks

Wendy Carlos official page: wendycarlos.com/+tron.html

D.A Wilson: hideawaystudio.net
Synergenesis: hideawaystudio.net/2014/09/26/hideaway-studio-proudly-presents-synergenesis

Benge / Memetune:
youtube.com/@memetunestudio

Tony Banks Old Synth

Alex Ball 2023-09-14 | Following on from our look at Genesis SP-12 sounds, here's a look at Tony Banks' Roland JD-800 that he used live throughout the 1990s.

In this video, we have a listen to the tour patches stored on the instrument and get a little glimpse into how Genesis did things in front of stadiums full of adoring fans.

Huge thank you to Andrew Ward for the loan of this historic instrument.
Andrew Ward: instagram.com/arpquadra

For music from my videos, stems, sample packs and Q&As, please consider my Patreon: patreon.com/AlexBallMusic

0:00 Intro
0:27 Patch 1: Invisible Touch
2:51 Patch 2: Home by the sea Pt 1
4:11 Patch 3: Home by the sea Pt 2
5:33 Patch 4: Domino
6:48 Patch 5: In the cage Pt 1
7:42 Patch 6: In the cage Pt 2
8:24 Patch 7: Mama
9:46 Patch 8: Follow you, follow me
10:31 Patch 9: Watcher of the skies
11:37 Quick Fire: Carpet Crawlers, Abacab, MB
13:04 Outro

Whats on these GENESIS floppy discs?

Alex Ball 2023-09-07 | This was a very special opportunity indeed, and I really hope you enjoy it.

In a nutshell, I got hold of an E-mu SP-12 from the 80s and then discovered that a friend, Andrew Ward, has some of Phil Collins and Mike Rutherford's original floppy discs for it that are part of his Genesis equipment collection.

Chris Poacher leant us a floppy drive and I fired up the discs, possibly for the first time in over 30 years. In this video, we find out what I discovered!

0:00 Intro
1:01 Extracting the sounds
1:46 Phil Collins custom samples
3:40 Phil Collins song data
4:14 It's alive!
6:24 Mike + The Mechanics custom samples
7:55 Bonus Sounds
8:28 Summary
9:20 Fake Genesis Jam

Andrew Ward: instagram.com/arpquadra
Chris Poacher: instagram.com/cpmagneticmedia
Patreon: patreon.com/AlexBallMusic

Geerts P*rno Wah-Wah Guide

Alex Ball 2023-08-24 | Veteran blue movie composer Geert Van Schlänger returns to give us his valued insight into the majestic wah-wah pedal.

0:00 Intro
0:28 The Wah-Wah Pedal
1:21 Basic Wah
2:49 Double Wah
4:47 Fuzz Wah
5:40 Summary
6:18 The Track

Even though Alex Ball is a totally different guy to Geert, you may consider supporting him on Patreon where you can get music from the videos, stems of the music from the videos, sample packs and take part in monthly Q&As.

patreon.com/AlexBallMusic

Jupiter-X / Juno-X: Beyond the vintage models

Alex Ball 2023-08-10 | Last year I shot some bonus footage of the Jupiter-X and Juno-X whilst they were both in the studio to answer two questions I kept getting about them:

1) What's the difference between the Juno-X and Jupiter-X?
2) Can they make their own sounds that aren't recreations of old sounds?

In this video I answer those questions in a practical way.

0:00 Since 1973 Song
0:35 What is this video about?
1:39 Jupiter-X Example 1
4:55 Juno-X Example 1
6:23 Jupiter-X Example 2
8:24 Juno-X Example 2
11:00 Jupiter-X Example 3
12:41 Summary
13:20 Feature Track: Let It Happen

This video was sponsored by Roland.

That one time that MXR made a Drum Machine

Alex Ball 2023-08-03 | In 1983, effects giants MXR made a drum machine.

Huge thanks to Harry Axten for the loan.
hkadesign.org.uk

0:00 Intro Jam
1:05 The MXR Drum Computer
1:37 Face Review
2:08 What is it +Harry Axten Midi
3:47 Demo 1: Know what I mean 'arry?
4:46 The tuning problem
6:04 Demo 2: Drum Computer
7:00 A later success
7:47 Sample Pack
8:27 Outro Jam

Patreon: patreon.com/AlexBallMusic

The Rare Roland SH-7 (1978)

Alex Ball 2023-07-27 | Roland's first ever synth was the SH-1000 and they've added around 20 to that line since then, including the SH-4d that came out just a few months ago.

I've played most of them and one always stood out as my favourite having borrowed one some years ago. Unfortunately they're very rare and hard to find, but after a lucky encounter I managed to finally get one.

0:00 Intro Jam
1:29 The Roland SH-7
2:06 Demo 1: Bit Coin
3:21 Oscillators, Ring Mod & Mixer
6:23 Demo 2: Remix Machine
7:52 Filter, Mod, Envelopes
10:39 Demo 3: Stop Continue
11:48 Why is it rare?
13:03 Who used it?
13:40 Outro Jam

Get the music, stems of the music, sample packs and take part in monthly Q&As here: patreon.com/AlexBallMusic

THE PRODIGY SYNTH TUTORIAL

Alex Ball 2023-07-20 | A detailed look at some famous Prodigy synthesizer sounds recreated with the original hardware that Liam Howlett used back in the day.

Huge thank you to everyone who helped make this video possible, especially my Patrons.

0:00 Intro
1:33 Tutorial 1a: “Poison” Riff Sound
8:03 Tutorial 1b: “Poison” Lead Sound
12:10 Tutorial 2: “Smack my bitch up” Riff Sound
18:27 Tutorial 3: “Claustrophobic Sting” 303 Riff
21:39 Tutorial 4: “Voodoo People” Riff Sound
26:25 Tutorial 5: “Firestarter” Breakdown FX Sound
33:40 Tutorial 6: “Out of Space” String Sound
36:33 Summary

Colossus: A once in a generation synthesizer

Alex Ball 2023-07-13 | A look at the outrageous and jaw-dropping Colossus from Analogue Solutions.

A "colossus" thank you to Tom at Analogue Solutions for the very generous loan of this remarkable instrument.
colossus-synth.com/colossus

Thank also to Simon and Eli for their help with the video.

For my music, stems of my music, sample packs, Q&As and to help keep this channel going, please consider my Patreon:
patreon.com/AlexBallMusic

0:00 Intro Jam
1:07 Colossus
2:11 Demo 1: Fireflies
3:47 Synthi 100
4:28 Whistle Stop Tour Pt 1
7:34 Demo 2: Heft Side Brain
8:52 Whistle Stop Tour Pt 2
10:07 Demo 3: Peggio
11:31 The Colossus in the room
12:37 Demo 4: Helix

The GIANT Korg MS-20!

Alex Ball 2023-06-29 | The story of the giant Korg MS-20 including photos and information never seen before!

Huge thank you to those who helped solve the riddle!

Analogue Solutions for the loan of their MS-20:
analoguesolutions.com

Don Muro for the photos and information:
youtube.com/@jdwallpub
flannelgraphrecords.bandcamp.com/album/anthology

Hideki Ishikawa at the Nakatsugawa Korg Museum and Fumio Mieda:
instagram.com/korg_museum

Elliot Perry: instagram.com/fellinthetrap

0:00 Intro Jam
0:53 The Story Goes
2:25 Something like this
3:16 Things get interesting...
6:25 Outro Jam

A Unique Vintage FX Box

Alex Ball 2023-06-22 | A look at the unique MXR M-129 Pitch Transposer from 1979.

Thanks to Tom for the loan!

Patreon for the music from my videos, the stems of the music from my videos, sample packs and monthly Q&As: patreon.com/AlexBallMusic

One thing I neglected to mention was the MXR brand was later aquired by Jim Dunlop who have kept it going since the late 80s.
jimdunlop.com/products/electronics/mxr

Tony Gambacurta's perspective on inventing the M-129 Pitch Transposer: http://digitonylab.com/Documents/The-MXR-model-129-131.pdf

Big Country discuss their use of it: http://www.muzines.co.uk/articles/country-life/8600

0:00 Intro Jam
0:48 Quick History
2:22 Demo 1: Foxxy Music
3:17 What is the MXR M-129?
6:11 Demo 2: Large Nation
7:16 What else?
7:55 Demo 3: Syn-Pitch
8:46 Famous Users
10:19 Possessor of a friendless ticker
11:07 What became of MXR?
12:25 Outro

The AIR Vocoder

Alex Ball 2023-06-15 | A quick look at the Korg Digital Voice Processor (DVP-1) from 1986, which was used by Air on numerous productions, including "Kelly Watch the Stars" from Moon Safari.

The DVP was originally designed to give programmable voice effects at an affordable price, but you can run any audio signal you like through it. There's four main engines or "modes":

Vocoder (as the name suggests, a digital vocoder)
Harmonize (add five intervals to an audio signal, also has chord memory)
Int Wave (internal digital waves that can be played via midi)
Pitch Shift (digital pitch shifting)

There's a built-in chorus effect, unison and poly modes and patch memory.

Editing is tedious, but easy; select the parameter button and use the legend on the top of the unit to find the number of the required parameter, then use the value editor to change it. There's various settings for the different modes including formant shift, waveforms, pitch envelope, modulation generator (LFO), harmonizer intervals, chorus speed, intensity, type, MIDI etc etc

0:00 Intro
0:59 The Modes
2:53 Summary & Sexy Boy

Huge thanks to my Patrons who help keep this channel going:
Alex Tucker
Sean Igo
James Huth
Nulani t'Acraya
Kael Driscoll
Nera
Erich Beckmann
i.4m rt47
Tony Shannon
db_shazam B
David Albone
Svlad Cjelli
Paul Smith
Alexander Shvartskopf
Marcel du Bois
Taleau
Benjamin MÃ¼ller
Matt THOMPSON
Matthew MacDonald
Henning Harperath
Joerg Mueller-Kindt
Alyxx the Rat
solina
Polykit
Stuart
Andrew Fiorella
Graeme Bentley
VimWolf
Paraworld Blue
Petter NordstrÃ¶m
Richard Marshall
josh ludlow
Ian Pritchard
James Cockroft
jer
Colin Allkins
Paul Sheridan
Eric H Klaver
Andreas Horst
john chamberlain
Wrought
Erik Ribeiro
Daniel Pirone
Evan Harmon
Make Something
David Aubespin
Tim Hazeldine
Ashlyn
Stephen Brothers-McGrew
PrepGwarlek36
Chris Wiley
Nathan Hand
Rolf the Whatever
Mark Rowe
Chris Jeter
John Hamberger jn.
Florian Wittwer
Nicolas Ocampo
Viiri
Blonks
Darrin Tidsey
Jrod Ohio
Jon Malinowski
Dominik Merscheid
a TV that looks like an apple
Russ Smith
Jason Kostempski
Andrew Pam
Entomopathogenic
Evan Ferguson
Mercz
Robert Fisher
Serge Pontejos
Umberto Lenzi

The Moog Model 10 Synthesizer

Alex Ball 2023-06-08 | Finally! A look at a Moog modular synthesizer!

Despite Moog being the most famous synth brand ever, it's historically been difficult for me to get hold of Moogs for numerous reasons, so when I found out that there was a Model 10 reissue lurking in the UK, I begged GAK Music Emporium to let me borrow it.

If you're interested in buying this instrument, the link is here: gak.co.uk/en/moog-model-10-synthesizer/930235

Thank you also to Michelle Moog-Koussa at the Bob Moog Foundation, Moog Music, Marc Doty and Vincent Michaels for their help with photos, brochures and information.

If you want the music from the video, stems of the music from this video, exclusive sample packs and to be involved in Q+As then check out my Patreon: patreon.com/AlexBallMusic

Huge thanks to my Patrons to date:
Nera
Erich Beckmann
i.4m rt47
Tony Shannon
db_shazam B
David Albone
Svlad Cjelli
Paul Smith
Alexander Shvartskopf
Marcel du Bois
Taleau
Benjamin MÃ¼ller
Matt THOMPSON
Matthew MacDonald
Henning Harperath
Joerg Mueller-Kindt
Alyxx the Rat
solina
Polykit
Stuart
Andrew Fiorella
Graeme Bentley
VImWolf
Paraworld Blue
Petter NordstrÃ¶m
Richard Marshall
josh ludlow
Ian Pritchard
James Cockroft
jer
Colin Allkins
Paul Sheridan
Eric H Klaver
Andreas Horst
john chamberlain
Wrought
Erik Ribeiro
Daniel Pirone
Evan Harmon
Make Something
David Aubespin
Tim Hazeldine
Ashlyn
Stephen Brothers-McGrew
PrepGwarlek36
Chris Wiley
Nathan Hand
Rolf the Whatever
Mark Rowe
Chris Jeter
John Hamberger jn.
Florian Wittwer
Nicolas Ocampo
Viiri
Blonks
Darrin Tidsey
Jrod Ohio
Jon Malinowski
Dominik Merscheid
a TV that looks like an apple
Russ Smith
Jason Kostempski
Andrew Pam
Entomopathogenic
Evan Ferguson
Mercz
Robert Fisher
Serge Pontejos
Umberto Lenzi

0:00 Intro Jam
1:14 The Model 10
1:38 The History of Moog Modular Synths
3:59 Demo 1: Bananas
4:58 The Reissues
5:48 Demo 2: Pulses
7:03 What's on a Moog Model 10?
10:23 Demo 3: Space Disco
11:35 Summary & Thoughts
12:40 Outro Jam

A Big Fat Sampling Video!

Alex Ball 2023-05-25 | A video that I've been wanting to make for a long time demonstrating how to create short snippets of music that you can then sample and remix using hardware and/or software.

0:00 Intro
1:13 Demo: Disco Macabre
2:36 Talk: Breakdown
7:40 Talk: Remixing Setup
9:49 Demo: Disco Macabre Remix
11:30 Demo: 60s Orchestral Ballad
12:00 Talk: Breakdown
15:47 Talk: Remixing Setup
17:22 Demo: 60s Orchestral Ballad Remix
18:49 Demo: Godzilla
19:15 Talk: Breakdown
21:38 Talk: Remixing Setup
23:06 Demo: Gozilla Remix
24:54: Outro

This video was a collaboration with Spitfire Audio whose libraries I've used for over a decade in my professional work.

Spitfire Audio:
bit.ly/3HXAiIs

The music for this video is available here: dropbox.com/scl/fo/shpt88n6m0qesr9w5b4db/h?dl=0&rlkey=9dobdc6p4woh2kv1a2p4m5dfw

The full stems from this video (and all videos going forward) are available to Patrons: patreon.com/AlexBallMusic

The Pearl Syncussion From 1979!

Alex Ball 2023-05-18 | A look at the first drum synthesizer made by Pearl, the Syncussion SY-1 from 1979.

Get the sample pack, music and stems from this video and help me make more stuff like this via my new Patreon:
patreon.com/AlexBallMusic

Thank you for the support!

0:00 Intro Jam
0:53 The Pearl Syncussion
1:26 Demo 1: Pearl Jam
2:21 Talk: How Does It Work?
4:50 Talk: Who Used It?
5:07 Demo 2: Is This Dub?
6:15 Talk: A Second Life
6:57 Demo 3: Is This Techno?
8:00 Talk: Legacy
8:47 Sample Pack
9:42 Outro Jam

ISE-NIN: A Jupiter-8 Replicant

Alex Ball 2023-05-04 | A look at the Black Corporation ISE-NIN which is an 8-voice analogue synthesizer based on the Roland Jupiter-8 from 1981.

black-corporation.com/product/ise-nin

0:00 Intro Jam
1:07 Ise-Nin
1:41 Demo 1: Synth & Drums
2:26 What's Old?
3:44 Demo 2: Whimsy
4:52 What's New? Pt 1
5:42 Demo 3: Touche
6:11 What's New? Pt 2
7:08 Demo 4: Two's Company
8:04 Comparisons with a Jupiter-8
10:12 Comparison to a Super Jupiter
11:10 My Opinions
12:52 Outro Jam

Being Boiled - The Human League Synth Cover

Alex Ball 2023-04-24 | Following on from my Roland System 100 feature video, here's a full cover of the Human League's first single, "Being Boiled" from 1978.

Breakdown:
I was very fortunate to receive a copy of the original beat patch from Martyn Ware via Robbie Puricelli. Martyn had passed on that it might need to tweaking and experimentation, which wasn't surprising given the nature of analogue gear.

The patch sheet gave me the pitched noise part and the snare and I found I needed to add a bit of EQ from my mixer to dial those in too. I also had had to adjust the settings in tiny increments for quite a while until it sounded very close. Strangely, I had to use the white noise on my 100 to get it to sound like the original recording as the pink noise that they actually used sounded too dull on mine. Maybe it's the age of the unit now!

Interestingly, they used a technique explained in the 104 sequencer manual where a CV from one of the channels can be used to alter the clock speed. If this is dialled in correctly then the note value can be set for each step of the sequence. This is how they got a 4/4 pattern within 11 steps, instead of 16. As I wanted an exact tempo, I cheated and used an external clock pulse via midi.

A puzzle: After the initial beat, another drum sound joins in. It's a sort of bass drum, but it doubles the snare, rather than providing a typical bass drum pattern. This could have been a manual overdub, but it could have also been done with the other two drum parts because I've seen at least one photo of the Human League with two 102 expanders at this time. Either way, it isn't part of the patch on the original patch sheet.

Next, there's the narrow pulse wave rhythm that appears throughout the song, again, it's not part of the original patch, so it was presumably an overdub. Did they put down a clock pulse at the outset and then use it for synch of a 2nd pass? That's my suspicion.

Finally, if you listen you can hear a track of synth FX running continuously through through song. Often it's ring modulator atmospheres, but there's some definite filter resonance and filter LFO mod tweaking in places. My belief was that someone just sat there and tweaked for the entire song on an available track and they blended it in as a texture and I subsequently found an extended interview with Martyn Ware on the Bonedo website where he indeed confirms that they did exactly that. The thinking was to make it sound more cinematic.

Bass line:
Dead easy - two sawtooth waves on the miniKORG 700S with a little detune, no attack and max sustain ("singing") with no release ("sustain"). The "sustain long" setting is used.

Roll the highpass filter up a bit and the lowpass slightly higher until it sounds right and make sure expand and bright are engaged for filter mod. That's basically it.

Vocals - double tracked, but I also used a 1979 Boss DM-2 on the send of my mixer for some vintage doubling. I don't know exactly what they did on the original, but it's definitely double tracked at the very least.

The Roland System 100 from 1975

Alex Ball 2023-04-20 | A look at Roland's System 100 from 1975, their first foray in (semi) modular synthesis.

0:00 Intro Jam
0:57 The System 100
1:59 Demo 1: Falcon
3:02 Talk: The Basic Unit et al
4:28 Demo 2: Proto Acid
5:33 Talk: 101 & 102
7:57 Demo 3: Ring in Spring
9:04 Talk: 103
10:55 Demo 4: Bucket and Fade
12:00 Talk 104
13:53 Vangelis Spiral
14:48 Clock Mod Tricks
15:49 Demo 5: Tumble & Fall
17:03 Talk 109
18:28 The Human League
20:30 Outro Jam

Links:
System 100 playlist: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLS-pN_Fz3OFdWMtqryTdCYVRXKeNNnYWo

Nemo Studios: nemostudios.co.uk

Martyn Ware System 100: https://www.bonedo.de/artikel/human-league-being-boiled-und-das-roland-system-100/

Florian Anwander resources:
https://www.florian-anwander.de/roland_system100/

The 3rd Wave: Wavetable Shenanigans!

Alex Ball 2023-04-12 | A look at the 3rd Wave from Groove Synthesis.

groovesynthesis.com

0:00 Intro Jam
1:20 The 3rd Wave
1:47 Demo 1: Flight Risk
2:51 Wavetable Principle
4:17 Demo 2: Atlas
5:20 Oscillators
6:15 Demo 3: Horizon
7:23 The Rest of the Synth
8:41 Demo 4: Funk Sandwich
9:27 Multi-Part
10:12 Demo: Multi-Part
11:15 Make your own Wavetable
13:23 Summary
14:45 Outro Jam

Scoring a Ninja Sci-Fi That Doesnt Exist With SYNTRX II

Alex Ball 2023-03-23 | Following on from my video with the original Syntrx, I thought it would be fun to do another imaginary score with its successor, Syntrx II.

0:00 Intro
1:07 Future Ninjas
1:38 Creating the Sound FX
4:45 Creating the Theme Tune
7:12 The End Result
9:35 Summary
11:13 Outro Jam

My thoughts:
The following assumes you’ve seen my video and comments on the original Syntrx and will discuss where things have gone with Syntrx II.

Practical Updates:
On the practical improvement side, an onboard sequencer with modulation lanes is very welcome as it means you can just get going on the unit itself.

The oscillator tuning and octave selection is now more precise and easier to manage and whilst I did love those retro oscillator dials on the original, sometimes you just want to get something dialled in quickly.

The dual digital FX allow for more control and more options and whilst I did love the spring reverb, it could be quite wild and noisy and not suitable for everything.

There are some practical menu options that can now be handled on the matrix, which is easier too.

Necessary Updates:
Adding waveshape modulation as well as manual waveshape adjustment was definitely a desirable update and I’m glad it’s included.

Likewise, adding external clocking to the sample and hold as well as it being able to run freely was a must.

New:
Dual filters – fantastic, very welcome.
Envelope follower – brilliant and very useful
Inverter – very handy
Recording of joystick and effects movements – great idea, very useful
Additional scope out that can handle audio / CV – very useful

Gone:
Already mentioned, but the spring reverb.
The speakers are gone too, which worked well with the spring reverb as you could cause the unit to vibrate.
AD/ASR switch for the trapezoid. If I’ve one criticism, I’d have preferred it if this was included on Syntrx II.

Overall the Syntrx synths are a great thing to have available in a world where EMS Synthis are unobtainium and it’s great that Erica Synths have developed the concept further now.

This synth is all about the paradigm for me and you go to it for experimentation and surprising results. Maybe not the synth you turn on for an everyday sound, but certainly one that offers things others don’t.

The Glorious ARP Quadra from 1978!

Alex Ball 2023-03-02 | A look at the famous ARP Quadra from 1978.

Huge thank you to Andrew "The Quadra" Ward for the loan!
instagram.com/arpquadra

Download the song (all proceeds to the Alan R Pearlman Foundation):
alexball.bandcamp.com/track/arp-quadra-make-it-happen

alanrpearlmanfoundation.org

ARP Quadra Playlist:
youtube.com/playlist?list=PLS-pN_Fz3OFcqlzSmZKp-0xgF7bF29EhY

0:00 Intro Jam
1:17 Talk: The Quadra
1:37 Demo 1: Skeleton Dance
2:47 The Four Sections
4:40 Talk: It's Very Simple
5:49 Demo 2: Legit Carpentry
6:51 Talk: Memory?
8:08 Demo 3: Band Member
9:05 Talk: That Keyboard
10:51 Demo 4: Fresh Lineup
12:05 Summary
14:06 Feature Track: Make It Happen

VERY NERDY DETAILS FOR THOSE WHO CARE:

BASS:
Name: ELEC BASS
Note Count: Monophonic / Lowest C to the B 23-semitones above / low note priority
Settings: 16' and 8', fine tuning and octave select
Contouring: Resonance and Decay

Name: STRINGS BASS
Note Count: Monophonic / Lowest C to the B 23-semitones above / low note priority
Settings: 16' and 8', volume slider
Contouring: Affected by the attack and release controls in the adjacent Strings section

Name: STRINGS
Note Count: Polyphonic and paraphonic / Second C to the highest C / all notes can sound
Settings: 8' and 4', hollow waveform (switches to pulse from sawtooth)
Contouring: Attack and Release
FX: Chorus Circuit

Name: POLY SYNTHESIZER
Note Count: Polyphonic and paraphonic / Second C to the highest C / all notes can sound
Settings: 8' and 4', hollow waveform affects it too
Contouring: Cutoff and Resonance, VCF control from ADSR envelope or LFO (found higher up), VCA affected by ADSR also

Name: LEAD SYNTHESIZER:
Note Count: Monophonic or duophonic (and paraphonic) with "Two Voice On" engaged / Third C to highest C or full keyboard if bass disengaged (also can extend the range greatly by using the "Interval Write" function)
Features: x2 VCOs with independent tuning (about 1.5 semitones in either direction) and VCO 2 can be disengaged. The available waveforms are sawtooth, 10% pulse wave or 50% pulse wave and there is also a pulse width modulation switch, which is controlled by the Lead Synthesizer envelope generator.

The LFO can be applied to the oscillator pitch for vibrato and there is a trill function (with speed control), the interval of which can be changed using the "Interval Write" function. There is a footswitch flat or hold switch which relates to the pedal section below.

The lowpass filter has cutoff and resonance controls and it can be contoured by the Lead Synthesizer ADSR envelope, the controls of which are to the right. The sustain level does not have a slider, instead, it has a switch to toggle "Sustain Low".

The two notes have independent portamento controls in the bottom left and the master trigger mode can be set here too.

In the top right are the aftertouch settings (volume/brilliance or pitch bend) as well as a "sequencer" which is an arpeggiator for the Lead Synthesizer. It can run up or up/down and frustratingly, it has no hold function. Its tempo is dictated by the trill speed.

PHASE SHIFTER/OUTPUT MIXER:
Each section has its own volume slider and there is also a master volume slider. By default, the Bass and Lead come out of both the left and right channels and the Poly and Strings come out of the left and right channels respectively. There is then a 12-stage stereo phase shifter that can be engaged for any or all of the sections at once. The phase shifter has a resonance control and its frequency can be a dedicated LFO which has a "Sweep Speed" control, a pedal (more on that below), a sample and hold circuit that derives voltages from VCO 2 in the Lead Synthesizer section, or the Lead Synthesizer envelope generator. The latter controls can be simultaneously in use, by the "Sweep" can only be used on its own.

Finally there is an external audio input, but frustratingly, this doesn't run through the phase shifter!

OTHER:

REAR CONTROLS:
Stereo Out (Left and Right Mono)
Mono Out with High/Low switch (1/4" Mono or XLR)
Quad Out (Four Mono Section Outs)
Mixer In (Mono External Audio In)
Lead Synth VCF Pedal In (Can be hacked for other CV inputs)
Poly Phaser Pedal In (Can be hacked for other CV inputs as I did in the intro piece)
Volume Pedal In (Can be hacked for other CVs to modulate master amplitude)
Poly Sustain Footswitch In
Pitch Hold Flat Footswitch In
Portamento On/Off
Bass CV/Gate In/Out
Lead CV/Gate/Trig In/Out with x2 CV outs

The Roland SH-4d In a Nutshell

Alex Ball 2023-02-23 | A look at the new SH-4d synthesizer from Roland.

The SH-4d is a multi-timbral synthesizer with four parts, plus drums.
At the time of uploading, there are 11 different synthesis engines onboard, as well as a multi-track sequencer, arpeggiator, MIDI and USB audio.

The unit also includes lots of FX, a deep mod matrix and "D-Motion" which allows configurable modulation that is controlled by physically tilting the unit in different directions.

For full spec visit roland.com

0:00 Intro
0:49 SH-4d
1:21 SH-3d
2:11 Sync
3:07 SH-101 & Juno-106
4:12 XFM
5:18 Ring Mod
6:30 Wavetable
7:45 Chord
8:36 Drawing
9:40 PCM
10:45 Summary

Thank you to Roland, who sponsored this video.

MUTRONICS MUTATOR: THAT 90s FILTER

Alex Ball 2023-01-26 | A look at the Mutronics Mutator released in 1996.

As discussed in the video, this unit was used by many famous artists, producers and engineers in the late 90s and early 00s across a broad range of styles.

The Mutator is a stereo pair of analogue, resonant low pass filters (SSM 2045s) and voltage controlled amplifiers that are contoured by envelope followers and/or LFOs. In a nutshell, that allows for all sorts of stereo filtering, sweeping and tremolo FX on an open-ended number of audio sources. There is further functionality such as additional attack and release times, external inputs for creating alternate envelopes, external CV ins, LFO linking/inverting, MIDI control and MIDI LFO reset etc. Most (but not all) of this was used at some point in the video.

0:00 Intro Jam
0:59 The Mutronics Mutator
2:04 Demo 1: Borrowed Filters
2:46 Radiohead and More
4:01 Demo 2: Crutator
5:06 Envelope Followers
6:03 Demo 3: Beat Guitar
6:45 Across a mix
7:01 Demo 4: Daft Filtering
8:14 What happened to the Mutator?
9:04 Demo 5: Does It Funk Though?
9:55 How do we get the sound now?
11:10 Summary