The Commodore Music Maker Deluxe Part 2 - The making of MrCaliforniaD 2019-12-23 | THE COMMODORE 64 SYNTHESIZERIn this second and last part of this series, I explain in detail how I made this keyboard out of a dead Commodore 8-bit computer and an Arturia MiniBrute keybed. At the end of the video, there are a few short clips of my friend playing the keyboard using different music programs.This thing is neither a MIDI controller nor an Arduino / Raspberry Pi based design. It uses carbon contacts that act as switches and connect directly to the keyboard matrix inside a Commodore 64. Because of this, it works with ALL programs that use the C64 keys to play notes, allowing you to use a wide variety of original and sometimes rare music programs.Click here to see part 1 :youtu.be/Ulffn-tdr-MNote that this product is not for sale and I won't be making another one. Sorry folks! :)
Can the Roland VP-9000 sound warm? MrCaliforniaD 2024-10-06 | As I will show you in a upcoming video, the Roland VP-9000 is really bad at sampling normal stuff. Bad range, MP3 like sound, clicky loop points, no filters per voices, etc. But given the right tweaking, can it sound any warm?
The Roland Glitching Box Speech Processor - Roland VP-9000 MrCaliforniaD 2024-09-21 | Roland needs to bring back a hardware time stretching sampler!
The Ultimage Glitch Box - The Roland VP-9000 MrCaliforniaD 2024-09-15 | Here's one of the ways you can destroy a drum beat sample with the Roland VP-9000.
DIY Module With Korg35 HP & LP Filters Clones + 12AX7 Overdrive MrCaliforniaD 2024-05-20 | This box is using 2x clones of the infamous Korg35 filters. They were made with identical PCBs and original discontinued components.These Korg35 are mounted on a circuit board that is recreating the HPF and LPF circuitry of a Korg MS-20.Sorry. I don't sell anything.
40 years old Commodore 64 providing you with December 11, 2023 weather forecasts MrCaliforniaD 2023-12-12 | The cartidge used is the Microlog SWL Radio Interface for the C64
Nintendo NES Music - Contra - Played on a 1975 Roland System 100 MrCaliforniaD 2023-05-22 | All sounds were made on the Roland System 100.Fell free to ask any questions.
Commodore Music on a Super Nintendo & Nintendo NES - Jet Power Jack MrCaliforniaD 2023-05-06 | Me: Mom, can we have synthesizers at home?Mom: We have synthesizers at home.Synthesizers at home:🤓
The Nintendo NES MIDI Synthesizer MrCaliforniaD 2023-04-30 | I built this custom Nintendo NES MIDI synthesizer using a real Nintendo (Model NES-001) and a Famimimidi NES cartridge.The Famimimidi NES cartridge is an incredibly well developped product that lets you control a Nintendo sound chip via MIDI IN. It's rare that such a product is released to the public in such a stable and complete state.The cartridge is available for purchase (catskullelectronics.com/products/famimimidi), but it seems to be out of stock at the moment. The challenge for this project was to fit everything in a 1U rackmount enclosure.This project is a one-off, and I don't intend to build more of them. Not for sale. Sorry!
Kirby 64 - 100 Yard Hop - Played on an original Super Nintendo MrCaliforniaD 2022-10-15 | I built this custom Super Nintendo MIDI synthesizer using a real Super Nintendo (SNS-001) and a Super Midi Pak cartridge.The Super Midi Pak cartridge is an incredibly well developped product that lets you control a Super Nintendo sound card via a MIDI I/O cartridge. It's rare that such a product is released to the public in such a stable and complete state.The cartridge is available for purchase (www.supermidipak.com), but there's a long waiting list for it. The challenge for this project was to fit everything in a 1U rackmount enclosure. One of the things that had to be modified was the cartridge port angle, so that it sits parallel to the board instead of perpendicular.The pitch adjustement knob uses a LTC1799 Precision Oscillator instead of the original crystal assigned to the audio chips. Credit for this mod goes to Sam from Look Mum No Computer. Go check out his channel if you haven't already.This project is a one-off, and I don't intend to build more of them. Sorry!
Details about the SNES Synthesizer DIY with a Super Midi Pak MrCaliforniaD 2022-10-15 | I built this custom Super Nintendo MIDI synthesizer using a real Super Nintendo (SNS-001) and a Super Midi Pak cartridge.The Super Midi Pak cartridge is an incredibly well developped product that lets you control a Super Nintendo sound card via a MIDI I/O cartridge. It's rare that such a product is released to the public in such a stable and complete state.The cartridge is available for purchase (www.supermidipak.com), but there's a long waiting list for it. The challenge for this project was to fit everything in a 1U rackmount enclosure. One of the things that had to be modified was the cartridge port angle, so that it sits parallel to the board instead of perpendicular.The pitch adjustement knob uses a LTC1799 Precision Oscillator instead of the original crystal assigned to the audio chips. Credit for this mod goes to Sam from Look Mum No Computer. Go check out his channel if you haven't already.This project is a one-off, and I don't intend to build more of them. Sorry!
The Super Nintendo Synthesizer with MIDI MrCaliforniaD 2022-10-02 | I built this custom Super Nintendo MIDI synthesizer using a real Super Nintendo (SNS-001) and a Super Midi Pak cartridge.The Super Midi Pak cartridge is an incredibly well developped product that lets you control a Super Nintendo sound card via a MIDI I/O cartridge. It's rare that such a product is released to the public in such a stable and complete state.The cartridge is available for purchase (www.supermidipak.com), but there's a long waiting list for it. The challenge for this project was to fit everything in a 1U rackmount enclosure. One of the things that had to be modified was the cartridge port angle, so that it sits parallel to the board instead of perpendicular.The pitch adjustement knob uses a LTC1799 Precision Oscillator instead of the original crystal assigned to the audio chips. Credit for this mod goes to Sam from Look Mum No Computer. Go check out his channel if you haven't already.This project is a one-off, and I don't intend to build more of them. Sorry!
The Yamaha CS Filter in a box - DIY projects MrCaliforniaD 2022-07-26 | This is a DIY project using the infamous Yamaha CS series Filter IC chip IG00156.Special thanks to Gotharman for sharing the gerber files of his now discontinued CS Filter module. With some patience, I got to reverse-engineer his surface mount PCB design and made it perfboard ready.This module is not for sale.The PDF file for this project will be made available on Eddy Bergman's Facebook page.Feel free to ask any questions.
Is your dawless jam CLOCK IN an actual ANALOG clock? 😀 MrCaliforniaD 2021-12-08 | Here's a clock with a piezo mic going into a DIY Yamaha CS-15 audio to gate-on converter going into a DIY gate-multiplier box going into a synthesizer sequencer clock in. Idea by LMNC. Gate multiplier code by Jesse Stevens and sequence by Jayboy.
10 Original Sequences From the 90s on the E-mu Emax II MrCaliforniaD 2021-11-07 | Sequence 01: PAPA ROCK SEQUENCE! (Disk Name: Bass / Drum 5)Sequence 02: TRASH ^ TRAX (Disk Name: BigSnare)Sequence 03: GIG'N'D'SKY (Disk Name: Piano Add On)Sequence 04: ISLAND GIRL (Disk Name: Marimbas)Sequence 05: AFROMANIACS! (Disk Name: Stacked Percussions)Sequence 06: THE WALKING (Disk Name: Plethors)Sequence 07: SUPER CREAPS (Disk Name: Plethors)Sequence 08: CRUISIN' (Disk Name: Big Synth 2)This one sounds a little unbalanced. It may have been programmed for the Emax 1Sequence 09: UNTITLED (Disk Name: Moving Strings)Sequence 10: BELIEVE IT (Disk Name: The Mad Disk)Feel free to ask any questions!
Final Fantasy I - Overworld Theme - Played on a Moog Source from 1982 MrCaliforniaD 2021-11-06 | Feel free to ask any questions.
The 6 OSC Cat Toy Drone - A Neighours Nightmare MrCaliforniaD 2021-11-06 | I created this device using a rotating cat toy and a PCB I made with 6 simple oscillators based on LMNC's schematics.The oscillators are then modulated by light using light-dependant resistors (LDR).If you want to know more about this simple circuit, please visit Look Mum No Computer's channel.
Little known handheld thermal paper copier from 1986 - The Silver Reed PORTA COPY MrCaliforniaD 2021-08-29 | For more information:youtu.be/SDdfs0XW1kM...
YAY OH Demo Song - E-MU Emax 1 MrCaliforniaD 2021-07-28 | The Emax 1 sequencer in all its clumsiness.I could not find any information about this demo song on the web.
Tough Hurricane - Time Streching Samplers : Roland VP-9000 MrCaliforniaD 2021-07-19 | All sounds were made on a Roland VP-9000.
Life Force - Stage 5 (Nintendo Music) - Played on a Moog Grandmother MrCaliforniaD 2021-06-26 | This is the music from an original NES game called Life Force (Stage 5).Music and effects: Moog GrandmotherDrums: AKAI XR-10Feel free to ask any questions.
Analog Filter Comparison - Korg 35 / ARP 4072 / Moog 4-Pole Ladder MrCaliforniaD 2021-05-02 | Music: Lead track from Pitfall IIOscillator: 70% Pulse of a Korg MS-20Korg 35 filter : Korg MS-20 (early revision)A.R.P. 4072 filter : A.R.P. Explorer IMoog 4-Pole Ladder Filter : Moog Minimoog Model DIt is virtually impossible to do a fully comprehensive video of all the aspects of a filter. This video is not trying to achieve this goal, but to document just some of these variations.All filters do not lose or add gain over frequencies the same way, and even though I tried to normalize the gain as closely as I could to one another, there are always differences, especially at the early stage of filter oscillation. The type of speakers you're listening this video with will also make a huge difference in the perceived tone.Feel free to ask any questions or leave comments!
Ill Be There (Jackson 5) - Arp Explorer I Analog Synthesizer From 1974 MrCaliforniaD 2021-04-27 | I made this video back in 2013. I then tried to upload it on YouTube, but it got rejected because of copyrights infringements.Now that they can monetize it all they want, maybe I can share it with the world.This song was originally recorded in 1970. This is what it could have sounded like if all the tracks were recorded on a Arp Explorer I Monophonic Analog Synthesizer from 1974.Polyphony was achieved by adding monophonic tracks on top of each other but it was kept pretty minimalistic.Sorry again for the automatically generated ads. Enjoy!
Synthesizer CV to X-Y Recorder Visual Art MrCaliforniaD 2021-03-27 | In this video, a 2 channel MIDI to CV converter is controlling a X-Y Recorder.This technique is pretty straight forward. The X-Y Recorder is listening to voltages signals on its two X-Y axis. The voltages are taken straight out of the MIDI to CV converter's two channels.I used a 2 track song. One melody moves the X axis on the plotter and the other melody moves the Y axis. The pen is drawing the resulting mix of theses to axis interfering with each other.Synthesizer used:Bass track: Ensoniq ESQ-1Lead piano track: Roland XP-30Special thanks to RAMCUR for his help and support in that project!
Fairlight Intro Cover on the Commodore Music Maker Deluxe MrCaliforniaD 2021-03-14 | In this video, I've re-recorded the famous hack intro from Fairlight.I tried to edit the Commodore 64 patches as close as I could to the original.Because of the small number of keys, octave changes needed to be made in real time on the F1, F2, F4 and F8 buttons.I used a C64c with a 6581 R4AR.Make sure to watch my other 2 videos about this DIY Commodore keyboard:youtu.be/Ulffn-tdr-Myoutu.be/vq1pla7IhgIAs always, feel free to ask any questions!
Kings Quest VI - The Isle Of Wonder (PC) - Played on a Korg DW-6000 MrCaliforniaD 2021-03-07 | Aliasing digital wavefoms festival.
E-MU EMAX - 1987 RAP DEMO - RAD RAPPERS MrCaliforniaD 2020-11-21 | This is the E-MU EMAX RAD RAPPERS DEMO.This obscure demo might have been produced at some point by the E-MU team when the SE upgrade was released, but there's no mention of it on the Internet.Therefore, I am sharing it with the world.Special thanks to Jay Boy for helping me find my Emax and to Olivier Van Tassel for selling it to me!
KORG 770 - 80s Soviet SynthPop Cover At Dawn (Альянс - На заре) - USSR 1987 MrCaliforniaD 2020-10-31 | All the sounds in this video, except for the drums, were made by a 1976 Korg 770.Drums: Kawai R50 - Hope you like trashy snares as much as me!Here's a link to the original version of that legendary song:youtu.be/x4xCSVl833IVisit this channel to learn more about the orginal artists:youtube.com/channel/UCCz530nCFCOdyFKY0kr9gNA
Korg MS-20 Keyboard Voltage Out to a Plotter MrCaliforniaD 2020-10-04 | Note that I ran out of paper at the end of the song.Music : Solfeggietto - CPE BachFeel free to ask any questions.
My DIY Modular Synthesizer Boxes - Basic Monosynth Setup MrCaliforniaD 2020-08-18 | This is a short video of some of my DIY modular synth boxes sound together.Here the signal path:Kenton Pro Solo MKII ► 3340 VCO ► MS-20 STYLE HPF ► 12AU7 DISTORTION ► ARP 4072 LPF ► VCA ► DTR-1 REVERB ► SOUND CARD.(AD/AR ENVELOPE is modulating the VCA and YUSYNTH ENVELOPE is modulating the LPF & HPF.)Note that the 12AU7 distortion really starts to shine when a polysynth is connected to it.Feel free to ask any questions.
Preview of my latest circuit: The ARP 4072 Lowpass Filter (ARP 2600) MrCaliforniaD 2020-07-21 | Version 1.0 is working like a charm.Once in a proper enclosure, I'll try to record something more substantial.This version is the YUSYNTH version. You can visit his website to get the schematics:http://yusynth.net/Modular/FR/ARPVCF/index.htmlThanks to Eddy Bergman for his unconditional support when troubleshooting those types of circuits.You can also visit his website to get the design and instructions for a perfboard / veroboard version and calibration routines. Be sure to check out his other awesome projects while you're at it:eddybergman.com/2020/03/synthesizer-build-part-21-arp2600.htmlI don't sell theses modules. Sorry!
Macintosh Speech Synthesizer - Smoothtalker - Complex Examples HD Recording MrCaliforniaD 2020-07-17 | Recorded in HD on a Macintosh Plus.
DOOM - Map 01 - Played on a Yamaha Reface CS MrCaliforniaD 2020-07-03 | All the sounds, except for the drums were generated by a a Yamaha Reface CS.No effects has been added.
DOOM II - Map 01 - Played on DIY Analog Synthesizer Modular Boxes MrCaliforniaD 2020-07-03 | These are two homemade boxes I designed.Everything you hear in this video was played on these boxes, except for the drums. No effects where added.The left one is a filter box that have a resonant Hipass Filter that goes into a 12AX7 valve and then in a resonant Lowpass Filter.The right hand one have a 3340 Digisound circuit with a Eric G & Niklas Rönnberg Colored Noise module, a DTR-1 Reverb and a Boss TU-12 Precision tuner.These are not for sale and I don't take orders. Sorry!Feel free to ask any question!
The Legend of Zelda - Main theme - Played on a Boss Bass Synthesizer SYB-5 MrCaliforniaD 2020-07-01 | Here's a very minimalist track.Everything you hear here are the sounds of a Boss SYB-5 except for the percussions.In order to have the best tracking for this track, I've sent MIDI notes to a Korg MS-20 going into the Boss SYB-5.I used a 16' triangle waveform with a square shaped envelope (only sustain).Note that the master volume of the Korg going into the Boss pedal made all the difference in terms of SPEED tracking (envelope follower).Also note that other waveforms with more harmonics (sawtooth and pulse) were generating PITCH tracking errors.In conclusion, when playing on a bass, one should play with the tone control on the bass (lowpass filtering) and use a compression pedal with a very compressed output. Finally, adjust the overall volume on the compression pedal for the best tracking when playing fast.Feel free to ask me any questions!
Ennio Morricone - The Ecstasy of Gold - Played on a real Moog Minimoog MrCaliforniaD 2020-05-12 | Soundtrack from the movie "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly".Played on RAMCUR's custom "Minimoog in a suitcase".Feel free to ask any questions.
China Bing Bing Bing - Exploring Sounds on he Roland VP-9000 Time Streching Sampler MrCaliforniaD 2020-04-26 | 0:00 Roland VP-9000 sampler alone.4:05 Roland VP-9000 sampler + Akai S612 sampler.Feel free to ask any questions.
Pitfall II - Main Theme (Atari 2600) - Played on a Korg Micro-Preset MrCaliforniaD 2020-04-18 | All the sounds you hear in this clip were recorded on a Korg Micro-Preset (M-500).Preset used:- Lead: Wood - Flute / Bass: Synthe 2 - 8' : 0:00- Lead: Voice - Alto / Bass: Synthe 1 - 16' : 1:06- Lead: Synthe 2 - 8' / Bass: Synthe 2 - 8' & Synthe 1 - 16' : 2:13- All together : 3:20Only a slight reverb was added to the mix.Feel free to ask any questions.
Mortal Kombat Movie Theme Played on DIY Analog Synthesizer Modular Boxes MrCaliforniaD 2020-04-13 | These are two homemade boxes I designed.The top one is a filter box that have a resonant Hipass Filter that goes into a 12AX7 valve and then in a resonant Lowpass Filter.The second box have a 3340 Digisound circuit with a Eric G & Niklas Rönnberg Colored Noise module, a DTR-1 Reverb and a Boss TU-12 Precision tuner.In the weeks to come, I'll make a video to show the individual sounds these boxes can produce.These are not for sale and I don't take orders. Sorry!
Fairlight - Main Theme (Commodore 64 music) - Korg Volca Keys MrCaliforniaD 2020-03-19 | All the sounds in this clip were made on a Korg Volca Keys, except for the drums. They were made on a Kawai R50.I don't know why people have no love for these little sound synthesizers.Ok. They don't have that much headroom and are overall limited, but I think it's more than enough for a portable instrument that runs on 9 volts DC.Stop hating. Just start doing better jams. In the end, it's not about the tool. It's how you use it. :D
The Commodore Music Maker Deluxe Part 1 - Music Video MrCaliforniaD 2019-12-10 | THE COMMODORE 64 SYNTHESIZERI made this keyboard out of a dead Commodore 8-bit computer and a Arturia MiniBrute keybed.This thing is neither a MIDI controller nor a Arduino / Raspberry Pi based design. It uses carbon contacts that act as switches and connect directly on the keyboard matrix inside a Commodore 64.Because of this, it works with ALL programs that use the C64 keys to play notes, allowing you to use a wide variety of original and sometimes rare music programs.In the first part of this 2 video series, a basic song is played to demonstrate the concept. In part 2, I will explain how I built this project. Click here to see part 2:youtu.be/vq1pla7IhgINote that this product is not for sale and I won't be making another one. Sorry folks! :)
Jet Power Ringo - With a Little Help from a Star - Roland VP-9000 Variphrase Sampler MrCaliforniaD 2019-11-08 | In this recording, an acapella track of this famous drummer was fed in the Roland VP-9000.The words were all identified as a new step.Then, a MIDI track was fed in the VP-9000 configured in step mode.With every new note, the sampler automatically jumps to the next step / word.Feel free to ask any questions.
Sounds of a Unique Time Stretching Sampler - Roland VP-9000 Variphrase MrCaliforniaD 2019-10-20 | Here's a pretty bad improvisation showing the sound capabilities of the Roland VP-9000, a sampler that can do time stretching and formant modulation.Samples used:- The "ahhhh" from the "mamaaa" of Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody.- A single fart.The backing synthesizer on this track is a Oberheim Matrix 6R.Fell free to ask any questions.
Roland VP-9000 Variphrase Sampler - Stewie Mom Scene Sample Over Mario Underwater Music MrCaliforniaD 2019-10-15 | This is an example of the capabilities of this unique sampler.The VP-9000 is fed by this classic Family Guy scene where Stewie is annoyingly calling his mom.The sampler can automatically split the words of a sentence and jump to the next word when a new key is pressed.On top of that, the sample time is preserved regardless of the pitch of the note being generated.Feel free to ask any questions.
Yamaha VSS-200 - Modified with a Circuitbenders LTC1799 Precision Oscillator MrCaliforniaD 2019-08-29 | Please don't ask me for schematics. I did not keep any infos on that modification because it is more than simple to make.Sorry for the bad choice of songs. I was sampling from old CDs I had when I was a teenager.I mostly wanted to show what kind of sounds you can get from making the Yamaha VSS-200 synthesizer run a a lower clock rate than it usually does.If you do this mod, note that you need to be manipulating the sampling buttons when it is running at it's normal speed or else it will crash and you'll have to reboot the synth.
Bubble Bobble - Main Theme - Played on a real Atari Pokey Chip (C012294) MrCaliforniaD 2019-08-18 | The slightly detuned sound is part of the experience.From Wikipedia:"The Pot Keyboard Integrated Circuit (POKEY) is a digital I/O chip designed for the Atari 8-bit family of home computers and found in Atari arcade games of the 1980s. POKEY combines functions for sampling (ADC) potentiometers (such as game paddles) and scan matrices of switches (such as a computer keyboard) as well as sound generation. It produces four voices of distinctive square wave sound, either as clear tones or modified with a number of distortion settings. POKEY chips are used for audio in many arcade games including Centipede, Missile Command, Asteroids Deluxe, and Gauntlet. Some of Atari's arcade systems use multi-core versions with 2 or 4 POKEY chips in a single package for more sound voices. The Atari 7800 console allows a game cartridge to contain a POKEY, providing better sound than the system's audio chip. Only two licensed games make use of this: the ports of Ballblazer and Commando."
J.S.Bach - Little Fugue in G minor - Played on a Realistic MG-1 by Moog Music MrCaliforniaD 2019-03-24 | The MG-1 was built by Moog for Realistic (Radio Shack), and was designed specifically for the home market. Very basic and easy to use, this is a nice cheap way to get your hands on Moog sounds!The MG-1 is a 2-VCO monophonic/polyphonic analog synth with a genuine 24dB/oct Moog filter, however the overall sound is thin. On the MG-1, the VCOs are referred to as 'Tone Generators'. It can produce sawtooth, square and pulse waveforms, and the oscillators are detunable and syncable. A simple ASR (attack, sustain, release) envelope called 'Contour' can be applied to both the amp and the filter. The LFO section provides triangle or square wave patterns as well as Sample-and-Hold. Additionally there is a simple Ring-Mod effect called 'Bell'.Feel free to ask any questions.
Modified tape cassette deck with CV IN meets R. Kelly MrCaliforniaD 2019-03-11 | This recording was double tracked for stereo drama effect.Added some reverb and delay.Feel free to ask any questions about this setup.
The Sound Blaster Card Keyboard - 21 Factory Patches + FM Slider-Editing MrCaliforniaD 2019-01-13 | YAMAHA PSS-460 / PSS-470 / PSS-560 / PSS-570This synthesizer line are not toys. Back in the 80s, YAMAHA used their famous YM3812 FM chip, used in the original Sound Blaster and AdLib Music Synthesizer PC cards. and put it in keyboards for the home market. These little keyboards are incredibly fun to play, and the FM slider based editing is a delight.If, like me, you like to cruise in the memory lane, this thing will bring you back to your first PC that was equipped with a primitive 2 operator FM sound synthesizer card. We used to think it was amazing compared to the square-wave based pc speaker.I modified my keyboard with MIDI IN using a Highly Liquid UMR2 module.Sorry. I did not keep any schematics since this module is so simple to install. If you have a polyphonic keyboard that tracks the notes on the keybed using a matrix, but lacks MIDI capabilities, this is what you need.I you are looking for a Highly Liquid UMR2 module, the creator of the board stopped doing them, but he was kind enough to make the design "open source". In other words, anyone can make them legally. Here's a trusted eBay seller who's still making/selling them:ebay.com/str/kimaarstore?fbclid=IwAR297Gttr8GXP8OqYTZQGqHkguSa-RFNoW7m9OK7hA-o9wz6dnfFu7dKs2gFeel free to ask any questions about this video.
