“Always the eyes watching you and the voice enveloping you. Asleep or awake, working or eating, indoors or out of doors, in the bath or in bed — no escape. Nothing was your own except the few cubic centimetres inside your skull.” — George Orwell. 1984
The LepLoop
I’ve used a lot of synths over the years but this one is something different… it’s a strange instrument. It’s small, much smaller than it appears in photos: it is part synth, part drum machine, part multi-track sequencer. I’m still figuring it all out but initial impressions are that it’s very unpredictable and slightly unstable… but in a good way. I had a few issues with it sometimes refusing to work and also it has a tendency to pick up stray signals from my iPhone and iPad if they are anywhere near it. But when it works it is quite rewarding to use and is capable of some amazing sounds – if mildly frustrating trying get it to do what I think it ‘should’ be able to do – but I will persevere. If you like wonderful experimental noises – accompanied by a simple rhythm (although I’m sure it’s very capable of a lot more) then this little unit could be for you.
The LepLoop will definitely become part of my CCCL experimental arsenal and will most likely get seconded into the upcoming Throbbing Gristle experimental sets in October/November 2010.
The short sound example here was performed without a keyboard, just using the internal sequencer and some real-time tweakery. The outputs were processed with a couple of Eventide pedals for some ‘tape delay’ & reverb.
Photo on my Flikr pages: http://www.flickr.com/photos/chris_carter_/4933901603/
UPDATE:
Apparently my LepLoop is a prototype, which accounts some of the ‘issues’ I had with it – the production version should run fine.
Analog on the go!
Analog synths were once massive, temperamental monsters; but no more! The true analog monotron fits in your pocket and is ready to play – anytime, anyplace. Although small enough to hold in one hand, the amazing monotron delivers ginormous and dazzling sounds. Best of all, it’s a blast to play. The controls have been streamlined for ease of use. Concentrating on the most important sound parameters, the panel contains only five knobs and one switch. With this level of simplicity, now anyone can easily enjoy the world of analog synthesizers.
Product Highlights:
Features the same classic analog filter found in the legendary Korg MS-10 & MS-20
Filter any external source using the audio input jack
Inspiring, easy-to-play ribbon keyboard
Intuitive, fun-to-tweak controls
Full-fledged, true analog synthesizer: VCO, VCF, LFO
LFO can modulate either pitch of filter cutoff
LFO Rate knob features cool LED visual indicator.
Battery operation and palmtop size equals true portability
Internal speaker/headphone jack lets you enjoy the sound anywhere – alone or with friends!
Ribbon controller keyboard offers easy expression
Borrowing the enjoyment of performing with a simple touch from Korg’s wildly popular KAOSS products, the monotron’s ribbon controller keyboard takes this ease of use even farther. Simple finger gestures can produce expressive effects such as vibrato and glide.
1VCO, 1VCF, 1LFO – Modular synthesis building blocks
The monotron’s circuit is radically simple: one voltage-controlled oscillator, one voltage-controlled filter, and one low frequency oscillator. As a result, the process of sound creation is intuitive, and instantly understandable. And it’s tons of fun. The monotron provides the joy of sonic creativity that’s at the heart of analog synthesis.
The famous Korg filter
The monotron starts with the same highly acclaimed VCF circuit as KORG’s classic MS-10 and original MS-20 semi modular synthesizers, and adds extra oomph to the resonance. Originally released over 30 years ago, these instruments are still coveted today for their aggressive, dynamic filters. The VCF Cutoff knob sets the frequency or tone of the filter; the VCF Peak (resonance) knob adds emphasis.
Semi modular satisfaction
Just as on the original MS-20, the monotron’s filter can be “patched into,” allowing any external audio source to be processed by the monotron’s filter. The input jack (AUX input) built into the monotron’s compact body inserts the AUX input into the signal path right before the VCF. This provides a great way to connect a KAOSSILATOR, a keyboard, a guitar, a digital audio player or even an un-mixed track to the monotron and enjoy tone-bending filter effects.
Versatile LFO provides audio – and visual – excitement!
The LFO (Low Frequency Oscillator) can affect either the oscillator pitch or the filter cutoff. Both the speed and the intensity are individually adjustable, so you can create anything from a gentle vibrato to swooping tone changes of galactic proportions. As you turn the LFO Rate knob – featuring an embedded LED – the speed of the modulation effect and the speed of the blinking LED will change in tandem.
Listen anywhere – alone or with friends
The ultimate in compactness, the monotron includes a built-in miniature speaker. Along with the battery operation, this feature allows you to enjoy the monotron everywhere. There’s also a headphone output that you can use when creating sounds at home, for recording, or for connecting to an amplifier or PA system.
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Musicista e compositore per teatro, radio e cinema (documentari, cinema muto, audiolibri, installazioni…), ha studiato composizione elettronica con Alvise Vidolin e Maurizio Tadini. Nel suo studio di Milano lavora come produttore artistico e ingegnere del suono ed è particolarmente attento alla relazione del dispositivo elettroacustico (altoparlante, diffusore, ecc) con lo spazio.. Lavora con Max/Msp per la composizione digitale, e diffonde il suono attraverso un sistema di 8 altoparlanti modificati ognuno dei quali con specifiche proprietà di emissione, nel tentativo di restituire profondità acustica a suoni astratti o registrati. La sua musica è prevalentemente basata su assemblaggi organici di suoni raccolti in tempi e luoghi diversi e prodotti con tecniche varie, piuttosto che il risultato di un principio architettonico. Per Faravelli, infatti “i suoni sono liberi di attrarsi o respingersi in accordo al loro proprio carattere”. Il suo primo album in solo “Underneath The Surface” è uscito nel 2010 per Die Shachtel. Suona con Andrea Belfi nel duo Tumblle, il cui debutto “For Tumbling” è stato recentemente pubblicato sempre da Die Schachtel all’interno della collana di musica improvvisata italiana Musica Improvvisa. Suona inoltre con Nicola Ratti nel duo Faravelliratti (Lieu – Coriolis Sounds/Boring Machines). Ha collaborato con Claudio Sinatti, Cineteca Italiana Museo Del Cinema, Antonio Latella, Augusto Contento, Andrea Caccia, Nicola Martini, Alessandro Scandurra. Ha recentemente sonorizzato il Padiglione Italiano all’interno dell’ultima Biennale Architettura di Venezia.
Come in ogni suo live, anche per Murate Vive Faravelli approccerà un set site specific che guiderà l’ascoltatore all’ascolto dello spazio.
Il quarto appuntamento di Tono Lieve, a cura di Officine Croma, vedrà i musicisti esibirsi in un repertorio di Toy Music organizzato in due giorni: lunedì 6 Farfa#1 e mercoledì 8 Farfa #2 .
Sempre alla mezzanotte al Parco dell’Anconella. Ingresso libero.
Nel cerchio di luci vicino al fiume ore 24
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”In un orario in cui la maggioranza dei lobotomizzati locali si s-fanno in tutti i sensi, alcuni musicisti fiorentini si diletteranno a giocare con strumentini e aggeggi sonori dalle fogge più disparate e duettare con la poesia pseudofuturista di Farfa, convitato di pietra di tutto cio: l’umido.” (Officine Croma)
La programmazione è in collaborazione con Cambiamusica Firenze, Festival Diramazioni e NotturnAli.
