In the latest synth4ever video offers a review of the Roland D-50, a vintage digital synth from 1987.
The D-50 is a 16-voice polyphonic synthesizer, based on Roland’s LA (Linear Arithmetic) synthesis engine, which combines samples, virtual analog synthesis and integrated effects. The synth engine offered innovative capabilities and new sonic possibilities when it was introduced, which helped make it a hit for the company.
Video summary:
“In this synthesizer review of the Roland D-50, I provide an overview of the synth, it’s digital sample-based linear arithmetic synthesis engine, play Roland D-50 sounds, and provide my final thoughts on the Roland D50 including pros and cons.”
Groove Synthesis has release firmware v1.5 for the 3rd Wave synthesizer, a free update that adds MPE support and more.
New in 3rd Wave OS version 1.5:
Support for MIDI MPE controllers – enable MPE from the GLOBAL menu and explore the new modulation sources at the end of the list. Pitch bend range can be set in the MISC menu
Option for free running analog oscillators in the MISC menu which is settable per patch – In the analog waveform mode, which you are using when you select the Axx waveforms like Saw and Square, now has the option to make the waveforms not reset when you start a new note. In this mode, the oscillators will continue to drift from each other as they do on some fully analog synthesizers.
New poly unison mode – set the polyphony count in the second page of the UNISON menu. It will split the voices up automatically to use max voices per note
New shortcut buttons to easily set output routing per part
New option in GLOBAL menu to send midi program change messages
Now saving UNISON chord mode settings with program
Now pitch wheel, mod wheel, pressure are independent per part when controlling in midi multitimbral mode + pitch wheel destination is settable per part
Slight adjustments to circuit drift envelope sustain variance – gets rid of jumps when going from decay to sustain in the envelope
New options for longer LFO sync times
Improvements to LED brightness settings
Added smoothing to pan position changes to avoid audible stepping
Matthew Fecher, AudioKit Pro developer let us know that they’ve released a new app for iOS, Super Ninja Entertainment Synth (SNESynth), that they call “the ultimate Chiptune and 16-Bit video game synth”.
SNESynth is built on AudioKit, an open-source synthesis project, and based on samples from vintage hardware sound chips.
Features:
2,500+ samples made for this app
Standalone app & iOS AUv3 Plugin
Over 400+ presets
Real Synth Engine, including Pulse Width Modulation (PWM is the heart of chiptune sounds)
Use as an AUv3 (AudioUnit Plugin) in iOS DAWs such as Logic, GarageBand, Cubasis, AUM, more
Fun free-running step sequencer
Record your melodies, and sounds and export.
16-bit Synth, Drum, and Sound FX sounds included
Over 1 GB of sounds compressed to under 120 mb
Use with MIDI keyboard or iOS MIDI host
Includes full lifetime license for both iPhone & iPad
An intro from The Sound Test Room:
SNESynth is available now with an intro price of $2.99 (normally $14.99).
