Archive for September, 2024

Roland MC-101 & MC-707 Get Unofficial ZEN-Core Editor Librarians


Developer Benedetto Schiavone let us know that they’ve introduced two unofficial editors for the Roland MC-707 and MC-101.

The editors, available for both Mac + Windows, use MIDI SysEx support that Roland included in the grooveboxes, but never documented.

What Benedetto Schiavone has to say about the ZEN-Core Editor-librarian for MC-101 and MC-707:

“The two Roland grooveboxes do not officially support MIDI SysEX messages and there is no documentation relating to their implementation which is hidden. In reality, the MC-101/707 are able to receive and send such messages: they respond with a completely wrong addressing, with duplicate and incorrect data which however can be corrected and used by the software.

The editor-librarian, like the analogous versions for Fantom/0, AX-Edge and Jupiter-X/Xm, communicates in real-time and bidirectionally with the groovebox, using MIDI SysEx messages.”

Features:

  • Zen-Core Section
    • Editing of ZEN-Core tones structured in 6 subsections where you can modify all the synthesis parameters and those relating to the 93 effects provided by the standard.
    • Manage the transmission of sounds (library/presets–>Groovebox) and ZEN-Core editing in each of the locations (Clip/Trak) present in a project: max 136 ZEN-Core tones in MC-707 and max 68 ZEN-Core tones in MC-101
    • Vector and resizable graphic interface.
    • Real-time graphic display of the envelopes (Filter, AMP and Pitch) and of the keyboard and velocity range sections
    • Copy and paste of partials via clipboard.
    • Macro to speed up editing by controlling in parallel the same parameter of any combination of the 4 partials.
    • Editing of “hidden” ZEN-Core synthesis parameters not directly accessible in the synths: VCF Gain Correction, Partial LFO Phase Lock, Pitch Down
    • Depth, Pitch Drift, Pitch Drift Cycle Number – Condition and VA Init Phase
    • 4-track step sequencer. With a new template it is possible to obtain with a single Zen-Core tone melodic and rhythmic sequences with 4 voices, synchronized with the scene BPM
    • 24 ZEN-Core presets, divided into:
      • INI: simple sounds to use as templates for editing.
      • PR1: some of the most significant sounds of the optional library that can be purchased separately
      • PR2: ZEN-Core tones of rhythmic and melodic sequences (8 STEP LFO and related template)
    • Complete editing of the 93 effects from the ZEN-Core standard and 25 presets for the most used effects
  • Library Section
    • Library with the management of 16384 ZEN-Core tones: 8 libraries each composed of 2048 tones (16 banks of 128 tones each)
    • organization of the library tones with variable clipboard (1-48 tones), bank clipboard and separate management of lib and banks (load/save on file)
    • Import of ZEN-Core tones and conversion of sounds generated with the Model Expansions into “Equivalent ZEN-Core tones” via a proprietary conversion algorithm. Supported Model Expansions: JUNO-106 -JX-8P -JUPITER-8 -SH-101 – Juno-60 – JUNO-X engine – JUPITER-X/XM engine
  • Project Section
    • edit of the offsets of the parameters of the 4/8 tracks (MC–101/707): Volume, Pan, Cutoff, Res, Attack, Decay, Release, Vibrato, Portamento, SYS Ctrl and send to Delay and Reverb.
    • edit of all the parameters related to the Chorus/Delay and Reverb effects with the possibility of using 40 reverb presets.
    • edit of the 5-band Master EQ, the 4/8 (MC–101/707) EQs of the tracks and the Master Compressor of the project with the possibility of recalling 18 presets

The ZEN-Core Editor-librarian for MC-101 and MC-707 is available through Sept 30th, 20224 with intro pricing of € 29,99 (VAT included) for only the Editor, or € 37,99 (VAT included) for the Editor+ B67 Collection1-2 Sound Bank (222 tones).

Live Jam For Psychedelic Synths + Groovy Guitar Riffs, ‘Dark Star’


Synthesist Karol Pokojowczyk, aka Caught In Joy, shared this live performance for synths + guitar, Dark Star.

What Karol Pokojowczyk shared about the technical details:

“Embark on a cosmic journey with “Dark Star” jam, where psychedelic synths, groovy guitar riffs, and analog tape recording come together to create an otherworldly soundscape.

This track is a deep dive into space rock, blending the rich textures of Moog One, Moog Matriarch, and Prophet-10 synthesizers with live guitar and finger drumming on the Maschine.

Everything you hear was recorded live to an 8-track 1/2″ reel-to-reel TEAC 80-8, passed through the warm, analog sound of the TEAC Model 5A console. This session is pure, unfiltered analog magic—capturing the raw energy of live performance in its truest form.”

Dark Star is the first single from his new Caught In Joy album, Out of Nowhere, which is available via Bandcamp.

Switched On Edvard Grieg – Solveig’s Song on Therevox + Mellotron


Synthesist Benjamin Dehli shared this performance of Solveig’s Song by Edvard Grieg, played on a Therevox ET-4.3 and a Mellotron M4000D.

Here’s what Benjamin Dehli shared about the technical details:

Mellotron sounds:

– 3 Violins (Mellotron MK II)

– Acoust. Nylon Guitar (Mellotron MK I)

– Cello (Chamberlin M1)

– Cello (Mellotron M400)

– Flute (Mellotron MK II)

– French Horn (Chamberlin M1)

Mellotron signal chain:

– Mellotron M4000D

– Hairball Audio FET/RACK Revision D

– Fostex X-28H (recorded to cassette tape)

– Roland PA-120 (preamp, EQ and spring reverb)

– Chase Bliss Audio & Meris CXM 1978

– DIYRE G Bus VCA Compressor

Therevox signal chain:

– Therevox ET-4.3

– Hairball Audio FET/RACK Revision D

– Roland PA-120 (preamp and EQ)

– Fulltone Tube Tape Echo

– Therevox ET-4.3 (spring reverb)

– Chase Bliss Audio & Meris CXM 1978

– DIYRE G Bus VCA Compressor