Warp Records and Aphex Twin (Richard D. James) have released Music From The Merch Desk (2016 – 2023), a new album that compiles tracks that were previously released as singles you could purchase at his live shows.
The album is a digital release that’s available via Bandcamp, the Warp site, also Amazon site.
You can preview Music From The Merch Desk (2016 – 2023) below:
Arturia Tape J-37 brings classic analog tape sound to your DAW.
Today, Arturia has announced the release of a new effects plugin. Tape J-37 is an emulation of the Studer J37, a classic ’60s 4-track tape machine best known for being used to record The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band at Abbey Road.
Tape J-37 recreates the distinct sonic signature of the Swiss-designed J37, capturing the “iconic warmth, harmonic richness and natural compression” produced by the machine’s 200+ vacuum tubes. In designing the plugin, Arturia modelled a J37 from Studio Barclay, a famous French recording studio that’s played host to Serge Gainsbourg and Edith Piaf.
Tape J-37 offers four tape colour modes, Pristine, Driven, Warm and Dirty, along with a Modern mode that reigns in the plugin’s frequency colouration, giving a clearer and more defined sound while preserving its warmth and harmonic saturation. The plugin also offers an emulation of the Studer’s two tape playback speeds; the higher speed produces a brighter, clearer tone and the slower setting gives a darker and warmer sound.
You can dial in tape hiss for added vintage realism, introduce mechanical wear or play with tape speed variation to capture the wow and flutter that’s characteristic of tape recording. There’s also a stereo offset control to mimic the minute imbalance in sync between left and right channels typical of tape machines.
Tape J-37’s interface is centred around a VU meter that displays both input level and total harmonic distortion. It also features play and stop controls that can be used to mimic a classic tape-stop effect, and Arturia has kitted the plugin out with a basic delay and an EQ to further shape J-37’s sound.
Whether you’re making indie rock or working across genres as an audio engineer, Tape J-37 goes beyond simple tape emulation. From adding cohesion to full mixes, to upping the grit and wear on individual sounds – have a 1960’s studio legend at your fingertips.
What they have to say about it:
Tape J-37 captures the complex architecture and non-linearities of the legendary Studer J37 tape machine in unprecedented detail. Whether adding subtle tape coloration to a master track or driving the input of a bus or insert with harmonic distortion, Tape J-37 is your go-to tool for bringing tube-driven depth and character to your sound.
“I own every single tape machine emulation ever released. This blew them out of the water,” reads a testimonial from mix engineer and producer Craig Bauer on Arturia’s website. “Seriously. I had tried all the usual suspects out there. It’s just fantastic.”
Main Features:
Tape J-37 Overview:
Compatible with macOS and Windows, Tape J-37 is available in VST/AAX/AU formats. It’s limited-time discount priced at $99/ €99 till 9th January 2025 Find out more on Arturia website.
Synthesist and author Chris Meyer (Learning Modular, Patch & Tweak) has created a series of videos, embedded below, demonstrating the prize in The Bob Moog Foundation’s latest fundraising raffle, a $20,000 Eurorack monster synth.
The system features 52 modules, donated by more than 30 Eurorack manufacturers, from over 10 different countries. The modules are housed in a custom walnut 15U cabinet, designed by Needham Woodworks for the Bob Moog Foundation.
Chris Meyer discusses the inspiration behind the unique synth and the modules that are included, including the sequencers, oscillators, filters, and more:
The Bob Moog Foundation is an independent non-profit (it’s not part of Moog Music) that has the goal of preserving Bob Moog’s legacy through projects like the Moogseum in Asheville, preserving Bob Moog’s personal archives, and their SoundSchool curriculum, which is designed to help kids learn about science through synthesis.
Unfortunately, the Foundation had a major setback this year from Hurricane Helene, which damaged the front of their building and forced them to temporarily close the Moogseum.
To help support the Foundation and its cause, Meyer worked with dozens of synth companies to donate their time and products, in order to create a 52-module Eurorack monster synth that’s inspired by Bob Moog’s original designs.
The raffle ends Friday, December 20, 2024 at 11:59 pm (EST). Tickets for the raffle are available for $20 each, 6 for $100, 14 for $200, and 40 for $500. The raffle is open internationally.
All proceeds from the raffle benefit the three pillar projects of the Bob Moog Foundation: Dr. Bob’s SoundSchool, the Bob Moog Foundation Archives, and the Moogseum, and will help the Moogseum remain resilient among the long-term financial challenges caused by Hurricane Helene.
