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Developer Iftah Gabbai has released Synthesizers 1896 – 2024: A Dataset and Exploratory Insights, a dataset of hardware synthesizers, samplers, and drum machines that’s available as an open source repo on Github.

What Gabbai has to say about it:

“It aims to uncover trends and patterns in electronic music instrument design and evolution over the years. The dataset excludes modular systems such as Eurorack, Buchla modules, FracRack, and 4U formats, focusing instead on standalone devices.

The data has been compiled through a mix of automated and manual processes, combined with extensive research. It is intended to be a resource for researchers, musicians, and enthusiasts interested in exploring trends, patterns, and the history of synthesizers. The dataset is a work in progress and will be updated regularly with new releases and additional features.”

Gabbai shares some interesting insights from this data set in his video intro, embedded above. For example, he analyzes trends in polyphony and multitimbral support, noting how these peaked around the year 2000, reflecting industry trends and the recent resurgence of interest in analog synth designs.

Watch the video, and share your thoughts on it in the comments. And if you’d like to dig into this data yourself, Synthesizers 1896 – 2024: A Dataset and Exploratory Insights is available as a free, open source project on Github.

Synthesist and sound designer Ian Dixon has been on a tear recently, releasing a series of excellent free sound libraries Korg’s Wavestate and modWave synthesizers.

His latest free sound library is a Genesis Collection for the Korg Wavestate.

What Dixon has to say about it:

“Over the years, Tony Banks and Genesis have crafted iconic sounds featured in timeless tracks like Watcher of the Skies, Behind the Lines, Cinema Show, Invisible Touch, and Abacab. These legendary sounds came from iconic instruments such as the Mellotron, ARP Pro Soloist, ARP Quadra, Korg Wavestation, and Yamaha DX7.

Inspired by these classic Genesis sounds, this collection for the Korg Wavestate includes 36 meticulously crafted performances that span from Foxtrot to Calling All Stations. You’ll find Mellotron sounds, ARP Pro Soloist and Quadra, organs, DX7, and Wavestation patches to explore and relive that classic progressive rock vibe.”

The library is compatible with all versions of the Wavestate, including Korg Wavestate, Wavestate Native, Wavestate mkII, and Wavestate Rack.

The intro video above, demos each of the performances in the sound library:

00:00 Introduction

01:44 ABACAB Organ

02:10 Alien Afternoon

02:55 Fading Lights

03:22 Warm strings

03:48 Mini Lead

05:18 Fading Light Drums

07:00 ARP Fuzz Guitar

07:21 In the Cage

07:50 PS Telstar

08:15 ARP Trumpet

08:30 Bass Pedals

08:56 Behind the lines

09:52 Behind the Lines Brass and CP

10:16 CP80

10:34 CP80 String

11:03 Domino sounds

12:38 Fading Lights Split

12:53 Follow You Follow Me

13:05 From the undertow

13:55 Home by the sea

16:36 Invisible Touch

17:12 Mama

17:40 Mama Ghost

18:22 Mama Organ

18:55 Mellotrons

19:19 Watcher of the skies

20:21 Phased Organ

20:42 ABACAB Quadra

21:10 Alone Tonight Organ

21:49 Quadra phased organ

22:06 RMI piano

23:44 Tonight arp

24:32 Tonight drum type sequence

25:02 Tonight drums and pad

The Genesis Collection for the Korg Wavestate is available now as a free download.

 

 

 

 

Analogue Solutions shared this preview of their design for ‘wing’ cases for their upcoming TC5000 monster synth.

The Analogue Solutions TC5000 is an analog modular synthesizer with a user interface that’s inspired by the iconic ARP 2500. The TC5000 copies the overall look of the ARP 2500, but features modules based on Analogue Solutions’ own circuits. The TC500 also uses a pin matrix patch interface, vs the matrix switch interface of the 2500.

Some of the TC5000 modules are adapted from the company’s existing synths, like Leipzig, Telemark and Fusebox, and some are new designs, specific to the TC5000.

The Analogue Solutions TC5000 is available now to pre-order, priced at £22000 (exc. tax and shipping), with shipping expected towards the end of 2024. Details on the TC5000 Wing racks has not been announced.