Jack Hertz's blog

The Netduino from the MakerShed is an open source electronics platform using the .NET Micro Framework. The board features a 32-bit microcontroller and a rich development environment, making it a perfect solution for engineers and hobbyists alike. The Netduino is pin compatible with  ‘duino shields including the MakerShield, making it very expandable and user friendly.

In the lab, for years, covered by other instruments and things, there was this old Italian analog synthesizer from 1979: the Jen SX1000. Monophonic with just 1 oscillator, it was often called “poor man’s Moog”. It is always hard to sample analog gears so, instead of trying to clone it (which is obviously impossible for a sampler), we decided to use the samples of each waveform to build an hybrid synthesizer taking advantage of the Kontakt Script language. It sounds both vintage and new! It is also possible to drift the oscillators to emulate the tuning problems of vintage analog synthesizers and to hear the usual knobs noise caused by dust while tweaking them. The Performance View follows the original parameters scheme adding, of course, new features.

The synth geeks over at SonicState have posted a video unboxing Korg's new Monotribe analog synth. Check out their review of Korgs latest analogue beat maker. Watch this video to see how this new unit compares to the orignal Monotron and more.

Jasuto allows you to visually construct your own synths/effects, and use them to make sequences all on your device! With the addition of a fully-featured sampler you can now record/resample/edit, and even create entirely new samples by drawing right in the app. Jasuto Modular just got better with version 1.2.2 that adds vocoding and more new features.

The demo / preview version of CAUSTIC Music Rack has been released for the Android platform. CAUSTIC lets you create powerful electronic music on the go. This app is packed with 8 machines including: Virtual analog subsynth. 2x PCM synths (23 demo samples included) with Song sequencer. 2x 303-like BassLine synths. Sampling drum machine (9 demo kits included). Mixer desk with Delay/Reverb and 4 insert effects.

Roger Linn hosted a handful of New Musical Instruments event recently. Following the video from CCRMA on May 5th. We have collected clips from the CNMAT presentation on May 6th, Music Hack Day on May 8th and SFMusicTech on May 9th for your viewing pleasure. You can read more about these technologies the following links: Continuum, Eigenharp, LinmStrument and SLABS.

synthPond is a relaxing spatial sequencer and generative audio toy inspired by the work of Toshio Iwai. Unlike a normal sequencer where you place notes on a grid and a moving playhead plays them, in synthPond you place nodes in a field (pond).

Mark your calendars, lock your doors. shutter your windows and tune in to Sadayatana for the special Friday 13th edition performance with SFX support from Quisp Quake. Listen May 13, 2011 10:00 PM CST (UTC-6) at http://StillStream.com/

Reed Ghazala, the circuit bending pioneer has posted a video of his lastest device called the "Radiopool Thereglyph" Based on an interactive children's game. Reed has worked his magic on the game to produce a noise synth that responds to hand positions much like a theremin.

The world works in mysterous ways. I cannot explain this but, skip to 5:10 in the video to spare you from the torture and prepare to have your world shattered. Sorry you had to read about here.

This week Google's I/O event at the Moscone Center in San Francisco was the center of their latest efforts to build a better mouse trap. Chasing the gamut of cutting edge technologies the "industry" constantly juggles before us. Google is pushing their fronts around mobile, cloud computing, enterprise and DIY builders. You heard that right. Google is going in two directions at the same time with the announcement of their Open Accessory Kit that will allow anyone to make use of the Arduino development platform to create USB devices for the Android operating system. In short, that means the Android just got a whole lot more music friendly. Controllers, MIDI and all kind of interfaces can now go mobile.

"The Return Of The Mammoth - CLUB OF THE KNOBS - Analogue Modular Synthesizer" at MUSIKMESSE FRANKFURT 2011, part 1: From Portugal to Frankfurt Music Fair. Performing: Kazike, Axel Jungkunst and Georg Mahr. Everything recorded live at booth D99 in hall 5.1. Read more information about Club of Knobs on the web site at http://cluboftheknobs.com

MM+ is a VST host compatible virtual instrument that features: 3 oscillators, each with 6 waveforms. 3rd oscillator may be used as an LFO + an additional standalone LFO.
Midi Learn for all parameters. 2 ADSR envelopes and more you can read about at http://www.manxsynthesizers....

ditto is a creative delay effect, using randomised tempo-sync modulation to provide a constantly changing but musical delay effect. You can randomise the delay time, feedback and filter cut-off, with independent left and right channel modulation if you wish. Reverse delay can also be randomly set to change things up even more.

I am prototyping, designing and assembling a special cartridge called Chip Maestro which can be used in any Nintendo Entertainment System. This cartridge will accept a MIDI input from any instrument, and by passing the MIDI notes through the NES, the cartridge will make the NES synthesize 8-bits of awesome in true NES squarewavey goodness. See the video for more details!

Computers are your friends. Especially when they can help you with complicated tasks like deciphering chords in your favorite recordings. That's where Chorddetector by DDMF comes in. This handy device makes chord detection easy.

GarageBand on the iPad is enjoyed by pros and novices alike - so whether you're out to have some fun, or are making serious music, Pix & Stix will make it a more fun and realistic experience. Now you can have the ability to interact with GarageBand on the iPad more like a real instrument with these guitar pick and drum stick accessories made of electroconducive rubber for accurate, natural touch screen pickup.

In the years since its introduction, Antares Auto-Tune has literally revolutionized the process of vocal production. And now, with our new ATG-6™ guitar technology, we're doing the same for guitar.

In the blurring areas between gaming and creation, toys and tools, there’s certainly a lot of action, spurred on by platforms for sharing software.

Who doesn't like a bit of nostalgia? Some of our memories of digital / computer music came from the AAtari 2600 VCS game console. Before noise was cool, these basic sound chips were grilling ears with 8-bit sonic grunge for nearly a decade. Now you can dial up those old sounds with the free Atari Crusher VST by Gusmão. Check out the video below for a sonic taste. You can download the VTS for free from http://resistenciasubsolo.bl...