x0xb0x first try

First try of my new x0xb0x synth

Maybe when I will have some more time I will post a new video :)

Enjoy

Fix Twitter Client Spaces Issue (OS X)

So, I've been using Twitter regularly for sometimes.

I've tried all sorts of clients but fall in love with Tweetie or as it know called now Twitter as the official Twitter.com mac client. There is one problem though, the Twitter app has a "bug" that it can't stay on one Space. I wrote "bug" because i'm not sure if that's was intently or by mistake. Anyhow, the Twitter crow claim it's a bug, but currently they are not fixing it. I couldn't wait for the fix so I surf the web and look for a good solid solution but couldn't found a good one.

Some people fixing it manually but I wanted an automatic complete solution, so I wrote this complete Applescript solution.

What does the script do:
The script simply will check if the "Twitter" application is running. If so, it will only "focus" on it. If the application is not running, the script will lunch it and put it to the spaceNum value. You should set it to the space you want it to be by changing line 6: "set spaceNum to 1" for space 1 for example. Currently default is 3, just because I use it on space number 3 :)

How to "install":
1. Download the script: link
2. Open the zip file and place the Twitter.Fix file on your desktop.
3. Open AppleScript Editor (using spotlight or with Finder, Go to: /Applications/Utilities)
4. Edit the spaceNum (line 6) to the space you want.
5. Compile and Test if it work
6. To lunch the script I use Apptivate (which is awesome tool!), I used to use Spark (freeware) for a long time. You can use QuickSilver, Alfred, Google Quick Search box or some other lunchers out there to run the script with a Shortcut.

See it in action:



Thats it :)

Elad Gariany
Follow me @geshem_audio, @elad_g (hebrew only)

RME icons for OS X

Hi there,

Since the moment I installed the RME Fireface 400 software I was horrified by the Icons that RME provided with the original software. Take a look here:

 

So I've looked around and found this trade on LogicProHelp forums. There some guy name s0niccurve made a new set of icons with photoshop. The set is great but I didn't like the fact that it wasn't rounded on the corners, so I reshape the icons to be rounder.it's much better now . Anyway, I saved the files in a icns format so it will be easer for many user to change the icons. 

So, to replace to old ugly icons, right click on the Fireface Mixer.app and click on "Show package content". There, under Contents -> Resources replace the existing icns file ("mixicon.icns") with the file on the zip file. 

Do the same for Fireface Settings.app 

Download link: http://bit.ly/c3EG1c

Thanks for the original uploader!

Yamaha SY-35 disassemble

After going back from India I found my self most of the time at home, not doing much. I've watched "Moldover" in his videos and decided that I would like one of these "Controllerism Controller". Well, I don't really need something like this but... well, I don't work, I have a spare Keyboard with 2 broken keys (which I hate) and lots of spare time (till August).

Anyway, my goal is for easer keyboard drumming and not buying a Trigger Finger or some other drumming device. Actually, I took the pictures just for understanding how to connect it back :)

Anyway, this is my goal:

Wish me good luck... I WILL NEED IT! :)

links: The How To Show - Moldover

Yamaha SY-35 Disassemble Picasa Album (For now only disassembly, will update when I'm done).

TC Electronic Konnect 8 review

The Konnect 8 is a Digital Audio interface, over FireWire connection, from TC Electronic. The interface provide a simple and solid solution for "home producers". What's new about it? well, not much. The interface joins a new genre of digital interfaces with analog characteristics, such as volume control, which allow the producer to skip a mixer or volume adapter on the way to the studio monitors. So simply, What does it mean? the only equipment that you'll have to start home producing is an Interface and Speakers, thats it!pretty ideal if you'll ask me.

Main features (With more details on this like):

Input / Output:

• 2 Inputs - XLR / 1/4” Phone Jack (TRS) - "Hi-Z guitar optimized", Phantom power.
• 2 Outputs - 1/4” Phone Jack
• 2 Phones Front output - 1/4” Phone Jack Stereo
• ADAT and S/PDIF for connecting standard digital equipment.
• Midi In / Midi Out.

As with most standard audio interfaces now on the market, the Konnect did not fall behind and didn't surprise as well. The only interesting thing about it's I/O is the so called spacial "Hi-Z guitar optimized

" inputs (as expected from TC which was originally a guitar effect manufacturer).

From my short experience with the product (about 45 days), I can clearly say that it's AD/DA convertors are impressive comparing to it's price. Actually and honestly, I didn't feel any differences between it and my current audio interface - RME Fireface 400 - which, for all aspect, is currently recognized as one of the best audio interfaces on the market. Although it's worth mentioning that, I didn't compare between the 2 audio interfaces with an kind of A/B test.

Control:

• Output Level - Analog volume control knob on the front panel.
• Source Level - Digital volume control - will control the digital mixer (standalone mode).
• TC Control Panel - Very basic yet simple mixer and control panel for the interface.

In my point, the TC control panel is too basic and a lots of features are missing there (like routing of signals, pre-sets of setups and a like).

Other Standart features:

• Support up to 24bit / 192Khz.
• Can operate completely as standalone.
• Direct Monitoring with low latency.
• Portable and light (useful for laptops).
• Receive power from a Power supply or Firewire.

Problems which I had with the interface:

• During the time I used the interface I heard a lot of "signal spikes" from the Monitors. The noisy-buffer like spikes might related to an electricity problem which I have in the studio or a faulty unit.
• Under Microsoft Windows XP SP2: Installing the driver is completely a mess. It's also very very important that you will test the interface with the desired computer - Laptops with Mini-Firewire port are NOT RECOMMENDED and most of the time are NOT SUPPORTED AT ALL.
• Under Apple OS X 10.5.x: Installing the driver is very very simple but when trying to upgrade though TC Website the installer crashed (on both my MacBook and MacPro). Other then that, works great.

for: High Quility AD/DA convertors Analog Volume Control Very Simple To Use relatively cheap

against: FireWire Connection is a must Buggy and featureless software. Hardware problems / History of a lot of bad units which where returned.

Visit the following for more details:

http://www.tcelectronic.com/konnekt8.asp

Price: 2,300 NIS / 300$ (us)

New studio MIDI arrangement.

Hi there!

Since I bought the RME Fireface 400 interface i was really struggling switching from "record mode" to "playback mode" when recording a guitar player or a singer. I made all kind of stuff as walkarounds for the problem (turn the mixer monitors volume down, turn the Mic input up and vice versa). Recently I reorganized my studio, changed the acoustics arrangement and finally configured the Behringer BCR-2000 controller to control the RME Fireface. I had the BCR for about 5/6 years but never had the "guts" to configure it correctly. Well, probably because the BCR 2000 has terrible "GUI" (graphic user interface) and no real support from the original developers / company.

Anyway, to do so I've had to reorganize the Midi connection in my studio which was a bit problematic. I've learned a good lesson last week and you might say a little punishment for been so old-skool conservative person. I've always preferred using the clumsy old Midi connectors rather then the new USB cables, with a thought that it should work better.

Well, thats apparently was not true. USB works just great and can transmit and receive on the same cable (which was important to me). So, less cabling, more support and cheeper cables (USB cables are more popular = cheeper then Midi cables, and only 1 cable is necessary instead of 2).

My main goals were:

* Using both Keyboards INs and OUTs (My Korg TR-88 has a great and useful GM kit).

* Controlling RME Fireface 400 with the BCR 2000 controller (Switching between record mode and playback mode).

* Controlling the SCOPE project modular synth with the BCR 2000 (consider it as an Hardware synth).

* Controlling Logic from my Korg TR-88 (When I'm focused and want to record piano).

* Discard notes Midi-data from the BCR-2000 input in logic (Used a transformer in Logic's environment).

I got the result with the following Midi cabling sketch:

Purpul cable - USB cable

Blue - Midi I/O 1

Aqua - Midi I/O 2

Green - Thru input

I hope you found the information above useful, Elad.

1. Synthesis for all - The digital oscillator

The oscillator is the most important element of any synth. An oscillator creates a wave of sound in verse waveforms for verse frequencies. For beginners, this phrase might make no séance. It's OK, try to understand as we continue and will see some examples. Another fact to remember is that an oscillator's waveform could be any repeatable waveform, for example watch the following:

Sine, Triangle, Sawtooth, and Square:


The Sine Waveform:





The sine waveform also called a "Pure harmony" or "The Fundamental Harmony". As we can see in the picture, the sine waveform has only 1 harmonic, which is the fundamental harmony for that particular note that I’ve played (A2 = 110hz).

The Square waveform:

Unlike the Sine waveform, the Square waveform assembled out of odd harmonies only. The only true fact you should know for now about the Square waveform is that it is very very rich of harmonies. It's very important to understand the uniqueness of the Square waveform and deal with it the right way.
Just as guitar with a distortion effect (which commonly is an odd harmonies amplifier) played within a mix, it can be sound full-body fat “ass-kicking” sound when using it correctly.

The Triangle waveform:

The Triangle wave is also one of the odd harmony waveforms and unlike the Square waveform, It sound is smooth, very similar to the Sine Waveform, but still assembled out of many harmonies creating a fat and rich harmonic sound.

The Sawtooth wave:

A Sawtooth waveform is the most wildly used waveform now days. It’s sound is rich and “pure” at the same time, mean the fundamental harmony sticking out and can clear be heard. You may ask yourself “why is that?” Wikipedia explains:

…A sawtooth wave's sound is harsh and clear and its spectrum contains both even and odd harmonics of the fundamental frequency. Because it contains all the integer harmonics it is one of the best waveforms to use for synthesizing musical sounds…

And if you really insist to keep it simple then: “It just sounds great with filters!”. Later on, we will also learn about that.
Well, there is a lot to come over this subject but for now, it will be enough.

I hope you enjoyed it. Elad.

Synthesis for all - intro

Hi there!
Well, for a while I'm looking to spread my knowledge around synthesis to the public. Acutely I wrote the first article 4 years ago but never took it too serious. I guess now it's a good time to start spreading and summering this incurable field of production which, in my opinion, every modern produces should understand.

So, I'm proud to introduce the "Synthesis for all" series of articles which will teach you all around Synths and there components. The articles will be simple to understand for everyone and will include a lot of video / audio examples of each step in the process.

Articles:
1. Synthesis for all - The digital oscillator
2. Synthesis for all - Deeper look into the oscillator
3. Synthesis for all - Additive synthesis
4. Tutorial: Simple Additive Synthesis Sounds
5. Synthesis for all - Subtractive synthesis or just filters
6. Many more to come... hopefully :)

Please, let me know your thought about it via comments.
Thanks, Elad!

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My Tracks

Hi, I though it will be nice to update some of the stuff that I'm currently working on. Enjoy and leave comments :)
Elad.

Zmanim (Times) by elad

This is the first track of a rock project that I'm intend to assemble one day. If you liked it, please contact me!!!

p.s.
Sorry for the poor sound quality and poor guitar recordings. It's still just a demo ; )

How To Use Logic's Transformer to Midi-Gate an Audio Signal

In this tutorial we will dive into Logic's Environment and will see some of the possibilities of it components. For now, we will explain a simple task as transforming a Midi Notes commands to control buttons or faders. Sounds simple right?

You probably thought about Automation, LFO and all sort of other control/modulation tools.
Unlike automation, Midi Notes commands are been use here like a trigger for the signal - Just like On/Off switches. This is the main reason you might want to do this kind of thing. But you may also ask yourself, why should I EVER do such a thing?

well, jump in and you might be surprised.

Step 1 - Choose your tools and signals

I use Logic Pro 8 but as it seems, it can be perform on any version of Logic (even Logic 5.5 for PC!). So, lets open 2 tracks of Audio Instruments.

Then we will load the EXS24 sampler and we'll load an Electric Pad style program. I thought it will be the most effective to see this technique on a pad duo to it's length and the way pads are been used. If you don't have the complete Logic Studio pack, you're using an earlier version of Logic or you just don't feel like it, do hesitate choose a different program / Synth or audio signal. The bottom line, it doesn't matter, you can do it on any audio signal.

The program I've used for this example is located under:
EXS24 > 05 Synthesizers > 05 Motion Sequences > Forma Sweep Trancy

Open Environment window (using "cmd+8"), Make sure that the EXS24 Channel is selected, Click on the out 1-2 and from the Bus Menu choose Bus1. Do the same on Bus1 channel and set it's output to Bus2.

Your Environment Window should look like this:

Note that the EXS24's output is Bus1 and Bus1's output is Bus2.

Step 2 - Create Midi Information

Create a new region of the ESX24 Channel by the particle tool and write down some chords. The chords I've choose can be see on the source files, trust me they are pretty simple and you will not want to use them anyway.

Great, now that we have our sound signal and Midi sequence lets focus on Midi-Gating it.

Setting up Midi Gate notes:
Create another region of 1 bar for the second Audio Instrument channel, loop that channel using the "L" on your keyboard (of course if you didn't change the default key commands).
This, as well, will help us later. Now enter the Piano Roll and write down 16 Notes just like the following picture:

Notice that all Notes play the same key, they have the same velocity and length as well. For your first time, just do as the pictures shows, we will complex things up later (Step 6).

Step 3 - Setting Up the Environment tools

Go to the Environment window by clicking "cmd + 8" or Window > Environment. Create 2 Environment Objects (use the following Picture as guides).

Drag and Place the new objects close to the EXS24 channel and the Audio Instrument 2 channel. The Button object will help us turning on and off as needed the volume of the Bus1. The Transformer will help us set a condition and transform the Midi notes information of Audio Instrument 2 to control the Button (which controls Bus1 volume).
Don't lose me here, I know it might sounds like programming and not music producing, but it's not that complex as it seems.

Back to business...

Search for the White Arrow on top of the Audio Instrument 2. Click-it and connect it to the Transformer. Click on the White Arrow of the transformer and connect it to the Button. Our last cabling will be connecting the button to Bus1 channel.

Your Environment cabling should be ready.

In logic 8, cable's colors are by default so you should get the exact following result.

Notice 3 Cables:

• Green from Inst 2 to (Transformer).
  
• Light Gray from (Transformer) to (Fader)
  
• Dark Gray from (Fader) to Bus1/Aux1.
  

If you've configure it right, Congratulations! We are almost done.

Step 4 - Configuring the Environment paramets

Configuring the Button object:

Click on the Button and take a look at the right panel of the Environment window. The Setting should look like this:

Notice that I've change the Range of the Button objects, means that this range will effect the maximum and the minimum range of the Midi Controller command. I recommend that you should set the Range to 0-90 (0=.inf 90= 0 db). Besides changing the range, there are no more further setting for our purpose. Moving on to the tricky part...

Configuring the Transformer:

Lets take a look at the needed settings.

The Transformer we see describes a CONDITION (Input) and an OPERATION (Output) that it will transform according to it's MODE.
I our case, The condition is every Midi Notes data should be transform. The operation will Change any Midi Notes information to a Midi Control data. As you see after the information will be transform, the Transformer will "fix" any Midi note pitch into Control number 7 (which will control the button). Finally, Note velocity are represented as Control value, so generally you can change the volume of the mixed channel (Bus1) by velocity. I choose not to do it so I choose to transform any Velocity to the value 90 (which equals to 0db).

Honestly, you don't really have to understand what does it means, you can just configure it as the Picture shows.

If you've set it correctly, you should now something like the following audio:

Step 5 - Complexing Things Up

So we finally done with configuring it and now it's time to play around.
now we'll complex the Gating with different notes length and different rhythmic divisions.

You can play around with velocity as well, just make sure not to assin "Fix" on the Velocity section of the Transformer (leave it as "Thru").

If you will do that, the velocity of the midi note will control the Volume fader of Bus1. I decided not to do that, so it as "Fix".

Step 6 - Adding Effects

Now, that our Midi-Gated-line is done, we can add effects to it.
You should assing all of your effects to Bus2, which is the channel that your finall result lay on.
I added Spreader, Phaser and AVerb effects with the following parameters:

Final result:

I hope you enjoyed reading, ELAD :)