TI Dictée Magique (Speak & Spell freanch version)

OK, I like circuit bending as well as 8 bit / chip tune music.It took me over 1 year to finally find a functional unit, at my mother house, in her original box... A friend of mine brought me another unit found in a garage sale 2 weeks later! So within 2 weeks, I was the happy owner of 2 Dictées Magiques. I modified one unit using all the schematics developed by the bending guru known as Reed Ghazala. The other unit was modified both with Ghazala schematics mixed with personal ideas. I really enjoy the glitching noise going out of those machines. These are very powerful but the main pleasure remain they're unpredictability. A nice add on to any experimental music / sound design rig.

8/10

Ghazala web site

 

Hecq 0000 review

Hecq (AKA Ben Lukas Boysen) is a young german sound designer who works for a lot of advertising project including TV channels and various companies / brands. This background is audible all over is discography. Hecq is mostly considered as a IDM music artist, even if I personally don't think he could be categorized within a specific genre. I really enjoy 0000 since it was released, back in  2007. This album consist in 2 disks, the first one being original compositions and the second, remix works in collaboration with other artists including  Newt or Snog. I'm kinda jealous of Hecq talent regarding the creation of lush sounding landscapes who evolve and morph perfectly trough almost any song he produce. I like the way weird sounds are able to blend with each other and create a coherent and melodic package. Also, sampling his overused but in a manner that doesn't hurt my ears as everything layers perfectly. The second disk is awesome with some gems that unfortunately never reach the status it deserves... 

9/10

 Awesome short film with Hecq sound design:

 

Nanoloop 1.5 review

I really enjoy listening to chiptune. All the 8 bit musical movement is interesting, remembering old gaming souvenirs and raising a good dose of nostalgia. Elektron, the famous Swedish synth designer started this musical trend in 1999 with the release of the now famous Sid Station, a desktop synth wish is exploiting the SID (Sound Interface Device) chip commonly used as a sound generator for the Commodore 64 in the early 80's. As this device was hugely popular within the musical community, other manufacturer decided to offer similar product (Sid Station production stopped, units are rare and very expensive). Nanoloop was created by a German programmer known as Oliver Wittchow. This software is included on a typical Game Boy cartridge and enable the user to exploit the sound chip. The interface is pretty simple, working as a typical 16 step sequencer. It is also possible to build complete songs, arranging the sequences. The cartridge also feature some memory slot for songs and sequences. The sound of this chip is typically 8 bits, raw sounding. The Game Boy output (1/8 jack) is low quality and noisy. It is also possible with further mod to implement midi protocol in order to control the Nanoloop externally (check out the video). This device is really fun to use and inject a non subtle dose of lo-fi gritty sound in your music! 

7.5/10

Sound demo 

Fluxination by Spiralex

Fluxination  by  Spiralex

This song is a personal tribute to the original Aeon Flux cartoon music wish I really dig.

Nitzer Ebb Showtime Review

This is the first album I've ever bought. It was in fact a tape found in a music shop at a special price of 0.49$!!! Showtime was released in 1990, a prolific period for electronic music. This tape ran on my walkman for at least 6 months. I really dig in Showtime as it was quite a revelation for me as a young fucked-up teenage: Hard driven music with the characteristic Douglas McCarthy's voice, very aggressive in some ways. The album is quite short in length with only 9 songs but there is absolutely no fillers. My favourite songs are Getting Closer, Nobody Knows and Fun to be Had. It is possible to ear a lot of musical influence within this LP ranging from Depeche Mode (Lighting Man) to Leonard Cohen (Nobody Knows). The artwork is also minimalistic and very efficient (I like it!). This album also influenced a lot of artist during the 90's and even today. Classical stuff...

9/10

 

Alesis SR-16 review

This was my first drum machine bought 3 years ago. A friend of mine recommended the SR-16 as it is easy to use and great sounding. It is in fact easy to use but for the sounds, I don't think they are great. The SR-16 sounds very generic. The samples are very basics and lo fi. Some acoustic drum samples are good thought and  they layer very well. This machine was released in 1990 and still in production until 2003, wish is a good indicator of it's popularity. A lot of people bought it in the early 90's as a replacement for Roland XoX digital drum machines. A lot of them miss the XoX sequencer. The midi implementation of the SR-16 is quite good and it is possible to use it as a controller. The pads are velocity sensitive, giving more «natural» expression to rhythm patterns created on the fly. It's a good tool to have in the studio.

6.5/10

Front 242 Tyranny >For You< review

Released in 1990, this album highlight the talent of Front 242 to produce electronic dance music. Unlike mainstream house or techno music that was popular at the time, this music is more aggressive and trance oriented. The proper description of this kind of music is EBM (Electronic Body Music), a genre they pioneered along other bands like Nitzer Ebb, Front Line Assembly or Clock DVA. Many artist failed to reproduce this kind of music opening the path to many sub genre known as future pop, electro industrial, IDM etc. I really like the hard beat driven songs on this LP, Tragedy for You, Neurobashing or Moldavia to name a few. The production is excellent, as well as the military atmosphere surrounding the songs. This album was followed by a lot of singles, notably the excellent Mixed by Fear, including some awesome upbeat tracks. Note that the following video is absolutely cheesy!!!

8/10

   

Roland DJ-70 MKII review

Sampler's are very important tool for modern music production. When used properly, they can incarnate almost every instruments. The sampling technologies are evolving really fast and they are available both in hardware or software forms. Old samplers are often better sounding (thanks to HQ converters) as new samplers offer more memory capacity and effect processing. As being a hardware fan, I've decided to bought this model produced in the early 90's (very few information available on this unit). It share the same architecture than the venerable S-770 wish is often considered as the best sampling unit ever built along with the Emulator II. It also feature a nice keyboard and a scratching wheel (funny thing). Filter's are awesome and the interface is very intuitive. I like the fact that you don't need external gear to trigger samples and the look of this machine is pretty funky! When everybody is looking for Akai's MPC, those unit remain relatively cheap and they sound way better than any MPC. It is possible to use Iomega zip drive directly connected to the DJ-70 MK II in order to enhance the memory capacity. There is also a floppy drive on board.  

8/10

NIN Pretty Hate Machine review

Released in 1989, this album was the first «industrial» music style LP to reach the mainstream. A lot of people accused Trent Reznor to get inspired by old Skinny Puppy song for some rhythm structures. I think those people are right, I think Reznor is aware of this but who cares? NIN has become one of the most internationally acclaimed alternative act of all time because of Reznor's ability to create alternative pop songs! Pretty Hate Machine was recorded and produced within a period of 20 days with a thin budget. The result is very good and I really enjoy Down in It, That's What I Get and The Only Time. The dark atmosphere surrounding this album is great and was a revelation for me way back in the early 90's. I dig this album way more than NIN later works. I think it is less polished, less sophisticated but more melodic and straight forward. Another classic excerpt from a rather classic act.

8.5/10

MFB 522e review

Technical data

As being a 808 fan without to the proper budget to get one (they are overpriced also...) I bought the MFB 522e one month ago after extensive tests at the store. All the drum sounds on this machine are 100% analogue and it is the best cheap alternative for the 808. The kick is awesome as well as the clap, crash and hh. It feature 5 individual outputs in order to mix the patterns properly. 2 to 3 adjustment are available for each drum sounds. The step sequencer is TR inspired, very user friendly. Now, for the down points, the outputs are 1/8 jacks so you need 1/8 - 1/4 adaptors. Also, just like every MFB product, the outputs are very noisy. Not wall wart is included when bought in North America. There is only a midi in, no out or trough. The price tag is around 400$ wish is justify the con's.

8/10

     

Kraftwerk Trans Europe Express review

For anyone enjoying electronic music, Kraftwerk must be considered as an institution. They were the first internationally renown electronic music band. They also highly contributed to the development of electronic instruments, including synthesizer, vocoder or drum machine. To give you a good idea of this involvement, listen to the last album known as Tour De France Soundtrack. It was released in 2003 and seems to feature a new instrument made by Yamaha known as the Tenori-On, wish was officially available only in late 2007!!! Trans Europe Express would be my favourite album despite the fact that I really like all they've done in more than 30 years of activity. The title song and the second part known as Metal on Metal (Metall Auf Metall) are amazing. The global sound of this album is very analogue, warm and HI-FI. The extent use of high quality vocoders gave them they're unique signature. Classic stuff in electronic music.

8.5/10

Yamaha CS6x review

Technical data

This is mainly a midi controller. The key action is very good and it feature all the expression options (release, after touch, key sensitive etc.). The CS6x is the best built synth I've ever owned, the metal chassis makes it rock solid, a real professional tool. But there's more... It also feature 256 sample based presets wish are tweakable using all the control knobs as well as editing matrix featuring tons of effects and 13 different filters! Everything is digital but it offer a lot of flexibility. Some sounds are really good, even better when modified. The synth could also be upgraded with up to 2 Yamaha plg cards (6 cards where available ranging from FM synthesis to analogue emulation) giving it even more power and flexibility. The CS6x was replaced by the Motif series. They are pretty rare on the second hand market as original buyer's tend to keep them. The arpeggiator is very powerful and fun to use.

7.5/10

The Faint Dance Macabre review

The Faint are one of those new bands revealed in the last ten years who tend to push further the pop music business. They have the ability to sound either very 80's synth pop or punky and so much modern at the same time. I really enjoy those musical mutations! Dance Macabre was released in 2001 and it's the second album composed by the band. It's also they're best work, by head and shoulder! The sonic ambiance of this album is very dark, almost Gothic but very pop at the same time. Lyrics are somber and offensive, very effective. The tracks are short and well produced. My favourite is Posed to Death, a powerful punk/ska anthem. Agenda Suicide is also a very good song and the video is superb. This music would drive you to dance and cry at the same time, very weird! They perform correctly on stage but nothing spectacular. For anyone nostalgic about the 80's but adapted to the 21st century, this should be a winner.

8.5/10

Sennheiser MD-441 review

Technical data

Instead the fact that I'm not a acoustic instruments recording expert, this is my favourite microphone. I record a lot of vocal track and I used a lot of different mics (further reviews) and at my opinion, this is the most versatile. It works on both male and female vocals without colouring too much. The dynamic response is excellent in the low, mid or high frequency range. It also works great on acoustic guitar, toms and snare drum. The MD-441 is also very reliable as mine was produced in the early 70's and still sounds perfect. The output signal is relatively low so this mic must be used with a preamp in order to adjust the gain. The only down point is the price as it will cost about 1000$ new. For anyone serious about his production quality and who wants to own only one microphone, this is the way to go...

9/10     

IAMX The Alternative review

As being a fan of Sneaker Pimps in the 90's, I was glad to see that Christopher Corner decided to launch his own solo career in 2004. I wasn't impressed by his first album Kiss + Swallow. For is second effort, The Alternative released in 2006, it's another story. This album is spectacular, the arrangement are rather simple but very effective. Corner's voice is totally out of this world as I consider him as being actually the best male singer along with Peter Murphy (Bauhaus lead singer). This album flows perfectly without any fillers. The title song is my favourite but I totally dig in President, Nightlife, After Every Party I Die and This Will Make You Love Again. The production is top notch, the mixing is perfect. I was sceptic regarding the real live singing talent of Corner so I went see him 2 years ago. Final report: He is a musical genius live as he is in the studio. A real singer who doesn't need auto tune...

9/10

 

Boss DR-55 review

Technical data

Old analogue drum machine produced by Roland (Boss is actually a Roland sub division) in 1980. This is one of the reason why I love this machine so much as both her and me were designed and produced within the same period!!!  4 sounds (Kick, Snare, Rim, Hat) are available from the DR-55. The main point here is not the diversity but the quality: Awesome sounding drum kit. As being an early 80's machine, it doesn't feature midi implementation. The rhythm programming could not be more simple, using the 16 / 12 steps sequencer. The main reason why those machines are still desirable even as being 30 years old is the possibility to use them to trigger modular systems with the DBS output. It could be synchronized via the CSQ sync input using an old Roland digital sequencer. The DR-55 remain a relatively cheap alternative for some old school drum sounds in the like of the much more expensive Tr-808 or Cr-78. When programming a standard rhythm and lowering the tempo is like having a trip in a time machine going back to the Grandmaster Flash era! The design is also pretty cool featuring the «Dr Rhythm» cyber font!

DR-55 free online emulator

8.5/10    

Amon Tobin Supermodified review

I discovered Amon Tobin via a friend of mine ten years ago. This music is strange and it's almost impossible to categorized Amon Tobin within a specific genre. It's kind of orchestral, trip hop, old movie score, industrial, breakcore, country, jazz, D&B... This album is sending a clear message: Welcome to the 21st century my friend! Amon Tobin is one of the artist who put the Ninja Tune Label on the map on the late 90's. Supermodified is my favourite album, the most complete and the one including the less fillers. Four Ton Mantis is one of the greatest song I've ever heard. The video is also awesome as well as almost all the video clip associated with is music. Unfortunately, Amon Tobin's later work is from low to average. He produced very trippy jazz breakbeat under the name of Cujo in the 90's and this work worth a look.

8.5/10

MFB Synth Lite II review

Technical data

I bought this little synth one year ago, looking for a simple, hand controlled monophonic machine to create sequences. The oscillators are digitally controlled and they sound very cold. The interface is simple as hell, wish is great for live tweaking. The filter (VCF) is analogue and sounds awesome. This is the main reason why anybody should buy this device. It his possible to create killing sweep to spice up your up beat productions. However, the oscillators are often creating some non desirable click and the outputs are ridiculously noisy. MFB cut corners on the components quality to maintain the price low. The unit is pretty small and portable, a good point regarding live use. Note that if you buy this device in North America, no wall wart is included. There is a audio input, enabling the synth to filter external sound signal. Stay away from this unit unless you know that only the filter is potent.

6/10

Coil The Ape of Naples review

I've always enjoyed Coil's music. I discovered they're work back in the mid 90's. As a fan of acid house music back then, a friend of mine give me a copy of the Snow LP when he realized that I was listening to Psychic TV. This LP blow me away. It's one of the first techno oriented work released with a strong production. Since then, I followed they're releases until 2005, highlighted by the last Coil album, The Ape of Naples. John Balance who was the band lead singer as well as an highly respected musician died in 2004 from a rather mysterious accident. Balance was depressive at that time and you can easily ear is sadness all over the EP. The music and the lyrics are very dark and sad, sharing a heavy atmosphere in a beautiful manner. It remain difficult for me to listen to this album entirely as it totally destroy my current mood and make me feel sad as hell. I do think art is really effective when it raise emotional feeling upon the spectator. The Ape of Naples works for me.

9/10 

Roland JP-8000 review

Technical data

One year ago, I was looking for a great sounding poly synth at an affordable price on the second hand market. I found a SC Six Track for 400$, wish was below my 500$ budget. Then my band mate call me: «Do you see the awesome synth on Kijiji?». I told him that I already arranged a meeting with the seller to pick it up. Then he replied: «You can't go wrong with this for 500$, it's Roland...». I was confused and ask for more info... After some research on the net, I changed my mind regarding the Six Track and picked-up the JP-8000. The previous owner take care of this synth like if it was is own child, immaculate condition. As being the first proper VA made by Roland, the sonic range of this synth is incredible. It feature the now famous Hypersaw DCO, popularized and overused by trance producer's in the mid 90's as well as the best arpegiator I've used. As being digital, there's no tuning issue and the key action is very good. I really like the feedback oscillator and the filter. When the attack is set very fast, the synth produce snappy sounds wish are sometimes irritating, my only complaint. I would highly recommend the JP-8000 for people that would like to introduce themselves to synthesis without spending a lot of money on vintage gear.

8.5/10  

TV On The Radio Young Liars review

Way back in 2004, I went to a small venue in Montreal to see The Faint. They're was another band doing the first part of the show known as TV On The Radio. I've never heard about that band before so, as usual, I didn't expect nothing spectacular... I was literally blown away by them: This is simply the best live musical performance I've ever seen. When they played Young Liars I realized that this band was going to become an institution within the next few years. The vocals were perfect and Babatunde Adebimpe voice is awesome. I then bought the Young Liars EP on the spot and it remain my favourite TV On The Radio work up to date. Every single song is slightly different but with the same signature. This music is innovative, fresh and full of positive energy. When listening to Young Liars EP in my car, I feel obligated to sing as loud as I can, like if I'm hypnotized (well, only if I'm alone)!

9/10

Ensoniq TS-12 review

Technical data


Yes, I do think that analogue circuitry sounds better. Is it always a good thing? I don't think so... It's always a matter of context and sample based synth could be very useful when you try to reproduce some acoustic elements. Romplers and virtual analogue are also performing better with layering as they sound less fat, being the proper tools when working on complex arrangements. From all the rompler I've used over the last years, the TS-12 remain by far my favourite. The hyperwave technology developed by Ensoniq and feature in this synth allow you to create complex sounds. This synth was extensively used by sound designers to create surrealistic sonic atmospheres. There is also a dp-4 effect processor included on board, allowing user for even more versatility. The keys are semi-weighted, giving more expression capabilities to advanced user. The editing functions are not intuitive and the programming matrix is far from being user friendly. Also, the outputs are very noisy like most of Ensoniq products. Instead of those con's, it remain a lush sounding synth.

7.5/10

Skinny Puppy Last Rights review

I was introduced to Skinny Puppy way back in 1994 by a friend who gave me a tape copy of Last Rights. Then, I listened to this album days after days for a period of at least 2 months. Every listening was highlighting a new sound that never reach my mind before. It was like rediscovering something you really enjoy, making it always better. The atmosphere of this album is dark, nostalgic, tragic and violent at the same time. This is a real concept album, constantly evolving on the same structure. Killing Game, Lust Chance, Download and Riverz End are true gems. The track listing is missing the song #10 known as Left HandShake wish was release as a single in 2000. The song feature a long sample of Timothy Leary, a mad scientist who discovered the LSD by accident in the 60's while attempting to create some generic Aspirin... The use of this sample was authorized by the Leary family a couple of years after the official release of Last Rights. This is my favourite Puppy album and the most achieved work they've done. 

RIP Dwayne, we miss you...

10/10

Roland TR-707 review

Technical data


This digital drum machine was put on the market in 1985. It was considered as the replacement (next generation) for the renown TR-909, sharing the same type of intuitive step sequencer. This is the original acid house beat generator as the 909 were too expensive at that time. It feature 15 different sampled drum sounds with individual outputs wish is great for mixing. The sounds are ranging from weak to good straight out of the box but everyone of them could be awesome with proper effects. Also, midi protocol is implemented as well as DYN sync, allowing the user to synchronize old Roland equipment. Programming rhythm on this machine is fast, efficient with instant gratification. In conjunction with 1 or 2 other drum machine/synthesizer, it could be very powerful as the sounds layer very well within any up beat mix. Soon, those machine will reach a «cult» status as they become rare and a lot of them being unstable. Those machines are prone to some BPM problems, they must be used in a midi set-up.

7.5/10     

MCDSP Project Studio Bundle review

Technical data


Instead the fact that I'm plenty satisfied by the plugin bundle available with Protool 8, I was looking for a little more versatility regarding effect processing and mainly mastering tools. After some extended research, I decided to buy the MCDSP Project Studio Bundle. I use this bundle since 6 months and I truly think it was the best choice. As my home studio is pretty compact as well as my budget, the hardware is not an option... The bundle feature all the basic tool needed to upgrade any recording, making it pleasant for the ears or at least enough loud!!! ML1 (master limiter), Revolver (convulsion reverb) and Compressorbank (vintage compressor emulation) are my favourite. I've never used Synthesizer One as i'm a hardware (instruments) freak. Filterbank is not very useful for me and I finally found some utility for the Chrome Amp on vocals. The price tag is around 300$ and you can't go wrong with this bundle.

8/10

M-Audio Profire 610 review

Technical data


I bought this interface 8 months ago since it's compatible with Protool who need dedicated hardware. I had the chance to use a Profire 2626 for a recording project 2 years ago and I enjoyed my experience. The 610 is a stripped down version, offering 4 in (1/4'') and 8 outs (1/4'') wish is more than enough for me since I'm used to track per track recording. It features a software mixer wish is great to properly adjust levels. Also, there are 2 Octane preamp wish are very clean sounding, perhaps maybe too clean for my taste! The build in converter's are impressively good, delivering a proper sound imagery. There are 2 dedicated volume knobs for headphone, a basic but useful feature. There are SPDIF connectors for world clock or external converter's. My only major complaint is the lack of optical (Toslink) connexion, wish is hassle free for digital signal path (unlike SPDIF). The price is low for the quality of this interface since it perform very well for any project studio.

8/10

Protool M-Powered 8.0 review

Technical data


The first DAW I used almost 7 years ago was Sony Acid. After a couple of months, I was able to do all the basic operations regarding music production as this DAW is intuitive and easy to use. Then, a friend of mine introduced me to his Protool system and I bought a PCI M-Audio interface in order to try it more extensively. It became my favourite DAW since then. I actually use a Profire 610 (I will review this interface in my next post) as an interface and I'm pretty satisfied with this system. Everything is running on an Imac and my work flow is very fluid and productive. I really like the plugins included with Protool 8, basic but very useful. I tried to get used to Logic Studio that I bought with my Imac but the edit functions are not intuitive. I don't think that any DAW is better, its more a matter of getting used to it. For me, Protool is the most intuitive music production tool available.

9 / 10