2024: A Year in Gear (What You've Bought or Want to Buy in 2024)

[WatchTheGuitar]

So I didn’t have Yamaha releasing some kind of TE OP-Z style groovebox on my 2024 bingo card…

Pushing out a highly AWM preset-centric product now just seems a spectacularly odd move. I would love to know if they do any market research.

That does look kind of cool. A great thing for your mate to buy, so you can play with it then give it back.

Not sure what you mean about AWM though.

It’s what Yamaha moved to after all the DX range FM synths, it was their thing in the nineties.

[Double Tap]

So I didn’t have Yamaha releasing some kind of TE OP-Z style groovebox on my 2024 bingo card…

Pushing out a highly AWM preset-centric product now just seems a spectacularly odd move. I would love to know if they do any market research.

That does look kind of cool. A great thing for your mate to buy, so you can play with it then give it back.

Not sure what you mean about AWM though.

It’s what Yamaha moved to after all the DX range FM synths, it was their thing in the nineties.

I’m guessing that the lack of vsts dedicated to modelling AWM sounds means it wasn’t very good?

[WatchTheGuitar]

I’m guessing that the lack of vsts dedicated to modelling AWM sounds means it wasn’t very good?

Actually it can sound good and get quite close to ‘real’ instrument sounds but the problem is it’s never been suited to sound design because it’s complicated to create sounds with so a lot of the time AWM synths end up just being used like ROMplers.

[ghettosynth]

AWM is just Yamaha marketing speak for sampling.

https://europe.yamaha.com/en/products/c ... index.html

They called their combination of AWM with FM and filters "real time convolution modulation, "or RCM. The 80s and 90s were all about inventing clever acronyms to a naïve digital world, LA synthesis, VAST, AWM, etc.

[foosnark]

The 80s and 90s were all about inventing clever acronyms to a naïve digital world, LA synthesis, VAST, AWM, etc.

Yep, each of the major manufacturers had to have a new acronym and patent every couple of years for extremely slight variations (or just the descriptions) of the same technology. Oh yeah, they may have PCM but only we have AXPOOP synthesis with Advanced eXtended Pulse Onset OPerators!

Thinking really hard about an Auza Wave Packets

Stopped thinking and bought one (used). Is it a violation of my New Gear's Resolutions? I kinda don't care, I still feel justified.

[cryophonik]

Stopped thinking and bought one (used). Is it a violation of my New Gear's Resolutions? I kinda don't care, I still feel justified.

A formal complaint has been filed with the New Year’s Resolution Compliance Commission (NYRCC). Hope you have a good lawyer.

[vurt]

Thinking really hard about an Auza Wave Packets. I haven't been using my Teletype that much lately, with Bitwig Grid integration pretty much taking over its roles. So that means I might have some space to play with, and while I don't really need anything, something a bit weird that does both modulation and audio and is apparently very well loved by the few people who have one might fit the bill.

that the error instruments module?
i got a flyer from signal sounds for that with my schtick!
with the bricky format stuff on the other side.

extra temptation in parcels!! not fair!!

[foosnark]

that the error instruments module?

Monome Teletype. It's a little computer with a screen that you plug a USB keyboard into to write scripts, mostly for sequencing and CV or gate processing (it can't handle audio rates). It has an i2c port on the back to interface with some other modules -- it unlocks some extra features on Just Friends for instance.

But most of what I've actually used it for is stuff I can do easily enough with Bitwig Grid. The extra JF features mostly came down to using it as a harmonic oscillator, and I can also do that well enough in software that I'm not bothered about it.

[vurt]

ah, different thing then. i was wondering how what you said bitwig did, how it replaced the module? but now it makes sense! thanks.

[foosnark]

Also I went ahead and bought a Toppobrillo Cluster. It'll replace my Blinds, and is slightly more aligned with how I've been using those sorts of utilities anyway. An OG Mutable Instruments Blinds probably sells for more anyway.

Once this stuff goes in, I'll have a total of 14HP of free space to think about.

[ghettosynth]

Once this stuff goes in, I'll have a total of 14HP of free space to think about.

Don't spend it all in one place!

[kritikon]

I just ordered one of these for $529. Probably wouldn't have got one without the sale - they usually go for $700 in NZ (rip-off, I know ). Instantly after I bought it, I found one at Rockshop for $499. Usually Rockshop are the most expensive of them all but just this once they're the cheapest in the country - that'll learn me to research properly before I buy. Also $18 for delivery, whereas there's a Rockshop locally, so I could have picked it up there and saved $48 all up. That really rips my knickers



TBH I wasn't overly sold on the Cat, but saw this YT vid where they actually coax some better sounds out of it than the usual numpty YT stock sounds, and its potential weirdness with modulation very much appeals now. Was going to order a Minilogue XD but that might have to wait now...until next week

[kritikon]

Then I remembered they have these little 3-synth stands: which would be good for the Cat and Wasp together. Then the dilemma of having a 3rd empty space which OBVS needs filling. As far as I can see the Boog is the only other 70HP desktop that'd fit in there. And I don't want a Moog, don't much like them. So what to do?

[ghettosynth]

TBH I wasn't overly sold on the Cat, but saw this YT vid where they actually coax some better sounds out of it than the usual numpty YT stock sounds, and its potential weirdness with modulation very much appeals now. Was going to order a Minilogue XD but that might have to wait now...until next week

Great video. I think that sounds closer to the original than any other video that I've seen. The combination of the LFO with the looping EG and modulation makes for a fun experimental platform.

[ghettosynth]

This looks to be 70, but I might be wrong. Of course, not actually confirmed yet, but, this would be tits with the Cat and Wasp together.