2025: A Year in Gear (What You've Bought or Want to Buy in 2025)

[elxsound]

Spotykach arrived.

I haven’t tried anything with it yet, so here it is looking pretty. Hopefully tomorrow I can get into some things (knowing it’s essentially in a beta phase with an eventual roll out of all its features).

IMG_2025-07-23-010844.jpeg

[Shabdahbriah]

I spent time in Illustrator yesterday and while some things come back quickly, there are so many new tools for 1-click options. I don’t know if RX is there yet, but I’m hoping there’s something useful and quick.

iZotope RX? For quick-n-dirty clean-up of the usual suspects, even the 'Standard' edition is fine, but the "cool-kids" (in the know) have pretty-much moved over to Steinberg Spectralayers. Real 'updates' that matter, and added 'features' that work, and are of value, unlike the hype surrounding RX 'updates', which I quit doing (annually) @ v.7. I've had and used both since they came out, and Spectralayers is hands-down the real deal as far as versatility/flexibility/potentiality... (just sayin')

lol, I'm also still on RX v7 and have been thinking about switching over to Spectralayers. RX 7 still does what I need it to do and runs okay in Rosetta on my Mac Studio. I'm loath to learn a new tool, so I'll keep using it until the wheels fall off.

Big fan of "if it ain't broke...", unless you're customizing/tricking-out something (like face-plates/knobs, etc). However, there are functions Spectralayers performs that are more "art" or creative, than merely what the average or seemingly target audience "producer" user would be drawn to. When one becomes aware of them, as an 'artist' and has an (ah ha ) "I could do THIS with THAT" moment, it becomes a 'gift'.

[Shabdahbriah]

I still don't have a Morphagene, but could certainly crank out reels for them, with a little more research/feedback. Been feeling a strong urge to get back into synth programming/preset making, of late, and bought several synths recently for that very purpose... I have missed getting into that flow, though "editing" is generally even more so for me.

I use Reaper for making reels because it's really easy to create markers and export audio with those markers intact. If you haven't seen it, there is a web editor for reels: https://www.lorenzostanco.com/lab/morphagene/

I have a pretty big library of Morphagene reels at this point, something like 300 bits of audio. For rhythmic loops, I always have the same loop repeated twice in a reel, with a splice at each individual hit in the first section, then the whole loop, with just one splice at the beginning for the second section. That way you can choose if you want to play with each hit individually or scan though the whole clip. For droning reels, I spend a bit of time making seemless loops, and I put a bunch of them into a single reel, with spliced between them. This can lead to wavetable/like results. I had thought about releasing them as some kind of sound pack, but that sounds like a lot of work.

Oh cool! Thank you for all of that. Yes, that would indeed be a lot of work. Was not aware of that interesting 'web editor'. I downloaded the manual, and DLing other 'reels' as well.

Thanks particularly for the 'markers/splice' tips. I can get similar-ish 'wavetable/like' results with Phonogene, with very short splices. I've done all of my recording/editing/'markers' (just hit M key)/mixing in SoundForge since way way back, with an occasional dip into Cool Edit Pro. I rarely even open a "DAW", except to load a chain of effects, which I have become accustomed to doing in Cantabile. Quick and easy.

Curiously, the "six part" glued together* track I posted, was six sub-30-second take (each by 20-100 hundredths), yet soundcloud stretched it by 14-seconds. I probably used to know why that happens, but can't figure it out at the minute.

* I literally just grabbed and dragged the six segments onto the same track one after another. No mixing or cross-fades or anything. Anyway, it was fun!

[gaf_thit]

I spent time in Illustrator yesterday and while some things come back quickly, there are so many new tools for 1-click options. I don’t know if RX is there yet, but I’m hoping there’s something useful and quick.

iZotope RX? For quick-n-dirty clean-up of the usual suspects, even the 'Standard' edition is fine, but the "cool-kids" (in the know) have pretty-much moved over to Steinberg Spectralayers. Real 'updates' that matter, and added 'features' that work, and are of value, unlike the hype surrounding RX 'updates', which I quit doing (annually) @ v.7. I've had and used both since they came out, and Spectralayers is hands-down the real deal as far as versatility/flexibility/potentiality... (just sayin')

lol, I'm also still on RX v7 and have been thinking about switching over to Spectralayers. RX 7 still does what I need it to do and runs okay in Rosetta on my Mac Studio. I'm loath to learn a new tool, so I'll keep using it until the wheels fall off.

Big fan of "if it ain't broke...", unless you're customizing/tricking-out something (like face-plates/knobs, etc). However, there are functions Spectralayers performs that are more "art" or creative, than merely what the average or seemingly target audience "producer" user would be drawn to. When one becomes aware of them, as an 'artist' and has an (ah ha ) "I could do THIS with THAT" moment, it becomes a 'gift'.

Hmm, now I remembered that I have an old license for Spectralayers Pro 4, from back when it was Magix'. Found the email and the download link is still active, but I wonder if there is some upgrade path. Does anyone know?

[Shabdahbriah]

I have a cracked Tres guitar that I’m going to tune up and use later today. I’m hoping to get some nice results especially that it’s acoustic.

I used ferrous with the Wildkat, safe distance from pickups, and it was interesting. I was getting good results until I decided to record. It’s was crap at that point and I was too tired to keep going.

Today is that different day to explore more!

don't forget!!! 30 seconds of noises!!!

I really really wanted to do this, but became oblivious to times passage, as I got sucked into an "Ooh LOOK!... something shiny!" vortex of acquisition ever since that vid came out. Hopefully it will be an ongoing thing.

Are you sure you are going to pass? It's just 30 seconds.

I just sent mine off. Started super dark with morphagene set to slow & low, but my submission is glittery and cheery. I'm happy I resisted turning this into a drum loop... though I might need to try that now.

Yeah, well... Thanks for the reality-check. I stayed up most of the night to work through the hour and a half of 30-second 'variations' I'd done, and sent one off.

Posted a half dozen or so slapped together as one file, here:

https://soundcloud.com/obsidiananvil/ma ... ing-guitar

My toying with the Make Noise Morphagene reel by Walker, for the "continuing iterative music project", featured in the video "12-String Guitar Drones" on the Make Noise YouTube channel:

cool stuff
1) im guessing you got in, these were posted long before i got my notification id made it

2) i usually miss deadlines for these, so im happy to have made it this time!

3) {a} i can do the noise making, {b} its then the editing and {c} finding the right 30 seconds

4) i wont post here, but my first forays are on my youtube "chronocide" 1 and 2 both use this reel

Thank you.

1)

Thanks very much for sending this over! Excited to have you take part.

Look to hear this on the channel in a few weeks

2) Congratulations. Actually making it in on time is good!

3) {a} that you can. {b} I love that part. There are at least a hundred sub-second-to-2-second sounds/tones in that 'MOD' track I posted, that I could spend hours if not days, manipulating into an 'album' {c} Well yeah, there's that bit.

4) Checked them out. Fun stuff!

[Shabdahbriah]

Hmm, now I remembered that I have an old license for Spectralayers Pro 4, from back when it was Magix'. Found the email and the download link is still active, but I wonder if there is some upgrade path. Does anyone know?

It appears that upgrades only go back to v6.

SpectraLayers 12 Steinberg.png

[gaf_thit]

Hmm, now I remembered that I have an old license for Spectralayers Pro 4, from back when it was Magix'. Found the email and the download link is still active, but I wonder if there is some upgrade path. Does anyone know?

It appears that upgrades only go back to v6.


SpectraLayers 12 Steinberg.png

Ok, thanks for checking and posting

[FranklyFlawless]

After some deliberation, I have decided to shift priorities around to acquire the Desiderata Systems Seven Limit Mosaichord by the end of next month instead.

That is a very interesting controller.

What are these going for? There’s no price listed, no web store and just the contact us to order message. Super mysterious.

I would love to see how you get on with one of these!

$800 USD, which is roughly $1,100 CAD at the moment. Video recording equipment is out of my budget scope and priority list for a few years or more, but I can at least capture a photo of the controller when it is in my possession in the near future. The Erica Synths Steampipe can then follow shortly afterwards (within two-three months) as an MPE hardware synthesizer for both MPE hardware controllers.

No worries. I am just very curious to see it in action. I don’t see any user content online about it yet, but it looks super interesting.

Other than the YouTube link already posted, you can also see additional videos linked from the official Mastodon account:

• Jim Snow (@DesiderataSystems@mastodon.social) - Mastodon

However, it does not showcase the very recent implementation of the built-in synthesizer, and as a result, the product page and user manual are slightly outdated. Jim is prioritizing hand-assembly of a Mosaichord for me while balancing these updates, among other tasks, so eventually this information will be corrected.

Very interesting. As much as I’m guessing the built-in-synth is not the main point, I am curious what that’ll sound like.

Congrats on the purchase. Sounds like each one is a one-of-a-kind build.

I will mention to Jim about producing videos showcasing the Mosaichord's built-in synthesizer next Sunday. It uses the Teensy Audio Library, specifically with the Taped Synth Waveform oscillator:

• 
  OAdd on-board synth, refactor note API so callers don't need to track return values. · jimsnow/microtonal-controller@512c390 · GitHub

I have not finalized the transaction yet due to currency conversion, payment process and shipping complications, so it will be my main objective for the remainder of this and/or next week to fully resolve each step.

[foosnark]

I somehow wound up watching videos on the OBNE Dark Star Stereo and thinking that's what I'll pick up next, to complement the Slöer.

This has now happened. Just got word of a pay raise and also found a used one.

[whyterabbyt]

well, Ive been waiting a week longer than expected for an Oneiroi, because UPS are fecking useless.

Looks like the current iteration of Digital Village aka Music Store are fecking useless too, the delivery I finally got today contained a Roland JD-08.

[WatchTheGuitar]

well, Ive been waiting a week longer than expected for an Oneiroi, because UPS are fecking useless.

Looks like the current iteration of Digital Village aka Music Store are fecking useless too, the delivery I finally got today contained a Roland JD-08.

Hope whoever got your Oneiroi isn't stuck trying to gig with it as their drummer tonight.

[whyterabbyt]

well, Ive been waiting a week longer than expected for an Oneiroi, because UPS are fecking useless.

Looks like the current iteration of Digital Village aka Music Store are fecking useless too, the delivery I finally got today contained a Roland JD-08.

Hope whoever got your Oneiroi isn't stuck trying to gig with it as their drummer tonight.

"What do you mean drummer? I thought you said we needed a 'droner'"

[vurt]

Spotykach arrived.

I haven’t tried anything with it yet, so here it is looking pretty. Hopefully tomorrow I can get into some things (knowing it’s essentially in a beta phase with an eventual roll out of all its features).

IMG_2025-07-23-010844.jpeg

missed this! that looks lovely can't wait to hear it!!!

[vurt]

well, Ive been waiting a week longer than expected for an Oneiroi, because UPS are fecking useless.

Looks like the current iteration of Digital Village aka Music Store are fecking useless too, the delivery I finally got today contained a Roland JD-08.

Hope whoever got your Oneiroi isn't stuck trying to gig with it as their drummer tonight.

"What do you mean drummer? I thought you said we needed a 'droner'"

"orbital receive mixed reviews, after first gig of new tour: new experimental direction?"

[WatchTheGuitar]

As Smart Hulk said, this sounds like an absolute win.