Home of AiR Drive + JAZ Drive | Joono MIDI Controllers Plugins
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1st December 2024 > Added many sysex banks for Yamaha DX synthesizers!
30th November 2024 > Added AKAI section in soundware.
22nd November 2024 > New banks for AlphaJuno1/2 and MKS-50
Acrobatics Pro Bank Volume 1 and JamP Bank now available. Check the section!
19th November 2024 > Trance Glance!
Added Yamaha TG500 free downloadable "Trance Glance I" bank of original voices.
3rd November 2024 > Alieno 3.0.4 VSTi update!
The new Alieno 3.0 "Disclosure Edition" VST instrument is almost perfect by now:
modulation matrix pages completed (3 slots available plus routing), six new effects:
panner, flanger, pitch shifter, echo, ensamble, filtering!
Originally written for KVR website DC 2007 competition, Alieno is Acrobatics' peculiar performance monophonic synthesizer with advanced step-modulation.
It is easely suitable for lead lines, sequences and special FX synthesis. SCI-FI look and feel with 12 skins and a plenty of original sounds in the extended library included.
A deeper edit is guaranteed by the object-oriented graphic interface, letting you choose between different sound generators, filters and modulations schemes just as in a spaceship environment. The machine sports also chorus, pan, flanger, warp, delay, echo, pitch shifting and reverb effects: join the space battle today!
EGO Pad VSTiElectronic Groove Operator
EGO software redesigned for a new era. Pad version sports a shiny mathematic, clean design based on cells in rows and columns sequencing, a useful command section to edit/copy/paste/randomize sequences in realtime, and keeping available EGO 1.x Laser Motion view too.
EGO audio design options were expanded so much during development from version 1.x to version 2.0 - 2.4 and the brand new 2.5, allowing modular approach connecting sequences to synthesising & FX sections in many ways. Wave track uses by choice different generation processes like fixed wavetables (organized in ROMs and CARDs), mathematically-generated drawable wavetables, sample-generated wavatables.
Also, the new included 4-track sequences drum machine allows to build full musical sketches or whole mini-songs, using 25 Mbytes of carefully selected samples in 16-steps sequences user full edit of steps and conditionals steps, or using hundreds of traditional and generated rhythms ported from the discontinued Acrobatics Clave VSTi project.
All the synthesis process is followed by various analisys graphs that helps the user to build his own programs - literally - seeing the sound while it is built, in the same, expanded, philosophy of Alieno plugin.
Scale VSTi
Scale is a VST MIDI tool for filtering and altering incoming MIDI notes in your favourite DAW software. Lets user select diatonic or non-diatonic scale from major, minor, esatonic and pentatonic scale in any root key and automatically calculates valid notes for that scale.
Off-scale notes coming from MIDI input may be filtered out using "Filter" mode or re-assign to adiacent notes using "RePitch" mode. GUI interface shows allowed notes in scale and a colour scheme of semitone, tone, 3 semitones jumps in full sync with all settings and views.
AiR Drive / JAZ Drive VSTi
AiR Drive is a MIDI Controller dedicated exclusively to Jomox(R) AiRBase99 drum machine module. The plugin synchronises all kits parameters, bank & program changes along with remote editing and remote storing function, allowing strict dialoge from DAW with the original hardware. It also includes alternative or simultaneous Send/Receive CC#s messages, to act both as a controller or as a librarian with mouse preview triggering and muting of pieces during edit or play.
Demo limitations: Snare & Rim controls, storing function disabled.
Ordering a full working version AiR Drive and you'll receive the bonus JAZ Drive controller plugin for Jomox JAZBase03, handling the different samples set and its additional parameters.
Joono 2020 VSTi
Emulator + Controller + Librarian for AlphaJuno-1/2 and MKS-50 hardware synthesizers.
This is an ever-growing project started many years ago as a pure emulator, then expanded and twisted by Acrobatics along the years allowing controlling original machines via SYSEX messages and saving/exchanging tones and patches (requires a VST capable of managing SYSEX).
Campione VSTi
Try the endles modulation possibilities of Campione, a smart looping sample-player. It loads WAV files and treat them with 3 synchronised graphical waves. Once a .WAV format sample file is loaded, the plugin allows to apply start and end points of play, looping, reversing, with velocity response, transposition and keytracking over the MIDI keyboard.
Three special effects processors follow looping settings in full syncronization: rhtythmic Sample Rate modulation, 24dB LowPass filtering and amplitude gating allows very bizarre time-squashes and frequency sculpting.
Version 1.1.7
32bit
FREE
DOWNLOAD
Mate VSTi
A hands-on, simple desktop musicians friend, inspired by synthesizers of the seventies and eighties: produces original synth tones and reproduces strings pianos, basses, organs and bells patches with ease, but it can also explore wild and spacey atmos using its flexible modulation options and smart programming. Although it is polyphonies capable, the carefully programmed analogue response makes the resulting sound character something between Roland SH-101 and ARP Axxe vintage synthesizers.
- Controllable powerful LFO with selectable Square, Ramp/Saw, Sinus waveforms, positive and negative modulation options on oscillators and filter, linear attack and release modulation times.
- User mixable waveforms for additive synthesis as in original seventies synthesizers: square, saw, sub (-12,-24,-36 transpose options) with 3 waveforms selection: square, saw or sine, plus brown noise generator, level sliders each.
- 24db LowPass filter for powerful subtractive synthesis, natural resonance, controllable via MIDI, 4-stage envelope, polyphonic keytrack and LFO modulation section.
- 4-stage full linear envelope to control oscillators and filter section, switchable modes for flexible amplification via an auxiliary gate or using the modulation section times.
Minisynth FRET, GRIT, PEAK VSTi
The Minisynth series collection consist of three instruments: FRET, GRIT and PEAK.
As an overall concept, Acrobatics simplified controls and packed implementations to the highest grade to push-up users creativity first and give steady look and maximum usability to the three polyphonic synthesizers.
Common look and feel and standardized location of knobs and switches goes in the direction of helping musician when in a busy musical work, when certainly requires fast access to basic synthesis controls and settings to fit in the mix. The Minisynth series collection is also suitable for educational purpouses for its separate interpretations of synthesis methods and applications.
Forbice VST
A stereo filtering module providing maximum tools for audio cutting and mangling, whether they are drumloops, voice or instrument recordings or audio samples. The full-stereo and flexible architecture allows complex configurations of parameters and true musical interaction of envelope and filters with user audio input contents.
Two channels -12/-24/-36/-48 dB LowPass filter is driven dynamically through a fast AHR envelope, keytracked and modulated by a synchronized/free running full-featured LFO.
Also available are high-pass resonant filtering, bitcrushing and distortion stages. The effect unit features full VST & MIDI control and a flexible routing of signal with additional balance, mix and dynamics fine-tune processing.
Version 1.0.2
32bit
DONATIONWARE
Doom VST
Filter cutting and limiting combination plugin for home production and DJs. Features 24dB lowpass stereo filter and stereo limiter with independent stages, smooth controls, bulb metering, L/R balance and phase inversion tools.
Spirale VST
A proprietary, original technology delivers natural stereo echoing using very clean delay, filter and pan algorhythms adding subtle modulation to the feedbacked signal without introducing any unwanted distortion into the signal.
Spirale features self-synchronization to host (DAW) with regular, dotted and triplet delay times including off-beat fine tuning, full compatibility with unusual time signatures and smooth auto-adaption to value/tempo changes: that makes the plugin work for the most modern dub tweaks or electro-twirls in studio or live performances - it gently follows YOUR time!
The plugin also features advanced morphing capability for each preset with a dedicated slider, host sequencer automation, intelligent MIDI control from external devices, 24 presets slots filled with nice effect programs ready to use and a comprehensive english operating manual.
Operating Manual
Rombo VST
Distortion madness for fun, fun, fun! A true stereo quality choice for drums, synths, guitar or bass dynamic overdrive processing.
Rombo captures all the dynamics of your audio material with two discreete envelope followers, then uses the full stereo signal to drive an exclusive dynamic saturation algorhythm. Big knobs allows perfect fine tuning and the VU meter emulation let you instantly monitor the signal all over the effect chain.
Vento VST
A high-structured 4 voices chorus/ensamble which treats every voice with a different harmonic modulation, and includes an additional tremolo section giving further shine and sculpting possibilities using the same voicing architecture.
Each parameter is fully tweakable with dedicated knobs for speed and separation of chorusing, giving maximum flexibility and dramatic, smooth changes to the signal, that can vary from monophonic tube-flangers to incredibly rich and detailed stereo smearings. The effect unit receives keytrack and aftertouch signals, giving way to extra modulation possibilites directly from your keyboard or MIDI guitar through the VST host system.
Stop VST
"Stop" is a simple tool for "slowing" down any audio signal.
The hand button produces the same effect of modifying the speed of a tape recorder and can be used in both directions: normal speed to zero speed or vice versa. The blue graphic slider sets the total time of the effect and the pink bar shows the action proceeding.
soundware
Acrobatics Software
infos & resources
Virus
Virus TI/TI2 Third-Party Banks
All archives in this section are [.ZIP] files containing [.SYX] sysex files as bank format (loadable in RAM banks A/B/C/D or via Access Virus manager in any ROM bank).
Plasma Audio Bass Soundset V1
Download "Virus_Plasma_Audio_Bass_Soundset_V1"
A bank dedicated to basses from Plasma Audio Team (Morph & Safire). The original file is dated 12-10-2016.
soundware
Acrobatics Software
infos & resources
AKAI Generics
AKAI Operating Systems
Download "acrobatics_AKAI_resources_OS.zip"
Collection of binary files [.BIN], COD files [.COD] or Windows executable [.EXE] for updating the OS of various S-series and MPC-series samplers.
AKAI Additional Infos & Schemes
A [PDF] document where I summurize AKAI models & expansion cards.
Download "AKAI_models_&_expansions.pdf"
soundware
Acrobatics Software
infos & resources
TD-3
Behringer TD-3
Electric Universe Patterns
Download "acrobatics_Electric Universe_Patterns"
Collection of EU patterns to be loaded using Behringer's SynthTools application, files are in proprietary [.SEQ] format.
soundware
Acrobatics Software
infos & resources
Nova
KStation
Novation NovaNova Overview
The Nova is a stripped-down Supernova virtual analogue synthesizer, compatible with the sounds of flagship units but lacking extensive FM, unison voicing control as well as some trivial things like looping envelopes (you can use the nice arpeggiator instead). A very powerful 3-osc/16-voices/6-parts polyphonic synthesizer in a likeable futuristic casing, equipped with professional digital/analogue converters that makes the overall sound stands tall in comparison with the later grey serie of the same brand (namely KS, KSR, KS4/5): big bottom-end, nice definition of sound and smooth filters (a plenty of combinations, if you update the OS). The slightly downgraded architecture is a plus in some ways too, because processors are not so busy as the in "bigger star"' and therefore responds much better to MIDI input, even not suffering of jitter and instability of incoming signals. (Andrea "Acrobat" Capanna)
Nova Third-Party Banks
All archives collected in this section are [.ZIP] files containing [.SYX] sysex and Soundquest format files. Supernova related files are previously converted for the Nova machines.
bruddahmax
Download "Novation_Nova_bruddahmax"
A miscellaneous bank of 127 programs. The original file is dated 29-02-2004.
gkeller
Download "Novation_Nova_gkeller"
A miscellaneous bank of 127 programs. The original file is dated 6-01-2004.
Spectrum 1/2/3/4/5
Download "Novation_Nova_Spectrum_Banks"
Five (5) different banks of 127 programs each: three are miscellanous stuff, one is dedicated to basses and the last has mixed effects, pianos and organs, synthesized drums. Original files are dated 2-01-2004.
supernova dee
Download "Novation_Nova_supernova_dee"
A miscellaneous bank of 127 programs. The original file is dated 2-01-2004.
TranceMission
Download "Novation_Nova_TranceMission"
A trance music bank of 127 programs. The original file is dated 2-01-2004.
Yahoo Group Contest
Download "Novation_Nova_Yahoo Group_Contest"
A miscellaneous bank of 127 programs, assembled by members of the user group. The original file is dated 6-01-2004.
Nova Factory Banks
All archives in this section are [.ZIP] files containing [.SYX] sysex and Soundquest format files. These Supernova related files are specifically converted for loading onto Nova machines.
Novation Nova Factory A/B/C/D
Download "Novation_Nova_Factory_Program_Banks"
Original, full set of factory banks for Nova desktop/keyboard.
Novation Supernova 2.0 Factory A/B/C/D/E/F/G/H
Download "Novation_Supernova_2_0_Factory_Program_Banks"
Original, full set of factory banks for Supernova rack/keyboard version 2.0.
Novation Supernova 3.1 Factory C/D/E/F
Download "Novation_Supernova_3_1_Factory_Program_Banks"
Original factory banks for Supernova rack/keyboard version 3.1.
Novation Nova additional infos and schemes
Open/Download "Nova_Controller_Map"
A [.PDF] document compiled by Andrea Capanna containing MIDI CCs (continuous controllers) mapping. This is useful for Nova series remote parameters management via MIDI.
Novation KStationKStation Overview
This is chronologically the first product of "grey" line of synthesizers from Novation. A couple of years after the success of the blue line Novation introduced KStation and A-Station modules, followed later by more powerful KS4, KS6 and KSR 19" rack. All those synthesizers have almost the same analogue-like synth architecture, with small spices of FM added. On all of them you can find great accessibility to parameters (specially in the keyboard versions) but poorer technology in D/A output restitution compared to Supernova and Nova machines, ending up in less clarity, particularly in very low and very high frequencies. Nonetheless, the acquired experience of the brand shines in the clear and unexpected fact that less technology someway results in better programmability and end-user satisfaction, IMHO. The formula was ported also in virtual form with the compatible VSTi "V-Station", a very popular tool on the DAWs and a very much used instrument even to these days. (Andrea "Acrobat" Capanna)
KStation Third-Party Banks
Arpeggios & Motions Banks
Download "Novation_KS_Arpeggios_&_Motions.zip"
These are two banks of miscellaneous sounds from BearNoamh, for a total of 161 patches.
CyberLandScape Bank
Download "Novation_KS_CyberLandScape.zip"
This is a bank of miscellaneous patches from CyberWorm3.
Dan McGuire Bank
Download "Novation_KS_Dan_McGuire.zip"
This is a bank of 29 miscellaneous patches from Dan McGuire.
TyrannoSoundEngine Bank
Download "Novation_KS_TyrannoSoundEngine.zip"
This is a bank of miscellaneous patches from m. mix & b.n. magix.
KStation Factory Banks
All archives collected in this section are [.ZIP] files containing [.SYX] sysex and Soundquest format files. Supernova related files are previously converted for the Nova machines.
Download "Novation_KS_Factory_Banks_&_Patches"
A miscellaneous bank of 127 programs. The original file is dated 29-02-2004.
soundware
Acrobatics Software
infos & resources
DX serie
TX16W
TX81Z
SY85/TG500
Yamaha DX serieDX serie Overview
This Yamaha serie (DX7 being the most famous model) is THE reference for Frequency Modulation synthesizing since the 80ies. The fact is confirmed by numerous compatible devices being made to these days, from Native Instruments' early "FM7" VSTi plugin up to recent small and curious hardware devices doing almost the same job, but somewhat confusing the original formula of the eighties. FM synthesizing is a typical love/hate situation in electronic music because it is a counter-intuitive way of costructing the sound: instead of filtering harmonics from a richful waveform like in classic subractive synthesis, you are supposed to add them using sine operators, arrange them in a FM algorhythm from the 32 available, then modulate their inter-dependence with tracking (pendence upon keyboard), velocity (hitting) and in time (evolution with envelopes). Being practical, it looks like a money-game: giving away it's easier than earning some - and, worse that that, altering a patch is so tricky that ends up being destructive/depressive in most cases. The plenty of files around the internet partly reveal that difficulty, as they are effectively just slight variations one-another, arguibly branching off from very a few basic schemes and, presumingly, from a small group of well-thought experts of the past. Luckily, that depression-mark is easily recognizable by a good ear, can be used conveniently to toss those "derivative programs" and find the true jewelery that makes everyone "WOW", the ones that I hope I've been giving out for these Acrobatics collections. (Andrea "Acrobat" Capanna)
DX Custom Banks
DX Collection 1
Download "acrobatics_DX_Collection_1.zip"
Selected miscellaneous patches by Acrobat for Yamaha DX serie, the [.ZIP] file archive contains sysex format file, [.FXB] VST bank format files.
DX Basses Bank
Download "acrobatics_DX_Basses_Bank.zip"
Selected bass patches by Acrobat for Yamaha DX serie. The [.ZIP] file archive contains either sysex format file and SoundQuest bank format files.
DX Bells Bank
Download "acrobatics_DX_Bells_Bank.zip"
Selected bells patches by Acrobat for Yamaha DX serie. The [.ZIP] file archive contains either sysex format file and SoundQuest bank format files.
DX Effects Bank
Download "acrobatics_DX_Effects_Bank.zip"
Selected effects patches by Acrobat for Yamaha DX serie. The [.ZIP] file archive contains either sysex format file and SoundQuest bank format files.
DX Organs Bank
Download "acrobatics_DX_Organs_Bank.zip"
Selected organ patches by Acrobat for Yamaha DX serie. The [.ZIP] file archive contains either sysex format file and SoundQuest bank format files.
DX Pianos Bank
Download "acrobatics_DX_Pianos_Bank.zip"
Selected piano patches by Acrobat for Yamaha DX serie. The [.ZIP] file archive contains either sysex format file and SoundQuest bank format files.
DX Synths (Long) Bank
Download "acrobatics_DX_Synths_Long_Bank.zip"
Selected synthesizer patches by Acrobat for Yamaha DX serie. The [.ZIP] file archive contains either sysex format file and SoundQuest bank format files.
Yamaha TX16WTX16W Overview
This Yamaha introduced this sampler - based on a Motorola chip - as a market alternative to Akai ones, but this module has its bright and personal sound anyway. Unfortunately the operating system was slow and un-intuitive, and inhibits every will to use it as a real tool for mangling and trasforming audio material, as it was happening with such popoular machines as S-1000 or S3000. In the year 2000 NuEdge developed a new "Typhoon" custom OS that really free-up completely its real potentials but it was probably too late, as the whole market of samplers was crumbling down under the storm of software samplers and VST. (Andrea "Acrobat" Capanna)
TX16W Custom Banks
Acrobatics Stacks
Download "acrobatics_TX16W_Stacks.zip"
Acrobat assembled this disk collecting hits, fx, chords for a 90's feel using Typhoon OS and various sources (records, compacts discs, synths, sampler discs). After extraction of the [.ZIP] archive, you need to copy the [.ISO] image file to a DoubleDensity 3,5" disk or to a pen drive if you have substituted the original drive with a USB reader.
Yamaha TX81ZTX81Z Overview
This Yamaha module is so famous for the ubiquous C-15 patch "Lately Bass" that people still buy the unit just for having that particular sound in their arsenal. We can easily stigmatize those beahaviours but there is no discussion that "Lately Bass" is a very well-programmed patch that fits so nicely in house, techno, or disco-pop arrangements, mainly because of its recognisable double attack and its fatty, dully body of timbre. Anyway, the TX81Z (and its keyboard version DX11) can do a lot more things than a good bass: despite its age, it is a 4-operators - 16 waveforms - 32 algorhythms full -fledged FM synthesizer with sophisticated tracking and envelopes. As for humans' "actual" use of this unit, I guess we can go in two, completely different directions of creativity, wheather you like arranging or synthesizing the most. As a proud "preset-man" you might enjoy FM typical belly or bright, incisive sounds (and there are a lot to check, believe me, in many categories that I will cover-up shortly with my personal selections); on the contrary, as a fearless "synthetist", you can abandon yourself and go err in FM unpredictability with a smart external editor at your side, that would certainly bring that TX "elsewhere" everytime - hopefully in some beautiful, uncharted or non-melodic territories. To my own ears, this unit is absolutely the most distant thing from ultra-controllable, soft and surgical sound of virtual analogue devices we are used to, nonetheless its rusty feel has nothing in common with the irregularities of VCO or VCO-like machines too: TX81Z is surely rigidly and distinctively "eighties" in results as every Yamaha FM synthesizer (and that's a good fact, afterall) but not so "round" and "complete" sounding like 6-operators modules, those last fitting the mix with much more authority. (Andrea "Acrobat" Capanna)
TX81Z Custom Banks
Acrobatics Bass Bank
Download "acrobatics_TX81Z_Bass.zip"
Selected and original patches by Acrobat for Yamaha TX81Z rack module, the [.ZIP] file archive contains sysex format file, [.FXB] VST bank format file and text list of single programs included.
Acrobatics Organ Bank
Download "acrobatics_TX81Z_Organ.zip"
Selected and original patches by Acrobat for Yamaha TX81Z rack module, the [.ZIP] file archive contains sysex format file, [.FXB] VST bank format file and text list of single programs included.
Acrobatic Piano Bank
Download "acrobatics_TX81Z_Piano.zip"
Selected and original patches by Acrobat for Yamaha TX81Z rack module, the [.ZIP] file archive contains sysex format file, [.FXB] VST bank format file and text list of single programs included.
TX81Z Factory Banks
Download "Yamaha_TX81Z_Factory_Banks.zip"
Original four factory programs (32 patches each) to restore A,B,C,D banks in Yamaha TX81Z rackmount FM synthesizer.
The [.ZIP] file archive contains either sysex format file and SoundQuest bank format files.
TX81Z Additional Schemes & Infos
TX81Z Algorhythms
Open/Download "TX81Z_algorhythms.pdf"
A scheme of TX81Z/DX11 algorhythms connecting the four operators available in different ways. [.PDF] file by Acrobat..
TX81Z Sysex Messages
Open/Download "fLUX_TX81Z_sysex.pdf"
fLUX shows us some fast & useful SYSEX codes for altering machine's programs on the fly.
SY85 / TG500 Overview
Not to be confused with the professional SY77/99 or the economic SY22/35 series, Yamaha SY85 is a synthesizer/workstation introduced on the market in 1993, along with the rack version TG500. Both machine has a very bright sound, lots of synthesizing capabilites and a very impressive effects sections. The generator is based on internal AWM2 (PCM) waveforms with digital filters and envelopes, although the engine is capable of loading samples as long as the SRAM internal slots are properly filled. TG500 has bigger polyphony (64 notes) but splitted in two "parts", one which belongs to the SY85 AWM2 waves and the other linked to a TG500 second ROM of waves which contains some interesting additions, reaching a total 8MB of ROM. Both machines can handle PCM cards (quite rare nowadays) and memory cards for additional waveforms and storage. The PCM slot can host the recent and smart SECTOR101 special device card for a fast USB bridge with modern PCs. (Andrea "Acrobat" Capanna)
SY85 / TG500 Custom Banks
Acrobatics Trance Glance
Download "acrobatics_TG500_Trance_Glance_I.zip"
Acrobatics developed two original voice banks for TG500 that differs as lot from classic sounds of the synthesizer, with the purpouse in mind of giving a more 2000s feel to the machine and a deep use of filters and effects. Some programs make use of TG500 exclusive waveforms bank II, all the others are loadable in YAMAHA SY85 keyboard too.
Bank I is available for free and Bank II is available separately on request. Custom Drum kits are also included.
The [.ZIP] file archive contains either sysex format file and SoundQuest bank format files, loads up into Bank I and Drum Kit on I-I-63 drum kit location.
Get the [.PDF] list of voices for Trance Glance I and for Trance Glance II for further information.
SY85 Factory Banks
Download "Yamaha_SY85_Factory_Banks.zip"
Default two factory voice banks and one perform bank to restore in Yamaha SY85 synthesizer. Drum kits also included.
These are also compatible and the very same stuff found on a mint TG500 rackmount located in banks "I" and "II".
The [.ZIP] file archive contains either sysex format file and SoundQuest bank format files, whole bank versions and single voices.
JoMoX MBase11MBase11 Overview
This JoMoX module can be considered a spin-off from their drums modules of the nineties, like XBase09 or AiRBase serie, and it is specifically dedicated to bass drum. The predecessor MBase01 was already very flexible, but this new version with slight additions really can produce almost any kick sound you can imagine with a very exhausting analogue sound scheme including compression, timed or synced LFO modulations, mixable pulses, harmonics, noise and metallic sound sources.
MBase 11 Acrobatics Vintage Collections 1 & 2
Collections VC1 & VC2 are individual sound programs (twelve each) imitating some of the most well-known and ispiring drum machine kick sounds of the past.
Download "acrobatics_MBase VC1.zip"
Careful reproductions of Yamaha RY30/RX7/RX5, LinnDrum, E-MU SP12 & 1200, Roland TR-707/808/909/606, Fricke MFB-512 kick sounds.
Download "acrobatics_MBase VC2.zip"
Careful reproductions of Oberheim DMX, Drumulator and a plenty of variations for Roland TR-909/808 kick sounds.
MBase11 Acrobatics Psy Kicks
Download "acrobatics_MBase PK1.zip"
A dozen individual , original [.SYX] files programmed by Acrobat and dedicated to psychedelic trance kick drum sounds.
MBase01/11 additional infos and schemes
MBase11 Acrobatics Patcher
Download "acrobatics_MBase_Patcher.zip"
The [.ZIP] archive contains a database in [.XLS] format, built to carefully take note of your MBase (01/11) programs and eventually print them out on paper. Other than a simple reminder tool, the sheet computes your data and translate them in HEXADECIMAL values, so entering a full program means automatically getting appropriate SYSEX string codes.
Oberheim Matrix 6/6R/1000Matrix 6/6R/1000 Overview
These units were introduced at the end of the eighties, clearly as representing "Oberheim sound for the masses". The philosophy and character of the brand is well respected as they still produce the typical fat american sound of Tom's classic machines at a quite affordable price, despite using data entries instead of knob twigglings. The Matrix1000 rack version (which saw a second edition in white too) sports an impressive amount of nice presets too, still allowing full editing in remote on the first two banks but lacking the layering possibilities of 6/6R. The oscillators are digitially controlled (the machine tunes itself automatically at power-on) and the LP filter is a very roaring and self-oscillating one. The overall sound is so powerful, rusty and "erratic" you can easily doubt it is a DCO (nothing in common with the silk, clean sound of Roland Juno 106, for example) and more similar to a Voltage Controlled synthesizer. The two oscillators per voice are syncable in three different ways, can be unisoned and have, apart from classic PWM, the rare TWM modulation (ramp trasforming into triangle waveform) that's so nice for imitating brasses and strings. More over, "Matrix" means "matrix modulation" at its real best (there are sixteen slots where you can modulate almost anything with anything else) and the results are wonderfully complex or unpredictable if carefully programmed.
Matrix 6/6R/1000 Third-Party Banks
KID NEPRO
Download "Oberheim_Matrix_KID_NEPRO.zip"
This is a demonstrational bank from KID NEPRO, with just five single patches. Original file is dated 24-05-1996.
SoundQuest Template Banks
Download "Oberheim_Matrix_SoundQuest_Template_Banks.zip"
These are three banks of miscellaneous patches, included in SoundQuest program. Original files are dated 3/10/1995.
Matrix 1000 Factory (ROM) Banks
Download "Oberheim_Matrix1000_Factory_Banks.zip"
These are the banks 2xx...9xx (800 single patches in total) extracted from a M-1000, loadable into 6/6R units too.
BOSS DR-660DR-660 Overview
This unit could easily disappear in smoke like many other digital drum machines of its class and age but, when some years ago electronic producer Legowelt endorsed its use, it somewhat reached a sort of nobility status back again. Undoubtlely It has some magic inside that the whole ravamp seems reasonable. Although it sadly tends to overheat and got a terribly lousy MIDI in connetion that sometimes requires fixing, it sounds way better than subsequents DR-770 and DR-880 that have a bigger memory in the pattern/song section by their side. This Dr.Rhythm got a nice set of samples built-in too, surely coming from the same family of sounds that you can find on many Roland modules of the time (it is sort of a R8 Mk2 sample set, with some strategic 909 and 808 pieces) and their typical arrangement in single or double layer, with "nuance" parameter balancing multi-samples in just the same way as R8 modules. Of course we cannot add exotic samples via PCM cards, but the manipulation of "pitch" and "decay" parameters is much more handy than in R8M module i.e., as it takes advantage of the full-size alpha dial on top-right allowing to be more creative in a hurry, usually cranking up very low or very high pitched sounds that beautifully rely very a few with the initial sample you started from. Generally speaking, the DR-660 sounds more "compressed" to my ears compered with R8s - definitely not "dry" as R series - first probably for the memory-saving engineering that shorten sample-data where possible (as in many PCM-based modules of the time) and then because onboard reverb, chorus, flanger and delay effects can be added to the whole kit or even to single pads. A solid, clear architecture, not so studio-dependent like R8s and not so toy-sounding as other desktop drum machines. (Andrea "Acrobat" Capanna)
DR-660 Vintage Collection 1
Download "acrobatics_DR-660_VC1.zip"
These are twelve (12) individual drum kits originally programmed by Thrax in the late nineties. They carefully imitate some of the most well-known and ispiring electronic drum machines of the past (like TR-707, TR-808 and TR-909) in a different way than what Roland proposes with factory default kits, plus some rock and pop drum kits exceptions.
Roland AlphaJuno-1/2 + MKS-50AlphaJuno-1/2 + MKS-50 Overview
The Roland AJ-1, AJ-2 (1986) and MKS-50 (1987) are very peculiar 6-voices poliphonic synthesizers from Roland, with DCO oscillators, analogue filter and 7-stages envelope. The synthesising scheme is similar to the older Juno machines but really has its special character in the curious 5-segments envelope, the chord mode and the arrangement with unique tracking of voice, where the single oscillator mixes many waveform together at different octaves. For these reasons the machine is particularly suited for layered voices and loved by many acidcore, hardcore and gabber artists, and may be programmed to sound very similar to another great Roland synth of the past, SH-101. It is also capable of lots of complex sounds and very nice organs TMHO, but since the polyphony is limited to six notes, sounds like bells or strings are affected by an inesorable cutting of the tails in release stage. The keyboard versions (with their typical narrow profile) has programs made of "TONES" only and a global setting for voicing management, while the 1U rack version has also "PATCHES" for giving those extra parameters in a rudimental branching scheme (usually disliked by musicians for being confusing). The rack version MKS-50 has a 16 slots CHORD bank too, and that's where the PATCH settings become useful: attaching a special group of notes to your TONE and giving birth to powerful unisons, in a similar way to what happens in bigger Jupiters/MKS-80s.
If you mix-up the AJs' unique chording with the multistage envelope. well, that's exactly what happened to a factory tone named "What the", that occasionally became a famous sound used on the track "Mentasm", a techno hit of the past, and that's certainly history. (Andrea "Acrobat" Capanna)
AlphaJuno-1/2 + MKS-50 Custom Banks
Acrobatics Pro Bank Volume 1
Download "acrobatics_ALPHA_Pro_Bank_V1.zip"
Pro Bank V1 promises to give a new shine to your AlphaJunos or MKS-50. It is an Acrobatics bank filled with sixty-four (64) miscellaneous materials (mainly pads, synth voices, plucks, pianos, guitars and some harder tones) created and assembled by Andrea "Acrobat" Capanna that selected some of the best tones in his personal library for MKS-50 and AlphaJuno1/2 synthesizers.
This set is copyright of Acrobatics, published 22/11/2024 and available free of charge, in both [.SYX] format and [.MBT] SoundQuest format.
Get the [.PDF] list of voices for ALPHA Pro Bank V1 for further information.
JamP Banks
Download "acrobatics_ALPHA_JamP_Banks.zip"
Interesting miscellaneous banks courtesy of our SynthCafè friend Giampiero De Filippo. Each bank features sixty-four (64) tones and patches developed on MKS-50, most consisting in an expert use of the multistage envelope and some remarkable, sweetly evolving sound effects.
These sets published 22/11/2024 and available for free, in both [.SYX] format and [.MBT] SoundQuest format.
Get the [.PDF] list of voices for JamP Bank A and for JamP Bank B for further information.
AlphaJuno-1/2 + MKS-50 Third-Party Banks
The following archives are compiled by Acrobatics to provide classified and referenced resource from the pletora of third-party internet resources for this serie of synthesizers. These sources were often found on different websites and FTPs archives under different names: each author I could find retains the rights on his work and everyone is invited to contribute more over to keep tracking and scheduling of the Alpha platform with more patches, informations and ideas.
BockelBrick 1 & 2
Download "acrobatics_ALPHA_BockelBrick_Banks.zip"
Two Third-Party banks by Bernhard Bockebrink in both [.SYX] format and [.MBT] SoundQuest format.
These sets are commonly named "J" and "K" and originally dated 17-04-1997.
Jan Hirvonen
Download "acrobatics_ALPHA_Jan_Hirvonen_Bank.zip"
Third-Party miscellaneous bank in both [.SYX] format and [.MBT] SoundQuest format.
This set is commonly named "E" and originally dated 11-02-1997.
John Sexton
Download "acrobatics_ALPHA_John_Sexton_Bank.zip"
Third-Party techno bank in both [.SYX] format and [.MBT] SoundQuest format.
This set is commonly named "B" and originally dated 07-02-1997.
Martijn Halie
Download "acrobatics_ALPHA_Martijn_Halie_Bank.zip"
Third-Party hardcore-style bank in both [.SYX] format and [.MBT] SoundQuest format.
This set is commonly named "G" and originally dated 17-03-1997.
Matt Friedman
Download "acrobatics_ALPHA_Matt_Friedman_Bank.zip"
Third-Party miscellaneous bank in both [.SYX] format and [.MBT] SoundQuest format.
This set is commonly named "D" and originally dated 7-02-1997.
Mike Ash
Download "acrobatics_ALPHA_Mike_Ash_Bank.zip"
Third-Party bank in both [.SYX] format and [.MBT] SoundQuest format.
This set is commonly named "A" and originally dated 10-09-1997.
Per-Kristian Nordnes
Download "acrobatics_ALPHA_Per-Kristian_Nordnes_Bank.zip"
Third-Party acid-style bank in both [.SYX] format and [.MBT] SoundQuest format.
This set is commonly named "C" and originally dated 5-02-1997.
Scott BPM Alpha One
Download "acrobatics_ALPHA_Scott_BPM_Alpha_One.zip"
Third-Party bank in both [.SYX] format and [.MBT] SoundQuest format.
This set originally dated 21-07-2000.
Space Dirki
Download "acrobatics_ALPHA_Space_Dirki_Bank.zip"
Third-Party miscellaneous bank in both [.SYX] format and [.MBT] SoundQuest format.
This set is commonly named "I" and originally dated 12-04-1997.
Sten Van Dijk
Download "acrobatics_ALPHA_Sten_Van_Dijk_Bank.zip"
Third-Party hardcore-style bank in both [.SYX] format and [.MBT] SoundQuest format.
This set originally dated 30-03-1997.
The Outsider HS-80 Patches
Download "acrobatics_ALPHA_The_Outsider_Bank.zip"
Third-Party miscellaneous bank in both [.SYX] format and [.MBT] SoundQuest format.
This set originally dated 29-05-2015.
Vesa Vahasarja
Download "acrobatics_ALPHA_Vesa_Vahasarja_Bank.zip"
Third-Party miscellaneous bank in both [.SYX] format and [.MBT] SoundQuest format.
This set is commonly named "M" and originally dated 28-04-1997.
Ville Kakela
Download "acrobatics_ALPHA_Ville_Kakela_Bank.zip"
Third-Party miscellaneous bank in both [.SYX] format and [.MBT] SoundQuest format.
This set is commonly named "L" and originally dated 28-04-1997.
AlphaJuno-1/2 + MKS-50 Factory Banks
Download "acrobatics_ALPHA_Mythical_Bank.zip"
Roland Corp. miscellaneous bank in both [.SYX] format and [.MBT] SoundQuest format.
This is a tone bank that shipped with early versions of AlphaJunos, later slightly changed in names and contents.
AlphaJuno-1/2 + MKS-50 additional infos and schemes
Open/Download "AlphaJuno_and_MKS-50_sysex.pdf"
A clean (french language) summary of SYSEX codes for altering synth parameters in remote.
Open/Download "Servicing_Roland_AlphaJuno-2.pdf"
Precise notes (english language) by Dean Brewer for opening/repairing your AJ-2 unit.
Open/Download "AlphaJuno-MKS-50_DCO_ENVmod.jpg"
Acrobat's scheme showing DCO ENV mod parameter values and the corresponding pitches.
Open/Download "Acrobatics_MKS-50_PRG_Position.pdf"
Acrobat's scheme for identifying programs numbers in MKS-50 rack synthesizer.
Roland EF-303EF-303 Overview
The Roland EF-303 is one of the "strange creatures" from Roland Corp. built in the year 2000, when the company had already grasped and filled the new market of mixed musicians/Djs tools with the PCM-based super-seller MC-303, but was moving to virtual audio with experimental products like VariOS. Infact EF-303 is a hybrid in more senses, as it is mainly a multieffect unit (20bit 44.1Khz internal processing) having the additional ability to produce two different synthetic sounds and some drum pieces as well. Not to be confused with "groove boxes", it's better to be seen as smart tool for instant remixes or a versatile effect unit for adding bite or sculpting other synthesizers tones , as well as for mangling entire pre-mixed material. The "synth", "bass synth" and the tiny "drums" modes sounds are quite poor in timbre characteristics TMHO, despite the sequencer section extensive management possibilities and well-hidden tunings and features. Best is given by "filter", "flanger", "lo-fi" with bit, rate and distortion, a surprisingly precise and syncable "delay" effect, good sounding "vocoder" and "voice" modes, this last controlling formant and pitch of the source just in the same way as VT-2. The up-right 3-positions lever is particularly cool for its lower "temporary" position, allowing on-the-fly inserts of effect processing. Dry/Wet transitions sound very smooth most of the times, but input and output levels must be carefully prepared with the left-side trimming pots. Our "Mixing Tools" can take advantage of that particular in-out arrangement and the use of EF's ultra-handy input band separation too. (Andrea "Acrobat" Capanna)
EF-303 Mixing Tools
Download "acrobatics_EF-303_Mixing_Tools.zip"
Mixing Tools is a collection of just four (4) programs for the Roland EF-303 effects module, specially built for remixing whole tracks, using EF's manual knobs or the automatic assignments of slider available with the onboard step sequencer. Set was programmed by Acrobat himself and saved in single [.SYX] effect files, loadable on the module using any SYSEX capable PC/MAC software manager.
Roland GP-16GP-16 Overview
A Roland digital guitar effects module that collects classic BOSS pedals circuitries inside a single rack space. The older GP-8 (rumored to have better distortion) had just a single chain of eight effects, while this model got two different chains (A is compressions/distortions, B is dedicated to modulations), and they can be arranged in serie or parallel for double versatility of the unit. The sound is very eighties and quite rough for modern standards, anyway various effects are quite sofisticated and fully configurable using the mini-AlphaDial on the front-side. Unfortunately, the delay algorhythm has limited range, expressed in milliseconds and not MIDI syncable despite the full MIDI set of ports on the back. Phaser and flanger, on their side, have very pleasurable special modes to dive into.
GP-16 SoundQuest Template Bank
Download "Roland_GP-16_SoundQuest_Template_Bank.zip"
A bank of 63 miscellaneous configurations for guitar.
Roland Serial Number Decoder 1972-1989
Open/Download "Roland_Serial_Number_Decoder_1972-1989.pdf"
A [.PDF] document for decoding production date of your Roland gear. Compiled by Praise Technologies.
Roland Serial Number Decoder 1989-2010
Open/Download "Roland_Serial_Number_Decoder_1989-2010.pdf"
A [.PDF] document for decoding production date of your Roland gear. Compiled by Praise Technologies.