Hardware Synths Demos

I have been reading a lot about the ongoing Fukushima nuclear disaster, and felt the need to at least make a piece about it! All the sounds, with the exception of the piano, are from a mid-70s AKS Synthi that a dear friend has lent me. I dedicate it to Iori Mochizuki, writer of the vital blog Fukushima Diary.

Fukushima Blues - AKS Synthi

Clearly, Orwell was just 30 years off in his predictions. Big Brother is truly here, and I figure it deserves a ballad! This is dedicated to Edward Snowden. A special thank you to Claude Castonguay for lending me his wonderful Oberheim Matrix 12, which is featured here on all synth duties.

The Ballad Of Big Brother - Matrix 12

I feel so lucky to have an Alesis Andromeda A6 in my hands! This beautiful beast feels like an expensive sports car, and it sounds like it too! For this first demo, I decided to honour its name, and play around with BIG reverbs. All the sounds are from the A6, except the drums. 
Here's a trip to the closest galaxy.

2.5 Million Light Years - Alesis Andromeda demo by Ned Bouhalassa

I picked up the new Pulse 2 synthesizer by Waldorf, and have fallen for the German desktop wonder! This track was really all about discovering the sound and some of the potential of this new analog monosynth. All sounds except the drums are from P2. 

Feeling A Pulse - Pulse 2

Nadiya means 'hope' in Ukrainian. It is what I have to offer, musically, to those who are suffering. 
All the sounds, excepts the drums, are from the 106. I love its simplicity, and warmth, especially with the lovely chorus!

Nadiya - Roland Juno 106

As soon as I saw the image of the Carina Nebula taken by the new James Webb telescope, I knew I had to write a piece for it! And I also new which synth to feature: my Andromeda A6! I was aided by the work of Don Solaris, and his masterful patches. What luck we have to be alive to see the greatest art of all, the universe, revealed in great detail.
I made a little video to go along with this piece: https://youtu.be/Xfixuf5NpEc

Carina Nebula Fantasy - Andromeda A6 Demo

I just can't get enough of the powerful synthesizer that is the Andromeda! So many ways to make it sound juicy, it's an endless synth treasure cave! All the sounds are from the A6, except for the Logic drum tracks. 

Here is the same track but with graphics/video: https://youtu.be/tgwRAkQFwvI

Gravitational Pull - Andromeda A6 Demo

This track is in honour of all who lost their lives during the ongoing Kiev revolution. I cannot begin to understand how civilians can stand up against an army, taking bullets for a cause, but I do understand the hatred I feel for snipers. 
All the synthesizer parts are from an AKS Synthi A and a Memorymoog.

For The Fallen At Maidan - EMS Synthi and Memorymoog

The Memorymoog, a beautiful, true vintage polysynth, is often only thought of as a monster, sound-wise. I thought I could try to highlight the gentler side of this regal instrument. 

Beauty In The Beast - Memorymoog

From 1984, a rare bird, the Chroma Polaris! This instrument sits right on the cusp of the digital era, a hybrid with some fun quirks. I wanted to show off its majestic side, while allowing its dread-like hair to shine. A light, bouncy track for a glittering summer afternoon.

The Spirit Of '84 - Chroma Polaris

Memorymoog and Roland TR-8 on drums. Thinking about the lovely beaches of Jamaica!

Memory Dub - Memorymoog Demo

What a sweet, sweet, sweet instrument this Pro-2 is! I am really loving all the possibilities, the excellent layout, and the powerful sounds. There's lots of reverb here, I was just really in the mood for it! 

Modulations In Blue - DSI Pro 2 Demo

A first short piece featuring my new baby, the Matrixbrute! What a fine, fine instrument this is. I just love that everything about it screams PLAY ME! This demo features no added FX except for compression/limiting on the master out. The synth's FX section is simply retro-gorgeous.

Taming The Beast - Arturia Matrixbrute Demo

There's really no end to what this beast of a synth can do. Every time spent playing with it is like taking a ride in the most enchanting, adventurous space ship. All the sounds are from the MB, featuring only its luscious effect section to treat it to taste. Delicious, I say!

Brute Resistance - Arturia Matrixbrute Demo

My latest synth love is the venerable Roland SH-2. A true classic from the late 70s, it never fails to inspire, with its versatility and tone. I find the limitations of this old instrument to be a plus, as I am forced to make music instead of changing yet another parameter. All the sounds are from the SH-2, except the drum tracks.

Martian Sunset - SH - 2 Demo

Having just picked up this old beast, I'm tripping down memory lane, circa 1988. Rich Oberheim tones fill the air, dark pads abound, lots of character oozes from this instrument. It's a pain to program, but efforts are rewarded!

Retrigger Point - Oberheim Matrix 6R Demo

This is my first track using the powerful Quantum synthesizer. There's a lot to explore, so this is just an excuse for me to hear what I can do with it at this point. Really enjoying the fresh sounds coming out of this beast!

Quantum Dreams - Waldorf Quantum Demo by Ned Bouhalassa

When I started playing Don Solaris' patches for the 2.0 update of Waldorf's Quantum, I fell in love with this synthesizer all over again! Don has managed to add welcomed warmth to the Quantum, and I am more than glad to highlight his work with this little demo featuring only his programming work.

Vintage Quantum - Ned Bouhalassa

I've been looking at a bunch of videos of rainy nights in Tokyo, feeling inspired by the relative calm of otherwise busy streets. 
I have only had the Hydrasynth for a short time, but I've managed to squeeze it in as much of my schedule as possible. I've fallen quite hard for this marvellous instrument; it really is a rich, expressive, modern, digital ax for whatever the future has in store.

Tokyo Rain - Hydrasynth Demo by Ned Bouhalassa

This was a short live improvisation, featuring two venerable, vintage synthesizers. I'm fortunate to be able to express myself with these and other magical instruments! Here's to a better 2021...

Winter Blues 2020 - EMS AKS Synthi and JX-3P

LeSynth is a passionate electronic musician who has been composing music for film, TV, concerts, and radio for decades. He learned synthesis on an Aries modular system and sampling on an Akai S900. LeSynth's studio is home to many electronic instruments, and he is currently writing LoFi music.