This tune is the result of taking two synthesizers and a multi-track recorder out of my studio and into the living room.
I had several synthesizers at the time of this recording and wanted to improvise something using just my Nord Modular and my Moog 15.
I used a Roland VS-1680 digital recorder to capture the improv and a couple of overdubs.
While playing this, I was thinking of my diverse ancestry - primarily my Cherokee grandmother - and this is the result.
I hope you enjoy "Ancestors."

Ancestors

The YANKS 1979. Power Pop for the People!

Anyone But You - The YANKS

March 10, 2025 Arpeggiator

Synth Fun PX560

March 31, 2025 Organ Trio.mp3

May 20, 2025 FLUTE ENSEMBLE

Thought i'd do a similar sound on the Bass Station 2 and the Moog Messenger to see which you prefer the tone of.

BS2 or Messenger

Moog Messenger vs Moog Grandmother

Life is an adventure; sometimes you can't figure out what is coming, but there's always a way forward! I composed this track using sounds only from the Korg Kronos.

Music and Art Work © 2025 Roger Hooper

Unknown

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Live noodling again--This is just a newly refurbished CS80 and a 1 VCO voice from the Modcan and Serge--the VCO is splitting through 2 Sawtooth Animators in Stereo and running through a bunch of other processors. Another VCO is being used to clock all of the sequencers and the iPad which is running StepPolyArp and driving the CS80 via MIDI. A fine mess but somehow it actually works...  Lead solo on the TKB about 3 minutes in or so. Percussion is coming from the CS80's upper layer and some noisy stuff on the Modcan. 

Arpeggiola for iPad and CS80

This entire cue was done with only one synthesizer--an actual Yamaha CS80. All melodic and percussive sounds (even the kick) were done on a real CS. For the drum kit, the CS was sampled and loaded into Kontakt. It was multitracked to Digital Performer, and there are 47 stereo tracks in the mix. 
  I spent a year of on and off working on restoring this infernal machine, so I thought it was time to actually write something for it. Normally, I wouldn't want to do an entire cue with just one synth, because that one instrument's character often overwhelms the mix (sort of like doing a symphony for 48 clarinets and nothing else). The CS80 is an instrument with a very broad, expressive range. There is a vague futility in doing pure synth cues these days, especially with a monster like this machine, so the proper name for this piece of music is:

"Tilting At Windmills," Drew Neumann c2012, ASCAP

TiltingAtWindmills

Media Composer, pianist, synthesist, product trainer for Casio,.

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Roger Hooper

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Richard Schatz

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