Author: Paolo

Categories
Digital Accompaniment Keyboard Keyboard

Roland EM-10

“Creative Keyboard” (auto-arranger)

Thanks to the blindfolded Goddess of Luck, I won this keyboard in a raffle at a Mars Music (great store unfortunately no longer in existence) Keyboardist Night years ago. It is comparable to the Casio CTK-601. This is a useful auto-accompaniment keyboard, capable of some respectable sounds and rhythms.  It sits at the lower end of the EM-series, but holds its own compared to its bigger brothers and sisters.

Roland EM-10 audio demos

Roland EM-10 specs

Other useful features found in this keyboard include:

  • Metronome button
  • Transpose button
  • Chorus/Reverb on-off button
  • Arrangement mixer
  • Style Manipulator (a great feature, allows to mute/add parts and exchange parts with other on-board styles, effectively mixing and customizing your own rhythms
  • Keyboard velocity on-off button
  • One Touch button (automatically recalls preset accompaniment and sound setting suitable for the style chosen)
  • “Intel”ligent harmony button (adds harmony to the solo voices, played automatically as you play the melody)
  • “Organ” mode (EM-10s’ for “split” section L+R)
  • Variation button that allows to recall variations of the standard GM set on board, for many sounds (i.e., pressing preset tone A57 (SyBas101) and then the Variation button, allows to get access to variation sounds “SyBass3” and “SynthBs1”
  • Powerful on-board speakers
  • Colorful panel scheme.

This keyboard is both GM (General MIDI) and GS (General Standard), and features “Style Morphing” (style manipulator).

Bottom line:  an inexpensive keyboard with quality GM sounds, interesting rhythms, and all-around fun to play – perfect for the beginner, intermediate player, or for piano-bar, and entertaining at family parties.

Roland EM-10 photos

Roland EM-10 manual

EM-10_OMDownload

Roland EM-10 specs

Year of release1999
Polyphony 24-voice
MultitimbralityYes, 16 parts
Sound generation method PCM
Preset memories 8 user
Music styles64
MIDIin, out
Keyboard61 keys
Sound expansion capabilitiesno
Sequencer2-track
Arpeggiatorno
Effectsyes: reverb and/or chorus
Velocityyes
DisplayYes, backlit
Aftertouchno
OptionsRH series headphones
DP-2, Db-6, or BOSS FS-5U footswitch
KS-12 keyboard stand
MIDI/Joystick cable
Dimensions960mm x 380mm x 128mm
Weight

Roland EM-10 factory reset

Power on while holding down the USER PROGRAM/WRITE button

Roland EM-10 links

www.roland.com

Categories
Reason Refill

Zero-G Creative Essentials For Reason

3-CD-ROM sound set for Propellerhead Reason

This set is basically an omnibus edition of the popular “Creative Essentials” series of sample CDs that Zero-G published during the ’90s.  The quality is high, the price (like the earlier, individual CDs) is right, and is a great collection – very inspirational.  This collection is over 7GB/9000 samples.

It’s hard to find faults in a collection this big, that comes at a relatively low price (around $100).  There are plenty of great dance/pop/rock loops, instrument loops, percussion, synth lines, vocal samples, and even some gorgeous Indian vocal samples.  If you own Reason, check out this product.

Zero-G Creative Essentials For Reason links

zero-g.co.uk

www.reasonstudios.com

Categories
Analog Polyphonic Synthesizer Synthesizer

Bit One

Digital/Analog synthesizer

This black beauty is one of the many semi-unknown Italian synthesizers of the ’80s.  It is a typical digital/analog hybrid, sporting two DCOs, VCF, VCA, and two LFOs.  The programming on this synth can be a little cumbersome – it was the era of knob-gone digital after all…  so programming is similar to other synths of the time:  a keypad to change the parameter, and two up-down buttons to alter the value of the parameter dialed.  The parameter list and flow diagram are stenciled on a large graphic in the middle of the front panel.

Several keyboard modes are provided;  you can split the keyboard, or layer two sounds (double).  There’s even a very cool Unison button that makes for some excellent, fat sounds.  The pitch and mod wheels are above the keyboard, and on top of each other, as opposed to a more traditional side-by-side – for this reason, the Bit One is a nice, compact five-octave synthesizer.

The Bit One is a “stereo” synth, providing Upper (left) and Lower (right) separate outputs.  The notes will come out of each channel at random.  I’m not sure if it is a problem with my machine in particular or if all Bit Ones are like this.  Best to stay in mono (Upper) if you don’t like the resulting effect.

There are four two-character displays:  (parameter) value, address (the parameter selected), Lower Prg and Upper Prg.  A compare button is also provided.

Crumar Bit One audio demos

Crumar Bit One photos

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Crumar Bit One specs

  • great analog sound;
  • dynamic keyboard allows for nice expression;
  • unison mode;
  • two LFOs

Bottom line:  If you want the “Sound of the ’80s”, this is a good choice.

Year of release:1984
Polyphony:6-voice
Sound generation method:analog, 2 DCOs
Preset memories62
MIDI:in, out, thru
Keyboard modes:Lower, Upper, Split, Double, Unison
Sound expansion capabilities:No.  Presets can be loaded/saved from/to tape.
Sequencerno
Arpeggiatorno
Effectsno
Touch sensitivityyes
Aftertouchno
Other features:Detune, Noise

Crumar Bit One manuals and documentation

BIT One manualDownload

Here’s a .pdf of the original Factory Preset Name List, kindly provided by Don Turnock – who used to sell Crumar synths in the ’80s- thank you very much, Don, for providing all of us with precious, rare information on this synth!

bit one voicesDownload

And here’s a .pdf of the original Factory Preset Name List of Version II and III of the Bit One, plus MIDI information on the Bit 01, also provided by Don Turnock – thank you, Don!

bit one-voices and midiDownload

Crumar Bit One factory patches in .wav

BitOneOriginalPatchData 1Download

Crumar Bit One links

www.crumar.it

Categories
Digital Accompaniment Keyboard Keyboard

Casio CTK-601

Auto-accompaniment keyboard

Casio CTK-601 audio demos

(For web-space and time reasons, I recorded only the most significant, well-programmed rhythms and the most good-sounding and intriguing tones)

The two Casio CTK-601 factory demos:

Demo song 0
Demo song 1

Casio CTK-601 rhythms

Casio CTK-601 tones

Casio CTK-601 photos

Casio CTK-601 manual

CTK611 USER MANUALDownload

Casio CTK-601 specs

  • light and portable;
  • surprisingly some very good sounds;
  • good accompaniment programming;
  • powerful, crisp on-board speakers

A great little keyboard!  Best Buy used to sell these for very little money, and I got one new.  Its set of General MIDI sounds is pretty good, and the synthesizer section offers a great way to shape your own sounds very easily.

Year of release1990s
Polyphony24-voice
Presets200 (168 ROM + 32 User) tones
Rhythms100, with auto-accompaniments
Keyboard61 keys (five octaves)
Responds to velocityyes
Sound generation methodPCM
MIDIyes, in-out
Sound expansion capabilitiesNo
Effectsdigital reverb (Room, Stage, Hall)
Controlspitch bender (a bit awkward to use)
Outputsstereo output/headphones
Displayyes, LCD non-backlit

Casio CTK-601 links

https://www.casio.com/products/electronic-musical-instruments

Categories
Sample CD

Ueberschall Easy Listening

Audio sample CD

Ueberschall Easy Listening audio demos

Ueberschall Easy Listening specs

  • Construction kits
  • Jazzy Licks
  • Drum- and percussion Loops
  • Hits
  • Easy vocals
  • Organ kicks
  • Single sounds
  • Brass attacks
  • Orchestral arrangements
  • Guitars
  • Acoustic Bass sounds, Good vibes
  • Old beatboxes
  • Rhodes-samples
  • and Piano-phrases

77 min. of pure nonstop Easy Listening entertainment.  A great variety of styles and sounds from all genres.

I bought this CD because I love lounge music of the ’50s and ’60s (in fact, I collect old lounge vinyl records – you know, the ones with gorgeous artwork).

This CD doesn’t disappoint, and I think it was popular among the sampling community, because I heard the “Casino Royale” and “Ahooh….oh aah…ah…..” samples in many TV commercials, a few years back when this CD came out.

Year of release2000s
CD typeAudio
Partitionsn/a

Ueberschall Easy Listening links

www.ueberschall.com

Categories
Analog Polyphonic Synthesizer Synthesizer

SIEL Cruise

The Cruise is what was once referred to a “multi-instrument” keyboard, that is a synth having two or more sections designed to emulate a particular instrument, i.e., brass, strings, bass, organ, piano and so on.

They were popular in the early 80s, and other examples of this breed are the Crumar Orchestrator, the ARP Quadra, and the Korg Trident.

SIEL Cruise manual

Siel_Cruise_ManualDownload

SIEL Cruise specs

Year of release1981
Polyphony Mono, Poly
Sound generation methodanalog
Keyboard49-key
Categories
Desktop Digital Polyphonic Synthesizer Synthesizer

Casio CSM-1

Digital Sound Module

Casio CSM-1 audio demos

Let’s listen to the well-programmed DEMO SONG – “Night Birds”, by the British group Shakatak (thank you Vincent de Mulder for the tip 😉 ) – showcasing the best sounds of this module. Melodically, I really like this song, especially from 1:06 to 1:20 and similar, where the classic “Autumn Leaves” harmonic progression is employed to great effect. The piano is realistic enough – for a module of this era. And the crowd really liked the performers! 🙂

The sounds

The drum machine

Casio CSM-1 Tone List

TONE NAMETONE NAMETONE NAMETONE NAME
PIANOCRASH CYMBAL 2COMPUTER GAME SOUND2ROBOT VOICES B
HARPSICHORDSYNTH-CYMBAL 2TIMBALE (MIX)ROBOT VOICES (MIX)
VIBCRASH CYMBAL 3COMPUTER GAME SOUND3HONKY-TONK PIANO
ORGAN 1SYNTH-CYMBAL 3HI AGOGOE PIANO
ORGAN 2CRASH CYMBAL(MIX)LOW AGOGOMARIMBA
BRASS ENSRIDE CYMBAL 1HI CONGA (MUTE)ORGAN 3
FLUTEGONG 1HI CONGAACCORDION
CHORUSRIDE CYMBAL 2MID CONGASTRINGS
JAZZ GUITARGONG 2LOW CONGAOBOE
BELLSTOM 1CONGA (MIX)SYNTH 1
CLAVI 1TOM 2HI CLAVEHARP
METALLIC SOUNDSYNTH-TOM 1LOW CLAVESYNTH 2
SYNTH ENSTOM 3CUCKOO 1-3CLAVI 2
BASS DRUM 1SYNTH-TOM 2CUCKOO & SMALL BIRDSFANTASY
BASS DRUM 2TOM 4SMALL BIRDS 1-3MIRACLE
SNARE DRUM 1SYNTH-TOM 3STREAM 1-5WOOD BASS
SNARE DRUM 2TOM (MIX)WAVES 1-7SLAP BASS
GATED SNARE DRUMCOWBELL 1SEA GULLS 1-5RAIN 1-12
RIM SHOTTRIANGLE (OPEN)CAR HORNS 1-7FROGS 1-7
CLOSED HI HAT 1COWBELL 2TRAFFIC 1-5INSECTS A 1-4
CLOSED HI HAT 2TRIANGLE (MUTE)LASER BEAMS A 1,2INSECTS B
OPEN HI HAT 1HI TIMBALE (MUTE)SPACE SHIP ENGINES 1,2APPLAUSE 1-7
OPEN HI HAT 2HI TIMBALELASER BEAMS B 1,2WHISTLES 1-5
CRASH CYMBAL 1COMPUTER GAME SOUND1EXPLOSIONS 1-3GUNSHOTS 1-8
SYNTH-CYMBAL 1LOW TIMBALEROBOT VOICES A 1,2GALLOPING HORSES 1-5

Casio CSM-1 manual

not yet found

Casio CSM-1 photos

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Casio CSM-1 specs

Year of release1980s
Polyphony12 voices
Responds to velocityno
Sound generation methodpcm sampled
MIDIIn, Out, Thru
Sound expansion capabilitiesNo
Misc:drum machine; stereo outs 
Multitimbrality4-part
Effectsno

Casio CSM-1 links

https://www.casio.com/products/electronic-musical-instruments

Categories
Digital Drum Machine Drum Machine

BOSS DR-220A

Digital Drum Machine

This was my very first drum machine.  It is a cute little noisemaker.  Its sounds are somewhat reminiscent of the Roland TR-707, and are the typical “produced” 80s kinds of sounds.

The “A” is for “acoustic” – there’s also a DR-220E, “Electric”, with electronic, Simmons-like sounds.

Boss DR-220A audio demos

Let’s listen to the on-board demonstration song:

This demonstration song is a cleverly put together series of factory patterns.  In fact, like in many other drum machines, songs are composed of series of patterns linked to each other.

And here below you can listen to the factory patterns – I recorded four measures for each pattern.  I cut the .mp3 samples accurately in Sound Forge so they loop perfectly, in case you want to use them with your sequencer 🙂

The manual offers 32 more variations of these patterns, and it’s very easy to program them (and new ones) using Roland’s trademark “x0x-grid” layout.  Some of these patterns are very good, and with a little compression, eq and effects will be perfect for those ’80s-inspired songs.

The “Electric Pop” is a great example of early eighties beat.  The “Cuban” is downright ingenious in its programming.  “Fill-in 8 Beat (2)” recalls “Rockit” by Herbie Hancock 🙂 and is a typical ’80s break.

And now for your sampling pleasures, here are the original drum samples sampled at 44.1kHz, normalized and trimmed in Sound Forge, in glorious mono directly from the drum machine.  Assign them to your favorite hardware or software sampler, and you’ll have a virtual DR-220A at your disposal.

Bass Drum
Snare Drum
Closed Hi-hat
Open Hi-hat
Rim Shot
Hand Clap
Hi Tom
Mid Tom
Low Tom
Ride Cymbal
Crash Cymbal

BOSS DR-220A manual

DR-220A_DR-220E_OMDownload

BOSS DR-220A specs

Year of release1986
Rhythm memory capacity32 preset, 32 user
Steps per measure16 steps / 12 steps
SongsMax 128 bars x 8 (song chain: 256 bars)
Tempo40 bpm to 250 bpm
Displayyes
MIDIno
Power6V (UM-3 x 4) / AC adapter PSA-120, 220 or 240 (9V)
OptionsAC adapter BOSS PSA-120, 220 or 240
Connection cord PJ-1
Dimensions239mm (W) x 75mm (D) x 31mm (H)
9-7/16″ x 2-15/16″ x 1-1/4″
Weight350g / 12 oz (with batteries)

BOSS DR-220A links

www.boss.info