Back in stock: All genres

Review: Tracking right back to the very earliest days of Alpha & Omega, 'Pure And Clean' first emerged on their debut album King & Queen back in 1989. It's the kind of evergreen, dubwise steppers which could just as easily have been put out last year on ZamZam Sounds, but this is in fact a repress of the reissue Partial put out back in 2013. You get the original album cut on its own side of 7", plus of course an additional excursion on the flip to take you deeper into the sound. This is musical meditation at its finest, and given how quickly past copies have flown out, you won't want to get too comfortable until it's home and safely spinning on the platter.

Review: Last year, Amsterdam-based Turkish band Altin Gun delivered one of the most potent - and arguably overlooked - debut albums of the year, "On". 12 months on they return with album number two, "Gece", an inspired fusion of heavyweight Turkish psychedelia, funk, freak-folk and intergalactic rock. While the songs and recordings are brand new, the band's choice of instrumentation - vintage Moog synths, gnarled funk-rock guitars, skittish drums and fuzzy bass guitar - and 1960s style production gives the whole thing a deliciously retro feel. It's a recipe that guarantees thrills and spills, with "Yolcu", "Sofor Bey", "Derdimi Dokersem" and spacey "Gesi Baglari" among the many highlights.

Review: Parallel is the fourth EP by Altinbas on his own label, Observer Station. The beats are pounding and rough for those strong advocates who like their techno tough. The gold in 'Tide' is found in the ever-changing percussion elements that propel it to addiction. For the second side, 'MT15' keeps things moving, employing key rave claps and a nice ride to the support the pulsating driver. Lastly, the title track takes some edge of tension with a great balance of melody over the mechanical loop. Hats off to Altinbas for taking the 90s warehouse techno sound and updating it while still paying homage to it.

Notes: Inspired by the early 80s Synton Syrinx, the SER-2020 is a semi-modular monster, featuring an excellent formant filter section, unique Touch 'N Bend Control and MPE-compatible MIDI interface.

Supplier's Notes:
The SER-2020 is a monophonic semi-modular analog synthesizer with an formant filter section, designed to use as standalone synthesizer or in combination with Eurorack modules. Inspired by the Synton Syrinx *(1) added the flexibility of an MS-20. Its filter design features a combination of a 24dB/octave VC Low Pass Filter, and two independent Resonant VC Peak Filters for precise and dynamic sound shaping. The sound is ranging from solid bass sounds to articulated formant effects. Other features on the SER-2020 are the Touch 'N Bend Control together with the MPE (MIDI Polyphonic Expression) capabilities makes the SER-2020 a special instrument which response to its player. The flexible routing makes the SER-2020 a versatile machine for sound effects.

Key Specifications:
2 VCO's (CEM3340 based)
1 Sub-Oscillator
Ring Modulator
Noise Generator
Audio Mixer
Multi-Mode Sync & Sync D-Tune
3 VCF's (CEM3350 based)
2 ADSR's
2 LFO's with Reset & Shaper Modes
Auto-Glide
Multiple Triggering
Touch 'N Bend Pad
Bend Assign
Sample and Hold
Semi Modular Setup - CV inputs and outputs
Signal and Headphone output.
MIDI interface
USB MIDI interface
MPE compatible - Sensitive for; Strike (note-on velocity), Press (aftertouch), Glide (pitch bend), Slide (brightness) and Lift (note-of velocity).

The SER-2020 consist of two VCO's and one sub-oscillator, driven by VCO 1. Both VCO's deliver a triangle, sawtooth, square wave and pulse signal, which can be selected. A rich spectrum can be obtained with Pulse Width Modulation of VCO 1 and VCO 2. The LFO 1 and 2 signals can be feed to the pulse width modulation section introducing phase shift effects and Doppler frequency shifts. Since the both VCO's have a separate LFO for PWM, chorus-like effects can be obtained by controlling both pulses with different LFO speeds. VCO 2 can be synchronized to VCO 1 in different modes. Synchronization is applied when two or more VCO's have to produce exactly the same pitches, without phase shift or beat effects. When VCO 2 is detuned from VCO 1 another effect occurs, which will result in quite dramatic tone colors.
Each VCO has an individual output, also the noise generator and sub-oscillator has individual outputs.

The most important sections of this synthesizer is the filter. The SER-2020 features a very extensive filtering system, which consists of the standard 24 dB/octave low pass filter and two independent band pass filters, which together form the Voltage Controlled Formant filter.
Both band pass filters have a frequency control and a resonance control for setting the selective amplification in the pass band. The bandpass filters are equipped with a control voltage mixer for LFO, ADSR and key range voltages. The LFO control can be used for the external modulation input.
The low pass filter is an standard 24 dB/octave roll-off. It has a frequency control and a modulated CV mixer from several sources like LFO, ADSR and the key range. The LFO control can be used for the external modulation input. Also the resonance of the low pass filter can be controlled.

The SER-2020 has two ADSR generators, of which one is used to control the internal VCA, and the other one to control the filter section. The control signal can be inverted by means of the ADSR controls in the filter section, so that the filters can be swept in opposite directions.
ADSR 1 and 2 have a positive and negative (inverted) direct output available on the patch panel.

The SER-2020 has two independent Low Frequency Oscillators (LFO's) of which the rate can be controlled, and for LFO 2 also the wave shape.

LFO 1 generates a triangle wave which exclusively is routed to the pulse width modulation control input of VCO2. LFO 1 also generates a square wave and a pulse wave. The square wave is available as direct output on the patch panel. The pulse wave of LFO 1 is internally routed to the sample and hold generator as clock source.

LFO 2 is more versatile and can be used for the modulation of the VCO's and the filters. Moreover LFO 2 can be used as a one shot generator which means that a signal is generated much alike an Attack/Release generated function. Except for the LFO 2 rate control with the preset knob, it also can be controlled dynamically with the pad.

Several sections in the synthesizer can be controlled with the bend pad, by pressing it with the left hand index and middle finger. The pressure sensitivity for the VCO, VCF and VCA can be adjusted. The touch 'N bend pad also reacts on the MIDI modulation control and the MIDI brightness (CC#74) control for MPE compatibility.
Also the speed of the rise/decay mode of the LFO 2 is possible. Pressing the UP pad will result in a shorter cycle, and pressing the DN pad in a longer cycle.

Notes: Very nice old-school vocoder for Eurorack, featuring a built-in mic pre-amp and full 10-band patch bay. Internal VCO and straightforward control setup help simplify operation.

Supplier's Notes:
The VXC-2220 is an 10-band analogue vocoder with patch-bay for each individual filter section. VXC-2220 vocoder is based on the iconic classics 222 vocoder. For stand alone usage the VXC-2220 is equipped with an internal oscillator generating saw and pulse waves form C1 to C6. A simple and efficient vocoder.

Specifications

Microphone input for speech signal
Line input for speech signal
Line input for carrier signal
Input level control for speech and carrier signal
Output level control
Line output
10-Band analyzer outputs
10-Band synthesizer input
Internal VCO (1 semi-nut step size);
* Saw wave (C1 - C6)
* 3x 10% Pulse wave (C1+C2+C3 - C4+C5+C6 )
* White noise
- Synthesis for 's' and 't' sounds
- Feed-trough level control for speech and carrier channel
- Bypass switch
- 10pin power connector (+/-12V)

Dimensions:
(36HP) 128,5×182.5mm (depth: ca. 35mm incl. power connector)

Power Consumption:
+12V = 125mA
-12V = -125mA

Notes: ***B-STOCK: Dent on the side, product in perfect working order***


Like a greatest hits of recent Analogue Solutions synths, the Ample combines sound elements from the Fusebox with jack patch points, a patch pin matrix, plus sequencer and CV touch pads from the Generator, creating something new and unique.

Supplier's Notes:
Ample combines the best elements of several of Analogue Solutions' recent products.

The sound elements of Fusebox
Jack patch points of Concussor Eurorack
Patch pin matrix of Vostok
Echo from Dr Strangelove
Sequencer and CV touch pads of Generator

It shares all this yet still has its own sound!

Ample can be as complex or as simple as you want it to be

This synth has been given a large and diverse number of controls, that along side the patch sockets, will give even the best and experienced synthesist endless possibilities.

This synth presents the controls in a user friendly and familiar synth layout that, together with this manual and other resources, enable even the new guy to get great sounds.

Synth - Percussion - Audio Processor

Ample is a compact analogue synthesizer. Analogue - as in really analogue. Aside from the MIDI chip (which has to be digital), everything else is totally analogue using real transistors and op-amps. There are no CPU stabilised and quantised circuits, no DCOs, no digital LFOs and no digital EGs, as found on other so called analogue synths. The circuitry is based on designs dating back to the mid-1970s. So Ample has a genuine old sound.

Circuits included

3x Analogue Oscillators

There are three analogue VCOs - each providing a wealth of features and modulation choices. VCO3 can easily be utilised as a LFO.

2x Analogue Low Frequency Oscillator

LFO2(/Sync) has a triangle wave output. VCO3 can be used as an LFO and has Saw, Triangle and Square wave modulation signals.

Analogue Filter

Ample uses a four pole 24bB per octave low pass filter.

Analogue Amplifier

The VCA can be set to THRU so it is always 'open'. This allows Ample to be used as an effects processor.

2x Analogue Envelopes

There are two EGs - each having full control over ATTACK, DECAY, SUSTAIN, and RELEASE.

Modulation

Great thought has been placed into modulation route choices, allowing a wide range of sounds to be produced, including percussion and 'modular' sounds further extended by patching with the jack sockets and pin matrix.

MIDI

MIDI is intentionally kept simple - so you can concentrate on making new sounds and making music - not getting tied up with SYSEX programming.

You get the all important control over filter cut-off using MIDI Velocity.

Patchable External CV Control Sockets

Ample has many input and output audio and CV sockets - to allow the synth to be effectively re-wired to make new sounds.

The sockets also enable it to be easily used with Eurorack and other modular systems. They can be patched together.

Sequencer

Ample has a vintage style 16 step sequencer.

Touch Keys

There are 6 touch keys that each output a set voltage. Use this to play the pitch or as modulation signals. A great tool for inspiration!

Pin Matrix

A neat way to patch the synth.

Echo

Nice lo-fi echo / delay.

Review: Romanian electro agent Andrew Red Hand has been spotted delivering the heat to respected outposts like M>O>S, Detroit Underground and Chiwax, and now he's setting off with Rotterdam Electronix for a night drive through future cityscapes. It's electro through and through, driven by snappy 808 beats and analogue monosynths, but there's something particularly charming about the minimal wave quality to Red Hand's sound. That contrasts with The Exaltics, who delivers a gutsy re-version of 'In The Cemetery' which will keep you up at night for all the right reasons.

Review: The story behind this one is that Vivian Yabby You Jackson once put together a tape that had been labeled The Best Of Patrick Andy but had never been put it out. On it was three unreleased tunes, one unreleased dub, and stereo mixes of several previously mono-only singles. For whatever reason it now sees the light of day and we're glad about it - this forms a fine tribute to a top singer and a legendary producer with some timeless dub. The horns pan, the rhythm tracks are heavy, the studio trickery is impressive throughout.

Review: Detroit producer Apollo Brown and maverick Buffalo MC Che' Noir have come together to create a new album that draws on their backgrounds in two of America's mostly famously failed cities. Brown brings his usual soul-drenched and head-nodding beatmaking style - the same vibes that have seen him work with the likes of Ghostface Killah and Danny Brown and become a key part of the scene. Che' Noir on the other hand has worked alongside Benny The Butcher, Kool G Rap, and Fred The Godson and here tells some vital stories that take you behind the curtain and up and down city streets, dodging gunshots, hunting for missing fathers and generally trying to game the system.

Notes: Compact phono stage to boost turntable output to line level. Add turntable inputs or upgrade the sound of your DJ mixer. Adjustable capacitance and gain to suit a range of cartridges.

Supplier's notes:
The DJ PRE II acts as an interface between your turntable and your audio recording/playback system. The analog input capacitance can be switched between 100pF and 200pF to optimize your phono cartridge response. A switchable low cut filter removes turntable rumble while leaving the audio pristine. The front gain trim control and signal/clip LED allow you to optimize the preamp's gain for a wide range of input sources. The built-in low noise phono preamp circuitry is highly accurate and precisely conforms to the RIAA standard. The line output jacks are low impedance and can be used with any sound card. Housed in an all aluminum black anodized case, the DJ PRE II can be powered by a wide variety of external supplies. If you need to amplify and EQ your vinyl records to interface with your audio workstation, sound card, home stereo system or main monitor system, the DJ PRE II gives you flawless audio reproduction in a rugged and reliable package.

Notes: ***B-STOCK: Box damaged, product in perfect working order***


Keyboard meets sequencing in Arturia's all-round controller. USB, MIDI, CV and analogue clock compatibility make this 64-step polyphonic sequencer a true all-rounder. Great value.

Supplier's Notes:
KeyStep 37 goes beyond an easy-to-use 64-step sequencer, arpeggiator and MIDI keyboard. It's responsive, dynamic, expanded in every direction to encourage musical exploration - the controller that's built to help write music and also includes Ableton Live Lite, making it a complete music production starter kit, as well as appealing to veteran musicians. Like KeyStep and KeyStep Pro before it, KeyStep 37 offers unique features not found in any other product.

The familiar KeyStep formula, expanded. KeyStep 37 features a velocity-sensitive 37-note keybed, complete with aftertouch and RGB LED feedback, while remaining lightweight and compact.

At the center of the control panel, you'll find 4 new knobs with an LED screen, giving you instant access to inspiring new expressive tools and MIDI tweaking - total creative control.

The new controls unlock KeyStep 37's unique & enhanced Chord mode. Choose from 12 chord types, an array of strum effects, and spread the voices out into complex velocity-sensitive parts that respond like a stringed instrument.

Map out KeyStep 37's 3-octave keyboard range with a scale of your choice using Scale mode. Any key you play will automatically quantize to the nearest note in the chosen scale.

Tap into the inner workings of your MIDI hardware and software with assignable 16 MIDI CC pa-rameters across 4 switchable banks. Use the 4 new controls to tweak settings on the fly for dy-namic performances.

The core of your setup:

KeyStep 37 is designed to be put in control. An accessible interface, a compact design and com-prehensive connectivity make it the perfect centerpiece for your rig - whatever your needs.

Hook up your synth hardware with MIDI in/out. Control your favorite VST instruments with MIDI over USB. Use CV pitch, gate and mod connections for modular integration. Analog sync in/out keeps everything in time without hassle. The best bit? Use it all at the same time.

Included is a free copy of Ableton Live Lite, an accessible music-making suite for your Mac or PC. Register KeyStep 37 for your free download and get creative right out the box - let the music flow freely.

Review: Arutani's third album Who We Used To Be is a meditation on times passed and alternate lives lost, filtered through the decorative lenses of deep, minimal, tech and dub. As if to paint a character portrait of the artist himself, this is a measured, calm, light, mindful and modest album, replete with bulging concave chord undulations and synaptic percussive snaps for balance. Everything from electro's usual dotted rhythmic pattern to progressive house's woodblocky felicities are checked off here, plus the glissando'ing lead on 'In Case You Wondered What I've Been Doing' is a special highlight.

Review: Arv & Miljo's new album delves into radical environmental activism and draws from the Swedish Plogbill movement's early 90s actions alongside Earth First! and Earth Liberation Front. Mixing monologues, interviews, protest songs, and site recordings with raw kosmische synth music, the pair crafts a mesmerising audio collage. Chaotic yet harmonious, disorienting yet soothing, the album reflects dedication, passion, and the spirit of change. Originally a limited CDR release in 2021, it quickly became a highlight in Arv & Miljo's discography. Now on, Jorden Forst offers a multi-faceted journey through environmental activism and the human spirit's resilience.

Review: Heads will know 'As We Enter' as the name of the Breakage tune that set the stage for many more things halftime to come - not to mention a Damian Marley & Nas song released around the same time - so we're more than pleased to learn that one next-gen producer has taken on the name as an alias. However, something in the aura of this release tells us this artist is no debutante; 'Lover To Lover' brings wubbing Reesebound rollage and summery fluting funk together in quick step, with complementary numbers 'So Gone', 'Come Again' and 'Shifting Gears' flaunting a respect for the many different facets of drum & bass, from techstep to early jump-up. This one gets more and more sinister as it progresses; despite the cover, whatever's entered the room feels more elephant than pigeon.

Review: Covert operator ASC continues his astral travels for his current series of intergalactic breakbeat explorations with 'Star Cluster'. Following 'Isometric Projection' and 'Cause & Effect', this EP once again reaches to the heavens for its essence and rolls out with shimmering, emotional charm and more than its fair share of heavy drum punches. The dreamy vocal calls and slamming breaks of 'Solyaris' and the tightly coiled spring groove of 'Oblivion' are both major highs on this trip.

Review: ***B-STOCK: Missing original outer sleeve but otherwise in perfect working condition***


Mikal Asher, a scion of Jamaica's Morgan family dynasty, reunites with Chocolate Star Records here and does so with a collaboration with disco legend Gary Davis. Asher, akin to his brother Denroy Morgan, upholds the family's legacy of righteousness through music. Known as the Binghiman, he crafts captivating tunes with profound lyrics and has recorded in Ghana's Hustle Hard Studios and collaborated with industry pioneers in Kingston and Brooklyn, setting new standards in musical excellence along the way. Here, 'Wicked Ah Fi' transforms into a modern dub stepper, while 'Black Woman' offers a soulful, laid-back dedication to Davis' wife, Sonjia. This 7" also comes with innovative remixes from California-based DJ and producer Knoe1.

Notes: ***B-STOCK: Item refurbished, repaired and in perfect working order.***


One of our favourite DJ turntables. Clearly inspired by the classic Technics SL-1200 but clocking in at a more affordable price point. Direct drive motor, decent build quality and a few nice bonus features like adjustable pitch range.

Supplier notes:
The AT-LP140XP fully manual professional DJ turntable features a high-torque direct-drive motor and anti-resonant, mass-damped, die-cast aluminium platter to ensure stable, on-axis rotation at 33-1/3, 45, and 78 RPM. It is equipped with an S-shaped tonearm with height adjustment, adjustable tracking force (counterweight) and adjustable dynamic anti-skate control.

Audio-Technica has been a leader in phono cartridge design for more than 50 years, and that expertise shows in the durable, high-output AT-XP3 DJ cartridge with 0.6 mil conical bonded stylus included with the turntable. It comes pre-mounted to an AT-HS6 universal 1/2"-mount headshell.

Designed to connect to components with a dedicated phono input, the turntable comes with a detachable dual RCA output cable and supplies a strong 5.5 mV output.

Additional professional features include a start/stop button; forward and reverse play; selectable high-accuracy quartz-controlled pitch lock and pitch change slider control with +/-8%, +/-16%, and +/-24% adjustment ranges; a stroboscopic platter with speed indicator; a retractable plug-type stylus target light; and a removable hinged dust cover.

Review: With both tracks now coming out for the first time on 7" vinyl, the 'Liquid Love' and 'What's The T?' 7" single is a must get for all Roy Ayers fans and serious music collectors, not least as 2023 witnesses Roy's final ever tour of live dates. This release is a fitting tribute to the career of one of the most influential musicians in global Black music history and each track represents his virtuosity as a vibesman and his versatility across genres. 'Liquid Love' is taken from the 2015 BBE released album of Roy's unreleased material, Virgin Ubiquity II and is a wicked mid-tempo track where Roy's vibraphone complements an amazing female vocal arrangement to create harmonies and melody over a tough-as-you-like breakbeat, bassline and keyboard riff.

Review: A tale of two sides, Azimuth's classic "Manha" should be recognisable to many; taken from their self-titled LP in 1975, its golden harmonies and lavish, lolloping Bob James style jazz are as timeless as they were 40 years ago. Flip for "America Latina". Conjured by prolific collaborator Osmar Milito (whose discography features the likes of Sammy Davis Jr, Spanky Wilson and Liza Minelli), its striking, sing-along charms are no accident... It was actually created for 70s Brazilian soap opera Selva De Pedra.

Review: Azymuth's Outubro is just one of the many vibrant and captivating albums in their oeuvre that embodies the essence of Brazilian jazz-funk fusion. Released in 1980, it features the cult collective's signature blend of infectious rhythms, intricate melodies, and soulful improvisation. The album's title track stands out as a shining example of the band's musical prowess with its irresistible groove and lush instrumentation and throughout the record, Azymuth showcase their mastery of blending traditional Brazilian rhythms with elements of jazz, funk and electronic music to create a timeless and immersive that remains a classic in the realm of Brazilian music.