Updates on Synth.NL‍

Hi. I promised some more updates so here is a new newsletter for you all. I hope you received my New Years newsletter. If not please let me know and I'll send it to you anyway. I had some small problems with a new version of the software I use for it. I'm working hard on new music in the mean time and I will update you on that when the time is right but that is a but premature now. I did go to Ron Boots with the music I had so far of my upcoming 'PalaeonTology' album. Yes that will be the title of my next solo release. It will be about dinosaurs and it will be released this year. So keep an eye out for news on that. But here are some other news items.

A few copies of SP23 for sale‍

he German Electronic Music Club Schallwende released the SchallPlatte 23 sampler album with a brand new Synth.NL track on it called 'Gemini'. Normally the album is only given to the member of the club, but Groove Unlimited my record label has a few copies for sale on their website. They are very limited so if you want this CD I guess you have to be quick. There is also some other nice music on there by Ron Boots himself, UNI Sphere (Eric van der Heijden and Rene Splinter), Spyra, Stefan Erbe and more. I also liked the first track a lot Meteorite by Tonal Assembly. You can buy the album as a factory pressed CD here: http://www.groove.nl/jump2.php?artnum=88044‍

BorkHavn review Sonic Immersion‍

Another very nice review came in on the BorkHavn album I did together with Ron Boots. This time by Bert Strolenberg of Sonic Immersion. He gave our album 4 stars. Which is actually a lot since Bert very rarely gives our more and he put the 'My Choice' label on the review which mean he would buy the album himself. You can find the review on his website on this url: http://www.sonicimmersion.org/ron-boots-synthnl-borkhavn/. I also put the text of the review below

Ron Boots & Synth.nl – BorkHavn
CD/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Groove Unlimited, 2020
Rating: **** (My Choice)

Many will recall Ron & Michel’s fine debut album “Refuge en Verre” based on music drafts made during a vacation of both families in Belgium. A decade later “BorkHavn” sees the light of day, distilled from live improvised music made in a similar setting a few years later during a vacation in Denmark. Make no mistake though as “BorkHavn” is a different sonic breed as its predecessor. As the musicians elaborate in the liner notes, the music is an true expression of their friendship. It’s also a powerful statement showing how both musicians complement each other in a surprising as well as beautiful manner.

The nine tracks feature emotive electronic music with a strong dynamic current connecting them. Many string pads and drums pass by on the outcome taking various twists and turns as its progresses. There’s the dynamic undercurrent sensed on the engaging opening title. Things take on an energizing orchestral/symphonic shape “Nordsøen”, entering psychedelic-infused and slightly experimental territory on “Gåpåmod”, firing off a powerful sequencer-lead on the jolly “Hjortebøf” while reflective sonic universes open up on “Stjernekiggeri” and “Torden”. Energy runs high on the freestyle yet groovy “Vindmøller” with a slice of “Acoustic Shadows” thrown in on the first half before the lush “Venskab” brings the album to a closure.

If you want an album with solid, attentively-made electronic music, “BorkHavn” should be your pick without hesitation.

Bert Strolenberg - Sonic Immersion
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More information on the album here: https://www.synth.nl/music/collaborations/borkhavn

BelleRob BorkHavn Video 'Venskab'

A nice video Rob made of the 'Venskab' track that I made with Ron Boots for the 'BorkHavn' album.

Deckard's Dream in the Studio‍

I have liked the music of Vangelis since I heard the first tones of his Spiral and one of the most famous synthesizers he used is of course the Yamaha CS-80. I always loved that sound. Put it through a Lexicon 224 and I can play all day and feel like Vangelis. Unfortunately I never owned a CS-80 because they are very rare and very expensive. I did own a CS-50 and later a CS-60 with midi even. They come close but they do lack one thing: Polyphonic aftertouch. That is what set the CS-80 apart from every other synthesizer. So I has always been on my wish list, but it just never happened. Then I came across the Deckard's Dream project from the company Black Corporation. They have created a synthesizer in rack mount form that is heavily inspired by the CS-80. They don't want to call it a clone, but it comes so close that the rest of the world does. They both sell it a as a complete synthesizer and as a DIY kit. So I decided to build my own. I documented the whole build process. I you want to read about it you can go here:

http://synthnl.blogspot.com/search/label/deckards%20dream‍

That concludes this Newsletter. I will update you soon with more news. Let me know if you have any questions. I'd be happy to answer them.

Michel, Synth.NL