Hartmann Neuron
8tung Blender!
In a posting at Karma-Lab Forum OASYAN RC aka Richard Courtel was asking me for some Neuron sounds. Therefore I thought I will give it a try.
A synthesizer’s sound character also depends on the person playing it. Neuron is here no exception, on the contrary in my opinion Neuron’s sound does even more depend on the person using it. This is not an excuse for the demos, just an explanation that in case you hear some completely different sounds and being surprised that it is the same source used here.
Neuron was and still is a polarising instrument, no doubt but for someone who likes to generate soundscapes it is a very interesting tool. Several people claim it only can sound harsh, cold and digital. Let’s hear if that is true and decide for yourself.
Do not expect the sound of a real Orchestra when listening to the first example.
Orchestral Pad
To me this sound includes in a way horns, strings and a bit the decay of a harpsichord at the end. All thrown together, shredded and put together again. Do you think this to be a harsh, cold and digital sound?
Next sound is one of my favourites and named “bebe Tara”. Originally planed to be used in a short diving movie, but the movie never made it.
By using the sticks (= “chanterelles”) you can influence some of the characteristics of the sound, depending on the model used. The reverb you hear is the internal one and to be honest, quite important for most of the sounds…
bebe Tara
In the last audio demo you can listen to several sounds I played in a row. Yes, some of them are scratchy, to me this is part of the “charme” of Neuron. Switching between sounds sometimes can take a while as Neuron always has to load the model.
several neuron sounds
Mass & Time
sounds like a motor saw recorded thru a phaser
Der Erzaehler
reminiscence to a project in the 90ies, has some Peter Gabriel “genes” in it
VP-1 Bellpad
very scratchy, but I love it
Didgeridoo
a factory sound, played a little bit with the chanterelles.. surprisingly does sound better then during playing
Wave Tubell Pad
used a Wave sample and “ReModellized” it, does not need further explanation, does it? Maybe your monitor boxes cannot reproduce the low end at the beginning.
Unisonal
to avoid any depressed listeners I am ending with a typical “happy sound” … mh… maybe not to happy for others, but a happy sound for me. Chanterelles were used once more.
Last but not least - in case you ever have the chance to switch on a Neuron one… no, two recommendations. First put on your sun glasses before you switch on… but before that check the fuses :wink:.
If you want to know more about this machine, then visit hartmann-music’s website.
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Eric - EJ2 says:
Very interesting and I might add very tempting, indeed. Thanks, Peter.
Oktober 20th, 2007 at 00:24
Ivan Flack (aka MIDIManNI) says:
Nice sounds there and a machine which would be nice to own (after the Oasys that is!)
Oktober 21st, 2007 at 10:23
blogasys says:
Eric & Ivan,
thanks both of you for the kind feedback!
And yes, Neuron is a very good complement to OASYS. Hartmann Music unfortunately made some mistakes and therefore does not exist any more. But you never know.. Waldorf also disappeared once and did rise like a Phoenix.
I guess it is also quite important to mention that Neuron is not one of the most stable instruments…. I admire the people who are using it live!
Most likely later this year I will post some more demofiles. Maybe OASYS + Neuron, but I will keep you informed.
peter
Oktober 21st, 2007 at 10:41
RC says:
Hello Peter!
you made it! thanx a lot for the demos. Very good sounds in here. Like MidiMan, a keyboard to have !!
Oktober 21st, 2007 at 13:42
Sylvain Kepler says:
Hi Peter,
Excellent sound demos and pictures !
Oktober 21st, 2007 at 17:50
Nemmo says:
Yes, it sounds digital indeed. But it has its charm. However i don’t think it justifies the US$4000 price tag. You’ll have to forgive my blasphemy, but there are nice digital samplers like the VP-9000 and the Yamaha A5000 that can take you through the same territories for less than US$400. And, excuse me if i offend some purist, but there is the wonderful Absynth soft-synth, which has grown into its fourth reincarnation these days for the low price of US$ 199. Great, isn’t it.
Oktober 21st, 2007 at 19:09
blogasys says:
@ Sylvian - Thanks !
@ Nemmo - this is no blasphemy at all :).
But I do wonder whether the US$400 you stated above are 2nd hand prices. On the other hand I remember that Yamaha’s A5000 was a real pain when I tried to load the samples.. I was lucky to return it, although I am usually a fan of Yamaha instruments.
Yes, you are right soft-synths are more flexible… no doubt. I prefer working with hardware instead of moving the mouse and watching TV
. But this is my way to work, others see it the opposite way.
peter
Oktober 21st, 2007 at 19:37
Tahome says:
I also own a Neuron and I agree that this instrument used to have a high price tag. However, its sonic capabilities are so much higher than anything else’s that is on the market, be it soft synth or hardware synth (Absynth is usually mentioned by people who have never touched a Neuron - if you did you would instantly get rid of Absynth and use the Neuron instead). You might be able to create some of its sounds with other products as well, but it would take you so much more time (and be so much more a technical process - Neuron lets you explore without being technical - it has a high fun factor!). I love this instrument.
Oktober 22nd, 2007 at 08:05
medusaland says:
hi peter,
congratulation too the demo´s and the fantastic neuron sounds.
bye, kurt
Oktober 22nd, 2007 at 21:39
blogasys says:
“Neuron lets you explore without being technical - it has a high fun factor!”
You brought it to the point, Tahome!
Thanks Kurt !
peter
Oktober 23rd, 2007 at 06:15
blogasys » Collaborations Part III - watermeditation says:
[…] one named “Mass & Time” was added. You can listen to both of them separately here in the Neuron […]
Januar 31st, 2008 at 20:21
Stephan Bernsee says:
Hey Peter, nice audio examples and great pictures! Just so you know, I have posted a link to your blog on the Neuron Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=285585009322 Cheers, Stephan
Februar 17th, 2010 at 15:59
blogasys says:
Thanks a lot for the kind words Stephan!
ps: for those who do not know - Stephan is the brain of Neuron (real fun to write for me) and Prosoniq software (eg sonicWORX one of my favourite tools that I am missing under OSX).
Stephan has a nice website with lots of informations: http://www.surroundsfx.com
Februar 17th, 2010 at 16:33