StarskyCarr’s Sonic Canvas

Right folks, if the Sonicware ELZ-1 Play was previously like a modest garage band, it’s now a full-blown festival headliner. StarskyCarr kicks off by telling us about the monumental update that’s hit this synth. Packed with new features, it’s as if the ELZ-1 Play has downed a couple of energy drinks and decided to go on a sonic rampage. Say hello to Waldorf wavetable oscillators, a nod to classic PPG and Microwave waves, and the jaw-dropping Serum wavetable import that opens up countless tonal possibilities. Top that off with the ability to layer three oscillators, and we’re looking at a tiny box capable of creating monstrous sounds. It’s got the kind of potential to take over the world, or at least your studio.

StarskyCarr dives into the heart of the beast: the wavetable oscillator. As he tinkers with the new Waldorf waves, you can almost see the sparks flying. It’s like a mad professor’s lab, but instead of dangerous potions, we’ve got gnarly waveforms just begging to be mangled. The real treat here is the Serum WAV file import. If you’ve ever wanted to throw the kitchen sink into your sound design, here’s your chance. Imagine importing wavetables from Serum, each with its own unique flavour, like sonic pizzas waiting to be devoured by your hungry synth. According to Starsky, it gives you access to a vast palette, making the ELZ-1 Play not just an instrument, but a toolbox of audio mayhem. No subtlety, no underplaying; just pure, unadulterated sound-shaping potential.

Next up, Starsky explores the three-layer engine. Now, layering isn’t just for cake lovers, it’s for synth enthusiasts too. By combining different oscillator types like Wavetables, Super Saws, and Virtual Analog, the ELZ-1 is capable of concocting rich and complex textures. The way Starsky describes it, it’s like having a punk band and a symphony orchestra jamming together on stage—energy, chaos, and brilliance, all rolled into one. This level of complexity seems poised to inspire creativity. With each layer you stack, the soundscape evolves into something grander. Think of it as building a sonic skyscraper: each floor adds depth, dimension, and surprise.

And then we’ve got the effects—oh, those glorious effects. Starsky takes us through the new suite like he’s touring through an art gallery. There’s granular synthesis, providing those dreamy, textured hues that you could get lost in forever. With the new reverb, formant filter, and compressor at your disposal, it’s like adding layer upon layer of lush paint strokes to your audio canvas. Key tracking modulation adds to the expressiveness, allowing notes to dance and shimmer as they’re played. It’s finesse and grit. There’s no denying, the ELZ-1’s transformation into a mini sound-design powerhouse. If sound were physical, this synth would be covered in paint splashes and glitter, unapologetically attention-grabbing and boldly dynamic.