Retroaktiv MPG7 Review & Demo // Why you'll want an MKS-7

[@OneMinuteSynths]

New tech bringing new life to old tech, that’s pretty damn cool.

[@R_A_V_E_R_X]

Omg they finally made a mks-7 controller. I can hardly believe it. I asked them about this like 8 years ago.... They said maybe. And now they actually did it. I'm so glad I never sold my mks-7.

[@StarskyCarr]

Yay!! New life for the MKS!

[@olivierfhex2277]

me too ! so happy !!!

[@RoyChartier]

The 1984 SH-4d. 40 years before its time ;)

[@stfranckmusic]

old school meeting the new it's pretty ace!

[@robert-wr6md]

Your vocals are getting better 2:45

[@StarskyCarr]

You want to see my highlights and perfect stubble.. along with the mullet. Had to get into character

[@Station2Station-du2gh]

@@StarskyCarr And park public bathroom escapades I heard. You really get authentic!

[@StarskyCarr]

Method acting darling… true authenticity requires unbridled commitment. 🎭🎬🕺🏼

[@tihinter]

Love that Wham quote!

[@Eli_Knight]

Super cool, entirely unexpected, recreation of Everything She Wants

[@dustcombo]

IIRC the bass part has hardware envelopes on MKS-7. That + velocity sensitivity make it sound more alive for bass duties than melody or chord parts.

[@retroaktivsynthesizers5075]

We added the ability to turn off the velocity sensitivity on the bass (Using the VCF Env Velocity button) if you want. If it's 'off' all of the bass notes passed through the MPG-7 will be 127 velocities, which is nice if you're trying to do a moog type of bass line. I feel like the bass envelope is snappier than the envelopes on the other 6 voices.

[@StarskyCarr]

That’s interesting and makes things fall into place. The fader positions are completely different for similar envelopes and filter settings in the bass and other voices. I thought I was going mad!

[@Musical.Maze.1]

Thomann doesn't have it yet! Thanks for the video! Great tool I need this one!

[@neanalog]

Thomann doesn't carry Retroaktiv.

[@retroaktivsynthesizers5075]

@@neanalog I don't think they are interested in us because we basically service a niche market. They aren't going to sell 1000 MPG-7 units, because there aren't loads of people with MKS-7s lying around. Something like the Behringer Model D is going to sell thousands of units, so it is worth making thousands of them. With this stuff, it's one guy (me) making a couple hundred units, which comes at a large cost. The community we serve is very small, so it is tough getting a retailer like Thomann to buy more than 5 or 6 units, which doesn't help Retroaktiv much at all. (After they get their discount, there really is nothing left but the cost of making another unit) I wish it were different, but the market for niche music toys is limited.

[@Musical.Maze.1]

@@neanalog Thanks I didn't know that!

[@squarelanguage]

Now we need one for DX7’s

[@retroaktivsynthesizers5075]

I have a controller designed for this, but who knows if it'll make it to market or not.

[@theclutch]

Pretty cool. It'd be a lot cooler with some control over the Rhythm section or an ARP maybe - that would be useful!! But yet another great vid, thanks Starsky!!

[@retroaktivsynthesizers5075]

There's not really much to control with the rhythm section, which is why we left that off of the panel. We could have added a basic sequencer, but there are SO many sequencers out there that it seemed like all it would do is add cost to the consumer, and it would be hard to compete with a lot of the dedicated sequencers already out on the market. .

[@theclutch]

@@retroaktivsynthesizers5075 I hear you on the sequencer, but an arpeggiator would have added so much - esp since the MKS-7 has different parts - and it would really have added a ton a value when controlling 2 synths, or in binaural modes for example - I can almost hear it now! I think this is a brilliant piece of kit and I'll probably get one - it just would've been great if I didn't have to run cables through another device or two to bring it up to a modern spec. I think that's just food left on the table, and like in most synth head studios I know - table space is a at premium!

[@squarelanguage]

Sold an mks7 to Chris Ross of Wolfmother on eBay back in 2006. Thought it was a scam because he sent a money order from Australia but wanted it shipped to New York. Was right before their US tour.

[@squarelanguage]

Sold it for $249

[@paulc7798]

Has a Sample pack been made of loads of those random synth sounds? If not can you make one? Cheers.

[@StarskyCarr]

Nice idea.

[@elsongs]

I had an MKS-7 back in the '90s. It was cool to a point, but I always had to do a few button presses just to set it up. I was able to edit the sounds via SysEx but the fact that I could never save the sounds got to be annoying. Eventually I sold it and bought a Juno-106 in 2006 (for $325). The chord section of the MKS-7 had a somewhat different presets than the Juno 106 and there's a pad on there that I've been dying to have on my 106.

[@moodmusicrecords]

You could edit each preset voice straight from the front panel, or with a Sysex controller. Only saving your own presets was not possible. Used one in the 90s for hundreds of productions.

[@retroaktivsynthesizers5075]

You can't edit presets from the panel, only with a sysex controller.

[@StarskyCarr]

I can confirm there’s no way of editing this without a programmer.

[@enphour7960]

I had used MKS-7 in 1990s and sold it because I had no options (aka no $$$) to program 106 voice…. this programmer would have been awesome to have.

[@analoguewings]

Big sell regret 😢 I posted the chip ID for the bass voice on a forum and found it has an analogue envelope generator (same as the 101 iirc) so it’s more analogue than the the other 106 voices and it has an audibly “sloppier” character.

[@StarskyCarr]

I’d assumed it was the same as the others. It looked the same but I never removed it as I couldn’t be bothered taking the bottom board out 😂

[@maxtrone539]

@@StarskyCarr supposedly the bass section uses filter from J106 but the DCO is different and is way simpler, but it uses a real analog ADSR chip Chord (4 voices) ---> 80017A / soft Env Melod (2voices) ---> 80017A / soft Env Bass (mono) ---> 80017A / IR3R01

[@Broyale26]

Can I use this with an Alpha Juno 2?

[@neanalog]

No. You'd use MPG50 for that synth. It is quite a bit different from the 106.

[@brettwayne8103]

Does it send sysex and CC at the same time? I read the manual and little unclear how the CC TO SYSEX TRANSLATE works so you can hear the realtime changes and record them? can you send cc via the usb midi port at same time the sysex is going out the DIN to the synth? Or do you have to use the DIN thru on the synth to record back to the DAW?

[@retroaktivsynthesizers5075]

Yes, you can do all of this. When you are in translate mode, the controller sends CCs when the panel is edited, and sends sysex when a CC is received. This is so you can record edits and hear them at the same time without creating a feedback loop. There's multiple ways to set this up. There is not just one way to do it. It depends on your rig. I have the CCs going from the controller to the DAW, which records them and passes them right back to the controller, where they are then translated to sysex and sent to the synth. So any fader movement is heard immediately.

[@brettwayne8103]

Good to know !

[@smokey5100]

Does adding this to a Juno 106 give Kiwi 106 capabilities?

[@StarskyCarr]

No it doesn’t add to the functionality.

[@smokey5100]

@StarskyCarr Ok thank you

[@atommachine]

Is there one for a jd990 i wonder..

[@subs4794]

It's called the JD800 😉

[@flamesintheattic]

But does it Djent?

[@irtnyc]

This seems ripe for finish-carpentry integration by Love Hultén into a new work of retro/futuristic GAS art furniture!

[@thirstyCactus]

Note to Behringer: Please make editors for old synths!

[@retroaktivsynthesizers5075]

The market for these is self limited by the people who own the synth. Behringer would likely lose money on this endeavor, because serving a niche market is not a huge money maker for a multinational conglomerate. They'd be smarter just cloning the synth, which is exactly what they do.

[@subs4794]

Since late 2020, they promised a BCR64 then it became a BCR32. So 32 encoder universal MIDI programmer with an OLED, some CV gate outs. Also with Zaquencer to be added in it. They showed a more finished version of it in the past year. It's weird they haven't released it yet.

[@subs4794]

​@@retroaktivsynthesizers5075Why not make a comprehensive universal programmer to cover all retro MIDI gear, instead of all your different units? Someone will. For now software editors with a tablet suffice using free CTRLR, or cheap TouchOSC or commercial products like Midiquest.

[@retroaktivsynthesizers5075]

@@subs4794 I'm working on something. The BCR is OK, but it does not cover the ground that people think, as it also fails to be able to work for any 'non-standard' sysex string, like a multi-parameter byte that packs several params into a single ID, or anything that involves more than a single string of sysex, or even a layer. All of the universals fail at this, which is something that not many people know about. It's not as simple as people assume. Each software solution and universal I see leaves a lot to be desired by my standards. This is why my multiple units are needed. Because each one of the synths we support requires a ton of backend work to make the surface seem seamless to the user. You can't do it with any of the universals. They don't allow special cases, which is something that all of these synths I support have in spades. I also do not like the concept of a bunch of unlabeled knobs on a box. It is unpleasant to me. Half of what I provide is a perfect control surface tailored to the synth. Some will pay for this, and others wont, but it is inarguable that editing on my controllers is a much nicer experience than editing the same synth with a BCR. The cost may not be worth it for everyone, but there is certainly a market for people who just want the best experience. That's the market I cater to with these model-specific controllers. A universal will never be as good as this.

[@thirstyCactus]

@@retroaktivsynthesizers5075 However, if they clone the MKS7, then an editor would be lucrative!

[@isaac.anthony]

iPad has a midi controller for just about any synth you can think of, for the cost of an app.

[@StarskyCarr]

I’ve got that… (or at least a couple that do similar) but I’ve not seen one for this.

[@retroaktivsynthesizers5075]

And you get what you pay for. People ignore all of the stuff that goes on behind the scenes to make the user experience smooth. The Retroaktiv products aren't just knobs on a box. Hundreds of hours of software development go into each one in order to make all of the weird 80's MIDI quirks and odd MIDI implementation unnoticeable to the user. I am betting the app would immediately fail the first basic test, by not allowing independent editing of the 3 layers of this, and not being able to deal with the odd sysex implementation for the multi-parameter bytes. (Where the bits in a single byte all make up 7 or 8 different parameter settings) Like most things, it all seems so easy until you start getting into it, then you realize what the 'unknown unknowns' are. I guarantee that app couldn't hold a candle to what this controller is doing. That said, you can cross the ocean in an airplane or a kayak. Both get the job done, but one's considerably easier than the other.

[@isaac.anthony]

@@retroaktivsynthesizers5075 i appreciate your product, i would prefer a hardware solution over a software one, but my budget and space doesn't always allow for more, that's why apps are much better than you paint them to be.

[@isaac.anthony]

@@retroaktivsynthesizers5075 i would rather have a dedicated physical controller, but not everyone can afford the money or space for that, and a lot of apps are great.

[@essenceoftheanimal]

i have mks7 on sale on ebay right now. all chips socketed. hope my comment doesnt qualify as spam... get the controller and an mks7!

[@StarskyCarr]

Are you Sir Analogue in Hove? Looks in good condition. This one has had a harder life!

[@deadmanwalking6342]

Oh kinky!

[@itstheterranaut]

MKS-7 surely? (I wish I'd never sold mine.....) Great vid :)

[@StarskyCarr]

Haha.. oh yeah cheers. Changed!

[@-VCO-]

The MKS-7 was ahead of its time and It's like people had to wait 40 years for a way to easily access its full potential. It would be cool if it also had an arp/seq for the synth parts and a drum sequencer - instant vintage groove machine.

[@martattacks]

That's two new devices on my GAS list. 🤦

[@StarskyCarr]

😂😂 sorry about that!

[@martattacks]

​@@StarskyCarrnever mind. 😅

[@TechnoAssassin-vx6zf]

damn…i thought this was a desktop synth……😬🙈🤣

[@thirstyCactus]

I'd think so too, based on the price :D