MATRIXSYNTH

at 3/01/2006 11:05:00 AM

Update: Make sure to check out the comments section of this post for some good dialog going on.

Jim Aikin, former senior editor of Keyboard magazine, posted the following on the SynthSights list. It's an interesting perspective on why many people will identify more with melody over texture of sound - why musical hooks will usually get stuck in our heads more likely than synth soundscapes. I asked Jim if I could post this and he gave me the ok. Thanks Jim! Title link takes you to Jim Aikin's website.

"My suspicion is that our ability to sense and respond to pitch inflection
(i.e., melody) has evolutionary roots in our ability to understand language.
Even in languages that use pitch inflection to distinguish one word from
another, I'm sure speakers and listeners understand the difference in affect
between a sentence spoken in a high, rapid tone with exaggerated pitch
changes and the same sentence spoken in a low, hesitant monotone.

Musical perception uses the same brain mechanisms.

Textures can be instantly identifiable, even before the entrance of motivic
content, and can carry a profound emotional charge. But I doubt that a
texture stays in your head and comes back to you at odd moments the way a
melody by Mozart or Lennon & McCartney will.

Again, it's evolution at work. A melody uses syntax, so it gets "filed" by
the brain using the same ultra-sophisticated language-handling modules that
allow you to remember, word for word, what your Significant Other (or, for
that matter, a total stranger) said to you last week. Most listeners don't
have the mental equipment to handle texture and tone color in that way.

The weakness that I've observed in far too many synth-based CDs (and I used
to listen to a lot of them when I was at Keyboard) is that while the opening
texture is beautiful and stimulating, the music never goes anywhere. The
melodic and harmonic structure, if it exists at all, fails to hold my
attention.

I suppose this is ultimately an elitist position in favor of the
old-fashioned virtues taught in college-level composition courses. But the
music itself doesn't have to be elitist...

Them's mah 2 cents, and ah'm stickin' to 'em."

--Jim Aikin

at 3/01/2006 08:45:00 AM

Title link takes you there.

"The Cocolase has two 8 bit digital delays, but it does not just delay sounds, it recontextualizes them in different pitches, directions, all broken up or all melded together. Each delay has sensing inputs to control its speed, direction, and location. In the center of the Cocolase is a woven nest of 8 oscillators called a Sidrassi. The Sidrassi manifests many varieties of movement with which to control the delays."

at 3/01/2006 08:38:00 AM

Love this shot. Pizza, view, CS50, laptop, xOxBOx and parts. Also see this shot. Both via Mattias on AH.

at 3/01/2006 08:32:00 AM

Title link takes you there. Link at the very bottom left of the list when you get there. Demos online.

Dual Quantizer module. Two discrete circuits, functionally
independent and identical.
Converts continuous signal to DC step output voltage conforming to typical musical scales.

Mode 1: Functionally equivalent to a Sample and Hold.
Voltage step will only change with a rising edge pulse or trigger applied to the CLOCK input jack.
Unique design requires no hold capacitor.
Result is zero 'droop' and infinite hold.
Ideal use of mode 1 is in conjunction with a sequencer.
The sequencer gate bus can be used to initiate the sampling
of each sequencer step.

Mode 2: No-Clock or free mode.
Voltage step output changes automatically when the input crosses the conversion threshold determined by the scale selected.
This is the mode users will be familiar with when using the MiniWave to quantize. The one difference here is that with each transition a 5ms pulse is output from the PULSE out jack. This provides the ability to trigger envelopes or logic inputs in synch with step changes.

at 3/01/2006 08:07:00 AM

Title link takes you to the January 1983 review reprinted on the Rhodes Chroma site.

"The Chroma is a very interesting chap, as it doesn't quite fit into the Prophet, OBXA, JP8 league, nor does it fit into the Fairlight, Synclavier, PPGs ot. It seems to be somewhere between both categories, which may or may not be a good thing, only time/sales will tell? Despite the fact that it offers far more versatility than most synthes it is a pain to edit. You have to use the manual to remember all the information, unless you've got a photostatic memory, which I definitely haven't."

Update from Jimmy in the comments: "Fun Trivia - I believe the reviewer was the same Paul Fishman who played synths for Re-Flex (The Politics of Dancing)."

at 3/01/2006 03:03:00 AM

Update4: Mine came out horrid! The font is aqua instead of green. So... Don't order one unless you want the "limitted" first edition. Heh. : ) I'm waiting on a couple of orders to go through (which I actually will refund and let them keep the shirt, because I feel so bad), then I'm closing the shop. If you order one after this update, I WILL NOT refund and just assume you actually want one as is. I'll be looking locally at making shirts next, and I'll be doing a quality check on my end before announcing anything. Sorry about this, but do know I will take care of those who stepped out and bought one first. Here is what it looks like; click for a bigger shot.

Update3: Looks like the $5 off coupons are only good on orders of $20. I upped the mark-ups for my two $19.99 items a penny to $20.00 so we can use the coupons. Other option would have been to pick up a mini-button for $1.99 or that thong. : )

Update2: Looks like I received five $5 off coupon codes when I placed my order. If anyone wants one send me an email at matrixsynth[]hotmail.com. Please don't ask unless you are ready to buy though. Also if you do buy something and get five discounts for others, send them to yourself and post a comment here so others can save a little; I'm not sure if you can use them yourself.

Update: I need to stress that the font will NOT be as sharp as the title in this blog. It has more of a retro Outer Limits/X Files blurry look to it from simply blowing up the title. I think it looks pretty cool myself. Here is a link to what it will look like full size.
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Yep, I did it. I've been wanting a black T with the Matrixsynth title and description above for a while now. I finally got around to checking out CafePress after seeing The Packrat Ts and shwag. I went for the whole shebang for the heck of it. Who am I to judge what others might be interested in. So if you want a Matrixsynth thong, go for it. I also have stamps. I'll be picking up a black T myself. BTW, I just grabbed the title of this blog, so if you do actually buy something please don't come after me if the quality sucks. As the used analog synth market sometimes goes, they are sold AS-IS, buyer beware. I'm honestly just doing this for the fun of it. The markup on each item btw, is one whole dollar. Woohoo! Anyway, I will post back when I get my black T and let you know what I think of it. The one thing I am a bit worried about is how the black border will look on the black shirt (see Update3 below, this might not be an issue after all). Also if I actually do sell more than 10 different items, I'll post back with the top ten sold. P.S. I wonder if I'm making history with the first synth related thong...

Update3: I went with the following printing option for my merchandise, so my concerns on black on black may not be an issue after all. Can't wait to see how it turns out.

"Direct Printing

With Direct Printing, we print direct-to-fabric with no transfers. The result is a matte image that moves with the garment because the ink is actually embedded in the fabric for ultimate wearable comfort. After a few washes, you will notice the great durability of Direct Printing. That means greater image staying power.

The benefits of Direct Printing
Great washability - no fading
No feel of ink on the fabric (the ink is in the fabric)
No cracking
No transfer lines"

at 3/01/2006 12:40:00 AM

Title link takes you to a fascinating video on JMJ dated 1996 on YouTube. JMJ talks about how this album is like a "replugged" rather than unplugged work for him in that he goes back to his analog roots. I love his analogy to "kneeding sounds" like clay. There's a bit of ARP 2600 sequencing going on as well as other vintage gear. Definitely drool worthy. Make sure to check out the other JMJ videos.

at 3/01/2006 12:20:00 AM

Title link takes you there. Some good samples on the Media page.

"During the month of January, 2006, I built an analog modular synthesizer from the ground up. At Oberlin, where I go to school, January is a time for students to work on individual projects of their choice. It has always been a dream of mine to build a modular synth, as I not only wanted one but also thought of it as sort of the "next step" after pedal building. I started on January 4th and ended on Febuary 4th (at 2 in the morning no less!), so it really did take a month to build.

This page contains specifications of my synth, information about the construction, and various soundclips and movies. While building the synth, I created a daily journal of my progress with pictures posted for each day (see "journal"). I am hoping that this can be a learning experience for more than just me-I know there are not many people out there that completely understand modular synths, and hopefully the media can help that. I also know that there are gaps in information regarding the construction of the modular synthesizer, so hopefully my pictures can help with that too. And most of all, hopefully I can give back to the Internet's synth DIY community that has greatly helped me along the way."

Via the Synth and Piano blog - added them to my blog roll on the right.

at 3/01/2006 12:19:00 AM

Trip. I keep expecting to see a Storm Tropper or speeder bike. Via ben shannon illustrator.

at 3/01/2006 12:18:00 AM

Title link takes you to shots pulled from this post for sale.

at 3/01/2006 12:17:00 AM

Title link takes you there. Only one pad works. Enjoy. ; ) Via ben shannon illustrator.

If you want some virtual drum machines that actually work, go here and scroll down.

at 3/01/2006 12:16:00 AM

Title link takes you to shots pulled from this auction. Not the best shots, but it is a nice looking piece of gear. Nice wood.

For more on the Music And More SQ 16 and other MAM products, see the MAM site. The SQ 16 is currently out of production.

at 3/01/2006 12:15:00 AM

Title link takes you to everything you'd want to know about the Casio VL-1, including how to edit it by entering various combinations of numbers. I remember playing around with one. The effects I got out of it reminded me of circuit bending a bit in that I was just randomly entering stuff to see what came out. Wish I had one.