MATRIXSYNTH: Thursday, March 9, 2006


Thursday, March 09, 2006

Juan Atkins Interview

Title link takes you to a classic interview of the godfather of Detroit Techno and House.



Some synth bits (make sure to read the full article):
"'During the summer of 1980 I bought myself a Korg MS10. I messed around with that synthesiser all summer, and I'd got to the point where 1 was making up all sorts of drumbeats on it. 1 had two Kenwood cassette decks and a little Yamaha four-channel mixer, and I'd make up my drum beat and record it on one deck, then bounce it across onto the other and overdub another part at the same time. I became a real master at doing that; I knew how to EQ my drum sounds to start with so that by the time I'd finished four or five overdubs the music still sounded clean.'"

"Instruments in the Atkins arsenal include a Korg Poly 800, Yamaha DXlOO, Sequential Pro One, and Ensoniq Mirage and Akai S900 samplers. Like Saunderson, Atkins is not interested in sampling old records. He prefers to devote himself to the delights of synthesis - and in particular to one synth.

"The Pro One is my heart. I'll use that Pro One until it falls apart, and then I'll probably still use it if it makes any sounds. "These new synthesisers now, I think they're scaling them more to interface with the consumer. Synthesisers used to be synthesisers that a synthesist could play. Now manufacturers are going for presets and they make it really hard to get beyond those presets to program your own sounds. "

"Atkins has a similar preference for old drum machines.
"I still use the 808 and 909. I don't like Roland's latest drum machines, but the 808 and 909 are classics. The 808 has a real techno feel. Everything on that drum machine has an electronic feel, it's not like digitally-sampled real drums."

"'We unveiled our secret weapon, which was that we'd brought a Roland 808 to the party to play live rhythm tracks between the records.'

The crowd went wild and the Direct Drive crew got mad. But a new idea was born which was to have a profound impact not so much on Detroit as on Chicago."

Cream's Mini Up for Auction

Title link takes you to an auction for Jack Bruce of Cream's Mini. Details below saved for posterity. There was only one shot below, so the title link just takes you to the auction while it's up. Via Dylan Gaffney.



Jack Bruce's Mini Moog synthesizer Model-D
serial number 1058 circa early 70s (model D serial numbers started with No.1001 in 1971) - the side panels to the casing on the right-hand side are missing and in generally used condition. This instrument was used by Jack Bruce in recording and composing. Mini Moog synthesizer is now, due to its unique sound, a sought after collector's item.

Accompanied by a letter of authenticity from Janet Bruce.

Pulse Wave on OSC-3 Please

Title link takes you to more cat shots sent my way by First Last. That cat is fixated on OSC-3's Wave selector, or he's wondering where the keys went.

The New Moog

Almost here... Moog Clue #1



"You Know IT'S Coming...But What Is IT?

Can You Feel The Anticipation?

Moog Music is proud to announce the advent of a much anticipated NEW product at Musik Messe in Frankfurt, Germany, March 29, 2006. Come visit your Moog friends in Hall 5.1, Walkway B, Stand 43. Along with showcasing our "hip" new product, we will have world-renowned thereminist, Pamelia Kurstin demonstrating the Etherwave Pro. You all remember her from the Moog Movie.

Although we can't tell you what IT is right now -- we promise to continue to update this location with news and plenty of CLUES. Here's a picture of your first one. Any guesses? Please feel free to share your thoughts with others on the Moog Forum where speculation grows stronger each day.

For those who think that patience is sometimes, but not always a virtue - you can also Click Here to subscribe to our newsletter.

These are the best two ways to collect your clues before everyone else.

See you in Frankfurt!"

Twins



Wow. This shot takes the cake for CAT shots. Stunning. Shot by Rui Peixoto.

M-Audio on One Blue Monkey

NAMM 2006 video is up on One Blue Monkey along with shots and summary. Title link takes you there. Video link under date under title. Axiom controllers pictured on the left.

Kitty Goes Modular

Yep... Shot below from Eric on AH. And then there's KatFish via Jason Proctor.



Update: Another cat shot from Justin Maxwell. What's interesting is that it always seems to be cats in synth shots. Never dogs, never birds, never rodents, never fish. What's with synth people being into cats? I'm into cats as well. So...

Update via the comments. Thought this was pretty funny.

"That's because dogs would be sitting on the floor, looking at you, going "I wuv woo, I wuv woo.."

Cats would be climbing up onto your gear going "For goodness sake, that's not how you patch a modular synth. Here, connect the OSC1 sync here and...

Bloody humans, think they're great at everything... Now where's my dinner?" "

ARP 2600 Grey Mini Shots

Title link takes you to shots put up by Cary Roberts. Click on one to get to its photo album.



"I'm in the process of refurbing my early model grey face ARP 2600. Most
folks would call this a gray meanie as it has all first rev boards and
all op amps are octal not DIP. It does not have a 4410 ADSR. The ADSR
in the unit is labeled "Board 4-1" and is a good bit larger than a 4410.
Board 4 also has odd header locations for the 4019 VCA so several of the
legs on 4019 are bent to make it work. This was fixed in the next rev
of the board.

I'm replacing all the jacks with new Switchcraft 142As and disassembling
and refurbing all the pots. Also, contrary to popular belief, the Cinch
Jones S-306-DB keyboard connector is still manufactured although it's a
couple week lead time from most distributors. In a pinch you can take a
standard S-306 socket and replace the defective socket in the S-306-DB
metal bracket.

While perusing the pics note the silk screened trimmer functions and
jack normalling symbols not present on later units.

http://www.retrosynth.com/gear/arp2600/"

Bob Cash's Keyboards & Synthesizers

Bob sent me a link to his site filled with high res shots. Title link takes you there. Enjoy. Thanks Bob!

Iconweevil - New Flickr Shot

Salute!

Love this shot by unrest.

Previous weevil post
.

Drum Triggering Your Modular

Analog Industries has a post up on building a drum trigger for your modular. Surprisingly it is relatively affordable. Title link takes you to the post.

Love this shot
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