MATRIXSYNTH: Tuesday, April 10, 2007

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

More Messe via Gearwire

Roland MC-4b, MTR-100, and OP8

Title link takes you to more shots via this auction.

Details:
"This is a Roland MC-4b MicroComposer Digital CV/GATE Sequencer for sequencing analog synths with CV/GATE inputs. It comes complete with the extremely rare optional MTR-100 Digital Cassette Recorder and the somewhat rare optional OP-8 DCB converter for controlling a Juno-60 or Jupiter-8 via DCB interface. It also includes the original manual, 20 Maxell M-90 Data Cassettes (recommended by Roland in the manual), and an original DCB cable for interfacing with a Jupiter-8 or Juno-60. It took me over 12 years to complete this set, now you can save yourself the time and effort by buying them altogether. This sequencer is the tightest sequencer on the planet, and can sequence CV/GATE synths with ease. It was used by many artists to create some of the best music ever heard. Former users include Vince Clarke, Rational Youth, Human League & Martin Rushent (Dare!), Richard D. James (Analord), John Foxx, Wang Chung, Tears For Fears (The Hurting), Toto, Devo, YMO, and many more. A keyboard with CV/GATE output can be hooked up to enter notes via keyboard, or you can enter notes using the calculator keypad. This MC-4 is the more difficult to find expanded model with the "B" designation that allows you to save patches to the supplied MTR-100 Data Cassette Recorder at twice the speed as normal, and also contains double the memory capacity. This is my last MC-4b, and it will be sorely missed. You can listen to a song I composed entirely with this setup and an additional MC-4 here: http://isatellite.info/lifeintokyo.html. For more information, you can visit my detailed review at: link."

Ken Stone's Programmer/Sequencer

Bookmarking this one for "one of these days." Title link takes you to more info. Be sure to check out the rest of Catgirl Synth.

"The Programmer/Sequencer is a Serge inpired multi-stage sequencer. Unlike most sequencers, this one makes no use of binary counters. Rather, it uses a set of individual stages, each one directly accessible. As such it could be considered to allow "random access". The first sequencer produced by Serge was a 4017 based counter that put out gate pulses. In order to get a control voltage sequencer, the gate outputs were fed to the input stages of a multi-state programmer. Usually built in groups of four, but sometimes coupled through a switch, these programmers would only allow a single stage to be active at any time, outputting the corresponding control voltages to their bussed output jacks. The stages could be selected either via a gate/trigger input or a panel mounted push button."

Oscar and His 505

Image sent my way via Mark of The Backlit Lounge. BTW, in case you are interested, the "Backlit Lounge is a monthly event in San Francisco. It is open to any Electronic Musician that would like to perform. All you have to do is visit Backlit Lounge and sign up for one of the 45 minute monthly slots."

Vocoder

YouTube via reichmarshall. Sent my way via Mr.Array.

Roland System 700

Title link takes you to the source of this image. Here are some more: (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8). Anyone able to translate the Japanese or know more about these shots?

BTW you can find details on the Roland System 700 Modules here.

New Studio Shots

Click here for more shots via Dennis

Coil on 'Hello Culture'

YouTube via iameddiehearmeroar. Sent my way via ghostdog.

Vintage Synth Scans

Title link takes you to 88 synth scans.

Also check out this post.

Glassware-electronics Atari Punk Console

YouTube via dnnny. "APC (Atari Punk Console) with light sensitive resistors to sense light changes,inside Osram Centra 200W. Bulb diameter 80mm and length 160mm."

Via GetLoFi where you'll find more info.

Korg Monopoly 08

flickr by pixiduc.

Title link takes you to more.

Korg Prophecy

flickr by werbnry.

That ribbon mod controller is one of my favorite performance controllers.

Roland SRE-555

Title link takes you to shots pulled via this auction.
Details
"This is the Roland SRE-555 Chorus Echo, the best sounding and most reliable tape echo ever made. It is also the quietest and most fully featured Roland tape echo, with redesigned circuitry for the pro studio environment. It's in pristine condition with only slight scratches from racking. You can hear a Jupiter-4 played only through this tape echo on the intro to this track on my Web site"

New Sega Sequencer

"A sega megadrive/genesis sequencer that controls the joystick and the bends.. It syncs to the gameboy. so the characters in the game move to the music that is comming out of the gameboy.. the game that has been used in the video on my site has also been rom hacked. sonic and tales have gotten a complete work-over the layout is different and you can see the flowers have turned into gameboys.."

Title link takes you there.

Devowski

Remember devowski? Title link takes you to his new website.

KORG MS02

Title link takes you to a couple more shots pulled via this auction. Not the best, but you don't see these often.

Details:
"Here we have a Korg MS-02 Interface in PERFECT WORKING ORDER. Sorry for the out of focus photos. Cosmetically in GREAT shape, a 9 out of 10. No particular blemish stands out as worth mentioning, just some occassional surface scratches and smudge marks, but again, in great cosmetic shape, especially for a 30 year old item. I have the original manual and will send that as well.

From the manual:

"For complete connection compatibility between synthesizers.
The MS-02 is ideal if you want to upgrade your synthesizer by adding on other synthesizer units having different kinds of keyboard control voltage and trigger signals. The built-in, fully adjustable log amp, anti-log amp, and trigger processor ensure complete system flexibility and compatibility between any presently voltage controlled synthesizer."

Meaning, you can use this unit to connect any major analog synth with CV in/outs to any other synth with CV ins/outs. Hugely useful for connecting your Moog to your MS 20, or your ARP to your MS 10, or whatever you desire. Crazy Analog synth sounds possible!

Furthermore, it has juntion points on the bottom, which is hugely useful for modular patching. For instance, on the korg ms 20, it only allows you to patch one parameter to only one other paramater, but with the junctions, you simply connect your parameter in, and have the possibility to patch it to two, or even THREE different other patch points. This doubles or even TRIPLES your possibilities!!! So useful!

Here are the specs:
1. LOG AMPLIFIER Tuning
Width
Hz/V input (0~15V)
Oct/V Output (-12V~+12V)
2. ANTILOG AMPLIFIER Tuning
Width
Oct/V input (-4V~+4V)
Hz/V output (-12V~+12V)
3. ADDING AMPLIFIER Channel 1 level control
Channel 2 level control
Input Channel 1
Input Channel 2
Output
4. TRIGGER PROCESSORS x 2 Trigger indicator
Reverse switch
Input (Vth=+2.5V)
Output (0V~+15V)
5. OTHERS Power switch
Pilot lamp
6. JUNCTIONS 4 x 2
3 x 1
7. DIMENSIONS 283 (W) X 110 (H) X 195 (D) mm
8. WEIGHT 2.2kg
9. POWER CONSUMPTION Voltage (local voltage, 50/60Hz), wattage (5W)"

EMS VCS3 Putney

Title link takes you to shots pulled via this auction.

Oddly, it looks right at home.

Some interesting details:
"The EMS expert I have been dealing with has only seen pictures of this unit. This is what he wrote:

'Your VCS3 is interesting because it is a very early model. Although it does say VCS3a on the back panel, this is not a commonly recognized 'species' of VCS3 and the unit would fall under the heading of VCS3 Mk1. More importantly the circuitry and components are the same as the Mk1 VCS3 (and Synthi A Mk1 - the suitcase model) I noticed the pencil marking '210' on the images you emailed and suspect that this is the correct serial number.'"

Sequential Circuits Pro One

More pics here via this auction.

Details:
"From the manual:
About the Pro-One
The Pro-One is a monophonic (one-voice) keyboard synthesizer. Its principal sound sources are two voltage-controlled oscillators (VCOs), referred to as OSC A and OSC B. OSC A, OSC B, and a white noise source can be mixed into the resonant low-pass filter (VCF). The filter modifies the voice timbre under control of its four-stage envelope generator. The filter may also serve as a sound source. This stage is followed by a voltage-controlled amplifier (VCA), which shapes the voice amplitude also under control of a four-stage envelope generator. The keyboard provides frequency control voltage (KYBD CV) for the oscillators and filter, and generates a GATE which controls the envelope generators.

In addition to this basic voice, the Pro-One has extensive modulation provisions. Three modulation sources are available: the filter envelope generator (FILT ENV), OSC B, and a separate low-frequency oscillator (LFO). Each can be mixed and routed for either DIRECT or WHEEL-controlled modulation of five destinations: OSC A frequency (FREQ), OSC A pulse- width (PW), OSC B FREQ, OSC B PW, and filter frequency (FILTER).

This complement of analog synthesizer modules and the routings provided for their interconnection have been well-proven in the Pro-One's ancestors, the Prophet-5 and Prophet-10 polyphonic synthesizers. Besides allowing the synthesist to play up to five or ten notes at one time, these two instruments contain microcomputers which program all the control settings comprising a sound. The Pro-One is neither preset nor programmable: you always "patch" the precise sound you want with the knobs and switches on the control panel. But the Pro-One voice itself is identical to a single Prophet voice, so it is capable of as much range and expression.

Possessing the Prophet's sound and all standard monophonic synthesizer features, the Pro- One's own microcomputer makes possible innovations unheard of on a lowcost synthesizer; a 40-note sequencer, an arpeggiator, keyboard modes such as single- or multiple- triggering, and the unique automatic glide feature. An audio input with preamplifier and automatic GATE generator allows synthesizer processing of low-level inputs such as a microphone or electric guitar. The audio output can drive a monophonic or stereo amplifier, or stereo headphones. Of special interest to computer enthusiasts, the Pro-One readily interfaces for control by an external microcomputer."

I love the introductions for synths in manuals. You get a glimpse of how the people behind the synth wanted users to perceive it - it's the culmination of all the work that went into the synth. Introductions to manuals were one of the first things I put up on the old Matrixsynth site back in Oct of '97. Click on the nostalgia link when you get there to see them.

Roland SH-5

Title link takes you to shots pulled via this auction.

Width: 37 inches
Depth: 17 inches
Height: 13 inches
Weight: 50 pounds

ARP 2600

Title link takes you to shots pulled via this auction. This one has the 4012 "Moog" style filter. Be sure to check out the audio demo. Via Dave.

Update via dead man's party (appropriate name) in the comments: "The musician? The mp3 tells you: Michael Bacich. He played keyboards for Oingo Boingo in the late 80's. I'm not sure what he's been doing since then but he posts on AH and/or SDIY occasionally." I thought someone would catch that. : )

Demo mirrored here.