MATRIXSYNTH: Monday, April 23, 2007

Monday, April 23, 2007

Tom's Fractal Music - Tweaking

flickr by scose.

"Tom is creating music based on the Mandelbrot equation. Here he is adjusting a patch on the ARP 2600 synthesizer."

ABBA "Summer night city" Live

YouTube via elroslleida. That's the Yamaha GX-1 in the intro.
Videoclip recorded in 1979 at Wembley.
via Dr. Georg Müller.

Title link takes you to shots via this auction.

Details:
"Moog Modular synthesizer 910 module produced in May, 1969. It is serial number 1132, and according to Moog company records this power supply unit was sold to San Francisco State College as part of a system ordered by them... in exceptional condition with the R.A. Moog Co. Trumansburg, N.Y. sticker still very legible."

via Johan

MOOG Cordovox White Elephant

Click here for shots via this auction

Some details:
"Moog Cordovox White Elephant Electric Organ, model CDX-0652. I believe that these were made from 1975-79.

from Synthmuseum.com:

The Moog Satellite was designed to be an organ player's synth. It was manufactured by the Thomas Organ Company, who paid a large royalty to be allowed to manufacture the Satellite for Moog. In return they were allowed to incorporate the Satellite into their organs. Thomas Organ Company also, along with Cordovox, designed the Moog CDX.

The Moog CDX is basically a Cordovox organ with a built in Satellite monosynth. It is the only organ product that bears the Moog name prominently across the front. Somewhat rare in the US, they seem to be in plentiful supply in parts of europe.

from combo-organ.com: CDX-0652

A dual-manual combo organ with a Moog Satellite grafted onto it. I understand that the Satellite had a very thin sound, nothing like the MiniMoog. It had only a single oscillator and several preset sounds, similar to other semi-preset synths like the Arp Pro Soloist and the Roland SH-2000.

Thomas bought the rights to the Satellite from Moog. The CDX-0652 was designed by Thomas in cooperation with Cordovox. A Thomas version of the Satellite (the "Synthi 1055) and the CDX-0652 were both manufactured by EME, the same outfit that made most Italian Vox organs. Thomas also marketed the Satellite under the "Orbit" name on some of their home organs.

The synthesizer voices play only on the upper manual, organ voices play on both. Organ and synth voices may be played simultaneously on the upper manual. It includes a batch of 9 preset synthesizer voices that don't appear on a Satellite. Unlike the 0642, this one seems to have all of the organ features (many of which seem identical to the 0642) available on both keyboards.

Controls:

Top Panel:

* Tab: Moog On/Off
* Buttons: Piano, Sax, Guitar, Flute, Banjo, Clarinet, String, Trumpet, Horn, Preset
* *Tabs 1: Octaves: 1 & 2 Modulation: Rep, Sine/Square, Vib, Trem
* *Tabs 2: Glide, Sust
* *Tabs 3: Brass: Mute, Open Reed: Thin, Hollow, Full, Bright
* *Tabs 4: String: Bow, Pluck Strike, Pick Bell, Lunar

Left of Upper Keyboard:

* Knob: Tuning
* Black Sliders: Flute Voices: 16', 8', 5-1'3, 4', 2-2'3, 2' Mixture, Volume Lower, Volume Upper
* *White Sliders: Filter: Contour, Color, Emphasis Modulation: Rate, Depth Glide, Volume

Left of Lower Keyboard:

* Buttons: Coupler, Sustain, Bass
* Sliders: Bass Min/Max, Guitar Bass, Vibrato Depth

Right of Lower Keyboard:

* Buttons: Percuss, Repeat, Mono
* Sliders: 8', 4', 2-2/3', 2', Decay Short/Long, Repeat Rate Slow/Fast"

via Johan

MOOG Rogue New In Box

Remember this MOOG Rogue? Looks like it didn't sell the last time and it's back with a new lower reserve. Title link takes you to the shots.

via Johan

brianlebarton

Two interesting flickrs by brianlebarton . Anyone know who these guys are?

jamming with the Futureretro Revolution SE

YouTube via pepemogt. Fussible

Amapolita de Arahuay-Quiero brindar / Filter version

YouTube via pepemogt.
"Using electro harmonix for filtering "amapolita song", audio out from computer(you tube) to Micro Bass Synthesizer Filter."

Cwejman vco-2rm,AS modular synth VCO+LFO and TR-606

YouTube via pepemogt.

"here in the video i did a simple patch using just the output of the ring modulator from the Cwejman vco-2rm, the Analogue Systems VCO controlled by the Analogue Systems LFO and on the other input is the Roland TR-606 drum machine, i really love the sound of the Cwejman ring modulator alone, no aditional effects were used, just the 3 eurorack modules and the tr-606.
http://www.myspace.com/latinsizer
http://www.latinszier.com"

You can find more details in the description for the vid here.

via pepe of milerecords.

Roland GR-500, GS-500 and PC-50

Click here for shots via this auction.

Details:
"Roland GR-500 and GS-500 Guitarset including controllers and cables. very rare because you won't find this combination anywhere! only a few where made in the past. As used by Mike Rutherford of Genesis and Alex Lifeson of Rush.

Here is a description:
''This is THE first guitar synth ever made & it came out in 1977! It came with an Ibanez made Les Paul type guitar with tons of knobs to control various parameters of the 3 separate synth's that were built in to the module. The synthesizer module included Bass, Solo Synth, and String sounds based on previous Orchestral and analog mono-synths from Roland. There are plenty of sliders to adjust the VCO, VCF, VCA, and LFO sections. The guitar utilizes a special pickup system that is connected to the synth module via Roland's own 24-pin interface and controlled it using CV/GATE signals generated by the guitar's pickup system while playing the guitar. In addition to the modified pickup, there were magnets under the face of the guitar that could increase its sustain''

This is the complete set including the guitar, the PC-50 Preset Controller footswitch, 24-way cable and the synthesizer unit (GR500). The guitar has a very nice honeyburst finish.

The playability is very good, with a nice comfortable neck and low string action.

The sound is very very very versatile as you may expect. You can create anything with this one, Because of the Les Paul style body this guitar sustains for days and has a nice warm tone. I'm sure the guitarsynth experts know what i'm talking about.

The condition is good. Just light playwear. Some scratches here and there, but nothing serious. A hardcase is included for the guitar.

Here is another description for the high tech guitarplayers among us:

The GS500 was a heavily modified Ibanez guitar, with a single humbucker plus a hexaphonic pickup for driving the GR500, individual on/off switches for each of the four synthesis sections, switches to select the sound of the guitar itself, the synthesizer, or both simultaneously, plus EQ. All this appeared as a beautifully crafted, but very heavy instrument whose body contained magnets that fed the audio output back to the strings, thus creating an 'infinite sustain' system. The GS500 really was far more than just a guitar plugged into a sound generator!

If the GS500 had a limitation, it was that you could only connect it to the outside world using a heavy, multi-core cable unique to the GS/GR500 combination (shown in the above picture). Without this, you owned nothing more than a large, heavy paperweight. Given that there are now no spares left, you cannot even build a new one, and the similar-looking cable used for future Roland guitar synths was wired differently and does not work correctly. While players were to find this very frustrating, it had a huge benefit for Kakehashi and Roland when the prototype was stolen — and then returned as 'unusable' — just hours before its world launch in Australia.

The synthesizer module (shown below) was amazing, with five sound generation sections — G, P, B, M and S — that you could play individually or in any combination. These were the straight-through Guitar, Poly-ensemble, Bass, Melody, and an 'external synthesizer' section designed to interface with and control an SH5, System 100 or System 700. The Poly-ensemble, which treated the independent outputs from the 'hex' pickup, was interesting, and produced what would later become Roland's signature 'bowed guitar' sound, but it was the Melody section that captured players' imagination because it was here that the real synthesis took place.

Sounds were generated by a conventional VCO/VCF/VCA architecture reminiscent of the earliest SH-series synths, but with a number of very important bonuses. For example, the VCA was 'touch sensitive', and the output from the Poly-ensemble was an input in the solo synth's mixer, so you could inject the polyphonic sound into the VCF/VCA signal path. Another superb innovation was the output buss system that allowed you to direct the sounds generated by each of the sections to any one of three outputs as well as a global 'Mix' output.

In addition, the PC50 Preset Controller was a floor unit that allowed you to set up three mixes for the P, B, M and S sections and select between them using stomp switches. A fourth switch returned control to the guitar. I have never seen mention of the PC50 in any of Roland's documentation"

via Johan

Roland SH-2

Title link takes you to shots via this auction.

via Johan

Samplers with analogue filters

Title link takes you to the list on DVDBorn. Feel free to add to it.

MOOG Sanctuary

Via Ron West on AH.

Update via Mark G on AH:

"As I recall, Dave van Koevering was marketing these to the church market.
Joe Rivers told me there were either 50 or 100 of them done for him."

Metasonix TS-21 Hellfire

Title link takes you to shots via this auction. One out of only 38 ever produced.

Mimi and Polivoks

Remember Mimi? Here's a shot of her with a Polivoks. Via catsynth.com where you will find one more shot.
Originally via polynominal.

Sequential Circuits Studio 440 with Vacuum Fluorescent Display

via Mark:

"This is one of my two Sequential Studio 440s, one of my favorite instruments in my studio. Like a lot of older instruments, the backlit LCDs in both of my 440s went dark long ago, and there's nothing sadder than trying to navigate a menu in a dark room with no backlight. Recently I found that a company called Noritake that sells VFDs that are almost drop-in replacements for some LCDs. I say almost drop-in because the mounting depth is a little deeper. In the case of the 440, I had to trim down the existing studs and install longer standoffs for mounting. Mounting these into an instrument with more depth restriction might not be possible. These vacuum fluorescent displays are just beautiful. There's something about having a bright, crisp display that makes the instrument seem much easier to use, it's like the brain assimilates the information effortlessly when the text is so clear and bright. I decided to retrofit both of my 440s and they worked out great."

Matrix6 - my first synth. : ) Title link takes you to a couple more shots. Thanks Mark!

Sequential Circuits Model 800 Sequencer

Click here for shots via this auction.

Details: "SEQUENTIAL CIRCUITS MODEL 800 ANALOG SEQUENCER . Compatable with all analog CV and Gate synthesizers. I've discovered Dave Smith (founder of S/C) started making these units in his garage before eventually mass producing the incredible Sequential Circuits synths, drum machines (ect.) as we know them today. This is without a doubt VERY RARE ! Only 500 were made and maybe. It is in Good condition with few minor scuffs / scratches on the top and side. It has a sticker on one side from the place where it was originally sold - Rogue Music Store NY.NY. It has one broken push button (the start / record switch as shown in pic below) which can easily be replaced. The part here cost just over a dollar. You can still push it with the tip of your finger though. It Powers up and the lights come on. It counts through all 16 steps on the LED as it should. You can also walk the steps from 1 to 16. All this is done without it being hooked up to anything."

via Johan

Update via Micke in the comments:
"A little bit of trivia: the original version of this sequencer:
http://www.synthmuseum.com/sequ/seqseq800ad01.jpg
was used on Earth, Wind & Fire's hit "Getaway" which was recorded back in the summer of 1976.

I was told this by LA synthesist/programmer Dan Wyman.
Mr. Wyman is perhaps best known for his synth work on multiple Giorgio Moroder productions. HeÂ´s also responsible for the Moog modular programming on John Carpenter's classic synth-scores "Assault On Precinct 13" (1976), "Halloween" (1978) and "The Fog" (1979).

Micke "

EMS Synthi A - Mark I

Shots via this auction.

Details:
"This is a Mk I EMS Synthi A from 1971, the first version of the EMS popular briefcase model. About a year later came the Mk II, also known as Synthi AKS. Mk I is rarer due to its short production run. According to Robin Wood at EMS about 300 were made. Electronically it's identical to the first version of the VCS3 which was produced between 1968 and 1972. Mk II intruduced a number of modifications:
* The PSU was redesigned, Mk I PSU is too weak to power a KS (the blue/black touch keyboard of the AKS) DK1 and DK2 can be used though.
* The output amplification, reverb driver and ring modulator circuits was redesigned.
* The patch matrix was reconfigured, Mk I has two individual outputs per oscillator Mk II has only for each of osc 1 and osc 2 only osc 3 has two outputs. In my opinion the Mk I configuration is much more useful.
* Some switches were added for AKS compatability.
* Prestopatch socket was added. With some work it can be added to a Mk I as well.
I think all Mk I Synthis and VCS3 came with the beautiful "Morning Mist" coloured front panel. Later on, most of them had uncoloured metal finish.

I have owned this synth for three years. When I bought it from a guy in Berlin I was told that this particular unit was originally owned by Manuel Goettsching of Ash Ra Temple and used by him as well as by Klaus Schulze, but i have not been able to confirm this so i can't be sure.

Together with Magnus Danielsson I have restored it internally. All electrolytic capacitors and all but two potentiometers have been replaced. Some failing transistors has been replaced with "new old stock" transistors of the same kind that was used by EMS during the 70's. Many trim potentiometers has been replaced for greater precision. The PSU has been re-organized. One of the transistors there produces a lot of heat. This one has been moved from the circuit board and mounted to a larger metal area inside. Many Mk I Synthis and VCS3 has been ruined due to this transistor being mounted on the board, it has the potential of burning off the traces of the circuit board. The synth is fully working and electronically in great shape. Though, due to its age I cannot give any guarantees and it is sold as is. But I would not expect it to fail anytime soon.

One thing is missing, there is only one speaker inside. However these can be bought from Robin Wood at EMS.

CLICK FOR MORE »

Moog Little Phatty

fickr by holotone.

DIY Modular by fonik

flickr by fonik2000.

Title link takes you to this shot with mouse-over descriptions for each module and more shots. Also check out fonik's Modular Synth DIY site for more.

LinnDrum

Title link takes you to shots via this auction.

"Unit has the JL Cooper midi mod installed, which allows for midi clocking the internal sequencer and for triggering drum sounds."

via Johan.

Update via kb in the comments:
"LinnDrum is definitely digital, but actually has quite a bit of analog control for it's digital voices:

- uses VCO's to drive EPROM voice readout; a few of these VCO's have CV inputs (TOM/CGA, SNARE/SIDESTICK)
- uses analog filters (CEM3320's) on bass, tom, and conga voices
- uses analog VCA (CEM3360) for highhat decay.

One pb with the LinnDrum is that all voices weren't pitch tunable (like they were on the LM-1), but I just modded my LM-2 this weekend, and now they all are."