Thighpaulsandra's Clisto

Peter Grenader of Plan B actually sent the following to the Plan B list. I thought I'd put up a post.

"All,

Another fantastic CD offering from Thighpaulsandra, without a doubt one of the strongest works he's released. We're humbled by his decision to include our instruments in it's production. The Model 13 is immediately evident at it's start.

Without hesitation I can recommend you purchase a copy, else suffer from second-best syndrome with every other record in your collection.

There's nothing more I can add. Just buy it."

You can find the CD on Thighpaulsandra's website. You might also remember Thighpaulsandra from the recent Analog Live!

A day with analog synths

YouTube via thomasalsina. Sent my way via Jez.
"December 2007, Marigny theater. That day, all the synths decided to give up on Jean Michel Jarre, who spent the day re-tuning them. And in the evening, the main synth lost its tune at the beginning of the show, leaving JMJ struggling to play the right note. Painful."

How to Play the Synth Update

Remember this book? Some scans of the content are up! Click here for them courtesy of Adamo W .Jr. II.

"Due to popular demand, I've scanned a few pages out of this classic book, I stumbled across in my last visit to India. I saw the cover and thought it was simply irresistable.

It's obvious that the Indian conception of this instrument is a complete 170 from how any western musician would see it. This is from another planet, albeit very serious. There's no intention to offend anyone here, but this stuff in my view is simply hysterical.

It was difficult to select the pages to scan here, but there's some true gold here.

Enjoy!"

Update via heliospace in the comments:
"I don't think it's a 170. Knowing that many Indians are not educated the same way we are here, I think those pages describing how a synth works and such are in good detail for those who are unable to follow technology to its fullest.

I have a friend, assistant professor at the UMN who has done extensive research on Goa, India particularly and I highly recommend his book: "Psychedelic White: Goa Trance and the Viscosity of Race"

It talks about white people and their influence on India, particularly the area in and around Goa. It's non-biased and mostly based off of supported evidence. A great read if anybody reading this cares at all about that culture, the electronic music scene and where a lot of EDM styles came from...or were being created before they made it to the states ;)

-d"

A New Synth Toon by Dave

via Dave of one of our synth favorites, The Packrat, as well as numerous other tunes and music on umop. You might also recall him from some of his more, let's say, "interesting" artwork for Metasonix.

"The Daily Toon I just sent along to you was made using actual art my brother made back in 1978 when he was 11 years old.

From time to time I scan in old artwork from his "Kiss Story" cartoons that he made back in the day, "embellishing" them for contemporary consumption. This consumption can lead to some serious gastric side effects, so please consider yourself at risk. Anyway, this time out I unearthed some pretty amazing-looking synth rigs he drew. Most amazing of all is how little either one of us knew about synths back then; being a Peter Criss fan, he primarily made these toons as an excuse to draw drums and spaceships.

--
--Dave
http://www.umop.com"

Metasonix Puzzle Take 2

This one via sean. You can see sighups' here. Put the two together and you get closer. The individual images are going up on umop.

Arlo Guthrie & Doug Dillard

YouTube via jguth3. via baghead.
"DUELING BANJO & SYNTH.
August 1983 we got together with some friends in our living room. Doug Dillard was among the many pickers. This is at the end of the night. Penny Nichols, John Pilla, most of the pickers went home.

BTW, that's Cathy on the phone. She is now Vice President of our Record Company. Reuben Taylor is some executive for a digital film company out in LA. Annie runs the record company with Cathy and Sarah Lee is still running around and singing to this day.
www.risingsonrecords.com"

Eminent 310 and Solina-V Reaktor Emulations

You can find samples and the dowloads (free) here.

via hugo

KNECT YAMAHA CS80

click here for a site on the Yamaha CS80. The site includes the following:

Introduction
CS80 Features
CS80 User Manual
CS80 Overview Block Diagram
CS80 Overall Circuit Diagram
CS80 Service Manual and Circuit Diagrams

Mort Garson Has Passed Away

Mort Garson born July 20, 1924 passed away on January 4, 2008. He was an electronic musician that worked primarily with the MOOG (modular) Synthesizer. One of his most recognizable albums is pictured below.

Mort Garson on Wikipedia
Mort Garson on Space Age Pop Music

Recordings via Space Age Pop Music:
* Bossa Nova for All Ages (by the Continentals), Canadian-American SCALP-1009
* Symphony for Soul (by the Total Eclipse), Imperial LP-12353
* Sea Drift (by the Dusk 'Til Dawn Orchestra), Elektra EK 4008/EKS 74008
* Zodiac Cosmic Sounds, Elektra EK 4009/EKS 74009
* Electronic Hair Pieces, A&M SP 4209
* Signs of the Zodiac: Aires, A&M 4211
* Signs of the Zodiac: Virgo, A&M SP 4212
* Signs of the Zodiac: Gemini, A&M SP 4213
* Signs of the Zodiac: Leo, A&M SP 4215
* Signs of the Zodiac: Scorpio, A&M SP 4218
* Signs of the Zodiac: Sagittarius, A&M SP 4219
* Signs of the Zodiac: Aquarius, A&M SP 4221
* Signs of the Zodiac: Pisces, A&M SP 4222
* Wozard of Id, A&M SP 4156
* Do Not Disturb (soundtrack), Columbia 4-43459
* Lucifer : Black Mass, United Artists UAS 73111
* Music for Sensuous Lovers by "Z," Sensuous Anthem-5800
* Ataraxia: The unexplained, electronic musical impressions of the occult, RCA Victor APL1-1217

Blacet Hex Zone SS2800 Sequential Switch

Sneek Peek.....
Advanced 16 Stage Sequential Switch with many extras!
* Bidirectional +/-15V low R switches
* Microprocessor Control
* Backlit LCD Display
* Two CVouts with 1V/Oct over five octaves
* Variable Gate out on each step with 1-99% of step width plus Hold and Rest
* Loop on any step
* Internal or external Gate (Stop/Start) and Reset
* Set active switch on any step plus Random function
* Memory holds 32 Sequences

* Sequences can be Chained with 60 Chains available
* Chains can be Chained
* A second Chain can be edited while another is playing
* Sequences or Chains can be copied and pasted
* Internal wide range clock or external clock plus dividable Clock Out for either clock source
* All settings saved automatically including last active sequence or Chain

Blacet

REDSHIFT at HJ2 in UK - Excerpt 2

Video of Redshift. Embedding is dissabled on this one, so click here to check out the video. via fischek.

TB-303 Meets Sherman

E13H posted a cool sample of the Roland TB-303 dry followed by being run through a Sherman Filterbank. via this VSE thread:

"I just got a TB-303 and a Sherman Filterbank 2 and they hung out together tonight. Thought I would share their conversation with you.
Nothing but a 303....

I know it's kinda a long track, about 10 minutes but hey I was having fun so check it out...

I think it sounds pretty cool....

the TB-303 was talking to me by the end of the track.....

Let me know what you think, and if anyone adds anything to the track let me hear it....

I'm gonna start doing some full tracks with the TB-303 after I get my midi to dinsync converter this week......

here it is:

http://www.masterdevice.net/tracks/TB-303-meets-Sherman.mp3

if you want to hear more of my music just go here:

http://www.masterdevice.net
http://www.myspace.com/e13h"

Vocaloid PRIMA

"PRIMA is a virtual female vocalist modelled on the voice of a professional soprano singer.

Once PRIMA is installed into your PC she will allow you to create synthesized singing of unprecedented quality and remarkable realism.

Prima will hit those high notes every time with perfect accuracy.

Whether it's soaring leads, harmonies or backing vocals, Prima can sing any word from the English language (and other languages too with a little work).

Prima is also very well suited if you want to be adventurous and experimental, since her voice can be easily modified and shaped in many ways." Hmm...

click here for more info and some pretty impressive samples.

Jupiter 8 Mod Switches

flickr by Jyoti Mishra (click for more synth shots)

full size

NAMM

As you can see, the official NAMM reports are coming in. So far we announcements from Doepfer and the new Plan b Elf Series.

If you know of any NAMM news pertaining to the world of synths, please send it in. This applies to both readers and manufacturers. I completely encourage manufacturers to use this site to promote anything new. The synth community is relatively small compared to others, so the more I can support you, the better. Never hesitate to send something in. We all want to see what you have coming out. My contact info is at the bottom of the list of items on the right.

I will be labeling all NAMM posts with NAMM, so when one comes up you can click on the label and see all NAMM posts to date. I was going to create a label for each show/year, but I realize you can easily tell the show based on the date of the post.

BTW, I just did a blanket search for NAMM and labeled every single post (141), so for posts prior to this year, you will probably see some that aren't official NAMM posts - for example descriptions of a synth with things like "introduced at Summber NAMM, 2004..." As for new posts I will only apply the label if it pertains to NAMM. Remember to check the dates of posts.

Winter NAMM runs Jan 17-20.

NAMM: New Products from Doepfer

via Doepfer where you can find the full press release.

"Dear Sir or Madam,
on the occasion of the NAMM in Anaheim/CA January 17-20, 2008 we will show our news at the booth of our US representative Analogue Haven: Level 2, 210 Meeting Room D. Attention: this is a bit outside the standard exhibition area. A detailed plan is available on our website www.doepfer.com.

We are looking forward to seeing you at the booth and hope for some mention about it in your NAMM show report. On the following pages you find the new gear we will present in Anaheim.

If you need more details (e.g. pictures, more detailed product description) don't hesitate to contact me directly. This press release is available on the press page of our website as a pdf or MS Word™ file. More detailed information about the devices is available via the corresponding link on the news page of our website: www.doepfer.com > NEWS > link to the corresponding device.

Best regards
Dieter Doepfer
email adress: hardware@doepfer.de"
Full list of items announced:
A-100 CV/Gate Keyboard (A-100CGK)
A-100 Low-cost Suitcase
A-137-2 Wave Multiplier 2
A-106-6 XP VCF (Filter Pool)
A-189-1 Voltage Controlled Bit Cruncher/Modifier
A-138e Quad Three-Way Crossfader/Mixer / Polarizer
A-132-3 Dual Linear/Exponential VCA
A-134-2 Dual Voltage Controlled Crossfader
A-138d Crossfader/FX Insert
A-164-1 Manual Gate
A-182 Switched Multiple
A-185-2 Precision Adder/Bus Access
A-186-1 Gate/Trigger Combiner
A-100 DIY Kit 1
A-100 DIY Kit 2 (low cost DIY kit)
USB64
MBP25
Wheel Electronics

Mean SucKer VCF

via Etaoin on electro-music.com:
"eroen Baars designed a nasty Tube VCF which he posted on the Dutch synth forum, here. The final design and sound samples are on his website. [you'll find the BFX posted below there as well]. I did a PCB design for it (still untested) that might be interesting to some of you out here: tubevcf.pdf tubevcf.jpg It's quarter eurocard, which seemed like an economical format."

BFX Synthesizers

"BIG ONE
based on 2 computers,1 for keyboard functions (midi,
gate,CV 1v/okt,some step sequencers and more.)
and 1 for software synth's,soft samplers,HD recording
and multitrack.
Also onboarsd a full matrix based modulair wavetable synth .

First sounds, the wavetables ( no filters or modulators yet .)
1 ( dance of the wild cucumbers)
2 ( fat cheese )"

You can find more info and the links to the mp3s here. There is also another synth called BASS BOOMER.

genoQs Octopus Original Book

click here for a 15M pdf book on the genoQs Octopus Original. You will find an overview of the genoQs Octopus as well as some stunning images.

Note the reference to Octopus Original now that the BlackSea Octopus has been announced. The two are identical under the hood.

Note: this was formerly posted as Octopus Legacy and updated to Octopus Original.

Astronout

via Astronout where you'll find some tunes featuring the Elektron Machinedrum. Note the TR-505 is a bent 505 by Alien Devices.

The Yellow Album

"Produced and performed exclusively on the Korg Kaossilator. No other effects, EQ or sounds were added other than those incorporated in the original device. Audio was recorded directly off the unit and the only edits performed externally were simple volume balancing."

click here for the track list and download. via CDM.

Synth Techs

Looking for a good synth tech?
Click here for a list of techs around the world on the excellent Rhodes Chroma site.

Yamaha VL1 and Virus kc

YouTube via angelodomino. Note the breath controller for the VL1.
"my first try-out on youtube playing a VL1 with breath controller..
Respect for all you trumpet players, pfffew keep blowing isn't that easy for a synth player ;-)"

Kaos

Kaos 1


Kaos 2

YouTube via devinzacharias

Roland JV-35 demo

YouTube via AttilaSVK.
"A short demo of my Roland JV-35 with the JV-GS1 expansion card. The intro music was also made with this synth. In my opinion, it's a great PCM synth."

MOOG Minimoog with Joystick

images via this auction

"1973 Moog "Minimoog" Model D synthesizer. Also included (and pictured) is the original, rare find, Moog "X-Y" joystick controller which can be assigned to any 2 of 'loudness', 'filter', or 'oscillator' at once. It is in the original wooden case -- also in excellent condition. The serial # is 4962"

TEISCO 60F

images via this auction

"Teisco 60F Analog Synthesizer
Year 1980.

Specifications
Keyboard 32 Keys (F-C)
Type 1 VCO, 1 VCF, 1 VCA, 2 x EG, 2 x Voice.
VCO Range (Low, 64\\\', 32\\\', 16\\\', 8\\\', 4\\\'.), Delay Vibrato, Mode (EG, Bender, LFO), Tune, PW/PWM(EG. Manual. LFO/Triangular).
Mixer VCO (External in, saw, square), Noise.
LFO Frequency (0.1 Hz - 20 Hz),
Wave Shape(3 modes: periodically, varied continuously), S/H, Triangular, Square.
VCF Cut-Off (16HZ - 20 KHz), Resonance, KCV, LFO Mod, EG.
VCA Hold, EG.
EG Attack Time, Decay Time, Sustain Level, Release Time.
HPF Cut-Off (16Hz - 16 KHz).
Effect Controls Portamento, Pitch Bend (UP, Doen), Pitch Bend Sensitivity.
Input KCV In (1V / 1 oct), Gate In (On over 1V), External In.
Output Signal Out (High, Low), Headphone.
Indicator LED\\\'s Power, Signal Way.
Power cons. 7 W.
Dimensions 560 x 370 x 100 (WxDxH iin m/m).
Weight 8 Kg

More Info and Interested Links
- ( Info )
- ( Video and Demos )
- ( Harmoni Reviews )
- ( SonicState Reviews )"

Roland JX-3P

images via this auction

Polyphony - 6 voices
Oscillators - 2 DCO's per voice
Memory - 32 preset, 32 user
Filter - Resonant Low pass
Effects - Chorus
Arpeg/Seq - Simple Sequencer
Keyboard - 61 keys
Control - MIDI
Date Produced - 1983