Performance Music Systems SWAN via VEMIA

"[VEMIA note: If you thought the Syntar was rare, how about this unique instrument?] S.W.A.N Vintage One-of-a-kind very rare monosynth with flight case. The S.W.A.N. is a vintage monosynth built by Syntar inventor George Mattson [of the Mattson Mini Modular]. The S.W.A.N. is literally a Syntar-Without-A-Neck or, a desktop version of the Syntar without the left-hand controller system. This system is owned by George Mattson and it is labeled 'Prototype 1' even though the electronics are stock Syntar circuits. George built it because dealers were inquiring if they made a 'desktop' version. So, he made one. This is the only S.W.A.N. in existence and is a fully functioning system. George has recently replaced all of the caps and tuned up the system. Information and a better picture can be found at Carbon111 The weight is in its flightcase; outside it is 8.2kg. NB Like all of the lots so far in this particular auction, it is being sold as a non-VAT registered item. But if you import anything from outside the EC into the EC, you may be liable to VAT as a form of import tax." You can find it listed on VEMIA - click on Auctions, Search, and then search for 5881.

Update via Stephen Jones in the comments:
"I've played this very synth about a year ago. It has features unlike any mono synth ever made. I really hope this goes to a good home. I'd estimate that its auction value will be about $7400 and even that would be a steal.

It has a Pratt-Reed gold double buss bar keyboard with a good solid feel. (not J-Wire or membrane carbon contacts like everyone else was using)

Its got two oscillators, a ring mod second, noise, an LFO that does audio rates and the same SSM filter that makes the Prophet-5 Rev 2 sound so good.

Good luck and I hope it goes to a good home."

I played this one as well. Amazing synth, amazing piece of synth history. This was a hard one to put up.

Update: someone actually had the gall to list this on Ebay. The auction was quickly pulled.

Rare Performance Music Systems Syntar via VEMIA

"Vintage rare Performance Music Systems Syntar [Update: this predated the MOOG Liberation - see Carbon111's page linked below for some interesting and controversial history regarding the two] with documentation and flight case. The original “Keytar” is being offered for auction from original owner/inventor George Mattson [of the Mattson Mini Modular]. The package includes a Syntar Series I analog monosynth with power supply, connector cable, owners manual, a pad of patching charts and service documentation. The package also includes a flight case with a royal blue crushed velour interior. The Syntar has been in the possession of the owner since manufacture in 1981 but never been in circulation. George has recently replaced the capacitors and tuned up the system. The condition is very good with some minor signs of wear and age. The mylar graphics have stressed over the years and wrinkled as shown in the pictures. Overall, the system operates 100%. Information about the Syntar can be found at Carbon111 - including a nice picture of Bob Moog playing it. [VEMIA note: this has to be one of the rarest well-known synths ever entered into VEMIA, and to have it serviced and sold by the original designer is pretty nice too.] NB Like all of the lots so far in this particular auction, it is being sold as a non-VAT registered item. But if you import anything from outside the EC into the EC, you may be liable to VAT as a form of import tax."

You can find it listed on VEMIA - click on Auctions, Search, and then search for 5880.

The Subliminal Kid in the studio

YouTube via rubenbroman
"Live jam with Macbeth M5N, Roland tr-909, Roland System 100 Seq, Roland RE-301 & Boss DC-2"

via The Subliminal Kid:
"It´s a live jam in the studio where i trigger the Macbeth M5N with a Roland System 100 Seq synced with a tr-909. One channel from the Macbeth i run thru a Roland RE-301 and the HH from the 909 goes thru a Boss Dimension C."

BlackJacks

The Monochrome ModCyn
featuring dueling BlackJack Zeroscillators and additional Modcan and Cynthia modules.


via Cynthia

Jen SX-2000 Synthetone

images via this auction

Minisonic 2 Dual VCO Analogue Synth w/ EMS like filter

images via this auction

"The Minisonic 2 was a two-oscillator synth with an EMS-Synthi-like filter as well as a VCA, a ring modulator, two envelope generators and a noise generator." (SoundOnSound)"

Yamaha TX816

images via this auction

8 DX7s in a rack

Oberheim OB-1A

images via this auction

"This model is the OB1A varient which was made towards the end of the OB1 production run - it has different color scheme (grey graphics) and some of the functions vary slightly from the standard model (black graphics)"

Anyone know what those variations are? The auction doesn't say.

keybdwizrd - Prophet '08 Demo #1 (stereo)

YouTube via keybdwizrd
"Demonstration of the Prophet '08 8-voice analog synthesizer from Dave Smith Instruments. Lexicon MX200 effects."

Update - Parts 2 and 3:
keybdwizrd - Prophet '08 Demo #2 (stereo)


keybdwizrd - Prophet '08 Demo #3 (stereo)

TR-606 Voice Mod - The Beast

You might recognize this one from this post (you'll find some more details there).

You can find the official site for The Beast Roland TR-606 and TB-303 here.

via sequencer.de

audio_Output: Richard Devine - The Electronic Muisc Manuscript

"Just released by Sony is the The Electronic Music Manuscript sound library, which happens to be a brilliantly thought out collection of sounds plus an 'above and beyond' style presentation that you don't often see as part of commercially released sound libraries. The two CD set comes bundled with a large number of photographs which highlight some of Richard's methods of mayhem, two videos showcasing the creative processes, a huge interview with Richard giving a more in depth look at his work and history, NI Battery kits and finally the 24bit WAV files..."

click here for the full post with interview on trash_audio.

Rare ARP Educational Synthesizer

via this cl post

"ARP Educational Synth with keyboard and four modules: VCA, VCF, VCO and ADSR. Battery powered but I have a custom made power supply for all pieces that I can also include."

via Michael

circuit two tests

flickr by breath.sound
(click for more)

MOOG MG-1

full size

Avant Garde Project

"The Avant Garde Project is a series of recordings of 20th-century classical- experimental- electroacoustic music digitized from LPs whose music has in most cases never been released on CD, and so is effectively inaccessible to the vast majority of music listeners today."

via Richard Lainhart on AH:
"This is a free archive of out-of-print LP recordings in high-quality digital format, including a lot of important electronic music that hasn't been heard in many years.

I have no affiliation with this site, and I'm not completely convinced that it's ethically legitimate, but those issues aside, it looks like a great resource."

ARP 2500 - VEMIA

Next up on VEMIA:
"One of the classic vintage modulars, Alan Pearlman's pride and joy, at a hugely tempting start price. The full-size cabinet (model 2515, probably made in 1972) has the following modules: space; blanking panel; 1023 Dual Oscillator; 1006 Filtamp; 1047 Multimode Filter / Resonator; 1027 Clocked Sequential Control; blanking panel; 1036 Sample & Hold / Random Voltage; 1033 Dual Envelope Generator; 1045 Voltage Controlled Voice; 1006 Filtamp; 1033 Dual Envelope Generator; 1050 Mix-Sequencer; 1002 Power Control Module. It comes with a split keyboard, two octaves reverse colour (with SP-5 control module) and three octaves (with SP-2 control module). According to the full user manual copy included (over 100 looseleaf pages), the reverse colour section is two-voice, but the keyboard hasn't been tested at all - the previous owner always used MIDI-CV, and the leads have unfortunately been mislaid. The modules haven't yet been tested at VEMIA, because there is currently (pun intended) a 15-amp round-pin plug on it, although it is US voltage. This is because the previous owner had three cabinets, which were modified professionally to go through a single extension switch - and the engineer obviously thought that these 15A plugs and sockets (still used for pro lighting) were the best to use. US plugs tend to be moulded - you can't just swap the plug, so it's not been done yet. If it is, we will note it here. The modules were tested by the owner as he was working his way through the whole system deciding which of it he could bear to part with. Everything that he checked was in working order, though might need minor calibration on arrival. There are two lit push-button tops missing, and two knob caps - check the photo. Dimensions in mm: main cabinet 1187 wide x 280 deep x 555 high keyboard 1187 x 480 deep x 70 high. So when it's together, its about 1187 x 480 x 625mm. That's roughly 47.5 x 19.2 x 25 inches. An iconic machine!"

Synth DIY UK 2008

via the SDIY list:
"Just a quick reminder about this year's synth-diy meeting here in sunny Cambridge.

What : synths, synths, beer, synths
When : 11th - 13th July 2008
Where: Robinson College, Cambridge

To book a room for the weekend please do so by filling out the form
below: link

And photos from previous years are here

This event is open to anyone. Day trippers are most welcome, so if you hate the thought of sleeping in a student room (they are _nice_ student rooms!), or you live locally, come on over and join in the fun.

Cheers,
Neil
--
http://www.njohnson.co.uk"

MusicScienceGuy's Jammer

MusicScienceGuy's Jammer gives you "the abliity to build, cheaply, any style modern keyboard you wish, and even try out the various layouts to see which is suitable to your needs, that is: you can make your own Thummer, Janko, C-thru Axis, b-system, C-system etc."

You can find more info, discuss design, learning and performing with fellow alternative keyboard keeners on musicscienceguy.blogspot.com.

hobnox

Two online Roland TB-303s, a TR-909 and effect pedals. Click here. Note you can drag and drop the order of them as well.

yamaha cs30

YouTube via vaskuryandex
"The CS-30 is a large, knob infested, black analog synthesizer with traditional features. It is a monophonic synth with extensive analog control and shaping. It has two oscillators with separate outputs, two VCF resonant filters, two VCA amplifiers and three envelopes. It also features a ring modulator, external audio triggering and a simple but useful 8-step sequencer for use as a sketch pad, pattern or arpeggio effect. The CS-30 does not have any on-board effects, memory nor MIDI"

Roland TD12 V Drums and Analog sequencers (HQ stereo)

YouTube via SuperPussMusic. via Nusonica.
"Controlling my Roland TD12 V Drums module from my Roland System 700 and System 100 analog sequencers.

The control voltage outputs from my sequencers are fed directly into the trigger inputs on my TD12. All output voltages are 0 - 2 vdc, including the hihat foot controller signal. The snare and crash signals are going to the rim and edge inputs respectively.

As you can see, this works remarkably well with no modifications to any of the instruments.

My Yamaha SY77 is being used as a master clock for the sequencers.

Audio was directly out of the TD12 into my camera and video was edited using Adobe Premiere."

ARP2500 1 - water rhythms

YouTube via psprojectbrazil. via Nusonica.

steelpan

flickr by Wardok
(click for more)

full size

"steel pan from trinidad and some moogerfoogers"