MATRIXSYNTH: Sunday, August 17, 2008


Sunday, August 17, 2008

The Moog, all whirly-like

flickr by rach_thegoat

full size

spot the moog.

Buchla 700 Preservation Page

The page includes newly added source code for the Buchla 700: "Source code for the Buchla 700, courtesy Lynx Crowe. This code is provided as-is with no guarantees of completeness or correctness; it's a compilation of various bits of relevant code that Lynx found going through his archives. If you want to delve into this, you are "on your own." Development was done with an Alcyon C compiler on an Atari 1040ST, although it should be feasible to find a modern compiler that will handle this code. Knowledgeable people with time on their hands could potentially do all sorts of neat things with this, such as (a) create some sort of hardware/software upgrade to the 700 that would allow users to bypass the trouble-prone and difficult-to-find video chip, (b) add features to and fix bugs in the software, and (c) create a softsynth rendition of the 700. It's also a fantastic chance to look at the design of a synth OS by one of the pioneers in the field. Please give Lynx proper acknowledgement on anything you do this this. If you have any commercial aspirations, i.e. you plan to actually sell anything based on this, you should contact Lynx to talk about some sort of licensing arrangement."

click here and scroll to see prior posts on the Buchla 700 including video.

Ghielmetti Kreuzschiene 48 x 48

via this auction

48 x 48 matrix pin panel

Spot the Synth

via Matias

Moogerfoogers + PlanB Through The FutureRetro Revolution


YouTube via dkimcg
"Viva La Pierre et Jered et Robert!

Left channel is everything through the Future Retro Revolution, right channels is that plus the Space Echo. Straight in, no digital effects. The FRR sends out VC to the Moog Freqbox through the Moog RingMod, into the FM of the two M15s, which FM each other some more, which send audio into the Evil Twin which is FMed some more by the 2nd M15. The FRR Gate CVs are used to generate more enevlopes from the M10 and the Paia envelopes and saw LFO. There's a few signals mixed in the M25 and send back to the CV input on the Revolution which does the final moduations and filtering..."

Modular Pattern Generator ( with thanks to Yamaha! )


YouTube via xd515
"I have used the analogue percussion section from an old Yamaha PS-3 keyboard. This is connected via opto-isolators to my pattern generator, which is a touchscreen based unit, based on an AT Mega cpu.. it took ages to program!"

StratoJam in E minor w/ ModFactor, Echolution


YouTube via Analogger
"This began when I strummed an e minor chord and looped it with my Pigtronix Echolution. I started playing some chords on top of it with my old Yamaha 12 string and it just built from there. I put the loop thru the Modfactor filter mod using the high pass mode.

Bass drum from the Jomox MBase. The Evolver was used for bass and synth lead. My EMG equipped strat did everything else."

Roland SH-2000

images via this auction

"ROLAND SH2000 VINTAGE ANALOGUE MONO SYNTH (with aftertouch)"

Oberheim OB-Xa Modded

images via this auction

Anyone know what the mod is? It's not listed in the auction.

Computone Lyricon "The Driver" Vintage Wind Controller


images via this auction



Update via Steve Greene in the comments:

"I own two of these...
In the 1970's my good friend (now deceased) Jay Lee was a consultant to Computone. Jay was way ahead of his time respect to analog synthesis composition and recording. If you google the album One Step More, an all-analog synthesis album I engineered and co-produced, you will quickly understand the breadth and depth of Jay's talents on the Emu modular synthesizer system.

Jay created some nice demo music for Computone with the Wind Driver, and was paid with inventory instead of money (I assume that the former was in much greater supply than the latter.)

In exchange for the many hundreds of hours I spent on his album, Jay paid me with 2 copies of The Driver. I shutter to think of the per-hour pay that figured out to be (like maybe $2) After receiving these, we used 1 of them to create (for it's day) some very realistic horn fanfares which became the signature music for BBC/Lionheart, a distribution deal done between BBC films and King World Entertainment. That little 15 second ditty was put on the end of every film the BBC exported for about 5 years.

Fast forward to today. I have revived one of the wind drivers. One of the reasons I believe the instrument ultimately failed was due to the tremendous back pressure created by lead hoses that were too small in inner diameter. I have replaced the hoses on 1 of The Drivers with a much thinner gauge cross section hose, resulting in a much more satisfying playing experience. Really too bad the Computone engineers couldn't figure that one out themselves. I am currently using it with a four-voice modular synthesizer made from 4 of the original EMU voice evaluation boards featuring the line of Curtiss Electromusic VCO VCA VCF and EG chips. SOUNDS GREAT!

If any of you are interested in the other wind driver, please contact me.

Cheers,
Steve Greene"

Oberheim SEM

images via this auction

RIBBON CONTROLLER - CV FOR ANALOG SYNTH


images via this auction
"NEW VERSION!
* New longer 8” ribbon design
* Powered control voltage (CV) output for traditional analog synthesizers
* Newly compatible with modern Moog CV format as well: Moogerfooger, FreqBox, Little Phatty, and Minimoog Voyager

My ribbon controllers feature:
* Small footprint
* Hand-made wooden enclosures
* Tactile, fast, and durable ribbon surface
* Included power adapter for use with controlling traditional CV synthesizers
* Passive compatibility with new Moog synthesizers (LP, Voyager) and Moogerfoogers
* Velcro base with included adhesive-backed strips for easy mounting on equipment

There are two ways to utilize this new version of my ribbon controller.
Use with vintage/traditional synthesizers
When using with vintage synths or modular systems, simply plug the appropriate DC power adapter into the ribbon’s power input jack, and then plug the ribbon’s ¼” phono connector into any CV input on your synthesizer that you wish to modulate. A 12VDC adapter is included, and this will fit the CV requirements for many products. DC adapters that you supply could also be used with the ribbon, in the event that different voltage requirements are needed.
Use with Moogerfoogers, Moog Little Phatty, Minimoog Voyager, etc...

For use with the modern Moog gear (which distributes power to the controller over the CV connection), simply plug the ribbon’s ¼” phono connector into the desired control/pedal input that you wish to modulate. There is no need to use the included power adapter with the ribbon in this situation, as the Moog device will provide a power source for the ribbon. The ribbon controller will work in a similar fashion as an expression pedal – enabling control of effect parameters, pitch, filter cutoff... you name it. One buyer has also reported successful use with the CV inputs on a Dave Smith Instruments' Evolver.

The effective range of the ribbon varies depending on the equipment it is used with. I use my own ribbon controllers with keyboards from several manufacturers – including Moog, Oberheim, Sequential Circuits, and Yamaha. Obviously, I can’t guarantee compatibility with equipment I have not yet tested against; however, the ability to interchange power adapters should render this ribbon compatible with most any analog synth. That said, please do your research and make sure it will work for your intended application before making a purchase. I assume no responsibility for incompatibility or any damage to equipment that may occur thru improper use.

A video clip demonstrating some of the possibilities of my new ribbon controllers can be viewed here [previously posted here]. Here's an additional video clip [previously posted here] demonstrating one of my earlier version ribbons (with shorter ribbon surface) with an old Yamaha synth"

Roland Juno-60

images via this auction

Yamaha CS15

images via this auction

Roland Jupiter-8

images via this auction

AnalogSuicide Visits Thighpaulsandra Part 7 - Yamaha DX-7!



Tara Busch

"# Thighpaulsandra discusses his DX-7 - Filmed by Maf Lewis at Thighpaulsandra's Aeriel Studios." See AnalogSuicide for the write-up.

The Oscillator


YouTube via ProfessorMatic
"Eight neon oscillators, with coupling. Made by "OLD~NICK" Of analog vintanering."

The QUADULLATOR

"Four neon oscillators in a box (trying to get out)"

The Ocean Skyline

flickr by Jesse Speelman


full size

Alesis Micron

elSID

flickr by SineSurfer
(click for more)

elSID closeups
elSID final panel

Multimoog Mod Section

flickr by Maschinenraum
(click for more)

full size

"Modulation section of 1980 Moog Multimoog. I love the knob and label design as well as the patina on that 30 year old gem."

Synthesizer Von Gestern and More Single Synth CDs

As most of you know, this site is not about electronic music in general, it's about synths. Why? I put up anywhere from 20 - 40 posts every single day. You can imagine what the number might look like if I opened the site up to the more general. I do make the rare exception but there is always a very specific reason for it. That said, the music that does get showcased here is the music that showcases an individual synth or two. One of the best examples of this are the Synthesizer Von Gestern CDs. Pictured to the left is Vintage Synths Vol. 1. Below is the track listing. I was fortunate enough to have swissdoc play a couple of the CDs for me during my last trip to Switzerland. You might remember the Synthorama Museum posts from this trip. Swissdoc just wrote in to let me know you can find the Synthesizer Von Gestern CDs and more at Originalton West.

Track list for Vintage Synths Vol. 1 (these are the actual track names)
1. arp odyssey (1:54)
2. yamaha cs-60 (3:45)
3. oberheim sem (2:04)
4. korg mono-poly (3:16)
5. minimoog (1:59)
6. memorymoog (4:48)
7. roland jupiter 8 (2:42)
8. yamaha cs-60 (2:07)
9. sequential pro one (2:58)
10. korg ps-3100 (3:27)
11. roland sh-5 (3:38)
12. rhodes chroma (2:15)
13. korg poly 800 (2:18)
14. roland system 100 (2:39)
15. roland juno 60 (3:18)
16. mellotron (1:39)
17. ems synthi a (2:17)
18. rhodes chroma (3:41)
19. ppg wave 2.2 (3:16)
20. yamaha cs-15 (2:49)
21. korg ms-20 (2:46)
22. moog system 55 (2:38)

uC - Live Demo


YouTube via uCSound
"Quick demonstration of my Live setup, use to make DJ sets using synths and MIDI control. Except for drumloops, everything is played live by the synths (6 of them for now) and played by me, creating MIDI loops as the song changes.

Gear list:
-MacBook
-Edirol FA-101 (soundcard)
-Edirol PCR500 (keyboard)
-Novation ZeroSL (controller)
-Access Virus B
-Novation Supernova
-Novation A-Station (2x)
-Nord Micro Modular
-Korg SG Rack

ABLETON LIVE 7 and midiStroke."

Update: Stefan Trippler's Waldorf Blofeld Track with NIN Vocals

click here

Vintage Synths Vol 1 - ARP Odyssey


YouTube via triumphthruxton
"Vintage Synths Vol 1 - ARP Odyssey
German synth historian Matthias Becker produced a CD series back in 1990 with tracks made with one synth only. The CDs was named "Synthesizers Von Gestern Vol 1/2/3". This track was composed together with Klaus Stülen at Originalton West Studio / Köln."

Stilwell Audio Olga SCHWA Ashtray

Remember the Stillwell Audio Olga? On the product page, the image of the soft synth is here to the left. Below is an image from the music of sound. Note the ashtray. It reminded me of Gmedia's M-Tron and the coffee stains pictured further below. I'm curious how many other soft synths come with "real life" aesthetics.


Slower tempos with PlanB and Ringo Modulations


YouTube via dkimcg
"I originally had another video to upload, but this patch was so much more interesting, I decided to upload this. I Just picked up a MakeNoise Mod/Demod, combined it with the PlanB M35 to do some more ring modulation and wave shaping to get that high frequency piano type sound. The lower voice is the PlanB M11 Evil Twin being FMed by the saw of the lower frequency M15 which is being FMd by the higher freq M15, I'm not quite sure what is modding and demoding and ring modulating and wave shaping anymore, but it ends up like a piano up high. The kick is the Jomox MBase01 being triggered by the slow 1/4 notes outs of the master clock M28 which also pulses and triggers many other things which i didn't write down.
No sequencers, just the M24 generating frequencies and control randomness and the M28, M19, and M17 generating most the timing. Delays are the Roland RE-201, reverb a Lexicon mpx200 and software, Filtered Coffee filters the kick."

Harlem Nights does Synthpop New Wave


YouTube via harlemnightsmusic
"I kept having this eighties synth track in my head, couldn't recall the original artist, so I recorded something similar in my studio. Anyone knows the original to this??? BTW it's my first turn on a video editor, gonna do this more often & better
Have fun
Harlem Nights"

Me playing New Order "Blue Monday"


YouTube via DX5.

"My own "Blue Monday" view. Sounds don't come up in the same order than original, I decided to play it in a free way.

I've made it in two hours (including searching sounds, assigning sounds to the Emax, making an easy backtrack, etc).
Recorded at the first take, so there are some mistakes as always.

Above: Roland JP8000 (Lead sequenced on pro tools).
Mid: Roland D10 (drum kit sounds)
Below: E-MU Emax.(Hook's bass and choir)"

Ensoniq ASR-10 Demo


YouTube via kimsacramento
"Demonstration of booting an ASR-10 from a SCSI drive, loading a bank of tracks, and triggering them. (FOR SALE $850) MP3 of all tracks at: www.kimberry.com/ARCHIVES/1990s/sixsigma /"

stribe + scalar


YouTube via soundwidgets
"Using the stribe with an app called 'scalar' by vlad spears. it is similar to 'balron' for the 40h. the stribes are divided into 8 sections, and so act sort of like a grid of buttons, sort of not. 'scalar' is written in Max/MSP v. 5 more info here: http://www.soundwidgets.com/smf/"

SX-150 Phrase material


YouTube via btpro

New Blofeld System available

via Stefan Stenzel on the Waldorf list:

"Hello,

I just uploaded the firmware version 1.03 for Blofeld:

Blofeld_V1_03.zip

This is mainly to be considered a bugfix release, addressing many problems that users kindly reported to us. So the most prominent bugfixes are:

-PPG Filter in combination with wavetables without noise
-Phaser in FX1 slot without spurious crackling
-Parts 5..16 stereo and optional mix into FX2
-Only audible Effect parameters editable
-Eliminated spurious encoder crosstalk

There are many more bugs that have been fixed, but we are too embarrassed to admit those ever existed.

Regards,
Stefan"

Update: a sysex conversion via Till Kopper:
http://faq.waldorfian.info/Blofeld_V1_03.syx (110 421 bytes)

Mike Peake on Virb.com

Check out a few Buchla tracks by Mike Peake here.

via Peake in the comments of this post.

bloeclipse

All Waldorf Blofeld track via Stephan Trippler: bloeclipse.mp3
"All sounds from the Blo, no additional processing"

Update: "With some more weirdness and vocals from www.nin.com:
http://www.trippler.net/files/blo/blovessel.mp3"

SONY CHORDMACHINE boombox


via this auction

"SONY CHORDMACHINE is extremely rare boombox with built in programmable chord section & rhythm box manufactured by SONY in 1980's Japan it's a roots of today's groove machine!

this is one of the most rare and strange boombox of the world! i'ts very hard to find even in Japan nowadays difinitely boombox and mini-organ collectors dream!

SONY CHORDMACHINE! what a cool name and futuristic '80s sony design! all boxed in cool red plastic case CHORDMACHINE has built in programmable chord section & rhythm box it allows you to creates accompaniement of your song you can play chord,arpeggio on this numbered rubber pads by your finger tip in step or realtime of course you can just play simple melody on this pad too sound is very warm analog sounds both melody and rhythm box another feature are cassette tape player/recorder,FM/AM radio tuner built in Speakers and each control knobs etc.."

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