MATRIXSYNTH: Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

#16

YouTube via preposterousman
"A pretty cool new synth. go to my blog to read more about it, and to find a link to purchase it."
"It is based off of this voice changer that one may purchase at wal-mart for six buckaroos. It is circuit bent of course. Originally it came with a mic and maybe three or four different voice settings, like "alien", "monster", and such like."

The Appendage - Softpot Ribbon Controller

Read and see more via Scott Stites on this electro-music.com thread. The following are excerpts only.

"This is the core of the Appendage - it takes a pressure event and translates it into three unique control voltages (continuous, intial value and differential) and produces the timing signal for gate and trigger. Everything past that is downhill. These signals can be manipulated to do an astounding number of things, simultaneously.

The way I see it, if you want a standard ribbon controller, go buy the Doepfer. From the videos I've seen, it's pretty cool. The Appendage, however, is going to be a different beast. I envision it as a cross between a ribbon controller and a Buchlian gestural controller.

Position, relative position, rate of movement, direction of movement (split even into different directions) will be able to control any parameter your synthesizer has, simultaneously. Mixing these control voltages is fascinating. For example, the amount of control mixing differential with initial provides is surprising. Mixing slide with initial creates a sort of hyper-range. Slide with slide bends the curve radically. I've even discovered a neat trill function (quite by accident)."

"Here's an idea for an Appendage controlled touch sequencer, which would be sort of like the Serge touch sequencer, but rather different as well.

First of all, it's based on an 8X2/16X1 sequencer I worked on shortly before I diverted into the Klee. You could use it as such. The addition of the Appendage would take it to another level.

Using window comparators, the Softpot is divided into eight touch zones, separated by "guard bands". Touching within each touch zone will activate the sequencer step so that either one or both of the pots would produce control voltages. Touching in the "dead zone" between the "touch zones" would not trigger the sequencer step. This ensures that you can accurately trigger whichever step you want to. Wiggling the finger on the touch zones will (if you want) wiggle the voltage for vibrato or filter or whatever. This would be somewhat like the Serge, which has dedicated plates for each stage.

The difference is you would have continuous slide for each "note" or "stage"; the "dead zones" would not be "dead" for slides - only for triggering the initial stage. That means you could do much more than wiggle your finger on a certain stage. You could hit stage 3, for example, and slide it up beyond the range of hearing if you cared to. Or down. Hitting the next stage would start the voltage at that stage's voltage and you could do the same. Obviously the more left you go, the less you can drop the voltage, and the more right you go, the less you can slide up."

Again, be sure to check out the full thread on electro-music.com if this interests you. The above is only an excerpt.

Plan B M-37 ELF LFO's used as Oscillators

YouTube via noisesource. Update: see the post here.
"using the new Model-27 ELF series LFO's in thier audio range. not spanking hot but they get the job done, & sync like the dickens."

Mission Control

YouTube via worldsfair. KORG MS20
"'Mission Control,' the first video off The Dandy Warhols' sixth full-length, ...Earth to the Dandy Warhols..., epitomizes what the band and the album are: innovative and smart, self-aware and informed, and with a strong -- but never generic -- pop sensibility.

Shot in grainy sepia tones in the Dandys' own Odditorium, the video, directed by Mike Bruce, finds the band in space, playing their instruments as they float in zero gravity, frontman Courtney Taylor-Taylor singing authoritatively, transmitting the band's message to the world down from the Moon. It's clever and fun, playing both on historical events and future occurrences, totally stuck-in-your-head catchy, the perfect depiction of what the Dandy Warhols are.

www.dandywarhols.com"

Synkits vs Rhys Marsh

YouTube via RothHandle
"Recording ping sounds. If you are interested in booking time, collaborating or if you are just curious about the studio, blogs et.c www.roth-handle.nu"

Doepfer-Cwejman-MFB-PlanB-Livewire

YouTube via DavideModu

D-Lab Multi Plexer Synthesizer

via this auction

"Bought this for the strange sounds it makes for recording. Used only a few times. D-Lab makes all sorts of items and this is hand-made and works on 2 9 volt batteries. Great shape and works perfectly. With the instruction sheet it originally came with."

see this post for some more info on the D-Lab Multi Plexer including some samples.

Moog Prodigy

images via this auction

Synthesizer-Magazin - Ausstellung @ c/o Pop, Köln 2008 BILDER+VIDEOs

you can find a link to the video on sequencer.de.

MS20VCAGraphic

flickr by bdu
(click for more including other synths)

full size

modular in blue

flickr by parasitk
(click for more)

full size

"My Frac modular, no longer separated into "live" and "studio" rigs (it's now both!) as of August 2008.

This patch sounds like this."

Minimoog Model D

flickr by gattobus
(click for more)

full size

Hammond L-103

YouTube via ZmajSnoshaj. Inside a Hammond.

"Enter the Hammond L-103 spinet organ and my first encounter with it's electromechanical..... issues. Special thanks to Oliver Chesler *also known as "The Horrorist and DJ Skinhead* for his perfect marriage of noise and grind with my novice video editing skills in "Strenth of Terror" and "Extreme Terror *111 Remix* as DJ Skinhead, and for "One Night In New York City" as The Horrorist. Mr. Chesler's high profile sound and tastefully vintage analog synthesizers do for me what Nascar does for rest of the rednecks in my part of the country. Another big special thanks to Peter Hopkins and Johnnie Shaffer... two major influences in my without whose contributions this project would have never made it off the ground... And to God...... Enjoy ;)"

Future Retro 777

images via this auction via watson.

Downbeat Steiner and EML Scans

two scans via Ryan on AH
downbeatSteiner.jpg
downbeatEML.jpg

"Stumbled across a handful of mid-70's down beat magazines that a friend threw my way a few years back. Apart from a '74 Stevie interview, can't say much piqued my interest, except for the various gear ads..."

Simple pad for SYNDRUM CLONE

YouTube via denha. "This is a simple pad for SYNDRUM CLONE."

1982 YAMAHA KEYBOARD PRODUCER CS01 SYNTHESIZER AD

via this auction

Update: some more info on the other items via AH: "They are the MR-01 Drum Machine, MM-01 Mixer and the MA-01 Headphone Amplifier. There was also a 4 track taperecorder and a chassi with integral patchbay to mount the recorder and mixer in.

If you mean Yamaha MM10 (not "MM-01"), that was my first mixer. Four mono unbalanced line/mic inputs, one stereo line in, one stereo out. Powered by wall wart or 9 V battery."

casio cz5000 cz 5000 synthesizer keyboard controller

YouTube via bluesparklejet
"?? how does it work? There are 3 manuals with this none of them says how the sequencer works!! So I muck about on it and find tone mix, bells and whistles etc. yes, harsh sound clean through the mixer -anyone know how the sequencer works?? PLEASE! It has a midi out and can be used as a controller with Garageband, works ok"

Keytar solo

YouTube via SteffenH89. Solo comes in at 1:22.
"From the danish Musical "Evig og altid Venner", 2008"

bratigel Dual SSM Filter Bank

YouTube via heidibeerbel
"from bratigel Modularsystem, Modul is a Stereo SSM 2044 Low Pass filter with 2 SSM2056 ADSR and 2 BA 6110 VCAs with many voltage control Parameters."

Jarre sound from Oxygene Part 2

YouTube via grauoliv
"In an ambient circle session, I heard a sound I knew from Jarre's Oxygene album. And TOMABEMAN told me how to make it on an analog synthesizer. It has to be analog, because the filter settings make the filter self-osciallte. I'm not sure if virtual-analog synths or software can emulate this. GATTOBUS also uses this sound on his cover version on the classic Oxygene Part 2 track, also on a Little Phatty."

SH-101 + SL-20

YouTube via landor101. via kevin.
"Roland SH-101 + Boss SL-20 Slicer Audio Pattern Processor. Small test that the SL-20 can be used on synths also. Great arpeggiator !!! + Looper!!!"

VERMONA DRM ANALOG DRUM MACHINE

via this auction

"Vintage Analog drum machine with TR style sequencer, made in Germany in 1987. There's not too much information available on the VERMONA DRM on the internet, so I will provide some of my own background knowledge.
It was released in 1987 by a German synthesizer company named Vermona. These days they are best known for their
analog drum module the Vermona DRM-1 MK3 .

It is the European answer to ROLAND's TR-X0X and CR-XXXX drum machines.

SEQUENCER:
First of all it offers a 32 step TR style sequencer. It is as simple to use as the roland machines.
It has 16 preset patterns and allows you to store 10 of your own. There is even support to chain patterns together, change pattern length, change time signature between 4/4 and 3/4. The unit is MIDI syncable, it will respond to midi clock, start and stop messages. It will also respond to MIDI note data allowing you to sequence the analog voices from any external piece of midi gear. It also transmits midi data as well allowing you to use it as your master clock source.

Alongside your preset and standard patterns you have fill mode, where the drum machine will play a drum fill. The ability to have just the bass drum playing. Flam is also available for the Toms.

In addition to the analog voice control their is a separate sequence for a trigger out, and 2 bizarre time signature sequences which can also be used as trigger outs.

SOUND:
The reason why I bought the Vermona was because I was so impressed by the sound. Just check out this video by KinK on youtube. For something over 20 years old it is surprisingly modern sounding.

KiNK composing live on Vermona DRM part I

YouTube via kink303

KiNK composing live on Vermona DRM part II

"KiNK composing live on the vintage analog drummachine with a t.r. style sequencer - VERMONA Digital Rhythm Machine (part II : 24 step sequences)" There are 11 completely analog voices on this machine. The timbre of each voice cannot be modified. Bass Drum - Nothing like an 808 or 909. Very simple oscillator design with transient click. But great for electro/minimal pulsing bass drum. Low Tom - The toms are all pitch varients of each other, with separate circuits. They sound nothing like real toms, something like a 606 tom. Mid Tom - Great for melodic rhythmic patterns. High Tom Claves - Sounds exactly like an 808 clave to me. Cowbell - AWESOME sounding FM synthesis based cowbell. Uses 4 oscillators to create a very convincing tone. Snare 1 - Filtered noise ciruit snare. Sounds great. Snare 2 - Similar to snare 1 with less punch. Clap - Incredibly modern sounding hand clap. Short, no reverb. Nothing like a TR clap. Closed High Hat - The high hats sound very similar to the VERMONA DRM MK3 high hats. Probably based on the same noise circuit Open High Hat - Similar to a cr-8000 but very metallic sounding Cymbal and Accent.

MORE FEATURES:

There are 10 volume sliders to control each grouping of sounds. A master slider for volume. A slider of accent.

The back of the unit features LEFT and RIGHT audio outputs, whereby each instrument is panned by a preset amount. Also features a Headphone out. A dedicated Trigger out and 4 foot pedal inputs to control program change, start/stop, fill and bassdrum removal.

There is an odd european style input port on the back which gives you access to each AUDIO OUT of each instrument. Also each TRIGGER out of each instrument. A dedicated TRIGGER out. And 2 addition rhythm Triggers.

This machine has everything..."

Wiard Experimental Track

You can find the track on Mark Griffiths Music

"I have now completed a short experimental piece “I had lost my friend (No way out)”. I was trying out Native Instrument’s Vokator vocoder and the Wiard modular. I decided to combine the exploration by switching the vocoder into classic mode and using the Wiard as the carrier. So everything here is either Wiard or voice, with minimum additional processing other than a little convolution reverb and a vintage Korg analogue delay (SD 400). The patching of the Wiard is basic, I didn’t worry about ensuring all the tunings were even remotely similar, just turned the knobs until the tone was right. I also dispensed with a keyboard, using the Wiard sequantizer to generate pitch information."

Be sure to check out the rest of Mark's blog for more.

SX-150 pickbuttons

SX-150 button mod from Collin Cunningham on Vimeo.

"This right here be a Gakken SX-150 analog synthesizer kit - but ya see, I de-installed that resistive control strip deal … added me some good old-fashioned surplus pickbuttons and a bitty trimpot.

Now all me and the dog ever do is play with this thing … well occasionally he runs off to dig up a bone er somethin'. speakin' a which - where is that dog?"

Serge Mahem and Klangziet

via Bakis

"two new Serge M-odules have been released: the "Mayhem" (1700 USD) a great m-odule that its actually a mini-synth in itself that can do lots of stuff! it contains a DTG module (Dual Transient Generator) an SSG (Smooth and Stepped generator) module, a Random Source module (includes pink and white Noise and S/H source outs, S/H outs, plus pulse and smooth and stepped outputs), and a VCACOMP module (a Comparator plus a DC-coupled VCA ).

the "Klangzeit" (3100 USD) it's an m-odule for warping sound in various ways. it includes a Frequency Shifter module, a Wilson Analog Delay module, an XFAD module (audio crossfader plus vca) and a C/O module that is actually a manual Trigger gen, plus a linear and an exponential Attenuator."