MATRIXSYNTH: Monday, January 5, 2009


Monday, January 05, 2009

Yamaha SY35

You can find a full review with more images and a sample on Khoral's Cafe 80 (direct link).

"The SY35 is sixteen voices polyphonic and multimbral (eight parts). There are 128 sounds. 64 are factory presets that you can’t erase, mostly acoustic (most notably, some good electric pianos, excellent vintage strings and a lovely choir patch). The other 64 are user presets, for storing your own creations.

Sounds are built around no less than four oscillators, two FM and two AWM (that is, basically acoustic samples). Each FM oscillator has its dedicated low-pass filter [there actually isn't a filter - see comments below]. Add four LFOs and sixteen (decent but not great) effects, and that’s pretty much it."

Exercising the Fifty and Music Room Revision

flickr by zonkout

Exercising the Fifty full size
Music Room Revision full size

cs80 galaxiesmerge


YouTube via galaxiesmerge
"My Yamaha CS80 synthesizer. The string sounds on this are amazing. Look at Blade Runner that was scored with a CS80 keyboard by Vangelis. This is recorded using my home video camera and its built in microphone. In the future I intend to post a much better video. Hopefully this gives you an idea of what the CS80 sounds like."

Neurotica

via David Kronemyer where you will find a link to the track.

"Here is a song I recorded at a colleague’s studio entitled “Neurotica.” It showcases the fabulous Resonator Neuronium designed by Jürgen Michaelis. It was all sequenced in real time except the bass part which I overdubbed later. The Neuronium comes in at bar 13 after the synth intro. Length is 1:50 so it won’t take that long to become intrigued by the possibilities presented by this unique device."

Synth Pics via Pighood

You can find more shots at
Pighood's Music flickr set.

Pictured here:
Bob Moog ....and his legacy.
Lamp Doepfer
The Pigsty

A Devil Between Mirrors

"A spontaneous attempt at psychospiritual affirmation and adoration, and the ritualistic use of the synthesizer to manifest subconscious potentialities.

All songs created/recorded spontaneously in one take on the night of November 22, 2008 by Richard Michael Willoughby and Greg Miner, except track #1, created/recorded November 23, 2008. All songs feature on the Rhodes (ARP) Chroma and the Alesis Andromeda, with very little use of effects, and using patch presets as starting points." You can find the tracks by Richard Willoughby on the excellent Rhodes Chroma site here.

Cwejman's Bubbling Woodpecker Computer


YouTube via bigcitymusic
"Here's a little test patch we made while trying to figure out our NAMM setup. The Cwejman modules sound great!

We're using the VCO-2RM, VM-1, PH-4. MMF-1, NS-4, AP-1, and the MX-4S modules, all temporarily racked in an Analogue Systems rs15 case."

ROLAND SH-5

via this auction. More images here while they are up. You can read the back panel input and outputs in the shot below. Note see the comments of this post regarding contact spray.

"Sound is very unique and recognizable early Roland. The closest I can think of is System 100, which still doesn't have all the functions of SH-5. Later Rolands definately sound more sophisticated, like SH-7 or JP-4. The sound could be described as raw, aggressive and alive. It's not meant to replace your MOOG for basses but it's greatness lies in different areas. Like modular type of pads, sequenced percussive sounds, arpeggios, fuzzy solos.. it does that really well."

Roland Jupiter-8

via this auction
"The Roland Jupiter 8 is one of the best sounding and most playable analog polyphonic synthesizers from the 1980's. When it came time for me to purchase my first poly synth I played them all: Prophet 5 and Prophet 10, Rhodes Chroma, Yamaha CS70M, Memorymoog, Oberheim OBXa, everything I could get my hands on. I kept going back to the JP8. It has a great fat sound, live performance playability, relatively stable tuning (after she warms up any drifting is musically realistic and adds to it's warmth), and a voice architecture that lets your creativity stretch beyond it's contemporaries.

Being an avid programmer I found it more flexible than the others with such things as: continuously variable oscillator mixing (unlike the Oberheim), cross modulation, envelope inverting, dual mode filter plus a high pass filter, full featured oscillator modulation, and a very musical arpeggiator. This unit is one of the early ones, purchased in 1983 and well taken care of. It is pre midi and the only modification done to it was to install a detachable power cable. I would assume it to be a 12 bit model due to it's age, which I understand is desireable and reputed to have a thicker sound. The serial number is 141263"

Patchable Modular ARP Odyssey Mk I

images via this auction

Roland Boss PC2 Percussion Synthesizer


YouTube via prodman221. via this auction
"This is a rare piece of gear by Boss from 1984."

Knob controls are as follows:
# Sens: controls the sensitivity of the module (the threshold at which it is triggered)
# Pitch: controls the pitch of the Oscillator
# Decay: controls the length of the sound
# Sweep: controls the range in which the oscillator sweeps
# Rate: controls the speed/rate of the LFO wave that controls the pitch
# Depth: controls the depth of the LFO wave that controls the pitch
# LFO wave type: switches between a triangle and square LFO wave
# Oscillator wave type (mod): switches the oscillator wave type between a triangle, a square or a mix of both
# Attack (mod): bypasses the attack circuit for a softer attack

Morrison Digital Trumpet synth

via this auction
"This is a great example of a tremendous modern instrument horn well priced below it's true value... I've tried the Akai Ewi and EVI models and NONE of them compare to this instrument. I was playing bop heads like Ornithology and Confirmation within 15 minutes of opening the package! If you don't know what this is you owe it to yourself to go online and check out the full potential of this remarkable instrument: link"
Excerpt:
"MDT Brass-style MIDI wind controller, custom stainless steel mouthpiece, custom aluminum carrying case for the MDT, universal power supply with US plug adaptor, custom MDT connecting cable, MIDI cable, the Yamaha VL70-m physical modeling MIDI synth module with the Patchman Music TURBO VL chip pre-installed and tested, VL70-m Owner's Manual, printed MDT Owner's Manual, MDT Video Owner's Manual on DVD, TURBO VL instruction sheets, VL70-m power supply, original VL70-m factory EPROM, and VL70-m demo disk."

KORG Dela

via this auction

"Rare Korg Delta polyphonic analog Vintage synth (1979)"





YouTube via abertronic
"My video but not the exact synth for sale ( though exactly the same soundwise)"

synthesizers.com q960 (1 VCO)


YouTube via demokid2000
"My friend and I recorded this little video a cold winter night in Stockholm. Only one VCO is used. Sorry for the quality, the movie is recorded using a Nokia N95 cellular phone."

synthesizers.com with q960 and pro~one

"Synthesizers.com doing some VCF x-modulation and bass line. A Sequential Circuits Inc. Pro~One is used as bass drum. A Dynacord MDL-10 delay is echoing the .COM."

1970s Cracked Magazine

via Boing Boing, via Cartoon Brew where you will find more.

"I received several old issues of Cracked Magazine over the holidays and I couldn’t help noticing how one humor piece, predicting life in the 21st Century, was surprisingly accurate."

Fixing the MC-909 rotary encoder


"This is the MC-909.. It is my favourite synth because it allows a hands-on approach to sound synthesis. Even if it is targetet to the DJ market (which I am not!), it is capable of very interesting textures (and it has a nice sampler even if it lacks the velocity and key multilayering of the high-end samplers)"

more images and info on synth-diy.

cool frog

NoiseAxe - Picaxe based minisynth v2


YouTube via grandtippler
"More info here: http://www.gadgetgangster.com/79
The NoiseAxe is an easy to build Picaxe based mini-synth that plays a range of crazy sounds using only a stylus and photoresistor."
flickr by rarebeasts
(click for more)

Bleep Labs ThingamaKit Watching TV in Brazil


YouTube via uilames
"After Effects gerenating crazy color changes. Tube screen's refreshing rate makes the Thingamakit go crazy. The same color on the computer's lcd screen generates a pitch free of variations."

Update via williampaiva in the comments:
http://williampaiva.wordpress.com/2009/01/06/o-making-of-do-thingamakit/
Pics of the making of the ThingamaKit

Neil Johnson Three Pole State Variable Filter Module



"three pole state variable filter PCB from Neil Johnson which uses the Analog Devices SSM2164 quad VCA."

"I made a front panel design that fit the hole pattern of the MOTM-120. I printed the panel design, glued it to the front of the panel and sprayed it with two coats of lacquer. It came out reasonably well so I will just buy some quality potentiometers and the correct knobs to finish this module."

You can find more info and images on Neil Johnson's ModularSynthesis.

SONY DRP-2 DRUM MACHINE


YouTube via kulten
"Sony "Drum Pad" DPR-2 drum machine and electronic drums, 13 sounds, 2 user pattern (4/4 and 3/4), 8 preset patterns, fill-in mode, pads for real time play/record."
More pics and info in German here (Googlish here).

Part Of The Art Test Studio

flickr by Art Test Music
(click for more)

full size

"Art Test Music is an independent music and sound design house based in NYC. Art Test has done projects for Nike/Footlocker, Atari, KOOL, MTV, Crown Royal, Adelphi University and more. Recently, Art Test songs have been featured in MTV, LOGO, Ovation and more

For custom-made music for TV, radio, websites, corporate videos and short films or to license an existing Art Test Music track, e-mail dave@arttestmusic.com."

The 10 Greatest Sounds from Star Wars


YouTube via digitaldave1234. via FakeBook.
We know R2D2 was made with an ARP 2600.
I'm curious what other synths, software or hardware were used in some of these.
"Roger Ebert has said that for some people, movie history begins with Star Wars. George Lucas has said that sound is "half of the picture". The sounds from the Star Wars series sit between those two quotes. Ben Burtt became the world's most influential sound designer by creating the sounds for the Star Wars series.

This list was created by factoring how famous or influential a given sound is, and also considering the sound from a sound designer's point of view. For example, the Darth Vader sounds are simple to create, yet the voice from James Earl Jones became one of the most influential sounds of the series. Compare that to the voice of Poggle the Lesser, which is not as famous, but a masterpiece of cutting and pasting phonetic sounds together."

BTW, be sure to see this post for more synths in film.

Update: One sound that stood out for me in the first of the new films and not on this list is the sound of the engines in the canyon race. The Star Wars films really did have some great audio effects. Sound makes a movie.

Charles Cohen Vs. Chrome Genie - 1/3/09 - Philadelphia


YouTube via caloriewarp
"Charles Cohen and his Buchla Music Easel vs. Chrome Genie NoBuchla Lung Sucker and his vibra-troupe... Cohen KO's Genie in 1st round. live improv at the Cohen residency in Philadelphia: 1/3/09"

New Serge M-odule EQShifter m-odule


"a new Serge M-odule has been released: the EQShifter m-odule.

it includes a Resonant EQ module, a Dual Phase Shifter module, a Dual Audio Mixer module, and an XFAD module.

the Price is 1700 USD."

via Bakis

Kawai Dual K5000S/W

"Special Model: two Kawai synthesizers build into one organ case.

After my K5000S went down to the floor, a part of the plastic case has broken into 1000 pieces. I had to learn, that Kawai service does not have any replacement parts for this synthesizer any more.

I have had several other synthesizers and something what I always was unhappy about, is the bad ergonomics: if you want to play with two of them. A double keyboard stand is ugly and the keyboards are too separate. I think, two stacked keyboards like an organ is quite the best, like the Prophet 10. After some planning, I bought a second used K5000 with the same excellent keyboard action and made a new case for both of them, even a 13-note Midi pedal is now attached."

via Robert's Organ Studio HX1 were samples will follow. Sent my way via brian c.

Update: also see the The Yamaha E-75

Les filtres d'Andromède...

flickr by making_sound
(click for more)

full size

Sequential Circuits Prophet VS "Vector Synthesizer"


YouTube via retrosound72

"vintage synth demo by RetroSound

some typical self-made and factory sounds from the Sequential Circuits Prophet VS Vector Synthesizer;"

Korg nanoKEY Review


YouTube via sonicstate. Also see the nanoPAD review by Sonic State here.
"Sonicstate.com takes a look at the mini USB keyboard from Korg. More reviews on the site. Check out our upcoming NAMM show coverage"

Gleetchlab 3 (work in progress preview)


YouTube via toborexperiment
"Sneak preview of the forthcoming v3.
Sound is live output from the footage.
Samples used are 3 acoustic pianos loop passed trough gleetchlab 3 processors.
No post editing.

More infos at:
http://www.gleetchplug.com"

Tenori-on Deep House Session TOBOR EXPERIMENT


YouTube via toborexperiment
"Deep House session with the mighty Tenori-on
Everything is coming from it.
Some samples were made with Gleetchlab 2.3 and uploaded on the tenori via SD card.

www.gleetchplug.com"

TENORI-ON LIVE TOBOR EXPERIMENT

"AUDIOVISIVA FESTIVAL IN MILAN JUNE 2008"

light-to-sound


YouTube via iam5volt
"This is the light to sound converter I designed and built quickly. A few light variable souces are played in front of the light sensor (circuit in the center of the picture) and converted to sound. A cheap and simple circuit easy to build, good for schools. Details at http://www.5volt.eu
The image is dim because the use of regular AC light (it is evening now) would result in a background hum.
The light sources in the short video include remote controls, a DIY crack mini lamp based on a stepper motor and a bare stepper motor+LED. The colour-changing light is a remote controlled RGB mood lamp I designed and published on Instructables ( http://www.instructables.com/id/A-rem... ) and a cig lighter.
Have fun. Alex."

MFOS WP-20 Mini Synth - 2'nd test


YouTube via LofiNinja.

follow-up to this post.

"2'nd test of my D.I.Y MFOS WP-20.. I added a "repeat rate" potentiometer instead of the fixed resistor.. Very big difference! Build from junkbox parts, so all potentiometers are wrong values and logarithmic insted of linear.. Quite the task to control it! Still in testing/modding state so for the time being the panel is cardboard.."

justasession no.3 - part1


YouTube via unklekarma
"justasession no.3 - part1
Swedish Congo performance.
no sleep, pure music

Andreas Stoubye Johansen performing live on Korg Electribe SX1 and Electro-Harmonix 2880.

Enjoy..."

justasession no.3 - part2

"Swedish Congo performance.
no sleep, pure sampler

Andreas Stoubye Johansen performing live on Korg Electribe SX1 and Electro-Harmonix 2880.

Enjoy..."

Crumar Performer analoger 70er String Synthesizer Elektro - Solo - PUR


YouTube via Sigmundleid
"Crumar Performer Analoger String Synthesizer ELEKTRO Sound Demo 70er Kiste - Solo - PUR"

"Hold on tight" - on Yamaha HE-8


YouTube via organfairy
"Originally played by ELO in a somewhat more rocking style compared to this allmost Barbie-like interpretation.
This time I use the old Roland TR66 Rhytm Arranger for the beat. It is all analog so it cannot be syncronized to anything - except if someone adds it as a retrofit. So everything in this video had to be played manually using multitrack technology.
And before somebody points it out: Yes, the arpeggio on the Roland synthesizer is inspired by the Telex version of "Twist a st.tropez"."

En Halvkokt i Folie - Live Jam - Fylkingen Sthlm 2008-07-18


YouTube via eSyringe. Enjoy the synth spotting. Note the rare PPG Wave 2 "PPG Wave 2.0"
"En Halvkokt i Folie joined to jam together during two weekends summer 2008"

Ensoniq ESQ-1 demonstration part 3


YouTube via teanegro. follow-up to this post.
"Some selfmade patches from Ensoniq ESQ-1 synth. Strings, pads, basses, buzzes, classics, analogue emulations... Crappy live playing. ;)"

Xio Arctic Custom Mod

flickr set by ultra303
(click for more)

"or 'How to *polarize* your XIO?'"

Custom white Novation Xio.

Animal Noises


YouTube via verstaerker. "just some senseless Noises from the Animal"

ARP 2600


via this auction

"early version ARP 2600 from the personal collection of Phil Cirocco of CMS / Discrete Synthesizers. It features a rare, vintage ARP 2600P V2.0 console and a 3604P keyboard. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to own a fully functional, killer sounding synthesizer, as well as a rare piece of electronic music history.

This is an early version of the 2600P. It was made in early November of 1971. It is in excellent cosmetic condition. The tolex on the console, as well as the keyboard is in excellent condition - rare for such an early model. The serial number is valid and accurate. It features all original, early type ARP sub-modules. It uses an original ARP 4012 filter. All 3 VCO’s are the great sounding 4027 type. It has the rare, early version 4010 VCA. Since it is a version 2.0, it uses the LM301 op amp for the audio path. However, the op amps are the better sounding military can version. It also uses the original large reverb tank. All of these things combine to form "one great looking and sounding ARP 2600!" To view a production timeline go to: link

The electronics and mechanicals have been restored to 1971 ARP factory specs. It has not been modified or upgraded. The power supply was recently rebuilt to factory specs here at CMS. All the electrolytic bypass capacitors in the entire system have been replaced. This unit is ready for trouble free operation for another 20 years. For modifications and upgrades see: link

The outside of the 2600P console is in very good condition. The lid for the console is also in good condition. All of the chrome latches and corners are present and intact. The Tolex on the inner section is in good condition. There are some tears in the Tolex around the front panel that have been repaired. The front panel is in very good condition except for some small unevenness in the corner of the preamp section. This is probably from some hack trying to open the console incorrectly. The preamp itself has been checked out and is totally functional. There are some small scratches in the paint near the right speaker – see photo. There are also some light scratches around the sliders in the voltage processor section. The front panel has not been drilled or modified in any way. Remarkably, the silkscreen shows no signs of wear and is totally intact. The silkscreen is the more beautiful and complex, early type.

This unit also features all new “Switchcraft” chrome front panel hardware! All the sliders are intact and are fully functional. The original black slider caps were not present when I purchased the unit, so I was forced to replace them with other ARP caps. These caps are original ARP equipment and are very rare and expensive.

It includes the keyboard connection cable as well as the AC cable. The keyboard connector on the 2600 console is brand new. The keyboard connection cable is brand new.

The 3604P keyboard is from the same era. It is in brand new condition and is fully functional. The lid for the keyboard is also in perfect condition. The Tolex covering on the keyboard is in perfect condition. The keys are also in perfect condition. The front panel is in very good condition except for some paint chips near the portamento knob. The keyboard has been meticulously maintained here at CMS for the last 15 years.

This system has been fully calibrated recently here at CMS. It holds pitch and scale regardless of temperature from initial start up to running for 8 hours. With no modifications, it can easily be run from a MIDI converter box and MIDI keyboard instead of the ARP keyboard. For more info on this see: link

This vintage instrument from 1971 is guaranteed fully functional upon delivery by CMS/Discrete Synthesizers."
PREVIOUS PAGE NEXT PAGE HOME


Patch n Tweak
Switched On Make Synthesizer Evolution Vintage Synthesizers Creating Sound Fundlementals of Synthesizer Programming Kraftwerk

© Matrixsynth - All posts are presented here for informative, historical and educative purposes as applicable within fair use.
MATRIXSYNTH is supported by affiliate links that use cookies to track clickthroughs and sales. See the privacy policy for details.
MATRIXSYNTH - EVERYTHING SYNTH