MATRIXSYNTH: Wednesday, January 7, 2009


Wednesday, January 07, 2009

Plan B at NAMM - Update

follow-up to this post. More detail via Peter Grenader, the man behind Plan B, on the Plan B mailing list.

"Both Plan B and Buchla will be at the Noisebug booth 6108 which is on the main hall this year in the vicinity of Moog and Motu.

Sometime this week I will be posting further details on what we'll be showing on the Plan B Analog Blog (go to www.ear-group.net to sign up. On the module end will be the models 21C Mini Milton VC Sequencer, the Model 32 Vector Plotter and the M30 and 30A - two components of the mighty Triple Digital VCO Subsystem. There are four other products being introduced which are part of the big move into cases and systems.: The he Ringer, a single row rack frame offering a low-cost solution to a previously expensive expansion requirement, and the Model Zero, which is the same three row Zero Halibuton case used by NIN with some significant improvements, including power saving modes, top/bottom strip modules and the option of expanding to six rows. A photo has been posted in the PB Analog Blog.

The Performance System, which has it's own case not unlike the Doepfer portable although two rows of 102 HP and eight inches deep is our fist venture into the systems arena and will also be on display and operational.

To support the Ringer, the Zero and the PS we're introducing an external power system which utilizes two high-grade second party switching supplies as it's engine. The supplies are audio grade and protected to the point that key'd power connectors on the bus will not be required...the PSU will shut itself off instantly if a module is installed incorrectly.

Along with Noisebug's, Plan B goods will be on display at a couple of other booths as well - keep a sharp eye out!

Again, when my schedule allows I will be posting more details on all this, including photos to the PBAB. Please grant me patience with this and in getting back with anyone who may need to contact me as I'm deep into Namm hell at present and time away to post is minimal.

Thanks again and I look forward to seeing you all at the show!

- Peter Grenader"

Update: see the comments of this post for some notes from Peter.

Ondes Martenot Ring Controller Project


YouTube via happymoogman
"I'm building a Ring Controller, in the style of a vintage Ondes Martenot, to control my modular synthesizer. Here is the first video, showing my progress, so far.
I'm controlling a synthesizers.com Q125 Signal Processor, which in turn, is controlling an oscillator on the big synth.
This is a work in progress, and I'm continuing to complete this instrument.
Another video will follow this one, when it is completed."

Analog Computer Bouncing Ball


YouTube via EA78751
"In this video I'm demonstrating an analog computer that models a bouncing ball, with control voltage and trigger outputs that could be interesting with synthesizers, sequencers, etc.

I designed the circuit as an excercise in understanding analog computer techniques. I found that almost all textbook descriptions of analog integrators are incomplete, lacking adequate description of how to set the initial conditions of the integrator and reset it at the end of each computation.

An obvious application of this particular circuit is to generate nonlinear rhythms for electronic music... check out Aphex Twin's track "Bucephalus Bouncing Ball" for a good example of this effect.

more info:
http://ericarcher.net/devices/analog-...

Many thanks to Matthew Thies for filming and editing this video.

-Eric Archer
2009"

ollup


YouTube via cray56. follow-up to this post. "buchla n delay"

Touchram controller

flickr by rylos51

full size

"Touch control panel for music synthesizer being used with a Yamaha DX7. Real-time dynamic control makes all the difference in the world."

See this post for more info on the Touchram.

Esben Schack and Wetterberg, freestyle in Studio


YouTube via machinate
"a live looping session with Esben Schack, recorded some time in early '08, I think?

no pre-recorded material, no nothing. Just voice and effects. Lemur + Live 7 working overtime."

circuit bent yamaha PSR-11 and Danelectro fab echo


YouTube via 3rdness. Synth lobotomy.
"Instead of adding connections where they shouldn't be, this kind of bend cuts the connections between the FM chip and the main processing chip.

By withholding data transfer between the chips, you can mix-up the sounds and preset rhythms and make them do some pretty messed up junk.

The D-LAY is a modded Danelectro Fab Echo. The chip they use has much greater function than they let you access. If you circumvent their hindrances, you can get a really cool, fully functional delay for under $20.

http://www.mobiusband.com/blog
http://www.myspace.com/3rdness"

Sequential Circuits Prophet 10 on Ebay


YouTube via higleyvideos
I'm not seeing it listed yet. Here's a search on Prophet-10: link in case my Ebay feed on the right doesn't pick it up.

musical synth R&D


YouTube via nathanielscott
"The first device is an Optical Theremin, and is a Forrest Mims design. The second device is a bent design of Mim's. The last third of the video shows a 10 step sequencer which is where I will be spending more time trying to develop it into a viable performance device.

I have been toying with the idea of building a modular synthesizer. I was fortunate enough to have had access to a minimoog for a year and I am a huge fan of that design but would like a system that is more modular.

I have started by building some very basic ocillators and sequencers, as you can see. I am using Radio Shack Electronic Project Kit 150 in 1, and the Radio Shack Electronic Learning Lab to learn the the basics. So far so good."

Siel Expander 80 Resource Site

"This page is dedicated to the Siel Expander 80 synth module, which seems to constantly be slated for being an inadequate copy of the Korg EX800. This web page is a complete resource for the Siel Expander 80, showing that if time is given to understand it, and accepting it's limitations, then a very capable synth will become apparrent."

Roland JSQ-60


via this auction

"Roland JSQ-60 digital keyboard recorder. It is an amazing device designed to give you more control and variety on your DCB keyboard... The JSQ-60 is a polyphonic sequencer compatible with DCB synthesizers such as the JUNO-60 or the JUPITER-8. Due to its large memory capacity of approximately 2,000 notes, the JSQ-60 can memorize a complete musical composition . The JSQ-60 can also memorize changes in the patch memory of the JUNO-60. The JSQ-60 is capable of both real-time and single-step loading. In the real-time mode, all performances played by the keyboard are loaded. And in the single step mode, the pitch of each note is loaded in each step. While listening to previously loaded performances, you can overdub up to three times in real time. Shifting the JUNO-60's patch memory and starting/stopping the JSQ-60 can be controlled by the DP-2 pedal switch. A cassette interface is provided for limit less data storage. Two Sync out jacks are provided to sync with devices such as the TR-606 DRUMATIX or TB-303 BASS LINE. Easy to carry. Weight: only 1.5 kg!"

Multivox MX-20

via this auction

ELKA OMB 3

via this auction

The auction states this is analog. Anyone out there know?

Studio Electronics SE-1X


via this auction

"More Information from the Studio Electronics website: Seen where the sound of success was heard, the SE-1 recreated the power of the classic Moog tone and far more. The distinctive Oberheim filter and numerous additional features helped to make this Hiphop and R&B legend the serious professional's source for the boominest basses and smoothest, wormiest leads on the planet. The SE-1X continues in this tradition, remaining true to its roots, while stepping up its functionality and form; wide open to future expansion and exploration via its Flash-ROM operating system –not to mention the boundless creativity of our supernal sound designers!"

machinedrum 01


machinedrum 01 from Zane Brzezinski on Vimeo.

Machinedrum02

Machinedrum02 from Zane Brzezinski on Vimeo.

Atari Punk Console 2.0 Kit from GetLoFi

more info including how to order on GetLoFi

"The Stepped Tone Generator circuit by Forrest M Mims III has been around for ages. Recently the same circuit was rediscovered and reborn catching the attention of the Internet as the Atari Punk Console for its coarse and crunchy tones. When it became apparent that the demand for this sound was still great it was decided that offering a Kit is not such a bad idea. The original schematic and PCB transfer drawn up by Matthew Helm seemed like a good place to start, however it is riddled with needless complexity and was not something one could wrap their head around easily. Plus it was not taking the advantage of superior PCB mounting capabilities. Behold the Atari Punk Console (APC) 2.0! Redesigned entirely from scratch and based on the original schematic from the Radio Shack Book. The APC 2.0 is designed so that its components solder directly to the matching traces on the printed side of the board. It is quick and easy to put together even for a novice."

A New Access Virus at NAMM?

Rumor has it that there might be a new Access Virus coming at NAMM.

via Mr. Array:

"Tons of speculation is going on out there in regards to a new Virus being released at NAMM. Apparently online stores are listing all lines except the Snow as discontinued. Check out this thread for more info. This might be the last exciting NAMM in quite some time, given the state of the world's financial system."

Again, this is all rumor, so take it as you want. What's a little scary is that last sentence. Hopefully there won't be too much of a lull in the synth market. There's also rumors that Clavia/Nord has discontinued the G2: here and other threads on electro-music.com.

Polymoog restoration

flickr set by unfrostedpoptart

A Synth Dream

Chang sent the following in on the AH list. I've posted Synth Dreams in the past and figured this one was worth a post.

"My dream the other night...

I went to a music shop and bought two new synths. One was called the JP6 by Roland but was not a Jupiter 6. It was built almost like a taller, narrower Korg MS-10 or MS-20, with avery colorful front panel.

The other synth was kind of like a Nord MicroMOdular only when programmed it produced these gorgeous, analog drenched sounds and arpeggios. I and my abovementioned companion marveled at the sounds before the ladder sex. Then at some point later in the dream the guy from the store stole the synth back and I woke up pissed.

I have often dreamt of weird sex. I am only human.

I have never dreamt of synths. I am a geek now. Synths & sex? That's reallly weird."


Someone of course wanted to the know the details. Consider yourself warned... There is no synth content beyond this point, so if you are sensitive towards this stuff, move on...

"YOu ased you sick bastid:

Last night's dream has stuck in my head all day.

I can't figure out which part was the weirdest.

After the cut, there is sexy dreamy nonsense. You have been warned.

So the first weird bit was me having sex with the mother of an old high school friend. Only it was not the actual mother, but some sort of composite. And it began on a ladder. Yeah. When we actually, bedded, I tore away her turtleneck sweater to reveal a large surgical scar down the center of her chest and something written on her abdomen which I cannot remember. At some point earlier in the dream she had told me she had recently recovered from cancer. As we had the dream sex, she moaned, "THE CURE!!! THE CURE!!! THE CURE!!!" which neither took to mean sex with me was a cure for cancer (studies are inconclusive) and not an endoresment for Robert Smith and co."

Now this is a crazy synth dream...

Apollo Studio

Synth.nl has been tracking the building of his new studio online. I've been watching it but holding off on a post until some synths appeared. :)

The have. You can find all posts on the building of Apollo Studio here.

"In this picture you see the left part where my analog corner will be again. In the third cabinet from the right I put the UPS for the studio, but when I switched it on I heard that it has fans and makes noise, so I will move it to the server room. Not all my analog synthesizers are going here by the way, because in the new setup I will also have a special place for all my modulars. They are going to be all together on the second desk that Gerrit is building at this moment."

Divider_euroPCB

flickr by fonitronik

"2-sided layout for a Simple Clock Divider for my Modular (eurorack), providing footprints for cliff 1386 sockets.
www.fonitronik.de"

Philip Oakey & the all seeing i - 1st Man In Space 2 videos


YouTube via crowbaby5. Roland SH-101 synth fest.
"Philip Oakey from the Human League teams up with fellow Sheffielders the all seeing i - there are two live versions on this clip."

via dr ben goldacre
"sheffield band, they seem to get their sheffield mates in all the time, like tony christie, (heh) phil oakey, and jarvis cocker. and one of them was in I Monster and the other was in that band in the Harry Potter movie (true)."

Grr....

Blogger is not letting me upload images at the moment, so I can't post things like this Plan b teaser. Posts with images will come later.

Logic Express 8 - New Beginnings


YouTube via skyskraberen
"New song made with Logic Express 8 and Novation Xiosynth.
The bass is a sample from Future Music Magazine sample cd, the rest of the instrument are played via the midi or the built-in keyboard in Logic (cmd+shift).

The video was made in iMovie using images from when floppy discs were used and saved photos with mistakes in them."

Garageband - Double Virtual


YouTube via skyskraberen
"This song is called Double Virtual and was made using Garageband. All software instruments were triggered and played via the built-in keyboard.

Lyrics written by Skyskraberen and recorded using iSpeak, where you can type in any word and the application will speak it. You can select different voices, this one is Victoria."

Propellerhead Reason version 4

Removed this one. See the comments.

EMX-1 Exotic Beatmaking in Tokyo(HD)


YouTube via cyberspacecowboys
"Played by S_Ishimaru.
KORG Electribe EMX-1 Beatmaking."

padr


YouTube via cray56

leploop, step three, pcb testing, kick


YouTube via tonylight
"LepLoop It's a small synth protype I'm developping with my friend Peppo.
The idea was to have a compact live analog instrument.
The circuit it's an original design.
The synth can produce 3/4 sound at the same time
kick
noise hh/snare
bass/melody

After one year of developping the pcb it's arrived, here I'm testing the kick generator"

Bananalogue VCS as a fuzz device


YouTube via AlexPears
"Here is the first of what I hope to be many synth videos, in this one I show how to use the Bananalogue VCS as a self oscillating fuzz of sorts."

En Halvkokt i Folie - Live Jam Part 2 - Fylkingen Sthlm 2008-07-19


YouTube via eSyringe. Analogue Solutions SEMBlance, DIY and more
"The guys in En Halvkokt i Folie hooked up some of their electronic gear for a live jam at Fylkingen Stockholm in july 2008."

Patch Tutorial 1


Patch Tutorial 1 from Elan Hickler on Vimeo.
"Some things I forgot to mention:

-The envelope controlling the lowpass filter is set with high attack, decay, sustain, and release.
-The pitch VC to the lowpass filter is inverted but heavily attenuated.
-I used no resonance and the notch filter was turned all the way down.

Sorry, the sound quality could be better. I'll use a higher bitrate next time."

Music Thing on Hiatus

And this is what I woke up to today. This is a sad day for us fans. Music Thing along with Create Digital Music and Analog Industries were the first music blogs I visited and still the top three in my opinion.

They also helped me during rough times - site issues and figuring out how to find the balance in blogging. I will always be thankful of Tom for his support, guidance and of course a few beers in London last summer! :)

Read Tom's post on why he is taking and indefinite break. Although, I am definitely crossing my fingers that MT will come back one day, I congratulate Tom on his success and wish him the best. Sometimes you just need a break and a change in perspective. Family and life should always come first.

Tom, thank you for Music Thing, your support and the great memories. I wish you the best of luck and hope to see you online or in person again one day.

cheers,
matrix
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