Pro-One II

flickr by Computer Controlled

"The original name for Mopho? *note the odd interconnect*"

inside a DSI MoPho

Sequential Circuits Pro-One II

making music with pro53

YouTube via feelda303
"somebody said the other day that NI pro53 is sh*t... it's not... i made a little demo with only pro53 playing and it's typical pluck synth sound... for some reason the video has been converted to 4:3 ratio, but what the hell..."

Drum Machine through the Phantastron!

YouTube via sheepslinky
"A LinnDrum drum machine is fed directly into the Phantastron Synth from www.electricwestern.com (cv control grids).

The "dry" and Phantasturized sound is mixed on a mixer.

Another Phantastron is played with the Electric Western ribbon controller. The ribbon sends a gate to a VCA which makes the second phantastron sound only when the ribbon is touched. So, the ribbon is touch sensitive -- very sensitive.

Visit www.electricwestern.com for your own phantastron and / or controller!!"

More Atari 2600 Drum Sample Playback!

YouTube via littlescale
"More Atari 2600 Drum Sample Playback! On a real Atari, controlled from Ableton live. The MIDI CC control envelope is controlling the pitch of the sample playback channel."

Multivox MX 450 Pedal Synthesizer

via this auction

MOOG Sound Producer

via these auctions where you'll also find Cynthcart and Prophet65 for the C64.

"Moog Song Producer (MIDI and Trigger interface) for the Commodore 64, with sequencing and MIDI-processing software. The Moog Song Producer boasts:
* 1 MIDI in
* 1 MIDI thru
* 4 (!) MIDI outs
* 8 drum trigger outs
* 2 Footswitch ins
* 1 Clock/sync in
* 1 Clock/sync out

That means the Song Producer’s capable of interfacing your MIDI and pre-MIDI gear. This item is in great condition and includes the original box. Just check out the photos. It include:
* Song Producer hardware interface
* Connection cable (it plugs into the Commodore 64’s expansion port)
* Ring-bound manual with software disk (and TESTED backup copy that I made)
* Original warranty card
* Technical service information leaflet (includes schematic, picture of circuit-board layout and complete parts-list)
* Quick-start/introductory guide (x2)

Perhaps most excitingly, though, is the possibility that---with the detailed technical information included---a competent C64 programmer could use it to control the C64’s SID chip through MIDI, as it just runs on a stock Commodore with a stock interface (the cartridge expansion port)."

dsPIC Signal Processing board

more info here
"This is a small project focused on audio signal processing using the Microchip dsPIC. It provides the following features:

* Microchip dsPIC33FJ32GP302 Microcontroller with 32kB Flash, 4kB SRAM, ADC, Codec interface, I2C, SPI, etc.
o Pin-compatible with other dsPIC parts for expanded Flash, SRAM, peripherals.
* Wolfson WM8731 stereo audio CODEC with up to 96kHz / 24-bit sampling.
* Microchip 23k256 SPI 32kB SRAM.
* Microchip 24aa256 I2C 32kB EEPROM.
* Off board stereo audio I/O (+/-5Vpp, AC-coupled)
* Off board analog CV / Pot port with 4 x 10V CV + offset pot.
* Off board analog/digital expansion port with 8 MCU I/O.
o Up to 2x 12-bit ADC inputs.
o Up to 8x GPIO with pulldowns for switches / encoders
* Codec expansion port with headphone driver output and microphone input
* ISP port for MCU development and debugging

The principle reason for this board is development and deployment of simple audio DSP applications."

Waldorf Blofeld - Deep Space

YouTube via vinyljunkie07
"I just love making these spacy evolving sounds with this thing, listen in stereo on headphones to realy apriceate what the synth is doing..
808 kit, drums and sequencing from MPC
Strings - Roland JX3P
Blofeld - lovely textures and fx"
Note the Blofeld Keyboard is on sale at Noisebug until July 31.

E-Mu EMU Emulator III

via this auction

Oberheim Matrix 12

via this auction

Oberheim Xpander

via this auction

note the XLRs

oldmanfury

via Gerald:
"I started up a semi-synth-related blog. Have written a couple of posts here: oldmanfury"

pictured:
"Andy's modular is mostly Frac-rack, populated with lovely Blacet, Wiard, and a few Metalbox CGS modules. Since his system is so uniform and professional looking, he wanted to get some high-quality panels to match. Here's a picture of about 1/4 of his modular (and his Niece knob-tweaking)."

MacBeth X-Series Backend Filter

via Mr. Array, via Muff's Forum
"- hi guys- well my plan was to have the grounded control for the envelope EG- my experience of using a bipolar control- though neat- makes it tricky to find an accurate zero point between the - and the +. Sometimes I want no envelope present at all- so when the EG control pot is at zero there is no chance of mild sweeping. This is important when approximating 1V/Octave tracking. This EG input control is normalised to the positive going envelope- but can be overidden by patching the negative envelope- or indeed, any othe control or modulation source!

Regarding taking the filter output and feeding it back through one of the audio mixer pots- thats a great idea- I'll look into that tommorow.

And yes- there are the potentiometer controlled inputs- its a small three input mixer! I have tried to put every 'angle' possible on this thing- and hopefully I have! I don't see the justification in having to buy a separate basic mixer for this thing. With the dual oscs and noise- it's a perfect companion. hihi

One further module out of the six planned is a reasonably complex dual mixer that will have multiple inputs and some degree of cv, inversion etc...this will help utilise the multiple outputs from the dual osc module. I could have turned this into a single 84hp synth- but splitting the idea in two allows for thos who want more than one dual osc and or backend filter the option to sonically 'go big'

Again- I appreciate all your feedback- I know what I like- but your suggestions that go out side of my box are most helpful. I'm designing this stuff for you the enthusiasts and it's great fun on the way!"

Eric Archer Drone Commander

on eric archer.net

"With a total of 9 knobs, the Drone Commander offers two manually-tuned oscillators and two LFOs, plus an unusually colorful and nasty filter. LFO1 is an analog variable-shape oscillator, and LFO2 is a pulse waveform that auto-synchronizes to LFO1 at a ratio of 2x, 4x, 8x, or 16x. Both LFOs can be routed to the filter for rhythmic patterns. A line-level output jack is provided for connection to amplifiers or effects."

see these posts for video and more.

Yamaha DX7S synth - Leader of the Pack Advert

flickr by msxgalaga
(click for more)

"ad from Melody Maker magazine 1987"

Commodore 64 for iPhone

YouTube via manomiodotcom
"The first official demonstration of the Commodore 64 computer running on the iPhone from Manomio and Kiloo"

Happy Father's Day!!!

Oh the toys you get to play with when you become a father...

Happy Father's Day to all the dad's out there!

BOSS BR-600 Quick Review on Cafe 80

"The BR-600 features good quality effects to process the input, even while recording. Realistic distortion and other classic chorus or flanger effects for the guitar, more adventurous processing for the line input (bit reduction, etc…). These are really useful, as you can just plug in a guitar and record a decent electric guitar track, and so on… There’s also a whole mastering section, which I didn’t have the time to test, along with some facilities like tuner, phrase trainer, pitch correction or loop."

full review on Cafe 80.

Clavia Nord Lead 3 Trance Presets Audio Demo

YouTube via alanmarcero
"http://www.alanmarcero.com for free patches for your synthesizers. Demo was done with a Nord Lead and external FX. Comprised partly of clips from my own tunes."

Roland 80017a

via this auction
"Problems Typically Solved by Replacing the Failed 80017a Chip Include:

* Erratic or sudden loud noise from synthesizer output, particularly after 10 minutes of powering up.
* Note hang-ups or long sustain.
* One synth voice will not respond to filter or amplifier changes.
* Unstable operation.
* Juno-106 or MKS-30: Notes will not play, most typically every 6th note will not play due to failed 80017a chip.
* GR-700: One particular voice or string will not sound, "D" string, "A" string etc.

Sound Clip of 80017a Failure in a GR-700 Guitar Synthesizer

The sound of the failure will change depending on which part of the circuit is not working: the VCF or VCA for example. The above example is provided to illustrate one type of failure. Your synth may have different symptoms as listed above.

An easy way to determine if you cable is working correctly on the GR-700 is to press the EDIT foot pedal, followed by 4 and 8. This puts the GR-700 in tuning mode. Play each string on the GR-700, and you should see the display change for each string. The displays shows "1" for the high E string, "2" for the B string, down to "6" for the low E string. If the GR-700 responds to all six strings, then your cable is good, and most likely you have a failed 80017a chip.

About the 80017a VCA/VCF chip:

The 80017a chip was a real workhorse for Roland synthesizer engineers in the early 1980s. This one chip contained both the classic, driving -24 dB voltage controlled low-pass filter with a smooth voltage controlled amplifier. By placing all the components on one chip, Roland was able to keep the classic sound of their analog synthesizers across various products, with low production costs. However, Roland did experience some probelms with the early production techniques. With reports of chip failures, Roland knew they had a problem on their hands, and changed production methods.

When these chips fail, sometimes a voice will stop working completely. On a keyboard synth, this shows up as every sixth voice not working. On a GR-700 guitar synthesizer, this shows up as one string’s synthesizer voice failing. But the chip may not fail completely, resulting in a lack of control over the filter quality for one voice, or by sudden, loud erratic sounds from the synthesizer. The only solution to these problems is to replace the existing 80017a with a new chip.

At least 20 years after the original production date, this chip is still working well without failure." There's more info on the specific chip for sale including samples at the auction.

Be sure to see this post for a fix to existing chips as well. I had the procedure done and it did work.

EML Poly Box Screenprint

via this auction

"poly-box synthesizer screenprint. printed on red mr. french paper using black and white plastisol inks. also has a small pink screenprinted "stamp" saying "non stop" (kraftwerk reference). edition of 20. measure 12.5 x 19. looks better in person, pics don't do it justice."

NON STOP!

The Squarewave Parade Updates

bleak atten
bleak mlltipl (pictured)
teaspoonCAS auctions

Astral Blofeld

Astral Blofeld by gsixtyfour

"Single Blofeld track recorded in Logic thru a mackie mixer with bass mildly turned up a notch. I used an MPC to sequence the blofeld and did all the filter play live (and a lil synth improv, I apologize for not being the best keyboardist lol). A Kaoss pad kicks in at 6:30 with the Mod.3 effect for alil atmosphere. other than that the sound is 100% blofeld. not sure as to what the time signature is on this, i recorded it 4/4 at 90 bpm, but the echo is 1/4 120 BPM and the sequence is only 3 measures. Please excuse the audio burp at 4:11, idk what was up with that"

Additional notes via the Waldorf list:
"the first sound is just scanning the wavetrip wavetable
the second is just 2 saws with +1 detune
the third sound is a fast attack Kstrong+ i think
and the last sound is unison pulse waves"

spooloops operates the MC-505

YouTube via spooloops
"This is a live recording of me landing my spaceship using an MC-505. I record the audio to my PC then add a bit of compression. This jam has a few bits, (an extra hi-hat, ride cymbal and the big wheezy pad) courtesy of a Korg ESX-1. I'm also using an outboard reverb as well as the 505's. I use the d-beam here to add drum chaos, usually while cranking the aux return on my mixer to add a quick reverb hit. You'll notice how the required flight suit rubber gloves like to trip the d-beam, unintentionally adding more 'liveness'."

Roland CR-68 Preset Rhythm Pattern Demo

YouTube via zibbybone
"Little brother to the famous CR-78. The 68 has the same preset rhythms as the 78, but lacks programmability, fade in/out, voice cancel and the additional "constant" percussion (Metallic Beat, Tambourine & Guiro). I have the pattern variation set to automatically change from the A pattern to the B pattern every 2 measures. Later I demonstrate the other fill in patterns and lastly combine rhythms. Be sure to subscribe to my Channel for future videos of vintage electronic instruments. I plan to make a CR-78 video after I take it to Audio Electronics in Dallas for some TLC. Special thanks to my son, SuperSane101, for making the edits at the end. (Someday, I'll learn to edit)"

Korg MS2000B Vocoder (Like A Hurricane)

YouTube via vstmonger
"A trance/techno version of Neil Young's Like A Hurricane.
FL Studio and the Korg MS2000B Vocoder. Just trying out the vocoder for fun."

dnp x citer new song + stupid quartz composer sketch

YouTube via jamesvla. Warning: flashing images.
"in this video I show a static renderization of a stockhastic work I have made in quartz composer.. it's not nothing specia, once the video is not being triggered by any parameter of the song, and the visual work is not nothing special (I have never studied graphics neither motion neither nothing like that)

the music is from my solo electronic project called dnp x citer (myspace.com/dnpxciter).. it's a work made with native instruments plug-ins and logic stuff, being triggered with simple algorrithms made with paul berg ac toolbox.. it sounds a bit like aphex twin and autechre, although I am a miserable insect at their side"

Mystery - Chewit

YouTube via mysteritmo
"Instruments used: Roland TR-606, Roland CompuRhythm CR-8000, Arturia MinimoogV, Arturia Arp 2600V, Korg MicroKorg. Written and performed by Mystery. Make sure to watch in HQ."
I typically have a rule that I only post synths you can individually ID in images or audio. This one is a bit on the fence, so I decided to go ahead and put it up.

Keyboard Solo - YtseJam Solo on Dw8000 by S4K (Kevin Moore)

YouTube via Space4Keys
"Keyboard Solo Video
YtseJAM Keyboard solo
Performed by S4K on Korg Dw8000
www.keyboardsolo.com"

Sequential Prophet 5 Audio Demo

YouTube via JMPSynth
"A demo of my Sequential Prophet 5 (Ver 3.2). Sounds are recorded with a little reverb and delay added but no other effects."

Tiracon 6V sound demo

YouTube via MusicMiK. follow-up to this post.
"Those following me on twitter (SynthMiK) might have seen that i got a nearly complete Tiracon 6V to give the boards i recently showed an enclosure and make it a complete synth again.

In fact, i now have a completely working spare board set, because i was able to repair the ones that came with the synth also.

The restoration of this synth can be followed as a raw photo collection here: http://www.mik-music.org/gallery66
The power supply and the wooden side panels still need work, but this will take place in the near future.

I cut out my usual babble from the video to use the whole 10 minutes for the sound demo, the text has gone here this time.

I hope you have some fun :)"