The Secret Life of Synthesizers

The Secret Life of Synthesizers (TSLOS for short) is a blog by Craig Sue & Steve Jones. The site hosts an incredible amount of content on each individual synth featured, including hi-res pics of both the externals and internals, and how to properly care for them. Currently you'll find the Roland Juno-106, EHX Mini Synth, KORG PS-3300, Minimoog Model D, Sequential Circuits Pro-One, Yamaha CS-80, and the KORG 35 Filter. TSLOS are also synth techs, located in Sydney Australia, so if you need work done, contact them. The following is the intro from their site:

"Welcome to our blog about the inner world of electronic music synthesizers. This is a site for those who use and love vintage electronic musical instruments or who are interested in joining the community of people who are continuing the legacy of creating music using these machines. TSLOS is run by Steve Jones and Craig Sue at our service centre in Sydney, Australia.

The purpose of this blog is to take you inside these synthesizers with little photo essays detailing the inner workings of the vintage instruments that we use ourselves and that come through our restoration workshop. The posts will provide a little technical information without being too nerdy, the idea being to provide a photographic tour under the hood of each synthesizer with insights into how and why they work and sound as they do. If you are into vintage synths and have wondered what things such as Curtis chips and Moog ladder filters actually look like, Why a CS-80 weighs 100 kilo’s or why a Roland MKS-80 is most definitely not a 'Jupiter 8 in a rack' then our blog will show you.

With each post we will also work to demystify issues around reliability and servicing, buying, tuning and maintaining these instruments in the hope that it will help you to achieve the satisfaction that comes from playing a perfectly working synthesizer that is a part of the history of electronic music. Tap or click on the images for a larger view!"

secretlifeofsynthesizers.com

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Euclidean Sequences

Published on Sep 20, 2016 Oren Levy

"Frames Parasite in Euclidean Sequence mode driving Tides (Sheep), 2 X uBraids, going into Rings and Elements, with some clouds, Terminals, Wogglebug, and 606"

Modular on the Roof - Improvising with Eurorack Modular Outdoors

Published on Sep 20, 2016 pyrofiliac

Playlist:
1. Modular on the Roof - Improvising with Eurorack Modular Outdoors
2. Modular on the Roof 2 - Dreadbox Erebus and Intellijel Atlantis sequenced with Korg SQ1
3. Modular on the Roof 3 - Colin Benders (Kyteman)
4. Modular on the Roof 4 - Myles Avery
5. Modular on the Roof 5 - Nick Kwas (W A N D E R T A L K)
6. Modular on the Roof 6: Sean Krames
7. Modular on the Roof 7 - Federico Chiesa (Oora)
8. Modular on the Roof Episode 8: Simone Pomposi [Pianosa]
9. Modular on the Roof 9: Collin Crowe
10. Modular on the Roof 10: Bubba Ayoub [Juggable Offense]

Tiptop Audio: Mantis (Eurorack modular synthesizer cases)

Tiptop Audio: Mantis (Eurorack modular synthesizer cases) from Tiptop Audio on Vimeo.

Here they are. We got a glimpse of them in this 360° video, followed by the cool Mantis art yesterday. We now have full details. Note these come in at only 3kg/6.5lb. Update: the price? $335.

www.tiptopaudio.com

Music by ANGLE

www.angleproject.net

"With Mantis we took our years of experience with Eurorack to create a low cost case that makes the Eurorack modular synthesizer look, work, and feel like a professional instrument. Mantis is an instrument that is at home on stage, touring or in the center of the studio.

Mantis has two rows of 104HP for you to rack your modules. It comes fully powered and assembled, just drop in your modules and play.

Using its sophisticated leg mechanism you can set it to three different positions: 0, 45, 90 degrees.

Power Power and more Power! With Mantis say bye bye to the tedious, never-ending calculation of current consumption for the ±12V power. Mantis comes with a juicy Zeus power supply that delivers plenty of power both now and for the future.

Mantis is beautiful and the color contrast between legs and body gives it its identity. Legs are offered in 4 different colors so anyone can find the right look.

Mantis does not come with loose sliding nuts in aluminum extrusions or rails with wrong mounting holes. Mantis is easy to operate because it comes with real Z-Rails according to Eurorack enclosure standards. It also comes with keyed power connectors to help protect your modules from burning by plugging power in reverse.

Mantis is easy to move around with, it weighs only 3kg/6.5lb, with a case so light traveling had never been so relaxed."

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Pittsburgh Modular In-Store Presentation at Perfect Circuit Audio

Published on Sep 20, 2016 Perfect Circuit Audio

"Richard Nicol & Michael Johnsen present the Pittsburgh Modular Product Line and new Lifeforms module at the Perfect Circuit Audio store in Burbank, CA.

Michael Johnsen's performance video coming soon."

http://www.perfectcircuitaudio.com

Update:

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Wake by mudlogger

Wake by mudlogger from mudlogger on Vimeo.

Live improvisation using Buchla Easel

instagram - http://instagram.com/mlogger

vine - https://vine.co/u/1012919210692796416

soundcloud - http://soundcloud.com/mudlogger

modular magazine - http://flip.it/I7jHq

Synth Stories 005 - Portishead's Adrian Utley - SOS & Minimoog

"Portishead's Adrian Utley explains and demonstrates why he loves the special sound of the Minimoog analog synthesizer and how he used it in the creation of the recent Portishead cover of ABBA's SOS."

You can find the write-up for this episode with some pics on Ask.Audio here.

The following is a playlist for all episodes of Synth Stories to date:



For those on the go, you can grab a podcast on iTunes here.

Double Harmonic Major Scale

Published on Sep 20, 2016 Ebotronix

4ms Peg, QCD/Expander² , QPLFO, VCA Matrix
Analogue Systems RS 100², RS 110²², RS 360²
Arp Odyssey 2821 white noise
Bananalogue Serge VCS
Doepfer R 2m², A101-2, A131², A133², A134²² , A143,2
A151²², A152, A156², A160, A175²²², A185-2(12x), A138m,a²²b²²c²²²
Flame 4 Vox, Arpeggiator, Q Slider², Tame Machine
foh choices
Make Noise Brains ,Pressure Points², Maths², Moddemix², Optomix, QMMG, René, Wogglebug²
Malekko Anti ²², Unkle²², Jag
Moog Taurus 2, Freqbox²², MP 201
SSL Modulation Orgy
Tip Top Audio Z 8000
Toppobrillo Quantimator² (Double Harmonic Major ) Sportmodulator, TWF
Logic masterclock to Kenton Pro 2000
FX : Boss VF-1, Lexicon MX 400
mackie the mixer²
drum Ultrabeat
vid #1598

Makenoise Rene Eurorack Sequencer

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

"A modern classic. Spotless condition, run off aTipTop powerbus it's whole life."

Expert Sleepers Eurorack: ES3/ES6 & USB streamer

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

"Only a few months old & spotless. Connect your computer via USB to your Euro. This is the full kit for output/input including the MinDSP USB interface. Two nice chunky lightpipe cables as well (the ones that ship with the interface are pretty bad).

Edit: Because it's just audio io: MacOS (10.9/10.10) no extra drivers are needed (uses CoreAudio). Windows: ASIO driver provided on disc...

I'd advise reading this quick tutorial.

The MiniDSP/ES combo can also play out/capture audio to/from your modular (just choose what you want a lightpipe channel to do...) - It's a pretty flexible setup."

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Original Waldorf Pulse Rack Synthesizer

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

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Mutable Instruments Elements Modal Synthesizer Eurorack Module w/ Grayscale Panel

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

Intersting seeing it with the alternate panel. Almost looks E-MU-esque.

via this auction

"For Sale: (1) Mutable Instruments Elements modal synthesizer module in eurorack modular format. This is a DIY build by a professional builder, and has a grayscale panel. Other than slight rack rash, this is in great condition. Ships with M3 screws and power ribbon cable."

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Metasonix R-55 Thyratron VCO Vacuum Tube Oscillator Eurorack Module

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

bigcitymusic special edition on the bottom.

"For Sale: (1) Metasonix R-55 Thyratron VCO synthesizer module in eurorack modular format. This was a limited edition module that was only sold at Big City Music and is not longer available. Includes M3 screws and power supply ribbon cable. From Metasonix:

The R-55 is essentially one of the VCOs in the legendary S-1000 Wretch Machine in a 22U Eurorack module. It produces the notorious "sharkfin" sawtooth waveform of thyratron VCOs, replete with the weird pitch variations and apparent ﾓnoisinessﾔ of a thyratron oscillator.
Turn up the overdrive control, and the oscillator output clips the output amplifier pentode tube, for a unique soft-clipped square-wave sound. The simplicity of the R-55 will fool you--its behavior is erratic and weird, it always sounds broken, and the waveform is deviated in every way. You don't even need to feed it Hz/v CV; just run a square-wave or pulse signal from a conventional VCO into a pitch CV input, and it will force the R-55 to track along with the other VCO.

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Burning Fire Featuring the Dr. Blankenstein Atari Punk Console

APC with rhythm & some effects from what I can hear. You should be able to clearly identify the APC throughout the piece. If you aren't familiar with the APC, see the Atari Punk Console below for previous posts.

Dr. Blankenstein ATARI PUNK CONSOLE DELUXE V2.0 - Only 3 Left!

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
I didn't realize these were all about gone.
SN 114 pictured.

via this auction

"ATARI PUNK CONSOLE DELUXE V2.0
with 2 Movement / Light Sensors, 6 Body Contacts,
Special Diode Circuit, Stutter Switch & CV INPUT !

LAST BATCH EVER!
(3 left till they are all gone!)

"DESCRIPTION: All great things must come to an end. This is 1 of the last 3 Dr. Blankenstein APC's that will ever be made... period. Last batch, it's time to move on to other wonderful projects. After 3 Years, 300 pieces (one of which went to the great Forrest Mims himself)... what else can really be done? :)
If you don't know, you are looking at a Dr. Blankenstein's Limited Edition Atari Punk Console Deluxe v2.0. Pretty much a super Atari stylized APC with a TON of tricked out features. There are two photo Theremin style motion / light sensors to control the sound, as well as a control switches to use a classic APC knob setup. Each light sensor can be turned on and off independently.

To add even more weird control to this sucker I have added SIX BODY contacts that allow for some pretty cool sound manipulation (see video below). Two of the body contacts are running through a specially designed Diode circuit that you will ONLY find on Dr. Blankenstein's APC Deluxe V2.0.

There is also a 1/8" Control Voltage (C.V.) Input so that it can be sequenced with an analog sequencer / modular synth setup or even modulate the sound by connecting a piezo trigger to it... fun stuff! :)

Another exciting addition to version v2 is the On / Off Momentary switch on the top of the piece, this allows the player to rhythmically stutter in the sound in! Of course there is still the standard On / Off power switch by the Atari logo as well. The side knob controls the master volume, and their is a 1/4" output jack on the back of the unit.

All in all... this is one of the nicest built, most feature stocked, MOST PLAYABLE VERSION OF THE ATARI PUNK CONSOLE out there today. But don't take my word for it... take a look at the demo video below. Point is, this is NOT your grandmothers APC! :)

FEATURES:

- 1 OF THE LAST 3 EVER MADE!
- 2 Motion / Light Sensitive Theremin like top mounted sensors
- 2 Light sensor On / Off Switches
- 2 Square Wave Synth Control Knobs
- Momentary Stutter ON/OFF switch
- Standard ON/OFF switch
- Cool Color Changing / Randomly changing how it flashes mounted power LED
- 1/8" Control Voltage Sequencer / Piezo Input
- 6 Body Contact points for pitch change and other glitch effects
- 1/4" Mono Output Jack
- Volume Control knob
- 9V Battery Powered
- Quality / Professional build
- Classic ATARI 2600 Graphics
- Limited Edition Numbered Piece!"

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The Planck MIDI Controller

Published on Sep 20, 2016 Captain Credible

"Sometimes a workshop is held and an instrument is made.
This is what it is! USB, MIDI, CV, you name it and this little box might have it! (it might not, it doesn't have gps, fuck maybe it should have gps.)"

CYCLONE ANALOGIC TT-303 Bss Bot // KORG VOLCA BEATS // First Touch

Published on Sep 20, 2016 LESINDES

"Playing and tweaking some presets of fully analog ROLAND TB-303 clone CYCLONE ANALOGIC TT-303 Bss Bot -- accompaniment KORG VOLCA BEATS // First Touch"

Inear Display Ephemere Glitch Percussion Synthesizer - Sound Demos

Published on Sep 20, 2016 Synth Anatomy

"Inear Display Ephemere is a Glitch Percussion Synthesizer with 12 parts. Each part can be triggered. Here is a short demonstration of this new plugin"

Making A DIY Electronic Drum Pad

Published on Sep 20, 2016 Voltage Control Lab

"My first DIY explorations were building electronic drum pads, which amazingly work with my Eurorack modular synth to trigger drums, envelopes, clocks or anything that requires pulse.

https://www.voltagecontrollab.com/"

See Chris Randall's video here.

Kujo - Pentode

Published on Sep 20, 2016 Karl Choueiri

"https://soundcloud.com/kujo-project
All run through a Metasonix F-1.

Jammed with : QMMG / Dual Borg / ADDAC703 ."

Happy The Man - Knee Bitten Lymphs in Limbo Solos

Published on Sep 20, 2016 Reuben Jones

"All hail Kit Watkins' MiniMoog playing, and Happy The Man in general!

Easily my joint favourite prog band along with Gentle Giant and National Health.

Anyone who has played a Korg MS10 will know that it doesn't have the most playable keybed around, so that's my excuse for any mishaps!"

@knobcon: Kilpatrick Audio - Carbon - Sequencer and Performance System - Midiverse - TV

Published on Sep 20, 2016 MIDI-VERSE TV

"What's up everyone, Welcome to Midiverse - TV. Today we're at Knobcon 2016 at the Kilpatrick Audio Booth checking out their brand new sequencer, Carbon."

@knobcon: Qu-Bit Electronix - Wave & Chord - Eurorack Modules - Midiverse - TV

Published on Sep 20, 2016 MIDI-VERSE TV

"What's up everyone, Welcome to Midiverse - TV. Today we're at Knobcon 2016 at the Qu-Bit Electronix Booth checking out The Wave, and also The Chord."

@knobcon: Tsyklon Labs - BTN MASHR & Custom Chaos Divider Panels - Midiverse - TV

Published on Sep 20, 2016 MIDI-VERSE TV

"What's up everyone, Welcome to Midiverse - TV. Today we're at Knobcon 2016 at the Tsyklon Labs Booth checking out The BTN MASHR and also some cool custom panels for the Chaos Divider Eurorack Module."

FeelsGoodMan - #Eurorack Jamsession

Published on Sep 20, 2016 Colin Benders

"what started as a clean setup escalated into this song."

MATRIXSYNTH Review and Overview of the Novation UltraNova - Filters & Voice Sections

You'll find the next installment of my Novation UltaNova review here. In this round, we take a look at the UltraNova's filters & voice sections. Note, the link will take you directly to the start of the Filters section. If you want to start at the beginning of the review click here. You can also scroll up of course. This is a long review, so to make things easier on you, and me :), it's going up in sections.

Soundfly: 606–909: THE LEGENDARY ROLAND DRUM MACHINE SERIES

Soundfly just posted an article featuring the classic Roland x0x drum machines, including videos, interesting bits of history, and tons of links. Click through for the full post.

"Ah, that classic beat, marching ever onward, familiar as the beat of our own hearts. But the beats we’re so consumed with, the sounds that so commonly drive our daily lives, are not only not the sound of a beating heart (a robot heart, maybe), they’re not organic sounds at all.

Yes, yes, whether you like it or not, the music we consume is predominantly set in time by that which we call the drum machine.

And while there are an infinite number of analog and digital drum machines on the market, most tend towards the ephemeral, finding favor among a few artists for a few years, before the sound becomes dated and the artists move on. But owing to some mystical fake-drum alchemy, for nearly 40 years, the Roland series of 606s through 909s have managed to find relevance again and again."

Mune: Sneak Peek #5

Published on Sep 20, 2016 Mune

"We took the Mune for a spin by performing a song Josh Bourden composed on Ableton Live!

This video illustrates the ability to change modes based on the orientation of the Mune. We used the Combo Mode to play the synth pad live while changing the cutoff and resonance of a separate pad. We also used Mixer Mode to fade in certain tracks during the intro and outro.

Finally, specific buttons on the Mune were mapped to launch the next scene in our Ableton set and trigger beat repeats for the hi-hats.

Order the Mune on Kickstarter today!

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/9..."

Vintage Synth Lab - VCF 74 *First Patch*

Published on Sep 20, 2016 DivKidVideo

Watch your volume levels for this one - some glitchy sound at times.

"The VCF-74 from Vintage Synth Lab is a discrete diode filter inspired by the 1970s Mini-Korg 'Traveller'. I think it's ace! Here it is sounding thick and bulbous with my *First Patch*. The idea with the *First Patch* videos to to share a quick demo showing off the direct sound and the first few things the module makes me want to do. Full overview coming soon."

Details on the Vintage Synth Lab VCF 74 previously posted here.

New HexInverter Red Dragon - Soviet Filter Core Eurorack Module

HexInverter - Red Dragon Prototype - MVM #47

Published on Sep 20, 2016 MIDI-VERSE TV

"What's up everyone, Welcome to Midiverse - TV. Today we're at Knobcon 2016 at the HexInverter Booth checking out The Red Dragon prototype module."

Details via Hexinverter:

"The Red Dragon is a 24dB/oct 4-pole low-pass filter realised with a unique Soviet-era filter core. The curious filter structure of the Red Dragon favours character over precision; sure to impart colourful tone in your source material.

During the 1980's, a Russian electronics designer realised that one could build a musical filter using a fairly unconventional method. Unlike most other filter topologies, this method did not use capacitors to employ an RC time constant in its core filter stages. Instead, the internal properties of a programmable amplifier chip are modulated by a special "programming" input found on these devices. One of the modified properties is bandwidth of the amplifier. Changing this particular attribute over time effectively limits the frequencies that can pass through the amplifier, resulting in filtering! Because attributes other than bandwidth are also changing at the same time, this filter stage has instabilities at certain frequencies along the audible spectrum, resulting in colourful distortions and a character all of its own. The resonance's character is especially profound, resulting in bubbly and sometimes screeching sci-fi tones. The Red Dragon achieves a 24dB/oct resonant low-pass response by cascading four of these stages. What's more, you can morph between the two pole extremes (6dB and 24dB) to change the slope of the filter on the fly, either manually or through voltage control.

Rich 4-pole filtering with a control set made just for modular synthesizers
Designed from the ground up for versatility in the modular system, the Red Dragon features bipolar attenuverters on its many CV inputs
Voltage controlled resonance
Resonance is capable of self-oscillation. A resonance clipping switch can tame the resonance feedback at extreme settings, resulting in different tone
Built in VCA (with disable) after filter saves you the use of a dedicated VCA module
Signal and CV levels optimised for the contemporary eurorack modular system (+/-5V CV, 10Vpp+ audio)
Filter morphing
Morph between 6dB and 24dB filter slopes, or set it in-between. While 24dB excels at meaty bass sounds, the brighter filter slope of 6dB is sometimes desirable for signals with higher frequency content
Filter morphing is voltage controlled, and results in some interesting effects when modulated
A dual colour LED indicates filter morph position and VCA level
Core overdrive
Built-in filter core overdrive at the input stage allows you to vary your signal's level up to full saturation. No need to boost signal level before filtering for those classic overdriven sounds!
Voltage control of input drive lets you modulate the saturation of the filter over time. Useful for the "velocity" modulation needed to produce acidic basslines!"

Tasty Chips Electronics "Saw Bench" boutique analog monosynth

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

"This auction is for a Tasty Chips Electronics "Saw Bench" boutique analog monosynth in full working order and excellent physical condition.

This is the pre-built version purchased directly from the manufacturer. Power supply is included.

A highly portable and affordable monosynth, with a 100% analog signal path.

Features:

• Small and portable, yet very ergonomic. Focus on hands-on controls with good grouping and spacing.
• A four-pole diode ladder VCF, with high resonance
• Separate ADSR envelopes for VCA and VCF
• LFO with 3 waveforms, plus a Sample & Hold, for VCF
• Frequency Modulation for deep growling bass sounds
• Manual controls such for Env and LFO enable, waveform selection, ADSR mode / LFO switching
• MIDI controls of all digital features (envelopes, VCF cutoff, LFO, etc)
• Legato, glide, looping ADSR (MIDI)
• Sturdy metal casing."

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Dhalang Microtonal Groove Box

Published on Sep 19, 2016 pantsofdeath

Spotted this one on discchord.

iTunes: Dhalang MG - Joel Kivela

"Dhalang Microtonal Groovebox is a standalone music software for easy and accessible use of alternative tuning systems in electronic music composition, production and performance. Dhalang offers internal synthesizers and samplers with multitrack mixing and effecting possibilities that can be controlled with internal sequencers, touch screen or standard MIDI input. In addition to it’s traditional multitrack piano roll editing and sequencing, Dhalang also features several generative and algorithmic methods for more experimental sequencing of ((micro)tonal) music.

Features in (very) short:

- Various preset tuning systems and scales with a custom tuning editor.
- Analog-style, physically modelled, additive and FM method monophonic and polyphonic synths,
- Audio sample player with mini granulizer and audio data auto-segmentation.
- Piano roll and control automation sequencers.
- Algorithmic/generative sequencers: vector, matrix and particle.
- Mixer with four stereo buses and many sound effects.
- Offline rendering to stereo file, MIDI import and export.
- Dropbox file transfer interface.
- Realtime MIDI input and output.
- Virtual MIDI as background audio app.
- Network synchronisation of various cross-platform Dhalang instances.
- Many UI colour themes and support for various languages.

Supported devices:
iPad mini 2, iPad mini 3, iPad mini 4, iPad Air, iPad Air 2 and iPad Pro.
Recommended devices:
iPad Air, iPad Air 2 and iPad Pro."

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RemixIT: Man, Machine, and Sound featuring DJ Tim Exile

Published on Sep 18, 2016 IBM

"Create your own custom beat now: www.ibm.com/remixIT
DJ Tim Exile takes hundreds of raw sounds from the world’s most innovative IT infrastructure and transforms them with this original composition. You’ve never heard your data center like this before."

via @boe_dye

First Units of the Vermona 14

via @vermonagear

"First units of the #vermona #14 #analogsynthesizer are being manufactured."

"The manual for the #14 #analogsynthesizer also is getting ready for print soon."

SoundScaper v 1.8 Released

SoundScaper - Morphing scenes and filters

Published on Sep 20, 2016 Igor Vasiliev

iTunes: SoundScaper - An experimental sound mini lab

"SoundScaper is an experimental sound mini lab for creating unusual soundscapes, atmospheric textures, drones, glitches and noises based on circuit bending principles."

"What's New in Version 1.8
Completely redesigned "Morphing scene" feature that is the new instrument as a part of SoundScaper specially designed for live improvisation with existing scenes.

● New control pad of oscillators in the morphing interface.
● Possibility to change oscillators parameters during the morphing.
● Automatic output level control during the morphing.
● Automatic return to zero option for parameters in morphing.
● New MIDI controls for the morphing options.
● Added very creative feature of feedback.
● Improved morphing modes.
● Two range of rate for main LFOs.
● Added option of drift for main LFOs.
● Added new presets for oscillators.
● Updated description of the application.
● Description available as PDF on application site.
● Several minor bugs have been fixed."

Somber Spectral Processor Growling - Buchla 200e

Published on Sep 20, 2016 djangosfire

"Just a quick patch in honor of Don Buchla. Using the machine, the electronic instrument, designed and created by Mr. Buchla. The patch is focused and built around the 296e Spectral Processor. Almost seems to speak - the output is fed back into itself . . . which leads to interesting, evolving 'vocal-esque' sounds.

Thank you Don Buchla, for providing the devices that have inspired so many musicians and sound explorers.

- Djangosfire"

Since Tomorrow by mudlogger

Since Tomorrow by mudlogger from mudlogger on Vimeo.

Frank Eventoff Sonica Limited Edition Synthesizer #77

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

"You are bidding on an extremely rare Sonica synthesizer built by Frank Eventoff in 1979. Only 650 of these were ever made. Very few are now known to exist. The body is carved of mahogany with brass plates and has a plaque with the number (#77). It comes with the original custom-sized case. Speaker cloth is torn but the speaker works fine and is all original. Picture shows fading, scratches and a crack on the bottom. Other than cosmetic, everything works fine.

It also features three buttons. Analog “Slider” which is a tremolo type effect, Analog “Tone” which is actually a tonal boost, and “Half-Step” which raises the note an octave. It features a built-in speaker, with an 1/8 inch output to connect to an amplifier or recording device. It runs on one 9-volt battery which is installed by accessing a plate on the backside of the device."

See the Sonica label at the bottom of this post for previous posts, and to get an idea of how often they have come up in the past.

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SEQUENTIAL CIRCUITS 620 MAX SN 01373

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

"For sale is a vintage, 1984 Sequential Circuits Max (Model 620). Great working condition and no major cosmetic flaws.

Background: The Max is a 6-voice, multi-timbral analog synthesizer with a 4-octave, 49-note (C-C) keyboard. It was designed to be attached to a Commodore 64 computer (one of the more music-oriented personal computers of the time). It has an onboard sequencer, which has a 500 note maximum. The sequencer features real-time recording (although it has no click-track), looping, and once you assign it to a voice, it will play independent of the rest of the keyboard. Once you shut the Max off, your sequence is lost unless you back it up via MIDI dump. However, when you turn it back on, you can choose from two demo sequences permanently stored in the Max's memory. The Max's MIDI implementation is pretty good for its time. It can send and receive on any MIDI channel and features Mono mode, MIDI program and sequence dumping, and switches to enable it to receive program changes and external wheel receive. However, it does not have a MIDI Thru jack.

On the front panel is a single keypad, a single volume knob, buttons for transpose and tune, and 16 buttons used to operate the sequencer. Programming is accomplished using proprietary software for the Commodore 64 personal computer. The Max can also be programmed using the Six-Trak keyboard or the Prophet-T8. The back panel features a power switch, a power-in jack (8V AC), two 1/4" jacks for stereo out, MIDI IN and OUT jacks, two 1/4" audio output jacks, and a Stereo 1/4" main output jack, which doubles as a headphone out."

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Roland JX8P Synthesizer

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

"Roland JX8P. Fully serviced. Calibrated. Recapped. Velocity sensor cleaned so aftertouch works correctly. Works great. Custom patches programmed by tech. Prices on these are on the rise. Once Kiwi officially releases the Kiwi8p upgrade expect these to jump to $1,000+"

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Oberheim OB-X

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

"This OB-X is the 4-voice model in top condition and with very minor wear given its age. This synth sounds fantastic, everything works as it should and is very stable. I had it serviced about 2 years ago by a former Oberheim employee. Service included recapping of the power supply, replacing OS chips, renew some of the old cables, and adding new key bushings. I also had him retrofit it with the ElectronGate MIDI kit.

The Oberheim OB-X is the rarest of the entire OB-series and touted by many (including Tom Oberheim himself) as the best sounding model of the OB series, which is due to its all discrete components (except for the envelopes, for which it uses CEM3310 chips) and the SEM-based design used in the earlier Oberheim Two- and Four Voice synths. Only 800 Oberheim OB-Xs were manufactured and it is estimated that an even smaller number of them are alive today in fully working condition.

Furthermore, the OB-X is THE synth behind legendary sounds, such as the haunting pad sound in Killing Joke's "Love Like Blood", the intro reso-sweep sound in Rush's "Tom Sawyer", the entire Queen "Flash Gordon" soundtrack, Nena's "99 Luftballons", and of course Van Halen's "Jump" (the list goes on)."

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deltAdata : Forgotten Place (nanokontrol keytar, sunrizer, samplr, ipad, 760d, isupr8)

Published on Sep 20, 2016 deltAdata

"Outdoors nanokontrol keytar jam with sunrizer and samplr in another forgotten place.
Used: korg nanokontrol 2 as a keytar, sunrizer, samplr, ipad mini, audioshare, audiobus, shareit (video file transfert between android and ios), isupr8 android filter 6 (8mm video effect), canon eos 760d+efs 17-55 f2.8 1080p, bose soundlink mini.
Made with imovie ipad.

Filmed by 'JLpictsArt's'"

Michael Jackson remix (work in progress)(Boss RC505, Yamaha AN1X, Akai MPC1000, Roland TR8)

Published on Sep 20, 2016 Luke Neptune

"Boss RC505, Yamaha AN1X, Akai MPC1000, Roland TR8"