First test fanwander VMC-2 with a2midi Software (Version 0.11)

video upload by Florian Anwander

"Testing the betaversion of my forthcoming module VMC-2. The module converts analogue voltages (triggers/gates/cv) into MIDI-Data. In the Video two Doepfer A-155 send CVs and Triggers into the module and the module sends MIDI to a Roland/Boss SC-33.

For more information go to https://www.florian-anwander.de/vmc/
and to https://www.sequencer.de/synthesizer/... (german forum)"

Session 141 Track 8 (HiRes)

video upload by ambioSonics

Live performance with Florian Anwander on the Expressive E Osmose.

"Recorded live at Glockenbachwerkstatt in Munich, on January 9th 2023.

This video is a rough video cut version of the last track in the session 141 of ambioSonics.

Find more music from ambioSonics at
https://soundcloud.com/ambiosonics/
https://ambiosonics.bandcamp.com/
http://www.ambiosonics.de"

Akai X7000 Service Manual

This one is in via Florian Anwander.

You'll find it along with the user manual and Plontkes X7000 editor software on his website here.

Rare Clef B30 Microsynth

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

via this auction

This one was spotted and sent in via Florian Anwander

Note the knobs on these are usually colored as you can see in previous posts here.

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VMC - midi orientated eurorack modules with voltage control

video upload by Florian Anwander

via https://florian-anwander.de/vmc/

"The VMC-System is a series of modules for Eurorack systems, which provide MIDI handling and (analog) clock handling in a broader sense. The modules are internally connected by an additional ribbon cable, which provides powersupply, MIDI busses and an analog clock bus. Basically this bus can be combined with the Fluxus Modules by http://soundcomplete.net/ if an adapter board is used.

The modules are distributed under the brand name fanwander.

The following modules are planned:
Euro-Pal: a euro rack version of the MIDI-Pal - with kind permission of Emilie Gillet (Merci beaucoup!). Clock-Man: a master clock generator for MIDI-clock, DIN-sync and analog clock. Assumingly including a shuffle and swing function.

Break-Beat: a bar orientated start / stop / restart function. The idea is based on the Mungo-Enterprises Sync2 (I give big kudos to John Pillans!).

DIN-2-CLK: a DIN-sync to analog clock converter. This will be the "professional" followup to my DIN-Sync to analogue clock interface

All modules are available as assembled modules and as kits. Frontpanels and PCBs may be sold separately.

At the moment a first production run has started with the following modules:"

"The VMC-1 is a generic module, which combines an ARDUINO NANO with a display, five buttons, three digital-inputs and two control voltage inputs with amount control.
This module may run various software.

At the moment (12/2021) I offer only the SQ-3P sequencer, but other programs like chord-trigger, voltage controlled MIDI-converts, or similar will follow soon.

You need at least one of the Input/Output modules listed below to connect the VMC-1 to youre MIDI-environment. For details see the VMC-1 users manual

Width: 18HP
Depth: 40mm

Powerconsumption:
if powered with +12V ~300mA, if powered from +5V ~250mA, less if used without LED backlight

The modules are distributed under the brand name fanwander."

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Hohner U Studio w/ SSM Chips

This one was spotted and sent in via Florian Anwander.

Not much is known about it aside from it having SSM chips. It appears to be an arranger. If you know anything about it, feel free to leave a comment.

Update: more info and a demo here. It didn't show up in a search because of the µ instead of a U.

Thanks goes to LeMel in the comments for finding it.

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SQ-3P - Eurorack MIDI Step Sequencer Inspired by Roland JX-3P and SH-101 Sequencers

via florian-anwander.de

"The SQ-3P is a MIDI step sequencer inspired by the sequencers in the Roland JX-3P and SH-101. I use the Arduino platform for it. In fact this module can be used as a generic midi orientated Arduino module. The sequencer application is only one of many thinkable applications.

Picture of the pre-series module. From left to right: simple IO module, main module, triple in/thru module, triple out module."

Additional details and pics here.

A Closer Look at the Jupiter-8

video by Alex Ball

"A closer look at the legendary Roland Jupiter-8, an iconic polysynth from 1981.

Huge thanks to Shadow Child for the generous loan.

The end track is available here:



0:00​ Intro
1:10​ Demo 1: Ramp & Sync
1:44​ Demo 2: Unison Twist
2:04​ The Jupiter-8 Concept
3:24​ Demo 3: Bells
3:55​ Demo 4: Soft Chords
4:17​ The Jupiter VCOs
5:00​ Demo 5: Drill Wah
5:25​ Demo 6: Espen Kraftwerk
6:17​ The Jupiter VCFs
6:51​ Demo 7: Four By Four
7:23​ Demo 8: Filmscore
8:23​ Comparison to a Prophet~10
10:25​ The Key Modes
11:32​ Summary & Thoughts
13:15​ Contextual Demo: 'The Power'

The Links I Cited:
https://www.roland.com/uk/promos/rola...​
http://www.florian-anwander.de/roland..."

Roland JX-3P Filter Resonance Boost Mod DIY: Detailed Walkthrough and Sound Demonstration

video by thesrabbit

follow-up to this post.

"Disclaimer: I cannot be held responsible if you try this out and break your gear or yourself. Please be careful! This mod requires the synth to be powered on with the panel open as you make adjustments to the trim pots. Please do not touch anything inside the synth other than the trim pots, and only touch the trim pots with your trim pot tool. I used a special tool for this, but I think it may be possible to use other tools as well.

This video is meant to show you how I accomplished my particular goal. It does not mean that this is THE correct way, if there is such a thing. I'm a total DIY noob and have never used an oscilloscope before. Please leave a comment if you know something important about safety or want to call me out for anything that I'm doing which is clearly wrong.

Contents:
0:00: Intro
1:35: Preparation and disassembly
3:00: Opening the top panel
4:07: Trim pots

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Vintage Mystery Synth

Anyone know what this is? It was recently spotted by Florian Anwander who had the following to say:

"This device was used while a live stream from a Hamburg Club streaming event. We had the impression, that it made 808 like drumsounds, but we are not sure. I tried to turn and unskew the picture to make the writing readable, but
the success is mediocre. It might read Mma 090. It looks like the grey rectangle is a speaker (there is a second under the moog FX). Can anyone identify what it is?"

The style reminds me of Boehm or Bohm, but I couldn't find it in the archives. If you know what it is let us know!

Update via Florian in the comments:

"Richard von der Schulenburg, who used it while this event, kindly answered my request. It is a 'PENTA Stereo keyboar' by the brand GERLAND. I found as a single hit on google this picture.

I've never heard about it, neither the brand nor the instrument. If I search for the brand name, then I find typical home organs."



GARLAND is an organ brand. Note the button style is the same as the PENTA.

Invisible Minimoog Model D

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

via this auction

This one was spotted and sent in via Florian Anwander

"I have never seen the knobs without the synth...

It's like in a science fiction, where all the people vanished, but still
the cloths are laying in the chairs...."

Funny and true! Cool that they laid out the knobs like that. Missing rocker switches though... Made me think of this video.

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Rare MFB 2005 Drum Computer Synthesizer

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

via this auction

"This drum computer is auctioned by Hapera / Fricke. The MFB is in good used condition. A knob is unfortunately canceled, but this should be easy to replace."

This one was spotted and sent in via Florian Anwander.

You can find a handful of posts featuring the MFB 2005 including additional information here. You can find a flyer here.

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DTRONICS DT7 with DX7 first try

DTRONICS DT7 with DX7 first try from Florian Anwander on Vimeo.

"This is my first try with the DTronics DT7 Editor for the yamaha DX7.

The arpeggio is played by the arp function of the supermax'ed DX7"

Ströme live beim PULS Festival 2016 (Full Concert) & Live at Superbooth 2017

Published on Dec 6, 2016 PULS Musik

"Alle Fotos und Videos vom PULS Festival: http://www.deinpuls.de/festival"

via Florian Anwander:

"Two guys from Munich, Germany do live music with two big modular systems. The group is called 'Ströme' which is german for "electric currents". They are professional musicians. They played bass and drums for several years in the very successful bavarian band "La Brass Banda". The left one is Mario Schönhuber, the (former) bass player. He is doing most of the sequences and chords. The guy at the right system is Tobias Weber (drummer at La Brass Banda), he is doing all drums and percussive stuff.

Tobias uses in the first video the Doepfer A-157 for the drum programming, but changed now to a Tiptop Audio Circadian Rhythm (can be seen in the Berlin video).

Marios uses a combination of Audio Damage Sequencer 1, Stillson Hammer, Intellijel Metropolis, and Make Noise Tempi for his bass sequences. In the first video he is using still a Roland JD-Xi for the chords, but recently he changed over to a Audio Damage Sequencer 1 which controls for Doepfer A-111-3 plus monophonic filter and vca (you may spot it in the Berlin video in the most upper row).

Enjoy it."

Superbooth 2017 - Ströme live

Published on May 5, 2017 Bendeg

DIY Semimodular Analog Synthesizers

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

These were spotted and sent in via Florian Anwander. If anyone knows if there is more info out there on these aside from what's listed in the auctions, let us know. Giving them a tuberetrosound label for now as that is the seller's name on eBay.

The top system is via this auction

"Offer DIY analog synthesizer, playable as Synthe bass with built-in + switch by 1 octave transponable keyboard or via external CV / gate control over 7 octaves playable. Soundhammer with 2 x DIODE LADDER VCF and 2 parametric filters."

The second via this auction

"Sell analog synthesizer module with SEQUENZER and analog drumsounds, built as an inexperienced experimental system. Inputs 2 x CV (1VOLT / OKTAVE and GATE 0 VOLT and 5 to 12 VOLT). Outputs Stereo.
Stability after 10 minutes, 24 db cascade filter.
All the details are recognizable by enlargement of the photos.
Supplied with circuit boards. Only for the experienced connoisseur. Pure analog technology with MIDI CV Converter or Oberheim OB2 - keyboard to play. Without guarantee and without withdrawal."

And the third is an Analog Synthesizer CV+GATE Keyboard via this auction

"Provide DIY Precision - Analog 2xCV, 2xGATE 3 octaves Keyboard for analog synthesizer with playable CV range of 7 octaves, built-in LFO's and very good playability of the keyboard.
The keyboard is exactly the same as the synthesizer module and is 2-voice (duophone) or monophonic, 2 x separate PORTAMENTO.
The idea came from the OBERHEIM 2 VOICE KEYBOARD, which was expanded a bit.
The KBD is matched and should warm 10 minutes."

The following images are of each in order.

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PHILIPS EL 6911/01 TAPE ECHO TUBE ECHO

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

via this auction

Here's an interesting one spotted and sent in via Florian Anwander.

"An extremely remarkable tape echo. I have never seen it before. Appearently it is possible to place the replay heads in many different positions. No used parts of the circle are filled with idler pulleys"

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A Tribute to Ikutaro Kakehashi from "R is for Roland" Co-Author Florian Anwander

In case you missed the news on Ikutaro Kakehashi's passing yesterday, see this post.

via Florian Anwander, co-author of R is for Roland:

"I owe him so much, and I learned a lot from him about believing in an idea. Thank you Kakehashi-San!"

Florian tells me Ikutaro Kakehashi signed his book for him just last year in 2016.

RIP Ikutaro Kakehashi, Founder of Roland

via Tommy Snyder:

"Ikutaro Kakehashi, founder of Roland, father of the TR-909, TR-808, Godfather of MIDI, and someone who I have collaborated with for 38 years, and also considered him as my 2nd father, passed away at the age of 87. He was a super funny, wonderful and gifted human being, and his contributions to the musical instrument world , and music, touched millions of people worldwide. RIP dear Taro.........."

This was shared only 5 hours ago. I am not seeing an announcement from Roland. I will update this post if anything new comes in.

Sad day today. Another legend and hero lost.

Update: added a few videos below including a pretty nice tribute. If you know of any other good videos featuring Ikutaro Kakehashi, send them in.

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Elektor Formant Vintage Modular Synthesizer w/ Doepfer Modules from 1978

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

via this auction

This one spotted by Florian Anwander. The Doepfer modules are the String Phaser, String LFO, Frequency-Divider, and External Input pictured below. The docs under the formant manual below are for the Doepfer modules. Interesting bit of synth history.

From the listing, translated into Googlish:

"Main Unit:

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Modular Jams by e-pleasure

Published on Feb 19, 2017 e-pleasure

This one in via Florian Anwander.

Playlist with descriptions:

1. Modularjam 1

"My first Video of a simple sunday evening patch I played and recorded for myself. I use this for the documentation of my modular patch experiments.

The Drone: Is a Braids with the VOWL model, going thru the RT451 stereo multimode filter, one with HP the other with LP. They go to two channels of the 4ms VCA Matrix. The VCA Matrix is triggered from the Vermona Fourmulator, each LFO 90° shifted, so I get a quadrophonic effect in my studio with 4 speakers around my head.

Kickdrum: I used the Synthrotek ds-m, a wasp from doepfer, a channel from the HexVCA and a envelope from Intellijel. Triggered directly from the ALM Pamela's Workout.

The rhythmic plingplong: Is coming from the OSC-03 form MFB, triggered by the doepfer sequencer, the trigger is multiplied according to the voltage delivered to the A160-5 ratcheting controller.

The snare: Is a noise, going only thru the doepfer VCA in exponentional mode, controlled by an envelope, and then thru a Roland Demora stereo delay.

Bass by MFB Dominion1
Lead by Moog Sub37"

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