Cowboy and the Vocoder by Redmartian

The track is now available here: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/redmartian9

"The song was recording using the MMM for bass and vocoder carrier. The lead is a jupiter-6 and the drums were done using a Sequential DrumTraks. The lead and vocoder (Roland SVC-350) parts were played manually along with the bass/drums which were sequenced using midi via Logic."

Some of you might remember Cowboy and the Vocoder from these previous posts.  The story behind this track has a somewhat intersting and quirky history.  Cowboy was VoiceEncoder's dog.  VoiceEncoder is known for his vocoder videos and demos that became somewhat of an obscure synth meme.  His demos actually came up in a recent conversation I had with someone.  VoiceEncoder would often feature his dog Cowboy in his videos.  Cowboy would just be lying on a bed somewhere while VoiceEncoder talked to him through a vocoder.  Sadly Cowboy passed away on Monday, March 23, 2009 (click through for a tribute post).

The second half of what makes this track special is that it is one of the first tracks predominantly featuring the Mattson Mini Modular (it might actually be the first) [Update: according to Redmartian, "it was the first 'song' on the MMM. I did a few musical demos and orchestrated lute pieces, but this was the first 'pop song'."] It was composed by Redmartian as a tribute to Cowboy.  The lyrics are a dedication to Cowboy and the videos he was featured in.  Below are two videos for the track.  The bottom video was taken at the 2009 PNW Synth Gathering and features the Performance Music Systems Syntar in place of the Jupiter-6 for leads.   The Syntar was the first fully contained keytar synthesizer created by George Mattson, the man behind Mattson Mini Modular.

Cowboy and the Vocoder and the MMM

Uploaded on Nov 5, 2008 redmartian·73 videos

"A song written for a dog who likes to listen to the sound the Roland SVC-350 vocoder. This song features the MMM as well as a Sequential Circuits Drum Traks and a Roland Jupiter-6. (I don't have a Poly-800 .. sorry cowboy).

Here are the lyrics:

Do you know Cowboy
and the SVC-350?
Do you know Cowboy
and the Roland Vocoder?

Hey there Cowboy
I see you there
Lazy gazing
Gazing lazy
Whos my sweet boy?
You know its you.
I like to vocode and you do too.

No Poly-800 to drive the SVC
So I use an MMM as my carrier wave
No Poly-800 but Cowboy doesn't mind.
We all know its the Roland SVC-350 vocoder time.

Audio version can be found here:
http://redmartian.com/napster/Red_Mar...

Don't hate the dog or the vocoder."

Cowboy and the Vocoder and the MMM

YouTube via redmartian.

Note this is via redmartian and not AnalogVocoder1 (click for the reference).
"A song written for a dog who likes to listen to the sound the Roland SVC-350 vocoder. This song features the MMM as well as a Sequential Circuits Drum Traks and a Roland Jupiter-6. (I don't have a Poly-800 .. sorry cowboy).

Here are the lyrics:

Do you know Cowboy
and the SVC-350?
Do you know Cowboy
and the Roland Vocoder?

Hey there Cowboy
I see you there
Lazy gazing
Gazing lazy
Whos my sweet boy?
You know its you.
I like to vocode and you do too.

No Poly-800 to drive the SVC
So I use an MMM as my carrier wave
No Poly-800 but Cowboy doesn't mind.
We all know its the Roland SVC-350 vocoder time.

Audio version can be found here:
http://redmartian.com/napster/Red_Mar..."

Update: The ending might not be safe for work.

Cowboy Enjoying His Song While Licking Himself

YouTube via VoiceEncoder
"Cowboy enjoying his song while licking himself!!!!

Thanks to 'redmartian' for his song "Cowboy and the Vocoder and the MMM".

'redmartian's' footage is taken from my video "Cowboy and the Vocoder".

This footage is from me 'AnalogVocoder1'."

Pacific Northwest Synth 2009 - Red Martian

YouTube via matrixsynth.

This is my video of Red Martian's performance. More details here.
http://redmartian.com
http://mattsonminimodular.com - MMM and Syntar
http://www.division-6.com - Midified Skulls
http://acidlab.de - Miami

Note this is the last of my videos from the PNW Synth Gathering this year.
click here to see all posts in the series.

Cowboy and the Vocoder and the MMM

A tribute to the dog Cowboy who passed away.

YouTube via redmartian. Note this is via redmartian and not AnalogVocoder1 (click for the reference).

"A song written for a dog who likes to listen to the sound the Roland SVC-350 vocoder. This song features the MMM as well as a Sequential Circuits Drum Traks and a Roland Jupiter-6.

Here are the lyrics:

Do you know Cowboy
and the SVC-350?
Do you know Cowboy
and the Roland Vocoder?

Hey there Cowboy
I see you there
Lazy gazing
Gazing lazy
Whos my sweet boy?
You know its you.
I like to vocode and you do too.

No Poly-800 to drive the SVC
So I use an MMM as my carrier wave
No Poly-800 but Cowboy doesn't mind.
We all know its the Roland SVC-350 vocoder time.

Audio version can be found here:
http://redmartian.com/napster/Red_Mar..."

And the first track from this post:


FIRST PRODUCTION MATTSON MINI MODULAR DEMO NUMBER FOUR from RED MARTIAN on Vimeo.

"Here is a fourth demo which features a LP and HP triangle wave arpeggiation nearly through out and a quick EG three oscillator bass. The drum kit is the same as in the other demos with no pitch changes or other processing, just dry sounds out of the VCA. There are two leads one is just two oscillators (saw) and the second has a square and a saw with the saw slight modulated by an LFO with high resonance on the filter.

The bass and arpeggiation were played and quantized in logic. The leads were recorded as played."

RIP Cowboy

I just did my YouTube run and my heart sank when I found the following two videos. There are very few things that hit more than losing someone you love - person or pet. Pets have your back unconditionally, it's as if their sole purpose in life is to love you and let you know how much of a hero you are to them. My sincerest condolences go out to VoiceEncoder. We can tell that you treated him well, vocoder lectures and all. Cowboy was one lucky dog.

Cowboy: In Memoriam

YouTube via VoiceEncoder
"Cowboy Relaxes and Enjoys Brooke Anderson's Interview With Hugh Jackman.

RIP Cowboy..I loved you and will miss you greatly and dearly!!!! You gave joy to me, my sister, and her three children...Rhett, Riley, and Simone!!!

Early afternoon between 13:00 - 14:00 Monday March 23rd, 2009.

Good-bye my dear old sweet friend and companion of mine...I'll miss you so very-much!!! Once again, I've loved you and will miss you!!! Good-bye."

Cowboy: In Memoriam 2

"Cowboy licking and than scratching himself."
KORG Poly-800 and Roland SVC-350

Be sure to see these posts featuring Cowboy as well as this one that inspired Red Martion to do the following track on Cowboy featuring the Mattson Mini Modular:


YouTube via redmartian.

Note this is via redmartian and not AnalogVocoder1 (click for the reference).
"A song written for a dog who likes to listen to the sound the Roland SVC-350 vocoder. This song features the MMM as well as a Sequential Circuits Drum Traks and a Roland Jupiter-6.

Here are the lyrics:

Do you know Cowboy
and the SVC-350?
Do you know Cowboy
and the Roland Vocoder?

Hey there Cowboy
I see you there
Lazy gazing
Gazing lazy
Whos my sweet boy?
You know its you.
I like to vocode and you do too.

No Poly-800 to drive the SVC
So I use an MMM as my carrier wave
No Poly-800 but Cowboy doesn't mind.
We all know its the Roland SVC-350 vocoder time.

Audio version can be found here:
http://redmartian.com/napster/Red_Mar..."

Pacific Northwest Synth 2009 - Red Martian Performance

SYNTAR MMM and MIAMI LIVE SYNTHESIZER PERFORMANCE PNW SYNTH DIY 2009

YouTube via redmartian http://redmartian.com/.

Watch the skulls in the background.
"Here is a live performance of the MMM demo number four featuring the stack of MMMs behind, the Syntar (the father of the MMM) and the new AcidLab MIAMI in MIDI mode. The bass line, arpeggio and drums were sequenced in Logic. The Skulls were triggered via Logic (the percussion tracks) using Division-6's MIDIFY."

COWBOY (RIP) AND THE ROLAND VOCODER LIVE AT PNW SYNTH DIY 2009 FEATURING THE SYNTAR, MIAMI AND MMM

"This is dedicated to that old dog COWBOY who used to listen to his master's vocoder. The bass and some melody are handled by the MMMs behind. The Syntar is the carrier wave for the Roland SVC-350 vocoder. The Syntar also plays a sort of melody. The MIAMI is sequenced in MIDI mode from Logic. At the Pacific Northwest Synth DIY 2009"

Be sure to see this prior post for reference and lyrics. The third video is the studio recording of this track.
See demo number four in this post for the first track.

click here for all PNW 2009 coverage.

YMO's BTM w/ Prophet '08

"My band did a cover of YMO's Behind The Mask and I used a Prophet-5 and Multitrak on the recording. This evening I replaced the six Prophet-5 tracks entirely with the Prophet-08. The only remaining synth track that is not a Prophet'08 is the background arpeggiated sequence.

http://redmartian.com/BTM-Prophet08.mp3

And if you're curious, here is the version with the Prophet-5 which was actually mixed by Tom Ellard:

http://redmartian.com/btm.m4a

I think the P'08 does a pretty good job. What I'm doing now, and for the next 2 weeks, is only play it. Then I'll turn on a Prophet-5 and see how I react. :)"

You can see YMO's version here.

1974 MOOG MINIMOOG MODEL D EARLY OSC SN 9984 with Lit Mod Wheels

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
Published on Jul 18, 2015 Redmartian

"a short video showing that this minimoog model D is working properly."

Note this is being offered from Redmartian.

via this auction

"This auction is for an early oscillator 1974 minimoog model D serial number 99xx. It has a new Claro Walnut wood case and has a brushed aluminum wheel box with custom clear backlit acrylic wheels. It has been recently calibrated. The keyboard has new bushings and its buss bars have been cleaned. The oscillators have been tuned and scaled. The pots and switches have been cleaned where they can. Most of the pots are sealed. That being said, there does not seem to any scratchy or glitchy pots. The filter works and sounds great. Both contour EGs (for the filter and amp) work as well as modulation from the 3rd oscillator to both the oscillator and filter sections. White and Pink noise work, external in works"

CLICK FOR MORE »

Thank You Rain

YouTube via redmartian

"Music by RED MARTIAN. More information at
http://redmartian.com

Recorded using an Acidlab Miami, PMS Syntar and Mattson Mini Modular."

Note Stephen Jones of Red Martian will be performing at the PNW AES meet this coming Wednesday. See this post and this post. Georg Mattson, creator of the Syntar and the Mattson Mini Modular will be presenting.

Red Martian - någonting 2M Edison phonograph record synth music

Published on Dec 7, 2015 Redmartian

Here's something you don't hear (or see) every day.

"2M of new synth music on an Edison phonograph cylinder record (cut by Benjamin thevictrolaguy) Very limited run of 10 cylinders.

Phonograph is a Model D 2/4 combination with an S reproducer and Cygnet horn mic'ed with an SM57

Music performed live using a Roland TR-808, Jupiter-4, Jupiter-6 and Yamaha CS-15"

https://redmartian.bandcamp.com

CHARLOTTE SOMETIMES / IF ONLY I COULD LIE - limited 7" grey vinyl record

Published on Oct 31, 2015 Redmartian

"red martian / math genius collab on charlotte sometimes / if only i could lie. released on BUGHLT records limited 7" grey vinyl / December 2015."

All Rev 1 Prophet-5 (3 passes in unison) & TR-626 on Charlotte Sometimes.

http://redmartian.com

Roland TR-808 Vintage Analogue synthesizer Drum Machine with Custom Wood Sides

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
Published on Jul 18, 2015 Redmartian

via this auction

Note this is being offered from Redmartian, who also has an early OSC Minimoog listed.

"Working TR-808 with custom Claro Walnut wood sides."

CLICK FOR MORE »

Red Martian ROLAND SVC-350 VOCODER

via this auction

"Rackmount unit, one of the best sounding vocoders ever made
Controls operate smoothly, unit works great
USA 120v
owned and used by a non-smoker
Free shipping in the USA, $75 to elsewhere
Used on Red Martian - Your Computer (1993) and Cowboy and the Vocoder"


RECORD PLAY LISTENING OF ACETATE DUB COWBOY AND THE ROLAND VOCODER - RED MARTIAN
YouTube Uploaded by redmartian on Mar 5, 2010
Some of you might remember this one.
"Listening to Cowboy and the Vocoder (1 of 10) acetate dubs. b/w MMM demo number four.
The record is a thick aluminum disk with a coat of dub lacquer. It was a heated cut on a modified 1949 Presto cutting lathe using fairchild and ampex equipment for the mastering and RIAA curve."

RED MARTIAN - YOUR COMPUTER [1993] - ROLAND VOCODER

Uploaded by redmartian on Nov 8, 2008

"Recorded at Hot Traxx (Garland, Texas) in 1993. Yes, I brought everything into a heavy metal recording studio in the back of an El Camino (thanks to Brian Rogers). Here is the equipment list:
- Roland SVC-350 Vocoder
- Roland Alpha Juno (bass line)
- Sequential Circuits Prophet T-8 (additional bass and solo)
- Sequential Circuits Six-Trak (lead)
- Sequential Circuits Prophet-600 (lead)
- Ensoniq Performance Sampler (ERROR 144 - REBOOT?)
- SDF-3 running BSDI BSD/386
- Telebit Trailblazer TB+ plus (calling 'adaptex' over UUCP)
- Pascal Blin (Official French Guy)
- Drums sampled from Kraftwerk's Computer World record
- Vietnamese vocal by Hoang Oanh from Hon Vong Phu

The Telebit was sampled live in the studio because I did not have a SCSI interface on the EPS. The song was supposed to be released on an 'Analogue Heaven' compilation that never materialized and sat on DAT until 2004 when I remastered it and added Pascal Blin's vocal to fill in what I felt were empty spots. Pascal did not know what the words meant but was very concerned about pronouncing them correctly."

Red Martian at the New Wave Modular Synthesizer PNW AES Meeting

YouTube via matrixsynth.

Note his comment on orchestrating it. The laptop plays the sequence while Stephen edits the four voices in real time - listen for the subtle tweaks. The laptop only plays MIDI notes. The patches and editing are done by Stephen. In later videos he plays the Syntar. Be sure to see this post for more classical pieces featuring the MMM by Stephen and of course try a search here on MATRIXSYNTH on Red Martian or redmartian for more.

http://redmartian.com
http://synthwood.com
http://mattsonminimodular.com
http://www.myspace.com/bluelightcurtain
http://www.facebook.com/bluelightcurtain

"Stephen Jones of Red Martian, Blue Light Curtain, and Synthwood performs the PMS Syntar and Mattson Mini Modular at the New Wave Modular Synthesizer PNW AES Meeting at MS Studios."
Be sure to click on the PNWAES label below for all posts covering the event.


Don't miss the Syntar demo in the video set above.

CLICK FOR MORE »

RECORD PLAY LISTENING OF ACETATE DUB COWBOY AND THE ROLAND VOCODER - RED MARTIAN

YouTube via redmartian.

http://redmartian.com/ via this auction

"Listening to Cowboy and the Vocoder (1 or 10) acetate dubs. b/w MMM demo number four.
The record is a thick aluminum disk with a coat of dub lacquer. It was a heated cut on a modified 1949 Presto cutting lathe using fairchild and ampex equipment for the mastering and RIAA curve."

REINTRODUCING THE P.M.S. SYNTAR ANALOGUE SYNTHESIZER

YouTube via redmartian

"The Syntar was designed in the late 70s by George Mattson. George's company, P.M.S. (Performance Music Systems) manufactured these units with some work done by EML. There are roughly 8 units built and sold with a handful of prototypes, but by 1980 Moog Music had the Syntar beat marketing wise with its lesser Liberation.

Mark Mothersbaugh once optically scanned a Syntar at NAMM, but it seems the Liberation ended up in their rig.

I wanted to post a simple piece first and then later go into much further detail about what the Syntar can do that most mono-synths cannot and why it blows all other 'keytars' away.

(I hope I beat Jean Michel Jarre by posting the first Syntar video anywhere)"

Note that Jean Michel Jarre indeed did recently pick up a Syntar. Via his official blog:
"These past few days I have been chasing some analog instruments which I need for some new tracks and for the future on stage. I found a second Moog Liberation and a very rare portable keyboard, the Syntar."
YMO

Vintage Computer analog synth commodore 64 sx64 SID chiptune

Published on Aug 30, 2015 Redmartian

"SX64 with two SID chips analog synth"

Pacific Northwest Synth 2009 - Stephen aka Red Martian

YouTube via matrixsynth.

see this performance for reference.

http://redmartian.com
http://mattsonminimodular.com - MMM and PMS Syntar
http://synthwood.com
http://acidlab.de

Don't miss the Syntar neck controller.
Some more info on a modern update will be coming up in George Mattson's talk.
Note, during the reference to the track Cowboy, I mistakenly stated the original cowboy videos were from Vocoderman, it's actually VoiceEncoder. You can see more of his videos previously posted here. Apologies to VoiceEncoder.

click here for all PNW 2009 coverage.

COMMODORE 64 SMURFEN GAME WITH MICHAEL JACKSON'S BILLIE JEAN SID CHIP TUNE

YouTube via redmartian
"I downloaded this game off of a BBS in the 80s and must have quickly forgotten about it. I was going through my old disks and came across it and .. WOW! What a hard game!
The title should be HOW TO LOSE AT SMURFEN"

MATTSON MINI MODULAR + ROLAND SYSTEM 100M

YouTube via redmartian
"Testing the Mattson Mini Modular (LFO, VCA, EG, Mixer, Buffer, Track & Hold and Sample & Hold) with two Roland 112 VCOs and one 121 VCF."

MATTSON MINI MODULAR VCO TEST MMM

YouTube via redmartian
"Testing two the new VCOs. One sample and hold is routed to the modulation input of VCO 2 and the second sample and hold is routed to the CV input of VCO 2. VCO 2's triangle is then fed as modulation input of VCO 1 which then has two square waves and a saw tooth mixed in output."